JP4674369B2 - Heating history detector - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a heating history detector that detects whether a food or drink or a beverage has been heated in a heat treatment line for heating food or drink (beverage or food) filled in a container.
[0002]
[Prior art]
For canned foods that are filled and sealed in cans and sealed, as a sterilization treatment to avoid decay of the filled foods and drinks, heat treatment is usually applied to canned foods after filling and sealing. The retort sterilization method etc. which perform high-temperature heating for a long time in an apparatus (for example, 125 degreeC for 25 minutes) are applied.
[0003]
And the direct evidence that the food and drink in the can was heated by the heating device (not the indirect evidence that the temperature of the heat treatment device was raised, but many canned foods in the basket In order to obtain evidence that the food has actually been heated, conventionally, a heat history display label that changes color when heated is applied to a predetermined portion of a basket containing a large number of cans. It was.
[0004]
However, in the above method, before the canned basket is automatically put into the retort sterilizer, the heat history display label is pasted, and the heat history display label must be collected from the basket coming out of the retort sterilizer. Rather, one worker was at the forefront of this work.
[0005]
Therefore, in the industry that manufactures and sells food and drinks that are hermetically sealed in containers such as canned foods, a heating history detector that can automatically detect with direct evidence that the food and drink in the containers has been heat-treated is to be developed. Looking forward to.
[0006]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
Then, this invention makes it a subject to provide the heating log | history detector which can be automatically detected by the direct proof that the food / beverage in a container was heat-processed.
[0007]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
(Invention of Claim 1)
The heating history detector according to the present invention includes a case 1 made of a non-magnetic material, and a movement formed in the case 1 and having an inverted square shape with a difference in height between the one end side X and the other end side Y. A path 2, a magnetic plate 3 provided so as to be movable in the moving path 2, and a heat detection unit 4 provided in the case 1 and causing the shaft body 40 to appear and disappear in the moving path 2 according to a temperature change. However, when heated at a predetermined temperature, it means that the magnetic plate 3 on the one end side X of the moving path 2 meaning before heating is heated by the shaft body 40 protruding into the moving path 2. Citea as pushed to the other end Y of movement paths 21 is, in a state in which the temperature is lowered, the shaft 40 is retracted outside the movement paths 21, magnetic plate extruded at the other end Y of movement path 2 Reference numeral 3 denotes a magnet J provided in the heat treatment line KL. Is attracted by the magnet J for moving from side Y to one end X, Ru Citea to automatically return to the one end X of the movement path 2.
(Invention of Claim 2)
The heating history detector according to the present invention relates to the first aspect of the invention, and the case 1 includes a case body 1a and a lid 1b.
(Invention of Claim 3)
The heating history detector according to the present invention relates to the invention described in claim 2 , wherein the moving path 2 includes a reverse-shaped groove 20 formed on the case body 1 a side and a groove 20 formed on the lid body 1 b side. It is comprised from the opening 21 of the reverse character shape which is one size smaller than.
(Invention of Claim 4)
The heating history detector according to the present invention relates to the invention according to claim 3 , wherein the magnetic plate 3 is made of a steel plate, and has a circular shape set smaller than the width of the groove 20 and larger than the width of the opening 21. Is formed.
[0008]
In addition, the function of the heating history detector of the above invention will be clarified in the following embodiments of the invention.
[0009]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, a heating history detector according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
Embodiment 1
FIG. 1 shows a heat treatment line KL, and FIG. 2 shows a part of a basket B to which a heating history detector A of the present invention is attached.
[0010]
Hereinafter, the basket B, the heating history detector A, the heat treatment line KL, and the like will be described in detail.
(About basket B)
As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the basket B has a rectangular parallelepiped shape with an open upper end, and can accommodate a large number of cans (including plastic bottles). And as shown in FIG. 2, the heating history detector A is attached to this basket B in the vicinity of the upper end of the outer wall.
(About heating history detector A)
As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the heating history detector A has a height difference between the case 1 made of a non-magnetic material and the one end X and the other end Y formed in the case 1. A moving path 2, a magnetic plate 3 movably provided in the moving path 2, and an axis provided in the case 1 and protruding into the moving path 2 or immersing out of the moving path 2 in response to a temperature change. The heat detection unit 4 includes a body 40.
[0011]
As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the case 1 is composed of a case main body 1a and a lid 1b, and is integrated with a bolt or the like (not shown).
[0012]
As shown in FIG. 2 and FIG. 3, the moving path 2 is formed in a reverse-heddle shape that is slightly smaller than the groove 20 formed in the reverse main character 1a on the case body 1a side and the groove 20 formed in the cover main body 1b side. And an opening 21 having a shape.
[0013]
As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the magnetic plate 3 is made of a steel plate, and is formed in a circular shape that is set slightly smaller than the width of the groove 20 and slightly larger than the width of the opening 21. Yes. Therefore, the magnetic plate 3 can move freely on the moving path 2 without jumping out of the case 1. The magnetic plate 3 may be a ferrite disk, a slightly magnetized metal plate, or the like.
[0014]
As shown in FIG. 3, the heat detection unit 4 includes a shaft body 40 having a large-diameter portion 40a in the middle, and a bias spring 41 that is extrapolated to one end side of the shaft body 40 with the large-diameter portion 40a therebetween. And a shape memory alloy spring 42 that is extrapolated to the other end side of the shaft body 40 across the large diameter portion 40a, with the bias spring 41 side facing the moving path 2 side and the shaft body One end of 40 faces one end Y of the moving path 2. When the shape memory alloy spring 42 is heated and stretched as shown in FIG. 4, one end of the shaft body 40 protrudes into the moving path 2 and is forced or naturally cooled so that the shape memory alloy spring 42 is shown in FIG. One end of the shaft body 40 is immersed outside the moving path 2 when contracted to.
[0015]
Here, when the magnetic plate 3 is on one end side X of the moving path 2 as shown in FIG. 3, it means “before heating”, and as shown in FIG. 4, the magnetic plate 3 is on the other end side of the moving path 2. When it is in Y, it means “heated”.
(About heat treatment line KL)
As shown in FIG. 1, the heat treatment line KL is configured such that a large number of baskets B are loop-moved in a square shape in plan view with a roller conveyor or the like, and in the state where the loop movement is stopped, Canned food (not shown) and the like are heated.
[0016]
Further, in FIG. 1, the reference numerals 90 and 91 indicate a transfer device for transferring canned food to the heat treatment line KL, and the reference numerals 94 and 95 transfer the canned food from the heat treatment line KL to the next process. The reference numeral 92 indicates a place where canned foods transferred by the transfer apparatuses 90 and 91 are put into the basket B, and the reference numeral 93 indicates a heat-treated basket B. This is the place where the canned goods etc. are discharged to the conveying devices 94, 95.
[0017]
Here, in this heat treatment line KL, a sensor S1 for detecting the magnetic plate 3 located at the other end Y of the moving path 2 in the heating history detector A as shown in FIGS. 1 and 4 at the place KL1. (eg a proximity sensor, a color discrimination sensor, etc., hereinafter the same) is provided with a, also locus in place KL2, showing the magnetic plate 3 in the heat history detector a as shown in FIGS. 1 and 5 by the arrows in FIG. A magnet J (permanent magnet or electromagnet) that is moved from the other end Y to the one end X is provided. In addition, in the place KL3, as shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 3, a sensor S2 (for example, a proximity sensor, a color identification sensor, etc.) for confirming whether the magnetic plate 3 is moved to the one end X by the magnet J is provided. Is provided.
(About the action formed by the heat treatment line KL and the basket B with the heating history detector A)
(1). At the time when canned food is introduced, the heating history detector A of the basket B is located on one end side X of the moving path 2 which means before heating, as shown in FIG. Yes.
(2) When the basket B into which canned foods are put enters the heat treatment machine K and is heated, the shape memory alloy spring 42 of the heat detector 4 is extended as shown in FIG. Protrudes into the moving path 2. Magnetic plate 3 which was located on one end side X of the movement paths 21, which means before heating this time, as shown in two-dot chain line in FIG. 4, the mobile by projecting into the movement path 2 of the shaft body 40 The magnetic plate 3 is pushed down until it exceeds the top of the path 2, and then the magnetic plate 3 falls to the other end Y that means heated.
(3). When the temperature is lowered to the room temperature after the heat treatment machine K is heated, the shape memory alloy spring 42 of the heat detector 4 is contracted as shown in FIG. Although immersed, the magnetic plate 3 remains located on the other end Y side.
(4) When the basket B filled with canned food or the like passes through the place KL1, the magnetic plate 3 positioned on the other end Y of the moving path 2 is detected by the sensor S1 as shown in FIG. As a result, it is possible to automatically detect by direct evidence that the canned food in the basket B has been heat-treated.
(5) At the place 93, the canned food in the basket B that has been heat-treated is discharged from the basket B and moved to the next process via the transfer devices 94 and 95.
(6) The basket B moves to the place KL2. When passing through the place KL2, the magnetic plate 3 is moved from the other end Y of the moving path 2 over the top to the one end X as shown by a two-dot chain line in FIG. At this time, since one end of the shaft body 40 is already immersed outside the moving path 2, the movement is not hindered.
(7) The basket B moves to the place KL3. When passing through the place KL3, the magnetic plate 3 positioned on one end side X of the moving path 2 is detected by the sensor S2 (see FIG. 3). In other words, it is confirmed that the cans and the like from the transfer devices 90 and 91 may be put into the basket B.
(8). By repeating the above-described steps, it is possible to automatically detect, directly with direct evidence, that the canned food in the basket B has been heat-treated continuously. Therefore, the troublesome work by the operator such as the pasting of the heat history display label before the heat treatment and the collection of the heat history display label after coming out of the heat treatment apparatus as described in the prior art are completely eliminated.
[Embodiment 2] The heating history detector A of this embodiment is as shown in FIGS. 6 to 8, and by using the heat treatment line KL shown in Embodiment 1 while being attached to the basket. The same effect as that of the same form is exhibited.
[0018]
As shown in FIG. 6, the heating history detector A includes a case 1 made of a nonmagnetic material, and a moving path formed in the case 1 and having one end side X and the other end side Y formed in the vertical direction. 2, a magnetic plate 3 movably provided in the moving path 2, and a shaft 40 provided in the case 1 and protruding into the moving path 2 or immersed outside the moving path 2 according to a temperature change. A shaft 40 that supports the magnetic plate 3 on one end side X of the moving path 2 that means before heating, as shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 7, the magnetic plate 3 is immersed outside the moving path 2 and falls to the other end Y of the moving path 2 which means that the magnetic plate 3 has been heated.
[0019]
Therefore, as shown in FIG. 6, the heat detector 4 of the heating history detector A includes a shaft body 40 having a large diameter portion 40a in the middle and one end of the shaft body 40 across the large diameter portion 40a. A U-shaped shape memory alloy spring 42 which is extrapolated to the side, a bias spring 41 which is extrapolated to the other end side of the shaft body 40 with the large-diameter portion 40a therebetween, and a U-shape that integrates the above-described members The shape memory alloy spring 42 side is directed to the moving path 2 side, and one end side of the shaft body 40 projects into the moving path 2 at room temperature.
[0020]
Therefore, the operation performed by the heat treatment line KL and the basket B with the heat history detector A is as follows.
(1). At the time when canned food or the like is introduced, the heating history detector A of the basket B is located on one end side X of the moving path 2 as shown in FIG.
(2). When the basket B into which canned food or the like has been put enters the heat treatment machine K and is heated, as shown in FIG. 7, the shape memory alloy spring 42 of the heat detector 4 extends, and one end of the shaft body 40 is connected to the moving path 2. Immerse outside. At this time, the magnetic plate 3 located on the one end side X of the moving path 2 falls to the other end side Y as shown by the solid line in FIG.
(3). When the temperature is lowered to room temperature after the heat treatment machine K is heated, the shape memory alloy spring 42 of the heat detector 4 contracts as shown in FIG. 8, and one end of the shaft body 40 projects into the moving path 2. However, the magnetic plate 3 remains located on the other end side Y.
(4). When the basket B filled with canned food or the like passes through the place KL1, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 8, the magnetic plate 3 positioned at the other end Y of the moving path 2 is detected by the sensor S1. As a result, it is possible to automatically detect by direct evidence that the canned food in the basket B has been heat-treated.
(5). The same as in the first embodiment.
(6). The basket B moves to the location KL2. When passing through the place KL2, the magnetic plate 3 moves from the other end Y of the moving path 2 over the shaft 40 protruding into the moving path 2 to the one end X of the moving path 2 by the attractive force of the magnet J. (See FIGS. 6 and 8).
(7). The basket B moves to the location KL3. When passing through the place KL3, the magnetic plate 3 positioned on one end side X of the moving path 2 is detected by the sensor S2 (see FIG. 6). In other words, it is confirmed that the cans and the like from the transfer devices 90 and 91 may be put into the basket B.
(8). The same as in the first embodiment.
[Other Embodiments]
In the first and second embodiments, the heating history detector A is attached to the basket B containing canned food, but the basket B is not limited as long as the canned food can be transferred.
[0021]
【The invention's effect】
Since the present invention is configured as described above, it has the following effects.
[0022]
As is apparent from the description in the column of the embodiment of the invention, it was possible to provide a heating history detector that can automatically detect, with direct evidence, that the food or drink in the container has been heat-treated.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a plan view showing an example of a heat treatment line.
FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a heating history detector according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention, which is attached to a basket for canning and the like.
FIG. 3 is a front view of a heating history detector before being heated by a heat treatment apparatus provided in a heat treatment line.
FIG. 4 is a front view of a heating history detector when heated by the heat treatment apparatus.
FIG. 5 shows a heating history detector showing a state in which a magnet provided in the heat treatment line moves a magnetic plate from a position on the other end side that means heated to a position on one end side that means before heating. Front view.
FIG. 6 is a front view of a heating history detector before being heated by a heat treatment apparatus provided in the heat treatment line.
FIG. 7 is a front view of a heating history detector when heated by the heat treatment apparatus.
FIG. 8 is a view showing a state in which a magnet provided in the heat treatment line moves a magnetic plate from a position on the other end side that means “heated” to a position on one end side that means “before heating”; The front view of a log | history detector.
[Explanation of symbols]
X One end side Y The other end side 1 Case 2 Movement path 3 Magnetic plate 4 Heat detection part
40 shaft

Claims (4)

Case (1) made of a non-magnetic material, and a moving path formed in the case (1) and having an inverted square shape in which one end side (X) and the other end side (Y) have a height difference. (2), a magnetic plate (3) movably provided in the moving path (2), and a shaft (40) provided on the case (1) and on the moving path (2) according to a temperature change. ), And a magnetic plate (3) on one end side (X) of the moving path (2) that means before heating when heated at a predetermined temperature. , Ri Citea as pushed in the moving path, which means have been heated by the movement path (2) shaft which is caused to protrude into (40) the other end of (2) (Y), in a state in which the temperature is lowered The shaft (40) is immersed outside the moving path (2), and the magnetic plate (3) pushed out to the other end side (Y) of the moving path (2) is heated. A magnet (J) provided in the inner (KL), which moves the magnetic plate (3) from the other end side (Y) to the one end side (X) of the moving path (2). is adsorbed, heat history detector, wherein Citea Rukoto to automatically return to the one end side of the moving path (2) (X). The heating history detector according to claim 1, wherein the case (1) includes a case main body (1a) and a lid (1b). The moving path (2) is slightly more than the groove (20) formed in the reverse heel shape on the case body (1a) side and the groove (20) formed on the lid body (1b) side. 3. The heating history detector according to claim 2, wherein the heating history detector is composed of a small inverted-H-shaped opening (21). The magnetic plate (3) is made of a steel plate, and is formed in a circular shape set smaller than the width of the groove (20) and larger than the width of the opening (21). The heating history detector according to claim 3.

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