JP3553143B2 - Method and apparatus for producing retort food - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
[Industrial applications]
TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to a method for producing a retort food which is produced while satisfactorily sterilizing the content of a retort food contained in a pouch.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Conventionally, retort foods in which foods such as curries and stews are stored in pouches (bag-like containers) have been put to practical use.
The pouch of this retort food is a heat-resistant bag made of a laminate of a material with mechanical strength such as polyester and polyamide, and a material that is resistant to oil and acid such as polypropylene and can maintain food quality. Containers are used.
Then, in a method of producing a retort food in which a food having viscosity (viscosity; about 500 to 10000 cp) such as curry and stew is contained in a pouch, a sterilizing apparatus 1 as shown in FIG. 4 is used in the sterilizing step. ing.
[0003]
When sterilization is performed by this sterilization apparatus 1, as shown in FIG. 5, pouches P, P # of a plurality of retort foods are stored in a plurality of storage sections 4, 4 # partitioned into trays 3, 3 #, respectively. As shown in FIG. 4, the trays 3, 3 ‥ are stacked and put into the processing tank 2 of the sterilizing apparatus 1, and the processing tank 2 is pressurized and heated with steam or hot water for a predetermined time. The contents of the pouches P and P # of the retort food were sterilized by heat.
[0004]
By the way, when the pouches P and P # are small in volume (pouches with a thickness of about 15 mm), heat is passed through the entire contents simply by putting the pouches P and P # into the treatment tank 2 and allowing them to stand still. When the pouches P and P are large in capacity (pouches weighing about 1 to 3 kg and having a thickness of about 70 to 80 mm), the pouches P and P are placed in the treatment tank 2. If the contents of the pouches P and P # alone are allowed to stand still, it takes a very long time to reach the sterilization temperature. In addition, when the pouches P and P # are allowed to stand at a high temperature for a long time, the contents in the pouches P and P # are deteriorated by heat.
[0005]
For this reason, conventionally, various methods have been considered for rotating the pouch during sterilization, stirring the contents by flowing the contents therein, and thereby uniformly dissipating the heat to thereby uniformly sterilize the entire contents. (JP-A-52-61248, JP-A-61-56063, JP-A-61-63271, JP-A-3-247262, JP-A-3-277261, etc.). However, none of these methods has a device for reliably holding the pouch when rotating a large-volume retort food pouch to prevent the pouch from being damaged or damaged during rotation. There is a problem that the capacity of the pouch cannot be rotated at a rotation speed at which good stirring can be obtained.
[0006]
Therefore, the present applicant has provided the following method as a method for producing a retort food that can surely and easily sterilize the contents thereof without damaging a large-capacity pouch (Japanese Patent Application No. Hei 10-26139). No. 5-269203). That is, as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the concave pouch holding plates 14, 14 ‥ having the curved surfaces 15, 15 曲 having a curvature substantially equal to the outer circumference of the pouches P, P ‥ containing the retort food are at the opposed positions. The trays 11, 11 ′ are provided, and the space formed by the respective pouch holding plates 14, 14 に よ り by stacking them is a storage part 18, 18 ‥ for the pouches P, P 、. This is a method in which pouches P, P # are stacked in a state of being stored in the storage portions 18, 18 #, and the stacked trays 11, 11 # are rotated for a predetermined time at a sterilization temperature for a predetermined time.
[0007]
According to this method, the pouches P, P # are held by the concave pouch holding plates 14, 14 # curved at substantially the same curvature as the outer periphery of the pouches P, P #. Thus, when the stacked trays 11, 11 # are rotated at a predetermined sterilization temperature, the rotation speed can be greatly increased. Therefore, the contents in the pouches P and P # can be stirred very well, the time required for the contents in the pouches P and P # to reach a predetermined sterilization temperature can be shortened, and the contents can be reduced. The temperature can be raised evenly and evenly.
[0008]
By the way, as described above, in the method of performing good sterilization by rotating the pouches P and P # and stirring the contents therein, a conventional pouch P is used to assist the stirring of the contents. , P} is slightly mixed with gas. That is, when the trays 11, 11 # are rotated, the gas in the pouches P, P # moves upward from below through the contents thereof, thereby increasing the effect of stirring the contents. It is. In particular, in the case of a viscous material having a high viscosity, there is no self-convection due to heat even if it is heated (there is only a small amount). It is indispensable to assist the stirring effect. In this case, the type of gas to be filled together with the contents in the pouches P and P # is appropriately selected according to the type of the contents and the like, and air, nitrogen gas, carbon dioxide gas or an inert gas or the like is used. Used.
[0009]
Similarly, the amount (gas content) of the gas filled in the pouches P and P # is determined according to the type and the content of the contents. For example, when the content is curry, stew or the like having a viscosity of about 500 to 10000 cp and the content is 1 kg or more, the gas content at the time of filling the pouches P and P ‥ is 3% to 3%. About 6% is considered appropriate.
[0010]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
In this case, the amount of gas charged into the pouches P and P # is required to be a predetermined amount. Because, when the gas amount is smaller than the predetermined amount, even if the pouches P and P # are rotated at the sterilization temperature for a predetermined time, the effect of assisting the stirring effect described above cannot be obtained as expected. This is because if the gas amount is larger than the predetermined amount, the contents may be spoiled by aerobic bacteria in the pouches P and P #. From the above, means for determining whether or not the amount of gas charged in the pouches P and P # is constant is required. However, conventionally, no such effective and appropriate means has been provided. Was.
[0011]
The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, has a step of determining whether the amount of gas filled inside the pouch is constant, by rotating the pouch under sterilization temperature It is an object of the present invention to provide a method for producing a retort food that can surely and easily sterilize the contents, and a gas amount discriminating apparatus in the production apparatus.
[0012]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The method for producing a retort food according to claim 1,A predetermined amount of the cooked food and the gas for assisting stirring are stored in a bag-like container, and the apparent specific gravity of the entire volume of the bag-like container is measured while moving to the subsequent process, and the bag-like container is placed under a predetermined sterilizing temperature. A method for producing a retort food to be heated and sterilized by rotating for a predetermined time,A food accommodating step of accommodating the cooked food in a bag-like container, a gas filling step of filling the bag-like container with a predetermined amount of a gas for agitation assistance, and containing and filling the cooked food and the gas for agitation agitation. A sealing step of sealing the bag-like container,From this sealing process to subsequent processesThe sealed bag-like containerThe sealed bag-like container while movingMeasuring the apparent specific gravity of the entire volume of the container, a gas amount determining step of determining whether the amount of the agitation assisting gas filled in the bag-shaped container is an appropriate amount; A heat sterilization step of heating and sterilizing the cooked food stored in the bag-shaped container while stirring the gas while moving the stirring assisting gas in the cooked food.Along with transporting the sealed bag-like container placed in a water tank filled with a liquid having a predetermined specific gravity in a floating state, the gas amount discriminating step includes: The height of the buoyancy is measured by detecting the height of the sealed bag-like container projecting from the liquid level on the transport passage.It is characterized by:
In the present invention,The apparent specific gravity is the specific gravity (the weight of the unit volume of a substance (weight of the unit volume of a substance) when considered in terms of the entire volume of the bag-like container, the cooked food and the stirring assisting gas contained and filled in the bag-like container. Mass) and a certain standard substance), and the value varies depending on the filling amount of the stirring assisting gas. That is, when the filling amount of the gas is large, the value becomes small, and when the filling amount is small, the value becomes large.
[0013]
SaidThe measurement of the apparent specific gravity of the entire volume of the bag-shaped container in the gas amount determination step is performed by immersing the bag-shaped container in a liquid having a specific gravity filled in a water tank and measuring the magnitude of buoyancy acting on the bag-shaped container. What to do by measuringYou can also.
The method for producing a retort food according to claim 2,A predetermined amount of the cooked food and the gas for assisting stirring are stored in a bag-like container, and the apparent specific gravity of the entire volume of the bag-like container is measured while moving to the subsequent process, and the bag-like container is placed under a predetermined sterilizing temperature. A method for producing a retort food to be heated and sterilized by rotating for a predetermined time,A food accommodating step of accommodating the cooked food in a bag-like container, a gas filling step of filling the bag-like container with a predetermined amount of a gas for agitation assistance, and containing and filling the cooked food and the gas for agitation agitation. A sealing step of sealing the bag-like container, and measuring the apparent specific gravity of the entire volume of the sealed bag-like container while moving the sealed bag-like container from this sealing step to a subsequent step, and filling the bag-like container. A gas amount determining step of determining whether the amount of the agitated gas for assisting is an appropriate amount, and rotating the sealed bag-shaped container at a predetermined sterilizing temperature for a predetermined time and storing the bag-shaped container in the bag-shaped container A heat sterilization step of heating and sterilizing the cooked food while stirring while moving the stirring assisting gas in the cooked food.Along with the gas amount discriminating step, the entire sealed bag-shaped container charged into a water tank filled with a liquid having a predetermined specific gravity is immersed in the liquid in the water tank, and is conveyed horizontally. Meanwhile, the apparent specific gravity of the entire volume of the sealed bag-shaped container is measured by detecting the displacement of the moving body arranged so that the sealed bag-shaped container in the middle of the conveyance is in close contact with the lower surface by buoyancy.It is characterized by:
[0014]
The method for producing a retort food according to claim 3 is described in claim1 or 2The method for producing a retort food according to the above, wherein the liquid filled in the water tank is heated to a predetermined temperature.
[0015]
Claim 4The retort food manufacturing apparatus according to claim 1 or 3A retort food manufacturing apparatus used in the method for manufacturing a retort food according to the above, wherein the gas amount discriminating apparatus used in the gas amount discriminating step is a water tank filled with a liquid having a specific gravity, and the liquid in the water tank. And a transport device for horizontally transporting the sealed bag-like container put in the water tank in a floating state, and a transport path of the sealed bag-like container by the transport device, and A first sensor and a second sensor arranged above and below the liquid surface and arranged at predetermined intervals in the vertical direction for detecting the presence or absence of the sealed bag-like container protruding from the liquid surface in a horizontal direction.Wherein the transfer device has an endless belt to which an engagement plate for transferring the bag-like container in a vertically placed state is fixed to an outer surface.It is characterized by:
[0016]
Claim 5The retort food production apparatus according to claim 2 or 3A retort food manufacturing apparatus used in the method for manufacturing a retort food according to the above, wherein the gas amount discriminating apparatus used in the gas amount discriminating step is a water tank filled with a liquid having a predetermined specific gravity, and is charged into the water tank. The entirety of the sealed bag-shaped container is immersed in the liquid in the water tank, and a conveying device for conveying the liquid horizontally, and the sealed bag-shaped container disposed in the liquid and being conveyed is subjected to buoyancy so that the bottom surface is lowered. A moving body disposed so as to be in close contact with the container, and detecting the displacement of the moving body to measure the apparent specific gravity of the entire volume of the sealed bag-shaped container, and the stirring assisting gas filled in the bag-shaped container. With a load cell that detects the amount ofWherein the transfer device has an endless belt having an engagement portion with which the bag-shaped container can be engaged provided on a surface thereof.It is characterized by:
[0017]
[Action]
In the method for producing a retort food according to the first aspect, the cooked food is stored in a bag-like container, and after the bag-like container is filled with a predetermined amount of a gas for assisting stirring, the bag-like container is sealed. Next, the apparent specific gravity of the entire volume of the sealed bag-like container is measured, and it is determined whether the amount of the agitation assisting gas filled in the bag-like container is an appropriate amount. Then, the bag-shaped container determined that the amount of the stirring assisting gas is an appropriate amount is rotated at a predetermined sterilization temperature for a predetermined time, and the cooked food contained in the bag-shaped container is The gas for sterilization is heated and sterilized while being moved by moving in the cooked food. Thereby, a retort food is manufactured.
[0018]
In the method for manufacturing a retort food according to claim 2, the measurement of the apparent specific gravity of the entire volume of the bag-shaped container in the gas amount determination step is performed by converting the bag-shaped container into a liquid having a predetermined specific gravity filled in a water tank. It is carried out by immersion and measuring the magnitude of buoyancy acting on the bag-shaped container. That is, when the bag-shaped container is immersed in a liquid having a predetermined specific gravity, a predetermined amount of buoyancy acts on the bag-shaped container if the amount of the gas for assisting stirring in the bag-shaped container is an appropriate amount. However, when the gas amount is small, the acting buoyancy is small, and when the gas amount is large, the acting buoyancy is large.
[0019]
The method for producing a retort food according to claim 3.ThenSince the liquid filled in the water tank is heated to a predetermined temperature, it has a meaning as a preliminary step of heating in the heat sterilization step which is the next step of the gas amount determination step, and in the heat sterilization step The time required for heating is reduced.
[0020]
In the gas amount discriminating apparatus in the retort food manufacturing apparatus according to claim 4, when the sealed bag-shaped container is put into a water tank filled with a liquid having a predetermined specific gravity, the sealed bag-shaped container is The wafer is conveyed horizontally in a floating state by a conveyance device immersed in the liquid in the water tank. In this case, the magnitude of the buoyancy acting on the bag-shaped container differs depending on the amount of the agitation assisting gas filled in the bag-shaped container, and the size of the floatation varies. A first sensor and a second sensor, which are disposed on the transport path of the bag-shaped container by the transport device and above the liquid surface of the liquid and are vertically arranged at a predetermined distance from the liquid surface, The presence or absence of the protruding bag-like container is detected from the horizontal direction. In this case, when the amount of the filled gas is large, the bag-like container floats more and protrudes upward from the liquid level, so that the second sensor is, of course, the first sensor above. Detects that the bag-shaped container is present. When the amount of the filled gas is an appropriate amount, the sealed bag-like container floats so as to protrude from the liquid level at an appropriate height, and the second sensor is provided, and the first sensor is provided. None is detected. Further, when the amount of the filled gas is small, it floats less and the height protruding from the liquid level is low, so that not only the first sensor but also the second sensor detects nothing.
[0021]
In the gas amount discriminating apparatus in the retort food manufacturing apparatus according to claim 5, when the sealed bag-like container is put into a water tank filled with a liquid having a predetermined specific gravity, the conveying device causes the entire bag-like container to be moved. Is transported in the horizontal direction while being immersed in the liquid. During the transportation, the bag-shaped container is brought into close contact with the lower surface of the moving body arranged in the liquid by buoyancy, and displaces the moving body upward according to the magnitude of the buoyancy acting on the bag-shaped container. . The load cell detects the displacement of the movable body, measures the apparent specific gravity of the entire volume of the bag-shaped container, and detects the amount of the stirring assist gas filled in the bag-shaped container.
[0022]
【Example】
Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 2 is a process chart showing one embodiment of the method for producing a retort food according to the present invention. As shown in the figure, the present embodiment comprises a food accommodating step a for accommodating cooked food in a bag-like container, a gas filling step b for filling the bag-like container with a predetermined amount of a gas for assisting stirring, and A sealing step (c) for sealing the bag-like container containing and filling the food and the stirring assisting gas, and measuring an apparent specific gravity of the entire volume of the sealed bag-like container; A gas amount discriminating step d for discriminating whether the amount of the auxiliary gas is an appropriate amount, and rotating the sealed bag-like container at a predetermined sterilizing temperature for a predetermined time to prepare the cooked gas contained in the bag-like container. A heat sterilization step e of heating and sterilizing the food while stirring the food while moving the gas for stirring assistance in the cooked food.
[0023]
In the present invention, the gas amount discrimination step d is a particularly characteristic part of the above steps, and therefore, the following description will focus on this step d. FIG. 1 is a view showing a gas amount discriminating apparatus A used in the gas amount discriminating step d. As shown in the figure, a gas amount discriminating apparatus A has a water tank 21 filled with a liquid E1 having a predetermined specific gravity, a sealed tank immersed in the liquid E1 in the water tank 21, and charged into the water tank 21. Transport device 23 for horizontally transporting the sealed bag-shaped containers 22 and 22 # in a floating state, and on the transport path of the sealed bag-shaped containers 22 and 22 # by the transport device 23 and the liquid level of the liquid E1. First and second sensors 24 disposed above E1a and arranged at a certain distance in the vertical direction for detecting the presence or absence of the sealed bag-like containers 22, 22 # projecting from the liquid level E1a in the horizontal direction. , 25 are provided.
[0024]
The bag-shaped containers 22 and 22 # are standing-type pouches (self-supporting containers) having bottom portions 22a and 22a #, and are, for example, 3 kg doy packs (dimensions are 240 × 350 mm). The water tank 21 has a size of 100 × 750 × 2000 mm and a liquid volume of 150 liters. A conveyor 29 and a shooter 30 are disposed on the upper left side of the water tank 21 in the figure, and the bag-like containers 22, 22 # that have passed through the sealing step c pass through the shooter 30 by the conveyor 29, and have bottoms 22a, 22a.静 か is gently poured into the liquid E1 in the water tank 21 with ‥ facing downward. Here, the reason why the liquid is introduced via the shooter 30 is to gently supply the bag-shaped containers 22, 22 # so that the liquid surface E1a of the liquid E1 in the water tank 21 does not undulate at the time of the charging.
[0025]
The liquid E1 filled in the water tank 21 has a specific gravity enough to appropriately float the sealed bag-shaped container 22, and is, for example, water and is heated to a predetermined temperature. Further, on the right side of the upper part of the water tank 21 in the figure, a liquid level height adjusting drain port 31 is provided, and by appropriately discharging the liquid from the drain port 31, the liquid E1 in the water tank 21 is discharged. The surface E1a can be adjusted to a predetermined height.
[0026]
The transport device 23 is configured by winding an endless belt 27 around a pair of wheels 26a, 26b (the diameter of each wheel 26a, 26b is 200 mm). The shaft of the wheel 26a is rotationally driven by a drive source (not shown), and the endless belt 27 moves in a direction indicated by an arrow X in the figure. On the outer surface of the endless belt 27, engagement plates 28, 28 # are fixed at regular intervals L, L #. The distance L, L # between the engaging plates 28, 28 # adjacent to each other is such that when the bag-like containers 22, 22 # are put into the liquid E1 in the water tank 21 via the shooter 30 by the conveyor 29, the respective spaces L, L #. The gap 280 mm is set so that the bag-shaped containers 22 and 22 # do not fall down so that one bag-shaped container 22 is placed vertically with the bottom 22 a facing down within the distances L and L #. As described later, the bag-like containers 22 and 22 # are transported in the vertically placed state by the first and second sensors 24 and 25 in the liquid E1 in the water tank 21. In order to detect the degree of floating of the containers 22, 22 #, if the bag-like containers 22, 22 # face sideways, the change in the degree of floating of the bag-like containers 22, 22 # becomes smaller, and This is because the determination becomes difficult.
[0027]
The driving speed of the wheel 26a of the transfer device 23 and the driving speed of the conveyor 29 are such that one bag-shaped container 22, 22 # is supplied to each interval L, L # of the engaging plates 28, 28 # of the transfer device 23. It is designed to be operated synchronously. Then, the bag-like containers 22, 22 # supplied from the conveyor 29 onto the transport device 23 are transported by the transport device 23, and after passing in front of first and second sensors 24, 25 described later, When the robot reaches the position indicated by the arrow Y, it is taken out of the water tank 21 by an air-type robot (not shown) and transported to the next heat sterilization step e (not shown).
[0028]
Each of the first and second sensors 24 and 25 is an optical sensor, and emits light in the horizontal direction, and at that position, the upper ends of the bag-like containers 22 and 22 # floating in the liquid E1 in the water tank 21. It is determined whether or not there is a part 22b, 22b #. In this case, when it is determined that only the second sensor 25 is present, the magnitude of the buoyancy acting on the bag-like container 22, 22 # is appropriate, and the bag-like container 22, 22 # is filled. The amount of the gas for assisting stirring is an appropriate amount. On the other hand, if it is determined that not only the second sensor 25 but also the first sensor 24 is present, the gas amount is excessive, and conversely, both the first sensor 24 and the second sensor 25 are not present. If it is determined that the gas amount is insufficient.
[0029]
Further, the first and second sensors 24 and 25 are connected to a discriminating circuit (not shown), and the discriminating circuit determines whether the first sensor 24 is based on the judgment result of the first and second sensors 24 and 25. When it is determined that there is, or when it is determined that the second sensor 25 is absent, a warning signal is issued to the above-mentioned bag-shaped container removing robot. The robot having received the warning signal from the discrimination circuit carries the bag-shaped containers 22, 22 # out of the process as a defective product. The positions of the first and second sensors 24 and 25 (in both the vertical and horizontal directions) can be set arbitrarily.
[0030]
In the present embodiment described above, in the gas amount discriminating step d, the bag-like containers 22 and 22 # are immersed in the liquid E1 having a specific gravity filled in the water tank 21, and the bag-like containers 22 and 22 # are immersed. By measuring the magnitude of the buoyancy acting on the bag, the apparent specific gravity of the entire volume of the bag-like container 22, 22 ‥ is measured, and the amount of the stirring gas filled in the bag-like container 22, 22 ‥ is It is determined whether the amount is appropriate. Here, the apparent specific gravity is defined as the total volume of the bag-like container 22, 22 ‥ and the cooked food and the stirring assisting gas contained and filled in the bag-like container 22, 22 ‥. (The ratio of the weight (mass) of a substance per unit volume to a certain standard substance), and the value varies depending on the filling amount of the stirring assisting gas. That is, when the filling amount of the gas is large, the value becomes small (it becomes easy to float in the liquid E1 in the water tank 21), and when the filling amount is small, the value becomes large (the floating becomes difficult). Become).
[0031]
According to the present embodiment, since there is a step of determining whether the amount of the gas for assisting stirring filled in the bag-shaped containers 22, 22 # is an appropriate amount, in the subsequent heat sterilization step e, the bag-shaped By rotating the containers 22, 22 # at a sterilizing temperature, the cooked food can be sterilized reliably and easily. That is, when the gas amount is small, the effect of assisting the stirring effect cannot be obtained as expected, and when the gas amount is large, cooking by the aerobic bacteria in the bag-like container 22, 22 # is performed. Although there is a possibility that the used food may become spoiled, in this embodiment, since the gas amount can be kept constant, there is an effect that there is no such concern.
[0032]
Further, in this embodiment, since the liquid E1 in the water tank 21 is heated to the predetermined temperature, the time required for heating in the heat sterilization step e, which is the next step of the gas amount determination step d, can be reduced. Is obtained.
[0033]
Next, another embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. In the drawing, reference numeral B denotes a gas amount discriminating device used in a gas amount discriminating step d. The gas amount discriminating apparatus B includes a water tank 41 filled with a liquid E2 having a predetermined specific gravity, and the sealed bag-like containers 22 and 22 # charged into the water tank 41. And a transfer device 42 that is immersed in the liquid E2 and that is disposed in the liquid E2 and that the bag-like containers 22, 22 # that are in the process of being transported are brought into close contact with the lower surface 43a by buoyancy. The body 43 and the displacement of the moving body 43 are detected to measure the apparent specific gravity of the entire volume of the bag-shaped containers 22 and 22 #. And a load cell 44 for detecting the amount.
[0034]
As shown in FIG. 3A, the transfer device 42 is provided in the water tank 41. Two endless belts 47, 47 are wound around the wheels 42 a, 42 a 搬 送 of the transport device 42 at predetermined intervals in the horizontal direction. The belts 47, 47 are moving in the direction of arrow X1 in the figure, and engaging portions 48, 48 # are provided on the surface thereof at regular intervals. A moving body 43 is disposed below the conveying device 42 between the two belts 47 so as to be vertically movable. On the other hand, a load cell 44 fixed to a frame (not shown) is provided between the two belts 47 at the center of the transport device 42. The lower part of the load cell 44 is connected to the moving body 43, and the displacement of the moving body 43 is detected to measure the apparent specific gravity of the entire volume of the bag-like container 22, 22 #.
[0035]
In the present embodiment, the bag-shaped containers 22, 22 # that have passed through the sealing step c are slid on the free roller conveyor 46 from the belt conveyor 45 and put into the liquid E2 in the water tank 41 (see arrow Y1). The bag-shaped container 22, 22 # is engaged with the engaging portions 48, 48 # provided on the surfaces of the belts 47, 47 of the transporting device 42, thereby resisting the buoyancy thereof. 22, 22 # is entirely immersed in the liquid E2 and transported to the position of the lower surface 43a of the moving body 43. At the position of the lower surface 43a, the apparent specific gravity of the bag-like container 22, 22 # is measured by the load cell 44 as described later. Thereafter, the bag-shaped containers 22, 22 係 合 are engaged with the engaging portions 48, 48 の of the belts 47, 47, and are conveyed by the belt conveyor 50 in the direction of arrow Y <b> 2 in the drawing, and pass through the distribution conveyor 49, It is conveyed to the heat sterilization process e (not shown) which is the next process. The sorting conveyor 49 sorts non-defective products and non-defective products. If the products are defective, they are not conveyed to the heat sterilization process e but are carried out of the process.
[0036]
As described above, the bag-shaped containers 22, 22 # conveyed to the lower surface 43a of the moving body 43 adhere to the lower surface 43a and displace the moving body 43 upward due to the buoyancy. The amount of upward displacement of the moving body 43 in this case is determined by the magnitude of the buoyancy acting on the bag-shaped containers 22, 22 #. The load cell 44 detects the amount of displacement of the moving body 43 to measure the apparent specific gravity of the entire volume of the bag-like container 22, 22 ‥, and based on this, fills the bag-like container 22, 22 充填. The amount of the assisted stirring gas is detected. This detection result is sent to the distribution conveyor 49 via a discrimination circuit (not shown). If the detection result of the bag-like container 22, 22 # is judged by the discrimination circuit to be out of the range of the proper value of the amount of the gas to be originally filled, it is determined as a defective product. It is not transported to the process.
[0037]
According to the present embodiment, the load cell 44 detects the displacement of the moving body 43 to measure the apparent specific gravity of the entire volume of the bag-like container 22, 22 ‥, and based on this, the bag-like container 22, 22 ‥ Since the amount of the gas for assisting agitation filled in the gas is detected, the amount of the gas can be obtained as numerical data, and the effect that the gas amount can be determined more accurately can be obtained.
[0038]
【The invention's effect】
According to the method for producing a retort food according to claim 1, the apparent specific gravity of the entire volume of the sealed bag-shaped container is measured, and the amount of the stirring assisting gas filled in the bag-shaped container is an appropriate amount. A gas amount discriminating step of discriminating whether or not the sealed bag-shaped container is rotated at a predetermined sterilization temperature for a predetermined time, and the cooked food contained in the bag-shaped container is subjected to the agitation assisting gas. Since it has a heat sterilization step of heating and sterilizing while moving it in the finished food while stirring, it can be confirmed that the amount of the gas for assisting stirring filled in the bag-shaped container is constant and the bag-shaped By rotating the container at a predetermined sterilizing temperature for a predetermined time, an effect is obtained that the cooked food can be sterilized reliably and easily.
[0039]
According to the method for manufacturing a retort food according to claim 2, the measurement of the apparent specific gravity of the entire volume of the bag-shaped container in the gas amount determination step has a predetermined specific gravity in which the bag-shaped container is filled in a water tank. Since the configuration is performed by immersing in a liquid and measuring the magnitude of the buoyancy acting on the bag-shaped container, in addition to the effect of the method for producing a retort food according to the above-mentioned claim 1, these are simple and inexpensive. The effect that it can be realized by a device is obtained.
[0040]
The method for producing a retort food according to claim 3.According toSince the liquid filled in the water tank is heated to a predetermined temperature, the time required for heating in the heat sterilization step, which is the next step of the gas amount determination step, can be reduced. .
[0041]
According to the gas amount discriminating apparatus in the retort food manufacturing apparatus according to claim 4, the sealed bag-shaped container immersed in the liquid in the water tank and placed in the water tank is floated in the horizontal direction. A transport device for transporting the sealed bag-shaped container to the transport path of the sealed bag-shaped container by the transport device, and disposed above the liquid surface of the liquid, and horizontally determining whether or not the sealed bag-shaped container protrudes from the liquid surface. The first and second sensors are arranged so as to be separated from each other by a certain dimension in the vertical direction. Since the gas amount can be determined simply by passing the gas in front of the device, it is possible to achieve the effect with a simple device, and it is possible to obtain the effect that the determination does not require much time.
[0042]
According to the gas amount discriminating apparatus in the retort food manufacturing apparatus according to claim 5, the whole of the sealed bag-like container put in the water tank is immersed in the liquid in the water tank, and is conveyed in the horizontal direction. And a moving body arranged in the liquid, and the sealed bag-shaped container in the middle of the conveyance is arranged so as to be in close contact with the lower surface by buoyancy, and the displacement of the moving body is detected to seal the bag. A load cell that measures the apparent specific gravity of the entire volume of the bag-shaped container and detects the amount of the agitation assisting gas filled in the bag-shaped container is provided, so that the displacement of the moving body is detected. By doing so, it is possible to obtain the amount of gas as numerical data, thereby obtaining an effect that it is possible to more accurately determine the amount of gas.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing the overall configuration of an embodiment of a gas amount discriminating apparatus used in a retort food manufacturing apparatus according to the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a process chart showing one embodiment of a method for producing a retort food according to the present invention.
FIG. 3 (a) is a schematic view showing the overall configuration of another embodiment of the gas amount discriminating apparatus used in the apparatus for producing retort food according to the present invention, and FIG. 3 (b) is a bottom view thereof.
FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a sterilizing device used for sterilizing retort foods.
FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view showing trays in a stacked state for explaining the structure and shape of trays used in a heat sterilization step of a conventional method for producing retort food.
FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view showing a tray in a stacked state, illustrating a structure and a shape of a tray used in a heat sterilization step of another conventional method for producing retort food.
FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing the tray for explaining the structure and shape of the tray.
[Explanation of symbols]
21, 41 Aquarium
22 Bag-shaped container
23, 42 transfer device
24 First sensor
25 Second sensor
43 Moving object
43a bottom surface
44 Load cell
A Gas amount discriminator
B Gas amount determination device
E1, E2 liquid
E1a Liquid level
a Food storage process
b Gas filling process
c Sealing process
d Gas amount determination process
e Heat sterilization process

Claims (5)

A predetermined amount of the cooked food and the gas for assisting stirring are stored in a bag-like container, and the apparent specific gravity of the entire volume of the bag-like container is measured while moving to the subsequent process, and the bag-like container is placed under a predetermined sterilizing temperature. A method for producing a retort food to be heated and sterilized by rotating for a predetermined time,
A food storage step of storing cooked food in a bag-like container,
A gas filling step of filling the bag-shaped container with a predetermined amount of a gas for assisting stirring,
A sealing step of containing the cooked food and the stirring assisting gas, and sealing the filled bag-shaped container,
The apparent specific gravity of the entire volume of the sealed bag-shaped container was measured while moving the sealed bag-shaped container from the sealing step to the subsequent step, and the amount of the stirring assisting gas filled in the bag-shaped container was measured. A gas amount determining step of determining whether the amount is an appropriate amount;
The sealed bag-shaped container is rotated for a predetermined time under a predetermined sterilizing temperature, and the cooked food contained in the bag-like container is stirred while moving the stirring assisting gas in the cooked food. Having a heat sterilization step of heat sterilization ,
The gas amount discriminating step is configured to transport the sealed bag-like container placed in a water tank filled with a liquid having a predetermined specific gravity in a floating state in a horizontal direction, and to transfer the sealed bag-like container. A method for producing a retort food, wherein the magnitude of buoyancy is measured by detecting a height of the sealed bag-like container projecting from the liquid level. A predetermined amount of the cooked food and the gas for assisting stirring are stored in a bag-like container, and the apparent specific gravity of the entire volume of the bag-like container is measured while moving to the subsequent process, and the bag-like container is placed under a predetermined sterilizing temperature. A method for producing a retort food to be heated and sterilized by rotating for a predetermined time,
A food storage step of storing cooked food in a bag-like container,
A gas filling step of filling the bag-shaped container with a predetermined amount of a gas for assisting stirring,
A sealing step of containing the cooked food and the stirring assisting gas, and sealing the filled bag-shaped container,
The apparent specific gravity of the entire volume of the sealed bag-shaped container was measured while moving the sealed bag-shaped container from the sealing step to the subsequent step, and the amount of the stirring assisting gas filled in the bag-shaped container was measured. A gas amount determining step of determining whether the amount is an appropriate amount;
The sealed bag-shaped container is rotated for a predetermined time under a predetermined sterilizing temperature, and the cooked food contained in the bag-like container is stirred while moving the stirring assisting gas in the cooked food. Having a heat sterilization step of heat sterilization ,
The gas amount discriminating step is to immerse the entire sealed bag-shaped container put in a water tank filled with a liquid having a predetermined specific gravity in the liquid in the water tank, while transporting the liquid horizontally, The method is characterized in that the apparent specific gravity of the entire volume of the sealed bag-shaped container is measured by detecting the displacement of a moving body disposed so that the sealed bag-shaped container in the middle of the conveyance is in close contact with the lower surface by buoyancy. Manufacturing method of retort food. The method for producing a retort food according to claim 1 or 2 , wherein the liquid filled in the water tank is heated to a predetermined temperature. A retort food manufacturing apparatus used in the method for manufacturing a retort food according to claim 1 or 3 ,
The gas amount determination device used in the gas amount determination step,
A water tank filled with a liquid having a predetermined specific gravity,
A transport device that is immersed in the liquid in the water tank and transports the sealed bag-like container placed in the water tank in a horizontal direction while floating.
It is disposed on the transfer path of the sealed bag-like container by the transfer device and above the liquid surface of the liquid, and is vertically fixed to detect the presence or absence of the sealed bag-like container protruding from the liquid surface in the horizontal direction. First and second sensors arranged at a distance from each other ,
The retort food manufacturing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the transport device includes an endless belt having an engagement plate for transporting the bag-like container in a vertically placed state fixed to an outer surface . A retort food manufacturing apparatus used in the method for manufacturing a retort food according to claim 2 or 3 ,
The gas amount determination device used in the gas amount determination step,
A water tank filled with a liquid having a predetermined specific gravity,
A transfer device for immersing the whole of the sealed bag-shaped container put in the water tank in the liquid in the water tank and transferring the liquid horizontally,
A moving body arranged in the liquid and arranged so that the sealed bag-shaped container in the middle of conveyance is brought into close contact with the lower surface by buoyancy,
A load cell for detecting the displacement of the moving body, measuring the apparent specific gravity of the entire volume of the sealed bag-shaped container, and detecting the amount of the stirring assisting gas filled in the bag-shaped container ,
The retort food manufacturing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the transport device includes an endless belt having an engagement portion with which a bag-shaped container is engageable provided on a surface .

Images