KR20150105827A - Sterilization device for powdered infant formula - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a sterilization apparatus for a powdered infant formula including: a sterilization chamber which has an inlet to allow the powdered infant formula to be inserted therethrough and an outlet to allow the powdered infant formula to be discharged therethrough and includes an agitation space for the powdered infant formula formed therein; an agitation unit which is arranged in the agitation space, rotates, and agitates the powdered infant formula; a UV ray lamp which is arranged on an upper portion of the sterilization chamber and irradiates the powdered infant formula with UV rays; and a near-infrared ray lamp which is arranged on one side of the UV ray lamp and irradiates the powdered infant formula with near-infrared rays.

Description

[0001] STERILIZATION DEVICE FOR POWDERED INFANT FORMULA [0002]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a milk powder sterilizing apparatus, and more particularly, to a milk powder sterilizing apparatus capable of increasing the sterilizing effect while preventing a change in the quality of milk powder.

Prepared milk powder as an alternative to breast milk is widely used around the world. However, Cronobacter sakazakii , which may be present in powdered milk, is a major pathogen causing fatal food poisoning to newborns younger than 2 months. It causes infant meningitis, neonatal necrosis, and bacteremia, resulting in a mortality rate of 40 to 80% Are reported. According to a survey of manufactured milk products made in 36 countries, about 14% of the products were reported to be susceptible to Sakazaki pathogens. Therefore, infants may be exposed to fatal food poisoning if they take the infant formula without further sterilization of the preparation powder contaminated with Sakazaki pathogens.

Cronobacter sakazakii is more viable in dry environments than other pathogenic microorganisms and is difficult to control. Therefore, most of the existing Sakazaki control research is mainly in the state of being dissolved in water, and researches conducted in some powdered articles (such as gamma radiation, electron-beam irradiation, Supercritical carbon dioxide treatment, and gaseous ozone treatment are difficult to apply in a practical industrial field because of their cost limitations in the process.

On the other hand, physicochemical methods such as irradiation, ethylene oxide fumigation, and ultra-high temperature steam treatment have been used as methods for sterilizing powders containing preparation formula, but high doses of radiation and high temperature steam treatment Changes the color or flavor of the powder, and ethylene oxide is prohibited in many countries due to residual toxic substances. Due to these limitations, it is necessary to develop alternative disinfection technology to be applied to powder.

The application of non-wetted disinfection technology is suitable because the increase in moisture due to ultrahigh-temperature steam treatment of the dried powder may cause degradation of the distribution quality. Among the conventional non-wetting sterilization techniques, irradiation has excellent disinfecting power, but it is not only an expensive treatment cost but also an elution of harmful substances such as 1,3-di-tert-butylbenzene . ≪ / RTI > In addition, the most commonly used heat sterilization treatment causes an increase in drying temperature (> 80 ° C.) to a suitable sterilization temperature, resulting in a change in browning and browning of the milk powder, and a change in flavor, thereby decreasing its industrial efficiency.

Therefore, it is required to develop a non-wet type formula milk powder sterilization apparatus having an effective sterilization effect without causing a change in quality of powdered milk.

Korean Patent No. 10-1064137 (entitled "Method for preparing powdered milk using supercritical fluid") comprises the steps of: (a) feeding powdered milk into a reactor set at 68 to 73 ° C; (b) introducing a gas used as a supercritical fluid into the reactor and pressurizing the reactor at 150 to 250 bar; (c) maintaining the temperature and pressure of the reactor; (d) removing the supercritical fluid from the reactor; And (e) obtaining sterilized powdered milk from the reactor. The method of sterilization of powdered milk using supercritical fluid is described. Korean Utility Model Registration No. 20-0432412 entitled "Milk Oil Mixing Apparatus Having Periodic Germicidal Function" has a water supply device including a water supply line, a water supply pump, and a water supply container, a milk feeder including a milk feed line and a milk powder storage container The supply device is installed inside the case body and the feed pump of the water supply device and the continuous milk powder feed means of the milk powder feeder are simultaneously operated under the control of the control unit according to the On / Off operation of the mixing switch, Wherein the water supply device comprises a control unit and a temperature sensor, wherein the water supply device maintains the temperature of the milking set by the electric heater, wherein the water supply device comprises: Characterized in that a sterilizing lamp is provided which is periodically driven by a control unit A milk powder mixing device is described.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to solve the above-mentioned problems, and an object of the present invention is to solve the above-mentioned problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a method of sterilizing milk, And to provide a sterilizing device.

It is still another object of the present invention to provide a powdered milk disinfection apparatus capable of increasing the sterilization efficiency while reducing the processing time by increasing the cross-sectional area of the powder through rotation and stirring during sterilization process of the milk powder.

It is still another object of the present invention to provide a sterilizing apparatus for preparing a milk powder for processing which can continuously sterilize a large amount of milk powder.

The above objects and various advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the preferred embodiments of the present invention by those skilled in the art.

The object of the present invention can be achieved by an apparatus for sterilizing a milk powder. The present invention provides a sterilizing apparatus for sterilizing powdered milk, comprising: a sterilizing chamber in which an inlet through which the prepared milk powder is introduced and an outlet through which the milk powder is discharged are formed, and a prepared milk powder stirring space is formed therein; A stirrer provided in the stirring space and rotating to stir the prepared milk powder; An ultraviolet lamp disposed at an upper portion of the sterilization chamber and irradiating ultraviolet rays to the formula oil; And a near-infrared lamp which is disposed on one side of the ultraviolet lamp and irradiates the near infrared rays with the formula powder.

According to one embodiment, the stirring portion includes a stirring shaft disposed rotatably in the sterilizing chamber in the transverse direction; A plurality of stirring vanes coupled radially outwardly to an outer periphery of the stirring shaft to stir the prepared formula powder; And a stirring driving unit for rotating the stirring shaft.

According to one embodiment, the sterilization chamber is formed in a closed enclosure shape, and the ultraviolet lamp and the near-infrared lamp are coupled to a cover detachably provided on the upper portion of the sterilization chamber, And a stirrer rotatably installed in the interior of the housing.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the sterilizing chamber is formed in a tunnel shape having a predetermined length, both ends of which are opened, and the agitating part is provided so as to form an agitating axis along the longitudinal direction of the sterilizing chamber, Are provided in pairs on the upper part of the sterilization chamber in series along the longitudinal direction.

The apparatus for sterilizing powdered milk according to the present invention may proceed with ultraviolet ray irradiation and near infrared ray heat treatment at the same time so that the preparation powder milk sterilization can proceed at a relatively low temperature.

As a result, the sterilization efficiency can be increased while minimizing changes in the quality of the milk powder.

Particularly, since the prepared milk powder is agitated by the agitating part, the irradiated cross-sectional area of the prepared milk powder particles is increased and the sterilization efficiency can be increased.

1 is a perspective view showing the structure of a formula-based milk powder sterilizing apparatus according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention,
FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view illustrating the structure of a formula-based milk powder sterilizing apparatus according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention,
FIG. 3 is an exemplary view showing a sterilization process of a formula-based milk powder sterilizing apparatus according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention,
FIG. 4 is an exemplary view showing a rotating state of a stirring vessel of a formula-based milk powder sterilizing apparatus according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention,
5 is a perspective view showing the structure of a formula-based milk powder sterilizing apparatus according to another embodiment of the present invention.

For a better understanding of the present invention, a preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. The embodiments of the present invention may be modified into various forms, and the scope of the present invention should not be construed as being limited to the embodiments described in detail below. The present embodiments are provided to enable those skilled in the art to more fully understand the present invention. Therefore, the shapes and the like of the elements in the drawings can be exaggeratedly expressed to emphasize a clearer description. It should be noted that in the drawings, the same members are denoted by the same reference numerals. Detailed descriptions of well-known functions and constructions which may be unnecessarily obscured by the gist of the present invention are omitted.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the construction of a powdered milk powder sterilizing apparatus 100 according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the powder milk powder sterilizing apparatus 100 according to the present invention. And FIG. 3 is an exemplary view showing an operation process of the powdered milk powder sterilizing apparatus 100.

As shown in the drawings, a powder milk sterilizing apparatus 100 according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention includes a sterilizing chamber 110 in which a stirring tray 117 containing a powdered milk A is rotatably disposed, A cover 120 coupled to an upper part of the cover 110 and a stirring part 130 provided inside the stirring part 117 and stirring the prepared formula milk A, An ultraviolet lamp 140 for irradiating ultraviolet rays to the ultraviolet lamp A and a near infrared ray lamp 150 disposed in parallel to the ultraviolet lamp 140 and irradiating near infrared rays with the formula powder A. [

The sterilization chamber 110 is formed in the shape of an enclosure having an open top. The formula milk A can be injected through the opened upper part. The sterilization chamber 110 includes a chamber main body 111 having a stirring chamber rotation space 112 in which a stirring chamber 117 is rotated and a chamber main body 111 disposed on a side surface of the chamber main body 111, A driving unit housing 115 is provided.

The chamber main body 111 is formed with a bottom surface 113 and a driving portion accommodating chamber 115 around the stirring chamber rotating space 112. Both sides of the chamber body 111 are opened so that the inside of the powdered milk can be easily discharged to the outside in a state in which the stirring part 117 is rotated as shown in FIG.

The stirrer box 117 is formed in an enclosed shape in which the prepared milk powder can be received. The stirring chamber 117 is rotatably provided around the stirring shaft 131 in the stirring chamber 112. As shown in FIG. 1, the stirrer 117 is vertically disposed on the ground, and the stirring process of the prepared milk powder proceeds. As shown in FIG. 4, The finished formula is discharged to the outside.

At this time, on the outer wall surface of the driving part accommodating case 115, there is provided a stirring relief knob valve 118 for controlling the rotation of the stirring box 117. The stirring dropping valve 118 is brought into contact with or separated from the stirring shaft 131 by the degree of rotation so that the stirring member 117 is maintained in a rotated or fixed state.

A driving unit accommodating chamber 115 in which a driving motor 137 for driving the agitating unit 130 and a driving gear 135 are accommodated is formed at one side of the chamber main body 111. The drive motor 137, the drive gear 135, and the transmission means (not shown) are concealed in the drive unit housing 115.

The cover 120 is detachably coupled to the open top of the chamber body 111. The cover 120 separates from the chamber body 111 and supplies the prepared powdered milk A to the inside of the stirring chamber 117. When the supply of the powdered milk A is completed, the cover 120 is coupled to the chamber body 111 And covers the upper portion of the stirring chamber 117.

An ultraviolet lamp 140 and a near-infrared lamp 150 are provided under the cover 120, respectively. The first lamp receiving portion 123 and the second lamp receiving portion 125 of the ultraviolet lamp 140 and the near infrared lamp 150 are disposed in the upward direction corresponding to the diameters of the ultraviolet lamp 140 and the near infrared lamp 150, As shown in Fig.

The first lamp receiving portion 123 and the second lamp receiving portion 125 are provided with a first reflector 123a and a second reflector 123a for reflecting ultraviolet and near infrared rays respectively irradiated by the ultraviolet lamp 140 and the near infrared lamp 150, And a reflection plate 125a may be disposed, respectively. The first reflector 123a and the second reflector 125a may be formed of a metal having good reflectivity.

If the cover 120 itself is formed of a metal material, the reflectors 123a and 125a may be omitted.

The stirring part 130 stirs the formula milk A in the stirring bowl 117 and mixes them well. Thereby increasing the time and exposure area to ultraviolet and near infrared rays, thereby improving the sterilization efficiency.

The stirring portion 130 includes a stirring shaft 131 disposed transversely to the inside of the stirring chamber 117 and a stirring blade 133 formed on the outer circumference of the stirring shaft 131 to stir the prepared milk powder A, A wing support shaft 132 for connecting the stirring shaft 131 and the stirring wing 133, a driving motor 137 for generating a driving force, a transmission gear 136 for transmitting the driving force of the driving motor 137, And a driving gear 135 coupled to the shaft 131 and rotated in conjunction with the rotation of the transmission gear 136.

The stirring shaft 131 is provided to be rotated in such a manner that the powdered milk A is pushed in the direction of the stirring shaft 131 inside the stirring chamber 117. As a result, the prepared milk powder is agitated in the stirring chamber 117 and can be uniformly exposed to the ultraviolet lamp 140 and the near infrared lamp 150.

The stirring shaft 131 is connected to the chamber main body 111 so as to pass through the stirring chamber 117 so that the stirring chamber 117 is rotated with respect to the chamber main body 111.

The stirring wing 133 is provided in a form capable of smoothly stirring a large amount of the formulated milk A. For this purpose, the stirring vane 133 may be provided to have various shapes and areas.

The ultraviolet lamp 140 irradiates the ultraviolet ray (UV-C) with the formulated milk (A). Ultraviolet (UV-C) is a proven technology that has directly proven its ability to degrade microbial genes and has been approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as a food surface-sterilization technology. However, in the case of powdery foods whose surface is not constant, the sterilization effect is insignificant by the ultraviolet ray alone treatment.

The near infrared ray lamp (NIR lamp, 150) irradiates near infrared rays with the formula milk (A). Infrared (IR) heating is a method of heating directly in the form of direct radiation without being influenced by air around the powdered food such as formula powder. Therefore, its heat transfer efficiency is superior to conventional convection and conduction heating methods, which require an intermediate medium. This rapid surface heating method is suitable for preserving a sensitive quality factor such as the flavor, color, etc. of the formula A. [

Ultraviolet (UV-C) irradiation of the present formula powder sterilizing apparatus (100) proceeds together with near-infrared heating to produce Cronobacter sakazakii ) Germicidal action can be increased by lethal damage to the bacterial cell membrane. In addition, by increasing the cross-sectional area of irradiation of powdered particles (A) of the powdered preparation (A) simultaneously by rotating and stirring the stirring part 130 during the sterilization treatment, the sterilization efficiency can be enhanced and quality damage due to intensive heating on some surfaces can be prevented.

The experiment was conducted to investigate the degree of reduction of Cronobacter sakazakii , a food poisoning bacterium that was randomly inoculated in the formula.

Cronobacter sakazakii was cultured in tryptic soy broth for 24 hours. The pellet was diluted with BPW (buffered peptone water) and inoculated into 250 g of the formula and dried. Individual treatments of UV (UV) and near-infrared (NIR), respectively, and co-processed formula were stomached in BPW to give the Enterobacter sakazakii agar (Brilliance, DFI formulation, Oxoid) I was sick. The colonies formed selectively on the medium cultured for 24 hours were counted, and the results of the experiment were derived as shown in Table 1 below.

Processing time
(min) Log reduction [log ₁₀ ( N ₀ / N )] by treatment type UV-rays Near infrared Ultraviolet-near infrared 0 0.00 ± 0.00 A 0.00 ± 0.00 A 0.00 ± 0.00 A One 0.02 0.02 AB 0.07 ± 0.09 A 0.10 ± 0.10 AB 2 0.01 ± 0.01 AB 0.14 ± 0.13 AB 0.33 0.11 BC 3 0.01 ± 0.01 AB 0.39 + 0.14 B 0.47 0.09 C 4 0.04 0.06 AB 0.67 ± 0.16 C 0.81 0.07 D 5 0.05 ± 0.03 AB 1.20 ± 0.18 D 1.55 ± 0.12 E 6 0.06 ± 0.04 AB 1.32 ± 0.29 D 2.11 ± 0.19 F 7 0.07 ± 0.06 B 1.77 ± 0.01 E 2.79 ± 0.22 G

As shown in Table 1, it was confirmed that the total amount of Cronobacter sakazakii inoculated in the formulated milk through the simultaneous treatment for 7 minutes with ultraviolet and near-infrared rays was about 99.9% (the number of pathogenic bacteria was reduced by 2.79) Respectively. It is clear that there is synergy with the number of pathogens sterilized by each individual treatment is higher than the sum of the number of pathogens by 0.95. This significant synergistic effect was confirmed from a treatment time of more than 6 minutes.

On the other hand, to evaluate the sensory evaluation of preparation formula treated with both ultraviolet and near-infrared rays, we provided randomized combination of ultraviolet and near infrared rays to 12 panelists (5 males and 7 females) randomly. The color, flavor, Seven point scaling method was used for preference degree. The results are shown in Table 2 below.

Processing time
(min) Sensory evaluation color Flavor Overall likelihood 0 4.0 ± 0.76 A 5.4 ± 0.74 A 5.1 ± 0.83 A One 4.0 ± 0.93 A 5.1 ± 0.99 A 5.4 ± 0.92 A 3 3.9 ± 0.83 5.0 ± 0.93 A 5.4 ± 0.52 A 5 4.1 ± 0.83 A 5.1 ± 1.25 A 5.1 ± 1.13 A 7 3.8 ± 0.89 A 5.4 ± 0.52 A 5.1 ± 0.64 A

As can be seen in Table 2, the color, flavor, and overall acceptability of the formula were not significantly different for 7 minutes during the simultaneous treatment of ultraviolet and near infrared rays. At this time, A in the above Table 2 means that there is no statistically significant difference although the numerical value of the measurement value is different.

On the other hand, in order to measure the change in the chromaticity of the prepared milk powder treated with both ultraviolet and near infrared rays, the chromaticity change was measured using a color meter (Minolta colorimeter, Lab colorimeter) on the surface of the prepared milk powder processed simultaneously with ultraviolet and near infrared rays. All measurements were repeated 3 times and the results are shown in Table 3 below.

Processing time
(min) parameter L ^* a ^* b ^* 0 94.13 + - 0.66 A -4.42 0.08 A 21.80 + 0.35 A One 94.27 ± 0.75 A -4.45 ± 0.31 A 21.98 ± 0.27 A 2 94.23 ± 0.66 A -4.31 + 0.03 A 21.90 ± 0.26 A 3 94.22 + 0.64 A -4.33 + 0.11 A 21.78 ± 0.19 A 4 94.30 ± 0.64 A -4.37 ± 0.09 A 21.66 + 0.34 A 5 94.17 ± 0.59 A -4.17 + 0.13 A 21.44 + 0.38 A 6 94.25 ± 0.69 A -4.11 + 0.16 A 21.26 ± 0.63 A 7 94.29 ± 0.76 A -4.21 ± 0.38 A 21.17 ± 0.67 A

As can be seen in Table 3, no significant change in the chromaticity of the formula was observed during 7 minutes of simultaneous treatment of ultraviolet and near infrared rays. At this time, A in the above Table 2 means that there is no statistically significant difference although the numerical value of the measurement value is different.

As described above, the preparation powder milk sterilizing apparatus according to the present invention can proceed with the preparation powder milk sterilization at a relatively low temperature by simultaneously performing ultraviolet ray irradiation and near infrared ray heat treatment.

As a result, the sterilization efficiency can be increased while minimizing changes in the quality of the milk powder.

Particularly, since the prepared milk powder is agitated by the agitating part, the irradiated cross-sectional area of the prepared milk powder particles is increased and the sterilization efficiency can be increased.

Meanwhile, FIG. 5 is a schematic view showing the structure of a formula powder sterilizing apparatus 100a according to another embodiment of the present invention.

The sterilization chamber 110 is formed in a closed shape and the sterilization chamber 117 is closed when the sterilized milk powder A contained in the sterilization chamber 110 is completely sterilized. And the powdered milk A is fed into the stirring tray 117 again.

On the other hand, according to another embodiment of the present invention, the sterilizing chamber 160 is formed in the shape of a tunnel having a predetermined length so that the sterilizing chamber 160 is opened front and rear. An ultraviolet lamp 140 and a near-infrared lamp 150 are provided on the upper portion of the sterilizing chamber 160 along the longitudinal direction of the sterilizing chamber 160 in series. In addition, an agitating part 130a is arranged in a line below the sterilizing chamber 110 along the longitudinal direction thereof.

Accordingly, when the prepared milk powder A is continuously supplied through the hopper 170, the prepared milk powder A is gradually moved to the rear end by the stirring of the stirring part 130 and the ultraviolet lamp 140 and the near- Sterilization is performed by heating the ultraviolet ray and the near-infrared ray irradiated from the lamp 150. After the sterilization is completed, the sterilization chamber 180 is accommodated in the discharge chamber 180.

Accordingly, the preparatory milk powder sterilizing apparatus 100a according to another embodiment of the present invention may be more advantageous for continuously sterilizing a large amount of the formulated milk powder A. [

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and equivalent arrangements may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention as defined by the following claims. You will know. Therefore, it is to be understood that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments. Accordingly, the true scope of the present invention should be determined by the technical idea of the appended claims. It is also to be understood that the invention includes all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

100: Milk powder sterilization apparatus 110: sterilization chamber
111: chamber body 112: stirring chamber rotation space
113: bottom surface 115: drive receiving chamber
117: stirring vessel 118: stirring dropping valve
120: cover 121: cover body
123: first lamp receiving portion 125: second lamp receiving portion
130: stir part 131: stir shaft
132: wing support shaft 133: stirring wing
135: driving gear 136: electric gear
137: Driving motor 140: Ultraviolet lamp
150: near-infrared lamp

Claims (4)

A sterilization chamber in which an inlet through which the formula milk is introduced and an outlet through which the formula milk is discharged are respectively formed and a prepared milk powder stirring space is formed therein;
A stirrer provided in the stirring space and rotating to stir the prepared milk powder;
An ultraviolet lamp disposed at an upper portion of the sterilization chamber and irradiating ultraviolet rays to the formula oil;
And a near-infrared lamp disposed on one side of the ultraviolet lamp and irradiating near infrared rays with the formula powder.
The method according to claim 1,
The stirring unit
A stirring shaft rotatably disposed in the sterilizing chamber in the transverse direction;
A plurality of stirring vanes coupled radially outwardly to an outer periphery of the stirring shaft to stir the prepared formula powder;
And a stirring driving unit for rotating the stirring shaft.
3. The method of claim 2,
Wherein the sterilization chamber is formed in a closed housing shape,
Wherein the ultraviolet lamp and the near-infrared lamp are coupled to a cover detachably provided on an upper portion of the sterilization chamber,
And a stirrer rotatably installed in the sterilization chamber to form the stirring space.
3. The method according to claim 1 or 2,
Wherein the sterilization chamber is formed in a tunnel shape having a predetermined length at both ends thereof,
Wherein the agitating part is provided to form an agitating axis along a longitudinal direction of the sterilization chamber,
Wherein the ultraviolet lamps and the near-infrared lamps are provided in pairs on the upper part of the sterilizing chamber in pairs along the longitudinal direction.

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