WO2007121494A2

WO2007121494A2 - Microwave sterilizer

Info

Publication number: WO2007121494A2
Application number: PCT/AT2007/000171
Authority: WO
Inventors: Hubert Petutschnig
Original assignee: Hubert Petutschnig
Priority date: 2006-04-20
Filing date: 2007-04-13
Publication date: 2007-11-01
Also published as: WO2007121494A3

Abstract

The invention relates to a microwave sterilizer for pasteurizing or sterilizing substances, preferably drinks or liquid food in hermetically sealed containers, preferably cans or bottles, of mainly non-metallic consistence, said sterilizer having at least one pasteurization compartment, especially for preheating, heating and optionally cooling, and at least one microwave generator connected thereto, and a device for transporting the items to be sterilized through the pasteurization compartment. The invention is characterized in that a plurality of heating compartments of the above kind are arranged one behind the other in the direction of transport of the containers in the form of a tunnel (45). The respective pasteurization compartments (45) have the form of a tunnel comprising heating sections into which at least one respective microwave generator injects microwaves, especially from below, at least one transport device (18) for introducing and discharging the items to be sterilized (13) extending through the heating compartments that are arranged one behind the other.

Description

The invention relates to a microwave sterilizer according to the preamble of claim 1.

The disadvantages of known microwave sterilizers for beverage containers or similar containers, which draw in as continuous a container flow through the sterilizer, are mainly that the microwaves can not be concentrated and uniformly conducted in the Sterilisierungsgut by their radiation characteristics in a rectangular limited space, in which case As a result, high-energy and low-energy nodes arise in the heating chamber due to interference, the known "hot spots" and "cold spots".

Further disadvantages are that microwaves in microwave heaters according to the state of the art can never be conducted as accurately and uniformly into the mass of the sterilizing material of a passing container stream as for sterilizing a sensitive product, such as eg iced coffee with milk or cream in beverage cans. in exact

Pasteurization units without temperature overrun or underrun is essential. Heater according to the prior art can not heat the contents of a single container exactly to a narrow target temperature, the expended for the targeted heating microwave energy depending on the contents, the output temperature of the

Filling material whose capacity in the can, and their speed of passage through the sterilizer is different. The case that the content of beverage cans at the same time has different, deviating from the setpoint temperatures in the same container stream, for example, already occurs when the

Transport continued movement of the container stream has been interrupted by the microwave sterilizer accidentally, so that when restarting the container transport the beverage cans on the one hand have different temperatures and therefore no longer comply with the required and exactly complied with requirements as a result, the exact irradiation periods. The practical experiment with transparent beverage cans shows that the visible destruction of, for example: a milk-containing (iced) iced coffee abruptly in the power-related irradiation limit range when exceeding the supply of microwave irradiation of only 1-2 seconds by the proteins clump into a mass and the remainder of the iced coffee decomposes into a brownish aqueous unsightly liquid, but the time of product destruction in the containers of the same container stream does not necessarily occur after the same irradiation time has elapsed, which in turn a, for each beverage can individual, controlled and controlled irradiation period of the individual containers with a likewise precisely matched irradiation energy would make necessary. However, further deviations from the calculated sterilization target temperature, which can be maintained to a very limited degree, already occur when there are voltage fluctuations in the power network of the microwave generators, or if individual generators in a cascade of microwave generators have larger tolerances with respect to the emitted or coupled Have microwave power.

The invention is therefore an object of the invention to provide a microwave sterilizer of the type described, which is characterized in that the microwaves are uniformly concentrated in the Sterilisierungsgut the individual containers of a container stream passed without microwave energy through unrecognizable uncontrollable reflections or as a result of interference and similar phenomena locally reduced or strengthened or led away, so that a uniform and homogeneous heating takes place in the individual containers with optimum energy yield of the microwaves. Furthermore, it should be possible that the content of each individual container of the entire container flow, regardless of its initial temperature, of its capacity or the

Pulling speed of the container stream, as accurately as possible to a target temperature within a predetermined narrow tolerance range with the required for industrial processing or production

Repeat accuracy, can be heated, where appropriate

Deviations that lie outside the temperature tolerances can be detected, and the affected products can be discarded from the container stream.

The objects are achieved with the features stated in the characterizing part of claim 1.

It is advantageous if the pasteurization space has the shape of a tunnel which has a cross section which is preferably similar to a circular shape. In this case, the diameter of the tunnel cross-section may preferably be dimensioned smaller than the wavelength of the microwaves used. Microwaves can be radially coupled into the tunnel from at least one microwave generator, preferably from a cascade of microwave generators arranged next to one another. Due to the structural distances of the individual Mikrowelleneinkoppelungen a structure can be created, which individual heating chambers or pasteurization corresponds. The coupling of the microwaves can be done via rectangular waveguide, wherein the longer side of the rectangular waveguide is preferably parallel or transverse to the tunnel longitudinal direction. At least one transport device for the introduction and removal of the sterilized good can lead through the sterilization tunnel, which has longitudinally-spaced drivers for longitudinally-spaced transport of the containers as seen in the transport direction, wherein the longitudinal distances are selected so that their distances are preferably not smaller than the depth of penetration of the heating chambers , so that in each heating chamber is essentially only a piece of container for pasteurization in the passage. The container of the container stream are preferably transported in a horizontal position through the sterilization tunnel, which is characterized in that the bottom or lid of the container in the transport direction or transverse thereto, ie in the passage whose vertical axis is parallel or transverse to the transport direction, comparatively similar to a pneumatic tube.

The invention further relates to a method according to the preamble of claim 52, which is characterized in that the containers, in particular cylindrical plastic cans, are transported sequentially in a lying position through a number of Pasteurisierungsräumen and in each pasteurization space microwaves in the container, in particular of below, coupled and allows the already mentioned advantages, in particular allows a uniform and rapid heating of the can contents.

The present invention will be further described by the following example, without being limited thereto.

Experiments in relation to the positioning of one or more containers in a heating chamber have surprisingly shown in this tunnel configuration that the simultaneous presence of only two containers in a heating chamber at the same microwave irradiation time and power leads to different temperatures, in particular between the Both containers always clear temperature differences were measurable. According to the invention, the entire pasteurization tunnel was subdivided into individual areas, which could be achieved on the one hand by the distanced attachment of the coupling flanges to the pasteurization tunnel, and on the other hand by a longitudinally-spaced transport system for the containers of the container stream. As a result, it was possible to avoid having two containers at the same time in the radiation area of a microwave input. Further experiments have shown that the heating of the contents in beverage cans during the passage through a pasteurization is always largely uniform when the Einkoppelungsorte the

Microwaves in the pasteurization tunnel predominantly, in particular entirely, below the passing through containers, or in particular when the

Coupling by means of a waveguide of preferably rectangular

Cross-section takes place, wherein the longer cross-sectional side of the rectangular waveguide is preferably aligned approximately parallel to the conveying direction and the mean chamber depth in the conveying direction example by about 50% - 100% greater than the longer cross-sectional side of a waveguide.

Furthermore, experiments with a system designed according to the invention have surprisingly revealed that the best results with respect to a rapid and uniform heating of the pasteurization good, when the sterilization tunnel has a cross-section which is similar to a circular shape, the diameter or the height of the cross section not significantly larger than the diameter of the sterilization package. This above configuration has yielded results in terms of efficiency of a microwave sterilizer in the range of 95% - 98% of the maximum possible power. This is achieved in particular by the fact that in one, the circular shape-like cross-section, the coupled microwaves on the wall of the tunnel largely reflected from all sides again in the center of the lying container and maximally effective for the heating, in this configuration further by a tunnel diameter smaller than the wavelength of the

Microwave is, hardly interference, and thus "hot spots" or

Energy losses are avoided.

A homogeneous temperature distribution in the sterilizing material is essentially also achieved in that the coupling of the microwaves and thus the heating takes place from below the horizontal container, because physically by convection within the container, a mixing between the initial different temperature-controlled product layers only from bottom to top can be done, which in the experiment then actually only more temperature differences <5 ° C are detectable within the Pasteurisierungsgutes.

Furthermore, according to the invention, a continuous monitoring of the heating process can be carried out by a series of thermal sensors, in particular infrared sensors, which periodically monitor the heating process during the container cycle Measure surface temperature at several defined measuring points of the doses, 1 where a corresponding surface temperature is assigned a certain, empirically determined temperature of the contents of the can.

The particularly simple structure of the pasteurization tunnel with a cross section similar to a circular shape substantially corresponds to a tube through which the containers are conveyed through in the longitudinal direction.

For reasons of hygiene, this structure further allows the particular embodiment in a form similar to two half-shells, a lower and an upper, the lower half-shell is connected via flanges fixed to the microwave generators and the upper half-shell is provided via a mechanism liftable. As a result, the microwave sterilizer has any number of microwave-tight service openings, for example, to remove bursted or stuck cans from the passage area quickly accessible manually or even to further cleanings

15 perform.

The objects of the invention are also achieved in that each container of the container stream is conveyed in a temporally and spatially precisely defined movement in. A lying position through the pasteurization tunnel, and from a number of

20 microwave generators, which are connected to the sterilization tunnel and arranged at preferably regular intervals along the transport path, microwave dosed coupled intensity, time and / or time duration. Furthermore, at each beverage can during the

Passing through the sterilizer on a series of in the sterilizer along the

25

Durchzugbahn arranged measuring points, in particular on the front end crimped on the can metallic lid of the pushed by carriers of the transport system before him beverage cans, continuously, preferably by means of thermal imaging cameras, carried out non-contact temperature measurements

^ ₀ become. The values determined result in a (computer) recognition an actual

Heating profile, which is compared with a corresponding desired heating profile, wherein each measurement point on the container stream, a programmed temperature can be assigned, whereby it is possible, the temperature rise of the content of each beverage can on the way through

35. to track the sterilizer and the determined temperature actual values with

To compare temperature setpoints. Variations in temperature setpoints may be made individually for each individual can by increasing, decreasing, or disabling the injected microwave power of each one Microwave generator can be compensated. The use or the recording of a measured value of each thermal imaging camera or of each thermal sensor takes place when a beverage can reaches different measuring points precisely defined in the conveying direction, whereby this position detection preferably takes place without contact, for example by optical, capacitive and / or laser sensors. A preferred embodiment provides that a shaft, in particular the control of the transport unit, has a clock which drives a counter, whereby in combination of detection of the entry of a can in the sterilizer with the clock and counter the respective positions of all in the sterilizer located beverage cans are known precisely at any time during the passage. This information can be used to preferably only ever start up the microwave generator for power output, at the Einkoppelungsort is a beverage can, the delivered for each beverage can microwave power beyond only until the required temperature for this position, after time and / or Power, continuous or pulsed, is coupled. By this measure, on the one hand a relative target temperature is reached, or in addition no excess energy is coupled into the sterilizer, or eliminates the need to decouple excess microwave energy via an isolator and a circulator again.

As a further effect, the life of the microwave generators based on the number of sterilized containers is also extended. Beverage cans that do not reach or exceed the target temperature can be defined using this procedure or a rejection mechanism.

Another advantage of the individual heating of each individual beverage can is that if the target temperature of several containers is not reached in a row, it is immediately recognized that a technical disturbance in the area of the microwave generators or their energy supply can be present, and the sterilization system can therefore be stopped immediately.

These measures for individual heating of each beverage can need not be sufficient to bring the entire volume of the can contents within the predetermined tolerance to the same temperature. Temperature differences in the sterilization material can lead to

Measuring point of a beverage can, for example, on the metal lid of the can, a temperature value is determined, which is not true for the entire can content, resulting in a wrong total irradiation performance would result in overheating of the contents of the can or that sterilization could not be achieved at all.

According to the invention as a further, in particular alternative or additional, measure for the predominantly homogeneous temperature distribution of

Sterilization good within a beverage can continuous, mechanical mixing of the can contents proposed, preferably in such a way that this mixing effect is achieved by different, preferably changing, speeds of the transport conveyor, so controlled in the pulling direction oscillating movement of the transport conveyor. It can be provided for this purpose at least two different speeds, the beverage cans are preferably moved longitudinally parallel in the transport direction, the cans are moved in the microwave coupling at a lower speed at the coupling or come to a halt, or are the beverage cans in Passage between two

Coupling openings, moved at a greater or higher speed. This transport with at least two different speeds is equal to a shaking of the cans in their longitudinal direction, which experience has shown to result in an extremely homogeneous temperature distribution in the sterilization material, ie the contents of the can.

A particularly good mixing is achieved when the transport of the beverage cans by the microwave sterilizer takes place in such a way that along the sterilization tunnel a kind of push or pull rod is provided, protrude from the preferably movable carrier and in the

Protrude sterilization room. This device can by means of a

Drive unit, such.: Linear motor, electromagnet, pneumatic cylinder, etc. periodically perform an oscillating movement in the axial direction, wherein the

Stroke length of such a movement is preferably so great that, in particular in one cycle, a beverage can is always distinguished from a microwave

Einkoppelungsöffnung is transported to the next and thus in a pulsating

Movement is transported through the sterilizer.

In the following drawings, the subject invention is exemplified. Show it:

Fig. 1 pasteurization tunnel in elevation

Fig. 2 pasteurization tunnel in plan view

Fig. 3 pasteurization tunnel in side elevation Fig. 4 Pasteurization tunnel with concave sections Fig. 5 Pasteurization tunnel with round cross section and an exemplary round half shell, closable Fig. 6 Pasteurization tunnel with rectangular / rounded cross section

Fig. 7 pasteurization tunnel arranged transversely

Einkoppelungsöffnungen

Fig. 8 pasteurization tunnel with rising and falling

Transport sections Fig. 9 example Pasteurisierungstunnel in side elevation with oscillating transport device, sectional view

(Cross-section, section AB Fig. 2),

Fig. 10 Pasteurization tunnel in plan, top view,

11 oscillating transport device in elevation,

FIG. 13 is a side elevation of a sterilization tunnel with a transport conveyor belt running through by way of example, FIG. 13a section of a transport conveyor, FIG. 14 is a tear-off of a sterilization tunnel with a transport conveyor belt running through by way of example in the middle, FIG. 15 Pipe pasteurization tunnel, ground plan

Fig. 16 Rohrpasteurisierungstunnel, side elevation

Fig. 17 Module-like structure of a sterilizer of the same

assemblies

Fig. 18 Sterilization tunnel in section

Fig. 19 Sterilization tunnel in plan view

According to the exemplary embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1, the pasteurization chamber of a microwave sterilizer according to the invention consists of a pasteurization tunnel 1 made of metal, which is characterized by symbolic

Dividing axes 6, 9, etc., in the distances D1, D2, etc., in individual heating chambers 7, 8, 10, etc., or heating ranges with the section lengths A1, A2, etc., is divided. These imaginary spatial separations arise in particular by the ratio of the widths 4, 4 ', etc., the Einkoppelungsflansche 3, 3', etc., to the distances D1, D2, etc., because only by such a large distance a chamber effect , in which it is ensured that the microwaves coupled in the axes 13, 14, etc., essentially penetrate only into the container to be sterilized and there to achieve the Frictional heat are consumed, but no significant influence of the microwave radiation in an adjacent heating section through

Interference, etc., takes place. In a further preferred embodiment, the chamber effect is gem by an exemplary embodiment of the inner wall of the pasteurization. 4, wherein here, too, sections are formed, for example, by the section axes 29, 30, 31, etc., but in each case the inner chamber diameter in the section axes 29, 30, 31, etc., is preferably smaller than in FIGS Regions of Einkoppelungsachsen 13, 14, etc. with the respective largest diameter of a chamber portion, whereby coupled microwave radiation, which is reflected at the respective opposite inner wall, exemplified by the arrows 27 and 28, according to the law of reflection back into the respectively einkoppelnden Chamber section is reflected back. It does not interfere with the adjacent chamber, resulting in a better specific energy yield and

Temperature control is achieved, wherein such in the section center-reflecting on-site device for an embodiment gem. Fig.7 can be provided with transverse coupling openings.

In a further preferred embodiment, at least the lower half of the pasteurization tunnel with a microwave permeable thermally and mechanically highly resilient plastic 11, such as Teflon, sealed liquid-tight against the coupling openings. In any case, however, the coupling openings against the pasteurization space are liquid-tight and microwave permeable, regardless of their position.

Fig. 5 shows a further preferred embodiment, which consists of a lower half-shell 1 and an upper half-shell 32, wherein the two half-shells are arranged to be movable relative to each other by means of a closure system 33, whereby an opening mechanism for service purposes, etc., is created.

Fig. 6 shows a further preferred embodiment, which is characterized by another cross-sectional shape, for example a rectangular shape of similar dimensions, wherein in the longitudinal direction instead of the corners

Fillets are provided. A transport conveyor 36 is provided in the longitudinal direction for the transport of the container stream, wherein the longitudinal distance of the individual containers is achieved by partitions 37 of the conveyor belt 36.

Fig. 7 shows a further preferred embodiment of a Pasteurization tunnels 38, 39, which is characterized in that exemplary coupling openings 40, 41, 42, etc., with the wider side of the rectangular waveguide are arranged transversely to the transport direction 43, wherein the coupling of the microwaves also here preferably from the bottom 40 of lower half shell 39 takes place.

8 shows a further preferred embodiment, which is characterized in that the longitudinal path of the pasteurization tunnel including its transport device is subdivided by the sterilizer into sections A1, A2, A3, A4, etc., which in turn do not increase significantly in turn and again but in any case by the effect of convection of the hotter part of a beverage in the container each strives upward, so each flows into the higher-lying portion of a container, whereby a continuous mixing different tempered content takes place within a container. The present invention will be further described by, but not limited to, the following example of FIG. 2:

The length of an exemplary heating section, in which the wider cross-sectional side of the rectangular waveguide is parallel to the transport direction, ie the tunnel longitudinal axis, is approximately 20% to 300% greater than the width of the rectangular waveguide, preferably approximately 50% to 150% greater, in particular 100%. larger than the larger side of the waveguide opening in cross section. Furthermore, the diameter of the pasteurization tunnel moves in comparison to the dimensions of the standard waveguide width provided here from -50% to

+ 300%, preferably between -25% to + 150%. In particular, it is approximately the same size as the inner net width of the cross-sectional opening of the waveguide in FIG

Standard configuration. The center distances of the coupling openings lying transversely to the transport direction according to FIG. 7, as seen between two adjacent coupling openings in the transport direction, are between 100% and 500% with respect to the length of the cross-sectional opening of the

Rectangular waveguide, so based on the shorter side, preferably between 125% and 250%, in particular by 150%, of the considered in cross-section waveguide length so again the shorter cross-sectional side. In addition, the pasteurization space 45 according to FIG. 1 has a small diameter in cross-section, which is approximately 10% to 100%, preferably 15% to 50%, in particular approximately 20%, larger than the diameter of a horizontal container.

According to the exemplary embodiment illustrated in FIG. 9, the pasteurization space is one embodiment of an inventive device Microwave sterilizer from a made of metal pasteurization tunnel 1, which is preferably formed in cross-section of two longitudinally leading halves, ie an upper half-shell 1 and a lower half-shell 2, which in the region of the axis 28 - 28 'on both sides are microwave tight together. In a preferred embodiment, the upper half-shell 1 has longitudinally extending the transport unit for the container transport for passage through the sterilizer and the lower half-shell 2 has the Einkoppelungsöffnungen the microwave generators. This arrangement is exemplary for a more uniform temperature distribution in the sterilization. When coupling the microwaves at the bottom of the pasteurization tunnel and thus also the container to be sterilized, the lowermost layers of the liquid are first heated, which then rise in convection by convection in the container, resulting in an optimal mixing of cold and hot beverage portions. In addition, the lower half-shell 2 is preferably provided over its entire length with a microwave-stable and liquid-tight lining, preferably a plastic cladding such as: Teflon, to protect the underlying microwave generators, provided that the coupling takes place just from the bottom. In any case, the panel is always provided only for the spatial, liquid-tight / gas-tight separation of sterilization and Einkoppelungsöffnungen, that is, when the coupling of the microwaves from the top or side, then the panel / seal just there to provide.

The half-shell 1 has in the exemplary embodiment according to. FIG.

1, in contrast, preferably only one, the microwave reflecting

Metal surface, for the reflective inner surface of which a simple treatment against metal-attacking substances is sufficient.

A microwave sterilizer according to FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 provides, in a preferred embodiment, a transport device for the containers passing through the sterilizer in such a way that over the entire length of the pasteurization tunnel a longitudinal guide 31 provided laterally for receiving a rod-shaped, axially oscillating rod is embedded therein Component 3 was created. This lifting rod 3 is oscillated within a required and therefore precisely defined stroke length via a drive, so constantly moving back and forth, with movable driver 4, 5, 6, 7, etc., through the slots 20, 21, 22, 23, etc. , which protrude half shell 1 in the sterilization chamber 27. When moving forward in direction 32 As shown in FIG. 3, each driver pushes a beverage can in front of him, when retracting the lifting rod 3 in the direction 33 of FIG. 3, the slide

Carrier 4, 5, 6, 7, etc. on the beverage cans without this move until the push rod 3 reaches the end position or home position 34 shown in FIG. The drivers 4, 5, 6, 7, etc. in the exemplary bushing

17 as shown in FIG. 3 have sufficient clearance and are therefore extremely smooth, so that they fall preferably solely by gravity to the lower stop 13 of FIG. 3, as soon as the push rod 3 reaches its end position or starting position 34 of FIG Has. If the push rod 3 passes over the starting position 34 in FIG. 2 slightly in the direction 35, all the drivers 4, 5, 6, 7, etc. can fall freely into their lowermost position 13 and thus do not remain at the rear possibly a little too far behind hanging can. The oscillating process described above, that the push rod 3 moves in the direction 32 and then back in accordance with the direction 33 to position 34 and 35, is repeated, so as to move through the pasteurization tunnels or beverage cans through this so that the cans or Container with a preferably rapid push movement of a Mikrowellen- Einkoppelungsort be moved to the next next and there held for a given (s) time interval or time interval in order to achieve the exact position-related microwave heating, the horizontal mixing of the Sterilizing good of the possibly different tempered sections within each container through the

Strength of the thrust movement of the transport device described takes place.

Figure 10 shows a preferred embodiment of an upper half-shell 1, which has for example a recessed longitudinal guide 31 which is closed by the two side walls 18 and 19 on both sides, and wherein the longitudinal guide 31 upwardly through the cover 29 (Fig. 1) is microwave-tightly sealed, said longitudinal guide 31 via exemplary

Has longitudinal slots 20, 21, 22, 23, etc., which are preferably outside the central axis 35. This creates between the longitudinal slots a web 36, which is the prerequisite for the integral configuration of the half-shell 1, wherein slot start and end of the slot overlap each other in the longitudinal direction by the dimension 37 and 38. The advancing movement of the push rod 3 in the axial direction is characterized by the fact that the increase in the acceleration movement and the drop in speed in the course of the deceleration thereof are not a random quantity, but this course of the curve Rather, it is a specifically selectable quantity, so that preferably a stronger acceleration is followed by a slower deceleration so that the packages do not overshadow the required irradiation positions as far as possible.

Figure 11 shows an exemplary push rod 3 in elevation, wherein in a preferred embodiment drivers 4, 6, etc., on the one hand and drivers 5, 7, etc., are mounted on the other side, preferably by gravity up to an exemplary lower stop surface 13 fall down and abut against this, as long as the push rod performs a movement from the starting position 34 (35) in the direction 32. These drivers are moved according to the illustrated movement line 39 when sliding over the underlying cans or containers up when the push rod 3 moves back in the course of the return movement 33 in the starting position 34.

The drive of the push rod 3 takes place either by a pneumatic or hydraulic cylinder, a linear motor or by the stroke of a

Electro-magnets, or by a connection with an eccentric, the drive not necessarily once on the front side or in the rear end position (for example: position 39, Fig. 3) must be provided. According to a further preferred embodiment, a plurality of smaller sized drives along the push rod 3 are mounted, which then preferably operate synchronized simultaneously, whereby the push rod 3 is exposed to a more uniform introduction of force over the entire length.

Figure 12 shows a plan view of a push rod 3, wherein in particular the recesses 8, 9, 10, 12, etc., are recognizable, which receive therein the movable drivers 4, 5, 6, 7, etc., wherein, for example

Driver 4 is housed in the exemption 8. The driver 4 preferably has a small shaft or axis, which is accommodated in the bore 17 with sufficient bearing clearance, on the opposite side of an enlarged opening 40 is provided for securing the axis.

FIG. 13 shows a further preferred embodiment of a preferably two-part sterilization tunnel, which consists of the upper half shell 91 and the lower half shell 92, wherein a functionally sufficiently large free space 96 is provided between the two half shells on both sides, for example, through which a longitudinally running conveyor belt is provided

113 can be moved. This conveyor belt is characterized in that it has at intervals according to FIG. 13a exemptions 121, these exemptions are arranged so that they with the Positions of Einkoppelungsorte 119, 119 ', 119 ", etc., match, so that is shown in FIG. 14 in the passage of the container stream, in particular at the same time, above each Einkoppelungsort a beverage can, said beverage cans by the mounted on the conveyor belt 113 driver 120 in front of him be pushed.

FIG. 15 shows a further preferred embodiment of a pasteurization tunnel, which consists in one piece of a tubular body 42, wherein a series of openings is further provided, via which the exemplary flange connections 48, 50, 52, 54, etc., the hollow waveguides 49, 51, 53, 55, etc., are attached for the coupling of microwaves. There are slots 44, 45, 46, 47, etc., provided in the longitudinal direction, through which in turn carriers protrude into the sterilization chamber 41 in order to convey beverage containers through the sterilization chamber in the direction of the arrow 50 in front of them. The sterilization room 41 also has, in a preferred embodiment, an inner lining 43 of preferably microwave-resistant plastic, such as e.g.

Teflon for sealing the microwave coupling openings. The sterilization tunnel is preferably installed in the machine frame, so that it occupies a tilt angle relative to the machine base plane, so that in the case of destroyed containers with contents outlet cleaning of the tunnel can be done by one-sided introduction of a cleaning liquid, the liquid exits on the inclined side and discharged from there can be.

FIG. 17 shows a further preferred embodiment of a

Mikrowellensterilisators, which from any number of identical modules

61, 62, 63, 64, etc., which in the axle areas 76, 77, 78, etc., are microwave-tightly mechanically connected to one another. Each module preferably has its own movable sliding / pulling unit for transporting the containers, symbolically represented here by the vectors 66, 67, 68, 69, etc. The transport units of a module group are replaced by a common

Sliding / pulling unit 74 in the points 70, 71, 72, 73, etc., resulting in a uniform transport system for an arbitrarily long sterilizer tunnel, each module has its own Mikrowelleneinkoppelungen 65.

The container 3 are advantageously cylindrical cans made of glass or plastic, possibly with aluminum lids.

Fig. 18 shows a sterilization tunnel 1 in elevation as a sectional view and Fig. 19 in plan view with exemplified beverage containers or in particular cylindrical cans 3, which lying transversely through the Sterilization tunnel 1 are moved in the conveying direction 6.

1 Instead of the illustrated Transportportmechanismus a

Transport chain can also be used other transport mechanisms. The beverage cans 3 are located between the transport rollers 5 of the transport chain, which are connected by the connecting elements 4 exactly longitudinally spaced, so that the beverage cans 3 as shown in Fig. 19 as a dashed can figure 13, in particular at the same time, each come to rest just above the waveguide coupling openings ,

In principle, in this further embodiment, the same technical characteristics as in a can transport of cans in the longitudinal direction can be realized in order to achieve a mixing of the can contents at the speed changes during stopping and the speed recording. In particular, at least two different transport speeds can be provided. There is a time-defined

15 pulse mode with power output through the coupling openings, if

Cans are present in the defined Einkoppelungsbereich, thereby maintaining a same temperature of the container contents of all beverage cans, and to prevent doses in any transport position could be heated differently by uncontrolled Mikrowelleneinkoppelung. By the 0 rotation of the cans 3 during transport is also a thorough mixing of

Can contents.

FIG. 18 further shows that the height 7 of the sterilization tunnel is only larger by the amount X than the diameter of the can 3.

The width 8 is only wider by the value X than the height of a can

25

13. Preferably, the cans 3 are centrally located through the

Parting combs moved.

The waveguide 2 is preferably smaller by the amount X than the can cross section 13, thereby ensuring that even with a scattering

_ _{0 of} the coupled microwaves the entire energy in the sterilized

Product is passed.

In this embodiment, in any case, a transport mechanism may be provided in a further preferred embodiment, as in a longitudinal can transport in such a way that the cans on the one hand with

35 a kind push rod or on the other hand by a running in the sterilization tunnel in the longitudinal direction of the conveyor belt with protruding drivers are only ever further promoted to a position for subsequent Einkoppelungsort, and each there in a precisely positioned fixed and so that immovable indentation curl up and come to rest in it for a given period of time, until the containers are replaced by the next

Push movement are transported to the next position.

If, during transport, an overlap occurs in such a way that the end region of a container as well as the initial region of the subsequent container in the same microwave field or its

Peripheral area is located at a Einkopplungsort, the coupling of microwaves is interrupted until it is ensured that the microwave energy is introduced only in the subsequent container. Accordingly, the control of the transport device takes place. By

Monitoring the position of the cans, such a positional inaccuracy of containers can be determined.

In general, the coupling-in sections or pasteurization spaces follow one another directly, in particular with the requirement that microwave energy in a section is only coupled into a can.

0

5

0

5

Claims

claims:

1. Microwave sterilizer for pasteurizing or sterilizing substances, preferably beverages or liquid foods, in tightly closed containers, preferably cans or bottles, predominantly non-metallic consistency, with at least one pasteurization space, in particular for preheating, heating and optionally cooling, and at least one associated therewith Microwave generator, and a device for transporting the sterilization through the pasteurization space, characterized in that a plurality of such heating chambers in the form of a tunnel (45) is arranged one behind the other in the transport direction of the container, and that the respective Pasteurisierungsräume or sections (45) the Have a shape of a tunnel with heating sections, in each of at least one microwave generator, in particular from below, microwaves are coupled and through which successively arranged heating chambers at least one T. ransportvorrichtung (18) for the introduction and removal of the sterilization (13) leads. (Fig. 1, 2)

2. Microwave sterilizer for pasteurizing or sterilizing substances, preferably beverages or liquid foods, in tightly closed containers, preferably cans or bottles, predominantly non-metallic consistency, with at least one pasteurization space, in particular for preheating, heating and optionally cooling, and at least one associated therewith

Microwave generator, and a device for transporting the sterilization through the pasteurization space, characterized in that the or the respective

Pasteurization space (spaces) (45) has the shape of a tunnel, in or in the sections of each of at least one microwave generator, in particular from below, microwaves are coupled and through which tunnel at least one transport device (18) for the insertion and removal of the Sterilization Good (13) leads (Hg. 1, 2)

3. microwave sterilizer according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the pasteurization space (45) has a cross section (2) which is similar to a circular shape.

Microwave sterilizer according to claim 1 to 3, characterized in that the pasteurization space (45) Fig.1 in cross-section has a (n) cross-sectional area or a diameter which (that) about 10% to 100%, preferably 15% to 50% greater is the diameter of a horizontal container.

5. Microwave sterilizer according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the pasteurization tunnel (45) in the longitudinal direction a number of heating sections (29-30, 30-31, etc.), wherein the length and location of these sections by the width (5, 5 ', 5 "), the waveguide opening and the distance of the waveguide axes (13, 14, 51, etc.) is determined. (Fig. 4)

6. Microwave sterilizer according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the pasteurization space (45) is liquid-tight and gas-tight against the openings of the waveguide (5, 5 ', 5 ") is preferably sealed by a lining (11).

7. Microwave sterilizer according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that through the pasteurization space (45) a transport device (

36) is guided in the form of a conveyor belt or a transport chain.

Microwave sterilizer according to one of Claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the transport device (36), e.g. as projecting driver, trained extensions (37, 37 ', 37 ", etc.,).

9. microwave sterilizer according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the projections formed as a driver (37, 37 ', 37 ", etc.) are arranged on the transport device at periodic intervals.

10. Microwave sterilizer according to one of claims 1 to 9, ^' characterized in that the containers of the container stream are transported in a lying position by the pasteurization tunnel (45), wherein the bottom side or cover side in or transverse to the transport direction so in the passage the container top axis parallel or perpendicular to the transport direction.

11. Microwave sterilizer according to one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the length of a heating section in which the wider cross-sectional side of the rectangular waveguide is parallel to the transport direction, ie the tunnel longitudinal axis, about 20% - 300% greater than the width of the rectangular waveguide , and preferably about 50% - 150%, in particular 100%, is greater than the larger side of the waveguide opening in cross section.

12. Microwave sterilizer according to one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that each heating section (A1, A2, A3, etc.) of the pasteurization tunnel (45) through the openings (5, 5 ', 5 ", etc.) via a own

Microwave coupling features. (Fig. 4)

13. Microwave sterilizer according to one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that preferably between a microwave generator and the respective section (A1, A2, A3, etc.) of the pasteurization space (45) is provided an insulator / circulator which unused microwaves from the sections of the pasteurization tunnel (45).

14. Microwave sterilizer according to one of claims 1 to 13, characterized in that the longitudinal distances of the drivers (37, 37 ', 37 ", etc.) of the transport device (36) are dimensioned so that above the endless passage in each heating section of the feed-in openings (13, 14, 57, etc.) of the pasteurization tunnel (45) is essentially only one piece of pasteurizing material in each case (FIG. 6)

Microwave sterilizer according to one of claims 1 to 14, characterized in that Einkoppelungsöffnungen in the pasteurization space (45) at an angle between 0 ° and 90 ° to the transport direction, which is parallel to the tunnel axis, uniformly and / or differently grouped, are arranged ,

5

16) microwave sterilizer according to one of claims 1 to 15, characterized in that the Pasteurisierungstunnel (45) in its longitudinal direction due to a half-shell construction and by an opening mechanism (33) provides a number of maintenance openings (32) which microwave-tight sealable and provided with _Q safety circuits are. (Fig. 5)

17. Microwave sterilizer according to one of claims 1 to 16, characterized in that over the entire range of the pasteurization tunnel (45) thermo-measuring sensors are provided, wherein the heating of the container of the container stream 5 throughout the passage through the sterilizer is monitored and controlled.

18. Microwave sterilizer according to one of claims 1 to 17, characterized characterized in that the containers are fed to a cooling device at the end of the heating phase.

19. Microwave sterilizer according to one of claims 1 to 18, characterized in that the sections (A1, A2, A3, etc.) of the pasteurization space (45) with respect to the longitudinal direction of the pasteurization tunnel (45) have a concave cross-section.

20. Microwave sterilizer according to one of claims 1 to 19, characterized in that the longitudinal trajectory of the pasteurization tunnel including the transport device through the sterilizer into sections (A1, A2, A3, A4, etc.) is divided, which in turn increasing in alternation again sloping or have rising and falling inner wall surface.

21. Microwave sterilizer for pasteurizing or sterilizing substances, preferably beverages or liquid foods, in tightly closed containers, preferably cans or bottles of predominantly non-metallic consistency, with at least one pasteurization space, in particular for preheating and heating, and at least one associated microwave generator, and a device for transporting the items to be sterilized through the pasteurization space, in particular according to one of claims 1 to 20, characterized in that the transport device comprises a pusher unit (3) and / or a traction unit (113) interspersed with pawls, wherein the pusher unit (3 ) associated driver (4) or with the 5

Traction unit (1 13) entrained (120) pull the containers to be transported, preferably cans or bottles (115, 116, 117) with variable speed through the sterilization tunnel (27, 114) or push.

_π 22. A microwave sterilizer according to any one of claims 1 to 21, characterized in that the sterilizer has a sterilization tunnel, on which a number of, preferably arranged at regular longitudinal intervals, coupling openings (56, 57, 58, 59) is provided, through which Microwaves are coupled for heating the sterilization. 5

23 microwave sterilizer according to one of claims 1 to 22, characterized in that the transport of the container to be sterilized, in particular cans or bottles, takes place in the longitudinal direction through the sterilization tunnel.

24. Microwave sterilizer according to one of claims 1 to 23, characterized in that the transport of the vessels to be sterilized through the sterilization tunnel (115, 116, 117, etc.) respectively between two Einkoppelungsöffnungen with at least two different sizes, especially abruptly changing, Speeds takes place, whereby an effect arises, which is equivalent to a shaking of the contents of the container in the longitudinal direction, which has a mixing of different tempered portions of liquid within the container result.

25. Microwave sterilizer according to one of claims 1 to 2, characterized in that along the pasteurization tunnel, a longitudinal guide (31) is provided, which is designed for receiving, at least one axially movable thrust drawbar unit.

26. Microwave sterilizer according to one of claims 1 to 25, characterized in that in the guide (31) an axially movable push / pull rod (3) is embedded, which over any number of drivers (4, 5, 6, 7, etc.).

27. Microwave sterilizer according to one of claims 1 to 26, characterized in that the push / pull rod (3) for each driver has a stop surface (13), said surface also limits the maximum travel angle of the driver downwards.

28. Microwave sterilizer according to one of claims 1 to 27, characterized in that the sterilization space consists of two half-shells, namely from the upper half-shell (1) and from the lower half-shell (2), whereby the sterilization tunnel can be opened for cleaning or maintenance purposes ,

29. Microwave sterilizer according to one of claims 1 to 28, characterized in that a sterilization tunnel is provided, which is integrally formed from a tube unit.

30. Microwave sterilizer according to one of claims 1 to 29, characterized in that the microwave sterilizer is composed of preferably identical modules, which are microwave-tight mechanically connected.

31. Microwave sterilizer according to one of claims 1 to 30, characterized ^ characterized in that each module preferably has its own push /

Drawbar (66, 67, 68, 69, etc.,) features.

32. A microwave sterilizer according to any one of claim 31, characterized in that all push / pull rods are mechanically connected.

33. Microwave sterilizer according to one of claims 1 to 32, characterized in that each module (61, 62, 63, 64, etc.,) has its own drive its push / pull rod for its modular transport promotion, the synchronization of the transport movement all individual modules done by electrical means.

34. Microwave sterilizer according to one of claims 1 to 33, characterized in that the sterilization tunnel (7) has slots (44, 45, 46, 47, etc.), which extend in the longitudinal direction and extend outside the tunnel center, so that between the slots a ridge (80) remains, or which slots (20, 21, 22, 23, etc.,) extend longitudinally, wherein a web (36) remains.

0 35. Microwave sterilizer according to one of claims 1 to 34, characterized in that the push / pull rod has an axial, in particular to the longitudinal axis of the patent assurance program parallel drive, for example, a pneumatic or hydraulic cylinder or a linear motor or

Electric lifting magnet or an eccentric drive. 25

36) microwave sterilizer according to one of claims 1 to 35, characterized in that the drivers (4, 5, etc.) protrude into the sterilization chamber (27), and thereby during the forward movement of the push / pull rod (3) the __ container slide for each stroke length in the pulling direction forward, and slide over these containers in the backward movement and that this process is repeated in each subsequent stroke movement.

37. Microwave sterilizer according to one of claims 1 to 36, characterized 35 characterized in that the push / pull rod (3) the rear end position (34) by a defined length to the position (35) passes over to thereby ensure that the driver of the Pull rod (3) free and thus hindered by no container in the vertical movement, preferably by gravity, in the end position can fall down to the stop (13). 1

38. Microwave sterilizer according to one of claims 1 to 37, characterized in that for conveying the sterilizing a conveyor belt

(113) is provided. 5

39. Microwave sterilizer according to one of claims 1 to 38, characterized in that the conveyor belt (113) has protruding therefrom driver (120).

10

40. Microwave sterilizer according to one of claims 1 to 39, characterized in that the conveyor belt (113) has any number of successive exemption openings (121) within which the container (1 15) are during transport through the sterilization tunnel.

15

41. Microwave sterilizer according to one of claims 1 to 40, characterized in that the exemptions (121) of the conveyor belt (113) are preferably arranged at the same intervals as the coupling openings of the microwave couplings, so that during the

20 transport movement in each case a container (115, 116, 117, etc.,) over a Einkoppelungsöffnung (119, 119 ', 119 ", etc.) comes to rest.

42. Microwave sterilizer according to one of claims 1 to 41, characterized in that between the two half-shells (1 and 2) an exemption

25

(96) remains, through which the tape guide for the container transport takes place.

43. Microwave sterilizer according to one of claims 1 to 42, characterized in that the distance of the release (96) is at least so great that

_{^ 0} there is no electrical discharge of the high frequency between the upper and lower boundary surface of each half-shell (91, 92).

44. Microwave sterilizer according to one of claims 1 to 43, characterized in that the monitoring of the temperature of the container contents

35 preferably takes place via the aluminum cover of the container by means of a thermal camera or a heat sensor at any or predetermined number of positions along the sterilization tunnel.

45. Microwave sterilizer according to one of claims 1 to 44, characterized in that, depending on the determined by means of the heat sensors actual temperature, the power of the subsequent microwave generators to achieve the desired temperature or in the case of overheating by a partial load operation and / or pulsed operation and / or shutdown of generators is adjusted or at a low temperature, the appropriate container is discarded because of lack of pasteurization.

46. Microwave sterilizer according to one of claims 1 to 45, characterized in that the microwave generators preferably only deliver power, that is to couple microwaves in the sterilization chamber when a container is in the region of a coupling opening.

47. Microwave sterilizer according to one of claims 1 to 46, characterized in that the acceleration of the container between the

Einkoppelungsöffnungen and their delay is not arbitrary, but rather represent controlled movement variables.

48. Microwave sterilizer according to one of claims 1 to 47, characterized in that the tubular pasteurization tunnel, in particular within the erected machine relative to the earth's surface has an inclination angle.

49. Microwave sterilizer according to one of claims 1 to 48, characterized in that the pasteurization tunnel has a cooling device for the applied to a plastic can aluminum lid, thereby sparing the sensitive connection area between the plastic can and the rolled aluminum lid in the high temperature range.

50. Microwave sterilizer according to one of claims 1 to 49, characterized in that the containers (3) are rolled through the pasteurization tunnel (45) and are preferably stopped in depressions of the Mikrowelleneinkopplungsorte for a certain period of time.

51. Microwave sterilizer according to one of claims 1 to 50, characterized in that the height of the sterilization tunnel (45) by a predetermined amount (X) is greater than the diameter of the particular cylindrical container (3) and the width of the sterilization tunnel (45) by the same amount (X) is greater than the height of the container (3), advantageously the amount (X) 10 - 30%, preferably 15 to 25%, of the diameter Can (3) is.

52. A method for pasteurizing or sterilizing substances, preferably beverages or liquid foods in tightly sealed containers, predominantly non-metallic consistency, in particular of plastic or glass, optionally with lids made of aluminum, with a microwave sterilizer, characterized in that the container, in particular cylindrical Plastic cans, are transported in a row in a lying position through a number of Pasteurisierungsräumen and microwaves are coupled into the container, in particular from below, in each pasteurization space.

53. The method according to claim 52, characterized in that the containers are stopped in the individual pasteurization rooms for the irradiation of microwaves.

54. The method of claim 52 or 53, characterized in that the transport speed and / or the temperature of the container is monitored or controlled, in particular that the temperature of the container is continuously measured and compared with a setpoint temperature.

55. A method according to any one of claims 52 to 54, characterized in that in the event that it comes during transport to an overlap such that the end of a container and the beginning of the subsequent container in the same microwave field or its edge region is located at a coupling location, the coupling of microwaves is interrupted until it is ensured that the microwave energy is introduced only in the subsequent container.