JP7477199B2 - Steam and hot liquid supply equipment - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a steam and high-temperature liquid supply device.

A device has been proposed that can thaw frozen foods to an edible state by spraying steam onto the food and also provide hot water to the food (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

It has also been proposed that when a liquid food container is raised relative to a steam ejection nozzle by a container lifting device, a steam ejection nozzle fixed at the top penetrates a lid placed on the container body and is automatically inserted into the container to heat the liquid food (see, for example, Patent Document 2). When a lid is placed on the container body, the lid can prevent steam, etc. from scattering to the outside even when steam, etc. is ejected from the steam ejection nozzle.

JP 2022-530164 A JP 2006-246949 A

However, the lid placed on the container body in the above device is limited to one that the steam ejection nozzle can penetrate. Furthermore, if the lid cannot be placed on the container, steam and the like will splash out of the container, reducing heating efficiency. Furthermore, the nozzle that comes into contact with liquid food and the like may become contaminated by the liquid food and the like.

The present invention was made in consideration of the above circumstances, and aims to provide a steam and high-temperature liquid supply device that can increase the heating efficiency of the contents by suppressing the scattering of steam and the like outside the container.

In order to solve the above problems, the present invention employs the following means.
a cap for the steam and high-temperature liquid supplying apparatus that covers an object to be covered that faces the steam port and the liquid port and is arranged so as to be movable toward and away from the steam port and the liquid port, the cap for the steam and high-temperature liquid supplying apparatus having an opening end in a central axis direction and that fits closely with the object to be covered at the opening end while containing the steam port and the liquid port to form an enclosed space between the object to be covered and the steam port and the liquid port, and a connecting part that detachably connects the main body to the steam port and the liquid port , the main body being formed so that the opening end side is wider than the connecting part side, at least a part of the main body and the connecting part are formed to be elastically deformable, the connecting part is expandable in the central axis direction and/or bendable relative to the central axis, and the cross-sectional area of the steam port in the steam release direction gradually expands in a fan shape toward the tip .

In addition, the steam and high-temperature liquid supply device of the present invention further includes a first storage section in which liquid is stored, a heating section disposed within the first storage section and configured to heat the liquid stored in the first storage section to convert a portion of the liquid into the steam, a heat exchange section inserted within the first storage section and configured to transfer a portion of the heat of the steam to the liquid when the liquid is supplied, a second storage section in which the liquid heated by the heat exchange section is stored, a steam piping section communicating the first storage section with the steam port, a liquid piping section communicating the second storage section with the liquid port, and a first piping communicating the first storage section with the steam piping section and having a portion inserted within the second storage section.

The present invention can improve the heating efficiency of the contents by preventing steam and other substances from escaping from the container.

FIG. 1 is a system diagram according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of a main portion according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 13 is an enlarged view of a main portion according to another embodiment of the present invention.

An embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.
The steam and high-temperature liquid supply device 10 according to this embodiment includes a first storage section 12 in which water (liquid) W supplied from a water supply section 11 to generate steam V and hot water H is stored, a heating section 13 disposed within the first storage section 12, a heat exchange section 15 inserted within the first storage section 12, a second storage section 16 in which hot water H1 produced by heating the water W by the heat exchange section 15 is stored, a steam port 17 from which the steam V is released, a hot water port (liquid port) 18 from which the hot water H1 is released, and a container (object to be coated) CO placed in the container. The cooking apparatus includes a cooking chamber 20 for heating the frozen food material F that has been discharged, a drainage section 21 for recovering the released hot water H1, a cap (cap for steam and/or high-temperature liquid supply device) 22 for covering the opening CA side of the container CO, a water supply piping section 23 for connecting the water supply section 11 to the first storage section 12 and the heat exchange section 15, a steam piping section 25 for connecting the first storage section 12 to the steam port 17, a hot water piping section (liquid piping section) 26 for connecting the second storage section 16 to the hot water port 18, and a control section 27 for controlling the cooking process.

The water supply unit 11 includes a water supply tank 28 in which water W is stored, and a first pump 30 that pumps out the water W. Instead of the water supply tank 28 and the first pump 30, the water supply piping unit 23 may be connected to a waterworks (not shown) or the like that can constantly supply water W.

The first storage section 12 includes a first water supply port 31 connected to the water supply section 11, a first water level gauge 32 that measures the amount of hot water H2 stored when the water W is heated by the heating section 13, a first discharge port 33 through which steam V generated from the hot water H2 is discharged, a pressure gauge 35 that measures the internal steam pressure, and a first thermometer 36 that measures the temperature of the steam V. The heating section 13 is disposed on the bottom side of the first storage section 12 so as to be constantly immersed in the hot water H2.

The heat exchange section 15 is made of a material with high thermal conductivity, and water W supplied from the water supply section 11 is passed through the inside of the heat exchange section 15. The heat exchange section 15 is disposed in a position in the first storage section 12 where it is likely to come into contact with steam V but does not come into contact with hot water H2.

The second storage section 16 is disposed above the first storage section 12 and includes a second water supply port 37 connected to the heat exchange section 15, a second water level gauge 38 that measures the amount of stored hot water H, a second thermometer 40 that measures the temperature of the hot water H, and a second discharge port 41 to which the hot water piping section 26 is connected and through which the hot water H1 inside is discharged. The first water level gauge 32 and pressure gauge 35 are inserted through the second storage section 16 and connected to the control section 27.

One end 15A of the heat exchange section 15 is inserted into the second storage section 16 and is positioned to protrude above the water surface of the stored hot water H1. The hot water piping section 26 branches off midway through a first branch valve 42, and is connected to the other end 15B of the heat exchange section 15 and the water supply piping section 23 by a first pipe 45 via a second branch valve 43. In addition, the water supply tank 28 and the upper part of the second storage section 16 are connected by a second pipe 46.

The steam pipe section 25 and the hot water pipe section 26 are each connected to the cooking chamber 20, and the steam port 17 and the hot water port 18 are arranged to protrude into the cooking chamber 20. The cross-sectional area of the steam port 17 and the hot water port 18 in the direction of release of steam and hot water is formed to gradually expand in a fan shape toward the tip. Note that the number of steam ports 17 and hot water ports 18 is not limited to one, and multiple ports may be arranged distributed at different angles.

The cooking chamber 20 is equipped with a base 47 on which a container CO having a substantially circular opening CA with frozen food F placed inside is placed, and a base drive mechanism 48 that moves the base 47 toward and away from the steam port 17 and the hot water port 18. The steam port 17 and the hot water port 18 are arranged to protrude into the cooking chamber 20, and an attachment part 50 to which a cap 22 is detachably connected is arranged at the base of the steam port 17 and the hot water port 18. Frozen food F, for example, is stored in the container CO.

The cap 22 has an opening end 51A and includes a body 51 that is in intimate contact with the opening CA of the container CO at the opening end 51A side while containing the steam port 17 and the hot water port 18, forming an airtight space S between the container CO and the steam port 17 and the hot water port 18, and a connection part 52 that detachably connects the body 51 to the steam port 17 and the hot water port 18.

The main body 51 is made of a resin having flexibility and heat resistance, such as silicone rubber, and has a thickness that allows it to be flexibly and elastically deformed. It has a central axis C and is formed to gradually expand in a conical shape from the connection part 52 side toward the open end 51A side along the central axis C. The connection part 52, like the main body 51, is made of a resin having flexibility and heat resistance, such as silicone rubber, and has a thickness that allows it to be flexibly and elastically deformed, and is formed in a bellows shape that can expand and contract in the direction of the central axis C and bend relative to the central axis C. The connection part 52 elastically deforms and connects to the mounting part 50, so that the steam port 17 and the hot water port 18 are enclosed within the main body 51.

The control unit 27 is electrically connected to an operation panel (not shown), various sensors, various valves, and a base drive mechanism 48, and manages the water W, steam V, and hot water H, and controls the movement of the base 47. At this time, it controls the heating unit 13 and the like so that the temperature of the hot water H2 and the pressure inside the first storage unit 12 do not reach a range that requires a license or special training. The control unit 27 also stores a thawing sequence corresponding to the frozen food material F, and thawing and cooking of the frozen food material F is automatically performed by operating the operation panel.

Next, the operation of the steam and high-temperature liquid supplying device 10 according to this embodiment will be described together with a steam and high-temperature liquid supplying method.
The method for supplying steam and high-temperature liquid according to this embodiment includes a first supplying step (S11), a heating step (S12), a heat exchanging step (S13), a cooking preparation step (S14), a steam releasing step (S15), a liquid releasing step (S16), and a container removing step (S17). In this series of processes, the control unit 27 monitors the pressure gauge, thermometer, water level gauge, and the like, and instructs the opening and closing of each valve, heating by the heating unit 13, driving of the base drive mechanism 48, and the like.

In the first supply step (S11), the first pump 30 is driven to supply water W from the water supply section 11 to the first storage section 12. The water level is detected by the first water level gauge 32, and the water supply is terminated when the water level reaches a predetermined level.

In the heating step (S12), the water W in the first storage section 12 is heated by the heating section 13 to generate steam V from the hot water H2. At this time, the heating temperature is adjusted by the control section 27 so that the temperature is within a predetermined range as measured by the first thermometer 36 and the pressure is within a predetermined range as measured by the pressure gauge 35.

In the heat exchange process (S13), water W is passed from the water supply section 11 through the heat exchange section 15. At this time, since the heat exchange section 15 is heated by steam V, some of the heat of the steam V on the high temperature side is transferred to the water W on the low temperature side, and the water W is heated and becomes hot water H1. The generated hot water H1 is stored in the second storage section 16 and its temperature is controlled by the second thermometer 40. The water level is detected by the second water level gauge 38, and when the hot water H1 reaches a predetermined water level in the second storage section 16, the water supply is terminated.

In the cooking preparation process (S14), the container CO containing the frozen food F is placed on the platform 47.

In the steam release step (S15), the base 47 is moved toward the cap 22 by the base drive mechanism 48. Then, the inner surface of the open end 51A side of the main body 51 of the cap 22 comes into close contact with the end of the opening CA of the container CO, forming a sealed space S between the steam port 17 and the hot water port 18 and the container CO. At this time, even if the opening CA of the container CO is not a perfect circle, when it comes into contact with the cap 22, the main body 51 deforms, or the connection part 52 expands or contracts in the direction of the central axis C or curves relative to the central axis C, covering the opening CA, forming the sealed space S. After the sealed space S is formed, steam V is released from the steam port 17 toward the frozen food F. This causes the frozen food F to be thawed and heated. After a predetermined time has elapsed, the steam release step (S15) is terminated.

In the liquid discharge step (S16), hot water H1 is supplied to the hot water inlet 18 and discharged toward the frozen food material F. A mixture of hot water H1 and, for example, soup (not shown) may be discharged into the container CO. After a predetermined flow rate has been discharged, the liquid discharge step (S16) is terminated.

In the food ingredient removal process (S17), the platform drive mechanism 48 moves the platform 47 in a direction away from the cap 22. Then, the container CO is removed from the cooking chamber 20, and the container removal process (S17) is completed.

When using not only steam V but also hot water to thaw frozen food F, this steam and high-temperature liquid supply device 10 can use hot water H1 heated by heat exchange with steam V, rather than using hot water H2 heated to generate steam V. This ensures that the required amount of hot water H2 is available and steam V can be generated at any time, allowing for a quick transition to the thawing process of the next frozen food, and the required amount of steam V or hot water can be supplied when needed.

In addition, even if some of the heat of the steam V or some of the heat through the first water level gauge 32, the pressure gauge 35, and the first thermometer 36 is dissipated to the outside, the heat can be absorbed into the hot water H1 stored in the second storage section 16, thereby maintaining the high temperature state of the hot water H1.

Furthermore, a portion of the hot water H1 is sent to the inlet side of the heat exchange section 15 by the first pipe 45, and can be heat exchanged again with the steam V in the heat exchange section 15, thereby improving the heat exchange efficiency in the heat exchange section 15.

In addition, the cap 22 forms an airtight space S between the steam port 17 and the hot water port 18 and the container CO, preventing steam from escaping outside the container and increasing the heating efficiency of the contents. In this case, the main body 51 is formed to gradually expand from the connection part 52 side toward the open end 51A side, and the connection part 52 is formed to be elastically deformable, so that even if the shape of the container CO is distorted or the center position of the container CO is installed off the central axis C, the main body 51 and the connection part 52 can deform to match the shape and position when they come into contact with the container CO, and the airtight space S can be formed.

In addition, the cross-sectional area of the steam outlet 17 in the direction of steam release is gradually expanded in a fan shape toward the tip, allowing the steam V to be released evenly over a wide area, allowing the frozen food F in the container CO to be thawed evenly and the thawing time to be shortened.

The technical scope of the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention.
For example, the steam and high-temperature liquid supply device 10 having a steam port 17 and a hot water port 18 is provided with a cap 22, but this is not limited to the above, and a device having only one of the steam port 17 or the hot water port 18 may also be provided with the cap 22.

The opening CA of the container CO is not limited to being substantially circular, and may be any shape that matches the shape of the opening of the container. The main body of the cap does not necessarily have to be formed in a cone shape, and does not necessarily have to be gradually enlarged from the connection part side toward the opening end side. For example, as shown in FIG. 3, the cap 57 may have a main body 56 that is dome-shaped on the opening end 56A side rather than on the connection part 55 side.

Furthermore, although the connection part 52 of the cap 22 is formed in a bellows shape, the connection part is not limited to being bellows-shaped, and the connection part 55 may be integrated with the main body 56 as in the cap 57 shown in FIG. 3. In addition, it is acceptable as long as not the whole of the main body or the connection part but a part of it is made of a shape or material that is elastically deformable, such as being expandable and contractable in the direction of the central axis C or being bendable relative to the central axis C.

Furthermore, although it is stated that frozen food ingredients F are contained in the container CO, the present invention is not limited to frozen food ingredients F, but may also include refrigerated food ingredients, room temperature food ingredients, dried food ingredients, etc., and is not limited to food ingredients.

10 Steam and high-temperature liquid supply device 12 First storage section 13 Heating section 15 Heat exchange section 16 Second storage section 17 Steam port 18 Hot water port (liquid port)
22,57 Cap (cap for steam and/or high temperature liquid supply device)
25 Steam piping section 26 Hot water piping section (liquid piping section)
45 First pipe 51, 56 Main body 52, 55 Connection CO container (object to be covered)
S. Confined space

Claims (2)

a steam port through which steam is discharged and a liquid port through which liquid is discharged ;
a cap for a steam and high- temperature liquid supplying apparatus that covers an object to be covered, the cap being disposed opposite the steam port and the liquid port and capable of being brought into contact with and separated from the steam port and the liquid port ;
Equipped with
The vapor and hot liquid supply cap comprises:
a main body having an open end in a central axis direction , the main body including the steam port and the liquid port and in close contact with the object to be covered at the open end side to form an enclosed space between the object to be covered and the steam port and the liquid port;
a connection part for detachably connecting the main body to the vapor port and the liquid port;
Equipped with
The opening end side is expanded more than the connection portion side to form the main body,
At least a portion of the main body and the connection portion are elastically deformable,
The connection portion is expandable and contractable in the direction of the central axis and/or bendable relative to the central axis,
A steam and high-temperature liquid supply device in which a cross-sectional area of the steam port in the direction of steam discharge is gradually expanded in a fan shape toward the tip . A first storage section in which liquid is stored;
a heating section disposed in the first storage section and configured to heat the liquid stored in the first storage section to convert a portion of the liquid into the vapor;
a heat exchanger that is inserted into the first container and that transfers a portion of the heat of the vapor to the liquid when the liquid is supplied;
a second storage section in which the liquid heated by the heat exchange section is stored;
a steam piping section communicating the first storage section with the steam port;
a liquid piping portion that communicates the second storage portion with the liquid port;
a first pipe that communicates with the first storage section and the steam pipe section and is partially inserted into the second storage section;
The vapor and hot liquid supply system of claim 1 , comprising:

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