阅读说明：本技术 用于热处理液体或半液体食品的机器和方法 (Machine and method for heat-treating liquid or semi-liquid food products ) 是由 A·库奇 R·拉扎里尼 于 2020-03-31 设计创作，主要内容包括：描述了一种用于对液体或半液体食品巴氏杀菌的机器(1),包括：第一容器(2),该第一容器用于对液体或半液体基础产品的热处理；第二容器(3),该第二容器用于供给液体或半液体基础产品,并连接到第一热处理容器(2)以供给液体或半液体基础产品；搅拌器(4),该搅拌器用于在第一处理容器(2)中对产品进行混合,并安装在第一热处理容器(2)内；以及热系统(5),该热系统包括与第一处理容器(2)的壁相关联并构造成将热量释放到第一热处理容器(2)的热交换器(6),搅拌器(4)呈外螺旋形,并在第一入口端与第二出口端之间延伸,从而随着搅拌器旋转,使液体或半液体产品在第一入口端(35)与第二出口端(36)之间前进。(Described is a machine (1) for pasteurizing liquid or semi-liquid food products, comprising: a first container (2) for the thermal treatment of a liquid or semi-liquid base product; a second container (3) for supplying a liquid or semi-liquid base product and connected to the first heat treatment container (2) for supplying a liquid or semi-liquid base product; an agitator (4) for mixing the product in the first treatment vessel (2) and mounted within the first treatment vessel (2); and a thermal system (5) comprising a heat exchanger (6) associated with the wall of the first treatment vessel (2) and configured to release heat to the first treatment vessel (2), the agitator (4) being of external helical shape and extending between a first inlet end and a second outlet end, so as to advance the liquid or semi-liquid product between the first inlet end (35) and the second outlet end (36) as the agitator rotates.)

1. Machine (1) for pasteurizing liquid or semi-liquid food products, comprising:

a first container (2), substantially cylindrical, for the thermal treatment of a liquid or semi-liquid base product;

a second container (3) for supplying a liquid or semi-liquid base product and connected to said first heat treatment container (2) to supply a liquid or semi-liquid base product;

an agitator (4) for mixing the product in the first treatment vessel (2) and mounted within the first treatment vessel (2);

-a thermal system (5) comprising a heat exchanger (6) associated with the wall of the first treatment vessel (2) and configured to release heat to the first treatment vessel (2), the machine being characterized in that the stirrer (4) is of external helical shape and extends between a first inlet end and a second outlet end, so as to advance the liquid or semi-liquid product between the first inlet end (35) and the second outlet end (36) as the stirrer rotates.

2. Machine (1) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that said second feeding container (3) is an open-topped tank.

3. Machine (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by comprising a drive and control unit (7) connected to said thermal system and configured to control said thermal system to heat said wall of said first treatment container (2) to a temperature between 50 ℃ and 85 ℃.

4. Machine (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized by comprising a drive and control unit (7) connected to said thermal system and configured to control said thermal system to heat said wall of said first treatment container (2) to a temperature between 60 ℃ and 85 ℃.

5. Machine (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized by comprising a drive and control unit (7) connected to said thermal system (5) and configured to control it to heat said wall of said first treatment container (2) to a temperature between 60 ℃ and 75 ℃.

6. Machine (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that said stirrer (4) comprises a first portion (4A) in the form of an external spiral and a second portion (4B) having at least one radial blade (43), said second portion (4B) being arranged at said first inlet end and said first portion (4A) being arranged at said second outlet end.

7. Machine (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized by comprising:

a third container (20) for the thermal treatment of a liquid or semi-liquid base product;

a second heat exchanger (22) associated with a wall of the third treatment vessel (20) for the thermal treatment of the liquid or semi-liquid base product inside the third thermal treatment vessel (20); and

and a second stirrer (21) for mixing the product in the third treatment vessel (20), mounted inside the third treatment vessel (20), the second stirrer (21) having an external helical shape and extending between a first inlet end and a second outlet end, so as to advance the liquid or semi-liquid product between the first inlet end and the second outlet end as the second stirrer rotates.

8. Machine (1) according to claim 7, characterized in that said second heat exchanger (22) associated with said wall of said third treatment container (20) is configured to cool the basic products inside said third treatment container (20).

9. Machine (1) according to claim 8, characterized in that said first container (2) is connected to said third container (20) in such a way that: so that the heat-treated product coming out of the first container (2) is directly transferred to the third container (20).

10. Machine (1) according to any one of claims 7 to 9, characterized in that said second feeding container (3) is connectable to said first heat treatment container (2) and to said third heat treatment container (20).

11. Machine (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that said thermal system is switchable between a first heating configuration, in which heat is transferred to said first treatment container (2) through said heat exchanger (6), and a second cooling configuration, in which said first container (2) is cooled through a heat exchanger (6).

12. Method for pasteurizing a liquid or semi-liquid product in a machine according to any one of claims 1 to 11, comprising the following steps:

continuously supplying said liquid or semi-liquid base product from said second feeding vessel (3) to said first heat treatment vessel (2);

pasteurizing the liquid or semi-liquid base product by: -heating the walls of the first treatment vessel (2) to a temperature between 50 ℃ and 85 ℃ and simultaneously rotating the stirrer (4) to advance the liquid or semi-liquid product almost continuously from the inlet end (35) to the outlet end (36) of the stirrer (4).

13. The method according to claim 12, characterized in that the step of heating the walls of the first treatment vessel (2) to a temperature between 50 ℃ and 85 ℃ comprises the step of heating the walls of the first treatment vessel (2) to a temperature between 60 ℃ and 85 ℃.

14. The method according to claim 13, characterized in that the step of heating the walls of the first treatment vessel (2) to a temperature between 50 ℃ and 85 ℃ comprises the step of heating the walls of the first treatment vessel (2) to a temperature between 60 ℃ and 75 ℃.

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a machine and a method for heat-treating liquid or semi-liquid food products.

Background

In the context of the treatment of liquid or semi-liquid food products, a particularly strong need of the user is to be able to subject the liquid or semi-liquid food products to a heat treatment, in particular to subject them to a preventive pasteurization (heating) treatment in a particularly simple and effective manner.

One drawback of some existing pasteurization machines is related to the fact that: it is difficult to uniformly regulate the temperature of the product being processed: in many cases, this can lead to localized burning or overheating of the product, particularly in the area close to the heated wall of the container, which can greatly alter the quality and organoleptic characteristics of the product being processed.

Disclosure of Invention

The aim of the present invention is therefore to satisfy the above-mentioned needs, and in particular to enable a machine and a method which, thanks to their characteristics, allow to carry out a heat treatment of the products being worked in a particularly simple and effective manner.

It is therefore another object of the present invention to provide a machine and a method which, thanks to their characteristics, allow the products being processed to be heated uniformly and prevent localized heating of the products.

Drawings

The advantages of the invention will be more apparent from the following detailed description, with reference to the objects mentioned above, the technical characteristics of which are clearly described in the appended claims, and with reference to the accompanying drawings, which illustrate a non-limiting embodiment of the invention, and in which:

figure 1 is a schematic view of a first embodiment of a machine according to the invention;

figure 2 is a schematic view of a second embodiment of the machine according to the invention;

figure 3 is a schematic view of a third embodiment of the machine according to the invention;

figure 4 is a schematic view of a fourth embodiment of the machine according to the invention;

figure 5 is a schematic view of a detail of the machine of the invention shown in the above figures.

Detailed Description

With reference to the accompanying drawings, numeral 1 indicates a machine for the thermal treatment (more specifically, pasteurization) of liquid or semi-liquid food products according to the invention.

The machine 1 is suitable for heat-treating ice cream products (handmade ice cream or soft ice cream), pastry products or soups, etc.

Machine 1 for sterilizing liquid or semi-liquid food products comprises:

a first container 2, the first container 2 being for heat treatment of a liquid or semi-liquid base product;

a second container 3 for supplying a liquid or semi-liquid base product, the second container 3 being connected to the first heat treatment container 2 for supplying a liquid or semi-liquid base product;

a stirrer 4 for mixing the product in the first heat treatment vessel 2, the stirrer 4 being installed inside the first heat treatment vessel 2; and

a thermal system 5, the thermal system 5 comprising a heat exchanger 6 associated with the wall of the first process vessel 2 to release heat to the first process vessel 2.

According to another aspect, the stirrer 4 is of external spiral shape and extends between the first inlet end 35 and the second outlet end 36, so as to advance the liquid or semi-liquid product between the first inlet end 35 and the second outlet end 36 as it rotates.

As shown in the figures, the machine 1 comprises a drive unit 40 connected to the stirrer 4 for driving it in rotation.

Preferably, the drive unit 40 is connected to the processing and control unit 7.

According to another aspect, the thermal system 5 comprises a heat exchanger 6 (as described above) associated with the first process vessel 2, a further heat exchanger 30, a compressor 31 and a pressure reduction unit 32.

It should be noted that the heat exchanger 6, the further heat exchanger 30, the compressor 31 and the decompression unit 32 define a circuit containing a heat exchange fluid.

In other words, the thermal system 5 is a thermodynamic system (configured to operate using a heat exchange fluid according to a thermodynamic cycle).

According to another aspect, the thermal system 5 may comprise a sensor 39, the sensor 39 being adapted to detect the pressure or temperature of the heat exchange fluid at a point in the circuit.

According to a further aspect, the machine 1 comprises a dispenser 14, the dispenser 14 being connected to the first treatment container 2 for treating the liquid or semi-liquid base product and allowing the product to be taken out of the container 2.

The heat exchanger 6 defines a condenser of the thermodynamic circuit.

It should be noted that other configurations of the thermal system 6 are also conceivable.

For example, the thermal system 5 may be of the hot gas type, wherein the gas is only recirculated between the compressor and the heat exchanger 6, transferring heat to the heat exchanger 6.

According to a further aspect, the machine 1 is provided with a heat exchanger adapted to cool the product inside the first treatment container 2.

It should be noted that the heat exchanger may be the heat exchanger 6 described above (or a different heat exchanger): in this case, the thermal system 5 is preferably switchable between two configurations: in the first configuration, the heat exchanger 6 heats up, and in the second configuration, the heat exchanger 6 cools down.

A thermal system 5 adapted to switch between two configurations so that a heat exchanger 6 can be used for heating or cooling is described in patent document EP2856888a1, which is incorporated herein by reference (in particular, the systems of fig. 2, 4, 5, 6).

Advantageously, according to this aspect, the first treatment vessel 2 may be heated or cooled.

It should be noted that, according to this aspect, the machine 1 is preferably provided with user-activatable means (controller) for selecting the configuration to set the heat exchanger 6 of the thermal system 5 in the cooling configuration or the heating configuration.

Advantageously, therefore, the machine 1 can perform cooling cycles or heating cycles on the products according to specific processing requirements.

The dispenser 14 preferably includes a user-activatable lever for allowing the dispensing of the liquid or semi-liquid base product.

According to another aspect, the second feeding vessel 3 is an open-topped barrel.

According to another aspect, the second feeding container 3 for supplying the liquid or semi-liquid base product is a cylinder.

According to a further aspect, the machine 1 comprises a drive and control unit 7, the drive and control unit 7 being connected to the thermal system 5 and configured to control the thermal system 5 to heat the walls of the first treatment container 2 to a temperature between 50 ℃ and 85 ℃ (preferably a temperature between 60 ℃ and 85 ℃, still more preferably a temperature between 60 ℃ and 75 ℃).

According to another aspect, the stirrer 4 comprises a first portion 4A in the form of an external spiral and a second portion 4B having at least one radial blade 43.

It should be noted that fig. 1-4 schematically illustrate a stirrer: fig. 5 shows the stirrer 4 in more detail.

It should be noted that, together with the inner wall of the first container 2, the portion 4A, which is externally helical, defines a chamber along which the product is made to advance (and in which it is subjected to a thermal treatment, preferably heating), by the rotating action of the stirrer 4.

The second portion 4B is disposed at the first inlet end 35 and the first portion 4A is disposed at the second outlet end 36.

The main function of the second part 4B is to agitate the product.

On the other hand, the first portion 4A has, due to its structure, the function of pushing the product along the extension direction of the first container 2.

According to another embodiment, as shown in fig. 2, the machine 1 comprises:

a third container 20, the third container 20 being for heat treatment of a liquid or semi-liquid base product;

a second heat exchanger 22, the second heat exchanger 22 being associated with a wall of the third treatment vessel 20 for the heat treatment of the liquid or semi-liquid base product inside the third heat treatment vessel 20; and

a second agitator 21, the second agitator 21 mixing the product in the third treatment vessel 20, is mounted inside the third treatment vessel 20, the second agitator 21 being of external helical shape and extending between the first inlet end and the second outlet end so as to advance the liquid or semi-liquid product between the first inlet end 35 and the second outlet end 36 as it rotates.

The second stirrer 21 has the same features as described with reference to the stirrer 4.

According to another aspect, the second heat exchanger 22 associated with the wall of the third processing container 20 is configured to cool the base product within the third processing container 20.

Thereby, the third processing container 20 cools the product.

Preferably, the third processing vessel 20 is a cylinder.

According to another aspect, the first container 2 is connected to the third container 20, so that the heat-treated product coming out of the first container 2 is directly conveyed to the third container 20.

According to this aspect, the machine 1 preferably comprises a pump 37 (schematically illustrated in fig. 2) to transfer the product from the first container 2 to the third container 20.

According to yet another aspect, the second feeding vessel 3 may be connected to the first heat treatment vessel 2 and to the third heat treatment vessel 20.

Preferably, the machine 1 comprises a valve assembly 38, which valve assembly 38 is configured to allow placing the second feeding container 3 in fluid communication with the first heat treatment container 2 and/or the third heat treatment container 20 (to supply the product).

According to an aspect, the valve assembly 38 may comprise a pump which may be activated or deactivated to transport the product from the second feeding container 3 to the first heat treatment container 2 and/or to the third heat treatment container 20.

As shown in the embodiment of fig. 2, machine 1 comprises a drive unit 41 connected to stirrer 21 to drive it in rotation.

Preferably, the drive unit 41 is connected to the processing and control unit 7.

According to another aspect, the machine shown in fig. 2 comprises a second dispenser 42 adapted to allow the dispensing of the liquid or semi-liquid product from the third container 20.

Fig. 3 shows an embodiment in which a recirculation conduit 44 is provided between the inlet end 35 and the outlet end 36 of the vessel 2.

It is observed that the product advanced by the rotating action of the stirrer 4 can thus be returned to the inlet of the container 2: in this way, the heating can be carried out further gradually, as the product traverses the container 2 several times.

Fig. 4 shows an embodiment in which a recirculation conduit 44 is provided between the outlet end 36 and the container 3.

It is observed that the product advanced by the rotating action of the stirrer 4 can thus be returned to the inlet of the container 3: in this way, the heating can be carried out further gradually, as the product traverses the container 2 several times.

It should be noted that, according to another aspect, the heat exchanger 6 associated with the wall of the first treatment vessel 2 and configured to release heat to the first treatment vessel 2 may also cool the first vessel 2 (as described above).

According to this aspect, the drive and control unit 7 is configured to control the switching of the thermal system between the arrangement for heating the container 2 and the arrangement for cooling the container 2.

According to another aspect, the thermal system comprises a second heat exchanger (not shown and distinct from heat exchanger 6) adapted to cool the first processing vessel 2.

It should be noted that with reference to the machine 1 shown in figures 2, 3 and 4, the machine 1 can also be provided with a heat exchanger adapted to cool the product in the third treatment tank 20.

It should be noted that the heat exchanger may be the aforementioned heat exchanger 22: in this case, the thermal system 5 is preferably switchable between two configurations: in the first configuration, the heat exchanger 22 heats up, and in the second configuration, the heat exchanger 22 cools down.

A thermal system 5 adapted to switch between two configurations so that a heat exchanger 22 can be used for heating or cooling is described in patent document EP2856888a1, which is incorporated herein by reference (in particular, the systems of fig. 2, 4, 5, 6).

Advantageously, according to the above aspect, the third processing container 20 may be heated or cooled.

It should be noted that, according to the above aspect, the machine 1 is preferably provided with user-activatable means (controller) for selecting the configuration to set the heat exchanger 22 of the thermal system 5 in the cooling configuration or in the heating configuration.

Advantageously, therefore, the machine 1 can perform cooling cycles or heating cycles on the products according to specific processing requirements.

According to the invention there is also defined a method of pasteurizing (heating) a liquid or semi-liquid food product in a machine according to any of the above aspects, comprising the steps of:

continuously supplying the liquid or semi-liquid base product from the second feeding vessel 3 to the first heat treatment vessel 2;

pasteurizing a liquid or semi-liquid base product by: the walls of the first treatment vessel 2 are heated to a temperature between 50 c and 85 c while the stirrer 4 is rotated to advance the liquid or semi-liquid product almost continuously from the inlet end 35 to the outlet end 36 of the stirrer 4.

According to one aspect, the method includes the step of flowing the product out of outlet end 36 of agitator 4.

According to a further aspect, the step of heating the walls of the first treatment vessel 2 to a temperature between 50 ℃ and 85 ℃ comprises the step of heating the walls of the first treatment vessel 2 to a temperature between 60 ℃ and 85 ℃ (preferably between 60 ℃ and 75 ℃).

It should be noted that one advantage of the present invention is that the product subjected to pasteurization is made to move substantially continuously inside the first container 2, which means that it is heated uniformly and gradually.

Furthermore, the degree of heating, i.e. the temperature finally reached, can be controlled in a particularly simple manner by varying the rotational speed of stirrer 4: in fact, the slower the speed of rotation of the stirrer 4, the longer the product is subjected to heating. It is thus possible, at least at certain intervals, to vary the pasteurisation temperature, i.e. the temperature to which the product is ultimately brought, by simply adjusting the speed of rotation of the stirrer, without having to vary the thermal power transmitted through the heat exchanger 6.

Due to the rotation of the stirrer 4, the product is pasteurized while in motion, which prevents it from burning or sticking on the walls of the first container 2: in this way, the quality of the final product is thus improved.