RU2773001C2 - Device and method for preparation of food products placed in vessel - Google Patents

Abstract

FIELD: food industry.

SUBSTANCE: this invention concerns device (2) for preparation of food products placed in a vessel, in particular ready meals, containing receiving chamber (4) for accommodating the vessel; steam-generating unit (10) for steam generation, including at least one first steam line (18) for conducting steam and at least one line (54) for supplying cold fluid for conducting fluid colder than steam, steam supply node (62) with at least one hole for issuing steam to receiving chamber (4), which, in a steam-conducting way, is connected to specified at least one steam line (18) of steam-generating unit (10); condensate supply node (60) with at least one hole for issuing condensate to receiving chamber (4), which is connected to steam line (18) of steam-generating unit (10) and line (54) for supplying cold fluid. According to the invention, it is provided that specified device (2) is made with the possibility of performing a preparation mode, at which a food product placed to the vessel can be brought to readiness for use, using steam supply node (62), and performing a washing mode, at which receiving chamber (4) can be washed using condensate supply node (60).

EFFECT: obtaining a device for preparation of food products.

13 cl, 1 dwg

Description

The present invention relates to a device and method for preparing food products placed in a container, in particular ready meals.

US 5,442,997 A discloses an automated cooking device with features of the restrictive part of independent claim 1.

From DE 10 2015 221 005 A1, a steam supply plant is known, comprising a steam generating unit for generating steam and a steam superheating unit connected to the steam generating unit for superheating the steam produced in the steam generating unit. This unit is used to prepare food products that are placed in a vessel designed for this purpose.

US 2011/256287 A1 discloses a device and method for heating a food product that is inside a container. This device includes a steam generator for generating steam and a steam outlet pipe, which is connected to the steam generator in a fluid manner. Steam through the outlet is fed into the tank. Said device has a surface that allows the interior of the container in a substantially enclosed environment to be at least substantially sealed, said outlet being fluidly connected to the interior of the container.

DE 10 2012 202 318 A1 discloses a device and a method for cooking prepared meals. To do this, the device contains a heating nozzle in a bell-shaped cap. This cap covers the vessel containing the finished dish. In addition, a cleaning nozzle is disclosed for cleaning, in particular, the cap of a vessel with a washing medium such as steam and/or hot water. The steam used for this and/or the hot water used for this purpose are provided specifically for the washing process. Therefore, energy-consuming heating of the washing medium must be carried out.

Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to provide an apparatus and method for preparing a containerized food product that enables a simple and resource-saving provision of a washing medium.

This problem is solved by means of a device with the features listed in independent claim 1 and by means of a method with features of independent claim 11 of the claims.

The essence of this invention lies in the fact that the energy spent on heating the finished dish can be at least partially used for the cleaning process. Further, it has been found that a resource-saving and improved cleaning effect can be achieved by cleaning not only with hot water or hot steam, but also with condensate in particular. To do this, for example, a cold fluid medium, for example water, can be introduced into the steam, which leads to a condensation reaction, respectively, to at least a partial transition of the vapor from a gaseous to a liquid state of aggregation. It has been found that such a condensate gives a significantly improved cleaning result. In particular, it is advantageous, and accompanied by an improved cleaning result, that the condensation reaction can already take place before entering the preparation chamber, i.e. before the actual cleaning.

Thus, according to the invention, there is provided a device for preparing food products placed in a vessel, in particular ready-made meals, comprising a receiving chamber for receiving the vessel; a steam generating plant for generating steam, comprising at least one first steam line for conducting steam and at least one cold fluid supply line for conducting a fluid colder than steam to a steam supply unit with at least one steam outlet into a receiving chamber which is steam-conductingly connected to at least one steam line of the steam generating plant; a condensate supply unit with at least one condensate discharge opening into the receiving chamber, which is connected by a steam line of a steam generating plant and a cold fluid supply line, moreover, said device is configured to implement a cooking mode in which the food product placed in the vessel with the help of a steam supply unit can be prepared for eating, as well as with the possibility of a flushing mode, in which the receiving chamber can be cleaned using a condensate supply unit.

Thus, using the device according to the invention in cooking mode, using the energy necessary for this, it is possible to generate steam and direct it to the receiving chamber via a steam line. After cooking and, accordingly, after removal of the container or ready-to-eat food product, the steam generating element containing, for example, heating means, can be partially or completely deactivated. Namely, it is possible to use the residual heat of such an element in order to continue to generate steam at a low temperature, which, however, is suitable for the flushing regime. This residual vapor may mix with the cold fluid before entering the receiving chamber, leading to condensation. The resulting wash condensate contributes to a significant increase in the cleaning effect.

The term "colder" for the fluid refers to comparison with the temperature of the steam or residual vapor and means only that the temperature of the fluid is lower than the temperature of the residual vapor.

According to one preferred embodiment of the device proposed by the present invention, the steam supply unit and the condensate supply unit are made either as separate units or as one single unit. The separate execution has the advantage that different dispensing directions can be selected for cooking steam in cooking mode and for flushing condensate in flushing mode. This can be done without a directional control structure. Execution in one block can reduce the required structural space, and this block can be adjustable, for example, manually or automatically.

According to a further preferred embodiment of the device proposed by the present invention, the steam generating plant comprises at least one first steam generating unit connected to the first steam line in a steam-conducting way, which is designed in such a way that its first heating means is activated in the cooking mode and deactivated in the flushing mode. With such an arrangement in flushing mode, these heating means can generally dispense with the supply of energy, for example, be de-energized. However, due to the residual heat still present in the steam generator unit, the generation of steam can continue, which is converted into a wash condensate with the help of a cold fluid. This embodiment greatly reduces the required power consumption.

According to a further preferred embodiment, the device according to the invention comprises a second steam line, wherein said steam generating plant comprises a first steam generator unit connected to the first steam line in a steam-conducting manner and a second steam generator unit connected to the second steam line in a steam-conducting manner, preferably it also comprises a first steam generator unit connected to the first steam line. by a steam pipeline line in a steam-conducting manner, a third steam generator unit and a fourth steam-generating unit connected to the second steam pipeline line in a steam-conducting manner. In other words, there are two lines of steam pipelines with two steam generator units each. These steam generating units may be arranged in series along one steam line. It is also possible that at least one, preferably all of the steam generating units are designed in such a way that their heating means are activated in the cooking mode and deactivated in the washing mode. With such a device, not only very short cooking times can be realized, but also a significant amount of residual steam can be generated by means of several, although deactivated, but still sufficiently hot heating means. In addition, it is possible that the upstream steam generator unit of each steam line is configured to generate steam from water, and each steam generator unit installed in series downstream can superheat the generated steam, for example, up to 180°C. Steam heating in the upstream steam generator units of each steam line can be carried out to a temperature of at least 150°C, in particular at least 170°C, in particular at least 190°C and in particular at least 200°C. The superheated steam from the steam generator units installed in series downstream may have a temperature between 200°C and 300°C. The superheated steam may also contain water in an amount of 10 g to 15 g per 100 ml of process water, in particular 11 g to 14 g, in particular 12 g to 13 g. leads to favorable heat transfer to the fluid and/or steam. Due to this, the food product can be brought to a completely ready-to-eat state, for example, in 30 seconds. The amount of fluid used for preparation may be from 50 to 80 ml.

In addition, it is also possible that both lines of the steam line are made as parallel threads, and in each line of the steam line a pump assembly and/or a block of flow sensors is installed. As a result, different quantities of flow medium per conductor line can be realized and determined.

According to a further preferred embodiment, the device according to the invention comprises a first valve block for opening either a second steam line or a cold fluid supply line, the first valve block being located upstream of the steam generating plant. Thus, said cold fluid supply line is provided as a bypass for the second steam line. In this embodiment, the residual steam is supplied through the first steam line while the second steam line is deactivated. At the same time, the fluid supplied in the preparation mode to the second steam line can change its direction so that it is supplied through the cold fluid supply line without corresponding heating. As a result of the reaction of the residual steam and the cold fluid, a wash condensate is produced.

According to a further preferred embodiment, the device according to the invention comprises a second valve block for opening either one section of the common steam line, comprising the first and second steam line, which leads to the steam supply unit, or the residual steam line, which leads from the upstream second a valve block of a section of the common line of the steam pipeline to the condensate supply unit, and the specified second valve block is located downstream on the steam generating plant. With the help of the second block of valves in cooking mode, all the steam produced by the steam generating plant can be supplied to the receiving chamber through a common steam line. For the flushing mode, the second valve block switches and opens the residual steam line, through which the residual steam is supplied.

As an alternative to the second valve block for the common steam line and the residual steam line, a separate valve block can be provided. Therefore, in another preferred embodiment, the apparatus of the present invention comprises a second valve block and a third valve block, the second valve block being configured to open or close, as desired, that section of the common steam line comprising the first and second steam lines, which leads to the node steam supply, and the third block of valves is designed to open or lock, by choice, the line of residual steam, which leads from the section of the common line of the steam pipeline located downstream of the second block of valves to the condensate supply unit, both the second block of valves and the third block of valves are located downstream below the steam generator. Due to the use of the second and third valve blocks, the steam supply unit and the condensate supply unit can be serviced simultaneously or at least partially with an overlap in time.

Irrespective of the specific embodiment, said valve blocks can be embodied, for example, as solenoid valves.

According to a further preferred embodiment, the device according to the invention comprises a condensation chamber, into which a cold fluid supply line and a residual steam line lead, and which is conductively connected to the condensate supply unit. Advantageously, condensate for enhanced cleaning may be generated in this condensate chamber upstream of the condensate supply unit.

According to a further preferred embodiment, at least one, preferably all of the steam generator units are designed as flow heaters. The flow heater preferably has an electric heating element and can heat up in the shortest time. In addition, it does not require any time-consuming pre-start and, moreover, it is controlled in a simple and reliable manner.

In addition, to solve these problems, a method for operating a device for preparing food products placed in a vessel is proposed, which includes the following steps:

- the implementation of the preparation of a food product in the cooking mode, including:

- introduction of steam into the receiving chamber using the first line of the steam pipeline and the steam supply unit,

- cleaning the receiving chamber in the flushing mode, including:

- introducing residual steam through the first line of the steam pipeline, and introducing cold fluid through the cold fluid supply line, respectively, into the condensate supply unit for generating flushing condensate into the receiving chamber.

The method according to the invention has essentially the same advantages as the apparatus to which reference is made here.

In addition, it is possible that each flush is started at a pressure of 4 bar and/or a quantity of condensate of 200 ml.

The scope of this invention covers all combinations of at least two features disclosed in the description, in the claims and/or in the drawings.

To avoid repetition, the features disclosed in connection with the device should be considered as related to the method. In the same way, the features relating to the method are also valid for the device, and protection is claimed for them as well.

Other advantages, features and details of the present invention follow from the following description of one preferred embodiment, as well as from the drawing. The single drawing shows a block diagram of a device for preparing two food products placed in one vessel.

The device 2 shown in the single figure serves to prepare foodstuffs placed in a container provided for this, but not shown here. The device 2 is shown here in cooking mode and includes a receiving chamber 4 for receiving a vessel. This receiving chamber 4 can be supplied with steam for food preparation and washing condensate for washing. In this context, the "chamber" should not be considered as a closed space, which would be a limitation.

Said device 2 further comprises a water container 6 which holds, for example, 3 liters to 4 liters of fluid in the form of water. This water container 6 feeds the steam generating plant 10 of the device 2 via the first water supply line 8. This water supply line 8 is divided into a water supply line 14 and a water supply line 16 at the separation point 12. In lines 8, 12, and 14 for supplying water, the pressure may be, for example, 12 bar. The water supply line 14 feeds the first steam line 18, and the water supply line 16 feeds the second steam line 20. This water supply line 14 first passes through the flow sensor unit 22 and through the pump unit 24. The water supply line 16 also first passes through the flow sensor unit 26 and the pump unit 28, as well as the first valve unit 48. Both pump units 24 and 28 are used to pump water taken from the water tank 6 in the direction of both lines 18 and 20 of the steam pipeline.

Along each of the lines 18 and 20 of the steam pipeline, two steam generator nodes 30, 32, 34 and 36 are installed in series. The first and second steam generator nodes 30, 32 determine the end of the corresponding line 14 and 16 for supplying water and the beginning of the corresponding line 18 and 20 of the steam pipeline. Along the first line 18 of the steam pipeline are the first steam generator node 30 and the third steam generator node 34. Along the second line of the steam pipeline are the second steam generator node 32 and the fourth steam generator node 36. Each steam generator node 30, 32, 34 and 36 contains a boiler with at least one located inside heating means 31, 33, 35 and 37 for heating water, for example to 200° C., and for generating (steam) steam. The two parallel steam lines 18 and 20 downstream of the steam generating plant 10 converge in a steam-conducting manner at the junction 38 . There is also a non-described safety valve 40, which, for example, in the event of reaching a critical maximum pressure, can controllably remove steam from the respective steam generator unit 30, 32, 34 and 36 or the respective steam line 18 and 20 in order to avoid overpressure.

The individual steam generator units 30, 32, 34 and 36 are connected to each other in a steam-conducting manner along their respective steam line 18, 20.

The first steam line 18 and the second steam line 20 from the junction 38 define a common steam line 42 . From this common line 42 of the steam line downstream of the connection 38 at the separation point 44 departs the line 46 of the residual steam. In cooking mode, this common steam line 42 can supply steam to both steam lines 18 and 20. In the flushing mode, residual steam line 46 can supply residual steam to at least one of both steam lines 18 and 20, which can be at a pressure of 4 bar.

The passage of steam along the common line 42 of the steam pipeline and the line 46 of the residual steam can be controlled using the second valve block 50 and the third valve block 52. The second valve block 50 is located downstream of the separation point 44 and serves to open or close the common steam line 42 which leads to the intake chamber 4 as desired. The second valve block 50 is presented in its open position and thereby opens the common line 42 steam pipeline with steam. The third valve block 52, located downstream of the separation point 44, serves to selectively open or close the residual steam line 46, which leads from the separation point 44 of the common steam line 42 located downstream of the second valve block to the receiving chamber 4. The third valve block 52 is presented in its locked position and thereby locks the residual steam line 46 .

Branching off from the water line 16 is a cold fluid line 54, whereby the passage of water from the water tank 6 can be controlled by the first valve block 48. Line 54 supply of cold fluid is made as a bypass for the second line 20 of the steam pipeline. This first valve block 48 is shown in its opening position for the water line 16 . The residual steam line 46 and the cold fluid supply line 54 meet in the condensate chamber 56. By mixing the residual vapor with the cold fluid or water, a condensate is formed, which is hereinafter referred to as the wash condensate 58. The condensate chamber 56 is conductively connected to the assembly 60 condensate supply. The condensate supply unit 60 is placed in the receiving chamber 4 and contains at least one condensate outlet. This condensate supply unit 60 serves to supply flushing condensate 58 to the receiving chamber 4.

The steam supply unit 62 located in the receiving chamber 4 is connected in a steam-conducting manner to the common steam line 42 and is thus connected to both steam lines 18 and 20 . The steam supply unit 62 is used to supply steam to the receiving chamber 4, preferably to a food preparation vessel.

The steam supply unit 62 and the condensate supply unit 60 are made as separate units.

The device 2 has a central control unit, not shown, with which various processes can be controlled to manipulate the device 2. This control unit may comprise a data input/output node in the form of a touch screen. The screen may be configured to present process parameters, such as temperature and/or pressure of the supplied steam. Control commands can be entered into the input node/output node 18 due to the touch principle of such a touch screen. In particular, the central control unit serves to control and implement the cooking mode, in which the food product placed in the vessel is made ready for use by means of the steam supply unit 62, and to implement the washing mode, in which the receiving chamber 4 can be cleaned using the supply unit 60 condensate.

The cooking mode will be discussed first below. A suitable amount of water available in the water tank 6, through the clocked operation of the pump units 24 and 28 through the lines 8, 14 and 16 for supplying water, is directed to the steam generating plant 10. To do this, for the second line 20 of the steam pipeline, the first valve block 48 is turned off, respectively, adjusted so that it passes the flow of water to the second steam generator node 32. In each line 18 and 20 of the steam pipeline, the steam generator nodes 30, 32, 34 and 36 produce from the water the steam collected at the point 38, which flows through the common line 42 of the steam pipeline towards the receiving chamber 4. To do this, the second valve block 50 opens the common steam line 42, and the third valve block 52 closes the line 46 of the residual steam. The steam supplied to the receiving chamber 4 exits through the steam inlet 62 into this receiving chamber 4. In this way, the food product placed in the vessel installed there is brought to readiness for consumption.

The flush mode is discussed in more detail below. A suitable amount of water present in the water tank 6 is directed through the clocked operation of the pump units 24 and 28, preferably at full capacity, through the water supply lines 8, 14 and 16. Thanks to this mode of operation at full power, a high pressure can be generated, which ensures a good cleaning result.

Since the path along the line 14 for supplying water to the first steam generator unit 30 is free, the water enters the first steam generator unit 30 and thus into the first line 18 of the steam pipeline. In the example shown, in the flushing mode, the heating means 31, 33, 35 and 37 of the steam generating units 30, 32, 34 and 36 are deactivated. However, from the previous cooking mode, they still have enough heat to generate residual steam. The water flowing from the water supply line 8 to the water supply line 14 to the first steam generating unit 30 is thus heated along the first steam line 18 to residual steam. This residual steam from the junction 38 is conducted through a common steam line 42, with the second steam line 20 supplying no steam and therefore no residual steam, as will be described below. In contrast to the previous cooking mode, the second valve block 50 is now moved to its locked position (not shown) and therefore closes the residual steam line up to the steam inlet 62 . In contrast, the third valve block 52 has been moved to its open position (not shown) and therefore opens the residual steam path along the residual steam line 46 to the condensate supply unit 60 .

The water flowing from the water supply line 8 into the water supply line 16 reaches the first valve block 48 which, contrary to the previous cooking mode, now closes the water supply line 16 to the second steam generator unit 32 (locked position not shown) and releases the bypass line 54 supply of cold fluid. Thus, the water flowing through the water supply line 16 flows around said steam generating plant 10 and is not heated here. The still cold water is directed through the cold fluid supply line 54 to the condensation chamber 56.

In the condensation chamber 56, cold water from the cold fluid supply line 54 and residual steam from the residual steam line 46 meet. Due to the sometimes significant temperature difference between the cold water and the residual steam, a wash condensate 58 is formed as a result of the condensation reaction. turn, gives it to the receiving chamber 4 for cleaning.

List of reference symbols

2 - device

4 - receiving chamber

6 - water tank

8 - water supply line

10 - steam generator

12 - place of division

14 - water supply line

16 - water supply line

18 - the first line of the steam pipeline

20 - second steam line

22 - block of flow sensors

24 - pump unit

26 - block of flow sensors

28 - pump unit

30 - the first steam generator unit

31 - first heating means

32 - second steam generating unit

33 - second heating means

34 - third steam generator unit

35 - third heating means

36 - fourth steam generator unit

37 - fourth heating means

38 - junction

40 - safety valve

42 - common steam line

44 - place of division

46 - residual steam line

48 - the first block of valves

50 - second valve block

52 - third valve block

54 - cold fluid supply line

56 - condensation chamber

58 - washing condensate

60 - condensate supply unit

62 - steam supply unit

Claims (17)

1. A device (2) for preparing food products placed in a vessel, in particular, ready-made meals, containing a receiving chamber (4) for placing the vessel, a steam generating installation (10) for generating steam, containing at least one first line (18) of the steam pipeline for conducting steam and at least one cold fluid supply line (54) for conducting a fluid that is colder than steam, a steam supply unit (62) with at least one opening for discharging steam into the receiving chamber (4), which connected to the indicated at least one line (18) of the steam line of the steam generating plant (10), the condensate supply unit (60) with at least one hole for discharging condensate into the receiving chamber (4), which is connected to the line (18) of the steam line of the steam generating plant ( 10) and with a cold fluid supply line (54), characterized in that this device (2) is configured to implement a cooking mode in which the food product placed in the vessel The duct with the help of the steam supply unit (62) can be brought to readiness for use, and with the possibility of implementing the flushing mode, in which the receiving chamber (4) can be cleaned using the condensate supply unit (60). 2. The device (2) according to claim 1, characterized in that the steam supply unit (62) and the condensate supply unit (60) are made as separate units or as one single unit. 3. The device (2) according to any of the previous paragraphs, characterized in that the specified steam generating installation (10) contains at least one first steam generator unit (30) connected to the first line (18) of the steam pipeline, which is made in such a way that its first the heating medium (31) is activated in cooking mode and deactivated in rinsing mode. 4. The device (2) according to any of the previous paragraphs, characterized in that it further comprises a second line (20) of the steam pipeline, and the specified steam generating installation (10) contains the first steam generator unit (30) connected to the first line (18) of the steam pipeline and connected with the second line (20) of the steam pipeline, the second steam generator unit (32), also connected to the first line (18) of the steam pipeline, the third steam generator unit (34) and connected to the second line (20) of the steam pipeline, the fourth steam generator unit (36). 5. The device (2) according to claim 4, characterized in that both lines (18, 20) of the steam pipeline are made as parallel lines, and in each line (18, 20) of the steam pipeline a pump assembly (24, 28) and / or a block (22, 26) flow sensors. 6. Device (2) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it further comprises a first block (48) of valves for opening either a second steam line (20) or a cold fluid supply line (54) located downstream above the steam generating plant (10). 7. The device (2) according to any of the previous paragraphs, characterized in that it additionally contains a second valve block (50) for opening either a section including the first and second lines (18, 20) of the steam line of the common line (42) of the steam line , leading to the steam supply unit (62), or the residual steam line (46), which leads from the section of the common line (42) of the steam pipeline located downstream of the second valve block (50) to the condensate supply unit (60) located downstream steam generating plant. 8. Device (2) according to any one of paragraphs. 1-6, characterized in that it further comprises a second block (50) of valves and a third block (52) of valves, wherein the second block (50) of valves is configured to open or lock, at choice, the section including the first and second lines (18 , 20) of the steam pipeline of the common line (42) of the steam pipeline leading to the steam supply unit (62), and the third block (52) of valves is configured to open or lock at choice the line (46) of the residual steam, which leads from the one located upstream of the second valve block (50) of the section of the common line (42) of the steam pipeline to the condensate supply unit (60) located downstream of the steam generating plant (10). 9. Device (2) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it further comprises a condensation chamber (56) into which a cold fluid supply line (54) and a residual vapor line (46) are led, and which conductively connected to the condensate supply unit (60). 10. Device (2) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one steam generator unit (30, 32, 34, 36) is a flow heater. 11. Device (2) according to any one of paragraphs. 1-9, characterized in that all steam generator units (30, 32, 34, 36) are flow heaters. 12. A method of operating a device for preparing food products placed in a vessel (2), which includes the following steps: - the implementation of the preparation of a food product in the cooking mode, including - introduction of steam through the first line (18) of the steam pipeline and the node (62) for supplying steam to the receiving chamber (4), - cleaning the receiving chamber (4) in the flushing mode, including - introduction of residual steam through the first line (18) of the steam pipeline and cold fluid through the line (54) for supplying cold fluid, respectively, to the condensate supply unit (60) to generate washing condensate in the receiving chamber (4). 13. Method according to claim 12, characterized in that the flushing is started at a pressure of 4 bar and/or with a fluid quantity of 200 ml.

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