FR2827738A1 - Molding plate for food products such as ham has troughs of varying cross-section with covers and transverse partitions - Google Patents

Abstract

The molding plate, made from pressed sheet metal, has one or more lengthwise troughs that can be closed by a cover on an adjacent stacked plate. Each trough is of variable cross-section, having constrictions at intervals that form a series of cells acting as individual moulds for a food product, with partitions separating one cell from another. The partitions can be of different sizes, depending on the shape of the cells.

Description

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 The present invention relates to a tray for molding food products such as hams, a stackable set of molding trays for the industrial molding of food products and a method of manufacturing a molding tray according to the invention.

 Industrial cooking of certain food products such as hams requires molding. In the manufacture of molded ham, the meat is introduced into closed molds in which it can be cooked and pressed.

 Is well known the molding of such food products by means of stackable assemblies consisting of a series of stacked trays, each tray, called multi-mold tray, comprising a plurality of molds and, associated at the bottom with each of the molds, lids adapted to closing the molds of the lower tray. A multi-mold tray can consist of individual molds placed one next to the other and / or one after the other. It can also consist of longitudinal U-shaped troughs arranged parallel side by side. Each chute can be split into several cells. Each tray can also include only one chute. Such molding assemblies for food products are described, for example, in French patents n 80 152 12, 8707 108 or 90 140 19.

 There is currently a demand for molded hams having a curved shape, that is to say a shape with variable section, for example in the shape of a mandolin or a rugby ball, in order to obtain slices of different sizes when cutting. .

Such types of hams can be obtained by those of the stackable assemblies known at present which consist of a plurality of individual molds, as the assembly described in French patent n 80 152 12. However, the stacking of molds is then very delicate to execute, especially since the support plates are interchangeable. The very slight deformation of a mold or a cover can cause an offset, even a very slight one, which can cause the wrong pressing of an entire layer.

Stackable assemblies consisting of longitudinal troughs, such as those described in French patents no. 87 07 108 or no 90 140 19, have good mechanical characteristics, in particular as regards resistance to deformation. However, in their current configuration, they cannot be used to press elongated hams of variable section.

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 The present invention relates in particular to a tray for molding food products making it possible to obtain pressed products of elongated shape with variable section, a tray which has good mechanical characteristics, in particular a high resistance to deformation and which allows a good connection the corresponding molds and lids.

 To this end, it provides a tray for molding food products comprising at least one longitudinal trough which can be closed by a cover, said molding tray being characterized in that said or each trough has a variable section so as to define at least one mold-forming cell for said food products. Advantageously, to define said or each cell, said or each chute regularly has along its length throttling zones.

 In addition, said or each chute has, at each of said throttles, a transverse partition compartmentalizing each cell.

 According to another embodiment, to define said or each cell, said or each chute comprises, on the one hand, along its length, small-sized throttling zones and larger-sized throttling zones and, on the other hand, curved side walls so as to join said throttling zones and to make the section of each cell variable. Said or each chute may comprise, at the level of said throttling zones, small transverse partitions and larger transverse partitions defining for each cell a compartment with variable section.

 According to another embodiment, said or each chute has throttling zones intended to define, on the one hand, said cells forming a mold for said food products and, on the other hand, cells of smaller dimension than the cells . Said or each chute may then comprise, at the level of said throttling zones, small transverse partitions and larger transverse partitions defining for each cell a compartment.

 According to another characteristic of the invention, said or each chute has, at each of its banks, an offset to the outside, in order to define a housing in which said cover can be inserted in an adjusted manner. Said outward projection extends for example substantially vertically with, at its upper part, a flap outward in order to

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 define a flare making it easier to guide said cover. Said flap can be flat and inclined at 45, but it can also have a rounded section and end in a longitudinal horizontal plane.

 In a preferred embodiment, said food product molding plate comprises several troughs arranged parallel side by side and transverse plates forming spacers which are arranged longitudinally at regular intervals between said troughs and on which said troughs are fixed. Said transverse plates forming spacers advantageously extend laterally over a certain distance beyond the chutes acting on either side of said plate.

 According to another characteristic of the invention, a cover is fixed to said transverse plates forming spacers below said or each of said troughs so that, when two molding trays are stacked, a cover of the upper tray can be accommodated in the release of a chute from the lower plate.

 According to another characteristic of the invention, a cover is fixed below said or each of said chutes by means of elastic means.

 A tray according to the invention is for example mounted on a support frame provided with legs so as to make it stackable.

 The present invention also relates to a method of manufacturing a tray for molding food products as just described. This process essentially consists in conforming said or each chute by stamping a flat sheet. Similarly, each cover can be shaped by stamping a flat sheet. However, it can also be shaped by cutting a chute along a longitudinal horizontal plane and keeping only the lower part.

Advantageously, the cutting plane of a chute corresponds to the plane containing the fold forming the recess of said chute.

The invention, its characteristics and its advantages will emerge more clearly from the following detailed description of an exemplary embodiment of a stackable assembly for molding food products according to the invention, with reference to FIGS. appended, among which:
Figs. 1a and 1b are respectively a perspective view of a stackable assembly consisting of two trays according to the invention and a side view of such a stackable assembly,

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 Fig. 2 is a perspective view of a chute of a tray for molding food products according to the invention, FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a chute of a tray for molding food products provided with partition walls according to another embodiment of the invention, and FIGS. 4a and 4b are respectively sectional views of troughs on which covers are mounted according to two embodiments.

 The stackable molding assembly shown in FIG. 1 is an example of application of the present invention. It essentially comprises two plates 2 each comprising two longitudinal chutes 10 having throttling zones 51 and 52 so as to form at least one cell 50 (in this case six) forming molds. Each cavity 50 forming a mold has an elongated shape of variable section, for example in the shape of a rugby ball or in a mandolin.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, partition walls
55 and 56 are attached and respectively fixed at each constriction zone 51 and 52 so as to compartmentalize said troughs 10 into compartments 50. Unlike the individual molds placed end to end in the state of the art, this arrangement allows a one-piece chute structure with good mechanical characteristics.

 In other embodiments, these partition walls 55 and 56 may prove not to be necessary so that they are absent. This is the case of the chute 10 which is shown in FIG. 2.

 Still in the embodiment which is shown in FIG. 1, the constrictions 51 are of small dimension, while the constrictions 52 are of larger dimension. It will be noted that in this case, the side walls of each chute 10, by connecting the throttles 51 and 52 in pairs, have a curved shape with variable section.

 As can be seen in FIG. 2, each chute 10 is intended to be closed by a cover 20 which is therefore of shape complementary to that of the chute 10.

 More particularly, in the embodiment of a plate which is shown in Figs. la and Ib, a cover 20 extends below each of the chutes 10. In the example shown, each cover 20 is thus fixed to the chutes 10 by means of spacers 30 which intervene between the chutes

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10 and the corresponding covers 20. It will be noted however that the mounting of the covers 20 on the troughs 10 can also be an assembly with elastic return means of the type of those which are described in particular in French patent n 98 07 206.

 The spacers 30 which are shown in Figs. 1a and 1b are arranged at regular intervals along the length of the plate 2. They intervene more precisely at the level of the throttling zones 51 and 52 between the cells 50 forming molds.

 In the embodiment shown, these spacers 30 are in the same plane as the corresponding partition walls 55 or 56.

 More specifically, on the upper part of the plate 30, are provided notches 70 forming housings adapted to each receive a chute 10 at a throttling zone 51.52 between two cells 50. The shape of the notches 70 therefore depends of the fact that the plate 30 must be placed at the level of a large throttling zone 51 or of a small throttling zone 52 (in the case where these are not of the same dimension). On the lower part of the plate 30 are provided notches 80 forming housings adapted to each overlap a cover 20 also at a throttling zone 51.52 between two cells 50. Again, the shape of the notches 80 depends on the the fact that the plate 30 must be placed at the level of a large throttling zone 51 or of a small throttling zone 52 of the cells 50 (in the case where these are not of the same dimension).

 We see in Fig. 1 that the spacers 30 extend laterally over a certain distance beyond the chutes 10 acting on either side of said plate.

 Fig. 2 shows a chute 10 in a first embodiment. This chute 10 is of variable section with a period ripple corresponding to the length of the cells 50 or to a multiple of this length. In the present exemplary embodiment, the corrugation described by the section of the trunking 10 is of period equal to two lengths of compartments 50. Over this period, the shape of the trunking 10 is curved with a curved shape substantially in a brace , so that it defines a series of two cells 50 open upwards, extending longitudinally, and of cross section going widening from a constriction zone 51, then narrowing towards another zone d constriction 52 of size larger than the constriction zone 51. The section of the chute then flares again, to form the neighboring cell 50 whose constriction zone 52 also constitutes its greatest constriction zone size and then narrows down to the bottleneck

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 smaller size and so on. Each cell 50 therefore has a constriction 51 of small size and a constriction of large size 52 between which it has an outwardly curved shape substantially in the shape of a rugby ball.

 It will be noted that in another embodiment not shown, the shapes of the throttling zones 51 and 52 defining the cells 50 are identical.

In Fig. there, we can see that the small throttling zone 51 of each alveolus
50 is closed by a small transverse partition 55 and the large throttling zone
52 of this cell 50 is closed by a large transverse partition 56. Each of these partitions 55, 56 has the shape of the section of the chute 10 in the corresponding zone and is extended upwards by a shape corresponding to the section of the cover 20 in this area.

 On the other hand, in the embodiment shown in FIG. 2, these partition walls 55 and 56 are absent.

 The chute 10 which is shown in FIG. 3 alternately comprises a throttling zone 51 then two throttling zones 52 ′ relatively less distant from each other than a throttling zone 51 and a throttling zone 52 ′. It follows from this arrangement that a throttling zone 51 and a throttling zone 52 'define between them a relatively large cell 50 while two throttling zones 52' define between them a smaller cell 50 ' dimension. The use of such a chute can be as follows: in a large cell 50, are housed food products enclosed in pockets having an annex pocket which, for its part, is housed in a small cell 50 'neighbor. As can be seen in FIG. 3, two annex pockets can be accommodated in the same cell 50 ′.

 In the embodiment which is shown in FIG. 3, partition walls 55, 56 'are provided for compartmentalizing the cells 50 and 50'. It should be noted, however, that the partitions 56 ′ could be omitted. Generally, only the cells 50 ′ need to be compartmentalized.

 To conform a chute 10 according to the invention, a flat sheet is used which is stamped so that it has a variable cross section in order to create the desired corrugation and the cells 50. The configuration of the troughs 10 by stamping has the advantage of causing the metal to harden, which increases its mechanical characteristics compared to the rolling or folding techniques used in the prior art.

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In addition, the stamping operation is easier to perform on chutes than on individual molds. In fact, when an individual mold is produced in elongated shape with variable section by stamping, the pressure exerted on the ends of the individual molds gives rise to a draft at both ends.
In the case of molds according to the present invention, pressed products are obtained with blunt beginnings, which in particular avoids slicing losses. This is particularly true when partition walls 51 and 52 are used.

 According to the invention, as can be seen in Figs. 4a and 4b, the chute 10 has, at each of its edges, a step 100 outward, in order to define a housing in which the cover can easily be inserted in an adjusted manner.

The recess towards the outside is advantageously carried out on the chute 10 open at the ends. During the stamping of the sheet, the recess 100 is deformed so that it follows the undulation of the rest of the chute 10. This recess
100 curved-stamped ensures precise guiding of the covers 20 during their introduction into the chute 10. In addition, it makes it possible to effectively stiffen the walls of the chute
10. It thus limits the deformations of the molds during the pressing phases.

In the present exemplary embodiment, with particular reference to FIGS. 4a and 4b, each of the recesses 100 present on either side of the chute 10 is constituted by a vertical wall 102 which extends, with an offset towards the outside, the corresponding side wall 104 of the chute 10. The wall 102 is connected to the corresponding edge 104 by an elbow 101, for example consisting of a fold at 45 connecting horizontally over the entire length of the chute 10
At its upper part, the vertical wall 102 has a flap 103 which is turned outwards with a certain curvature in order to define an upper part of a flared trough for accommodating the cover 20.

 In the embodiment shown in FIG. 4a, the upper part 103 is formed by a fold at 45.

 In the exemplary embodiment which is shown in FIG. 4b, this flap 103 is formed in an arc of a circle, for example with an angle equal to 90, and ends in a longitudinal horizontal plane 105 (as is also visible in FIG. 2). It can be seen that this plane 105 is externally limited by rectilinear edges 105a which, in the manufacturing process, are obtained by laser cutting. This particular flap 103 has the advantage of increasing the rigidity of the chute 10.

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 During the stamping of the sheet, the recess 100 is deformed so that it follows the undulation of the rest of the chute 10, as can be seen in FIGS. 4a and 4b. Thus, the stamping line 60 intervening at the level of the separation between two cells 50 is extended on the wall 102 by a stamping line 61.

As seen in Fig. 4a and 4b, the stamping is advantageously carried out below the flared zone defined by the upper parts 103 of the recesses
100 in order to facilitate the introduction of the cover 20 into the chute 10.

 According to the present invention, the cover 20 is obtained from a stamped sheet in order to create an undulation corresponding to that of the chute 10. In the present example, the cover 20 corresponds to the lower part of the inverted chute 10. More specifically, this cover 20 is obtained by cutting, at the line 61 or below the recess 100, a chute 10 and keeping only the lower part thereof.

venir recouvrir la partie inférieure de la goulotte en dessous du coude 101. When two plates 2 are stacked one on the other, the covers 20 of the upper plate 2 are inserted into the troughs 10 of the lower plate 2. We see in Figs. 4a and 4b how this insertion is done. Thanks to the flared part 103, the cover 20 is guided during its introduction into the housing that constitutes the recess 100, thus facilitating this introduction into the corresponding trough 10. Then, the edge of the cover 20 slides along the recesses 100 of the chute 10 The cover is thus perfectly guided to

cover the lower part of the chute below the elbow 101.

As can be seen in FIG. 1, the troughs extend over a certain distance beyond the cells 50. In fact, in FIG. 1, each chute 10 has four cells 50 and is extended beyond by zones 57. The advantage of such an arrangement results in the fact that the cutting of the ends of each chute 10 is made on a part which is less hardened of it, which makes this cut clearer.

 A tray 2 according to the present invention can be mounted on support frames provided with legs, for example of the type described in French patent no. 87 07 108. It then consists of a stackable assembly which is used as such for the industrial molding of food products, such as in particular hams.

Claims (19)

1) tray for molding food products comprising at least one longitudinal chute (10) which can be closed by a cover (20), said molding tray being characterized in that said or each chute (10) has a variable section so as to defining at least one cell (50) forming a mold for said food products.  2) tray for molding food products according to claim 1, characterized in that, to define said or each cell (50), said or each chute (10) regularly has along its length throttling zones (51,52) .  3) tray for molding food products according to claim 2, characterized in that said or each chute (10) comprises, at each of said throttles, a partition (55,56) transverse compartmentalizing each cell (50).  4) tray for molding food products according to claim 2, characterized in that, to define said or each cell (50), said or each chute (10) comprises, on the one hand, along its length, throttling zones (51) of small dimension and throttling zones (52) of larger dimension and, on the other hand, side walls (104) curved so as to join said throttling zones and make the section of each cell variable.  5) Molding tray for food products according to claim 4, characterized in that said or each chute (10) comprises, at said throttling zones, small transverse partitions (55) and stronger transverse partitions dimension (56) defining for each cell (50) a variable section compartment.  6) tray for molding food products according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said or each chute (10) comprises throttling zones (51,52 ') provided to define, on the one hand, said cells (50 ) forming a mold for said food products and, on the other hand, cells (50 ') of smaller dimension than the cells (50).  7) tray for molding food products according to claim 6, characterized in that said or each chute (10) comprises, at the level of said throttling zones (51, 52 '), small transverse partitions (55) and <Desc / Clms Page number 10>  larger transverse partitions (56 ') defining for each cell (50.50') a compartment.  8) Molding tray for food products according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that said or each chute (10) comprises, at each of its banks, a recess (100) towards the outside, in order to define a housing in which said cover (20) can be inserted adjusted.  9) Molding tray for food products according to claim 8, characterized in that said outward recess (100) extends substantially vertically with, at its upper part (103), a flap outward so to define a flaring facilitating the guiding of said cover (20).  10) tray for molding food products according to claim 9, characterized in that said flap is flat and inclined at 45.  11) Molding tray for food products according to claim 9, characterized in that said flap has a rounded section.  12) Molding tray for food products according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises several troughs (10) arranged parallel side by side and transverse plates (30) forming spacers which are arranged longitudinally at regular intervals between said chutes (10) and on which said chutes are fixed.  13) tray for molding food products according to claim 12, characterized in that said transverse plates (30) forming spacers extend laterally for a certain distance beyond the chutes (10) acting on either side of said tray (2).  14) tray for molding food products according to claim 12 or 13, characterized in that a cover (20) is fixed on said transverse plates (30) forming spacers below said or each of said chutes (10) so as to that, when two molding plates are stacked, a cover (20) of the upper plate can be received in the recess (100) of a chute (10) of the lower plate.  15) Tray for molding food products according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said tray is mounted on a support frame provided with legs so as to make it stackable. <Desc / Clms Page number 11>  16) A method of manufacturing a tray for molding food products according to one of claims 1 to 15, characterized in that it consists in shaping said or each chute (10) by stamping a flat sheet.  17) A method of manufacturing a tray for molding food products according to claim 16, characterized in that each cover (20) is shaped by stamping a flat sheet.  18) A method of manufacturing a tray for molding food products according to claim 17, characterized in that each cover (20) is shaped by cutting a chute (10) along a longitudinal horizontal plane and keeping only the lower part .  19) A method of manufacturing a tray according to claim 18, characterized in that the cutting plane of a chute (10) corresponds to the plane containing the fold forming the recess (100) of said chute (10).