JP2015208280A - Vegetable sterilizer and method for producing sterilized vegetable - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a vegetable sterilizer reliably preventing leakage of ozone gas to the outside while inhibiting elimination of ozone gas, and a method for producing sterilized vegetables.SOLUTION: A vegetable sterilizer 100 includes a sterilization tank 3 for sterilizing vegetables V by soaking in ozone water, and has an airtight block 30 above the ozone water accumulated in the sterilization tank 3. A method for producing sterilized vegetables includes: a sterilization step of sterilizing by soaking vegetables in ozone water in an ozone water sterilization tank 30 in which ozone water is accumulated and a space above the accumulated ozone water is made airtight; an air supply step of making an air pressure in a preliminary washing tank 20 included in the front stage and the back stage of the ozone water sterilization tank 30, and in a post-washing tank 40 higher than an air pressure in the ozone water sterilization tank 30; and a transfer step of transferring the vegetables between the preliminary washing tank 20 and the post-washing tank 40 whose air pressures are increased in the air supply step, and the ozone water sterilization tank 30.

Description

  The present invention relates to a vegetable sterilizer and a method for producing sterilized vegetables.

  There is an increasing demand for cut vegetables that can be opened and eaten and cooked as they are. Cut vegetables are produced by cutting vegetables harvested from the farm, and the harvested vegetables often have dirt such as mud or viable bacteria attached thereto. For this reason, after cutting vegetables harvested from the field, they are often washed with a neutral detergent or sterilized with an aqueous sodium hypochlorite solution to obtain a cut vegetable product.

  As a method for sterilizing live bacteria attached to vegetables, a method using an aqueous sodium hypochlorite solution is known from the viewpoint of ease of handling and low cost. Vegetables are sterilized by being immersed in a sodium hypochlorite aqueous solution for a predetermined time. However, when a chlorine-based disinfectant such as sodium hypochlorite is used, a odor of chlorine may remain in vegetables, or a by-product may be generated and remain. Therefore, development of a sterilization method that replaces the sodium hypochlorite aqueous solution is desired. Then, the sterilization method using the ozone water which is a non-chlorine type disinfectant is examined. Ozone has a feature that it is quickly decomposed into oxygen by reaction with other substances or autolysis reaction and hardly remains in sterilized vegetables.

  In relation to such a technique, Patent Document 1 describes that leaf vegetables are washed by a specific method before the sterilization treatment even in the sterilization treatment using ozone water having a weak sterilization power. In addition, it is described that this significantly reduces the number of bacteria remaining in the produced shredded vegetables and suppresses bacterial growth over time.

Japanese Patent No. 4381349

  Sterilization of vegetables using ozone water is performed, for example, by immersing vegetables in an ozone water sterilization tank in which ozone water is stored. Moreover, the washing tank which wash | cleans vegetables may be provided in at least one of the upper stage of an ozone water sterilization tank, or a back | latter stage as needed. This cleaning tank is, for example, a preliminary cleaning tank or a post-cleaning tank.

  The ozone gas in the ozone water is easily detached from the ozone water. Therefore, it is conceivable that an exhaust hood is installed above the ozone water sterilization tank, and the desorbed ozone gas is always exhausted using the environment above the ozone water sterilization tank as a negative pressure. As a result, ozone gas is prevented from being released to the outside of the apparatus.

  However, although the ozone gas can be prevented from leaking to the outside with the above-described configuration, the exhaust fan is urged to exhaust the gas, so that the detachment of the ozone gas from the ozone water is also urged. Therefore, the amount of ozone gas used is increased to recover the lowered ozone gas concentration, resulting in high operating costs.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and the problem to be solved by the present invention is a vegetable sterilizer that can more reliably prevent leakage of ozone gas to the outside while suppressing desorption of ozone gas, and It is to provide a method for producing sterilized vegetables.

  As a result of intensive studies to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present inventors solved at least the ozone water sterilization tank above the ozone water sterilization tank and an appropriately provided tank accompanying the ozone water sterilization tank. I found out that I can do it.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, the vegetable sterilization apparatus and the production method of sterilized vegetables which can prevent more reliably the leaking of ozone gas to the exterior can be provided, suppressing desorption | desorption of ozone gas.

It is a block diagram of the vegetable sterilizer of 1st Embodiment. It is the sterilization flow performed in the vegetable sterilizer of 1st Embodiment. It is a block diagram of the vegetable sterilizer of 2nd Embodiment. It is the sterilization flow performed in the vegetable sterilizer of 2nd Embodiment. It is a block diagram of the vegetable sterilizer of 3rd Embodiment. It is the sterilization flow performed in the vegetable sterilizer of 3rd Embodiment. It is a block diagram of the vegetable sterilizer of 4th Embodiment. It is the sterilization flow performed in the vegetable sterilizer of 4th Embodiment. It is a block diagram of the vegetable sterilizer of 5th Embodiment. It is the sterilization flow performed in the vegetable sterilizer of 5th Embodiment.

  Hereinafter, the present embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings as appropriate.

[1. First Embodiment]
Drawing 1 is a lineblock diagram of vegetable sterilizer 100 of a 1st embodiment. The vegetable sterilizer 100 sterilizes vegetables V using ozone water. Conveyors 50 and 60 are connected to the vegetable sterilizer 100. The vegetables V supplied to the vegetable sterilizer 100 by the conveyor 50 are sterilized in the vegetable sterilizer 100 and then supplied to a packaging device (not shown) by the conveyor 60.

  The vegetable sterilizer 100 includes a pre-cleaning tank 2, an ozone water sterilizing tank 3, a post-cleaning tank 4, and an exhaust hood 10 disposed above them. The exhaust hood 10 is divided into three sections 20, 30, and 40 (spaces) by partition plates 11, 12, 13, and 14 that can be moved up and down. Among these compartments, the compartment 20 is formed above the preliminary cleaning tank 2, the compartment 30 is formed above the ozone water sterilization tank 3, and the compartment 40 is formed above the post-cleaning tank 4. ing. In the present embodiment, it is assumed that the section 20 is a part of the preliminary cleaning tank 2, the section 30 is a part of the ozone water sterilization tank 3, and the section 40 is a part of the post-cleaning tank 4.

  Moreover, the partition plates 11, 12, 13, and 14 are normally closed, and are opened when the vegetables V are transferred through the sections 20, 30, and 40. Therefore, when the partition plates 11, 12, 13, and 14 are closed, the sections 20, 30, and 40 are in an airtight state.

  The vegetable sterilizer 100 includes an arithmetic control device 50 that controls each component of the vegetable sterilizer 100. The arithmetic and control unit 50 is connected to a drive unit (not shown) for raising and lowering the partition plates 11, 2, 13, and 14 and an air supply / exhaust fan 22, 42 by electric signal lines (not shown). Therefore, in the vegetable sterilizer 100, the driving device (not shown) for raising and lowering the partition plates 11, 2, 13, 14 and the supply / exhaust fans 22, 42 are controlled by the arithmetic control device 50. The operation of the air supply / exhaust fans 22, 42 is temporarily stopped when the partition plates 11, 12, 13, 14 are opened. Further, although not shown, the arithmetic control device 50 also controls the transfer baskets 2a, 3a, 4a, the conveyors 50, 60, and the like (that is, control of the sterilization flow).

  Although not shown, the arithmetic and control unit 50 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a RAM (Random Access Memory), a ROM (Read Only Memory), a HDD (Hard Disk Drive), an I / F (interface), and the like. And a predetermined control program stored in the ROM is executed by the CPU.

  The preliminary washing tank 2 is for washing the supplied vegetables V with cold water. As a result, dirt such as mud adhering to the vegetables V transferred by the conveyor 50 is removed. Cold water is stored in the preliminary cleaning tank 2, and a transfer basket 2 a is installed so as to be immersed in the cold water. Therefore, the vegetable V supplied by the conveyor 50 is first accommodated (injected) in the transfer basket 2a in the preliminary washing tank 2. And the vegetable V is wash | cleaned with cold water because the transfer basket 2a vibrates etc. in the state accommodated in this transfer basket 2a.

  When the vegetables V are washed in the preliminary washing tank 2, the partition plates 11 and 12 are closed. That is, during the cleaning of the vegetables V in the preliminary cleaning tank 2, the preliminary cleaning tank 2 is in an airtight environment. When the vegetables V are transferred to the transfer basket 2a of the preliminary cleaning tank 2 by the conveyor 50, the partition plate 11 is raised and opened.

  The transfer from the pre-cleaning tank 2 to the ozone water sterilization tank 3 is performed by rotating the transfer basket 2a clockwise in FIG. 1 around the end of the transfer basket 2a. That is, by this rotation, the vegetables V accommodated in the transfer basket 2a are transferred to the transfer basket 3a in the ozone water sterilization tank 3 at the subsequent stage. When the transfer is completed, the partition plate 11 is closed again. Further, when the vegetables V are transferred from the transfer basket 2a of the preliminary cleaning tank 2 to the transfer basket 3a of the ozone water sterilization tank 3, the partition plate 12 is opened like the partition plate 11, and is closed again after the transfer. It has become.

  Above the preliminary cleaning tank 2, an air supply / exhaust port 21 for supplying air to the compartment 20 formed above and exhausting the compartment 20 is provided. An air supply / exhaust fan 22 is connected to the air supply / exhaust port 21, and the air supply (exhaust pressure or negative pressure) of the airtight space 20 is controlled by driving the air supply / exhaust fan 22. In the first embodiment, the drive motor (not shown) of the air supply / exhaust fan 22 rotates in the forward direction, so that the exhaust from the compartment 20 is performed, and the inside of the compartment 20 becomes negative pressure. Further, the drive motor is reversed to supply air to the section 20 so that the inside of the section 20 becomes a positive pressure.

  The supply / exhaust fan 22 is connected to an ozone decomposition device 23 for decomposing ozone gas contained in the exhaust from the compartment 20. Although details will be described later, ozone gas desorbed from ozone water in the ozone water sterilization tank 3 that may exist in the section 30 adjacent to the section 20 may flow into the section 20. Therefore, an ozone decomposing device 23 is provided, and after the ozone gas in the exhaust from the supply / exhaust fan 22 is decomposed, the exhaust is discharged to the outside.

  The ozone water sterilization tank 3 sterilizes the vegetables V washed in the preliminary washing tank 2 using ozone water. Cold ozone water is stored in the ozone water sterilization tank 3. This cold ozone water is prepared by an ozone water generator (not shown). And although details will be described later, the space above the stored ozone water is airtight. Further, in the ozone water sterilization tank 3, a transfer basket 3 a for storing the vegetables V is installed as in the preliminary cleaning tank 2. As in the preliminary cleaning tank 2, the partition plate 13 is raised and the transfer basket 3 a is rotated so that the vegetables V are transferred to the post-cleaning tank 4.

  The section 30 formed above the ozone water sterilization tank 3 is also an airtight environment, like the section 20 formed above the preliminary cleaning tank 2. However, unlike the compartment 20, the compartment 30 is not provided with an air supply / exhaust port or the like for making the inside of the compartment 30 a positive pressure and a negative pressure.

  The post-cleaning tank 4 cleans ozone water adhering to the vegetables V sterilized in the ozone water sterilization tank 3 with clear cold water. Cold water is stored in the post-cleaning tank 4 in the same manner as the pre-cleaning tank 2. Furthermore, in the post-cleaning tank 4, similarly to the preliminary cleaning tank 2 and the ozone water sterilization tank 3, a transfer basket 4 a for storing vegetables V is installed. And the vegetable V is transferred to the conveyor 60 because the partition plate 14 raises / lowers and the transfer basket 4a rotates.

  Similarly to the compartments 20 and 30, the compartment 40 formed above the post-cleaning tank 4 is also an airtight environment. In addition, similarly to the section 20, an air supply / exhaust port 41 is provided above the post-cleaning tank 4 for making the section 40 formed above the positive pressure and the negative pressure. An air supply / exhaust fan 42 is connected to the air supply / exhaust port 41, and the air supply / exhaust fan 42 is driven so that the airtight space 40 has a positive pressure or a negative pressure. In addition, the air supply / exhaust port 42 and the ozone decomposition device 43 are connected to the air supply / exhaust port 41 as in the section 20.

  FIG. 2 is a sterilization flow (a method for producing sterilized vegetables) performed in the vegetable sterilizer 100 of the first embodiment. In the vegetable sterilizer 100, the vegetables V are sterilized while controlling the compartment 20 and the compartment 40 to positive pressure or negative pressure, respectively. Control of each device in the vegetable sterilizer 100 is performed by the arithmetic and control unit 50 shown in FIG. In the flow shown in FIG. 2, for convenience of explanation, in addition to the flow for sterilizing the vegetables V, the flow for transferring the vegetables V and the control flow of each device in the vegetable sterilization apparatus 100 are also described.

  First, the arithmetic and control unit 50 opens the partition plate 11 (step S101). And the vegetable V is thrown in in the preliminary washing tank 2 by the conveyor 50 (step S102). Thereby, the preliminary washing of the vegetables V using cold water is started in the preliminary washing tank 2. Next, the arithmetic and control unit 50 closes the partition plate 11 (step S103). Thereby, the section 20 formed above the preliminary cleaning tank 2 is hermetically sealed.

  Then, in this state, the reverse operation of the air supply / exhaust fan 22 provided in the section 20 is performed (step S104, air supply step). Thereby, the air supply / exhaust fan 22 supplies air to the section 20, and positive pressure is applied to the section 20. At this time, the vegetable V is pre-cleaned in the pre-cleaning tank 2 in parallel with the supply of air to the compartment 20.

  When the completion of the preliminary cleaning is completed, the arithmetic and control unit 50 opens the partition plate 12 (step S105). Here, as described in step S104 above, the section 20 is positively pressurized, and the pressure in the section 20 is higher than the pressure in the section 30 where the pressure is not particularly controlled. Therefore, when the partition plate 12 for partitioning them is opened, the air flow is directed from the compartment 20 toward the compartment 30. This makes it difficult for the ozone gas in the compartment 30 to flow into the compartment 20.

  And the arithmetic and control unit 50 transfers the vegetable V from the preliminary washing tank 2 to the ozone water sterilization tank 3 (step S106, transfer step). Thereafter, the arithmetic and control unit 50 closes the partition plate 12 (step S107, sterilization step). Thus, both the compartments 20 and 30 are hermetically sealed, and the vegetable V is sterilized using ozone water.

  Then, the forward / reverse operation of the air supply / exhaust fan 23 provided in the section 20 is performed (step S108). Thereby, the air supply / exhaust fan 22 exhausts air from the compartment 20, and the negative pressure in the compartment 20 is achieved. Furthermore, the reverse operation of the air supply / exhaust fan 42 provided in the section 40 formed above the post-cleaning tank 4 is performed (step S109, air supply step). Thereby, the air supply / exhaust fan 42 supplies air to the section 40, and positive pressure is applied to the section 40. This positive pressure is performed to such an extent that the air pressure in the compartment 40 becomes higher than the air pressure in the compartment 30.

  When the ozone water sterilization is completed, the arithmetic and control unit 50 opens the partition plate 13 (step S110). Similar to step S105 described above, also in step S110, the air flow is directed from the compartment 40 toward the compartment 30. Therefore, it becomes difficult for the ozone gas in the compartment 30 to flow into the compartment 40.

  And the arithmetic and control unit 50 transfers the vegetable V from the ozone water sterilization tank 3 to the post-cleaning tank 4 (step S111, transfer step). Thereby, the post-cleaning of the vegetables V using cold water is started in the post-cleaning tank 4. Thereafter, the arithmetic and control unit 50 closes the partition plate 13 (step S112). Thereby, both the divisions 30 and 40 are airtight.

  In this state, the forward / reverse operation of the air supply / exhaust fan 42 provided in the section 40 is performed (step S113). As a result, the air supply / exhaust fan 42 exhausts air from the compartment 40, and the compartment 40 is negatively pressured.

  When the post-cleaning is finished, the arithmetic and control unit 50 opens the partition plate 14 (step S114). Then, the arithmetic and control unit 50 transfers the vegetables V from the post-cleaning tank 4 to the outside (step S115). Thereby, the sterilization process to the vegetable V is complete | finished.

  As described above, when the partition plates 12 and 13 are opened, the air pressure in the compartments 20 and 40 is higher than the air pressure in the compartment 30. Therefore, when the partition plates 12 and 13 are opened, the air flow is directed from the sections 20 and 40 toward the section 30. Therefore, it becomes difficult for the ozone gas in the compartment 30 to flow into the compartments 20 and 40, and the ozone gas tends to stay in the compartment 30. Thereby, since the partial pressure of ozone gas in the compartment 30 is easily maintained at a certain level, the partial pressure of ozone gas is also easily maintained at a certain level. Therefore, desorption of ozone gas from ozone water is suppressed.

[2. Second Embodiment]
Next, a configuration of the vegetable sterilizer 200 according to the second embodiment and a control method thereof will be described with reference to FIGS. 3 and 4. In the following description, differences from the configuration of the vegetable sterilizer 100 and the control method thereof will be mainly described. Moreover, in the vegetable sterilizer 200, the same code | symbol shall be attached | subjected about the same thing as the said vegetable sterilizer 100, and the detailed description is abbreviate | omitted.

  Drawing 3 is a lineblock diagram of vegetable sterilizer 200 of a 2nd embodiment. In the vegetable sterilizer 200, an air supply port 31 and an air supply fan 32 for supplying air to the section 30 formed above the ozone water sterilization tank 3 in the vegetable sterilizer 100 are connected. The air supply fan 32 is controlled by the arithmetic and control unit 50. The operation of the air supply fan 32 is temporarily stopped when the partition plates 11, 12, 13, and 14 are opened.

  FIG. 4 is a sterilization flow performed in the vegetable sterilizer 200 of the second embodiment. In the sterilization flow shown in FIG. 4, the same steps as those in the sterilization flow shown in FIG. 2 are given the same step numbers, and detailed descriptions thereof are omitted.

  First, similarly to the vegetable sterilizer 100, the vegetable V is preliminarily washed and the compartment 20 is positively pressurized (steps S101 to S104). Next, the arithmetic and control unit 50 operates the air supply fan 32 to supply air to the section 30 (step S201). Thereby, the division 30 is positively pressurized. Thereby, the atmospheric | air pressure in the division 30 is raised and detachment | desorption of ozone gas from ozone water is suppressed.

  However, the air pressure in the section 30 to be increased in step S201 is lower than the air pressure in the section 20. That is, even if air is supplied to the compartment 30 in step S201, the air pressure in the compartments 20 and 40 is still higher than the air pressure in the compartment 30. Accordingly, the air flow when the partition plate 12 is opened is directed from the section 20 to the section 30 as in step S104. As described above, since the compartment 30 is positively pressurized, desorption of ozone gas hardly occurs. However, some ozone gas desorption may still occur. Therefore, by making the air flow the same as in step S104 described above, it is difficult for the ozone gas in the compartment 30 to flow into the compartment 20, and the desorption of ozone gas from the ozone water to the compartment 30 is more effectively suppressed.

  Thereafter, the vegetables V are sterilized in the same manner as steps S105 to S115 in the vegetable sterilizer 100. Note that when the compartment 40 is positively pressurized in step S109, the compartment 40 is positively pressurized so that the air pressure in the compartment 40 is higher than the air pressure in the compartment 30. This makes it difficult for the ozone gas in the compartment 30 to flow into the compartment 40, and the desorption of ozone gas from the ozone water to the compartment 30 is more effectively suppressed.

[3. Third Embodiment]
Next, a configuration of the vegetable sterilizer 300 according to the third embodiment and a control method thereof will be described with reference to FIGS. 5 and 6. In the following description, points different from the configuration of the vegetable sterilizers 100 and 200 and the control method thereof will be mainly described. Moreover, in the vegetable sterilizer 300, the same code | symbol shall be attached | subjected about the same thing as the said vegetable sterilizer 100,200, and the detailed description is abbreviate | omitted.

  FIG. 5 is a configuration diagram of the vegetable sterilizer 300 according to the third embodiment. In the vegetable sterilizer 300, the gas supplied to the compartment 30 in the vegetable sterilizer 200 is not air but ozone gas. Therefore, unlike the vegetable sterilizer 200, the vegetable sterilizer 300 includes an ozone gas generator 35 that generates oxygen-containing air. Further, the vegetable sterilizer 300 is provided with an ozone gas supply fan 36 for supplying the compartment 30 with the ozone gas generated by the ozone gas generator 35. Control of the ozone gas supply fan 36 is performed by the arithmetic and control unit 50.

  FIG. 6 is a sterilization flow performed in the vegetable sterilizer 300 of the third embodiment. In the sterilization flow shown in FIG. 6, the same steps as those in the sterilization flow shown in FIG. 2 are given the same step numbers, and detailed descriptions thereof are omitted.

  First, the arithmetic and control unit 50 controls the ozone gas supply fan 36 to supply ozone gas to the compartment 30 formed above the ozone water sterilization tank 3 (step S301). By supplying ozone gas instead of air, the partial pressure of ozone gas in the compartment 30 increases. Thereby, desorption of the ozone gas from the ozone water is more effectively suppressed.

  In addition, in this embodiment, the amount of ozone gas supplied to the section 30 is such that the pressure in the section 30 is positively pressurized in step S104 and the section 40 in which positive pressure is generated in step S109. The amount is lower than the atmospheric pressure. Thereby, as described above, desorption of ozone gas is sufficiently suppressed.

  Thereafter, the vegetables V are sterilized in the same manner as the sterilization flow (steps S101 to S115) in the vegetable sterilizer 100 described above.

  In the third embodiment, ozone gas is supplied to the compartment 30. Therefore, the vegetables V transferred from the preliminary cleaning tank 2 and the vegetables V cleaned in the transfer basket 3 a and transferred to the post-cleaning tank 4 come into contact with the high-concentration ozone gas in the compartment 30. Therefore, in addition to the sterilization by the ozone water in the ozone water sterilization tank 3, the sterilization effect by the contact with the high-concentration ozone gas is also exhibited.

[4. Fourth Embodiment]
Next, a configuration of the vegetable sterilizer 400 according to the fourth embodiment and a control method thereof will be described with reference to FIGS. 7 and 8. In the following description, points different from the configuration of the vegetable sterilizer 100 to 300 and the control method thereof will be mainly described. Moreover, in the vegetable sterilizer 400, the same code | symbol shall be attached | subjected about the same thing as the said vegetable sterilizer 100-300, and the detailed description is abbreviate | omitted.

  FIG. 7 is a configuration diagram of a vegetable sterilizer 400 according to the fourth embodiment. In the vegetable sterilizer 400, air (which may contain ozone gas) is exchanged between the compartment 10, the compartment 20, and the compartment 30. Therefore, the vegetable sterilizer 400 is provided with dampers 51 and 52 for taking in outside air, in addition to the air supply and exhaust fans 22 and 42 and the air supply fan 32 in the vegetable sterilizer 100. And these are connected so that supply / exhaust different from the said vegetable sterilizer 100 grade | etc., Becomes possible. These controls are performed by the arithmetic and control unit 50.

  FIG. 8 is a sterilization flow performed in the vegetable sterilizer 400 of the fourth embodiment. In the sterilization flow shown in FIG. 8, the same steps as those in the sterilization flow shown in FIG. 2 are given the same step numbers, and detailed descriptions thereof are omitted.

  First, the arithmetic and control unit 50 opens the damper 51 and operates the air supply fan 32 (step S401). Thereby, outside air is supplied to the section 30 and the section 30 is positively pressurized. Next, steps S101 to S107 are performed in the same manner as the vegetable sterilizer 100 described above.

  After the partition plate 12 is closed in step S107 and the sections 20 and 30 are airtight, the arithmetic and control unit 50 closes the damper 51 and causes the supply / exhaust fan 22 to perform forward rotation (step S402). Thereby, the section 20 is exhausted. At this time, since the air supply fan 32 is operating, the exhaust from the section 20 is supplied to the section 30. Here, the ozone gas in the compartment 30 may flow into the compartment 20 as described above. Therefore, the ozone gas in the compartment 20 is supplied to the compartment 30 by the air supply / exhaust fan 22 and the air supply fan 32. Thereby, the division 30 is positively pressurized and the partial pressure of the ozone gas in the division 30 is increased, so that desorption of ozone gas from the ozone water is more effectively suppressed.

  Next, the arithmetic and control unit 50 stops the air supply / exhaust fan 22 and the air supply fan 32, then opens the damper 52 and performs the reverse operation of the air supply / exhaust fan 42 (step S403). Thereby, outside air is supplied to the section 40 and the section 40 is positively pressurized. This positive pressure is performed to such an extent that the air pressure in the compartment 40 becomes larger than the air pressure in the compartment 30. And step S110-S112 are performed similarly to the said vegetable sterilizer 100. FIG.

  Next, the arithmetic and control unit 50 closes the damper 52 and performs the operation of the air supply fan 32 and the normal rotation operation of the air supply / exhaust fan 42 (step S404). Thereby, the inside of the section 40 is exhausted, and the exhaust is supplied to the section 30. Here, the ozone gas from the section 30 may flow into the section 40 as well as the section 20 described above. Therefore, by supplying the exhaust from the compartment 40 to the compartment 30, the partial pressure of the ozone gas in the compartment 30 is increased, and desorption of the ozone gas from the ozone water is suppressed.

  Thereafter, steps S114 and S115 are performed in the same manner as the vegetable sterilizer 100, and the sterilization of the vegetables V is completed.

[5. Fifth Embodiment]
Next, the structure of the vegetable sterilizer 500 which concerns on 5th Embodiment, and its control method are demonstrated, referring FIG.9 and FIG.10. In the following description, points different from the configuration of the vegetable sterilizers 100 to 400 and the control method thereof will be mainly described. Moreover, in the vegetable sterilizer 500, the same code | symbol shall be attached | subjected about the same thing as said vegetable sterilizer 100-400, and the detailed description is abbreviate | omitted.

  FIG. 9 is a configuration diagram of a vegetable sterilizer 500 according to the fifth embodiment. The apparatus configuration of the vegetable sterilizer 500 is basically the same as that of the vegetable sterilizer 400 described with reference to FIG. However, the vegetable sterilizer 500 of the fifth embodiment is provided with the ozone gas generator 35 described in the vegetable sterilizer 3 of the third embodiment. Therefore, the vegetable sterilizer 500 is provided with the ozone gas generator 35 of the vegetable sterilizer 300 in the configuration of the vegetable sterilizer 400.

  FIG. 10 is a sterilization flow performed in the vegetable sterilizer 500 of the fifth embodiment. In the sterilization flow shown in FIG. 10, the same steps as those in the sterilization flow are denoted by the same step numbers, and detailed description thereof is omitted.

  First, the arithmetic and control unit 50 supplies ozone gas to the compartment 30 in the same manner as in step S301 (step S301). Next, steps S <b> 101 to S <b> 103 are performed similarly to the vegetable sterilizer 100 described above.

  The arithmetic and control unit 50 opens the damper 51 and reversely operates the air supply / exhaust fan 22 (step S501, air supply step). As a result, outside air is supplied to the compartment 20 via the damper 51, and the compartment 20 is positively pressurized. This positive pressure is performed until the atmospheric pressure in the compartment 20 becomes higher than the atmospheric pressure in the compartment 30. By doing in this way, when the partition plate 12 is opened in step S105 mentioned later, it is suppressed that the ozone gas which may exist in the division 30 flows into the division 20. FIG. Therefore, desorption of ozone gas from ozone water is more effectively suppressed.

  After that, the above steps S105 to S107, S402, S403, S110 to S112, S404, S114, and S115 are performed in this order, and the sterilization of the vegetables V is completed.

[6. Modified example]
Although the embodiment of the vegetable sterilization apparatus and the method for producing sterilized vegetables has been described with reference to five embodiments, the vegetable sterilization apparatus and the method for producing sterilized vegetables according to this embodiment are not limited to the above-described embodiments. Absent. Therefore, the embodiments described above can be implemented by appropriately combining them, and can be implemented by appropriately modifying the embodiments.

  For example, in each of the above-described embodiments, the preliminary cleaning tank 2, the ozone water sterilization tank 3, and the post-cleaning tank 4 are integrally provided, and the space in one exhaust hood 1 is partitioned by the partition plates 13 and 14, Sections 20, 30, and 40 are formed. However, the vegetable sterilizer according to the present embodiment is not limited to such a configuration. For example, the pre-cleaning tank 2, the ozone water sterilizing tank 3, and the post-cleaning tank 4 are configured separately, and the vegetables V can be transferred to them. You may make it connect with a simple pipe. Even if it does in this way, while the leakage of ozone gas to the exterior can be prevented more reliably, the effect of the present invention is also acquired.

  When the preliminary cleaning tank 2, the ozone water sterilization tank 3, and the post-cleaning tank 4 are configured separately, the section 20 is a space inside the preliminary cleaning tank 2, the section 30 is a space inside the ozone water sterilization tank 3, The section 40 can be considered as a space inside the post-cleaning tank 4.

  In addition, for example, as described in the above embodiments, it is preferable that the sections 20, 30, and 40 are positively and negatively pressured. Moreover, it is preferable that the atmospheric | air pressure of the division 30 is lower than the atmospheric | air pressure of the divisions 20 and 40 among these divisions. However, although these forms are preferable, in the vegetable sterilization apparatus of the present embodiment, any pressure may be used in each tank as long as the upper part of the ozone water sterilization tank 3 is airtight.

  In each of the above embodiments, a qualitative operation is performed. However, for example, an atmospheric pressure sensor may be provided in each tank, and a quantitative operation according to the atmospheric pressure of each tank may be performed.

  Furthermore, the tank structure of the vegetable sterilizer is not limited to the illustrated example, and other tanks are optional as long as an ozone water sterilization tank that performs sterilization using ozone water is provided. Moreover, as a form which partitions off the inside of one exhaust hood 1 and forms the divisions 20, 30, and 40, it is not limited to the form using the partition plates 11, 12, 13, and 14, and for example, a door that opens double doors may be used. it can.

  Moreover, each step in the said sterilization flow can be implemented by appropriately replacing or deleting.

10 Exhaust hood (sterilization tank, vegetable processing tank)
11 Partition plate (vegetable processing tank)
12 Partition plate (sterilization tank, vegetable processing tank)
13 Partition plate (sterilization tank, vegetable processing tank)
14 Partition plate (vegetable processing tank)
20 Pre-cleaning tank (vegetable processing tank)
22 Air supply / exhaust fan (first air supply device)
30 Ozone water sterilization tank (sterilization tank)
32 Air supply fan (second air supply device)
35 Ozone gas generator 36 Ozone gas supply fan (ozone gas supply device)
40 Post-cleaning tank (vegetable processing tank)
42 Air supply / exhaust fan (first air supply device)
50 arithmetic control devices (first arithmetic control device, second arithmetic control device)
51 Damper 52 Damper 100 Vegetable Sterilizer 200 Vegetable Sterilizer 300 Vegetable Sterilizer 400 Vegetable Sterilizer 500 Vegetable Sterilizer

Claims (6)

Equipped with a sterilization tank that sterilizes vegetables by immersing in ozone water,
The vegetable sterilizer characterized in that the space above the ozone water stored in the sterilization tank is airtight. A vegetable processing tank provided in at least one of a front stage and a rear stage of the sterilization tank;
A first air supply device for supplying air to the vegetable processing tank;
2. The vegetable sterilizer according to claim 1, further comprising: a first calculation control device configured to make the pressure in the vegetable processing tank higher than the pressure in the sterilization tank by the first air supply device. A second air supply device for supplying air to the sterilization tank;
The vegetable sterilizer according to claim 2, further comprising a second arithmetic control device that positively pressures the inside of the sterilization tank by the second air supply device.   The vegetable sterilizer according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the vegetable treatment tank and the sterilization tank are connected so that the gas in the vegetable treatment tank can be supplied to the sterilization tank. . An ozone gas generator for generating ozone gas;
The vegetable sterilizer according to any one of claims 1 to 4, further comprising an ozone gas supply device that supplies ozone gas generated by the ozone gas generation device to the sterilization tank. In a sterilization tank in which ozone water is stored and the space above the stored ozone water is airtight, a sterilization step of sterilizing by immersing vegetables in ozone water;
An air supply step in which the air pressure in the vegetable processing tank provided in at least one of the front stage and the rear stage of the sterilization tank is higher than the air pressure in the sterilization tank;
A method for producing sterilized vegetables, comprising: the vegetable processing tank whose air pressure is increased in the air supply step; and a transfer step of transferring vegetables between the sterilization tank.

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