JP3682440B2 - Tray support device in heat sterilizer - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a tray support device in a high-temperature high-pressure or normal-pressure processing apparatus, and more specifically, a tray surface of a metal or plastic tray that is stacked and stored in a retort sterilizer or a pharmaceutical sterilizer. The present invention also relates to a tray support device that can be used for heat sterilization and sterilization processing by storing a plastic tray used for general room temperature distribution in a processing device.
[0002]
[Prior art]
2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in a processing apparatus, an object to be processed (items such as foods and pharmaceuticals) is placed on a tray, and the tray is stacked in a plurality of stages and carried into the processing apparatus for heat sterilization and sterilization. These stacked trays must hold the total weight, including the weight of the tray itself and the weight of the item, and strong aluminum or stainless steel trays have been used. In recent years, instead of metal trays, plastic trays that can be used even under high temperature and pressure have come to be used.
[0003]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in the metal trays as described above, the thickness of the tray surface is thin, the height of each tray is low, and the product storage area is large, there is a problem that the tray surface hangs downward due to gravity, and it is caused by spraying. The heating medium may not spread evenly. To prevent this, the material cost increases when the thickness is increased, and when the height of each tray is increased, a space is created between the items and the structure is wasted. Loss in heat treatment occurs.
Also, in the case of plastic trays, there is a property that the tensile stress is weakened due to a decrease in Young's modulus during heating, and there are large-diameter tank rollers at both ends like a roller conveyor, and the tray is supported by this roller The problem was that the saucer surface was bent by the weight of food. In order to prevent this, there is a technique of inserting a metal rod into the plastic tray, but this takes time and increases the cost.
The object of the present invention is to prevent deformation of the tray surface without being bent with respect to either a metal or plastic tray, and to prevent heat treatment by spraying or the like without causing an increase in material costs or loss of space. Uniformity can be realized, and even plastic trays used for distribution in the general market can be directly stored in a heat sterilization / sterilization device for heat treatment, and post-processing storage / reloading work is unnecessary. A tray support device is provided.
[0004]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The first invention is a processing apparatus such as a horizontal sterilizer or a sterilizer, on which an object to be processed is placed, and a plurality of stacked metal or plastic trays are stored in the processing apparatus; A stay provided in the longitudinal direction at the lower center of the processing apparatus, and an elevating apparatus that is connected to the stay and installed outside so as to raise or lower the stay in a horizontal state. A tray support device in a heat sterilizer and sterilizer arranged so that the stay is raised by the lifting device to support the tray surface of the lowermost tray and the stay is lowered away from the tray surface of the tray after the processing is completed; did.
[0005]
In the second invention, the stay has a U-shaped cross-sectional plate provided with a cradle for supporting the bottom tray surface of the tray in the longitudinal direction of the processing device, a tooth portion for escaping the shaft portion of the conveying device, and the U-shaped cross-section. A tray supporting device in a heat sterilization and sterilizing machine comprising a bracket attached to a plate, and the U-shaped cross-sectional plate connected to a rod of a lifting device installed outside.
[0006]
In the third invention, the tray is a plastic tray, the receiving surface is formed in a cross-girder shape, columns are provided on the outer peripheral portion and a part of the inner side, and when stacked in a plurality of stages, the columns support each other's weight. The tray support device in the heat sterilizer and sterilizer in which the stay support comes into contact with the support of the lowermost tray.
(Function)
[0007]
In the first invention, a tray made of metal or plastic, on which a workpiece is placed and stacked in a plurality of stages, is stored in a high-temperature, high-pressure or normal-pressure processing apparatus by a conveying device, and is elongated at the lower center of the processing apparatus. The stay provided in the direction can be lifted or lowered while maintaining a horizontal state by an elevating device provided outside, so that the bottom tray tray surface is supported from below.
[0008]
In the case of a tray made of metal, for example, a tray made of aluminum and having a relatively wide tray surface (for example, one side of 1400 mm or more), the tray surface is easily bent downward when the workpieces are placed and stacked in multiple stages. Even if a heat source such as spray is sprayed from both sides of the tray, it may not be evenly distributed and processing may be uneven.
[0009]
In the case of plastic trays, if heat and sterilization is performed in a state where trays containing items are stacked, the items to be processed become hot and at the same time, the trays are at the same level, and heat softening can support the items. The bottom of the tray is about to be bent and deformed.
[0010]
In the present invention, the stay provided below the processing device is lifted by the lifting device and comes into contact with the tray tray surface or the support column, so that the bottom surface and the outer periphery of the tray can be held at a horizontal level. It is possible to suppress an increase in the cost of other materials that can be uniformly heat-treated in the tray. In addition, plastic trays can prevent the bottom of the tray from being bent and deformed even when subjected to high-temperature and high-pressure treatment, and when the heat treatment is finished, the product is cooled and the tray is also cooled to restore the strength to hold the product. Then, it can be shipped to the market as it is.
[0011]
In the second invention, the stay is provided in the longitudinal direction at the lower center of the processing apparatus, and is configured to support the bottom tray surface of the tray, and the shaft of the transport apparatus that carries the tray into or out of the processing apparatus. It consists of a U-shaped cross-section plate provided with a tooth portion that escapes the section, and a bracket attached to the U-shaped cross-section plate, and the U-shaped plate is connected to the rod of the lifting device provided outside to drive the stay up and down It is like that.
[0012]
The toothed portion of the U-shaped cross-section plate misses the shaft portion of the roller conveyor or the chain conveyor of the transport device, so that both the lifting device and the transport device of the U-shaped cross-section plate can be driven without hindrance.
[0013]
In either metal or plastic trays, the cradle can abut against the tray surface, and this cradle is attached to the U-shaped plate, and the U-shaped plate is reinforced by being fixed to the bracket. To be supported.
[0014]
In the third invention, the tray is a plastic tray, and even if it is heat-softening, the tray surface is reinforced with a cross-girder shape and stacked in a plurality of stages by columns formed on the outer peripheral part and the inner part. The weight of each other is supported, and the support of the bottom tray is supported by the support of the stay so that the tray surface of the plastic tray is not bent.
[0015]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
In the present invention, when a food is retort sterilized or a pharmaceutical sterilized by a high-temperature high-pressure or normal-pressure processing device such as a horizontal sterilizer or sterilizer, an article is placed on the processing device and loaded / unloaded. And a tray support device to be stored.
[0016]
Metal trays can be installed in high-temperature and high-pressure treatment equipment, as well as in normal-pressure sterilizers. If the tray is relatively wide (for example, 1400 mm or more on one side), heat treatment should be made uniform. It is possible to prevent an increase in operating costs due to a rise in material costs and structural loss. When a plastic tray is used, the supporting device can be used for a high-temperature and high-pressure treatment apparatus even when the tray surface is flexible due to heat softening properties.
[0017]
In the processing apparatus, there are provided conveying apparatuses, such as roller conveyors and chain conveyors, for loading and unloading stacked trays. This conveyor is connected to an external driving device, and can be moved so that the roller in the tank rotates to carry the laminated tray into and out of the device.
[0018]
The rollers in the tanks at both ends have a large diameter, and are supported by placing the outer peripheral part of the tray or both ends with reinforcing columns at the positions.
[0019]
In the plastic tray, the bottom surface is formed in a cross-beam shape, and struts are formed on the outer peripheral portion and a part of the inside, and these struts support each other's weight when the trays are stacked.
[0020]
A stay that can support the lowermost tray tray surface or column is provided in the lower center of the processing apparatus in the longitudinal direction, and this stay can be moved up and down by an external lifting device.
[0021]
Trays containing items are stacked, and a plurality of groups are carried to a predetermined position of the apparatus by a conveyor, an opening / closing lid of the apparatus is closed, and hot water is supplied in a spray form from a heat source supply port provided inside, or Steam is supplied in the tray direction and the product is heat sterilized at 100 ° C. or higher.
[0022]
At this time, if the tray tray surface is bent, the heat treatment becomes uneven. In the case of a plastic tray, when it is heated, the temperature becomes about the same, and the product cannot be supported by heat softening and the bottom of the tray is easily bent and deformed.
[0023]
In the present invention, the stay is raised and brought into contact with the tray receiving surface or the support column of the receiving surface so that the bottom surface and the outer periphery of the tray are held at a level level (normally in a horizontal state). Phenomenon that bends and deforms can be prevented.
[0024]
When the heat treatment is finished, the product is cooled, and the tray is also cooled to restore the strength for holding the product. Accordingly, support by the stay is not necessary, and the stay is lowered by the rod of the lifting device and is separated from the bottom surface of the tray. The open / close door is opened, and the trays stacked by the conveyor are carried out of the apparatus, and the processing is completed.
[0025]
【Example】
The illustrated embodiment will be described. In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 denotes a high-temperature high-pressure or normal-pressure processing apparatus such as a horizontal sterilizer or sterilizer. A plurality of groups of trays 2 are stored in the processing apparatus 1 in the longitudinal direction in a state where the trays 2 are stacked in a plurality of stages.
[0026]
As the tray 2, a metal tray or a plastic tray is used. FIG. 2 shows the case where a plastic tray is used.
[0027]
In FIG. 2, reference numeral 3 denotes a conveyance device, and a plastic tray 2 is supported on large-diameter tank rollers 4 provided at both ends, and is carried into or out of a high-temperature and high-pressure treatment device. Reference numeral 5 denotes an external drive source that drives the transport device 3. In addition, the conveying apparatus 3 is not limited to a roller conveyor, A chain conveyor may be used.
[0028]
As shown in the enlarged views of FIGS. 2 and 3, reference numeral 6 denotes a support column, which is formed on the outer peripheral portion and the inner part of the tray 2 and stacked so as to support the weight of each other.
[0029]
Reference numeral 7 denotes a stay, which is provided in the longitudinal direction at the lower center of the processing apparatus 1. The stay 7 is composed of two parallel T-shaped pedestals 8 in parallel and a U-shaped cross-section plate 10 and a bracket 11 provided with teeth 9 that are connected to the pedestal 8 and escape the shaft portion of the conveying device 3. It has become.
[0030]
The two parallel portions where the cradle 8 abuts on the tray tray surface are installed in accordance with the position of the column 6 at the center of the lowermost stage. And is connected to an external lifting device 12.
[0031]
As shown in FIG. 3, the lifting device 12 includes a rod 13 connected to the U-shaped cross-sectional plate 10, a mechanism 14 that moves the rod up and down, and a drive source 15.
[0032]
The stay is not limited to the configuration described above. In short, any configuration may be used as long as it can support the bottom tray surface of the tray stored by the transport device and can be driven up and down.
[0033]
When heat treatment is started with a high-temperature and high-pressure treatment apparatus, in the case of plastic, tensile stress is weakened due to a decrease in Young's modulus, and the tray surface of the plastic tray is easily bent and deformed by the weight of food or the like.
[0034]
In the present invention, a support device is provided in which the stay in the longitudinal direction is in contact with the support of the lowermost tray at the lower center of the processing apparatus to prevent the center of the tray from being bent, so that such a phenomenon can be prevented. became. The present invention is not limited to processing by a high-temperature and high-pressure processing apparatus, and can also be used when the tray receiving surface is bent by processing at normal pressure.
[0035]
After the heat sterilization and sterilization is completed and the stay is separated from the tray support, the plastic is cooled as it is, and the heat sterilization and sterilization treatment without deformation can be performed and can be shipped to the market as it is.
[0036]
4 to 7 show an embodiment of the tray 2. The heat-softening plastic tray 2 is made of, for example, polypropylene and glass fiber. The bottom receiving surface 16 is shaped like a cross, and columns 6 are formed on the outer periphery and a part of the inside, and when stacked in a plurality of stages, these columns 6 support each other's weight. FIG. 7 shows the support state of the struts 6 in a stacked state.
[0037]
The part shown by the code | symbol 17 is the heat source supply port provided in the inside of the processing apparatus 1, Hot water is supplied from this heat source supply port 17 in a spray form, or steam is supplied to a tray direction, The product is heat sterilized at 100 ° C. or higher. The plastic tray 2 has a heat resistance of about 120 ° C.
[0038]
8 to 10 show a metal tray 2, which is made of aluminum and has a thickness of 2 mm, for example. 4 is a roller in the tank, which supports the tray 2 stacked with a large diameter at both ends. Reference numeral 17 denotes a heat source supply port, which uses a nest plate. In FIG. 9, 18 uses a staggered punching metal. Reference numeral 19 denotes an outer peripheral portion.
[0039]
In the present invention, in a transfer device 3 such as a roller conveyor or a chain conveyor provided in a high-temperature high-pressure processing apparatus or a normal-pressure processing apparatus, the tray is supported by large-diameter tank rollers at both ends, and is carried in and out. A support device has been developed that supports the tray surface or the column 6 at the center of the bottom end of the stacked tray. This support device is characterized in that heat sterilization and sterilization can be performed not only on metal trays but also on plastic trays that can be shipped to the market as they are.
[0040]
This support device rises during heating to support the tray receiving surface, and is set so as to leave contact with the tray after heating is finished and cooled. It became possible to expand. Also, when fully automated equipment is installed before and after the equipment, an article unloader device becomes unnecessary.
[0041]
Conventionally, after the cooled product is taken out of the apparatus and unloaded, the adhering water is removed and dried, and further packing for distribution is performed.
[0042]
In the present invention, the water can be removed and dried in the apparatus as it is after cooling. In addition, there is a merit that it can be processed by putting the goods in the tray in an externally installed dewatering / drying machine.
[0043]
【The invention's effect】
In the present invention, the metal tray can prevent deformation such as bending of the saucer surface, and can prevent the increase in material cost and cost due to structural loss. In addition, general-purpose plastic trays can be sterilized and sterilized at high temperature and pressure. Providing tray support device that can be used as it is in the apparatus, prevents deformation such as bending of the tray surface, improves the uniformity of heat treatment, and eliminates the need for storage and transshipment after processing. We were able to.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram of the inside of a processing apparatus provided with the apparatus of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a longitudinally enlarged explanatory view of the apparatus.
FIG. 3 is an enlarged partial cross-sectional view of a transfer device, a stay, and a lifting device.
FIG. 4 is a plan view showing an embodiment of a plastic tray.
FIG. 5 is a side view showing a support of a plastic tray.
FIG. 6 is a right side view of the same.
FIG. 7 is a partial cross-sectional view showing a support state of the support column.
FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram of the inside of a processing apparatus storing a metal tray.
FIG. 9 is a plan view showing an embodiment of a metal tray.
FIG. 10 is a right side view of the same.
[Explanation of symbols]
1: Processing device 2: Metal or plastic tray 3: Conveying device 4: Roller in large diameter tank 5: Drive source 6: Support column 7: Stay 8: Receiving base 9: Tooth portion 10: U-shaped cross section plate 11: Bracket 12: Lifting device 13: Rod

Claims (3)

In processing devices such as horizontal sterilizers and sterilizers,
A transfer device for placing the object to be processed and storing the stacked metal or plastic trays in a plurality of stages in the processing device;
A stay provided in the longitudinal direction at the lower center of the processing apparatus;
It is connected to this stay and consists of a lifting device installed outside to raise or lower the stay in a horizontal state,
During the heat treatment of the workpiece, the stay is raised by the lifting device to support the tray surface of the lowermost tray, and after the processing is finished, the stay is moved away from the tray tray surface. A tray support device in a heat sterilizer and sterilizer. A stadium where the stay supports the bottom tray surface of the tray in the longitudinal direction of the processing device, a cross-sectional U-shaped plate provided with a tooth portion for escaping the shaft portion of the conveying device, and a bracket attached to the U-shaped cross-sectional plate The tray supporting device in the heat sterilizer according to claim 1, wherein the U-shaped cross-sectional plate is connected to a rod of an elevating device installed outside. The tray is a plastic tray and the receiving surface is formed in a cross-girder shape, and columns are provided on the outer periphery and part of the inner side. 3. The tray support device in a heat sterilizer / sterilizer according to claim 1, wherein the stay support comes into contact with the support of the lowermost tray.

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