ES2337114B1 - APPARATUS AND PROCEDURE FOR STACKING LAYERS OF FOOD PRODUCTS AND MEDIA CONTAINERS OF FOOD PRODUCTS. - Google Patents

Abstract

Apparatus and procedure for stacking layers of food products and media product containers food. The apparatus comprises a transport line for transporting said food products to said plane of load, comprising lifting means to position the plane of load on which a substantially continuous current layer is charged the same height of the loading plane of the preceding layer; media containers of food products to be cured comprising a back wall, side wall means and a support plane arranged to withstand said food products, said being mobile plane with respect to said bottom wall; a procedure for stack layers of food products to cure, comprising transporting said food products to a loading plane said process comprising forming a layer of said food products and transfer said layer onto said plane of load.

Description

Apparatus and procedure for stacking layers of food products and media product containers food.

The present invention relates to an apparatus and procedure for stacking layers of food products, as well as to a container means of food products, in particular for salting meat products, for example hams, Speck or similar.

For the salting of meat-based products, by example hams, speck or similar, some containers are known made of metal inside of which the operators alternately have layers of meat-based products and amount of salt

For example, for ham salting, the operators manually position on a defined load plane initially by the bottom of a container, which in this phase is empty, one ham each time so that they form a layer of hams that occupy as much of the available space as possible, but instead be stacked on each other.

Next, about the ham layer is pour a timely amount of salt so that it fills the space present between one ham and the other and cover the layer.

Thus a new load plane is formed on the which provides a further layer of hams.

Repeating this procedure several times Operators fill the container.

To make the salted hams are left in the inside of the container, in contact with the salt, for a period Default time, depending on your weight.

After this period of time, the containers are brought to the proximity of vibrating machines and dumps so that hams and salt fall on a plane vibrator of such machines.

The vibrating plane, during its vibration, collides the hams several times releasing the salt that eventually It has deposited on its surface.

The hams are then brushed on machines planers arranged to remove salt residues eventually still present on the surface.

Then the hams are prepared for Be stored for curing.

The salting process of hams before described is substantially analogous to that used for salting other meat products, for example speck or the like.

A defect in the known salting process is that filling the containers implies a large time period, for how much the operators must manually arrange the products food in the containers, one by one, paying attention to position them correctly.

A further flaw is that filling the Containers are very tiring for operators, since these The latter should lift food products, usually very heavy, and pounce into the container to support them.

This involves unnatural movements that, yes they are repeated continuously, they can be, in the long term, harmful for the health of the operator.

An objective of the invention is to improve the apparatus, procedures and containers to treat food products, particularly food products to cure such as hams, speck or the like.

Another objective is to fill the containers with food products to cure faster with respect to known systems

A further objective is to improve conditions of work of the operators assigned to the treatment of food products.

In a first aspect of the invention, this provided an apparatus for stacking layers of food products on a load plane comprising a transport line for transporting said food products to said plane of load, characterized in that it comprises lifting means for position the load plane on which a layer is loaded current substantially at the same height as the load plane over which has been loaded the previous layer.

In a second aspect of the invention, they are provided container means of food products to cure, which they comprise a bottom wall, a side wall and a support plane willing to withstand such food products, characterized in that said support plane is mobile with respect to said background wall.

Thanks to the first and second aspect of the invention, it is possible to stack layers of food products of automatically, thus reducing operator intervention. The lifting means of the apparatus according to the first aspect of the invention, as well as the mobile media support plane containers provided in the second aspect of the invention, they allow to automatically position the products food at the desired height to obtain a stack of products food. In this way, the operator can avoid leaning to position food products in the lower part, or raise heavy food products to a high level. Be thus improves the quality of the work of the operator and are eliminated unnatural movements that are inevitable instead if Food products are stacked manually.

In a third aspect of the invention, it is planned a procedure to stack layers of products food to be cured, which comprises transporting said products food towards a load plane, characterized in that it comprises form a layer of said food products and transfer said layer on said load plane.

Transferring over the loading plane layers complete, previously formed, of food products to cure, it is possible to reduce the time required to stack said products, with respect to the case in which, as foreseen in the state of the art, food products are transferred on the loading plane one at a time.

The invention may be better understood and made with reference to the attached plans, which illustrate some exemplary and non-limiting forms of realization, in which:

Figure 1 is a plan view of an apparatus to stack food products to cure;

Figure 2 is a side view of the apparatus of figure 1;

Figure 3 is an enlarged detail of a turntable included in the apparatus of figure 1, in a take position;

Figure 4 is an enlarged detail of the turntable of figure 3 in a released position;

Figure 5 is an enlarged detail of a portion of the apparatus of figure 2;

Figures 6 to 9 are side views that they represent various phases of a loading sequence with which said automatic loading means automatically enter food products in container media;

Figure 10 is a front view of the means containers in a first configuration;

Figure 11 is a front view of the means containers in a second configuration;

Figure 12 is a side view of the means containers of figure 11;

Figure 13 is a detail of the means containers of figure 11;

Figure 14 is a front view of means stacked containers;

Figures 15 to 21 are side views that represent various phases of the filling sequence during the which container media are filled with the products food and with a treatment agent;

Figure 22 is a side view of the means containers filled with food products and with an agent of treatment;

Figure 23 is a front view of the means containers of figure 22;

Figure 24 is a front view of a lifting device and container means according to one version alternative;

Figures 25 and 26 are side views schematics representing two phases of a loading sequence with which automatic loading means according to a later version alternative automatically introduce food products in container means; Y

Figure 27 is a side view of a lifting device and container means according to another version alternative.

With reference to figures 1 and 2, it has been represented an apparatus 1 for stacking and salar products foodstuffs, for example meat-based, in particular hams

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The apparatus 1 comprises a transport line for transporting successive hams 3 in a forward direction F. The transport line comprises a first portion provided with a feeding conveyor belt 2, a device nitrification 4, a rotation device 7, a unit of grouping 12 and a transfer unit 15, arranged in sequence along the direction of advance F.

A ham 3, initially held by a bookshelf 5, is extracted by an operator 6 and deposited on the feeding conveyor belt 2, to be displaced in the forward direction F.

Each ham 3 is equipped with a first end called leg and a second end called head of dimensions greater than the leg.

The operator positions the ham 3 on the belt feed conveyor 2 so that ham 3 is arranged along the forward direction F, proceeding the head of ham 3 to the corresponding leg.

The shelf 5 and the conveyor belt of feed 2 can be arranged so that you extract the ham 3 and deposit it on the feed conveyor belt 2 It is easy for the operator 6.

For example, bookshelf 5 may be adjacent to the feed conveyor belt 2 so that hams 3 are at the same height as the tape feed conveyor 2.

In this way the operator 6 should not lift the hams 3 but only transfer them on the conveyor belt of feeding 2.

The feed conveyor belt 2 is arranged to transport hams 3 to the device nitrification 4 inside which ham 3 is treated chemically

Other versions of the invention not shown in the figures they do not comprise the nitrification device 4, given that, in some countries, the chemical nitrification treatment does not It is considered legal norm.

The nitrification device 4 is also ready to move the ham 3 until unloaded on the rotation device 7.

Said rotation device 7 is arranged to move hams 3 and to form, interacting with the grouping unit 12, groups 14 of hams 3 positioned from neat form.

As depicted in Figure 3, the rotation device 7 comprises a sliding plane 9 on the which hams 3 are supported and which is apt to move the hams 3 along the direction of advance F.

The rotation device 7 further comprises a turntable 77 held above the plane sliding 9 by a support structure 78. The platform swivel 77 can rotate around an axis 79 both in one direction of hourly rotation as in a counterclockwise direction of rotation.

The rotation device 7 further comprises two gripping profiles 8 adjacent to each other and fixed to one lower surface of the turntable 77.

Grip profiles 8 are moved by drive devices not shown in the mode figure that approach and move away from each other and to raise them and lower them with respect to the sliding plane 9.

Grip profiles 8 are made up of arc so that when they are approximated to each other, they can take the head of a ham 3 positioned on the sliding plane 9.

The nitrification device 4 discharges over the sliding plane 9, the longitudinally oriented ham 3, is say with the head that precedes the leg in the forward direction F. Ham 3 is displaced by sliding plane 9 in the feed direction F to a grip position 10, shown in figure 3, in which the head of ham 3 is caught by two gripping profiles 8, which are close to each other for this purpose.

When the grip profiles 8 have taken the ham 3, the turntable 77 rotates 90º to carry the ham 3 to a release position 11, shown in figure 4. Together in the release position 11, the gripping profiles 8 release the ham 3, which is thus oriented transversely to the forward direction F.

The rotation of the turntable 77 is performs alternately clockwise and counterclockwise so that two hams, downloaded consecutively by the gripping profiles 8, are opposite oriented one respect the other.

Therefore, the head of ham 3 is released by the gripping profiles 8 in the vicinity of an edge area of the sliding plane 9 towards which the leg of a further will be turned ham successively displaced by the rotation device 7.

After the ham 3 has been oriented transversely to the forward direction F, the gripping profiles 8 they are raised to allow ham 3 to be displaced by the plane slide 9 and be transported to grouping unit 12. A then the gripping profiles 8 are repositioned to take a successive ham reached the position of asido 10.

The grouping unit 12 comprises a first conveyor belt 13 arranged to accommodate hams 3 and form groups 14 of hams 3.

The first conveyor belt 13 is moved to a relatively low initial speed so that hams 3 that come from the rotation device 7 be close to each other another on the first conveyor belt 13 to form the groups 14.

Thanks to the rotation device 7, with the which two hams, released consecutively, have been oriented transversely to the direction of advance F in opposite directions, is now it is possible to minimize the space occupied by a group 14.

In the described version of the invention, the Groups 14 consist of six hams 3, but apparatus 1 You can also process groups consisting of a number of hams different from six.

When group 14 has been completed, that is, when six hams 3 have been grouped in approximate positions, the speed of the first conveyor belt 13 increases to separate group 14 of successive hams and transfer it to the unit of transfer 15.

After group 14 has been transferred to the transfer unit 15, the rotation speed of the first conveyor belt 13 decreases, taking it back to the initial speed and grouping unit 12 is ready to proceed to the formation of another group 14.

The transfer unit 15 is provided with a second conveyor belt 16 arranged to accommodate groups 14 and transfer them on automatic filling means 17 at intervals of predetermined time, to allow the filling means automatic 17 carry out a loading sequence that will be explained to continuation.

The grouping unit 12 and the unit of transfer 15 allow decoupling the conveyor belt from power 2, nitrification device 4 and device of rotation 7, which operate continuously, of a second portion of the transport line included in the device 1, the second being portion disposed downstream of transfer unit 15 and It works intermittently.

As depicted in Figure 5, the automatic filling means 17 comprise a first structure mobile 18 arranged to support a first conveyor belt mobile 19 on which groups 14 are supported and by which Groups 14 are displaced. Automatic filling means 14 they also comprise a first support structure 20 provided with a first guide 21 substantially horizontal inside of which a first movable element 22 of the first structure is slidable mobile 18.

The first mobile element 22 is moved relative to the first guide 21 by a first activator, not represented in the figure, suitable for moving the first mobile conveyor belt 19 between a first withdrawn position G, represented in figures 5 and 6, in which the first mobile conveyor belt 19 is adjacent to the second conveyor belt 16, and a first extended position H, shown in Figure 7, in which the first mobile conveyor belt 19 is partially superimposed to a mobile support plane 23 arranged to support the groups 14. during salting

In figures 6 to 9 the loading sequence with which the automatic loading means 17 deposit a group 14 'on the mobile support plane 23.

In an initial phase the first tape mobile conveyor 19 is in the first position removed G while a first engine, not shown in the figures, drives it according to the direction indicated by arrow R.

Transfer unit 15 assigns to the first mobile conveyor belt 19 a group 14 'and after a predetermined time interval a further group 14 ''.

Group 14 'and the subsequent group 14' 'are like this positioned on the first mobile conveyor belt 19 at a A default distance. Said initial phase is represented in Figure 6

When the group 14 ', moved by the first tape mobile conveyor 19, has advanced to an end 24 of said belt, the first motor stops and the rotation in the R direction is blocked up.

Then the first activator moves the first mobile structure 18, and therefore the first tape mobile conveyor 19 fixed thereto, in an indicated direction by arrow S, to the first extended position H, as has been represented in figure 7.

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Then the first engine drives the first mobile conveyor belt 19 according to the direction of rotation indicated by arrow R, while the first activator moves the mobile structure 18 in a direction T, contrary to the direction S, as He has depicted in figure 8.

The first mobile conveyor belt 19 is thus withdraw to the first position retired G, while the group 14 'advances with respect to the mobile conveyor belt 19.

Regulating the first motor and the first activator so that the speed with which the first conveyor belt mobile 19 is withdrawn be substantially equal to the speed with the that group 14 'advances with respect to the first conveyor belt mobile 19, each ham 3 remains substantially stopped in the feed direction F, while the first conveyor belt mobile 19 is slipped under group 14 '.

When each ham 3 of group 14 'is no longer subjected to the first mobile conveyor belt 19, falls into substantially vertical direction on the mobile support plane 2. 3.

Thus, the entire group 14 'is deposited on the mobile support plane 23 substantially without alter the relative positions of hams 3 that compose it, as depicted in figure 9.

On the first mobile conveyor belt 19 thus groups or layers of hams are formed which are next transferred as is to the interior of basket 30, in which they are stacked on top of each other, as will be better described in detail at continuation.

While group 14 'is deposited on the mobile support plane 23, the further group 14 '' approaches the end 24 of the first mobile conveyor belt 19.

When the first mobile element 22 returns to the first position withdrawn G, this is reaches an adjacent position to the second conveyor belt 16, the latter transfers a further group at distance A of the subsequent group 14 '' on the first mobile conveyor belt 19, which is still maintained in movement according to the direction of rotation R.

It has therefore returned to the initial phase and is You can start a new loading sequence.

In an alternative version of apparatus 1 they are provided automatic filling means 217 comprising a elongated or telescopic conveyor 219, represented in the Figures 25 and 26, replacing the automatic filling means 17 described above.

The elongate conveyor 219 comprises a 224 tape wound in sequence on a first end pulley 220, on a second end pulley 221 on a first pulley Forwarding 222 and on a second forwarding pulley 223.

The distance between the first end pulley 220 and the second end pulley 221 may vary, during the operation of the elongate conveyor 219, between a value maximum and a minimum value.

In fact the first end pulley 220 and the second pulley 223 are mounted on armature means fixed not represented in the figures, while the second pulley end 221 and the first return pulley 222 are mounted on a mobile armor, which has not been represented in the figures.

The mobile armor is moved along the forward direction F by a motor, not shown in the figures.

The mobile armor can be moved between a retired position G ', represented in figure 25, in which reaches the minimum value of the distance between the first pulley of end 220 and the second end pulley 221 and a position extended H ', represented in figure 26, in which the maximum value of the aforementioned distance.

In the removed position G 'the conveyor extension 219 is separated, with respect to the direction of advance F, of the mobile support plane 23, while in the extended position H 'thereof is partially superimposed on the mobile support plane 2. 3.

The elongate conveyor 219 can thus download group 14 'and move group 14' 'with them modalities already described for mobile conveyor belt 19 and by both perform a load sequence analogous to that represented in Figures 6 to 9.

As depicted in Figures 10 to 12, the mobile support plane 23 is rectangular in shape and of dimensions such that it can be introduced inside a container 24 ready to store hams 3 during salting.

The container 24 comprises a bottom wall 80 substantially rectangular and side walls 81 that develop from a perimeter zone of the back wall 80 in direction substantially perpendicular to it so that delimit an internal area of the container 24. The bottom wall 80 and the side walls 81 are substantially continuous, that is devoid of openings, so as to prevent the material from leaving Sliding, for example salt, present inside the container 24.

The mobile support plane 23 has the same shape of the bottom wall 80 and dimensions slightly smaller than the same, so that it can be inserted inside the container 24 maintaining an orientation substantially parallel to the wall background 80.

The mobile plane 23 is connected, in the proximity of each of its vertices, with the lower end 26 of an amount 27.

The upper ends 28 of the uprights 27 they are in turn joined in pairs by two tie rods 29 arranged so that they define a basket 30 comprising the support plane mobile 23, uprights 27 and tie rods 29.

The tie rods 29, located in positions opposite, they are provided with rings 34 arranged to be held by respective gripping means 32 of a lifting device 33, represented in figure 5.

The rings 34 are welded in the proximity of the ends of each of the tie rods 29. Each container 24 is provided with a corresponding basket 30 arranged completely or partially inside the container 24.

In the continuation of the description, you must it is understood that at each displacement of the container 24, if not specify otherwise, the same displacement of the corresponding basket 30 contained in container 24.

The lifting device 33 is arranged to move basket 30 vertically, and consequently the support plane mobile 23, between an elevated position M, shown in the figure 15, and a supported position N, represented in figures 11 and 22

In the raised position M the basket 30 is found almost completely outside container 24, and the mobile support plane 23 is substantially at the same level of an upper edge 35 of the side walls 81. In the position supported N, basket 30 is completely inserted inside of the container 24 and the mobile support plane 23 is supported by a bottom surface 36 of bottom wall 80.

When the lifting device 33 is not in contact with basket 30, the latter remains inside the corresponding container 24 in the supported position N, both when container 24 is empty, as when container 24 is full of hams 3 and salt 42.

The lifting device 33 comprises four columns 37, which individualize, in plan, the vertices of a rectangle.

Columns 37 are arranged to hold the gripping means 32, shown in figure 5.

The gripping means 32 comprise a platform mobile 47 moved by a further motor, not shown in the figure, on which are mounted four hooks 48 arranged to automatically engage with rings 34 of basket 30 and automatically decouple them.

Between each pair of adjacent columns 37 is determined an opening, usable to insert in, and extract of, the operative zone 38 delimited by columns 37, materials and tools involved in the salting of hams 3.

The operating zone 38 is a region of the apparatus 1 in which filling sequences are carried out by means of which container 24 is filled with hams 3 and salt 42.

In particular, through a first opening 39 shown in Figure 1 the automatic filling means 17 they can be partially introduced in, and extracted from, the area operational 38.

Through a second opening 40 opposite the first opening 39, supply means 41 may be partially introduced in, and extracted from, operational area 38. The supply means 41 are suitable for pouring salt 42 on the groups 14 already arranged inside the container 24.

A third opening 43 and a fourth opening 44 adjacent to those already described, are correspondingly provided to introduce containers 24 into the operating area 38 into the corresponding 30 empty baskets, and to remove the containers 24 and the respective baskets 30 when they have been filled with hams 3 and salt 42.

The containers 24 can be moved by means of tape movement 45 extending, perpendicular to the feed direction F, from one side of the device 1 to the other as represented in figure 1.

The belt movement means 45 comprise two sliding belts 46, one on each side, arranged to move the containers 24, in a direction Q perpendicular to the direction feed F, from a power station 49 to a power station extraction 50 passing through operational zone 38. Each container 24 is provided with support feet 70, represented in the Figure 13, thanks to which it can be easily supported on the sliding belts 46 to be moved by them. The feet support 70 are also shaped to allow stacking a container 24, during a storage phase, on a subsequent container 24 'securely, as shown in figure 14. In fact, when the container 24 is stacked on the subsequent 24 'container, stop surfaces 71 made on the feet of support 70 prevent the container 24 from sliding on the further 24 'container and fall.

A bottom surface 72 of the container 24 it is also provided with guide means 73 arranged to allow move the container 24 by means of a lift car 52.

The guide means 73 comprise two pairs of seats 74 aligned each arranged to be coupled by a fork 75 of the lift car 52.

An operator 51, thanks to the help of the car elevator 52, consigns an empty container 24 to the means of belt movement 45 at the feeding station 49.

The operator 51, after the container 24 It has been filled with hams 3 and salt 42 inside the area operating 38, removes the container 24 from the movement means of tape 45 in the extraction station 50 thanks to the help of lift car 52.

As depicted in Figure 5, the supply means 41 comprise a second mobile structure 55 arranged to support a second mobile conveyor belt 56 on which a supply duct 60 pours salt 42. The second mobile conveyor belt 56 is provided with walls lateral 61 to prevent salt 42 protruding laterally during operation

The second mobile conveyor belt 56 is also provided, at one end, with a distributor element 62 substantially horizontal, comprising for example a roller or well a sheet. The distributor element 62 allows to distribute the salt 42, moved by the second mobile conveyor belt 56, on the entire width of the second mobile conveyor belt 56 and form a layer of salt 42 of substantially constant thickness to deposit inside the container 24.

The supply means 41 further comprise a second support structure 57 provided with a second guide 58 substantially horizontal inside of which it is slidable a second mobile element 59 of the second mobile structure 55.

The second mobile element 59 is moved relative to the second guide 58 by a second activator, not shown in the figures, which drives the second mobile conveyor belt 56 between a second withdrawn position I, represented in figure 5 in which the second mobile conveyor belt 56 is in the outside of operational zone 38, and a second position extended, not represented in the figures, in which the second mobile conveyor belt 56 is partially superimposed on the plane mobile support 23 arranged to hold group 14 during the salty.

The second supply means 41 deposit the salt layer 42 inside the container 24 according to a subsequent loading sequence totally analogous to the sequence of load shown in figures 6 to 9 already described in relation to the load of groups 14 on the mobile support plane 23.

Each loading sequence, during which in the container 24 is deposited a group 14 or layer of hams 3, it is followed by a subsequent loading sequence to deposit on the group 14 salt 42.

The operation of the device 1 can be explained with reference to figures 1 and 2.

An operator 6 positions the hams 3 on the feed conveyor belt 2 while further operator 51, using a lift car 52, assigns a container 24 empty, provided with the corresponding basket 30 to the means of belt movement 45 at the feeding station 49.

The hams 3 are moved by the device rotation 7 and by grouping unit 12 to form the groups 14.

As long as container 24, transported by tape movement means 45, enters operating zone 38, where the lifting device 33 moves the basket 30 to allow a filling sequence whose various phases are represented in the Figures 15 to 22.

At the beginning of the filling sequence, the lifting device 33 raises basket 30 and carries the support plane mobile 23 in the raised position M, as shown in the Figure 15. In this position, an upper surface of the plane of mobile support 23 determines a first load plane 90 suitable for receive hams 3.

A first group of hams 3, which has formed in grouping unit 12 and that has been led to the unit of transfer 15, is deposited, according to the loading sequence described above, on the mobile support plane 23, as has been represented in figure 16. Thus on the support plane mobile 23 a first layer 91 of hams 3 is formed.

Then the lifting device 33 goes down the mobile support plane 23 until the first layer 91 has entered in the container 24, as shown in Figure 17.

It is then deposited on the first layer 91 a layer of salt 42, which falls from the second mobile conveyor belt 56 and is deposited in the present space between a ham 3 and the other, until the first layer 91 is completely covered, as is visible in Figure 18

The first layer 91 and salt 42 deposited on it defines a second load plane 92 that can hold a second layer 93 of hams 3. The second load plane 92 is is substantially at the same height at which it was arranged the first load plane 90 when on it has been First layer 91 loaded.

As depicted in Figure 19, the automatic filling means 17 successively deposit a second layer 93 of hams 3 on the loading background 92, after which the lifting device 33 lowers the basket 30 until the second layer 93 has entered container 24, as has represented in figure 20.

A further layer of salt 42 is after deposited on the second layer 93, as depicted in the figure 21.

The second layer 93 of hams 3 and the subsequent salt layer 42 deposited thereon define a third plane of load 94, positioned at the same height at which it was positioned the second load plane 92 while the second layer 93 was loaded

The filling sequence just finished describe is repeated until the mobile support plane 23 reaches the supported position N, represented both in side view and in front view, in figures 22 and 23. Each time in basket 30 a layer of hams has been deposited, the lifting device 33 lower the basket 30 in an amount slightly greater than the thickness of the layer of hams Thus, when the salt has been deposited on the layer of hams in question, a plane of current load, ready to receive a new layer of hams, positioned substantially at the same height at which it I found the preceding load plane during the loading of the respective layer of hams.

In the represented version of the invention, in inside the container four layers of hams are deposited 3.

The container 24, after being filled, as depicted in figures 22 and 23, it is released from lifting device 33. To this end, the gripping means 32 release automatically rings 34.

The tape movement means 45 displaces the container 24 finished filling it away from the area operating 38 and taking it to the extraction station 50, in which the container 24 is extracted by the subsequent operator 53, which use the lift car 54.

In order for salt 42 to be correctly absorbed by hams 3 the latter are left in the inside the container 24, in contact with the salt 42, by a predetermined salting period, depending on its weight.

Hams 3 are previously selected in based on weight so that the salting period is substantially the same for all hams 3 positioned inside it container 24. During the salting period, containers 24 are stacked in storage areas.

After the salting period, the containers 24 are carried in the vicinity of vibrating machines and spilled so that hams 3 and salt 42 fall on a vibrating plane of said machines.

The containers 24 comprise locking means not represented in the figures arranged to prevent when the containers 24 are overturned, the baskets 30 leave together with the hams 3 and salt 42.

The vibrating plane, during its vibration, collides hams 3 several times separating salt 42 that eventually It has deposited on its surface.

The hams 3 are then brushed in machines suitable planers and then stored for curing.

The apparatus 1 allows to significantly reduce the necessary times for salting hams 3, since it is automated loading of hams 3, as well as the phase of salt deposit 42.

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In an alternative version of device 1, depicted in figure 24, a container 124 is provided which differs from container 24 described above mainly because it is not associated with a basket, but is equipped with a plane mobile support 123 not coupled to uprights or structures stiffening

The container 124 comprises a bottom wall 180 of which a side wall 181, delimited by an upper edge 135.

The container 124 can interact with a lifting device 133, positioned in the operating area 38, which move the mobile support plane 123 vertically between a raised position, in which the mobile support plane 123 is adjacent to upper edge 135, and a supported position in which the mobile support plane 123 is supported on a bottom surface 136 of the bottom wall 180.

The lifting device 133 comprises a plurality of hydraulic jacks 134, for example 4 hydraulic jacks 134, which, when container 124 is in the zone operative 38, each one is inserted in a corresponding hole 137 practiced on the bottom wall 180 so that they act on a lower surface of the mobile support plane 123.

When container 124 is outside operating area 38 and is not coupled to hydraulic jacks 134, the mobile support plane 123 is in the supported position and by both closes holes 137 preventing hams 3 and exit 42 exit container 124.

The container 124 may be included in a apparatus 1 totally analogous to that described with reference to Figures 1 to 23 and it works according to the same modality.

Alternatively, container 124 may be used in combination with only the lifting device 133, without use the remaining parts of the device 1.

In this case, operators manually load a first layer of hams 3 on a cargo plane defined by the mobile support plane 123 in the raised position. Salt 42 is poured onto the first layer of hams 3 through distribution means, for example a supply nozzle, manually moved. The lifting device 133 now lowers the plane mobile support 123 such that a new load plane, defined for the first layer of hams 3 coated with salt, you will find substantially at the same height at which the plane was of mobile support 23 while the first layer of hams 3 was loaded. The operator can therefore manually load a second layer of 3 hams on the loading plane.

The sequence described above is repeated until fill of container 124, after which the latter can be led to the storage area.

Container 124, if used in combination Only with the lifting device 133, it makes it easier for the Operator stacking hams during salting. In fact, the operator thus avoid looking inside the containers to adapt the hams 3 on the bottom of the latter and make movements not natural that, if repeated continuously, could result, to Long term, harmful to your health.

Another version of the invention, represented in the Figure 27, provides a lifting device 333 arranged to move a basket 330 on which operator 4 manually positions the hams 3 to form groups 14.

Basket 330 comprises a mobile support plane 323 delimited by four sides arranged so that they form a rectangle or square. From a central region of two sides Oppositions of the mobile support plane 323 two uprights are developed vertical 327, only one of which is represented in the Figure 27. Two oblique bars 328 join the vertical uprights 327 to respective vertices of the mobile support plane 323. The position of the vertical uprights 327 and the oblique bars 328 is such which allow operator 4 to manually load more comfortably the container 24.

In fact the vertical uprights 327 define a symmetry plane of the container 24, which divides the space surrounding in a first region 350 and in a second region 351. The oblique bars 328 are positioned in the first region 350, so that operator 4 can move freely in the second region 351, which is substantially devoid of obstacles.

Uprights 327 and bars oblique 328 are not therefore an obstacle for the operator 4 who has enough space to comfortably move hams 3 to form the groups 14.

In an alternative all can be provided the combinations considered functional of the devices and of the components described above.

For example, the means of 17 automatic filling, and operators can proceed to download from shelf 5 hams 3 and manually form groups 14 directly on the first mobile conveyor belt 18.

Claims (50)

1. Apparatus for stacking layers (91, 93) of food products (3) on a loading plane (90, 92, 94), comprising a transport line for transporting said food products (3) to said loading plane ( 90, 92, 94), characterized in that it comprises lifting means (33; 133; 333) to position the loading plane (92) on which a running layer (93) is loaded substantially at the same height as the loading plane (90 ) on which the preceding layer (91) has been loaded. 2. Apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that it further comprises container means (24, 30; 124; 330) for receiving said food products (3) that come from said transport line. 3. Apparatus according to claim 2, characterized in that said container means (24, 30; 124; 330) comprise a bottom wall (80; 180) and a support plane (23; 123, 323) for supporting said food products ( 3), said support plane (23; 123; 323) being movable with respect to said bottom wall (80; 180) by said lifting means (33; 133; 333). Apparatus according to claim 3, characterized in that said container means (24, 30; 124; 330) comprise side wall means (81; 181) that develop from said bottom wall (80; 180), said means being side wall (81; 181) and said bottom wall (80; 180) substantially continuous. 5. Apparatus according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that said container means (24, 30; 330) comprise a basket (30; 330) delimited inferiorly by said support plane (23; 323) and laterally by an armature (27, 29; 327, 328) that develops from said support plane (23; 323). 6. Apparatus according to one of claims 3 to 5, characterized in that said lifting means (33; 333) are positioned above said support plane (23; 323). 7. Apparatus according to claim 6, when dependent on claim 5, characterized in that said lifting means (33; 333) comprise coupling means (48) for engaging with an upper region of said reinforcement (27, 29; 327, 328) . Apparatus according to one of claims 3 to 5, characterized in that said lifting means (133) are positioned below said support plane (123). 9. Apparatus according to claim 8, characterized in that said lifting means (133) comprise at least one jack (134) capable of engaging with a lower surface of said support plane (123) for pushing said support plane (123) from down. 10. Apparatus according to claim 9, characterized in that said bottom wall (180) is provided with at least one hole (137) traversible by said at least one jack (134). 11. Apparatus according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said transport line comprises a mobile conveyor (17; 217) for transferring said shaped plane (90, 92, 94) onto singular load lines (14 ', 14'' ) of said food products (3). An apparatus according to claim 11, characterized in that said mobile conveyor (17; 217) comprises a conveyor belt (19; 219) movable between an extended position (H) in which said conveyor belt (19; 219) is at least partially above said load plane (90, 92, 94) and a withdrawn position (G) in which said conveyor belt (19; 219) is positioned on one side of said load plane (90, 92, 94). 13. Apparatus according to claim 12, characterized in that said mobile conveyor (17) comprises a mobile structure (18) on which said conveyor belt (19) and a support structure (20) provided with guiding means (21) are mounted. along which it can slide said mobile structure (18). 14. Apparatus according to claim 12, characterized in that said conveyor belt (219) is wound at least on a first end pulley (220) and on a second end pulley (221), the distance between said first end pulley being (220) and said second end pulley (221) maximum in said extended position (H ') and minimum in said withdrawn position (G'). 15. An apparatus according to one of claims 11 to 14, characterized in that it further comprises a grouping unit (12) positioned along said transport line and upstream of said mobile conveyor (17; 217) to form groups (14) of said food products (3), each group (14) being able to constitute one of said layers (91, 93). 16. Apparatus according to claim 15, characterized in that said grouping unit (12) comprises a conveyor belt (13) movable at variable speed. 17. Apparatus according to claim 15 or 16, characterized in that between said grouping unit (12) and said mobile conveyor (17; 217) a transfer unit (15) is interposed to transfer said food products (3) of said unit of grouping (12) to said mobile conveyor (17; 217). 18. Apparatus according to one of claims 15 to 17, characterized in that it further comprises a rotation device (7) arranged upstream of said grouping unit (12) to rotate two consecutive food products (3) in opposite directions and position them transversely to along said transport line. 19. Apparatus according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it further comprises supplying means (41) for supplying quantity of a treatment agent on each layer (91, 93) of said food products (3). 20. Apparatus according to claim 19, when it depends on one of claims 11 to 18, characterized in that said supply means comprise a further mobile conveyor (41) for transferring said quantity over each layer (91, 93) of said food products (3 ). 21. Apparatus according to claim 20, characterized in that said further movable conveyor (41) comprises a further movable conveyor belt (56) between an extended position in which said further conveyor belt (56) is at least partially above said layers ( 91, 93) and a further removed position (I) in which said further conveyor belt (56) is positioned on one side of said load plane (90, 92, 94). 22. Apparatus according to claim 20 or 21, characterized in that said further mobile conveyor (41) is arranged in a position opposite to said mobile conveyor (17) with respect to said load plane (90, 92, 94). 23. Apparatus according to one of claims 2 to 10, or according to one of claims 11 to 22, when dependent on claim 2, characterized in that it further comprises a feed line (49) for feeding said container means (24, 30 ; 124; 330) towards an operational zone (38) in which said lifting means (33; 133; 333) are arranged. 24. Apparatus according to claim 23, characterized in that said supply line (49) is arranged transversely with respect to said transport line. 25. Apparatus according to claim 23 or 24, characterized in that it further comprises an extraction line (50) for extracting said container means (24, 30; 124; 330) filled with said food products (3) from said operating area (38) . 26. An apparatus according to claim 25, characterized in that said extraction line (50) is arranged transversely with respect to said transport line. 27. An apparatus according to claim 25 or 26, characterized in that said feed line (49) and said extraction line (50) are arranged in sequence along the same direction (Q). 28. Container means for food products (3) to be cured, comprising a bottom wall (80; 180), side wall means (81; 181) and a support plane (23; 123; 323) arranged to support said food products (3), characterized in that said support plane (23; 123; 323) is mobile with respect to said bottom wall (80; 180). 29. Container means according to claim 28, characterized in that said support plane (23; 123; 323) and said bottom wall (80; 180) have a substantially similar plan shape. 30. Container means according to claim 28 or 29, characterized in that said support plane (23; 123; 323) has an end-of-stroke position in which it is supported on said bottom wall (80; 180). 31. Container means according to one of claims 28 to 30, characterized in that they comprise a basket (30; 330) delimited inferiorly by said support plane (23; 323) and laterally by an armature (27, 29; 327, 328) which it develops from said support plane (23; 323). 32. Container means according to claim 31, characterized in that said reinforcement (27, 29) comprises a plurality of uprights (27) each of which develops from a vertex of said support plane (23). 33. Container means according to claim 32, characterized in that they comprise a pair of tie rods (29) for joining the uprights of said plurality of uprights (27) two by two. 34. Container means according to one of claims 31 to 33, characterized in that said reinforcement (27, 29) is provided, in an edge area, with anchoring means (34) to which lifting means (33) can be attached.

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35. Container means according to claim 31, characterized in that said reinforcement (27, 29; 327, 328) comprises a pair of vertical uprights (327) that develop from respective central regions of two opposite sides of said support plane (323) and a pair of oblique bars (328) joining said vertical uprights (327) to respective vertex zones of said support plane (323). 36. Container means according to one of claims 28 to 30, characterized in that said bottom wall (180) is provided with at least one hole (137) traversible by actuating means (134) suitable for moving said support plane (123). ). 37. Container means according to one of claims 28 to 36, characterized in that said bottom wall (80; 180) and said side wall means (81; 181) are substantially continuous. 38. Container means according to one of claims 28 to 37, characterized in that they further comprise blocking means to prevent the exit of said support plane (23; 123). 39. Procedure for stacking layers (91, 93) of food products (3) to be cured, comprising transporting said food products (3) to a loading plane (90, 92, 94), characterized in that it comprises forming a layer (14 ) of said food products (3) and transfer said layer (14) onto said load plane (90, 92, 94). 40. Method according to claim 39, characterized in that said transfer comprises dropping said layer (14) onto said load plane (90, 92, 94) from an upper transport plane (19; 219). 41. A method according to claim 40, characterized in that said fall comprises passing said transport plane (19; 219) under said layer (14). 42. Method according to one of claims 39 to 41, characterized in that said conformation comprises bringing a plurality of said food products (3) onto a grouping plane (13). 43. Method according to claim 42, characterized in that before said approach it is provided to rotate said food products (3) so that a main dimension of each food product (3) is transverse to a transport direction of said food products (3) towards said load plane (90, 92, 94). 44. Method according to claim 43, characterized in that two consecutive food products (3) are rotated in the opposite direction to approximate one end of the current food product (3) to an opposite end of the preceding food product (3). 45. Method according to one of claims 42 to 44, characterized in that during said approach, said grouping plane (13) is moved with a first speed and, after said shaping, said grouping plane (13) is moved with a second speed greater than said first speed, to separate the current food layer (3) from the successive one. 46. Method according to one of claims 39 to 45, characterized in that after said transfer, it is planned to lower said layer (14) to define above said layer (14) a new load plane (92) suitable for receiving a successive layer of said food products (3). 47. Method according to claim 46, characterized in that said descent comprises positioning the load plane (92) on which a successive layer (93) is loaded substantially at the same height as the load plane (90) on which it has been loaded the preceding layer (91). 48. Method according to one of claims 39 to 47, characterized in that it further comprises, after said transfer, supplying a treatment agent (42) onto said layer (14). 49. The method according to claim 48, characterized in that said treatment agent comprises sodium chloride (42). 50. Method according to one of claims 39 to 49, characterized in that said food products comprise hams (3).