Abstract:
A drier for continuous flow drying of food products, especially pasta, inside the drier with adjustable and/or conditioning zones along the continuous flow path of the product. The inside of the drier can be accessed by a maintenance technician and the respective horizontal segments of the side walls are sub-divided perpendicular to the direction of the continuous flow from top to bottom into respectively at least two vertical segments which are respectively curved in an outer direction and which can also be moved away from the housing in an independent manner, enabling the maintenance technician to have access to the inside from the respective point of a vertical segment moved away from the housing.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     The invention relates to a dryer for the continuous flow drying of food products, in particular dough articles, along a continuous flow path of the product inside the dryer with adjustable and/or air-conditioning zones along the continuous flow path of the product, whereby the dryer has an insulating housing with side walls curved in an outer direction, which are divided along the substantially horizontal flow path of the product in each case into individual horizontal segments or longitudinal segments, which can be moved from their sealing locking position away from the housing independently of one another, such that the dryer interior is accessible for a maintenance technician.  
         [0002]     Such dryers, in particular for dough articles, are known and have successfully been used for years in the food industry, in particular the dough industry.  
         [0003]     In these known dryers the side doors or flaps which are designated as curved panels, and which enable access to the inside of the dryer, extend from the ceiling area to the floor area over the entire height of the dryer housing. The flaps normally articulated at their upper horizontal edge to the dryer housing are accordingly difficult to handle on account of their size and weight. On the one hand considerable force must be applied by a maintenance technician wanting to gain access to the inside of the dryer to raise the flaps and pivot them outwards, and on the other hand to tilt the flaps by a considerable angle from the dryer housing, in order to have adequate room to enter the dryer. A further disadvantage of the large flaps is their absolute distortion due to their size on account of changes in temperature. With curved flaps having a given deflexion a rise in temperature and the resulting longitudinal expansion in the case of a closed flap leads to a noticeable increase in deflexion, which in many cases results in sealing problems of the dryer door or curved panel. These sealing problems could be solved by correspondingly large seals deformable over wide areas, yet the problem of heavy and inconvenient handling remains unsolved when it comes to opening and closing.  
         [0004]     The object of the invention therefore is to provide a dryer of the type initially outlined whose doors or curved panels enable easy handling and good ergonomics for a maintenance technician, who might want to access the inside of the dryer, and also have minimal susceptibility to sealing problems during changes in temperature.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0005]     The foregoing object is achieved by providing a dryer wherein the respective horizontal segments or longitudinal segments of the side walls are again divided perpendicularly to the flow path of the product from top to bottom in each case into at least two vertical segments, which in each case are curved in an outer direction and can be moved away from the housing likewise independently of one another, so that the maintenance technician has access to the dryer interior at any place in a vertical segment moved away from the housing. Due to this vertical subdividing of the horizontal segments into lower and upper vertical segments the weight and dimensions of the flaps formed by the vertical segments are reduced, so that easier handling of the flaps is enabled when the dryer housing is opened and closed, this on account of the lower weight and reduced bulk. Due to the minimal dimensions temperature-related deformation and associated changes in the deflexion of the curved flaps are less strongly pronounced and can be well compensated by the elastic seals between the flaps and the dryer housing. In this way the sealing problems of the prior art are also solved.  
         [0006]     On the outside of the housing wall a floor area accessible for the maintenance technician is preferably assigned to each movable vertical segment of the housing wall, where in particular at least some of the vertical segments adjoining one another along the flow path of the product are assigned an accessible floor area. This accessible floor area is e.g. the very floor on which the dryer itself stands, or a floor area in the form of a gallery or balcony, attached to the dryer housing for upper dryer stages. This obviates painstaking and frequently dangerous climbing on the upper dryer stages by means of ladders or similar accessories.  
         [0007]     The vertical segments housing are effectively linked to the dryer in the form of hinges and can be pivoted away from the housing. The hinge-like links can be provided with a pressure point, so that when the vertical segments are pivoted away a growing positive force must be applied, until a negative force supports further pivoting after a maximum positive force is overcome. Such a pressure point is particularly advantageous when the vertical segments are pivoted away upwards. In this case the vertical segments or curved panels pivoted upwards remain without additional support in their open position.  
         [0008]     The outwards projecting bulging of the side walls or vertical segments is preferably one-dimensional bulging with linear generatrix. Here the one-dimensional bulging of the vertical segments can on the one hand be configures such that the linear generatrix of the bulged surface are parallel to the flow path of the product and the hinge-like linking is arranged on the upper edge of the vertical segments with an axis of rotation running parallel to the linear generatrix, so that the vertical segments can be pivoted away upwards as a “flap”. On the other hand the one-dimensional bulging of the vertical segments can also be configures such that the linear generatrix of the bulged surface are orthogonal to the flow path of the product, and the hinge-like linking is arranged on a side vertical edge of the vertical segments with an axis of rotation running parallel to the linear generatrix, so that the vertical segments can be moved away sideways as a “door”.  
         [0009]     The vertical segments are effectively pressed by at least one tightening strap in their closed position onto the housing in the manner of a seal, whereby the tightening strap or the tightening straps lie on the outside of each vertical segment and the linear generatrix of the bulging of the vertical segment cross orthogonally.  
         [0010]     In a particularly preferred design there is arranged in the area of the subdivision of the respective horizontal segments from top to bottom between the lower curved vertical segment and the upper curved vertical segment in each case a substantially vertical, preferably even wall area. Due to this particular measure the maximum width of the dryer housing is reduced and an approximately rectangular cross-section of the dryer housing is produced running perpendicularly to the flow path of the product. This is ergonomically prudent, since access to and servicing of the upper vertical segment is made much easier.  
         [0011]     The dryer interior is possibly and preferably best subdivided into an upper dryer interior and a lower dryer interior at the level of this substantially vertical wall area.  
         [0012]     A separate dryer air-conditioning can be adjustable in the upper dryer interior and the lower dryer interior in each case. To adjust the dryer air-conditioning the temperature and the humidity of the dryer interior must be varied. This is done by supplying power and draining material e.g. via piping and drains for steam, electricity and dry or moist hot air. A mounting area can extend either laterally along the dryer and/or above each vertical segment along the dryer for such diverse supply pipes. In this way the dryer is supplied from above, effectively reducing the number of supply pipes in the floor area and side region of the dryer housing.  
         [0013]     The power supply or material drainage is effected preferably centrally via the front surfaces or front sides of the dryer.  
         [0014]     The accessible floor area is effectively designed as a gallery on the outside of a housing wall assigned to every movable vertical segment at least for the upper vertical segments of the housing wall (upper dryer stages). The use of platform lifts or ladders for access to the upper dryer stages is accordingly superfluous.  
         [0015]     The gallery-like floor area is preferably mounted on bearers, which project sideways from the dryer, whereby the bearers preferably extend transversely to the flow path of the product. These bearers extending transversely from the dryer are preferably arranged between the upper and the lower curved vertical segment. These bearers preferably project out on both side walls, and extending along both side walls of the dryer is an accessible floor area or mezzanine supported on these protruding bearers.  
         [0016]     This gallery-like floor area is in addition effectively borne by connecting rods from above, which are attached in particular to cross-beams at the upper end, that is, on the “roof” or ceiling area of the dryer.  
         [0017]     In addition to the gallery-like floor area for the upper dryer stages the roof of the dryer can also have an accessible floor area (“roof garden”). In addition, the dryer according to the present invention can be enclosed on several stages by accessible floor areas, which are interconnected via fixed steps, whereby the connecting rods, by which the floor areas are suspended on the cross-beams in the ceiling area of the dryer, effectively form a railing for the gallery floor area together with crossbars, which extend horizontally along the dryer and cross the vertical connecting rods. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0018]     Further advantages, characteristics and application options of the invention will emerge from the following description of a preferred embodiment with reference to the diagram, in which:  
         [0019]      FIG. 1  is an oblique perspective view from above of the dryer according to the present invention;  
         [0020]      FIG. 2  is a view of the front face of the dryer according to the present invention;  
         [0021]      FIG. 3  is a view of the lateral face of the dryer according to the present invention;  
         [0022]      FIG. 4  is a view of the dryer according to the present invention from above;  
         [0023]      FIG. 5   a  and  FIG. 5   b  are comparative views of a dryer of the prior art ( FIG. 5   a ) and the dryer according to the present invention ( FIG. 5   b ). 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0024]     The dryer shown in an oblique perspective view from above in  FIG. 1  has an insulating housing with side walls  2 ,  3  curved in an outer direction as well as flat front faces on each end of its longitudinal expansion. The dryer housing stands on feet  16 , which ensure spacing from the floor. The side walls  2 ,  3  are partly bulged and curved in an outer direction, whereas the ceiling area  4  and the floor area of the dryer are designed substantially flat. The front and rear front face of the dryer illustrated in the figure can be configured as front and rear cutting plane by a dryer according to the present invention of any length, whereby for example eight horizontal segments  21 ,  22 , . . .  28  forming the side wall  2 , as well as eight horizontal segments  31 ,  32 , . . .  38  forming the side wall  3 , are illustrated between both cutting faces.  
         [0025]     The horizontal segments  21  to  28  (see  FIG. 4 ) of the right side wall  2  and the horizontal segments  31  to  38  (see  FIG. 4 ) of the left side wall  3  are also divided in each case along the vertical direction into three different segments. Each horizontal segment  21  to  28  of the left side wall  2 , as well as each horizontal segment  31  to  38  of the right side wall  2  is divided in each case into a lower vertical segment  21   a,    22   a,  . . .  28   a  or  31   a,    32   a,  . . .  38   a  curved in an outer directions as well as into an upper vertical segment  21   b,    22   b,  . . .  28   b  or  31   b,    32   b,  . . .  38   b,  between which is located in each case a middle flat area  21   c,    22   c,  . . .  28   c  or  31   c,    32   c,  . . .  38   c.  The underlying vertical segments  21   a  to  28   a  or  31   a  to  38   a  are in each case assigned to a dryer interior  10 , whereas the superposed vertical segments  21   b  to  28   b  or  31   b  to  38   b  are assigned to an upper dryer interior  9 . At the level of the flat areas  21   c  to  28   c  or  31   c  to  38   c  of the side wall  2  or  3  of the dryer an air-conditioning separation plant  18  (see  FIG. 2 ) is preferably arranged, which separates the lower dryer interior  10  from the upper dryer interior  9 .  
         [0026]     The lower vertical segments  21   a  to  28   a  and the upper vertical segments  21   b  to  28   b  of the right side wall  2  and the lower vertical segments  31   a  to  38   a  and the upper vertical segments  31   b  to  38   b  of the left side wall  3  are designed as access doors or access hatches, which are linked in each case to the dryer housing at their upper edge  6  (see  FIG. 2 ) about axes of rotation D ( FIG. 1 ). In this way the lower and upper vertical segments of the left and right side wall  2 ,  3  of the dryer housing can swivel outwards (see  FIG. 5 ) and thus enable access to the dryer.  
         [0027]     Each of the vertical segments which can pivot upwards has a left tightening strap  7  and a right tightening strap  8 , at the lower end of which in each case a tensioning device  7   a  or  8   a  is attached. The vertical segments can be fixed in their locked position using this tensioning device. On closing each vertical segment is swung downwards, and the tensioning device  7   a  or  8   a  is suspended on the dryer housing, after which a lever of the tensioning device  7   a  or  8   a  is shifted to tense the tightening strap  7  or  8  and each vertical segment is pressed against the dryer housing in the manner of a seal via such tensing.  
         [0028]     All vertical segments  21   a  to  28   a,    21   b  to  28   b,    31   a  to  38   a  and  31   b  to  38   b  are curved one-dimensional and form a curved surface, which results from displacing a linear generatrix G along a curved path, whereby the curved path corresponds to the appearance of the vertical segments  21   a,    21   b,    31   a  and  31   b  von  FIG. 2 . The tightening straps  7  and  8  of each vertical segment run perpendicularly to the generatrix G of each vertical segment.  
         [0029]     The lower vertical segments  21   a  to  28   a  and  31   a  to  38   a  of the right or left side wall  2 ,  3  of the dryer can be accessed via the floor, on which the dryer is set with its feet  16 , without further effort. So that the upper vertical segments  21   b  to  28   b  and  31   b  to  38   b  of the right or left side wall  2 ,  3  of the dryer are likewise easily accessible, an additional floor area or mezzanine  5  is provided, which extends from the flat areas  21   c  to  28   c  and  31   c  to  38   c  of the right or left side wall  2 ,  3  of the dryer perpendicularly in a horizontal direction in the manner of a balcony. This balcony-like or gallery-like floor area  5  lies on horizontal bearers  12 , which are in each case arranged divided horizontally over the entire longitudinal direction of the dryer. These bearers  12  are in each case of a certain length which corresponds to the width of the floor area  5 . The floor area  5  resting on the bearers  12  is held by vertical connecting rods  13 , which extend between each bearer  12  and a cross-beam  14  assigned thereto in the ceiling area of the dryer. Accordingly, the load acting on the floor area  5  (intrinsic weight plus people and maintenance tools) is transferred via the lower cross-beams  12  and the upper cross-beams  14  evenly to the dryer housing. For safety the vertical connecting rods  13  are connected to two horizontal crossbars  15 , extending over the entire length of the dryer. In this way a railing for the accessible floor area is formed by the vertical connecting rods and the horizontal crossbars  15 .  
         [0030]      FIG. 2  is a view of the front face of the dryer according to the present invention. All reference numerals of  FIG. 1  were retained for corresponding elements in  FIG. 2 . The figure shows the form of each one-dimensional bulging of the vertical segments  21   a,    21   b,    31   a  and  31   b.  Together with the flat areas  21   c  and  31   c  of the right side wall  2  or the left side wall  3  a substantially rectangular cross-section, that is, a substantially rectangular front face of the dryer is obtained with the respective superposed and underlying vertical segments, whereby there is minimal deviation from the rectangular shape only in the area of the vertical segments. Compared to the form of the dryer of the prior art (see  FIG. 5   a ) an overall better approximation of the rectangular shape results from the present invention (see  FIG. 5   b ), ensuring better usage of the dryer interior. An added advantage of the flaps formed by the vertical segments and relatively small compared to the prior art is that due to the constant fluctuations in temperature on the housing there is minimal temperature-related absolute change in length of the vertical segments. Because the vertical segments are tightly gripped on the dryer housing when in the closed state, a change in deflexion of the vertical segments also takes place with changes in temperature. The smaller the dimensions of these vertical segments, the smaller the change in deflexion of these vertical segments. These relatively small changes in deflexion of the vertical segments can be compensated anyway by standard seals placed between the vertical segments and the dryer housing, by means of which in the dryer according to the present invention the sealing problems common in the prior art are minimised. The lesser weight of the smaller flaps according to the present invention formed by the vertical segments is put forward here as an added advantage relative to the large flap extending over the entire dryer height. This alleviates handling whenever the flaps are opened and closed by a maintenance technician.  
         [0031]     The height H 1  between the floor and the lower horizontal edge of the lower vertical segments  21   a  or  31   a  corresponds approximately to the height H 2  between the floor area  5  of the balcony-like or gallery-like suspension and the horizontal under-edge of the vertical segments  21   b  or  31   b.  The floor area  5  has a width, such that the upper vertical segments  21   b  and  31   b  can be pivoted away from the dryer housing far enough. This permits comfortable access to the open dryer.  
         [0032]      FIG. 3  is a view of the side faces of the dryer according to the present invention.  FIG. 3  illustrates only the side wall  2 , yet the opposite side wall  3  is preferably designed symmetrically thereto. Also, the same reference numerals were used here for all elements, as in  FIGS. 1 and 2 . The vertical segments  21   a  to  28   a  as well as  21   b  to  28   b  appear rectangular in their projection of the side elevation. The ceiling area  4  of the dryer is designed flat. The tightening straps  7  and  8  the respective upper vertical segments  21   b  to  28   b  are partially covered by the vertical connecting rods  13 , which extend between the cross-beams  14  at the level of the ceiling area  4  and the cross-beams  12  at the level of the floor area  5 . Together with both horizontal crossbars  15  these vertical connecting rods  13  form the railing for the balcony-like or gallery-like floor area  5 .  
         [0033]      FIG. 4  is a view of the dryer according to the present invention from above. It shows the cross-beams  14 , which extend over the entire dryer width as well as the width of the floor area  5  on the left and right sides. The upper crossbar is seen on both sides of the dryer. Apart from the vertical connecting rods  13  recognisable only in passing, the bearer  11  is visible extending in the longitudinal direction of the dryer for the floor area  5  (see  FIG. 1 ).  
         [0034]      FIG. 5  is a comparative juxtaposition of a dryer of the prior art shown in  FIG. 5   a  and of the dryer according to the present invention, as per  FIG. 5   b.    
         [0035]     And whereas with the dryer according to the prior art as per  FIG. 5   b  the upper dryer interior  9 ′ and the lower dryer space  10 ′ are contained in each case in a closed dryer housing, the dryer according to the present invention in  FIG. 5   b  comprises only one dryer housing, whose interior is divided by a (not shown) partition into an upper dryer interior  9  and a lower dryer interior  10 . The dryer according to the present invention is distinguished by a more compact structure compared to the dryer of the prior art.  
         [0036]     In the dryer of the prior art according to  FIG. 5   a  the flaps  21   a ′,  31   a ′ and  21   b ′ and  31   b ′ in each case extend over the entire height of the lower or upper dryer housing from the upper edge to the lower edge of the housing. On the one hand therefore they are heavy and undergo substantial deflexions due to fluctuations in temperature. With the dryer according to the present invention as per  FIG. 5   b  the flaps formed by the lower vertical segments  21   a  and  31   a  as well as the upper vertical segments  21   b  and  31   b  are only half as large, as they do not extend over the entire height of the lower or upper dryer space  10  or  9 . Due to the flat areas  21   c  and  31   c  according to the present invention of the right and left side wall  2  or  3  of the dryer and due to the provision of the floor area  5  protected by a railing  17  on both sides of the dryer similar access conditions and above all conditions made easier for a maintenance technician result both for the lower dryer interior  10  and for the upper dryer interior  9 .  
         [0037]     As is also seen from  FIGS. 5   a  and  5   b,  inventive configuration of the dryer ( FIG. 5   b ) brings further reduction in the surface/volume ratio of the dryer. This leads to minimal loss of radiated heat and material savings and thus to minimal operating or manufacturing costs (power or material savings).