JPH10327828A - Pressurizing and sterilizing device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a pressurizing and sterilizing device having simplified structure, preventing damage of a material to be sterilized, improving operability and useful for a retort food, etc., by pressurizing the interior of a chamber by operating pressuring means for a prescribed time when the temperature detected by a temperature sensor reaches a set temperature. SOLUTION: This pressurizing and sterilizing device pressurizes the interior of a chamber 5 by operating a pressuring means for a prescribed time when the temperature detected by a temperature sensor 32 reaches or gets near a set temperature when a material to be sterilized is pressurized and sterilized by charging steam and a pressurized air to the interior of the chamber 5 while detecting the temperature in the chamber 5 by the temperature sensor 32 by a controlling means 33. The prescribed time is set according to the set temperature, and when the detected temperature reaches the set temperature, the operation of a compressor 19 of the pressurizing means is preferably started.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a pressure sterilizer for heating and sterilizing a retort food containing cooked food in a soft packaging container.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In a retort sterilizer for heating and sterilizing a retort food in which cooked food is sealed in a soft container such as a plastic, as shown in, for example, Japanese Patent Publication No. 3-51391, a temperature raising step and a sterilization step are disclosed. At times, the internal temperature of the packaging container is detected by a thermocouple, the internal pressure of the retort is calculated from a temperature-pressure conversion curve set in advance from the detected temperature, and the pressure reducing valve or the pressurizing valve is operated based on the pressure to operate the retort. Is automatically controlled to the set pressure.

[0003] In the above case, since the internal pressure of the retort is adjusted according to the change in the internal pressure of the packaging container, deformation or breakage of the packaging container can be surely prevented, but at least one of the retort foods is thermoelectrically charged. It is necessary to insert a pair, and there is a problem that the operation at the time of sterilization is troublesome.

In the above case, it is necessary to convert the temperature detected by the thermocouple into a pressure by a special converter, and there is a problem that the converter and the like increase the cost.

[0005]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to perform a sterilization process with a relatively inexpensive configuration while reliably preventing damage to an object to be sterilized.

[0006]

According to the present invention, there is provided a chamber for accommodating an object to be sterilized for sterilization, a lid for closing an opening of the chamber, and supplying steam to the chamber and / or supplying steam to the chamber. Generated steam supply means, water supply means for supplying water into the chamber, pressurizing means for supplying pressurized air into the chamber, drainage means for draining water in the chamber, and exhausting air and steam in the chamber Exhaust means;
A temperature sensor for detecting the temperature of the chamber and control means for controlling each means are provided. The control means detects the temperature in the chamber with the temperature sensor and supplies steam and pressurized air into the chamber to be sterilized. When the temperature detected by the temperature sensor reaches or approaches the set temperature during pressure sterilization of the object, the pressurizing means is operated for a predetermined time to pressurize the inside of the chamber.

In the present invention, the predetermined time is set according to a set temperature.

Further, according to the present invention, when the temperature detected by the temperature sensor reaches an operating temperature lower than the set temperature by a predetermined temperature, the operation of the compressor of the pressurizing means is started.

[0009]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS First, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. Items to be sterilized such as sealed so-called retort foods 3.
Is housed in a bottomed cylindrical chamber 5 provided with a storage chamber 4 for carrying out a sterilization treatment by storing the inside.

Reference numeral 6 denotes a heater, such as a sheath heater, disposed at the inner bottom of the storage chamber 4, the upper part of which is covered with a heater cover 7, and the above-mentioned sterilized objects 3 are provided on the upper surface of the heater cover. It is configured to be mounted.

Numeral 8 is a water supply pipe for cooling water supply connected to the upper part of the side wall of the chamber 5, and includes a check valve 9, a solenoid valve 10 for water supply.
And a water supply source such as a water supply through a water governor 11, which mainly constitutes a water supply means.

Reference numeral 12 denotes an air supply pipe for supplying pressurized air which is connected above and below the side wall of the chamber 5 by a branch pipe 13.
It is connected to a compressor 19 via a check valve 14, an air supply solenoid valve 15, an air governor 16, an air tank 17, and a check valve 18, and these constitute a pressurizing means.

In the embodiment, the air governor 16, the air tank 17, the compressor 19, and the like are housed in the unit case 20, but they are integrally housed in the outer case 1 of the instrument body. May be.

Reference numeral 21 denotes a drain pipe connected to the bottom surface of the chamber 5 and a drain solenoid valve 22 is connected on the way.
A manual drain valve 23 is connected in parallel to this drain solenoid valve, and these constitute drain means.

Reference numeral 24 denotes a lid for opening and closing the opening 2 and is formed in a substantially hemispherical spherical portion 25 at the center of the inner surface, and is connected to the tip of the water supply pipe 8 to constitute the water supply means. The fountain nozzle 26 is set so as to face substantially the center of the spherical portion 25.

The fountain nozzle 26 is formed, for example, with four fountain ports (not shown) so that the fountain nozzle 26 fountains in a shower shape toward the center of the spherical portion 25 and reflects the fountain onto the spherical portion. ing.

Reference numeral 27 denotes an exhaust pipe connected to an appropriate position of the branch pipe 13. The exhaust pipe 27 is connected to an exhaust solenoid valve 28 in the middle of the pipe. To constitute the exhaust means.

The tip of the exhaust pipe 27 is located in the water 30 stored at the bottom of the condenser 29. The exhaust pipe 27 is configured so that the atmosphere does not flow back into the chamber 5 and the exhaust pipe 27 is exhausted. A manual exhaust valve 31 is connected in parallel with the solenoid valve 28.

Reference numeral 32 denotes a temperature sensor for detecting the temperature in the storage chamber 4 mounted at a height of about 2/5 of the side wall of the chamber 5, and is constituted by a thermistor or the like.

Reference numeral 33 denotes a control unit mounted at an appropriate position in the outer case 1. The control unit 33 controls the heater 6, the water solenoid valve 10, the air supply solenoid valve 15, the drain solenoid valve 22, the exhaust solenoid valve 28, and the like. Is controlled in accordance with a predetermined sequence set in advance.

Reference numerals 34, 35, 36, and 37 denote pressure gauges respectively connected to the water supply pipe 8, the air supply pipe 12, and the branch pipe 13, and reference numerals 38 and 39 denote pressure safety valves connected to the branch pipe 13 and the air tank 1, respectively. .

The mounting position of the temperature sensor 32 is determined in consideration of the internal volume of the chamber 5, the amount of water supplied from the water supply means, and the like, in which cooling water is supplied from the water supply means and stored therein. When the water level rises to the mounting position of the temperature sensor 32 within the range where the pressure safety valve 38 does not operate due to the water pressure, it is set so that the water level can be detected by a change in the detected temperature due to the contact of the cooling water with the temperature sensor. I have.

FIG. 2 shows an operation section disposed at an appropriate position on the upper surface of the outer case 1, a pressure gauge 36 for displaying the pressure in the chamber 5, a display 40 for displaying numbers and symbols, and a temperature for setting a sterilization temperature. A selection button 41, a time selection button 42 for setting a sterilization time, an ascending button 43 and a descending button 44 for setting a sterilization temperature and a sterilization time in combination with these selection buttons, and a course combining a plurality of standard sterilization temperatures and times in advance. , A start / stop button 46 for starting and stopping sterilization, a power switch 47, and an exhaust knob 48 for opening and closing the manual exhaust valve 31.

When starting sterilization, first, the lid
24 is opened and water for generating steam for sterilization is injected to a position slightly below the heater cover 7 in the storage chamber 4, and then the object 3 to be sterilized is stored and placed on the heater cover 7 in the storage chamber 4. Then, the lid 24 is closed, the power switch 47 is turned on, and the exhaust knob 48 is operated to close the manual exhaust valve 31.

At this time, when the power switch 47 is turned on,
For example, the display 40 alternately displays the sterilization temperature of 115 ° C. and the sterilization time of 30 minutes, which are most commonly used,
Displays the standby status.

In the above embodiment, the sterilizing temperature and the sterilizing time, which are frequently used when the power switch 47 is turned on, are set to be displayed, and the setting of the sterilizing temperature and the sterilizing time is simplified as much as possible. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the highest sterilization temperature of 120 ° C. may be displayed.

Next, for example, when sterilization is performed in a preset course shown in FIG. 3, the course button 45 is pressed to select a desired course from 1 to 5, and then the start / stop button 46 is turned on. Then, the sterilization operation is started by the electric circuit in the control unit 33.

In the embodiment, when the course button 45 is turned on, the course 1 is selected on the display 40 and "C1" is displayed.
If left as it is for a few seconds, the sterilization temperature of the course, 120 ° C., and the sterilization time of 20 minutes are alternately displayed. In this state, if the start / stop button 46 is turned on, the sterilization operation is started in the course 1.

On the other hand, if the up button 43 is turned on while the course 1 is displayed, "C2", "C3",...
Since "C4" is displayed, if the start / stop button 46 is turned on when a desired course is displayed, sterilization is started in the displayed course.

When the sterilization temperature and the sterilization time are set arbitrarily outside the above course, when the temperature selection button 41 is first turned on, for example, 115 ° C., which is often used as a standard, is displayed. When the time is set, when the time selection button 42 is turned on next, for example, 30 minutes which is frequently used is displayed as a standard. Therefore, if the time is not changed, the start / stop button 46 is turned on in this state to sterilize. Start.

When the sterilization temperature set when the temperature selection button 41 is turned on and the sterilization time set when the time selection button 42 is turned on are changed, the temperature and time are increased in a state where they are displayed. By operating the button 43 or the down button 44, when setting the sterilization temperature, one button is turned on each time the buttons 43 and 44 are turned on.
℃ rise or fall, when setting the sterilization time, for example, 1 to
In the range of 30 minutes, the value is changed in units of 1 minute, and in the range of 30 to 180 minutes, the value is changed in units of 5 minutes.
Turn on to start sterilization.

Next, for example, the sequence of the sterilization process with the sterilization temperature set at 110 ° C. will be described with reference to FIG.
The water injected into the bottom of the chamber is heated to generate steam, the exhaust solenoid valve 28 is opened, and the generated steam exhausts the air in the chamber 5 to the outside through the branch pipe 13 and the exhaust pipe 27. 5 generates saturated steam.

At this time, the temperature detected by the temperature sensor 32 is 10
When the temperature reaches 0 ° C., the power supply to the heater 6 is controlled so that the temperature detected by the temperature sensor 32 becomes 105 ° C. for 4 minutes, for example.
After a lapse of minutes, the exhaust solenoid valve 28 is closed, and energization of the heater 6 is controlled so that the temperature detected by the temperature sensor 32 reaches the set temperature.

On the other hand, if the temperature detected by the temperature sensor 32 reaches a temperature lower than the set temperature by, for example, 10 ° C. before the set temperature is reached, the compressor 19 is operated to store compressed air in the air tank 17 and the temperature sensor 32 detects the temperature. When the temperature reaches the set temperature, the operation of the compressor 19 is stopped, the power supply to the heater 6 is controlled to maintain the inside of the storage chamber 4 at the set temperature, and the sterilization of the sterilized objects 3. Do.

In the above embodiment, the compressor 19 is operated when the temperature detected by the temperature sensor 32 reaches a predetermined temperature lower than the set temperature. And the generation of noise and vibration due to the operation of the compressor is reduced as much as possible. However, the present invention is not limited to this.

When the temperature detected by the temperature sensor 32 reaches a temperature lower than the set temperature by a predetermined temperature (for example, 1 ° C.), the air supply solenoid valve 15 is opened for a predetermined time (for example, 3 seconds), and the air is supplied into the chamber 5. After pressurized air is supplied to raise the boiling point in the chamber 5 to prevent the food from boiling due to turning on and off the heater 6, when the temperature detected by the temperature sensor 32 reaches the set temperature, the operation of the sterilization timer is started. Then, energization of the heater 6 is controlled to maintain the inside of the chamber 5 at a set temperature, and sterilization is performed.

As for the opening time of the supply air solenoid valve 15, the sterilization temperature of the food is usually in the range of 105 to 120 ° C., and the saturated vapor pressure at that time is 105 ° C. and 0.199 kgf / c.
At m ² and 120 ° C., it is 0.991 kgf / cm ² .

Therefore, in order to apply a pressure higher than the saturated vapor pressure by about 0.5 kgf / cm ² in the chamber 5 so as to prevent breakage during sterilization of the packaging container in which the food is sealed,
0.4 kgf / cm ² at 105 ° C.
May if 1.2 kgf / cm ² at 20 ° C., if the set pressure of the air governor 16 based on this example, a 1.4 kgf / cm ^2, if the volume of the chamber 5, for example, 48 liters, sterilization The air solenoid valve 15 may be opened for about 2 seconds when the temperature is 105 ° C. and about 5 seconds when the temperature is 120 ° C.

When the sterilization processing time is over, the air supply solenoid valve 15 is opened to pressurize the inside of the chamber 5 to substantially the same pressure as during sterilization processing, and the water supply electromagnetic valve 10 is opened to supply water from the fountain nozzle 26. Then, the supplied water is applied to the spherical portion 25 of the lid 24 to be diffused, irradiated onto the sterilized objects 3... And efficiently pressurized and cooled.

When, for example, the temperature in the storage chamber 4 drops to a first set temperature (for example, 60 ° C.), the operation of the compressor 19 is stopped, and then the temperature in the storage chamber 4 further decreases, and When the temperature drops to the set temperature of 2 (for example, 50 ° C.), the air supply solenoid valve 15 is closed and at the same time the drainage solenoid valve is closed.
22 is opened, the cooling water in the storage chamber 4 is drained, and when, for example, 4 minutes have elapsed after the start of the drainage, the completion of sterilization is notified by, for example, a buzzer or a lamp, etc., and the exhaust electromagnetic valve 28 is opened to open the chamber 5. Supply air to

On the other hand, the water level in the storage chamber 4 rises and reaches the temperature sensor 32 before the temperature drops to the first set temperature during the cooling because of a large amount of the material 3 to be sterilized. When the detected temperature is reversed to rise, for example, when the temperature is reversed and the temperature rises by 1 ° C., for example, one minute elapses, the operation of the compressor 19 is stopped and at the same time the air supply solenoid valve 15 is closed, and at the same time, the drainage solenoid valve 22 is turned Open to drain the cooling water in the storage room 4.

In the above embodiment, the drainage process is set by a timer. However, a sensor for detecting the water level in the storage chamber 4 may be provided to detect the end of drainage by the sensor.

[0043]

According to the structure of the present invention, when the inside of the chamber reaches or approaches the set temperature during the pressurization and sterilization of the object to be sterilized, the pressurizing means is operated for a predetermined time to pressurize the inside of the chamber. By operating the pressurizing device and depressurizing device while detecting the pressure in the packaging container of the material to be sterilized and the pressure in the chamber, there is no need to maintain the pressure inside the packaging container at the set pressure, and with a relatively simple configuration and control It can prevent breakage of the packaging container at the time of autoclaving.

Further, the present invention sets the predetermined time for operating the pressurizing means in accordance with the set temperature for sterilization, thereby preventing breakage of the packaging container with a relatively simple structure regardless of the set temperature. It can be sterilized.

Further, the present invention uses a relatively inexpensive compressor without a pressure sensor by operating the compressor of the pressurizing means when the temperature in the chamber reaches a predetermined temperature lower than the set temperature during the pasteurization. However, noise and vibration caused by the operation sound of the compressor can be reduced as much as possible.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a structural diagram showing an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a front view showing an embodiment of the operation unit.

FIG. 3 is a table showing a combination example of a sterilization time and a sterilization temperature.

FIG. 4 is a process operation diagram showing the same operation.

[Explanation of symbols]

 2 Opening 3 Sterilized object 5 Chamber 19 Compressor 24 Lid 32 Temperature sensor 33 Control unit

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (72) Inventor Kenichi Kawata 3-201 Minamiyoshikata, Tottori City, Tottori Prefecture Inside Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Koichi Nishikawa 3-201 Minamiyoshikata, Tottori City, Tottori Sanyo Electric Tottori Inside the corporation

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A chamber for accommodating and sterilizing an object to be sterilized, a lid for closing an opening of the chamber, and a steam supply means for supplying steam to the chamber and / or generating steam in the chamber. Water supply means for supplying water into the chamber, pressurizing means for supplying pressurized air into the chamber, drainage means for draining water from the chamber, and exhaust means for exhausting air and steam in the chamber as well. A temperature sensor for detecting the temperature of the chamber, and control means for controlling each of the above means. The control means supplies steam and pressurized air into the chamber while detecting the temperature inside the chamber with the temperature sensor. When the temperature detected by the temperature sensor reaches a set temperature or approaches the set temperature during the pressure sterilization of the object to be sterilized, the pressurizing means is operated for a predetermined time to switch the temperature. A pressure sterilizer that pressurizes the chamber. 2. The autoclave according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined time is set according to the set temperature. 3. When the temperature detected by the temperature sensor reaches an operating temperature lower than the set temperature by a predetermined temperature, the compressor of the pressurizing means starts operating.
A pressure sterilization apparatus according to item 1.