JP2003065826A - Batch type metering instrument for liquid, and batch type metering dissolver for powder - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a batch type metering instrument for a liquid capable of metering the liquid of a fixed amount accurately with excellent reproducibility all the time, irrespective of a liquid level of a liquid supply source tank, in the precise and inexpensive metering instrument of simple structure, excellent in washability and adopted favorably for food industry. SOLUTION: The liquid supplied to a tank main body 11 by a liquid supply pipe 130 is made to overflow from an overflow pipe 20 when the liquid comes to the prescribed amount or more, so as to meter the prescribed amount of liquid.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an apparatus for measuring a predetermined amount of liquid in a batch system, and mixing and dissolving a predetermined amount of liquid and a predetermined amount of powder to obtain a solution having a predetermined concentration. And a method for measuring a liquid.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a liquid batch type measuring device for measuring a predetermined amount of liquid (hereinafter sometimes referred to as a measuring device) or a predetermined amount of liquid and powder is measured. As a batch type metering and dissolving apparatus for powders to be mixed and dissolved (hereinafter sometimes referred to as a melting apparatus), various ones are used.

For example, as the latter melting device, a liquid supply source tank, a powder melting mixer arranged downstream of the liquid supply source tank and having a liquid level sensor, and a predetermined amount of powder in the powder melting mixer. It was typical to have a powder feeding device for feeding the body.

FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a conventional melting apparatus. The conventional melting apparatus 100 includes a powder melting mixer 110.
Is provided with a stirrer 111 and a level sensor 112. The stirrer 111 includes a motor 111a, and the level sensor 112 includes a first sensor terminal 112b and a second sensor terminal 112c in addition to the sensor body 112a.

A liquid supply source tank 120 is arranged above the powder melting mixer 110, and the liquid supply source tank 120 and the powder melting mixer 110 are connected by a liquid supply pipe 130. A liquid supply valve 131 is provided in the liquid supply pipe 130.

On the other hand, the powder melting mixer 110 is provided with a powder supply device 140 for supplying a predetermined amount of powder.

A discharge pipe 150 and a liquid feed pump 160 are provided at the bottom of the powder melting mixer 110, and an empty sensor 150a is arranged at the starting end of the discharge pipe 150. The empty sensor 150a is for confirming that the liquid is completely discharged from the powder melting mixer 110.

An opening / closing valve is provided at the bottom of the powder melting mixer 110 to prevent the dissolving liquid from leaking from the powder melting mixer 110 (this opening / closing valve is a liquid feed pump 160). Is opened when is operated), but is not shown in FIG.

A conventional melting apparatus 100 having the above structure
The action of is as follows. That is, although the liquid is stored in the liquid supply tank 120, when the liquid supply valve 131 is fully opened, the liquid flows down through the liquid supply pipe 130, and the liquid is stored in the powder melting mixer 110. It When the liquid level of the liquid reaches the position of the first sensor terminal 112b in the level sensor 112, the opening degree of the liquid supply valve 131 is reduced to half, and then the liquid level reaches the position of the second sensor terminal 112c. At that time, the liquid supply valve 131 is closed. Thus, the powder melting mixer 11
A predetermined amount of liquid is stored in 0.

Then, a predetermined amount of powder is charged from the powder supply device 140, and the motor 111a is operated to operate the stirrer 1.
When 11 is rotated, a predetermined amount of powder can be mixed and dissolved in the liquid.

The solution after mixing and dissolving is the liquid feed pump 1.
60 can be operated to deliver the liquid to the next step.

As described above, in the conventional dissolving apparatus 100, a predetermined amount of liquid and a predetermined amount of powder can be mixed and dissolved.

FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram showing another example of the conventional melting apparatus. In FIG. 7, elements common to those in FIG. 6 are assigned the same reference numerals as those in FIG. 6 and their detailed description is omitted.

In the conventional melting apparatus 100a shown in FIG. 7, the liquid supply tank 120 is arranged at a completely different place, not above the powder melting mixer 110, and therefore the melting apparatus 100 shown in FIG. Is different from. Therefore, the liquid supply pipe 130 also becomes a long pipe line and connects both. A liquid supply pump 132 is arranged in the liquid supply pipeline 130, and the liquid is forcibly sent to the powder melting mixer 110 by the liquid supply pump 132.
Other points are the same as those of the melting apparatus 100 shown in FIG.

On the other hand, as a dissolving device, in addition to the device shown in FIG. 6 or 7, for example, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2001-10084.
Various techniques described in JP-A-6, JP-A-2000-109004, JP-A-6-80196 and the like are known.

[0016]

However, in the conventional dissolving apparatus 100 or 100a, since the liquid is measured only by the level sensor 112, it is difficult to accurately measure a fixed amount of liquid. was there.

For example, in the conventional melting apparatus 100, the liquid is supplied from the liquid supply source tank 120 to the powder melting mixer 110, and the liquid is supplied when the second sensor terminal 112c of the level sensor 112 detects the liquid level. Even if an attempt is made to stop the flow of liquid, the flow rate of the liquid is too high. Therefore, even if the liquid supply valve 131 is closed after detecting the liquid, the flow of the liquid does not stop immediately, but the measured amount of the liquid may vary. There were many.

This point is the same as in the conventional melting apparatus 100a, in which the liquid is supplied from the liquid supply source tank 120 to the powder melting mixer 110, and the second sensor terminal 112c of the level sensor 112 detects the liquid level. Even if an attempt is made to stop the supply of the liquid at this time, the liquid supply amount of the liquid supply pump 132 is large, so the liquid supply pump 13 is detected after the liquid level is detected.
Even if step 2 was stopped, the liquid delivery did not stop immediately, and again the measured amount of liquid often varied.

This tendency is often affected by the liquid level of the liquid stored in the liquid supply source tank 120. For example, when the liquid level of the liquid supply source tank 120 is high, If the liquid supply rate of the liquid supply pump 132 is large and the liquid supply amount of the liquid supply pump 132 is high, and the liquid level of the liquid supply source tank 120 is low, the liquid flow rate or the liquid supply pump 13
Since the liquid feeding amount of 2 becomes small, the amount of the liquid that overflows and flows into the powder dissolving mixer 110 after stopping the liquid feeding or the liquid feeding is likely to fluctuate, in other words, it is always constant. It was difficult to measure this amount of liquid.

On the other hand, the above-mentioned Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2001-10084.
The various techniques disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 6-2000, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2000-109004, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 6-80196, etc. require electrical control, and the investment cost and running cost are high, resulting in failure. It is easy and unreliable, requires specialized knowledge for repair and maintenance, and especially in food factories where cleaning work is important, there is a problem that the mechanism is too complicated and the workability of cleaning is poor, and it is not suitable for the food industry. It was suitable. It should be noted that the range of "food" here includes pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, pet foods, and the like.

[0021] As described above, conventionally, in the field of food, since there was no measuring device capable of always accurately measuring a fixed amount of liquid, the dissolving device also has a predetermined amount of liquid and powder. There was no device that could always mix and dissolve and with high accuracy and reproducibility.

[0022]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is a metering device having a high precision, a simple structure, a low cost, a good cleaning property, which can be suitably adopted in the food industry, and a liquid supply source. It is an object of the present invention to provide a batch type liquid metering device which can accurately and accurately measure a constant amount of liquid regardless of the liquid level in a tank.

Another object of the present invention is to use a batch type metering device for such a liquid, and to mix and dissolve a predetermined amount of the liquid and the powder with good accuracy and reproducibility at all times. It is to provide a batch type metering and dissolving device.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a batch type measuring method for a liquid, which can measure a constant amount of liquid accurately and with good reproducibility regardless of the liquid level in the liquid supply tank. ,.

A first aspect of the present invention for solving the above problems
According to the invention, a tank main body for measuring a liquid, a liquid supply pipe having an end connected to an upper portion of the tank main body to supply the liquid to the tank main body, a starting end connected to a bottom portion of the tank main body, A liquid discharge pipe for discharging the measured liquid and an overflow pipe for overflowing the liquid when the liquid level in the tank body reaches a predetermined position are supplied to the tank body via the liquid supply pipe. A batch-type liquid metering device for measuring and discharging a predetermined amount of liquid by overflowing the overflow pipe when the amount of the discharged liquid exceeds a predetermined amount. The present invention includes a liquid supply source tank which is arranged at a starting end of the liquid supply pipe and has an opening at an end of the overflow pipe, wherein the liquid supply source tank supplies liquid to the tank main body through the liquid supply pipe. A desirable mode is one in which the liquid which is supplied and overflows from the tank body is received through the overflow pipe to circulate the liquid.

A second aspect of the present invention for solving the above problems
Of the invention, a batch type measuring device for liquid according to the first aspect of the present invention, a powder melting mixer to which the liquid discharged from the batch measuring device for liquid is fed, and the powder melting mixer. A powder supply device for supplying a predetermined amount of powder to the powder-dissolving mixer and a predetermined amount of liquid measured by the batch-type measuring device for liquid. A batch-type metering and dissolving apparatus for powder, which supplies a predetermined amount of powder and mixes and dissolves liquid and powder.

Third aspect of the present invention for solving the above problems
In the invention, the overflow port is opened at a predetermined height position of the tank body that stores the liquid, the liquid is supplied to the tank body with the overflow port opened, and the liquid level of the supplied liquid is adjusted to the height of the opening of the overflow port. The batch type of liquid is characterized in that the liquid level is held constant by causing the reached liquid to overflow from the overflow port, and the liquid supply to the tank body is stopped and the liquid is discharged from the tank body. The weighing method.

[0028]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Next, the present invention will be described in detail. To facilitate the understanding of the present invention, the method invention, which is the third invention of the present invention, will be described first.

The liquid measuring method according to the third aspect of the present invention is
First, the overflow port is opened at a predetermined height position of the tank body that stores the liquid. Liquid is supplied to such a tank body. In this case, the tank main body may be any as long as it can store the liquid, and the overflow port is opened to the tank main body to overflow the liquid like the overflow pipe of the first and second inventions. Anything may be used as long as it allows it.

The supplied liquid is made to overflow from the overflow port after reaching the height of the overflow port. As a result, the liquid level is maintained at the height of the overflow port. After that, if the supply of the liquid is stopped and the liquid is discharged from the tank body, a predetermined amount of liquid can be measured.

With such a method, it is possible to reliably measure a constant amount of liquid. The liquid to which such a method is applied is preferably soy milk, and it is preferable to use it in the step of measuring a predetermined amount of soy milk, mixing it with a magnesium chloride solution, and dissolving it.

The liquid to be weighed is not limited to soymilk, but may be water, alcohol, milk or the like, and is not limited to these.

Next, embodiments of the liquid batch type measuring device, the powder batch type measuring and dissolving device, and the liquid batch type measuring method according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings as examples.

Example 1 The first invention of the present invention is a batch type metering device for liquids. FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram for explaining the schematic structure of an embodiment of the liquid batch type measuring apparatus of the present invention. still,
In FIG. 1, elements common to FIG. 6 or FIG. 7 are assigned the same reference numerals as those in FIGS. 6 and 7 and detailed description thereof is omitted.

In FIG. 1, the weighing device 10 of the present invention is
A tank main body 11 for measuring the liquid is provided, and an upper end of the tank main body 11 is connected to an end of a liquid supply pipe 130 and opens. A liquid supply valve 131 is arranged in the liquid supply pipe 130.

The lower end of the tank body 11 is connected to the starting end of the liquid discharge pipe 12, and the liquid discharge pipe 12 is provided with a liquid discharge valve 13.

The tip of the overflow pipe 10a is opened and connected to the side body of the tank body 11 to form an opening 10b. The tank body 1
An air vent pipe 14 is provided on the upper part of the unit 1.

In such a metering device 10, first, the liquid is supplied to the tank main body 11 through the liquid supply pipe 130 so that the liquid level of the liquid reaches the height position of the opening 10b of the overflow pipe 10a. When the liquid overflows through the overflow pipe 10a, the liquid supply valve 131 is closed to stop the liquid supply.

Then, by opening the liquid discharge valve 13, a predetermined amount of liquid stored up to the height of the opening 10b of the overflow pipe 10a is discharged through the liquid discharge pipe 12.

Thus, in the measuring device 10 of the present invention, a constant liquid level, that is, a constant amount of liquid can be measured reliably and with good reproducibility.

Embodiment 2 A second invention of the present invention is a dissolving apparatus using such a measuring device 10. FIG. 2 is a schematic pattern diagram for explaining the schematic structure of an embodiment of the batch-type metering and dissolving apparatus for powder according to the present invention. In FIG. 2, elements common to FIG. 1, FIG. 6 or FIG. 7 are assigned the same reference numerals as those in FIG. 1, FIG. 6 and FIG.

In FIG. 2, the melting apparatus 1 of the present invention is equipped with the measuring apparatus 10 shown in FIG. 1, and the end of the liquid discharge pipe 12 of the measuring apparatus 10 is a powder melting apparatus installed below. It opens to the mixer 110.

The tank body 11 of the pre-weighing device 10 is provided with an overflow pipe 10a. The end of the overflow pipe 10a is connected to the liquid supply tank 120.
It is open to. Other configurations are similar to those of the melting apparatus 100a shown in FIG.

The melting apparatus 1 thus configured supplies the liquid from the liquid supply source tank 120 to the tank body 11 of the measuring device 10 via the liquid supply pipe 130.

When the liquid level increases in the tank body 11 and reaches the position of the overflow pipe 10a, the liquid overflows, flows through the overflow pipe 10a, and is returned to the liquid supply source tank 120.

As a result, the measuring device 10 is always kept at a constant liquid level, and since the liquid circulates, there is no waste, and a predetermined amount of liquid can be measured at low cost.

When the liquid supply pump 132 is stopped and the liquid discharge valve 13 is opened, the liquid measured in the tank body 11 flows down to the powder melting mixer 110 via the liquid discharge pipe 12. After that, a predetermined amount of powder is mixed and melted in the same manner as the melting device 100 or 100a of FIG. 6 or 7.

With such a melting apparatus 1, while the powder melting mixer 110 is working to mix and melt the powder and the liquid, the measuring device 10 is operated to discharge a predetermined amount of the liquid. It can be weighed. In particular, if the liquid is circulated through the overflow pipe 10a, a predetermined amount can be held in a measured state.

Therefore, after the work in the powder dissolving mixer 110 is completed and the dissolved solution is discharged from the discharge pipe 150, immediately a predetermined amount of liquid is made to flow down from the tank main body 11 to perform the mixing and dissolving work in the next step. It can be performed. That is, in the dissolving apparatus 1 of the present invention, the processing speed is higher than that of the conventional apparatus 100 or 100a shown in FIG. 6 or 7, and it is possible to meet the demand for large-scale processing.

In the present invention described above, the tank body 10,
The material of the liquid supply / discharge pipe 130, the overflow pipe 10a, etc. is not particularly limited, but if it is applied to a food factory, it is a material excellent in cleaning property and corrosion resistance because hygiene is important. For example, it is preferable to use stainless steel or plastic.

Example 3 Next, an example of the method of the present invention will be described. Using the dissolution apparatus shown in FIG. 2, a work of mixing and dissolving magnesium chloride in a predetermined amount of soy milk was performed.

Liquid supply tank 120 (soybean milk tank 1t)
The soy milk stored in the mold was supplied to the tank body 11 of the weighing device 1 through the liquid supply pipe 130.

Soy milk was made to overflow from the tank body 11, soy milk was returned to the liquid supply source tank 120 through the overflow pipe 10a and circulated. At this time, the amount of soy milk stored in the tank body 11 was 8.73 kg.

The soy milk supply to the tank body 11 was stopped, the liquid discharge valve 13 was opened, and the soy milk was made to flow down to the powder dissolving mixer 110 through the liquid discharge pipe 12.

When the soy milk has finished flowing down, a powder supply device 14 in which magnesium chloride powder has been set in advance.
0 was operated for a predetermined time, 0.26 kg of magnesium chloride was charged into the powder dissolution mixer 110, and the stirrer 111 was operated to mix and dissolve. As a result, soybean milk in which 3% by weight of magnesium chloride was dissolved was obtained. The soy milk in which magnesium chloride was dissolved was discharged from the discharge pipe 150.

In the above embodiment, the liquid feed pump 1
The time from when the soy milk is started to be discharged from the powder melting mixer 110 by the operation of 60 until it is confirmed that the empty sensor 150a reacts and the inside of the powder melting mixer 110 becomes empty (consumption time ) Was measured.

It was confirmed how the consumption time varied while repeating the mixing and dissolution steps, and the standard deviation was calculated. In addition, such a variation in the consumed time is caused by the weighing device 1.
Needless to say, it correlates with the variation in the amount of liquid measured in.

The results of this measurement are shown in FIG. FIG. 3 shows a powder melting mixer 110 according to the present invention.
It is a graph which shows the relationship between the consumption time and the frequency until the soybean milk is completely discharged. In FIG. 3, the horizontal axis represents consumption time (seconds) and the vertical axis represents frequency (times).

As is apparent from FIG. 3, in the present invention, the consumption time was 569 seconds 79 times, whereas the consumption time was 568 seconds 1 time and 570 seconds. As a result, the standard deviation is 0.385051.
Met.

Comparative Example 1 Using the conventional dissolving apparatus 100 shown in FIG. 6, the operation of similarly mixing and dissolving magnesium chloride powder in soy milk was repeated, and the consumption time was measured in the same manner as in the above Examples.

The results are shown in FIG. Figure 4
FIG. 4 is a graph showing the relationship between the consumption time and the frequency until the entire amount of soy milk is discharged from the powder melting mixer 110 in the prior art. In Figure 4, the horizontal axis is the consumption time (seconds)
And the vertical axis represents frequency (times).

As is apparent from FIG. 4, in the conventional melting apparatus 100, the number of times of 537 seconds is 5 times 540.
It was 22 times in seconds, 34 times in 543 seconds,
The number of times that was 546 seconds was 6, and the standard deviation was 2.27.
It was 3677.

Comparative Example 2 Using the conventional dissolving apparatus 100a shown in FIG. 7, the operation of mixing and dissolving magnesium chloride powder in soymilk was repeated and the consumption time was measured in the same manner.

The results are shown in FIG. Figure 5
FIG. 5 is a graph showing the relationship between the consumption time and the frequency until the entire amount of soymilk is discharged from the powder melting mixer 110 in another conventional technique. In FIG. 5, the horizontal axis represents consumption time (seconds) and the vertical axis represents frequency (times).

As is apparent from FIG. 5, in the conventional melting apparatus 100a, 551 seconds, 555 seconds, and 557 seconds.
1 second each, 2 times 563 seconds, 566 seconds, 571 seconds, 5 seconds
The time was 72 seconds, 578 seconds, and 587 seconds once, and the standard deviation was 10.8282.

As is clear from comparison with the above-mentioned Comparative Examples 1 and 2 and the above-mentioned Examples, the measuring method of the present invention can always measure a constant amount of liquid with good reproducibility. There was found.

[0067]

EFFECTS OF THE INVENTION The measuring device of the present invention has a high accuracy, a simple structure, a low cost, a good cleaning property and can be suitably used in the food industry. Regardless of the position, a fixed amount of liquid can always be measured accurately and with good reproducibility. Therefore, the dissolving apparatus of the present invention can always mix and dissolve a predetermined amount of liquid and powder accurately and with good reproducibility. Further, according to the liquid measuring method of the present invention, a constant amount of liquid can always be measured accurately and with good reproducibility.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram for explaining a schematic structure of an embodiment of a liquid batch type measuring apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram for explaining a schematic structure of an embodiment of a batch type batch measuring and dissolving apparatus for powder according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 shows a powder melting mixer 1 according to the present invention.
It is a graph which shows the relationship between the consumption time and the frequency until the soymilk is completely discharged from 10.

FIG. 4 is a graph showing the relationship between the consumption time and the frequency until the entire amount of soymilk is discharged from the powder melting mixer 110 in the prior art.

FIG. 5 is a graph showing the relationship between the consumption time and the frequency until the entire amount of soymilk is discharged from the powder melting mixer 110 in another conventional technique.

FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a conventional melting apparatus.

FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram showing another example of a conventional melting apparatus.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Dissolving device (batch type metering and dissolving device of powder of the present invention) 10 Measuring device (batch type metering device of liquid of the present invention) 10a Overflow pipe 10b Opening 11 Tank body 12 Liquid discharge pipe 13 Liquid discharge valve 100 Conventional Dissolving device (conventional batch type batch measuring and melting device for powder) 100a Conventional melting device (conventional powder batch measuring and melting device) 110 Powder melting mixer 111 Stirrer 112 Level sensor 120 Liquid supply source tank 130 Liquid supply Pipe 131 Liquid supply valve 132 Liquid supply pump 140 Powder supply device 150 Discharge pipe 150a Empty sensor 160 Liquid feed pump

   ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continued front page    (72) Inventor Nobuyuki Motoyoshi             4-515 Tateno, Higashiyamato-shi, Tokyo Morinaga Milk Industry Co., Ltd.             Inside the equipment development laboratory F-term (reference) 4G035 AB46 AE13                 4G037 AA03 EA02

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A tank main body for measuring a liquid, a liquid supply pipe having an end connected to an upper portion of the tank main body for supplying the liquid to the tank main body, and a starting end connected to a bottom portion of the tank main body. A liquid discharge pipe for discharging the liquid measured by, and an overflow pipe for overflowing the liquid when the liquid level in the tank main body reaches a predetermined position, and to the tank main body via the liquid supply pipe. A batch type liquid metering device for measuring and discharging a predetermined amount of liquid by overflowing the overflow pipe when the supplied liquid exceeds a predetermined amount. 2. A liquid supply source tank, which is arranged at a starting end of the liquid supply pipe and has an opening at an end of the overflow pipe, wherein the liquid supply source tank is connected to the tank main body through the liquid supply pipe. The batch type metering device for liquid according to claim 1, wherein the liquid is circulated by supplying the liquid and overflowing the liquid from the tank body through the overflow pipe. 3. A batch type metering device for liquid according to claim 1 or 2, a powder melting mixer for feeding the liquid discharged from the batch metering device for liquid, and the powder melting device. A powder supply device for supplying a predetermined amount of powder to a mixer, and supplying a predetermined amount of liquid measured by the liquid batch type measuring device to the powder melting mixer and supplying the powder. A batch-type metering and dissolving device for powder, which supplies a predetermined amount of powder from the device to mix and dissolve liquid and powder. 4. An overflow port is opened at a predetermined height position of a tank body for storing the liquid, the liquid is supplied to the tank body with the overflow port opened, and the liquid level of the supplied liquid is adjusted to the height of the opening of the overflow port. A batch of liquid, characterized in that the liquid level is kept constant by causing the reached liquid to overflow from the overflow port, the liquid supply to the tank main body is stopped, and the liquid is discharged from the tank main body. Formula weighing method.