JP2002172371A - Apparatus for sterilizing/cleaning moving body - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an apparatus for sterilizing/cleaning a moving body which can clean the moving body sufficiently during work and does not cause secondary pollution. SOLUTION: In the apparatus, a sterilization easing 15 forming a closed space 50 surrounding a part in a moving passage of the moving body 1 is installed, and a steam nozzle 52 for ejecting steam the temperature of which is at least 85 deg.C on the outer surface 2 of the moving body 1 is installed in the casing 15. In the casing 15, the steam the temperature of which is at least 85 deg.C is ejected from the nozzle 52 on the outer surface 2 of the moving body 1 during work, fungi on the outer surface 2 of the moving body 1 facing the nozzle 52 are killed, and the outer surface 2 of the moving body 1 is cleaned to keep a clean condition.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an apparatus for disinfecting and cleaning a moving body such as a conveyor belt and a cutter used in a food processing step for keeping the moving body clean.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Generally, in a food processing step, food is often transported and worked on a conveyor belt. However, germs, mold, and the like may be generated at a portion of the conveyor belt that directly contacts the food. In particular, in the summertime when the temperature is high, the humidity increases, and the propagation of various bacteria and the occurrence of fungi increase, and leaving these various bacteria and fungi causes food poisoning and poor physical condition.

For this reason, conventionally, the conveyor belt has been manually sterilized and cleaned after the operation.

[0004]

However, as described above, it is troublesome to perform the sterilization cleaning of the conveyor belt by hand, and thus the sterilization cleaning cannot be performed sufficiently.
There was a problem that working hours increased.

[0005] In addition to the above-mentioned conveyor belt, an endless band knife or a disc-shaped circle wound around a pulley to cut a fish or the like conveyed by the conveyor and faces a conveying path of the fish or the like. The blade cutter is also designed to cut fish etc. while running or rotating continuously, but in particular, because it is not configured to perform washing during cutting, like the conveyor belt described above, after work is completed Sterilization cleaning was performed manually.

As described above, when a conveyor belt, a band knife, a round blade cutter, and other moving bodies that move and contribute to the processing of food in the food processing step are washed by hand using a detergent or the like after the work is completed, Because of the labor involved, there were problems that sterilization and cleaning could not be performed sufficiently and working hours were extended.

In order to overcome such problems, sterilization using a chemical is effective. However, the use of a chemical increases the cost of purchasing the chemical and causes secondary pollution caused by the chemical. There is a risk.

[0008] On the other hand, during the day's work, the germs attached to the moving body gradually grow and adhere to the food, so that sterilization and washing after completion of the work itself has to tolerate the propagation of the germs. Is a problem.

Incidentally, the Crisis Analysis Focus Management System (HACCP), which is the food safety standard of the Ministry of Health and Welfare, is based on the management of the production system and the hygiene and safety, and producers are always required to control the quality in the production process.

[0010] In particular, food accidents related to bacteria have frequently occurred in recent years and are expected to increase in the future.

In recent years, the direction of foods in Japan has shifted from natural foods to processed foods, and various processed foods have been developed.

Under such food circumstances, safe food management is urgently needed. However, as mentioned above, there is a problem of secondary pollution depending on the medicine, and even if there is no secondary pollution, bacteria can be prevented. Because you will have immunity to drugs, you will have to use stronger drugs gradually. As a result, the effect on the human body must be considered.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In view of the foregoing, it is an object of the present invention to provide an apparatus for sterilizing and cleaning a moving body, which enables good sterilization and cleaning of the moving body during the operation and has no secondary pollution.

[0014]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a sterilization and cleaning apparatus for a moving body according to the first aspect of the present invention. The present invention is characterized in that a casing is provided, and a steam nozzle for injecting steam at 85 ° C. or higher is provided inside the sterilizing casing on the outer surface of the moving body. And by adopting such a configuration, 85% in the sterilization casing.
Water vapor having a temperature of ℃ or more is sprayed from the steam nozzle to the outer surface of the moving object that is moving during the work, and bacteria on the outer surface of the moving object facing the steam nozzle are killed, so the outer surface of the moving object is sterilized and cleaned. To maintain a clean state.

A feature of the apparatus for sterilizing and cleaning a moving object according to the second aspect of the present invention resides in that a brush member that rotates and slides on the outer surface of the moving object is further provided. And by adopting such a configuration, it is possible to remove dirt and dust attached to the outer surface of the moving body.

A feature of the moving body sterilizing and cleaning apparatus according to the third aspect of the present invention resides in that a detergent nozzle for spraying a detergent is further provided on the outer surface of the moving body. And by employing such a configuration, the outer surface of the moving body can be cleaned even with a detergent.

A feature of the moving object sterilizing and cleaning apparatus according to the present invention according to claim 4 is that a hot water nozzle for jetting hot water to the outer surface of the moving object is further provided. Then, by adopting such a configuration, it is possible to reliably remove detergent, dust, and the like left on the outer surface of the moving body.

A feature of the apparatus for sterilizing and cleaning a moving object according to the fifth aspect of the present invention resides in that a suction tube for sucking a substance attached to the outer surface of the moving object is further provided. By adopting such a configuration, dust and the like on the outer surface of the moving body can be removed by suction.

A sixth aspect of the present invention according to the sixth aspect of the present invention is characterized in that a cooling means for cooling the heated moving body is further provided. By adopting such a configuration, for example, the moving body heated by hot water or the like is cooled, and the conveyed food is not adversely affected by heat.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, there is provided a sterilizing and cleaning apparatus for a moving body according to the present invention, wherein the outer surface of the moving body has a front surface and a back surface, respectively. At least one of the cooling means
The point is that one is arranged. And by adopting such a configuration, both the front and back surfaces of the moving body can be sterilized and cleaned, so that the sterilization and cleaning of the surface of the moving body that contributes to the transport of food can be performed more favorably. it can.

A feature of the moving object sterilizing and cleaning apparatus according to the present invention is that a boiler is provided in a sterilizing casing, and steam generated by the boiler is supplied to a steam nozzle. By adopting such a configuration, a high-temperature steam can be jetted with high efficiency from a steam nozzle located at a short distance from the boiler, and a configuration for exposing the outside of the device to reduce the structure of the mobile body sterilizing and cleaning device. Degree of freedom can be increased.

[0022]

1 and 2 show an embodiment of a conveyor belt sterilizing and cleaning apparatus as a moving body of a moving body sterilizing and cleaning apparatus according to the present invention. In the present embodiment, only the front surface 2 that contributes to the transport of the food among the front surface 2 and the rear surface 3 that constitute the outer surface of the conveyor belt 1 that is configured to be able to travel by a drive mechanism (not shown) is cleaned. Has become.

To this end, a casing 15 of the cleaning device 14 is provided above the surface 2 of the conveyor belt 1. The casing 15 is installed at a position where the conveyor belt 1 does not convey foods and the like. Surface 2 of the conveyor belt 1 from upstream to downstream
Closed space 20 for washing, closed space 3 for rinsing
The first closed space 40 for suction, the closed space 50 for sterilization, the closed space 60 for cooling, and the second closed space 70 for suction are formed. Each space 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 7
0 partially surrounds the surface 2 of the conveyor belt 1 respectively.

Each of these spaces 20, 30, 40,
50, 60, 70 are not necessarily arranged in this order, the order of arrangement may be changed as necessary, and at least one of the spaces 20, 3, excluding the closed space 50 for sterilization.
It is also possible to omit 0, 40, 60 or 70.

In the closed space 20 for cleaning, two rotating brushes 21 and 21 as brush members driven by a driving mechanism (not shown) are arranged at intervals in the running direction of the conveyor belt 1. , Each rotating brush 2
Reference numeral 1 denotes a structure in which a large number of resin bristle members 24 extending radially and having a leading end slidably in contact with the conveyor belt 1 are implanted on an outer peripheral surface of a cylindrical base member 23 supported by respective rotating shafts 22. Have been. The direction of rotation of each rotating brush 21 is such that the tip of each bristle member 24 moves in the same direction as the conveyor belt 1, and the rotation speed of each rotating brush 21 is in sliding contact with the conveyor belt 1. The tip of the bristle member 24 is set to have a relative speed to the conveyor belt 1.

A detergent nozzle 25 facing the downstream side of each of the rotating brushes 21 is provided in the washing closed space 20 so as to be supported by the casing 15. Is designed so that detergent from a detergent tank (not shown) is sprayed toward the surface 2 of the conveyor belt 1. Part of the detergent supplied on the conveyor belt 1 flows out from the side edge of the conveyor belt 1.

In the rinsing closed space 30 located downstream of the rinsing closed space 20, two hot water nozzles 31 are disposed so as to be supported by the casing 15, and From the nozzle 31, hot water from a hot water tank (not shown) is jetted toward the surface 2 of the conveyor belt 1. This warm water plays a role of rinsing the detergent sprayed onto the conveyor belt 1 from the detergent nozzle 25.

In the first suction closed space 40 located downstream of the rinse closed space 30, a suction tube 41 connected to a vacuum pump (not shown) has a tip opening 4 formed therein.
2 is supported by the casing 15 so as to be close to the surface 2 of the conveyor belt 1. The suction tube 41 sucks dust and the like on the conveyor belt 1 together with water.

The inside of the sterilization closed space 50 located downstream of the first suction closed space 40 is provided with a conveyor belt 1.
Are divided into three small spaces 51, 51, 51 adjacent to each other in the traveling direction.
Are arranged. Each of the steam nozzles 52 is connected to a high-pressure steam tank (not shown), and has a sterilizing temperature of a general bacterium (described later) 8 formed in the high-pressure steam tank.
Even high-pressure steam exceeding 100 ° C. with 5 ° C. as a lower limit is jetted from each steam nozzle 52 toward the surface of the conveyor belt 1.

The temperature of the steam injected from the steam nozzle 52 can be up to 150 ° C. in a normal saturated steam specification, or up to about 600 ° C. if a reheating steam system is added. Therefore, according to the document of the Ministry of Health and Welfare, steam at a temperature much higher than the sterilization temperature of general bacteria, which is 85 ° C., is obtained, so that the bacteria can be reliably killed by the high-temperature steam.

A cooling fan 60 as an example of a cooling means is provided in the cooling sealed space 60 located on the downstream side of the sterilizing sealed space 50. Is applied to the surface 2 of the conveyor belt 1 to cool the conveyor belt 1.

Note that a chilled water nozzle may be provided in place of the blower fan 61 to cool the conveyor belt 1 with chilled water.

A suction tube 71 connected to a vacuum pump (not shown) is provided with a distal end opening 72 in the second suction closed space 70 located downstream of the cooling closed space 60.
Is supported by the casing 15 so as to be close to the surface 2 of the conveyor belt 1. The suction cylinder 71 is configured to suction steam above the conveyor belt 1, water on the conveyor belt 1, and the like.

Next, the operation of the embodiment of the present invention having the above-described configuration will be described.

As mentioned above, the conveyor belt 1
The food (not shown) is sequentially transported by traveling in the direction of the arrow. When the conveyor belt 1 in such operation opposes the closed space 20 for cleaning, the two rotating brushes 21
As a result, dust and the like adhering to the surface 2 of the conveyor belt 1 are separated by the bristle member 24. On the other hand, with the rotation of the rotating brush 24, the detergent is sprayed from the detergent nozzle 25 toward the surface 2 of the conveyor belt 1 to clean the surface 2 of the conveyor belt 1.

The conveyor belt 1 at the portion of the cleaning sealed space 20 which has been cleaned by the detergent is placed in the cleaning sealed space 30.
, The hot water sprayed from two hot water nozzles 31 onto the surface 2 of the conveyor belt 1 causes the conveyor belt 1
The above detergent will be rinsed.

When the conveyor belt 1 at the portion where the detergent has been rinsed by the warm water in the cleaning closed space 30 reaches the first suction closed space 40, the suction cylinder 41 which is set to a negative pressure.
Thus, dust and the like on the surface 2 of the conveyor belt 1 are sucked together with the water and removed.

In the first closed space 40 for suction, the suction cylinder 4
Conveyor belt 1 at the site where garbage and water were sucked by 1
Reaches the closed space 50 for sterilization, high-temperature and high-pressure steam is sprayed from the steam nozzles 52 in the small spaces 51 toward the surface 2 of the conveyor belt 1, and the bacteria on the surface 2 of the conveyor belt 1 are removed by the steam. Can be killed.

When the conveyor belt 1 at the portion where the germs have been killed by the steam from the steam nozzles 52 in the sterilizing enclosed space 50 reaches the cooling enclosed space 60, the cool air from the blower fan 61 causes the surface 2 of the conveyor belt 1 to cool. Therefore, the conveyor belt 1 is removed from the high temperature that adversely affects the food placed thereafter.

When the conveyor belt 1 in the portion cooled in the cooling enclosed space 60 reaches the second suction enclosed space 70, steam or conveyor belts above the conveyor belt 1 from the suction cylinder 71, which is under negative pressure, are discharged. The water and the like above 1 are sucked and removed.

According to the present embodiment, each rotary brush 21 scrapes off dirt and the like on the conveyor belt 1, each detergent nozzle 25 cleans the surface 2 of the conveyor belt 1 with detergent, and each hot water nozzle 31 Of detergent on surface 2 of conveyor belt 1 with warm water from
1 to remove dirt, detergents, etc., each steam nozzle 52
Surface 2 of conveyor belt 1 by high temperature and high pressure steam from
By the above sterilization, cooling of the conveyor belt 1 by cold air from the blower fan 61, and removal of steam and water through the suction tube 71, the conveyor belt 1 in operation is handled because it is always kept in a clean state. Food contamination can be reliably prevented. Further, since there is no need to clean the conveyor belt 1 again after the work is completed, favorable working conditions can be maintained. Furthermore, since no chemical is used, there is no danger of secondary pollution.

FIG. 3 shows a second embodiment of the present invention, in which not only the front surface 2 but also the back surface 3 of the conveyor belt 1 can be cleaned.

For this reason, a pair of cleaning devices 14 and 14 similar to the configuration of the first embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 are disposed so as to face the front surface 2 and the back surface 3 of the conveyor belt 1, respectively. Have been.

According to such a configuration, not only the front surface 2 of the conveyor belt 1 that contributes to the transportation of foods, but also the back surface 3 of the conveyor belt 1 is positively sterilized and cleaned. There is no possibility that the surface 2 will be adversely affected, and the sterilization and cleaning of the surface 2 that contributes to the transportation of the food can be performed more favorably.

FIGS. 4 and 5 show a third embodiment of the present invention, in which fish, meat, confectionery, and milk are conveyed horizontally along a conveying section 5 formed on a frame 4. FIG. In order to cut a product (not shown), two wire-shaped band knives 6 and 6 as an example of a moving body are wound around a pair of pulleys 7 and 8 (only one band knife 6 is shown). It is to be run.

A pair of sterilizing and cleaning devices 14, 14 for sterilizing and cleaning each band knife 6 from both sides thereof is provided in the frame 4. It should be noted that only one for cleaning one band knife 6 is shown, and the other is omitted. Further, since the configuration of each cleaning device 14 is the same as that of the first embodiment described above, the description thereof is omitted, and only the reference numerals of the main components in the drawings are attached.

According to such a configuration, the band knives 6 in operation can always be maintained sterile and clean.

FIG. 6 shows a fourth embodiment of the present invention. The front surface 12 and the back surface of a disk-shaped round blade cutter 11 supported by a frame 9 so as to be driven to rotate by a rotating shaft 10. A pair of cleaning devices 14 and 14 for cleaning the respective 13 are provided on the frame 9.
The cleaning device 1 for cleaning the surface 12 of the round blade cutter 11
The configuration of No. 4 is the same as that of the above-described first embodiment, and the description thereof is omitted, and only the reference numerals of the main components in the drawings are attached. Further, the illustration of the cleaning device for cleaning the back surface 13 of the round blade cutter 11 is also omitted.

According to such a configuration, the front surface 12 and the back surface 13 of the working round blade cutter 11 can be always kept clean.

FIG. 7 shows a fifth embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, a boiler 53 for generating steam is provided in the casing 15.
Further, a steam supply pipe 54 that communicates the boiler 53 with each of the steam nozzles 52 and supplies steam in the boiler 53 to each of the steam nozzles 52 is provided in the casing 15.

As shown in detail in FIG. 8, the boiler 53 has a horizontally long housing 55 having a first tank 56A and a second tank 56B connected in a horizontal direction via a partition wall 55A. . A communication hole 55B is formed in the upper and lower portions of the partition wall 55A to communicate the two tanks 56A and 56B.

The first tank 56A is for storing water, and a top 57a of a water supply pipe 57 for supplying water from outside to the first tank 56A is provided above the first tank. It is open. In addition, the first tank 56
A float mechanism 58 is provided in A, and the tip 57a of the water supply pipe 57 is opened and closed by the float 58a of the float mechanism 58. Therefore, the water level in the first tank 56A and the second tank 56B is regulated to a set level or lower by the float mechanism 58.

The second tank 56B is for generating steam, and an electric heater 59 for heating and boiling the water in the second tank 56B is provided in the second tank 56B. ing. The second tank 56
A base end 54a of the steam supply pipe 54 is opened at an upper part of B.

According to such a configuration, the electric heater 59
When the water in the second tank 56B is boiled to generate steam, the generated steam is jetted from each steam nozzle 52, and the conveyor belt 1 can be sterilized and cleaned by the high-temperature steam. When the water level in both tanks 56A and 56B decreases due to the generation of steam, the float 58
Since a is separated from the distal end 57a of the water supply pipe 57, water is supplied from the water supply pipe 57 into the first tank 56A.

As described above, the structure for generating steam is provided in the casing 15 and the distance from the boiler 53 to each of the steam nozzles 52 can be shortened. It is possible to inject from. As a result, the conveyor belt 1 can be sterilized and cleaned by high-temperature steam. In addition, among the components related to the boiler 53, no piping is required outside the casing 15, so that there is no heat radiation from the piping. Further, the number of components exposed to the outside of the casing 15 is reduced, so that not only the degree of freedom in designing the mobile body sterilizing and cleaning device is increased, but also there is no possibility that the transportation or walking of the load is hindered. Furthermore, since the small boiler 53 is incorporated, handling is easy.

Note that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications can be made as necessary.

[0057]

As described above, according to the apparatus for sterilizing and cleaning a moving body of the present invention, good sterilization and cleaning of the moving body during operation can be performed, and there is no possibility of causing secondary pollution.

That is, in the moving body sterilizing and washing apparatus of the present invention, a sterilizing casing forming a closed space surrounding a part of the moving path of the moving body is disposed, and the outer surface of the moving body is set at 85 ° C. in the sterilizing casing. The point is that a steam nozzle for injecting the above steam is provided. And, since such a configuration is adopted, the steam having a temperature of 85 ° C. or more in the sterilization casing is injected from the steam nozzle to the outer surface of the moving body in a moving state during the operation, and the moving body facing the steam nozzle. Since the germs on the outer surface of the moving body are killed, the surface of the moving body can be washed and the sterilized state can be maintained.

Further, by further providing a brush member that rotates and slides on the outer surface of the moving body, it is possible to remove dust and dirt attached to the outer surface of the moving body.

Further, if a detergent nozzle for spraying a detergent is further provided on the outer surface of the moving body, the outer surface of the moving body can be cleaned with the detergent.

Furthermore, if a hot water nozzle for spraying hot water is further provided on the outer surface of the moving body, detergents and dust left on the outer surface of the moving body can be reliably removed.

Further, if a suction cylinder for sucking substances adhering to the outer surface of the movable body is further provided, dust and the like on the outer surface of the movable body can be removed by suction.

Further, if a cooling means for cooling the heated moving body is further provided, the moving body heated by, for example, hot water is cooled so that the conveyed food is not adversely affected by heat.

Further, if the outer surface of the moving body has a front surface and a back surface, and at least one of the nozzles and the cooling means is arranged to face the front surface and the back surface of the moving body, respectively, Since both the front surface and the back surface of the moving body can be cleaned, the surface of the moving body that contributes to the transportation of the food can be more effectively sterilized and cleaned.

If a boiler is provided in a sterilizing casing and the steam generated by the boiler is supplied to a steam nozzle, high-temperature steam can be jetted from the steam nozzle and exposed to the outside of the apparatus. Since there is no steam pipe, good heat efficiency can be obtained without heat radiation from the steam pipe. Furthermore, the degree of freedom in designing the mobile body sterilizing and cleaning apparatus can be increased by reducing the configuration exposed to the outside of the apparatus.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a partially omitted perspective view showing an embodiment of a sterilizing and cleaning apparatus for sterilizing and cleaning the surface of a conveyor belt as a moving body of a moving body sterilizing and cleaning apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a front view showing details of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a partially omitted perspective view showing an embodiment of a sterilizing and cleaning apparatus for cleaning the front and back surfaces of a conveyor belt as a moving body of the moving object sterilizing and cleaning apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a partially omitted perspective view showing an embodiment of a sterilizing and cleaning apparatus for cleaning a band knife as a moving body of the moving body sterilizing and cleaning apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 5 is an enlarged view of a main part showing details of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a partially omitted perspective view showing an embodiment of a sterilizing and cleaning apparatus for sterilizing and cleaning the front and back surfaces of a round blade cutter as a moving body of the moving body sterilizing and cleaning apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a front view showing another embodiment of the moving object sterilizing and cleaning apparatus according to the present invention, which shows a modification of the embodiment of FIGS. 1 and 2;

8 is a detailed vertical sectional view of the boiler of FIG.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Conveyor belt 4 Frame 5 Conveying part 6 Band knife 9 Frame 10 Rotating shaft 11 Round blade cutter 14 Cleaning device 15 Casing 20 Sealing space for washing 21 Rotary brush 25 Detergent nozzle 30 Sealing space for rinsing 31 Hot water nozzle 40 Sealing for first suction Space 41 Suction cylinder 50 Sterilization closed space 51 Small space 52 Steam nozzle 53 Boiler 54 Steam supply pipe 56A First tank 56B Second tank 57 Water supply pipe 58 Float mechanism 59 Electric heater 60 Cooling closed space 61 Ventilation fan 70 Second Enclosed space for suction 71 Suction cylinder

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification symbol FI Theme coat ゛ (Reference) B08B 3/10 B08B 3/10 Z 5/04 5/04 A 11/00 11/00 A

Claims (8)

[Claims] 1. A sterilizing casing forming a closed space surrounding a part of a moving path of a moving body is provided, and a steam nozzle for injecting steam at 85 ° C. or higher onto the outer surface of the moving body is provided in the sterilizing casing. A disinfection and cleaning device for a mobile object, which is provided. 2. The apparatus for sterilizing and cleaning a moving body according to claim 1, further comprising a brush member that rotates and slides on the outer surface of the moving body. 3. The apparatus for sterilizing and cleaning a moving body according to claim 1, further comprising a detergent nozzle for spraying a detergent onto an outer surface of the moving body. 4. The apparatus for sterilizing and cleaning a moving body according to claim 1, further comprising a hot water nozzle for jetting hot water to an outer surface of the moving body. 5. The sterilization and cleaning of a moving body according to claim 1, further comprising a suction nozzle for sucking a substance attached to an outer surface of the moving body. apparatus. 6. The moving body sterilizing and cleaning apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising cooling means for cooling the heated moving body. 7. The moving body has an outer surface having a front surface and a back surface, respectively, and at least one of the nozzles and the cooling means is disposed so as to face the front surface and the back surface of the moving body, respectively. The apparatus for sterilizing and cleaning a moving object according to any one of claims 1 to 6. 8. The steam generator according to claim 1, wherein a boiler is provided in the sterilizing casing, and steam generated by the boiler is supplied to the steam nozzle. The cleaning apparatus for sterilizing a mobile object according to claim 1.