JP3537090B2 - Continuous processing equipment - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a continuous processing apparatus, and more particularly, to processing and discharging solids contained in a carrier such as an open container while transporting the solids in a tubular transport path. And the like.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art (1) A retort product which has been filled with food in a container, sealed, and then subjected to pressurized heat sterilization has been put on the market. Since such a product is subjected to heat treatment under pressure in a state where the food is sealed in the container, there is a problem that a heated odor is muffled in the container and the taste of the food is reduced.

(2) In order to solve this problem, the development of a new aseptic packaging product in which a food filled in one container is sterilized under pressure and heat without sealing the container, and then aseptically packaged. Has been. As an apparatus for manufacturing such aseptic packaged products, for example, as disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 9-84567, a solid food material is filled in a cup, and a plurality of cups are stored in a cassette. Into a sterilizer to sterilize solids directly with steam,
There has been proposed a sterilizer for batch-processed solid-containing food in which a cup is taken out of the cassette in a clean booth after the sterilization, and the solid is filled in a container together with a seasoning liquid and sealed and packaged.

However, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 9-84567 discloses
In the batch processing apparatus as disclosed in the publication, it is necessary to prepare a sterilization pot equipped with a control mechanism for controlling pressurization, sterilization, and decompression in order to increase the productivity of the sterilization process, There is a problem that the equipment size of the batch processing apparatus becomes large and the equipment cost becomes enormous. Further, in such a batch processing apparatus, it is not possible to immediately transfer the sterilized food from the retainer to the product container, that is, there must be a retainer that waits for the transfer to the product container. . For this standby, in a device that sterilizes and packs food after sterilization, the device is sterilized in advance and kept in a sterile environment, but if there is a place where the sterilization process is insufficient, Even in such a retainer waiting for transfer, there is a problem that bacterial contamination of food is highly likely to occur.

(3) Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 7-67595 discloses that
As an apparatus for continuously performing pressurized heat sterilization, an inlet on the upstream side, a food supply unit having an outlet on the downstream side, a straight tube heater, a straight tube cooler, a discharge unit, and each outlet and inlet. Disclosed are food sterilizers connected in parallel or at right angles to each other via a sealing gate. A pushing device for pushing a rigid container is provided upstream of an entrance gate of each part such as the food supply part.

In a continuous processing apparatus as disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 7-67595, a pressurizing and heating apparatus is used.
When carrying a retainer filled with solid food materials into the (sterilization pot), and when removing a retainer containing the sterilized solid food materials from the sterilization pot, control the pressure from normal pressure to pressurized state, and Control for reducing the pressure from the pressure state to the normal pressure state was required. In such a processing device, specifically, when the two shut-off doors (valves) of the pressure regulation chamber provided respectively on the upstream side and the downstream side of the sterilization pot, when the retainer is loaded and when the retainer is unloaded. Had to alternately open and close. For this reason, there is a problem that the operation of the processing apparatus is complicated and the operation requires a certain time.

(4) As an apparatus for continuously performing pressure heating without providing a closed gate, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No.
No. 64470 discloses a continuous steamed rice apparatus. This apparatus is provided with a partition plate at a constant interval in a running direction on a continuous endless conveyor belt, and a side plate is arranged on a side of the conveyor belt to form a plurality of continuous storage chambers. I have. A part of the traveling path of the conveyor belt passes through the steam heating chamber, and the entrance and the exit of the conveyor belt in the steam heating chamber form a gate whose dimensions are such that the partition plate keeps a small gap.

In this continuous steamed rice apparatus, it is difficult to form and maintain a gap between the rectangular partition plate and the inner surfaces of the carry-in path and the carry-out path to predetermined dimensions due to thermal expansion and the like. In addition, there is a problem that the structure of the conveyor belt is complicated, and it is particularly difficult to clean the conveyor belt. In addition, the conveyor belt needs to be very long, and in addition to the continuous steaming rice device becoming large, it is inevitable that operation control and maintenance due to deflection due to thermal expansion of the conveyor belt are difficult. Furthermore, a conveyor belt drive must be provided outside the steam heating chamber, and it is difficult to maintain the sterility of the continuous steamed rice apparatus. Furthermore, since the storage chambers are continuous, it is difficult to transfer the rice and the like subjected to the pressure and heat treatment in each of the storage chambers to the product containers for each of the storage chambers.

(5) In an apparatus for performing various types of processing during transport, a turn-back portion or the like for changing the traveling direction is provided in a transport path of an article to be transported in order to reduce the size of the entire equipment, so that the apparatus can be installed in a limited space. Various devices are arranged. When the object to be processed is a liquid, the direction of the transfer path can be corrected relatively easily by turning back the pipe for transferring the liquid. However, when the transported object is a solid, a special folding mechanism needs to be installed. A folding mechanism for transferring a conveyed object without changing its attitude is disclosed in, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 55-161718. A rotating plate is provided opposite to the ends of two parallel adjacent conveyors moving in opposite directions and rotating in a plane perpendicular to the conveyor conveyance path, and a plurality of receiving shafts attached to the rotating shaft and the rotating plate are provided. A device is known in which a chain is wrapped around a sprocket provided on each support shaft of the table, the receiving table is held horizontally with the rotation of the turntable, and the transferred object (roof) is horizontally transferred. I have.

[0010] However, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 55-1617 discloses the above.
The folding mechanism as disclosed in Japanese Patent Publication No. 18 requires equipment such as a sprocket and a chain to hold the cradle horizontally, which complicates the structure of the apparatus. For this reason, it is not preferable to employ a folding mechanism having a complicated mechanism in an apparatus requiring a simple structure so as not to cause a problem of bacterial contamination, such as a food apparatus.

[0011]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to solve the problems of the prior art by carrying solids into a pressure control processing chamber such as a pressurized heat sterilization chamber and performing sterilization processing in the pressure control chamber. It is possible to carry out the applied solids from the pressure control processing chamber continuously in a simple process without the need for complicated control mechanisms for the operation process of pressurization and decompression. It is an object of the present invention to provide a continuous processing apparatus capable of reducing the size of the apparatus.

[0012] The present invention also provides a continuous processing apparatus capable of using efficiently with very little loss of water vapor and heat energy required for processing, and capable of promptly starting the next processing of a processed object after processing. The purpose is to provide.

[0013]

The present invention provides a pressure control processing chamber,
A loading path for continuously loading the workpieces accommodated in the plurality of transporters provided with the apertures and the workpieces, and the transport body accommodating the workpieces processed in the pressure control processing chamber. A carry-out path for continuously carrying out, and a labyrinth seal is formed in at least one of the carry-in path and the carry-out path in a gap between an inner surface of the carry-in path or the carry-out path and a throttle piece provided in the carrier. It is a continuous processing apparatus.

According to the present invention, a pressure control processing chamber is provided with a carry-in path for continuously carrying the object to be processed, and a carry-out path for continuously carrying out the object to be processed in the pressure control processing chamber, The conveyor path, the pressure control processing chamber, and a conveyor belt that runs continuously on the discharge path are installed, and a plurality of throttle pieces are attached to the conveyor belt at predetermined intervals,
In a continuous processing apparatus in which at least one of the carry-in path and the carry-out path, the inner surface of the carry-in path or the carry-out path, and a labyrinth seal formed in a gap between the throttle piece, a vertical cross section of the inner surface of the carry-in path or the carry-out path, And a continuous processing apparatus characterized in that the outer shape of the aperture piece is circular. Here, the labyrinth seal generally means that a large number of throttle pieces are provided, a narrow flow path is provided, and a narrow flow path and a wide space are alternately formed in a predetermined section so that the pressure increases or decreases stepwise. Is a seal that substantially shuts off the pressure in the section, more specifically, between the inner walls of the loading and unloading paths of the pressure control processing chamber and the transfer section of the workpiece. In this configuration, extremely narrow throttle channels are provided at intervals to substantially prevent fluid leakage.

An embodiment of the present invention is as follows. The vertical cross section of the inner surface of the carry-in path or the carry-out path, and the outer shape of the aperture piece are circular. Accordingly, even when the throttle piece expands due to heat or the like, the throttle piece expands uniformly, so that the gap between the carry-in path and the carry-out path can be maintained at a predetermined size. There is no risk that the aperture piece will catch. As a result, the transport body can run smoothly. A plurality of aperture pieces are provided on the carrier. Thus, the area of the labyrinth seal can be set small, and the pressure applied to each throttle piece can be reduced. The pressure control processing chamber is a pressure sterilization chamber in a steam atmosphere. Further, the object is a solid food. Thus, an object to be treated such as solid food can be sterilized by direct contact with water vapor, and the sterilization efficiency can be increased. A storage unit is provided in the pressure control processing chamber. Thereby, the object to be processed can be taken out from the transporting body provided with the throttle piece, and various processes can be freely performed in the pressure control chamber without limitation of time or temperature.

[0016]

According to the present invention, a solid substance is carried into a pressure control processing chamber such as a pressurized heat sterilization chamber, and a solid substance subjected to a sterilization treatment or the like under pressure control is removed from the pressure control. In other words, the operation process of pressurization and decompression does not require a complicated control mechanism,
The effect is that it can be performed continuously in a simple process, and a plurality of tubular transport paths can be inclined at a certain angle, and the tubular transport paths can be folded back to install all equipment in a limited space. Having.

[0017]

First Embodiment Hereinafter, a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. FIG. 1 is a plan view showing the entire continuous processing apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a front view of a transport pipe and a turn-back portion of the continuous processing apparatus shown in FIG. FIG. 3 is a right side view of a transport pipe of the continuous processing apparatus shown in FIG. 2 and a plurality of turnup portions connected thereto. FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the retainer. FIG.
It is sectional drawing of the retainer conveyance drive system attached to the conveyance pipe. FIG. 6 is a partial cross-sectional side view of the transport turn-back portion. FIG. 7 is a front view of the transport turn-back portion of FIG. FIG.
FIG. 4 is an explanatory side view of a support direction stabilizing portion provided on a retainer support portion of the transport turning portion. FIG. 9 is an explanatory front view of a supporting direction stabilizing portion provided on a retainer supporting portion of the transport turning portion. FIG. 10 is a horizontal sectional view of FIG. FIG. 11 is a vertical sectional view of the container supply unit and the container cover unit. FIG.
FIG. 6 is a horizontal sectional view of a retainer container reversing section. FIG.
FIG. 13 is a vertical sectional view taken along line XIII-XIII in FIG.
FIG. 14 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the stopper portion and the container take-out portion. FIG. 15 is a perspective view of a retainer rotation preventing roller. FIG. 16 is a perspective view of the retainer support. FIG. 17 is an explanatory diagram of the ratchet mechanism.

As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the continuous processing device 1 transfers the washed solid matter to a tubular conveying body for conveying the retainer R, that is, a conveying path in which a conveying pipe 14 having a circular section is connected endlessly. A retainer supply section 10 for supplying the filled retainer R, a transport processing section 16 for transporting the retainer R and sterilizing solids in the retainer R by pressurized steam, and a plurality of folding sections for folding a transport path in the transport processing section 16. 20, a container cover portion 22 for receiving the container C from the container supply portion 21 and covering the retainer R, and inverting the retainer R covering the container C and transferring the sterilized solid matter in the retainer R to the container C; Then, the residue of the sterilized solid substance remaining on the inner wall of the retainer R covered with the container C is impacted on the retainer R into the container C. The abutting stopping part 28 and the container removal section 30, thereby made, comprising successively arranged along the retainer conveying direction.

The container cover 22 for receiving the container C from the container supply unit 21 and covering the retainer R, inverting the retainer R covering the container C, and transferring the sterilized solid matter in the retainer R to the container C. 24, container C
The stopper portion 28 and the container take-out portion 3 which cause the residue of the sterilized solid material remaining attached to the inner wall of the retainer R to fall into the container C by impacting the retainer R.
The container seal portion 710 described below and the container seal portion 710 described below are arranged in a clean room 34 having an air shower 32.
As shown in FIG. 1 to FIG. 3, the continuous processing apparatus 1 is configured such that transport pipes 14A to 14H are sequentially folded. That is, the connected transport pipe 14A preheats the solid matter at normal pressure. Connected transport pipe 14B
Forms a labyrinth seal in which the pressure increases step by step, and maintains the pressurized state on the downstream side. Transport pipe 14B
Pipes 14C to 14G connected to the downstream side of the
In this method, a desired heating and pressurizing state is formed by appropriately arranging a steam supply unit to sterilize solids. 14H forms a labyrinth seal in which the pressure gradually decreases, and maintains a pressurized state on the upstream side.

The retainer supply unit 10 sequentially supplies a retainer R filled with a solid material which has been cut into a predetermined size and washed.

As shown in FIGS. 4 and 19, the retainer R is provided with a throttle plate for forming a labyrinth seal, ie, a disk-shaped labyrinth plate 102, before and after a horizontally extending retainer frame 100. FIG.
, A plurality of disc-shaped labyrinth seals 102 are arranged on both front and rear sides in the transport direction. At each of the left and right edges of the retainer frame 100, five retainer permanent magnets 104 are embedded alternately at north and south poles at appropriate intervals. The retainer frame 100 detachably holds the holding plate 106, and the holding plate 106
Is formed with an elliptical opening 108 at the center thereof.
8, a retainer basket 109 is arranged. The retainer basket 109 has a generally elliptical cylindrical housing portion 1.
10, a plurality of steam passage holes 116 are provided in the bottom 112, and a flange 120 that engages with the retainer frame 100 is provided outside. Retainer basket 10
The upper part of 9 protrudes above the upper surface of the flange 120. When the container C is put on the retainer basket 109 in the container cover part 22, a state in which a portion protruding upward of the retainer basket is in contact with an upper inner surface of a side wall of the container, that is, a state where there is no gap between the retainer and the container. Then, both are fitted. The portion projecting upward from the retainer basket is formed such that when the container is covered, the bottom corner portion of the container is substantially in contact with the transport pipe, that is, the inner wall of the cylindrical transport body. Thereby, in a state where the retainer and the container are in close contact with each other, they can be inverted.

The labyrinth plate 102 has two screws 13 for attaching the retainer frame 100.
0, three screws 141 for attaching a support member to fix the labyrinth plate 102 to each other, and the holding plate 10
A fixing handle 131 for fixing the fixing member 6 to the retainer frame 100 is attached. The labyrinth plate 102 further includes an abutment member 132 for maintaining a constant distance with respect to the front and rear retainers R, and a plurality of members for sliding the labyrinth plate 102 with a uniform distance with respect to the inner surface of the transport pipe 14. Skate members 140A to 140E made of synthetic resin and retainer detecting permanent magnet 14 for detecting the position of retainer R
4 are provided. Skate members 140A to 140A
Reference numeral 0E denotes a skate member 140A at the top of the labyrinth plate 102, skate members 140B and 140C at right and left positions avoiding the retainer permanent magnet 144, and skate members 140D and 140E at two lower positions. The skate member 140A disposed on the top is effective for stably transporting the retainer R even when the retainer R is turned upside down in the transport pipe 14, and the skate member 1A disposed at the left and right positions is also effective.
40B and 140C are effective in that the retainer R is stably conveyed by the drive permanent magnet 202 of only one drive chain 210. The attachment of the skate member to the labyrinth plate 102 is preferable because the influence of the thermal expansion of the skate member can be reduced as the distance between the attachment position of the skate member by screws or the like and the contact surface with the inner surface of the transport pipe 14 is reduced.

The permanent magnets 144 for detecting the retainer are disposed on the front and rear labyrinth plates 102 at positions where they are the same when viewed from the front and rear (ie, diagonal positions of the horizontal cross section of the retainer). Is done. By arranging the retainer detecting permanent magnet 144 in this manner, the carry-in retainer sensor 3 described later can be used.
55, the unloading retainer sensor 381 is connected to the transport pipe 14
In this configuration, the retainer R can be used by exchanging it in the front-rear direction, and the upside-down state of the retainer R can be easily detected. The labyrinth plate 102 has three support members 14.
Since the labyrinth plates 102 are fixed to each other, even when a high pressure load is applied, the labyrinth plates 102 are firmly kept parallel to each other, and a labyrinth seal can be reliably formed.

As shown in FIG. 5, the transport processing section 16 has a transport pipe 14 supported by a gantry 200. The end of the transport pipe 14 is connected to the turn-back portion 20.
The transport pipe 14 is made of stainless steel and has an inner surface finished to a smooth cylindrical surface. A plurality of straight conveying pipes 14
Are arranged parallel to each other in the plan view of FIG. 1 and inclined or horizontal in the front view of FIG. 1
Degree to 5 degrees, for example, 1.5 degree inclined conveying pipe 14
In this case, the drain by steam easily flows out in one direction due to gravity, and there is little possibility that the inside of the transport pipe 14 is contaminated with bacteria. For example, as shown in FIG.
A plurality of grooves 14A extending along the transport direction of the retainer R are provided on the inner surface of the area excluding the pressure control area where the labyrinth seal is formed. This prevents a pressure difference from occurring in the transport pipe, thereby preventing the retainer from shifting from a predetermined position in the transport pipe.
Further, drainage can be performed more efficiently.

The transport pipe 14 is also provided with a retainer R for preventing travel in a direction opposite to the transport direction due to a pressure difference in a portion where a labyrinth seal is formed, as shown in FIG.
As shown in the figure, the retainer R can travel in the predetermined transport direction, but the ratchet mechanism 15 for mechanically preventing the travel in the opposite direction is provided at an appropriate position to prevent the accident of the retainer R jumping out or running backward. In. In particular, it is desirable to install the transfer pipe 14B at the start end side of the transfer pipe 14B forming the labyrinth seal in which the pressure increases stepwise. on the other hand,
Water vapor whose temperature and pressure are controlled at a plurality of locations is put into the transport pipe 14, and a process such as sterilization of a solid is performed by the temperature and pressure of the vapor. As mentioned above,
The length (size) and position of the processing region can be arbitrarily selected by selecting the position where the steam is supplied to the transport pipe 14.

On both sides of the transport pipe 14, a drive chain 210 is arranged in parallel, and the drive chain 210 is disposed at the same interval as the retainer permanent magnet 104.
2 are attached. Drive chain 210 on both sides
Are driven at the same speed by a drive motor 211 and a flexible drive force transmission system 212. In the vicinity of the drive chain 210, a photoelectric drive chain travel sensor (not shown) for detecting travel of the drive chain 210 is provided. The intermittent running of the drive chain 210 is controlled by the output of the drive chain running sensor (not shown). Thereby, for example, the drive chain 2
10, a strong magnetic attraction relationship is established between the magnetic pole SNSNS of the driving permanent magnet 202 of FIG. 10 and the magnetic pole NSNSN of the retaining permanent magnet 104, and the driving chain 210
Is transported in the transport pipe 14 by a strong suction force.

As shown in FIG. 5, the drive chain 210 includes a magnet holder 230 for holding the drive permanent magnet 202.
Guide rollers 232 are attached to the upper and lower ends of the guide rails 232, and the guide rollers 232 run on guide rails 236. The guide roller 232 and the guide rail 236
With this configuration, the distance between the driving permanent magnet 202 and the transport pipe 14 during traveling, that is, the distance between the driving permanent magnet 202 and the retainer permanent magnet 104 can be kept constant with high accuracy. The drive chain 210 also includes the drive permanent magnet 20.
A metal plate (not shown) that blocks magnetic lines of force is disposed above or below the second retainer 2, and a carry-in retainer sensor 3 described later is provided.
55, erroneous detection of magnetic field line sensors such as the carry-out retainer sensor 381 is prevented. Such a metal plate is provided with a retainer permanent magnet 104, a return carry-in permanent magnet 362, 364, 390, and a return carry-out permanent magnet 3 described later for the same purpose.
74, 375, 900, and 376.

The retainer rotation preventing roller 250 is disposed in a portion where the drive chain 210 is not provided, for example, in the retainer supply section 10, the retainer transfer section between the drive chains 210, the retainer transfer section to the turn-back section 20, and the receiving section. The retainer rotation preventing roller 250 is
As shown in FIG. 15, a retainer frame 100 is attached to the periphery of a desk 254 supported by a rotatable rotation shaft 252.
Retainer permanent magnets 104 embedded in the edges of the
A plurality of permanent magnets 260 are embedded so that N poles and S poles are alternately positioned at an interval substantially equal to the interval. Accordingly, when the retainer R passes near the retainer rotation preventing roller 250, the retainer permanent magnet 104 and the permanent magnet 260 of the retainer rotation preventing roller 250 attract each other, and the retainer R is moved in a predetermined attracting direction determined by the permanent magnet 260. It is maintained and transported. This can prevent the retainer R from rotating around the central axis of the transport pipe 14 in a portion where there is no drive chain.

As shown in FIGS. 6 to 10, the folded portion 20 has a cylindrical housing 302 having a bottom portion 300 arranged sideways, and the opening of the cylindrical housing 302 is
It is hermetically closed by a lid member 304 having a convex structure so that it can be opened and closed. The carry-in cylindrical member 310 communicated with the transport pipe 14 and the carry-out cylindrical member 312 communicated with the other transport pipes 14 are fixed to the lid member 304 at the left and right ends in the front (left direction in FIGS. 6 and 10). Have been. Cylindrical housing 3
A gutter-shaped support member 357 having a width and a length that allows two support members 340 of a retainer support portion 330 to be described later to pass on both sides is provided at a distal end portion of the carry-in cylindrical member 312 in the inside 02.

As shown in FIG. 7, a ring member 321 supported by each arm 322 of the cross-shaped arm member 320 is rotatably mounted at the center of the bottom 300. Eight retainer support portions 330 are swingably suspended from the ring member 321 at equal intervals. As shown in FIG.
A shaft portion 332, a radius portion 336 extending in a direction orthogonal to the axis of the shaft portion 332 from the shaft portion 332 to form a substantially triangular shape, and two pieces extending forward from the tip of the radius portion 336 in parallel with the axis of the shaft portion 332. It comprises a support member 340. Loading cylindrical member 31
The retainer R carried in from 0 is a gutter-shaped support member 357.
Transported until supported by. Gutter-shaped support member 35
The retainer R supported by 7 is lifted by the two support members 340 that have rotated and moved there,
It is transported in a circular orbit.

As shown in FIG. 6, a motor 350 and a drive shaft 352 for intermittently rotating the cross-shaped arm member 320 are disposed on the rear side, that is, outside of the bottom portion 300 of the cylindrical housing 302. For adjustment and cleaning of the fold 20, the cylindrical housing 302 can be separated from the fixed lid 304 and moved to a position shown by a dashed line in FIG. 6. The retainer conveyed by the circular orbit in the angle range of 180 ° is attached to the gutter-like support member 35 provided on the opposite side.
7 is placed on the gutter-like support member 357 when the support member passes from above on both sides, and the cylindrical member 31 is carried out therefrom.
It is carried out to 2. Thus, the support member 340 can reliably transfer the retainer R in a correct positional relationship with the gutter-shaped support member 357.

As shown in FIG. 6, inside the bottom portion 300 of the cylindrical housing 302, the retainer R is conveyed along a circular orbit while maintaining the horizontal state without swinging the support member 340. A magnetic rail 800 in which N poles of permanent magnets are arranged along the circumference without any gap is arranged. The diameter of the other extended magnetic rail 800 is equal to the diameter of the circumference where the shaft 332 of the retainer support 330 is provided, and the center of the magnetic rail 800 is a retainer support member extending vertically downward from the center of the cross-shaped arm member. It is located at a point shifted from the center of 330 by a length l between axes of a swing arm 812 described later. As shown in FIG. 6, a shaft portion 332 is provided behind the retainer support portion 330, that is, behind the ring member 321.
And an integral swinging shaft portion 810 having the same axis as the above. As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, a swing arm 812 having a center length l is fixed to the swing shaft 810, and a magnet plate 814 is supported at the lower end of the swing arm 812. A magnet plate 814 facing the magnetic rail 800 in the vicinity thereof.
As shown in FIG. 8, is a point-symmetrical shape with the axis 817 as the center, divides the rear surface into three equal parts vertically and horizontally, and vertically arranges three S poles of the permanent magnet at the center of the rear surface. Three N poles are arranged on each side.

With such a configuration, the magnetic rail 80
Attraction of the N pole of 0 and the S pole of the magnetic plate 814 and the magnetic rail 8
Due to the reaction between the north pole and the north pole of 00, the magnet plate 814 is positioned in a rotational position corresponding to the position of the magnetic rail 800, and the row of south poles of the magnetic plate 814 is always on the magnetic rail 800. Then, the magnetic rail 800 and the retainer support member 3
Since the distance between the shaft portion 332 and the axis of the shaft portion 332 is equal to the inter-axis length l of the swing arm 812, the swing arm 812 is always vertical, and the retainer R is supported by the retainer support portion 340 without tilting. In particular, the swing width of the support member that swings at the position of the gutter-like support member on which the retainer is placed can be minimized, so that the retainer can be reliably placed.

The carry-in cylindrical member 310 and the carry-out cylindrical member 31
2, the retainer R does not stop at a predetermined position and is prevented from moving from a predetermined position due to a difference between a pressure in the conveying pipe 14 and a pressure in the turn-back portion 20 and an inertial force of the retainer R. In order to send the retainer R to the retainer support portion 330, on the left and right outer sides of the carry-in cylindrical member 310 and the carry-out cylindrical member 312, as shown in FIG. 10, a return carry-in portion 354 for sending the retainer R to the retainer receiving portion 332 and It has a return carrying-out part 356 for taking out the retainer R from the retainer sending-out part 333 and sending it to the transport pipe 14.

The return carry-in portion 354 includes a pair of return carry-in permanent magnets 362 and 364 disposed on the carry-in frame 360 slidable in the carrying direction at a center interval slightly longer than the length of the retainer R in the carrying direction. Loading frame 3
A carry-in air cylinder 366 for reciprocating the cylinder 60 in the transport direction is attached. Folded back permanent magnet 362,
364 are supported by the carry-in frame 360 via carry-in magnet air cylinders 368 and 370 for moving them to the attracting position and the non-attracting position to the retainer permanent magnet 104.

Also, as shown in FIG. 10, the return carry-in portion 354 attracts the retainer R by magnetic force only when the retainer R at the position (a) is not attracted by the return carry-in permanent magnets 362 and 364. A holding magnet 390 is provided. The folded carry-in holding magnet 390 is
The retainer R is displaceably supported by a holding magnet cylinder 392 at a suction position and a non-suction position of the retainer R. The folded carry-in holding magnet 390 magnetically attracts the retainer R to prevent the retainer R from moving due to the difference between the pressure in the transport pipe 14 and the pressure in the cylindrical housing 302.

Further, a difference between the pressure in the transport pipe 14 and the pressure in the cylindrical housing 302 may be generated in the return carry-in portion 354, and accordingly, the positions (A) and (A) are generated.
As shown in FIG. 10, a bypass pipe 377 is provided between the transport pipe 14 and the cylindrical housing 302 in order to reduce the movement of the retainer R.
The folded carry-in portion 354 is also provided with a carry-in retainer sensor 355 that detects the retainer detection permanent magnet 144 of the retainer R in order to detect the presence of the retainer R outside the carry-in cylindrical member 310.

As shown in FIG. 10, the return carry-out portion 356 includes a pair of return carry-out permanent magnets 374, 375 arranged on the carry-out frame 372 at a center interval slightly longer than the length of the retainer R in the carrying direction. A carry-out air cylinder 380 for reciprocating the carry-out frame 372 in the carrying direction is attached. Returned permanent magnet 37
4 and 375 are supported via carry-out magnet air cylinders 394 and 396 for moving these to the attracting position to the retainer permanent magnet 104 and the non-attracting position.

The return carry-out section 356 also has a return carry-out fixed magnet which prevents the movement by attracting the retainer R by magnetic force only when the retainer R at the position (G) is not attracted by the return carry-out permanent magnets 374, 375. 376
Is arranged. The return carry-out fixed magnet 376 is displaceably supported by a holding magnet cylinder 378 at a suction position and a non-suction position of the retainer R. The return carry-out fixed magnet 376 attracts the retainer R, and the retainer R
Is prevented from moving due to the difference between the pressure in the transport pipe 14 and the pressure in the cylindrical housing 302.

The return carry-out section 356 further includes a position (f).
In order to prevent the retainer R in (g) from moving due to the difference between the pressure in the conveying pipe 14 and the pressure in the cylindrical housing 302, as shown in FIGS. A bypass pipe 377 that connects the inside of the shaped housing 302 is provided. The return carry-out section 356 is also provided with a carry-out retainer sensor 381 for detecting the traveling of the retainer R outside the carry-out cylindrical member 312. The carry-out retainer sensor 381 has the same configuration as the carry-in retainer sensor 355 of the return carry-in section 354. The return carrying-out section 356 further includes a return carrying-out section 35.
In order to increase the transfer force of the retainer R of No. 6, an auxiliary return unloading permanent magnet 900 and an auxiliary discharge air cylinder 902 for reciprocating the auxiliary discharge frame 377A along the transfer direction are attached to the auxiliary discharge frame 377A. The auxiliary return carry-out permanent magnet 900 is supported via an auxiliary carry-out magnet air cylinder 910 for moving these to a position where the retainer permanent magnet 104 is attracted and a position where the retainer permanent magnet 104 is not attracted.

The operation of the folding section 20 is as follows.
In the return carrying-in section 354, when the carry-in retainer sensor 355 detects that the retainer R is present at the position (A) of the carry-in cylindrical member 310, the drive chain 210 stops running, and the front and rear retainers R collide with each other. To prevent them from doing so. On the other hand, when it is detected that the retainer R is pushed out of the transport pipe 14 and arrives at the position (a) of the carry-in cylindrical member 310 having the above-described configuration, the carry-in magnet cylinders 368 and 370 extend to return the carry-in permanent magnet 362. , 364 attract the retainer permanent magnet 104.

Next, the carry-in air cylinder 366 is actuated to return the permanent magnet 3 which has already been carried to the position (a).
The retainer R adsorbed by 64 is advanced and transported to the gutter-shaped support member 357. At the same time, the retainer R at the position (A) and attracted by the folded carry-in permanent magnet 362 is moved to the position (A). On the other hand, by operating the motor 350, the cross-shaped arm member 320 rotates to empty the retainer R supported by the gutter-shaped support member 357, and the empty retainer support portion 330 supporting nothing supports the empty retainer R from below. During the carry-in operation of the retainer R, the folded carry-in holding magnet 390 is held at the non-adsorbing position of the retainer R by the holding magnet silder 392.

Subsequently, the motor 350 operates to rotate the cross-shaped arm member 320 intermittently by 45 ° at 180 °.
At the time of rotation, the retainer R is moved to a position facing the discharge cylindrical member 312,
Return the retainer R supported by
It is placed on 56 gutter-shaped support portions 357. In parallel with the rotation operation of the cross-shaped arm member 320, the folded carry-in section 354 performs a preparation operation for the next carry-in. That is, the holding magnet cylinder 392 operates, and the carry-in holding magnet 390 attracts and retains the retainer R at that position. In this state, the carry-in magnet air cylinders 368 and 370 are shortened, the folded carry-in permanent magnets 362 and 364 do not attract the retainer R, and then the carry-in air cylinder 366 is shortened. Thereafter, the carry-in magnet air cylinders 368 and 370 are extended, and the folded carry-in permanent magnets 362 and 364 attract the retainer R, while the holding magnet silider 392 operates and the carry-in holding magnet 390 no longer attracts the retainer R, and FIG. Return to the state shown in FIG.

In the return carrying-out section 356, the carry-out air cylinder 380 is extended and the carry-out frame 372 is extended to the side of the cylindrical housing 302 in a state where the return carrying-out permanent magnets 374 and 375 do not attract the retainer permanent magnet 104. Move and unload magnet air cylinders 394, 39
6 is operated so that the folded-back unloading permanent magnets 374 and 375 attract the retainer permanent magnet 104 of the retainer R that has moved from the retainer support portion 330 at the position (f) to the gutter-shaped support member 357. Next, the carry-out air cylinder 380 is contracted, and the retainer R placed on the retainer receiving portion 357 at the position (f) is moved to the carry-out cylindrical member 3.
Move to position 12 (g). At the same time, the retainer R located at the position (g) has the carry-out air cylinder 380 of the return carry-out permanent magnet 374 and the auxiliary carry-out air cylinder 902 of the auxiliary return carry-out permanent magnet 900 adsorbing it.
Is transported to the position (h) by both of the elongations. The retainer R at the position (h) is pushed out to the position (k) of the transport pipe 14 by the retainer R moved to the position (h). The travel of the drive chain 210 is stopped until the retainer is pushed to the position (K), and the stop position of the drive chain 210 is the drive chain 21.
The zero drive permanent magnet 202 is determined so as to have a predetermined attracting relationship with the retainer permanent magnet 104 of the extruded retainer R described above. Then, when the retainer is pushed to the position (K), the drive chain starts running.

Thereafter, the holding magnet cylinder 378 is extended, and the carry-out holding magnet 376 attracts and retains the retainer R at that position. In this state, the unloaded magnet air cylinder 39
4 and 396 are shortened, and the return unloaded permanent magnets 374 and 375
No longer adsorbs the retainer R, and then the carry-out air cylinder 380 extends. Similarly, the auxiliary return carry-out air cylinder 810 is shortened, and the auxiliary return carry-out permanent magnet 800 does not attract the retainer R.
02 is shortened, and the auxiliary transport frame 377A returns to the original position shown in FIG.

As shown in FIG. 11, the container supply section 21
The deposited containers C are sent to the transport sterilizer 400 one by one.
In the transport sterilizer 400, the transport belt 401 moves endlessly and transports the container C continuously or intermittently. The transport sterilization unit 400 is a portion where the transport path of the transport belt 401 is lowered to form a concave portion, and is supplied from the aseptic air supply port 402 on the upstream side in the concave portion,
Exposure to aseptic air exhausted from exhaust ports 404 and 406 arranged upstream and downstream of the aseptic air supply port 402, and UV lamps 410 arranged above and below the transport path
The container C is sterilized by irradiating the container C with ultraviolet rays. The conveying belt 401 is formed with a concave portion and the sterilizing section 400 is formed.
By providing the exhaust port 404 above, the interface 403 of the steam flowing from the transport pipe 14 is changed to the exhaust port 404.
Position can be stabilized. With such a configuration, the steam and the drain thereof do not flow into the sterilizing unit 400, and a sterilizing process can be performed reliably and stably.

As shown in FIG. 11, the container cover 22 is
The sterilized container C is adsorbed by the container adsorber 420,
The container C sucked by the transfer hydraulic cylinder 422 supporting the container suction device 420 is put on the retainer R transferred to a predetermined position in the transfer pipe 14. When the container C is put on the retainer R, it is desirable that the bottom corner portion of the container C is almost in contact with the inner wall of the transport pipe 14. In addition, it is desirable to provide a fitting portion that fits into the upper inner side surface of the side wall of the container C on the periphery of the opening of the retainer R.

As shown in FIGS. 12 and 13, the retainer container reversing section 24 includes a reversing drum 510 that is rotated by a motor 500 and a transport air cylinder 512 that reciprocates in the transport direction around the transport pipe 14. It has a frame 514. The retainer permanent magnet 1 is mounted on the reversing drum 510 by a pair of suction air cylinders 520.
A pair of reversing permanent magnets 522 that can move to a suction position and a non-suction position with respect to the magnetic head 04 are mounted. At the transfer frame 514, the suction position of the retainer R with the retainer permanent magnet 104 by two pairs of suction air cylinders 530 and 532,
Two pairs of inverted transport permanent magnets 53 that can be moved to the non-sucking position
4,538 are placed.

When the retainer R covered with the container C is pushed to the position (c) in FIG. 12 and transported, the inverted permanent magnet 522 is moved by the suction air cylinder 520. Is moved to the attracting position of the retainer permanent magnet 104. Next, the motor 500 is operated to rotate the reversing drum 510 by 180 °, and with the rotation of the reversing drum 510, the retainer R covered with the container C is rotated by 180 °, and the container C is moved below the retainer R. Turn it up. Thus, the sterilized solid in the retainer R is transferred to the container C.

Subsequently, the suction air cylinders 530, 532
To operate the reverse transfer permanent magnet 53 at the non-sucking position.
4,538 is moved to the position where the retainer permanent magnet 104 is attracted. Next, the retainer R having the transfer-transfer permanent magnet 534 and the retainer permanent magnet 104 attracted by the transfer-air permanent magnet 534 at the position (S) by operating the transport air cylinder 512 is used to retain the retainer R attracted by the reverse transport permanent magnet 538. It is transported to the R position (S). The retainer R that has been attracted by the reverse transport permanent magnet 538 and has been at the position (S) is transported to the abutment portion 28.

As shown in FIG. 14, the contact stopper 28 has a length in the transport pipe 14 for taking out the remaining sterilized solid matter adhered in the inverted retainer R into the container C. A region extending 180 ° below and equal to the length of R is dropped out as a drop opening 600, where the central portion of the upper surface is high and the front-rear direction is gradually lowered, and further, a cylindrical surface receiver provided with a drain groove 650 in the front-rear direction. Member 612
Are arranged to be able to move up and down by a striking cylinder 610. When the retainer R arrives at a predetermined position by a retainer detecting device (not shown), the abutting and stopping portion 28 configured as described above is moved to the cylinder 610.
The member 652 integral with the cylindrical surface receiving member 612 on which the container C on which the retainer R has been placed is shortened collides with the abutment member 654 whose height can be adjusted, and suddenly stops.

The shock caused by the sudden stop causes the retainer R covered with the container C to be inverted in the retainer container inverting portion 245 and turned downward, but remains attached to the bottom of the retainer R, etc. The used solids fall and are transferred to the container C facing upward.
Thereafter, the cylinder 610 is extended and the cylindrical surface receiving member 61 is extended.
2 returns to the position corresponding to the inner surface of the transport pipe 14, and the container C and the retainer R can be transported.

In the container removing section 30 , the retainer R and the container C are separated as shown in FIG. The retainer R is transported to the retainer cleaning unit 700 via the transport pipe 14. Container C is sealed at container seal 710 and sent to product conveyor 720 which continues to a packaging device (not shown). The retainer R cleaned by the retainer cleaning section 700 is transported to the retainer supply section 10 by a retainer conveyor.

In the above-described configuration, furthermore, by providing a retainer tracking device, abnormality in retainer conveyance can be detected at an early stage, and major damage to the device can be prevented, and waste of an object to be processed can be minimized. The retainer tracking device includes a predetermined position where the retainer R should be located in the folded portion 20, the container covering portion 22, the retainer container reversing portion 24, the abutment portion 28, and the like, and the retainer detecting permanent magnet 1
It is determined whether or not the retainer R is performing a predetermined movement by comparing the position of the retainer R detected by using the position 44. When it is structurally difficult to dispose a sensor for detecting the retainer detecting permanent magnet 144, for example, the carry-in retainer sensor 355 and the carry-out retainer sensor 381, a retainer permanent that detects the retainer permanent magnet 104 instead of this sensor is used. It is also possible to provide a magnet detection sensor (not shown), and control the tracking of the retainer and the turnback unit 20 using the output of the retainer permanent magnet detection sensor (not shown).

[0055]

Second Embodiment A continuous processing apparatus according to a second embodiment will be described below with reference to the drawings. The same components as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof is omitted. FIG.
8 is a plan view of the continuous processing apparatus according to the second embodiment.

The continuous processing apparatus 1000 according to the second embodiment comprises:
As shown in FIG. 18, a transport pipe 14 having a circular cross section for transporting the retainer R is provided. A first conveying path 1002 formed by the conveying pipe 14 has a retainer R
A basket holder H for holding the basket B filled with ingredients is inserted into the conveyance path along the conveyance direction of
A material transfer unit 101 for transferring a preheated material.
6. Basket holder installation part 1003 for installing the basket holder in the retainer, first labyrinth seal part 1010, steam sterilization part 1012, second labyrinth seal part 1014, container covering device 22, retainer and container reversing part 24, container take-out part 1015 , A take-out part 1020 for the basket B and the basket holder H from the retainer reversing device 1021 and the first transport path 1002. The container accommodating the sterilized solid material taken out from the container take-out unit 1015 is sealed by the container seal unit 30 in the sterile room, and is discharged from the sterile room. The sterile room is made to have a steam or sterile air environment. In the take-out section 1020, a basket holder and basket cleaning section 1038 are arranged in the basket holder return conveyance path 1030 separated from the first conveyance path 1002. Also, the retainer return transport path 1 separated from the first transport path 1002
At 001, a retainer cleaning device 700 is installed.

In the ingredient transfer section 1016 in which the end of the basket holder return transport path 1030 and the end of the first transport path 1002 are arranged in parallel, the preheated ingredients are held by the five basket holders H. Each is transferred to the basket B. Thereafter, the basket holder H holding the basket B is moved to the first transport path 100
2 and installed on the retainer R. The plurality of retainers R are sequentially sent to the transport pipe 14, and the pressure is increased in the first labyrinth seal portion 1010. The ingredient transfer unit 1016 transfers the ingredient to the preheating cup 1015.
In order to continuously preheat and wash the preheating cup, the cup cleaning device 1032, the ingredient filling device 1034, and the preheating tank 1036 are sequentially connected in a circulating manner.

In the steam sterilizer 1012, the basket holder H and the basket B held by the basket holder H are moved from the first transport path 1002 to the steam sterilizer storage 1050. The steam sterilization storage 1050 is a closed chamber, and is appropriately supplied with pressurized steam. The steam sterilization storage 1050 is configured to store the ingredients filled in the basket B for several minutes to several tens of minutes, perform steam sterilization, and sequentially return the ingredients to the first transport path 1002. In the second labyrinth seal 1014, the pressure is reduced.

In the retainer reversing device 1021,
The retainer R turned downward in the retainer container inverting section 24 is inverted and turned upward. In the take-out section 1020, the retainer R is separated from the basket B and the basket holder H, and the retainer R is moved to the first transport path 100.
2 is continuously transported. The basket B and the basket holder H are transferred to the basket holder return conveyance path 1030.
Conveyed by. Holder cleaning unit 1 of second transport path 1030
At 038, basket B and basket holder H are washed at the same time.

In the second embodiment, the basket B is filled with the preheated ingredients and steam sterilization is performed, and then the ingredients are transferred to the product container. It is also possible to fill the product container and then perform the steam sterilization treatment.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a plan view showing an entire continuous processing apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a front view of the continuous processing apparatus shown in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a right side view of the continuous processing apparatus shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a retainer R.

FIG. 5 is a sectional view of a retainer transport drive system attached to the transport pipe.

FIG. 6 is a side view of the transport turn-back portion.

FIG. 7 is a front view of the transport turn-back section of FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is an explanatory side view of a support direction stabilizing portion provided on a retainer support portion of the transport turn-back portion.

FIG. 9 is an explanatory front view of a support direction stabilizing portion provided on a retainer support portion of the transport turn-back portion.

FIG. 10 is a horizontal sectional view of FIG. 6;

FIG. 11 is a vertical sectional view of a container supply unit and a container covering unit.

FIG. 12 is a horizontal sectional view of a retainer container reversing part.

FIG. 13 is a vertical sectional view taken along line XIII-XIII in FIG. 12;

FIG. 14 is a vertical cross-sectional view of a contact transfer unit and a container removal unit.

FIG. 15 is a perspective view of a retainer rotation preventing roller.

FIG. 16 is a perspective view of a retainer support.

FIG. 17 is an explanatory diagram of a ratchet mechanism.

FIG. 18 is a plan view of a continuous processing apparatus according to a second embodiment.

FIG. 19 is a perspective view of a retainer provided with a plurality of aperture pieces on the front and rear sides in the transport direction.

[Explanation of symbols]

R retainer C container 1 Continuous processing equipment 14 Transport pipe 10 Retainer supply unit 12 Solids supply section 16 Transport processing section 20 Turnaround part 21 Container supply unit 22 Container cover 24 Retainer container reversing part 28 Contact transfer section 30 Container take-out seal 32 air shower 34 Clean Room 100 retainer frame 102 disk-shaped labyrinth plate 104 Retainer permanent magnet 109 Retainer basket 140 skating members 144 Permanent magnet for retainer detection 210 drive chain 300 bottom 302 cylindrical housing 304 lid member 310 Loading cylindrical member 312 Unloading cylindrical member 320 Cross-shaped arm member 330 retainer support 332 Return loading section 354 Return loading section 356 Return unloading section 510 reversing drum 520 Suction air cylinder 522 inverted permanent magnet 612 cylindrical surface receiving member 700 Retainer cleaning section 1002 First transport path 1004 Ingredient filling section 1010 First labyrinth seal part 1012 Steam sterilization section 1014 Second labyrinth seal part 1016 Ingredient transfer

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuing on the front page (72) Shingo Amino 1-5-7 Mikiteisakaecho, Higashiosaka-shi, Osaka House Foods Co., Ltd. (72) Shuji Sakuraya 1-5-5 Mikiteisakae, Higashiosaka-shi, Osaka No. 7 House Foods Co., Ltd. (56) References JP-A-2000-316543 (JP, A) JP-A-11-151078 (JP, A) JP-A-8-56589 (JP, A) JP-A-11-169146 (JP, A) JP-A-2000-46009 (JP, A) JP-A-2002-125640 (JP, A) (58) Fields investigated (Int. Cl. ⁷ , DB name) A23L 3/02 A23L 3/04

Claims (7)

(57) [Claims] 1. A loading path for continuously loading workpieces housed in a plurality of carriers provided with apertures and containing workpieces in a pressure control processing chamber, and processing in the pressure control processing chamber. And a carry-out path for continuously carrying out the transfer body containing the processed object, and at least one of the carry-in path and the carry-out path, an inner surface of the carry-in path or the carry-out path and a throttle piece provided in the transfer body. A continuous processing device, wherein a labyrinth seal is formed in a gap between the two. 2. The continuous processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a vertical cross section of an inner surface of the carry-in path or the carry-out path and an outer shape of the throttle piece are circular. 3. The continuous processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of aperture pieces are provided on the carrier. 4. The continuous processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the pressure control processing chamber is a pressure sterilization chamber in a steam atmosphere. 5. The continuous processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a storage unit is provided in the pressure control processing chamber. 6. The continuous processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the object to be processed is a solid food. 7. A pressure control processing chamber is provided with a carry-in path for continuously carrying in an object to be processed and a carry-out path for continuously carrying out an object to be processed in said pressure control processing chamber, wherein said carry-in path is provided. The pressure control processing chamber, and a conveyor belt running continuously in the carry-out path is installed, a plurality of throttle pieces are attached to the conveyor belt at predetermined intervals, at least one of the carry-in path and the carry-out path, In a continuous processing apparatus in which a labyrinth seal is formed in a gap between the inner surface of the carry-in path or the carry-out path and the throttle piece, the vertical cross-section of the inner surface of the carry-in path or the carry-out path and the outer shape of the throttle piece are circular. A continuous processing apparatus characterized by the above-mentioned.