Abstract:
The present invention relates to a system for transporting and/or washing and/or pasteurization thermal treatment of foodstuffs, particularly leaf products comprising at least a treatment section. The treatment section can be comprised of one or more sections of rectilinear tubes and one or more corresponding curved tube sections, wherein products within the treatment section being conveyed by a fluid, such as water, flowing along the tubes.

Description:
PRIORITY INFORMATION 
     The present application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/954,372, filed on Dec. 12, 2007 and claims benefit from Italian Patent Application No. 2006A000703, filed on Dec. 27, 2006, all of which is incorporated herein in its entirety. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention concerns a system for transporting and/or washing and/or pasteurisation thermal treatment of foodstuffs, particularly leaf products. 
     2. Brief Description of the Prior Art 
     As it is well known, many foodstuff, particularly leaf products, are put on the market fresh with indication “Range IV products” within closed packagings and preferably kept within refrigerator. 
     These products are subjected to different treatments, according to their final use. 
     It is also known that these products are easily perishable, and have a very short shelflife, usually not longer than 1 week. 
     On the basis of the existing rules, the use of any chemical preserving agent is not permitted. However, market needing impose to increase the product shelflife, even maintaining intact the organoleptic characteristics such as odour, taste, colour and freshness. 
     Bacterial microbiological agents responsible of alteration of foodstuffs are generally bacteria and ferments, both of the aerobic and anaerobic type, living in a community on the foodstuff surface. 
     Activity of said microbiologic agents depends on their concentration and on different factors, such as acidity (pH), temperature, salinity level and atmosphere composition. 
     It is known that concentration of bacterial flora present on a foodstuff sample has a variable run according to a logarithmic scale with temperature to which sample is subjected starting from a set starting concentration. Therefore, reducing said starting concentration of the bacterial microbiologic agents on foodstuffs to be preserved before their packaging, it is possible increasing preservation time of the same. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In view of the above, it is object of the present invention that of suggesting a system permitting subjecting foodstuffs, particularly vegetables, to each treatment required by their final use, gently and softly, without damaging the same product and saving as more as possible power and water. 
     Another object of the present invention is that of providing a system permitting drastically reducing surface concentration of bacterial flora on surface of foodstuffs, thus extending their conservation period. 
     Still another object of the invention is that of suggesting a system that can be a modular system. 
     It is therefore specific object of the present invention a system for transporting and/or washing and/or pasteurisation thermal treatment of foodstuffs, particularly leaf products characterised in that it comprises at least a treatment section, said at least a treatment section being comprised of can be comprised of one or more sections of rectilinear tubes and of one or more corresponding curved tube sections, products within said at least a treatment section being conveyed by a fluid, such as water, flowing along said tubes. 
     According to the invention, said one or more sections of rectilinear tubes and of one or more corresponding curved tube section can be provided according to a vertical orientation. 
     Still according to the invention, said one or more sections of rectilinear tubes and of one or more corresponding curved tube section can be provided according to a horizontal orientation. 
     In a preferred embodiment of the system according to the invention, said system comprises a first treatment section, in which the product to be subjected to treatment is conveyed by said loading means, said first treatment section heating said product by a treatment fluid, so as to reduce starting concentration of thermo sensitive bacteric flora present in the same; and a second treatment section, provided in cascade with said first treatment section, said second treatment section cooling the product by said treatment fluid, so as to stop growing of residual bacteric flora present. 
     Always according to the invention, each one of said first and second treatment sections can comprise a hopper through which said product is conveyed, and a washing conduct, at one end of which it is coupled said hopper, through which said product passes and is washed by said treatment fluid at a set temperature. 
     Furthermore, according to the invention said rectilinear tube sections can be aligned or offset each other and comprises transparent stub pipes suitable to permit to an operator to monitor the product flow within said washing conduct. 
     Always according to the invention, each one of said treatment sections can comprise a Venturi tube element between said hopper and said end of said washing conduct; a pump, connected with said Venturi tube by a further tube, said pump being suitable to pump said treatment fluid within said hopper; and at least a collection basin for said treatment fluid pumped by said pump; said Venturi tube element mixing said product and said treatment fluid pumped by said pump to increase at the same time the speed of the mixture obtained and permitting at the same to reach the second end of said washing conduct. 
     Still according to the invention, said system can comprise a conveyor belt suitable to convey said product from said first treatment section to said second treatment section, said conveyor belt separating said conveyed product from said treatment fluid and being provided in correspondence of said collection basin for said treatment fluid of said first treatment section, so as the treatment fluid separated from said product is collected within said basin. 
     Furthermore, according to the invention, said discharge means can be provided in correspondence of said fluid collection basin of said first treatment section, said discharge means separating said product from said treatment fluid and being provided in correspondence of said collection basin for said treatment fluid of said second treatment section, so that treatment fluid separated from said product is collected within said basin. 
     Advantageously, according to the invention, said system can comprise an inverter connected with said pump, suitable to vary number of revolutions of said pump and adjusting flow rate of said treatment fluid, and thus very precisely adjusting treatment time of said first or second treatment section. 
     Preferably, according to the invention, each one of said treatment sections can comprise a further hopper for discharging said product. 
     Always according to the invention, said treatment fluid can comprise water and enzymes with the adding of organic acids suitable to be suitable for food use and/or chemical agents. 
     Advantageously, according to the invention, said chemical agents can comprise ozone, chlorine or a mixture of ozone and chlorine, and are suitable to decontaminate said product. 
     Still according to the invention, said first treatment section can comprise a heating system for said treatment fluid contained within said basin, said heating system being an electric system or a gas system or a glycol system or other similar system, comprising a thermostat controlling temperature of said treatment fluid. 
     Furthermore, according to the invention, said second treatment section can comprise a cooling system for said treatment fluid contained within said basin. 
     Preferably, according to the invention, said product to be subjected to treatment can be salad or fruit. 
     Always according to the invention, said first and second treatment sections can be modular sections. 
     Still according to the invention, said second section can comprise a basin filled in with said low temperature treatment fluid, wherein the product arriving from said first treatment section is placed, and means for withdrawing the product. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The present invention will be now described, for illustrative but not limitative purposes, according to its preferred embodiments, with particular reference to the figures of the enclosed drawings, wherein: 
         FIG. 1  shows a transverse vertical view of a first preferred embodiment of a system according to the invention; 
         FIG. 2  shows a second longitudinal vertical view of the system of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  shows a transverse vertical view of a section of the system according to the invention; 
         FIG. 4  shows a transverse vertical view of a second preferred embodiment of a system according to the invention; and 
         FIG. 5  shows a transverse vertical view of a third preferred embodiment of a system according to the invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Making reference to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , it is possible observing a system  1  for pasteurisation thermal treatment of foodstuffs, particularly leaf products, according to the invention. 
     Pasteurisation treatment by system  1  is obtained subjecting surface of the foodstuff (not shown in the figures) to a set thermal cycle, having a first heating step and a second cooling step. Said steps occur while said product is immerged within a fluid, typically water or a water-based mixture. 
     Said steps are respectively followed by a first and a second treatment sections  2  and  3 . Said first treatment section  2 , heating the product, reduces concentration of thermo-sensitive bacteric flora present on product to be subjected to treatment. Second treatment section  3 , cooling the product, prevents growth of residual bacteric flora. 
     The two sections  2  and  3  comprising the system  1  have the same structural configuration and are cascade assembled, first the heating section  2  and then the cooling section  3 . 
     Said sections  2  and  3  are connected by a conveyor belt  4  transferring the product from one section to the other one. 
     Observing now in greater detail  FIG. 1 , it is observed that product  1  is conveyed by a conveyor belt  5   a  to a hopper  6 . 
     Said hopper  6  is connected to a first end of a washing conduct  7 , supported by a support structure  9 . Said washing conduct  7  is connected at its second end with a further hopper  8  for discharging the product. 
     Said conduct  7  is comprised of rectilinear and curvilinear tube sections, aligned or offset each other. Vertical sections of said conduct  7  provide transparent stub pipes  10 , by which it is possible controlling the product flow while it passes through the same washing conduct  7 . 
     A Venturi tube recirculation element  11  is present between the hopper  6  and the first end of said washing conduct  7 , acting as ejector. Said recirculation element  11  is connected with a treatment water circulation pump  12 , pumping water provided within a collection basin  13  into a tube  14 , bifurcated so as to connect at the top and at the base of the Venturi tube element  11 , thus realising primary and secondary flows of said ejector. 
     Second cooling section  3  is structurally completely equivalent to the first treatment section  2 , comprising a hopper  6 ′, a washing conduct  7 ′, a further hopper  8 ′, a support structure  9 ′, transparent stub pipes  10 ′ on the vertical sections of the washing conduct  7 ′, a Venturi tube recirculation system  11 ′, a treatment water circulation pump  12 ′, connected to a tube  14 ′, and a basin  13 ′. 
     Product is withdrawn from cooling section  3  by a belt  5   b.    
     Only the operation of the heating section  2  will be described in the following, since the cooling section  3  is fully equivalent to the heating section  2 , but differences that will be indicated in the following. 
     The product to be subjected to treatment is dosed by the conveyor belt  5   a  within hopper  6 , within which treatment water is circulated by pump  12  through the tube  14 . 
     Water temperature is controlled by a water heating system, not shown in the figures, within the water collection basin  13 . it must taken into consideration that, for the cooling section, the heating system is replaced by a cooling system. 
     Said heating system can be an electric system, a gas system, a glycol system, or other system, with a thermostat to control the water temperature. 
     Treatment water is injected along with the product within the washing conduct  7  by Venturi tube  11  placed under the product supply hopper  6 . 
     Water vein of this section drags product toward the washing conduct  7 . in order to prevent clogging of hopper  6 , part of water flow is injected along the perimeter of the same hopper  6 . Pulse of the product is such to permit to the same to pass the length of the washing conduct  7 . 
     By this product acceleration system, it is possible maintaining very precise treatment times. 
     Product flow is separated in the final portion of the washing conduct  7  by the product transferring conveyor belt  4 , acting also as separator. 
     Either said conveyor belt  7  and said discharge means  5   b  are respectively provided in correspondence of said basin  13 ,  13 ′ for collection of the treatment fluid both of said first  2  and second  3  treatment sections. It permits collecting water separated from the treated product within said basins  13 ,  13 ′. 
     Said product is heated while passing within the conduct  7  by the heating water, so as to reduce the starting concentration of thermo sensitive bacteric flora in said product. 
     Cooling within section  3  is obtained by cold water injected by the pump  12 ′ within hopper  6 ′, permitting blocking growth of residual bacteric flora within the product. 
     It must be considered that heating or cooling fluid can be water or a water-based mixture, suitable to sterilise the product. Treatment by said mixture can be of two kinds:
         enzymatic, with the adding of organic acids suitable to an alimentary use; and/or   chemical, e.g. with ozone, chlorine, or both, in order to make a decontamination.       

     It must also be considered that said heating section also permits a cooking and/or scorching of the product. 
     As already said, transparent stub pipes  10  are provided on vertical sections of washing conduct  7  or  7 ′. They permit to the operator  15  to monitor product flow within the whole washing conduct  7 ,  7 ′. 
     Finally, it must taken into consideration that it is possible adjusting treatment time in two ways:
         adding one or more conduct  7 ,  7 ′ sections;   adjusting the pump  12  number of revolutions, e.g. by an inverter.   In this last way, it is possible obtaining high precision adjustment levels of treatment time, even with a precision of a second.       

       FIG. 3  shows a single section  2  or  3  of the system  1 , said section can be modularly installed upward or downward one or more other sections of the same kind, thus permitting obtaining complex systems, that can be easily connected with other systems. 
     Products that can be subjected to treatment by the system  1  according to the invention are different. Besides vegetables and particularly leaf products, it is also possible subjecting to treatment fruit. 
     Coming now to observe  FIGS. 4 and 5 , there are shown two further embodiments of the system according to the invention. Parts similar to parts shown in the previous  FIGS. 1-3  will be indicated by the same reference numbers. 
     Particularly,  FIG. 4  shows a system providing only one treatment section  2 ′, but it is to be understood that the system according to the invention the system can comprise even a number of section higher than two. 
     Embodiment shown in  FIG. 5  provides conducts  7  laid according to a horizontal orientation. The same orientation can be provided in embodiments of  FIGS. 1-3  and  4 . 
     Finally, it must be noted that, while treatment time in the heating section has a basic role for product shelf life, cooling section can have a treatment time even much lower, this not influencing shelf life of the product, so that a more or less long exposition of the product to a low temperature does not jeopardise its final features. Therefore, said cooling section, in a further embodiment, can also be a simple basin filled in with cool water, provided with a product withdrawal system. 
     An advantage of the system according to the present invention is that of being completely modular. 
     Another advantage of the system according to the present invention is that of being very versatile, being the system suitable to work whole, sliced or cubes, ecc, leaf products. 
     Another advantage of the system according to the invention is that of making cleaning of surfaces contacting the product, since no inner mechanical part exists. 
     A further advantage of the system according to the present invention is that of reducing treatment time. Moreover, it must be considered that it is possible increasing working capacity simply adding new modules. 
     The present invention has been described for illustrative but not limitative purposes, according to its preferred embodiments, but it is to be understood that modifications and/or changes can be introduced by those skilled in the art without departing from the relevant scope as defined in the enclosed claims.