JP3357041B1 - Food sterilization method - Google Patents

Abstract

An object of the present invention is to provide a food sterilization method that enables pressurized heat sterilization by using a steam convection oven that can be installed at a significantly lower cost than a retort sterilization pressure cooker. SOLUTION: A food 1 to be sterilized is put in a container 9, the container 9 containing the food 1 is vacuum-packaged, and the vacuum-packed food-containing container 9A is an upper-opening-type metal container capable of storing the food 1. A tightening mechanism 4 is composed of a main body 2 and a metal closing lid 3 for closing an upper opening of the container main body 2. The tightening mechanism 4 for tightening and fixing the closing lid 3 to the container main body 2 in a hermetically closed state is provided. The container body 2 of the provided food sterilizing container is put into a substantially full state so as to prevent a gap from being formed, and the upper opening of the container body 2 is closed with a closing cover 3, and a closing mechanism 4 is used to close the opening cover. The food sterilizing container is hermetically closed and closed by fastening the food sterilizing container 3 to the container body 2, and the hermetically sealed food sterilizing container is placed in a steam convection oven 5 and heated at 120 ° C. or higher for a predetermined time.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to food sterilization method.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Retort sterilization is carried out, for example, by putting bagged foods and the like in a sterilizing pressure cooker and sterilizing under pressure and heat.

[0003] However, the sterilizing autoclave used for this retort sterilization is very large and requires capital investment of tens of millions of yen. It was difficult.

[0004] The present invention has been conceived in view of such circumstances, that Do allow pressure heating sterilization by the use of steam convection oven which can significantly lower cost equipment than sterilization autoclave for retort it is to provide a food sterilization method.

[0005]

The gist of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0006] The food 1 to be sterilized is placed in a container 9 and
The container 9 containing 1 is vacuum-packaged, and the vacuum-packaged food
The container 9A is composed of an upper opening type metal container main body 2 capable of storing the food 1 and a metal closing lid 3 for closing the upper opening of the container main body 2. A tightening mechanism 4 for tightening and fixing the closing lid 3 in a hermetically closed state.
Into the container body 2 of the food sterilization container provided with
The upper opening of the container body 2
Part is closed with a closing lid 3 and the fastening mechanism 4
Of the food sterilization container by tightening and closing the closing lid 3 of the container to the container body 2
Close and seal the food sterilization container.
Place in a convection oven 5 at 120 ° C or higher.
According to a food sterilization method characterized by heating for a fixed time
It is .

[0007] The food sterilizing container, which is hermetically closed and closed, is stored in a container.
Put in team convection oven 5 at 150 ° C for 3
The method according to claim 1, wherein heating is performed for 0 minutes or more .

Further, the food-containing container 9A vacuum-packaged.
Was inserted into the container body 2 so as not to form a gap.
Thereafter, water 10 is put into the container body 2 and the container 9A containing food is washed with water.
10 and the upper opening of the container body 2 is closed as described above.
The food sterilizing container is hermetically closed and closed with the lid 3
Into a steam convection oven 5 at 120 ° C
3. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the heating is performed for a predetermined time.
The method according to any one of the above,
You .

A flange 2A is provided on the periphery of the container body 2.
And a flange 3 </ b> A is provided on the periphery of the closing lid 3.
The upper opening of the container body 2 is closed with a closing lid 3 so that a flange 2A of the container body 2 and a flange 3A of the closing lid 3 are provided.
The food according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the fastening mechanism 4 is provided so as to be fitted to the overlapping flanges 2A and 3A and fastened and fixed when the polymerization is performed. Sterilization method
It is related .

When the upper opening of the container body 2 is closed by the closing lid 3 and the flange 2A of the container body 2 and the flange 3A of the closing lid 3 are overlapped, this overlapping flange Part 2
A · 3A is provided with an annular body 7 that can be fitted and attached. The annular body 7 has a flange 3A of the closing lid 3 with respect to a flange 2A of the container body 2.
Those of the food sterilizing method according to claim 4, characterized by being configured the clamping mechanism 4 is provided a clamping device 8 for fixing fastening presses the A.

When the upper opening of the container body 2 is closed by the closing lid 3 and the flange 2A of the container body 2 and the flange 3A of the closing lid 3 are overlapped, this overlapping flange Part 2
The food sterilizing method according to claim 4 , characterized in that the fastening mechanism (4) is constituted by providing a fixing device (13) for tightening and fixing the A.3A on the container body (2).

[0012]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Preferred embodiments of the present invention (how to implement the invention) will be briefly described with reference to the drawings, showing the operational effects thereof.

[0013] food sterilization container, the upper opening of the metal container main body 2 while closed by metal closed lid 3, that tightening fixing the closed lid 3 by tightening mechanism 4 in the food sterilization container Thus, the inside of the container body 2 is tightly sealed.

[0014] The food sterilizing container of the hermetically sealed and heated put in scan team convection oven 5, high to hardly deformed and the container main body 2 made of metal compared such a resin container and closure lid 3 The hermeticity is maintained, so that the pressure in the hermetically sealed food sterilization container increases due to oven heating. Therefore, if the food 1 is stored in the food sterilization container, the food 1 is heated under pressure.

[0015] That is, food sterilization container exhibits autoclave substantially the same function by heating with steam convection oven 5, the bag-packaged food such as a pressure-heating sterilization child
It becomes possible .

Specifically, the food 1 to be sterilized is put in a container 9, and the container 9 containing the food 1 is vacuum-packaged.

The vacuum-packaged food-containing container 9A is placed in the container body 2. At this time, if there is a gap between the plurality of food-containing containers 9A or between the food-containing container 9A and the inside of the container main unit 2A, the heating is not performed. Since the container 9 is apt to expand and burst, the container 9 is placed in a substantially full state in the container body 2 so that no gap is generated.

The upper opening of the container body 2 is closed with a lid 3.
At the same time, the closing lid 3 is tightly fixed to the container main body 2 by the tightening mechanism 4 to hermetically close the container, and the hermetically closed container main body 2 is put into the steam convection oven 5 and is kept at 120 ° C. or more for a predetermined time. Heat.

Then, as described above, since the food sterilizing container has extremely high hermeticity, the inside of the food sterilizing container is heated to 120 ° C. or higher by heating the oven, and the internal pressure is increased, so that the food 1 is heated and sterilized under pressure. Will be.

[0020] Thus, even without the need for large-scale retort sterilization pressure cooker of the tens of millions of yen, enough pressure and heat sterilization for food 1 By using the low-cost steam convection oven 5 and the food sterilization container This sterilization facility becomes an epoch-making food sterilization method that is extremely practical and can be implemented with a small investment.

[0021]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Specific embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

The food sterilizing container of the present embodiment comprises a metal container main body 2 of an upper opening type capable of storing the food 1 and a metal closing lid 3 for closing the upper opening of the container main body 2. A tightening mechanism 4 for tightening and fixing the closing lid 3 to the container main body 2 in a hermetically closed state is provided.

More specifically, the container body 2 is shown in FIG.
As shown in the figure, a rectangular shallow box is used.

The closing lid 3 is formed in a rectangular plate shape capable of closing the upper opening of the rectangular container main body 2, and substantially the entire surface excluding the peripheral edge portion is recessed downward, whereby the closing lid 3 is lowered. The projecting portion of the closing lid 3 that projects is fitted into the upper opening of the container body 2.

The container body 2 has a flange 2A on the entire periphery.
Is provided substantially horizontally, and a flange portion 3A is also provided substantially horizontally on the entire peripheral portion of the closing lid body 3 in correspondence thereto.

More specifically, the container body 2 of the present embodiment employs a metal shallow box-shaped container with a flange called a hotel pan. The figure shows a case where a shallow hotel pan is adopted.

In this embodiment, when the upper opening of the container body 2 is closed with the closing lid 3 and the flange 2A of the container body 2 and the flange 3A of the closing lid 3 are polymerized, this polymerization occurs. Collar 2
The tightening mechanism 4 is fitted to the A.3A and tightened and fixed.

The tightening mechanism 4 will be further described.
When the upper opening of the container main body 2 is closed by the closing lid 3 and the flange 2A of the container main body 2 and the flange 3A of the closing lid 3 are overlapped, the overlapped flange 2A located on the left and right portions in the drawing. An annular body 7 that can be detachably fitted to 3A is provided.
A screw serving as a fastener 8 is screwed into the container body 2, and the tip of the fastener 8 is turned into a flange portion 2 of the container body 2 by rotating and operating the fastener 8.
The flange portion 3A of the closing lid 3 is pressed against A and tightened and fixed.

That is, the container body 2 and the closing lid 3 can be fastened and fixed or the fastening can be released by a simple operation simply by turning and screwing the fastening tool 8. Make up.

The structure of the tightening mechanism 4 is a structure that can be easily designed and realized, and the container body 2 and the closing lid 3 are existing hotel pans. The container has a configuration that can be easily realized.

Further, in this embodiment, when the container body 2 sealed and closed by the closing cover 3 is heated by the steam convection oven 5, when the pressure inside the container body 2 exceeds a predetermined pressure, the steam from the inside of the container body 2 is removed. A safety valve device 6 for discharging the air is provided on the closing lid 3.

The safety valve device 6 will be described in more detail. The safety valve device 6 has the same function as that provided in the existing high-pressure cooker, and has a certain pressure or higher so that the inside of the sealed food sterilization container does not become too high. When this happens, the valve is opened to discharge steam and prevent the food sterilization container from exploding. Further, the safety valve device 6 is shown in the case where only one portion is provided at a position near the end of the upper surface of the closing lid 3, but since the design of the type of valve device can be changed as appropriate, it is described in detail. Illustration and explanation are omitted.

Next, a food sterilizing method using the food sterilizing container of the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

First, the food 1 to be sterilized is placed in a container 9 dedicated to retort sterilization, and the container 9 containing the food 1 is vacuum-packaged.

Next, the vacuum-packaged food container 9
A is put into the container main body 2, but between the plurality of food-containing containers 9 A put in the container main body 2 and between the food-containing container 9 A and the container main body 2.
If there is a gap between the inside and the inside, the container 9 easily expands and ruptures during heating, so that the container 9A with food is put into the container body 2 in a substantially full state for the purpose of preventing this, and no gap is generated. To do. In addition, a plurality of food-containing containers 9A
If there is a gap between the container or the food container 9A and the inside of the container body 2, the gap is filled with the filling material 12 to eliminate the gap.

Next, in this embodiment, the food-containing container 9
In the container body 2 containing A, water 10 is put to about 90%, and the food container 9A is immersed in the water 10. By adding the water 10, the same principle as that of the autoclave is obtained, and the heat conductivity at the time of heating is improved, and the sterilization property is improved. Although it is not necessary to add the water 10, it is preferable to add the water 10 because the heat conductivity is improved at the time of heating and the heat sterilization time is shortened as described above.

Next, the upper opening of the food sterilizing container is closed with a closing lid 3, and the closing lid 3 is fastened and fixed to the food sterilizing container by the fastening mechanism 4.
Is closed and closed, and the closed and closed container body 2 is placed in a steam convection oven 5, and the temperature in the steam convection oven 5 is set to 150 ° C. and heated for about 30 minutes. In addition, this steam convection oven 5
In the case of heating in the container body, there is a difference in heat conductivity depending on the depth of the bottom of the container body 2 (the deeper the bottom, the lower the heat conductivity, and the shallower the bottom, the higher the heat conductivity). The deeper the bottom of 2, the longer the heating time. When the number of food-containing containers 9A to be sterilized at the same time is large, it is better to lengthen the heating time.

Then, the pressure inside the strongly sealed metal container body 2 rises due to heating, and the container body 2
The temperature inside becomes 120 ° C. or more, and the food 1 is sterilized under pressure and heat extremely well.

The heating temperature may be a temperature at which the center temperature of the food 1 to be sterilized is 120 ° C., that is, the temperature in the steam convection oven 5 is 120 ° C. or more.
If the heating temperature is low, a long heating time is required. Conversely, if the heating temperature is too high, the heating time is shortened but the container 9 may be damaged.
Heating at 50 ° C. for about 30 minutes is desirable because sterilization can be performed in a relatively short time without damaging the container 9.

At this time, when the pressure in the food sterilizing container becomes equal to or higher than a predetermined pressure, steam is appropriately discharged from the safety valve device 6, so that the hermetically closed container body 2 does not explode. In addition, the inside of the container body 2 is maintained under a predetermined high pressure, so that the pressurized heat sterilization is performed extremely well.

The applicant actually conducted a sterility test based on the Food Sanitation Law. As a result, a negative result was obtained, and the bactericidal effect was demonstrated.

After the heating is completed, the food sterilizing container is taken out of the steam convection oven 5, and the food-containing container 9A is taken out of the food sterilizing container and immersed in cold water, and the central temperature in the food-containing container 9A is lowered to 10 ° C. or less to sterilize. Completed. In the figure, reference numeral 11 denotes a cooling container containing cold water, and shows a case where the food-containing container 9A is put into the cooling container 11 and cooled.

Therefore, the food 1 can be sufficiently pressurized by using the inexpensive steam convection oven 5 and the food sterilizing container of the present embodiment without the need for a large retort sterilizing pressure cooker of tens of millions of yen. Heat sterilization could be performed.

In effect, it is possible to perform the food sterilization method of the present embodiment by setting up facilities with a fund of about 2 million yen.
Further, if the steam convection oven 5 is currently owned, an excellent practical effect is exhibited, such as retort products can be manufactured with an additional investment of about 100,000 yen.

FIGS. 3 and 4 show the foods described so far.
Of a food sterilization container having a structure different from that of the product sterilization container and the fastening mechanism 4
Another example is shown.

A description will be given of the fastening mechanism 4 of this alternative example. The upper opening of the container main body 2 is closed by the closing lid 3 and the flange 2A of the container main body 2 and the flange of the closing lid 3 are closed. This is a case where a fixing tool 13 for tightening and fixing the overlapped flanges 2A and 3A is provided in the container main body 2 when 3A is superposed.

More specifically, the buckle 13 as the fastener 13 is provided at four locations on the outer side in the longitudinal direction of the container body 2 as shown in the figure.

Further, the buckle 13 will be further described. The operating portion 13A is pivotally attached to the longitudinally outer surface of the container body 2 so as to be able to move up and down in a vertical direction. Hook portion to be fitted and locked to flange portion 3A from above
Using the existing buckle structure with the 13B pivoted, the operation unit 13
When the hook portion 13B is fitted to the flange portion 3A of the closing lid 3 from above with the A protruding at least to the side, and the operating portion 13A is pivoted downward, the hook portion 13B is pulled downward. The closing lid 3 is pressed against the container main body 2 to maintain the hermetically closed state.

That is, in this alternative example , the hook portion 13B
The container body 2 and the closing lid 3 can be tightened and fixed by a simple operation of hooking the flange on the flange portion 3A and rotating the operation portion 13A downward. It is configured to be able to do just by doing.

The configuration of the fastening mechanism 4 is a configuration that can be easily designed and realized, and is excellent in mass productivity and can be configured at low cost.

Other structures are the same as those of the above-mentioned food sterilizing container .

The present invention is not limited to the present embodiment, and the specific configuration of each component can be appropriately designed.

[0053]

According to the present invention because configured as described above, food
The product sterilization container is hardly deformed when heated in a steam convection oven and can maintain a high hermeticity.With this, the pressure inside the sealed food sterilization container increases satisfactorily due to heating, so it is almost a high pressure cooker. It is possible to sterilize the stored food by exerting a similar function under pressure and heat, and furthermore, this food sterilization container has an upper opening type metal container main body and an upper opening of the container main body. Since it can be configured simply by providing a metal closing lid and a tightening mechanism for tightening and fixing the closing lid to the container body in a hermetically closed state, this configuration is a configuration that can be easily designed and realized. Yes,
That Do not possible to provide a Xiu are cheap products for mass production.

[0054] Thus, even without the need for large-scale retort sterilization pressure cooker of the tens of millions of yen, carry out the pressure and heat sterilization for enough food by using the cheaper steam convection oven and the food sterilization container The sterilization equipment that can realize the food sterilization method of the present invention is extremely practical because it can be installed with a remarkably small investment compared to the case of introducing an existing retort sterilization pressure cooker. It is a periodical food sterilization method.

According to the second aspect of the present invention,
Food is sterilized under pressure and heat very well in a short time of about 0 minutes
It becomes a more practical food sterilization method.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, water
To obtain the same principle as the autoclave,
Improved heat conductivity and improved sterilization
It is a food sterilization method that is extremely practical.

According to the fourth, fifth and sixth aspects of the present invention, there is provided a more practical food sterilizing method which can easily design and realize a tightening mechanism which reliably exerts the above-mentioned effects.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view showing a food sterilization container of the present embodiment .

FIG. 2 is an explanatory view of a sterilization step of the present embodiment .

3 is an exploded perspective view showing another example of a food sterilizing container.

FIG. 4 is a partially enlarged explanatory view of a main part of another example .

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Food 2 Container main body 2A flange 3 Closure lid 3A flange 4 Tightening mechanism 5 Steam convection oven 7 Annular body 8 Fastener 9 Container 9A Food container 10 Water 13 Fixture

Claims (6)

(57) [Claims] Claims 1. A food to be sterilized is put into a body, and the food is
Vacuum-package the container and place the container
The body comprises an upper opening type metal container main body capable of storing food, and a metal closing lid closing the upper opening of the container main body. Of a food sterilization container equipped with a fastening mechanism
Put the container in a substantially full state so that there is no gap
When the upper opening of the container body is closed with a closing lid,
In both cases, this closing lid is fastened to the container body by the fastening mechanism.
The food sterilization container is hermetically sealed and closed.
Put the sterilization container in a steam convection oven
A food sterilization method comprising heating at 120 ° C. or higher for a predetermined time . 2. The food sterilizing container, which is hermetically closed and closed, is steamed.
30 minutes at 150 ° C in a convection oven
Food sterilizing side according to claim 1, characterized in that the upper heating
Law . 3. The method according to claim 3 , wherein said food-containing container packaged in a vacuum is packed in said container.
After inserting the container without any gaps,
Fill the container with water and immerse the food container in water.
The upper opening of the container body is hermetically closed and closed with the closing lid.
Close the sealed food sterilization container with steam convection
The food sterilization method according to claim 1 , wherein the food is heated at 120 ° C. or higher for a predetermined time in a oven . 4. A flange is protruded from a peripheral portion of the container body, and a flange is protruded from a peripheral portion of the closing lid, and an upper opening of the container body is closed by a closing lid. 4. The fastening mechanism according to claim 1, wherein when the flange portion of the container body and the flange portion of the closing lid are overlapped, the tightening mechanism is fitted to the overlapped flange portion and tightened and fixed . Food sterilizer according to any one of the preceding claims.
How . 5. When the upper opening of the container main body is closed by the closing lid and the flange of the container main body and the flange of the closing lid are overlapped with each other, they are fitted and attached to the overlapped flange. The tightening mechanism is provided by providing an annular body to be obtained, and providing a fastener for pressing the flange of the closing lid against the flange of the container body to fasten and fix the annular body. The method for sterilizing food according to claim 4 . 6. When the upper opening of the container main body is closed with the closing lid and the flange of the container main body and the flange of the closing lid are overlapped with each other, the overlapping flange is fastened and fixed. The food sterilizing method according to claim 4, wherein a fixing tool is provided on the container body to constitute the tightening mechanism.