JP4941642B2 - Method and apparatus for sterilizing retort products - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a method for sterilizing a retort product containing a solid or a fluid food having a high viscosity in a heat-resistant packaging bag, and also relates to a sterilization apparatus for performing the sterilization method.

  Conventionally, sterilization of retort products in which contents such as fluid food are sealed in a packaging bag made of a laminate of aluminum foil and a heat-resistant resin film is performed by heating the packaging bag with steam or hot water shower in the retort. However, for retort products with large packaging bags, thick ones, or high-viscosity contents or mixed solids, heat transfer during heating in the retort The temperature of the inside of the packaging bag is uneven, resulting in insufficient sterilization effects, excessive heating, and burning of the contents, and it takes a long time to obtain the specified sterilization value. , The taste was poor due to the heat deterioration of the contents.

Therefore, in order to solve such a problem, the present applicants sterilized the retort food, sterilization while sliding the retort food in the front-rear direction and the left-right direction, and the subsequent cooling treatment. Proposal of sterilization method and apparatus for performing (See Patent Document 1)
Japanese Patent Publication No.58-2666

  As shown in FIG. 3, the sterilizing apparatus for carrying out this sterilization method includes a movable table A4 supported on a support table A2 such as a rail provided inside the retort main body A1 via a wheel A3. On A4, a tray A6 containing a large number of retort foods A5 arranged side by side is stacked and supported in multiple stages.

  The movable base A4 is connected to a drive shaft A9 of a crank mechanism A8 driven by a motor A7 via a seal mechanism A10 provided in the retort main body A1, and when the motor A7 is driven to rotate, In conjunction with this, the drive shaft A9 of the crank mechanism A8 reciprocates in the longitudinal direction of the retort main body A1, and further, the movable table A4 connected to the drive shaft A9 accommodates the retort food A5 and is stacked in multiple stages. At the same time, a sliding motion is performed in the retort main body A1 in the longitudinal direction.

  And as mentioned above, by performing sterilization and subsequent cooling treatment while sliding the retort food, even in a large bag, a product with high viscosity, a retort food containing solids, etc., an excellent sterilization effect can be obtained in a short time. can get.

  Since the sterilization apparatus described in Patent Document 1 is configured to slide the entire retort food contained in the retort body on a single movable table, the movable table and the top In order to cope with the inertial force when sliding and driving this, the total weight of the tray cart in which multiple retort foods are accommodated and the trays are stacked in multiple stages is increased. A large capacity had to be used, and the tray cart had to be firmly fixed.

  For this reason, the drive mechanism such as a crank mechanism and a motor attached to the retort main body is enlarged, and a wide installation space is required in the entire sterilizer, and a large number of retort food and these are accommodated in the retort main body together with a movable table. Since the trays stacked in multiple stages simultaneously slide in the same direction, there is a problem that the inertia at the time of sliding and stopping is strong and it is difficult to fix each tray carriage, and vibration is generated during operation of the apparatus. Further, the tray sliding mechanism of the proposed sterilizing device is not applicable to a retort device having both ends open because its driving device is provided in the outer longitudinal direction of the rear wall of the retort body. There was also a problem of being restricted.

  Accordingly, the present invention solves the problems in the prior art as described above, requires less installation space for the apparatus, and has a small inertia because the tray carriage slides in units of one car. A retort product sterilization method that can reduce the vibration on the surroundings, can be applied to a retort device that is open at both ends, and can increase the degree of freedom of arrangement of the retort device in a food production line, and It aims at providing a sterilizer.

For the above purpose, the method for sterilizing a retort product according to the present invention comprises a plurality of movable platforms arranged in a longitudinal direction in the retort, each holding a plurality of trays containing a large number of retort products stacked and held, A tray receiving roller is disposed on the upper surface of the movable base along the longitudinal direction in the retort main body, and the movable base is provided so as to be freely movable in a horizontal direction perpendicular to the retort main body. The movable table supported by the rollers is slid in a horizontal direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction by independent driving sources, so that the retort product accommodated in these trays is separated from the movable table. The sterilization treatment is performed while sliding in the same direction .
In the sterilization method of the present invention, it is desirable that at least one of the sliding cycle and the phase is different between movable tables arranged in the longitudinal direction in the retort.

The retort product sterilization apparatus according to the present invention is arranged side by side in the longitudinal direction in the retort, and is provided so as to be individually movable in the horizontal direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction, and accommodates a large number of retort products. to a plurality of movable table for holding a tray stacking a plurality of stages, wherein it comprises a plurality of drive source for sliding the movable table in the horizontal direction separately, the retort body the the upper surface of the movable base A tray receiving roller is disposed along the longitudinal direction of the inside, and the movable table is supported on a movable table receiving roller provided so as to be freely movable in a horizontal direction perpendicular to the retort body. It is characterized by.

  In the sterilization apparatus of the present invention, it is desirable that each drive source is driven by varying at least one of the sliding cycle and phase between movable tables arranged in the longitudinal direction in the retort.

  According to the retort sterilization method of the first aspect of the present invention, since the plurality of movable bases are individually slid by the independent drive sources, the inertia of the tray carriage is reduced, and each drive source is small and low output. The vibration which generate | occur | produces at the time of operation can be reduced. In addition, since the drive source is provided in the lateral direction of the retort body, it can also be applied to a double-open retort device with lids on both ends, and a tray carriage and a movable base on which trays containing retort products are stacked in multiple stages can be applied from one side. After the sterilization is completed, it can be transported in one direction to be discharged to the other side, and the degree of freedom in disposing the sterilizer is high.

  Further, according to the method for sterilizing a retort product according to the invention described in claim 2, in addition to the effect of the invention described in claim 1, a movable table in which sliding periods and phases are further arranged in the longitudinal direction in the retort. By differentiating between them, the vibration generated due to the sliding of the movable table can be more effectively reduced.

Moreover, according to the retort product sterilizer according to the invention described in claim 3, a large number of retort products to be housed and processed in the retort are divided into a plurality of movable platforms, and these movable platforms are independent of each other. Since it is made to slide individually by the drive source, the inertial force that acts when each movable table slides is reduced. As a result, the weight of the member that supports the movable table and the drive source can be reduced, and each A small and low output drive source can be used.
As a result, the installation space for the entire sterilization apparatus can be reduced, and the occurrence of vibration during operation can be reduced.

  Moreover, according to the retort product sterilizer according to the invention described in claim 4, in addition to the effect of the invention described in claim 3, at least one of the sliding period and phase is further set in the longitudinal direction in the retort. By making it different between the movable tables arranged side by side, it is possible to more effectively reduce the vibration generated due to the sliding of the movable table.

  By using the slide in the two-dimensional direction in combination with the slide in the longitudinal direction of the movable base, the effect of expanding the contents in the return path is increased, and it is further effective in shortening the sterilization time of high-viscosity products and commercial large bag products. Can be expected.

Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is a plan view showing a schematic structure of a sterilizer used for carrying out the method for sterilizing a retort product of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA in FIG. As shown in these drawings, the sterilizer 1 has a retort 3 held by a support leg 2 on a floor surface.

  The retort 3 is composed of a cylindrical retort main body 3A and lids 3B and 3C attached to end faces before and after the longitudinal direction. In the present embodiment, the sterilizer 1 is incorporated in the middle of a conveyance line in a factory constituted by a conveyor (not shown) with the longitudinal direction of the retort 3 directed in the conveyance direction of the conveyance line.

  Although not shown in detail, the front and rear lids 3B and 3C are openable and closable, and transport retort products that have been transported from the previous process on the transport line and have not yet been sterilized. By opening the lid 3 </ b> B on the front side in the direction, it can be carried into the retort 3.

In addition, by opening the opposite lid 3C, the retort product that has been sterilized by the sterilization apparatus 1 is unloaded to the downstream side of the transfer line, and is transferred to the next process by the transfer line. .
Accordingly, the untreated retort product can be carried into the retort 3 of the sterilizer 1 and the treated retort product can be carried out from the retort 3 simultaneously by opening the lid 3B and the lid 3C. When all the unprocessed retort products are brought into the retort 3, the lids 3B and 3C are closed, and the retort product 1 is sterilized by the sterilizer 1.

  As shown in FIG. 2, a large number of retort products 4 carried into the retort 3 by the conveyor of the transfer line are accommodated side by side in a plurality of rectangular trays 5 stacked, and these are stacked. The trays 5 are detachably connected by a fixture (not shown) so that the stack does not collapse.

  Moreover, the retort product 4 accommodated in each tray 5 is a product in which the contents are enclosed in a packaging bag in which a synthetic resin or aluminum foil having heat resistance is laminated. 5 are placed one by one between a number of partitions provided so that even if the tray 5 vibrates, the accommodation position does not shift or fall out of the tray 5.

  In the inside of the retort 3, the lowermost one of the trays 5 stacked in a plurality of stages is arranged in two rows on the left and right sides of the lower side in the vicinity of the side edges on both the left and right sides provided in the lower part in the retort main body 3A. It is supported on the tray receiving roller 6.

  Although illustration of the tray receiving roller 6 is omitted in FIG. 1, these tray receiving rollers 6 are disposed on a pair of left and right movable bases 7 arranged along the longitudinal direction of the retort main body 3A. Each of the trays 5 is rotatably supported at predetermined intervals, and the trays 5 stacked in a plurality of stages can be moved in the longitudinal direction in the retort main body 3A by the rotation of the tray receiving rollers 6. .

  As shown in FIG. 1, four movable bases 7 are arranged in series along the longitudinal direction of the retort main body 3A, and this row is provided in parallel on the left and right sides, and the left and right are opposed to each other. A total of eight of the same structure is provided so that it may become a position.

  Further, the length of these movable bases 7 is designed to be slightly longer than the length of one side of the tray 5 in the longitudinal direction of the retort main body 3A. A clearance required for 7 to perform the sliding motion described later is provided.

  Each of these eight movable bases 7 is supported on a movable base receiving roller 8 that is provided side by side in a horizontal direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of the retort main body 3A. These movable base receiving rollers 8 are supported by roller receiving frames 9 attached to the left and right sides of the lower part of the inner peripheral surface of the retort main body 3A so that both ends can rotate freely. The movable base receiving roller 8 can freely rotate, so that it can freely move in the horizontal direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction in the retort main body 3A.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 2, one end of a connecting rod 11 that penetrates the peripheral wall of the retort body 3 </ b> A is connected to each movable base 7 through a seal mechanism 10 that shuts off the inside and outside of the retort 3. Has been. The other end of the connecting rod 11 is connected to a driving rod 13 </ b> A provided in an air cylinder mechanism 13 as a driving source attached to a support arm 12 protruding from the outer peripheral surface of the retort 3.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the air cylinder mechanisms 13 are provided in the same number as the movable bases 7, that is, in this embodiment, a total of eight air cylinder mechanisms 13 are provided, and each of them is driven and controlled by a drive control mechanism (not shown). It is like that.

  When the drive rod 13A of the air cylinder mechanism 13 is repeatedly advanced and retracted in a horizontal direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the retort 3 with a predetermined cycle and stroke, the movement of the drive rod 13A is moved via the connecting rod 11 to the movable base. 7, and the movable table 7 is supported by the movable table receiving roller 8 and slides in the same direction as the drive rod 13 </ b> A.

  Here, the sets of the two movable bases 7 respectively supporting the lower surface of the lowermost tray 5 of each tray 5 group stacked in a plurality of stages on the left and right sides are synchronized with each other with the same amplitude and the same phase. Thus, the air cylinder mechanism 13 that drives each of the air cylinder mechanisms 13 is driven and controlled in cooperation.

  The two movable bases 7 may be connected to form an integral member. In this case, the integral movable base 7 is a drive source such as a single air cylinder mechanism. You may make it drive using. Further, the drive source for sliding the movable base is not limited to the air cylinder mechanism. For example, a rotational drive source such as a motor may be used to slide the movable base via the crank mechanism. .

  In the sterilization apparatus 1 of the present embodiment, although not shown in the drawing, the period and phase of the reciprocating movement of the drive rod are determined for four pairs of left and right pairs of eight air cylinder mechanisms 13 provided on both outer sides of the retort 3. A drive control device that can be individually set for each group is provided.

Next, operation | movement of the sterilizer 1 comprised as mentioned above is demonstrated based on drawing.
The retort product 4 that has not been sterilized is accommodated in trays 5 stacked in a plurality of stages, is transported to the front of the retort 3 by a conveyor on a conveyance line (not shown), and stops and waits. The lid 3B is opened, and then a group of trays 5 stacked in a plurality of stages is transferred from the conveyor of the transfer line onto the tray receiving roller 6 in the retort 3.

  In the present embodiment, in order to move the trays 5 stacked on the tray receiving roller 6 forward in the retort 3, each tray receiving roller 6 is rotationally driven in synchronization by a motor (not shown). It is like that.

  The means for moving the stacked trays 5 in the retort 3 is not limited to the tray receiving roller 6, and the tray receiving roller 6 is simply rotatable and is used only to support the tray 5. The tray 5 may be moved by using a separately provided feeding means.

  As the feeding means, for example, a pushing mechanism using a pusher dog that is disposed between the rows of the tray receiving rollers 6 on the left and right sides and driven by a cylinder device or the like can be used, and the pusher dog is placed on the lowermost tray 5. The trays 5 stacked in a plurality of stages may be pushed forward by a predetermined stroke.

  In this way, as shown in FIG. 1, the groups P1, P2, P3, and P4 of the tray 5 are carried into the retort 3 in order from the first one P1, and are arranged so as to be opposed to each other in the longitudinal direction of the retort 2 two by left and right. When the respective groups P1, P2, P3, and P4 have moved directly above each movable table 7, the trays are detected by detecting the positions of these groups P1, P2, P3, and P4 by a detection means (not shown). The driving of the receiving roller 6 is stopped, and the lowermost tray 5 is positioned and held by a positioning mechanism (not shown) so as not to move in the front-rear direction (longitudinal direction of the retort 3).

  As the positioning mechanism, for example, a stopper member is protruded from below into the moving path of the lowermost tray 5 to position and hold the front and rear edges of the lowermost tray 5, and the horizontal direction (the longitudinal direction of the retort 3). (Horizontal direction perpendicular to the horizontal direction) can be used that does not restrict the movement of the tray 5.

  Next, the lid 3 </ b> B is closed, and thereafter, the retort product is sterilized by heating in the retort 3. At the same time, the air cylinder mechanisms 13 provided outside the retort 3 are driven all at once, and the movable bases 7 start a sliding movement in the left-right direction. As a result, they are stacked in a plurality of stages. The groups P1, P2, P3, and P4 of each tray 5 perform a sliding motion.

  As the tray 5 slides, the contents of the retort product 4 contained therein slide inside the packaging bag, and as a result, the temperature of the contents is increased throughout the inside of the packaging bag due to the stirring effect. It becomes uniform and avoids partial incomplete sterilization or overheating and scorching. Moreover, the sterilization time can be shortened by the stirring effect of the contents.

  In the present embodiment, the sliding period and sliding phase of the groups P1, P2, P3, and P4 of the tray 5 can be individually changed. The resonance of the whole 1 can be suppressed, and the vibration exerted on the periphery of the sterilizer 1 can be reduced.

  After the sterilization process is completed, the retort product 4 is cooled while the groups P1, P2, P3, and P4 of the tray 5 are continuously slid. Thus, the time required for cooling can be shortened by cooling the trays 5 while sliding the groups P1, P2, P3, and P4.

  When the cooling process is thus completed, the lid 3B and the lid 3C provided at the front and rear ends of the retort main body 3A are opened, and the processed retort product in the retort 3 is opened from the lid 3C side. The group of each tray 5 containing 4 is sent out on the conveyor of the conveyance line which is not illustrated in order from the top P1, and is conveyed to the next process.

  At the same time, a set of four trays (not shown) containing unprocessed retort products 4 that have been transported from the previous process and have been waiting on the conveyor of the transport line from the lid 3B side. Then, when the trays are sequentially loaded into the retort 3 and all these tray groups are loaded into the retort 3, the front and rear lids 3B and 3C are sealed, and the above-described process is repeated again.

  In the present embodiment, the lid bodies 3B and 3C before and after the retort 3 are simultaneously opened, and the processed tray group 5 is carried out from the retort 3, while the untreated tray group is carried in. Therefore, the cycle time of the sterilization process can be shortened. However, the sterilization apparatus of the present invention is not limited thereto, and it goes without saying that it can be applied to a retort apparatus having only one lid.

  The method and apparatus for sterilizing a retort product according to the present invention can be used for sterilization of a retort product enclosing food or medicine, and in particular, a retort in which a solid or high-viscosity content is enclosed in a packaging bag. It is particularly suitable for a product having a large packaging bag or having a large thickness.

It is a top view which shows schematic structure of the retort apparatus used in order to implement the retort sterilization method of this invention. It is a cross-sectional view in the AA line position of FIG. It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the retort apparatus proposed conventionally.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Sterilizer 2 Support leg part 3 Retort 3A Retort main body 3B, 3C Lid 4 Retort product 5 Tray 6 Tray receiving roller 7 Movable stand 8 Movable stand receiving roller 9 Roller receiving frame 10 Seal mechanism 11 Connecting rod 12 Support arm 13 Drive source 13A Drive rod

Claims (4)

Each of a plurality of movable bases arranged in the longitudinal direction in the retort holds a plurality of trays in which a large number of retort products are arranged and stored, and the upper surface of each movable base has a tray along the longitudinal direction in the retort main body. A receiving roller is disposed, and the movable table is supported on a movable table receiving roller provided so as to be freely movable in a horizontal direction orthogonal to the retort main body, and the movable table is driven independently. By slid in a horizontal direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction by a source, sterilization is performed while sliding the retort product accommodated in these trays in the same direction as the movable table. How to sterilize retort products.   2. The method for sterilizing a retort product according to claim 1, wherein at least one of a sliding cycle and a phase is made different between movable tables arranged in a longitudinal direction in the retort. A plurality of movable bases arranged side by side in the longitudinal direction in the retort and individually movable in the horizontal direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction, and holding a plurality of stacked trays for storing a large number of retort products side by side. And a plurality of driving sources that individually slide the respective movable bases in the horizontal direction, and tray receiving rollers are disposed on the upper surface of each movable base along the longitudinal direction in the retort main body. The retort product sterilizing apparatus is characterized in that the movable base is supported on a movable base receiving roller provided so as to be freely movable in a horizontal direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of the retort main body .   The sterilization of a retort product according to claim 3, wherein each drive source is driven by changing at least one of a sliding cycle and a phase between movable bases arranged in the longitudinal direction in the retort. apparatus.

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