Heating apparatus, transportation unit, system and method for removing foodstuffs

Abstract

The invention relates to a transportation unit for transport of foodstuffs that are highly viscous or solid at ambient temperatures. The transportation unit comprises a first bag, a second bag arranged to fit into the first bag, and one or more hoist bands wrapped around the bottom side of the first bag and connected thereto. The first bag has an upper side and a bottom side, and is made from a woven fabric, preferably a woven polymer. Additionally, the first bag comprises a transfer opening for removing the foodstuffs from the transportation unit. The second bag comprises an opening for inserting and / or removing the foodstuffs. The second bag is capable of transporting more than 2000 kg of foodstuffs. The one or more hoist bands form loops above the upper side of the first bag.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0001]The invention relates to a transportation unit for transporting foodstuffs that are highly viscous or solid at ambient temperatures. The invention further relates to an apparatus for heating such foodstuffs. The invention further relates to a system for removing foodstuffs that are highly viscous or solid at ambient temperatures from a transportation unit. Finally, the invention relates to a method of removing foodstuffs that are highly viscous or solid at ambient temperatures from a transportation unit.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]The transport of large quantities of highly viscous or solid foodstuffs at ambient temperatures has proven to be cumbersome. Due to this solidification or high viscosity such foodstuffs can only be transferred while being at a temperature above normal ambient temperatures, that is above about 15-25° C.[0003]An example of a foodstuff that is highly viscous at ambient temperatures is glucose syrup. Due to the high viscosity, ...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0006]The object of the invention is to provide a system for removing foodstuffs that are highly viscous or solid at ambient temperatures from a transportation unit by heating and pumping with improved properties. For this purpose, an embodiment of the invention provides a transportation unit for transport of foodstuffs that are highly viscous or solid at ambient temperatures, the transportation unit comprising: a first bag made from a woven fabric, preferably a woven polymer, the first bag having an upper side and a bottom side, the first bag being arranged to accommodate a second bag; a second bag arranged to fit into the first bag, the second bag comprising a opening for inserting and / or removing the foodstuffs; and one or more hoist bands wrapped around the bottom side of the first bag and connected thereto, the one or more hoist bands forming loops above the upper side of the first bag; wherein the first bag comprises a transfer opening for removing the foodstuffs from the transportation unit and wherein the second bag is capable of transporting more than 2000 kg of foodstuffs. Such transportation unit can transport a high quantity of foodstuffs in a reliable way, while the transportation unit is easily heated, which allows for efficient transport of foodstuffs that are highly viscous or solid at ambient temperatures.

[0007]The first bag may comprise a closeable opening to allow insertion of the second bag. The closeable opening can improve the orientation and / or positioning of the second bag within the first bag to obtain good transport results. The second bag may comprise a first transfer opening for insertion of foodstuffs and a second transfer opening for removal of foodstuffs. In some embodiments, the second bag further comprises a pressure control opening for allowing pressure control within the second bag. The pressure control opening may be used to allow the inner bag to suitably fit into the outer bag. In addition, or alternatively, the pressure control opening may be used during removal of the foodstuffs by providing an overpressure via the pressure control opening into the inner bag. If the transfer opening for removal is the only one being opened, the applied overpressure then helps to push the foodstuffs out.

[0011]Some embodiments of the invention further relate to an apparatus for heating foodstuffs that are highly viscous or solid at ambient temperatures, the apparatus comprising: a housing having a bottom wall and side walls, the housing being arranged to accommodate a transportation unit capable of transporting more than 2000 kg of foodstuff, filled with the foodstuff and provided with an opening for removal of the foodstuff, the housing further comprising an outlet opening; and a heating system within the housing provided with a heat transfer surface for transferring heat to the transportation unit during use, wherein the heat transfer surface of the heating system is arranged to embrace at least about 40% of the outer surface of the transportation unit. This apparatus allows relatively quick heating of foodstuffs in the transportation unit in a relatively homogeneous and gradual way. Due to the quick heating without the presence of a large temperature gradient within the transportation unit foodstuff removal can be performed within a limited period of time without loss of quality due to excessive heating. The apparatus is particularly useful for heating a transportation unit according to any of the abovementioned embodiments.

[0012]The heat transfer surface may include the outer surfaces of tubes, sheets or panels. In some embodiments, the tubes, sheets or panels form a frame for supporting the transportation unit. Supporting the transportation unit may improve the contact area between the heat transfer surface and the transportation unit which may enhance heat transfer.

[0013]In case the heat transfer surface includes the outer surface of panels, at least one of the surfaces of the heat panels facing a space within the housing for accommodating the transportation unit during use may comprise a plurality of burls. The use of burls may increase the contact area between the heat transfer surface and the transportation unit, which may enhance heat transfer.

[0014]In some embodiment, the apparatus further comprises a lid. The lid may be a removable lid which, if present, forms an upper wall substantially covering the housing. Alternatively, the lid may be connected to one of the side surfaces via one or more hinges. The lid may then be pivotable about the one or more hinges to form an upper wall substantially covering the housing if closed. The lid blocks heat so that less heat can “escape” and more heat can be used to reduce the viscosity of the foodstuffs in the transportation unit. The lid may be provided with a transparent portion. The transparent portion may assist an operator in checking the functionality of the apparatus, for example to check how the heating process is progressing and / or to see whether the heating apparatus is occupied or not. Instead of a lid substantially covering the housing, in some embodiments the housing further comprises an upper wall provided with a lid portion. The lid portion may be removable or may be pivotable about one or more hinges.

Problems solved by technology

The transport of large quantities of highly viscous or solid foodstuffs at ambient temperatures has proven to be cumbersome.

Due to the high viscosity, transfer of glucose syrup from one unit to another unit at these temperatures is very difficult and heating is needed.

At lower temperatures the viscosity is too high to allow for easy transport.

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