JP2000297977A - Continuous article treating apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To treat an article entering into surrounding space at uniform temperature by providing a ventilating carrying belt wound spirally in a plurality of stages vertically around an upstanding cylindrical drum and supplying an air flow into a surrounding space between the drum and a surrounding heat insulating wall. SOLUTION: In a continuous article treating apparatus comprising a carrying belt 3 wound spirally in a plurality of stages vertically around an upstanding cylindrical drum 2, a heat insulating wall 4 is provided to surround the drum 2 including the winding region of the carrying belt 3 and a surrounding space 5 is defined between the drum 2 and the heat insulating wall 4. The surrounding space 5 is supplied with an air flow of specified temperature from an air flow supply unit 6 comprising a heat exchanger 12 constituting the main section of a refrigerating machine or a heater and a fan 13. A temperature balancing unit 7 comprising a plurality of fans 17 is disposed on the inside of the drum 2 in order to circulate the air flow forcibly between a high region and a low region of the surrounding space 5.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a continuous article processing apparatus.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art While transporting an article (for example, a packaged or stored food or the food itself), the article is cooled (including freezing or freezing) or heated (including drying, warming, steaming, etc.). As a continuous article processing apparatus 50 for continuously performing the cold heat treatment of the type described above, an apparatus utilizing a spiral conveyor 51 as shown in FIG. 3 is known. The spiral conveyor 51 referred to here is an upright cylindrical drum 52
And a conveyor belt 53 wound in a plurality of upper and lower spirals around the drum 52. The conveyor belt 53 is moved around the drum 52 while moving the drum 52 in the same direction as the conveyor belt 53. To rotate.

In order to make the spiral conveyor 51 a continuous article processing apparatus 50, the winding area of the conveyor belt 53 around the drum 52 is surrounded by a heat insulating wall 55, whereby the outer peripheral surface of the drum 52 and the inner circumferential surface of the heat insulating wall 55 are surrounded. A circulating space 56 is formed between the surface and the surface, and an airflow at a predetermined temperature can be supplied to the circulating space 56. In this case, a belt having high air permeability is used for the transport belt 53. This kind, continuous article processing apparatus 50
Are classified into several types according to the method of supplying the airflow to the orbiting space 56. However, it is preferable that the space is relatively compact in terms of installation space, and a side blow method (see Japanese Patent Publication No. 60-54588). It has been known.

FIG. 3 shows the side blow system. As is apparent from FIG. 3, in this system, an air flow supply device 58 is provided on one side of the drum 52, The air flow is circulated from the supply device 58 to the orbiting space 56 with the drum 52 through a part of the heat insulating wall 55 in a lateral feeding manner.

[0005]

In the continuous article processing apparatus 50 of the side blow system, the articles (all articles held on the transport belt 53 around the drum 52) in the orbiting space 56 are considered due to their structural fate. ) At a uniform temperature in some cases. The causes are roughly in the following three points. The first point is as follows. The conveyor belt 53 has a portion that linearly extends from the drum 52 on the entrance side and the exit side as the spiral conveyor 51, and the vertical and horizontal alignment of the articles is performed based on the linear portion 60. During the winding around the drum 52 (at the time of a curve), the inside (closer to the drum 52) shrinks in the transport direction, and the outside (closer to the heat insulating wall 55) extends.

[0006] Therefore, as shown in FIG. 4, the apparent transport pitch M of the article inside becomes smaller than the transport pitch P of the linear portion 60 (clogging to M <P), and
On the other hand, the outside conveyance pitch N becomes coarse (extends to N> P). Therefore, it is originally a principle that the articles should be aligned in the linear portion 60 while taking this into consideration. However, in spite of the fact, in an actual operation site, there is not much effort to improve production efficiency as much as possible. Therefore, it often happens that the apparent transport pitch M of the article inside becomes too fine in the orbiting space 56.

As a result, the article and the air flow hardly come into contact with each other on the inside, and there is an imbalance (variation in the degree of heat exchange) with the easy contact between the article and the air flow on the outside. there were. The second point is as follows. The temperature difference between the air flow before and after the process is generated in the air flow discharge side region 61 by the air flow supply device 58 and the other region, particularly, the air flow recovery side region 62. This means that temperature unevenness based on the temperature difference has occurred.

[0008] The third point is as follows. When the height of the drum 52 is high, the temperature distribution is biased even between the high side area and the low side area corresponding to the winding height position of the conveyor belt 53 in accordance with the principle of heat transfer. The second and third problems are that the larger the drum 52 (the portion of the spiral conveyor 51), the larger the orbital space 5
6 also tends to be remarkable because the number of articles included in the number 6 increases. FIG. 5 shows the results of measuring the temperature of the inside and the outside with the lapse of time by using a self-recording thermometer, and it is clear that the difference between them has reached about 10 ° C.

Further, when the transition of the temperature change is observed in the first half, the middle stage, and the second half of the progress of processing (over time) (ie, the lower position and the intermediate position in the process of moving the conveyor belt 53 from below to above the drum 52). , Respectively, correspond to the upper position), 6.56 ° C in the first half, 5.54 ° C in the middle, 4.13 ° C in the second half, and the average temperature difference between the first half and the second half is actually 2.4 ° C. Was. The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and even in a case where a side blow method that is advantageous in terms of installation space is adopted, it is possible to process articles entering the orbiting space at a uniform temperature. It is an object of the present invention to provide a continuous article processing apparatus.

[0010]

According to the present invention, the following technical measures have been taken in order to achieve the above object. That is, the continuous article processing apparatus according to the present invention includes a drum having an upright cylindrical shape, a transport belt having air permeability wound around the drum in a plurality of spirals, and transporting the drum around the drum. An airflow at a predetermined temperature (including both a refrigerant and a heat medium) flows through a heat insulating wall provided so as to surround the belt winding region and the surrounding space between the drum outer peripheral surface and the heat insulating wall inner peripheral surface. ) Is provided as a basic configuration.

[0011] In addition to this basic configuration, the apparatus has a temperature balance device for forcibly circulating the air flow between the high-order region and the low-order region of the circulating space. With such a configuration, forcible stirring of the air flow is possible over the entire area of the orbiting space, so that the temperature distribution in the orbiting space can be made uniform, and as a result, all of the air entering the orbiting space can be obtained. Can be processed at a uniform temperature. Accordingly, there is an advantage that the thermal efficiency of the airflow supply device can be improved. The temperature equilibrium device uses a central space in the drum as an air flow passage, and has a blower in the air flow passage, so that a distance for discharging the circulating air flow to the orbiting space is obtained. Uniformity can be maintained, which is suitable for the heat transfer surface.

Further, since the circulating air flow is not circulated through a long and unnecessary path, it is suitable for suppressing heat loss. Furthermore, since the installation area of the temperature equilibrium device is not provided extra outside the installation space of the drum or the like (as a spiral conveyor), there is an advantage that the continuous article processing apparatus does not become large as a whole. In the case where the temperature equilibrium device is configured as described above, a ventilation hole is formed so that the outer peripheral space and the inner central space are connected to the drum by passing through the peripheral wall corresponding to the higher region and the lower region. Is provided, there is no need for piping or the like for guiding the circulating air flow, and there is an advantage that the structure can be simplified.

[0013]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, in a continuous article processing apparatus 1 according to the present invention, a drum 2 having an upright cylindrical shape, and a conveying belt 3 wound around the drum 2 in a plurality of spirals in upper and lower stages. A heat insulating wall 4 provided so as to surround the drum 2 including the winding area of the conveyor belt 3, and an outer peripheral surface of the drum 2 and the heat insulating wall 4.
And an air flow supply device 6 for supplying an air flow at a predetermined temperature to the orbiting space 5 between the inner space and the inner peripheral surface.

The continuous article processing apparatus 1 further includes a temperature balance device 7 for forcibly circulating an air flow between the high-order region and the low-order region in the circulating space 5. Although not shown, the transport belt 3 is formed by combining a large number of link components into a ladder structure, a net structure, or a composite structure thereof to form a transport surface, and each link component is made of metal or resin. It can freely bend in the left-right direction and has high air permeability.

In the case of this embodiment, the transport belt 3
The portion extending linearly on the lower side with respect to the drum 2 is defined as a winding end 3a, and the portion extending linearly on the higher side is defined as a winding end 3b. Via a suitable support member (not shown) provided on the peripheral surface or the like, the drum 2 is supported so as to be able to orbit around the drum 2 from below to above. Although not shown, the transport belt 3 has a descending portion and a rising portion at positions away from the drum 2 from the winding end 3a and the unwinding end 3b, respectively.
In addition, it has a turn-back portion and the like, whereby it comes close to each other and is connected.
Therefore, an endless flow is formed as the entire flow of the transport belt 3.

The conveyor belt 3 is provided with an installation section for a belt driving device and an article loading / unloading section (all not shown) at appropriate positions away from the drum 2. In contrast to such a conveyor belt 3, the drum 2
The rotation driving device 8 is configured to rotate the conveyance belt 3 in the same direction as the circulating movement of the conveyance belt 3 and to tune the conveyance speed of the conveyance belt 3 or adjust the height thereof. The heat insulating wall 4 is provided with an open portion except for a portion that passes through the winding end 3a and the unwinding end 3b of the transport belt 3 and a connection portion of the discharge side duct 10 and the collection side duct 11 in the air flow supply device 6. The structure is such that the above-mentioned orbiting space 5 can be closed without the need.

The air flow supply device 6 is provided on one side of the drum 2 and constitutes a heat exchanger as a main part as a refrigerator or a heater (this embodiment includes a heat source). 12 and a plurality of blowers 13 and the like.
That is, the continuous article processing apparatus 1 supplies an air stream by a side blow method. Therefore, in the air flow supply device 6, the treated air is sucked from the orbiting space 5 through the collection side duct 11, and the heat exchanger 1
After cooling or heating (recovering the temperature) to a predetermined temperature by heat exchange by the air blower 2, the action of driving the air flow into the orbiting space 5 via the blower 13 and the discharge side duct 10 is repeated, and this air flow is repeated. It is designed to circulate horizontally.

The temperature equilibrium device 7 includes a central space provided inside the peripheral wall 15 forming the drum 2 and the air flow passage 1.
The air flow passage 16 has a plurality of blowers 17. Each blower 1
The blowing direction of 7 may be appropriately selected from an upward direction and a downward direction in accordance with the traveling direction of the transport belt 3. For example, when the transport belt 3 is loaded from the upper stage of the drum 2 and discharged from the lower stage, the cooling device or the heating device may be blown upward from below. When loading and discharging is upside down, it is desirable to blow air from top to bottom.

The peripheral wall 15 of the drum 2 has ventilation holes 20 and 2 corresponding to the positions of the high and low regions.
1 is provided in a laterally penetrating state. In other words, the outer circumferential space 5 and the inner central space (air flow passage 16) of the drum 2 are in communication with each other through the ventilation holes 20 and 21. In addition, each blower 17 mentioned above is
The drum 2 has a cylindrical core 22 erected at the center of the drum 2. The cylindrical core 22 is provided upright at the center of the drum 2. The opening area is adjusted so that it does not become too large.

Such a core 22 may be used for accommodating a central axis (not shown) of the rotary driving device 8 of the drum 2 when the central axis is required. In the continuous article processing apparatus 1 of the present invention having such a configuration, the temperature equilibrium device 7 is also operated under the condition that the air flow of the predetermined temperature is supplied to the circulation space 5 by the air flow supply device 6. By doing so, a part of the airflow in the orbiting space 5 is taken into the airflow passage 16 from the ventilation hole 20 in the higher region (or the ventilation hole 21 in the lower region) of the drum 2, and the ventilation hole in the lower region Forcibly circulating in the vertical direction, such as returning from the orifice 21 (or the vent hole 20 in the higher region) to the orbiting space 5 again.

As a result, the air flow is swirled over the entire area of the orbiting space 5.
Inside, that is, the position difference between the inside and the outside around the drum 2, the position difference between the area on the discharge side of the airflow by the airflow supply device 6 and the other area, and further in the height direction of the orbiting space 5 The temperature distribution becomes uniform at the position difference or the like. Therefore, all the articles in the orbiting space 5 are processed at a uniform temperature.

Incidentally, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment. For example, in the temperature equilibrium device 7, the number and arrangement of the blowers 17 are not particularly limited, and may be only one. The core 22 is not always necessary. Vent holes 20 and 21 provided in drum 2
The number, arrangement, opening shape, etc., of these can also be changed as appropriate. For example, round holes or square holes can be formed, or the drum 2 itself can be formed of a punching metal or a net material.

It is also possible to make the opening edges of the ventilation holes 20 and 21 have an angle corresponding to the air flow passage characteristic, or to add a rectifier. As the motor provided in the blower 17, it is also possible to use a motor capable of controlling the air volume (rotation speed control) in accordance with the change in the number of articles to be put into the orbiting space 5, the temperature gradient (temperature change amount) relating to the processing, and the like. is there. The blower 17 is not limited to the fan type, and may be, for example, a type that additionally supplies an air flow from the outside. In this case, it goes without saying that the temperature is adjusted for the added airflow.

Incidentally, the temperature equilibrium device 7 can be provided outside the drum 2. The conveyor belt 3 may be circulated around the drum 2 from top to bottom. It is also possible to include steam as an air stream. The article is not limited to food.

[0025]

As is clear from the above description, in the continuous article processing apparatus according to the present invention, the temperature equilibrium device allows air to flow between the outer peripheral surface of the drum and the inner peripheral surface of the heat insulating wall between the heights thereof. Since the forced circulation of the flow, that is, the stirring can be performed, the article temperature can be made uniform.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a plan sectional view showing an embodiment of a continuous article processing apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view corresponding to line AA of FIG.

FIG. 3 is a plan sectional view schematically showing a conventional continuous article processing apparatus.

FIG. 4 is a partially enlarged plan view illustrating a state where articles are placed on a transport belt.

FIG. 5 is a graph showing a temperature distribution in a circulation space in a conventional continuous article processing apparatus.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Continuous article processing apparatus 2 Drum 3 Conveying belt 4 Heat insulation wall 5 Circular space 6 Air flow supply device 7 Temperature equilibrium device 15 Drum peripheral wall 16 Air flow passage 17 Blower 20 Vent hole 21 Vent hole

Continued on the front page (72) Inventor Haruhiko Morishita 2-13-44 Fujinosato, Ibaraki City, Osaka Prefecture Gunze Co., Ltd. SOZ Business Unit F-term (reference) 3F023 AA03 AB10 BA02 BB01 BC01 DA03 3L045 AA04 BA02 CA02 DA02 EA01 GA07 HA01 KA04 PA01 PA04

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A drum (2) having an upright cylindrical shape, an air-permeable conveying belt (3) wound spirally around upper and lower stages of the drum (2), and the drum (2). And a heat insulating wall (4) provided so as to surround the periphery thereof including the winding area of the transport belt (3), and a rotation between the outer peripheral surface of the drum (2) and the inner peripheral surface of the heat insulating wall (4). An air flow supply device (6) for supplying an air flow at a predetermined temperature to the space (5), and a temperature balance device for forcibly circulating the air flow between the high region and the low region of the orbiting space (5). (7) A continuous article processing apparatus comprising: 2. The temperature equilibrium device (7) utilizes a central space in a drum (2) for an air flow passage (16) and has a blower (17) in the air flow passage (16). 2. The continuous article processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein: 3. The outer peripheral space (5) and the inner central space (5) are connected to the drum (2) by laterally penetrating the peripheral wall (15) corresponding to the high region and the low region. 3. The continuous article processing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein a ventilation hole (20, 21) is provided.