JP2009201400A - Heat sterilizer for retort food product - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a heat sterilizer for retort food product equipped with: an interface into which operating information on each step output from a heat sterilizer is input; and a printer which prints the operation information based on the output from the interface to confirm the operating condition of the heat sterilizer via the printed information, so that a prescribed sterilization step time is printed on the condition that the heat sterilizer is normally operated, even when causing interruption such that the operation information is not input into the interface, in view of the fact that confirmation of whether the sterilization is normally performed through the preset time is important from the aspect of safety of food products in the heat sterilizer for retort food product which is produced by passing through a heating step, a sterilization step and a cooling step in a prescribed condition. <P>SOLUTION: The heat sterilizer for retort food product includes: correcting the operation information on a prolonged heating step to be shorten and also correcting the operation information on a shortened sterilization step to be prolonged; and printing the corrected information by the printer based on the time lag between the time in the operation information on the shortened sterilization step and the preset time from the return of the interruption to the end of the preset time, when the interruption of the information transfer is caused during the heating step and the interruption is returned during the sterilization step. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

The present invention relates to a retort food sterilization apparatus for heat sterilizing a retort food containing a cooked food in a soft packaging container.

A retort sterilization device that heats, sterilizes and sterilizes retort foods and pharmaceuticals at a predetermined temperature for a predetermined time, and then lowers the temperature to a predetermined temperature and a predetermined pressure, and lowers the pressure to take it out. Some self-diagnosis operations collate the measured values of temperature, pressure, and time with the reference value of the reference registration data, and if there is a difference, display an abnormality on the display. (See Patent Document 1).
JP 11-347105 A

According to the method disclosed in Patent Document 1, the administrator can grasp that the apparatus is abnormal by displaying the abnormality on the display. However, the present invention performs the heating process under a predetermined condition. The retort food that can be confirmed from the information printed on the printer that the heat sterilizer (or heat sterilizer) with the function of finishing the heat sterilization process and passing through the cooling process after a set time has been completed. The operation state confirmation technology (apparatus) of the heat sterilizer is provided.

In such a heat sterilization apparatus according to the present invention, in view of food safety, it is particularly important to confirm whether or not the heat sterilization has been normally performed over a set time. For this reason, an interface for inputting operation information of each process for each unit time output from the heat sterilizer, and a printer for sorting and printing the operation information for each process based on the output of the interface are provided. It is necessary to confirm the operating state of the heat sterilizer.

In this case, when the heat sterilizer is operating under a predetermined condition, when a shock wave enters the signal line for information transmission and returns, or when the signal line outlet is accidentally disconnected and reinserted, There may be interruption of information transmission in which operation information is not input to the interface. When this interruption occurs during the heating process, returns to the middle of the heating sterilization process, and the heating sterilization process ends at the end of the set time, the heating process ends and the heating sterilization process starts by the return of this interruption. Therefore, the operation information indicating that the heating process time is long and the heat sterilization process time is shortened by the return of the interruption is input to the interface. The process time is long and the heat sterilization process time is short. The administrator determines that the operation for the predetermined sterilization time is not performed, and the food in this case is discarded as a sterilization defect.

In addition, when the heat sterilization apparatus is operating under a predetermined condition, when the interruption as described above occurs during the heat sterilization process and returns to the heat sterilization process, the heat sterilization process time is short, The manager determines that the operation for a predetermined sterilization time is not performed, and in this case, the food is disposed of as a sterilization defect.

However, even when such interruption occurs, the heat sterilization apparatus is operating under predetermined conditions, so the heat sterilization process over the set time is performed, and the food is sufficiently sterilized. Nevertheless, only the printing information of the printer shifts due to interruption, which causes a problem of food disposal. The present invention solves such problems and provides a technique for printing a regular sterilization time.

In the following description, sterilization is used as a term including sterilization, and heat sterilization is synonymous with heat sterilization (or heat sterilization).

1st invention accommodates the retort food sealed in the packaging container, performs the sterilization, the lid | cover which seals the opening part of this chamber, supplies a vapor | steam in the said chamber, or generates a vapor | steam in the said chamber Steam supply means, water supply means for supplying water into the chamber, pressure means for supplying pressurized air into the chamber, drainage means for draining water in the chamber, air and steam in the chamber An exhaust means for exhausting, a temperature sensor for detecting the temperature of the chamber, and a control unit for controlling each means under a predetermined condition are detected by the control unit. While supplying steam or generating steam in the chamber by the steaming means, heating the retort food in the chamber, A unit time output from the heat sterilizer in a retort food sterilizer that performs a sterilization process that heats and sterilizes the tort food at a set temperature for a set time and then supplies and cools the chamber with water supplied by the water supply means. An interface for inputting operation information of each step for each step, and a printer for printing the operation information by dividing the operation information for each step based on the output of the interface. When the operation information is not input to the interface during the operation, an interruption occurs during the heating process, and when the interruption is returned during the sterilization process and the set time is over, the setting from the return from the interruption is performed. Due to the time difference between the shortened operation information of the sterilization process until the end of the time and the set time, the extended addition The operation information of the shortened the sterilization process along with the operation information of the process shorter correcting longer correct, a heat sterilization apparatus of the retort food and outputting the corrected information from the interface to the printer.

2nd invention accommodates the retort food sealed in the packaging container, sterilizes, the lid | cover which seals the opening part of this chamber, supplies vapor | steam in the said chamber, or generates vapor | steam in the said chamber Steam supply means, water supply means for supplying water into the chamber, pressure means for supplying pressurized air into the chamber, drainage means for draining water in the chamber, air and steam in the chamber An exhaust means for exhausting, a temperature sensor for detecting the temperature of the chamber, and a control unit for controlling each means under a predetermined condition are detected by the control unit. While supplying steam or generating steam in the chamber by the steaming means, heating the retort food in the chamber, A unit time output from the heat sterilizer in a retort food sterilizer that performs a sterilization process that heats and sterilizes the tort food at a set temperature for a set time and then supplies and cools the chamber with water supplied by the water supply means. An interface for inputting operation information of each step for each step, and a printer for printing the operation information by dividing the operation information for each step based on the output of the interface. When the operation information is not input to the interface during the operation, an interruption occurs during the sterilization process and returns to the cooling process after the set time is over. at the time difference between the operation information and the set time, long corrects the operation information of the shortened the cooling step, before A heat sterilization apparatus of the retort food and outputs the set time and the correction information from the interface to the printer.

In the first invention, during the operation of the heat sterilizer under predetermined conditions, the interruption of the operation information of each process for each unit time output from the heat sterilizer occurs during the heating process. Even when the heat sterilization process is completed at the end of the set time after returning to the middle, the heat sterilization apparatus is operating under a predetermined condition, and thus the heat sterilization process is performed for a predetermined set time. Therefore, since the regular heat sterilization process time is printed instead of the short time due to the interruption, the administrator can determine that the operation for the predetermined sterilization time has been performed and can be disposed of as a sterilization defect. Disappear.

In the second invention, when the heat sterilizer is operating under a predetermined condition, the interruption of the operation information of each process for each unit time output from the heat sterilizer occurs during the heat sterilization process. Even when the heat sterilization process is completed at the end of the set time after returning to the middle, the heat sterilization apparatus is operating under a predetermined condition, so the heat sterilization process over a predetermined set time is performed, and Since the predetermined cooling process is performed, the regular heat sterilization process time and the regular cooling process time are printed, and the administrator performs the predetermined sterilization time operation and the predetermined cooling process. It can be judged that it has been sterilized and is not discarded.

The present invention includes a chamber for containing a retort food sealed in a packaging container for sterilization, a lid for sealing the opening of the chamber, supply of steam in the chamber, and / or supply of steam in the chamber. Steaming means, water supply means for supplying water into the chamber, pressure means for supplying pressurized air into the chamber, drainage means for draining water in the chamber,
An exhaust means for exhausting air or steam in the chamber, a temperature sensor for detecting the temperature of the chamber, and a control unit for controlling the respective means under a predetermined condition are provided by the control unit. While detecting the temperature in the chamber, the steam supply means supplies steam to the chamber or / or generates steam to heat the retort food in the chamber, and sets the retort food at a set temperature. In the heat sterilization apparatus for retort foods that undergoes a cooling process in which water is supplied into the chamber by a water supply means and cooled through a sterilization process that is heat-sterilized for a period of time, the operation of each process per unit time output from the heat sterilization apparatus An interface to which information is input and the operation information is classified for each process based on the output of the interface. When the heat sterilization apparatus is operating under the predetermined conditions, an interruption in which the operation information is not input to the interface occurs during the heating process, and the interruption occurs during the sterilization process. When the set time is over after returning to the operation time, the operation of the heating step extended by the time difference between the set operation time and the shortened operation information of the sterilization step from the return of the interruption to the end of the set time A heat sterilization apparatus for retort food, characterized in that the information is corrected short and the shortened operation information of the sterilization process is corrected long, and the corrected information is output from the interface to the printer. Examples are described below.

An embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 1 is a structural view of a heat sterilization apparatus according to the present invention, FIG.
Is a front view of the operation panel of the heat sterilizer according to the present invention, FIG. 3 is an operation process diagram of the heat sterilizer according to the present invention, and FIG. 4 is added with a device for printing the operating state of the heat sterilizer according to the present invention. Block diagram, FIG. 5 is a diagram showing printing of a printing sheet when an interruption occurs during the cooling process and is recovered during the heat sterilization process, and FIG. 6 is a case where the interruption occurs during the heat sterilization process and is recovered during the cooling process. FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating printing of the printing sheet, FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating printing of the printing sheet when the interruption occurs and recovers during the heat sterilization process, and FIG. 8 is a diagram of the printing sheet when the interruption according to the present invention does not occur. It is a figure which shows printing.

An embodiment of the present invention will be described first with reference to FIG. 1. Reference numeral 1 denotes an outer case of the main body of the heat sterilizer C, an opening 2 is provided on the upper surface, and the cooked food is sealed in a soft packaging container such as plastic. A bottomed cylindrical chamber 5 having a storage chamber 4 in which the retort food 3... Is stored and sterilized is stored.

Reference numeral 6 denotes a heater such as a sheathed heater disposed on the inner bottom of the storage chamber 4. The upper part is covered with a heater cover 7, and the article to be sterilized 3 is placed on the upper surface of the heater cover. It is configured like this.

A cooling water supply pipe 8 connected to the upper side wall of the chamber 5 is connected to a water supply source such as a water supply via a check valve 9, a water supply electromagnetic valve 10 and a water governor 11, and these are mainly used. It constitutes water supply means.

Reference numeral 12 denotes an air supply pipe for supplying pressurized air connected to the upper and lower sides of the side wall of the chamber 5 by a branch pipe 13, and includes a check valve 14, an air supply solenoid valve 15, an air governor 16, an air tank 17, and a check valve 18. These are connected to the compressor 19 via these to constitute a pressurizing means.

In the embodiment, the air governor 16, the air tank 17, the compressor 19 and the like are housed in the unit case 20. However, the air governor 16, the air tank 17, the compressor 19 and the like are integrally housed in the outer case 1 of the main body of the heat sterilizer. Also good.

A drain pipe 21 is connected to the bottom surface of the chamber 5 and is connected to a drain solenoid valve 22 along the way. A manual drain valve 23 is connected in parallel to the drain solenoid valve, and a drain means is connected thereto. It is composed.

24 is a lid for closing the opening 2 so as to be openable and closable, and is formed in a substantially hemispherical spherical surface portion 25 at the center of the inner surface, and is connected to the tip of the water supply pipe 8 and constitutes the water supply means. 26 is set toward the approximate center of the spherical portion 25.

The fountain nozzle 26 has, for example, four fountain ports (not shown), and is configured so as to fountain in a shower shape toward the center of the spherical surface portion 25 and reflect it to the spherical surface portion. .

Reference numeral 27 denotes an exhaust pipe connected to an appropriate position of the branch pipe 13. An exhaust electromagnetic valve 28 is connected to the middle of the pipe line, and a tip is opened at the bottom of the condensate container 29, and these are used as exhaust means. Is configured.

The tip of the exhaust pipe 27 is located in the water 30 stored in the bottom of the condensate container 29, and the exhaust pipe 27 is configured so that the atmosphere does not flow back into the chamber 5 and the exhaust electromagnetic wave. A manual exhaust valve 31 is connected in parallel with the valve 28.

Reference numeral 32 denotes a temperature sensor for detecting the temperature in the storage chamber 4 mounted at a height of about 2/5 of the side wall of the chamber 5, and is constituted by a thermistor or the like.

Reference numeral 33 denotes a control unit mounted at an appropriate position in the outer case 1, and the heater 6 and the water supply electromagnetic valve 1.
0, the energization of the supply solenoid valve 15, the drain solenoid valve 22, the exhaust solenoid valve 28, etc. is controlled according to a predetermined sequence set in advance.

Reference numerals 34, 35, 36 and 37 are pressure gauges connected to the water supply pipe 8, the air supply pipe 12 and the branch pipe 13, and 38 and 39 are pressure safety valves connected to the branch pipe 13 and the air tank 17, respectively.

The mounting position of the temperature sensor 32 takes into account the internal volume of the chamber 5 and the amount of water supplied from the water supply means, and the cooling water is supplied and stored in the chamber from the water supply means. When the water level rises to the position where the temperature sensor 32 is attached within the range in which the pressure safety valve 38 is not operated, the water level is set so that the water level can be detected by a change in the detected temperature due to the cooling water coming into contact with the temperature sensor 32.

FIG. 2 shows an operation panel arranged at an appropriate position on the upper surface of the outer case 1, a pressure gauge 36 for displaying the pressure in the chamber 5, a display 40 for displaying numbers and symbols, and a temperature selection button 41 for setting a sterilization temperature. , A time selection button 42 for setting a sterilization time, an ascending button 43 and a descending button 44 for setting a sterilization temperature and a sterilization time in combination with these selection buttons, and selecting a course combining a plurality of standard sterilization temperatures and times in advance. Course button 45, start / stop button 46 for starting and stopping sterilization, power switch 47, manual exhaust valve 31
An exhaust knob 48 that opens and closes is disposed.

Thus, when sterilization is started, first, the lid 24 is opened, and water for generating steam for sterilization is poured into the storage chamber 4 slightly below the heater cover 7, for example. The retort food 3 is stored and placed on the heater cover 7 and the lid 24 is closed. Next, the power switch 47 is turned on and the exhaust knob 48 is operated to close the manual exhaust valve 31.

At this time, when the power switch 47 is turned on, the sterilization temperature of 115 ° C. and the sterilization time of 10 minutes, which are most frequently used as standard, are alternately displayed on the display 40, for example, and the standby state is displayed.

In the above embodiment, the sterilization temperature and the sterilization time that are often used when the power switch 47 is turned on are displayed, and the setting of the sterilization temperature and the sterilization time is simplified as much as possible. For example, the highest sterilization temperature of 120 ° C. may be displayed.

Next, for example, when sterilization is performed in a preset course shown in FIG. 3, the course button 45 is pressed to select a desired course from 1 to 5 and then the start / stop button 4.
By turning on 6, the sterilization operation is started by the electric circuit in the control unit 33.

In the embodiment, when the course button 45 is turned on, course 1 is selected on the display 40 and “C
1 ”is displayed, and if left as it is for a few seconds, the sterilization temperature 120 ° C. of the course and 20 minutes of the sterilization time are alternately displayed, and if the start / stop button 46 is turned on in this state, the course 1 is sterilized. Start operation.

On the other hand, if the ascending button 43 is turned on in the course 1 display state, “C2”, “
“C3”... Are displayed in sequence and “C5”, “C4”... Are displayed each time the lowering button 44 is turned on, so if the start / stop button 46 is turned on when the desired course is displayed. Start sterilization at the displayed course.

In addition, when setting the sterilization temperature and sterilization time arbitrarily other than the above course, when the temperature selection button 41 is first turned on, for example, 115 ° C., which is normally used frequently, is displayed. Next, when the time selection button 42 is turned on, for example, 10 minutes that are normally used are displayed. Therefore, if the time is not changed, sterilization is started by turning on the start / stop button 46 in this state.

When changing the sterilization temperature set when the temperature selection button 41 is turned on or the sterilization time set when the time selection button 42 is turned on, the rise button 43 or the If the descent button 44 is operated, the buttons 43 and 44 are set when the sterilization temperature is set.
When the sterilization time is set, for example, 1 to 30 minutes
Since it is changed in increments of 5 minutes in the range of 30 to 180 minutes, sterilization is started when the start / stop button 46 is turned on after setting the desired sterilization temperature and sterilization time by these operations.

Next, a sequence of sterilization processing when the sterilization temperature is set to 110 ° C. and the sterilization time by the sterilization timer is set to 10 minutes will be described with reference to FIG. First, the lid 24 is opened and, for example, water for generating steam for sterilization is poured into the storage chamber 4 slightly below the heater cover 7. Then, the retort food 3 is stored on the heater cover 7 in the storage chamber 4. Then, the lid 24 is closed, the power switch 47 is turned on, and the exhaust knob 48 is operated to close the manual exhaust valve 31. When the start / stop button 46 is turned on (start position in FIG. 3), the control unit 33 first energizes the heater 6 to heat the water injected into the bottom of the chamber 5 to generate steam and exhaust it. The electromagnetic valve 28 is opened, and saturated steam is generated in the chamber 5 while discharging the air in the chamber 5 to the outside through the branch pipe 13 and the exhaust pipe 27 by the generated steam. (Step of heating 1 in FIG. 3).

At this time, when the temperature detected by the temperature sensor 32 reaches 100 ° C., for example, the temperature sensor 3 for 4 minutes.
The energization of the heater 6 is controlled so that the detected temperature of 2 is 105 ° C., and after 4 minutes, the exhaust solenoid valve 28 is closed and the heater 6 is turned on so that the detected temperature of the temperature sensor 32 reaches the set temperature. Control energization. (Saturated steam production process of FIG. 3).

On the other hand, before reaching the set temperature, the temperature detected by the temperature sensor 32 is, for example, 10% higher than the set temperature.
When the temperature reaches a low temperature, the compressor 19 is operated to store the compressed air in the air tank 17, and when the temperature detected by the temperature sensor 32 reaches the set temperature, the operation of the compressor 19 is stopped and the power supply to the heater 6 is controlled. Then, the inside of the storage chamber 4 is maintained at a set temperature, and the retort food 3 is sterilized in a saturated steam state. (Step of heating 2 in FIG. 3).

In the above embodiment, the compressor 19 is configured to operate when the temperature detected by the temperature sensor 32 reaches a predetermined temperature lower than the set temperature, so that a relatively inexpensive one having no pressure sensor is used. The generation of noise and vibration due to the operation of the compressor is reduced as much as possible, but is not limited to this.

When the temperature detected by the temperature sensor 32 reaches a temperature lower than the set temperature by a predetermined temperature (for example, 1 ° C.), the air supply solenoid valve 15 is opened for a predetermined time (for example, 3 seconds), and pressurized air is supplied into the chamber 5. Supply, thereby raising the boiling point in the chamber 5 to prevent the food from boiling due to the heater 6 being turned on and off, and then starting the sterilization timer when the temperature detected by the temperature sensor 32 reaches the set temperature; and The energization of the heater 6 is controlled to maintain the interior of the chamber 5 at a set temperature, and sterilization is performed. (The sterilization process of FIG. 3).

Incidentally, regarding the opening time of the air supply solenoid valve 15, the sterilization temperature of the food is usually 105 to 1.
The saturated vapor pressure at that time is 0.199 kgf / cm ² at 105 ° C., 120
It becomes 0.991 kgf / cm ^{2 at} ° C.

Therefore, in order to prevent damage during sterilization of the packaging container in which the food is sealed, the chamber 5
To make 0.5 Kgf / cm ² degrees higher pressure than the saturation vapor pressure within, may if 1.2 kgf / cm ² at 0.4Kgf / cm ^2, 120 ℃ the pressure in the chamber 5 at 105 ° C. Based on this, if the set pressure of the air governor 16 is 1.4 kgf / cm ² , for example, if the capacity of the chamber 5 is 48 liters and the sterilization temperature is 105 ° C., about 2 seconds. In the case of 120 ° C., the air solenoid valve 15 may be opened for about 5 seconds.

When the sterilization time is over, the air supply electromagnetic valve 15 is opened to pressurize the chamber 5 to substantially the same pressure as during sterilization, and the water supply electromagnetic valve 10 is opened to supply water from the fountain nozzle 26 to supply water. Water is applied to the spherical surface portion 25 of the lid 24 to diffuse, and the retort food 3 is irradiated to efficiently pressurize and cool them. (Cooling step of FIG. 3).

For example, when the temperature in the storage chamber 4 decreases to a first set temperature (for example, 60 ° C.) set in advance, the operation of the compressor 19 is stopped, and then the temperature in the storage chamber 4 is further decreased to the second temperature. When the temperature drops to a set temperature (for example, 50 ° C.), the air supply solenoid valve 15 is closed and the drainage electromagnetic valve 22 is opened simultaneously, and the cooling water in the storage chamber 4 is drained (cooling step in FIG. 3). When, for example, 4 minutes have elapsed after the start of drainage, the completion of sterilization is notified by, for example, a buzzer or a lamp, and the exhaust solenoid valve 28 is opened to supply air into the chamber 5. (Depressurized drainage process of FIG. 3).

On the other hand, the water level in the storage chamber 4 rises and reaches the temperature sensor 32 before the temperature drops to the first set temperature during the cooling because of the large amount of the retort food 3... In the case of reversing, for example, after reversing and raising 1 ° C., for example, 1 minute elapses, the compressor 19
At the same time, the supply solenoid valve 15 is closed, and at the same time, the drain solenoid valve 22 is opened to drain the cooling water in the storage chamber 4. (Completion process of FIG. 3).

In the above embodiment, the drainage process is set by a timer, but a sensor for detecting the water level in the storage chamber 4 may be provided so that the end of drainage is detected by the sensor.

As an apparatus for confirming the operation state of the heat sterilizer C, as shown in FIG. 4, each process (heating process, heat sterilization process, cooling process, etc.) per unit time output from the heat sterilizer C
Interface 60 to which the operation information is input, and a printer 61 that prints the operation information by dividing the operation information according to the process based on the output of the interface 60.

The operation information of each process (heating process, heating sterilization process, cooling process) output from the heat sterilizer C is output every unit time (every second in the embodiment). As the operation information, the temperature information detected by the temperature sensor 32, the pressure information detected by a pressure sensor (not shown) as needed, the output time information of the operation information, and the like are output every second. In the heat sterilization process, the temperature information detected by the temperature sensor 32 as the operation information, the pressure information, the sterilization time information, the sterilization temperature information, and the heat sterilization process after switching from the heating process to the heat sterilization process. Time information and the like are output every second. In the cooling process, the temperature information detected by the temperature sensor 32, the pressure information, and the like are output every second. Moreover, the control part 33 also outputs the switching information of each process, and also outputs the process information of which process the heat sterilizer C is operating now.

Here, the heat sterilizer C has a predetermined condition, for example, the sterilization time is set to 10 as described above.
When the operation is started by turning on the start / stop button 46 in a state where the sterilization temperature is set to 115 ° C. and the sterilization temperature is set to 115 ° C., the operation of the control unit 33 causes the operation process diagram of FIG. Each step is performed as shown.

Note that the interface 60 has a timer function and counts the time required for each process, while inputting the operation information output from the heat sterilizer C every second, as shown in FIG.
As shown in FIG. 8, in the sterilization (or sterilization) process, the temperature (internal temperature) and pressure in the chamber 5 and the core temperature of the food 3 are sent to the printer 61 every predetermined time (1 minute in the embodiment). The print information is output and is printed by the printer 61. Further, the time required for each process is printed by the printer 61 operating by the output of the interface 60 when the process is completed. Further, the start time, end time, operation time, set sterilization temperature and sterilization time are determined by the output of the interface 60 after completion of the cooling process.
Operates and is printed.

As described above, during operation of the heat sterilizer C under predetermined conditions, an interruption of information transmission in which the operation information is not input to the interface 60 occurs during the heating process (for example, time T
1), as long as it is determined by the control unit 33 that the heat sterilizer C is operating under predetermined conditions, the control unit 33 sequentially performs each process. However, this is a suspended state in which only information is not input to the interface 60.

Thus, although only the information is not input to the interface 60, the heat sterilization apparatus C is in a state where the heat sterilization process ends and the heat sterilization process starts at time T0 by the operation of the control unit 33. When this interruption is restored at time T2, process information indicating that the heating process is finished and the heat sterilization process is started is input from the heat sterilization apparatus C to the interface 60 by the operation of the control unit 33. Therefore, from time T2 when the interruption is restored, time information, temperature information, and the like during the heat sterilization process are input from the heat sterilizer C to the interface 60, and the information is output from the interface 60 to the printer 61. Then, the heat sterilization process is completed at the end time T3 of the sterilization time of 10 minutes from the time T0, and information indicating that the cooling process is started is output from the interface 60 to the printer 61.

For this reason, when the correction based on the interruption time is not performed, the operation information of the heat sterilization process output from the interface 60 to the printer 61 is the time from the time T2 to the end time T3 of the sterilization time of 10 minutes. The time (10-2 = 8 minutes) shorter by T0 to T2 time (for example, 2 minutes) than the time (T0 to T3 = 10 minutes) when the sterilizer C is activated and the sterilization (or sterilization) process is performed. As shown in FIG. 5, printing is performed by the printer 61. Also, the heating process time is printed for a time longer than T0 to T2. The administrator who sees the printed information determines that the predetermined sterilization time of 10 minutes has not been achieved, and disposes of the food 3 at this time.

In the present invention, in this way, while the heat sterilizer C is operating under a predetermined condition,
In the event of an interruption in information transmission, correction by the interruption time is carried out and the heat sterilizer C
The actual time during which the printer is operating normally is printed. That is, the information output from the interface 60 to the printer 61 is corrected, and print information is output so that the administrator can determine that the predetermined sterilization time of 10 minutes has been achieved. Therefore, the time difference between the shortened operation information (8 minutes) of the heat sterilization process from the return of the interruption to the end of the set time (10 minutes) of the heat sterilization process and the set time (10 minutes) ( 2 minutes), the operation information of the extended heating process (2 minutes longer than the actual heating process time) is corrected (subtracted by 2 minutes) and the operation information of the extended heat sterilization process (15 minutes) Shortly corrected (minus 2 minutes), this corrected information, that is, the heating process time is changed to the time information minus T0 to T2, and the time information that the sterilization time is 10 minutes is output from the interface 60 to the printer 61. To do.

In addition, when the heat sterilizer C is operating under a predetermined condition, the interruption occurs during the heat sterilization process (for example, occurs at time TC), and the interruption returns during the cooling process (for example, at time T).
When the heat sterilization apparatus C is operated and the heat sterilization process is performed for a predetermined 10 minutes, the time is further longer by T3 to TD (for example, 4 minutes) than the time (T0 to T3). time(
10 + 4 = 14 minutes) is printed by the printer 61 as shown in FIG. The administrator who sees the printed information determines that the heat sterilization process has been performed for a time longer than a predetermined 10 minutes sterilization time, and the food 3 at this time does not need to be disposed of.

That is, when the correction based on the interruption time is not performed, the operation information of the heat sterilization process output from the interface 60 to the printer 61 is T0 to T3 as shown in FIG. 10 minutes and T3 to TD, which is a total of 14 minutes, this is printed by the printer 61, and the administrator who sees the printed information has a predetermined 1
Judging that 0 minutes of sterilization (or sterilization) time has been achieved, you may be wondering if there is any cause.

In the present invention, when such a heat sterilizer C is interrupted during operation under a predetermined condition, the heat sterilizer C is operating normally for 10 minutes and a predetermined cooling. In order to print the time when the operation was performed (the cooling process time 30 minutes shown in FIG. 6 is corrected to 34 minutes), the operation information of the heat sterilization process extended by interruption and the set time, The operation information (30 minutes) of the cooling process shortened by the time difference (14−10 = 4 minutes)
Is corrected by 4 minutes, and the set time 10 minutes and the corrected time information (34 minutes) are output from the interface to the printer for printing. This allows the administrator to sterilize for a predetermined 10 minutes (
Alternatively, the actual print information that can be judged to have been achieved is printed.

Further, while the heat sterilizer C is operating under a predetermined condition, the interruption occurs during the heat sterilization process (for example, occurs at time TA), and the interruption returns during the heat sterilization process (for example, at time TB). When the set time (10 minutes) is completed after the recovery, the heat sterilization apparatus C is operated and the heat sterilization process is performed for a predetermined 10 minutes as shown in FIG. Is a state in which the interruption time of 7 minutes generated during the heat sterilization process is lost, but the required time (sterilization time) is printed 10 minutes. For this reason, the administrator who sees the printed information determines that the predetermined 10-minute heat sterilization process has been performed, and the food 3 at this time does not need to be disposed of. However, you may be wondering that the resulting 7-minute interruption during the sterilization (or sterilization) process may have occurred for some reason.

In this case, the interface 60 outputs print information to the printer 61 every predetermined time (1 minute in the embodiment) during the heat sterilization process, and the information is printed. Since the operation information from C is not input and this portion cannot be printed, in this case, it is not necessary to correct the printing by interruption.

As described above, when the information transmission is interrupted in the heat sterilization process, the operation information does not enter the interface 60 during the interruption period, so that the sterilization time information cannot be printed every minute. Since this cannot be compensated by the above correction, it remains as it is. FIG. 8 shows one embodiment in the case where the information transmission is not interrupted.

In the present invention, when such a heat sterilization apparatus C is operating under a predetermined condition and an interruption in information transmission occurs, the actual time during which the heat sterilization apparatus C is operating normally is printed. As described above, by performing the correction based on the interruption time, print information that allows the administrator to determine that the predetermined sterilization (or sterilization) time of 10 minutes has been achieved is output. Therefore, the time difference between the shortened operation information (8 minutes) of the heat sterilization process from the return of the interruption to the end of the set time (10 minutes) of the heat sterilization process and the set time (10 minutes) ( 2 minutes), the operation information of the extended heating process (2 minutes longer than the actual heating process time) is corrected short (subtract 2 minutes), and the operation information of the shortened heat sterilization process (8 minutes) Is corrected for a long time (plus 2 minutes), and the corrected information is output from the interface 60 to the printer 61 for printing.

The present invention is not limited to the configuration shown in the above embodiment, and can be applied to various forms of heat sterilization apparatuses. In the technical scope of the present invention, an apparatus for confirming the operating state of various forms of heat sterilization apparatuses is provided. It is included.

It is a structural diagram of the heat sterilizer according to the present invention. It is a front view of the operation panel of the heat sterilizer which concerns on this invention. It is an operation process figure of the heat sterilizer concerning the present invention. It is the block diagram which added the apparatus which prints the operation state of the heat sterilization apparatus which concerns on this invention. It is a figure which shows the printing of a printing sheet when the interruption which concerns on this invention generate | occur | produces during a cooling process, and recovers during a heat sterilization process. It is a figure which shows the printing of a printing sheet when the interruption which concerns on this invention generate | occur | produces in the heat sterilization process, and recovers during a cooling process. It is a figure which shows the printing of a printing sheet when the interruption based on this invention generate | occur | produces and recovers during a heat sterilization process. It is a figure which shows printing of a printing sheet when the interruption which concerns on this invention does not generate | occur | produce.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Outer case of main body of heat sterilizer 2 ... Opening 3 ... Retort food 5 ... Chamber 19 ... Compressor 24 ... Lid 32 ... ··· Temperature sensor 33 ··· Control unit 60 · · · Interface 61 · · · Printer C · · · Heat sterilizer (heat sterilizer)

Claims (2)

A chamber in which retort food sealed in a packaging container is contained and sterilized, a lid for sealing the opening of the chamber, steam supply means for supplying steam in the chamber and / or generating steam in the chamber, A water supply means for supplying water into the chamber; a pressure means for supplying pressurized air into the chamber; a drain means for draining water in the chamber; and an exhaust means for exhausting air and steam in the chamber; A temperature sensor for detecting the temperature of the chamber, and a control unit for controlling each of the means under a predetermined condition. The control unit detects the temperature in the chamber with the temperature sensor. A heating step of supplying steam in the chamber by means or generating steam and heating the retort food in the chamber; and the retort food In the heat sterilization apparatus for retort food that undergoes a sterilization process for heat sterilization at a set temperature for a set time and then cooling the water by supplying water into the chamber by a water supply means, the unit time output from the heat sterilization apparatus An interface for inputting operation information of each process; and a printer for printing the operation information by dividing the operation information for each process based on the output of the interface, and the heat sterilizer is operating under the predetermined condition. In the above, when an interruption in which the operation information is not input to the interface occurs during the heating process, and the interruption is returned in the middle of the sterilization process and the set time is ended, the set time ends from the return of the interruption. The operation of the heating process extended by the time difference between the shortened operation information of the sterilization process and the set time until The operation information of the shortened the sterilization process is corrected shorter broadcast long corrected, heat sterilization apparatus of retort food and outputting the corrected information from the interface to the printer. A chamber in which retort food sealed in a packaging container is contained and sterilized, a lid for sealing the opening of the chamber, steam supply means for supplying steam in the chamber and / or generating steam in the chamber, A water supply means for supplying water into the chamber; a pressure means for supplying pressurized air into the chamber; a drain means for draining water in the chamber; and an exhaust means for exhausting air and steam in the chamber; A temperature sensor for detecting the temperature of the chamber, and a control unit for controlling each of the means under a predetermined condition. The control unit detects the temperature in the chamber with the temperature sensor. A heating step of supplying steam in the chamber by means or generating steam and heating the retort food in the chamber; and the retort food In the heat sterilization apparatus for retort food that undergoes a sterilization process for heat sterilization at a set temperature for a set time and then cooling the water by supplying water into the chamber by a water supply means, the unit time output from the heat sterilization apparatus An interface for inputting operation information of each process; and a printer for printing the operation information by dividing the operation information for each process based on the output of the interface, and the heat sterilizer is operating under the predetermined condition. And when the operation information is not input to the interface is interrupted during the sterilization process and returned during the cooling process after the set time has ended, the operation information of the sterilization process extended by the interruption wherein at the time difference between the set time, shortened by correcting long operation information of the cooling step, the set time and Heat sterilization apparatus of the retort food and outputs the corrected information from the interface to the printer.

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