JP6187791B2 - Sterilizer and sterilization system - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a sterilization apparatus used for heat sterilization of retort foods and the like, and a sterilization system including a plurality of such sterilization apparatuses.

  Conventionally, various sterilization apparatuses are known. For example, in the sterilization apparatus described in Patent Document 1 below, the object to be processed (2) is stored in the processing tank (1) and water is stored. It is circulated with the heat exchanger (3), and this circulating water is switched between heating with steam in the heat exchanger (3) or cooling with cooling water from the cooling tower (8), and the object to be treated ( 2) Heat sterilization and subsequent cooling are attempted.

Japanese Patent No. 4229420

  When trying to sterilize an object to be processed using a sterilizer, the optimum sterilizer is selected according to the contents and size of the object to be processed, but more specific operation pattern settings are required. Become. Conventionally, this setting is performed each time using a control panel (touch screen or the like) attached to the apparatus. However, the setting is troublesome, and there is a possibility of causing an operation error or an input error. Also, there are cases where it is desired to operate multiple sterilizers with the same operation pattern, but even in that case, it is necessary to set an operation pattern for each device, which is not only complicated but also may cause a setting error. There was also.

  The problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a sterilization apparatus and a sterilization system capable of easily and accurately setting an operation pattern.

The present invention has been made in order to solve the above-mentioned problems, and the invention according to claim 1 is directed to a processing tank in which an object to be processed is accommodated, means for supplying water into the processing tank, and the inside of the processing tank. Draining means, heating means for heating the water stored in the treatment tank or circulating water between the treatment tanks, pressurizing means in the treatment tank, exhaust means from the treatment tank, A controller as a control means for controlling each of the means, and the controller is connected to a setting device in addition to a card reader that reads card information, and the card reader and the setting device are connected to the processing unit. The operation pattern is set by reading the information of the selected card among the cards created for each operation pattern by the card reader, and the operation pattern is also set by the setting device. is, the controller , Based on the setting contents by the said card reader and the setter, if both settings are matched, a sterilization device, characterized in that the operation at the preset contents thereof coincide.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, only when the setting content by the setting device matches the setting content by the card reader, the operation is performed with the matching setting content. It is possible to drive with the driving pattern of the period.

  The invention according to claim 2 further includes information storage means for storing the identification information of the driving pattern and the driving content in association with each other for the plurality of types of driving patterns, and the card has identification information of the driving pattern. 2. The controller according to claim 1, wherein the controller acquires the operation content of the corresponding operation pattern from the information storage unit based on the identification information of the operation pattern, and operates based on the operation content. The sterilizer described.

  Further, the invention described in claim 3 is a sterilization system comprising a plurality of the sterilization apparatuses according to claim 2 and including the cards for each operation pattern by the number of the sterilization apparatuses.

  According to the third aspect of the present invention, even when there are a plurality of sterilizers, it is possible to easily and accurately set an operation pattern for each sterilizer.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, the sterilization apparatus and sterilization system which can set an operation pattern easily and correctly are realizable.

It is the schematic which shows one Example of the sterilizer of this invention. It is the schematic which shows an example of the card | curd used for the sterilizer of FIG. It is the schematic which shows one Example of the sterilization system of this invention.

Hereinafter, specific embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is a schematic view showing an embodiment of the sterilizer 1 of the present invention. The sterilization apparatus 1 of the present embodiment is an apparatus that cools an object to be processed after heat sterilization. The object to be treated is not particularly limited, but is typically a retort food.

  The sterilization apparatus 1 of the present embodiment includes a treatment tank 2 in which an object to be treated is accommodated, a water supply means 3 into the treatment tank 2, a drain means 4 from the treatment tank 2, and an addition in the treatment tank 2. Pressure means 5, exhaust means 6 from inside the treatment tank 2, circulation means 8 for circulating water between the treatment tank 2 and the heat exchanger 7, and heat exchange for heating the circulating water by the circulation means 8. Steam supply means 9 for supplying steam to the vessel 7, cooling means 10 for supplying cooling water to the heat exchanger 7 to cool the circulating water by the circulation means 8, and steam condensed water (drain) by the steam supply means 9 ) And a control means 12 for controlling these means.

  The processing tank 2 is a hollow container that accommodates an object to be processed, and can be opened and closed by a door. By opening the door, the object to be processed can be taken in and out of the processing tank 2, and by closing the door, the opening of the processing tank 2 can be closed airtight. The processing tank 2 is provided with a temperature sensor (not shown) for detecting the temperature in the processing tank 2 and a water level detector (not shown) for detecting the water level in the processing tank 2.

  The water supply means 3 supplies water into the treatment tank 2 through the water supply path 13. The water supply path 13 is connected to the bottom of the processing tank 2 and is provided with a water supply valve 14. By opening the water supply valve 14, water from the water supply source can be supplied into the treatment tank 2 and water can be stored in the treatment tank 2. A desired amount of water can be stored in the treatment tank 2 using the water level detector.

  The drainage means 4 discharges water from the treatment tank 2 through the drainage channel 15. The drainage channel 15 is connected to the bottom of the treatment tank 2, and a drainage valve 16 is provided. By opening the drain valve 16, the water in the processing tank 2 can be discharged to the outside.

  The pressurizing means 5 supplies pressurized air into the processing tank 2 through the pressurizing path 17. By opening the pressurizing valve 18 provided in the pressurizing passage 17, pressurized air from a pressurized air source can be supplied into the processing tank 2, and the inside of the processing tank 2 can be pressurized to a pressure exceeding the atmospheric pressure. .

  The exhaust means 6 discharges the gas from the inside of the processing tank 2 under a pressure exceeding the atmospheric pressure through the exhaust path 19. The exhaust path 19 is connected to the upper part of the processing tank 2, and an exhaust valve 20 and a check valve 21 are provided in order from the processing tank 2 side. When the exhaust valve 20 is opened while the inside of the processing tank 2 is at a pressure exceeding the atmospheric pressure, the gas in the processing tank 2 is discharged to the outside through the exhaust passage 19, and the pressure in the processing tank 2 may be lowered. it can.

  The circulation means 8 circulates water between the treatment tank 2 and the heat exchanger 7. The circulation means 8 includes a circulation path 22 and a circulation pump 23. When the circulation pump 23 is operated, the stored water in the treatment tank 2 is returned again into the treatment tank 2 via the heat exchanger 7. When the water from the circulation pump 23 is returned into the processing tank 2, the water is jetted from the nozzle toward the object to be processed in the processing tank 2.

  The steam supply means 9 supplies steam to the heat exchanger 7 to heat the circulating water by the circulation means 8. The steam supply means 9 includes a steam supply path 24 that supplies steam from the boiler to the heat exchanger 7, and a steam supply valve 25 is provided in the steam supply path 24. By opening the steam supply valve 25, steam can be supplied to the heat exchanger 7 to heat the circulating water. The temperature in the processing tank 2 can be adjusted by controlling the steam supply valve 25 based on the temperature detected by the temperature sensor.

  The cooling means 10 supplies cooling water to the heat exchanger 7 to cool the circulating water by the circulation means 8. The cooling means 10 includes a cooling water feed path 26 that supplies cooling water from the cooling tower to the heat exchanger 7, and a cooling water return path 27 that returns the cooling water after passing through the heat exchanger 7 to the cooling tower. A cooling water feed valve 28 is provided in the cooling water feed path 26, and a cooling water return valve 29 is provided in the cooling water return path 27.

  The drain discharge means 11 discharges the condensed water of the steam supplied to the heat exchanger 7 by the steam supply means 9 to the outside. The drain discharge means 11 includes a drain discharge path 30 branched from the cooling water return path 27, and a drain discharge valve 31, a steam trap 32, and a check valve 33 provided in this order.

  When supplying steam to the heat exchanger 7 in order to heat the circulating water by the circulation means 8, the cooling water feed valve 28 and the cooling water return valve 29 are closed, while the steam supply valve 25 and the drain discharge valve 31 are opened. Good. Conversely, when cooling water is passed through the heat exchanger 7 in order to cool the circulating water by the circulation means 8, the steam supply valve 25 and the drain discharge valve 31 are closed, while the cooling water feed valve 28 and the cooling water return valve 29 are closed. And the cooling water may be circulated between the cooling tower and the heat exchanger 7.

  The control means 12 is a controller 34 that controls each means based on detection signals of temperature sensors and water level detectors, elapsed time, and the like. Specifically, in addition to the water supply valve 14, the drain valve 16, the pressurization valve 18, the exhaust valve 20, the circulation pump 23, the steam supply valve 25, the cooling water feed valve 28, the cooling water return valve 29, the drain discharge valve 31, the temperature Sensors, water level detectors, and the like are connected to the controller 34. And the controller 34 performs the heat sterilization of the to-be-processed object in the processing tank 2, a subsequent cooling, etc. according to a predetermined | prescribed procedure (program) as described below.

  Typically, in a state in which the object to be processed is accommodated in the processing tank 2, a water supply process to the processing tank 2, a transition process for raising the temperature in the processing tank 2 to a sterilization temperature, and a sterilization for heat sterilizing the object to be processed A process, a cooling process for cooling the object to be processed after heat sterilization, and a draining process from the processing tank 2 are sequentially executed.

  In the water supply process, water is supplied into the treatment tank 2 by the water supply means 3 and a desired amount of water is stored in the treatment tank 2. The water level detector can detect that a desired amount of water has been stored in the treatment tank 2.

  In the transition step, while circulating water between the treatment tank 2 and the heat exchanger 7 by the circulation means 8, the circulating water is heated by the steam supply means 9 in the heat exchanger 7, so that the temperature in the treatment tank 2 is increased. To raise. When the transition time elapses from the start of the transition process or when the inside of the treatment tank 2 rises to the sterilization temperature, the transition process ends.

  In the sterilization step, the water is circulated between the treatment tank 2 and the heat exchanger 7 by the circulation means 8, and the steam supply to the heat exchanger 7 by the steam supply means 9 is controlled to sterilize the inside of the treatment tank 2. The temperature is maintained, whereby the object to be processed in the processing tank 2 is heated and sterilized. When the inside of the treatment tank 2 is at or above the sterilization temperature and the sterilization time has elapsed, the steam supply to the heat exchanger 7 by the steam supply means 9 is stopped, and the sterilization process is terminated.

  By the way, in order to prevent the article to be treated from expanding due to heating and rupturing the packaging (such as a retort pouch), the inside of the treatment tank 2 is gradually pressurized in the transition process, and the inside of the treatment tank 2 is filled in the sterilization process. It is maintained at a set pressure (pressure in the processing tank referred to in FIG. 2). That is, in the sterilization process, the pressurizing means 5 and the exhaust means 6 are controlled to maintain the inside of the processing tank 2 at a set pressure exceeding the atmospheric pressure (slightly higher than the saturated vapor pressure corresponding to the temperature in the processing tank). The

  In the cooling step, while circulating water between the treatment tank 2 and the heat exchanger 7 by the circulation means 8, the cooling water is passed through the heat exchanger 7 by the cooling means 10 to cool the circulating water, thereby The to-be-processed object in the processing tank 2 is cooled. Supply of cooling water to the heat exchanger 7 by the cooling means 10 when the cooling time elapses from the start of the cooling process, when the temperature in the treatment tank 2 falls below the cooling temperature, or when a predetermined time elapses after falling below the cooling temperature To stop the cooling process.

  In the drainage process, drainage from the treatment tank 2 is performed by the drainage means 4. Thereafter, after the inside of the processing tank 2 is returned to atmospheric pressure by the exhaust means 6, the door of the processing tank 2 is opened, and the object to be processed can be taken out from the processing tank 2.

  By the way, the operation pattern of the sterilizer 1 differs depending on the object to be processed. For example, in the above operation example, the transition time, the sterilization temperature, the sterilization time, the pressure in the processing tank, the cooling time, the cooling temperature, and the like may vary depending on the object to be processed.

  Therefore, the sterilization apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment includes a control panel 35 for setting operation patterns and operating instructions. The control panel 35 includes a touch screen 36, operation buttons 37, a card reader 38, and the like.

  In this embodiment, the touch screen 36 functions as a setting device 39 for setting an operation pattern. The operation button 37 instructs to start or stop the operation. The card reader 38 reads information on a card 40 described later.

  The setting device 39, the card reader 38, and the like are connected to the controller 34. The controller 34 controls the respective means based on the setting contents by the setting device 39 and / or the card reader 38, thereby Perform heat sterilization and subsequent cooling. Note that data on the display screen of the touch screen 36, an operation program for the sterilization apparatus 1, and the like are stored in the information storage unit 41.

  FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a card 40 used in the sterilization apparatus 1 of the present embodiment. As shown in this figure, the card 40 is created for each driving pattern, and information related to the driving pattern is recorded. In this embodiment, the card 40 is a magnetic card capable of recording information on a magnetic stripe. However, the card 40 is not limited to a magnetic card, and may be an IC card, for example.

  The card 40 records information related to the driving pattern, more specifically, the driving content here. The operation content includes, for example, control parameters in the sterilization process and the cooling process. Usually, it is information on sterilization conditions and / or cooling conditions, and typically includes information on sterilization temperature, sterilization time, and cooling time. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2, information on the transition time, sterilization temperature, sterilization time, pressure in the processing tank, and cooling time is recorded on the magnetic stripe of the magnetic card. However, this is merely an example, and some information may be deleted, or conversely, other information (for example, cooling temperature information) may be added.

  In the case of such a configuration, the user may select the card 40 on which the driving pattern to be driven is recorded, and insert the card 40 into the card reader 38. As a result, the operation pattern recorded on the card 40 is read by the card reader 38, and the controller 34 operates the sterilizer 1 with the read operation pattern.

  Alternatively, not only the card 40 but also the setting device 39 may be used to set an operation pattern and perform a double check. That is, the setting device 39 such as the touch screen 36 is operated to accept the setting of the driving pattern, and the driving pattern set by the setting device 39 and the driving pattern read out by the card reader 38 are as follows. You may drive with that driving pattern only if they match. The setting of the operation pattern in the setting device 39 is performed by the user inputting or selecting operation details such as a sterilization temperature, a sterilization time, and a cooling time on the touch screen 36, for example.

  Incidentally, the card 40 may record only the identification information instead of the operation content as the operation pattern. In that case, in the information storage unit 41, for each of a plurality of types of driving patterns, driving pattern identification information (ID such as the pattern name in FIG. 2) and driving contents are stored in advance. And the controller 34 reads identification information from the card | curd 40 with the card reader 38, acquires the driving | operation content of the corresponding driving | running pattern from the information storage part 41 based on the identification information, and drive | operates based on the driving | running content. Also in this case, the operation may be possible after the double check with the setting by the setting device 39.

  In FIG. 2, the content actually recorded in the information recording section of the card 40 is shown on the card surface for convenience of explanation, but the operation pattern can be read by the card reader 38 on the card 40. In addition to recording, the details of driving may be recorded on the card surface so as to be visible. For example, as shown in FIG. 2, the operation details such as the sterilization temperature, the sterilization time, the treatment tank pressure, and the cooling time may be described on the card surface. If comprised in this way, the driving | operation content set with the card | curd 40 can be grasped | ascertained easily. At this time, the operation content is not directly written on the surface of the card 40, but a sticker describing the operation content may be attached. In addition, you may color-code the card | curd 40 according to driving | operation content.

  FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram illustrating one embodiment of the sterilization system 42 of the present invention. The sterilization system 42 includes a plurality of the sterilization apparatuses 1 of the above-described embodiments. Since the configuration of each sterilizer 1 is the same as that of the above-described embodiment (including the modification), the description thereof is omitted.

  In the case of such a sterilization system 42, the card | curd 40 for every driving pattern is prepared for the number of the sterilizers 1, respectively. Thereby, even if there are two or more sterilizers 1, the setting of the operation pattern to each sterilizer 1 can be performed easily and accurately. Further, it is possible to easily and accurately carry out the same operation pattern with a plurality of sterilizers 1.

  The sterilization apparatus 1 and the sterilization system 42 of the present invention are not limited to the configuration of the above-described embodiment, and can be changed as appropriate. In particular, the specific configuration of the sterilizer 1 is not limited to the configuration shown in FIG. For example, in the sterilizer 1 of FIG. 1, the stored water in the treatment tank 2 is circulated with the heat exchanger 7 and the circulating water is heated or cooled in the heat exchanger 7. Instead of heating or cooling (that is, omitting the installation of the heat exchanger 7), a sterilizer configured to sterilize the object to be processed by blowing steam directly into the circulation path 22 or the processing tank 2 by the circulation means 8. 1 is also applicable. Moreover, in the said Example, although water is stored in the processing tank 2 to such an extent that a to-be-processed object is not immersed, it can apply also to the sterilizer which immerses a to-be-processed object and sterilizes a to-be-processed object. In the case of these sterilizers 1, in the cooling step after sterilization, hot water in the treatment tank 2 is replaced with cooling water (water supplied by the water supply means 3).

  In any case, the sterilizer 1 typically has a water supply means 3 into the treatment tank 2, a drainage means 4 from the treatment tank 2, an object to be treated or stored water or circulation in the treatment tank 2. A water heating means (steaming means 9 in the above embodiment), a pressurizing means 5 in the treatment tank 2 and an exhaust means 6 from the treatment tank 2 are provided, and the object to be treated is accommodated in the treatment tank 2. A sterilization step for heat sterilization and a cooling step for cooling the object to be processed are executed. The operation pattern includes, for example, information such as the sterilization temperature and sterilization time in the sterilization process, and the cooling time in the cooling process. The heating means may be the steam supply means 9 as in the above embodiment, or an electric heater.

  Moreover, in the said Example, although the card | curd 40 was comprised from the magnetic card | curd, the kind of card | curd 40 is not ask | required in particular, For example, it is good also as an IC card. Alternatively, a card on which a barcode or QR code (registered trademark) is printed may be used. In that case, the card reader 38 is a bar code reader.

  Further, in the embodiment, the control panel 35 may be provided with a card writer, for example, the card reader 38 may be a card reader / writer. Then, a card writer can be used to write the contents input by the user using the setting device 39 to a card (blank card) on which no driving pattern is recorded. Thereby, the user can easily create the card 40 of the original driving pattern.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Sterilizer 2 Processing tank 3 Water supply means 4 Drainage means 5 Pressurization means 6 Exhaust means 7 Heat exchanger 8 Circulation means 9 Steaming means 10 Cooling means 11 Drain discharge means 12 Control means 34 Controller 35 Control panel 36 Touch screen 38 Card reader 39 Setting device 40 Card 41 Information storage unit (information storage means)
42 Sterilization system

Claims (3)

Heating the circulating water between the treatment tank in which the object to be treated is stored, the water supply means to the treatment tank, the drainage means from the treatment tank, the stored water in the treatment tank or the treatment tank Heating means, pressurizing means in the treatment tank, exhaust means from the treatment tank, and a controller as a control means for controlling the means,
The controller is connected to a setting device in addition to a card reader that reads card information,
The card reader and the setting device are provided outside the processing tank,
Among the cards created for each driving pattern, the driving pattern is set by reading the information of the selected card with the card reader, the driving pattern is also set with the setting device,
The controller operates based on the setting contents set by the setting device and the card reader, and when both the setting contents match, operates with the matching setting contents. For each of the plurality of types of driving patterns, further comprising information storage means for storing the driving pattern identification information and the driving contents in association with each other,
In the card, driving pattern identification information is recorded,
The sterilizer according to claim 1, wherein the controller acquires the operation content of the corresponding operation pattern from the information storage unit based on the operation pattern identification information, and operates based on the operation content. A plurality of the sterilizers according to claim 2 are provided,
The said sterilization system characterized by providing the said card | curd for every driving | running pattern by the number of the said each sterilizer.

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