JPH0555146B2 - - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Field of Industrial Application The present invention relates to a heat sterilization apparatus for heat sterilizing foods, medicines, mushroom culture media, and other processed materials using hot water or steam.

BACKGROUND ART Conventionally, many devices have been used in which trays are stacked in multiple rows and loaded into a retort, and heated and sterilized by spraying hot water or steam from the surrounding area. Recently, a spray-type sterilizer that sprays hot water from the side walls of stacked trays has been proposed, for example, as disclosed in Japanese Utility Model Application Publication No. 165195/1983.

The example shown in FIG. 5 is a conventional example, in which the heat sterilization tank 28
A spray section 30 that sprays hot water or the like from the side wall of the object to be treated 29 is provided inside the chamber. The spray part 30 repeatedly slides in the vertical direction as shown by the arrows to make the spray uniform.

Problems to be Solved by the Invention However, in the above-mentioned spray type sterilizer, it is difficult to uniformly spray hot water etc. through the gaps between the stacked trays to perform heat treatment, and the spacing between the trays is difficult. Various efforts have been made, such as adjusting the spray nozzle and changing the arrangement of the spray nozzle.

An object of the present invention is to provide a spray part that rotates or inverts around the outer periphery of the object to be treated that is loaded into the vertical heat sterilization tank by using a heating fluid such as hot water or steam. The present invention aims to provide a heat sterilizer that achieves uniform sterilization and high sterilization efficiency by jetting cooling water from the entire circumference of the object to be processed.

Means for Solving the Problems In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a first aspect of the present invention, which includes a vertical heat sterilization tank or a vertical heat sterilization tank; a spray part, a shaft part whose lower ends of these spray parts are rotatably supported on the wall of the heat sterilization tank, and a heating or cooling fluid provided to communicate with the spray part via this shaft part. a supply section, a rotation drive section provided via the shaft section, a lid that opens and closes the upper end opening of the heat sterilization tank, a support section for the object to be treated suspended inside the lid, and this support section. A vertical rotary spray heat sterilizer comprising: a lid having a lid; and a drive unit that relatively separates or connects the heat sterilization tank in the vertical direction so that objects to be processed can be loaded into or taken out from the heat sterilization tank. It was used as a device.

In addition, in the second invention, the positions of the lid and the heat sterilization tank are reversed, and the heat sterilization tank is vertically shaped or placed vertically with the opening facing downward, and the heat sterilization tank has a periphery in the heat sterilization tank extending over almost the entire length. at least two extending spray parts, a shaft part whose upper ends of these spray parts are rotatably supported together on the wall of the heat sterilization tank, and a heating device provided so as to communicate with the spray part through the shaft part. a supply section for a cooling fluid, a rotation drive section provided through the shaft section, an upwardly facing lid that opens and closes the downward opening of the heat sterilization tank, and an object to be processed provided inside the lid. A vertical type comprising a support part and a drive part that allows the lid having the support part for the object to be processed and the heat sterilization tank to be relatively separated or combined in the vertical direction so that the object to be processed can be loaded or taken out. It was a rotary spray type heat sterilizer.

In the third invention, in order to change the rotation of the spray part, a vertical rotary spray heat sterilizer is provided with a rotation control mechanism via a shaft part communicating with the spray part.

In the fourth invention, in order to connect the heat sterilization tank and the liquid circulation path, a liquid reservoir is provided at the bottom of the heat sterilization tank, and between this liquid reservoir and the hot water or cooling water supply part on the shaft. This is a vertical rotary spray heat sterilizer equipped with a liquid circulation path.

In the fifth invention, a pump and a heat exchanger are provided between the heating sterilization tank and the heating or cooling fluid supply section so that the heating fluid can be switched to hot water or steam. A vertical rotary spray heat sterilizer is constructed in which a cooling water circulation path and a steam circulation path equipped with a blower are installed in parallel and can be switched via a switching valve.

Effects In the first invention, at least two spray parts extending over almost the entire length are provided at the periphery of the workpiece loaded in the heat sterilization tank, and these are rotatably supported together at the lower end. Since the shaft part is provided, the spray part can now rotate around the entire circumference of the object to be treated and spray out hot water or cooling water.
Since a heating or cooling fluid supply section is provided through the shaft of the spray section, hot water, etc. can be circulated through this supply section, and heat sterilization can be performed by controlling the temperature to an appropriate level. . Furthermore, since the rotation drive section is provided via the shaft section, the rotation of two or more spray sections can be freely controlled.

In addition, since a driving part is provided so that the lid having a support part for the object to be processed and the heat sterilization tank are relatively separated or combined in the vertical direction, the object to be processed can be suspended with the heat sterilization tank side fixed. In addition to moving the lid up and down to load and remove objects into and out of the heat sterilization tank, conversely, you can fix the lid that suspends the objects and move the heat sterilization tank side. It can also be used to load and unload processing materials.

In the second invention, the position of the lid and the heat sterilization tank is adjusted to the first position.
Although this is reversed compared to the invention, since the lid and the heat sterilization tank are provided so that they can be relatively separated or combined, loading and unloading of objects to be processed can be performed in the same manner as in the first invention. Furthermore, in the second aspect of the invention, the object to be processed is placed on the support provided inside the lid on the lower side, so stability is higher. For example, when the lid is fixed at the bottom and the heat sterilization tank is suspended and moved in the vertical direction, it is easy to transport and take out the object to be processed to the support part of the lid, and it is also easy to connect to an automatic transport machine.

On the other hand, if the heat sterilization tank is fixed, the lid and support part can be moved downward and connected to the conveyance line.

In the third invention, since the rotation control mechanism is provided through the shaft part, the rotation speed of the spray part can be varied, the forward and reverse rotation direction can be changed, the rotation can be made to swing in an arc shape, and the rotation can be made in the axial direction at the same time as the rotation. Add sliding motion,
It has become possible to apply various rotational controls depending on the type and amount of the object to be processed.

In the fourth invention, by providing a liquid reservoir at the bottom of the heat sterilization tank, a liquid circulation path is formed, and the amount of water can be reduced and hot water can be circulated efficiently.

In the fifth invention, the circulation path is switched via a switching valve to use hot water, steam, or cooling water as a heating or cooling fluid, and in the case of hot water, an indirect heating circulation path is provided via a pump or a heat exchanger. In addition, in the case of steam, a blower is provided and a steam circulation path is used by switching the steam inlet etc. via a switching valve.

Embodiment FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of the device of the present invention.
Reference numeral 1 denotes a heat sterilization tank, which is installed in a vertical shape or in a vertical position with the opening facing upward. A spray section 2 extends over almost the entire length of the heat sterilization tank 1 and has a plurality of nozzle holes 3. These nozzle holes 3 each face inward toward the object to be treated. A shaft 4 is pivotally supported on the wall of the heat sterilization tank 1, and rotatably supports the lower ends of the plurality of spray parts 2 together. 5 is a hot water, steam or cooling water supply section;
For example, a rotary joint is used. Reference numeral 6 denotes a rotation drive unit configured to control the rotation of the shaft portion 4. A liquid reservoir 7 is provided at the bottom of the vertical heat sterilization tank 1, and a pump 8 and a heat exchanger 9 are installed between the liquid reservoir 7 and the hot water, steam, or cooling water supply section 5. A liquid circulation path 10 is formed. Reference numeral 11 is a lid for opening and closing the heat sterilization tank 1, and for storing the object 1 inside.
The two supporting parts 13 are suspended. The lid 11 having the support part 13 is supported so that it can be separated from or combined with the heat sterilization tank 1 in the vertical direction. Reference numeral 14 denotes a connecting portion, which is provided to seal the lid 11 when it is connected to the heat sterilization tank 1, and to tightly close the lid with a ring-shaped vise or the like.

After placing the object 12 on the support part 13 and loading it into the heat sterilization tank 1, the spray section 2 sprays the object 12 onto the object 12.
It is heated and sterilized by rotating the entire circumference and spraying hot water or steam from all directions. The rotation of the spray section 2 is controlled by a rotational drive section 6 provided via a shaft section 4 . This rotation drive unit 6 has a rotation control unit 15.
It is possible to adjust the rotational speed of the spray section 2, forward/reverse rotation, circular arc-shaped reversal positive movement, etc., as appropriate depending on the type and amount of the object to be treated.

16 is a water supply port, 17 is a drain port, 18 is a water inlet, and 19 is a steam inlet. 20 is a pressurization or exhaust valve.

In this embodiment, two spray parts 2 are provided over almost the entire length of the workpiece 12 in the heat sterilization tank 1, and are rotatably supported by a shaft part 4 and rotated by a rotary drive part 6. Hot water etc. from 2 are spouted out over the entire circumference of the object 12 to be treated. Therefore, it has become possible to uniformly process the object regardless of its direction or position. Further, water at an appropriate temperature is supplied from the liquid reservoir 7 to the liquid circulation path via a pump 8 and a heat exchanger 9, thereby ensuring heat sterilization.

By providing the liquid reservoir 7 at the bottom of the heat sterilization tank 1, a reservoir for hot water, etc. is created, and circulation to the liquid circulation path 10 is ensured.

In this embodiment, the case of using hot water has been described, but the present invention can also be applied to a case where steam is used instead of hot water and circulated by a blower.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view of the heat sterilization tank 1, in which the spray section 2 is rotatably provided.

The example shown in FIG. 3 is an example in which the positions of the heat sterilization tank 1 and the lid 11 in FIG. 1 are reversed. Identical parts are indicated by the same numbers as in FIG.

Fig. 4 shows an example in which circulation paths using hot water or steam as the heating fluid are arranged in parallel and can be switched by a switching valve, 21 is a blower, 22-
27 indicates a switching valve. In the case of a hot water circulation path,
The switching valves 22 and 23 are opened, and the switching valves 24 to 27 are closed. In the case of a steam circulation path, switching valve 2
2, 23, 25, and 26 are further opened, and the switching valves 22, 23, 25, and 27 are opened to introduce cooling water.

Effects of the Invention Since the present invention has the above configuration, the first
In the invention, hot water or steam is ejected around the entire circumference of the object by rotating two or more spray parts, so uniform treatment can be achieved regardless of the loading position or direction of the object. Efficiency improved. The spray unit is connected to the heating or cooling fluid supply unit and the rotation drive unit via the shaft, so the rotation can be controlled as appropriate depending on the type and amount of the material to be treated, and the heating or cooling fluid supply unit can be The temperature can also be adjusted, making heat sterilization more reliable.

In the second invention, since the positions of the heat sterilization tank and the lid are reversed, the effect of heat sterilization is the same, but
Loading and transporting objects to be processed has become easier.

In the third invention, since the rotation control part of the spray part is attached through the shaft part, fluctuation of the rotation speed, forward and reverse rotation, arcuate swinging, sliding in the axial direction, and reciprocating motion through the shaft part. etc. can now be carried out freely.

In the fourth invention, by providing a liquid reservoir at the bottom of the heat sterilization tank, it is possible to smoothly circulate hot water and realize optimal conditions for heat sterilization treatment.

In the fifth invention, when hot water or steam is used as the heating fluid, it is possible to switch between a hot water circulation path using a pump and a heat exchanger and a circulation path equipped with a blower using a switching valve. , which can be easily switched according to the type of workpiece and heating conditions.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a sectional view showing an embodiment of the device of the present invention;
Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the same, Fig. 3 is a sectional view showing another embodiment, Fig. 4 is a system diagram in which hot water and steam circulation paths are arranged side by side and can be switched, and Fig. 5 is a conventional It is a sectional view showing an example. 1... Heat sterilization tank 2... Spray section 4...
Shaft part 5... Supply part 6... Rotation drive part 7...
Liquid reservoir part 12...Processed object 13...Support part 1
5...Rotation control unit 21...Blower 22-2
7...Switching valve.

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A vertical heat sterilization tank or a vertical heat sterilization tank, at least two spray parts extending almost the entire length at the periphery of the heat sterilization tank, and the lower ends of these spray parts rotated together. A shaft freely supported on the wall of the heat sterilization tank, a heating or cooling fluid supply section provided to communicate with the spray section via the shaft, and a rotation drive provided via the shaft. a lid for opening and closing the upper end opening of the heat sterilization tank; a support for the workpiece suspended inside the lid; and a lid having this support part and the heat sterilization tank vertically relative to each other. A vertical rotary spray type heat sterilizer comprising: a drive section that is separated or coupled to allow the workpiece to be loaded into or taken out from the heat sterilization tank; 2. A heat sterilization tank that is vertically shaped or placed vertically with the opening facing downward, at least two spray parts extending almost the entire length around the periphery of the heat sterilization tank, and the upper ends of these spray parts collectively. a shaft portion rotatably supported on the wall of the heat sterilization tank; a heating or cooling fluid supply portion provided to communicate with the spray portion via the shaft portion; a rotation drive unit, an upwardly facing lid that opens and closes a downward opening of the heat sterilization tank, a support part for the object to be processed provided inside the lid, a lid having the support part for the object to be processed, and the heat sterilization tank. 1. A vertical rotary spray type heat sterilizer comprising: a drive section which is relatively vertically separated or coupled to enable loading or unloading of objects to be processed; 3. A vertical rotary spray heat sterilizer equipped with a rotation control mechanism via a shaft portion communicating with the spray portion according to claim 1 or 2. 4. Claim 1 or 2, characterized in that a liquid reservoir is provided at the bottom of the heat sterilization tank, and a liquid circulation path is provided between this liquid reservoir and a hot water or cooling water supply section on the shaft.
The vertical rotary spray heat sterilizer described above. 5. A hot water or cooling water circulation path equipped with a pump and a heat exchanger and a steam circulation path equipped with a blower are installed in parallel between the heat sterilization tank and the heating or cooling fluid supply section. 2. The vertical rotary spray heat sterilizer according to claim 1, wherein the vertical rotary spray heat sterilizer is switchable via a switching valve.