Stacking unit comprising at least one chamber for housing a food product such as ham

The present invention relates to a stackable unit comprising at least one cell for accommodating ingredients such as ham during cooking.

Industrial ham is known to be cooked in a cooking chamber with a relatively large volume. The hams are each wrapped in cooking bags arranged within cells that form the cooking mold of the stackable stackable unit.

When the first stackable unit is full, the stackable unit acts as a support for the other stackable unit, in which case the other stackable unit is filled and one by one in succession. Stacked to form a stack that is then transported into the cooking chamber. For example, if certain cooking is performed in a cooking chamber containing a heat conductive fluid, stacking is performed in the cooking chamber by a manipulator robot.

Each cell is provided with a pressurizing means at the bottom for pressurizing the ham located in the cells of the other stackable units in the lower row so that the ham can be formed during cooking. The pressurizing means comprises, for example, a plate fixed and attached to the bottom of the cell. The last status epilepticus stacked is generally empty and serves only as a pressurizing means for the lower status epilepticus unit.

Considering that a large number of stackable units can be stacked, it is important to accurately arrange the stackable units with respect to the other stackable units in the lower stage. As a result, the stackable unit pressurizing means appropriately, or repeatedly, pressurizes the hum of the lower stackable unit.

In addition, for high productivity, manipulator robots that transfer stackable units, especially stacking, operate at high speeds, especially during stacking, and are therefore capable of sustaining stacking. Causes the unit to rock.

Known stackable units are provided with positioning means, but do not provide the sufficiently accurate positioning that should be obtained between them during stacking.

<p> An object of the present invention is therefore to overcome these drawbacks with a novel configuration.</p>

<p> More specifically, the present invention provides a stackable unit of the type comprising at least one cell containing an ingredient such as ham during cooking. Each of the cells or each of the cells is equipped with a pressurizing means for pressurizing the foodstuff contained in the corresponding cell of the other same stackable unit. The stackable unit is a support means for seating the stackable unit on another same stackable unit, and when stacking on another same stackable unit, the stackable unit is lined up with the other stackable unit. It is provided with a centering means that allows lateral positioning of the stackable unit so that it is arranged vertically at.</p><p> To achieve the above objectives, the stackable unit stacks the stackable unit in at least one plane including the vertical stacking direction when stacking the stackable unit on another identical stackable unit. It is characterized by being provided with a guiding means for guiding the possible units.</p><p> According to another feature of the present invention, the guiding means for providing guidance of the stackable unit in two planes perpendicular to each other including the stacking direction is provided.</p><p> According to another feature of the present invention, there is provided a centering means that functions in two directions that are perpendicular to each other and perpendicular to the stacking direction.</p><p> According to another feature of the present invention, the guiding means includes at least one wall in each leg, the or other wall extending parallel to the stacking direction, and at least one guiding member of the stackable unit. Can collaborate with.</p><p> According to another feature of the present invention, a guide member included in the status epilepticus unit is formed in the gripping means.</p><p> According to another feature of the present invention, each guiding means is formed by the pins included in the stackable unit.</p><p> According to another feature of the present invention, the guiding means is composed of the back surface of each bottom, and the surface is individually provided to cooperate with the plane of the other stackable unit in the lower stage.</p><p> According to another feature of the present invention, the guiding means is composed of the back surface of the arm portion of the gripping means provided in the stackable unit. Each of the faces is intended to cooperate with the faces of the other stackable units in the upper row.</p><p> The features of the invention described above, as well as others, become clearer by reading the description of the exemplary embodiments below, the description of which is given in connection with the accompanying drawings.</p>

The invention described below relates to the production of ham. However, it should be understood that it is applicable to other ingredients.

FIG. 1a shows two stacked stackable units 100 and 100'according to the first embodiment. Figure 1b also shows two stackable units 100 and 100', but according to a second embodiment.

Each stackable unit 100 and 100'shown in FIGS. 1a and 1b comprises a frame 120, the sides of which consist of two opposite side plates 122a and 122b. In the embodiment of FIG. 1a, the plates 122a and 122b are joined by two longitudinal side members 124a and 124b at the ends. In the embodiment of FIG. 1a, at least one cell 130 is attached to the inside of the frame 120 so that the longitudinal axes are parallel to the horizontal plates 122a and 122b, and in the embodiment of FIG. 1b, it is lateral. It is perpendicular to the plates 122a and 122b. Figure 1a shows only two cells 130 for clarity of the figure, and Figure 1b shows six.

Each cell 130 is designed to receive foodstuffs, especially ham. And although not necessarily required, it is generally first wrapped in a cooking bag for cooking in the cooking chamber. Each cell 130 is provided with a pressurizing means 132 at the bottom, for example, with a cover provided to enter other corresponding cells of the lower stackable unit so that the foodstuffs placed inside can be pressurized during cooking. It has become.

It should be noted that several stackable units 100, which are stacked one by one, are introduced into the cooking chamber.

Considering a large set of stackable units 100 (a stackable unit 100 can weigh thousands of kilograms), the stackable unit 100 is in the stack of the other stackable units 100'in the lower row. It is important to place it accurately in. The accuracy of this positioning is that during the stacking of the stackable unit 100, the pressurizing means 132 of the cell 130 of the stackable unit 100 is arranged in the corresponding cell 130 of the lower stackable unit 100'. J must be able to be pressurized uniformly.

An object of the present invention is to propose a means for enabling this accurate positioning.

FIG. 2 is a schematic front view of the stackable unit 100 in the process of stacking on the other stackable unit 100'in the lower stage, and the stackable unit 100 and 100'have the means of the present invention, respectively. Each stackable unit 100 comprises support means 160 and 170 that can be positioned in the height direction of the stackable unit 100'. The supporting means 160 and 170 are separated members, each comprising a contacting means 160 schematically shown by a horizontal line 160 and a supporting means 170 roughly shown by another horizontal line 170. Advantageously, four abutting means 160 and four corresponding supporting means 170 are arranged in pairs, each over two opposing sides 122 (or 124) of each frame 120 of the stackable unit 100. Only two abutting means 160 and only two supporting means 170 are shown in FIG.

Each of the contacting means 160 of the stackable unit 100 is adapted to cooperate with the supporting means 170 of the other stackable unit 100'in the lower stage.

The stackable unit 100 is provided with centering means for modification and, if necessary, is laterally positioned with respect to the other stackable unit 100'during stacking, resulting in stackable units 100 and 100. The'frames 120 and 120'can be arranged on a line with each other.

As shown in FIG. 2, the centering means includes at least two centering diagonals 154a and 154b, each forming an acute angle C with respect to the vertical stacking direction T, with the stackable unit 100 during stacking centering. It is designed to cooperate with the centering members 175a and 175b of the same lower stackable unit 100', respectively.

The stackable unit 100 is also provided with a guiding means so that the stackable unit 100 can be moved in the vertical stacking direction T when stacking on the stackable unit 100', in particular, said or otherwise. Allows the pressurizing means 132 to enter without contacting its individual cells 130.

As shown in FIG. 2, these guiding means include, on the one hand, first guide members 157a and 157b, and on the other hand, second guide members 172a and 172b. The first guide members 157a and 157b are provided with the second guide members 172a and 172b of the lower stackable unit 100'during the stacking guide of the stackable unit 100 on the stackable unit 100'. It is designed to slide up.

Specific embodiments of the supporting means will be described. The centering and guiding means of the present invention are advantageously adapted not only to the stacking of stackable units with each other, but also to their operation.

In general, for example, each stackable unit 100 is placed on another stackable unit before cooking and pulled out from the other stackable unit after cooking so that it can be operated by an operating robot. As shown in FIGS. 1a and 1b, there are at least two gripping means 140, each of which is located above cell 130 and is adapted to be connected to, for example, a manipulator robot support means (not shown). These gripping means 140 are arranged symmetrically with respect to the stackable unit 100, for example, and are fixed to the two opposing surfaces of the frame 120, in this case the lateral plates 122a and 122b on the outside of the frame 120.

FIG. 3 shows an embodiment of the gripping means 140 according to an advantageous embodiment of the present invention. It consists of a rod-shaped member 142 fixed to two arms 144a and 144b at the free end, the two arms 144a and 144b each consisting of a piece of metal formed by bending, which is the embodiment of the present embodiment. The horizontal plates 122a and 122b are fixed to the other side of the frame 120 by welding. Each arm 144a or 144b is bent thereby having a substantially horizontal portion 170, which constitutes the support means described above with respect to FIG. 2 above. The horizontal portion 170 of each arm portion 144a and 144b is connected upward by portions 172a and 172b arranged parallel to the vertical stacking direction T, which, as will be understood below, the guidance described above with respect to FIG. Consists of members. The guide portions 172a and 172b themselves are continuous with the inclined portion 171a or 171b forming an acute angle C'with respect to the vertical direction T, and constitute the guide member described above in relation to FIG. In addition, the horizontal 170 of each arm 144a, 144b is continuous downward by the walls 174a, 174b, the bend 175 forming the portion 170, as described above with respect to FIG. It constitutes a centering member.

Generally, in order to lift the stackable unit 100, the stackable unit 100 is allowed to pass through a lifting means such as a fork of a lift trunk when it is placed on the ground, as shown in FIGS. 1a and 1b. Equipped with legs 150. In reality, each stackable unit 100 has four legs 150, symmetrically arranged on the two opposing surfaces of the stackable unit 100, and the same opposition of the frame 120 to which the two gripping means 140 are fixed. Each is fixed to the side.

More specifically, as shown in FIG. 3, each leg 150 comprises a metal support consisting of a piece of metal that is advantageously bent, and the metal support is seated so that it can be placed on the ground. It constitutes a wall 155, a first strut 151 and a second strut 152. The free ends of the first strut 151 and the second strut 152 are fixed to one side of the frame 120, for example by welding. The strut 152 forms an acute angle C from the seating surface 155 with respect to the stacking direction T. The sloping walls 154a and 154b constitute the centering sloping portion described above with respect to FIG. The sloping walls 154a and 154b continue from the vertical wall portions 156a, 156b (which constitute the guide member) and then to the abutment wall 160 (which constitutes the abutment means) arranged in a horizontal plane. From the contact surface 160, the guide wall first guide members 157a and 157b arranged parallel to the vertical stacking direction T continue upward, which constitutes the guide member described above with respect to FIG. Bending portions 158a and 158b are present at the intersection of the wall portions 156a and 156b having the wall 160, and thus constitute a centering member as described with respect to FIG.

Advantageously, during the stacking of the stackable unit 100, the two columns 151 and 152 are not parallel to each other in order to improve the mechanical strength of the legs 150. Further, the columns 151 and 152 of the legs 150 are integrally connected by a reinforcing column 153 whose ends are welded to the columns 151 and 152.

The operation of the stackable unit 100 when stacking on another stackable unit 100'will be described.

A first stackable unit 100'filled with cooked ham is prepared. The second stackable unit 100, also filled with ham, is also prepared for cooking and then stacked on top of the lower 100'stackable unit.

As the stacking operation progresses, the centering means operates as shown in FIG. 4a. As can be seen from the figure, the sloping wall 154a or 154b can each cooperate with the centering bend 175a or 175b, returning the stackable unit 100 to its proper position, where the lower stackable unit 100' Stick out to. Similarly, the sloping walls 171a and 171b cooperate with the bends 158a or 158b of the leg 150. In this way, the frame 120 of the stackable unit 100 can be arranged and centered in a straight line with respect to the frame 120'of the stackable unit 100'. Therefore, the risk of incorrect positioning of the stackable unit 100 on the lower stackable unit 100'is eliminated or significantly reduced.

When this centering is performed, the guiding means is activated as shown in FIG. 4b. As can be seen from the figure, the wall portions 157a and 157b of the leg portion 150 slide along the wall portions 172a and 172b of the gripping means 140, respectively. Similarly, the wall portions 156a and 156b of the leg portion 150 slide along the wall portions 174a and 174b of the gripping means 140. The guiding means therefore allows accurate movement in the vertical stacking direction T of the stackable unit 100 when the stackable unit 100'is stacked. Therefore, the pressurizing means 132 of the stackable unit 100 is guided without being caught by the edge of the cell 130 when moving to the corresponding cell 130 of the stackable unit 100'.

At the final stage of guidance, as shown in FIG. 4c, the abutting portion 160 of the stackable unit 100 rests on the support means 170 of the lower stackable unit 100'. At this position, the pressurizing means 132 pressurizes the ham contained in the stackable unit 100'.

The distance d that separates the plane through the abutting surface defined by the abutting means 160 from the plane passing through the maintenance surface defined by the supporting means 170 is the height of the food when the latter is pressurized. Height h including the thickness of the metal sheet that constitutes the bottom of cell 130_jAnd cover 132 height h₁₃₂Equal to the addition of and, as shown in Figure 4c, the height h of the cover 132₁₃₂Indicates the distance that separates the working surface from the bottom of the corresponding cell 130.

To provide accurate positioning of the stackable unit 100 on the other stackable unit 100', the stackable units 100 and 100' are advantageously centered during stacking and the walls 122a and 122b. Guided to each other in a plane parallel to (see FIGS. 1a and 1b) or in a plane perpendicular to these walls 122a and 122b. The present invention provides such centering and guiding means, which will be described in connection with FIG.

FIG. 5 shows a view from another angle. This is the stackable unit 100 when it is stacked on the other stackable unit 100'in the lower row.

The centering means, on the one hand, is an inclined wall 146 implemented on the surface of the grip 140 toward the frame 120 of the arms 144a and 144b, respectively, and on the other hand, the inclination provided on the surface of the leg 150 toward the frame 120. It consists of a wall 159. The walls 146 and 159 are adapted to cooperate with the lower end of the side of the frame of the higher stackable unit and the upper end of the side of the frame 120'of the lower stackable unit 100', respectively.

One of the guiding means is composed of the back surface 148 of the arms 144a and 144b of each gripping means 140, and the other is composed of the back surface of each leg portion 150. The back 148 and 162 are designed to cooperate with the side of the frame of the high stackable unit and the side of the frame 120 of the lower stackable unit 100'. , Make it possible to guide the stackable unit 100 when it is stacked on the lower stackable unit 100'. The backs 148 and 162 are also offset from the sides of the frame 120 and welded to the frame to guide the play required for guidance, with arms 144a and 144b and struts 151 and 152 capable of stacking other upper or lower tiers. Prevents the unit from getting caught in the fixed welds of the arms 144a and 144b and the columns 151 and 152.

Prior to welding, the arms 144a and 144b and the struts 151 and 152 are centered studs to allow accurate relative positioning of the gripping means 140 and leg 150 on the stackable unit 100, as shown in FIG. It has 240 and 250 respectively. The centering studs 240 and 250 are arranged corresponding to the corresponding positioning holes 242 and 252 provided on the side of the frame 120. These centering studs 240 and 250 are advantageously provided by a leather cutting method within the metal pieces that make up the legs 150 and the gripping means 140.

FIG. 6 shows a modified embodiment of the stackable unit 100, which does not have a gripping means as in the previous embodiment. In this embodiment, the support means 170 is realized by the generator of the pin 180. This generator receives the wall 160 of the legs 150 of the high-level stackable unit. The pin 180'of the stackable unit 100'(not shown) on which the wall 160 is mounted is shown by the dotted line. As described above, according to the present invention, the support means is configured together with the wall portion 160. Similarly, a generator 172 of pin 180 is provided for sliding along the walls 156a, 156b of leg 150 (scheduled as pin 180'' with a dotted line). It then constitutes a guiding means according to the present invention. This same pin 180 also slides along the wall 154 of the leg 150, outlined by the dotted pin 180'''. Therefore, it also constitutes a centering means according to the present invention.

7a and 7b show other embodiments of stackable units according to the present invention (here, two stackable units 100 and 100'in the process of stacking in FIGS. 7a and 7b). Each stackable unit has a U-shaped leg 150 with slightly trimmed corners. They particularly include a guide member 157. These legs 150 have an advantageously symmetrical shape, with the right foot suitable for the left foot and vice versa.

Each stackable unit also comprises a gripping means 140, which comprises a sloping wall 171 and constitutes a means for centering the stackable units for lateral positioning with respect to other stackable units during stacking. ..

The gripping means 140 includes a guide member 172 and, as shown in FIG. 7a, cooperates with the guide member 157 so as to slide with respect to each other when the stackable unit 100 is guided when stacking on the stackable unit 100'. It has become. Each pressurizing means 132 can enter its individual cell 130 without contact.

Each leg 150 comprises a seating wall 155 and, as is understood, constitutes a contact means 160 in the sense of the previous embodiment (meaning the previous two embodiments).

Inside each leg 150, a pillar 180 that is substantially parallel in the stacking direction is provided, the lower end of which is fixed to the seating wall 155, and the upper end 181 of which is the previous embodiment (previous 2). Support means 170 is configured in the sense of (meaning one embodiment).

As shown in FIG. 7b, the lower surface of the seating wall 155 of the stackable unit 100 is placed on the upper end 181 of the column 180. Therefore, they clearly constitute contacting means and supporting means, respectively.

The effects brought about by this embodiment are shown below. The double bending, which is a feature of the leg 150 and the gripping means 140 of the embodiment described above, makes it difficult to implement when pursuing the accuracy of positioning the stackable unit with respect to the one located below. , May bring, and the accuracy would be, for example, on the order of 1/10 of a millimeter. However, this embodiment does not have these double bends. Further, positioning accuracy is provided by the fact that the column 180 is relatively easy to carry out, especially on the order of 1/10 mm in height. It is this height that determines the position between the two stackable units, i.e. the distance that separates the two stackable units stacked on top of one of the metal sheets that make up the seating wall 155. According to an advantageous embodiment of the column 180, which is equal to the height of the column 180 added to the thickness, the latter has a cross section that has the effect of increasing inertia and resistance to bending. Further, the end portion mounted on the seating wall 155 is provided with a taper so that the lower end portion can be easily cleaned.

In the modified example of the pillar portion 180 shown in the insertion diagram of FIG. 7aa, a U-shaped portion is provided for the same reason as described above. Similarly, the lower ends of the U blades are tapered.

As shown in the attached FIG. 7a, the leg 150 is provided with a centering stud 240 that enters the positioning hole 242, and the size of the positioning hole is determined so that a relatively large amount of play can be made in parallel with the stacking direction. Explaining the pillar 180, it includes a centering stud 182 that enters the positioning hole 183 without play. The column 180 therefore accurately positions the seating wall 155 with respect to the frame of the stackable unit as a result.

Each leg 150 arranged on the frame 120 does not block any end of the pressurizing means 132, which can make cleaning with a high pressure washer difficult, for example, the first strut 151 of the leg 150. The distance between and the second strut 152 is greater than the width of the compression means 132 (see FIGS. 3 and 6).

For the same reason, the arms 144a and 144b of the grip 140 are attached, for example, by welding to the ends of the frame 120, similar to the stanchions 151 and 152 of the legs 150.

The stackable unit 100 is provided on the side of the frame 120, in this case a hole 126 provided through the horizontal plate 122 (see in particular FIG. 3), in the cell 130 to measure the cooking temperature inside the ham J. It is designed to allow the sensor to pass through.

Note the presence of outwardly formed protrusions 128 on the sides of the frame 120 of the stackable unit 100. This protrusion 128 allows storage of the sealed end of some cooking bag P1.

Further, and to meet consumer demand, different sized hams to be cooked in different types of stackable units having cells 130 with different shapes and dimensions from one stackable unit type. It is advantageous to provide.

Thus, the stackable unit 100 shown in FIG. 1a is of the first type, where each cell 130 has a rounded bottom and each pressurizing means 132 also has a rounded contact surface. Each cell 130 of the stackable unit 100 has a very high edge 134, which forces the guidance of the long pressurizing means 132. On the other hand, the stackable unit 100 shown in FIG. 1b is a second type, the cell 130 has a prism portion, and each pressurizing means 132 has a flat contact surface.

The stackable units of the present invention essentially include standard members common to different types of stackable units.

It is cheaper to manufacture than known stackable units.

Also, accurate pressurization of the ham can be obtained during cooking.

<figref num="1a">It is a perspective view of the stackable unit of the 1st type according to this invention.</figref><figref num="1b">It is a perspective view of the stackable unit of the 2nd type according to this invention.</figref><figref num="2">It is a schematic front view of a stackable unit in the process of being stacked on another stackable unit in the lower row.</figref><figref num="3">It is a front view of a stackable unit according to the present invention, and the left part is a partial cross-sectional view of a cell level.</figref><figref num="4a">It is a front view of the stackable unit at the centering stage of the lower stackable unit according to the present invention.</figref><figref num="4b">It is a front view of the stackable unit at the beginning of the stage of being guided onto the lower stackable unit according to the present invention.</figref><figref num="4c">It is a front view of the stackable unit at the contact position of the lower stackable unit according to the present invention.</figref><figref num="5">It is a partial side view of the stackable unit in the process of being stacked on the other stackable unit in the lower stage according to the present invention.</figref><figref num="6">It is a partial front view of the stackable unit equipped in the modified embodiment of a guide means.</figref><figref num="7a">FIG. 6 is a partial front view of a stackable unit at the beginning of the guidance phase according to another embodiment of the present invention.</figref><figref num="7b">It is a partial front view of the same stackable unit at the contact position.</figref>

Code description

100,100'Stackable unit 130 Cell 132 Compression means 140 Gripping means 150 Legs 160,170 Supporting means 154a, 154b, 171a, 171b, 146; 159 Centering means 157a, 157b; 172a, 172b; 148,162 Guidance means 156a, 156b; 157a, 157b Wall 172a, 172b; 174a, 174b Guide member 180 pins