FR2516356A1 - PROCESS FOR THE CONTINUOUS INDUSTRIAL MANUFACTURE OF PRODUCTS AND IN PARTICULAR FOOD PRODUCTS, THE MEANS FOR CARRYING OUT THIS PROCESS AND THE PRODUCTS THEREFROM - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a process to be used for the continuous industrial manufacture of products, in particular foodstuffs, by continuous or discontinuous transport by one or more tubular elements of suitable length, the protein coagulation or the gel formation of the initial base materials or base substances proceeding by means of the action of one or more known treatments, so that the product or products result in an industrial type of operation, characterised in that, starting from a supply of initial materials or initial substances which are more or less rich in proteins and are liquid, viscous or pasty, are single or composite, and are apportioned in terms of quantity during input into the plant, the uniform quantity of the desired finished product or semi-finished product at the outlet of the apparatus can be determined, and in that various industrial processes can be assigned to this initial metering between the entry and the outlet.

Description

 The subject of the invention is a continuous industrial manufacturing process for products and in particular food products, the means for implementing this process and the resulting products.

 The subject of the invention relates in particular to the technical sector of coagulation or curdling, the manufacture of products and in particular of food or food products using coagulation, as well as to the technical sector of the means of manufacturing such products; the manufacturing sector for cheese and pork products thus understands the subject of the invention.

 I1 is known to manufacture in general various products and in particular food products by coagulating holoproteides or proteins. Mention may be made, for example, by way of nonlimiting indication, cheeses and certain delicatessen products.

 Generally, a conventional process for the manufacture of cheeses, for example, essentially conforms to the different phases shown in the block diagram of FIG. 1 of the drawings. In this diagram: - in phase (1), we have the milk that we have to process, this milk can be, depending on the case, skimmed, enter, pasteurized ...

- in phase (2), a certain amount of rennet is added to the milk; - in phase (3), the milk is coagulated to obtain the curd. It is the preparations which this curd undergoes which make it possible to establish various categories of cheese - in phase (4), the substance obtained is molded - in phase (5), the draining is carried out - in phase (6), appears the cheese which may or may not undergo, under special conditions, more or less prolonged ripening, this is the - phase (7).

 This traditional cheese-making process does not allow the containers to be moved during curdling, where the slightest vibrations or the slightest movement would cause difficulties or defects in the coagulation of milk which is very poor in protein.

This results in a discontinuous manufacturing process requiring a lot of handling since it is necessary to go through intermediate molds corresponding in particular to renneting, curdling and molding.
According to the invention, a process has been designed and developed with means of implementation, making it possible to mechanize a whole operating process of continuous production, in particular that which concerns renneting, curdling and molding.

 this results in a particularly appreciable and advantageous manner, that a part of the equipment and infrastructure necessary for the various aforementioned operations is eliminated.

In addition to the multiplication of means of implementation, this results in a significant time yin, a precise dosage and reduced handling and manpower. Consequently, the cost of production is greatly reduced.

For this purpose, the method according to the invention is remarkable in that, starting from a reserve of initial material or substance more or less rich in protein, liquid, viscous or pitous, simple or composed, the distribution and the quantification are said material or substance, upon introduction into the installation thus defining the quantity of finished or semi-finished product, various technological operations which can be controlled by this dosage. This distribution is effected by retort or discontinuous introduction, through a
Qu several tubular elements of appropriate length, suitably shaped in section, while operates by effect of one or more known actions, the coagulation of proteins or the gelling of the base material, so as to achieve industrially the or products; the product or products are fractionated by slicing or other debit mode, at the outlet of the tubular element or elements; finally, the finished product fractions which, if necessary, undergo finishing operations are removed.

 These characteristics and others will emerge from the following description.

To set the subject of the invention, without however limiting it, in the accompanying drawings
Figure 1 is a block diagram showing the different phases of the known process for the manufacture of cheeses.

 Figure 2 is a block diagram showing the different phases of the process according to the invention for the manufacture of cheeses.

 Figure 3 is a perspective view of the installation for implementing the method according to the invention.

 Figure 4 is on a larger scale, a partial perspective view of an alternative embodiment according to the invention.

 Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 5-5 of Figure 4.

 In order to make the object of the invention more concrete, it is now described in a nonlimiting manner - with reference to the exemplary embodiments of the figures of the drawings.

 According to an important characteristic of the process according to the invention, the metering of the material is carried out upon introduction into the installation, thus defining the unit quantity of finished or semi-finished product resulting from the apparatus. Various technological operations can also be used for this dosage (dosage of rennet - gelling agent - flavoring - water inlet - water outlet - etc ...). This ensures precise dosing of the product, while allowing the manufacturing process to operate continuously between departure and arrival.

 We can, for example, refer to the block diagram of FIG. 2, showing the different phases of the method according to the invention, and compare this diagram to that of FIG. 1. Obviously, we find common phase 1 at the start, which consists in the placement of milk. On the other hand, phases 2, 3 and 4 relating to renneting, coagulation of milk and molding, are carried out, according to the method of the invention, continuously. Phases 5, 6 and 7 remain unchanged.

 FIG. 3 shows, for this purpose, an exemplary embodiment of an installation for implementing the method. This installation essentially comprises three assemblies - an upstream assembly (A) which is versatile - an intermediate assembly (B) which is variable - a downstream outlet assembly (C) which is versatile.

The assembly (A) comprises a container (8) for a reserve of initial material or substance, liquid, viscous or pasty, sim
Qu composées This container (8) is connected to one or more positive displacement metering pumps (9) whose flow and rate are very precise and can be modulated according to needs. This or these dosing pumps (9) can have a continuous or discontinuous movement and are the basis of the control of the downstream technique, that is to say of the final output flow of the finished or semifinished products which are produced and displacement of the matrix in the device.

 At the outlet of the pump or pumps (9, the material passes through one or more conduits (10) arranged in parallel and of appropriate length. Other containers (11 - 12) can be connected and connected to the conduits (10), for the addition of other materials such as rennet, water, salt, spices, gelling agents, ... These additions can other subject to dosages.

 The material then passes through tubular elements (13) constituting in part, one intermediate assembly (B). The cross section of the elements (13) is suitably shaped according to the shape of the desired finished products. For example, this section can be round, square, rectangular, polygonal, cross ...

 The material being frequently in movement, are the effect of the pumps (9), this eliminates the risks of sticking of said material to the internal walls of the tubular elements (13). This material will coagulate during its movement, under the effect of different factors. For example, by heating or cooking by means of a double jacket, or even by enzymatic action, that is to say by adding beforehand the milk of rennet; without excluding other means. The high protein content allows the substances to agglomerate together, while constituting a homogeneous whole.

 The phenomenon of protein curdling or gelling of the initial material is followed, more or less, by a process of contraction or syneresis which consists in the separation of the liquid from a gel.

 It is quite obvious that according to the protein content and according to the nature of the material introduced, the flow rate or the speed of passage can be modulated according to the type of finished product desired.

 The passage of the material in this intermediate assembly (B) makes it possible to act possibly on the internal substances, by elimination or addition of components during the cycle, and to control the action with the dosage, all the tubular elements (13) can be shaped accordingly. We can cite for example: - possibility of heating - possibility of compression; - possibility of cooling (double jacket); - possibility of adding other substances; - possibility of removing part of the components such as serum, washing water ...

- possibility of mechanical work.

 The downstream outlet assembly (C) is shaped to ensure, on the one hand, the fractionation by slicing or other mode of flow, of the product or products at the outlet of the tubular element (s) (13), according to a control at the rate of 'introduction of the initial material, and on the other hand, the evacuation of the fractions of finished products.

To this end, a slicing device (14), of any known and suitable type, makes it possible to obtain fractionated products (P) of variable dimensions and which are defined by the input dosage. After slicing the products, a means (15) ensures the transfer of said products (P) on a conveyor belt (16), for their evacuation. For example, the means (15) can be constituted by a system of articulated and pivoting arms, one end of which is shaped at (151) to ensure the gripping of the sliced products (P), without damaging them, then their transfer onto the conveyor belt (16) o
At the exit of the belt (16), the products (P) can undergo, if necessary, finishing operations such as refining, drying ... The products can be semi-finished and be in the form of grains, the flow is determined by the input; said products can be introduced into molds to receive their final shape at the end of the technological process. They can also be introduced in a package.

 However, in a particularly important and advantageous manner, it can be seen that the specific section of the tubular elements (13) makes it possible to define or confer a special shape corresponding to the finished product (FIG. 3).

 It is noted that the slicing device can possibly be omitted in the case where the finished products, at the outlet of the tubular elements (13) are liable to appear in the form of granules.

 FIG. 4 shows an alternative embodiment of part of the installation, in order to obtain entirely new products both in terms of taste (complementary product) and in terms of presentation (appearance, color, etc.).

 For this purpose, each of the tubular elements (17) profiled in section, can title supplied with material by a double tube (18 - 19). The tubular elements (17) have for this purpose a double internal wall (17a - 17b) of variable shape (Figure s).

The two spaces delimited by each of the walls (17a - 17: 1) are respectively connected to the conduits (18 - 19) to be supplied, at the outlet of the metering pumps, by two materials or substances complementary but of different appearance.

 A particularly original finished product is therefore obtained, for example a soft cheese with a firm or flavored dough at its center. Or, pork products with in the center, a quality and characteristic of pork products with in the center, a quality and characteristic of product different from those of the periphery, since the pork industry which generally calls for the coagulation of proteins, by heating, is within the scope of the present invention.

 It is pointed out that the tubular elements (13 or 17) are capable of being disconnected to allow a particular noological tech process of long duration, requiring the use of a large number of intermediate elements.

 The invention finds a particularly advantageous application for the production of cheese and sausages, without however limiting it to these two sectors of application.

 All the sectors of application which consist in making coagulate proteins, that is to say to pass from a liquid state, more or less rich in proteins, semi-liquid or påtelx, to a solid state, enter the part of the invention.

 It will be recalled that the same applies to sectors calling upon the known phenomenon of gelling, the principle of which remains substantially identical to that of coagulation.

 The advantages emerge clearly from the description, in particular it is emphasized and recalled - the dosage of the finished or semi-Eini product is ensured at the same time as the manufacture - the simplicity of the process and of its installation, owing to the fact that one removes a part of the material, in particular all the containers used in a conventional curdling system, with all the infrastructure necessary for moving and cleaning the molds - the possibility of making very simplified equipment materials, less bulky, therefore a much more affordable price of reliving - the possibility of mechanizing and automating an entire manufacturing process since the various operations are carried out continuously; this results in a saving of time and especially of handling; - the simplicity of the installation means that, starting from the standard and versatile dosing system placed upstream (assembly A), the intermediate assembly (B) can be quickly modified according to the desired product, both from the point of view in quality as in shape or weight of said product.

 The invention is in no way limited to that of these modes of application, nor to those of the embodiments of these various parts which have been more particularly indicated; on the contrary, it embraces all its variants.

Claims (11)

-1- Process for the continuous industrial manufacture of products, and in particular food products, characterized in that from a reserve of initial material or substance, more or less rich in protein, liquid, viscous or pasty, simple or compound, it distributes and quantifies said material or substance upon introduction into the installation, thus defining the unit quantity of finished or semi-finished product desired at the outlet of the apparatus, various technological operations being able to be slaved to this dosage. ;; this distribution taking place by continuous or discontinuous displacement through one or more tubular elements (13) of suitable length, suitably shaped in section, while one proceeds, by the effect of one or more known actions, to the coagulation of proteins, or the gelling of the initial basic material or substance, so as to produce industrially the product (s) according to the mode and the quantity chosen, action is taken on the product (s) at the outlet of the element (s) (13 ), for him or give them a presentation. -2- A method according to claim 1, characterized in that fractionated by slicing or other mode of flow, the product (s) at the outlet of the element (s) (13) following a control at the rate of introduction of the initial material , then the fractions of fresh products which, if necessary, undergo finishing operations are removed. -3- The method of claim 1, characterized in that quten upstream of the tubular elements (13) or substantially at their level, is added d material or substance, other products such as laprésure, water, salt , spices or others, these additions being able to be subject to the dosages. -4- The method of claim 1, characterized in that according to the characteristics of the material introduced, modulating the flow rate or the speed of passage of said material, in the tubular elements (13), depending on the type of finished product desired .  -5- The method of claim 1, characterized in that during the cycle, during the passage of the material in the tubular elements res (13), one can act by elimination or addition of substances or internal components, all tubular elements (13) being optionally shaped accordingly. -6- Means for the implementation of the method according to claim 1, characterized in that they consist essentially of three combined sets: a multipurpose upstream set (A) of reserve and quantification of the initial basic material or substance , an intermediate assembly (B) for forming and distributing the product and an assembly (C) for slicing and removing the finished product or products. -7- Means according to claim 6, characterized in that one set (A) comprises at least one container (8) for a reserve of the material or substance at the start, said container (8) being connected to one or more pumps volumetric dosers (9), adjustable in flow and in cadence with continuous or discontinuous operation; this or these pumps (9) being at the base of the control of the final output flow of the finished or semi-finished products which are manufactured. -8- Means according to claim 7, characterized in that the outlet of the pump (s) (9), is connected by one or more conduits (10) in parallel, to the tubular elements (13). -9- Means according to claim 8, characterized in that containers (11 - 12) are connected and connected to the conduits (10) for the addition of other products such as rennet, water, salt, spices ... -10- Means according to claim 6, characterized in that the intermediate assembly (B) consists essentially of tubular elements (13) whose cross section is suitably shaped according to the shape of the desired finished products, such as round , square, rectangular, polygonal, cross ... -11- Means according to claim 6, characterized in that alternatively, each of the tubular elements (17) profiled in section, is supplied with material by a double tube (18 - 19), said elements (17) having a double wall (17a - 17b) of variable shape, which thus delimits two spaces respectively connected to the conduits (18 - 19), to be supplied, at the outlet of the metering pumps, by two materials or substances complementary but of different appearance.