COOKING MODULE FOR A LINEAR TUNNEL OVEN FOR BAKERY PRODUCTS, PASTRIES AND THE LIKE, AND LINEAR TUNNEL OVEN COMPRISING AT LEAST ONE SUCH MODULE

Abstract

The cooking module for a linear tunnel oven for bakery products includes a cooking chamber having a hearth, in the form of a conveyor belt, that is mobile and permeable to a gaseous heat-transfer fluid, a roof, and a heating device in the hearth and on the roof to cook the products. The heating device in the hearth includes a plurality of orifices for blowing the fluid. The belt is mobile above a sliding surface having openings for the fluid to pass through, and is mobile between two positions, a convection position where the openings coincide with the orifices to let the fluid pass through, and a second position known as a radiation position, where openings are offset from these orifices, the surface forming a screen for the fluid blown through the orifices.

Claims

1. A cooking module for a linear tunnel oven for bakery products, comprising: a cooking chamber comprising a hearth, in the form of a movable conveyor belt permeable to a gaseous heat-transfer fluid, a roof and heating means in the hearth and on the roof for cooking or pre-cooking said products resting on the conveyor belt either directly or through a suitable cooking support, wherein the heating means in the hearth comprises a plurality of orifices for blowing the gaseous heat-transfer fluid under said conveyor belt, wherein said conveyor belt is movable above a sliding surface comprising openings for the passing through of said heat-transfer fluid, this sliding surface being movable between at least two positions, of which a so-called convection position, in which said openings of the sliding surface coincide with the blowing orifices of the heating means in the hearth so as to let the heat-transfer fluid pass through, and at least a second so-called radiation position, in which said openings are offset from these blowing orifices, the sliding surface forming a screen for the heat-transfer fluid blown through the blowing orifices.

2. The cooking module, according to claim 1, wherein the heating means in the hearth comprises transverse rows of blowing orifices and said sliding surface is comprised of a metal plate comprising openings arranged in transverse rows spaced apart according to a spacing pitch corresponding to that of the transverse rows of the blowing orifices.

3. The cooking module, according to claim 1, wherein the heating means in the hearth comprise rows of blowing orifices, wherein the orifices of adjacent rows are arranged in a staggered way, while said sliding surface is comprised of a metal sheet being comprised of openings having an arrangement identical to that of the blowing orifices.

4. The cooking module, according to claim 1, wherein the heating means in the hearth comprises blowing orifices arranged in transverse or longitudinal rows, the sliding surface comprising transverse or longitudinal sliding blades, between said blades extending slots corresponding to the rows of blowing orifices so as to be located in front of the latter in the so-called convection position, or offset with respect to these orifices in the so-called radiation position, in which said blades form a screen for the passing through of heat-transfer fluid.

5. The cooking module, according to claim 4, wherein the heating means in the hearth comprises transverse or longitudinal rows of blowing orifices spaced apart according to a pitch corresponding to the spacing of the sliding blades.

6. The cooking module, according to claim 4, wherein said sliding surface is movably mounted by means of driving means, such as a mechanism on pusher, capable of providing the sliding surface with a stroke corresponding substantially to half the distance between two sliding blades.

7. The cooking module, according to claim 4, wherein the hearth comprises means for stiffening the sliding blades, said stiffening means being comprised of at least one rib connecting in the longitudinal or transverse direction and pairwise, said sliding blades.

8. The cooking module, according to claim 7, further comprising: several ribs distributed transversely or longitudinally, as the case may be, and connecting said slide blades (80).

9. The cooking module, according to claim 1, wherein said heating means in the hearth consists of a convection plenum.

10. The cooking module, according to claim 1, further comprising: means for sucking the gaseous heat-transfer fluid in the hearth, comprising suction openings located on at least one of the lateral sides of said hearth and under the latter.

11. The cooking module, according to claim 10, wherein said suction openings communicate through suitable sleeves with a centralized suction circuit, which suction openings in the cooking chamber are also connected to, said suction means comprising in addition suction management means under and/or above of the level of the hearth.

12. A linear tunnel oven for cooking, comprising: at least one cooking module according to claim 1.

13. A linear tunnel oven for cooking, comprising a plurality of juxtaposed cooking modules, according to claim 1.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

[0083] FIG. 1 is a schematic, longitudinal cross-sectional view of a particular embodiment of the cooking module according to the invention, in the so-called convection position, where the openings of the sliding surface coincide with the blowing orifices. There is a sole heating means in the hearth, so as to let the flow of heat-transfer gas pass through the conveyor belt.

[0084] FIG. 2 is a schematic view similar to FIG. 1, with the difference that the sliding surface is in the so-called radiation position, the openings provided for on the sliding surface being offset with respect to the blowing orifices of the heating means in the hearth, the flow of heat-transfer gas abutting against the lower face of the sliding surface.

[0085] FIG. 3 is a schematic view, seen from above, of a particular embodiment of the present invention, in the so-called radiation position, the blowing orifices of the heating means in the hearth being offset with respect to the openings of the sliding surface, the latter being represented in broken lines.

[0086] FIG. 4 is a schematic view similar to FIG. 3, corresponding to a further embodiment, in the so-called radiation position.

[0087] FIG. 5 is a schematic, longitudinal cross-sectional view of a particular embodiment of the cooking module according to the invention when the sliding surface of the conveyor belt includes a plurality of transverse sliding blades, the latter being positioned directly above the blowing orifices of the heating means in the hearth in the so-called radiation position.

[0088] FIG. 6 is a schematic view similar to FIG. 5, except that the blades of the sliding path are offset with respect to the blowing orifices of the heating means, so as to permit the flow of heat-transfer gas to pass through the conveyor belt.

[0089] FIG. 7 is a schematic, cross-sectional view of a particular embodiment of the cooking module according to the invention when the sliding surface of the conveyor belt includes a plurality of longitudinal sliding blades, the latter being positioned directly above the blowing orifices of the heating means in the hearth, in the so-called radiation position, the heat-transfer gas flow abutting against the lower face of said blades and being sucked through suction means located under the belt.

[0090] FIG. 8 is a schematic, cross-sectional view similar to FIG. 7, except that the longitudinal blades of the sliding path are in the convective position, offset with respect to the blowing orifices of the heating means, and that the flow of heat-transfer gas is sucked through suction means located above the belt.

[0091] FIGS. 9A and 9B are schematic perspective views of a detail of a cooking module of the invention, namely the sliding path of the conveyor belt, as well as, for FIG. 9B, a mechanism on a pusher outside the cooking chamber and capable of driving the sliding path, and namely the blades thereof, in motion.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0092] As shown in the figures of the attached drawings, the present invention relates to a cooking module 1 for bakery products 2, pastries or the like, for a linear tunnel oven.

[0093] As schematically shown namely in FIGS. 1 and 2, this cooking module 1 includes at least one cooking chamber 3 comprising a hearth and a roof 5.

[0094] In particular, this hearth can be in the form of a conveyor belt 4 designed openwork in order to permit, through the latter, a convection heating of the products 2 to be cooked.

[0095] On the conveyor belt 4 rest the products 2 to be cooked or pre-cooked, either directly or indirectly, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, for example by means of suitable cooking supports 6, such as cooking plates, nets, molds or the like.

[0096] Within the framework of the present invention, the conveyor belt 4 is movable and passes through the cooking chamber 3 from an inlet to an outlet while describing a looped circuit, and the module 1 is a cooking module described as continuous, the direction of movement of the belt being symbolized by an arrow.

[0097] The hearth and the roof 5 comprise heating means 40, 50, respectively.

[0098] As regards the heating means 40 in the hearth, they can consist, for example, of a convection heating plenum 42 including a plurality of gaseous heat-transfer fluid blowing orifices 41, or blowing slots.

[0099] More specifically, said gaseous heat-transfer fluid is heated through a suitable heating circuit, not shown in the attached figures, before being discharged under the plenum 42 including blowing orifices or slots 41, which are preferably arranged in transverse rows, as shown for example in FIG. 9A.

[0100] At the level of said roof 5, the aim of said heating means will be to ensure a cooking of the products 2 by radiation, as shown in FIGS. 1, 2, 5 and 6, or also by convection, through a plurality of blowing orifices 51 in the roof, which are shown in the attached FIG. 9A.

[0101] With regard to the cooking of the products 2 at the level of the hearth of the module 1 of the invention, this can advantageously be performed, at the choice of the manufacturer and depending on the products 2 to be cooked, essentially by radiation and conduction, this cooking method being more particularly shown in FIGS. 2, 5 and 7, or according to a main mode of convection heating in the hearth, as shown in FIGS. 1, 6 and 8.

[0102] In this context, and most preferably, said hearth, defined for example by a conveyor belt 4, rests on a sliding surface 7, for example in the form of a metal sheet 8, which comprises openings 9 for the passing-through of the heat-transfer fluid.

[0103] Said sliding surface 7 is movable between at least two positions: [0104] a first so-called convective position: in this position, the openings 9 of the sliding surface 7 coincide with the blowing orifices 41, as shown in FIG. 1. Here, the heat-transfer fluid can pass through the conveyor belt 4; [0105] a second so-called radiation position, shown in FIG. 2: there is a shift between the openings 9 of the sliding surface 7 and the blowing orifices 41 and said surface 7 forms a screen for the heat-transfer fluid.

[0106] Intermediate positions can also be adopted by the sliding surface 7.

[0107] As can be seen in FIG. 3, the heating means 40 in the hearth may include transverse rows of blowing orifices 41, namely perpendicular to the direction of movement of the conveyor belt 4, these orifices 41 being shown in broken lines, while the sliding surface 7 comprises openings 9, also arranged in transverse rows, the latter being spaced apart according to a spacing pitch corresponding to that of the transverse rows of the blowing orifices 41.

[0108] The embodiment of FIG. 4, which is even more advantageous, permits a particularly uniform blowing of the belt 4, the blowing orifices 41, as well as the openings 9 in the metal sheet 8, being arranged in a staggered way.

[0109] In another embodiment, shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the sliding surface 7 may advantageously include a plurality of sliding blades 80 preferably spaced apart equidistantly over substantially the entire length of the module. 1, and extending substantially transversely, for example, in the direction of movement of said belt 4, as shown in these figures.

[0110] It is thus understood, and also through these figures, that two successive sliding blades 80 are separated from each other by a longitudinal slot 90.

[0111] For the continuation of the description, the spacing E between two successive sliding blades 80, which corresponds to the distance separating the median plane of said two sliding blades 80 and the spacing e between two successive sliding blades 80, which corresponds to the distance separating said sliding blades 80 are defined.

[0112] Said sliding blades 80 are preferably made integral with each other through one and/or the other of their side ends, for example by means of iron angles 11, shown in FIG. 9B, or the like.

[0113] In a way particular to the cooking module 1 of the invention, said sliding surface 7 is movable above the heating means 40 in the hearth, for example a convection plenum 42.

[0114] Yet more particularly, the sliding surface 7 is likely to adopt at least a first position, in which the sliding blades 80 of said surface 7 form completely or partially a screen for the blowing orifices 41 and at least a second position, offset from said first position, in which the heat-transfer fluid flow, propelled through the orifices 41, can pass through the hearth consisting of a conveyor belt 4.

[0115] In a very particularly advantageous exemplary embodiment, the sliding surface 7 of the module 1 of the invention is movable between a first position, in which said sliding blades 80 are located directly above said blowing orifices 41 and a second position, offset with respect to said first position, in which the sliding blades 80 are withdrawn in order to let the flow of heat-transfer gas pass through the conveyor belt 4.

[0116] The first position, in which the sliding blades 80 advantageously completely form a shield for the flow of heat-transfer gas blown through the orifices 41 from the heating means 40 in the hearth, is schematically shown in the attached FIG. 5.

[0117] In this configuration, the sliding blades 80 are placed in the path of the flow of hot heat-transfer gas preferably arriving from the convection plenum 42, said flow abutting against the lower face 81 of the sliding blades 80 and on the upper face 82 of these same blades 80 rests the hearth defined by a conveyor belt 4.

[0118] The so heated sliding blades 80 form a metal radiation sheet ensuring a heating of the conveyor belt 4 itself, the latter permitting, through a raise in its temperature, a cooking of the products 2 essentially by radiation and conduction.

[0119] Thus, in this first position, a passing of heat-transfer gas directly through the conveyor belt 4 is avoided.

[0120] As shown in the attached FIGS. 5 and 6, the sliding blades 80 advantageously have an inverted U-shaped, or an inverted gutter-shaped profile, whereby said legs of the U may be substantially flared at their end opposite the flat portion forming the sliding surface 7 of the conveyor belt 4, such a profile permitting to bring down and guide the flow of heat-transfer gas.

[0121] In addition, after reaching the lower face 81 of the sliding blades 80, the heat-transfer fluid, having transmitted its heat to said blades 80, and which is then in the gap between said blades 80 and the heating means 40 in the hearth, can easily be sucked through suction means 12, schematically shown in the embodiment of FIGS. 7 and 8, where the sliding blades 80 consist of longitudinal blades.

[0122] In these FIGS. 7 and 8, identical reference numbers are used for designating elements of the module 1 that are identical or correspond to those found in the other figures.

[0123] Thus, according to one embodiment of the invention, the cooking module 1 comprises means for sucking the heat-transfer fluid in the hearth 4.

[0124] These suction means 12 include suction openings 13a being located on at least one of the lateral sides of the hearth, under the latter, preferably on each of the lateral sides, said suction openings 13a being advantageously distributed over the entire length of said hearth.

[0125] According to a preferred embodiment, these suction openings 13a communicate, through suitable sleeves 14, with a centralized suction circuit, which suction openings 13b in the cooking chamber 3, above the level of the hearth, are also connected to, as also visible in FIGS. 7 and 8.

[0126] Advantageously, these suction means 12 include suction management means 15a, 15b, as the case may be, under and/or above the level of the hearth, depending on the cooking mode that is desired by the user.

[0127] Thus, for example, advantageously, when the user wishes to cook his products by conduction and/or radiation, the flow blown in the hearth can be re-sucked into the hearth, under the latter, as shown more particularly in FIG. 7.

[0128] When a convection in said chamber 3 is desired, it is conceivable to have a blowing in the hearth, for example, and a suction in the cooking chamber 3 as shown more particularly in FIG. 8.

[0129] Returning now to the shape of the sliding blades 80 of the sliding path 7, it has already been specified above that they may have an inverted U-shaped or an inverted gutter-shaped profile. In addition, said blades 80, which are preferably metal sheets, advantageously have a relatively small thickness, so as to prevent them from having a too high thermal inertia.

[0130] However, in order to guarantee a stiffening of the assembly and to avoid a deformation due to heating or supporting the conveyor belt 4, the module 1 may include means for stiffening said sliding blades 80, for example in the form of one or more ribs 83 connecting said blades 80 in the longitudinal direction and pairwise.

[0131] In the embodiment shown in FIG. 9A, the module 1 includes a single rib 83 between two successive sliding blades 80 connecting said two blades 80 substantially at their centers.

[0132] Thus, namely because of the low thermal inertia of the sliding blades 80, it can be considered to quickly switch from a heating mode essentially by radiation and conduction to a heating mode by convection.

[0133] In this respect, if the cooking module 1 of the invention has to be used in cooking mode by convection, depending on the products 2 that must be cooked, the sliding surface 7 is moved, from the first so-called radiation position shown in FIGS. 5 and 7, to a second so-called convection position, in which the sliding blades 80 are offset from the orifices 41 for blowing the gaseous heat-transfer fluid.

[0134] This second position of the sliding surface 7 comprising sliding blades 80 is schematically shown in the attached FIGS. 6 and 8.

[0135] Thus, it is understood that, in this position, the slots 90 of the sliding surface 7 are now in front of the blowing orifices 41.

[0136] The flow of gaseous heat-transfer fluid propelled through the blowing orifices 41 then passes through the permeable conveyor belt 4, for example through openings.

[0137] In this position, the products 2 to be cooked are subjected to convection heating in the hearth.

[0138] The blowing orifices 41, through which the flow of gaseous heat-transfer fluid is propelled, permitting cooking of the products 2 essentially by radiation or by convection, are preferably arranged in transverse rows at the level of the heating means 40 in the hearth, as already mentioned above.

[0139] Advantageously, said transverse rows of blasting orifices 41 are spaced apart according to a pitch corresponding substantially to the spacing pitch E of the sliding blades 80 of the sliding path 7, which corresponds to the distance separating the median plane from two successive blades 80.

[0140] Thus, when applying to the sliding path 7, through suitable driving means, a stroke corresponding substantially to half the spacing pitch E between two successive sliding blades 80, said sliding path 7 passes from a position, in which the median plane of the blades 80 is located above the center of the blowing orifices 41, to the position, in which the median plane of the slots 90 projects over said orifices 41.

[0141] In general, said driving means permit to apply to the sliding surface 7 a path adapted to permit, for example, said surface 7 to pass from the so-called convection position to the so-called radiation position, or vice versa.

[0142] These driving means may adopt various embodiments within reach of those skilled in the art.

[0143] Thus, they can be in the form of a mechanism 10 on a pusher, implementing a jack acting directly or indirectly on said sliding blades 80, in particular at the height of their lateral ends, at the level of which these blades 80 are made integral.

[0144] The embodiment, in which such a mechanism 10 drives the sliding surface between the two positions, is shown in FIG. 9B.

[0145] Said mechanism 10 is preferably positioned outside the cooking chamber 3, so that the user has the possibility of being able to switch from one cooking mode to another, even when the products 2 are in progress of being cooked in the module 1.

[0146] Of course, other driving mechanisms can be contemplated for ensuring the function of moving these sliding blades 80, and more generally the sliding surface 7, for example a chain driving mechanisms or the like.

[0147] In addition, as regards the sliding blades 80 of the sliding path 7, they have been described as being transverse blades 80. However, those skilled in the art will easily adapt the present module to longitudinal sliding blades, this embodiment having been shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the heating means in the hearth comprising, in this case, for example longitudinal rows of blowing orifices 41.

[0148] The cooking module 1 of the invention thus permits, in a particularly advantageous manner, to favor, depending on the type of products 2 to be cooked, either convective heating in the hearth or heating essentially by radiation and conduction, or even to combine both.

[0149] In brief, such a cooking module 1 according to the invention provides flexible cooking conditions according to the products to be cooked, which is particularly interesting for the manufacturers of the bakery sector or the like.

[0150] Finally, the invention also relates to a linear cooking tunnel oven including at least one cooking module as described above.

[0151] Said linear tunnel oven advantageously comprises several of these modules juxtaposed to each other, which permits, within each of said modules, different cooking settings, for example different exposures to the flow of heat-transfer gas during the cooking phase of the products.

[0152] Obviously, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments that are described here, the persons skilled in the art can make any modifications adapted to the desired function, for example as regards the arrangement of the openings of the sliding surface or that of the blowing orifices of the heating means in the hearth, etc.