WO1999003353A1 - Device for moulding food products, in particular for cooking ham - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention concerns a device with units which can be stacked (1) each comprising several parallel channels (3), open at the top, for receiving the products (P), in the opening of which is engaged the unit (1') lid element (4') which is above it, characterised in that it comprises means, such as a piston (5) stressed by a spring (6) adapted to compress the product longitudinally inside each channel. The invention is useful for moulding food products, in particular for cooking ham.

Description

 DEVICE FOR MOLDING FOOD PRODUCTS, PARTICULARLY FOR COOKING HAMS

The present invention relates to a device for molding food products, in particular for cooking hams.

More specifically, it relates to a device composed of several stackable units which each comprise several parallel chutes, arranged horizontally, open upwards, intended to receive said food products, each unit comprising cover elements capable of covering the openings of the chutes under- in a stack.

Devices of this kind are marketed by the applicant under the commercial designation "POLY MODULE" (trademark registered in France).

According to FR-B-2 729 544, the product contained in each chute is subjected to a certain pressure, directed from top to bottom, the cover elements of the unit which overhangs it being movable vertically, and stressed downwards by an elastic system (set of springs).

This controlled pressure makes it possible to correctly eliminate the material shortages and to give each product its final shape, with good homogeneity, whatever the locations of the chute in the unit and of the unit within the stacking.

This known device, although overall very satisfactory, can pose a problem with certain products, the degree of crushing of which varies greatly from one product to another. Indeed, it can result in significant differences in section between the different products, which poses difficulties during subsequent operations of slicing and packaging.

In addition, a unit with vertically movable covers is difficult to transpose to a molding unit in which each chute is fixed to the associated cover element so as to delimit a sealed duct, which is used for the circulation of a heat-transfer fluid, suitable to ensure a thermal treatment of the product, in particular its cooking.

Such a unit is the subject of WO 97/34494, and is marketed under the commercial designation "POLYCENT" (trademark registered in France).

It is clear indeed that an arrangement with a movable cover relative to the chute is technically difficult to compatible with the presence, between these two elements, of a sealed space forming a conduit for a fluid.

The object of the present invention is, in a device of the type which has just been mentioned, to ensure a controlled pressure of the product contained in each chute, while making it possible to obtain a well-calibrated section, practically constant, whatever the losses of material during molding.

Another object of the invention is to provide a simple, robust and easy to use device. These various objectives are achieved thanks to the fact that the device comprises means for longitudinal compression of the products inside the troughs.

It is understood that, thanks to this arrangement, the possible losses of materials during molding will be compensated by a longitudinal shortening (along the axis of the chute) of the product. However, under the effect of the axial pressure, it will tend to expand transversely, to occupy all - or almost all - of the space available between the wall of the chute and that of the cover, which corresponds to a well-defined section.

It is also understood that the cover can be fixed relative to the chute, since we are dealing with an axial movement (generally horizontal), and no longer transverse (vertical), so that such an arrangement may be suitable in units of the "POLYCENT" type.

Furthermore, according to a certain number of additional, non-limiting characteristics of the invention: - the means which serve to compress the products axially in their chute comprise a piston movable axially at one end of each chute, and biased towards the opposite end by an actuating means;

- The device comprises means for locking the piston in the retracted position; - Each chute is associated with a piston and an individual actuation means of this piston;

- The device comprises means for simultaneously actuating the pistons associated with a set of chutes;

- said actuating means comprise a spring; - said actuating means comprise a slide movable in translation parallel to the axis of the troughs, secured to a plurality of push rods each associated with a trough;

- Each push rod is movable elastically, parallel to the axis of the troughs, over a limited stroke, relative to the slide; - Each piston has an axial bore allowing the introduction of a needle into the product contained in the chute with which it is associated.

The invention also relates to a stackable unit constituting such a device. The invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings which illustrate, without implied limitation, possible embodiments.

In these drawings:

- Figures 1 to 3 are schematic views of a molding unit according to the invention; - Figure 1 is a top view in section of the unit, the cutting plane being referenced I-I in Figure 2;

- Figure 2 is a front view, cut by the vertical plane II-II of Figure 1;

- Figure 3 is a side view, cut by the transverse plane III-III of Figure 1;

- Figure 4 is a detail view, cut by a longitudinal and vertical plane, of an elastic actuation system of the longitudinal compression piston;

- Figures 5 and 6 are views similar to Figure 4, on a smaller scale, the piston being shown there in its extreme positions of recoil and, respectively, advancement;

- Figure 7 is a schematic view, cut by a longitudinal and vertical plane, of a second embodiment of the device according to the invention;

- Figure 8 is a view similar to Figure 7, the chutes being lined with products being molded; FIG. 9 is a detail of the longitudinal compression system of the products, capable of equipping the device of FIGS. 7 and 8.

The unit 1 illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 3 is a unit for molding and cooking hams, which comprises several, in this case four, identical and parallel chutes 3, arranged horizontally, open upwards, and fixed at their ends. to transverse and vertical flanges 2 which allow them to be stacked. The upper part 20 of the flanges constitutes partitions which seal the ends of the troughs.

This unit is of the same general type as that described in the

FR-A-2 672 270, which can be referred to if necessary. The wall 30 of the trunking has a section in the general shape of a "U". Under the bottom of each chute 3 is fixed a cover element 4, capable of engaging in the underlying chute, within a stack, as is well known.

In Figure 2 there is shown the lower unit of a stack, which rests on a horizontal support S.

The unit 1 ′ which overhangs it, partially shown in phantom, has a cover 4 ′ which penetrates into its opening, partially sealing the chute 3 so as to form a practically closed channel, of well defined section (see FIG. 3). The longitudinal axis of the troughs is referenced X X 'in FIG. 1.

Elements 1, 2 and 20 are made of stainless steel sheet, assembled by welding.

In accordance with the present invention, there is provided in each of the troughs 3 a member movable axially along XX ', and capable of compressing, in the longitudinal direction, the product therein.

This member is a piston 5, the shape of the section of which corresponds substantially, with a certain clearance allowing it to move, to the channel section mentioned above.

The piston 5 is located at one end of the chute; it has the shape of a pallet arranged transversely to XX '. It is biased by an elastic means, such as a spring 6 bearing against the adjacent partition 20, so that it tends to move elastically in the direction of the opposite end of the chute (to the left in Figures 1 and 2).

Preferably, as is the case in the illustrated embodiment, all the pistons are located on the same side of the unit (in this case to the right in the figures). However, this provision is not mandatory.

A suitable stop limits the advance of the piston.

The force and the amplitude of deformation of the elastic system 6 are adapted to the nature of the product concerned, in this case ham, and in particular to the volume of material losses that may result from its cooking.

In Figures 1 and 3, there is shown a chute, referenced 3 A, furnished with a ham bar P. The corresponding piston 5A is applied elastically, under the action of the spring (partially compressed) 6A, against a face end of the product. The opposite face bears against the partition 20 located on the opposite side. During molding and cooking, the spring will gradually relax to compensate for the losses of material, due in particular to the appearance and flow of exudates (cooking juices). The axial thrust of the piston will force the product to shorten (along XX '), while forcing it to deform transversely, so that it occupies the entire available section, in the space delimited by the wall of the chute and the associated cover.

This is true in each of the troughs, since each piston 5 is independent of the others. The stroke of the different pistons is therefore not necessarily the same, and the cooked hams can have different lengths depending on the losses of material undergone during cooking. However, they all have the same section.

Figures 4 to 6 illustrate a possible embodiment of the elastic system for actuating the pistons.

The piston 5, in the form of a pallet, is fixed to the end of an axial rod 50 directed towards the outside; this rod carries at its free end a base 52 which can slide axially (along XX ') in a sleeve 21 formed in the partition 20, and directed towards the inside of the chute.

The spring 6 is a compression spring surrounding the sleeve 21 and the rod 50, interposed between the partition 20 and the piston 5.

The stroke of the piston towards the inside of the chute, or "advance", is limited, the base 52 abutting against a flange 22 provided at the internal end of the sleeve 21 (see FIG. 6). The piston therefore remains integral with the flange 2 permanently.

In the vicinity of the pallet, the rod 51 has a notch forming a stop notch, turned downwards, and adapted to hang against the edge of the flange 22 when the piston is moved as far as possible towards the outside, in the sense of "retreat". This attachment requires a slight tilting of the piston downwards. The rod and the sleeve are thus dimensioned so that the base 52 does not come out of the sleeve (towards the outside of the partition 20) in this position of maximum recoil (see FIG. 5). Otherwise, there would be a problem when stacking the units, as a result of protruding elements on the flanges 2. In this position the spring 6 is compressed to the maximum. The assembly is dimensioned in such a way that the length available in the chutes is slightly greater than the length of the ham bars for which the device is intended. Their installation in the troughs is therefore easy. Before this installation, all of the pistons must be in the recoil position illustrated in FIG. 5. The recoil of the pistons and their blocking by engagement of the notch 51 can be done manually.

In practice, however, such units are stacked by means of manipulators.

It would be possible to equip these devices with ad hoc tools, for example pneumatic spacers, adapted to automatically cause the recoil and blockage of the pistons during the handling of each unit.

After positioning the ham bars, the pistons are released by tilting them slightly upwards to disengage the notch 51 of the flange 22. They are then moved towards the product P, and then come to bear against it (arrow F , Figure 4), by exerting an axial thrust.

According to a variant of the device, the notch 51 is turned upwards, so that its release takes place by tilting the piston downwards. In this case, in a particularly advantageous manner, the units can be shaped and dimensioned in such a way that it is the cover 4 ′ which causes the release of the piston 5, by coming to bear and pressing on the latter, at the end of the superposition (stacking) of one unit on the other.

Note that the piston 5 and the rod 50 are traversed by an axial bore 500. Its function is to allow the passage of a needle allowing, at the end of cooking, to pierce the envelope containing the product. Naturally, suitable openings provided in the flanges allow the needles to be inserted into the stack.

This operation is required for products whose cooking generates jelly which should be eliminated at the end of cooking. Liquid jelly flows from the troughs through suitable openings, as is well known.

However, drilling can also be carried out on the other side of the product, provided that holes are provided in the corresponding flange.

In the variant illustrated in FIGS. 7 to 9, the means for actuating the pistons are independent of the units. Figure 7 shows a stack voluntarily limited to four units, for better readability; in practice their number can be much higher.

The pistons 5 are placed at one end of their chute 3.

The upper unit 3 'is not intended to receive product and therefore does not include a piston. However, its presence is necessary because its bottom 4 'cooperates with the underlying chute to form the closed channel used for molding the product. The pistons 5, which have the shape of the section of this channel, are free and can slide axially in their trough 3.

The piston actuation device is located in the immediate vicinity of the stack. Appropriate fixing members (not shown) are advantageously provided to ensure the maintenance and proper positioning of the stack on the support S, opposite the actuating device.

The latter comprises a slide 9 guided in horizontal translation on slides 80, parallel to the axis XX 'of the chutes. The slide 9 carries a plurality of push rods 7, in a number equal to that of the chutes of the stack (except the chutes 3 'of the upper unit).

Each rod 7 is coaxial with the associated chute.

It is mounted on the slide 8 by means of an elastic compensation system, such as a spring 6. The flanges 1 located on the side of the actuating device have openings whose cross section and location are designed to authorize the passage of the rods 7, when the slide is moved in the direction of the stack.

This movement is achieved by suitable control members, such as bellows 9, with pneumatic actuation (airbags). In the inactive position, the bellows 9 are deflated, and the slide is in the retracted position; the rods 7 are located in the vicinity of the flanges 1, but outside of them.

All the chutes (with the exception of the upper chutes 3 ') having been lined with molding products, their axial compression is carried out by inflating the bellows 9, which causes the slide 8 to advance (arrow F, FIG. 8) so that each rod penetrates inside the trough which is associated with it, and comes to bear against the corresponding piston 5, by exerting a certain axial thrust.

The advance travel of the slide is determined in such a way that at the end of the travel the springs 6 are strongly compressed. During the molding, the losses of material are compensated automatically, in block, by residual expansion of the bellows 9 as well as, individually in each chute, by progressive relaxation of the springs, each piston remaining constantly applied against the product to which it is assigned.

This compensation can be done differently in the different chutes, as is clear from FIG. 8, in which the product P3 of the upper chute has suffered significant material losses, and has significantly shortened, while the products P2, PI of the other two chutes have suffered moderate losses.

If we are dealing with the cooking of hams, the axial pressure remains preferably applied, after cooking, during the cooling phase.

The push rod 7 shown in Figure 9 is telescopic.

It is composed of a fixed part 72 fixed to the slide by a base 73, for example using screws, and a movable part 70 in the form of a sheath. The part 72 has a head 74 which slides inside the sheath 70. On the side of the slider, the sheath 70 has a base 700 against which the spring 6 carries, the latter surrounding the part 72.

On the other side, the sleeve 70 has a bottom 71 which is intended to bear against the piston 5.

When the rod 7 is in maximum extension, the head 74 abuts against the central area of the base 700.

It will be noted that the slide, the elements 72 and 70, as well as the piston 5 have coaxial bores 800, 720, 710 and, respectively, 500, allowing the passage of a drilling needle, if this operation is required as required. was explained above. A set of needles can, moreover, be permanently installed in the device, and actuated automatically when the time comes, for drilling the envelopes.

As an indication, the chutes of the ham bar molding units have a length of the order of 900 mm, a width of the order of 200 mm, and a depth of the order of 125 mm. The shortening in length due to material losses during molding can reach 100 mm; the stroke of the elastic means for actuating the piston must therefore be determined accordingly.

Still for information, the force developed on each piston by these actuating means is advantageously between 50 and 100 daN. This is why, in the case where the actuating means are external to the stack (the case of FIGS. 7 and 8), it is necessary to provide means for fixing this stack to prevent it from being moved under the effect of the pressure of the pushing stems.

Although the invention has been described applied only to conventional molding units, of the "POLYMODULE" type (registered trademark), it is of course directly transposable to "POLYCENT" type units (registered trademark), the circulation of a heat transfer fluid around the troughs being perfectly compatible with the presence of pistons in the latter, as well as with the presence of their actuation means. The invention also applies, of course, to molding units comprising, for their stacking, angle feet instead of transverse flanges, such as for example the units described in FR-A-2601 653 and 2 615484.

Furthermore, it would not go beyond the scope of the invention to associate with each chute a pair of pressure pistons, arranged at each of its ends. In addition, the invention is not incompatible with the solution in which the product is pressed from top to bottom (in accordance with the aforementioned FR-B-2 729 544). It suffices that the pressing piston is shaped to allow the elastic displacement of the cover penetrating into the chute. In this case, the product is pressed both axially and transversely.

Claims

1. Device for molding food products, in particular for cooking hams, in stackable units each comprising several parallel chutes (3), open upwards, intended to receive said products (P), each unit comprising cover elements (4 ) able to cover the openings of the troughs of the underlying unit within a stack, characterized in that it comprises means (5) for longitudinal compression of the products inside said troughs. 2. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that said means comprise a piston (5) movable axially at one end of each chute (3), and biased towards the opposite end by an actuating means. 3. Device according to claim 2, characterized in that it comprises means (22-51) for locking the piston in the retracted position. 4. Device according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that each chute (3) is associated with a piston (5) and a means (6) for individual actuation of this piston (5). 5. Device according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that it comprises means (9, 6, 7) for simultaneously actuating the pistons associated with a set of chutes. 6. Device according to one of claims 2 to 5, characterized in that said actuating means comprise a spring (6). 7. Device according to claim 5, characterized in that said actuating means comprise a slide (8) movable in translation parallel to the axis (XX ') of the troughs, integral with a plurality of push rods (7) each associated to a chute. 8. Device according to claim 7, characterized in that each push rod (7) is resiliently movable, parallel to the axis (XX ') of the chutes, over a limited stroke, relative to the slide (8). 9. Device according to one of claims 2 to 8, characterized in that each piston (5) has an axial bore (500) authorizing the introduction of a needle into the product (P) contained in the chute to which it is associated. 1 0. Stackable unit (1) constituting a device according to one of claims 1 to 9.