EP0914054A1 - Device for the cold preservation of meal service trays with in-built heating - Google Patents
Device for the cold preservation of meal service trays with in-built heatingInfo
- Publication number
- EP0914054A1 EP0914054A1 EP98910825A EP98910825A EP0914054A1 EP 0914054 A1 EP0914054 A1 EP 0914054A1 EP 98910825 A EP98910825 A EP 98910825A EP 98910825 A EP98910825 A EP 98910825A EP 0914054 A1 EP0914054 A1 EP 0914054A1
- Authority
- EP
- European Patent Office
- Prior art keywords
- heating
- frigories
- heat pipe
- circuit
- zone
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Withdrawn
Links
Classifications
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
- A47J—KITCHEN EQUIPMENT; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; APPARATUS FOR MAKING BEVERAGES
- A47J39/00—Heat-insulated warming chambers; Cupboards with heating arrangements for warming kitchen utensils
- A47J39/006—Heat-insulated warming chambers; Cupboards with heating arrangements for warming kitchen utensils for either storing and preparing or for preparing food on serving trays, e.g. heating, thawing, preserving
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- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
- F25D—REFRIGERATORS; COLD ROOMS; ICE-BOXES; COOLING OR FREEZING APPARATUS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- F25D3/00—Devices using other cold materials; Devices using cold-storage bodies
- F25D3/02—Devices using other cold materials; Devices using cold-storage bodies using ice, e.g. ice-boxes
- F25D3/06—Movable containers
Definitions
- the invention relates to devices for cold storage of meal trays with localized heating. It more specifically relates to devices comprising a chassis on a wheel carrying a lower box and an upper box, these two boxes being separated by a space which can contain several meal trays made of thermally insulating material, stacked and removable, and in which each box, made of thermally insulating material, comprises two return loops for the vertical branches of two parallel and independent circuits, formed in the meal trays, namely a cooling circuit and a heating circuit or cooling and heating, one of the boxes being provided with means for producing refrigerants communicating with one of the two circuits.
- Each of the meal trays is composed of an upper element and a lower element comprising complementary thermal barriers which interpenetrate each other to divide each tray into two zones, isolated from each other and the outside, each zone of each plate element being traversed by at least two vertical channels, one of which partially surrounds the containers supported by the lower element, while each upper element of each plate has, in its reheating zone, means of calorie production.
- the means for producing frigories include an on-board refrigeration unit arranged in the lower box and the evaporator of which is placed either in the upper box or in the lower box.
- the power supply to the compressor must be interrupted, which excludes any application of this type of cabinet to the distribution of meals from a remote catering center since, very quickly, the evaporator is no longer able to supply frigories.
- the object of the present invention is to provide a device which overcomes these drawbacks.
- the means for producing cold comprise:
- an accumulator of frigories constituted by a sealed tank, isolated and connectable to a source of fluid at negative temperature, at least the bottom of this tank being thermally conductive and having, at least in the zone of the return loop of the cooling circuit , a substantially semi-cylindrical deformation
- a regulating member constituted by a horizontal cylinder of the same diameter as the aforementioned deformation against which it is in contact and mounted free in rotation, under the control of a command, this cylinder comprising an upper part made of insulating material and a lower part in thermally conductive material in which one of the ends of heat pipe rods is fitted, the free ends of which are in the return loop of the cooling circuit,
- an exchange plate comprising a first internal heat pipe network whose heat exchangers are arranged in the areas of the containers to be cooled, these exchangers being provided with frigory collection tips arranged in the vertical downward branch of the cooling circuit.
- the cold source is constituted by a cold store, the supply of which, carried out in a known manner by connections connected to a central reserve, is ensured by a fluid which can be super-refrigerant, that is to say be constituted by a eutectic liquid or equivalent, brought to very low temperature of the order of - 21 ° C.
- this tank although made of conductive material, can diffuse its frigories only through the regulating member. This member can occupy a completely closed position opposing any exchange between the bottom of the reserve and the return loop of the circuit with which it communicates, position in which the part made of insulating material comes into contact alone against the semi-cylindrical deformation of the tank.
- the exchange of frigories is regulated by modifying the angular position of the regulating member with respect to the deformation of the reserve, that is to say by modifying the surface of the conductive part of this member in contact. with the face of this deformation.
- the frigories thus entrained in the cooling circuit, meet, in one of the branches thereof, the collection ends of the heat pipe networks of the exchange plates associated with each tray, which allows part of the frigories conveyed to come, by the heat pipe networks, in the areas of the trays to be cooled, that is to say near the dishes and dishes to be maintained at temperature. All these heat transfer functions are carried out by direct conductivity without any accessories and therefore make it possible, after having loaded the tank with frigories, to ensure that the food is kept at the appropriate temperature, without recourse to an external energy source.
- the cooling and heating circuit comprises, in the return loop of the lower box, a heat exchanger and the exchange plate, integral with one of the elements of each plate, comprises a second internal heat pipe network comprising a heat exchanger disposed in the zone of the containers to be heated, this exchanger being extended, in the upward vertical branch of the heating circuit, by a nozzle for collecting calories or frigories.
- the containers arranged in the reheating zone of the meal trays are maintained at hot temperature by means of the exchange plates.
- this circuit is regulated by a regulating body independent of the first and able either to transmit the frigories in the upper return loop of the circuit, or to take a position of isolation of the reserve of frigories, to allow the circulation of hot air in the circuit.
- the heat production means arranged in the loop of the heating circuit are constituted by the free ends of several heat pipe bars, the other ends of which are in thermal contact with a thermal oil tank containing electrical resistances for reheating under control. thermostatic.
- the oil reserve constitutes a reserve of positive calories which continues to ensure the heating of the trays, by the ascending branch of the heating circuit, branch in which the tips of the individual heating circuits for each of the meal trays, until the last meal tray is removed.
- FIG. 1 is a general perspective view of the device according to the invention
- Figures 2 and 3 are side views in cross section of a meal tray, respectively, when in the open position and in the closed position
- Figures 4 and 5 are plan views from above, respectively, of the element upper and lower element of an embodiment of a meal tray
- FIG. 6 is a side view in cross section of the device when it is loaded with meal trays
- Figures 7 and 8 are partial views, in cross section showing, on an enlarged scale, the dispensing member when it is in the closed position and in the dispensing position.
- the device according to the invention is composed of a chassis 2, carrying a lower box 3 provided with rollers 4, and an upper box 5.
- the interval between the boxes 3 and 5 is intended to receive meal trays each composed, as shown in more detail in FIGS. 2 to 5, of an upper element 6 and of a lower element 7.
- Each of these elements is insulating and comprises ribs 8 or grooves 9, complementary forms, capable of forming, when the two elements 6 and 7 are in contact, thermal barriers insulating, from one another and from the outside, two zones of the plate, namely, an zone F intended solely for be cooled and zone C can only be reheated or first cooled and then reheated.
- the elements 6, 7 of the plate include vertical channels, namely vertical and lateral channels 10 and 11 and at least one, and even two vertical and central channels 12.
- the channels 12, arranged in the lower elements 7 of each meal tray are, as shown in FIG. 5, constituted by grooves interposed between bearing surfaces 13 intended to support the containers 14 containing the food.
- FIG. 3 clearly shows that each zone F or C of the plate is completely isolated from the other by the thermal barrier 8, 9.
- at least one of the elements 6, 7 of each plate comprises, as shown for the tray 7 in FIG. 5, grooves 15 communicating the lateral channel 10 with the channel or channels 12.
- the superposed channels 10 and 12 form the two branches, respectively ascending and descending, of two independent circuits whose return loops, respectively upper 16 and lower 17, are formed, respectively, in the upper box 5, containing means for producing cold, and in the lower box 3, containing the means for producing heat.
- the means for producing cold consist of a reservoir 18 made of heat conducting material and, for example, of steel or aluminum inserted into the insulation of the casing 5 and communicating by two conduits 19 with fittings 20 can be connected to a source of liquid f ⁇ gonogue.
- This reservoir has, at its bottom, two semi-cylindrical deformations transverse 22, each arranged in the vicinity of the return loops 16 of the cooling circuits, since the carriage shown in this figure is a carriage of the type in which zone C provides both cooling and heating of food and therefore comprises a circuit providing both cooling and heating separate from the other circuit providing only cooling.
- a transverse cylinder 23 constituting the regulating member is mounted to rotate freely.
- each cylinder 23 is composed of a cylindrical segment 23a of insulating material and a cylindrical segment 23b of heat conductive material. These two segments are linked to each other, for example by bonding, so as to avoid any heat transfer between them.
- FIG. 7 shows that, the circular arc on which the insulating segment 23a extends, is greater than the circular arc of the cylindrical deformation 22, formed in the bottom of the reservoir 18, so that, when the member regulation is in the isolation position, shown in Figure 7, no heat exchange can take place between the bottom of the tank and its conductive segment 23b.
- the internal ends of heat pipe bars 24 are fixed, projecting substantially radially from the regulating member inside the corresponding return passage 16. The number, the shape, and the angular distribution of the heat pipe bars 24 depend on applications and refrigeration requirements.
- FIG. 6 shows that, when zone C is in the heating phase, the corresponding regulating member 23 is in the isolation position, which prevents any transfer of the frigories in the corresponding loop 16, but also any transfer of the calories captured by the heat pipe bars 24 in the direction of the reservoir 18.
- each of the meal trays 6, 7 is equipped with heat transfer means by heat pipes. More precisely and as shown in FIG. 4, corresponding to the upper element of a meal tray for the device shown in FIG. 6, the zone of the tray corresponding to the cooling zone F comprises an exchange plate with a first heat pipe network. 26, while the other zone C comprises an exchange plate with a second heat pipe network 27.
- Each of these networks can, for example, be constituted by a metal plate bonded to the upper face of the plate element 6 and whose heat exchanger 26a or 27a is disposed above the channels 12 of the corresponding zone. It is obvious that this exchanger has passages allowing the free circulation of the air flow.
- Each network is connected to a nozzle 26b, 27b coming in the corresponding side channel 10 and 11.
- zone F when, the flow of air cooled by the passage over the heat pipe bars 24 of the cooling circuit, borrows the vertical descending branch, formed by the vertical channels 10 and 11, it meets the ends 26b which capture the frigories and lead them by the first heat pipe networks 26 to the exchange plates 26a arranged in the ascending branch of the circuit and above the containers 14 to be cooled.
- the thermal transmission by the heat pipes being very fast, and practically without loss of yield, each of the containers is thus maintained at an identical temperature, whatever the position of its tray in the stack.
- the action of the heat pipes is supplemented by the supply of calories taking up the ascending branch of the circuit, possibly with the help of a tangential turbine 28.
- the cooling of the containers 14 in compartment C is carried out in the same way. It is the same for the reheating of the dishes placed in the compartment C which is carried out by means of a flow of air heated in the lower return loop 17 of the lower compartment 3 by reheating means 30 and which is forced, for example, by a tangential turbine 31.
- the vertical branch of the circuit formed by the lateral duct 11 is then used in the opposite direction, so that the heat is captured by the nozzles 27b of the second heat pipe networks and leads to the exchange exchangers 27a, above the containers 14 to be heated and provided with a cover 14a.
- the heat producing means 30 consist of the free parts of several heat pipe bars 32 arranged in the lower return loop 17. These bars are in thermal contact with the thermal oil 33 of a tank 34 containing an electrical heating resistor 35.
- the resistor carries the thermal oil 33 to its operating temperature, regulated by a thermostat, and the heat of the oil is transmitted, by the heat pipe bars 32, in the return loop 17, where these bars yield their calories to the circulating air flow.
- the calories are brought to the ends 27b of the second exchange networks.
- the heat energy stored in the tank 34 by the thermal oil ensures the temperature maintenance of the dishes, and this for a sufficient time to be able to move the carriage from the place to reheat the place of distribution, and to ensure distribution.
- the device which has been described above, can also be applied to a cabinet comprising a cooling zone and a zone ensuring only the reheating.
- the reservoir 18 for the refrigerant extends only over a part of the carriage and does not include a regulating member 23 in its part adjoining the return loop 16 of the heating circuit.
- the reservoir 18 contains hollow bodies, such as capsules, filled with a eutectic liquid as described in patent FR-A-96 09991, the cooling of these capsules trapped in the reservoir is ensured by a food eutectic liquid precooled to a temperature below 0 ° c - up to -50 or 80 ° c - and brought to the tank by supply and return conduits leading to the fittings 20.
- the heat exchangers 30 of the plates are heated by electric heating collars surrounding the end pieces 27b.
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- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Food Science & Technology (AREA)
- Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
- Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
- Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- Thermal Sciences (AREA)
- General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Devices For Warming Or Keeping Food Or Tableware Hot (AREA)
Abstract
The invention concerns a device in which the refrigerating means comprise: an accumulator of frigories (18), the bottom of which reservoir has a substantially semi-cylindrical deformation (22); resting against said deformation, a control element (23) consisting of a pivoting horizontal cylinder, comprising an insulating top part (23a) and a conducting bottom part (23b) in which are fitted heat pipes (24) projecting in the return loop (16) of the cooling circuit; and in one of the elements (6, 7) of each tray, an exchange plate comprising a first heat pipe network (26) whereof the heat exchangers (26a) are arranged in the zone of the containers to be cooled, said network being provided with end-pieces (26b) for collecting frigories arranged in the descending vertical branch of the cooling circuit.
Description
Dispositif pour la conservation froide de plateaux repas avec réchauffement localisé. Device for cold storage of meal trays with localized heating.
L'invention concerne les dispositifs pour la conservation froide des plateaux repas avec réchauffement localisé. Elle vise plus spécialement les dispositifs comprenant un châssis sur roulette portant un caisson inférieur et un caisson supérieur, ces deux caissons étant séparés par un espace pouvant contenir plusieurs plateaux repas en matériau isolant thermiquement, empilés et amovibles, et dans lesquels chaque caisson, réalisé en matériau isolant thermiquement, comporte deux boucles de renvoi pour les branches verticales de deux circuits parallèles et indépendants, ménagés dans les plateaux repas, à savoir un circuit de refroidissement et un circuit de réchauffage ou de refroidissement et de réchauffage, l'un des caissons étant muni de moyens de production de frigories communiquant avec l'un des deux circuits. Chacun des plateaux repas, pour ce type de dispositif, est composé d'un élément supérieur et d'un élément inférieur comportant des barrières thermiques complémentaires s'interpénétrant pour diviser chaque plateau en deux zones, isolées l'une de l'autre et de l'extérieur, chaque zone de chaque élément de plateaux étant traversée par au moins deux canaux verticaux dont l'un entoure partiellement les récipients supportés par l'élément inférieur, tandis que chaque élément supérieur de chaque plateau comporte, dans sa zone de réchauffage, des moyens de production de calories.The invention relates to devices for cold storage of meal trays with localized heating. It more specifically relates to devices comprising a chassis on a wheel carrying a lower box and an upper box, these two boxes being separated by a space which can contain several meal trays made of thermally insulating material, stacked and removable, and in which each box, made of thermally insulating material, comprises two return loops for the vertical branches of two parallel and independent circuits, formed in the meal trays, namely a cooling circuit and a heating circuit or cooling and heating, one of the boxes being provided with means for producing refrigerants communicating with one of the two circuits. Each of the meal trays, for this type of device, is composed of an upper element and a lower element comprising complementary thermal barriers which interpenetrate each other to divide each tray into two zones, isolated from each other and the outside, each zone of each plate element being traversed by at least two vertical channels, one of which partially surrounds the containers supported by the lower element, while each upper element of each plate has, in its reheating zone, means of calorie production.
Dans l'armoire décrite dans FR-A-90 07060, les moyens de production de frigories comprennent un groupe frigorifique embarqué disposé dans le caisson inférieur et dont l'évaporateur est disposé, soit dans le caisson supérieur, soit dans le caisson inférieur. Lorsque l'armoire est déplacée pour distribuer les plateaux repas, l'alimentation électrique du compresseur doit être interrompue, ce qui exclut toute application de ce type d'armoire à la distribution des repas à partir d'une centrale de restauration éloignée puisque, très rapidement, l'évaporateur n'est plus en mesure de fournir des frigories.In the cabinet described in FR-A-90 07060, the means for producing frigories include an on-board refrigeration unit arranged in the lower box and the evaporator of which is placed either in the upper box or in the lower box. When the cabinet is moved to distribute the meal trays, the power supply to the compressor must be interrupted, which excludes any application of this type of cabinet to the distribution of meals from a remote catering center since, very quickly, the evaporator is no longer able to supply frigories.
Un autre inconvénient de ces moyens de production de frigories est la surcharge pondérale qui, résultant du groupe frigorifique, exclut l'utilisation de ce type d'armoire pour la restauration dans les avions.Another disadvantage of these means of producing refrigerants is the overweight which, resulting from the refrigeration unit, excludes the use of this type of cabinet for catering in aircraft.
Enfin, le maintien en température froide des récipients disposés dans les plateaux est effectué au moyen du flux d'air froid circulant dans les deux branches du circuit, soit par convection naturelle, soit par circulation forcée. Il en résulte que, même si des canaux transversaux de liaison peuvent être ménagés dans les plateaux pour faire communiquer la branche descendante du circuit froid avec la
branche ascendante, les températures de conservation ne sont pas uniformes sur tous les plateaux, cette différence pouvant être importante entre les plateaux proches de l'évaporateur et ceux qui en sont le plus éloigné.Finally, maintaining the cold temperature of the containers arranged in the trays is carried out by means of the flow of cold air circulating in the two branches of the circuit, either by natural convection or by forced circulation. As a result, even if transverse connecting channels can be provided in the plates to communicate the descending branch of the cold circuit with the ascending branch, the storage temperatures are not uniform on all the trays, this difference can be significant between the trays close to the evaporator and those which are furthest from it.
La présente invention a pour objet de fournir un dispositif qui remédie à ces inconvénients.The object of the present invention is to provide a device which overcomes these drawbacks.
A cet effet, dans le dispositif selon l'invention, les moyens de production du froid comprennent :To this end, in the device according to the invention, the means for producing cold comprise:
- dans le caisson supérieur :- in the upper box:
- un accumulateur de frigories constitué par un réservoir étanche, isolé et raccordable à une source de fluide à température négative, au moins le fond de ce réservoir étant thermiquement conducteur et présentant, au moins dans la zone de la boucle de retour du circuit de refroidissement, une déformation sensiblement semi cylindrique,- an accumulator of frigories constituted by a sealed tank, isolated and connectable to a source of fluid at negative temperature, at least the bottom of this tank being thermally conductive and having, at least in the zone of the return loop of the cooling circuit , a substantially semi-cylindrical deformation,
- un organe de régulation constitué par un cylindre horizontal de même diamètre que la déformation précitée contre laquelle il est en contact et monté libre en rotation, sous le contrôle d'une commande, ce cylindre comprenant une partie supérieure en matériau isolant et une partie inférieure en matériau thermiquement conducteur dans laquelle est emmanchée l'une des extrémités de barreaux caloducs dont les extrémités libres sont dans la boucle de retour du circuit de refroidissement,a regulating member constituted by a horizontal cylinder of the same diameter as the aforementioned deformation against which it is in contact and mounted free in rotation, under the control of a command, this cylinder comprising an upper part made of insulating material and a lower part in thermally conductive material in which one of the ends of heat pipe rods is fitted, the free ends of which are in the return loop of the cooling circuit,
- et, dans l'un des éléments de chaque plateau, une plaque d'échange comportant un premier réseau caloduc interne dont les échangeurs thermiques sont disposés dans les zones des récipients à refroidir, ces échangeurs étant munis d'embouts de collecte de frigories disposés dans la branche verticale descendante du circuit de refroidissement.- And, in one of the elements of each tray, an exchange plate comprising a first internal heat pipe network whose heat exchangers are arranged in the areas of the containers to be cooled, these exchangers being provided with frigory collection tips arranged in the vertical downward branch of the cooling circuit.
Dans ce dispositif, la source de froid est constituée par un réservoir de frigories dont l'alimentation, effectuée de façon connue par des raccords connectés à une réserve centrale, est assurée par un fluide qui peut être super réfrigérant, c'est à dire être constitué par un liquide eutectique ou équivalent, porté à très basse température de l'ordre de - 21 °C. En raison de son isolation thermique par l'isolant du caisson, ce réservoir, bien que réalisé en matériau conducteur, ne peut diffuser ses frigories qu'à travers l'organe de régulation. Cet organe peut occuper une position de fermeture totale s'opposant à tout échange entre le fond de la réserve et la boucle de renvoi du circuit avec lequel il communique, position dans laquelle la partie en matériau isolant vient seule en contact contre la déformation semi cylindrique du réservoir. Dès que cet organe de régulation est pivoté, et qu'un segment circulaire de
sa partie en matériau conducteur vient au contact de la déformation semi cylindrique du réservoir, les frigories se transmettent par conduction à travers le fond de la déformation à la partie conductrice de l'organe de régulation et, de là, aux extrémités internes des barreaux caloducs qui, en raison de leur inclinaison et de leur nature, transmettent immédiatement cette énergie à leur autre extrémité, disposée dans le circuit de refroidissement.In this device, the cold source is constituted by a cold store, the supply of which, carried out in a known manner by connections connected to a central reserve, is ensured by a fluid which can be super-refrigerant, that is to say be constituted by a eutectic liquid or equivalent, brought to very low temperature of the order of - 21 ° C. Due to its thermal insulation by the insulation of the box, this tank, although made of conductive material, can diffuse its frigories only through the regulating member. This member can occupy a completely closed position opposing any exchange between the bottom of the reserve and the return loop of the circuit with which it communicates, position in which the part made of insulating material comes into contact alone against the semi-cylindrical deformation of the tank. As soon as this regulating member is pivoted, and a circular segment of its part in conductive material comes into contact with the semi-cylindrical deformation of the reservoir, the frigories are transmitted by conduction through the bottom of the deformation to the conductive part of the regulating member and, from there, to the internal ends of the heat pipe bars which, due to their inclination and their nature, immediately transmit this energy to their other end, located in the cooling circuit.
La régulation de l'échange de frigories s'effectue en modifiant la position angulaire de l'organe de régulation par rapport à la déformation de la réserve, c'est à dire par modification de la surface de la partie conductrice de cet organe en contact avec la face de cette déformation.The exchange of frigories is regulated by modifying the angular position of the regulating member with respect to the deformation of the reserve, that is to say by modifying the surface of the conductive part of this member in contact. with the face of this deformation.
Les frigories, ainsi entraînées dans le circuit de refroidissement, rencontrent, dans l'une des branches de celui-ci, les embouts de collecte des réseaux caloducs des plaques d'échange associées à chaque plateau, ce qui permet à une partie des frigories véhiculées de venir, par les réseaux caloducs, dans les zones des plateaux devant être refroidis, c'est à dire à proximité des plats et mets devant être maintenus en température. Toutes ces fonctions de transfert thermique s'effectuent par conductivité directe sans aucun accessoire et permettent donc, après avoir chargé le réservoir en frigories, d'assurer le maintien des aliments à la température adéquate, sans recours à une source d'énergie extérieure. Dans une forme d'exécution de l'invention, le circuit de refroidissement et de réchauffage comprend, dans la boucle de renvoi du caisson inférieur, un echangeur thermique et la plaque d'échange, solidaire de l'un des éléments de chaque plateau, comporte un second réseau caloducs interne comprenant un echangeur thermique disposé dans la zone des récipients à réchauffer, cet echangeur se prolongeant, dans la branche verticale ascendante du circuit de réchauffage, par un embout de collecte des calories ou frigories.The frigories, thus entrained in the cooling circuit, meet, in one of the branches thereof, the collection ends of the heat pipe networks of the exchange plates associated with each tray, which allows part of the frigories conveyed to come, by the heat pipe networks, in the areas of the trays to be cooled, that is to say near the dishes and dishes to be maintained at temperature. All these heat transfer functions are carried out by direct conductivity without any accessories and therefore make it possible, after having loaded the tank with frigories, to ensure that the food is kept at the appropriate temperature, without recourse to an external energy source. In one embodiment of the invention, the cooling and heating circuit comprises, in the return loop of the lower box, a heat exchanger and the exchange plate, integral with one of the elements of each plate, comprises a second internal heat pipe network comprising a heat exchanger disposed in the zone of the containers to be heated, this exchanger being extended, in the upward vertical branch of the heating circuit, by a nozzle for collecting calories or frigories.
Ainsi, les récipients disposés dans la zone de réchauffage des plateaux repas sont maintenus en température chaude par l'intermédiaire des plaques d'échange. Dans une autre application, combinant dans cette zone, refroidissement puis réchauffage, ces deux fonctions successives sont assurées par le second réseau caloduc qui prélève les frigories puis les calories dans la même branche du circuit correspondant. Dans ce cas, ce circuit est régulé par un organe de régulation indépendant du premier et pouvant, soit transmettre les frigories dans la boucle de renvoi supérieure du circuit, soit prendre une position d'isolation de la réserve de frigories, pour permettre la circulation de l'air chaud dans le circuit.
Avantageusement, les moyens de production de chaleur disposés dans la boucle du circuit de réchauffage, sont constitués par les extrémités libres de plusieurs barreaux caloducs dont les autres extrémités sont en contact thermique avec un réservoir d'huile thermique contenant des résistances électriques de réchauffage sous contrôle thermostatique.Thus, the containers arranged in the reheating zone of the meal trays are maintained at hot temperature by means of the exchange plates. In another application, combining in this zone, cooling then heating, these two successive functions are ensured by the second heat pipe network which takes the frigories then the calories in the same branch of the corresponding circuit. In this case, this circuit is regulated by a regulating body independent of the first and able either to transmit the frigories in the upper return loop of the circuit, or to take a position of isolation of the reserve of frigories, to allow the circulation of hot air in the circuit. Advantageously, the heat production means arranged in the loop of the heating circuit, are constituted by the free ends of several heat pipe bars, the other ends of which are in thermal contact with a thermal oil tank containing electrical resistances for reheating under control. thermostatic.
Dans ces conditions, lorsque l'armoire du chariot passe en phase de réchauffage des aliments, les résistances électriques sont alimentées de manière à porter l'huile contenue dans le réservoir à une température déterminée, et l'énergie calorifique de cette huile est transmise, par les barreaux caloducs, dans la boucle de renvoi inférieure du circuit de réchauffage.Under these conditions, when the trolley cabinet goes into the food heating phase, the electrical resistances are supplied so as to bring the oil contained in the tank to a determined temperature, and the heat energy of this oil is transmitted, by the heat pipe bars, in the lower return loop of the heating circuit.
Lorsqu'il faut déplacer le chariot pour distribuer les plateaux repas, la réserve d'huile constitue une réserve de calories positives qui continue à assurer le réchauffage des plateaux, par la branche ascendante du circuit de réchauffage, branche dans laquelle sont disposés les embouts des circuits de réchauffage individuels de chacun des plateaux repas, et cela jusqu'à ce que le dernier plateau repas soit retiré.When it is necessary to move the carriage to distribute the meal trays, the oil reserve constitutes a reserve of positive calories which continues to ensure the heating of the trays, by the ascending branch of the heating circuit, branch in which the tips of the individual heating circuits for each of the meal trays, until the last meal tray is removed.
Le recours à ces moyens de réchauffage procure un avantage très important qui est de permettre le nettoyage par des jets d'eau sous pression de la structure de base de l'armoire, sans risquer d'endommager les contacts électriques, comme c'était le cas dans les dispositifs antérieurs où chaque plateau comportait des moyens de chauffage par résistance électrique, dont le circuit d'alimentation s'enclenchait sur des bornes du châssis.The use of these heating means provides a very important advantage which is to allow cleaning by pressurized water jets of the base structure of the cabinet, without risking damaging the electrical contacts, as was the case. case in the prior devices where each plate included means of heating by electrical resistance, the supply circuit of which engaged on terminals of the chassis.
D'autres caractéristiques et avantages ressortiront de la description qui suit en référence au dessin schématique annexé représentant, à titre d'exemple, une forme d'exécution de ce dispositif.Other characteristics and advantages will emerge from the description which follows with reference to the appended diagrammatic drawing representing, by way of example, an embodiment of this device.
Figure 1 est une vue en perspective générale du dispositif selon l'invention,FIG. 1 is a general perspective view of the device according to the invention,
Figures 2 et 3 sont des vues de côté en coupe transversale d'un plateau repas, respectivement, lorsqu'il est en position ouverte et en position fermée, Figures 4 et 5 sont des vues en plan par dessus, respectivement, de l'élément supérieur et de l'élément inférieur d'une forme d'exécution d'un plateau repas,Figures 2 and 3 are side views in cross section of a meal tray, respectively, when in the open position and in the closed position, Figures 4 and 5 are plan views from above, respectively, of the element upper and lower element of an embodiment of a meal tray,
Figure 6 est une vue de côté en coupe transversale du dispositif lorsqu'il est chargé en plateaux repas,
Figures 7 et 8 sont des vues partielles, en coupe transversale montrant, à échelle agrandie, l'organe de distribution lorsqu'il est en position de fermeture et en position de distribution.FIG. 6 is a side view in cross section of the device when it is loaded with meal trays, Figures 7 and 8 are partial views, in cross section showing, on an enlarged scale, the dispensing member when it is in the closed position and in the dispensing position.
Comme montré à la figure 1 , le dispositif selon l'invention est composé d'un châssis 2, portant un caisson inférieur 3 muni de roulettes 4, et d'un caisson supérieur 5. L'intervalle entre les caissons 3 et 5 est destiné à recevoir des plateaux repas composés chacun, comme montré plus en détails aux figures 2 à 5, d'un élément supérieur 6 et d'un élément inférieur 7. Chacun de ces éléments est isolant et comporte des nervures 8 ou des rainures 9, de formes complémentaires, aptes à former, lorsque les deux éléments 6 et 7 sont en contact, des barrières thermiques isolant, l'une de l'autre et de l'extérieur, deux zones du plateau, à savoir, une zone F destinée uniquement à être refroidie et une zone C pouvant être uniquement réchauffée ou d'abord refroidie puis réchauffée. Dans chacune de ces deux zones, les éléments 6, 7 de plateau comportent des canaux verticaux, à savoir des canaux verticaux et latéraux 10 et 11 et au moins un, et voire même deux canaux verticaux et centraux 12. Les canaux 12, ménagés dans les éléments inférieurs 7 de chaque plateau repas sont, comme montré à la figure 5, constitués par des rainures intercalées entre des portées 13 destinées à supporter les récipients 14 contenant les aliments. La figure 3 montre bien que chaque zone F ou C du plateau est totalement isolée de l'autre par la barrière thermique 8, 9. Pour certaines applications, au moins l'un des éléments 6, 7 de chaque plateau comporte, comme montré pour le plateau 7 à la figure 5, des rainures 15 faisant communiquer le canal latéral 10 avec le ou les canaux 12. Lorsque le dispositif est chargé de ces plateaux repas, comme montré à la figure 6, les canaux 10 et 12 superposés forment les deux branches, respectivement ascendante et descendante, de deux circuits indépendants dont les boucles de renvoi, respectivement supérieure 16 et inférieure 17, sont formées, respectivement, dans le caisson supérieur 5, contenant des moyens de production de froid, et dans le caisson inférieur 3, contenant les moyens de production de la chaleur.As shown in FIG. 1, the device according to the invention is composed of a chassis 2, carrying a lower box 3 provided with rollers 4, and an upper box 5. The interval between the boxes 3 and 5 is intended to receive meal trays each composed, as shown in more detail in FIGS. 2 to 5, of an upper element 6 and of a lower element 7. Each of these elements is insulating and comprises ribs 8 or grooves 9, complementary forms, capable of forming, when the two elements 6 and 7 are in contact, thermal barriers insulating, from one another and from the outside, two zones of the plate, namely, an zone F intended solely for be cooled and zone C can only be reheated or first cooled and then reheated. In each of these two zones, the elements 6, 7 of the plate include vertical channels, namely vertical and lateral channels 10 and 11 and at least one, and even two vertical and central channels 12. The channels 12, arranged in the lower elements 7 of each meal tray are, as shown in FIG. 5, constituted by grooves interposed between bearing surfaces 13 intended to support the containers 14 containing the food. FIG. 3 clearly shows that each zone F or C of the plate is completely isolated from the other by the thermal barrier 8, 9. For certain applications, at least one of the elements 6, 7 of each plate comprises, as shown for the tray 7 in FIG. 5, grooves 15 communicating the lateral channel 10 with the channel or channels 12. When the device is loaded with these meal trays, as shown in FIG. 6, the superposed channels 10 and 12 form the two branches, respectively ascending and descending, of two independent circuits whose return loops, respectively upper 16 and lower 17, are formed, respectively, in the upper box 5, containing means for producing cold, and in the lower box 3, containing the means for producing heat.
Selon l'invention, les moyens de production de froid sont constitués par un réservoir 18 en matériau conducteur de la chaleur et, par exemple, en acier ou en aluminium inséré dans l'isolant du caisson 5 et communiquant par deux conduits 19 avec des raccords 20 pouvant être raccordés à une source de liquide fπgongène. Ce réservoir comporte, dans son fond, deux déformations semi cylindriques
transversales 22, disposées chacune au voisinage des boucles de renvoi 16 des circuits de refroidissement, puisque le chariot représenté à cette figure est un chariot du type dans lequel la zone C assure à la fois le refroidissement et le réchauffage des aliments et comporte donc un circuit assurant à la fois le refroidissement et le réchauffage distinct de l'autre circuit assurant seulement le refroidissement. Contre chacune de ces déformations, un cylindre transversal 23 constituant l'organe de régulation est monté libre en rotation.According to the invention, the means for producing cold consist of a reservoir 18 made of heat conducting material and, for example, of steel or aluminum inserted into the insulation of the casing 5 and communicating by two conduits 19 with fittings 20 can be connected to a source of liquid fπgongène. This reservoir has, at its bottom, two semi-cylindrical deformations transverse 22, each arranged in the vicinity of the return loops 16 of the cooling circuits, since the carriage shown in this figure is a carriage of the type in which zone C provides both cooling and heating of food and therefore comprises a circuit providing both cooling and heating separate from the other circuit providing only cooling. Against each of these deformations, a transverse cylinder 23 constituting the regulating member is mounted to rotate freely.
Comme montré plus en détails aux figures 7 et 8, chaque cylindre 23 est composé d'un segment cylindrique 23a en matériau isolant et d'un segment cylindrique 23b en matériau conducteur de la chaleur. Ces deux segments sont liés l'un à l'autre, par exemple par collage, de manière à éviter tout transfert thermique entre eux. La figure 7 montre que, l'arc circulaire sur lequel s'étend le segment isolant 23a, est supérieur à l'arc circulaire de la déformation cylindrique 22, ménagée dans le fond du réservoir 18, de manière que, lorsque l'organe de régulation est en position d'isolation, montré figure 7, aucun échange thermique ne puisse avoir lieu entre le fond du réservoir et son segment conducteur 23b. Dans ce segment conducteur 23b, sont fixées les extrémités internes de barreaux caloducs 24, saillants sensiblement radialement de l'organe de régulation à l'intérieur du couloir de renvoi correspondant 16. Le nombre, la forme, et la répartition angulaire des barreaux caloducs 24 dépendent des applications et des besoins en frigories.As shown in more detail in Figures 7 and 8, each cylinder 23 is composed of a cylindrical segment 23a of insulating material and a cylindrical segment 23b of heat conductive material. These two segments are linked to each other, for example by bonding, so as to avoid any heat transfer between them. FIG. 7 shows that, the circular arc on which the insulating segment 23a extends, is greater than the circular arc of the cylindrical deformation 22, formed in the bottom of the reservoir 18, so that, when the member regulation is in the isolation position, shown in Figure 7, no heat exchange can take place between the bottom of the tank and its conductive segment 23b. In this conductive segment 23b, the internal ends of heat pipe bars 24 are fixed, projecting substantially radially from the regulating member inside the corresponding return passage 16. The number, the shape, and the angular distribution of the heat pipe bars 24 depend on applications and refrigeration requirements.
Lorsque l'organe de régulation est pivoté dans le sens de ta flèche 25 de figure 8, son segment conducteur 23b vient en contact avec la face de la déformation 22, ce qui permet, par conduction, le transfert thermique des frigories du réservoir à ce segment 23b, puis du segment aux barreaux 24 qui, à leur tour, échangent avec l'air en circulation dans la boucle de renvoi 16. En pivotant plus ou moins l'organe 23, il est ainsi possible de réguler la quantité de frigories échangées. Ce réglage peut être effectué manuellement par un bouton cranté accessible de l'extérieur du caisson 5 et muni d'un index coopérant avec une graduation, ou automatiquement par un dispositif réagissant à un capteur de température disposé dans la boucle de renvoi supérieure 16 ou dans la boucle de renvoi inférieure 17.When the regulating member is pivoted in the direction of the arrow 25 in FIG. 8, its conductive segment 23b comes into contact with the face of the deformation 22, which allows, by conduction, the thermal transfer of the frigories from the reservoir to this segment 23b, then from the segment to the bars 24 which, in turn, exchange with the air circulating in the return loop 16. By more or less pivoting the member 23, it is thus possible to regulate the quantity of frigories exchanged . This adjustment can be carried out manually by a notched button accessible from outside the box 5 and provided with an index cooperating with a scale, or automatically by a device reacting to a temperature sensor disposed in the upper return loop 16 or in the lower return loop 17.
Dans ce dispositif équipé de deux organes de régulation 23, leurs moyens de réglage sont distincts et indépendants.In this device equipped with two regulating members 23, their adjustment means are distinct and independent.
La figure 6 montre que, lorsque la zone C est en phase de réchauffement, l'organe de régulation correspondant 23 est en position d'isolation, ce qui empêche tout transfert des frigories dans la boucle 16 correspondante, mais
aussi tout transfert des calories captées par les barreaux caloducs 24 en direction du réservoir 18.FIG. 6 shows that, when zone C is in the heating phase, the corresponding regulating member 23 is in the isolation position, which prevents any transfer of the frigories in the corresponding loop 16, but also any transfer of the calories captured by the heat pipe bars 24 in the direction of the reservoir 18.
Suivant une autre caractéristique de l'invention, chacun des plateaux repas 6, 7 est équipé de moyens de transfert thermique par caloducs. Plus précisément et comme montré figure 4, correspondant à l'élément supérieur d'un plateau repas pour le dispositif représenté à la figure 6, la zone du plateau correspondant à la zone F de refroidissement comporte une plaque d'échange avec un premier réseau caloduc 26, tandis que l'autre zone C comporte une plaque d'échange avec un second réseau caloduc 27. Chacun de ces réseaux peut, par exemple, être constitué par une plaque métallique collée sur la face supérieure de l'élément 6 de plateau et dont l'échangeur thermique 26a ou 27a est disposée au- dessus des canaux 12 de la zone correspondante. Il est évident que cet echangeur comporte des passages permettant la libre circulation du flux d'air. Chaque réseau est raccordé à un embout 26b, 27b venant dans le canal latéral 10 et 11 correspondant.According to another characteristic of the invention, each of the meal trays 6, 7 is equipped with heat transfer means by heat pipes. More precisely and as shown in FIG. 4, corresponding to the upper element of a meal tray for the device shown in FIG. 6, the zone of the tray corresponding to the cooling zone F comprises an exchange plate with a first heat pipe network. 26, while the other zone C comprises an exchange plate with a second heat pipe network 27. Each of these networks can, for example, be constituted by a metal plate bonded to the upper face of the plate element 6 and whose heat exchanger 26a or 27a is disposed above the channels 12 of the corresponding zone. It is obvious that this exchanger has passages allowing the free circulation of the air flow. Each network is connected to a nozzle 26b, 27b coming in the corresponding side channel 10 and 11.
Ainsi, et comme montré à la figure 6, dans la zone F lorsque, le flux d'air refroidi par le passage sur les barreaux caloducs 24 du circuit de refroidissement, emprunte la branche verticale descendante, formée par les canaux verticaux 10 et 11 , il rencontre les embouts 26b qui captent les frigories et les conduisent par les premiers réseaux caloducs 26 aux plaques d'échange 26a disposées dans la branche ascendante du circuit et au-dessus des récipients 14 devant être refroidis. La transmission thermique par les caloducs étant très rapide, et pratiquement sans perte de rendement, chacun des récipients est ainsi maintenu à une température identique, quelle que soit la position de son plateau dans l'empilage. L'action des caloducs est complétée par l'apport des calories reprenant la branche ascendante du circuit, éventuellement avec l'aide d'une turbine tangentielle 28.Thus, and as shown in FIG. 6, in zone F when, the flow of air cooled by the passage over the heat pipe bars 24 of the cooling circuit, borrows the vertical descending branch, formed by the vertical channels 10 and 11, it meets the ends 26b which capture the frigories and lead them by the first heat pipe networks 26 to the exchange plates 26a arranged in the ascending branch of the circuit and above the containers 14 to be cooled. The thermal transmission by the heat pipes being very fast, and practically without loss of yield, each of the containers is thus maintained at an identical temperature, whatever the position of its tray in the stack. The action of the heat pipes is supplemented by the supply of calories taking up the ascending branch of the circuit, possibly with the help of a tangential turbine 28.
Le refroidissement des récipients 14 dans le compartiment C s'effectue de la même façon. Il en est de même pour le réchauffage des mets disposés dans le compartiment C qui est effectué au moyen d'un flux d'air réchauffé dans la boucle de renvoi inférieur 17 du compartiment inférieur 3 par des moyens de réchauffage 30 et qui est forcé, par exemple, par une turbine tangentielle 31. La branche verticale du circuit formé par le conduit latéral 11 est alors utilisée en sens inverse, afin que la chaleur soit captée par les embouts 27b des seconds réseaux caloducs et conduit aux échangeurs d'échange 27a, au-dessus des récipients 14 devant être réchauffés et dotés d'un couvercle 14a.
Cette disposition permet d'obtenir une température régulière et constante dans chacun des plateaux et cela avec un moyen de transfert thermique servant également au transfert des frigories et ne nécessitant aucune connexion avec le châssis, puisque chacun des réseaux caloducs reste adhérent à l'élément supérieur 6 du plateau repas correspondant. De ce fait, le châssis est débarrassé de tout contact électrique et peut être nettoyé au jet sous pression, comme chacun des plateaux, ce qui permet de satisfaire aux règles d'hygiène alimentaire.The cooling of the containers 14 in compartment C is carried out in the same way. It is the same for the reheating of the dishes placed in the compartment C which is carried out by means of a flow of air heated in the lower return loop 17 of the lower compartment 3 by reheating means 30 and which is forced, for example, by a tangential turbine 31. The vertical branch of the circuit formed by the lateral duct 11 is then used in the opposite direction, so that the heat is captured by the nozzles 27b of the second heat pipe networks and leads to the exchange exchangers 27a, above the containers 14 to be heated and provided with a cover 14a. This arrangement makes it possible to obtain a regular and constant temperature in each of the trays and this with a heat transfer means also serving for the transfer of frigories and requiring no connection with the chassis, since each of the heat pipe networks remains adherent to the upper element. 6 of the corresponding meal tray. As a result, the chassis is free of all electrical contact and can be cleaned with a pressure jet, like each of the plates, which makes it possible to comply with food hygiene rules.
Dans la forme d'exécution représentée, les moyens de production de chaleur 30 sont constitués par les parties libres de plusieurs barreaux caloducs 32 disposés dans la boucle de renvoi inférieure 17. Ces barreaux sont en contact thermique avec l'huile thermique 33 d'un réservoir 34 contenant une résistance électrique 35 de chauffage. En fonctionnement, la résistance porte l'huile thermique 33 à sa température de fonctionnement, régulée par un thermostat, et la chaleur de l'huile se transmet, par les barreaux caloducs 32, dans la boucle de renvoi 17, où ces barreaux cèdent leurs calories au flux d'air en circulation. Ainsi, les calories sont portées aux embouts 27b des seconds réseaux d'échange.In the embodiment shown, the heat producing means 30 consist of the free parts of several heat pipe bars 32 arranged in the lower return loop 17. These bars are in thermal contact with the thermal oil 33 of a tank 34 containing an electrical heating resistor 35. In operation, the resistor carries the thermal oil 33 to its operating temperature, regulated by a thermostat, and the heat of the oil is transmitted, by the heat pipe bars 32, in the return loop 17, where these bars yield their calories to the circulating air flow. Thus, the calories are brought to the ends 27b of the second exchange networks.
Lorsque, après réchauffage et le dispositif déplacé, après avoir été déconnectée électriquement, l'énergie calorifique emmagasinée dans le réservoir 34 par l'huile thermique assure le maintien en température des plats, et cela pendant une durée suffisante pour pouvoir déplacer le chariot du lieu de remise en température au lieu de distribution, et pour assurer la distribution.When, after reheating and the device moved, after having been electrically disconnected, the heat energy stored in the tank 34 by the thermal oil ensures the temperature maintenance of the dishes, and this for a sufficient time to be able to move the carriage from the place to reheat the place of distribution, and to ensure distribution.
Le dispositif, qui a été décrit ci-dessus, peut également être appliqué à une armoire comportant une zone de refroidissement et une zone n'assurant que la remise en température. Dans ce cas, le réservoir 18 pour le liquide frigorigène ne s'étend que sur une partie du chariot et ne comporte pas d'organe de régulation 23 dans sa partie jouxtant la boucle de renvoi 16 du circuit de réchauffage.The device, which has been described above, can also be applied to a cabinet comprising a cooling zone and a zone ensuring only the reheating. In this case, the reservoir 18 for the refrigerant extends only over a part of the carriage and does not include a regulating member 23 in its part adjoining the return loop 16 of the heating circuit.
Dans le cas d'une armoire de distribution de plateau-repas à "niveau constant", un cric 36 actionné par une pédale, permet la remontée de chaque plateau. Dans une variante de réalisation, le réservoir 18 contient des corps creux, tels que des gélules, remplies d'un liquide eutectique comme décrit dans le brevet FR-A- 96 09991 , le refroidissement de ces gélules emprisonnées dans le réservoir est assuré par un liquide eutectique alimentaire pré-refroidi à une température inférieure à 0°c - pouvant aller jusqu'à -50 ou 80°c - et amené au réservoir par des conduits d'amenée et de retour aboutissant aux raccords 20.
Dans une autre variante, le réchauffage des échangeurs thermiques 30 des plateaux est assuré par des colliers chauffants électriques entourant les embouts 27b.In the case of a "constant level" meal tray distribution cabinet, a jack 36 actuated by a pedal allows the ascent of each tray. In an alternative embodiment, the reservoir 18 contains hollow bodies, such as capsules, filled with a eutectic liquid as described in patent FR-A-96 09991, the cooling of these capsules trapped in the reservoir is ensured by a food eutectic liquid precooled to a temperature below 0 ° c - up to -50 or 80 ° c - and brought to the tank by supply and return conduits leading to the fittings 20. In another variant, the heat exchangers 30 of the plates are heated by electric heating collars surrounding the end pieces 27b.
Toutefois, les formes, les dimensions et dispositions des différents éléments pourront varier dans la limite des équivalents comme d'ailleurs les matières utilisées, sans changer pour cela la conception générale de l'invention qui vient d'être décrite.
However, the shapes, dimensions and arrangements of the various elements may vary within the limit of equivalents, as indeed the materials used, without changing the general conception of the invention which has just been described.
Claims
REVENDICATIONS 1. Dispositif pour la conservation froide de plateaux repas avec réchauffement localisé comprenant un châssis (2) sur roulettes portant un caisson inférieur (3) et un caisson supérieur (5), ces deux caissons étant séparés par un espace pouvant contenir plusieurs plateaux repas (6, 7), en matériau isolant thermiquement, empilés et amovibles, et dans lequel chaque caisson (3, 5), réalisé en matériau isolant thermiquement, comporte deux boucles de renvoi (16, 17) pour les branches verticales de deux circuits parallèles et indépendants ménagés dans les plateaux repas, à savoir un circuit de refroidissement et un circuit de réchauffage ou de refroidissement et de réchauffage, l'un des caissons étant muni de moyens de production de frigories communiquant avec au moins l'un des deux circuits, alors que chacun des plateaux repas est composé d'un élément supérieur (6) et d'un élément inférieur (7) comportant des barrières thermiques complémentaires (8, 9) s'interpénétrant pour diviser chaque plateau en deux zones isolées (C et F), l'une de l'autre et de l'extérieur, chaque zone de chaque élément du plateau étant traversée par au moins deux canaux verticaux (10,11 ,12) dont l'un (12) entoure partiellement les récipients (14) supportés par des portées (13) de l'élément inférieur (7), et que chaque élément supérieur (6) de chaque plateau comporte, dans sa partie correspondant à la zone de réchauffage (C), des moyens de production de chaleur, caractérisé en ce que les moyens de production du froid comprennent :CLAIMS 1. Device for the cold storage of meal trays with localized heating comprising a frame (2) on casters carrying a lower box (3) and an upper box (5), these two boxes being separated by a space which can contain several meal trays (6, 7), made of thermally insulating material, stacked and removable, and in which each box (3, 5), made of thermally insulating material, comprises two return loops (16, 17) for the vertical branches of two parallel circuits and independent housings in the meal trays, namely a cooling circuit and a heating or cooling and heating circuit, one of the boxes being provided with means for producing frigories communicating with at least one of the two circuits, while each of the meal trays is composed of an upper element (6) and a lower element (7) comprising complementary thermal barriers ( 8, 9) interpenetrating to divide each plate into two isolated zones (C and F), one from the other and from the outside, each zone of each element of the plate being crossed by at least two vertical channels ( 10, 11, 12) one of which (12) partially surrounds the containers (14) supported by bearing surfaces (13) of the lower element (7), and which each upper element (6) of each tray comprises, in its part corresponding to the heating zone (C), means for producing heat, characterized in that the means for producing cold comprise:
- dans le caisson supérieur (5) :- in the upper box (5):
- un accumulateur de frigories constitué par un réservoir étanche (18), isolé et raccordable à une source de fluide à température négative, au moins le fond de ce réservoir étant thermiquement conducteur et présentant, au moins dans la zone de la boucle de retour (16) du circuit de refroidissement, une déformation (22) sensiblement semi cylindrique,- a cold store consisting of a sealed reservoir (18), insulated and connectable to a source of fluid at negative temperature, at least the bottom of this reservoir being thermally conductive and having, at least in the region of the return loop ( 16) of the cooling circuit, a substantially semi-cylindrical deformation (22),
- un organe de régulation (23) constitué par un cylindre horizontal de même diamètre que la déformation (22) précitée contre laquelle il est en contact et monté libre en rotation, sous le contrôle d'une commande, ce cylindre comprenant une partie supérieure (23a) en matériau isolant et une partie inférieure (23b) en matériau thermiquement conducteur dans laquelle est emmanchée l'une des extrémités de barreaux caloducs (24), dont les extrémités libres sont dans la boucle de retour (16) du circuit de refroidissement,a regulating member (23) consisting of a horizontal cylinder of the same diameter as the above-mentioned deformation (22) against which it is in contact and mounted to rotate freely, under the control of a command, this cylinder comprising an upper part ( 23a) of insulating material and a lower part (23b) of thermally conductive material in which one of the ends of heat pipe rods (24) is fitted, the free ends of which are in the return loop (16) of the cooling circuit,
- et, dans l'un des éléments (6, 7) de chaque plateau, une plaque d'échange comportant un premier réseau caloduc (26) dont les échangeurs thermiques (26a) sont disposés dans les zones des récipients à refroidir, ce réseau
étant muni d'embouts (26b) de collecte de frigories disposés dans la branche verticale descendante du circuit de refroidissement.- And, in one of the elements (6, 7) of each tray, an exchange plate comprising a first heat pipe network (26) whose heat exchangers (26a) are arranged in the areas of the containers to be cooled, this network being provided with ends (26b) for collecting frigories arranged in the vertical downward branch of the cooling circuit.
2. Dispositif selon la revendication 1 , caractérisé en ce que le circuit de refroidissement et de réchauffage comprend, dans la boucle de renvoi (17) du caisson inférieur, un echangeur thermique (30), ainsi que l'un des éléments de chaque plateau, comporte un second réseau caloducs interne (27) comprenant un echangeur thermique (27a), disposé dans la zone des récipients à réchauffer, et un embout (27b) de collecte des calories ou frigories venant dans la branche verticale ascendante du circuit de réchauffage. 2. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the cooling and heating circuit comprises, in the return loop (17) of the lower box, a heat exchanger (30), as well as one of the elements of each plate , comprises a second internal heat pipe network (27) comprising a heat exchanger (27a), disposed in the zone of the containers to be heated, and a nozzle (27b) for collecting calories or frigories coming in the upward vertical branch of the heating circuit.
3. Dispositif selon la revendication 2, caractérisé en ce que l'échangeur thermique (30) disposé dans la boucle (17) du circuit de réchauffage est constitué par plusieurs barreaux caloducs (32) dont l'une des extrémités est en contact thermique avec un réservoir (34) d'huile thermique contenant des moyens de chauffage électrique (35)sous contrôle thermostatique. 3. Device according to claim 2, characterized in that the heat exchanger (30) disposed in the loop (17) of the heating circuit consists of several heat pipe bars (32) one of the ends of which is in thermal contact with a thermal oil tank (34) containing electric heating means (35) under thermostatic control.
4. Dispositif selon la revendication 1, caractérisé en ce que le réservoir4. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the tank
(18) de frigories s'étend au-dessus des deux boucles de renvoi (16) des deux circuits et comporte, au voisinage de chacune de ces boucles, une déformation semi cylindrique (22) servant de logement à un organe de régulation (23), chacun de ces organes (23) étant sous le contrôle d'une commande distincte. (18) of frigories extends above the two return loops (16) of the two circuits and comprises, in the vicinity of each of these loops, a semi-cylindrical deformation (22) serving as a housing for a regulating member (23 ), each of these members (23) being under the control of a separate command.
5. Dispositif selon la revendication 1 , caractérisé en ce que l'organe de régulation (23) est lié en rotation à un bouton de réglage à actionnement manuel muni d'un index coopérant avec une graduation fixe.5. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the regulating member (23) is linked in rotation to a manually actuated adjustment button provided with an index cooperating with a fixed graduation.
6. Dispositif selon la revendication 1 , caractérisé en ce que l'organe de régulation (23) est lié en rotation (25) à un moyen d'entraînement réagissant à au moins un capteur de température disposé dans le circuit correspondant.6. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the regulating member (23) is linked in rotation (25) to a drive means reacting to at least one temperature sensor disposed in the corresponding circuit.
7. Dispositif selon la revendication 1 , caractérisé en ce que la partie (23a) en matériau isolant de l'organe de régulation (23) s'étend sur un arc de cercle ayant une valeur supérieure à celle de l'arc de cercle sur lequel s'étend la déformation (22) du réservoir (18) le recevant. 7. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the part (23a) of insulating material of the regulating member (23) extends over a circular arc having a value greater than that of the circular arc on which extends the deformation (22) of the reservoir (18) receiving it.
8. Dispositif selon la revendication 1 , caractérisé en ce que l'un des éléments de chaque plateau comporte un second réseau caloduc interne (27) comprenant un echangeur thermique (27a), disposé dans la zone des récipients à réchauffer, et un embout (27b) entouré par un collier chauffant électrique.8. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that one of the elements of each tray comprises a second internal heat pipe network (27) comprising a heat exchanger (27a), disposed in the zone of the containers to be heated, and a nozzle ( 27b) surrounded by an electric heating collar.
9. Dispositif selon la revendication 1 , caractérisé en ce que le réservoir (18) contient des corps creux qui remplis d'un liquide eutectique sont emprisonnés
dans ce réservoir et sont refroidis au passage par circulation d'un autre liquide eutectique alimentaire porté à une température comprise entre 0°c et -50°c.
9. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the reservoir (18) contains hollow bodies which filled with a eutectic liquid are trapped in this tank and are cooled by the passage by circulation of another food eutectic liquid brought to a temperature between 0 ° c and -50 ° c.
Applications Claiming Priority (3)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
FR9702391A FR2759890B1 (en) | 1997-02-26 | 1997-02-26 | DEVICE FOR PRESERVING MEAL TRAYS WITH LOCALIZED WARMING |
FR9702391 | 1997-02-26 | ||
PCT/FR1998/000365 WO1998037797A1 (en) | 1997-02-26 | 1998-02-25 | Device for the cold preservation of meal service trays with in-built heating |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
EP0914054A1 true EP0914054A1 (en) | 1999-05-12 |
Family
ID=9504277
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
EP98910825A Withdrawn EP0914054A1 (en) | 1997-02-26 | 1998-02-25 | Device for the cold preservation of meal service trays with in-built heating |
Country Status (4)
Country | Link |
---|---|
EP (1) | EP0914054A1 (en) |
CA (1) | CA2252540A1 (en) |
FR (1) | FR2759890B1 (en) |
WO (1) | WO1998037797A1 (en) |
Families Citing this family (7)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
FR2805443B1 (en) | 2000-02-24 | 2002-07-19 | Italinnova Sas | DEVICE FOR STORING AND HEATING MEAL TRAYS WITH MODULAR HOT AND COLD ZONES |
US8171845B2 (en) * | 2006-06-01 | 2012-05-08 | Kitchen Equipment Fabricating Company | Temperature controlled food tray system |
US8307761B1 (en) | 2008-06-16 | 2012-11-13 | Low Temp Manufacturing Company | Multi-well food presentation modules |
CA2964651A1 (en) * | 2017-04-13 | 2018-10-13 | Cryologistics Refrigeration Technologies Ltd. | Passive refrigeration system for the cold chain industry |
US11912465B2 (en) | 2021-01-27 | 2024-02-27 | Duke Manufacturing Co. | Liner for food receiver of food holding apparatus |
USD1005781S1 (en) | 2021-01-29 | 2023-11-28 | Duke Manufacturing Co. | Liner for a food holding well |
EP4265986A1 (en) * | 2022-04-19 | 2023-10-25 | Stichting Wageningen Research | System and method for temperature-controlled storage and/or transport of a product |
Family Cites Families (6)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
JPS6010184U (en) * | 1983-06-30 | 1985-01-24 | 株式会社富士通ゼネラル | refrigerator |
US4971142A (en) * | 1989-01-03 | 1990-11-20 | The Air Preheater Company, Inc. | Heat exchanger and heat pipe therefor |
US4976308A (en) * | 1990-02-21 | 1990-12-11 | Wright State University | Thermal energy storage heat exchanger |
FR2662592B1 (en) * | 1990-06-05 | 1994-10-14 | Rene Grandi | MEAL TRAY DISTRIBUTION DEVICE WITH INTEGRATED HOLDING AND WARMING EFFECTS. |
FR2725265B1 (en) * | 1994-09-30 | 1996-12-13 | Grandi Rene Vincent | DEVICE FOR REGULATING AND TRANSFERRING REFRIGERATED OR CALORIC FLUIDS FOR TRANSPORT CONTAINERS |
FR2752288B1 (en) | 1996-08-06 | 1998-11-06 | Grandi Rene Vincent | DEVICE FOR ACCUMULATING AND TRANSFERRING REFRIGERATIONS AND INSTALLATION FOR IMPLEMENTING SAME |
-
1997
- 1997-02-26 FR FR9702391A patent/FR2759890B1/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
-
1998
- 1998-02-25 CA CA 2252540 patent/CA2252540A1/en not_active Abandoned
- 1998-02-25 WO PCT/FR1998/000365 patent/WO1998037797A1/en not_active Application Discontinuation
- 1998-02-25 EP EP98910825A patent/EP0914054A1/en not_active Withdrawn
Non-Patent Citations (1)
Title |
---|
See references of WO9837797A1 * |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
FR2759890B1 (en) | 1999-06-04 |
FR2759890A1 (en) | 1998-08-28 |
WO1998037797A1 (en) | 1998-09-03 |
CA2252540A1 (en) | 1998-09-03 |
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