FR2977764A1 - Installation for carrying out scalding of carcass of e.g. animal, has sealed scalder, and projection unit for projecting saturated vapor in scalder, where vapor is maintained at constant temperature for carrying out scalding operation - Google Patents

Abstract

The installation (1) has a sealed scalder (3) that is maintained in an elevated position on a reversed support frame. The scalder defines a bottom opening that is arranged in a horizontal manner, where the opening receives carcass (2) of an animal e.g. sheep, fully. A suspending unit (4) is utilized for extracting the carcass and holding the carcass in a position for a specific period. A projection unit (5) projects saturated vapor (V) in the scalder, where the vapor is maintained at constant temperature for carrying out scalding operation. An independent claim is also included for a method for scalding an animal carcass.

Description

INSTALLATION FOR REALIZING A SCAFFOLDING OF AT LEAST ONE ANIMAL CARCASS AND METHOD IMPLEMENTING SUCH AN INSTALLATION

TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to the technical sector of facilities for the decontamination of carcasses and meat (beef, sheep, goats, pigs, rabbits, poultry, etc.), and more particularly to the technical sector of installations for the realization of scalding of at least one animal carcass, and also scalding processes of at least one carcass.

PRIOR ART

In view of the present reality of the contamination of meat cuts, and with the aim of securing the production lines, it is nowadays known to include a process for decontaminating the latter in the slaughter process. and preparing said meats.

In the European Union, and contrary to many countries such as the United States, Canada or Japan, no decontamination treatment with chemical or biological substances is allowed, only water or steam. water can be used for such purposes.

Thermal decontamination is then carried out. Such decontamination is carried out by means of scalding in a bath of hot water for example. The known scalding devices thus comprise a scalding tank, open on top and filled with hot water at a predetermined temperature. The animal carcass to be decontaminated is then immersed in said tank for a determined period of time. At the exit, the carcass is decontaminated on the surface and keeps its fresh state.

It is also known to scald the same type, but by "showering" the carcasses with hot water.

The problem encountered with such scalding processes is the recycling of water. Indeed, for environmental reasons, it is forbidden to recycle water from scalding. The water becomes a nest of contamination.

These scalding techniques also have the problem of being quite expensive, because of a large energy consumption to heat a large volume of water, but also because of a significant water consumption.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention proposes to provide a new concept for scalding, without environmental stress, carrying out the decontamination operation on the surface of the carcasses. The present invention also aims to improve the microbiological qualities of the carcasses and achieve a decontamination without impact on their color, appearance and fat, while remaining competitive with previous techniques both economically and environmentally. In order to solve the aforementioned problems, a new installation has been developed for scalding at least one animal carcass. According to the invention, the installation comprises a sealed scalding tank, held in a raised position and reversed on a support frame, defining a perfectly horizontal lower opening 20 and being able to receive inside and entirely, at least one animal carcass, by means of first means for suspending, to completely introduce into said tray, to maintain in position for a predetermined period and then to extract the carcass or carcases, the installation also comprises second projection means saturating vapor for internally filling said saturated steam tank and maintaining it at a constant temperature to perform the actual scalding operation.

In this way, the present invention thus provides a steam scalding apparatus. This technique enables carcass surface contamination to be effectively and homogeneously reduced by immersing the carcass or carcasses in a saturated steam bath for a specified period of time.

The steam scalding offers a great freedom of installation, the tray can adopt any shape. The residence times of the carcass or carcasses in said tray are controlled and adjustable. Compared to the scalding devices of the state of the art, superior bacteriological quality can be obtained and preserved without major changes in the sensory characteristics of the animals. meats.

Carcass weight losses are not significantly different from untreated carcasses. Steam scalding does not induce significant consumption of water and energy compared to other methods.

Advantageously, in the installation according to the invention, the second saturating steam spraying means are arranged in the top of the tank and at the level of the lower opening of the scalding tank.

The principle of steam scalding is based on the lamination property of a hot air charged with saturating vapor with respect to the ambient air, a property due to its much lower density. This hot air saturated with moisture can therefore be trapped in a volume, namely the scalding tank. The fact of arranging the filling means at the lower opening of the tank optimizes the filling and keep a clear ambient air / saturated vapor boundary at the lower opening of the tray, in the form of a strip or intermediate layer. The lower opening is perfectly horizontal to prevent saturated vapor leakage.

Advantageously, and in order to homogenize the filling of the scalding tank, the second saturating vapor spraying means are regularly arranged over the entire circumference of the upper and lower parts of said scalding tank, and are for example spray nozzles. saturating vapor.

In order to automate the scalding operation, in the installation according to the invention, the first means and the scalding tank comprise complementary guide means, said first means being subject to automatic control means of the type electric, pneumatic or hydraulic, for automatically passing said first means from a first position extracted from said tray to a second position introduced into said tray, through said complementary guide means, and vice versa.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the scalding tank is a cube or dome open in its lower part and the first means are in the form of a suspension cage, not closed, made from studs vertical and horizontal, adapted to receive at least one carcass suspended by means of a hook member arranged on the upper part of said cage.

Preferably, in the installation according to the invention, the complementary means of the guide are of the roller type cooperating with rails.

The invention also relates to a method for scalding at least one animal carcass implementing the installation according to the preceding characteristics. According to the invention, this method comprises the steps of: - raising the temperature of the scalding tank via the second means of spraying saturating vapor and filling the scouring tank with saturating steam; - suspend at least one animal carcass in the first means; - Completely introduce the carcass or carcasses in the scalding tank via the first means and keeping the temperature of the scalding tank; Maintaining the carcass or carcases in this saturating vapor for a predetermined period, via the first means; extracting the carcass or carcases by means of the first means, after the desired treatment of the scalding; - evacuate the carcass or carcasses. According to one characteristic of the process according to the invention, the carcass or carcases are automatically extracted as soon as the determined duration is reached.

According to another characteristic of the process, the temperature range in the scalding tank 30 is between 40 ° C. and 100 ° C.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will emerge clearly from the description which is given below, by way of indication and in no way limitative, with reference to the appended figures, in which: FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic view and in perspective representing the cube of the installation for scalding at least one carcass according to the invention, with the automatic control means;

Figure 2 is a schematic perspective view showing the cage of the installation for performing scalding of at least one carcass according to the invention;

Figure 3 is a schematic perspective view showing the installation for carrying out scalding of at least one carcass, the cage being extracted from the scald cube;

Figure 4 is a view of the plant according to the invention, shown in section along the axis A-A appearing in Figure 3, with the carcass and saturated vapor shown; Figure 5 is a view of the plant according to the invention, similar to Figure 4 but showing the cage introduced into the cube, with the carcass and saturated steam shown.

For simplicity, parts or elements of an embodiment that are identical or similar in another embodiment will be identified by the same reference numerals and will not be described again DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF AN EMBODIMENT PREFERRED OF THE INVENTION

With reference to FIGS. 1 to 5, the plant (1) for scalding at least one animal carcass (2) comprises, according to a preferred embodiment, a scalding tank (3), first means (4) for suspending, completely inserting into said tray (3), maintaining in position for a determined period of time and then extracting said one or more carcasses (2), and second projection means (5) of saturating vapor (V) capable of filling said tray (3) with saturating vapor (V) to carry out the actual scalding operation.

The scalding tank (3) is in the form of a sealed cube or a watertight bell (3) held in a raised position on a support frame (not shown) and said cube or bell having a lower opening ( 3a) perfectly horizontal. The height of this support frame is such that it allows the presentation of the carcass or carcases in vertical position under the tray, then their complete introduction into said cube or bell.

The first means (4) for suspending, completely inserting into said tray, holding in position for a determined period of time and then extracting said one or more carcasses (2) are in the form of a suspension cage ( 4), not closed.

This suspension cage (4) is made from vertical and horizontal uprights (4a), interconnected to form the frame of a cube or bell. The dimensions of this cage (4) are slightly smaller than those of the cube forming the scalding tank (3) to allow a vertically guided introduction of this cage (4) into said cube or bell forming the scalding tank (3) . This cage (4) is able to receive and suspend at least one carcass (2), for this it comprises at least one hook member (6) arranged in the upper part of said cage (4).

The term hook is generally used to identify one or more means for suspending each of the carcasses by the hind legs or neck or otherwise.

This hook (6) is in particular arranged in the middle of a horizontal upright (4b) forming a diagonal of the upper face of the cube formed by said cage (4). The cage (4) is intended to be vertically guided into said scribe cube (3). For this, the cage (4) and the cube (3) comprise complementary guide means (7a, 7b).

The complementary guide means (7a, 7b) consist, in a preferred embodiment of the invention, by rollers (7b) and rails (7a). The cage (4) comprises rollers (7b) arranged at the upper ends of two of these opposite vertical uprights.

These rollers (7b) are able to cooperate with two rails (7a) arranged vertically inside the cube forming the scalding tank (3), at two opposite edges.

The cooperation of the rollers (7b) with the rails (7a) makes it possible to introduce and extract the cage (4) from the cube (3) in a guided manner.

In order to automate this introduction and extraction, from the cage (4) into the cube (3), these comprise automatic control means (8).

According to one embodiment of the invention, these automatic control means (8) are of the hydraulic, electric or pneumatic type. Indeed, a jack (8), whose stroke is substantially equal to the height of the cage (4), is fixed on the cube or bell (3). The movable portion (8a) of the jack (8) is fixed at the lower part of the cage (4). In this way, by controlling the jack (8), when the movable part (8a) of the jack (8) is out, the cage (4) is extracted from the cube or bell (3) and when the movable part (8a) the cylinder (8) is retracted, the cage (4) is introduced into the cube or bell (3), the rollers (7b) 20 cooperating with the rails (7a) to provide optimum guidance. Other equivalent means can be implemented to ensure this displacement function. Preferably, said automatic control means (8) are centered and are located in the middle part on the lateral sides of the scuttle tank.

The cube or bell (3) further comprises, in order to carry out the scalding operation, second saturating steam spraying means (5) (V) capable of filling the said cube or bell (3) with saturating vapor (V). ). These second projection means (5) are preferably spray nozzles (5) arranged regularly arranged in the top of the cube or bell and at the bottom opening (3a) of the scalding tank (3). More generally, these means (5) are arranged in the upper and lower parts of the scraper. These nozzles (5) are capable of projecting saturating vapor (V) at a predetermined temperature. The saturating vapor (V) having a lower density than the ambient air, has a tendency to rise and thus to imprison in the cube or bell (3) and to occupy all its internal volume. The cube or bell (3) then deflects rapidly filled completely with saturating vapor (V) and a saturation vapor (V) / ambient air boundary in the form of a few centimeters strip is well defined at the bottom opening (3a). said cube or bell (3). The temperature range inside the scalding tank is between 40 ° C and 100 ° C.

Depending on the configuration of the plant for treating one or more carcasses, it is conceivable that rows of nozzles (5) are arranged at staggered intermediate levels of the cube or bell of the scalding tank. Pneumatic valve type control means act on the spray nozzles.

The way of connecting these spray nozzles (5) as well as the hydraulic, electric or pneumatic cylinders (8) is not shown in the figures and is not described in detail because it is part of the general knowledge of the corresponding professions.

The installation is adapted to the needs and is arranged to allow simultaneous scalding of one or more animal carcasses. The volume of the tank is adapted and that of the number of cages and also the positioning of the saturated vapor spraying means to ensure a scalding effect on the entire surface of the treated carcass or carcasses.

Thus, the method implementing such an installation (1) comprises the steps of: - suspending at least one animal carcass (2) to the hook (6) arranged in the cage (4), the cage (4) being previously extracted cube (3); saturating the cube (3) with saturating vapor (V) by means of the spraying nozzles (5) with saturating vapor (V); - completely insert the carcass or carcases (2) into the scald cube (3); - Hold the carcass (s) (2) in this saturating vapor (V) for a specified period; - extract the scalded carcass (2); - evacuation of the carcass or carcasses;

The steps outlined above are part of a program and are performed automatically. As is apparent from the foregoing, the invention provides an installation (1) optimally performing the surface decontamination operation of the carcasses (2), while remaining competitive with prior art techniques both on the economic than environmental. The invention also provides a method implementing this installation (1), simple and completely satisfactory.

Due to the formation of saturated vapor strip at the lower opening of the tray, it is certain that the entire apparent surface of the carcass or carcasses is treated. It goes without saying that the invention is not limited to the embodiment described above by way of example but that it extends to all embodiments covered by the appended claims.

Claims (5)

REVENDICATIONS1. Installation (1) for performing scalding of at least one animal carcass (2), characterized in that it comprises a sealed scalding tank (3) held in a raised position and reversed on a support frame, defining a bottom opening (3a) perfectly horizontal, and being able to receive inside and entirely, at least one animal carcass (2), by means of first means (4) for suspending, to introduce completely into said tank (3), to maintain in position for a determined duration and then to extract the carcass or carcases (2), the installation (1) also comprises second means (5) of saturated vapor projection (V) for filling said vat (3) with saturating vapor (V) and maintaining it at a constant temperature to perform the actual scalding operation. 2. Installation (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the height of the support frame is such that it allows the presentation of the carcass or carcasses in a vertical position under the tray, and their complete introduction into said cube. 3. Installation (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the second means (5) saturating vapor projection (V) are arranged in the top of the tray and at the bottom opening (3a) of the tray d scalding (3). 4. Installation (1) according to claim 3, characterized in that the second means (5) for saturating vapor projection (V) are arranged regularly over the entire circumference of the lower opening (3a) of said scalding tank (3). 5. Installation (1) according to claim 3, characterized in that an ambient air / saturated vapor boundary is defined at the lower opening of the tray, in the form of strip or intermediate layer. Installation (1) according to claim 4, characterized in that the second means (5) of saturated vapor projection (V) are saturated vapor projection nozzles (5) (V). 7. Installation (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the first means (4) and the scalding tank (3) comprise complementary guide means (7a, 7b), said first means (4) being subject to automatic control means (8) of the electric, pneumatic or hydraulic type, making it possible to automatically move said first means (4) from a first position extracted from said tray (3) to a second position introduced into said tray (3), through said complementary guide means (7a, 7b), and vice versa. 8. Installation (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the scalding tank (3) is a cube (3) open in its lower part. 9 Installation (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the first means (4) are in the form of a suspension cage (4), not closed, made from vertical uprights and horizontal (4a), adapted to receive one or more carcasses (2) suspended by means of a hook member (6) arranged on the upper part of said cage (4). 10. Installation (1) according to claim 7, characterized in that the complementary means 15 of the guide (7a, 7b) are of the type casters (7b) cooperating with rails (7a). 11. A process for scalding at least one animal carcass (2) employing the plant (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises the steps of: temperature of the scalding tank (3) via the second means (5) for saturating steam and saturating the scalding tank (3) with saturating steam; suspending at least one animal carcass (2) in the first means (4); - completely insert the carcass (s) (2) in the scalding tank (3) via the first means (4) and maintaining the temperature of the scalding tank (3); - maintain the carcass or carcasses (2) in this saturating vapor for a predetermined period, through the first means (4); 30 - extract the carcass (s) (2) via the first means (4), after desired treatment of scalding; - evacuate the carcass (s) (2). 12. Method according to claim 11, characterized in that the carcass or carcases (2) are automatically extracted as soon as the determined duration of the scalding treatment is reached. Process according to Claim 11, characterized in that the temperature range inside the scalding tank is between 40 ° C and 100 ° C.