Distribution system for an item of equipment for treatment of solid material and item of equipment for treatment of solid material

Abstract

The present invention relates to a distribution system and an item of equipment for treatment of solid material that comprises same, wherein said distribution system comprises a means for transmitting movement that is configured to generate a rotating movement; a distribution element comprising a surface parallel to the feeding means on which at least one rod is arranged, perpendicularly, configured to come into contact with the solid material to be treated; a rotating means which connects the means for transmitting movement to the distribution element, configured to generate a rocking or circular movement; and a means for supporting the distribution element; wherein a first end of the distribution element comprises a means for joining to the rotating means, situated on an axis eccentric to the axis of rotation of said rotating means, and a second end, opposite to the first end, is accommodated on the supporting means.

Claims

1. A distribution system for an item of equipment for treatment of a solid material, comprising a feeding means with a surface on which the solid material is arranged, the distribution system comprising: a) a means for transmitting movement, which can be adapted to a feeding means and is actuated by said feeding means, configured to generate a rotating movement perpendicular to the plane of displacement of the feeding means, wherein the feeding means is a conveyor belt; b) a distribution element comprising a surface parallel to the plane of displacement of the feeding means on which at least one rod is arranged, perpendicularly, with a head that is configured to come into contact with the solid material to be treated; c) a rotating means which connects the means for transmitting movement to the distribution element, configured to generate a rocking or circular movement parallel to the surface of the feeding means; and d) a supporting means for the distribution element; wherein a first end of the distribution element comprises a joining means to the rotating means, situated on an axis eccentric to the axis of rotation of said rotating means, and a second end, opposite the first end, is accommodated in the supporting means, wherein the distribution element is a perforated element, wherein each perforation houses a rod, wherein each rod is vertically displaceable, passing through the perforation in the distribution element.

2. The distribution system of claim 1, wherein the means for transmitting movement comprises a 90 gearbox, which is connected to the feeding means.

3. The distribution system of claim 1, wherein the rotating means is a rotating plate.

4. The distribution system of claim 1, wherein the distribution element comprises at least one distribution shaft where the at least one rod is arranged.

5. The distribution system of claim 1, wherein the joining means of the distribution element comprises a connecting rod, configured to articulate the first end of the distribution element.

6. The distribution system of claim 1, wherein the supporting means of the distribution element is configured to rotate in the same way as the rotating means.

7. The distribution system of claim 6, wherein the supporting means of the distribution element comprises at least one hollow means configured to house the second end of the distribution element and to fix a rocking movement of the distribution element.

8. An item of equipment for treatment of solid material, comprising a feeding means with a surface on which the solid material is arranged, wherein the item comprises at least one distribution system of claim 1, coupled to the feeding means.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

(1) FIG. 1 shows a cross section of an item of treatment equipment, specifically an item of refrigeration equipment, which comprises three distribution systems.

(2) FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of an embodiment of a distribution system with a circular movement.

(3) FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of an embodiment of a means for transmitting movement which is connected to a distribution shaft.

(4) FIG. 4 shows a plan view of an embodiment of a system having three shafts with linear movement.

(5) FIG. 5 shows a plan view of an embodiment of a system having three shafts with a circular movement.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

(6) FIG. 1 shows a cross section of an item of treatment equipment (18), specifically an item of refrigeration equipment. Said item of treatment equipment comprises three distribution systems (1).

(7) As can be seen, the treatment equipment (18) has an entry (19) and an exit (20), connected by a feeding means (21). This feeding means (21) is configured to convey a solid material, arranged on the surface of said feeding means (21).

(8) Specifically, the treatment equipment (18) shown in FIG. 1 is an item of refrigeration equipment comprising a refrigeration means (22), forming a refrigeration tunnel. On this occasion, the refrigeration means (22) is arranged in the upper part, although in other embodiments it may be situated to the side of the feeding means (21), consisting of a means for spraying a refrigerant fluid onto the solid material and a set of fans.

(9) Among the different embodiments of continuous refrigeration equipment, a very frequent configuration is that in which the refrigerant fluid circulates in counter-current with the material to be refrigerated and/or frozen after distribution thereof by the refrigeration means (22). In this configuration, the temperature gradient between the refrigerant fluid and the solid material to be treated is maximized. The solid material, loaded onto the feeding means (21), for example a conveyor belt, is at its maximum temperature at the entry (19) of the refrigeration equipment, and due to contact with the refrigerant fluid, loses temperature as it advances along the equipment.

(10) The contact between the solid material and the refrigerant fluid is maximized with the use of at least one fan (24). Said fans (24) push the cold refrigerant fluid against the hot material. The more extended this product on the conveyor belt, the more efficient the heat transfer, hence a suitable distribution of the material on the belt, avoiding any accumulation.

(11) The solid material extended over the feeding means (21) offers only some parts of its surface upon contact with the refrigerant fluid, with others remaining impeded as a result of the contact thereof with the feeding means (21) itself or with other material parts. The transfer of heat between the refrigerant fluid and these hidden zones of the material is impossible, which means that homogeneous distribution of the temperature on the material is not achieved, the refrigeration process is slowed down and the energy efficiency of the operation is reduced.

(12) One particular case is the process for freezing of a solid material with moisture on the surface thereof. Said moisture causes the adhesion of the different parts joined by the ice formed between them, which makes individualization of the material parts impossible.

(13) As a result, the presence of at least one distribution system (1) like that described in the present invention achieves a movement of the solid material such that it offers all or the majority of its surface, solving the drawbacks detailed above.

(14) In an item of refrigeration equipment in counter-current and specifically in those which use a cryogenic fluid as refrigerating agent, the material is irrigated with this fluid at its minimum temperature, whether in liquid or solid phase (CO2), the time at which the material cedes part of its heat to produce the gasification of these fluids. It is very important for the process that the larger surface of the material comes into contact with the fluid so that the heat transfer is produced equally over the entire surface of the material. The change in position of the material facilitates this operation.

(15) Although the functioning in a refrigeration tunnel in counter-current has been detailed, the same problems of accumulation, homogeneity of the material, elimination of dark zones in the solid material, increase in operating efficiency also arise in many other types of treatment equipment (18) where processes are carried out such as refrigeration in environments at constant temperature (spiral tunnels), refrigeration equipment in co-current, heating processes, washing processes, metering of other products, etc. In an obvious manner, each of the items of treatment equipment (18) has a treatment means, replacing the refrigeration means of the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, which is specific to the process carried out in said treatment equipment (18).

(16) Therefore, as described above, an item of treatment equipment (18) may comprise at least one distribution system (1). By way of example, FIG. 1 shows an item of refrigeration equipment having three distribution systems (1), with a first distribution system (1) arranged in the entry of the treatment equipment (18), whose main function is the distribution of the solid material. On the other hand, the following two distribution systems (1) are situated in contact with the distribution of the refrigerant fluid.

(17) The at least one distribution system (1) may comprise a distribution element (9) with long and short rods (12). The use of short rods (12) is preferred at the entry (19), promoting a homogeneous distribution of the product load on the surface of the feeding means (21) while avoiding accumulations and unoccupied zones. Then, the use of a distribution element (9) with long rods allows the position of the solid material to be treated to be changed. In this way, the existence of hidden zones during the treatment of said material is reduced. Furthermore, systems with a rocking movement can also be combined with systems that cause a circular movement on the feeding means (21).

(18) As a more favourable embodiment, there is presented an item of treatment equipment (18) having at least one distribution system (1) having short rods (12) at the entry (19) of the equipment (18), and at least one distribution system (1) having long rods (12) at a distance from the entry (19), avoiding adhesion between the solid material and generating the change in position of the product.

(19) In a freezing method, the adhesion phenomenon is produced when the individual parts of the product to be treated start to freeze superficially, which would impede individual freezing. In the zones for injection of cryogenic liquid, the use of devices with long rods (12) is preferred for achieving greater homogeneity in the wetting of the product parts with the cryogenic liquid.

(20) FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of an embodiment of a distribution system (1) having a circular movement.

(21) In this FIG. 2, an embodiment is shown of a distribution system (1) for an item of equipment (18) for treatment of a solid material which comprises a feeding means (21). This solid material, arranged on the surface thereof, comes into contact with the head (23) of at least one rod (12), arranged in a manner perpendicular to the surface of the feeding means (21) and is displaced on the surface of said feeding means (21).

(22) As can be seen in FIG. 2, at least one rod (12) descends from a distribution element (9). Said distribution element (9) has a surface arranged in parallel to said feeding means (21). As can be seen in FIG. 2, the surface may be in the form of a bar or distribution shaft (10) which covers all of the distance of the feeding means (21) perpendicular to the feeding direction thereof.

(23) In a preferred embodiment, the surface of the distribution element (9) is perforated. In turn, the distribution element (9) comprises a regulator for the rods (12). In this way, the perforation of the distribution element (9) and the presence of a regulator for the rods (12) allows the rods (12) of the present invention to be adjusted in terms of height, the height of interaction being chosen with the solid material to be treated and defining the height up to which the solid material can accumulate.

(24) The distribution element (9) is connected and/or supported by a first and a second end (13, 16). In this way, a first end (13) of the distribution element (9) comprises a means (14) for joining to a rotating means (7), wherein the joining is established on an axis eccentric (8) to the rotation shaft of said rotating means (7). On the other hand, a second end (16), opposite the first end (13), is accommodated in a supporting means (17).

(25) This rotating means (7) is responsible for connecting the distribution element (9) to a means (2) for transmitting movement, which can be adapted to the movement of the feeding means.

(26) The means (2) for transmitting movement is responsible for starting the movement of the distribution system (1). However, since this is a means (2) that can be adapted to the feeding means (21), it does not require the use of an external motor. The actual displacement of the feeding means (21) is that used to cause the movement of the system (1).

(27) For its part, the supporting means (17) for the distribution element (9) can have different configurations, according to the movement to be described by the rods. Thus, in the present embodiment, the supporting means (17) is a means configured to rotate in a manner similar to the rotating means. Since the distribution element (9) has rigid ends, the rocking movement described by the surface of the distribution element (9), generated by the rotating means (7), is a circular movement, which translates into a circular path of the head (23) of the at least one rod (12).

(28) For greater clarification, FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of an embodiment of a means (2) for transmitting movement which is connected to a distribution shaft (10).

(29) Specifically, in FIG. 2, a means (2) for transmitting movement is shown, which comprises a pinion (3), which is adapted to a feeding means (21), in this particular case in the form of a grill structure. This pinion (3) rotates as the feeding means (21) moves, making a first axis of rotation (4) rotate.

(30) This first axis of rotation (4) is connected to a 90 gearbox (5) which transmits the movement to a second axis of rotation (6). This second axis (6) has a rotation perpendicular to the rotation of the first axis (4) as well as to the direction of displacement of the feeding means (21).

(31) In this alternative embodiment, the gearbox is a conical 90 gearbox (5) formed by toothed gears, although any other means that achieves a rotational movement perpendicular to the displacement of the feeding means (21) could be used, on which said means (2) for transmitting movement is adapted.

(32) The second axis of rotation (6) is joined to a rotating means (7), for example in the form of a rotating plate. This rotating means (7) connects the means (2) for transmitting movement to the distribution element (9). Unlike the second axis of rotation (6), the rotating means (7) is configured to generate a rocking or circular movement parallel to the surface of the feeding means (21) of the distribution element (9). To do this, a rotating means (21) in the form of a plate has at least one eccentric axis, where the distribution element (9) can be joined.

(33) In the particular embodiment shown in FIG. 3, the distribution element (9) is embodied in the form of a shaft, comprising an articulated connection means (14) at a first end (14).

(34) Unlike the alternative with a rigid connecting means (14) (FIG. 2), which describes a circular movement, the articulated connecting means (14) comprises a connecting rod (15) configured to articulate the first end (13) of the distribution element (9). The size and position of the eccentric connection determine the rocking movement carried out by the distribution element (9) on the surface of the feeding means (21).

(35) This connecting rod (15), situated eccentrically with respect to the axis of rotation of the rotating means (7), can be supplemented with a hollow supporting means (17), configured to house the second end (16) of the distribution element (9). When the second end (16) is inserted into the hollow supporting means (17), the displacement of the surface of the distribution element (9) is limited at the entry and exit of said second end (16) in a linear manner.

(36) As a result, as an alternative to the circular movement of the distribution element (9), a distribution element that describes a movement that is rocking, linear and transverse to the displacement of the feeding means is also acceptable.

(37) In this embodiment, an embodiment of a distribution element (9) is shown in the form of a bar or distribution shaft (10) that is perforated multiple times. A rod (12) is arranged in each of the perforations (11) of said shaft (10), giving rise to the set of rods that will come into contact with the solid material to be treated.

(38) The number and spacing of the rods (12) of a distribution element (9) can be adjusted in line with the needs of the treatment equipment (18) used. In the same way, the distribution of the rods (12) on the surface of the distribution element (9) can also be adjusted, from a unidirectional distribution, with a linearly operating shaft, to a distribution along a plane. The existence of multiple alternative embodiments makes it possible to adjust the distribution according to the needs of the treatment equipment (18).

(39) In addition to the adjustment of the height of the rod (12), the perforation (11) may have a certain clearance. This clearance of the perforations (11) allows each of the rods (12) to be adjusted individually in the vertical direction, which makes it possible to protect the system (1) from possible variations in the surface of the feeding means (21), returning to its original position after overcoming the difference in level.

(40) Thus, a rod (12) that rests on the feeding means (21) principally encourages the movement of the product. As noted above, this translates into a great advantage with respect to solutions known in the prior art, since it avoids the adhesion of the solid material to itself at the time of treatment and avoids subjecting the entirety of the product to similar conditions along the treatment equipment, thereby guaranteeing homogeneous characteristics of the product at the exit of the treatment equipment (18).

(41) Given that the system (1) can be used in the food industry, for example in a refrigeration process, the head (23) of said rod (12) is preferably made of a material that is compatible with foods. Furthermore, said head (23) may be rounded, which allows improved treatment of the solid material to be treated, since it protects the integrity of said products.

(42) The speed and extent of the rocking movement may be adjusted by modifying the relationship between the means (2) for transmitting movement, for example, by modifying the teeth of the pinion (3) or the 90 gearbox (5), and/or the position of the eccentric axis used by the rotating means.

(43) Lastly, in FIG. 4 and FIG. 5, a configuration of a distribution system having three distribution shafts (10) is shown.

(44) Moreover, FIG. 4 shows a plan view of an embodiment of a system (1) having three distribution shafts (10) with linear movement. On this occasion, a rotating means (7) can be seen, which is joined to a first end (13) of the distribution element (9), by means of a joining means (14) which comprises a connecting rod (15). On the other hand, the second end (16) may have multiple embodiments. Thus, said end (16) comprises at least one termination connected to said supporting means (17). As shown in FIG. 4, a configuration that has a number of terminations is acceptable, for example: three adjustable terminations on a supporting means (17) configured according to said embodiment.

(45) As has been described above, the articulation present on this first end (13), together with a hollow supporting means (17) at the second end (16) of the distribution element (9), defines a linear movement of the rods (12) present along said distribution element (9).

(46) For its part, FIG. 5 shows a plan view of an embodiment of a system having three shafts with a circular movement. In this embodiment, a rigid distribution element (9) is shown which is joined at a first end and a second end (13, 16) to a rotating means (7) and to a supporting means (17), respectively. In other words, the distribution element (9) is not articulated.

(47) On this occasion, unlike the alternative in which a linear movement is described, the supporting means (17) is configured to rotate in the same way as the rotating means (7). In this way, each of the rods (12) of the distribution element (9) describe a circular movement.

(48) In the embodiments described in FIG. 4 and FIG. 5, a configuration is shown in which the perforations (11) existing in the distribution element (9) form a grid.

(49) However, other alternative embodiments of the present invention may be carried out with other configurations or patterns, such as for example in a staggered configuration.

(50) As a result, in a first aspect of the solution proposed in the present invention, a distribution system (1) is described which provides a distribution of the solid material, occupying the maximum extent on a feeding means (21) of an item of treatment equipment (18). For its part, in a second aspect of the invention, the treatment equipment (19) comprising said distribution system (1) is described. In this way, agglomerations of the solid material to be treated are avoided and a homogeneous and individualized treatment is achieved, resulting in an improvement to this kind of process.

(51) While the invention has been described in conjunction with specific embodiments thereof, it is evident that many alternatives, modifications, and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art in light of the foregoing description. Accordingly, it is intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications, and variations as fall within the spirit and broad scope of the appended claims. The present invention may suitably comprise, consist or consist essentially of the elements disclosed and may be practiced in the absence of an element not disclosed. Furthermore, if there is language referring to order, such as first and second, it should be understood in an exemplary sense and not in a limiting sense. For example, it can be recognized by those skilled in the art that certain steps can be combined into a single step.

(52) The singular forms a, an and the include plural referents, unless the context dearly dictates otherwise.

(53) Comprising in a claim is an open transitional term which means the subsequently identified claim elements are a nonexclusive listing i.e. anything else may be additionally included and remain within the scope of comprising. Comprising is defined herein as necessarily encompassing the more limited transitional terms consisting essentially of and consisting of; comprising may therefore be replaced by consisting essentially of or consisting of and remain within the expressly defined scope of comprising.

(54) Providing in a claim is defined to mean furnishing, supplying, making available, or preparing something. The step may be performed by any actor in the absence of express language in the claim to the contrary.

(55) Optional or optionally means that the subsequently described event or circumstances may or may not occur. The description includes instances where the event or circumstance occurs and instances where it does not occur.

(56) Ranges may be expressed herein as from about one particular value, and/or to about another particular value. When such a range is expressed, it is to be understood that another embodiment is from the one particular value and/or to the other particular value, along with all combinations within said range.

(57) All references identified herein are each hereby incorporated by reference into this application in their entireties, as well as for the specific information for which each is cited.

(58) It will be understood that many additional changes in the details, materials, steps, and arrangement of parts, which have been herein described and illustrated in order to explain the nature of the invention, may be made by those skilled in the art within the principle and scope of the invention as expressed in the appended claims. Thus, the present invention is not intended to be limited to the specific embodiments in the examples given above and/or the attached drawings.

(59) While embodiments of this invention have been shown and described, modifications thereof may be made by one skilled in the art without departing from the spirit or teaching of this invention. The embodiments described herein are exemplary only and not limiting. Many variations and modifications of the composition and method are possible and within the scope of the invention. Accordingly, the scope of protection is not limited to the embodiments described herein, but is only limited by the claims which follow, the scope of which shall include all equivalents of the subject matter of the claims.