Yeast-cream-dosing device and method

Abstract

The invention relates to a yeast cream-dosing device and method. According to the invention, the yeast cream is disposed in an interchangeable transport container (20) which is located inside a refrigerating compartment (10), the aforementioned container being connected to an extraction opening (27) by means of an outlet conduit (26) which can be opened and closed by an opening/closing mechanism (30).

Claims

1. A device for dosing of stable bakers' yeast cream in a bakery, said device comprising: a piece of furniture provided with a refrigerated compartment having an internal temperature regulated at between 2 C. and 12 C.; an indicator showing the temperature inside said refrigerated compartment; an alarm alerting when the temperature inside the refrigerated compartment does not correspond to a determined temperature range; an interchangeable transport reservoir located in the refrigerated compartment and containing stable yeast cream, said reservoir having a total internal volume of between 1 and 100 liters, and an outlet opening for the yeast cream; an outlet conduit for dosing of the yeast cream, said conduit connecting the outlet opening of the interchangeable transport reservoir to a dispensing opening outside the refrigerated chamber; and an opening/closing mechanism for the outlet conduit, enabling the opening of the outlet conduit for the dispensing of the yeast cream and enabling the closure of the outlet conduit in order to stop the dispensing of the yeast cream, said device permitting the dispensing of a dosed quantity of yeast cream from the interchangeable transport reservoir via the dispensing opening, and said device being devoid of any agitator for mixing the content of the transport reservoir wherein said interchangeable transport reservoir is a collapsible bag that permits the dispensing of a dosed quantity of yeast cream via the dispensing opening by activation of the opening/closing mechanism without entry of gas from outside the collapsible bag into the collapsible bag.

2. The device according to claim 1, wherein said collapsible bag is surrounded by one or more outer packagings.

3. The device according to claim 2, wherein said collapsible bag is surrounded by one or more outer packagings selected from protective outer packagings made of a flexible material, a wire basket or a self-supporting casing.

4. The device according to claim 1, wherein said outlet conduit is a tube with open ends.

5. The device according to claim 1, wherein said outlet conduit comprises a flexible part and said opening/closing mechanism enables the closing of said outlet conduit by pinching said flexible part and the opening of the outlet conduit by releasing said flexible part.

6. The device according to claim 1, further comprising a weighing apparatus provided with a support surface for a receptacle, said weighing apparatus enabling the weighing of the quantity of the yeast cream introduced into the receptacle via said dispensing opening during dispensing of the yeast cream.

7. The device according to claim 1, further comprising a control station activating the opening and closure of said outlet conduit by said opening/closing mechanism.

8. The device according to claim 7, wherein said control station activates the closure of said outlet conduit once a desired quantity of the yeast cream is present in a receptacle.

9. The device according to claim 1, wherein said piece of furniture comprises at least two refrigerated compartments which contain an interchangeable transport reservoir containing stable yeast cream and having a total internal-volume of between 1 and 100 liters and an outlet opening for the yeast cream.

10. The device according claim 9, wherein it comprises for each of said interchangeable transport reservoirs: an outlet conduit for dosing of the yeast cream, said conduit connecting the outlet opening of the interchangeable transport reservoir to a dispensing opening outside the refrigerated chamber; and an opening/closing mechanism for said outlet conduit, enabling the opening of said outlet conduit for the dispensing of the yeast cream and enabling the closure of said outlet conduit so as to stop the dispensing of the yeast cream from said interchangeable transport reservoir.

11. The device according to claim 1, wherein said piece of furniture comprises a refrigerated compartment which contains at least two interchangeable transport reservoirs containing stable yeast cream and having a total internal volume of between 1 and 100 liters and an outlet opening for the yeast cream.

12. The device according claim 11, wherein it comprises for each of said interchangeable transport reservoirs: an outlet conduit for dosing of the yeast cream, said conduit connecting the outlet opening of the interchangeable transport reservoir to a dispensing opening outside the refrigerated chamber; and an opening/closing mechanism for said outlet conduit, enabling the opening of said outlet conduit for the dispensing of the yeast cream, and enabling the closure of said outlet conduit so as to stop the dispensing of the yeast cream from said interchangeable transport reservoir.

13. The device according to claim 1, wherein the stable yeast cream has a dry matter content of between 12 and 25 % by mass.

14. The device according to claim 1, wherein the stable yeast cream is a stabilized yeast cream.

15. The device according to claim 1, wherein the yeast cream comprises one or more ingredients, additives or technological auxiliaries having a role of bread improver and/or a role of maintaining homogeneity.

16. Installation for dosing stable yeast cream in a bakery, comprising at least two devices according to claim 1.

17. The device according to claim 1, wherein the stable yeast cream has a dry matter content of at least 12% by mass.

18. The device according to claim 1, wherein the collapsible bag is a polyethylene bag having a wall thickness comprised between 10 and 200 m.

19. The device according to claim 18, wherein the collapsible bag has a wall thickness comprised between 25 and 50 m.

20. The device according to claim 1, wherein said collapsible bag is provided with a reinforcing layer or pouch.

21. A method of dosing of bakers' yeast cream in a bakery containing a device comprising: a piece of furniture having a refrigerated compartment having an internal temperature regulated at between 2 C. and 12 C.; an indicator showing the temperature inside said refrigerated compartment; an alarm alerting when the temperature inside the refrigerated compartment does not correspond to a determined temperature range; an interchangeable transport reservoir located in the refrigerated compartment and containing stable yeast cream, said reservoir having a total internal volume of between 1 and 100 liters and an outlet opening for the yeast cream; an outlet conduit, said conduit connecting the outlet opening of the interchangeable transport reservoir to a dispensing opening outside the refrigerated chamber; and an opening/closing mechanism enabling the opening and closing of the outlet conduit, said device being devoid of any stirrer for mixing the content of the transport reservoir, said interchangeable transport reservoir being a collapsible bag, the method including dispensing a dosed quantity of yeast cream from the interchangeable transport reservoir via the dispensing opening and the outlet conduit by: opening the outlet conduit by means of the opening/closing mechanism for the dispensing of the yeast cream; and closing the outlet conduit by means of the opening closing mechanism in order to stop the dispensing of the yeast cream, wherein the collapsible bag permits the dispensing of a dosed quantity of yeast cream via the dispensing opening by activation of the opening/closing mechanism without entry of gas from outside the collapsible bag into the collapsible bag.

22. A device for dosing of stable bakers' yeast cream in a bakery, said device comprising: a piece of furniture provided with a refrigerated compartment having an internal temperature regulated at between 2 C. and 12 C.; an interchangeable transport reservoir located in the refrigerated compartment and containing stable yeast cream, said reservoir having a total internal volume of between 1 and 100 liters, and an outlet opening for the yeast cream; an outlet conduit for dosing of the yeast cream, said conduit connecting the outlet opening of the interchangeable transport reservoir to a dispensing opening outside the refrigerated chamber; and an opening/closing mechanism for the outlet conduit, enabling the opening of the outlet conduit for the dispensing of the yeast cream and enabling the closure of the outlet conduit in order to stop the dispensing of the yeast cream, said device permitting the dispensing of a dosed quantity of yeast cream from the interchangeable transport reservoir via the dispensing opening.

23. A device for dosing of stable bakers' yeast cream in a bakery, said device comprising: a piece of furniture provided with a refrigerated compartment having an internal temperature regulated at between 2 C. and 12 C.; an interchangeable transport reservoir located in the refrigerated compartment and containing stable yeast cream, said reservoir having a total internal volume of between 1 and 100 liters, and an outlet opening for the yeast cream; an outlet conduit for dosing of the yeast cream, said conduit connecting the outlet opening of the interchangeable transport reservoir to a dispensing opening outside the refrigerated chamber; and an opening/closing mechanism for the outlet conduit, enabling the opening of the outlet conduit for the dispensing of the yeast cream and enabling the closure of the outlet conduit in order to stop the dispensing of the yeast cream, said device permitting the dispensing of a dosed quantity of yeast cream from the interchangeable transport reservoir via the dispensing opening, wherein said interchangeable transport reservoir is a collapsible bag that permits the dispensing of a dosed quantity of yeast cream via the dispensing opening by activation of the opening/closing mechanism without entry of gas from outside the collapsible bag into the collapsible bag.

24. The device of claim 23, wherein said outlet opening of said collapsible bag is located at the bottom of said refrigerated compartment.

25. The device of claim 24, wherein a ring made of rigid plastic material surrounds said outlet opening.

26. A device for dosing of stable bakers' yeast cream in a bakery, said device comprising: a piece of furniture provided with a refrigerated compartment having an internal temperature regulated at between 2 C. and 12 C.; an indicator showing the temperature inside said refrigerated compartment; an alarm alerting when the temperature inside the refrigerated compartment does not correspond to a determined temperature range; an interchangeable transport reservoir located in the refrigerated compartment and containing stable yeast cream, said reservoir having a total internal volume of between 1 and 100 liters, and an outlet opening for the yeast cream; an outlet conduit for dosing of the yeast cream, said conduit connecting the outlet opening of the interchangeable transport reservoir to a dispensing opening outside the refrigerated chamber; and an opening/closing mechanism for the outlet conduit, enabling the opening of the outlet conduit for the dispensing of the yeast cream and enabling the closure of the outlet conduit in order to stop the dispensing of the yeast cream, said device permitting the dispensing of a dosed quantity of yeast cream from the interchangeable transport reservoir via the dispensing opening, wherein said interchangeable transport reservoir is a collapsible bag that permits the dispensing of a dosed quantity of yeast cream via the dispensing opening by activation of the opening/closing mechanism without entry of gas from outside the collapsible bag into the collapsible bag.

27. A method of dosing, in a bakery, stable bakers' yeast cream contained in a device for dosing of stable bakers' yeast cream in a bakery, said device comprising: a piece of furniture provided with a refrigerated compartment having an internal temperature regulated at between 2 C. and 12 C.; an indicator showing the temperature inside said refrigerated compartment; an alarm alerting when the temperature inside the refrigerated compartment does not correspond to a determined temperature range; an interchangeable transport reservoir located in the refrigerated compartment and containing stable yeast cream, said reservoir having a total internal volume of between 1 and 100 liters, and an outlet opening for the yeast cream; an outlet conduit for dosing of the yeast cream, said conduit connecting the outlet opening of the interchangeable transport reservoir to a dispensing opening outside the refrigerated chamber; and an opening/closing mechanism for the outlet conduit, enabling the opening of the outlet conduit for the dispensing of the yeast cream and enabling the closure of the outlet conduit in order to stop the dispensing of the yeast cream, said device permitting the dispensing of a dosed quantity of yeast cream from the interchangeable transport reservoir via the dispensing opening, and said device being devoid of any agitator for mixing the content of the transport reservoir, the method including dispensing a dosed quantity of yeast cream from the interchangeable transport reservoir via the dispensing opening and the outlet conduit by: opening the outlet conduit by means of the opening/closing mechanism for the dispensing of the yeast cream; and closing the outlet conduit by means of the opening closing mechanism in order to stop the dispensing of the yeast cream, wherein said interchangeable transport reservoir is a collapsible bag that permits the dispensing of a dosed quantity of yeast cream via the dispensing opening by activation of the opening/closing mechanism without entry of gas from outside the collapsible bag into the collapsible bag.

28. A method of dosing, in a bakery, stable bakers' yeast cream contained in a device for dosing of stable bakers' yeast cream in a bakery, said device comprising: a piece of furniture provided with a refrigerated compartment having an internal temperature regulated at between 2 C. and 12 C.; an interchangeable transport reservoir located in the refrigerated compartment and containing stable yeast cream, said reservoir having a total internal volume of between 1 and 100 liters, and an outlet opening for the yeast cream; an outlet conduit for dosing of the yeast cream, said conduit connecting the outlet opening of the interchangeable transport reservoir to a dispensing opening outside the refrigerated chamber; and an opening/closing mechanism for the outlet conduit, enabling the opening of the outlet conduit for the dispensing of the yeast cream and enabling the closure of the outlet conduit in order to stop the dispensing of the yeast cream, said device permitting the dispensing of a dosed quantity of yeast cream from the interchangeable transport reservoir via the dispensing opening, the method including dispensing a dosed quantity of yeast cream from the interchangeable transport reservoir via the dispensing opening and the outlet conduit by: opening the outlet conduit by means of the opening/closing mechanism for the dispensing of the yeast cream; and closing the outlet conduit by means of the opening closing mechanism in order to stop the dispensing of the yeast cream.

29. A method of dosing, in a bakery, stable bakers' yeast cream contained in a device for dosing of stable bakers' yeast cream in a bakery, said device comprising: a piece of furniture provided with a refrigerated compartment having an internal temperature regulated at between 2 C. and 12 C.; an interchangeable transport reservoir located in the refrigerated compartment and containing stable yeast cream, said reservoir having a total internal volume of between 1 and 100 liters, and an outlet opening for the yeast cream; an outlet conduit for dosing of the yeast cream, said conduit connecting the outlet opening of the interchangeable transport reservoir to a dispensing opening outside the refrigerated chamber; and an opening/closing mechanism for the outlet conduit, enabling the opening of the outlet conduit for the dispensing of the yeast cream and enabling the closure of the outlet conduit in order to stop the dispensing of the yeast cream, said device permitting the dispensing of a dosed quantity of yeast cream from the interchangeable transport reservoir via the dispensing opening, the method including dispensing a dosed quantity of yeast cream from the interchangeable transport reservoir via the dispensing opening and the outlet conduit by: opening the outlet conduit by means of the opening/closing mechanism for the dispensing of the yeast cream; and closing the outlet conduit by means of the opening closing mechanism in order to stop the dispensing of the yeast cream, wherein said interchangeable transport reservoir is a collapsible bag that permits the dispensing of a dosed quantity of yeast cream via the dispensing opening by activation of the opening/closing mechanism without entry of gas from outside the collapsible bag into the collapsible bag.

30. A method of dosing, in a bakery, stable bakers' yeast cream contained in a device for dosing of stable bakers' yeast cream in a bakery, said device comprising: a piece of furniture provided with a refrigerated compartment having an internal temperature regulated at between 2 C. and 12 C.; an indicator showing the temperature inside said refrigerated compartment; an alarm alerting when the temperature inside the refrigerated compartment does not correspond to a determined temperature range; an interchangeable transport reservoir located in the refrigerated compartment and containing stable yeast cream, said reservoir having a total internal volume of between 1 and 100 liters, and an outlet opening for the yeast cream; an outlet conduit for dosing of the yeast cream, said conduit connecting the outlet opening of the interchangeable transport reservoir to a dispensing opening outside the refrigerated chamber; and an opening/closing mechanism for the outlet conduit, enabling the opening of the outlet conduit for the dispensing of the yeast cream and enabling the closure of the outlet conduit in order to stop the dispensing of the yeast cream, said device permitting the dispensing of a dosed quantity of yeast cream from the interchangeable transport reservoir via the dispensing opening, the method including dispensing a dosed quantity of yeast cream from the interchangeable transport reservoir via the dispensing opening and the outlet conduit by: opening the outlet conduit by means of the opening/closing mechanism for the dispensing of the yeast cream; and closing the outlet conduit by means of the opening closing mechanism in order to stop the dispensing of the yeast cream, wherein said interchangeable transport reservoir is a collapsible bag that permits the dispensing of a dosed quantity of yeast cream via the dispensing opening by activation of the opening/closing mechanism without entry of gas from outside the collapsible bag into the collapsible bag.

31. A method of dosing liquid contained in a device for dosing of liquid, said device comprising: a piece of furniture provided with a refrigerated compartment having an internal temperature regulated at between 2 C. and 12 C.; an indicator showing the temperature inside said refrigerated compartment; an alarm alerting when the temperature inside the refrigerated compartment does not correspond to a determined temperature range; an interchangeable transport reservoir located in the refrigerated compartment and containing liquid, said reservoir having a total internal volume of between 1 and 100 liters, and an outlet opening for the liquid; an outlet conduit for dosing of the liquid, said conduit connecting the outlet opening of the interchangeable transport reservoir to a dispensing opening outside the refrigerated chamber; and an opening/closing mechanism for the outlet conduit, enabling the opening of the outlet conduit for the dispensing of the liquid and enabling the closure of the outlet conduit in order to stop the dispensing of the liquid, said device permitting the dispensing of a dosed quantity of liquid from the interchangeable transport reservoir via the dispensing opening, and said device being devoid of any agitator for mixing the content of the transport reservoir, the method including dispensing a dosed quantity of yeast cream from the interchangeable transport reservoir via the dispensing opening and the outlet conduit by: opening the outlet conduit by means of the opening/closing mechanism for the dispensing of the yeast cream; and closing the outlet conduit by means of the opening closing mechanism in order to stop the dispensing of the yeast cream, wherein said interchangeable transport reservoir is a collapsible bag that permits the dispensing of a dosed quantity of liquid via the dispensing opening by activation of the opening/closing mechanism without entry of gas from outside the collapsible bag into the collapsible bag, wherein said liquid is stable bakers' yeast cream, and wherein said dosing method is performed in a bakery.

32. A method of dosing liquid contained in a device for dosing of liquid, said device comprising: a piece of furniture provided with a refrigerated compartment having an internal temperature regulated at between 2 C. and 12 C.; an interchangeable transport reservoir located in the refrigerated compartment and containing liquid, said reservoir having a total internal volume of between 1 and 100 liters, and an outlet opening for the liquid; an outlet conduit for dosing of the liquid, said conduit connecting the outlet opening of the interchangeable transport reservoir to a dispensing opening outside the refrigerated chamber; and an opening/closing mechanism for the outlet conduit, enabling the opening of the outlet conduit for the dispensing of the liquid and enabling the closure of the outlet conduit in order to stop the dispensing of the liquid, said device permitting the dispensing of a dosed quantity of liquid from the interchangeable transport reservoir via the dispensing opening, the method including dispensing a dosed quantity of yeast cream from the interchangeable transport reservoir via the dispensing opening and the outlet conduit by: opening the outlet conduit by means of the opening/closing mechanism for the dispensing of the yeast cream; and closing the outlet conduit by means of the opening closing mechanism in order to stop the dispensing of the yeast cream, wherein said liquid is stable bakers' yeast cream, and wherein said dosing method is performed in a bakery.

33. A method of dosing liquid contained in a device for dosing of liquid in a bakery, said device comprising: a piece of furniture provided with a refrigerated compartment having an internal temperature regulated at between 2 C. and 12 C.; an interchangeable transport reservoir located in the refrigerated compartment and containing liquid, said reservoir having a total internal volume of between 1 and 100 liters, and an outlet opening for the liquid; an outlet conduit for dosing of the liquid, said conduit connecting the outlet opening of the interchangeable transport reservoir to a dispensing opening outside the refrigerated chamber; and an opening/closing mechanism for the outlet conduit, enabling the opening of the outlet conduit for the dispensing of the liquid and enabling the closure of the outlet conduit in order to stop the dispensing of the liquid, said device permitting the dispensing of a dosed quantity of liquid from the interchangeable transport reservoir via the dispensing opening, the method including dispensing a dosed quantity of yeast cream from the interchangeable transport reservoir via the dispensing opening and the outlet conduit by: opening the outlet conduit by means of the opening/closing mechanism for the dispensing of the yeast cream; and closing the outlet conduit by means of the opening closing mechanism in order to stop the dispensing of the yeast cream, wherein said interchangeable transport reservoir is a collapsible bag that permits the dispensing of a dosed quantity of liquid via the dispensing opening by activation of the opening/closing mechanism without entry of gas from outside the collapsible bag into the collapsible bag, wherein said liquid is stable bakers' yeast cream, and wherein said dosing method is performed in a bakery.

34. A method of dosing liquid contained in a device for dosing of liquid, said device comprising: a piece of furniture provided with a refrigerated compartment having an internal temperature regulated at between 2 C. and 12 C.; an indicator showing the temperature inside said refrigerated compartment; an alarm alerting when the temperature inside the refrigerated compartment does not correspond to a determined temperature range; an interchangeable transport reservoir located in the refrigerated compartment and containing liquid, said reservoir having a total internal volume of between 1 and 100 liters, and an outlet opening for the liquid; an outlet conduit for dosing of the liquid, said conduit connecting the outlet opening of the interchangeable transport reservoir to a dispensing opening outside the refrigerated chamber; and an opening/closing mechanism for the outlet conduit, enabling the opening of the outlet conduit for the dispensing of the liquid and enabling the closure of the outlet conduit in order to stop the dispensing of the liquid, said device permitting the dispensing of a dosed quantity of liquid from the interchangeable transport reservoir via the dispensing opening, the method including dispensing a dosed quantity of yeast cream from the interchangeable transport reservoir via the dispensing opening and the outlet conduit by: opening the outlet conduit by means of the opening/closing mechanism for the dispensing of the yeast cream; and closing the outlet conduit by means of the opening closing mechanism in order to stop the dispensing of the yeast cream, wherein said interchangeable transport reservoir is a collapsible bag that permits the dispensing of a dosed quantity of liquid via the dispensing opening by activation of the opening/closing mechanism without entry of gas from outside the collapsible bag into the collapsible bag, wherein said liquid is stable bakers' yeast cream, and wherein said dosing method is performed in a bakery.

35. A method of employing a device for dosing of liquid contained in said device, said device comprising: a piece of furniture provided with a refrigerated compartment having an internal temperature regulated at between 2 C. and 12 C.; an indicator showing the temperature inside said refrigerated compartment; an alarm alerting when the temperature inside the refrigerated compartment does not correspond to a determined temperature range; an interchangeable transport reservoir located in the refrigerated compartment and containing liquid, said reservoir having a total internal volume of between 1 and 100 liters, and an outlet opening for the liquid; an outlet conduit for dosing of the liquid, said conduit connecting the outlet opening of the interchangeable transport reservoir to a dispensing opening outside the refrigerated chamber; and an opening/closing mechanism for the outlet conduit, enabling the opening of the outlet conduit for the dispensing of the liquid and enabling the closure of the outlet conduit in order to stop the dispensing of the liquid, said device permitting the dispensing of a dosed quantity of liquid from the interchangeable transport reservoir via the dispensing opening, and said device being devoid of any agitator for mixing the content of the transport reservoir, the method including dispensing a dosed quantity of yeast cream from the interchangeable transport reservoir via the dispensing opening and the outlet conduit by: opening the outlet conduit by means of the opening/closing mechanism for the dispensing of the yeast cream; and closing the outlet conduit by means of the opening closing mechanism in order to stop the dispensing of the yeast cream, wherein said interchangeable transport reservoir is a collapsible bag that permits the dispensing of a dosed quantity of liquid via the dispensing opening by activation of the opening/closing mechanism without entry of gas from outside the collapsible bag into the collapsible bag, wherein said liquid is stable bakers' yeast cream, and wherein said dosing method is performed in a bakery.

36. A method of employing a device for dosing of liquid contained in said device, said device comprising: a piece of furniture provided with a refrigerated compartment having an internal temperature regulated at between 2 C. and 12 C.; an interchangeable transport reservoir located in the refrigerated compartment and containing liquid, said reservoir having a total internal volume of between 1 and 100 liters, and an outlet opening for the liquid; an outlet conduit for dosing of the liquid, said conduit connecting the outlet opening of the interchangeable transport reservoir to a dispensing opening outside the refrigerated chamber; and an opening/closing mechanism for the outlet conduit, enabling the opening of the outlet conduit for the dispensing of the liquid and enabling the closure of the outlet conduit in order to stop the dispensing of the liquid, said device permitting the dispensing of a dosed quantity of liquid from the interchangeable transport reservoir via the dispensing opening, the method including dispensing a dosed quantity of yeast cream from the interchangeable transport reservoir via the dispensing opening and the outlet conduit by: opening the outlet conduit by means of the opening/closing mechanism for the dispensing of the yeast cream; and closing the outlet conduit by means of the opening closing mechanism in order to stop the dispensing of the yeast cream, wherein said liquid is stable bakers' yeast cream, and wherein said dosing method is performed in a bakery.

37. A method of employing a device for dosing of liquid contained in said device, said device comprising: a piece of furniture provided with a refrigerated compartment having an internal temperature regulated at between 2 C. and 12 C.; an interchangeable transport reservoir located in the refrigerated compartment and containing liquid, said reservoir having a total internal volume of between 1 and 100 liters, and an outlet opening for the liquid; an outlet conduit for dosing of the liquid, said conduit connecting the outlet opening of the interchangeable transport reservoir to a dispensing opening outside the refrigerated chamber; and an opening/closing mechanism for the outlet conduit, enabling the opening of the outlet conduit for the dispensing of the liquid and enabling the closure of the outlet conduit in order to stop the dispensing of the liquid, said device permitting the dispensing of a dosed quantity of liquid from the interchangeable transport reservoir via the dispensing opening, the method including dispensing a dosed quantity of yeast cream from the interchangeable transport reservoir via the dispensing opening and the outlet conduit by: opening the outlet conduit by means of the opening/closing mechanism for the dispensing of the yeast cream; and closing the outlet conduit by means of the opening closing mechanism in order to stop the dispensing of the yeast cream, wherein said interchangeable transport reservoir is a collapsible bag that permits the dispensing of a dosed quantity of liquid via the dispensing opening by activation of the opening/closing mechanism without entry of gas from outside the collapsible bag into the collapsible bag, wherein said liquid is stable bakers' yeast cream, and wherein said dosing method is performed in a bakery.

38. A method of employing a device for dosing of liquid contained in said device, said device comprising: a piece of furniture provided with a refrigerated compartment having an internal temperature regulated at between 2 C. and 12 C.; an indicator showing the temperature inside said refrigerated compartment; an alarm alerting when the temperature inside the refrigerated compartment does not correspond to a determined temperature range; an interchangeable transport reservoir located in the refrigerated compartment and containing liquid, said reservoir having a total internal volume of between 1 and 100 liters, and an outlet opening for the liquid; an outlet conduit for dosing of the liquid, said conduit connecting the outlet opening of the interchangeable transport reservoir to a dispensing opening outside the refrigerated chamber; and an opening/closing mechanism for the outlet conduit, enabling the opening of the outlet conduit for the dispensing of the liquid and enabling the closure of the outlet conduit in order to stop the dispensing of the liquid, said device permitting the dispensing of a dosed quantity of liquid from the interchangeable transport reservoir via the dispensing opening, the method including dispensing a dosed quantity of yeast cream from the interchangeable transport reservoir via the dispensing opening and the outlet conduit by: opening the outlet conduit by means of the opening/closing mechanism for the dispensing of the yeast cream; and closing the outlet conduit by means of the opening closing mechanism in order to stop the dispensing of the yeast cream, wherein said interchangeable transport reservoir is a collapsible bag that permits the dispensing of a dosed quantity of liquid via the dispensing opening by activation of the opening/closing mechanism without entry of gas from outside the collapsible bag into the collapsible bag, wherein said liquid is stable bakers' yeast cream, and wherein said dosing method is performed in a bakery.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) FIG. 1 shows a vertical cross section, from the side, of a first embodiment of the device according to the invention.

(2) FIG. 2 shows a frontal view, partly cut away, of another embodiment of the device.

(3) FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of an embodiment of the device comprising two interchangeable transport reservoirs.

DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

(4) The device for dosing stabilized bakers' yeast cream comprises a refrigerated compartment 10 provided with a door 11. The temperature inside the refrigerated chamber 10 is regulated at approximately 3 C.

(5) A collapsible bag 20 containing stabilized yeast cream 21 is located inside the refrigerated compartment 10.

(6) According to the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1, the collapsible bag 20 is located in a rigid casing 22 of cardboard.

(7) According to the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 2, the collapsible bag 20 is suspended in the refrigerated compartment 10. For this purpose, eyelets 23 are provided in the collapsible bag 20, and the refrigerated compartment 10 is equipped with hooks 12 which engage in the eyelets 23 of the bag 20.

(8) The outlet opening 24 of the collapsible bag 20 is located at the bottom of the refrigerated compartment 10. A ring 25 made of rigid plastic material surrounds the outlet opening 24 which leads into a hollow tube 26 made of flexible material. Said hollow tube 26 forms the outlet conduit for dosing yeast cream, and it ends in the dispensing opening 27.

(9) An opening/closing mechanism 30 enables the opening of the outlet conduit for the dispensing of the yeast cream by releasing the flexible hollow tube 26 and also enables, after dispensing of the desired quantity of yeast cream, the closure of the outlet conduit by pinching the flexible hollow tube 26 so as to prevent the yeast cream from flowing from the collapsible bag 20.

(10) As the bag 20 is a collapsible bag, there are no gas bubbles entering into the bag 20 to compensate for the dosed volume of yeast cream. The yeast cream 21 remaining in the bag 20 is thus conserved under optimal hygiene conditions.

(11) According to the opening/closing mechanism 30 of the device illustrated in FIG. 1, the outlet conduit is opened and closed by means of a lever 31. By pushing said lever rearward, for example by means of the receptacle in which the dosed quantity of yeast cream is intended to be collected, the lever 31 frees the outlet conduit in such a way that the yeast cream flows from the dispensing opening 27. By releasing the lever 31, for example by removing receptacle, the lever once again pushes against the flexible hollow tube 26 thereby closing the outlet conduit.

(12) FIG. 2 shows a more sophisticated embodiment. According to this embodiment, the device is provided with a weighing means 40. Using the keypad of said weighing means 40, the baker enters the desired quantity of yeast cream. A control station (not shown) activates the automatic opening of the outlet conduit by the opening/closing mechanism 30. When the weighing means 40 detects that the desired quantity of yeast cream has been introduced into the receptacle 41, the control station activates the automatic closure of the outlet conduit by the opening/closing mechanism 30. To avoid that the opening of the outlet conduit by the opening/closing mechanism 30 be activated in the absence of a receptacle 41 below the dispensing opening 27, the device is provided with an optical system 50 for detecting the presence of a receptacle 41, and the control station activates opening of the outlet conduit only when the detection system 50 detects the presence of a receptacle 41 below the dispensing opening 27.

(13) According to one possible embodiment, the device is provided with a safety means detecting any flow of yeast cream not caught by a receptacle. Such a detection means can be in the form of a collecting basin 60 below the outlet opening 27, said basin 60 being provided with a level detector, and the control station activating the closure of the outlet conduit when a predetermined level of liquid is detected in the collecting basin 60.

(14) FIG. 3 shows a device according to the invention mounted on casters, in which the refrigerated compartment contains two interchangeable transport reservoirs containing stabilized bakers' yeast cream.

(15) According to the embodiment illustrated, the refrigerated compartment is designed in such a way as to be able to accommodate two transport reservoirs according to the invention of the bag-in-box type.

(16) Said transport reservoirs are supplied to the baker in the form of a kit according to the invention comprising, on the one hand, one or more transport reservoirs containing stabilized bakers' yeast cream and, on the other hand, one or more flexible hollow tubes 26. Before placing a transport reservoir in the refrigerated compartment 10, the baker mounts the hollow tube 26 on the transport reservoir in such a way as to form an outlet conduit for the yeast cream contained in the reservoir. When the reservoir is emptied, the hollow tube 26 is detached from the reservoir in order to be fitted onto a new transport reservoir after it has been cleaned.

(17) As is illustrated on the left-hand side of FIG. 3, the front part of the opening/closing mechanism 30 can be dismounted or opened in order to facilitate removal of the emptied transport reservoir and insertion of a new full transport reservoir, after which the front part of the opening/closing mechanism 30 is put back into place or closed.

(18) The rigid casing 22 of cardboard, in which the collapsible bag is located, is provided with a series of openings 28 allowing the baker to check visually the level of the stabilized yeast cream present in the transport reservoir. This visual check is made even easier when the door 11 of the refrigerated chamber is transparent opposite this series of openings 28.

(19) The rigid casing 22 is also provided with a detection means 29a, 29b enabling to check whether the reservoir, and the baker's yeast cream contained, have been kept at a sufficiently low temperature therein to allow good conservation of the cream, notably during transport and storage of the filled reservoir. When the temperature of the reservoir and of its content exceeds 12 C., the part 29a of the detection means gradually changes color, so as to alert the baker or his supplier.

(20) The device is also provided with an indicator 13 showing the temperature inside said refrigerated compartment 10, and with an alarm 14a and 14b alerting the baker when the temperature inside the refrigerated compartment 10 does not correspond to the temperature range determined for conservation of the yeast cream, for example because of a failure of the cooling system.

(21) In the embodiment illustrated, this alarm comprises two light indicators 14a and 14b, the green indicator 14a being lit when the temperature inside the refrigerated compartment 10 is within this temperature range, and the red indicator 14b being lit in the opposite case.

(22) This alarm can be replaced or complemented by an acoustic alarm system.

(23) The manual lever 31 of the opening/closing mechanism 30 makes it possible to open and close the outlet conduit formed by the hollow tube 26.

(24) The front part of the opening/closing mechanism 30 can be temporarily removed or opened to facilitate inserting a new reservoir into the refrigerated compartment 10.

(25) Advantageously, in the figures mentioned above, the bag 20 can itself also be packaged in a flexible outer packaging, for example an outer packaging of the netting or fabric type, made of a resistant material giving the bag mechanical protection, this variant not being shown in the figures.