FR3102778A1 - Modular factory from containers - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a modular plant for the manufacture of a food product comprising first and second containers (1, 2) and at least one equipment (E1,…, E9), in which each of the containers comprises a perforated panel with a assembly opening (171, 271) of the same size; the plant further comprising fasteners for securing the fixing of the perforated panels one against the other by coupling with the corner pieces at the tops of the perforated panels, each of the assembly openings having a seal (1711, 2711) around its periphery and extending to the outer face of the corresponding perforated panel so as to collapse against the seal of the other assembly opening during the fixation. Abstract figure: Figure 1

Description

Modular factory from containers

The present invention relates to the field of modular factories for the manufacture of a food product and more particularly to such factories mounted from containers. In addition, such modular factories can be dismantled after a first assembly.

Plants for the manufacture of a food product are generally composed of equipment installed in an industrial building previously built or renovated according to the standards required for the production envisaged. Thus, specific expertise and skills are necessary to carry out such construction and installation according to the required quality standards. Moreover, as expertise is not present everywhere, compliance with these quality standards sometimes requires a great distance between the place of production of the food product and the place of its consumption.

Although in most cases this is not a disadvantage; in others, it could be advantageous to have prefabricated and transportable plants, in particular to compensate for the lack of expertise and skills in the place of distribution of the product.

Moreover, it would then be possible to bring the place of production to the place of consumption or at the very least to bring the first closer to the second.

Thus, there are factories for the manufacture of a food product which are built beforehand in the first place in the form of modules. An increasingly popular solution is the use of containers for the realization of these modules. The containers are then transported to a second location for assembly. When assembling the containers, cutting work is carried out. This cutting work could not generally be carried out before transport due to the need to have closed containers for transport, particularly by sea. This solution compensates for the lack of local expertise. For example, the World Food Program has set up a factory comprising 7 containers in Afghanistan to produce biscuits.

Unfortunately, these solutions have the disadvantage of requiring several months of work for the assembly of the containers, the connections (water, gas, process) between containers and the installation of the equipment while meeting the required quality standards. They are therefore incompatible with the emergency situations presented by humanitarian crises.

Moreover, once the plant is fully assembled, although it is possible to disassemble it, dismantling is also time-consuming. In addition, the plant thus dismantled may no longer benefit from the approval according to the International Convention on the Safety of Containers (C.S.C. approval) for maritime transport. It would be possible to do the necessary work to again obtain approval by sea, but the time required to carry out the work to obtain such approval is too long and incompatible with humanitarian emergency situations.

However, there are cases where the mobility of the plant would be very advantageous. For example, in the event of a humanitarian crisis in order to be able to produce quickly as close as possible to areas in need or to move as these humanitarian crises arise, for example when moving from war zones and therefore areas of refuge or even the appearance of famine areas or areas affected by a natural or ecological disaster, etc.

Thus, there is still a need for a modular plant for the manufacture of a food product allowing not only the pre-construction in a first place and its transport to a second place, but also the dismantling of the second place for its displacement to a third place ; the time required for assembly and disassembly being reduced.

The present invention aims to overcome at least one of the drawbacks of the prior art. For this, the present invention proposes a {1} modular factory for the manufacture of a food product comprising a first container and a second container and at least one piece of equipment for the manufacture of the food product, each of the containers comprising three groups of panels and eight corner pieces:
- a first end group with an opposing front panel and rear panel;
- a second side group with a first side panel and a second opposite side panel; And
- a third group with an opposing roof panel and lower panel;
wherein one of the panels of the first container is a perforated panel with an assembly opening and one of the panels of the second container is a perforated panel with an assembly opening of the same size as the assembly opening of the openwork panel of the first container; the two openwork panels belonging to the same group described above;
the two assembly openings being positioned so as to allow them to face each other when the perforated panels are positioned one against the other;
the factory further comprising fasteners for ensuring the fixing of the perforated panels one against the other by coupling with the corner fittings at the tops of the perforated panels, each of the assembly openings having a seal on its periphery and extending as far as the outer face of the corresponding perforated panel so as to be crushed against the joint of the other assembly opening during fixing.

Such a modular plant has the advantage of easy and quick assembly at the chosen production site while ensuring the tightness between the interior space of the two containers and the exterior.

Other features of such a plant are:
{2} modular factory according to {1}, further comprising a transport plate for each of the assembly openings capable of completely obstructing the assembly opening when the transport plate is in place;
{3} modular factory according to {1} or {2}, in which the assembly openings extend in height from the lower panel so as to form a door frame allowing the passage of an operator;
{4} modular factory according to {3}, in which one of the assembly openings is one or more sliding leaves;
{5} modular plant according to one of {1} to {4}, in which each of the first and second containers comprises a conduit and a frame embedded in the perforated panel and open on the perforated panel, the frame receiving the conduit so that the conduit passes through the bottom of the frame in a sealed manner; the positions of the frames being chosen so as to allow them to face each other when the perforated panels are positioned one against the other; each of the frames having a seal over its entire periphery at the surface of the perforated panel so as to crash against the other seal during fixing; wherein the modular plant further comprising a sleeve for the connection of the two conduits in a sealed manner;
{6} modular plant according to {5}, further comprising a transport plate for each of the frames capable of completely covering the frame when the transport plate is in place;
{7} modular plant according to one of {1} to {6}, in which one of the containers, called the access container, further comprises another openwork panel different from the openwork panel having the assembly opening ; this other perforated panel having an access opening allowing an operator to access the interior of the access container, the access opening being provided with a door;
{8} modular plant according to {7}, further comprising a transport plate capable of completely covering the access opening when the transport plate is in place;
{9} modular factory {7} or {8}, in which an airlock is made inside the access container, the access opening opening into the airlock;
{10} modular factory according to one of {1} to {9}, in which the rear panel of the containers is provided with hinged doors, one of the containers comprises a partition close to its rear panel and provided with a door ;
{11} modular plant according to one of {1} to {10}, in which each of the first and second containers comprises a cable and a frame embedded in the perforated panel and open on the perforated panel, the frame receiving the conduit so that the conduit passes through the bottom of the frame in a sealed manner; the positions of the frames being chosen so as to allow them to face each other when the perforated panels are positioned one against the other; each of the frames having a seal over its entire periphery at the surface of the perforated panel so as to crash against the other seal during fixing; wherein the modular plant further comprising an intermediate junction box connected to the one or both cables in the frame, preferably;
{12} modular factory according to {11}, in which the junction box and the cable form a multipoint socket in each container;
{13} modular plant according to one of {1} to {12}, in which the equipment is chosen from: a grinder, a tank, a metal detector, a dosing machine, a bagger, a filter, a pasteurizer, a mixer and a thermoregulator;
{14} modular plant according to {13}, in which all equipment comprised by the modular plant is provided entirely in one or the other of the containers and in its operating position before the assembly of the containers together;
{15} modular factory according to one of {1} to {14}, in which the interior space of each of the containers is divided into different manufacturing stations by partitions;
{16} modular plant according to one of {1} to {15}, in which each of the containers has a false ceiling in which an air treatment system is provided;
{17} modular plant according to one of {1} to {16}, in which the containers are chosen from containers standardized according to ISO 668:213 and 1496-1:2013.

Other characteristics, details and advantages will appear on reading the detailed description below, and on analyzing the attached drawings, on which:

Fig. 1

is a front view of a modular factory according to the invention.

Fig. 2

is a rear view of the modular factory in Figure 1.

Fig. 3

is a right side view of the modular factory in Figure 1.

Fig. 4

is a left side view of the modular factory in Figure 1.

Fig. 5

is a front view of the first container (access container) of the modular factory in Figure 1.

Fig. 6

is a rear view of the first container in Figure 5.

Fig. 7

is a right side view of the first container of Figure 5.

Fig. 8

is a left side view of the first container of Figure 5 (perforated panel with assembly openings).

Fig. 9

is a front view of the second container of the modular factory in Figure 1.

Fig. 10

is a rear view of the second container in Figure 9.

Fig. 11

is a right side view of the second container of Figure 9 (perforated panel with assembly openings).

Fig. 12

is a left side view of the second container in Figure 9.

Fig. 13

is a plan showing the equipment layout of the modular factory in Figure 1.

Fig. 14

is a plan showing the HVAC system layout of the modular plant in Figure 1.

A modular factory for the manufacture of a food product according to the invention is described below with reference to FIGS. 1 to 14. Such a factory comprises a first container, a second container, at least one piece of equipment for the manufacture of the product food and fixings.

References beginning with X refer to elements that can fit into two or more containers. The X must then be substituted when reading by a 1 if it relates to an element of the first container 1 , by a 2 if it relates to an element of the second container 2 , and by a 3 if it is related to an element of the third container 3 .

Each of the containers, of parallelepipedal shape, comprises six faces each formed by a panel. Thus, a container comprises a front panel X1 , a rear panel X2 opposite the front panel X1 , a first side panel X3 , a second side panel X4 opposite the first side panel X3 , a roof panel X5 and a lower panel X6 opposite the roof panel X5 . The front and rear panels X1 , X2 have a smaller surface than the side panels X3 , X4 . Doors X21 for accessing the interior of the container are generally provided on the rear panel X2 (see first and third containers in the figures), sometimes also on the front panel X1 (see second container in the figures). The rear panels X2 therefore correspond to the front view (FIG. 1 in particular). These X21 doors are mounted in such a way as to ensure tight closure. The containers are advantageously chosen from containers standardized according to the standards ISO 668:2013 (with Amd 1:2006 and Amd 2:2006), ISO 830:1999 (with Cor 1:2001), ISO 1161:2016, ISO 1496-1 :2013 (with Amd 1:2016), ISO 1496-2:2018, ISO 1496-3:2019, ISO 1496-4:1991 (with Amd 1:1994 and Cor 1:2006), ISO 1496-5:2018, ISO 3874:2017, ISO 6346:1995 (with Amd 3:2012), ISO 8323:1985, ISO 9669:1990 (with Amd 1:1992), ISO 9711-1:1990, ISO 9897:1997 (with Cor 1: 2001), ISO 10368:2006, ISO 10374:1991 (with Amd 1:1995) and ISO/TR 15070:1996 (with Amd 1:2005 and Amd 2:2007). These containers have in particular the following external dimensions:

in meter
(in feet and inches) 20 feet 40 feet 40 feet HC 45 feet HC Length (L) 6,058
(19'10.5'') 12,192
(40'0'') 12,192
(40'0'') 13,716
(45'0'') Width (ℓ) 2,438
(8'0'') 2,438
(8'0'') 2,438
(8'0'') 2,438
(8'0'') Height (H) 2,591
(8'6'') 2,591
(8'6'') 2,896
9'6'') 2,896
(9'6'')

Other dimensions are possible, in particular with the containers listed in table 2 below.

10 feet 20 feet NS 30 feet 30 feet HC 30 feet NS 40 feet NS I 9.991
(9'9.75'') 6,058
(19'10.5'') 9.125
(29'11.25'') 9.125
(29'11.25'') 9.125
(29'11.25'') 12,192
(40'0'') ℓ 2,438
(8'0'') 2,438
(8'0'') 2,438
(8'0'') 2,438
(8'0'') 2,438
(8'0'') 2,438
(8'0'') H 2,438
(8'0'') 2,438
(8'0'') 2,591
(8'6'') 2,896
(9'6'') 2,438
(8'0'') 2,438
(8'0'')

In table 2: NS: non-standard; HC: " high-cube " (the applicant is not aware of the term in French used by the person skilled in the art.)

However, still other types of containers may also be used, for example, the 48ft (14.63m) and 53ft (16.15m) containers used in North America (and used by American President Lines ).

For the purposes of this presentation, these panels will be grouped into three groups of panels. The front panel X1 and the rear panel X2 are grouped together in a first group called “end group”, it may also be referred to with the term “end panels”. The two side panels X3 , X4 are grouped together in a second group called “side group”. Finally, the X5 roof panel and the X6 bottom panel are combined into a third group.

One of the panels of the first container 1 is a perforated panel and has an assembly opening 171 . Similarly, one of the panels of the second container 2 is a perforated panel and also has an assembly opening 271 of the same size as the assembly opening 171 of the perforated panel of the first container 1 . The two openwork panels belonging to the same group described above. For example, the two open panels are both side panels X3 , X4 . Another example, the two perforated panels are a front panel X1 and a rear panel X2 ; two front panels X1 ; or two X2 rear panels. Yet another example, the two open panels are an X5 roof panel and an X6 bottom panel. Preferably, the two perforated panels are both side panels X3 , X4 .

The two assembly openings 171 , 271 are positioned so as to allow them to face each other when the perforated panels are positioned one against the other and so as not to exceed laterally and vertically. Each of the assembly openings 171 , 271 has an assembly joint 1711 , 2711 around its periphery and extends as far as the outer face of the corresponding perforated panel. The assembly joint 1711 , 2711 can be made of an elastomeric material such as a synthetic or non-synthetic rubber, for example EPDM (ethylene-propylene-diene monomer). The assembly joint 1711 , 2711 applied can be between 40 and 60 mm wide, preferably between 45 and 55 mm wide, always preferably between 47.5 and 52.5 mm wide, for example approximately 50 mm wide. wide. The assembly joint 1711 , 2711 can be between 40 and 60 mm thick, preferably between 45 and 55 mm thick, always preferably between 47.5 and 52.5 mm thick, for example approximately 50 mm thick. The length of the assembly joint 1711 , 2711 is sufficient to extend all around the circumference of the assembly opening 171 , 271 .

The assembly openings X71 can extend in height from the level of the lower panel X6 and be high enough to allow the passage of a person (assembly openings X71 for passage). For example, the height of the passage assembly opening X71 is from 165 cm to 245 cm, preferably from 180 cm to 225 cm, still preferably from 195 cm to 215 cm, and more particularly approximately 205 cm .

The assembly openings 171 , 271 passage may have a width corresponding to that of one or more doors. For example, the width of the opening is from 80 cm to 120 cm, preferably from 90 cm to 110 cm, always preferably from 95 cm to 105 cm, and more particularly about 100 cm for the width of a door. For example, the width of the opening is 160 cm to 240 cm, preferably 180 cm to 220 cm, still preferably 190 cm to 210 cm, and more particularly about 200 cm for the width of two doors . The passage X71 assembly openings can form a door frame. In which case, one of the passage X71 assembly openings can be provided with one or more sliding or leaf X712 openings, preferably sliding. In this case, only one of the assembly openings X71 of the first container 1 or of the second container 2 comprises the opening X712 .

However, the width of the passage X71 assembly opening is not limited to these values, in particular when the passage X71 assembly opening is not intended to form a door, but may be wide enough to make a part straddling the two containers. In which case, the width of the passage assembly opening X71 may have a width 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 or even 8 times greater than those mentioned in the preceding paragraph.

Each of the openings is preferably bordered by a frame or jamb. Thus, the openings are bordered on their vertical sides and at least the upper side with a stud. The upright can be made from a square section tube. The side of the square section can be between 4 and 7.5 cm, preferably between 5.5 and 6.5 cm, always preferably between 5.7 and 6.3 cm, for example 6 cm.

The two perforated panels can each have more than one assembly opening X71 . In which case, the characteristics of this plurality of assembly openings X71 are not necessarily identical, but can be chosen independently from the options described above. The only restrictions are that the dimensions of an assembly opening 171 of the first container 1 and of an assembly opening 271 of the second container 2 which must face each other are identical and that their positions correspond to each other. allowing them to face each other after fixing the perforated panels against each other.

Each of the containers also includes eight X0 corner pieces. In current standard containers, these corner pieces are arranged on the end panels, four on each corner of the front panel X1 and four on each corner of the rear panel X2 . These X0 corner pieces are used in particular for the transport of containers. For example when they are pulled by a crane, a spreader or overhead spreader is used. The spreader is a rectangular frame sized to the size of the container and at the four corners of which are provided twist locks engaging in the upper X0 corner fittings. Chains are attached to the beam and attached to the lifting hook of the crane. When stacking containers, each container is secured to its neighbors by double twist locks.

The fixings make it possible to ensure the fixing of the perforated panels one against the other by coupling with the corner pieces X0 . More specifically, the fasteners can be four clamps or twist locks that can be engaged with the corner pieces X0 . When fixing the first container 1 against the second container 2 , the assembly joints X711 are crushed against each other when the fixings are put in place, in particular when the clamps are tightened, thus ensuring sealing.

In addition to the assembly joints X711 of the assembly openings X71 , the modular plant may comprise a sealing gutter at the upper level of the joint between the first and second containers. The sealing gutter (not shown in the figures) can be a "square" C-shaped section profile, that is to say that the C is formed by three straight bars, two being parallel to each other and perpendicular at the third. The two parallel bars are preferably shorter than the third bar but not necessarily.

The modular factory may further comprise a transport plate (not shown) for each of the assembly openings X71 . The transport plate is capable of completely obstructing the corresponding assembly opening X71 when the transport plate is in place. These transport plates allow the containers to be completely closed, not only to protect the interior of the containers during transport but also to allow obtaining CSC approval

The transport plates preferably have dimensions greater than the assembly openings X71 . For example, their dimensions are such that they have an additional band around the assembly opening X71 (except at the lower level if the assembly opening X71 is a passage assembly opening X71 ), and whose width is less than that of the frame or jamb of the corresponding opening.

The transport plates are advantageously made of metal, preferably of stainless steel.

The modular plant may further comprise transport seals capable of being fixed around the assembly openings X71 of the perforated panels and cooperating with the transport plates to seal the obstruction of these openings. Alternatively, the assembly joints can act as transport joints.

One of the containers, called the access container (first container 1 in the figures), may further comprise an access opening X72 on a different panel from the perforated panel having the assembly opening X71 . This X72 access opening allows access to the interior of the access container. The X72 access opening is fitted with a door, in particular with a sliding opening. The dimensions of the access opening X72 are included in the same intervals as for the assembly opening X71 of passage to which reference is made here. Preferably the access opening X72 is made on a side panel X3 , X4 .

This other perforated panel may comprise not just one but several X72 access openings, for example 2 or 3 X72 access openings.

Alternatively, the two containers can both be access containers.

The modular plant can then further comprise a transport plate (not shown in the drawings) for each of the access openings X72 and capable of entirely covering the access opening X72 when the transport plate is in place at the same time. like the X71 assembly openings. Similarly, the modular plant may include a transport seal capable of being arranged around the periphery of the access opening X72 and coupling with the corresponding transport plate to seal the obstruction of the access opening. X72 access during transport.

The particularities of the transport plates for the X72 access openings are the same as for the transport plates for the X71 assembly openings and to which reference is made here.

The modular plant may further comprise transport seals (not shown in the drawings) adapted to be fixed around the access openings X72 and cooperating with the transport plates to ensure the sealing of the obstruction of these openings. X72 access.

One of the containers may further comprise an approval opening X73 on a different panel from the perforated panel having the assembly opening X71 . This X73 approval opening allows an operator to have a view of the outside. The pleasure opening X73 is equipped with a window. The dimensions of the approval opening X73 are included in the same intervals as for the observation assembly opening X71 to which reference is made here. Preferably, the approval opening X73 is made on an end panel.

Alternatively, the two containers can both have an X73 approval opening.

The modular plant can then further comprise a transport plate (not shown in the drawings) for each of the approval openings X73 and capable of entirely covering the approval opening X73 when the transport plate is in place at the like the X71 assembly openings. Similarly, the modular plant may include a transport seal capable of being arranged around the periphery of the approval opening X73 and coupling with the corresponding transport plate to ensure the sealing of the obstruction of the opening of X73 approval during transport.

The particulars of the transport plates for the X73 approval openings are the same as for the transport plates for the X71 assembly openings and to which reference is made here.

The modular plant may further comprise transport seals (not shown in the drawings) suitable for being fixed around the approval openings X73 and cooperating with the transport plates to ensure the sealing of the obstruction of these openings. X73 approval.

An airlock 5 can be made inside the access container, the access opening X72 opening into the airlock 5 . The airlock 5 is delimited by partitions 6 and has a door 4 other than that of the access opening X72 . In the case where there is a plurality of access openings X72 , several airlocks 5 can be provided. For example, the modular factory includes 1, 2 or 3 airlocks 5 .

But preferably, the modular plant comprises three access openings X72 , two of which open into an airlock 5 .

The equipment can be chosen from: a crusher, a tank, a metal detector, a doser, a bagger, a filter, a pasteurizer, a mixer and a thermoregulator. Any equipment comprised by the modular factory is advantageously provided entirely in one or the other of the containers in its operating position and before assembly.

The interior space of each of the containers can be divided into different manufacturing stations by partitions 6 .

Each of the first and second containers can also comprise a frame X81 embedded in the perforated panel and open on the perforated panel. Thus, the frame X81 extends from the panel towards the inside of the container. The frame X81 is advantageously made in the form of a frame to be fixed to an opening made in the perforated panel, such as a window frame. The X81 frame receives an X82 conduit or a cable so that it is received in the X81 frame. The positions of the X81 frames are chosen so as to allow them to face each other when the perforated panels are positioned one against the other in the manner of the openings. In addition, each of the X81 frames has an assembly joint over its entire periphery at the surface of the perforated panel so as to crash against the other assembly joint during fixing.

In the case where the X81 frame receives an X82 duct, the X82 duct can be a process duct, that is to say used to conduct the manufactured product, in particular the food product, from the first container 1 to the second container 2 or Conversely. The conduit X82 can also be a powder collection conduit for the evacuation of the powders generated by the process carried out inside the containers. In the case of a process duct, the X82 duct can be equipped with an electric tracer (which can be a heating cable, a cord or a woven material) along its entire length in order to regulate the temperature of the X82 duct. An insulating sheath can also surround the X82 conduit equipped with the electric tracer.

In this case, the modular plant then further comprises a sleeve for connecting the two conduits X82 in a sealed manner inside the frames X81 . The sleeve adapts easily to the different degrees of tightening necessary for the assembly of the two containers and its installation is easy and quick.

The conduit X82 can also be a compressed air conduit for transporting compressed air between the first and second containers. Line X82 can also be a nitrogen line for transporting gaseous nitrogen between the first and second containers 1 , 2 . In this case, the module factory then also includes a quick connector allowing instant tube-to-tube connection and disconnection of two X82 conduits by plugging in using a push-button.

In the case where the frame X81 receives a cable, the modular plant then further comprises an intermediate junction box connected to one or both cables in the frames X81 to be arranged one against the other. Preferably, such a junction box and the cable form a multipoint socket, for example a Harting® or Marechal® socket. These multipoint sockets have the advantage of considerably facilitating the connection of several cables together. Indeed, several cables connected to different equipment and devices are gathered at one of their ends in the same connector. Thus, instead of having to connect each cable of the first container with its correspondent of the second container, it suffices to connect the multipoint sockets together, in a single operation therefore.

The various conduits and/or cables X82 can be provided in the same X81 frame or different X81 frames. In particular, a separation can be provided between the conduits X82 intended to conduct liquid (including a food mixture, in particular the process conduits) and the cables. However, such a separation is not always necessary, in particular when it is possible to arrange the conduits X82 s intended to conduct liquid at a lower level than that of the cables in the same frame X81 . However, the configuration with an X81 bezel for the X82 process conduit(s) and an X81 bezel for the other X82 conduits/cables is preferred. Still preferably, the frame X81 for the process conduit(s) is arranged lower than the frame X81 for the other conduits/cables X82 . The frame for the other conduits/cables X82 is preferably arranged at the level of the false ceiling when the latter is provided.

In some cases, one or more frames X81 may be provided outside the perforated panel with assembly openings X71 of the first and second containers, in particular for the connection with a third container (see description below). In which case, there is not necessarily an assembly joint. Of course, such frames X81 can contain a conduit X82 and/or a cable as described above.

The X81 frames are preferably made in height, that is to say above 1 m, preferably above 1.50 m, always preferably above 2 m.

The X81 frames can correspond to openings made in the corresponding perforated panel, the dimensions of which are:
- for the height: from 33 to 51 cm, preferably from 38 cm to 46 cm, always preferably from 40 cm to 44 cm, and more particularly about 42 cm; And
- for the width: from 37 to 57 cm, preferably from 42 cm to 52 cm, always preferably from 45 cm to 50 cm, and more particularly around 47 cm.

The modular factory can further comprise a transport plate for each of the X81 frames when these are provided. The transport plate is capable of entirely covering the frame X81 when the transport plate is in place in the same way as for the transport plates of the assembly openings X71 described above.

The modular plant may include conduits 78 connecting the equipment together and capable of transporting food products from one equipment to another. Thus, all of the equipment and conduits 78 form a production line for the food product. This supply line can be shared between the two containers, in which case the production line crosses the two containers at the level of a frame X81 as described above. These conduits 78 may be provided with an electric tracer (which may be a heating cable, a cord or a woven material) along the entire length of the conduits in order to regulate the temperature of these conduits 78 . An insulating sheath can also surround the conduits 78 equipped with the electric tracer.

Since the rear panel X2 of the containers is generally equipped with 4 hinged doors, one of the containers may comprise a partition 61 close to its rear panel X2 and equipped with a door 611 . A space is then created between this partition 61 and the swing doors 4 or only one of the swing doors and can advantageously be used as an airlock to store the food products 9 after they have been manufactured and packaged and before they are dispatched. Thus, at the time of shipment, an operator will only have to open the 4- wing doors of the X2 rear panel and retrieve the food products. The length of this space need not be very great, it suffices that this width be greater than the cartons in which the copies of the food product are packaged. For example, the length is 20 to 50 cm, preferably 25 to 40 cm, and more particularly about 30 cm.

Each of the first and second containers 1 , 2 may include a ventilation opening X74 allowing the heat or vapors to be evacuated from the containers.

The ventilation opening X74 can have a height of 125 cm to 195 cm, preferably 145 to 175 cm, still preferably 150 to 170 and more particularly approximately 160 cm. It may have a width of 85 cm to 135 cm, preferably 100 to 120 cm, still preferably 105 to 115 cm and more particularly approximately 110 cm. The X74 ventilation opening is then used for the air inlet and outlet of a refrigeration unit placed close to the X74 ventilation opening. It is preferably made on a panel that does not include an assembly opening X71 , and always preferably a side or end panel.

The ventilation opening X74 may also have a height of 24 cm to 36 cm, preferably 27 to 33 cm, still preferably 28 to 37 and more particularly approximately 30 cm. It may also have a width of 24 cm to 36 cm, preferably 27 to 33 cm, still preferably 28 to 37 and more particularly about 30 cm. In this case, the opening is preferably square. The ventilation opening X74 is then generally adapted to receive an exhaust duct. The ventilation opening X74 is then generally adapted to the flow of air to be treated, that is to say the volume of air to be renewed per hour. It is preferably made on a panel that does not include an assembly opening X71 , and always preferably a side or end panel.

The ventilation opening X74 can also have a height of 28 cm to 42 cm, preferably of 31 to 39 cm, still preferably of 33 to 37 and more particularly approximately 35 cm. It may have a width of 28 cm to 42 cm, preferably 31 to 39 cm, still preferably 33 to 37 cm and more particularly approximately 35 cm. In this case, the opening is preferably square.

The ventilation opening X74 can also be circular and have a diameter of 10 to 20 cm, preferably 12 to 18 cm, still preferably 14 to 16 cm, more particularly approximately 15 cm.

Each of the ventilation openings may comprise a frame and be covered with a grid.

The transport seals are advantageously made of silicone.

Each of the containers may have a false ceiling (see figure 14) in which an air treatment system is provided. The air treatment system is independent for each container.

The air handling system may include at least one of a heating system, a ventilation system, and an air conditioning system. Preferably all three systems are provided. In particular, in each of the containers, the false ceiling includes an air supply duct X93 for air conditioning and an air return duct X94 . A heat exchanger and an X95 filter can be placed between the air supply duct X93 and the air return duct X94 .

Furthermore, the false ceiling may comprise, at the level of the perforated panels, one or more X81 frames with conduits and/or X82 cables, in particular those which must pass through the X81 frame communicating with the false ceiling.

One of the panels of the end group or the side group (other than the perforated panels having the X71 assembly openings) can also have an X81 frame at the level of the false ceiling and acting as a connection opening for the passage of cables and/or conduits between two containers (in particular a third container described below) outside the perforated panels. This frame can be completely obstructed by a transport plate during transport of the container.

In this case, framing can be made in an opening with the following dimensions:
- for the height: between 25 and 39 cm, preferably between 28 and 36 cm, always preferably between 30 and 34 cm, for example about 32 cm;
- for the width: between 28 and 42 cm, preferably between 31 and 40 cm, always preferably between 33 and 37 cm, for example about 35 cm.

The false ceiling does not necessarily cover the entire lower surface of the X5 roof panel. The false ceiling can be made only on a part of it.

The false ceiling can also be fitted with one or more X91 access hatches, one or more X92 inspection hatches. The false ceiling can also be equipped with one or more indoor air conditioning units, one or more X81 frames and one or more X74 ventilation openings as described above. Depending means either that the false ceiling includes the frames and ventilation openings of the container, or these elements are shared between the false ceiling and the area of the container under the false ceiling.

The modular plant then advantageously comprises a third container 3 intended to be assembled above the first container or the second container. Such an arrangement makes it possible to shorten the connection distance of the cables and leads. However, the third container can equally well be adapted to be arranged next to the first container or the second container.

The third container 3 includes ventilation openings 374 on one or more of the side panels 33 , 34 . These ventilation openings 374 can then be covered with a grid. Ventilation openings 374 may be provided to extend upward from the level of bottom panel 36 or to extend downward from the level of roof panel 35 . Generally, the ventilation openings 374 extending from the level of the roof panel 35 are smaller than the ventilation openings 374 extending from the level of the bottom panel 36 .

When it extends from the level of the lower panel 36 , its height can be from 100 to 150 cm, preferably from 110 to 135 cm, still preferably from 120 to 130 and more particularly approximately 124 cm. Its width can be from 100 to 150 cm, preferably from 110 to 135 cm, still preferably from 120 to 130 cm and more particularly approximately 124 cm. Preferably the shape of the opening is square. In this case, this opening is preferably present on a side panel.

When it extends from the level of the roof panel 35 , its height can be from 50 to 75 cm, preferably from 57.5 to 70 cm, always preferably from 60 to 67.5 cm, and more particularly about 64cm. Its width can be from 50 to 75 cm, preferably from 57.5 to 70 cm, still preferably from 60 to 67.5 cm, and more particularly approximately 64 cm. Preferably the shape of the opening is square. In this case, this opening is preferably present on a side panel.

The third container can also comprise, like the other containers, an access opening 372 . The particulars of this access opening 372 can be chosen from the options described above.

The third container may also comprise one or more frames 381 as described above, in particular with a conduit 382 for compressed air and/or a conduit 382 for nitrogen. In which case, these conduits 382 are preferably connected with other conduits 382 similar to frames 381 provided in the first or second containers. When the third container is intended to be placed on the first or second container, then unlike the frames 381 of the first and second containers, those of the third are preferably made in the lower part, that is to say up to a height of '1 m, preferably up to a height of 50 cm. Its height can also be from 80 cm to 120 cm, preferably from 90 cm to 110 cm, still preferably from 95 cm to 105 cm, and more particularly around 100 cm. Its width can be from 40 to 60 cm, preferably from 45 to 55 cm, always preferably from 47 to 53 cm and more particularly about 50 cm. In this case, this opening is preferably present on an end panel and if another container has a frame on an end panel, the frame 381 is provided on the same side.

The third container 3 may in particular be a service container and comprises at least one of the following elements: an electrical cabinet, an air compressor, a nitrogen unit (or nitrogen generator), a powder vacuum cleaner and HVAC system . If an HVAC system is provided, this is independent of the HVAC system of the first and second containers.

The electrical cabinet is preferably equipped with sockets for receiving multipoint connectors, for example Harting® or Marechal® sockets.

In the case where the third container 3 comprises a powder vacuum cleaner, a powder suction pipe 382 can extend between the third container and the first container or the second container by one of the frames 381 made outside the panel perforated with assembly openings 371 .

A particular embodiment is described here.

The modular plant of this embodiment includes a first container, a second container, and a third container. These three containers are 40-foot high-cube containers.

The first container 1 is an access container and comprises a perforated side panel with three assembly openings 171 for passage and two frames 181 arranged one above the other. The three pass-through assembly openings 171 extend from the bottom panel 16 and are 100 cm wide and 205 cm high. They each have a frame reducing the opening by 5 cm, thus leaving a passage of 90 cm by 200 cm. The two frames 181 one above the other. The top frame 181 receives the conduits and cables other than the trial conduit and the lower frame 181 receives the trial conduit 182 . The top frame 181 is also in communication with a false ceiling made in the first container and which is described below.

The first container also includes two access openings 172 on the other side panel. The first opening has two hinged doors 1712 , the one farthest from the front of the container opening into a lock 5 provided inside the first container. The second opening has a hinged door 1712 opening into an airlock 5 provided inside the first container. This other side panel further comprises a first ventilation opening 174 in communication with the false ceiling for the evacuation of air from the air treatment system (see below). This opening is square. This other side panel further comprises three grids, a first grid arranged on a second ventilation opening 174 made in the lower part. This second ventilation opening 174 is square. It allows ventilation of the interior space of the first container 1 . The second grille is arranged on a third ventilation opening 174 made in the upper part and of larger size for the air inlet and outlet of an HVAC system placed inside the first container 1 . Finally, the third grid is arranged on a fourth circular ventilation opening 174 arranged above the second square ventilation opening 174 for the evacuation of steam resulting from the manufacturing process. The rear panel 12 has a pleasure opening 173 on one of the 4 swing doors. It is made on the left leaf when looking at the rear panel 12 This opening is closed by a window.

In addition, the interior of the first container 1 is divided by partitions 6 into six spaces (including airlocks 5 ). A first space on the rear part of the container comprises three items of equipment E1 , E2 , E3 . This first space communicates with the airlock 5 at the rear of the container by a sliding door 51 . One of the assembly openings 171 (the rearmost) overlooks this first space. A second space in the middle of the container includes another E4 equipment. One of the assembly openings 171 (in the middle) overlooks this second space. A third space at the front of the container does not include any equipment and communicates with the other of the airlocks 5 via a sliding door 51 . One of the assembly openings 171 (the frontmost) overlooks this third space. Two spaces are the two airlocks 5 . The sixth space houses an HVAC system 199 , in particular a refrigeration unit, and is made opposite the second grid. The first, second and third spaces have a part occupying the entire width of the first container 1 and are arranged in this order. The airlocks 5 occupy only a width less than half the width of the first container 1 and allow in particular the introduction of ingredient packaging inside the factory. The sixth space is reduced to the strict minimum.

The equipment of the first container 1 is fluidically connected by conduits 78 process forming a first part of the production line of the food product. In particular, the equipment is connected to each other by these conduits in the following order E1 , E2 , E3 , and E4 . Finally, a conduit 78 starts from the equipment E4 as far as the frame 181 provided in the third space, crossing the frontmost airlock 5 and the third space.

As indicated above, the first container 1 comprises a false ceiling. In the false ceiling are housed a first air supply duct 193 and an air return duct 194 interconnected through a box comprising a heat exchanger and a filter. It also includes a storage box for storing the conduits and cable 182 to pass through the frame 181 from the top. The air intake duct 194 is also connected to the first ventilation opening 174 .

The second container 2 comprises a side panel with the same elements as the side panel of the first container 1 having three assembly openings 171 for passage but whose arrangement is reversed as seen through a mirror. The passage assembly openings 271 are each provided with a sliding leaf 2712 forming a door. The second container 2 also comprises a first square ventilation opening 274 made on the other side panel and connected to an air treatment system placed in a false ceiling made in the second container 2 . The second container 2 further comprises a grille placed over a second ventilation opening 274 larger than the first ventilation opening 274 for the inlet and outlet of air from an HVAC system. The front panel 21 comprises two frames 281 arranged in two openings made in height and at the level of the false ceiling

The interior of the second container 2 is divided by partitions 6 into four spaces. A first space (at the front of the container) comprising two pieces of equipment E5 and E6 . One of the passage assembly openings 271 overlooks this first space so that the third space of the first container 1 and the first space of the second container 2 communicate through a door. A second space (in the middle and extending almost to the rear) includes three other equipment E7 , E8 and E9 . Two of the passage assembly openings 271 overlook this second space so that this second space of the second container 2 communicates with the first and second spaces of the first container 1 respectively through a door. The first and second spaces communicate via a sliding door 62 . A very small third space communicates with the second space by a hinged door 611 and is used to store the finished products 9 before they are transported to the place of consumption. One of the leaf doors 4 of the rear panel 22 of the second container 2 open into this third space and allow access to it from the outside. A fourth space houses an HVAC 299 system, including a chiller, opposite the grille.

The second part of the production line starts from the frame 281 by a conduit 78 which arrives at the equipment E5 then from there, using a succession of conduits 78 the equipment is connected to each other. in the following order: E5 , E6 , E7 , E8 and E9 .

The second container 2 also comprises a false ceiling comprising the same elements as the false ceiling of the first container 1 .

The first and second containers can be assembled together by their side panels X3 , X4 having assembly openings X71 . The X71 assembly openings all have seals around their edges. At the level of each assembly opening X71 , after assembly, the seals are crushed one on the other. The assembly is carried out by clamps arranged at the level of the four corner pieces located on the side of the side panels X3 , X4 facing each other. During this assembly, the frames X81 of the first container 1 on the one hand and of the second container 2 on the other hand are also brought into contact and their joint crushed by the tightening ensuring the seal. The process conduits are connected with a sleeve, the cables, in particular the multipoint sockets connected to each other.
The third container 3 is a service container comprising: an electrical cabinet, an air compressor, a nitrogen unit (or nitrogen generator), and a powder vacuum cleaner. The third container 3 is placed above the second container 2 . It has on its side panel 34 facing the first container 1 an access opening 372 provided with a door. On this same side panel 34 , a grille is disposed over a square ventilation opening 374 extending from the roof panel 35 . This opening allows ventilation of the interior space of the third container 3 . On the opposite side panel 33 , two grids are each arranged in a ventilation opening 374 in the low position for ventilation of the interior space of the third container 3 and in particular of the electrical cabinet. The third container 3 further comprises a frame 381 arranged in an opening made on the front panel 31 of the third container and in the lower part and on the left. This frame 381 , in combination with the frame 281 in the upper part of the front panel 31 of the second container 2 and forming a connection opening for the compressed air, the nitrogen, the suction of powders and the cables to the electrical cabinet ; thus the third container 3 and the false ceiling of the second container 2 are connected. The third container 3 is fixed to the second container 2 by clamps placed between the two upper corner pieces 20 of the second container 2 not used for the assembly between the first container 1 and the second container 2 , and the two corner 30 of the third container 3 adjacent thereto.

Claims (9)

Modular factory for the manufacture of a food product comprising a first container (1) and a second container (2) and at least one piece of equipment (E1, …, E9) for the manufacture of the food product, each of the containers comprising three groups of panels and eight corner pieces (10, 20):
- a first end group with an opposite front panel (11, 21) and rear panel (12, 22);
- a second side group with a first side panel (13, 23) and a second side panel (14, 24) opposed; And
- a third group with a roof panel (15, 25) and a bottom panel (16, 26) opposed;
wherein one of the panels of the first container is a perforated panel with an assembly opening (171) and one of the panels of the second container is a perforated panel with an assembly opening (271) of the same size as the assembly opening of the perforated panel of the first container; the two openwork panels belonging to the same group described above;
the two assembly openings being positioned so as to allow them to face each other when the perforated panels are positioned one against the other;
the plant further comprising fasteners for securing the perforated panels together by coupling with the corner fittings at the tops of the perforated panels, each of the assembly openings having a joint (1711, 2711 ) on its periphery and extending to the outer face of the corresponding perforated panel so as to crash against the joint of the other assembly opening during fixing. A modular plant according to claim 1, further comprising a transport plate for each of the assembly openings adapted to completely obstruct the assembly opening when the transport plate is in place. Modular plant according to one of the preceding claims, in which each of the first and second containers comprises a duct (182, 282) and a frame (181, 281) embedded in the perforated panel and open on the perforated panel, the frame receiving the duct so that the duct passes through the bottom of the frame in a sealed manner; the positions of the frames being chosen so as to allow them to face each other when the perforated panels are positioned one against the other; each of the frames having a seal over its entire periphery at the surface of the perforated panel so as to crash against the other seal during fixing;
wherein the modular plant further comprising a sleeve for the connection of the two conduits in a sealed manner. A modular plant according to claim 3, further comprising a carrier plate for each of the frames adapted to fully cover the frame when the carrier plate is in place. Modular plant according to one of the preceding claims, in which each of the first and second containers comprises a cable and a frame (181, 281) embedded in the perforated panel and open on the perforated panel, the frame receiving the cable so as to that the cable crosses the bottom of the frame in a sealed manner; the positions of the frames being chosen so as to allow them to face each other when the perforated panels are positioned one against the other; each of the frames having a seal over its entire periphery at the surface of the perforated panel so as to crash against the other seal during fixing;
wherein the modular plant further comprising an intermediate junction box connected to one or both cables in the frame. Modular plant according to claim 5, in which the junction box and the cable included in the same frame form a multipoint socket. Modular plant according to one of the preceding claims, in which the equipment is chosen from: a crusher, a tank, a metal detector, a dosing machine, a bagger, a filter, a pasteurizer, a mixer and a thermoregulator. A modular plant as claimed in claim 7, wherein any equipment comprised by the modular plant is provided entirely within either container in its operating position and prior to assembly of the containers together. Modular plant according to one of the preceding claims, in which each of the containers has a false ceiling in which an air treatment system is provided.