JP7037756B2 - In-pipe washing machine for food machinery - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a washing machine for cleaning the inside of a vacuum pipe of a food machine.

As a food machine equipped with a vacuum pipe, for example, a vacuum cooling device is known. The vacuum cooling device is a device for cooling food by sucking and discharging the gas in the processing tank to the outside through a vacuum pipe in a state where the food to be cooled is housed in the processing tank.

In this type of device, the inside of the vacuum pipe is liable to be contaminated because the vacuum is drawn from the inside of the processing tank. Cleaning inside the vacuum pipe is desired to prevent the generation of bacteria and foul odors. However, conventionally, in order to clean a vacuum pipe, a large-scale work such as disassembling the vacuum pipe and immersing it in a cleaning liquid is required, which is very troublesome. On the other hand, as disclosed in each of the following patent documents, there is an attempt to simply clean the product, but there are still problems with each.

In the invention described in Patent Document 1, the steam ejector (4) and the heat exchanger (5) are arranged vertically, and the vacuum pump (6) is operated, from the upper part to the lower part of the steam ejector or the heat exchanger. A cleaning solution is supplied to clean the steam ejector and heat exchanger. In this case, the vacuum pipe needs to be installed in the vertical direction, and the vacuum pump needs to be operated at the time of cleaning. Further, since the cleaning device is attached to the food machine (in other words, permanently installed) and is required for each food machine, it is not possible to clean the existing food machine in which such a configuration is not installed. Further, since the cleaning liquid is supplied from above to below with the vacuum pump operated, it is not possible to fill and hold the cleaning liquid in the vacuum pipe for cleaning.

In the invention described in Patent Document 2, a washing water supply line (11) provided with an insertion member (14) made of an elastic material such as rubber at the tip thereof is inserted into a vacuum suction port (6) to form a vacuum generator (1). The heat exchanger (12) is washed by injecting wash water from the wash water supply line into the vacuum pipe (9) in the activated state. In this case, since tap water is used as the cleaning water, the cleaning effect is limited. Further, since the vacuum generator is operated for cleaning, it is not possible to fill and hold the cleaning liquid in the vacuum pipe for cleaning.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2008-2018 (paragraph 0047) Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2001-221546 (Claim 1-2, paragraph 0012)

An object to be solved by the present invention is to provide an in-pipe washing machine capable of easily and surely cleaning the inside of a vacuum pipe in a food machine provided with a vacuum pipe for sucking and discharging the gas in the processing tank to the outside.

The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and the invention according to claim 1 is applied to a food machine provided with a vacuum pipe for sucking and discharging the gas in the processing tank to the outside, and the vacuum pipe is applied. A cleaning machine for cleaning the inside, which can be attached to and detached from the intake port of the vacuum pipe opened in the processing tank or the cleaning port provided in the middle of the vacuum pipe so as to close the port. A forming nozzle provided in the vacuum pipe and a forming nozzle whose tip portion is held in a watertight state by the closing material toward the inside of the vacuum pipe and injects a cleaning liquid into a foam in the vacuum pipe. In the state where the closing material is attached to the cleaning port, the drain hose is held in a watertight state in the closing material so as to communicate with the inside and outside of the vacuum pipe, and the presence or absence of the communication is switched to the drain hose. As a means, it is an in-pipe cleaning machine for food machinery provided with a communication switching means that is closed during cleaning and opened after cleaning .

According to the first and second aspects of the invention, the forming nozzle can be installed in a watertight state at the intake port or the cleaning port via a closing material. Then, the cleaning liquid can be foamed from the forming nozzle and sprayed into the vacuum pipe to clean the inside of the vacuum pipe. By injecting the cleaning liquid in the form of bubbles, it is possible to ensure that the cleaning liquid comes into contact with the inside of the pipe regardless of the shape of the pipe, and to lift the dirt and clean it. By stopping the decompression means such as a vacuum pump, the bubbles of the cleaning liquid ejected from the forming nozzle can be filled and held in the vacuum pipe, and the inside of the pipe can be easily and surely cleaned. .. In addition, since the forming nozzle can be attached and detached to the intake port of the processing tank to clean the inside of the vacuum pipe, it is not necessary to install a washing machine for each food machine, and it is easy to wash the existing food machine. It can be carried out.

According to the first aspect of the present invention, the drain hose is held in a watertight state in the closing material of the intake port or the cleaning port, and the inside and outside of the vacuum pipe can be communicated through the drain hose. Therefore, when removing the in-pipe cleaning machine from the intake port or the cleaning port, the closing material can be removed after the cleaning liquid is discharged from the vacuum pipe with the drain hose. As a result, when the closing material is removed from the intake port or the cleaning port, it is possible to prevent a large amount of cleaning liquid from leaking from the inside of the pipe and ensure work safety.

According to the first aspect of the present invention, when the in-pipe washing machine is removed from the intake port or the washing port, the washing liquid can be easily discharged by the drain hose by operating the communication switching means.

The invention according to claim 2 is provided with a vacuum pipe for sucking and discharging gas in the treatment tank to the outside, and an intake strainer is provided for a pin provided around an intake port of the vacuum pipe opened in the treatment tank. It is applied to a detachable food machine and is a cleaning machine for cleaning the inside of the vacuum pipe, and is provided detachably at the intake port of the vacuum pipe opened in the processing tank so as to close the port. The closing material is provided with a forming nozzle whose tip is directed into the vacuum pipe and is held in a watertight state by the closing material and injects a cleaning liquid into a foam in the vacuum pipe. A drop-out preventive device provided at the intake port on the inner wall of the treatment tank to prevent the closing material and the forming nozzle from falling off from the intake port is provided, and the drop-off preventive tool is provided in place of the intake strainer. It is an in-pipe cleaning machine for a food machine, characterized in that it is detachably held with respect to the pin on the inner wall of the processing tank.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, the drop-off preventive tool can prevent the closing material and the forming nozzle from falling off from the intake port. Therefore, even when the intake port is provided on the upper surface of the processing tank, it is possible to prevent the closing material and the forming nozzle from falling off and easily carry out the cleaning work.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, the forming nozzle and the washing pipe nozzle are interchangeably connected to a high-pressure washer main body that pressurizes and discharges water supply via a high-pressure hose. When injecting high-pressure water from the high-pressure hose, the cleaning agent is sucked and mixed and discharged in the form of bubbles, and the washing pipe nozzle is attached to the tip of the washing pipe hose that advances and retreats in the vacuum pipe from the high-pressure hose. The in-pipe washer for a food machine according to claim 1 or 2 , wherein a washing pipe head for injecting water via the washing hose is provided.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, the forming nozzle and the washing tube nozzle can be replaced with each other in the high pressure washer main body via a high pressure hose. This makes it possible to easily carry out foam cleaning using the forming nozzle and high-pressure cleaning using the tube washing nozzle.

The invention according to claim 4 is the in-pipe cleaning machine for a food machine according to claim 3 , wherein the forming nozzle is capable of adjusting the suction flow rate of the cleaning agent.

According to the invention of claim 4 , the amount of the cleaning agent added to the high-pressure water can be adjusted. In addition, the condition (hardness) of the foam can be changed accordingly.

According to the present invention, it is possible to realize an in-pipe washing machine capable of easily and surely cleaning the inside of a vacuum pipe in a food machine provided with a vacuum pipe for sucking and discharging the gas in the processing tank to the outside.

It is a schematic diagram which shows an example of the food machine which can be washed by the in-pipe washing machine of one Example of this invention. It is an exploded perspective view which shows the main part of the pipe washing machine of one Example of this invention. It is a schematic diagram which shows the use state of the pipe washing machine of FIG. 2, and shows a part in a cross section. It is a schematic diagram which shows the washing state by the washing pipe nozzle of the pipe washing machine of one Example of this invention.

Specific embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.
Hereinafter, an example of a food machine that can be washed by the in-pipe washer according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described first, and then an example of the in-pipe washer and the in-pipe washer method of the present invention will be described.

FIG. 1 is a schematic view showing an example of a food machine 1 that can be washed by the in-pipe washing machine according to the embodiment of the present invention. The food machine 1 is not particularly limited as long as it includes the vacuum pipe 2 described later, but here it is a vacuum cooling device. In this case, the food machine 1 includes a processing tank 3 in which food (including foodstuffs) is housed, a depressurizing means 4 for sucking and discharging the gas in the processing tank 3 to the outside to reduce the pressure in the processing tank 3, and depressurizing. It is provided with a repressurizing means 5 for introducing outside air into the processing tank 3 to repressurize the inside of the processing tank 3 and a control means (not shown) for controlling each of these means 4 and 5.

The treatment tank 3 is a hollow container that can withstand decompression of the internal space, and is typically in the shape of a substantially rectangular hollow box. The size of the treatment tank 3 is not particularly limited, but in the present embodiment, the size of the treatment tank 3 is set to a size that can be accommodated by a person. The treatment tank 3 has an opening on the front surface (the front side perpendicular to the paper surface of FIG. 1), and the opening can be airtightly closed by a door. Although not shown, the treatment tank 3 is provided with a pressure sensor and a product temperature sensor.

The depressurizing means 4 sucks and discharges the gas in the processing tank 3 to the outside to reduce the pressure in the processing tank 3. In this embodiment, the steam ejector 6, the heat exchanger 7 for steam condensation, the check valve 8, and the water-sealed vacuum pump 9 are sequentially provided in the vacuum pipe 2 from the inside of the processing tank 3. .. However, instead of the check valve 8, a valve whose opening and closing is controlled by a controller may be used.

The steam ejector 6 is provided with a suction port 6a connected to an intake port 3a of the processing tank 3, and steam from the steam supply passage 10 can be ejected from the inlet 6b to the outlet 6c by the nozzle 6d (FIG. 3). Will be done. By ejecting steam from the inlet 6b toward the outlet 6c, the gas in the processing tank 3 is sucked and discharged to the outlet 6c through the suction port 6a. By operating the opening and closing of the steaming valve 11 provided in the steaming passage 10, it is possible to switch whether or not the steam ejector 6 is activated.

The heat exchanger 7 is an indirect heat exchanger that exchanges heat without mixing the fluid in the vacuum pipe 2 with the cooling water thereof. The heat exchanger 7 can cool the steam in the vacuum pipe 2 with cooling water and condense it. Cooling water is supplied to the heat exchanger 7 through the heat exchange water supply channel 12, and the cooling water is discharged through the heat exchange drainage channel 13. The heat exchange water supply channel 12 is provided with a heat exchange water supply valve 14.

The vacuum pump 9 is a water-sealed type in this embodiment, and as is well known, the vacuum pump 9 is operated while being supplied with water called water-sealed. Therefore, water is supplied to the vacuum pump 9 through the sealed water supply channel 15. The sealed water supply channel 15 is provided with a sealed water supply valve 16, and by opening the sealed water supply valve 16, the sealed water can be supplied to the vacuum pump 9. The opening and closing of the sealing water supply valve 16 is switched in conjunction with the start and stop of the vacuum pump 9.

The depressurizing means 5 introduces outside air into the depressurized treatment tank 3 to repressurize the inside of the treatment tank 3. In this embodiment, the air filter 18 and the vacuum release valve 19 are sequentially provided in the air supply pipe 17 into the treatment tank 3. When the vacuum release valve 19 is opened while the inside of the treatment tank 3 is depressurized, the outside air is introduced into the treatment tank 3 via the air filter 18 and the inside of the treatment tank 3 can be recompressed.

The control means is a controller (not shown) that controls the means 4 and 5 based on the detection signal of each sensor, the elapsed time, and the like. Specifically, when the operation is instructed with the food stored in the processing tank 3 and the door closed, the controller decompresses the inside of the processing tank 3 by the decompression means 4 to vacuum-cool the food. After cooling the food to a desired level, the controller stops the depressurizing means 4, while the depressurizing means 5 repressurizes the inside of the treatment tank 3 to the atmospheric pressure. As a result, the door of the processing tank 3 can be opened and food can be taken out from the processing tank 3.

The inside of the vacuum pipe 2 can be washed by the in-pipe washing machine 20 (FIG. 2) in a state where there is no food in the processing tank 3. This cleaning is performed, for example, after the end of one day's operation or at a predetermined maintenance. Hereinafter, an embodiment of the in-pipe cleaning machine 20 and the in-pipe cleaning method will be described.

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view showing a main part of the in-pipe washer 20 according to an embodiment of the present invention. Further, FIG. 3 is a schematic view showing a usage state of the in-pipe washer 20 of this embodiment, and a part thereof is shown in a cross section. FIG. 3 shows a state in which the pipe washer 20 is attached to the upper intake port 3a in the processing tank 3 of the food machine 1.

As described above, in the food machine 1, the intake port 3a of the vacuum pipe 2 is opened in the processing tank 3, and the decompression means 4 (steam ejector 6 and the vacuum pump 9) is used from the intake port 3a in the processing tank 3. Gas can be sucked and discharged to the outside. The intake port 3a is provided, for example, by opening on the upper surface or the side surface in the processing tank 3. In the illustrated example, the intake port 3a is provided on the upper surface of the processing tank 3. In any case, when desired, the pipe cleaning machine 20 is detachably attached to the intake port 3a to enable cleaning of the inside of the vacuum pipe 2.

The in-pipe cleaning machine 20 of the present embodiment has a forming nozzle 21 that injects cleaning liquid into a foam, a closing material 22 that keeps the forming nozzle 21 in a watertight state at the intake port 3a of the vacuum pipe 2, and a vacuum pipe 2 after cleaning. A drain hose 23 for draining water from the inside and a drop-off preventive tool 24 for preventing the closing material 22 (and thus the forming nozzle 21) attached to the intake port 3a from falling off are provided.

The forming nozzle 21 is a cleaning gun that ejects the cleaning liquid in the form of bubbles. Specifically, the nozzle body 27 is provided on the grip portion 26 provided with the trigger 25. For convenience of explanation, it is assumed that in FIG. 2, the axial direction of the elongated nozzle body 27 is the front-back direction, and the grip portion 26 is provided at the rear end portion (right side of FIG. 2) of the nozzle body 27. In the grip portion 26, one piece 26a and another piece 26b are integrally formed in an abbreviated shape, the piece 26a is directed in the front-rear direction, and the other piece 26b extends downward from the rear end portion of the piece 26a. Be done. At that time, the other piece 26b is provided so as to be slightly inclined rearward as it goes downward. A trigger 25 is provided at the lower end of the piece 26a so as to extend downward. The trigger 25 is rotatably supported around the upper end portion, and the lower end portion is urged in a direction away from the other piece 26b. By holding the trigger 25 close to the other piece 26b (that is, pulling the trigger 25) against this urging force, it is possible to inject the cleaning liquid from the front end portion of the nozzle body 27. A protective frame 26c is provided between the one piece 26a and the other piece 26b so as to surround the trigger 25. It should be noted that the front-back and up-down directions referred to here are for convenience of explanation, and do not mean to limit the posture when the forming nozzle 21 is used. Hereinafter, regarding the forming nozzle 21, the front side (upper left side in FIG. 2) is defined as the tip side, and the rear side (lower right side in FIG. 2) is defined as the base end side.

The nozzle body 27 is formed in an elongated substantially cylindrical shape as a whole, while a stepped portion, ribs, and the like are formed. The base end portion of the nozzle body 27 is connected to the tip end portion of the piece 26a of the grip portion 26. A slightly large-diameter head 27a is provided at the tip of the nozzle body 27, and a constricted portion 27b having a predetermined width is formed immediately at the base end side of the head 27a. As will be described later, the closing member 22 is detachably provided on the constricted portion 27b.

High-pressure water can be supplied to the forming nozzle 21 via the high-pressure hose 28, and the cleaning agent can be supplied via the cleaning agent hose 29. Therefore, in the illustrated example, the high-pressure hose mounting portion 30 is provided on the piece 26a of the grip portion 26, while the cleaning agent hose mounting portion 31 is provided on the base end portion of the nozzle body 27. Although details will be described later, when the trigger 25 of the grip portion 26 is pulled while the high pressure washer main body (not shown) is activated, high pressure water is ejected from the tip of the nozzle main body 27, but at that time, washing is performed. The cleaning agent is sucked and mixed from the agent hose 29, and the cleaning liquid (cleaning agent diluted with water) can be discharged in the form of bubbles.

The closing member 22 is detachably provided at the intake port 3a of the vacuum pipe 2 so as to close the intake port 3a. The closing material 22 is formed of an elastic material (for example, rubber or synthetic resin), and is formed in a substantially truncated cone shape whose diameter is slightly reduced toward the tip side (fitting side into the intake port 3a). The substantially truncated cone-shaped closing member 22 has a minimum diameter on the tip side smaller than the inner diameter of the intake port 3a and a maximum diameter on the proximal end side larger than the inner diameter of the intake port 3a. A nozzle mounting hole 22a is formed in the radial center portion of the closing member 22 so as to penetrate in the axial direction. The diameter of the nozzle mounting hole 22a corresponds to the diameter of the constricted portion 27b of the forming nozzle 21. In order to easily install the closing material 22 in the constricted portion 27b, the closing material 22 is provided with a radial cut 22b at one place in the circumferential direction. The notch 22b is formed from the inner peripheral surface (nozzle mounting hole 22a) of the closing material 22 to the outer peripheral surface.

In this embodiment, the hose mounting hole 22c is also formed through the closing material 22. The hose mounting hole 22c is provided in the peripheral side wall of the closing member 22 at a position facing the notch 22b in the radial direction. At that time, the hose mounting hole 22c is formed by opening in both ends in the axial direction of the closing material 22 in parallel with the nozzle mounting hole 22a. The tip of the drain hose 23 is fitted and held in the hose mounting hole 22c. At that time, the tip of the drain hose 23 may be fitted into the hose mounting hole 22c until it is flush with the tip surface (end surface on the small diameter side) of the closing material 22 or protrudes from the tip surface of the closing material 22. Alternatively, conversely, the hose mounting hole 22c may be fitted up to the middle portion in the axial direction.

With the forming nozzle 21 held in the intake port 3a at the top of the treatment tank 3 via the closing material 22, the drain hose 23 hanging from the closing material 22 is at the bottom of the treatment tank 3 or a drainage groove outside the treatment tank 3. It is preferable that the length reaches up to. Foam is discharged from the forming nozzle 21 into the vacuum pipe 2 for cleaning, but the drain hose 23 is provided with an appropriate communication switching means so that the foam does not flow out through the drain hose 23 during the cleaning. It will be provided. In this embodiment, the drain hose 23 is provided with a drain valve (not shown) including a manual valve.

The fall prevention tool 24 is a member having a substantially annular shape, and is formed of, for example, stainless steel. The central hole 24a of the fall prevention tool 24 is formed to have a diameter larger than the maximum diameter of the closing member 22. The annular plate portion 24b of the fall prevention tool 24 is provided with a receiving tool 32 for holding the closing member 22. In this embodiment, a plurality of (three in the illustrated example) receivers 32 are provided on one side (base end surface) of the annular plate portion 24b of the fall prevention tool 24 at equal intervals in the circumferential direction. Each receiving tool 32 is formed by bending a substantially rectangular plate material, and the fixing piece 32b is connected to one end of the main body piece 32a, while the receiving piece 32c is connected to the other end of the main body piece 32a. .. The fixed piece 32b and the receiving piece 32c are bent substantially perpendicular to the main body piece 32a, but at that time, they are bent in opposite directions with respect to the main body piece 32a. Then, the receiver 32 is attached to the base end surface of the annular plate portion 24b at equal intervals in the circumferential direction. At that time, each receiver 32 is arranged along the radial direction of the annular plate portion 24b, the fixing piece 32b is fixed to the annular plate portion 24b, and the main body piece 32a is based substantially perpendicular to the annular plate portion 24b. It extends to the end side, and the receiving piece 32c extends inward in the radial direction of the annular plate portion 24b substantially perpendicular to the main body piece 32a. With such a configuration, the large diameter portion on the base end side of the closing member 22 can be fitted into the central hole 24a of the drop prevention tool 24, and the base end surface can be held in contact with the receiving piece 32c of the receiving tool 32.

A plurality of (three in the illustrated example) elongated holes 24c are further formed in the annular plate portion 24b of the fall prevention tool 24. As described above, the annular plate portion 24b is provided with receivers 32 at equal intervals in the circumferential direction, and elongated holes 24c are formed between the receivers 32. Each slot 24c is formed along the circumferential direction of the annular plate portion 24b, and one end portion in the longitudinal direction (counterclockwise end portion in FIG. 2) has a diameter larger than the width of the slot 24c. A hole 24d is formed. Further, on the base end surface of the annular plate portion 24b, a stopper 33 is provided adjacent to the elongated hole 24c at the middle portion in the longitudinal direction of the elongated hole 24c and radially inside the elongated hole 24c. The stopper 33 is a small piece of a substantially rectangular plate, which is overlapped and fixed to the annular plate portion 24b.

Hereinafter, a method of using the in-pipe cleaning machine 20 (in-pipe cleaning method) of this embodiment will be described.
First, as shown in FIG. 2, the obstruction material 22 is fixed to the constricted portion 27b of the nozzle body 27 by passing the fall prevention tool 24 and the obstruction material 22 through the tip end portion of the forming nozzle 21. At this time, the tip end portion of the drain hose 23 is fitted and held in the hose mounting hole 22c of the closing material 22, and the drain hose 23 is passed through the central hole 24a of the drop prevention tool 24. By widening the notch 22b of the closing material 22, the closing material 22 can be easily fitted into the tip of the forming nozzle 21. At this stage, the drain valve of the drain hose 23 is closed.

Further, the main body of the high pressure washer (not shown) and the forming nozzle 21 are connected by a high pressure hose 28. That is, the high-pressure water outlet of the high-pressure washer main body and the high-pressure hose mounting portion 30 of the forming nozzle 21 are connected by the high-pressure hose 28. The main body of the high-pressure washer is a device that pressurizes and discharges water supply, and is also connected to a water supply pipe, and the water supply pipe is provided with a water supply valve. At this stage, the power of the high pressure washer body is turned off and the water supply valve is closed. In this embodiment, as the main body of the high pressure washer, for example, one having a water pressure of 5 MPa or more and a theoretical discharge amount of 6 L / min or more is preferably used.

The forming nozzle 21 is connected to a cleaning agent tank (not shown) via a cleaning agent hose 29. A predetermined concentration of detergent is stored in the detergent tank. The injection amount (foaming injection time) of the cleaning liquid from the forming nozzle 21 differs depending on the capacity of the food machine 1 to be cleaned (more specifically, the volume of the area to be cleaned in the vacuum pipe 2 to be cleaned). Therefore, the minimum amount of the cleaning agent to be prepared differs depending on the capacity of the food machine 1. The cleaning agent hose 29 has a base end portion inserted into the stored liquid of the cleaning agent tank, while the tip end portion is connected to the cleaning agent hose mounting portion 31 of the forming nozzle 21.

Although not shown, the forming nozzle 21 is provided with means for adjusting the suction flow rate of the cleaning agent. In this embodiment, a suction amount adjustment dial is provided, and the suction flow rate of the cleaning agent at the time of high-pressure water injection can be adjusted by operating this dial. That is, when the trigger 25 of the forming nozzle 21 is pulled, high-pressure water can be injected at a predetermined pressure (and by extension, a predetermined flow rate), but the amount of cleaning agent added to the high-pressure water (in other words, injection) is performed by the suction amount adjustment dial. The concentration of the cleaning liquid to be used) can be adjusted. Then, the condition (hardness) of the foam can be changed accordingly. Here, the suction amount adjustment dial is set to, for example, fully open.

After that, the closing material 22 is fitted into the intake port 3a that opens in the processing tank 3, the intake port 3a is closed, and the forming nozzle 21 is held in the intake port 3a. Then, by locking the drop-off preventive tool 24 to the processing tank 3, it is possible to prevent the closing member 22 and the forming nozzle 21 from falling off from the intake port 3a. More specifically, in the case of this embodiment, it is attached as follows.

First, as a premise, an intake strainer (not shown) is detachably provided as an existing member of the food machine 1 at the intake port 3a on the upper surface of the processing tank 3. This intake strainer has the same configuration as the fall prevention tool 24, but instead of not having the receiving tool 32, a net material is stretched in the central hole 24a of the annular plate portion 24b. A plurality of (here, three) pins are provided on the upper wall of the processing tank 3 at positions surrounding the intake port 3a so as to project downward at equal intervals in the circumferential direction. A slightly large-diameter head is formed at the protruding tip (lower end) of each pin. The diameter of the head of the pin is larger than the width of the elongated hole 24c of the annular plate portion 24b and smaller than the large diameter hole 24d. Further, the diameter of the shaft portion of the pin is smaller than the width of the elongated hole 24c of the annular plate portion 24b. Therefore, the intake strainer is rotated in the circumferential direction with the head of the pin passing through the large-diameter hole 24d of the annular plate portion 24b, and the end portion of the elongated hole 24c (the end portion on the opposite side of the large-diameter hole 24d). ), The annular plate portion 24b is held between the upper wall of the processing tank 3 and the head of the pin. In that state, the intake strainer is arranged so that the annular plate portion 24b is overlapped with the upper surface of the processing tank 3, and the head of the pin hits the stopper 33 provided on the annular plate portion 24b. The rotation of the intake strainer in the opposite direction (and by extension, falling off from the upper wall of the processing tank 3) is prevented. However, by slightly pushing the intake strainer upward and turning it, the head of the pin can pass through the stopper 33, and the intake strainer can be attached to and detached from the processing tank 3.

In order to attach the forming nozzle 21 to the intake port 3a having such a configuration, after removing the intake strainer attached to the intake port 3a, the closing material 22 is fitted into the intake port 3a and the forming nozzle 21 is dropped by using each of the pins. The preventive tool 24 may be attached. The fall prevention tool 24 can be attached to the pins provided around the intake port 3a of the processing tank 3 in the same manner as in the case of the intake strainer. That is, the fall prevention tool 24 is rotated in the circumferential direction with the head of the pin passed through the large diameter hole 24d of the annular plate portion 24b, and the end portion of the elongated hole 24c (on the opposite side of the large diameter hole 24d). By arranging the pin on the side of the end portion), the annular plate portion 24b is held between the upper surface of the processing tank 3 and the head of the pin. At this time, by rotating the fall-off prevention tool 24 relative to the closing material 22 (that is, the closing material 22 fitted in the intake port 3a is not rotated, but the falling-off prevention tool 24 is rotated with respect to the closing material 22. ), The fall prevention tool 24 can be easily attached to the upper wall of the processing tank 3 without twisting the closing member 22. In that state, the fall prevention tool 24 is arranged so that the annular plate portion 24b is overlapped with the upper surface of the processing tank 3, and the head of the pin hits the stopper 33 provided on the annular plate portion 24b. Therefore, the fall prevention tool 24 is prevented from rotating in the opposite direction (and thus falling from the upper wall of the processing tank 3). The falling-off preventive tool 24 keeps the closing material 22 in a state of closing the intake port 3a, and keeps the gap between the intake port 3a and the forming nozzle 21 (nozzle body 27) in a watertight state.

In this way, with the closing member 22 and the forming nozzle 21 installed in the intake port 3a, the water supply valve is opened and the high pressure washer main body is operated. Then, when the trigger 25 of the forming nozzle 21 is pulled, high-pressure water is ejected from the high-pressure washer main body via the high-pressure hose 28 from the tip of the forming nozzle 21 while the trigger 25 is pulled. When injecting high-pressure water from the high-pressure hose 28, the cleaning agent is sucked and mixed through the cleaning agent hose 29 and discharged in the form of bubbles. After foaming and spraying the cleaning liquid from the forming nozzle 21 for a time corresponding to the capacity of the food machine 1, the spraying is stopped and held for a set time (for example, 5 minutes).

By such cleaning, the inside of the vacuum pipe 2 can be cleaned. In particular, cleaning from the intake port 3a to the inlet side of the heat exchanger 7 (or the valve 8 in front of the vacuum pump 9 depending on the configuration of the heat exchanger 7) is planned. By injecting the cleaning liquid in the form of bubbles, it is possible to ensure that the cleaning liquid comes into contact with the inside of the pipe regardless of the shape of the pipe. It is preferable to stop the decompression means 4 such as the vacuum pump 9 during cleaning. Specifically, during cleaning, the steam supply valve 11 of the steam ejector 6 is closed, the flow of cooling water to the heat exchanger 7 is stopped, and the vacuum pump 9 is also stopped. As a result, the bubbles of the cleaning liquid ejected from the forming nozzle 21 can be filled and held in the vacuum pipe 2, and the inside of the pipe can be easily and surely cleaned.

After the lapse of the set time, the forming nozzle 21 may be removed from the intake port 3a of the processing tank 3. Specifically, first, the drain valve of the drain hose 23 is opened, and drainage from the inside of the vacuum pipe 2 is attempted through the drain hose 23. Depending on the configuration of the vacuum pipe 2, it is not possible to drain all the cleaning liquid from the inside of the vacuum pipe 2, but it is possible to prevent the cleaning liquid from flowing down from the ceiling in the treatment tank 3 when the closing material 22 is removed. ..

After draining water from the drain hose 23, the dropout prevention tool 24 is removed from the treatment tank 3, and the forming nozzle 21 is removed together with the closing material 22 from the intake port 3a. Then, it is preferable to remove the blocking material 22 and the drop-off preventive tool 24 from the forming nozzle 21 and wash them with water. At that time, it is preferable to also clean the inside of the forming nozzle 21. Therefore, instead of the cleaning agent tank, a water tank storing tap water may be prepared, and with the cleaning agent hose 29 inserted in the water tank, the trigger 25 may be pulled for a predetermined time to inject water. .. If the cleaning liquid remains in the forming nozzle 21, clogging may occur. However, by cleaning the inside of the forming nozzle 21 with water, such inconvenience can be prevented. Further, the high pressure hose 28 and the cleaning agent hose 29 are removed from the forming nozzle 21. Also, the power of the high pressure washer body may be turned off.

By the way, it is preferable that the forming nozzle 21 and the washing pipe nozzle are interchangeably connected to the high pressure washer main body via the high pressure hose 28. As shown in FIG. 4, the washing pipe nozzle is provided with a washing pipe head 35 for injecting water from the high pressure hose 28 through the washing pipe hose 34 at the tip of the washing pipe hose 34 that advances and retreats in the vacuum pipe 2. It is composed of. More specifically, in this embodiment, the configuration is as follows.

The washing pipe nozzle is a washing gun that injects high-pressure water from the washing pipe head 35 at the tip of the washing pipe hose 34. Specifically, the base end portion of the washing pipe hose 34 is connected to the tip end portion of the grip portion provided with the trigger. The grip portion has the same configuration as the grip portion 26 of the forming nozzle 21, and is connected to the main body of the high pressure washer via the high pressure hose 28. The washing pipe hose 34 is composed of a stainless wire blade hose in this embodiment. A pipe washing head 35 is provided at the tip of the washing pipe hose 34, and high-pressure water can be injected from the high-pressure washing machine main body via the high-pressure hose 28 and the washing pipe hose 34. When the trigger of the washing pipe nozzle is pulled, water is jetted from the washing pipe head 35 so as to be reversely jetted in the illustrated example, and the inside of the pipe can be washed while the washing pipe head 35 is self-propelled.

Cleaning of the vacuum pipe 2 using the washing pipe nozzle can be performed from the intake port 3a opened in the processing tank 3 as in the case of the forming nozzle 21. That is, the intake strainer of the intake port 3a may be removed, and the washing pipe hose 34 may be sequentially sent from the tip portion into the vacuum pipe 2 from the intake port 3a. At that time, by pulling the trigger of the washing pipe nozzle, it is possible to clean the inside of the pipe while injecting water from the washing pipe head 35. By advancing the washing pipe head 35 toward the inner side of the vacuum pipe 2 while appropriately advancing and retreating the washing pipe hose 34, the vacuum pipe 2 can be cleaned.

The high pressure washing using the washing tube nozzle is preferably performed before and / or after the foaming washing using the forming nozzle 21. Preferably, the high-pressure washing step using the washing tube nozzle, the foam washing step using the forming nozzle, and the rinsing washing step using the washing tube nozzle are sequentially executed.

In the high-pressure washing step, with the washing pipe nozzle connected to the main body of the high-pressure washing machine via the high-pressure hose 28, the washing pipe hose 34 is inserted into the vacuum pipe 2 from the intake port 3a, and the inside of the vacuum pipe 2 is filled with high-pressure water ( Wash with tap water).

In the foam cleaning step, the washing pipe nozzle is replaced with the forming nozzle 21, the cleaning agent hose 29 is also connected to the forming nozzle 21, and the blocking material 22 and the drop-off preventive tool 24 are attached, as described above. The cleaning liquid is foamed and sprayed into the vacuum pipe 2 and held for a set time to clean the inside of the pipe.

In the rinsing and washing step, as in the high-pressure washing step, the washing pipe hose 34 is inserted into the vacuum pipe 2 from the intake port 3a in a state where the washing pipe nozzle is connected to the high pressure washer main body via the high pressure hose 28, and the vacuum is applied. Clean (rinse) the inside of the pipe 2 with high-pressure water (tap water).

By sequentially executing the high-pressure washing step, the effervescent washing step, and the rinsing washing step, the pre-washing, the main washing, and the rinsing in the vacuum pipe can be easily and surely performed. Moreover, each washing can be performed only by replacing the forming nozzle 21 and the washing pipe nozzle with the high pressure washing machine main body via the high pressure hose 28.

By the way, in the description so far, an example in which an intake port 3a is formed on the upper surface of the processing tank 3 of the food machine 1 and the inside of the vacuum pipe 2 is cleaned from the intake port 3a has been described. However, there are various positions of the intake port 3a that opens in the processing tank 3, and even if it is not on the upper surface, it can be washed in the same manner. For example, even when the intake port 3a is formed on the left and right side surfaces (or the rear surface) in the processing tank 3, the forming nozzle 21 is attached to the intake port 3a via the closing material 22 as in the above embodiment. The inside of the vacuum pipe 2 can be cleaned. In this case, the installation of the drain hose 23 can be omitted if desired. In particular, when the intake port 3a is formed in the lower part of the side surface (or the rear surface) in the treatment tank 3, the installation of the drain hose 23 may be omitted. When the drain hose 23 is not provided in the closing material 22, a closing material 22 having no hose mounting hole 22c is used. Further, when the intake port 3a is formed on the left and right side surfaces (or the rear surface) in the processing tank 3, it is possible to omit the installation of the drop prevention tool 24, if desired.

Further, instead of the intake port 3a that opens in the processing tank 3, the cleaning port provided in the middle of the vacuum pipe 2 (such as the peripheral side wall) that can be opened and closed may be used to clean the inside of the vacuum pipe 2. .. In that case as well, the inside of the vacuum pipe 2 can be cleaned by holding the forming nozzle 21 at the cleaning port via the closing material 22 as in the case of cleaning from the intake port 3a. Further, not only the foaming cleaning using the forming nozzle 21 but also the high pressure cleaning and the rinsing cleaning using the washing pipe nozzle can be performed in the same manner. During cleaning, it is preferable that the intake port 3a in the treatment tank 3 is closed with a closing material.

The in-pipe cleaning machine for food machinery and the in-pipe cleaning method of the present invention are not limited to the configuration of the above embodiment, and can be appropriately changed. In particular, the in-pipe cleaning machine 20 is applied to the food machine 1 provided with the vacuum pipe 2 for sucking and discharging the gas in the processing tank 3 to the outside, and is a cleaning machine for cleaning the inside of the vacuum pipe 2 (a). ) An intake port 3a of the vacuum pipe 2 opened in the processing tank 3, or a cleaning port provided openable and closable in the middle of the vacuum pipe 2, a closing material 22 provided detachably so as to close the port, and (b). ) If the vacuum pipe 2 is provided with a forming nozzle 21 in which the tip portion is held in a watertight state in the closing material 22 toward the inside of the vacuum pipe 2 and the cleaning liquid is ejected in the form of bubbles in the vacuum pipe 2, it can be appropriately changed. .. Further, the pipe cleaning method can be appropriately changed as long as it includes a foam cleaning step of injecting a foam cleaning liquid into the vacuum pipe 2 and holding the foam cleaning liquid for a set time, preferably using the forming nozzle 21 described above. Is.

For example, in the above embodiment, the in-pipe washer 20 is provided with the drop-off preventive tool 24 and the drain hose 23, but as described above, the installation of one or both of them can be omitted. When the installation of the drain hose 23 is omitted, the hose mounting hole 22c is not formed in the closing material 22. On the other hand, when the drain hose 23 is installed, a manual valve is used in the above embodiment as a communication switching means (drain valve) for preventing the outflow of foam from the drain hose 23 during foam cleaning, but the foam during cleaning is used. If the outflow can be prevented, a solenoid valve or an electric valve can be used, or a plug may be detachably provided at the outlet of the drain hose 23 in addition to the literal valve. Alternatively, a part of the drainage hose 23 may be elastically deformed and crushed, if desired, with a hose clip (clamp) or the like.

Further, in the above embodiment, the gap between the forming nozzle 21 and the intake port 3a (or the cleaning port) can be filled with the tip of the forming nozzle 21 inserted into the intake port 3a (or the cleaning port). For example, the shape of the closing member 22 can be changed as appropriate.

Further, in the state where the closing material 22 is attached to the intake port 3a (or the cleaning port), the attachment configuration of the drain hose 23 to the closing material 22 can be appropriately changed as long as the inside and outside of the vacuum pipe 2 can communicate with each other. be.

Further, in the above embodiment, the vacuum cooling device has been described as an example of the food machine 1, but if the vacuum pipe 2 is provided, it can be similarly applied to other food machines 1. Further, the configuration of the depressurizing means 4 is not limited to the configuration of the above embodiment, and for example, the steam ejector 6 may be absent or a water ejector may be provided.

1 Food machine 2 Vacuum piping 3 Processing tank (3a: Intake port)
4 Depressurizing means 5 Depressurizing means 6 Steam ejector (6a: suction port, 6b: inlet, 6c: outlet, 6d: nozzle)
7 Heat exchanger 8 Check valve 9 Vacuum pump 10 Steam supply channel 11 Steam supply valve 12 Heat exchange water supply channel 13 Heat exchange drainage channel 14 Heat exchange water supply valve 15 Sealed water supply channel 16 Sealed water supply valve 17 Air supply piping 18 Air Filter 19 Vacuum release valve 20 In-pipe cleaning machine 21 Forming nozzle 22 Closing material (22a: nozzle mounting hole, 22b: notch, 22c: hose mounting hole)
23 Drain hose 24 Fall prevention tool (24a: center hole, 24b: annular plate, 24c: long hole, 24d: large diameter hole)
25 Trigger 26 Grip (26a: one piece, 26b: other piece, 26c: protective frame)
27 Nozzle body (27a: head, 27b: constriction)
28 High-pressure hose 29 Cleaning agent hose 30 High-pressure hose mounting part 31 Cleaning agent hose mounting part 32 Recipient (32a: Main body piece, 32b: Fixed piece, 32c: Receiving piece)
33 Stopper 34 Washing pipe hose 35 Washing pipe head

Claims (4)

It is a washing machine for cleaning the inside of the vacuum pipe, which is applied to food machines equipped with a vacuum pipe that sucks and discharges the gas in the processing tank to the outside.
A closing material that is detachably provided to close the intake port of the vacuum pipe opened in the processing tank or a cleaning port that is openable and closable in the middle of the vacuum pipe.
A forming nozzle is provided in which the tip end portion is directed into the vacuum pipe and is held in a watertight state by the closing material, and the cleaning liquid is sprayed into a foam in the vacuum pipe.
In the state where the closing material is attached to the intake port or the cleaning port, the drain hose is held in a watertight state in the closing material so as to communicate the inside and outside of the vacuum pipe.
The drain hose is provided with a communication switching means that is closed during cleaning and opened after cleaning as a means for switching the presence or absence of communication.
A pipe washer for food machinery. Applicable to food machines equipped with a vacuum pipe that sucks and discharges the gas in the treatment tank to the outside, and an intake strainer is detachably provided for a pin provided around the intake port of the vacuum pipe opened in the treatment tank. It is a cleaning machine for cleaning the inside of the vacuum pipe.
A closing material that is detachably provided to close the intake port of the vacuum pipe opened in the processing tank, and
A forming nozzle is provided in which the tip end portion is directed into the vacuum pipe and is held in a watertight state by the closing material, and the cleaning liquid is sprayed into a foam in the vacuum pipe.
The closing material is provided at the intake port on the inner wall of the treatment tank.
A drop-off preventive tool for preventing the closing material and the forming nozzle from falling off from the intake port is provided.
The fall-prevention tool is an in-pipe washer for food machines, which is detachably held with respect to the pin on the inner wall of the processing tank instead of the intake strainer . The forming nozzle and the washing pipe nozzle are interchangeably connected to the main body of the high-pressure washer that pressurizes and discharges the water supply via a high-pressure hose.
When the high-pressure water from the high-pressure hose is sprayed, the forming nozzle sucks and mixes the cleaning agent and discharges it in the form of bubbles.
The claim is characterized in that the washing pipe nozzle is provided with a washing pipe head for injecting water from the high pressure hose through the washing pipe hose at the tip of the washing pipe hose that advances and retreats in the vacuum pipe. The in-pipe cleaning machine for food machinery according to claim 1 or 2 . The in-pipe cleaning machine for a food machine according to claim 3 , wherein the forming nozzle is capable of adjusting the suction flow rate of the cleaning agent.

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