JPH10304857A - Pasteurization of caned food - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a pasteurizer that can allow the caned beverage to reach its pasteurization temperature in a shortened time. SOLUTION: This pasteurizer is equipped with the high-frequency induction heating coil 11 that extends along the cans-conveying line, the supporting plate 12 that is made of a non-magnetic and non-conductive material, the belt 13 for carrying cans laid sideways and the carrying conveyer 15 having the cans- pushing member 15c projected outward. In this case, individual beverage cans are continuously conveyed as they are put on the carrying belt 13, supported with the supporting plate 12 and the pushing member 15c for the conveying belt 15 whereby the beverage cans are rotated, as conveyed, and heated with the high-frequency induction heating coil.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a canned heat sterilizer for continuously heat sterilizing beverage cans by pasteurization while conveying the same.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art When canning highly acidic beverages such as fruit juice beverages and lactic acid beverages, the high acidity of the beverage itself suppresses the growth of thermophilic bacteria, so that sterilization of psychrotrophic bacteria (mold, yeast, etc.) is performed. In order to avoid as much as possible the deterioration of taste, aroma and color due to exposing the contents to high temperatures during the sterilization treatment, it is usually 130 ° C. for cans immediately after filling and sealing. Instead of performing high-temperature sterilization such as retort processing for sterilization at a high temperature, pasteurization (pastrization) for sterilization at a low temperature of about 65 to 95 ° C is performed.

In such a pasteurization treatment, in order to raise the canned temperature immediately after filling and sealing the beverage to a sterilizing temperature of 65 to 95 ° C., conventionally, as shown in FIG. The cans that are continuously conveyed vertically (in an upright state) are heated by being showered with hot water or steam from above. In order to rapidly cool the sterilized cans to near room temperature, as in the case of heating, cooling by showering with cold water from above is performed.

[0004]

However, the canned food itself pasteurized by the above-mentioned conventional heat sterilization apparatus is heated from the upper side of the canned food. Due to the following temperature difference, self-convection of the contents is difficult to work, and it takes a long time for the whole to reach the predetermined temperature, and the upper part of the contents is exposed to high temperature for a long time. The taste, aroma, and color may deteriorate.

[0005] On the other hand, in the conventional pasteurization treatment as described above, hot water, steam, or the like is sprayed by a heat sterilization apparatus.
There is a danger that the steam will be trapped around the pasteurization equipment and the visibility will be poor, the temperature will be high and the humidity will be high, and the working environment will be uncomfortable. At the same time, since the cooling devices for rapidly cooling the cans are arranged side by side following the heat sterilization device, the installation space for the entire equipment for pasteurization treatment is large.

An object of the present invention is to solve the above-mentioned problems by improving a heat sterilizing apparatus for pasteurizing treatment so that the whole can can reach a predetermined sterilizing temperature in a short time. Another object of the present invention is to make the working environment safe and comfortable, and to make the whole equipment for pasteurization processing compact and installable in a small space.

[0007]

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention provides a high-frequency induction heating coil extending along the direction in which cans are conveyed, as described in claim 1, and a non-induction heating coil. A support plate made of a magnetic and non-conductive material with a smooth upper surface, a mounting belt for mounting the cans in a lying state, and a conveyor for transporting with a pressing member for pushing the cans outward. A canned heat sterilization apparatus provided with a support plate installed so as to cover at least an upper surface side of a high-frequency induction heating coil, and mounted so as to slide on an upper surface of the support plate and move in a direction opposite to a canning conveyance direction. The placing belt is installed, and the carrying conveyor is installed to move the cans in the carrying direction in opposition to the upper surface of the placing belt, so that the can is placed on the placing belt, and Branch It is characterized in that each beverage can that is continuously conveyed by being pressed by the pressing member of the conveying conveyor is conveyed while rotating, and is configured to be heated by the high-frequency induction heating coil. Is what you do.

Further, as described in claim 2 above,
A high-frequency induction heating coil extending along the direction in which cans are transported, a support plate having a smooth upper surface made of a non-magnetic and non-conductive material, and a transport conveyor having a pressing member for pushing out the cans protruding outward. A heating frame for canning, comprising a connecting frame for integrally connecting the high-frequency induction heating coil with the rotating shafts of the support plate and the conveyor, and a rocking means for rocking the connecting frame vertically. In the apparatus, a support plate is installed so as to cover at least the upper surface side of the high-frequency induction heating coil, a transport conveyor is installed so as to move the can in the transport direction in opposition to the upper surface of the support plate, and a connection frame is provided. It is attached to the fixed member on the upstream side in the transport direction so as to be swingable in the vertical direction with the mounting portion as a fulcrum, and downstream from the mounting portion of the connection frame in the transport direction. A swing means is installed, and the high-frequency induction heating coil, the support plate and the conveyor are swinged up and down together by the swing means via the connecting frame, with the upstream side in the can direction in the direction of can being transported as a fulcrum. Each of the beverage cans sandwiched between the support plate and the transport conveyor, supported by the support plate, and continuously transported by being pressed by the pressing members of the transport conveyor, It is configured to be heated by a high-frequency induction heating coil while being conveyed while moving.

Further, as described in claim 3 above,
A high-frequency induction heating coil extending along the direction in which the can is transported, a support plate made of a non-magnetic and non-conductive material having a smooth upper surface, a mounting belt for mounting the can in a sideways state, and a push for pushing the can A conveyor for projecting the pressing member outward, and a connection frame for integrally connecting each of the rotating shafts of the high-frequency induction heating coil, the support plate, the mounting belt, and the conveyor for conveyance, What is claimed is: 1. A canned heat sterilizer having a swinging means for swinging a connecting frame in a vertical direction, wherein a support plate is provided so as to cover at least an upper surface side of a high-frequency induction heating coil, and slides on an upper surface of the support plate. The mounting belt is installed so that it moves in the direction opposite to the direction of transport of cans,
A transport conveyor is installed to move the cans in the transport direction in opposition to the upper surface of the mounting belt, and the connecting frame can swing up and down with the mounting part as a fulcrum with respect to the fixing member on the upstream side in the transport direction. The swing means is installed on the downstream side in the transport direction from the attachment portion of the connection frame, and the high-frequency induction heating coil, the support plate, the mounting belt, and the transport conveyor are connected to the connection frame by the swing means. By being installed so that it can be swung up and down with the upstream in the transport direction of the can as a fulcrum, it is sandwiched between the placing belt and the transport conveyor, supported by the support plate, and transported. Each beverage can that is continuously conveyed by being pressed by the pressing member of the conveyor for rotation, while being conveyed while rotating and swinging, by the high-frequency induction heating coil And it is characterized in that it is configured to be heated.

Further, in the heat sterilization apparatus for cans according to any one of claims 1 to 3, as described in claim 4, the cans for cooling the cans immediately after heat sterilization in a water tank. The heat disinfection device is disposed at a high position such that the cooling device is disposed in a space below the heat disinfection device.

[0011]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Hereinafter, an embodiment of a canned heat sterilizer of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 shows the entire equipment equipped with a canned heat sterilizer according to one embodiment of the present invention. The equipment for pasteurization processing centering on the heat sterilizer 1 of this embodiment is shown in FIG. When canning highly acidic beverages having a pH of 4.6 or less such as fruit juice beverages and lactic acid beverages, each can can be subjected to pasteurization treatment (pastrization) immediately after filling and sealing the beverage. It is incorporated in the process of a canned production line in which the processing in each step is continuously performed while the body is continuously transported.

That is, although not shown, in a beverage canning production line subjected to pasteurization treatment, a washing machine continuously dispensed by a beverage filling machine for distributing and filling the delivered beverage. Highly acidic beverages are continuously distributed and filled into each empty can, and then the beverage-filled can body is continuously fed to a can lid winding machine via a conveyor. In the can lid winding machine in which the can lid is continuously supplied from the can lid supply device, the can lid is wound around each can body filled with the beverage, and the can lid is continuously prepared as a sealed beverage can. Send out from the winder.

[0014] The beverage cans continuously fed from the can lid winder are conveyed by a pasteurization treatment facility centered on a heat sterilization apparatus while being conveyed at a predetermined sterilization temperature (80 to 95 ° C). Heat until it becomes, sterilize by maintaining that temperature for a predetermined time, cool it down to near room temperature, send it to the box packing process, and finally, from the production line in a state where it is packed in a cardboard case every predetermined number Take it out.

[0015] The whole equipment for pasteurization disposed in the middle of the above-mentioned canning production line will be described.
As shown in FIG. 1, the cans 2 continuously conveyed along a conveyor 3 which conveys the cans 2 immediately after being discharged from a can lid winding machine (not shown) in an upright state. A canned laying device 4 for changing from the erected state to the laid state is disposed, and the can 2 introduced from the inlet of the device 4 in the erected state and discharged from the outlet of the device 4 in the laid state is lifter. 5 and is sent to the heat sterilizer 1 arranged above.

As shown in FIG. 2, the lifter 5 is provided between two parallel endless chains 5a (in FIG. 2, only the vicinity of one chain is shown). A horizontal plate 5b (only one horizontal plate is shown in FIG. 2) is passed at equal intervals in the direction, and a stainless steel Y-shaped canned surface having a smoothed surface is applied to each horizontal plate 5b. Housing part (thickness 10m
m inside and outside) 5c are attached at a predetermined interval two by two per can 2.

The lifter 5 extends substantially vertically so as to surround the periphery of each canned container 5c in order to prevent the horizontally placed cans 2 accommodated in the canned container 5c from falling. Two guide plates, that is, a top guide 5d and a bottom guide 5e (to prevent the can in the axial direction of the can) facing the top lid and the bottom lid (can bottom) of the contained can 2 respectively; The two side guides 5f, 5g (preventing the cans from dropping from the Y-shaped opening) which are provided between the canned accommodating portions 5c and face the body of the accommodated cans are respectively provided. Is provided.

These guide plates 5d to 5g are fixed to a frame (not shown) for fixing the lifter 5, but when the can 2 enters the can receiving section 5c and when the can 2 enters the can receiving section 5c. In order to prevent the side guide plates 5f, 5g on the opening side of the Y-shape from getting in the way when exiting, the side guide plates 5f, 5g are provided near the entrance from the can-side down device 4 and the heat sterilization device 1. It is not provided near the outlet to the canned conveyor 15.

Although not shown, a stopper which is moved back and forth by the operation of an air cylinder is provided near the exit of the canning device 4.
By moving the air cylinder to retract the stopper when c approaches, the can 2 is accommodated in the Y-shaped can accommodating portion 5c while rolling, and is carried upward by the lifter 5.

The can 2 transported upward by the lifter 5
Moves around the sprocket 5h at the upper end, and at this time, the collar 15c, which is a pressing member of the can-carrying conveyor 15, passes between the two can-accommodating portions 5c, and the can 15 Since the can 2 comes into contact with the body and presses the can 2 in the traveling direction of the can transport conveyor 15, the can 5
When the Y-shaped opening is almost horizontal, the can 2 is pushed out of the can storage portion 5c, and thereafter, the can 2 is pushed by the collar 15c and is carried in the carrying direction.

A plurality of (for example, six rows) transfer processing paths as shown in FIG. 1 are integrally provided in one pasteurization processing equipment, and are conveyed by a conveyor 3. The cans 2 in the upright state are respectively introduced from a plurality of (six places) inlets of the can-side down device 4, and are simultaneously discharged from the plurality (six places) outlets through separate side-down passages of the device 4. The cans 2 to be processed are simultaneously loaded on the respective can storage sections 5c of a plurality of (six) lifters 5 driven by the same drive source, and thereafter, the cans 2 are simultaneously transferred along the transport processing path of each row. Will be processed.

In the heat sterilization apparatus 1 disposed at the upper end of the lifter 5, the cans 2 fed from the lifter 5 in a state of being laid down are continuously transported by the can transport conveyor 15 while the cans 2 are transferred to the lower side of the cans 2. The canned food 2 is heated to a predetermined sterilization temperature (80 to 95 ° C.) by high-frequency induction heating by a high-frequency induction heating coil 11 arranged along the transport direction, and then the heat-sterilized canned food 2 is removed from the apparatus. 1 through an outlet turret 6 composed of a star-shaped turret arranged at the end of the conveying path, and is sent out to a canned cooling device 7 arranged below the device 1.

The high-frequency induction heating performed by the high-frequency induction heating coil 11 in the heat sterilizing apparatus 1 is a heating method generally known per se in the prior art. When current flows through the high-frequency induction heating coil 11 disposed on the side of the container, the container of the can 2 is heated by Joule heat based on an induced current (eddy current) generated in the metal material can container, and the contents of the container 2 are passed through the container. By heating the beverage, the whole can is heated up to a predetermined sterilization temperature in a short time.

In a space formed below the heat sterilizer 1 disposed at a high position, which is the upper end of the lifter 5, the can 2 immediately after heat sterilization by the heat sterilizer 1 is placed at room temperature. A canned cooling device 7 for quenching to a nearby location is arranged, and the canned product 2 sent out from the outlet turret 6 rolls by its own gravity and is immediately introduced into the canned cooling device 7 located below.

The canned cooling device 7 is provided with a conveyor 9 so that cans are continuously meandered in a water tank 8 in which cooling water is stored. It itself is compact and space-saving.

As shown in FIG. 3, the conveyor 9 of the canned cooling device 7 is composed of two parallel endless chain conveyors 9a made of stainless steel (only the vicinity of one side chain is shown in FIG. 3). A large number of canned plates 9b (only one plate is shown in FIG. 3), which are stretched across a large number of spaces at a predetermined interval, are placed and transported in a horizontal state. In order to prevent the can 2 from dropping from the can mounting plate 9b, an interval that allows the can 9 to pass through the can mounting plate 9b and that is slightly wider than the body diameter of the can 2 And two pairs of side guide plates 9c and 9d facing each other at a distance from each other and at a distance slightly shorter than the length of the can 2, and at positions facing the can lid and the bottom lid (can bottom), respectively. , Two pairs It is provided top guide plate 9e and bottom guide plate 9f. (Each of the pair of the top surface guide plate 9e and the bottom surface guide plate 9f is provided at an interval capable of passing the can mounting plate 9b.)

Eight guide plates 9c to 9c arranged so as to surround one can 2 with respect to the can mounting plate 9b.
9f is 6 along the longitudinal direction of the can mounting plate 9b.
Pairs (only one pair is shown) are provided, and
Each of the guide plates 9c to 9f has two outer plates between the two sprockets 9h and 9k at the upper end of the endless chain conveyor shown in FIG. 1 and around the sprocket 9k on the outlet side. Only the side guide plate 9c has been removed for putting the can 2 in and out.

The canned food 2 sterilized by heat in the heat sterilization apparatus 1
Is dropped between the two can mounting plates 9b of the endless chain conveyor 9 moving in the horizontal direction while rolling through the outlet turret 6, received by the side guide plate 9d, and moves around the sprocket 9h. After turning, it descends downward and is introduced into the water tank 8.

The can 2 introduced into the water tank 8 of the can cooling device 7 is initially placed on the can mounting plate 9b, and when the can 2 starts to ascend around the lower sprocket 9m, the can 2 is placed. Is transported by being pushed from the back by the next (downstream in the conveying direction) can mounting plate 9b. In the subsequent ascent process, the can is placed on the next can mounting plate 9b and transported. It is.

As described above, eight guide plates for preventing falling of cans are provided on the outer periphery or inner periphery of each sprocket 9m, 9n in water, and heat sterilization introduced into the can cooling device 7 is performed. Immediately after the can 2 is guided by the conveyer 9 composed of two endless chain conveyors in the narrow water tank 8 and is meandered for a long time, the can 2 is rapidly cooled to near room temperature by the cooling water in the water tank 8 and then cooled. Sent to the process.

According to the cooling process by the canned cooling device 7 as described above, the transport of the canned food 2 is carried out in water, so that the surface of the canned food 2 is hardly damaged. The can itself is a can mounting plate 9b, a top guide plate 9e, a bottom guide 9f, and a side guide plate 9.
Since the beverage moves in the space restricted by c and 9d, the beverage in the can also moves with the movement of the can 2, and the cooling efficiency increases due to the stirring effect thereby.

FIG. 4 shows one embodiment (first embodiment) of the heat sterilization apparatus of the present invention used in the equipment for pasteurization treatment as described above.
A high-frequency induction heating coil 11 serving as a means for heating each can by high-frequency induction heating is arranged to extend in the transport direction.

With respect to the high-frequency induction heating coil 11,
In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 5, a ferrite core 11a having a U-shaped vertical cross-section is formed so that the U-shaped opening is directed upward, and a gap is formed to a length of about 1 m along the transport direction of the can 2. And two rows (with an interval between rows), and the four-turn winding through the 8 mm square hollow conductive pipe 11b in the U-shaped cross section storage space of the ferrite core in each row. An induction heating coil 11 is formed. In addition, 8 used for the high-frequency induction heating coil 11
The hollow conductive pipe 11b made of copper of mm square is such that cooling water can flow through the hollow portion.

In order to increase the magnetic flux density of the magnetic field generated from the coil and perform efficient can heating, the high-frequency induction heating coil 11 has a U-shaped vertical section arranged in parallel at intervals.
The ferrite core 11a is wound around the U-shaped ferrite core, and the magnetic flux is concentrated in a narrow area, and the power applied to the can is highly efficient. On the other hand, in order to prevent the can wall from burning,
The heating surface is diffused by disposing the letter-shaped coils at intervals (a gap is provided between places where magnetic fluxes are concentrated).

The high-frequency induction heating coil 11 formed as described above is a case 1 made of epoxy resin having a U-shaped vertical section.
1c, the upper surface of which is formed of a non-magnetic and non-conductive material such as engineering plastic is covered by a cover of a smooth support plate 12, and the upper surface of the support plate 12 The thickness is preferably about 2 mm in thickness to shorten the distance between the upper end of the high-frequency induction heating coil 11 and the can 2.

It should be noted that the support plate 12
The entire high-frequency induction heating coil 11 composed of the ferrite core 11a and the conductive pipe 11b, or at least the upper surface thereof is covered with an epoxy resin or the like (painting,
The upper surface may be smoothed together with the extrusion of the molten resin.

In the heat sterilizer 1 of the present embodiment (first embodiment), the can 2 is placed on the support plate 12 which covers the upper surface of the high frequency induction heating coil 11 as described above. The mounting belt 13 is moved in a direction opposite to the transport direction of the can 2 while the lower surface of the belt 13 located on the upper side (can mounting side) slides on the smooth surface of the support plate 12. It is installed so as to circulate vertically around the high-frequency induction heating coil 11 and the support plate 12 by the driving force of the driving motor 14.

Although not shown, the mounting belt 1
Above 3, the placed can 2 faces the canopy and the bottom lid so that the placed can 2 does not shift in the lateral direction, and
A pair of side guides is provided for one row of cans so as to face each other at a distance slightly longer than the length of the cans. While six belts 13 are arranged in parallel in the transport direction, six pairs of side guides are also provided.

On the other hand, the can 2 can be opposed to the upper side of the placing belt 13 (the can placing side) against the movement of the placing belt 13 (movement in the direction opposite to the conveying direction). An endless conveyor 15 for canned conveyance provided with pressing members (collars 15c) for pressing the paper in the conveying direction at equal intervals is provided. The moving range of the canned conveyor 15 is above the lifter 5. And extends above the outlet turret 6.

In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 6, the canned conveyor 15 has two endless chain conveyors 15a arranged in parallel (only the vicinity of one chain is shown in FIG. 6). A guide shaft 15b (only one guide shaft is shown in FIG. 6) is provided at equal intervals between the guide shafts 15b.
On the other hand, as a pressing member, two collars (hollow pipes) 15c made of synthetic resin having a small coefficient of friction are rotatably attached to each can, and one guide shaft 15b is attached to one guide shaft 15b. The collars 15c for six rows (12 pieces) are attached in accordance with the canned rows (6 rows) to be conveyed.

The length of the collar 15c is not so long as to be in line contact with the entire length of the can body. One piece of the collar 15c is used to reduce the contact surface in order to reduce the resistance and to stabilize the pushing force of the can body. The two collars 15c are attached to the can 2 at an interval, and are slightly above the axis of the can body (specifically, for example, 5 mm above the can shaft).
By disposing the collar 15c so as to press, stable conveyance is achieved.

As for the pressing member of the can-conveying conveyor 15, the can 2 is rotated when the pressing member serving to press the can 2 presses the can 2 from behind, so that the can 2 is rotated. There is a possibility that the surface may be scratched by friction, and in order to prevent the pressing member from scratching the canned surface, a material having a small frictional resistance is applied to the collar 15c which comes into contact with the can and rotates freely as described above. It is desirable to use it. In this embodiment, a synthetic resin is used, but any material that does not damage the surface of the can body may be used.

In the present embodiment, the collar 15c is used as the pressing member, and the collar 15c and the can body of the can 2 are slid. However, the pressing member is not limited to such. Alternatively, a rotating roll that rotates at the same speed as the can via a ball bearing may be used. Even if the surface resistance is somewhat large, there is less possibility of the can body surface being damaged than using a collar.

Further, the pressing member is not limited to a collar or a rotating roll, and any member can be used as long as it can be pressed without damaging the can, and its shape is not particularly limited.
For example, a rod-like body, a plate-like body, or a strip-like body may be used.

The spacing (pocket) between the pressing members (collars 15c) along the conveying direction of the can-conveying conveyor 15 can be handled without changing the mold even if the diameter of the can 2 changes from 202 to 211. It has become. (However,
When the height of the can talk 2 is changed, it is necessary to change the type of the side guide. In this case, it is possible to cover all pockets by changing one side guide on one side instead of each pocket. )

The present embodiment as described above (first embodiment)
According to the heat sterilizer 1, the can 2 continuously fed from the lifter 5 is placed on the opposite side to the transport direction so as to slide on the upper surface of the support plate 12 while being supported by the support plate 12. It is placed on the placing belt 13 and is given a force to move in the direction opposite to the carrying direction by the frictional force with the placing belt 13. Since the two collars 15c attached to the portion moving in the transport direction (the lower side of the can transporter) hit the can 2 from behind the can 2 slightly above the center of the can 2, and press the can 2. The can 2 is subjected to opposing forces at its upper and lower parts, so that the can 2 is transported in the transport direction while rotating clockwise (as viewed in FIGS. 1 and 4). Become.

The can 2 which is being conveyed in the conveying direction while rotating clockwise (as viewed in FIGS. 1 and 4) is a high-frequency induction heating coil disposed below the support plate 12 during this conveyance. 11 causes induction heating.

With respect to the heating method using the high-frequency induction heating coil 11, when a conductive object (can in the present invention) is placed in an alternating magnetic field generated by applying a current to the high-frequency induction heating coil 11, an eddy current is generated in the object. This is a heating method that utilizes the fact that eddy current is converted into heat energy by the flow and the electric resistance of the object, and is a well-known method. Therefore, detailed description will be omitted. 15 speed and high frequency induction heating coil 1
1, the distance between the high-frequency induction heating coil 11 and the can 2 and the amount of current flowing through the high-frequency induction heating coil 11 can be set arbitrarily.

The rotation speed at which the can 2 is rotated to agitate the contents (the rotation speed increases when the moving speed of the mounting belt 13 is increased) is, for example, from 50 ° C. to 90 ° C. in 30 seconds. In the case of heating so as to raise the temperature, it is effective to increase the temperature to 200 rpm or more.

The mounting belt 13 is made of a material having a high frictional resistance on the outer surface of the belt 13 in order to apply a rotational force to the can 2 in contact therewith.
In order to make the sliding contact with the belt 2 without resistance, it is preferable to use a material having a small frictional resistance on the back surface of the belt 13. It is preferable to use a material having high elasticity, and in the present embodiment, a belt in which silicon is applied to the outer surface of a glass fiber belt is used.

In order to prevent the surface of the mounting belt 13 from being damaged by metal powder or paint residue deposited on the surface of the mounting belt 13, a brush or an air blow is provided at an appropriate position on the mounting belt 13. It is desirable to remove dirt and foreign matter such as metal powder and paint residue.

FIG. 7 shows another embodiment (second embodiment) of the heat sterilization apparatus 1 which can be used in the above-mentioned equipment for pasteurization. In this embodiment, a high-frequency induction heating coil is used. 11 (having the same structure as that of the first embodiment) is made of engineering plastic so as to extend longer than both ends in the longitudinal direction (transport direction) of the induction heating coil 11 and to cover above the induction heating coil 11. And a side guide (not shown) is provided above the support plate 12 so as to restrict the lateral movement of the canned food, and above the support plate 12 so as to face the support plate 12. A canning conveyor 15 (having the same structure as that of the first embodiment) for pushing cans in the conveying direction by a pressing member (collar 15c) attached to the outer surface side is provided. To have.

In the second embodiment, the high-frequency induction heating coil 11, the support plate 12, the side guide, and the can-carrying conveyor 15 are connected to the connecting frame 16
Are connected so as to be able to swing integrally.

That is, the high-frequency induction heating coil 11, the support plate 12, and the side guide are attached to the connection frame 16 as a swing unit that swings integrally, and the sprockets 15m, A rotation shaft portion of 15n is attached, and the upstream side of the connection frame 16 in the transport direction is
It is attached to the rotating shaft portion 17 of the sprocket 5h at the upper end of the lifter provided as a fixed member so as to be vertically swingable.

Further, the fixing member (the rotating shaft portion 1 of the sprocket at the upper end of the lifter) is provided on the upstream side in the transport direction.
A swinging means having a connecting rod 18 and a swinging drive motor 19 is provided downstream of the connecting frame 16 which is swingably mounted in the vertical direction with respect to 7). One end of a connecting rod 18 of the swinging means is connected to a lower end of the connecting frame 16 on the downstream side in the transport direction, and the other end of the connecting rod 18 is rotated in conjunction with a swing driving motor 19. It is rotatably mounted near the outer periphery of the rotating body 20.

With such a structure, the swinging unit integrally connected by the connecting frame 16 as described above allows the rotating shaft portion of the sprocket 5h at the upper end of the lifter 5 to rotate the rotating shaft (up and down swinging). A fulcrum 17 and a swing drive motor 19 via a connecting rod 18 connected to the lower end of the connection frame 16 on the side close to the outlet turret 6.
Are swung together by the driving force of.

According to the heat sterilization apparatus 1 of the second embodiment as described above, the cans 2 continuously fed from the lifter 5 are placed on the support plate 12 and the canned conveyor 15 Is pushed in the transport direction while rolling on the support plate 12 by being pushed by the pressing member (collar 15c), and is loosened between the support plate 12 and the can transport conveyor 15 by driving of the swing drive motor 19. It is heated by the high-frequency induction heating coil 11 while being conveyed while swinging almost vertically in the sandwiched state.

In the case of the second embodiment, since the can 2 is placed on the support plate 12 and transported, the support plate 12 is made of a material having relatively high frictional resistance, for example, hard rubber. It is preferable to use such a material.

According to the above-described second embodiment, the rotation speed of the can 2 during conveyance is considerably lower than that of the first embodiment, but the can 2 is swung during the conveyance. Therefore, the canned contents liquid is well stirred, the heat of the can is quickly transmitted to the contents liquid, and the fulcrum (rotary shaft for swinging) 17 of the swinging unit is placed on the lifter 5 side.
When the can 2 is at a position close to the lifter 5, the degree of swing is small. However, when the can 2 is close to the outlet turret 6, the degree of swing is large. When the temperature of the canned contents liquid is low, the stirring effect is small. As the temperature of the liquid increases, the stirring effect increases.

That is, when the canned content liquid is heated from the outside, the dispersion of the temperature of the content liquid increases as the temperature of the content liquid increases unless the stirring is performed well. As described above, the higher the temperature of the content liquid is, the better the stirring is. Therefore, the stirring efficiency is higher than the ratio of the load of the oscillating motor 19.

In the case of the second embodiment, the vibration conditions for oscillating the can 2 to agitate the contents include, for example, about the length of the support plate 12 supporting each can 2. The stroke at the center in the longitudinal direction of the portion corresponding to the high-frequency induction heating coil 11 is 10 mm.
As described above, it is effective to set the frequency to 4 reciprocations / second or more.

FIG. 8 shows still another embodiment (third embodiment) of the heat sterilization apparatus 1 which can be used in the above-described equipment for pasteurization treatment. As in the first embodiment, the high-frequency induction heating coil 11, the support plate 12 made of engineering plastic covering the high-frequency induction heating coil 11, and the can 2 are placed sideways and the upper surface of the support plate 12 is moved. Mounting belt 13 and a side guide (not shown) so as to restrict the lateral movement of the can 2 above the mounting belt 13.
And a can-conveying conveyor 15 for pushing the can 2 in the conveying direction by a pressing member (collar 15c) attached to the outer surface side.

In the third embodiment, the high-frequency induction heating coil 11, the support plate 12, the side guides, the placing belt 13, and the can-carrying conveyor 15 are
They are connected via a connection frame 16 so as to be integrally swingable.

That is, the high-frequency induction heating coil 11, the support plate 12, and the side guide are attached to the connecting frame 16 as a swinging unit that swings integrally, and each sprocket 15m, A portion of the rotating shaft of 15n and a portion of the rotating shaft of each of the pulleys 13m and 13n of the mounting belt 13 are respectively attached, and an upstream side of the connecting frame 16 in the transport direction is a lifter installed as a fixed member. It is attached to the rotating shaft portion 17 of the sprocket 5h at the upper end so as to be vertically swingable.

Further, the fixing member (the rotating shaft portion 17 of the sprocket at the upper end of the lifter) is provided on the upstream side in the transport direction.
A swing means having a connecting rod 18 and a swing drive motor 19 is provided downstream of the connecting frame 16 which is swingably mounted in the vertical direction with respect to the connecting frame 16. One end of a connecting rod 18 of the oscillating means is connected to 16, and the other end of the connecting rod 18 is rotatable around the outer periphery of a rotating body 20 which is rotated in conjunction with an oscillating drive motor 19. Installed.

With such a structure, the swinging unit integrally connected by the connecting frame as described above uses the rotating shaft of the sprocket 5h at the upper end of the lifter as the rotating shaft (as in the second embodiment). Supporting point for vertical swing) 1
7 and the connection frame 16 on the side near the exit turret 6
Swings integrally by a driving force of a swing drive motor 19 via a connecting rod 18 connected to a lower end of the swing unit. In the swing unit, the mounting belt 13
The high-frequency induction heating coil 11 is moved by the driving force of the belt driving motor 14 in the direction opposite to the conveying direction of the can 2 while sliding on the smooth surface of the support plate 12.
And the support plate 12 are circulated in the vertical direction, and the canned conveyor 15 is
A pressing member (collar 15c) opposed to the mounting belt 13
To move the can 2 in the transport direction.

According to the heat sterilization apparatus 1 of the third embodiment as described above, the can 2 continuously fed from the lifter 5 is supported by the support plate 12 and in the direction opposite to the direction in which the can is transported. It is placed on the moving mounting belt 13 and attempts to move in the opposite direction to the direction of transport of the cans 2 with the movement of the mounting belt 13, but moves behind the collar 15 c of the can transport conveyor 15. 8, the paper is conveyed while rotating in the conveyance direction (clockwise in FIG. 8), and rocked and loosely held between the placing belt 13 and the canned conveyance conveyor 15. It is heated by the high-frequency induction heating coil 11 during the heating.

That is, according to the third embodiment, since the can 2 is swung while being forcibly rotated, the stirring effect of the can content liquid is enhanced, and the heat of the heated can is quickly converted into the content liquid. It will be transmitted. Since the can 2 is forcibly rotated, the oscillation frequency per unit time of the swing unit for swinging the can 2 may be smaller than that of the second embodiment. Even if the speed is considerably lower than that of the first embodiment, the canned contents liquid can be sufficiently stirred to rotate and oscillate the cans 2 at the same time. Abrasion on the canned surface due to slipping and rubbing with the pressing member 15c of the conveyor 15 and the mounting belt 13 can be prevented.

The heating and sterilizing apparatus 1 shown in the third embodiment is shown in the first embodiment by stopping the swing drive motor 19 and operating the belt drive motor 14. It can be used in the same manner as the heat sterilization apparatus 1 and its swing drive motor 1
By operating the motor 9 and stopping the belt driving motor 14, it can be used in the same manner as the heat sterilization apparatus 1 shown in the second embodiment.

By the way, in the conventional heat sterilizer, since the canned food is unilaterally heated from the upper side, a temperature difference is generated such that the temperature of the beverage inside the canned becomes higher toward the upper side, and the content of the canned beverage is increased. Self-convection hardly works, and it takes time to bring the entire can to a predetermined sterilization temperature (80 to 95 ° C).

On the other hand, according to the canned heat sterilization apparatus 1 of each embodiment as described above, the whole can can be efficiently heated in a short time. That is, in the heat sterilization apparatus 1 according to each of the above-described embodiments, the entire can is efficiently heated through the metal can container by high-frequency induction heating, and further, the can is rotated or rocked, and the content is increased. By heating while stirring, the heat of the heated can container can be more effectively transmitted to the entire contents in a short time, so that the entire can can be efficiently and quickly sterilized to a predetermined sterilization temperature (80 to 95 ° C).

As a result, in the conventional heat sterilizer, only the upper part of the contents is exposed to a high temperature (the temperature of hot water or steam) for a long time before the entire canned food reaches a predetermined sterilization temperature. As a result, the deterioration of the taste, aroma and color of the contents is increased, whereas the heating and sterilizing apparatus 1 according to each of the above-described embodiments heats the contents as a whole and performs the predetermined sterilization in a short time. The temperature can be reached,
The time for exposing the contents to a high temperature is shortened, and the taste, aroma and color of the contents can be reduced.

Further, the canned heat sterilizer 1 of each embodiment
According to the method, the cans are heated and sterilized by induction heating using a high-frequency induction heating coil, so that it is necessary to spray hot water or steam into the work environment, as compared with a conventional canned heat sterilizer using a shower of hot water or steam. Therefore, the working environment can be made safe and comfortable.

Further, in the conventional heat sterilizer, since heating is performed from the upper side of the can, that is, from the side of the head space (the space where there is no content in the upper part of the can), the pressure in the head space that determines the internal pressure of the can is increased. In contrast to the increase due to heating, in the heat sterilizer 1 according to each of the above embodiments,
Especially without heating from the side of the head space,
Since the pressure in the head space can be reduced during heating, the thickness of the can wall can be reduced to a minimum thickness necessary for suppressing deformation of the can body due to a change in the internal pressure of the can.

Further, the sterilization temperature is (8) depending on the type of can.
(Within a range of 0 to 95 ° C.) or the temperature at the time of filling the contents is different. Therefore, it is necessary to appropriately change the degree of heating according to the type of can. In the heat sterilization apparatus 1, such a change in the degree of heating can be extremely easily performed only by changing the magnitude of the current flowing through the high-frequency induction heating coil.

Furthermore, in the heat sterilization apparatus 1 according to each of the above-described embodiments, unlike the conventional shower-type heat sterilization apparatus, it is possible to arrange the apparatus at a high position and install another apparatus below the apparatus. By disposing the canned cooling device 7 immediately after the heat sterilization in the space below the heat sterilization device 1, the whole equipment for the pasteurization treatment can be compact and installed in a small space.

[0077]

According to the apparatus for heat sterilization of cans of the present invention as described above, the whole can can reach a predetermined sterilization temperature in a short time by employing the high-frequency induction heating means. Deterioration of taste, aroma, and color caused by exposing the contents to high temperature for a long time can be reduced, and the pressure in the head space during heating sterilization can be kept low. As a result, the minimum required can wall thickness for suppressing the deformation of the can body caused by this can be reduced. Further, according to the canned heat sterilizer of the present invention, since hot water and steam are not used, the working environment can be made safe and comfortable, and the canned cooling device is disposed below the heat sterilizer. In addition, the whole equipment for pasteurization treatment can be installed in a small space as a compact one.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an explanatory side view schematically showing the entire equipment for pasteurizing canned foods provided with the heat sterilizing apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a main part of a lifter in the equipment shown in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view partially showing a transport conveyor of the canned cooling device in the equipment shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is an explanatory side view showing the first embodiment of the heat sterilizer according to the present invention.

5 is a partially sectional perspective view partially showing a high-frequency induction heating coil in the heat sterilization apparatus shown in FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view partially showing a pressing member of a can-carrying conveyor in the heat sterilization apparatus shown in FIG. 4;

FIG. 7 is an explanatory side view showing a second embodiment of the heat sterilization apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is an explanatory side view showing a third embodiment of the heat sterilization apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is an explanatory side view showing a conventional canned heat sterilizer.

[Explanation of symbols]

 REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 canned heat sterilizer 2 canned 7 canned cooling device 8 water tank 11 high-frequency induction heating coil 12 support plate 13 placement belt 15 (canned) transport conveyor 15 c pressing member (color) 16 connection frame 17 connection frame fulcrum 18 connection rod (Swinging means) 19 Swing drive motor (Swinging means) 20 Rotating body (Swinging means)

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A high-frequency induction heating coil extending along a direction in which cans are transported, a support plate having a smooth upper surface made of a non-magnetic and non-conductive material, and a mounting belt for mounting the cans in a lying state. A canned heat disinfection device provided with a transport conveyor having a pressing member projecting outward to push the can, wherein a support plate is provided so as to cover at least the upper surface side of the high-frequency induction heating coil, and is supported. A loading belt is installed so as to slide on the upper surface of the plate and move in the direction opposite to the transport direction of the can, and a transport conveyor is arranged to move the can in the transport direction in opposition to the upper surface of the loading belt. Each of the beverage cans placed on the placing belt, supported by the support plate, and continuously transported by being pressed by the pressing member of the transport conveyor. While being conveyed while rotating, canned heat sterilization apparatus characterized by being configured to be heated by high frequency induction heating coil. 2. A high-frequency induction heating coil extending along a direction in which cans are transported, a support plate having a smooth upper surface made of a non-magnetic and non-conductive material, and a pressing member for pushing the cans protruding outward. Equipped with a conveyer, a connection frame for integrally connecting the rotating shafts of the high-frequency induction heating coil and the support plate and the conveyer, and a rocking means for rocking the connection frame vertically. A heating sterilizer for cans, wherein a support plate is installed so as to cover at least the upper surface side of the high-frequency induction heating coil, and a conveyor for conveyance is installed so as to move the can in the transport direction opposite to the upper surface of the support plate. The connecting frame is attached to the fixing member on the upstream side in the transport direction so as to be swingable in the vertical direction with the mounting portion as a fulcrum, and A rocking means is installed on the downstream side in the feeding direction, and the high-frequency induction heating coil, the support plate, and the conveyor for transfer are vertically moved together with the rocking means via the connecting frame, with the upstream side in the canning in the transport direction as a fulcrum. By being installed so as to be swung, it is sandwiched between the support plate and the transport conveyor, supported by the support plate, and continuously transported by being pressed by the pressing member of the transport conveyor. An apparatus for heating and sterilizing cans, wherein the beverage cans are heated by a high-frequency induction heating coil while being conveyed while swinging. 3. A high-frequency induction heating coil extending along a direction in which the can is transported, a support plate having a smooth upper surface made of a non-magnetic and non-conductive material, and a mounting belt for mounting the can in a lying state. , To integrally connect the respective rotating shafts of the conveyor for conveyance, in which the pressing member for pushing the cans is projected outward, and the high-frequency induction heating coil, the support plate, the mounting belt, and the conveyor for conveyance. A canned heating and sterilizing apparatus provided with a connecting frame and a rocking means for rocking the connecting frame in a vertical direction, wherein a support plate is provided so as to cover at least an upper surface side of the high-frequency induction heating coil. A mounting belt is installed so as to slide on the upper surface of the plate and move in the direction opposite to the transport direction of the can, and moves the can in the transport direction in opposition to the upper surface of the mounting belt. The connecting frame is mounted on the fixing member on the upstream side in the conveying direction so as to be swingable in the vertical direction with the mounting portion as a fulcrum, and swings in the conveying direction downstream from the mounting portion of the connecting frame. Means is installed, the high-frequency induction heating coil, the support plate, the mounting belt, and the conveyor are swung up and down together by the swinging means, with the fulcrum on the upstream side in the canning transfer direction via the connecting frame. Each is conveyed continuously by being sandwiched between the mounting belt and the conveyor for conveyance, supported by the support plate, and pressed by the pressing member of the conveyor for conveyance. Heating of cans, wherein beverage cans are configured to be heated by a high-frequency induction heating coil while being conveyed while rotating and swinging Filtering apparatus. 4. The heat sterilizer is arranged at a high position such that a canned cooling device for cooling the canned immediately after heat sterilization in the water tank is arranged in a space below the heat sterilizer. The heat sterilization apparatus for canned food according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein: