JPH0442271B2 - - Google Patents

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] [Industrial Application Field] This invention sterilizes, automatically fills, and hygienically pours food and drinks in sealed containers and packaging into containers and food products, and provides them to customers. The present invention relates to a supply device for

[Conventional technology]

The technologies that have been conventionally employed are listed below. In other words, (a) When dispensing sterilized food and drink that has been sealed and packed in a container or package into a food or container, it is assembled into a feeding device, but there is no communication between the container and package and the discharge port. Not yet.

In this case, since there are connection joints and a discharge pump on the way to the discharge port, the discharge tube, connection joints, and food and drink will come into contact with the atmosphere during installation and removal work, causing them to float in the atmosphere. contaminated by common bacteria and microorganisms.

(b) When selling or supplying food that has been sterilized and sealed in a container or package, the discharge tube of the container or package is assembled between the roller pump and the tube guide in the supply device.

In this case, once the assembly is completed, the discharge tube is always crushed by the roller at some position between the roller pump and the tube guide, regardless of whether food or drink is sold or supplied.

In particular, if sales or supply is stopped for a long time, or if the period of suspension is long, only a portion of the product may remain crushed, weakening the restoring force and causing changes in the pouring amount. It may become impossible to restore its original shape, or it may become impossible to use it as a discharge tube.

(c) At the connection point or in the delivery pump of a supply device using a connection joint, the delivery tube is assembled separately into the pump itself.

In this case, when trying to sell or supply a new type of food or drink that is different from the food or drink in use, the inside of the dispensing pump should be used to discharge the food or drink in the dispensing tube that is currently in use, or to add fragrance to the new food or drink. We are currently cleaning or replacing the discharge tube with a new one to prevent flavor transfer.

(d) When selling or supplying food and drink that has been sterilized and sealed in containers and packaging, a dispensing pump or dispensing valve is used as a dispensing device to dispense the food into a receptacle or food. The food and drink discharge port communicating with the discharge valve is always open.

In this case, the food and drink at the opening of the discharge port,
General bacteria and microorganisms in the atmosphere adhere and multiply over time, and the food and drinks located between the discharge port and the discharge pump and discharge valve, as well as the inner surface of the discharge tube, are contaminated with the microorganisms.

[Problem to be solved by the invention]

In general, foods and beverages with low sugar content, low acidity with near-neutral hydrogen ion concentration, foods and beverages without added preservatives to prevent spoilage, and foods and beverages that are rich in nutrients and have a high water content are Both serve as suitable growth media for microorganisms, and when exposed to the atmosphere, become contaminated with airborne common bacteria and microorganisms.

In areas where general bacteria and microorganisms have adhered to food and drink, the microorganisms multiply over time, causing the food to become contaminated and deteriorate, causing precipitation and turbidity, adversely affecting the flavor, and causing the food to lose its value. This is also unfavorable from a sanitary standpoint.

The problem to be solved by this invention is what means should be adopted to intermittently sell or supply food and drinks that have been sterilized and are packed in containers and packaging and have low resistance to microbial contamination. The point is whether it can be hygienically poured from containers and packaging to containers and foods.

[Means to solve the problem]

In order to solve the above problems, the present invention employs a container form and a supply device as described below.

(A) Container form The container packaging according to the present invention will be explained based on FIG. 2.

The container packaging to be stored in a box 1, which will be described later, is composed of a flexible film 2, a filling cap 3, a discharge ring 4, and an elastic discharge tube 5. The filling cap 3 and the discharge ring 4 are made of synthetic resin, and the discharge tube 5, which is made of an elastic material, is made of a rubber body or a soft synthetic resin, and is sealed, sterilized, and unused.

The distal end 6 of the discharge tube 5 is also sealed, so that the inside thereof is not exposed to the outside air and is connected and communicated with the discharge ring 4.

When filling food and drink, unused containers and packaging are handled in a manner that prevents contamination, and a manufacturing method that has a sterilizing effect is used to automatically break the seal of the filling cap 3 and automatically fill a certain amount.

After filling, the filling cap is automatically sealed again. The containers and packaging filled with food and drink are stored in box 1. When storing,
When selling or supplying, the discharge tube 5 and discharge ring 4 are pulled out from the box 1, so they are stored in appropriate positions. After being stored, Box 1 is sealed and shipped for distribution.

(B) Feeding device The feeding device according to the present invention will be explained with reference to FIGS. 4, 5, and 10.

When selling or supplying food and drinks filled in containers and packaging, the discharge tube 5 and discharge ring 4 housed in the box 1 should be removed from the box 1.
Break the outlet and pull it out. The discharge ring 4 is fitted into and attached to the discharge ring mounting plate 8. The discharge tube 5 is assembled so as to make a half-circle between the roller 9 and the tube guide 10, and then passed between the fixed block 11 and the movable block 12 of the fitting unit.
Pull it out longer than the bottom tip. At this time, the discharge tube 5 is pulled out beyond the sealed tip 6, and the control circuit operates the movable block 12 of the fitting unit to clamp it.

Once the clamping is complete, use a sharp knife to cut horizontally at the lower end of the fitting unit to remove the sealed end 6 of the discharge tube 5.

The part that is cut, clamped, and sealed as described above becomes the outlet for the food and drink, and a supply system that is integrated with the container and packaging is completed and becomes a supply device.

When stopping sales or supply operations, a cap 13 is used to prevent contamination of the discharge port. This cap 13 is provided as a component of the supply device.

[Effect]

The effects of this invention are shown in FIGS. 4, 5, and 6.
This will be explained with reference to FIGS.

(a) When selling or supplying food and drinks filled in containers and packaging, remove the discharge ring 4 and discharge tube 5 housed in the box 1 by tearing the opening and pulling them out. is fitted and attached to the discharge ring mounting plate 8. The discharge tube 5 is assembled between the roller 9 of the roller pump 15 and the tube guide 10, is also attached to the fitting units 11 and 12, and the tip is cut off. The sealed portion of the discharge tube 5 is removed and is ready for sale or supply.

(b) sandwiched between the tips of the fitting units 11 and 12;
Below the discharge port of the cut discharge tube 5,
When the receptacle 16 or food product is prepared and the vending or dispensing push button is pressed, the control circuitry initiates operation of the dispensing device. As a first step, the tube guide 10 is operated to the position of the tube guide stopper 14 and closed.

As a second step, the movable block 12 of the mating unit is actuated and opened. Along with this, the discharge port of the discharge tube 5, which has been clamped and sealed, opens.

As a third step, when the roller pump 15 rotates in the direction of arrow F in FIG.
While being crushed, due to abrasion resistance, it rotates and moves in the direction of arrow F'.

The food and drink in the discharge tube 5 between one roller 9 and the next roller 9 is squeezed and pushed out, and is sequentially pushed out from the discharge port to the receiver 16.
or injected into food.

The discharge tube 5 that has been crushed by the front roller 9 returns to its original state because it is an elastic body, is replenished with food and drink, and is pushed out again by the rear roller 9.

The operating time of the roller pump 15 is determined by the control circuitry in response to the selection of the sales or supply push button. Moreover, the operating time can be changed arbitrarily.

As a fourth step, the roller pump 15 is stopped after operating for a predetermined period of time, and the food and drink are poured into the receiver 16 and the food.

As the fifth step, at the same time as the roller pump 15 stops, the movable block 12 of the fitting unit is activated, and the tip of the discharge port of the discharge tube 5 is pinched, and the opening is sealed. Become. For this reason, the food and drink in the discharge tube 5 does not come into contact with the atmosphere.

As a sixth step, the tube guide 10 is separated from the tube guide stopper 14 and opened. Therefore, the discharge tube 5 located between the roller 9 and the tube guide 10 is not crushed. Tube Guide 10 is crushed
is closed, the roller pump 15 is activated, and the tube guide 10 is opened.

The first to sixth steps are a series of operating steps for sale or supply, and are repeated again when the push button is pressed.

(c) When discontinuing sales or supply operations, wash the tip of the lower part of the mating unit and the discharge port of the discharge tube 5 with warm water or clean water to increase the effectiveness of the disinfectant.

Cap 1 equipped with supply device
3 is filled with an aqueous solution of a disinfectant whose main component is sodium hypochlorite, which is approved as a food additive, and attached to the tip of the bottom of the fitting unit. Other fungicides approved as beverage additives can also be used in this case. The tip of the lower part of the fitting unit and the discharge port of the discharge tube 5 are immersed in the aqueous solution of the sterilizing agent, which continues to be immersed in the aqueous solution of the disinfectant, and is shielded from the atmosphere while the sales or supply operations are suspended.

When selling or supplying the product again, the cap 13 is removed and the tip of the lower part of the fitting unit and the discharge port of the discharge tube 5 are washed with warm water or clean water. Then, it is placed on standby for sale or supply.

In this way, food and drink can be hygienically poured into a receptacle or into a food product and served to a customer.

〔Effect of the invention〕

Note that FIG. 20 is a diagram showing an example of a control circuit applied to the device of the present invention, and in this diagram, SV ₁
is the control valve for the air cylinder (5-port solenoid valve) as a driving means for the tube guide 10, SV ₂ is the control valve for the air cylinder (3-port solenoid valve) as the driving means for the movable block 12, P ₁ is the movable block 12, SH is a shuttle valve, Sc is a speed controller, AE is a pneumatic converter, and MV is a manual valve used to clamp the discharge tube 5 during preparation for sale.

(a) The discharge tube according to the present invention is used by being assembled into a supply device. Since the container packaging and the discharge port are integrally formed, and there is no connecting means or connection point in the middle, the inside of the discharge tube and the food and drink do not come into contact with the atmosphere.

For this reason, general bacteria and microorganisms floating in the air do not attach to the food and drink, and no deterioration due to contamination occurs, making it possible to sell or supply hygienic food and drink to customers. It becomes possible.

(b) The tube guide opening/closing mechanism according to the present invention is performed by a control circuit.

The discharge tube for containers and packaging is assembled between the roller pump of the supply device and the tube guide.
The only time a product is crushed is when it is sold or supplied.

That is, when the pushbutton is pressed, the control circuit operates the tube guide to the tube guide stopper position, from when it is closed until when it is opened, only during the sales or supply process.

For this reason, compared to conventional discharge tubes that are constantly crushed, the restoring force is less likely to be weakened, the amount of dispensing does not change, and the period during which the tube can be used as a discharge tube is extended.

The operation of the opening/closing mechanism of the tube guide effectively acts on the discharge tube. In particular, when the period of suspension of sales or supply activities is expected to become longer due to changes in social conditions, such as weekly holidays becoming two-day holidays or the number of summer vacation days increasing, it is necessary to The effect of providing an opening/closing mechanism for the tube guide to prevent the discharge tube from being crushed is significant.

(c) The discharge tube according to the present invention is assembled into a supply device, and is integrally formed from the container packaging to the discharge port.

In the conventional technology, the discharge tube is separated and attached to the discharge pump itself of the supply device, so when trying to sell or supply a new type of food or drink different from the one currently in use, it is difficult to It is necessary to drain the food and drink inside the discharge pump and discharge tube, and to clean the food and drink to prevent the aroma and taste of the used food and drink from transferring to the new food and drink. Ta.

In this invention, since everything from the container packaging to the discharge port is integrated, there is no need for discharge or cleaning processes, which improves efficiency and has the effect of keeping operating costs low.

(d) The fitting unit opening/closing mechanism of the discharge tube according to the present invention is performed by a control circuit.

The discharge tube for containers and packaging is assembled to the roller pump and tube guide of the supply device.
After being clamped by the fitting unit, the sealed tip is cut off with a knife and removed, and the part that is clamped by the fitting unit and sealed becomes the discharge port. For this,
Food and drink in the discharge tube no longer comes into contact with the atmosphere.

In the conventional technology, the discharge port is always open, but in this invention, the fitting unit allows
Since the outlet is only opened for sale or supply, and food is being dispensed at this time, the food and drink in the outlet tube does not come into contact with the atmosphere and is free from contamination by general bacteria and microorganisms. There is no chance that it will happen.

Therefore, food and drink products do not become precipitated or cloudy, do not have a negative effect on color or flavor, do not lose their value as food and drink, and have low resistance to microbial contamination. can be sold or supplied on a commercial basis.

The attachment of the fitting unit opening/closing mechanism that clamps and seals the discharge port in this manner is highly effective in preventing contamination by microorganisms.

(e) The cap for an aqueous disinfectant solution according to the present invention is provided together with a supply device.

When discontinuing the sale or supply of food and beverages filled in containers and packaging, conventional techniques either leave the outlet from which the food is dispensed as is, or wash it with warm or clean water using a neutral detergent. After cleaning, the discharge port was exposed to the atmosphere and was open. In this invention, after cleaning the discharge port of the discharge tube which is sandwiched and sealed by the fitting unit and the tip of the lower part of the fitting unit with warm water or clean water using a neutral detergent, the tube is further provided. The cap was filled with an aqueous disinfectant solution and attached to the bottom tip of the mating unit to eliminate contact with the atmosphere.

In this way, the tip of the lower part of the mating unit and the outlet of the discharge tube are immersed in the aqueous solution of the disinfectant, and during the period of suspension of sales or supply activities, it is possible to and will not be contaminated by microorganisms. Foods with a low sugar content that have a particularly low resistance to microbial contamination, low acidity drinks with a hydrogen ion concentration close to neutrality, foods with no added preservatives, and foods that are rich in nutrients and have a high water content. A cap for an aqueous disinfectant solution is highly effective as a measure to protect the discharge port and discharge nozzle used for dispensing food and beverages containing a large amount of water from microbial contamination.

〔Example〕

(a) If the mating unit of the supply device has one outlet, it can be used for green tea, black tea, oolong tea, barley tea, mineral water, sports drinks, black coffee, fruit juice, vegetable and fruit puree, seafood, etc. Foods and drinks with low resistance to microbial contamination, such as vegetable soup, meat sauce, milk, cream, flower paste, and mayonnaise, can be hygienically poured into the receptor or food as individual items. . These containers and packages are cooled or heated.

(b) If the fitting unit of the supply device has two discharge ports close to each other, one container/package may contain black tea, oolong tea, black coffee, vegetable and fruit juice, seafood soup, etc. By using a concentrated liquid in one container and mineral water in the other container and dispensing them at the same time, it is possible to make a mixed drink in one container. Furthermore, the control circuit also makes it possible to pour out these concentrated liquids in one volume and the mineral water in four volumes.
Moreover, instead of mineral water, hot water or cold water can also be dispensed using a separately provided hot water supply device or cooling device, so that hot and cold drinks can be sold or supplied hygienically.

(c) If the fitting unit of the supply device has three discharge ports close to each other, each container/package has three different seasonings: meat sauce, tomato ketchup, and mayonnaise. , hot dogs and hamburgers can be poured at the same time. Three types of seasonings are poured into the food from separate containers,
Compared to selling or supplying, it is more efficient and can be poured hygienically.

(d) If the fitting unit of the supply device has two or more discharge ports close to each other, the food and drinks sterilized in containers and packaging can be used in a separate hot water supply device or carbonated water. The manufacturing device can be connected to the respective outlets to hygienically dispense hot drinks, cold drinks, carbonated water drinks, depending on the customer's preference, into the receptacle.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

Fig. 1 is a front view of a supply device for containers and packaging according to the present invention, Fig. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing a discharge ring and a discharge tube taken out from a box, and Fig. 3 is a front view of the supply device before the container and packaging are assembled. , Fig. 4 is an explanatory diagram of the state in which the discharge tube is sandwiched between the fitting units, Fig. 5 is an explanatory diagram of the state in which the distal end of the discharge tube is sandwiched and sealed, and Fig. 6 is 7 is an explanatory view of the supply device operating and dispensing food and drink, 7th is a side view of the supply device operating and dispensing food and drink, and FIG. Figure 9 is a bottom view of the mating unit with the outlet closed, Figure 9 is a bottom view of the fitting unit with the outlet of the discharge tube open, and Figure 10 is an explanatory diagram of the installation of the cap to fill the outlet with an aqueous disinfectant solution. , Fig. 11 is a parts diagram of a fixed block of a fitting unit with one discharge port, Fig. 12 is a parts diagram of a fixed block of a fitting unit with two discharge ports, and Fig. 13 is a parts diagram of a movable block of a fitting unit with two discharge ports. Parts diagram, FIG. 14A is a sealed bottom view when there is one discharge port, FIG. 14B is an open bottom view when there is one discharge port,
Figure 15A is a sealed bottom view when there are two discharge ports, Figure 15B is an open bottom view when there are two discharge ports, and Figure 16 is a sealed bottom view when there are two discharge ports. Fig. 17 is a side view of the tube being pinched, and Fig. 17 is a side view of the movable block of the fitting unit being activated to dispense food and drink, and Fig. 18 is a side view of the tube dispensing food and drink from two outlets into one receiver. FIG. 19 is a front view showing the material being poured out, and FIG. 20 is a block diagram of the supply device, and FIG. 20 is a configuration diagram of an example of the control circuit. In the figure, 1...box, 2...flexible film, 3...filling cap, 4...discharge ring,
5...Discharge tube, 6...Sealing part at the tip of discharge tube, 7...Food and drink, 8...Discharge ring mounting plate, 9
...roller, 10...tube guide, 11...fitting unit fixed block, 12...fitting unit movable block, 13...cap, 14...tube guide stopper, 15...roller pump, 16...receptor,
17...Roller pump drive motor.

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1 A box containing a flexible film container and packaging that sterilizes and seals food and drink, a filling cap connected to this container and packaging, a discharge ring, and an elastic discharge tube is attached, and the box is equipped with a Of the discharge ring and discharge tube that are pulled out by tearing a part of the discharge ring, the supply device includes a discharge ring mounting plate into which the discharge ring is fitted.
A roller pump consisting of a roller and a tube guide, and a fixed block and a movable block, through which the lower end of the discharge tube passes between the roller pump and the tube guide, and the lower end of the discharge tube is assembled so as to make a half-circle between the roller and tube guide. and a control circuit comprising a driving means and a control valve to drive the roller pump and the movable block of the fitting block in a timely manner. Device.