JP5930392B2 - Sterilizer - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a sterilization apparatus used for heat sterilization of a retort food or the like and subsequent cooling.

  In the following Patent Document 1, injection ports (21) are provided on the top, bottom, left and right in the treatment tank (10), and steam is injected from the lower injection port (21) to sterilize the object to be processed (r). Water is stored in the treatment tank (10) to such an extent that the treatment object (r) is not immersed, and the water is sprayed from the upper, lower, left and right injection ports (21) and circulated to cool the treatment object (r). A sterilizing apparatus is disclosed.

JP-A-6-181967

  However, the invention described in Patent Document 1 is a type of sterilizer that sterilizes an object to be processed with steam, and cannot be used for a sterilizer that sterilizes an object to be processed by immersing it in hot water. In the invention described in Patent Document 1, the upper and left and right injection ports are used only when cooling the object to be processed, and in order to equalize the product temperature of the object during cooling (paragraph 0011). ), Cooling water is jetted from the top, bottom, left and right of the treatment tank. Furthermore, in the invention described in Patent Document 1, since water accumulates only at the bottom in the treatment tank, the circulating water can be taken out only from the bottom in the treatment tank, and there is a limit to the way the circulating water flows.

  On the other hand, conventionally, the object to be treated is accommodated in the treatment tank, and water is stored until the object to be submerged, and the water from the bottom of the treatment tank is returned to the upper part of the treatment tank by a circulation pump, and the circulation Sterilizers that heat water with steam are also known. However, in such a configuration, the hot water hits the workpiece placed in the upper part of the treatment tank, but the hot water escapes left and right, and the hot water hits the workpiece to be processed below. Hateful. Therefore, the stored water in the treatment tank has a temperature difference depending on the location, and there is a possibility that some of the objects to be treated have poor sterilization.

  Therefore, the problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a sterilizing apparatus that can uniformly heat the object to be processed to prevent sterilization defects and can cool the object to be processed uniformly.

The present invention has been made in order to solve the above-mentioned problems, and the invention according to claim 1 stores an object to be processed in a treatment tank, stores water, and circulates the stored water by a circulation means. And a sterilizing apparatus for heating and sterilizing the object to be treated by heating the circulating water with a heating means, wherein the circulating means is operated from a circulating water outlet of the treatment tank by operating a circulation pump. Taking out water, returning water to the circulating water return port of the treatment tank, and changing the position of one or both of the circulating water outlet and the circulating water return port, The lower part of the treatment tank is connected to the suction port of the circulation pump via a lower switching valve, while the upper part of the treatment tank is connected to the discharge port of the circulation pump via an upper switching valve. Connected to the front of the treatment tank from the bottom Of the circulating water feed path to the circulation pump, a downstream part from the lower switching valve, and a circulating water return path from the circulation pump to the upper part of the treatment tank, an upstream part from the upper switching valve, is a left bypass path. And the right bypass path, the left bypass path has a branch path to the left end of the treatment tank, and a bypass switching valve is provided before and after the branch section with the branch path, The bypass path has a branch path to the right end of the treatment tank, and a bypass switching valve is provided before and after the branch section with the branch path. By opening and closing each switching valve, It is a sterilizer characterized by changing the flow of water .

  According to invention of Claim 1, the flow of the water in a processing tank can be changed by changing the position of a circulating water extraction port, or changing the position of a circulating water return port. Thereby, the uniform heating of a to-be-processed object is implement | achieved, and the disinfection defect of a to-be-processed object can be prevented. Moreover, if it implements in the cooling process after a sterilization process, a to-be-processed object can be cooled uniformly.

According to the first aspect of the present invention, the flow of water in the treatment tank can be appropriately switched with a simple configuration to uniformly heat or cool the workpiece.

Furthermore, the invention according to claim 2 sequentially executes a sterilization step of operating the heating means to heat sterilize the object to be processed and a cooling step of cooling the object to be processed without operating the heating means. The sterilization apparatus which performs, The flow of the water in the said processing tank is changed in the middle of one or both of the said sterilization process and the said cooling process, The sterilization of Claim 1 characterized by the above-mentioned. Device.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, the object to be treated is heated uniformly by changing the flow of water in the treatment tank during one or both of the sterilization process and the cooling process. Or can be cooled.

  According to the present invention, the object to be treated can be heated uniformly to prevent sterilization defects, or the object to be treated can be uniformly cooled.

It is the schematic which shows the principal part of Example 1 of the sterilizer of this invention, and has shown it by making a part cross-section. It is the schematic which shows the example of flow-path switching of the sterilizer of FIG. It is the schematic which shows the principal part of Example 2 of the sterilizer of this invention, and has shown it by making a part into a cross section. It is the schematic which shows the example of a flow-path switch of the sterilizer of FIG.

  Hereinafter, specific embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a schematic view showing the main part of Example 1 of the sterilization apparatus 1 of the present invention, and a part thereof is shown in cross section. The sterilization apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment is an apparatus that cools an object to be processed 3 accommodated in a treatment tank 2 after immersing it in hot water and sterilizing by heating. The workpiece 3 is not particularly limited, but is typically a retort food.

  The sterilizer 1 of the present embodiment includes a treatment tank 2 in which an object 3 is accommodated, a circulation means 4 for circulating water in the treatment tank 2, and a heating means 5 for heating the circulation water. In addition, the sterilizer 1 typically has a water supply means (not shown) into the treatment tank 2, a drain means (not shown) to the outside of the treatment tank 2, and a pressure means (not shown) in the treatment tank 2. In addition to the exhaust means (not shown) from the pressurized treatment tank 2, a hot water storage tank (not shown) in which hot water into the treatment tank 2 is produced in advance is provided.

  The treatment tank 2 is a hollow container that accommodates the workpiece 3. The processing tank 2 is not particularly limited in its shape, but includes a cylindrical material arranged horizontally in this embodiment, and this cylindrical material has one opening closed and the other opening opened and closed by a door. It is possible. Therefore, the workpiece 3 can be taken in and out of the processing tank 2 by opening the door, and the opening of the processing tank 2 can be hermetically closed by closing the door.

  In the treatment tank 2, the workpiece 3 is accommodated and water is stored until the workpiece 3 is submerged. If the stored water is hot water, the workpiece 3 can be heated and sterilized. If the stored water is cooling water, the workpiece 3 can be cooled.

  The circulation means 4 circulates the water in the treatment tank 2. The circulation means 4 takes out water from the circulating water outlet (the lower part 2b and / or the right end 2d of the processing tank 2 in FIG. 1) of the processing tank 2 by the operation of the circulation pump 6, and the circulating water return port of the processing tank 2 The stored water in the processing tank 2 is circulated by returning water to the upper part 2a and / or the left end part 2c of the processing tank 2 in FIG.

  Circulating water inlets and outlets (2a to 2d) that can be used as circulating water outlets or circulating water return ports are typically provided at the top, bottom, left and right of the treatment tank 2, and the circulating water can be used at any of the locations. Depending on whether the water is circulated, the flow of water in the treatment tank 2 can be changed. In the present embodiment, the circulating water inlet / outlet at the lower part 2b and the right end 2d of the processing tank 2 is used as the circulating water outlet, and the circulating water inlet / outlet at the upper part 2a and the left end 2c of the processing tank 2 is used as the circulating water return opening. Used.

  During the circulation of the circulating water, the flow of water in the treatment tank 2 can be changed by changing the position of one or both of the circulating water outlet and the circulating water return port. In FIG. 1, the lower part 2b and the right end part 2d of the treatment tank 2 can be used as the circulating water outlet, but it is possible to change which one of them is used or both, Although the upper part 2a and the left end part 2c of the treatment tank 2 can be used, the flow of water in the treatment tank 2 can be changed by changing which one of them or both are used.

  In the circulation means 4 of the present embodiment, the lower part 2b of the treatment tank 2 and the left and right end parts (right end part 2d in the illustrated example) of the treatment tank 2 are sucked into the circulation pump 6 via switching valves 8 and 10, respectively. Connected to the mouth. Moreover, the upper part 2a of the processing tank 2 and the left and right other end parts (left end part 2c in the illustrated example) of the processing tank 2 are connected to the discharge port of the circulation pump 6 via switching valves 7 and 9, respectively. Here, in FIG. 1, the left and right end portions are the right end portion and the left and right other end portions are the left end portions, but the left and right ends may be replaced with each other as the left end portion and the left and right other end portions as the right end portion. .

  More specifically, a circulating water feed path 11 (11a) from the lower part 2b of the treatment tank 2 to the circulation pump 6 and a circulating water feed path 11 (11b) from the right end 2d of the treatment tank 2 to the circulation pump 6 Is a common pipe line on the circulation pump 6 side and is connected to the suction port of the circulation pump 6. And the lower switching valve 8 is provided in the circulating water feed path 11a from the lower part 2b of the processing tank 2 to the circulation pump 6, and in the circulating water feed path 11b from the right end part 2d of the processing tank 2 to the circulation pump 6. A right switching valve 10 is provided.

  On the other hand, the circulating water return path 12 (12a) from the circulation pump 6 to the upper part 2a of the treatment tank 2 and the circulating water return path 12 (12b) from the circulation pump 6 to the left end 2c of the treatment tank 2 are a circulation pump. 6 is a common pipe line, and is connected to the discharge port of the circulation pump 6. An upper switching valve 7 is provided in the circulating water return path 12a from the circulation pump 6 to the upper portion 2a of the treatment tank 2, and the circulating water return path 12b from the circulation pump 6 to the left end 2c of the treatment tank 2 is provided in the circulation water return path 12b. A left switching valve 9 is provided.

  Therefore, by controlling the opening and closing of the upper switching valve 7, the lower switching valve 8, the left switching valve 9, and the right switching valve 10, the flow path of the stored water in the treatment tank 2 can be switched.

  FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating a flow path switching example of the sterilizer 1 of the present embodiment. In this figure, as for each valve 7-10, white has shown the open state, and black has shown the closed state.

  As shown in FIG. 5A, if the left switching valve 9 and the right switching valve 10 are closed while the upper switching valve 7 and the lower switching valve 8 are opened and the circulation pump 6 is operated, the lower portion of the processing tank 2 Can be returned to the upper part of the treatment tank 2 via the circulation pump 6, and a flow from the top to the bottom can be created in the treatment tank 2.

  If the upper part switching valve 7 and the lower part switching valve 8 are closed while the left part switching valve 9 and the right part switching valve 10 are opened and the circulation pump 6 is operated as shown in FIG. Water from the section can be returned to the left end of the processing tank 2 via the circulation pump 6, and a flow from left to right can be created in the processing tank 2.

  By the way, when returning the circulating water to the processing tank 2 or taking out the circulating water to the outside of the processing tank 2, water is discharged or discharged in a certain area at the upper, lower, left end or right end in the processing tank 2. An appropriate nozzle 13 or the like may be provided so that suction can be performed (FIG. 1).

  The heating means 5 heats the circulating water from the circulation means 4. Although the structure in particular is not ask | required for the heating means 5, In this Example, it is set as the means for supplying steam to circulating water. Specifically, in this embodiment, a steam supply path 14 is connected to the circulating water return path 12 on the outlet side of the circulation pump 6, and a connection portion between the circulating water return path 12 and the steam supply path 14 is connected. Is provided with steam introducing means (not shown). Further, a steam supply valve 15 is provided in the steam supply path 14. Therefore, by opening the steam supply valve 15, steam is blown into the circulating water in the circulating water return path 12 by the steam introducing means, and the circulating water and thus the stored water in the treatment tank 2 can be heated. If the steam supply valve 15 is controlled based on the temperature detected by a temperature sensor (not shown) provided in the treatment tank 2, the temperature of the stored water in the treatment tank 2 can be adjusted as desired.

  According to the sterilization apparatus 1 of the present embodiment, the processing object 3 is accommodated in the processing tank 2, hot water is stored up to the water level at which the processing object 3 is submerged, and the processing object 3 is heated and sterilized. can do. During this sterilization step, the circulation means 4 is operated, and the heating means 5 is controlled so as to maintain the temperature in the treatment tank 2 at the sterilization temperature. Further, during the sterilization process, as described with reference to FIG. 2, by switching the flow of hot water in the middle (for example, switching at every set time), the workpiece 3 can be heated and sterilized without unevenness. When the inside of the treatment tank 2 is at the sterilization temperature or higher and the sterilization time has elapsed, the sterilization process is terminated.

  In the sterilization process, the object to be treated 3 in the treatment tank 2 is heated, so that the object to be treated 3 may expand and a package (such as a retort pouch) may be ruptured. The pressure is preferably over atmospheric pressure (slightly higher than the saturated vapor pressure corresponding to the temperature in the processing tank). For this purpose, the inside of the processing tank 2 is adjusted to a desired pressure by controlling the pressurizing means and the exhaust means to adjust the supply of pressurized air into the processing tank 2 and the exhaust from the processing tank 2. To do.

  After the processing object 3 is heat sterilized, the processing object 3 is cooled. For this purpose, the circulation means 4 may be operated in a state where the hot water in the treatment tank 2 is replaced with cooling water. In the cooling process, the heating means 5 is not operated. As described with reference to FIG. 2, during the cooling process, the workpiece 3 can be uniformly cooled by switching the flow of the cooling water in the middle (for example, switching every set time). When a predetermined cooling time has elapsed, the cooling process is terminated.

  In the cooling step, pressurized air may be supplied to the stored water in the treatment tank 2 by a pressurizing means, and the stored water in the treatment tank 2 may be agitated by bubbling. Moreover, the water supply means and the drainage means may be controlled so that the water in the processing tank 2 is gradually supplied and drained and replaced to lower the temperature of the stored water in the processing tank 2. Or depending on the case, you may attempt to cool the to-be-processed object 3 by repeating all the drainage of the stored water in the processing tank 2, and the cooling water supply to the processing tank 2. FIG.

  After the cooling step, the drainage means drains the treatment tank 2 and the exhaust means returns the inside of the treatment tank 2 to atmospheric pressure. Thereby, the to-be-processed object 3 can be taken out from the inside of the processing tank 2.

  FIG. 3 is a schematic view showing the main part of Example 2 of the sterilizer 1 of the present invention, and a part thereof is shown in cross section. The sterilization apparatus 1 according to the second embodiment is basically the same as the first embodiment. Therefore, in the following description, differences between the two will be mainly described, and corresponding portions will be described with the same reference numerals.

  The sterilizer 1 of the second embodiment is different from the first embodiment in the configuration of the circulation means 4. In Example 1, one or both of the lower part 2b and the right end part 2d of the treatment tank 2 can be used as the circulating water outlet, and one or both of the upper part 2a and the left end part 2c of the treatment tank 2 are used. Although it could be used as a circulating water return port (FIG. 2), in the present Example 2, one or more of the lower part 2b of the treatment tank 2 and the left and right ends 2c, 2d can be used as a circulating water outlet, Any one or more of the upper part 2a of the treatment tank 2 and the left and right ends 2c and 2d can be used as a circulating water return port (FIG. 4).

  In the circulation means 4 of the present embodiment, the lower part of the treatment tank 2 is connected to the suction port of the circulation pump 6 via the lower switching valve 8, while the upper part of the treatment tank 2 is connected to the circulation pump 6 via the upper switching valve 7. Connected to the discharge port. Further, in the circulating water feed path 11 from the lower part of the treatment tank 2 to the circulation pump 6, in the downstream part from the lower switching valve 8 and in the circulating water return path 12 from the circulation pump 6 to the upper part of the processing tank 2, the upper switching valve 7 is connected by a left bypass path 16 and a right bypass path 17. The left bypass path 16 includes a branch path 18 to the left end of the treatment tank 2, and bypass switching valves (upper left switching valve 19 and lower left switching valve 20) are provided before and after the branch section with the branch path 18. It has been. Similarly, the right bypass path 17 includes a branch path 21 to the right end of the treatment tank 2 and bypass switching valves (upper right switching valve 22 and lower right switching valve 23) before and after the branch section with the branch path 21. Is provided.

  Therefore, by controlling the opening / closing of the upper switching valve 7, the lower switching valve 8, the upper left switching valve 19, the lower left switching valve 20, the upper right switching valve 22 and the lower right switching valve 23, the flow path of the stored water in the treatment tank 2 is controlled. Can be switched.

  FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram illustrating a flow path switching example of the sterilizer 1 of the present embodiment. In this figure, as for each valve 7, 8, 19, 20, 22, 23, white has shown the open state, and black has shown the closed state. The hatched valve is in a closed state, but may be open if desired.

  As shown in FIG. 5A, the upper left switching valve 19, the lower left switching valve 20, the upper right switching valve 22 and the lower right switching valve 23 are closed, while the upper switching valve 7 and the lower switching valve 8 are opened to turn the circulation pump 6 on. If it operates, the water from the lower part of the processing tank 2 can be returned to the upper part of the processing tank 2 via the circulation pump 6, and the flow from the top to the bottom can be made in the processing tank 2.

  As shown in FIG. 5B, the upper switching valve 7, the lower left switching valve 20 and the lower right switching valve 23 are closed, while the lower switching valve 8, the upper left switching valve 19 and the upper right switching valve 22 are opened to turn the circulation pump 6 on. If it operates, the water from the lower part of the processing tank 2 can be returned to the left and right ends of the processing tank 2 via the circulation pump 6, and a flow directed downward from the left and right ends in the processing tank 2 is created. Can do. The upper switching valve 7 may be opened as indicated by the broken line.

  As shown in FIG. 5C, the lower switching valve 8, the upper left switching valve 19 and the upper right switching valve 22 are closed, while the upper switching valve 7, the lower left switching valve 20 and the lower right switching valve 23 are opened to turn the circulation pump 6 on. If it operates, the water from the left and right ends of the treatment tank 2 can be returned to the upper part of the treatment tank 2 via the circulation pump 6, and the flow from the upper part to the right and left ends is created in the treatment tank 2. Can do. In addition, you may open the lower switching valve 8 as shown with a broken line.

  As shown in FIG. 4D, the upper switching valve 7, the lower switching valve 8, the lower left switching valve 20 and the upper right switching valve 22 are closed, while the upper left switching valve 19 and the lower right switching valve 23 are opened to turn the circulation pump 6 on. If it operates, the water from the right end part of the processing tank 2 can be returned to the left end part of the processing tank 2 via the circulation pump 6, and the flow from left to right can be made in the processing tank 2. . Note that one or both of the upper switching valve 7 and the lower switching valve 8 may be opened as indicated by a broken line.

  As shown in FIG. 5E, the upper switching valve 7, the lower switching valve 8, the upper left switching valve 19 and the lower right switching valve 23 are closed, while the lower left switching valve 20 and the upper right switching valve 22 are opened to turn the circulation pump 6 on. If it operates, the water from the left end part of the processing tank 2 can be returned to the right end part of the processing tank 2 via the circulation pump 6, and the flow from right to left can be made in the processing tank 2. . Note that one or both of the upper switching valve 7 and the lower switching valve 8 may be opened as indicated by a broken line.

  Also in the second embodiment, a steam supply path 14 is connected to the circulating water return path 12 on the outlet side of the circulation pump 6, and a steam supply valve 15 is provided in the steam supply path 14. By opening the steam supply valve 15, steam can be supplied to the circulating water in the circulating water return path 12 to heat the circulating water and thus the stored water in the treatment tank 2. If the steam supply valve 15 is controlled based on the temperature detected by a temperature sensor (not shown) provided in the treatment tank 2, the temperature of the stored water in the treatment tank 2 can be adjusted as desired.

  Also in the present Example 2, while the to-be-processed object 3 is accommodated in the processing tank 2, hot water can be stored to the water level which sinks this to-be-processed object 3, and the to-be-processed object 3 can be heated and disinfected. Moreover, after sterilization, it replaces with hot water and can store cooling water in the processing tank 2, and can cool the to-be-processed object 3. FIG. In the sterilization process and the cooling process, the circulating water 4 is operated to circulate the stored water in the treatment tank 2. And also in the present Example 2, in the middle of one or both of the sterilization process and the cooling process, as explained based on FIG. Heating or cooling can be performed without unevenness. Other configurations and controls are the same as those in the first embodiment, and a description thereof will be omitted.

  The sterilization apparatus 1 of the present invention is not limited to the configuration of each of the above embodiments, and can be changed as appropriate. In particular, in the sterilizer 1 that circulates the stored water in the treatment tank 2, the flow of water in the treatment tank 2 is changed by changing the position of one or both of the circulating water outlet and the circulating water return port. If possible, other configurations and controls can be changed as appropriate.

  In each of the above embodiments, an example in which the flow of water in the treatment tank 2 is basically changed in both the sterilization process and the cooling process has been described. It can be performed only in the sterilization process, or can be performed only in the cooling process.

  Further, in each of the above-described embodiments, the water (hot water or cooling water) from the circulating water return port does not hit the object 3 to be detoured and does not flow and flow to the circulating water outlet. Appropriate measures may be taken for (circulation water piping by the circulation means 4). That is, as countermeasures against temperature unevenness, for example, baffle plates, punching metal, etc. are disposed in the processing tank 2 or in the circulation path (particularly in the vicinity of the connection portion with the processing tank 2) so that hot water or cooling water uniformly hits the workpiece 3. Or you may arrange | position a baffle plate.

  In each of the above embodiments, the steam supply path 14 for heating the circulating water is connected to the circulating water return path 12. However, in some cases, the steam supply path 14 is connected to the processing tank 2 and stored in the stored water in the processing tank 2. Steam may be sent directly. Further, instead of directly sending steam to the circulating water, a heat exchanger is installed in the circulating water return path 12, and in the heat exchanger, the circulating water and the steam for heating the steam are indirectly heat-exchanged. Or circulating water and cooling water for cooling the circulating water may be subjected to indirect heat exchange.

  Furthermore, in each said Example, although the circulating water inlet-and-outlets 2a-2d which can be utilized as a circulating water extraction port or a circulating water return port were provided only in the upper and lower sides and right and left of the processing tank 2, it replaced with or in addition to this, You may provide in the diagonal upper part of the processing tank 2, a diagonal lower part, etc.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Sterilizer 2 Processing tank 2a Upper part 2b Lower part 2c Left end part 2d Right end part 3 To-be-processed object 4 Circulating means 5 Heating means 6 Circulation pump 7 Upper switching valve 8 Lower switching valve 9 Left switching valve 10 Right switching valve 11 Circulating water Feed path 12 Circulating water return path 13 Nozzle 14 Steam supply path 15 Steam supply valve 16 Left bypass path 17 Right bypass path 18 Branch path 19 Upper left switching valve (bypass switching valve)
20 Lower left switching valve (Bypass switching valve)
21 Branch 22 Upper right switching valve (Bypass switching valve)
23 Lower right switching valve (Bypass switching valve)

Claims (2)

Sterilization in which the object to be treated is stored in the treatment tank and water is stored, the stored water is circulated by the circulation means, and the circulation water is heated by the heating means to heat and sterilize the object to be treated. A device,
The circulating means takes out water from the circulating water outlet of the treatment tank by operating a circulation pump, and returns water to the circulating water return port of the treatment tank,
By changing the position of one or both of the circulating water outlet and the circulating water return port, it is a sterilizer that can change the flow of water in the treatment tank ,
The lower part of the processing tank is connected to the suction port of the circulation pump via a lower switching valve, while the upper part of the processing tank is connected to the discharge port of the circulation pump via an upper switching valve,
Of the circulating water feed path from the lower part of the treatment tank to the circulation pump, the downstream part from the lower switching valve, and from the circulating pump to the upper part of the processing tank, the upstream part from the upper switching valve. Are connected by the left bypass road and the right bypass road,
The left bypass path includes a branch path to the left end of the treatment tank, and a bypass switching valve is provided before and after the branch section with the branch path,
The right bypass path includes a branch path to the right end of the treatment tank, and a bypass switching valve is provided before and after the branch section with the branch path,
The sterilizer characterized by changing the flow of water in the treatment tank by opening and closing each switching valve. A sterilization apparatus for sequentially performing a sterilization step of operating the heating means to heat sterilize the object to be processed and a cooling step of cooling the object to be processed without operating the heating means;
The sterilizer according to claim 1 , wherein a flow of water in the treatment tank is changed during one or both of the sterilization step and the cooling step.

Images