JPH11318404A - Equipment for cooling or heating treatment - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To uniformly sterilize a large number of bottles filled with liquor in high efficiency in the processing and sterilization of liquor in bottled state. SOLUTION: A plurality of treating tanks 2 are arranged in series and the temperatures of the treating tanks are successively raised from an end to the other end. Chain hoists 11 horizontally movable along the row of the tanks 2 are placed above the treating tanks 2. Basket containers 16 holding bottles A are hoisted with the chain hoists 11 and simultaneously and intermittently transferred in horizontal direction. In the stop timing, the container 16 is lowered to immerse the bottles A in each treating tank 2.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a method for sterilizing a beverage (mainly a glass bottle) with liquid liquor such as sake or liquid seasoning or the like by heating and sterilizing the liquor.
The present invention relates to an apparatus suitable for cooling a liquid food or beverage that has been heated and sterilized in a tank and then filling the container.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In many cases, beverages such as alcoholic beverages are sterilized by heating. For example, sake is heated to about 65 ° C. and sterilized. In this case, the heating sterilization method is roughly classified into a method of sterilizing in a tank before filling a container such as a bottle, and a method of sterilizing after filling the container. In the sterilization method before filling the container as in the former case, there are a case where the container is filled and then cooled naturally, and a case where the container is forcibly cooled.

[0003] On the other hand, as an example of the latter, in which the container is filled with heat and sterilized by heating, for example, in the case of sake, a large number of bottles are lined up in a gutter-shaped flow path through which hot water flows, and the shoulder of the bottle is placed. A method of heating by flowing hot water at a depth of about a degree is adopted. However, this method has a problem in that the bottles cannot be heated uniformly because the temperature decreases as the hot water flows.

[0004] It is also considered to sterilize foods by immersing them in a heating tank.
No. 37, JP-A-1-168267, or JP-A-5-494
No. 59 describes that food is sterilized by partially immersing the conveyor in a heating tank while conveying the food on an endless conveyor.

[0005]

When a beverage such as sake is filled in a glass bottle and then sterilized by heating, the bottle may be broken or cracked if heated rapidly (in the tank). Also in the case where the bottle is filled with heat and then sterilized and then forcibly cooled, there is a risk that the bottle will be broken or cracked if cooled rapidly. For this reason, when heating (or forcibly cooling) a bottled beverage, it is necessary to heat (or cool) in several stages. In addition, when heating is performed in a sealed (plugged) state, the internal pressure of the bottle increases and the plug or lid often comes off, so the heating sterilization step is performed before the sealing step.

[0006] Therefore, in the warming sterilization step, it is necessary to keep the bottle in an upright position, and to take care that hot water does not enter the bottle. As a method for performing the above, the gutter-like flow path as described above has been used, but in this case, the above-described problem of uneven heating occurs. On the other hand, a plurality of heating tanks having different hot water temperatures are arranged in series, and the containers are transported by an endless conveyor as described in each of the above publications, while a heating tank having a low hot water temperature has a high hot water temperature. It is conceivable that the immersion should be performed successively toward the heating tank (when cooling, the heating tank should be replaced with a cooling tank). However, in the means for transporting bottles by an endless conveyor, the structure for transporting the bottles while raising and lowering the bottles in an upright posture is extremely complicated. There is a problem that maintenance is troublesome because a part of is always immersed in the heating tank, which is not an ideal solution.

An object of the present invention is to improve such a situation.

[0008]

The processing equipment according to the present invention comprises a plurality of processing tanks opened upward and a basket-like container for storing an object to be heated or cooled. And a transport device that can be moved up and down by moving horizontally between the upper portions. The “cage-shaped container” here is a general term for things that can pass water inside and outside so that hot water or water can be brought into contact with an object to be processed, and can be manufactured from various materials into various shapes. For example, various materials such as a bar, a pipe, a wire, a wire mesh, and a punching metal can be used as the material. A molded article of a synthetic resin may be used. Also,
Various shapes such as a rectangular parallelepiped shape, a cylindrical shape, a shallow dish shape, and the like can be used as needed. The planar shape of the processing tank may be set according to the shape of the container.

The object to be processed may be stored or placed directly in a container, or may be put in a container while being stored in a case. Various means such as steam and a heater can be used for heating the hot water in the processing tank. The number of processing tanks may be set as needed. Further, as the transfer device, various types such as a device in which a chain block described in the embodiment is horizontally movably arranged, an overhead crane type, a gate type crane type, a tower type crane type, and the like. Anything can be used. The transport device may be driven automatically or manually operated.

[0010]

According to the present invention, for example, in the case of heating, the temperature of the hot water put in each processing tank is made different from the end in order, and the container storing the processing object is lifted by the transfer device. Then, while transferring this intermittently from the processing tank with low hot water temperature to the processing tank with high hot water temperature, lower the container at each processing tank location and immerse it in hot water, and a certain amount of time has passed. Then, the object is heated step by step by immersing the container in each processing tank sequentially. In the case of cooling, it may be immersed sequentially from a processing tank having a higher temperature to a processing tank having a lower temperature.

In this case, the processing object is moved to each processing tank by raising and lowering the container and moving horizontally, so that the processing object is moved to each processing tank without changing its posture. Therefore, the beverage filled in the bottle can be heated and sterilized or forcedly cooled without any trouble, and a large number of bottles can be heated uniformly. Further, since it is sufficient that the transport device can move the container horizontally in a state in which it can be moved up and down, the structure of the transport device is simpler than that using an endless conveyor as in each of the above publications, and
The transport device can be arranged in the dead space above the water tank, and furthermore, the processing tank needs only a minimum area where the container can be immersed, and in addition, the adjacent processing tanks can be brought close to each other. It can be made compact. Further, since the container is merely immersed in the processing tank at the time of heating or cooling, maintenance is easier than that using an endless conveyor.

When used as the heating equipment of the present invention, the purpose thereof is not limited to sterilization, but it can also be used, for example, for vacuum packaging in which the inside of a container is brought into a negative pressure state by lowering the temperature. . In addition, the object to be treated is not limited to food and drink, and it goes without saying that it can be used for heating or cooling various articles such as food.

[0013]

Next, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. 1 to 5 show an example in which the present invention is applied to a facility for processing and sterilizing alcoholic beverages such as sake, and FIG.
1 (B) and 1 (C) are partial perspective views, FIG. 2 is a plan view of a main part, FIG. 3 is a vertical sectional front view taken along the line III-III of FIG. 2, and FIG. FIG. 5 is a plan view of FIG.

As shown in FIG. 1 (A) and FIGS.
Includes four first to fourth processing tanks (in other words, processing tanks or water tanks) 2 arranged in series in plan view, and each processing tank 2 is open upward. Each processing tank is base 3
(See FIG. 3). In the vicinity of both ends of the processing tanks 2, working tables 4 and 5 having low heights are provided.

Above the two groups of processing tanks, a loop-shaped suspension rail 6 shown in dash-dot lines in FIG. 1A and partially shown in FIG. A hung endless chain 8 is arranged. The suspension rail 6 has a configuration in which members having an L-shaped cross section face each other as shown in FIG. 1B, and the chain 8 is located slightly below the suspension rail 6. The suspension rail 6 may have a C-shaped cross section or a J-shaped cross section.

A large number of runners 10 having a pair of rollers 9 are suspended on the suspension rail 6 so as to be able to run freely.
An electric chain block 11 is suspended from each runner 10. The suspending interval of the runners 10 is set to the same size as the arrangement interval of the processing tank 2, and each runner 10 is fixed to the chain 8 by an appropriate means such as bolting. The chain block 11 may be fastened to the runner 10 with bolts.

As shown in FIG. 2, each chain block 11 is set so as to pass through substantially the center of each processing tank 2 in plan view. Further, the left and right chain sprockets 7 protrude to the side of the processing tank 2 group so as to be located above the work tables 4 and 5 respectively. The processing equipment 1 is composed of four pillars 12 shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, a horizontal beam 13 bridged between upper ends of adjacent columns 12, a horizontal beam 14 bridged between horizontal beams 13 extending in parallel, and the like. A frame (machine frame) 15 (see FIG. 3) is provided, and the suspension rail 6 and the chain sprocket 7 are attached to the frame 15. The base 3 shown in FIG. 3 is also fixed to the column 12 of the frame 15.

Although not shown in the drawings, the frame
The motor 15 drives one of the chain sprockets 7, a trolley wire for supplying power to each chain block 11, a limit switch for positioning the runner 10 right above the processing tank 2, and the like. . The sprocket 7 may be driven by another power mechanism such as a cylinder. Figure 1
(C) shows a container 16 for immersing the liquor filled in the bottle A into the processing tank 2. The container 16 is formed in the shape of a basket with a front opening made of a metal pipe or a rod material. 4
Pieces) can be stored. The size of the container 16 may be set as needed.

At the upper end of the container 16, a chain block 11 is provided.
In order to hook the hook 17, a ring 19 is attached via a plurality of hanging rods 18. The ring 19 is located at the center of the container 16 in plan view. Needless to say, this is for stabilizing the center of gravity while being lifted by the chain block 11. As shown in FIGS. 2, 4, and 5, a water supply pipe 20 and a steam supply pipe 21 are connected to each treatment tank 2.
At the bottom of each processing tank 2, a suitable number of diffusion tubes 22 having a large number of small holes 22a for vapor diffusion are arranged.
21 is connected. In FIGS. 2, 4, and 5, a symbol W indicates a water supply source such as a water tank, and a symbol S indicates a steam generation source such as a boiler. Note that steam may be blown from the inner surface of the processing tank 2 without using the diffusion tube 22.

The temperature of the hot water can be adjusted by operating the valve 23 to adjust the amount of steam jetted. Further, the hot water temperature can be automatically adjusted by adjusting the opening of the valve 23 with a servo motor, an electromagnetic solenoid or the like based on a measurement value of a temperature sensor (not shown) provided in the processing tank 2. . As shown in FIG. 4 and FIG.
A plate-like support member 24 on which the 16 is placed is provided. This is to protect the diffusion tube 22. Note that the support member 24 may have another shape.

Each processing tank 2 is provided with an overflow pipe 25 opened into the processing tank 2 as an example of a water level adjusting means, so that the water level is maintained at a height of the shoulder of the bottle A. In this case, since there are a plurality of types of bottles A having different heights, as shown in FIG.
Branch pipes 25a, 25b, and 25c are provided in stages, and valves 26 and 27 are provided in the lower and middle overflow pipes 25b and 25c.

Therefore, when both the valves 26 and 27 are closed, the water level is maintained at the height of the upper branch pipe 25a, the valve 27 of the lower branch pipe 25c is closed, and the valve 26 of the middle branch pipe 25b is opened. Then, the water level is maintained at the height of the middle branch pipe 25b, and when the valve 27 of the lower branch pipe 25c is opened, the water level is maintained at the height of the lower branch pipe 25c. The number of branches can be set according to the type of height of the bottle A.

Further, as shown in FIGS.
Is provided with a pump P for stirring hot water, and as shown in FIG. 4, the suction port 28 and the discharge port 29 of the pump P are opened in the processing tank 2 at different heights. Therefore, when the pump P is driven, the hot water in the processing tank 2 is forcibly circulated so as to replace the upper layer and the lower layer, so that the heat of the steam is evenly transmitted to the hot water (or water). The temperature of the hot water can be made uniform in each part of the processing tank 2.

In this case, the water level is set to 3 by the overflow pipe 25.
In response to the switching between the stages, the suction ports 28 are provided at three levels, and the valve 30 is provided for each stage of the suction ports 28 (even if the suction port 28 is provided only at the height that allows suction at the lowest water level). good). Note that the suction port 28 and the discharge port 28 may be arranged upside down. Further, the hot water may be circulated so as to turn in a plan view.

As shown in FIGS. 1A and 2, the processing tank 2 is provided with a pair of front and rear guide rails 31 for holding the posture of the container 16. Therefore, even if the container 16 is hung rotatably on the hook 17 of the chain block 11, the container 16 can be simultaneously moved up and down and horizontally moved in a state where the postures are aligned. In the above configuration, the temperature of the hot water in each processing tank 2 is set in the state of FIGS. 1 to 3 so that the temperature increases in order from the leftmost processing tank 2 to the right. For example,
When sterilizing at 65 ° C in the end, 20 ° C,
The temperature is set to 40 ° C., 60 ° C., 80 ° C. (the specific hot water temperature differs depending on the temperature difference between the air temperature and the sterilization temperature, the type of contents, and the like).

Then, the chain 8 is intermittently circulated in a counterclockwise direction in plan view, whereby the chain block 11 is rotated.
While simultaneously moving horizontally above each processing tank 2 and lowering the hooks 17 when the movement of each chain block 11 is stopped and raising the hooks 17 after a predetermined time elapses, placing the hooks 17 on the worktable 4 at the left end. The container B stores the case B in which the bottle A containing the liquor is stored. Then, the container 16 containing the case B is sequentially immersed from the processing tank 2 on the left end to the processing tank 2 on the right end, the temperature of the bottle A and the contents is gradually increased, and continuous sterilization is performed. . After sterilization, the container 16 is placed on the worktable 5 at the right end, the case B is taken out, and the bottle A is conveyed to the sealing process.

After removing the case B, the container 16
Workbench 4 at the left end by removing from hook 17 of chain block 11
May be circulated, or may be suspended in the chain block 11 and circulated while being raised. In addition, the chain block 11 separated from the rightmost worktable 5 is attached to the leftmost worktable 4.
The hook 17 is kept raised until going to. As described above, since the bottle A is sequentially immersed in each of the processing tanks 2, the bottle A is gradually processed into a uniform state, and the quality of the product can be improved. In addition, since the container 16 is immersed in each processing tank 2 by a combination of the upward movement and the horizontal movement of the container 16, the transporting device may have a simple structure, and the entire equipment may be made compact. You can.

When the chain block 11 is used as the elevating device as in the embodiment, a commercially available inexpensive conveying device can be used, and there is an advantage that the cost can be reduced accordingly. Further, when a water level adjusting means such as the overflow pipe 25 or a stirring means such as the pump P is provided, a large number of bottles A can be treated more uniformly, and thus there is an advantage that the quality of products can be further improved.

When the temperature in the processing tank 3 is set to a temperature lower than the air temperature, appropriate heat absorbing means such as blowing cold air into the processing tank 2 or providing a cooling pipe in the processing tank 2 through which a refrigerant passes. Should be provided. If the support member 24 and the left and right working tables 4 and 5 in each processing tank 2 are set at the same height, the driving amount of the chain block 11 (the amount of elevation of the hook 17) may be constant at any point. Therefore, there is an advantage that the control mechanism is simplified.

In the above embodiment, the container 16 has the case B
However, as shown in FIG. 6, the bottle A may be stored directly in the container 16 divided into a number of sections. As the stirring means, as shown in FIG.
The steam outlet of the steam supply pipe 21 may be provided at a position opposite to the above, and the hot water may be circulated by the steam. Further, as the water level adjusting means in the processing tank 2, a single overflow pipe 25 may be attached so as to be freely rotatable around its lower end as shown in FIG. 7 (B). According to this embodiment, there is an advantage that the water level can be adjusted to an arbitrary height. In this case, the overflow pipe 25 may be provided outside the processing tank 2 so that hot water or water flows from an inflow port provided at the center of rotation toward a free end. 25 may be immersed in the treatment tank 2 so that hot water or water flows from the inflow port at the free end toward the center of rotation. Not shown)).

The equipment of the present invention can be used for other processes (applications) other than processing and cooling.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1A is a perspective view showing an embodiment of the present invention in principle, and FIGS. 1B and 1C are partial perspective views.

FIG. 2 is a plan view.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along the line III-III of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken along line IV-IV of FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a plan view of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing a modified example of the container.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing another example of the stirring means and the water level adjusting means.

[Explanation of symbols]

 A Bottle B Case 1 Processing equipment 2 Processing tank 4,5 Work table 6 Hanging rail 7 Sprocket 8 Endless chain 10 Runner 11 Chain block 15 Frame (machine frame) 16 Container 21 Steam supply pipe

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A plurality of processing tanks opened upward, and a basket-like container for storing an object to be heated or cooled, which is lifted and moved horizontally between the upper parts of the processing tanks so as to be raised and lowered. Heating or cooling treatment equipment comprising: