JP4429639B2 - Steam sterilization method and steam sterilizer - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
  The present invention relates to a steam sterilization technique suitable for sterilizing free-flowing granular raw materials such as pepper seeds, buckwheat flour, tea leaves, pepper, spices, dried vegetables, wheat flour, etc. The present invention relates to a novel steam sterilization method and a steam sterilization apparatus that can contact powder in a diffused state and sterilize a powder raw material uniformly and in a short time even if it is in a powdery form that is difficult to be scattered at times.
[0002]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
  For example, when sterilizing powdery raw materials such as buckwheat flour or pepper raw grains (hereinafter referred to as an object to be processed), a technique for sterilizing the object to be processed by bringing it into contact with steam is known. At this time, the steam is uniformly contacted with the particles of the object to be treated for efficient sterilization, and the contact time with the steam (time for which the object to be treated is exposed to the steam) is shortened as much as possible. There is always a need to minimize thermal damage.
  By the way, as one of such steam sterilization techniques, for example, an airflow type is known. This is a technique in which high-pressure superheated steam is caused to flow at a high speed in an elongated flow path, and the object to be treated is sterilized while being transferred by this flow.
[0003]
  In such an airflow type sterilization method, the object to be treated is uniformly contacted with the steam by the diffusion action of the steam flow, so that the sterilization without unevenness can be performed and the actual sterilization time for the object to be treated to contact with the steam is about 4 It is excellent in a relatively short point of about seconds. However, in the case of an object having a relatively large particle size such as the original shape of black pepper, it takes a long time to increase the product temperature due to the large size of the particle, so a long sterilization time is required. Although there are some which are desired to be set longer, the airflow method has a drawback that it is difficult to adjust the sterilization time because sterilization is performed during the transfer by the steam flow.
[0004]
  As another steam sterilization method, there is a so-called horizontal barrel type in which a drum for containing an object to be processed is provided in a lying state and sterilized by contacting the steam while rotating the drum.
  In this horizontal body type sterilization method, the object to be treated is mechanically agitated, so that the object to be treated can be sufficiently brought into contact with the steam, and further, various kinds of objects to be treated having different particle sizes such as granular and powdery. It is excellent in that it can handle things. However, this method has a relatively long sterilization time of about 10.5 seconds as compared with the airflow type sterilization method described above, and there has been a concern about thermal damage given to the object to be processed.
[0005]
[Prior art]
  Under such circumstances, the present applicant has developed a technique for performing sterilization by bringing the object to be processed into contact with steam while dropping the object to be treated, and has reached a patent application (see Patent Documents 1 and 2).
[0006]
[Patent Document 1]
          JP 2002-12749 A
[Patent Document 2]
          Japanese Patent Application No. 2002-169152
[0007]
  This technique has made it easier to adjust the sterilization time as well as to sterilize the workpiece for a short time (as an example, about 4.5 seconds), but there is still room for improvement in the following points. It was.
  That is, in the drop sterilization method described above, there is no forcing means for stirring or diffusing the object to be processed, and the object to be processed is dropped as it is to perform steam sterilization, but when the object to be processed is powder When this was dropped as it was, there were almost no gaps between the particles, so it was difficult for the steam to enter, and it was difficult to evenly hit the steam. For this reason, in the case of a powdery object to be treated, a sufficient sterilizing effect may not be obtained by simply dropping it.
  For this reason, even if the material to be treated is powder, it is possible to uniformly apply the steam, and the contact time with the steam is shortened to improve the quality, and according to various objects to be treated. There has been a demand for a steam-type sterilization method that can easily adjust the sterilization time.
[0008]
[Technical issues for which development was attempted]
  The present invention has been made in view of such a background. For example, even when a powder raw material that hardly falls in a diffused state is applied as an object to be processed, there is no unevenness and for a short time. The present inventors attempted to develop a new steam sterilization method and a steam sterilization apparatus that can be sterilized by the above-mentioned method and can also handle granular raw materials that require a relatively long sterilization time.
[0009]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
  That is, the steam sterilization method according to claim 1
  While the workpiece (A) is transported by the steam flow generated in the airflow pipe (9), it is brought into contact with the steam (S) in the airflow pipe (9) to sterilize the workpiece (A). The method
  The airflow pipe (9) is formed so that the inlet for introducing the workpiece (A) or steam (S) faces the vicinity of the bottom of the processing section (5) for dropping the workpiece (A). And
  When the workpiece (A) is sent to the airflow pipe (9), before the workpiece (A) is sent to the airflow pipe (9), communication with the outside is cut off (5)Hopper (25A)Gradually drop the workpiece (A) from above the inside,Hopper (25A)The workpiece (A) falling in a diffused state insideAfter receiving with a damper (28A) having a downward slope toward the inlet of the airflow tube (9),It is introduced into the airflow pipe (9) together with the steam (S) for sterilization,
  For the airflow pipe (9), the steam (S) transporting the workpiece (A) can be switched to hot air from the middle, and the workpiece (A) is in contact with the steam (S). The sterilization time can be adjusted.
  According to the present invention, since the object to be processed is dropped in a diffusion state and guided to the airflow pipe side, the vapor flow diffusion in the airflow pipe can be promoted, and more effective sterilization can be performed.Moreover, it can introduce | transduce into the airflow pipe | tube side, without leaving a to-be-processed object in a process part (prevention of unsucking).Further, since the steam that has transferred the object to be processed can be switched to hot air on the way, the substantial sterilization time during which the object to be processed is exposed to the steam can be shortened.
[0010]
  The steam sterilization method according to claim 2
  While the workpiece (A) is transported by the steam flow generated in the airflow pipe (9), it is brought into contact with the steam (S) in the airflow pipe (9) to sterilize the workpiece (A). The method
  The airflow pipe (9) is formed so that the inlet for introducing the workpiece (A) or steam (S) faces the vicinity of the bottom of the processing section (5) for dropping the workpiece (A). And
  When the workpiece (A) is sent to the airflow pipe (9), before the workpiece (A) is sent to the airflow pipe (9), communication with the outside is cut off (5)Hopper (25A)Gradually drop the workpiece (A) from above the inside,Hopper (25A)The workpiece (A) falling in a diffused state insideAfter receiving with a damper (28A) having a downward slope toward the inlet of the airflow tube (9),It is introduced into the airflow pipe (9) together with the steam (S) for sterilization,
  For the airflow pipe (9), the steam (S) that was transporting the workpiece (A) is blocked from the middle, and the actual sterilization time for the workpiece (A) to contact the steam (S) is adjusted. It is characterized by what we can do.
  According to the present invention, since the object to be processed is dropped in a diffusion state and guided to the airflow pipe side, the vapor flow diffusion in the airflow pipe can be promoted, and more effective sterilization can be performed.Moreover, it can introduce | transduce into the airflow pipe | tube side, without leaving a to-be-processed object in a process part (prevention of unsucking).In addition, the actual sterilization time of the object to be processed can be shortened by simply stopping the supply of steam to the airflow pipe without switching to hot air.
[0011]
  And claims3The steam sterilization method according to claim 11 or 2In addition to the requirements listed,
  When installing the airflow pipe (9), it is installed in parallel with a drop-type steam sterilizer that sterilizes by contacting the steam (S) while dropping the workpiece (A). ,
  When the workpiece (A) is mainly in powder form, the workpiece (A) is introduced into the airflow tube (9) side for sterilization, and the workpiece (A) is mainly granular. In this case, the object to be treated (A) is sterilized in a drop steam sterilizer.
  According to the present invention, since the powder raw material is mainly sterilized in the airflow tube and the granular raw material is sterilized in the drop steam sterilizer, efficient sterilization according to the properties of the object to be processed can be performed. That is, when sterilizing a powder-like object to be processed in a drop-type steam sterilizer, if the powder raw material is dropped as it is, the gap is small, so that the steam cannot enter and it is difficult to uniformly contact the steam. However, in this invention, since the powdery object to be treated is sterilized in the airflow pipe, the powder raw material can be sterilized uniformly by the effect of vapor flow diffusion, and a stable sterilizing effect can be obtained.
[0012]
  And claims4The steam sterilization method according to claim 11, 2 or 3In addition to the requirements listed,
  A cyclone (10) is connected to the subsequent stage of the air flow pipe (9), and the workpiece (A) transferred by the steam flow is mainly separated from the steam (S) in the cyclone (10). After that, it is taken out to the outside.
  According to the present invention, the sterilized workpiece can be efficiently separated from steam and hot air.
[0013]
  And claims5The described steam sterilizer is
  An airflow pipe (9) that generates a steam flow is provided, and the object to be treated (A) is fed into the airflow pipe (9) and is brought into contact with the steam (S) in the airflow pipe (9) during the transfer. An apparatus for sterilizing the workpiece (A),
  The air flow pipe (9) is arranged in parallel from the processing section (5) of the drop type steam sterilizer that contacts the steam (S) while dropping the object (A) to sterilize the object (A). The inlet for introducing the object to be processed (A) and the steam (S) in the airflow pipe (9) is formed so as to face the bottom of the processing section (5). And
  The processing section (5) includes a hopper (25A) having a damper (28A) having a downward slope toward the inlet of the airflow pipe (9) at the bottom,
  When the workpiece (A) was sent to the airflow pipe (9), the communication with the outside was blocked before the workpiece (A) was sent to the airflow pipe (9).Hopper (25A)Gradually drop the workpiece (A) from above the inside,Hopper (25A)The workpiece (A) falling in a diffused state insideAfter receiving it with the damper (28A),It is introduced into the airflow pipe (9) together with the steam (S) for sterilization,
  The air flow pipe (9) is provided with a valve (FV1) that can shut off the supply of steam (S) for transfer and a valve (FV2) that can send hot air instead of the steam (S). The steam (S) transporting (A) can be switched to hot air from the middle.
  According to this invention, for example, an airflow pipe (airflow mechanism) that mainly sterilizes powder raw materials can be attached to an existing drop-type steam sterilizer to constitute the sterilization apparatus of the present invention. Can be treated as an option, and a device configuration that meets customer needs can be adopted. That is, for users who have already purchased existing drop-type steam sterilizers, this sterilization apparatus suitable for sterilization of powder raw materials can be constructed with only additional equipment on the airflow tube side, and user equipment Investment burden can be reduced.Moreover, it can introduce | transduce into an airflow pipe | tube side, without leaving a to-be-processed object in a process part (prevention of unsucking).In addition, since the transfer steam flowing in the airflow pipe can be switched to hot air in the middle, the actual sterilization time for the object to be in contact with the steam can be shortened, and the sterilization time can be easily adjusted. For this reason, it can respond to sterilization processing of all needs.
[0014]
  And claims6The described steam sterilizer is
  An airflow pipe (9) that generates a steam flow is provided, and the object to be treated (A) is fed into the airflow pipe (9) and is brought into contact with the steam (S) in the airflow pipe (9) during the transfer. An apparatus for sterilizing the workpiece (A),
  The air flow pipe (9) is arranged in parallel from the processing section (5) of the drop type steam sterilizer that contacts the steam (S) while dropping the object (A) to sterilize the object (A). The inlet for introducing the object to be processed (A) and the steam (S) in the airflow pipe (9) is formed so as to face the bottom of the processing section (5). And
  The processing section (5) includes a hopper (25A) having a damper (28A) having a downward slope toward the inlet of the airflow pipe (9) at the bottom,
  When the workpiece (A) was sent to the airflow pipe (9), the communication with the outside was blocked before the workpiece (A) was sent to the airflow pipe (9).Hopper (25A)Gradually drop the workpiece (A) from above the inside,Hopper (25A)The workpiece (A) falling in a diffused state insideAfter receiving it with the damper (28A),It is introduced into the airflow pipe (9) together with the steam (S) for sterilization,
  In addition, the airflow pipe (9) is provided with a valve (FV1) that can shut off the supply of steam (S) for transfer, and the steam (S) that has transferred the workpiece (A) can be shut off from the middle. This is what makes it a feature.
  According to this invention, for example, an airflow pipe (airflow mechanism) that mainly sterilizes powder raw materials can be attached to an existing drop-type steam sterilizer to constitute the sterilization apparatus of the present invention. Can be treated as an option, and a device configuration that meets customer needs can be adopted.Moreover, it can introduce | transduce into an airflow pipe | tube side, without leaving a to-be-processed object in a process part (prevention of unsucking).Further, the actual sterilization time of the object to be processed can be shortened without supplying the hot air flow only by stopping the steam flow to the airflow pipe.
[0015]
  And claims7The steam sterilizer according to claim 15 or 6In addition to the requirements listed,
  In the case of mainly sterilizing the powdery object (A) by the sterilization apparatus in which the airflow pipe (9) is arranged in parallel to the drop type steam sterilizer, the object to be processed (A) is removed from the airflow pipe (9) Sterilize by introducing to the side,
  Further, when the granular object (A) is mainly sterilized, the object (A) is sterilized on the dropping steam sterilizer side.
  According to the present invention, since the powder raw material is mainly sterilized in the airflow tube and the granular raw material is sterilized in the drop steam sterilizer, efficient sterilization according to the properties of the object to be processed can be performed.
[0016]
  And claims8The steam sterilizer according to claim 15, 6 or 7In addition to the requirements listed,
  The airflow pipe (9) is connected to the cyclone (10) in the subsequent stage, and the workpiece (A) transferred by the steam flow is mainly steam (S) in the cyclone (10). It is characterized by being separated from
  According to the present invention, the object to be processed after sterilization is separated from the vapor or the like by the cyclone, so that the object to be processed is not mixed in the exhaust gas from the cyclone, and the yield is improved. Of course, the steam released from the cyclone can be recovered and reused.
[0017]
  And claims9The steam sterilizer according to claim 15, 6, 7 or 8In addition to the requirements listed,
  The drop type steam sterilizer is provided with a butterfly valve type valve unit (51) on the input side and the discharge side of the processing unit (5), respectively, and the processing unit (5) can be hermetically sealed by this valve unit (51). It is characterized by being composed.
  According to the present invention, the seal structure of the processing section can be realized under a relatively inexpensive and simple structure. Maintenance is also relatively easy.
[0018]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
  The present invention will be described below based on the illustrated embodiments. In the description, first, an example of the steam sterilization apparatus 1 that implements the method of the present invention will be described, and then the steam sterilization method that is the method of the present invention will be described while explaining the operation mode of the apparatus.
[0019]
  As an example, as shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the steam sterilizer 1 is a drop-type steam sterilizer disclosed in the above Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2002-12749, Japanese Patent Application 2002-169152, etc. It consists of a transport mechanism using steam flow. That is, in this Embodiment, when the to-be-processed object A is a powder form, it guides to the transport mechanism side from the existing fall type steam sterilizer side, this thing is sterilized, and the to-be-processed object A is granular ( In this case, the existing drop-type steam sterilizer is sterilized as it is. In addition, in connection with such a form, let the existing fall type steam sterilizer side be the granule raw material sterilization part 2, and let the transport mechanism side be the powder raw material sterilization part 3.
[0020]
  Moreover, wheat flour etc. are mentioned as a powder-like to-be-processed object A, As for other to-be-processed objects A, such as a granular material, pepper raw grains, buckwheat grains, tea leaves, pepper, spices, dried vegetables, etc. are mentioned.
  2 is different from the front view shown in FIG. 3 in the opening and closing directions of dampers (28 and the like to be described later) of the granule raw material sterilization unit 2 and the powder raw material sterilization unit 3. This is because the overall structure is easily understood. In other words, the opening / closing direction of the damper does not necessarily have to be the front view of FIG. 3 and can be variously changed. Hereinafter, the grain raw material sterilization unit 2 and the powder raw material sterilization unit 3 will be described.
[0021]
  First, the grain raw material sterilization unit 2 will be described. The granule raw material sterilization unit 2 includes a machine frame 4 serving as a frame member, a processing unit 5 for sterilizing mainly the granular object A, and a shutter unit 6 for appropriately setting the processing unit 5 as a closed space, It comprises an input unit 7 for supplying the processing object A to the processing unit 5 and a discharge unit 8 for extracting the processed object A after sterilization. Each component will be further described below.
[0022]
  The machine frame 4 supports the processing unit 5, the shutter unit 6, the input unit 7, the discharge unit 8, and the like. For example, the machine frame 4 supports the shutter unit 6 on a main frame 20 formed in a rectangular parallelepiped frame shape. The sub-frame 21 is attached.
  The processing unit 5, the input unit 7, and the discharge unit 8 are provided so as to move up and down with respect to the machine frame 4, and the shutter unit 6 is suspended so as to be slidable with respect to the machine frame 4 in the horizontal direction. .
  In addition, a member indicated by a symbol B in the drawing is a fixing bracket such as a bolt for integrally connecting and fixing the respective parts, and this apparatus is supported by such a structure so as to be segmentable.
[0023]
  Here, since the processing unit 5, the input unit 7, and the discharge unit 8 are basically constituted by a cylindrical barrel 24 and a hopper 25 provided therein, these members will be described first.
  For example, the barrel 24 has flanges 26 at the upper and lower ends, and a notch groove for receiving the fixing bracket B is formed therein.
  The hopper 25 temporarily stores the workpiece A and sequentially drops the workpiece A. The hopper 25 includes a hopper body 27 having an inlet 27a opened upward and a outlet 27b opened downward. A damper 28 for opening and closing the discharge port 27b as appropriate is provided (see FIG. 1).
[0024]
  The hopper body 27 is formed to have a funnel-like appearance as an example, and the damper 28 is attached to the lower end in an inclined state, and is configured to be rotatable so that the discharge port 27b can be appropriately opened and closed. When the damper 28 is operated, it is rotated by a damper shifter 30 via a link mechanism 29. Incidentally, as the damper shifter 30, an appropriate shift device such as an air cylinder, a hydraulic cylinder, or a motor cylinder can be used.
[0025]
  In addition, the process part 5 connects the barrel 24 which inserted such a hopper 25, as an example, 2 sets | bases, vertically. Here, when distinguishing the barrel 24, the hopper 25, and the damper 28 in the processing unit 5 from above and below, the upper members are sequentially designated as 24A, 25A, and 28A, and the lower members are sequentially designated as 24B, 25B, and 28B, A distinction is made by the end signs of “A” and “B”.
[0026]
  In addition, the input unit 7 is also formed by connecting two such barrels (different reference numeral 34 for distinguishing from the barrel 24 of the processing unit 5) as an example, vertically, like the processing unit 5. In addition, 34A, 35A, and 38A are sequentially set on the upper barrel, hopper, and damper, and 34B, 35B, and 38B are sequentially set on the lower member (see FIG. 2).
  Here, the charging unit 7 is formed by the two hoppers 35 (barrels 34), but a plurality of units are not necessarily required. Incidentally, the above-mentioned Japanese Patent Application No. 2002-169152 is composed of one unit.
[0027]
  Further, the discharge unit 8 is formed by vertically connecting a barrel 44A in which the hopper 45 is inserted and a relatively short barrel 44B in which the hopper is not inserted, and the damper of the hopper 45 is 48.
[0028]
  In the processing unit 5, the steam S is introduced into the upper barrel 24A of the two barrels 24A and 24B. Specifically, the steam S is guided inside the hopper 25 </ b> A and between the hopper 25 </ b> A and the barrel 24 </ b> A. In the present embodiment, the steam S is always introduced into the inside and outside of the hopper 25A. The discharge port of the steam pipe 50 guided into the hopper 25A is provided downward between the input port 27a and the discharge port 27b.
  The upper hopper 25A is connected to an airflow pipe 9 of the powder raw material sterilization unit 3 to be described later at the lower end portion, so that the mainly powdery workpiece A is moved from the hopper 25A (barrel 24A) to the airflow mechanism side. be introduced.
[0029]
  Furthermore, the lower barrel 34 </ b> B and the upper barrel 44 </ b> A of the discharge unit 8 are formed so as to be able to open to the atmosphere (exhaust state) and supply hot air as appropriate. Incidentally, an example of the purpose of such exhaust and hot air supply will be described. For example, the exhaust is for expelling steam before and after the sterilization treatment, and the hot air supply is for preventing condensation due to the steam.
  In addition, each hopper 25A, 25B, 35A, 35B, 45 is configured so that, for example, a vent P is formed at the upper edge as shown in FIG. 1, and steam and hot air can be introduced into the hopper. . In addition, the structure in which the inner side and the outer side of the hopper are communicated with each other in the barrel is also adopted in the hopper 65 described later.
[0030]
  Next, the shutter unit 6 that appropriately closes the processing unit 5 will be described. During the sterilization process, the shutter unit 6 blocks communication with the outside and maintains this state so as to make the processing unit 5 a closed space, and is provided on the input side and the discharge side of the processing unit 5. The valve unit 51 is configured. As shown in FIG. 2 as an example, the valve unit 51 is of a butterfly valve type. Specifically, the valve unit 51 has a disc-like valve element (valve element) on a valve cage (valve cage) 52. ) Is rotatably supported.
[0031]
  In this embodiment, since the butterfly valve type is adopted as described above, the valve element is hereinafter referred to as a butterfly valve 53. Further, the rotating shaft at this time is a valve stem 54. Then, when the butterfly valve 53 is rotated and the drop path is appropriately opened and closed, as shown in FIG. 3, as an example, the valve shifter 56 connected by a support bracket 55 is rotated. A suitable opening amount can be set according to the properties such as.
[0032]
  Here, the valve unit 51 is provided in a double shutter state. That is, two valve units 51 (butter valves 53) are formed at the front stage and the rear stage of the processing unit 5 so that any one of the butter valve 53 can be closed and the processing unit 5 is always shut off. ing. Here, in the case where a total of four butterfly valves 53 are distinguished from each other, what is provided in the middle of the charging unit 7 (upper side of the charging side) is the butterfly valve 53A, between the charging unit 7 and the processing unit 5 (the charging side What is provided in the lower part) is the butterfly valve 53B, and what is provided between the processing unit 5 and the discharger 8 (upper part on the discharge side) is provided in the middle of the butterfly valve 53C and the discharge part 8 (lower part on the discharge side) Let it be a butterfly valve 53D.
  Note that the shutter unit 6 is not necessarily formed in the above-described double shutter state, and one butterfly valve 53 (valve unit 51) may be provided before and after the processing unit 5, respectively. Incidentally, in the above Japanese Patent Application No. 2002-169152, one butterfly valve is provided before and after the processing unit 5 respectively.
[0033]
  Next, the powder raw material sterilization unit 3 will be described. This is a part that mainly sterilizes the powder-like workpiece A in a short time and without unevenness. As an example, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the powder-like workpiece A is placed on a steam flow. An air flow tube 9 for sterilizing the product while being transferred, a cyclone 10 for separating the processed object A after sterilization from the steam S and the like, a powder product discharge unit 11 for taking out the processed object A after sterilization, The discharge portion is provided with a shutter portion 12 that can be appropriately closed, and these members are sequentially connected from the hopper 25A. Hereinafter, each component will be described.
[0034]
  First, the airflow tube 9 will be described. This is to transfer the powdery object A in a floating state by a steam flow, and as a result, the object A is transported in a state in which the powder particles are diffused one by one (in a discrete state). The For this reason, the powdery object A is in contact with the vapor S almost uniformly during transportation, and is sterilized in a uniform state with no overall unevenness.
  In the present embodiment, the steam S responsible for the transfer of the workpiece A in the airflow tube 9 is switched to hot air from the middle, whereby the actual sterilization time during which the workpiece A contacts the steam S Can be shortened, and the processing object A is hardly damaged by heat.
[0035]
  Due to such a configuration, the airflow pipe 9 is provided with a valve for introducing the steam S and the workpiece A from the damper 28A side (this is referred to as a steam shutoff valve FV1) and a hot air supply valve FV2. . Of course, the steam shutoff valve FV1 can shut off the supply of the raw material (object A) to the airflow tube 9 by its operation.
  The steam S supplied to the airflow tube 9 is, for example, saturated or superheated steam at about 120 to 180 ° C., and the pressure is about 0.05 to 0.3 MPa. Moreover, the hot air supplied to the airflow tube 9 is about 80-150 degreeC as an example.
  In order to shorten the actual sterilization time of the workpiece A, the steam flow in the airflow tube 9 is not necessarily switched to hot air, but the steam flow may be simply interrupted (hot air is not supplied).
[0036]
  Next, the cyclone 10 will be described. This separates the to-be-processed object A transferred and sterilized by the steam flow by the centrifugal force accompanying the rotating flow. The separation method will be specifically described. The workpiece A is swirled in the cyclone 10 and sent downward, and the steam and hot air are separated from the cyclone 10 by releasing them into the atmosphere. Due to such a configuration, an exhaust pipe 60 for releasing steam and hot air to the atmosphere is connected to the upper part of the cyclone 10, and further includes a granule raw material sterilization unit 2 (processing unit 5), an air flow tube 9, A displacement adjusting valve CV for setting the steam pressure and the steam flow rate of the cyclone 10 or the like is provided.
[0037]
  Next, the powder product discharge unit 11 will be described. This has almost the same configuration as the discharge part 8 of the granule raw material sterilization part 2, and a barrel 64A in which the hopper 65 is inserted and a relatively short barrel 64B in which the hopper is not inserted are vertically arranged. The damper of the hopper 65 is set to 68. The barrel 64A is provided with a hot air supply valve XV1, an air release valve XV2, and a steam purge valve XV3.
[0038]
  The shutter part 12 for closing the powder product discharge part 11 (barrel 64A) as appropriate is also configured in substantially the same way as the shutter part 6 of the granule raw material sterilization part 2, and the butter valve here is 73.
[0039]
  The steam sterilization apparatus 1 has the basic structure as described above, and the steam sterilization method of the present invention will be substantially described below while explaining the operation mode of the apparatus.
  In addition, the steam sterilizer 1 mentioned above arrange | positions the powder raw material sterilization part 3 in parallel with the granular raw material sterilization part 2 (existing drop-type steam sterilizer), and when the granular to-be-processed object A is supplied, it is a granular raw material as it is. When the inside of the sterilizing unit 2 is dropped and sterilized, and the powdery workpiece A is supplied, the basic mode is to introduce it into the powder raw material sterilizing unit 3 for sterilization. For this reason, the sterilization aspect of the granular to-be-processed object A is first demonstrated roughly.
[0040]
  First, an appropriate amount of the workpiece A is supplied into the hopper 35A of the charging unit 7. After the butterfly valve 53A is opened, the workpiece A falls into the hopper 35B by opening the damper 38A. Thereafter, the workpiece A falls into the hopper 25A as the butterfly valve 53B and the damper 38B are sequentially opened.
  At this time, for example, by setting the damper 28A in an open state and supplying the steam S from the steam pipe 50 in conjunction with the fall, the workpiece A contacts the steam S and is sterilized.
[0041]
  It should be noted that the sterilization of the workpiece A can be performed with the damper 28A closed. Further, the timing at which the steam S is discharged from the steam pipe 50 to the hopper 25A is not necessarily performed in conjunction with the fall of the workpiece A. For example, the workpiece A is dropped with the damper 28A closed, and this is the steam It is also possible to start supplying the steam S in a state where it is stored in the hopper 25A to the extent that it covers the discharge port of the pipe 50.
[0042]
  Thereafter, the sterilized workpiece A falls into the hopper 45 as the butterfly valve 53C and the damper 28B are sequentially opened. Then, after opening the butterfly valve 53D, the damper 48 is opened, and the barrel 44B is dropped and discharged downward.
  In addition, the further description regarding the disinfection aspect of the grain raw material sterilization part 2 is abbreviate | omitted here, and the said Unexamined-Japanese-Patent No. 2002-12749, Japanese Patent Application No. 2002-169152, etc. are used.
[0043]
  Hereinafter, although the sterilization aspect of the powdery object A will be described, the sterilization of the powdery object A is directly related to the fact that the granular object A is sterilized by the above-described operation. The operation which is not involved appears in the granule raw material sterilization section 2 or the like.
  4 to 7 and the numbers (1) to (12) attached to the time chart (operation status of each part) in FIG. 8 indicate the operation status (stage) of the device in order. This is the serial number shown. Here, the operation diagrams (1) to (3) are the beginning of the operation, and the actual basic sterilization operation is the repetition of the operation diagrams (4) to (12). Is not necessarily consistent with the time chart of FIG. 8 (in the time chart of FIG. 8, the operation of the lower part of the cyclone 10 is particularly omitted).
[0044]
(i) Operation diagram (1)
  First, an appropriate amount of the powdery workpiece A is supplied into the hopper 35A. At this time, as can be seen from the time chart, the top of the exhaust is turned on, and the barrel 34B is opened to the atmosphere (exhaust state). Further, the opened butterfly valve 53D is closed (this figure is shown in the closed state) because this is continuous with the operations of the operation diagrams (9) to (10).
  In the present embodiment, the steam S is constantly supplied to the inside and outside of the hopper 25A (inside the barrel 24A), and the inside of the processing unit 5 including the inside of the hopper 25A is always used as a high-pressure field. For example, when the workpiece A does not exist in the processing unit 5, the steam supply may be stopped.
[0045]
(ii) Operation diagram (2)
  Thereafter, the workpiece A falls into the hopper 35B due to the sequential opening of the butterfly valve 53A and the damper 38A, and this figure shows the state during the fall. Here, as can be seen from the time chart, exhaust (barrel 34B air release) is turned OFF before the damper 38A is opened. At this time, the damper 28A is gradually opened, which is a required operation of the granule raw material sterilization unit 2. Further, the butterfly valve 53C is gradually opened, and this is also a required operation (operation of the operation diagram (11)) of the granule raw material sterilization unit 2.
  Furthermore, in this figure, the damper 68 and the butterfly valve 73 of the powder raw material sterilization unit 3 are opened, but this corresponds to the operation of taking out the sterilized workpiece A shown in the operation diagram (11). is there. This operation is omitted in the time chart.
[0046]
(iii) Operation diagram (3)
  This figure has shown the state (drop completion state) which accommodated to-be-processed object A in the hopper 35B. After dropping the workpiece A, the damper 38A is first closed (this figure is shown in this state), and then the butterfly valve 53A is closed. Here, as can be seen from the time chart, after the damper 28A is closed, the damper 38A is closed, but it is not always necessary to follow this order. Further, at this time, the butterfly valve 53C and the damper 28B are opened, and this is also the required operation of the granule raw material sterilization unit 2 (operation of the operation diagram (12)).
[0047]
(iv) Operation diagram (4)
  This figure has shown the state which started supply of the vapor | steam S to the powder raw material sterilization part 3 side by open | releasing the vapor | steam interruption | blocking valve | bulb FV1 attached to the airflow pipe | tube 9. FIG. Of course, only the steam S is still sent into the airflow tube 9 in this state. Along with such steam supply, the hot air supply valve XV1 is also opened to supply hot air into the barrel 64A of the powder product discharger 11, and this is due to the steam inside the barrel 64A (68 dampers). ) To prevent condensation. The steam S introduced from the barrel 24A (hopper 25A) to the powder raw material sterilization unit 3 side is exhausted into the atmosphere from above the cyclone 10 (exhaust pipe 60), but at this time, it was supplied to the barrel 64A. Hot air is also discharged at the same time. Further, in this state, the butterfly valve 53B is gradually opened, which is a preparatory operation for dropping the workpiece A onto the hopper 25A forming a high-pressure field.
[0048]
(v) Operation diagram (5)
  This figure shows the state in which the butterfly valve 53B is opened to the maximum, which is the second stage for transporting the workpiece A by steam flow. In this state, the hot air supply valve XV1 is closed and the hot air supply to the barrel 64A is stopped, but the steam cutoff valve FV1 is kept open. In the time chart, after that, the exhaust is turned on and the barrel 44A is opened to the atmosphere (exhaust state). This is because the pressure in the barrel 44A (damper 48 part) is reduced when the butter valve 53D is opened. It is for exhausting.
[0049]
(vi) Operation diagram (6)
  This figure is the state which started to convey the to-be-processed object A on the vapor | steam raw material sterilization part 3 side on the steam flow in the airflow pipe | tube 9. FIG. In operation, first, the damper 38B is opened gradually (slowly), and the workpiece A is dropped onto the pressure field (hopper 25A) (this figure shows the damper 38B fully opened). The workpiece A that has fallen into the pressure field is then transported in the airflow tube 9 toward the cyclone 10 side by the steam flow.
  In addition, since the to-be-processed object A is conveyed in a diffused state by the steam flow in the airflow pipe 9, it uniformly contacts the steam S during transportation and is sterilized without unevenness. At this time, the under-exhaust state is set to the ON state, and this is for exhausting the pressure of the damper 48 when the butterfly valve 53D is opened as described above.
[0050]
(Vii) Operation diagram (7)
  This figure has shown the state which the to-be-processed object A almost all passed the valve | bulb FV1 for vapor | steam interruption | blocking. At this time, the damper 38B is closed (the figure is shown in this state) at the stage where the workpiece A has completely dropped from the hopper 35B, and the butterfly valve 53B is subsequently closed.
  Further, the butterfly valve 53D is gradually opened (this figure is shown in an opened state).
[0051]
(viii) Operation diagram (8)
  This figure illustrates a state in which most of the workpiece A has been introduced into the cyclone 10. At this time, after the workpiece A passes through the steam shutoff valve FV1, the valve is closed at an appropriate timing, and the supply of steam into the airflow tube 9 is stopped. Immediately after this, the hot air supply valve FV2 is opened, and hot air is sent into the airflow tube 9 this time. That is, the workpiece A is transferred from the steam S by hot air by this switching operation.
[0052]
  In addition, the to-be-processed object A sterilized uniformly by the steam S during the transfer in the airflow tube 9 is separated from the steam and hot air in the cyclone 10. Specifically, the object A to be processed moves toward the center of the lower part while spirally moving through the cyclone 10, and steam and hot air are discharged into the atmosphere from the exhaust pipe 60 at the upper part of the cyclone 10.
  At this time, the damper 48 and the butterfly valve 53D are opened, which is a required operation of the granule raw material sterilization unit 2. Further, the exhaust is turned on, and the barrel 34B is opened to the atmosphere (exhaust), which is also the required operation of the granule raw material sterilization unit 2 (operation of the operation diagram (2)).
[0053]
(ix) Operation diagram (9)
  This figure illustrates a state in which the workpiece A has almost passed through the cyclone 10. In such a state, the hot air supply valve FV2 is closed, and the hot air supplied to the airflow tube 9 is stopped. At substantially the same time, the steam purge valve XV3 and the atmosphere release valve XV2 are opened, hot air is supplied into the barrel 64A, and the hot air that has passed through the barrel 64A is released into the atmosphere. This is because the steam remaining in the barrel 64A is expelled before the processed object A after sterilization is taken out.
[0054]
(x) Operation diagram (10)
  This figure illustrates a state in which the sterilized workpiece A passes through the cyclone 10 and is almost entirely accommodated in the hopper 65. In such a state, the steam purge valve XV3 is closed, and the supply of hot air to the barrel 64A is stopped. The air release valve XV2 is opened as it is.
  In this state, a new workpiece A is supplied to the hopper 35A of the charging unit 7. For this reason, as in the operation diagrams (1) to (2), the butterfly valve 53A and the damper 28A are gradually opened. After this, the hot air is turned on and hot air is supplied into the barrel 44A. This is for the purpose of preventing condensation due to steam and is a required operation of the granule raw material sterilization unit 2.
[0055]
(xi) Operation diagram (11)
  This figure illustrates the state where the processing object A that has been sterilized is taken out and the unsterilized processing object A is dropped onto the hopper 35B. When taking out the sterilized workpiece A, the butterfly valve 73 and the damper 68 are sequentially opened and taken out while being dropped. In the time chart, the air release valve XV2 is closed before the damper 68 is opened, but this is simply an operation reset of the air release valve XV2.
  On the other hand, since the operation | movement which drops the to-be-processed object A to the hopper 35B is the same as that of the operation | movement figure (2) mentioned above, it abbreviate | omits here.
[0056]
(xii) Operation diagram (12)
  This figure illustrates the state where the damper 68 is closed and the unsterilized workpiece A is accommodated in the hopper 35B. After the sterilized workpiece A is taken out, the damper 68 is first closed (this state is shown in the figure), and then the butterfly valve 73 is subsequently closed.
  On the other hand, since the operation | movement (operation | movement of completion of dropping) which accommodates the to-be-processed object A in the hopper 35B is the same as that of the operation | movement figure (3) mentioned above, it abbreviate | omits here.
  Thereafter, the operation from the operation diagram (4) described above is repeated.
[0057]
[Other embodiments]
  The present invention has the above-described embodiment as one basic technical idea, but the following modifications are possible. That is, the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 to 8 is, for example, a form in which an air flow transport mechanism is attached to an existing drop-type steam sterilizer, that is, a form in which the powder raw material sterilizing unit 3 is arranged in parallel with the granular raw material sterilizing unit 2. is there. This is preferable in that efficient sterilization can be performed according to various objects A to be processed such as granular or powdery, and also for users who have already purchased a conventional drop-type steam sterilizer. This is a desirable form in that this device can be constructed by retrofitting only the mechanism.
  However, when the user newly installs a sterilizer or when the user handles only the powdery object A (when the object to be sterilized is limited to powder), for example, FIG. As shown, it is possible to omit the part below the damper 28A of the granule raw material sterilization unit 2 (discharge unit 8). Of course, by applying the apparatus shown in FIG. 9, for example, the granular object A can be guided to the airflow tube 9 for sterilization.
[0058]
  In the basic embodiment described above, the workpiece A falling in the hopper 25A is introduced from the lowest end of the hopper 25A (the funnel-shaped tip) to the airflow tube 9 side. This is preferable in that the workpiece A hardly remains in the hopper 25A (there is no unsucked material). However, for example, as shown in FIG. 10, it is also possible to introduce the workpiece A falling in the hopper 25A into the airflow tube 9 from above. Here, various objects (steam valve 1, steam valve 2, passage valve, etc. described in the figure) are operated to remove the object A from the steam pipe 50 that has supplied the steam S into the hopper 25 </ b> A. It is shown to be introduced into the airflow tube 9.
  The cyclone 10 can be integrated with the hopper 65 as shown in the drawing.
[0059]
  Furthermore, in the basic embodiment, the actual sterilization time (the time during which the powdery workpiece A is actually exposed to the steam S) is approximately 3 seconds. When it is desired to make the sterilization time longer (for example, 5 seconds or more), as shown in FIG. 11 as an example, it is possible to provide a retention adjustment tank T in the middle of the airflow tube 9.
[0060]
  In the basic embodiment described above, one hopper 65 is provided below the cyclone 10, but a plurality of hoppers can be formed below the cyclone 10. As an example, in FIG. 12A, two hoppers (which are 65A and 65B) are provided below the cyclone 10, and in FIG. 12B, three hoppers (which are 65A, 65B and 65C). ) Is shown. Further, along with this, the butterfly valves provided at the top and bottom are also distinguished from the top by the reference numerals 73A and 73B. In FIG. 12A, the powder discharge unit 11 is operated in the same manner as the discharge unit 8 even when steam is supplied to the airflow tube 9 and the cyclone 10 in the form in which the steam cutoff valve FV1 is opened or abolished. Thus, the workpiece A can be taken out. In FIG. 12B, the sterilization time can be adjusted for a long time by further providing a hopper 65C in FIG.
[0061]
【The invention's effect】
  According to the present invention, for example, the present sterilization apparatus can be constructed by attaching an air flow transport mechanism (powder raw material sterilization unit 3) to an existing drop-type steam sterilizer (grain raw material sterilization unit 2). The advantages of the steam sterilizer can be utilized as they are, and a wide range of objects A can be sterilized efficiently. That is, even when a powdery object to be processed A that is difficult to fall in a diffusion state is to be sterilized, the object to be processed A can be uniformly contacted with steam by vapor flow diffusion, and there is no unevenness and stable sterilization. Can be done.
  Further, during the transport of the object A to be processed by the airflow pipe 9, the steam flow is switched from the steam flow to the hot air flow, or the steam flow is simply interrupted without switching to the hot air flow, so that the short-term sterilization adjustment in the air flow pipe 9 is facilitated. Yes.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a steam sterilizer of an apparatus of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is an explanatory view schematically showing the internal structure of the apparatus of the present invention and the flow of the granular raw material and powder raw material to be sterilized.
FIG. 3 is a front view of the device of the present invention.
FIG. 4 is an explanatory view showing stepwise sterilization modes of mainly powdery objects to be treated.
FIG. 5 is an explanatory view showing steps of sterilization of mainly powdery objects to be processed.
FIG. 6 is an explanatory view showing steps of sterilization of mainly powdery objects to be processed.
FIG. 7 is an explanatory view showing steps of sterilization of mainly powdery objects to be treated.
FIG. 8 is a time chart showing an example of the operating status of the steam sterilizer.
FIG. 9 is a skeleton explanatory diagram showing another embodiment of the sterilization apparatus in which the discharge unit of the grain raw material sterilization unit is omitted.
FIG. 10 is a skeleton explanatory diagram showing another embodiment in which an object to be treated falling in a drop type steam sterilizer (granular material sterilization unit) is guided from above to the airflow tube side.
FIG. 11 is a skeleton explanatory diagram showing another embodiment in which the sterilization time can be changed.
FIG. 12 is a skeletal explanatory view showing another embodiment in which a plurality of hoppers are incorporated below the cyclone.
[Explanation of symbols]
  1 Steam sterilizer
  2 Grain raw material sterilization department
  3 Powder raw material sterilization section (airflow transport mechanism)
  4 Machine frame
  5 processing section
  6 Shutter part
  7 Input section
  8 Discharge section
  9 Airflow pipe
  10 Cyclone
  11 Powder product discharge section
  12 Shutter part
  20 Mainframe
  21 Subframe
  24 barrels
  24A barrel (upper)
  24B barrel (lower side)
  25 Hopper
  25A hopper (upper side)
  25B Hopper (lower side)
  26 Flange
  27 Hopper body
  27a inlet
  27b outlet
  28 Damper
  28A damper (upper side)
  28B damper (lower side)
  29 Link mechanism
  30 Damper shifter
  34A barrel (upper)
  34B barrel (lower side)
  35A hopper (upper side)
  35B Hopper (lower side)
  38A damper (upper side)
  38B damper (lower side)
  44A barrel (upper)
  44B barrel (lower side)
  45 hopper
  48 damper
  50 Steam pipe
  51 Valve unit
  52 Valve cage
  53 Bata valve
  53A Flutter Valve
  53B Flutter Valve
  53C Flutter Valve
  53D Flutter Valve
  54 Valve stem
  55 Support bracket
  56 Valve Shifter
  60 exhaust pipe
  64A barrel (upper)
  64B barrel (lower side)
  65 hopper
  65A hopper
  65B hopper
  65C hopper
  68 damper
  73 Bata valve
  73A Bata valve
  73B Flutter Valve
  A Workpiece
  B Fixing bracket
  P Vent
  S steam
  T tank
  CV displacement control valve
  FV1 Steam shut-off valve
  FV2 Hot air supply valve
  XV1 Hot air supply valve
  XV2 Air release valve

Claims (9)

While the workpiece (A) is transported by the steam flow generated in the airflow pipe (9), it is brought into contact with the steam (S) in the airflow pipe (9) to sterilize the workpiece (A). The method
The airflow pipe (9) is formed so that the inlet for introducing the workpiece (A) or steam (S) faces the vicinity of the bottom of the processing section (5) for dropping the workpiece (A). And
When the workpiece (A) is fed into the airflow pipe (9), before the workpiece (A) is fed into the airflow pipe (9), the hopper of the processing section (5) that is disconnected from the outside is cut off. The workpiece (A) is gradually dropped from above in (25A) , and the workpiece (A) falling in a diffused state in the hopper (25A) is directed toward the inlet of the airflow tube (9). Are received by a damper (28A) having a downward slope and introduced into the airflow pipe (9) together with steam (S) for sterilization,
For the airflow pipe (9), the steam (S) transporting the workpiece (A) can be switched to hot air from the middle, and the workpiece (A) is in contact with the steam (S). A steam sterilization method characterized in that the sterilization time can be adjusted. While the workpiece (A) is transported by the steam flow generated in the airflow pipe (9), it is brought into contact with the steam (S) in the airflow pipe (9) to sterilize the workpiece (A). The method
The airflow pipe (9) is formed so that the inlet for introducing the workpiece (A) or steam (S) faces the vicinity of the bottom of the processing section (5) for dropping the workpiece (A). And
When the workpiece (A) is fed into the airflow pipe (9), before the workpiece (A) is fed into the airflow pipe (9), the hopper of the processing section (5) that is disconnected from the outside is cut off. The workpiece (A) is gradually dropped from above in (25A) , and the workpiece (A) falling in a diffused state in the hopper (25A) is directed toward the inlet of the airflow tube (9). Are received by a damper (28A) having a downward slope and introduced into the airflow pipe (9) together with steam (S) for sterilization,
For the airflow pipe (9), the steam (S) that was transporting the workpiece (A) is blocked from the middle, and the actual sterilization time for the workpiece (A) to contact the steam (S) is adjusted. A steam sterilization method characterized by being made possible. When installing the airflow pipe (9), it is installed in parallel with a drop-type steam sterilizer that sterilizes by contacting the steam (S) while dropping the workpiece (A). ,
When the workpiece (A) is mainly in powder form, the workpiece (A) is introduced into the airflow tube (9) side for sterilization, and the workpiece (A) is mainly granular. 3. The steam sterilization method according to claim 1, wherein the object to be treated (A) is sterilized in a drop steam sterilizer. A cyclone (10) is connected to the subsequent stage of the air flow pipe (9), and the workpiece (A) transferred by the steam flow is mainly separated from the steam (S) in the cyclone (10). after claim 1, 2 or 3 the method of steam sterilization, wherein the extracted to the outside. An airflow pipe (9) that generates a steam flow is provided, and the object to be treated (A) is fed into the airflow pipe (9) and is brought into contact with the steam (S) in the airflow pipe (9) during the transfer. An apparatus for sterilizing the workpiece (A),
The air flow pipe (9) is arranged in parallel from the processing section (5) of the drop type steam sterilizer that contacts the steam (S) while dropping the object (A) to sterilize the object (A). The inlet for introducing the object to be processed (A) and the steam (S) in the airflow pipe (9) is formed so as to face the bottom of the processing section (5). And
The processing section (5) includes a hopper (25A) having a damper (28A) having a downward slope toward the inlet of the airflow pipe (9) at the bottom,
When the workpiece (A) is fed into the airflow pipe (9), before the workpiece (A) is fed into the airflow pipe (9), the communication with the outside is blocked in the upper part of the hopper (25A) . The material to be treated (A) is gradually dropped from the hopper (25A) , and the material to be treated (A) falling in a diffused state is received by the damper (28A). (9) It is introduced into and sterilized,
The air flow pipe (9) is provided with a valve (FV1) that can shut off the supply of steam (S) for transfer and a valve (FV2) that can send hot air instead of the steam (S). Steam sterilizer characterized in that steam (S) transporting (A) can be switched to hot air halfway. An airflow pipe (9) that generates a steam flow is provided, and the object to be treated (A) is fed into the airflow pipe (9) and is brought into contact with the steam (S) in the airflow pipe (9) during the transfer. An apparatus for sterilizing the workpiece (A),
The air flow pipe (9) is arranged in parallel from the processing section (5) of the drop type steam sterilizer that contacts the steam (S) while dropping the object (A) to sterilize the object (A). The inlet for introducing the object to be processed (A) and the steam (S) in the airflow pipe (9) is formed so as to face the bottom of the processing section (5). And
The processing section (5) includes a hopper (25A) having a damper (28A) having a downward slope toward the inlet of the airflow pipe (9) at the bottom,
When the workpiece (A) is fed into the airflow pipe (9), before the workpiece (A) is fed into the airflow pipe (9), the communication with the outside is blocked in the upper part of the hopper (25A) . The material to be treated (A) is gradually dropped from the hopper (25A) , and the material to be treated (A) falling in a diffused state is received by the damper (28A). (9) It is introduced into and sterilized,
In addition, the airflow pipe (9) is provided with a valve (FV1) that can shut off the supply of steam (S) for transfer, and the steam (S) that has transferred the workpiece (A) can be shut off from the middle. A steam sterilizer characterized by doing so. In the case of mainly sterilizing the powdery object (A) by the sterilization apparatus in which the airflow pipe (9) is provided in parallel with the drop type steam sterilizer, the object (A) is treated as the airflow pipe (9) Sterilize by introducing to the side,
The steam according to claim 5 or 6 , characterized in that when the granular object (A) is mainly sterilized, the object (A) is sterilized on the drop-type steam sterilizer side. Sterilizer. The airflow pipe (9) is connected to the cyclone (10) in the subsequent stage, and the workpiece (A) transferred by the steam flow is mainly steam (S) in the cyclone (10). The steam sterilizer according to claim 5, 6 or 7 , wherein the steam sterilizer is separated from the steam sterilizer. The drop type steam sterilizer is provided with a butterfly valve type valve unit (51) on the input side and the discharge side of the processing unit (5), respectively, and the processing unit (5) can be hermetically sealed by this valve unit (51). The steam sterilizer according to claim 5, 6, 7 or 8 , wherein the steam sterilizer is configured.

Images