EP4239268A1

EP4239268A1 - Device for drying pasta and drying method using such drying device

Info

Publication number: EP4239268A1
Application number: EP23159461.5A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Enrico Fava; Renato DALL'AGATA
Original assignee: FAVA SpA
Current assignee: FAVA SpA
Priority date: 2022-03-02
Filing date: 2023-03-01
Publication date: 2023-09-06

Abstract

The present invention refers to a device (1) for drying pasta which comprises detection means (13) configured for detecting the value of a desired property or physical quantity dependent on the air flow that passes through a region thereof of stabilisation (8), and electronic control means (14) configured for controlling ventilation means (10) as a function of the value of the desired property or physical quantity detected by the detection means (13). The invention also concerns a drying method using such a drying device (1).

Description

The present invention refers to a device for drying pasta and to a drying method using such a drying device.
In the field of pasta processing lines (both long pasta, such as spaghetti, and short pasta, such as penne or fusilli, and other types of pasta, such as lasagne, etc.), the use of drying devices, or dryers, is well known, in which the pasta, after being extruded and, for some types of pasta (in particular for short pasta), after being subjected to a first rapid pre-drying with simultaneous mechanical agitation in a device called "shaker", is subjected to a drying treatment aimed at removing a desired amount of water therefrom, thereby allowing it to be stiffened (so-called vitrification) and making the packaging, transport and storage thereof possible.
Drying devices are known which comprise a containment structure provided with an inlet opening and an outlet opening for pasta, connected to each other by the succession of a region of pre-drying (also called "wrapping"), a region of drying, and a region of stabilisation, through which pasta is passed in order to be subjected to desired levels of temperature and relative humidity, thereby modifying the degree of humidity present in the pasta.
In particular, solutions are known in which the pasta remains in the region of pre-drying for a period of time lasting about 40-45 minutes, with indicative increasing temperature from 50 to 90°C, during which the average humidity percentage of pasta goes from about 28% to about 16-18%.
In such known solutions, the pasta then passes to the region of drying, where it remains for a period of time equal to about 2 hours, in which its average humidity percentage drops to around 12-12.5%.
At the exit of the region of drying, however, the percentage of humidity in the central core of the pasta still remains at a higher value than the average humidity, and in particular higher than the value of humidity on the external surface of the pasta.
In order to make the humidity level as uniform as possible between the core of pasta and its external surface (thereby avoiding the formation of cracks or imperfections in the pasta itself due to the unevenness of the humidity), the pasta is then brought in the region of stabilisation, where it is subjected for a certain time to certain values of temperature and relative humidity, such as to increase by a certain degree (usually about 2-3%) the humidity level on the external surface of the pasta, and thus bring it closer to the value of the humidity in the core thereof.
This additional humidity is then lost during a final cooling step, external to the dryer, which brings substantially all the pasta back to about 12-12.5% humidity.
More in detail, such dryers of known type are provided with thermoregulation means which comprise, in each of the three regions of pre-drying, drying and stabilisation, heat exchangers in which a special heat transfer fluid flows, and internal fans placed in such a way as to generate an air flow that crosses the respective heat exchangers, exchanging heat therewith, and therefore warming up or cooling down.
Such dryers of known type further comprise one or more fans, external to the containment structure, which generate an air flow that enters the containment structure through the inlet opening, passes through the regions of pre-drying, drying and stabilisation, interacting with the respective thermoregulation means (in particular with the heat exchangers and with the air flow produced by the internal fans), thereby assuming, in the different regions internal to the containment structure, a desired temperature, and finally exits the outlet opening.
As the air flow produced by the external fans crosses the various regions of the containment structure, it comes into contact with the pasta present therein, exchanging heat and humidity therewith.
In particular, in the regions of pre-drying and drying the air flow generated by the external fans is warmed up and therefore causes from the pasta with which it comes into contact the exit of a certain humidity, which is then carried to the region of stabilisation by the air flow itself; in the region of stabilisation said air flow is then cooled to a desired temperature, thereby causing an increase in its relative humidity, and therefore in the relative humidity within the region of stabilisation, which guarantees that the external surface of the pasta absorbs the humidity required to balance the humidity value present in its core.
Such drying devices of known type also comprise, for each of the three regions of pre-drying, drying and stabilisation, special humidity and temperature sensors, which control special aeration means (generally valves or gates) present in the three regions to allow the exit of a desired part of the air comprised therein outside the containment structure, or the intake of air from the outside of the containment structure into the respective region of pre-drying, drying or stabilisation.
The degree of humidity in the air flow within the three regions is regulated thanks to such sensors and aeration means; for example, if in a certain region the sensors detect a too high humidity, the aeration means cause an air exchange, which restores the desired degree of humidity in that region.
These known solutions, however, have some drawbacks.
In particular, in such known solutions there is the problem that the pressure in the region of stabilisation can vary even substantially depending on the amount of pasta present within the containment structure and on the shape of the pasta itself; it has in fact been found that different amounts and shapes of pasta offer a different fluid dynamic resistance to the passage of the air flow through the regions of pre-drying, drying and stabilisation, which entails different pressure values resulting in the region of stabilisation, i.e. the last region that the air flow crosses before exiting through the outlet opening.
It is known that the relative humidity in a certain region depends, in addition to the temperature and the degree of absolute humidity in the air, also on the value of the pressure in that region, which is why if, at the same temperature and absolute humidity, in the region of stabilisation the pressure varies uncontrollably, also the relative humidity in that region will vary uncontrollably, with the consequent risk of damaging or deteriorating the pasta present therein.
In particular, if the relative humidity in the region of stabilisation is too low, there is a risk of obtaining in that region pasta that is too dry and prone to possible breakages, whereas in the case where the relative humidity in the region of stabilisation is too high, there is a risk of formation of condensation, which can deposit on the pasta, deteriorating it.
This problem occurs more in transitory situations, for example during the steps of loading and unloading the pasta in/from the containment structure, or when a pasta shape or recipe change occurs, since in such situations the occupied volume of the pasta that is transiting between the various regions varies over time, offering a different fluid-dynamic resistance to the air flow, with consequent pressure variation in the region of stabilisation.
The main task of the present invention is to solve the problems listed above, and therefore to realize a device for drying pasta and a drying method using such drying device that allow to effectively control the relative humidity in the region of stabilisation, thereby reducing the risk that the pasta treated therein is subject to breakages, unevenness, or other structural and/or organoleptic irregularities.
As part of this task, another object of the invention is to realize a device for drying pasta and a drying method using such a drying device that allows to effectively regulate the relative humidity in the region of stabilisation also in the transients, in particular during the steps of shape change or recipe change, during the steps of loading and unloading the machine, etc.
The task and purposes according to the present invention are achieved by a device for drying pasta comprising:

a containment structure, provided with an inlet opening and an outlet opening for pasta, connected to each other, internally to the containment structure, by the succession of a region of pre-drying, a region of drying, and a region of stabilisation;
transport means suitable for carrying pasta from the inlet opening to the outlet opening passing it through the region of pre-drying, the region of drying, and the region of stabilisation, in that order;
ventilation means, which can be controlled to generate a desired air flow that enters the containment structure through the inlet opening and exits, at least partially, from the outlet opening after passing, in that order, the region of pre-drying, the region of drying and the region of stabilisation, wherein said ventilation means comprise one or more fans configured so as to generate an air flow with laminar conformation that enters into said inlet opening, creating a barrier to the exit of air from the inlet opening;
thermoregulation means, suitable for regulating the temperature of the air flow within the containment structure, comprising one or more heat exchangers and internal fans placed so as to generate an internal air flow that passes through a respective heat exchanger, exchanging heat therewith;
sensor means, configured for detecting the temperature and the absolute humidity in the regions of pre-drying, drying and stabilisation, respectively;
aeration means, configured for carrying out a desired air exchange between the environment external to the containment structure and, respectively, the regions of pre-drying, drying and stabilisation, thereby controlling the absolute humidity and the temperature thereof, as a function of the respective values detected by the sensor means;
detection means configured for detecting the value of a desired property or physical quantity dependent on the air flow that passes through the region of stabilisation;
electronic control means, operatively connected to the detection means and to the ventilation means and configured for controlling the ventilation means as a function of the value of the desired property or physical quantity detected by the detection means.

It should be noted that, according to the invention, the expression "detection means configured for detecting the value of a desired property or physical quantity dependent on the air flow that passes through the region of stabilisation" means that the structure, any programming, and the position of said detection means with respect to the containment structure, and in particular with respect to the region of stabilisation, cause said detection means, when activated, to detect the value of the desired property or physical quantity (for example the pressure difference between the region of stabilisation and the exterior of the containment structure) dependent on the air flow passing through the region of stabilisation; in particular, this expression does not comprise other means, such as sensors, possibly present in the drying device and theoretically able to detect the value of the desired property or physical quantity (for example differential pressure sensors), but for example not placed or programmed so as to detect the value of said desired property or physical quantity.
The task and purposes according to the present invention are also achieved by a method for drying pasta in a drying device according to the invention, comprising the following steps:

introducing pasta in the containment structure through the inlet opening;
operating the transport means and carrying therewith the pasta from the inlet opening to the outlet opening, passing it, first, through the region of pre-drying, then through the region of drying, and finally through the region of stabilisation;
operating the thermoregulation means;
operating the ventilation means and generating an air flow therewith that, in each of the regions of pre-drying, drying and stabilisation, first interacts with the thermoregulation means, warming up or cooling down, and then hits the pasta;
detecting the temperature and the absolute humidity respectively in the regions of pre-drying, drying and stabilisation by means of sensor means;
carrying out a desired air exchange between the environment external to the containment structure and, respectively, the regions of pre-drying and/or drying and/or stabilisation, thereby controlling the absolute humidity and the temperature thereof, as a function of the respective values detected by the sensor means;
detecting, by means of the detection means, the value of a desired property or physical quantity dependent on the air flow that passes through the region of stabilisation;
controlling, by means of electronic control means, the ventilation means as a function of the value of the desired property or physical quantity detected by the detection means.

It is emphasized that, according to the invention, saying that "the air flow interacts with the thermoregulation means" comprises both the case in which said air flow directly hits the thermoregulation means, exchanging heat directly therewith, and the case in which said air flow hits a further air flow previously warmed up or cooled down by the thermoregulation means, exchanging heat with said further air flow, and therefore warming up or cooling down.
Further advantageous features of the drying device according to the invention and of the drying method using such drying device are reported in the dependent claims.
The features and advantages of the present invention will be more apparent from the following description, which is to be understood as exemplifying and not limiting, with reference to the appended schematic drawings, wherein:

figure 1 is a schematic side sectional view of a first advantageous embodiment of drying device according to the invention;
figure 2 is a schematic side sectional view of a second advantageous embodiment of drying device according to the invention;
figure 3 is a schematic side sectional view of a third advantageous embodiment of drying device according to the invention.

With reference to the attached figures, a device for drying pasta has been indicated overall with the number 1, schematized in the attached figures as a series of rectangles 5.
Such a device 1 may advantageously be part of a pasta production plant which may comprise other devices, not illustrated, operatively connected upstream (for example a pasta die and a shaker) and downstream (for example a cooler) of the device 1.
The device 1 comprises a containment structure 2, such as for example a metal casing, the inside of which results in fluid communication with the external environment 15 only through an inlet opening 3 and an outlet opening 4 for the pasta 5.
Said inlet 3 and outlet 4 openings are connected to each other, internally to the containment structure 2, by the succession of a region of pre-drying 6 (also called of "wrapping"), a region of drying 7, and a region of stabilisation 8.
Such regions are advantageously in fluid communication with each other through narrow passages capable of allowing the passage of the pasta 5 and of pressurized air.
In an advantageous embodiment, such as the one illustrated in the attached figures, the three regions are superimposed on each other, and in particular the region of drying 7 is arranged between the region of pre-drying 6 and the region of stabilisation 8; in a further advantageous embodiment, not illustrated, the three regions can be aligned horizontally with each other.
The device 1 comprises electronic control means 14, configured for controlling one or more functions of the device 1 itself; advantageously, such electronic control means 14 may comprise, for example, a microprocessor, or a microcontroller, or a programmable logic controller (PLC), etc.
The device 1 further comprises transport means 9, such as for example one or more conveyor belts, adapted to carry pasta 5 from the inlet opening 3 to the outlet opening 4, passing it through the region of pre-drying 6, the region of drying 7, and the region of stabilisation 8, in that order.
Advantageously, the transport means 9 can be controlled by the electronic control means 14.
In advantageous embodiments, such as for example those illustrated in the attached figures, the transport means 9 comprise three conveyor belts, each arranged in one distinct between the region of pre-drying 6, of drying 7, and of stabilisation 8.
The device 1 further comprises ventilation means 10 which can be controlled by the electronic control means 14 to generate a desired air flow, schematically illustrated in the attached figures with arrows 11, which enters the containment structure 2 through the inlet opening 3 and exits, at least partially, from the outlet opening 4, after passing, in that order, the region of pre-drying 6, the region of drying 7 and the region of stabilisation 8.
In advantageous embodiments, such as for example those illustrated in the attached figures, the ventilation means 10 comprise one or more fans 16.
Advantageously, such one or more fans 16 are external to the containment structure 2; advantageously such one or more fans 16 are configured so as to generate an air flow 11 with laminar conformation (a so-called "air blade") that enters into the inlet opening 3, creating a sort of barrier to the exit of air from the inlet opening 3 itself.
In advantageous embodiments, such as for example the one illustrated in figure 1, the device 1 comprises one or more drive means 17, for example an inverter, controlled by the electronic control means 14 to operate the one or more fans 16 in the desired manner; in this way the one or more fans 16 can, for example, deliver a desired flow rate of air, and/or generate a desired prevalence.
In other advantageous embodiments, such as for example the one illustrated in figure 2, the ventilation means 10 comprise one or more valve means 18 (for example partialization valves), controlled by the electronic control means 14 to selectively partialize the air flow generated by the one or more fans 16 and to convey a desired flow through the inlet opening 3.
In further advantageous embodiments, such as for example that illustrated in figure 3, the ventilation means 10 comprise one or more deflector means 19, for example an adjustable orientation delivery duct, controlled by the electronic control means 14 to selectively direct one or more air flows generated by the one or more fans 16 towards the inlet opening 3.
The device 1 further comprises thermoregulation means, adapted to regulate the temperature of the air flow 11 within the containment structure 2; such thermoregulation means are advantageously provided in the region of pre-drying 6 and/or in the region of drying 7 and/or in the region of stabilisation 8.
Advantageously, the thermoregulation means comprise one or more heat exchangers 12, such as for example one or more finned batteries, advantageously crossed by a special heat transfer fluid that warms them up or cools them down.
Advantageously, the supply of the heat transfer fluid in the one or more finned batteries can be controlled by a special thermodynamic circuit, not illustrated, controlled for example by the electronic control means 14.
Advantageously, the thermoregulation means comprise internal fans 22, placed so as to generate an internal air flow 23 that passes through a respective heat exchanger 12, exchanging heat therewith, and therefore warming up or cooling down.
Advantageously, the heat exchangers 12 can be arranged in such a position as to be hit by the air flow 11, thereby exchanging heat therewith, warming it up or cooling it down, depending on the needs.
Advantageously, the exchangers 12 and the internal fans 22 can be arranged and configured so that the respective internal air flow 23, simultaneously with, or after, having hit the respective exchanger 12, comes into contact with the air flow 11, exchanging heat with (and therefore warming up or cooling down) the same.
The device 1 further comprises sensor means 20, for example one or more temperature sensors and one or more humidity sensors, configured for detecting the temperature and the absolute humidity in the regions of pre-drying 6, drying 7 and stabilisation 8, respectively.
Advantageously, the sensor means 20 are controlled by the electronic control device 14.
The device 1 further comprises aeration means 21, configured for carrying out a desired air exchange between the environment external 15 to the containment structure 2 and, respectively, the regions of pre-drying 6, drying 7 and stabilisation 8, thereby controlling the absolute humidity and the temperature thereof, as a function of the respective values detected by the sensor means 20.
Advantageously, the aeration means 21 are controlled by the electronic control device 14.
Advantageously, said aeration means 21 may comprise one or more solenoid valves, operatively connected to the sensor means 20, for example directly, or preferably by means of the electronic control means 14 by which the sensor means 20 and the aeration means 21 are preferably controlled.
According to the invention, the device 1 further comprises detection means 13 (for example one or more differential pressure sensors, one or more anemometers, etc.) configured for detecting the value of a desired property or physical quantity dependent on the air flow that passes through the region of stabilisation 8.
Advantageously, such a desired property or physical quantity may be the pressure difference between the external environment 15 and the interior of the region of stabilisation 8, or the speed or the flow rate of the air that passes through the region of stabilisation 8, or the relative humidity within the region of stabilisation 8.
In an advantageous embodiment, such as the one illustrated in the attached figures, the detection means 13 can be placed in, or near, the region of stabilisation 8; in other advantageous embodiments, not illustrated, the detection means 13 can be placed, alternatively to, in or near, the region of stabilisation 8, also in or near the region of pre-drying 6 and/or in or near the region of drying 7.
According to the invention, the electronic control means 14 are operatively connected to the detection means 13 and are configured for controlling the ventilation means 10 as a function of the value of the desired property or physical quantity detected by the detection means 13.
The drying method according to the invention, which uses the drying device 1, provides for introducing some pasta 5 in the containment structure 2 through the inlet opening 3, and for operating the transport means 9 to carry the pasta 5 therewith from the inlet opening 3 to the outlet opening 4, passing it, first, through the region of pre-drying 6, then through the region of drying 7, and finally through the region of stabilisation 8.
The method provides for operating the thermoregulation means, and for operating the ventilation means 10 to generate therewith an air flow 11 which first interacts with the thermoregulation means, warming up or cooling down, and then hits the pasta 5 while it is passing through the regions of pre-drying 6, of drying 7 and of stabilisation 8.
The method according to the invention further provides for detecting the temperature and the absolute humidity in the regions of pre-drying 6, drying 7 and stabilisation 8, respectively, by means of the sensor means 20, and for carrying out a desired air exchange between the external environment 15 and the regions of pre-drying 6 and/or drying 7 and/or stabilisation 8 respectively, thereby controlling their absolute humidity and/or temperature, as a function of the respective values detected by said sensor means 20.
The method further comprises the step of detecting, by means of the detection means 13, the value of a desired property or physical quantity dependent on the air flow that passes through the region of stabilisation 8; advantageously said desired property or physical quantity may be the value of the pressure difference between the external environment 15 and the interior of the region of stabilisation 8, and/or the speed and/or the flow rate of the air passing through the region of stabilisation 8, and/or the relative humidity within the region of stabilisation 8.
The method further provides for controlling, by means of the electronic control means 14, the ventilation means 10 as a function of the value of the desired property or physical quantity detected by the detection means 13.
Advantageously, in the event that the device 1 comprises one or more drive means 17, for example an inverter, controlled by the electronic control means 14 to operate the one or more fans 16 in the desired manner, the step of controlling, by means of the electronic control means 14, the ventilation means 10 as a function of the value of the desired property or physical quantity detected by the detection means 13 provides for operating the one or more drive means 17 to operate the one or more fans 16 in the desired manner.
Advantageously, in the event that the device 1 comprises one or more valve means 18 (for example partialization valves), controlled by the electronic control means 14, the step of controlling, by means of the electronic control means 14, the ventilation means 10 as a function of the value of the desired property or physical quantity detected by the detection means 13 provides for controlling, by means of the electronic control means 14, the one or more valve means 18 to selectively partialize the air flow generated by the one or more fans 16 and to convey a desired flow through the inlet opening 3.
Advantageously, in the event that the device 1 comprises one or more deflector means 19, the step of controlling, by means of the electronic control means 14, the ventilation means 10 as a function of the value of the desired property or physical quantity detected by the detection means 13 provides for controlling, by means of the electronic control means 14, the one or more deflector means 19 to selectively direct one or more air flows generated by the one or more fans 16 towards the inlet opening 3.
It has thus been found that the device for drying pasta according to the invention and the drying method using said drying device solve the above-mentioned task and purposes; in fact, thanks to the control of the ventilation means as a function of the value of a desired property or physical quantity dependent on the air flow that passes through the region of stabilisation detected by the detection means, it is possible to ensure that a desired air flow reaches the region of stabilisation, thus guaranteeing a desired pressure value in said region which, together with the control of the temperature and of the absolute humidity therein, guarantees that an optimal relative humidity value can be obtained so as to allow the pasta present therein to uniform its surface humidity to that of the core.
Moreover, thanks to this control of the ventilation means, it is possible to adapt, almost in real time, the air flow, and consequently the pressure, in the stabilisation zone, and therefore adapt optimally to the transients, such as for example the steps of loading and unloading pasta, the shapes changes, etc.
Finally, it is clear that the device for drying pasta according to the invention and the drying method using such drying device described herein are susceptible of numerous modifications and variations, all of which are within the scope of the invention; moreover, all details are replaceable by technically equivalent elements without departing from the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

Device (1) for drying pasta comprising:
- a containment structure (2), provided with an inlet opening (3) and an outlet opening (4) for pasta (5), connected to each other, internally to said containment structure (2), by the succession of a region of pre-drying (6), a region of drying (7), and a region of stabilisation (8);

- transport means (9) suitable for carrying pasta (5) from said inlet opening (3) to said outlet opening (4), passing it through said region of pre-drying (6), said region of drying (7), and said region of stabilisation (8), in that order;

- ventilation means (10), which can be controlled to generate a desired air flow (11) that enters said containment structure (2) through said inlet opening (3) and exits, at least partially, from said outlet opening (4) after passing, in that order, said region of pre-drying (6), said region of drying (7) and said region of stabilisation (8), wherein said ventilation means (10) comprise one or more fans (16) configured so as to generate an air flow (11) with laminar conformation that enters into said inlet opening (3), creating a barrier to the exit of air from said inlet opening (3);

- thermoregulation means (12, 22), suitable for regulating the temperature of said air flow (11) within said containment structure (2), comprising one or more heat exchangers (12) and internal fans (22) placed so as to generate an internal air flow (23) that passes through a respective heat exchanger (12), exchanging heat therewith;

- sensor means (20), configured for detecting the temperature and the absolute humidity in said regions of pre-drying (6), drying (7) and stabilisation (8), respectively;

- aeration means (21), configured for carrying out a desired air exchange between the environment external (15) to said containment structure (2) and, respectively, said regions of pre-drying (6), drying (7) and stabilisation (8), thereby controlling the absolute humidity and the temperature thereof, as a function of the respective values detected by said sensor means (20);

- detection means (13) configured for detecting the value of a desired property or physical quantity dependent on the air flow through said region of stabilisation (8);

- electronic control means (14), operatively connected to said detection means (13) and to said ventilation means (10) and configured for controlling said ventilation means (10) as a function of the value of said desired property or physical quantity detected by said detection means (13).
Device (1), as in claim 1, wherein said desired property or physical quantity is the pressure difference between the environment external (15) to said containment structure (2) and the interior of said region of stabilisation (8), or the speed or the flow rate of the air passing through said region of stabilisation (8), or the relative humidity within said region of stabilisation (8).
Device (1), as in claim 1 or 2, comprising one or more drive means (17) controlled by said electronic control means (14) to operate said one or more fans (16) in the desired manner.
Device (1), as in claim 1 or 2 or 3, wherein said ventilation means (10) comprise one or more valve means (18) controlled by said electronic control means (14) to selectively partialize the air flow generated by said one or more fans (16) and to convey a desired flow through said inlet opening (3).
Device (1), as in claim 1 or 2 or 3 or 4, wherein said ventilation means (10) comprise one or more deflector means (19) controlled by said electronic control means (14) to selectively direct one or more air flows generated by said one or more fans (16) towards said inlet opening (3).
Device (1), as in one or more of the previous claims, wherein said detection means (13) are placed at or near said region of stabilisation (8) and/or of said region of drying (7) and/or of said region of pre-drying (6) .
Method for drying pasta (5) in a drying device (1) according to one or more of the previous claims, comprising the following steps:
- introducing pasta (5) in said containment structure (2) through said inlet opening (3);

- operating said transport means (9) and carrying therewith said pasta (5) from said inlet opening (3) to said outlet opening (4), passing it through first said region of pre-drying (6), then through said region of drying (7), and finally through said region of stabilisation (8);

- operating said thermoregulation means (12, 22);

- operating said ventilation means (10) and generating an air flow (11) therewith that, in each of said regions of pre-drying (6), drying (7) and stabilisation (8), first interacts with said thermoregulation means (12, 22), warming up or cooling down, and then hits said pasta (5);

- detecting the temperature and the absolute humidity in said regions of pre-drying (6), drying (7) and stabilisation (8), respectively, by means of said sensor means (20) ;

- carrying out a desired air exchange between the environment external (15) to said containment structure (2) and said regions of pre-drying (6) and/or drying (7) and/or stabilisation (8), respectively, thereby controlling their absolute humidity and temperature, as a function of the respective values detected by said sensor means (20);
characterised by comprising the following steps:

- detecting, by means of said detection means (13), the value of a desired property or physical quantity dependent on the air flow that passes through said region of stabilisation (8);

- controlling, by means of said electronic control means (14), said ventilation means (10) as a function of the value of said desired property or physical quantity detected by said detection means (13).
Method, as in claim 7, wherein said device (1) is made according to claim 2 or to a claim dependent on claim 2, wherein said step of detecting, by means of said detection means (13), the value of a desired property or physical quantity dependent on the air flow that passes through said region of stabilisation (8), comprises detecting the value of the pressure difference between the environment external (15) to said containment structure (2) and the interior of said region of stabilisation (8), and/or the speed and/or the flow rate of the air that passes through said region of stabilisation (8), and/or the relative humidity within said region of stabilisation (8).
Method, as in claim 7 or 8, wherein said device (1) is made according to claim 3 or to a claim dependent on claim 3, wherein said step of controlling, by means of said electronic control means (14), said ventilation means (10) as a function of the value of said desired property or physical quantity detected by said detection means (13), comprises operating said one or more drive means (17) in order to operate in a desired manner said one or more fans (16).
Method, as in claim 7 or 8 or 9, wherein said device (1) is made according to claim 4 or to a claim dependent on claim 4, wherein said step of controlling, by means of said electronic control means (14), said ventilation means (10) as a function of the value of said desired property or physical quantity detected by said detection means (13), comprises controlling, by means of said electronic control means (14), said one or more valve means (18) in order to selectively partialize the air flow generated by said one or more fans (16) and convey a desired air flow through said inlet opening (3).
Method, as in claim 7 or 8 or 9 or 10, wherein said device (1) is made according to claim 5 or to a claim dependent on claim 5, wherein said step of controlling, by means of said electronic control means (14), said ventilation means (10) as a function of the value of said desired property or physical quantity detected by said detection means (13), comprises controlling, by means of said electronic control means (14), said one or more deflector means (19) in order to selectively direct one or more air flows generated by said one or more fans (16) towards said inlet opening (3).