JP3925568B2 - Over-sterilization prevention device in sterilization device - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention aims to prevent excessive sterilization of container contents when the bottling line has to be stopped due to some trouble in various sterilization treatment lines in bottling lines for soft drinks, fruit juice drinks, medicines, etc. The present invention relates to a device for preventing excessive sterilization in a sterilizer.
[0002]
[Prior art]
In the bottling line, when transportation stops due to some trouble, the containers sent by the transport device are sequentially bathed with warm water for sterilization, sterilization, and cooling, and the contents in the container are sterilized at a predetermined sterilization temperature. In the sterilizing apparatus, a plurality of tanks for spraying hot water are provided along the transport direction, and a control device for controlling the temperature of the hot water sprayed to each tank is provided, the control device detects the stop of the container, The temperature of the hot water sprayed in each tank is set so that the warming, sterilization, and cooling water that is substantially the same as when the container has been transported normally is sprayed on the containers stopped in each tank. A container sterilizer for controlling the contents of a container is conventionally known (see JP-A-8-19386).
[0003]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
The technique disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 8-19386 has a problem that a control device for controlling the temperature of hot water sprayed in each tank is required.
[0004]
Moreover, a large amount of water is required to lower the temperature of the hot water, and it takes time to increase the temperature when returning.
[0005]
In view of the above points, the present invention provides an apparatus for preventing excessive sterilization in a sterilizer capable of changing the temperature of hot water to be sprayed immediately and preventing excessive sterilization of container contents even when the bottling line is stopped. The purpose is to provide.
[0006]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention provides an excess in a sterilizer that sprays hot water for sterilization from a nozzle in a sterilization zone onto a container sent by a conveying device, and sterilizes the contents in the container at a predetermined sterilization temperature. In the sterilization prevention device, a high-temperature water recovery tank for recovering high-temperature water for sterilization and a low-temperature water recovery tank for recovering low-temperature water having a temperature lower than that of the high-temperature water for sterilization are arranged and sprinkled in the sterilization zone. The hot water can be collected in the high temperature water collection tank or the low temperature water collection tank, and the nozzle arranged in the sterilization zone can be connected to the high temperature water collection tank or the low temperature water collection tank, so that the container in the sterilizer can be transported. technique that upon stopping, after a predetermined time has elapsed, supplies the cold water to the nozzles in sterile zone and connected to the low temperature water recovery tank to recover the low-temperature water which is sprinkled with sterile zone in low-temperature water recovery tank It was adopted means.
[0007]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
As a result of adopting the above technical means, the present invention detects that the conveyance of the container has been stopped due to a trouble in the bottling line, switches the on-off valve after a predetermined time, and supplies low-temperature water to the sterilization zone; and It is an over-sterilization prevention device in a sterilization device that can switch an on-off valve and connect a sterilization zone and a low-temperature water recovery pipe.
[0008]
【Example】
Next, a specific embodiment of the present invention will be described.
FIG. 1 is a system diagram schematically showing a normal sterilization apparatus of the present invention.
First, an overview of the entire sterilizer according to the present invention will be described. The sterilizer 1 has a transport device 5 so that the flow of a container 2 (hereinafter simply referred to as a container) in which contents are stored is moved from the inlet 3 to the outlet 4 through the sterilization region. And in the sterilizer 1, nozzles 8A, 8B, 8C provided at the upper part of the conveying device 5 and sprinkling hot water corresponding to these nozzles, and troughs 7A, 7B for storing and draining the sprinkled hot water provided at the lower part. 7C. And the sterilization zone 9 is comprised by the nozzles 8A and 8B and the eaves 7A and 7B, and the downstream from the nozzle 8C and the eaves 7C is the cooling zone 10.
[0009]
In this sterilization zone 9, the high temperature water recovery tank 15 and nozzles 8A and 8B for sprinkling high temperature water are connected, and the tubs 7A and 7B are connected so that high temperature water is supplied from the high temperature water recovery tank 15 and recovered. It has become. In the cooling zone, a low-temperature water recovery tank 16 and a nozzle 8C for sprinkling low-temperature water are connected, and are connected to a trough 7C so that low-temperature water is supplied from the low-temperature water recovery tank 16 and recovered. Each hot water is supplied by pumps 6A and 6B.
[0010]
As can be understood from FIG. 1, the sterilization zone 9 includes a nozzle 8A, a region composed of a tub 7A partitioned to receive high-temperature water sprinkled from the nozzle 8A, and nozzles 8B and 7B. Divided into areas to be configured.
[0011]
The nozzles 8A and 8B are connected to the high-temperature water recovery tank 15 through the high-temperature water supply pipe 13 via the high-temperature water on-off valves 14A and 14B, so that high-temperature water can be supplied. Furthermore, the nozzles 8A and 8B are connected to the low-temperature water recovery tank 16 by the low-temperature water supply pipe 11 via the low-temperature water on-off valves 12A and 12B, so that low-temperature water can be supplied. 7A is connected to the high-temperature water recovery tank 15 by the high-temperature water recovery pipe 20 via the high-temperature water on-off valve 17A, and is connected to the low-temperature water recovery tank 16 by the low-temperature water recovery pipe 19 via the low-temperature water on-off valve 18A. The tank to be drained can be sorted by switching the on-off valve. The tub 7B is connected to the high-temperature water recovery tank 15 by the high-temperature water recovery pipe 20 via the high-temperature water on-off valve 17B and to the low-temperature water recovery tank 16 by the low-temperature water recovery pipe 19 via the low-temperature water on-off valve 18B. The tanks to be drained can be distributed in the same manner as described above by switching the on-off valves.
[0012]
In the normal operation, the high temperature water on / off valves 14A and 14B are opened, the low temperature water on / off valves 12A and 12B are closed, high temperature water is supplied to the nozzles 8A and 8B, and the nozzle 8C is supplied. Low temperature water is supplied, the high temperature water on / off valves 17A and 17B are opened, the low temperature water on / off valves 18A and 18B are closed, and the high temperature water is recovered from the troughs 7A and 7B. Furthermore, low temperature water is also recovered from the tub 7C.
[0013]
In this state, the container is transported by the transport device 5 (for example, a conveyor), sprayed with hot water from the nozzles 8A and 8B in the sterilization zone 9 to sterilize the contents, and cooled at a temperature lower than the nozzle 8C in the cooling zone 10. Sprinkle water to cool down.
Further, the sprayed warm water is collected in each collection tank and supplied to each nozzle again.
[0014]
In this embodiment, the high temperature water is set to 90 ° C. and the low temperature water is set to 60 ° C.
And the time required for sterilization is 7 minutes, and when it exceeds about 11 minutes, it will be excessive sterilization. Set the sprinkling area, transport speed, etc. so that 3 nozzles and 4 nozzles 8B disperse water. ing.
[0015]
A cooling zone 10 having a required length is extended downstream of the nozzle 8C. Note that the region formed by the nozzles 8C and the collar 7C is not necessarily required. A heating zone for heating the container may be provided upstream of the sterilization zone 9 as necessary.
[0016]
Next, the operation for preventing excessive sterilization when the conveyance is stopped will be described.
When some trouble occurs in the apparatus on the downstream side of the sterilization apparatus 1 in the bottling line and the conveyance of the container 2 is stopped, this stop is detected and a conveyance stop signal is transmitted to a control device (not shown). Then, if it is less than 4 minutes after the stop, that is, within 4 minutes, the sterilization time does not exceed 11 minutes, so that the normal operation state can be maintained (FIG. 2). At 4 minutes after the stop, the high temperature water on / off valve 14B is closed from the normal operation state, the low temperature water on / off valve 12B is opened, low temperature water is supplied to the nozzle 8B, and the high temperature water on / off valve 17B is closed. Then, the low-temperature water on-off valve 18B is opened, and the basket 7B and the low-temperature water recovery tank 16 are connected (FIG. 3). In this state, low-temperature water is sprinkled into a container stopped in the region below the nozzle 8B in the sterilization zone to prevent excessive sterilization.
[0017]
In this case, the sterilization time of the container (D) in FIG. 3 is about 11 minutes, and the sterilization time of the container (C) is about 7 minutes. At the time of 7 minutes after the stop, the high temperature water on / off valve 14A is closed and the low temperature water on / off valve 12A is opened from the state of 4 minutes after the stop to supply the low temperature water to the nozzle 8A and the high temperature water on / off The valve 17A is closed and the low-temperature water on-off valve 18A is opened to connect the basket 7A and the low-temperature water recovery tank 16 (FIG. 4). In this state, the container stopped in the area below the nozzle 8A in the sterilization zone is sprayed with low-temperature water to prevent excessive sterilization. In this case, the sterilization time of the container (B) in FIG. 4 is about 10 minutes, and the sterilization time of the container (A) is about 7 minutes.
[0018]
Next, the return operation will be described with reference to FIGS.
When the trouble is solved and the operation is resumed, first, the return from 4 minutes after the stop (the state of FIG. 2) resumes the container transportation in the same state, and a new container can be introduced (FIG. 5). To FIG. 7). When returning from less than 4 to 7 minutes (state shown in FIG. 3) after stopping, the container (A) in FIG. 8 has already been sterilized for about 7 minutes at the longest, and when the nozzle 8A passes, it becomes 10 minutes. In order to prevent sterilization, until the container 2 of (A) passes below the nozzle 8B, high temperature water cannot be sprinkled from the nozzle 8B, and the newly introduced container 2 becomes insufficiently sterilized. For this reason, it is set as the control which does not introduce the new container 2. FIG.
[0019]
At 4 minutes after the return, a new container can be introduced (FIG. 9). At 7 minutes, the low temperature water on / off valve 12B is closed, the high temperature water on / off valve 14B is opened, and hot water is supplied to the nozzle 8B. Then, the high-temperature water on-off valve 17B is closed and the low-temperature water on-off valve 18B is opened to connect the basket 7B and the high-temperature water recovery tank 15 (FIG. 10).
[0020]
In the return from 7 minutes or more after the stop (state of FIG. 4), the container 2 below the nozzle 8A has already been sterilized for 7 minutes or more, and is transported in this state without newly introducing the container 2.
[0021]
At 4 minutes after the return, a new container can be introduced, the low temperature water on / off valve 12A is closed, the high temperature water on / off valve 14A is opened, high temperature water is supplied to the nozzle 8A, and the low temperature water on / off valve 18A is opened. The high-temperature water on-off valve 17A is closed and the bowl 7A is connected to the high-temperature water recovery tank 15 (FIG. 12). Seven minutes after the return, the low temperature water on / off valve 12B is closed, the high temperature water on / off valve 14B is opened, the low temperature water on / off valve 18B is closed, and the high temperature water on / off valve 17B is opened to supply high temperature water to the nozzle 8B. Then, the basket 8B and the high temperature water recovery tank 15 are connected (FIG. 13).
[0022]
Next, another embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.
Although the basic configuration is the same, the eaves 7C in the cooling zone 10 are not provided, but are recovered directly in the low temperature water recovery tank 16, and the low temperature water supplied by the pump 6B is an independent supply pipe only in the cooling zone 10. 21 and is always supplied with low-temperature water at 60 ° C.
[0023]
The nozzles 8A and 8B are connected to the high-temperature water recovery tank 15 via the high-temperature water on-off valves 14A and 14B, respectively, by two high-temperature water supply pipes 13 each having a pump 6A. 9 can be supplied with hot water. Furthermore, the high temperature water supply pipe 13 is connected to a low temperature water recovery tank 16 and connected to a low temperature water supply pipe 11 provided with low temperature water on / off valves 12A and 12B. Low temperature water can be supplied. As in the above embodiment, after the conveyance of the container is stopped, the open / close valves 14A and 14B for the high temperature water and the open / close valves 12A and 12B for the low temperature water are switched to prevent over-sterilization of the container contents. is there.
[0024]
【The invention's effect】
As a result of employing the above configuration, the present invention can obtain the following effects.
(1) A large amount of cooling water is not required when the water spray temperature drops.
(2) Immediate return is possible.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a schematic system explanatory diagram showing a normal state of an embodiment of a sterilizer according to the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a schematic system explanatory view showing a state immediately after the sterilization apparatus of the present invention is stopped due to a trouble.
FIG. 3 is a schematic system explanatory diagram showing a state 4 minutes after the apparatus is stopped due to a trouble with the sterilization apparatus of the present invention.
FIG. 4 is a schematic system explanatory diagram showing a state about 7 minutes after the sterilization apparatus of the present invention has trouble and the apparatus has stopped.
FIG. 5 is a schematic system explanatory diagram showing a return state after 0 minutes when the sterilization apparatus of the present invention returns from the state of FIG. 2;
6 is a schematic system explanatory diagram showing a return state after about 4 minutes when the sterilization apparatus of the present invention returns from the state of FIG. 2; FIG.
7 is a schematic system explanatory diagram showing a return state after about 7 minutes when the sterilization apparatus of the present invention returns from the state shown in FIG. 2; FIG.
8 is a schematic system explanatory diagram showing a return state after 0 minutes when the sterilization apparatus of the present invention returns from the state of FIG. 3; FIG.
FIG. 9 is a schematic system explanatory diagram showing a return state after about 4 minutes when the sterilization apparatus of the present invention returns from the state shown in FIG. 3;
FIG. 10 is a schematic system explanatory diagram showing a return state after about 7 minutes when the sterilization apparatus of the present invention returns from the state shown in FIG.
11 is a schematic system explanatory diagram showing a return state after 0 minutes when the sterilization apparatus of the present invention returns from the state shown in FIG. 4; FIG.
12 is a schematic system explanatory diagram showing a return state after about 4 minutes when the sterilization apparatus of the present invention returns from the state shown in FIG. 4; FIG.
13 is a schematic system explanatory diagram showing a return state after about 7 minutes when the sterilization apparatus of the present invention returns from the state of FIG. 4; FIG.
FIG. 14 is a schematic system explanatory view showing a normal state of another embodiment of the sterilization apparatus of the present invention.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Sterilization device 2 ... Container 3 ... Inlet 4 ... Outlet 5 ... Conveyance device 6 ... Pump 7 ... ... 8 Nozzle 9 ... Sterilization zone 10 ... Cooling zone 11 ... Low temperature water supply Piping 12 ... Open / close valve for low-temperature water 13 ... High-temperature water supply pipe 14 ... Open / close valve for high-temperature water 15 ... High-temperature water recovery tank 16 ... Low-temperature water recovery tank 17 ... Open / close valve for high-temperature water 18 ... Low temperature Open / close valve for water 19 ... Recovery pipe for low-temperature water 20 ... Recovery pipe for high-temperature water 21 ... Supply pipe

Claims (1)

Hot water for sterilization is sprinkled from the nozzle in the sterilization zone to the container sent by the transport device, and the high temperature water for sterilization is recovered in the sterilization prevention device in the sterilization device that sterilizes the contents in the container at the predetermined sterilization temperature. A high temperature water recovery tank and a low temperature water recovery tank that recovers low temperature water having a temperature lower than that of the high temperature water for sterilization, and the hot water sprayed in the sterilization zone is disposed in the high temperature water recovery tank or the low temperature water recovery tank thereby enabling recovery to the nozzles arranged in sterile zone and connectable to the high-temperature water recovery tank or cold water collection tank, when the transport of the containers in the sterilizer is stopped, after a predetermined time has elapsed, the nozzle prevention over sterilization of disinfection apparatus is characterized in that in connection with the low temperature water recovery tank supplies cold water to the sterile zone, recovering cold water have been sprinkled with sterile zone in low-temperature water recovery tank Location.

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