EP3220780B1 - Facility for refreshing products in the presence of a layer of ice - Google Patents

Facility for refreshing products in the presence of a layer of ice Download PDF

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Publication number
EP3220780B1
EP3220780B1 EP15805597.0A EP15805597A EP3220780B1 EP 3220780 B1 EP3220780 B1 EP 3220780B1 EP 15805597 A EP15805597 A EP 15805597A EP 3220780 B1 EP3220780 B1 EP 3220780B1
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EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
mist
wall
products
installation
installation according
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EP15805597.0A
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German (de)
French (fr)
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EP3220780A1 (en
Inventor
Julien Dubois
Alexandre DENANS
Michel Gschwind
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Areco Finances et Technologie ARFITEC SAS
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Areco Finances et Technologie ARFITEC SAS
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    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47F—SPECIAL FURNITURE, FITTINGS, OR ACCESSORIES FOR SHOPS, STOREHOUSES, BARS, RESTAURANTS OR THE LIKE; PAYING COUNTERS
    • A47F3/00—Show cases or show cabinets
    • A47F3/04—Show cases or show cabinets air-conditioned, refrigerated
    • A47F3/0482—Details common to both closed and open types
    • A47F3/0495—Spraying, trickling or humidifying means
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47F—SPECIAL FURNITURE, FITTINGS, OR ACCESSORIES FOR SHOPS, STOREHOUSES, BARS, RESTAURANTS OR THE LIKE; PAYING COUNTERS
    • A47F3/00—Show cases or show cabinets
    • A47F3/001—Devices for lighting, humidifying, heating, ventilation

Definitions

  • the invention relates to installations for cooling products.
  • This installation forms, for example, an exhibition display in the tide department of a store, for fish and shellfish.
  • certain regulations require that this type of product be presented for sale while being stored at a particularly low temperature.
  • this temperature must be between 0 and 2 ° C for whole fish, shellfish, cooked or raw crustaceans or even cooked or raw shelled shellfish.
  • the aforementioned application discloses to lower the temperature of the fog and for this purpose to provide in the installation a heat exchanger which cools the fog using the freshness resulting from the ice on the shelf and on which rest the products.
  • the heat exchanger has a collector to collect the water from melting ice. A pipe crossed by the mist passes through this melt water in order to lower the temperature of the mist before it is diffused on the products.
  • the document DE 34 21 334 A1 discloses an installation known from the state of the art.
  • An object of the invention is to facilitate the maintenance of products at the desired temperature.
  • the invention therefore makes it possible to effectively cool the mist or the gas and the products to the desired temperature without excessive energy expenditure since it is the freshness of the ice which is directly used to cool the mist or the gas. It also makes it possible to reduce the frequency of renewal of the ice on the display. This therefore reduces handling and the risk of musculoskeletal disorders for staff due to these painful and repetitive operations.
  • the invention is well suited for the direct cooling of the fog, the fog being generated, then cooled against the wall and finally diffused on the products. But she is also suitable for cooling a gas such as air before this gas is used to generate a mist to then be diffused on products.
  • the upper face is inclined, preferably in its longitudinal direction and / or its transverse direction.
  • the upper face is horizontal.
  • the upper face has water retaining cavities, such as cells.
  • melt water is temporarily retained on the wall and its contact surface with the wall is increased.
  • the wall defines an enclosure of generally flat shape.
  • Such a shape promotes heat exchange between the mist and the wall.
  • the wall delimits an enclosure which has at least one water evacuation orifice, preferably the enclosure having an end side and two lateral sides each having a water evacuation orifice.
  • the orifice is located in one side of the enclosure having at least one section shaped to guide the water in the direction of the orifice.
  • the wall delimit an enclosure which has at least two internal ducts defining predetermined paths for the passage of the mist into the enclosure, the internal ducts being for example arranged in a parallel connection and preferably in mutual communication.
  • the parallel connection allows a relatively high fog flow to be cooled.
  • the wall delimits an enclosure which has a generally rectangular shape in plan and at least two bevels cutting into one side of the enclosure opposite to a side into which the mist inlet and outlet conduits emerge.
  • the installation comprises an external plate and, on the latter, a compartment comprising the wall, preferably a lower face of the compartment being equipped with a non-slip layer.
  • the invention can be implemented simply, quickly and inexpensively on an existing installation. It suffices to place the compartment on an existing tray, providing for fluid communication with the compartment and to cover the whole with a layer of ice. The non-slip layer keeps the compartment in place on the tray despite tilting and humidity.
  • the installation comprises a single external plate forming the wall.
  • the compartment is for example located under the display.
  • the installation comprises a layer of an anti-exudate material forming an upper face of the installation.
  • This layer promotes the evacuation of melt water.
  • the installation comprises a display of products separate from the wall.
  • the wall separates two compartments located one on top of the other and forming a reservoir, the means for discharging the water being located at the level of the upper compartment, the means for passing a mist or a gas being located at the level of the upper compartment. level of the lower compartment, the reservoir being located on the other side of a border with respect to the display.
  • the wall is a border separating two compartments of a tank. Since the reservoir is separate from the product display, ice is placed in the upper compartment and the mist or gas is passed into the lower compartment so as to cool it before it is dispersed on the products on a display located away from the tank. The ice used to cool the mist or the gas is therefore in this embodiment distinct from the ice used to cool the products.
  • the installation further comprises a device producing the mist or the gas.
  • FIG. 1 An installation 2 for the presentation of food products. It comprises here a piece of furniture 8 forming in this case a console, a table or a display. In the present example, this piece of furniture is used in a place of sale of products.
  • the products here are fresh food products which are usually found in the seafood section of stores. It is therefore for example fish or crustaceans.
  • the cabinet 8 comprises a frame 14 and a display 10 resting on the frame and which here has a generally rectangular shape in plan.
  • the display 10 comprises a planar bottom wall 12 forming an outer tray.
  • the display unit is open at the top so that the products can be viewed or taken by the public present in the vicinity of the display unit.
  • the display has for example a length of 2 meters. As this is a display of fish and shellfish 15, it is covered with a thick layer of ice 11, visible at the figure 6 , on which these products are arranged.
  • the display is slightly inclined to better show the products. This inclination also facilitates the flow of the water resulting from the progressive melting of the ice to a collection orifice (not shown) located in the lower part of the wall 12 with a view to its evacuation through an ad hoc duct.
  • the cabinet 8 comprises means for diffusing a mist 37 of nebulized water droplets, above the products and up to them in order to preserve their freshness.
  • the cabinet includes diffusers 16, in this case four in number. They each extend here in the upper part of the display, near its rear edge. They are oriented to diffuse the fog on the display.
  • the diffusers 16 are identical to each other.
  • each diffuser is located at the end of a respective rod having a profiled shape with a circular section, the diffuser having a single orifice at its free end.
  • other forms of diffusers are conceivable such as those presented in the documents.
  • WO 2013/034847 WO 2010/106276 , FR-2 971 954 , WO 2013/060970 and FR-2 995 542 .
  • diffusers each have an adjustable orientation in rotation about a horizontal axis to modify the inclination. They are also mounted to rotate with respect to the frame around a vertical axis.
  • the orifices of the diffusers are located in height, for example, at approximately 0.3 meter from the top of the products to be humidified, ie approximately 0.5 meter from the bottom of the display, but this depends on the actual height of the products.
  • the installation may also include diffusers located on strips 30 which form the periphery of the display unit, surrounding the wall 12 on all its sides.
  • the frame includes equipment allowing the generation of the mist 37 of water droplets and its delivery to each of the diffusers.
  • a fog generator 34 comprises one or more ultrasound emitters 36 equipped for example with an acoustic concentration nozzle serving for the production of micro-droplets of water which are then placed. suspended in a stream of air to form fog.
  • a generator is known in itself, in particular from the document FR-2 788 706 also incorporated by reference, and will not be described further here.
  • the mist thus produced comprises micro-droplets whose dimensions are between 0.2 and 50 ⁇ m, preferably between 2 and 5 ⁇ m. Preferably, a majority of droplets or even 95% of them have a greater dimension of less than 5 ⁇ m.
  • a technology employing a micro-perforated membrane can also be used to produce the droplets.
  • the installation comprises conduits 13 by means of which the mist produced by the generator is conveyed to the diffusers 16 from which it leaves the installation.
  • the assembly is controlled by means of a box comprising automated means and making it possible to control and adjust the operation of the cabinet.
  • the unit makes it possible in particular to adjust the ventilation speed, that is to say the speed of the air forming part of the mist, the nebulization power and other machine parameters (cycle, safety thresholds, etc. ).
  • the installation comprises a compartment 40 delimited by two main walls, respectively upper 42 and lower 44. These walls are flat, parallel to each other and extend at a distance from each other in order to leave between them a space for passage. fog.
  • the upper wall 42 has an upper face 43 and a lower face 45 both plane and parallel to each other.
  • the same is true for the lower wall 44.
  • the compartment is also delimited by four walls which form the sides of the compartment as well as by two bevels. These are the upper rear 46, lower front 48 and side 50 and bevels 52. These sides keep the upper and lower walls at a distance from each other.
  • the two main walls, the sides and the bevels define a closed enclosure 54 in the compartment.
  • the compartment and this enclosure each have a generally flat shape. In plan view, their general shape would be that of a rectangle if the bevels 52 which cut into two corners of the rectangle were absent. These bevels provide the junction between the lateral sides 50 and front 48.
  • the rear side 46 extends in a horizontal transverse direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction corresponding to the plane of symmetry of the installation.
  • the front side is formed by two rectilinear sections forming in this case an obtuse angle ⁇ , for example of 176 °.
  • a teat 56 has an orifice placing the exterior and interior of the compartment in communication.
  • the angle a is measured from the side of the enclosure and has its apex at the level of this orifice.
  • Each lateral side 50 forms with the adjacent bevel 52 an obtuse angle b , for example of 133 °.
  • This arrangement makes it possible to use the same compartment on an installation which has an inclination not in its longitudinal direction but in its transverse direction. In fact, the condensates generated inside the enclosure can then be evacuated on the side. of the compartment via the nipple 56.
  • the compartment can be arranged horizontally and provided with water drainage holes in the bottom wall 44.
  • the compartment has in this case three internal walls 60, 62 extending from one to the other of the lower and upper walls. These three walls are rectilinear, extend parallel to the longitudinal direction of the display, at a distance from each other and all from the rear side 46 without reaching the bevels and the front side 48. They all have faces. main vertical planes. One distinguishes among them a median wall 60 extending along the plane of symmetry of the compartment and two side walls 62 extending midway from the median wall 60 and from one of the lateral sides 50.
  • These walls define with the sides and the bevels of the compartment four sections 64, 66 for the passage of the fog.
  • These sections have a generally profiled shape with a rectangular section, and are rectilinear and parallel to each other over most of their length.
  • the sections 64 are each delimited by a side 50 and a wall 62.
  • the sections 66 are each delimited by a wall 62 and the middle wall 60. They each extend from the rear side 46.
  • the wall 62 being interrupted before arriving at the bevel 52, each section 64 is in communication in front of this wall with the adjacent section 66.
  • the sections 66 are in communication with one another at the front of the middle wall 60.
  • the compartment comprises two mist inlet ducts 68 and two fog outlet ducts 70. These four ducts are identical to each other and each place the upper rear end of the respective one of the sections in communication with the 'outside the compartment through the rear side 46.
  • the inlet ducts 68 are here closest to the sides 50 and the outlet ducts 70 closest to the middle wall 60. As illustrated in particular in FIG. figure 1 , the inlet conduits 68 are connected by conduits 13 to the fog generator 34 while the outlet conduits 70 are connected by conduits 13 to the diffusers 16.
  • the upper wall 42 is formed in this case by a removable cover which allows access to the entire compartment for the purpose of inspecting and cleaning it.
  • the upper wall 42 also carries welded stops 72, 74 which project from its lower face and allow this wall to fit over the rest of the compartment 40, preventing it from slipping. They also define with the edge of the wall handles which facilitate its gripping.
  • the display 12, as well as the compartment 40 is preferably made of metal, for example stainless steel.
  • the compartment occupies only part of the upper face of the wall 12 of the display. In particular, he is not in contact with any of the lateral and longitudinal edges of this wall. It is positioned mainly in the upper half of this wall in the present example. Most of this wall therefore remains available for receiving ice and food products.
  • the mist comes into contact with the lower face 45 of the upper wall 42 on which directly rests the ice cream.
  • the fog is therefore cooled as it travels through the enclosure. Downstream of the outlet ducts 70, it is routed by other ducts 13 to the diffusers 16. It leaves the installation via these to be diffused on the products 15.
  • the compartment therefore forms a heat exchanger between the ice and the fog.
  • the plate 42 is sandwiched between the layer of ice above and the enclosure below. This exchange causes the progressive melting of the ice. Taking into account the inclination of the upper face of the compartment, the melt water continuously flows out of this face onto the wall 12 then out of the installation. Ice 11 therefore remains in direct contact with the compartment. If, to compensate for the melting of the ice, it is added to the existing layer after having removed the products 15, the weight of the ice cream preserves close contact between the latter and the face 43.
  • the quantity of ice on a stand is such that the layer has a thickness of up to 40 cm and represents 400 kg per square meter.
  • the resulting water is in turn discharged through the teat 56 also on the wall 12.
  • This shutdown period provides a sort of “breathing” phase for the products during which cold air accumulates above them. When the mist diffusion resumes, this layer of low temperature air is evacuated by being pushed by the mist which spreads over the products.
  • the compartment is simply placed on the plate 12.
  • the upper face thereof can be provided with a non-slip layer. It is also possible to equip at least part of the wall 12 with an anti-exudate material which facilitates the flow of water.
  • provision can be made for the compartment to extend inside the table and for the wall 12 itself to form the upper wall of the compartment.
  • FIG. 9 Another variant embodiment is illustrated on figure 9 .
  • the upper face 43 of the upper wall 42 of the compartment while remaining generally flat, has cavities 76 such as cells which allow more water to be retained on the wall to further promote cooling of the mist or gas.
  • the cells 76 have, for example, the shape of a portion of a sphere.
  • the installation of the invention has many functionalities and several advantages.
  • the installation gives a better appearance to the products on the stall. Especially the fish are brighter and look fresher.
  • the installation increases the life of the products on the stall and reduces the loss of the products. This loss occurs if the condition of the products deteriorates so that they become unsaleable.
  • the invention can be easily implemented on existing stalls or displays. It is easily removable, in particular for cleaning.
  • the invention does not require prior cooling of the air used to generate the fog and for this purpose it is possible to use ambient air, for example at 15 or 20 ° C. This is a substantial advantage because a such cooling is difficult and expensive to implement. In addition, it is not very effective in obtaining a low temperature mist at the outlet.
  • the number and arrangement of the entry and exit conduits of the compartment can be modified.
  • FIG 8 an alternative arrangement of these conduits. This time, the inlet ducts 68 are disposed in the left half of the compartment when viewed in plan, the outlet ducts 70 extending in the right half.
  • the installation does not necessarily form a piece of furniture. It can be used in a storage or production place. It can constitute a manufacturing and / or packaging installation.
  • the installation can also be used for disinfecting or humidifying products or volumes, for example products circulating on a carpet, in particular on a production or packaging line.
  • the ice can be used to cool the fog without receiving any products itself, the fog being diffused on products located elsewhere.
  • This example is shown in figures 10 to 12 . They illustrate a reservoir 20 having two compartments 21 and 22 located one on top of the other and separated by a wall 23 of generally planar shape. This wall 23 is set back upwards from the lower edges 24 of the upper compartment 21. It separates the upper compartment 21, which is open on the top, from the lower compartment 22.
  • the reservoir 20 has a tubular inlet 25 located on one side.
  • the reservoir 20 also comprises two tubular outlets 26 and 27 located in the upper compartment 21 and extending vertically upwards on one side, opening into the lower compartment 22 through two openings 28 and 29 on the other. In addition, these outlets are located at an edge of the reservoir opposite to that having the tubular inlet 25. From the front, the reservoir 20 further comprises a small tubular outlet 31 and a large tubular outlet 32, both of which are located. at the level of the upper compartment 21. The small outlet 31 is located in height, while the outlet 32 is located flush with the flat wall 23.
  • Ice 101 is placed in the upper compartment 21. This glass 101 is therefore in contact with the flat wall 23 at its upper face. Mist or gas 102 is introduced through the inlet 25 so that the gas or the mist circulates flush with the flat wall 23 within the lower compartment 22. The gas / mist 102 circulates along the wall. 23, so that it is cooled by the ice 101 located on the other side in contact with the wall, then enters through the orifices 28 and 29 into the tubular outlets 26 and 27. When a first part of the gas / mist 102 has entered the tubes, the other part continues to be cooled along the wall 23. In addition, the tubes 26 and 27 pass through the upper compartment 21 and therefore the ice 101 disposed therein so that the mist is kept at low temperature.
  • the gas / mist 102 comes from a nebulization device 61 intended for the inlet 25 of the tank, while at the outlet the cooled gas / mist 102 comes out of the outlets 26 and 27 to go to the mist diffusers 91 and 92, which diffuse the mist on products placed on a stall 93.
  • the reservoir 20 is fixed under the stall 93, below the latter. It extends opposite an outer lower face of the display, at a distance from the latter. It can be fixed at any other place, for example on the other side of a border of the shelf 93.
  • the reservoir 20 being open on the top, it is easy to deposit ice in the upper compartment 21. But one can imagine that it is possible to close it. If the upper tank 21 is emptied, the large tubular outlet 32 is used, located flush with the wall 23. Normally closed, this outlet therefore makes it possible to empty the upper compartment and to evacuate the melt water. Without emptying, the so-called “overflow” water is evacuated through the small tubular outlet 31.
  • the fixing between the two compartments can be achieved by any removable fixing means, such as latches.
  • the ice used to cool the fog is therefore separate from the ice used to keep products cool and can even be dispensed with if necessary.
  • the large tubular outlet 32 is not closed but left open normally.
  • the wall 23 in contact with the ice 101 continuously discharges the melt water through the outlet 32 located flush with the wall 23, similarly to the operation of the first embodiment described in which the wall 42 discharges melt water continuously.
  • the invention can also be used for other fresh food products such as fruits, vegetables or meat. It is particularly suitable for pre-cut fruits and vegetables. It is also applicable to food products such as cheese and more generally to any product sensitive to drying out, for example flowers.
  • the droplet mist can be formed from a liquid containing a biocide.

Description

L'invention concerne les installations pour rafraîchir des produits.The invention relates to installations for cooling products.

La demande WO 2009/053579 au nom de la demanderesse divulgue une telle installation, servant par exemple pour un étalage d'exposition de produits alimentaires dans un lieu de vente. Un générateur à ultrasons produit des micro-gouttelettes d'eau qui sont ensuite transportées dans un flux d'air pour former le brouillard. Des diffuseurs reçoivent le brouillard et l'envoient au-dessus des produits, ce qui préserve leur fraîcheur, améliore leur aspect et favorise leur vente. En effet, ces micro-gouttelettes s'évaporent au contact des produits qu'elles contribuent ainsi à rafraîchir. Compte tenu de leur taille très petite, elles ne forment aucun dépôt humide sur les produits.Requirement WO 2009/053579 in the name of the applicant discloses such an installation, serving for example for a display of food products in a point of sale. An ultrasonic generator produces micro-droplets of water which are then carried in an air stream to form the mist. Diffusers receive the mist and send it over the products, which preserves their freshness, improves their appearance and promotes their sale. Indeed, these micro-droplets evaporate on contact with the products which they thus help to cool. Due to their very small size, they do not form any wet deposit on the products.

Cette installation forme par exemple un étalage d'exposition au rayon marée d'un magasin, pour des poissons et des crustacés. Or certaines réglementations obligent que ce type de produits soient présentés à la vente en étant conservés à une température particulièrement basse. C'est ainsi que, en France, cette température doit se situer entre 0 et 2° C pour les poissons entiers, les mollusques, les crustacés cuits ou crus ou encore les coquillages décoquilliés cuits ou crus.This installation forms, for example, an exhibition display in the tide department of a store, for fish and shellfish. However, certain regulations require that this type of product be presented for sale while being stored at a particularly low temperature. Thus, in France, this temperature must be between 0 and 2 ° C for whole fish, shellfish, cooked or raw crustaceans or even cooked or raw shelled shellfish.

C'est pourquoi la demande précitée divulgue d'abaisser la température du brouillard et à cette fin de prévoir dans l'installation un échangeur de chaleur qui refroidit le brouillard en utilisant la fraîcheur résultant de la glace se trouvant sur l'étalage et sur laquelle reposent les produits. L'échangeur de chaleur comporte un collecteur destiné à recueillir l'eau de fonte de la glace. Un conduit traversé par le brouillard passe à travers cette eau de fonte afin d'abaisser la température du brouillard avant sa diffusion sur les produits.This is why the aforementioned application discloses to lower the temperature of the fog and for this purpose to provide in the installation a heat exchanger which cools the fog using the freshness resulting from the ice on the shelf and on which rest the products. The heat exchanger has a collector to collect the water from melting ice. A pipe crossed by the mist passes through this melt water in order to lower the temperature of the mist before it is diffused on the products.

Toutefois cette installation est susceptible d'être améliorée. En effet, il demeure difficile de maintenir les produits à la température souhaitée. Notamment, l'eau de fonte ainsi collectée doit être évacuée aussi souvent que possible voire en continu faute de quoi elle se réchauffe au contact du conduit et d'autres éléments de l'installation. En contrepartie, il faut veiller à conserver suffisamment d'eau dans le collecteur pour assurer le refroidissement du brouillard passant dans le conduit. Il s'avère en pratique difficile d'atteindre un juste milieu entre ces contraintes antagonistes.However, this installation is likely to be improved. Indeed, it remains difficult to maintain the products at the desired temperature. In particular, the melt water thus collected must be evacuated as often as possible or even continuously, otherwise it heats up on contact with the duct and other elements of the installation. On the other hand, care must be taken to keep sufficient water in the collector to ensure the cooling of the mist passing through the duct. In practice, it turns out to be difficult to strike a balance between these conflicting constraints.

Le document DE 34 21 334 A1 divulgue une installation connue de l'état de la technique.The document DE 34 21 334 A1 discloses an installation known from the state of the art.

Un but de l'invention est de faciliter le maintien de produits à la température souhaitée.An object of the invention is to facilitate the maintenance of products at the desired temperature.

A cet effet, on prévoit selon l'invention une installation selon la revendication 1.For this purpose, according to the invention, an installation according to claim 1 is provided.

Ainsi on peut disposer sur la face supérieure de la paroi une couche de glace et sur celle-ci les produits à maintenir au frais. En particulier, compte tenu de la forme générale plane de cette face, le poids de la glace maintient un contact direct et étroit entre la glace et la paroi. En effet, en dépit du fait que la glace fond continuellement au contact de la paroi qui sert d'échangeur thermique avec le brouillard ou le gaz, l'eau est évacuée elle aussi continuellement de cette face de sorte que la glace peut rester en contact avec la paroi. Cette face reste donc constamment à la température la plus basse possible, ce qui favorise le refroidissement du brouillard ou du gaz en contact avec la face opposée de la paroi. Par ailleurs, quand on ajoute périodiquement de la glace sur l'étalage comme c'est l'usage, cette accumulation favorise par gravité la préservation du contact étroit entre la glace et la paroi. De plus, il est encore plus efficace de « casser » périodiquement la glace accumulée en la frappant par le dessus, par exemple avec une pelle, afin de compenser sa fonte et de conserver un contact important entre la glace et la paroi. Ainsi, on maintient au contact de la paroi un mélange eau-glace qui offre un très bon contact avec la paroi et un froid prononcé. L'invention permet donc de refroidir efficacement le brouillard ou le gaz et les produits à la température souhaitée et ce sans dépense énergétique excessive puisque c'est la fraîcheur de la glace qui est directement utilisée pour refroidir le brouillard ou le gaz. Elle permet aussi de diminuer la fréquence de renouvellement de la glace sur l'étalage. Cela réduit donc la manutention et les risques de troubles musculo-squelettiques pour le personnel en raison de ces opérations pénibles et répétitivesThus it is possible to place on the upper face of the wall a layer of ice and on it the products to be kept cool. In particular, given the general flat shape of this face, the weight of the ice maintains direct and close contact between the ice and the wall. Indeed, despite the fact that the ice continuously melts in contact with the wall which serves as a heat exchanger with the mist or the gas, the water is also continuously evacuated from this face so that the ice can remain in contact. with the wall. This face therefore remains constantly at the lowest possible temperature, which promotes cooling of the mist or gas in contact with the opposite face of the wall. Furthermore, when ice is periodically added to the display as is customary, this accumulation favors by gravity the preservation of the close contact between the ice and the wall. In addition, it is even more effective to periodically "break" the accumulated ice by hitting it from above, for example with a shovel, in order to compensate for its melting and to maintain significant contact between the ice and the wall. Thus, a water-ice mixture is maintained in contact with the wall, which offers very good contact with the wall and pronounced cold. The invention therefore makes it possible to effectively cool the mist or the gas and the products to the desired temperature without excessive energy expenditure since it is the freshness of the ice which is directly used to cool the mist or the gas. It also makes it possible to reduce the frequency of renewal of the ice on the display. This therefore reduces handling and the risk of musculoskeletal disorders for staff due to these painful and repetitive operations.

À l'inverse, de tels résultats ne sont pas obtenus si l'on fait passer le brouillard ou le gaz dans des conduits à section circulaire qui traversent une couche de glace. En effet, la fonte se produit d'abord dans la zone de la couche de la glace en contact avec les conduits. L'eau de fonte s'écoule par ruissellement au bas de la couche et laisse place à une couche d'air car la glace accumulée tend à former des cavités et des voûtes circulaires autour des conduits. Les conduits ne sont donc plus en contact avec la glace sur tout leur périmètre, ce qui nuit au refroidissement du brouillard ou du gaz. Pour s'en prémunir, un opérateur doit très fréquemment intervenir et casser ces cavités de glace en reconstituant une couche de glace uniforme.Conversely, such results are not obtained if the fog or gas is passed through ducts with a circular section which pass through a layer of ice. This is because melting occurs first in the area of the ice layer in contact with the ducts. The meltwater runs off at the bottom of the layer and gives way to a layer of air because the accumulated ice tends to form cavities and circular arches around the ducts. The ducts are therefore no longer in contact with the ice over their entire perimeter, which impairs the cooling of the fog or gas. To guard against this, an operator must very frequently intervene and break these ice cavities by reconstituting a uniform layer of ice.

L'invention convient bien pour le refroidissement direct du brouillard, le brouillard étant généré, puis refroidi contre la paroi et enfin diffusé sur les produits. Mais elle convient aussi pour refroidir un gaz tel que l'air avant que ce gaz soit utilisé pour générer un brouillard à diffuser ensuite sur des produits.Dans un mode de réalisation, la face supérieure est inclinée, de préférence suivant sa direction longitudinale et/ou sa direction transversale.The invention is well suited for the direct cooling of the fog, the fog being generated, then cooled against the wall and finally diffused on the products. But she is also suitable for cooling a gas such as air before this gas is used to generate a mist to then be diffused on products.In one embodiment, the upper face is inclined, preferably in its longitudinal direction and / or its transverse direction.

C'est de cette façon par exemple que peut être assurée l'évacuation permanente de l'eau apparaissant sur la face supérieure.It is in this way, for example, that the permanent evacuation of the water appearing on the upper face can be ensured.

Dans un autre mode, la face supérieure est horizontale.In another embodiment, the upper face is horizontal.

Avantageusement, la face supérieure présente des cavités de retenue d'eau, telles que des alvéoles.Advantageously, the upper face has water retaining cavities, such as cells.

Ainsi, l'eau de fonte est temporairement retenue sur la paroi et on augmente sa surface de contact avec la paroi.Thus, the melt water is temporarily retained on the wall and its contact surface with the wall is increased.

De préférence, la paroi délimite une enceinte de forme générale plate.Preferably, the wall defines an enclosure of generally flat shape.

Une telle forme favorise les échanges thermiques entre le brouillard et la paroi.Such a shape promotes heat exchange between the mist and the wall.

Avantageusement, la paroi délimite une enceinte qui présente au moins un orifice d'évacuation d'eau, de préférence l'enceinte présentant un côté d'extrémité et deux côtés latéraux présentant chacun un orifice d'évacuation d'eau.Advantageously, the wall delimits an enclosure which has at least one water evacuation orifice, preferably the enclosure having an end side and two lateral sides each having a water evacuation orifice.

Un tel orifice permet d'évacuer l'eau pouvant résulter de la condensation du brouillard à l'intérieur de l'enceinte. Ainsi la plus grande partie de l'enceinte demeure disponible pour recevoir du brouillard et assurer son échange thermique avec la paroi.Such an orifice makes it possible to evacuate the water which may result from the condensation of the mist inside the enclosure. Thus most of the enclosure remains available to receive the fog and ensure its heat exchange with the wall.

Avantageusement, l'orifice se trouve dans un côté de l'enceinte présentant au moins un tronçon conformé pour guider l'eau en direction de l'orifice.Advantageously, the orifice is located in one side of the enclosure having at least one section shaped to guide the water in the direction of the orifice.

Selon l'invention, il est prévu que la paroi délimite une enceinte qui présente au moins deux conduits internes définissant des trajets prédéterminés pour le passage du brouillard dans l'enceinte, les conduits internes étant par exemple agencés suivant un montage en parallèle et de préférence en communication mutuelle.According to the invention, provision is made for the wall to delimit an enclosure which has at least two internal ducts defining predetermined paths for the passage of the mist into the enclosure, the internal ducts being for example arranged in a parallel connection and preferably in mutual communication.

Le montage en parallèle permet de refroidir un débit de brouillard relativement élevé.The parallel connection allows a relatively high fog flow to be cooled.

Le brouillard reste toutefois mieux refroidi à faible vitesse.However, the fog remains better cooled at low speed.

De préférence, la paroi délimite une enceinte qui présente une forme générale rectangulaire en plan et au moins deux biseaux entamant un côté de l'enceinte opposé à un côté dans lequel débouchent des conduits d'entrée et de sortie du brouillard.Preferably, the wall delimits an enclosure which has a generally rectangular shape in plan and at least two bevels cutting into one side of the enclosure opposite to a side into which the mist inlet and outlet conduits emerge.

En l'absence de tels biseaux, on constate dans les coins du rectangle l'apparition d'une perte de charge lors du passage du brouillard dans l'enceinte. Ces zones peuvent même devenir des zones « mortes » dans lesquelles le brouillard ne circule pas ou très peu. La présence des biseaux réduit cette perte de charge en améliorant la circulation du brouillard et donc les échanges thermiques.In the absence of such bevels, there is in the corners of the rectangle the appearance of a pressure drop during the passage of the fog in the enclosure. These zones can even become “dead” zones in which the fog does not circulate or very little. The presence of the bevels reduces this pressure drop by improving the circulation of the mist and therefore the heat exchanges.

Dans un mode de réalisation, l'installation comprend un plateau externe et, sur ce dernier, un compartiment comportant la paroi, de préférence une face inférieure du compartiment étant équipée d'une couche antidérapante.In one embodiment, the installation comprises an external plate and, on the latter, a compartment comprising the wall, preferably a lower face of the compartment being equipped with a non-slip layer.

Ainsi l'invention peut être mise en œuvre de façon simple, rapide et peu coûteuse sur une installation existante. Il suffit en effet de poser le compartiment sur un plateau existant, en prévoyant la communication de fluide avec le compartiment et de recouvrir l'ensemble d'une couche de glace. La couche antidérapante assure le maintien en place du compartiment sur le plateau en dépit de l'inclinaison et de l'humidité.Thus the invention can be implemented simply, quickly and inexpensively on an existing installation. It suffices to place the compartment on an existing tray, providing for fluid communication with the compartment and to cover the whole with a layer of ice. The non-slip layer keeps the compartment in place on the tray despite tilting and humidity.

Dans un autre mode de réalisation, l'installation comprend un unique plateau externe formant la paroi.In another embodiment, the installation comprises a single external plate forming the wall.

Cette fois, on prévoit donc que la paroi assurant l'échange thermique entre la glace et le brouillard forme le plateau elle-même. Le compartiment est par exemple situé sous l'étalage.This time, therefore, provision is made for the wall ensuring the heat exchange between the ice and the fog to form the plate itself. The compartment is for example located under the display.

Avantageusement, l'installation comprend une couche d'un matériau anti-exudat formant une face supérieure de l'installation.Advantageously, the installation comprises a layer of an anti-exudate material forming an upper face of the installation.

Cette couche favorise l'évacuation de l'eau de fonte.This layer promotes the evacuation of melt water.

De préférence, l'installation comprend un étalage de produits distinct de la paroi. Avantageusement, la paroi sépare deux compartiments situés l'un sur l'autre et formant un réservoir, les moyens d'évacuation de l'eau étant situés au niveau du compartiment supérieur, les moyens pour faire passer un brouillard ou un gaz étant situés au niveau du compartiment inférieur, le réservoir étant situé d'un autre côté d'une bordure par rapport à l'étalage.Preferably, the installation comprises a display of products separate from the wall. Advantageously, the wall separates two compartments located one on top of the other and forming a reservoir, the means for discharging the water being located at the level of the upper compartment, the means for passing a mist or a gas being located at the level of the upper compartment. level of the lower compartment, the reservoir being located on the other side of a border with respect to the display.

Ainsi, la paroi est une frontière séparant deux compartiments d'un réservoir. Le réservoir étant distinct de l'étalage de produits, on place de la glace dans le compartiment supérieur et on fait passer le brouillard ou le gaz dans le compartiment inférieur de manière à le refroidir avant qu'il soit dispersé sur les produits sur un étalage situé à distance du réservoir. La glace utilisée pour refroidir le brouillard ou le gaz est donc dans ce mode de réalisation distincte de la glace utilisée pour refroidir les produits.Thus, the wall is a border separating two compartments of a tank. Since the reservoir is separate from the product display, ice is placed in the upper compartment and the mist or gas is passed into the lower compartment so as to cool it before it is dispersed on the products on a display located away from the tank. The ice used to cool the mist or the gas is therefore in this embodiment distinct from the ice used to cool the products.

Avantageusement, l'installation comprend en outre un dispositif produisant le brouillard ou le gaz.Advantageously, the installation further comprises a device producing the mist or the gas.

On prévoit également selon l'invention un procédé pour rafraîchir des produits à l'aide d'une installation selon l'invention, dans lequel :

  • on fait passer un brouillard ou un gaz contre la face inférieure de la paroi de l'installation, la face supérieure étant recouverte de glace, puis
  • on diffuse le brouillard ou un brouillard qui comprend le gaz sur des produits à rafraîchir.
There is also provided according to the invention a method for refreshing products using an installation according to the invention, in which:
  • a mist or a gas is passed against the underside of the wall of the installation, the upper face being covered with ice, then
  • the mist or a mist which includes the gas is diffused on products to be cooled.

Nous allons maintenant décrire un mode de réalisation de l'invention et une variante en référence aux dessins annexés sur lesquels :

  • la figure 1 est une vue en perspective d'une installation selon un mode de réalisation de l'invention,
  • les figures 2, 3 et 4 sont des vues en perspective, de dessus et d'extrémité du compartiment de l'installation de la figure 1 sans son couvercle,
  • la figure 5 est une vue perspective du couvercle du compartiment de la figure 2,
  • la figure 6 est une vue partielle en coupe verticale de l'installation durant son utilisation,
  • la figure 7 est une vue de dessus du compartiment de la figure 2 montrant les entrées et les sorties de brouillard,
  • la figure 8 est une vue analogue à la figure 7 montrant une variante de réalisation, et
  • la figure 9 est une vue en perspective du compartiment montrant une autre variante de réalisation.
  • les figures 10 à 12 sont des vues de l'installation selon un exemple ne faisant pas partie de l'invention respectivement en perspective au niveau d'un réservoir, en éclaté au niveau de ce réservoir, et en perspective au niveau de l'ensemble de l'installation.
We will now describe an embodiment of the invention and a variant with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:
  • the figure 1 is a perspective view of an installation according to one embodiment of the invention,
  • the figures 2, 3 and 4 are perspective, top and end views of the installation compartment of the figure 1 without its cover,
  • the figure 5 is a perspective view of the compartment cover of the figure 2 ,
  • the figure 6 is a partial vertical sectional view of the installation during use,
  • the figure 7 is a top view of the compartment of the figure 2 showing the entry and exit of fog,
  • the figure 8 is a view similar to the figure 7 showing an alternative embodiment, and
  • the figure 9 is a perspective view of the compartment showing another variant embodiment.
  • the figures 10 to 12 are views of the installation according to an example not forming part of the invention, respectively in perspective at the level of a tank, in exploded view at the level of this tank, and in perspective at the level of the entire installation.

On a illustré aux figures 1 à 7 dans un mode de réalisation de l'invention une installation 2 de présentation de produits alimentaires. Elle comprend ici un meuble 8 formant en l'espèce une console, une table ou un présentoir. Dans le présent exemple, ce meuble est utilisé dans un lieu de vente de produits.We have illustrated figures 1 to 7 in one embodiment of the invention an installation 2 for the presentation of food products. It comprises here a piece of furniture 8 forming in this case a console, a table or a display. In the present example, this piece of furniture is used in a place of sale of products.

Les produits 15 sont ici des produits alimentaires frais que l'on trouve habituellement au rayon marée des magasins. Il s'agit donc par exemple de poissons ou de crustacés.The products here are fresh food products which are usually found in the seafood section of stores. It is therefore for example fish or crustaceans.

Le meuble 8 comprend un bâti 14 et un étalage 10 reposant sur le bâti et qui présente ici une forme générale rectangulaire en plan. L'étalage 10 comprend une paroi de fond plane 12 formant un plateau externe. Le présentoir est ouvert en partie supérieure de sorte que les produits 15 peuvent être regardés ou pris par le public présent aux abords du présentoir. Le présentoir a par exemple une longueur de 2 mètres. S'agissant d'un étalage de poissons et de crustacés 15, il est recouvert d'une épaisse couche de glace 11, visible à la figure 6, sur laquelle ces produits sont disposés. L'étalage est légèrement incliné pour mieux laisser voir les produits. Cette inclinaison facilite aussi l'écoulement de l'eau résultant de la fonte progressive de la glace jusqu'à un orifice de collecte non illustré situé en partie inférieure de la paroi 12 en vue de son évacuation par un conduit ad hoc.The cabinet 8 comprises a frame 14 and a display 10 resting on the frame and which here has a generally rectangular shape in plan. The display 10 comprises a planar bottom wall 12 forming an outer tray. The display unit is open at the top so that the products can be viewed or taken by the public present in the vicinity of the display unit. The display has for example a length of 2 meters. As this is a display of fish and shellfish 15, it is covered with a thick layer of ice 11, visible at the figure 6 , on which these products are arranged. The display is slightly inclined to better show the products. This inclination also facilitates the flow of the water resulting from the progressive melting of the ice to a collection orifice (not shown) located in the lower part of the wall 12 with a view to its evacuation through an ad hoc duct.

Le meuble 8 comprend des moyens pour la diffusion d'un brouillard 37 de gouttelettes d'eau nébulisée, au-dessus des produits et jusqu'à ceux-ci afin d'en préserver la fraîcheur. A cette fin, le meuble comprend des diffuseurs 16, en l'espèce au nombre de quatre. Ils s'étendent ici chacun en partie haute du présentoir, près de son bord arrière. Ils sont orientés pour diffuser le brouillard sur le présentoir.The cabinet 8 comprises means for diffusing a mist 37 of nebulized water droplets, above the products and up to them in order to preserve their freshness. To this end, the cabinet includes diffusers 16, in this case four in number. They each extend here in the upper part of the display, near its rear edge. They are oriented to diffuse the fog on the display.

Les diffuseurs 16 sont identiques entre eux. Dans le présent exemple, chaque diffuseur se trouve à l'extrémité d'une canne respective ayant une forme profilée à section circulaire, le diffuseur présentant un orifice unique à son extrémité libre. Naturellement, d'autres formes de diffuseurs sont envisageables telles que celles présentées dans les documents WO 2013/034847 , WO 2010/106276 , FR-2 971 954 , WO 2013/060970 et FR-2 995 542 .The diffusers 16 are identical to each other. In the present example, each diffuser is located at the end of a respective rod having a profiled shape with a circular section, the diffuser having a single orifice at its free end. Naturally, other forms of diffusers are conceivable such as those presented in the documents. WO 2013/034847 , WO 2010/106276 , FR-2 971 954 , WO 2013/060970 and FR-2 995 542 .

Ces diffuseurs ont chacun une orientation réglable en rotation autour d'un axe horizontal pour en modifier l'inclinaison. Ils sont aussi montés rotatifs par rapport au bâti autour d'un axe vertical.These diffusers each have an adjustable orientation in rotation about a horizontal axis to modify the inclination. They are also mounted to rotate with respect to the frame around a vertical axis.

Leur position par rapport au bâti est réglable en hauteur notamment pour tenir compte de l'épaisseur de la couche de glace et donc de la position des produits en direction verticale. Il est avantageux que les orifices des diffuseurs se situent en hauteur par exemple à environ 0,3 mètre du sommet des produits à humidifier, soit environ 0,5 mètre du fond de l'étalage, mais cela dépend de la hauteur propre des produits.Their position relative to the frame is adjustable in height, in particular to take account of the thickness of the layer of ice and therefore of the position of the products in the vertical direction. It is advantageous for the orifices of the diffusers to be located in height, for example, at approximately 0.3 meter from the top of the products to be humidified, ie approximately 0.5 meter from the bottom of the display, but this depends on the actual height of the products.

Ces réglages permettent d'ajuster le flux de brouillard diffusé selon la disposition et la nature des produits présentés.These settings make it possible to adjust the flow of fog diffused according to the arrangement and the nature of the products presented.

L'installation peut comprendre aussi des diffuseurs situés sur des bandeaux 30 qui forment la périphérie du présentoir en entourant sur tous ses côtés la paroi 12.The installation may also include diffusers located on strips 30 which form the periphery of the display unit, surrounding the wall 12 on all its sides.

Le bâti comprend des équipements permettant la génération du brouillard 37 de gouttelettes d'eau et son acheminement jusqu'à chacun des diffuseurs.The frame includes equipment allowing the generation of the mist 37 of water droplets and its delivery to each of the diffusers.

C'est ainsi qu'il comprend un générateur de brouillard 34. Ce dernier comporte un ou plusieurs émetteurs d'ultrasons 36 équipés par exemple d'une buse de concentration acoustique servant à la production de micro-gouttelettes d'eau qui sont ensuite placées en suspension dans un flux d'air pour former le brouillard. Un tel générateur est connu en lui-même, notamment du document FR-2 788 706 incorporé lui aussi par référence, et ne sera pas décrit ici plus avant. Le brouillard ainsi produit comprend des micro-gouttelettes dont les dimensions sont comprises entre 0,2 et 50 µm, de préférence entre 2 et 5 µm. De préférence, une majorité de gouttelettes voire 95 % d'entre elles ont une plus grande dimension inférieure à 5 µm. On peut aussi utiliser pour produire les gouttelettes une technologie employant une membrane micro-perforée.Thus it comprises a fog generator 34. The latter comprises one or more ultrasound emitters 36 equipped for example with an acoustic concentration nozzle serving for the production of micro-droplets of water which are then placed. suspended in a stream of air to form fog. Such a generator is known in itself, in particular from the document FR-2 788 706 also incorporated by reference, and will not be described further here. The mist thus produced comprises micro-droplets whose dimensions are between 0.2 and 50 μm, preferably between 2 and 5 μm. Preferably, a majority of droplets or even 95% of them have a greater dimension of less than 5 μm. A technology employing a micro-perforated membrane can also be used to produce the droplets.

L'installation comprend des conduits 13 au moyen desquels le brouillard produit par le générateur est acheminé jusqu'aux diffuseurs 16 à partir desquels il sort de l'installation.The installation comprises conduits 13 by means of which the mist produced by the generator is conveyed to the diffusers 16 from which it leaves the installation.

L'ensemble est commandé au moyen d'un boîtier comprenant des moyens automatisés et permettant de contrôler et de régler le fonctionnement du meuble. Le boîtier permet notamment de régler la vitesse de ventilation, c'est-à-dire la vitesse de l'air formant une partie du brouillard, la puissance de nébulisation et d'autres paramètres de la machine (cycle, seuils de sécurité, etc.).The assembly is controlled by means of a box comprising automated means and making it possible to control and adjust the operation of the cabinet. The The unit makes it possible in particular to adjust the ventilation speed, that is to say the speed of the air forming part of the mist, the nebulization power and other machine parameters (cycle, safety thresholds, etc. ).

Nous allons maintenant décrire les moyens qui permettent de refroidir le brouillard venant du générateur 34 et destiné aux diffuseurs 16.We will now describe the means which make it possible to cool the mist coming from the generator 34 and intended for the diffusers 16.

L'installation comprend un compartiment 40 délimité par deux parois principales respectivement supérieure 42 et inférieure 44. Ces parois sont plates, parallèles entre elles et s'étendent à distance l'une de l'autre afin de ménager entre elles un espace pour le passage du brouillard.The installation comprises a compartment 40 delimited by two main walls, respectively upper 42 and lower 44. These walls are flat, parallel to each other and extend at a distance from each other in order to leave between them a space for passage. fog.

En particulier, la paroi supérieure 42 présente une face supérieure 43 et une face inférieure 45 toutes deux planes et parallèles entre elles. Il en est de même pour la paroi inférieure 44.In particular, the upper wall 42 has an upper face 43 and a lower face 45 both plane and parallel to each other. The same is true for the lower wall 44.

Le compartiment est également délimité par quatre parois qui forment les côtés du compartiment ainsi que par deux biseaux. Il s'agit des côtés supérieur arrière 46, inférieur avant 48 et latéraux 50 et des biseaux 52. Ces côtés maintiennent les parois supérieure et inférieure à distance l'une de l'autre. Les deux parois principales, les côtés et les biseaux délimitent dans le compartiment une enceinte fermée 54.The compartment is also delimited by four walls which form the sides of the compartment as well as by two bevels. These are the upper rear 46, lower front 48 and side 50 and bevels 52. These sides keep the upper and lower walls at a distance from each other. The two main walls, the sides and the bevels define a closed enclosure 54 in the compartment.

Le compartiment et cette enceinte ont chacun une forme générale plate. En vue en plan, leur forme générale serait celle d'un rectangle si les biseaux 52 qui entament deux coins du rectangle étaient absents. Ces biseaux assurent la jonction entre les côtés latéraux 50 et avant 48.The compartment and this enclosure each have a generally flat shape. In plan view, their general shape would be that of a rectangle if the bevels 52 which cut into two corners of the rectangle were absent. These bevels provide the junction between the lateral sides 50 and front 48.

A l'exception du côté avant 48, tous les côtés et les biseaux sont ici rectilignes. Le côté arrière 46 s'étend suivant une direction transversale horizontale perpendiculaire à la direction longitudinale correspondant au plan de symétrie de l'installation.With the exception of the front side 48, all the sides and the bevels are here rectilinear. The rear side 46 extends in a horizontal transverse direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction corresponding to the plane of symmetry of the installation.

Le côté avant est formé par deux tronçons rectilignes formant en l'espèce un angle obtus a par exemple de 176 °. À la jonction de ces deux tronçons, une tétine 56 présente un orifice mettant en communication l'extérieur et l'intérieur du compartiment. L'angle a est mesuré du côté de l'enceinte et a son sommet au niveau de cet orifice. Cet agencement, compte tenu de l'inclinaison de la paroi 12 et du compartiment suivant la direction longitudinale de la paroi, permet d'évacuer les condensats de brouillard hors de l'enceinte.The front side is formed by two rectilinear sections forming in this case an obtuse angle α, for example of 176 °. At the junction of these two sections, a teat 56 has an orifice placing the exterior and interior of the compartment in communication. The angle a is measured from the side of the enclosure and has its apex at the level of this orifice. This arrangement, taking into account the inclination of the wall 12 and of the compartment in the longitudinal direction of the wall, makes it possible to evacuate the mist condensates from the enclosure.

Deux tétines similaires 56 avec des orifices respectifs sont prévues à la jonction des côtés latéraux 50 et des biseaux respectifs 56. Chaque côté latéral 50 forme avec le biseau adjacent 52 un angle obtus b, par exemple de 133 °. Cet agencement permet d'utiliser le même compartiment sur une installation qui présente une inclinaison non pas suivant sa direction longitudinale mais suivant sa direction transversale. En effet, les condensats générés à l'intérieur de l'enceinte peuvent alors être évacués sur le côté du compartiment par la tétine 56. En variante, on peut disposer le compartiment horizontalement et prévoir des trous d'évacuation d'eau dans la paroi inférieure 44.Two similar teats 56 with respective orifices are provided at the junction of the lateral sides 50 and the respective bevels 56. Each lateral side 50 forms with the adjacent bevel 52 an obtuse angle b , for example of 133 °. This arrangement makes it possible to use the same compartment on an installation which has an inclination not in its longitudinal direction but in its transverse direction. In fact, the condensates generated inside the enclosure can then be evacuated on the side. of the compartment via the nipple 56. As a variant, the compartment can be arranged horizontally and provided with water drainage holes in the bottom wall 44.

Le compartiment présente en l'espèce trois parois interne 60, 62 s'étendant de l'une à l'autre des parois inférieure et supérieure. Ces trois parois sont rectilignes, s'étendent parallèlement à la direction longitudinale de l'étalage, à distance les unes des autres et toutes à partir du côté arrière 46 sans atteindre les biseaux et le côté avant 48. Elles présentent toutes les trois des faces principales planes verticales. On distingue parmi elles une paroi médiane 60 s'étendant suivant le plan de symétrie du compartiment et deux parois latérales 62 s'étendant à mi-distance de la paroi médiane 60 et de l'un des côtés latéraux 50.The compartment has in this case three internal walls 60, 62 extending from one to the other of the lower and upper walls. These three walls are rectilinear, extend parallel to the longitudinal direction of the display, at a distance from each other and all from the rear side 46 without reaching the bevels and the front side 48. They all have faces. main vertical planes. One distinguishes among them a median wall 60 extending along the plane of symmetry of the compartment and two side walls 62 extending midway from the median wall 60 and from one of the lateral sides 50.

Ces parois délimitent avec les côtés et les biseaux du compartiment quatre tronçons 64, 66 pour le passage du brouillard. Ces tronçons ont une forme générale profilée à section rectangulaire, et sont rectilignes et parallèles entre eux sur la plus grande partie de leur longueur. Les tronçons 64 sont délimités chacun par un côté 50 et une paroi 62. Les tronçons 66 sont délimités chacun par une paroi 62 et la paroi médiane 60. Ils s'étendent chacun depuis le côté arrière 46. La paroi 62 étant interrompue avant d'arriver au biseau 52, chaque tronçon 64 est en communication devant cette paroi avec le tronçon 66 adjacent. De même, les tronçons 66 sont en communication l'un avec l'autre à l'avant de la paroi médiane 60.These walls define with the sides and the bevels of the compartment four sections 64, 66 for the passage of the fog. These sections have a generally profiled shape with a rectangular section, and are rectilinear and parallel to each other over most of their length. The sections 64 are each delimited by a side 50 and a wall 62. The sections 66 are each delimited by a wall 62 and the middle wall 60. They each extend from the rear side 46. The wall 62 being interrupted before arriving at the bevel 52, each section 64 is in communication in front of this wall with the adjacent section 66. Likewise, the sections 66 are in communication with one another at the front of the middle wall 60.

Le compartiment comprend en l'espèce deux conduits d'arrivée de brouillard 68 et deux conduits de sortie de brouillard 70. Ces quatre conduits sont identiques entre eux et mettent chacun en communication l'extrémité supérieure arrière de l'un respectif des tronçons avec l'extérieur du compartiment à travers le côté arrière 46. Les conduits d'entrée 68 sont ici les plus proches des côtés 50 et les conduits de sortie 70 les plus proches de la paroi médiane 60. Comme illustré notamment à la figure 1, les conduits d'arrivée 68 sont reliés par des conduits 13 au générateur de brouillard 34 tandis que les conduits de sortie 70 sont reliés par des conduits 13 aux diffuseurs 16.In this case, the compartment comprises two mist inlet ducts 68 and two fog outlet ducts 70. These four ducts are identical to each other and each place the upper rear end of the respective one of the sections in communication with the 'outside the compartment through the rear side 46. The inlet ducts 68 are here closest to the sides 50 and the outlet ducts 70 closest to the middle wall 60. As illustrated in particular in FIG. figure 1 , the inlet conduits 68 are connected by conduits 13 to the fog generator 34 while the outlet conduits 70 are connected by conduits 13 to the diffusers 16.

La paroi supérieure 42 est formée en l'espèce par un couvercle amovible qui permet d'accéder à l'intégralité du compartiment en vue de l'inspecter et de le nettoyer.The upper wall 42 is formed in this case by a removable cover which allows access to the entire compartment for the purpose of inspecting and cleaning it.

La paroi supérieure 42 porte également des butées soudées 72, 74 qui s'étendent en saillie de sa face inférieure et permettent à cette paroi de s'emboîter sur le reste du compartiment 40 en l'empêchant de glisser. Elles délimitent aussi avec le bord de la paroi des poignées qui facilitent sa préhension.The upper wall 42 also carries welded stops 72, 74 which project from its lower face and allow this wall to fit over the rest of the compartment 40, preventing it from slipping. They also define with the edge of the wall handles which facilitate its gripping.

Le présentoir 12, ainsi que le compartiment 40 est de préférence réalisé en métal, par exemple en acier inoxydable.The display 12, as well as the compartment 40 is preferably made of metal, for example stainless steel.

On observe sur la figure 1 que le compartiment n'occupe qu'une partie de la face supérieure de la paroi 12 de l'étalage. En particulier, il n'est au contact d'aucun des bords latéraux et longitudinaux de cette paroi. Il est positionné principalement dans la moitié supérieure de cette paroi dans le présent exemple. La majeure partie de cette paroi demeure donc disponible pour la réception de glace et de produits alimentaires.We observe on the figure 1 that the compartment occupies only part of the upper face of the wall 12 of the display. In particular, he is not in contact with any of the lateral and longitudinal edges of this wall. It is positioned mainly in the upper half of this wall in the present example. Most of this wall therefore remains available for receiving ice and food products.

L'installation fonctionne et est utilisée de la façon suivante.The installation works and is used as follows.

On dispose sur la partie de la paroi 12 laissée libre et sur le couvercle 42 une épaisse couche de glace 11 directement en contact avec ceux-ci. Sur cette couche, on place les produits alimentaires 15 à rafraîchir.There is placed on the part of the wall 12 left free and on the cover 42 a thick layer of ice 11 directly in contact with them. On this layer, the food products 15 to be refreshed are placed.

Le générateur 34 produit un brouillard de microgouttelettes d'eau placées en suspension dans un flux d'air. Ce brouillard est transporté par les conduits 13 et les conduits 68 jusque dans l'enceinte 54. Il traverse ainsi le côté supérieur arrière 46 pour arriver dans les tronçons 64. Il parcourt ceux-ci simultanément et remonte par les tronçons 66 pour sortir par les conduits 70. On observe que les conduits 13 situés en amont du compartiment par référence au flux de brouillard forment un montage en parallèle de même que les tronçons 64 ainsi que les tronçons 66. Ce sont donc deux flux de brouillard qui traversent simultanément l'enceinte et ce indépendamment l'un de l'autre. Au cours de cette traversée et compte tenu de la faible épaisseur de l'enceinte dont la largeur et la longueur excèdent chacune dix fois l'épaisseur, le brouillard vient au contact de la face inférieure 45 de la paroi supérieure 42 sur laquelle repose directement la glace. Le brouillard est donc refroidi à mesure qu'il parcourt l'enceinte. En aval des conduits de sortie 70, il est acheminé par d'autres conduits 13 vers les diffuseurs 16. Il sort de l'installation par ceux-ci pour être diffusé sur les produits 15.Generator 34 produces a mist of microdroplets of water suspended in a stream of air. This fog is transported by the conduits 13 and the conduits 68 into the enclosure 54. It thus crosses the upper rear side 46 to arrive in the sections 64. It travels through these simultaneously and goes up through the sections 66 to exit through the sections. conduits 70. It is observed that the conduits 13 located upstream of the compartment with reference to the stream of fog form a parallel assembly, as do the sections 64 as well as the sections 66. These are therefore two streams of fog which simultaneously pass through the enclosure. and this independently of each other. During this crossing and taking into account the small thickness of the enclosure, the width and length of which each exceed ten times the thickness, the mist comes into contact with the lower face 45 of the upper wall 42 on which directly rests the ice cream. The fog is therefore cooled as it travels through the enclosure. Downstream of the outlet ducts 70, it is routed by other ducts 13 to the diffusers 16. It leaves the installation via these to be diffused on the products 15.

Le compartiment forme donc un échangeur thermique entre la glace et le brouillard. En particulier, la plaque 42 est prise en sandwich entre la couche de glace au-dessus et l'enceinte au-dessous. Cet échange engendre la fonte progressive de la glace. Compte tenu de l'inclinaison de la face supérieure du compartiment, l'eau de fonte s'écoule en permanence hors de cette face sur la paroi 12 puis hors de l'installation. La glace 11 reste donc en contact direct avec le compartiment. Si pour compenser la fonte de la glace on en ajoute sur la couche existante après avoir ôté les produits 15, le poids de la glace préserve un contact étroit entre celle-ci et la face 43. La quantité de glace sur un étal est telle que la couche a une épaisseur allant jusqu'à 40 cm et représente 400 kg par mètre carré.The compartment therefore forms a heat exchanger between the ice and the fog. In particular, the plate 42 is sandwiched between the layer of ice above and the enclosure below. This exchange causes the progressive melting of the ice. Taking into account the inclination of the upper face of the compartment, the melt water continuously flows out of this face onto the wall 12 then out of the installation. Ice 11 therefore remains in direct contact with the compartment. If, to compensate for the melting of the ice, it is added to the existing layer after having removed the products 15, the weight of the ice cream preserves close contact between the latter and the face 43. The quantity of ice on a stand is such that the layer has a thickness of up to 40 cm and represents 400 kg per square meter.

Si le brouillard produit de la condensation à l'intérieur du compartiment, l'eau résultante est quant à elle évacuée par la tétine 56 également sur la paroi 12.If the mist produces condensation inside the compartment, the resulting water is in turn discharged through the teat 56 also on the wall 12.

En l'absence des biseaux, on constaterait l'apparition de deux zones mortes dans les coins inférieurs de l'installation, le brouillard y subissant une perte de charge. Les biseaux évitent cela.In the absence of the bevels, we would notice the appearance of two dead zones in the lower corners of the installation, the fog undergoing a pressure drop there. The bevels prevent this.

On peut prévoir que l'installation fonctionne suivant un cycle alternant phase de nébulisation et phase d'arrêt. Par exemple, on peut alterner des périodes de 20 secondes au cours desquelles du brouillard est généré et diffusé sur les produits et des périodes de 10 secondes d'arrêt. Cette période d'arrêt offre en quelque sorte une phase de « respiration » aux produits au cours de laquelle de l'air froid s'accumule au-dessus d'eux. A la reprise de la diffusion du brouillard, cette couche d'air à basse température est évacuée en étant poussée par le brouillard qui se répand sur les produits.Provision can be made for the installation to operate according to a cycle alternating between nebulization and shutdown phase. For example, it is possible to alternate periods of 20 seconds during which fog is generated and diffused on the products and periods of 10 seconds of stoppage. This shutdown period provides a sort of “breathing” phase for the products during which cold air accumulates above them. When the mist diffusion resumes, this layer of low temperature air is evacuated by being pushed by the mist which spreads over the products.

Le compartiment est simplement posé sur le plateau 12. Pour mieux l'immobiliser, on peut doter la face supérieure de celui-ci d'une couche antidérapante. On peut aussi équiper une partie au moins de la paroi 12 d'un matériau anti-exsudat qui facilite l'écoulement de l'eau.The compartment is simply placed on the plate 12. To better immobilize it, the upper face thereof can be provided with a non-slip layer. It is also possible to equip at least part of the wall 12 with an anti-exudate material which facilitates the flow of water.

Dans un autre mode de réalisation, on peut prévoir que le compartiment s'étend à l'intérieur de la table et que la paroi 12 forme elle-même la paroi supérieure du compartiment.In another embodiment, provision can be made for the compartment to extend inside the table and for the wall 12 itself to form the upper wall of the compartment.

Une autre variante de réalisation est illustrée à la figure 9. Cette fois, la face supérieure 43 de la paroi supérieure 42 du compartiment, tout en demeurant généralement plane, présente des cavités 76 telles que des alvéoles qui permettent de retenir davantage d'eau sur la paroi pour favoriser encore le refroidissement du brouillard ou du gaz. Les alvéoles 76 ont par exemple une forme en portion de sphère.Another variant embodiment is illustrated on figure 9 . This time, the upper face 43 of the upper wall 42 of the compartment, while remaining generally flat, has cavities 76 such as cells which allow more water to be retained on the wall to further promote cooling of the mist or gas. . The cells 76 have, for example, the shape of a portion of a sphere.

L'installation de l'invention présente de nombreuses fonctionnalités et plusieurs avantages.The installation of the invention has many functionalities and several advantages.

Elle permet par exemple de faire passer la température du brouillard de 23° à 7° C soit une baisse de 16° C, en maintenant une telle performance pendant toute la durée d'utilisation de l'installation, par exemple une journée. Elle permet par exemple de faire passer la température au cœur des produits 15 de 9° C à 2° C, soit une baisse de 7°.For example, it makes it possible to reduce the temperature of the fog from 23 ° to 7 ° C, ie a drop of 16 ° C, while maintaining such performance throughout the entire period of use of the installation, for example one day. It makes it possible, for example, to raise the temperature at the heart of the products 15 from 9 ° C. to 2 ° C., ie a drop of 7 °.

Elle évite le dessèchement des produits. Notamment elle maintient une certaine humidité autour d'eux par un effet d'isolation de la couche de brouillard. Notamment, on peut constater une augmentation de cette humidité de 5 à 10 %. Elle réduit en outre les échanges convectifs entre les produits et l'air ambiant et limite l'apport de chaleur par rayonnement. En effet, la diffusion sur les produits d'un brouillard ainsi refroidi assure leur protection et celle de la couche de glace à l'égard du réchauffement par le rayonnement infrarouge ambiant. On réalise en effet une couverture de nébulisation froide. De plus, l'installation met les produits à l'abri de la ventilation susceptible d'exister dans le magasin.It prevents the products from drying out. In particular, it maintains a certain humidity around them by an effect of insulation of the layer of fog. In particular, we can see an increase in this humidity of 5 to 10%. It also reduces convective exchanges between the products and the ambient air and limits the input of heat by radiation. Indeed, the diffusion on the products of a mist thus cooled ensures their protection and that of the layer of ice with regard to heating by ambient infrared radiation. A cold nebulization blanket is in fact produced. In addition, the installation protects the products from the ventilation that may exist in the store.

Grâce à ces avantages, l'installation donne une meilleure apparence aux produits sur l'étal. En particulier les poissons sont plus brillants et ont l'air plus frais.Thanks to these advantages, the installation gives a better appearance to the products on the stall. Especially the fish are brighter and look fresher.

L'installation augmente la durée de vie des produits sur l'étal et réduit la perte des produits. Cette perte survient si l'état des produits se dégrade de sorte qu'ils deviennent invendables.The installation increases the life of the products on the stall and reduces the loss of the products. This loss occurs if the condition of the products deteriorates so that they become unsaleable.

Elle limite la fonte de la glace en surface, ce qui réduit les besoins de manutention pour renouveler la couche de glace.It limits the melting of the ice on the surface, which reduces the handling requirements to renew the ice layer.

Elle optimise l'aéraulique et l'évacuation des condensats.It optimizes the aeraulics and the evacuation of condensates.

L'invention peut être facilement mise en place sur des étals ou des présentoirs existants. Elle est facilement démontable, en particulier pour son nettoyage.The invention can be easily implemented on existing stalls or displays. It is easily removable, in particular for cleaning.

L'invention ne nécessite pas d'effectuer un refroidissement préalable de l'air utilisé pour générer le brouillard et on peut à cette fin utiliser de l'air ambiant par exemple à 15 ou 20° C. C'est un avantage substantiel car un tel refroidissement est difficile et coûteux à mettre en œuvre. De plus, il est peu efficace pour obtenir en sortie un brouillard à basse température.The invention does not require prior cooling of the air used to generate the fog and for this purpose it is possible to use ambient air, for example at 15 or 20 ° C. This is a substantial advantage because a such cooling is difficult and expensive to implement. In addition, it is not very effective in obtaining a low temperature mist at the outlet.

Bien entendu, on pourra apporter à l'invention de nombreuses modifications sans sortir du cadre de celle-ci, tel que défini dans les revendications annexées.Of course, numerous modifications can be made to the invention without departing from the scope thereof, as defined in the appended claims.

On pourra en particulier modifier le nombre et la disposition des conduits d'entrée et de sortie du compartiment. On a illustré ainsi à la figure 8 une variante de disposition de ces conduits. Cette fois, les conduits d'entrée 68 sont disposés dans la moitié gauche du compartiment lorsqu'il est observé en plan, les conduits de sortie 70 s'étendant dans la moitié droite.In particular, the number and arrangement of the entry and exit conduits of the compartment can be modified. We have thus illustrated figure 8 an alternative arrangement of these conduits. This time, the inlet ducts 68 are disposed in the left half of the compartment when viewed in plan, the outlet ducts 70 extending in the right half.

On peut modifier la forme du compartiment et le nombre de passages qu'il ménage pour le brouillard.You can change the shape of the compartment and the number of passages it spares for the fog.

L'installation ne forme pas nécessairement un meuble. Elle peut être utilisée dans un lieu de stockage ou de production. Elle peut constituer une installation de fabrication et/ou de conditionnement.The installation does not necessarily form a piece of furniture. It can be used in a storage or production place. It can constitute a manufacturing and / or packaging installation.

L'installation peut aussi servir à la désinfection ou à l'humidification de produits ou de volumes, par exemple de produits circulant sur un tapis, notamment sur une chaîne de fabrication ou de conditionnement.The installation can also be used for disinfecting or humidifying products or volumes, for example products circulating on a carpet, in particular on a production or packaging line.

Dans un exemple ne faisant pas partie de l'invention, la glace peut être utilisée pour refroidir le brouillard sans recevoir de produits elle-même, le brouillard étant diffusé sur des produits se trouvant ailleurs. Cet exemple est illustré aux figures 10 à 12. Elles illustrent un réservoir 20 présentant deux compartiments 21 et 22 situés l'un sur l'autre et séparés par une paroi 23 de forme générale plane. Cette paroi 23 est située en retrait vers le haut des bords inférieurs 24 du compartiment supérieur 21. Elle sépare le compartiment supérieur 21, lequel est ouvert sur le dessus, du compartiment inférieur 22. Le réservoir 20 présente une entrée tubulaire 25 située sur une face latérale du réservoir au niveau du compartiment inférieur 22, et le compartiment supérieur 21 présente une découpe circulaire 82 de sorte que l'entrée 25 est en partie située dans la face latérale du compartiment supérieur 21, et de sorte que l'entrée 25 débouche au ras de la paroi plane 23 du côté du compartiment inférieur 22. Le réservoir 20 comprend également deux sorties tubulaires 26 et 27 situées dans le compartiment supérieur 21 et s'étendant de façon verticale vers le haut d'un côté, débouchant dans le compartiment inférieur 22 par deux orifices 28 et 29 de l'autre. De plus, ces sorties sont situées au niveau d'un bord du réservoir opposé à celui présentant l'entrée tubulaire 25. De face, le réservoir 20 comprend en outre une petite sortie tubulaire 31 et une grande sortie tubulaire 32, les deux étant situées au niveau du compartiment supérieur 21. La petite sortie 31 est située en hauteur, tandis que la sortie 32 est située au ras de la paroi plane 23.In an example not forming part of the invention, the ice can be used to cool the fog without receiving any products itself, the fog being diffused on products located elsewhere. This example is shown in figures 10 to 12 . They illustrate a reservoir 20 having two compartments 21 and 22 located one on top of the other and separated by a wall 23 of generally planar shape. This wall 23 is set back upwards from the lower edges 24 of the upper compartment 21. It separates the upper compartment 21, which is open on the top, from the lower compartment 22. The reservoir 20 has a tubular inlet 25 located on one side. side of the reservoir at the level of the lower compartment 22, and the upper compartment 21 has a circular cutout 82 so that the inlet 25 is partly located in the lateral face of the upper compartment 21, and so that the inlet 25 opens into the flush with the wall flat 23 on the side of the lower compartment 22. The reservoir 20 also comprises two tubular outlets 26 and 27 located in the upper compartment 21 and extending vertically upwards on one side, opening into the lower compartment 22 through two openings 28 and 29 on the other. In addition, these outlets are located at an edge of the reservoir opposite to that having the tubular inlet 25. From the front, the reservoir 20 further comprises a small tubular outlet 31 and a large tubular outlet 32, both of which are located. at the level of the upper compartment 21. The small outlet 31 is located in height, while the outlet 32 is located flush with the flat wall 23.

On va maintenant décrire la façon dont peut fonctionner cet exemple.We will now describe how this example can work.

On place de la glace 101 dans le compartiment supérieur 21. Cette glace 101 est donc en contact avec la paroi plane 23 au niveau de sa face supérieure. On fait entrer du brouillard ou du gaz 102 par l'entrée 25 de manière à ce que le gaz ou le brouillard circule au ras de la paroi plane 23 au sein du compartiment inférieur 22. Le gaz/brouillard 102 circule le long de la paroi 23, de sorte qu'il est refroidi par la glace 101 située de l'autre côté au contact de la paroi, puis entre par les orifices 28 et 29 dans les sorties tubulaires 26 et 27. Lorsqu'une première partie du gaz/brouillard 102 est entrée dans les tubulures, l'autre partie continue à être refroidie le long de la paroi 23. De plus, les tubulures 26 et 27 traversent le compartiment supérieur 21 et donc la glace 101 disposée dedans de sorte que le brouillard est maintenu à basse température. Comme on peut le voir sur la figure 12, en entrée le gaz/brouillard 102 provient d'un dispositif de nébulisation 61 destiné à l'entrée 25 du réservoir, tandis qu'en sortie le gaz/brouillard 102 refroidi ressort des sorties 26 et 27 pour aller vers les diffuseurs de brouillard 91 et 92, lesquels diffusent le brouillard sur des produits disposés sur un étal 93. Le réservoir 20 est fixé sous l'étal 93, au-dessous de celui-ci. Il s'étend en regard d'une face inférieure externe de l'étalage, à distance de cette dernière. Il peut être fixé à tout autre endroit, par exemple de l'autre côté d'une bordure de l'étalage 93.Ice 101 is placed in the upper compartment 21. This glass 101 is therefore in contact with the flat wall 23 at its upper face. Mist or gas 102 is introduced through the inlet 25 so that the gas or the mist circulates flush with the flat wall 23 within the lower compartment 22. The gas / mist 102 circulates along the wall. 23, so that it is cooled by the ice 101 located on the other side in contact with the wall, then enters through the orifices 28 and 29 into the tubular outlets 26 and 27. When a first part of the gas / mist 102 has entered the tubes, the other part continues to be cooled along the wall 23. In addition, the tubes 26 and 27 pass through the upper compartment 21 and therefore the ice 101 disposed therein so that the mist is kept at low temperature. As can be seen on the figure 12 , at the inlet the gas / mist 102 comes from a nebulization device 61 intended for the inlet 25 of the tank, while at the outlet the cooled gas / mist 102 comes out of the outlets 26 and 27 to go to the mist diffusers 91 and 92, which diffuse the mist on products placed on a stall 93. The reservoir 20 is fixed under the stall 93, below the latter. It extends opposite an outer lower face of the display, at a distance from the latter. It can be fixed at any other place, for example on the other side of a border of the shelf 93.

Le réservoir 20 étant ouvert sur le dessus, il est aisé de déposer de la glace dans le compartiment supérieur 21. Mais on peut imaginer qu'il est possible de le fermer. En cas de vidange du réservoir supérieur 21, on utilise la grande sortie tubulaire 32, située au ras de la paroi 23. Normalement obturée, cette sortie permet donc de vidanger le compartiment supérieur et d'évacuer l'eau de fonte. Sans vidange, l'eau dite de « trop-plein » est évacuée par la petite sortie tubulaire 31.The reservoir 20 being open on the top, it is easy to deposit ice in the upper compartment 21. But one can imagine that it is possible to close it. If the upper tank 21 is emptied, the large tubular outlet 32 is used, located flush with the wall 23. Normally closed, this outlet therefore makes it possible to empty the upper compartment and to evacuate the melt water. Without emptying, the so-called “overflow” water is evacuated through the small tubular outlet 31.

La fixation entre les deux compartiments peut être réalisée par tout moyen de fixation démontable, tel que des grenouillères.The fixing between the two compartments can be achieved by any removable fixing means, such as latches.

Dans cet exemple, la glace servant à refroidir le brouillard est donc distincte de la glace servant à conserver les produits au frais et on peut même si besoin se dispenser de cette dernière.In this example, the ice used to cool the fog is therefore separate from the ice used to keep products cool and can even be dispensed with if necessary.

On peut imaginer des variantes, telles que l'intégration du dispositif de nébulisation 61 au réservoir 20. On peut également à l'inverse imaginer l'intégration du réservoir 20 au sein du dispositif de nébulisation 61.One can imagine variants, such as the integration of the nebulization device 61 into the reservoir 20. Conversely, it is also possible to imagine the integration of the reservoir 20 within the nebulization device 61.

On peut imaginer également que la grande sortie tubulaire 32 n'est pas obturée mais laissée ouverte normalement. Dans ce cas, la paroi 23 en contact avec la glace 101 évacue en continu l'eau de fonte par la sortie 32 située au ras de la paroi 23, de façon similaire au fonctionnement du premier mode de réalisation décrit dans lequel la paroi 42 évacue l'eau de fonte en continu.One can also imagine that the large tubular outlet 32 is not closed but left open normally. In this case, the wall 23 in contact with the ice 101 continuously discharges the melt water through the outlet 32 located flush with the wall 23, similarly to the operation of the first embodiment described in which the wall 42 discharges melt water continuously.

D'autres variantes sont possibles et ne sortent pas du cadre de l'invention telle que définie par les revendications annexées.Other variants are possible and do not go beyond the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

L'invention est également utilisable pour d'autres produits alimentaires frais tels que des fruits, des légumes ou de la viande. Elle convient bien en particulier pour des fruits et légumes prédécoupés. Elle est aussi applicable à des produits alimentaires tels que du fromage et plus généralement à tout produit sensible au dessèchement, par exemple des fleurs.The invention can also be used for other fresh food products such as fruits, vegetables or meat. It is particularly suitable for pre-cut fruits and vegetables. It is also applicable to food products such as cheese and more generally to any product sensitive to drying out, for example flowers.

Le brouillard de gouttelettes peut être formé à partir d'un liquide contenant un biocide.The droplet mist can be formed from a liquid containing a biocide.

Claims (12)

  1. Installation (2; 20) for cooling products (15), such as it comprises:
    - means (40; 22, 25) for passing a mist or a gas against a lower face (45) of a wall (42; 23) having an upper face (43) of generally planar shape intended to receive the products, the wall delimiting an enclosure (54) which has at least two internal ducts (64, 66) defining predetermined paths for the passage of the mist or gas in the enclosure, the installation being arranged to evacuate water from the upper face, and
    - at least one mist diffuser (16; 91, 92) arranged to diffuse the mist which has passed against the lower face or a mist which comprises the gas which has passed against the lower face.
  2. Installation according to the preceding claim, wherein the upper face (43) is inclined, preferably along its longitudinal direction and/or its transverse direction.
  3. Installation according to claim 1 wherein the upper face is horizontal.
  4. Installation according to at least any one of the preceding claims wherein the upper face (43) has cavities (76) for retaining water, such as cells.
  5. Installation according to at least any one of the preceding claims, in which the wall delimits an enclosure (54) of generally flat shape.
  6. Installation according to at least any one of the preceding claims, wherein the wall delimits an enclosure (54) which has at least one orifice (56) for discharging water, preferably the enclosure having an end side (48) and two lateral sides (50) each having an orifice (56) for draining water.
  7. Installation according to at least any one of the preceding claims wherein the internal ducts are for example arranged in a parallel connection and preferably in mutual communication.
  8. Installation according to at least any one of the preceding claims, wherein the wall delimits an enclosure (44) which has a generally rectangular and planar shape and at least two bevels (52) starting on one side of the enclosure opposite to one side in which the inlet (68) and outlet (70) conducts of the mist discharge.
  9. Installation according to at least any one of the preceding claims, comprising a display (93) of products separate from the wall.
  10. Installation according to the preceding claim, wherein the wall (23) separates two compartments (21, 22) located one on top of the other and forming a reservoir (20), the water discharge means (32) being located at the level of the upper compartment (21), the means (25) for passing a mist or a gas being located at the level of the interior compartment (22), the reservoir being located below the display (93) .
  11. Installation according to at least any one of the preceding claims, further comprising a device (61) producing the mist or gas.
  12. A method for cooling products (15) wherein, by means of an installation according to any one of the preceding claims:
    - a mist or gas is passed against the lower face (45) of the wall of the installation (42; 23), the upper face (43) being covered with ice, then
    - the mist or a mist which comprises the gas is diffused on the products (15) to be cooled.
EP15805597.0A 2014-11-19 2015-11-19 Facility for refreshing products in the presence of a layer of ice Active EP3220780B1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
FR1461175A FR3028400B1 (en) 2014-11-19 2014-11-19 INSTALLATION FOR REFRIGERATING PRODUCTS IN THE PRESENCE OF A LAYER OF ICE
PCT/FR2015/053127 WO2016079434A1 (en) 2014-11-19 2015-11-19 Facility for refreshing products in the presence of a layer of ice

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP3220780A1 EP3220780A1 (en) 2017-09-27
EP3220780B1 true EP3220780B1 (en) 2021-03-10

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EP15805597.0A Active EP3220780B1 (en) 2014-11-19 2015-11-19 Facility for refreshing products in the presence of a layer of ice

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EP (1) EP3220780B1 (en)
FR (1) FR3028400B1 (en)
WO (1) WO2016079434A1 (en)

Families Citing this family (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CN109279156A (en) * 2018-10-31 2019-01-29 俞芳 A kind of fruits and vegetables frame easy to remove

Citations (2)

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Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US1627328A (en) * 1925-10-12 1927-05-03 Hilger George Refrigeration system
DE3421334A1 (en) * 1983-08-17 1985-03-07 C. Hoegger & Cie. AG, Gossau Method and device for de-icing evaporators and use of the method

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Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
BE560451A (en) *
US1694147A (en) * 1926-12-13 1928-12-04 St Louis Butchers & Hotel Supp Display refrigerator
FR2788706B1 (en) 1999-01-27 2001-03-09 Air Refreshing Control DEVICE FOR SPRAYING WATER DROPLETS AND NOZZLE FOR SUCH A DEVICE
FR2921551B1 (en) 2007-10-02 2012-01-13 Areco Finances Et Technologie Arfitec EXPOSURE DISPLAY OF FOOD PRODUCTS, IN PARTICULAR FOR A SALES AREA
FR2943042B1 (en) 2009-03-16 2011-06-10 Areco Finances Et Technologie Arfitec CAP FOR DISPLAY
FR2956017B1 (en) * 2010-02-10 2016-07-15 Areco Finances Et Tech - Arfitec EXPOSURE EXHIBITION OF FOOD PRODUCTS WITH LIGHTING
FR2971954B1 (en) 2011-02-25 2013-03-29 Areco Finances Et Technologie Arfitec FOG DIFFUSION HEAD FOR A NEBULIZATION FACILITY
FR2979527B1 (en) 2011-09-05 2014-06-13 Areco Finances Et Technologie Arfitec INSTALLATION COMPRISING DROPLET FOG PRODUCTS AND DIFFUSERS
FR2981585B1 (en) 2011-10-25 2013-12-27 Areco Finances Et Technologie Arfitec MATERIAL FOR DIFFUSION OF A DROPLET MIST COMPRISING A DEFLECTOR
FR2995542B1 (en) 2012-09-19 2014-10-10 Areco Finances Et Technologie Arfitec FOG DIFFUSION HEAD FOR A NEBULIZATION FACILITY.

Patent Citations (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US1627328A (en) * 1925-10-12 1927-05-03 Hilger George Refrigeration system
DE3421334A1 (en) * 1983-08-17 1985-03-07 C. Hoegger & Cie. AG, Gossau Method and device for de-icing evaporators and use of the method

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
EP3220780A1 (en) 2017-09-27
FR3028400B1 (en) 2016-12-30
FR3028400A1 (en) 2016-05-20
WO2016079434A1 (en) 2016-05-26

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