Patent Description:
In a known type of conveying apparatus, food products are placed inside a plurality of cup-shaped receptacles arranged in rows, which are moved along a predefined path by a chain conveyor.

An example of this known technology can be found in document <CIT> in which noodles are cupped and transported in a frying unit.

The predefined path usually comprises a plurality of curves and height changes with respect to the floor.

In designing the conveyor there is felt the need to reach a compromise between diverging goals.

On one side, there is felt the need for reducing the empty space between the rows of the cup-shaped receptacles.

On the other end, the distance between the rows serves to avoid the risk of collision during the rotation around the sprocket wheels. Thus, a gap between the rows is generally guaranteed in the prior art solutions.

Document <CIT> discloses a conveying apparatus for conveying food products according to the preamble of claim <NUM>.

In this context, the technical task underlying the present invention is to propose a conveying apparatus for conveying food products and a heat treatment apparatus which overcome the drawbacks in the prior art as described above.

In particular, an object of the present invention is to provide a conveying apparatus for conveying food products, which allows containers to be kept close together while avoiding the risk of collision.

Another object of the present invention is to propose a conveying apparatus and a heat treatment apparatus able to convey and heat food products having diameter in the order of about one millimetre.

In a first aspect the stated technical task and specified objects are achieved by a conveying apparatus for conveying food products according to claim <NUM>, comprising:.

According to one embodiment, the first pin and the second pin of each container are slidably mounted within the bores of one pair of supports.

According to one embodiment, the first pin and the second pin of each container are axially rotatably mounted within the bores of one pair of supports.

According to one embodiment, the extension of each bore is larger than the cross-section of the pins.

According to one embodiment, the bore has an elongated development in a direction that is inclined with respect to a transport direction of the conveyor.

According to one embodiment, the bore has an elongated development in a direction substantially orthogonal to the transport direction of the conveyor.

According to one embodiment, the first pin of each container is axially retractable with respect to the corresponding container.

Preferably, the conveyor comprises a plurality of sprockets on which the endless chains are mounted. The conveyor comprises first guiding means arranged at least at one sprocket and configured to engage the pins of each container and keep them outside the pitch diameter of the sprocket during the rotation of the container around the sprocket.

According to the invention, the cup-shaped receptacle comprises a perforated sheet with a plurality of through-holes, the perforated sheet being arranged to define a bottom of the cup-shaped receptacle for resting the food product.

Preferably, the through-holes have a diameter of between <NUM> and <NUM>.

Preferably, the ratio between empty and full spaces of the perforated sheet is between <NUM> and <NUM>.

According to the invention, the cup-shaped receptacle comprises a lateral wall comprising a first plate and a second plate arranged so as to partially overlap in an overlapping zone in correspondence of the bottom.

The first plate and second plate are mutually shaped in the overlapping zone so that they create an inner recess for holding the bottom.

Preferably, in cross-section the second plate is S-shaped with a first end developing outwards which, together with a free end of the first plate, defines the inner recess.

According to one embodiment, each container comprises a plurality of cup-shaped receptacles arranged in a row along a transverse direction that is orthogonal to a transport direction of the conveyor.

In a second aspect the stated technical task and specified objects are achieved by a heat treatment apparatus for food products, in particular noodles, according to claim <NUM> comprising:.

The conveyor of the conveying apparatus is arranged to partly pass through the heating chamber.

According to one embodiment, the heat treatment apparatus further comprises a first air injecting device configured to introduce into a first part of the heating chamber an upper air flow towards the noodles arranged in the cup-shaped receptacles, the upper air flow having a temperature that is comprised between <NUM> and <NUM> and being directed from a first zone above the conveyor to a second zone under the conveyor.

The heat treatment apparatus further comprises a second air injecting device configured to introduce into a second part of the heating chamber a lower air flow towards the noodles arranged in the cup-shaped receptacles, the lower air flow having a temperature that is comprised between <NUM> and <NUM> and being directed from the second zone to the first zone.

Additional features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the non-limiting, description of a preferred, but non-exclusive embodiment of a conveying apparatus for conveying food products, as illustrated in the appended drawings, in which:.

With reference to the figures, number <NUM> indicates a conveying apparatus for conveying food products.

For example, food products may be portions (or blocks) of noodles that are to be pre-cooked for obtaining instant noodles.

The conveying apparatus <NUM> comprises a conveyor <NUM> developing along a closed conveying path <NUM>.

The conveyor <NUM> is configured to transport the food products in a transport direction D.

The conveyor <NUM> comprises a first and second endless chain <NUM>, <NUM> arranged parallel to each other. The two endless chains <NUM>, <NUM> are so arranged like rails.

The conveying apparatus <NUM> comprises a plurality of containers <NUM> tranversally mounted between the first and second endless chains <NUM>, <NUM>.

Each container <NUM> comprises at least one cup-shaped receptacle <NUM> for the food product.

Preferably, the container <NUM> comprises a plurality of cup-shaped receptacles <NUM> arranged in a row along a direction transverse to the conveying path <NUM>.

In other words, each container <NUM> of cup-shaped receptacles <NUM> has an elongated extension that develops substantially in a transverse direction T between the two endless chains <NUM>, <NUM>.

The transverse direction T is substantially orthogonal to the transport direction D.

The cup-shaped receptacles <NUM> may have any suitable shape, depending on the food product.

According to the embodiment here described and illustrated, each cup-shaped receptacle <NUM> is arranged in a corresponding opening obtained in the container <NUM> and welded to it.

According to another embodiment (not illustrated), each cup-shaped receptacle <NUM> is removably mounted in a corresponding opening obtained in the container <NUM>.

According to another embodiment (not illustrated), the cup-shaped receptacles <NUM> are obtained by shaping the container <NUM>.

Each container <NUM> comprises a first pin <NUM> and a second pin <NUM> protruding respectively from opposite ends of the container <NUM>.

Preferably, the first pin <NUM> and the second pin <NUM> develop parallel to the transverse direction T.

The conveyor <NUM> further comprises a plurality of first supports <NUM> and second supports <NUM> mounted along the two endless chains <NUM>, <NUM>.

Preferably, the first supports <NUM> and the second supports <NUM> are arranged in pairs. The first support <NUM> and the second support <NUM> of a pair are located respectively on the first endless chain <NUM> and on the second endless chain <NUM>, substantially opposite one another with respect to the transport direction D.

In particular, the first support <NUM> and the second support <NUM> of a pair are arranged in the inner side of the endless chains <NUM>, <NUM>.

Each support <NUM>, <NUM> has a bore <NUM> facing towards the opposite chain <NUM>, <NUM>. In other words, the bore <NUM> faces towards the container <NUM>.

In practice, the bore <NUM> faces inward.

Originally, each container <NUM> is removably mounted in a pair of supports <NUM>, <NUM>.

In particular, the pins <NUM>, <NUM> of the container <NUM> are removably mounted in the bores of said supports <NUM>, <NUM>.

In particular, the first pin <NUM> and the second pin <NUM> of the container <NUM> are slidably mounted respectively in the bore <NUM> of the first support <NUM> and in the bore <NUM> of the second support <NUM>.

Preferably, the first pin <NUM> and the second pin <NUM> of the container <NUM> are also rotatably mounted respectively in the bore <NUM> of the first support <NUM> and in the bore <NUM> of the second support <NUM>.

The rotation referred to is with respect to an axial direction of the pin <NUM>, <NUM>, that is the transverse direction T of the container <NUM>.

In particular, the extension of each bore <NUM> is larger than the cross-section of the pins <NUM>, <NUM> so that there is a tolerance gap that allows the pins <NUM>, <NUM> to move within the bores <NUM>.

According to the embodiment illustrated herewith, each bore <NUM> has an elongated development in a direction inclined both with respect to the transport direction D and to the transverse direction T.

Preferably, each bore <NUM> has an elongated development in a direction that is orthogonal both to the transport direction D and to the transverse direction T.

Preferably, each bore <NUM> has an elongated development in a direction having a vertical component.

In other words, the bore <NUM> is a linear-elongated slot.

In other words, the bore <NUM> has the shape of a seat for a mechanical feather key, i.e. rectangular with two rounded opposite sides.

In another embodiment (not illustrated), each bore <NUM> has a round shape with a diameter that is higher than the diameter of the cross-section of the pins <NUM>, <NUM>.

Each bore <NUM> may be a through-hole or a blind hole.

Thanks to the sliding mounting, the pins <NUM>, <NUM> are free to move in the bores <NUM>. This allows to create a conveying path <NUM> with changes in direction and height, despite the containers <NUM> being mounted close to each other.

The containers <NUM> are indeed kept away from the others even in changes of direction such as curves, thus avoiding collisions.

According to one embodiment, the first pin <NUM> is axially slidable with respect to the container <NUM>. Thus, the container <NUM> can be easily removed from its supports <NUM>, <NUM> without the use of any tool.

In this case, a spring <NUM> is provided on the first pin <NUM>.

In particular, the first pin <NUM> is axially retractable inside the container <NUM>.

According to a preferred embodiment, the conveying path <NUM> comprises a plurality of changes of direction. In particular, the change of direction is a curve.

Preferably, as illustrated in <FIG>, the conveying path <NUM> develops over several heights. In this case, the curves involve a change in height.

The conveyor <NUM> comprises a plurality of sprockets <NUM> on which the endless chains <NUM>, <NUM> are mounted so as to create the curves of the conveying path <NUM>.

Preferably, the conveying apparatus <NUM> comprises first guiding means <NUM> arranged at least one sprocket <NUM> and configured to engage the pins <NUM>, <NUM> of a container <NUM> and keep them outside the pitch diameter of the sprocket <NUM>. In this way, during the rotation of a container <NUM> around a sprocket <NUM>, it is kept away from other containers and thus collision is avoided.

Preferably, the first guiding means <NUM> are arranged at a plurality of sprockets <NUM>.

According to the embodiment here described and illustrated in <FIG>, the first guiding means <NUM> comprise two shaped profiles of a first type <NUM> arranged at two opposite sides of the sprocket <NUM>. Each shaped profile of the first type <NUM> engages one of the pins <NUM>,<NUM>. The shaped profile of the first type <NUM> is shaped so as to keep the pin <NUM>, <NUM> outside the pitch diameter of the sprocket <NUM>.

In other words, the shaped profile of the first type <NUM> is a cam. The cam may be either fixed or rotatable with the sprocket <NUM>.

Preferably, the conveying apparatus <NUM> comprises second guiding means <NUM> arranged at least one sprocket <NUM> and configured to engage the container <NUM> and turning it upside down.

The rotational mounting allows the pins <NUM>, <NUM> to be free to rotate along their longitudinal axes (i.e. the transverse direction T), thus allowing the inversion upside down of the container <NUM>, for example to discharge the food product.

According to the embodiment here described and illustrated in <FIG>, the second guiding means <NUM> comprise two shaped profiles of a second type <NUM> arranged at two opposite sides of the sprocket <NUM>. Each shaped profile of the second type <NUM> engages a corresponding protuberance <NUM> on the container <NUM>. The shaped profile of the second type <NUM> is shaped so as to make the container <NUM> turn upside down.

In other words, the shaped profile of the second type <NUM> is a cam. The cam may be either fixed or rotatable with the sprocket <NUM>.

The first and second guiding means <NUM>, <NUM> may be arranged at the same sprocket <NUM>.

According to the invention, each cup-shaped receptacle <NUM> comprises a perforated sheet <NUM> with a plurality of through-holes <NUM>. The perforated sheet <NUM> is arranged to define a bottom 8a of the cup-shaped receptacle <NUM> for resting the food product.

The through-holes <NUM> have a diameter less than or at most equal to the size of the food product so as to prevent it from falling out. Preferably, the through-holes <NUM> have a diameter of between <NUM> and <NUM>.

The shape of the through-holes <NUM> is not strictly circular. In case of non-circular shape, the diameter of the through-holes <NUM> mentioned above is intended to be the diameter of the inscribed circle.

Preferably, the through-holes <NUM> have a hexagonal shape.

Preferably, the ratio between empty and full spaces of the perforated sheet <NUM> is between <NUM> and <NUM>. More preferably, the ratio is between <NUM> and <NUM>.

Each cup-shaped receptacle <NUM> comprises a lateral wall 8b and the bottom 8a previously described. The lateral wall 8b has a rounded and closed development, i.e. cylindrical or frustoconical.

The lateral wall 8b is composed by a first plate <NUM> and a second plate <NUM> arranged so as to partially overlap in an overlapping zone in correspondence of the bottom 8a.

The first plate <NUM> and the second plate <NUM> are mutually shaped in the overlapping zone so that they create an inner recess <NUM> for holding the bottom 8a.

According to one embodiment, in cross-section the second plate <NUM> is S-shaped with a first end 20a developing outwards which, together with a free end 19a of the first plate <NUM>, defines the inner recess <NUM>.

Preferably, as illustrated in <FIG>, in cross-section the first lateral plate <NUM> has a straight free end 19a.

According to a preferred embodiment, the S-shaped of the second plate <NUM> is defined by a change in curvature from the first end 20a, developing outwards and a second end 20b developing inward.

In particular, the first end 20a is superimposed out of the free end 19a of the first plate <NUM>, while the second end 20b turns inwards, i.e. it has more internal position than the free end 19a of the first plate <NUM>.

Preferably, the first end 20a is welded at the free end 19a of the first plate <NUM>.

A peripheral edge of the perforated sheet <NUM> is held in the inner recess <NUM>. Thus, the perforated sheet <NUM> is mechanical interlocked to the lateral wall 8b. No welding is used for the perforated sheet <NUM>.

Indeed, the sheet <NUM> is micro-perforated. Welding is not achievable on thin sheets without damaging them. Therefore, the solution described above is advised when using thin sheets, for example having thickness of <NUM> or less. Nevertheless, micro-perforation and the mounting arrangement can be used for sheets <NUM> with any thickness (for example, sheets with thickness of <NUM>).

The thickness of the sheet <NUM> must be inferior to the diameter of the through-holes <NUM>.

Accordingly, the cup-shaped receptacles <NUM> have a total height that is always the same, whereas the height of the bottom 8a may be varied depending on the type of product. This is achieved by varying the length of the second end 20b of the second plate <NUM>.

A heat treatment apparatus <NUM> for food products, according to the present invention, is described below. Preferably, the food products are noodles. Preferably, the noodles are divided in portions or blocks. The portions of noodles may be of any shape, i.e. cubic, parallelepiped, spherical, conical, etc..

The heat treatment apparatus <NUM> comprises a heating chamber <NUM>.

The heat treatment apparatus <NUM> comprises a conveying apparatus <NUM> according to any of claims <NUM>-<NUM>.

The conveyor <NUM> of the conveying apparatus <NUM> is arranged to partly pass through the heating chamber <NUM>.

According to a preferred embodiment, the heat treatment apparatus <NUM> further comprises a first air injecting device <NUM> configured to introduce into a first part 101a of the heating chamber <NUM> an upper air flow towards the noodles arranged in the cup-shaped receptacles <NUM>.

The upper air flow has a temperature that is comprised between <NUM> and <NUM>.

The upper air flow is directed from a first zone 2a above the conveyor <NUM> to a second zone 2b under the conveyor <NUM>.

Preferably, the heat treatment apparatus <NUM> comprises a second air injecting device <NUM> configured to introduce into a second part 101b of the heating chamber <NUM> a lower air flow towards the noodles arranged in the cup-shaped receptacles <NUM>.

The lower air flow has a temperature that is comprised between <NUM> and <NUM>.

The lower air flow is directed from the second zone 2b to the first zone 2a.

The characteristics of the conveying apparatus for conveying a food product, according to the present invention, emerge clearly from the above description, as do the advantages.

In particular, the sliding mounting of the containers in the endless chains with their pins freely movable within the bores, allows keeping the containers spaced even in changes of direction such as curves. This prevents collisions of the containers.

In addition, the pins are free to rotate along their longitudinal axes, thus the containers can be kept with the bottoms down during the transport, preventing the product fall, but also inverted at the right time to discharge the product.

The containers are kept as close as possible to prevent the air flow from passing in the gaps, that would lower the thermal efficiency.

At the same time, the containers are maintained at an optimized distance that is sufficient to avoid collisions and allows them to travel also in curvilinear path.

Claim 1:
A conveying apparatus (<NUM>) for conveying food products, comprising:
a conveyor (<NUM>) developing along a closed conveying path (<NUM>), said conveyor (<NUM>) comprising a first and second endless chain (<NUM>, <NUM>) arranged parallel to each other;
a plurality of containers (<NUM>) transversally mounted between said first and second endless chain (<NUM>, <NUM>), each container (<NUM>) comprising:
- at least one cup-shaped receptacle (<NUM>) for a food product;
- a first pin (<NUM>) and a second pin (<NUM>) protruding respectively from opposite ends of the container (<NUM>);
a plurality of pairs of supports (<NUM>, <NUM>), each pair being formed by a first support (<NUM>) mounted on the first endless chain (<NUM>) and a second support (<NUM>) mounted on the second endless chain (<NUM>),
each support (<NUM>, <NUM>) having a bore (<NUM>) dimensioned and shaped for receiving one of said pins (<NUM>, <NUM>), the first pin (<NUM>) and the second pin (<NUM>) of each container (<NUM>) being removably mounted within the bores (<NUM>) of one pair of supports (<NUM>, <NUM>)
wherein said at least one cup-shaped receptacle (<NUM>) comprises a perforated sheet (<NUM>) with a plurality of through-holes (<NUM>), the perforated sheet (<NUM>) being arranged to define a bottom (8a) of the cup-shaped receptacle (<NUM>) for resting the food product,
characterized in that said at least one cup-shaped receptacle (<NUM>) comprises a lateral wall (8b) comprising a first plate (<NUM>) and a second plate (<NUM>) arranged so as to partially overlap in an overlapping zone in correspondence of the bottom (8a), said first plate (<NUM>) and second plate (<NUM>) being mutually shaped in the overlapping zone so that they create an inner recess (<NUM>) for holding the bottom (8a).