Carbonated beverage containing fruit particles, carbonated beverage manufacturing apparatus and method for manufacturing carbonated beverages using the same

Abstract

This invention provides an apparatus for manufacturing carbonated beverages containing fruit particles, which involves heating and sterilizing fruit particles and then cooling them to mix them with carbonated water, as well as a method for manufacturing carbonated beverages using the same. The invention includes: a heating device for heating and sterilizing a can containing fruit particles; a cooling device for cooling the can passing through the heating device; and a gasifier for injecting carbonated gas into the can passing through the cooling device. The cooling device includes: a cooling water injection unit for injecting cooling water into the can; and a nitrogen injection unit for injecting nitrogen gas into the can.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to carbonated beverages containing fruit particles, carbonated beverage manufacturing apparatus and carbonated beverage manufacturing method thereof, and particularly to carbonated beverages containing fruit particles, carbonated beverage manufacturing apparatus and carbonated beverage manufacturing method thereof, wherein the fruit particles are heated to sterilize and then cooled before being mixed with carbonated water. Background Technology

[0002] Recently, consumers' consumption patterns have gradually shifted towards health products that emphasize functionality and safety. As a result, research and development on health-focused materials and various processed products are being actively carried out.

[0003] In particular, among processed products that emphasize health, health drinks are products that consumers consume based on convenience, preference, and functionality. It is well known that consumers use physiologically active nutrients as a very important selection factor when choosing beverages.

[0004] It is well known that fruits and vegetables, the main ingredients in health drinks, are rich in phenolic compounds and antioxidant vitamins. Studies have shown that these components reduce oxidative stress in the body. Therefore, food companies continue to launch health drinks containing these functional ingredients from fruits and vegetables.

[0005] To reduce manufacturing costs, most carbonated beverages contain added fruit flavorings or fruit juices, but the amount of fruit juice added is very small, around 10%.

[0006] On the other hand, non-concentrated beverages (NFC), which are made solely from fruit juice without concentrating raw materials or adding water, are gradually increasing in line with consumer trends.

[0007] However, carbonated beverages made from fruit juice may ferment or spoil due to the growth of microorganisms and fruit enzymes when stored at room temperature for a long time. Therefore, in order to improve this situation, the acidity of carbonated beverages can be reduced and the color of fruit juice can be diluted through processing steps such as adding food additives.

[0008] Therefore, there is a need to develop and research carbonated beverages containing fruit pieces, rather than fruit juice. However, fruit pieces are susceptible to microbial contamination, which can compromise the safety of the finished product. Thus, technologies that can effectively control microorganisms in fruit pieces are needed to manufacture carbonated beverages containing fruit pieces. Summary of the Invention

[0009] The purpose of this invention is to ensure product safety by effectively preventing microbial contamination of fruit particles contained in carbonated beverages.

[0010] The purpose of this invention is to maintain the carbonic acid concentration by suppressing the vaporization of carbonic acid gas caused by the rise in temperature inside the tank when filling the tank with carbonated water, thereby preventing the mixture from overflowing due to foaming.

[0011] The apparatus for manufacturing a carbonated beverage containing fruit particles according to the present invention may include: a heating device for heating and sterilizing a can containing fruit particles; a cooling device for cooling the can passing through the heating device; and a gasifier for injecting carbonated gas into the can passing through the cooling device, the cooling device including: a cooling water injection unit for injecting cooling water into the can; and a nitrogen injection unit for injecting nitrogen into the can.

[0012] Furthermore, the cooling water injection unit can spray cooling water to the outside of the tank, and the nitrogen injection unit can spray nitrogen to the inside of the tank.

[0013] Furthermore, the cooling water injection unit may include multiple cooling water injection pipes, which are respectively arranged near both sides of the conveyor belt that transports the tank along the moving direction of the conveyor belt, so as to cool the two sides of the tank. The multiple cooling water injection pipes include multiple cooling water injection nozzles that are spaced apart along the moving direction of the conveyor belt.

[0014] Furthermore, the nitrogen injection unit may include a nitrogen injection pipe disposed on the upper part of the tank as it moves with the conveyor belt, for cooling the interior of the tank.

[0015] Furthermore, the heating device may include a tunnel structure for heating and sterilizing the can containing the fruit particles by means of steam being introduced into and discharged from the heating device.

[0016] Furthermore, the cooling device may also include a foreign object prevention unit disposed on the upper part of the conveyor belt to prevent foreign objects from penetrating into the interior of the tank. The foreign object prevention unit is configured to be connected to both sides of the nitrogen injection unit along the moving direction of the conveyor belt.

[0017] The cooling device may further include a water collection unit disposed at the lower part of the conveyor belt to store cooling water sprayed from the cooling water injection unit. The water collection unit includes a discharge section to discharge the cooling water stored in the water collection unit to the lower part of the water collection unit.

[0018] Furthermore, the cooling water injection unit may also include multiple adjusting brackets disposed on both sides of the conveyor belt to adjust the height of the multiple cooling water injection pipes according to the height of the tank.

[0019] Furthermore, the conveyor belt may include a straight track and a curved track extending from the straight track, and the cooling device is arranged along the straight track.

[0020] Furthermore, the linear track may include a first linear track connected to the heating device and a second linear track spaced apart from the first linear track along the moving direction of the conveyor belt. The cooling device further includes: a first cooling device disposed on the first linear track; and a second cooling device disposed on the second linear track, the length of which along the moving direction of the conveyor belt is less than that of the first cooling device.

[0021] Furthermore, the nitrogen injection unit may include: a first nitrogen injection unit disposed at the rear end of the first linear track along the moving direction of the conveyor belt; and a second nitrogen injection unit disposed constant on the second linear track.

[0022] Another embodiment of the present invention of a carbonated beverage containing fruit particles may include: step (a) conveying a can containing the fruit particles by a conveyor belt to heat and sterilize the fruit particles by a heating device; step (b) cooling the can containing the heated and sterilized fruit particles by a cooling device; and step (c) injecting a mixture comprising carbonated water into the can containing the cooled fruit particles by an aerator.

[0023] Furthermore, in step (a), the can containing the fruit pieces can be heated and sterilized by steam for 10 to 15 minutes by the heating device at a temperature of 90°C to 95°C.

[0024] Furthermore, step (b) may include: step (b-1), spraying cooling water onto the outer side of the tank through a cooling water spraying unit; and step (b-2), spraying nitrogen into the interior of the tank through a nitrogen spraying unit.

[0025] Furthermore, in step (b), step (b-1) can be performed, and step (b-2) can be added during the process of performing step (b-1), thereby performing step (b-1) and step (b-2) simultaneously, and ending step (b-1) and step (b-2) at the same time.

[0026] Furthermore, step (b) may include the following steps: cooling the can containing the fruit particles by a first cooling device; and cooling the can containing the fruit particles by a second cooling device disposed at a distance from the first cooling device along the moving direction of the conveyor belt.

[0027] Another embodiment of the present invention of a carbonated beverage containing fruit pieces may include: fruit pieces comprising raw fruit pulp; a can containing the fruit pieces; and a mixture containing carbonic acid gas filled into the can containing the fruit pieces, wherein the fruit pieces are cooled to prevent the carbonic acid gas in the mixture filled into the can from vaporizing.

[0028] Furthermore, the fruit pieces may include fruit slices or diced fruit.

[0029] Furthermore, the fruit pieces may contain lemon chunks or grapefruit chunks.

[0030] Furthermore, the mixture may contain alcohol to sterilize the fruit particles contained in the container, which is made of transparent plastic.

[0031] Furthermore, the fruit pieces can be heated and then cooled in a manner that heats the microorganisms remaining in the fruit pieces, and the container for heating and cooling the fruit pieces is made of aluminum.

[0032] Furthermore, the fruit granules may contain 2% to 3% by weight.

[0033] The carbonated beverage containing fruit particles, the carbonated beverage manufacturing apparatus, and the carbonated beverage manufacturing method thereof of the present invention can effectively sterilize the fruit particles contained in the carbonated beverage to prevent microbial contamination, thereby improving product safety.

[0034] In the carbonated beverage containing fruit particles, the carbonated beverage manufacturing apparatus, and the carbonated beverage manufacturing method using the present invention, when carbonated water is filled into the tank, the carbonic acid concentration is maintained at a constant level by suppressing the vaporization of carbonic acid gas caused by the temperature rise inside the tank. High-pressure carbonic acid gas can be injected to prevent the mixture from overflowing due to foaming. Attached Figure Description

[0035] Figure 1 A diagram illustrating the apparatus for manufacturing a carbonated beverage containing fruit particles according to the present invention.

[0036] Figure 2 A diagram illustrating the heating device in the apparatus for manufacturing carbonated beverages containing fruit particles according to the present invention.

[0037] Figure 3 This diagram illustrates a first cooling device arranged on a first linear track in the apparatus for manufacturing a carbonated beverage containing fruit particles according to the present invention.

[0038] Figure 4 This diagram illustrates the second cooling device arranged on the second linear track in the carbonated beverage manufacturing apparatus containing fruit particles according to the present invention.

[0039] Figure 5 This diagram illustrates a cooling device viewed along the direction of movement of the conveyor belt in a carbonated beverage manufacturing apparatus containing fruit particles according to the present invention.

[0040] Figure 6 The diagram illustrates the step-by-step method for manufacturing a carbonated beverage containing fruit particles according to the present invention.

[0041] Figure 7 The diagram illustrates the heating / sterilization and cooling steps in the method for manufacturing a carbonated beverage containing fruit particles according to the present invention.

[0042] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures 1: Carbonated beverage manufacturing equipment; 10: Jar; 20: Heating device; 30: Cooling device; 30a: First cooling device; 30b: Second cooling device; 31: Cooling water injection unit; 32: Nitrogen injection unit; 33: Cooling water jet pipe; 34: Cooling water jet nozzle; 35: Nitrogen injection pipe; 36: Nitrogen supply pipe; 37: Foreign object protection unit; 38: Water collection unit; 39: Discharge section; 40: Adjustable bracket; 41: Fixed bracket; 50: Conveyor belt; 51: Straight track; 51a: First linear track; 51b: Second linear track; 52: Curved track; 52a: First curved track; 52b: Second curved track; 60: Inflator; P: Fruit granules. Detailed Implementation

[0043] The embodiments described in this specification and the structures shown in the figures are merely preferred examples of the disclosed invention. At the time of filing this application, there may be various modifications that can replace the embodiments and figures in this specification.

[0044] Furthermore, the same reference numerals or symbols disclosed in the various figures of this specification substantially denote components or structural elements that perform the same function. Also, the terminology used in this specification is for describing embodiments and is not intended to limit and / or define the disclosed invention. Unless explicitly stated in the context, singular expressions include plural expressions.

[0045] In this specification, terms such as “comprising” or “having” are used to specify the presence of features, figures, steps, actions, structural elements, components or combinations thereof described in the specification, and do not preclude the presence or additional possibility of one or more other features, figures, steps, actions, structural elements, components or combinations thereof.

[0046] Furthermore, the terms "first," "second," and other ordinal terms used in this specification may be used to describe a variety of structural elements. The structural elements are not limited to the terms used, and the terms are only used to distinguish one structural element from another.

[0047] On the other hand, the terms “front,” “rear,” “upper,” and “lower” used in the following description are defined based on the accompanying drawings, and the shape and position of each structural element are not limited to these terms.

[0048] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0049] Figure 1 A diagram illustrating the apparatus for manufacturing a carbonated beverage containing fruit particles according to the present invention. Figure 2 A diagram illustrating the heating device in the apparatus for manufacturing carbonated beverages containing fruit particles according to the present invention. Figure 3 This diagram illustrates a first cooling device arranged on a first linear track in the apparatus for manufacturing a carbonated beverage containing fruit particles according to the present invention. Figure 4 This diagram illustrates the second cooling device arranged on the second linear track in the carbonated beverage manufacturing apparatus containing fruit particles according to the present invention. Figure 5 This diagram illustrates a cooling device viewed along the direction of movement of the conveyor belt in a carbonated beverage manufacturing apparatus containing fruit particles according to the present invention.

[0050] Reference Figures 1 to 5 The apparatus 1 for manufacturing carbonated beverages containing fruit particles of the present invention may include: a heating device 20 for heating and sterilizing a can 10 containing fruit particles P; and a cooling device 30 for cooling the can 10 containing fruit particles P that has passed through the heating device 20.

[0051] Fruit pieces P may include fruit slices or diced fruit. Fruit pieces P may contain raw fruit pulp. Fruit pieces P can be contained inside the can 10 by manual or automatic processing. For example, when fruit pieces P are fruit slices, they can be manually contained inside the can 10 by the manufacturer; when fruit pieces P are diced fruit, they can be automatically contained inside the can 10 by a device. However, the present invention is not limited to this.

[0052] The carbonated beverage manufacturing apparatus 1 containing fruit particles may include: a conveyor belt 50 for conveying a can 10 containing fruit particles P; and an aerator 60 for injecting carbonic acid gas into the can 10 containing fruit particles P as it passes through a cooling device 30.

[0053] The heating device 20 can heat the can 10 containing fruit pieces P to sterilize the microorganisms in the fruit pieces P containing raw fruit pulp. The can 10 containing fruit pieces P can be transferred by the conveyor belt 50 and put into the interior of the heating device 20, where it is heated and sterilized, and can be discharged to the outside of the heating device 20.

[0054] The heating device 20 may include a tunnel structure to allow the container 10 containing the fruit pieces P to be fed in and discharged. However, the invention is not limited thereto.

[0055] Figure 2 The heating device 20 shown is a square box shape including an inlet and an outlet along the moving direction of the conveyor belt 50, but it is not limited to this. Within the range where the can containing fruit pieces P can be moved along the conveyor belt 50 and heated and sterilized by the heating device 20, it can be formed in various shapes.

[0056] The heating device 20 can use steam to heat and sterilize the can 10 containing fruit pieces P. However, the present invention is not limited to this; the heating device 20 can also use hot air or an electric light to heat and sterilize the can 10.

[0057] The heating device 20 can be set to an appropriate heating temperature and time according to the type of fruit pieces P and the material and size of the can 10. For example, when the can 10 is made of aluminum and the fruit pieces P are lemon slices, the heating device 20 can use steam at a temperature of 90°C or higher to heat and sterilize the can 10 containing the fruit pieces P for more than 10 minutes. Preferably, the heating device 20 can use steam at 93°C ± 2°C to heat and sterilize the can 10 containing the fruit pieces P for 10 to 15 minutes.

[0058] The tunnel structure of the heating device 20 can be configured such that the tank 10 is exposed to steam and heated for sterilization during its passage through the interior of the heating device 20. The length of the tunnel structure of the heating device 20 and the steam injection rate of the heating device 20 can be adjusted taking into account the size of the tank 10, the sterilization thermometer, the sterilization time, etc.

[0059] The heating device 20 may include a steam generator (not shown) for generating steam, a temperature regulating device (not shown) for maintaining a constant temperature inside the tunnel, or a steam injection device (not shown) for uniformly injecting steam into the tunnel.

[0060] The can 10 containing fruit pieces P, which is heated and sterilized by the heating device 20, can move along the conveyor belt 50 toward the cooling device 30.

[0061] Fruit Pieces P may contain raw fruit pulp. In order to be added to carbonated beverages, the microorganisms present in Fruit Pieces P containing raw fruit pulp need to be heated and sterilized.

[0062] However, when the carbonated beverage is an alcoholic beverage including whiskey, the alcohol in the whiskey can sterilize the microorganisms present in the fruit pieces P. In this case, the carbonated beverage manufacturing apparatus 1 containing fruit pieces P may not require a separate heating device 20.

[0063] Alternatively, when manufacturing carbonated beverages containing alcohol such as whiskey, the heating device 20 may not need to be activated. Therefore, the manufacturing time of carbonated beverages containing fruit pieces P can be reduced, and the effectiveness of the cooling process through the cooling device 30 can be improved.

[0064] The cooling device 30 can cool the can 10 containing fruit pieces P that has passed through the heating device 20. By heating the can 10 containing fruit pieces P, microorganisms present in the fruit pieces P are sterilized, thereby potentially increasing the temperature of the can 10 containing fruit pieces P.

[0065] During the process of filling the tank 10 containing fruit particles P with carbonated water containing carbon dioxide gas, it is necessary to lower the temperature of the tank 10 containing fruit particles P in order to improve the solubility of carbon dioxide gas.

[0066] Therefore, before filling the container 10 containing fruit pieces P with carbonated water via the aerator 60 and the heating device 20, the temperature of the container 10 containing fruit pieces P can be reduced by the cooling device 30.

[0067] The cooling device 30 may include a cooling water injection unit 31 for injecting cooling water into the tank 10 and a nitrogen injection unit 32 for injecting nitrogen into the tank 10. The cooling device 30 can effectively cool the outside and inside of the tank 10 to prevent the carbon dioxide gas in the carbonated water filled by the aerator 60 from vaporizing, thereby maintaining the quality of the carbonated beverage containing fruit pieces P.

[0068] The aerator 60 injects carbonated water containing carbon dioxide into the can 10 containing fruit pieces P, which is cooled by the cooling device 30, to produce a carbonated beverage. The aerator 60 can precisely control the amount of carbonated water containing carbon dioxide injected to produce a carbonated beverage with the desired carbonation concentration.

[0069] The cooling water injection unit 31 can spray cooling water to the outside of the tank 10. The nitrogen injection unit 32 can inject nitrogen into the inside of the tank 10.

[0070] The cooling water spraying unit 31 can uniformly spray cooling water onto the outer surface of the tank 10 to effectively cool the overall temperature of the tank 10. The cooling water spraying unit 31 may include a cooling water spray pipe 33, a cooling water spray nozzle 34, and an adjusting bracket 40, thereby adjusting the spray volume and spray angle of the cooling water sprayed onto the tank 10.

[0071] The nitrogen injection unit 32 can inject nitrogen into the interior of the tank 10 to reduce the temperature inside the tank 10, thereby preventing the carbon dioxide gas in the carbonated water filled by the aerator 60 from vaporizing.

[0072] Nitrogen gas can be evenly sprayed around the fruit pieces P inside the can 10, thereby maintaining the quality of the carbonated beverage containing the fruit pieces P and preserving the taste and aroma of the carbonated beverage.

[0073] The nitrogen injection unit 32 may include a nitrogen injection pipe 35 and a nitrogen supply pipe 36, thereby allowing adjustment of the amount of nitrogen injected into the interior of the can 10 containing the fruit granules P.

[0074] The cooling water spray unit 31 may include cooling water spray pipes 33 respectively disposed near the two sides of the conveyor belt 50 along the moving direction of the conveyor belt 50, so as to cool the two sides of the tank 10.

[0075] The cooling water jet pipe 33 may include multiple cooling water jet pipes 33. The multiple cooling water jet pipes 33 may include two cooling water jet pipes 33 respectively arranged near the two sides of the conveyor belt 50 of the transfer tank 10 along the moving direction of the conveyor belt 50.

[0076] The cooling water spray pipe 33 may include cooling water spray nozzles 34 spaced apart along the moving direction of the conveyor belt 50. The cooling water spray nozzles 34 may include a plurality of cooling water spray nozzles 34. The plurality of cooling water spray nozzles 34 may be arranged at predetermined intervals along the length of the cooling water spray pipe 33.

[0077] Multiple cooling water spray nozzles 34 may be arranged at predetermined intervals in each cooling water spray pipe 33. For example, multiple cooling water spray nozzles 34 may be arranged at 20mm intervals in the cooling water spray pipe 33. The cooling water spray nozzles 34 may include spray holes with a diameter of 1.8mm. However, the present invention is not limited thereto.

[0078] The spacing and size of the multiple cooling water spray nozzles 34 can be adjusted by taking into account the size of the tank 10, the amount of cooling water sprayed, and the cooling speed.

[0079] The cooling water spray unit 31 may include cooling water spray nozzles 34 that are inclined toward the side of the conveyor belt 50 of the transfer tank 10 near the side of the tank 10 to cool the side of the tank 10. The inclination angle of the cooling water spray nozzles 34 can be adjusted taking into account the size of the tank 10, the amount of cooling water sprayed, and the cooling speed.

[0080] The nitrogen injection unit 32 may include a nitrogen injection pipe 35 disposed on the upper part of the can 10 which is conveyed along the conveyor belt 50, for cooling the interior of the can 10. The nitrogen injection pipe 35 is disposed toward the interior of the can 10, so that nitrogen can be injected into the interior of the can 10 containing the fruit particles P.

[0081] The nitrogen injection pipe 35 may include multiple nitrogen injection pipes 35. The multiple nitrogen injection pipes 35 may be arranged at predetermined intervals. The nitrogen injection pipes 35 may be arranged along the moving path of the tank 10, and may continuously inject nitrogen into the interior of the tank 10 while the tank 10 moves along the conveyor belt 50.

[0082] A nitrogen injection pipe 35 is installed inside the tank 10, which is conveyed by the conveyor belt 50, so that nitrogen can be directly injected into the tank 1 containing the fruit pieces P. Thus, the fruit pieces P can be directly cooled by nitrogen.

[0083] In the carbonated beverage manufacturing apparatus 1 containing fruit pieces P of the present invention, during the process of the can 10 containing fruit pieces P being heated and sterilized by the heating device 20 being moved along the conveyor belt 50, the outside of the can 10 can be cooled by the cooling water spray unit 31, thereby indirectly cooling the fruit pieces P, and the fruit pieces P contained inside the can 10 can be directly cooled by the nitrogen spray unit 32.

[0084] The nitrogen injection unit 32 may include a nitrogen supply pipe 36 for supplying nitrogen to the nitrogen injection pipe 35. The nitrogen supply pipe 36 may include multiple nitrogen supply pipes 36. The nitrogen supply pipe 36 may be disposed at the upper part of the nitrogen injection pipe 35. However, the present invention is not limited thereto.

[0085] The carbonated beverage manufacturing apparatus 1 containing fruit particles P of the present invention may include a nitrogen connection pipe (not shown) connecting a plurality of nitrogen injection pipes 35 and a plurality of nitrogen supply pipes 36.

[0086] The cooling device 30 may include a foreign object prevention unit 37 disposed on the upper part of the conveyor belt 50 to prevent foreign objects from penetrating into the interior of the tank 10. The foreign object prevention unit 37 may be disposed on the upper part of the tank 10.

[0087] The foreign object prevention unit 37 can be disposed on the upper part of the conveyor belt 50, thereby covering the open upper part of the tank 10. The foreign object prevention unit 37 may include a cover shape with a curved portion. However, the present invention is not limited thereto.

[0088] The foreign object prevention unit 37 can be configured to connect to both sides of the nitrogen injection unit 32 along the moving direction of the conveyor belt 50. Since the foreign object prevention unit 37 can connect to both sides of the nitrogen injection unit 32 along the moving direction of the conveyor belt 50, the foreign object prevention unit 37 can continue to cover the upper part of the tank 10 while the tank 10 moves along the conveyor belt 50.

[0089] The upper part of the can 10 can be opened to allow nitrogen gas injected from the nitrogen injection pipe 35, which is used to directly cool the interior of the can 10 containing fruit granules P, to be introduced into the interior of the can 10, which can cover the open upper part of the can 10 through the foreign object protection unit 37.

[0090] The foreign object prevention unit 37 can be formed in a lengthwise manner along the moving direction of the conveyor belt 50 on which the cooling device 30 is installed.

[0091] The cooling device 30 may include a water collection unit 38 disposed at the lower part of the conveyor belt 50 to store the cooling water sprayed from the cooling water spraying unit 31. The water collection unit 38 may be disposed at the lower part of the conveyor belt 50 so as to collect the cooling water sprayed from the cooling water spraying unit 31 outside the tank 10.

[0092] The water collection unit 38 can be installed at the bottom of the tank 10. The water collection unit 38 can be formed in an elongated manner along the moving direction of the conveyor belt 50 on which the cooling device 30 is installed.

[0093] The water collection unit 38 may include a discharge section 39 for discharging cooling water stored in the water collection unit 38 to its lower part. The discharge section 39 may be located at the lower part of the water collection unit 38, and the cooling water can be discharged by gravity. The cooling water discharged to the outside of the water collection unit 38 through the discharge section 39 may be recycled or discarded.

[0094] The cooling water injection unit 31 may include multiple adjusting brackets 40 disposed on both sides of the conveyor belt 50 to adjust the height of multiple cooling water injection pipes 33 according to the height of the tank 10.

[0095] The adjustable bracket 40 can adjust the height of the cooling water spray pipe 33 and change the cooling water spray height according to the size of the tank 10.

[0096] Adjustable brackets 40 can be installed on both sides of the conveyor belt 50 to stably support the cooling water spray pipe 33 and adjust its height. The adjustable brackets 40 can be adjusted manually or automatically, and can be linked to a separate sensor (not shown) that detects the height of the tank 10 to automatically adjust the height of the cooling water spray pipe 33. However, the invention is not limited to this.

[0097] One end of the adjusting bracket 40 can be fastened to the lower part of the conveyor belt 50, and the other end of the adjusting bracket 40 can be fastened to the anti-foreign object unit 37. The cooling water spray pipe 33 can be configured to move between one end and the other end of the adjusting bracket 40, so as to adjust the height of the sprayed cooling water according to the height of the tank 10.

[0098] The adjusting bracket 40 may include multiple adjusting brackets 40. Multiple adjusting brackets 40 may be respectively arranged on both sides of the conveyor belt 50. Multiple adjusting brackets 40 arranged on both sides of the conveyor belt 50 may be respectively arranged on one side of the conveyor belt 50. However, the present invention is not limited thereto.

[0099] The carbonated beverage manufacturing apparatus 1 containing fruit particles P of the present invention may include: a nitrogen injection unit 32, which is disposed on the upper part of the conveyor belt 50 together with the adjusting bracket 40; and a fixing bracket 41, which is fixedly fastened to the lower part of the conveyor belt 50 in a manner that secures the anti-foreign object unit 37.

[0100] The fixed bracket 41 may include multiple fixed brackets 41. The fixed brackets 41 may be located near the adjusting bracket 40. One end of the fixed bracket 41 may be fastened to the lower part of the conveyor belt 50, and the other end of the fixed bracket 41 may be fastened to the anti-foreign object unit 37. However, the present invention is not limited thereto.

[0101] The conveyor belt 50 may include a straight track 51 and a curved track 52 extending from the straight track 51. The cooling device 30 of the carbonated beverage manufacturing apparatus 1 containing fruit particles P of the present invention may be arranged along the straight track 51.

[0102] The straight track 51 can be used to move the tank 10 along a specified direction, and the curved track 52 can be used to change the direction of movement of the tank 10. However, the present invention is not limited thereto.

[0103] The linear track 51 may include a first linear track 51a connected to the heating device 20 and a second linear track 51b disposed separately from the first linear track 51a along the moving direction of the conveyor belt 50.

[0104] The curved track 52 may include a first curved track 52a disposed between the first straight track 51a and the second straight track 51b, and a second curved track 52b disposed between the second straight track 51b and the inflator 60.

[0105] The first linear track 51a may be longer than the second linear track 51b. For example, the length of the first linear track 51a may be 2500mm to 3000mm, and the length of the second linear track 51b may be 1000mm to 1500mm. Preferably, the length of the first linear track 51a may be 2720mm, and the length of the second linear track 51b may be 1100mm. However, the present invention is not limited thereto.

[0106] The radius of curvature of the curved track 52 can be 400mm to 600mm. Preferably, the radius of curvature of the curved track 52 can be 500mm. The first curved track 52a and the second curved track 52b can be arranged facing each other. However, the present invention is not limited thereto.

[0107] The cooling device 30 may include a first cooling device 30a disposed on the first linear track 51a and a second cooling device 30b disposed on the second linear track 51b. The length of the second cooling device 30b along the moving direction of the conveyor belt 50 may be less than the length of the first cooling device 30a.

[0108] The length of the first cooling device 30a can be 2500mm to 2800mm. The length of the second cooling device 30b can be 1000mm to 1200mm. Preferably, the length of the first cooling device 30a can be 2650mm, and the length of the second cooling device 30b can be 1080mm.

[0109] Therefore, after the can 10 containing fruit pieces P, which is conveyed along the conveyor belt 50, is cooled by the first cooling device 30a, it can be cooled once by the second cooling device 30b. The length of the first cooling device 30a is greater than the length of the second cooling device 30b, so the can 10 can be cooled for a longer period of time while passing through the first cooling device 30a.

[0110] The first cooling device 30a may include a first cooling water injection unit 31a, a first nitrogen injection unit 32a, a first foreign object prevention unit 37a, a first water collection unit 38a, a first adjusting bracket 40a, and a first fixed bracket 41a.

[0111] The first cooling water injection unit 31a may include a first cooling water injection pipe 33a and a first cooling water injection nozzle 34a. The first nitrogen injection unit 32a may include a first nitrogen injection pipe 35a and a first nitrogen supply pipe 36a. The first water collection unit 38a may include a first discharge section 39a.

[0112] The second cooling device 30b may include a second cooling water injection unit 31b, a second nitrogen injection unit 32b, a second foreign object prevention unit 37b, a second water collection unit 38b, a second adjusting bracket 40b, and a second fixed bracket 41b.

[0113] The second cooling water injection unit 31b may include a second cooling water injection pipe 33b and a second cooling water injection nozzle 34b. The second nitrogen injection unit 32b may include a second nitrogen injection pipe 35b and a second nitrogen supply pipe 36b. The second water collection unit 38b may include a second discharge section 39b.

[0114] The cooling water spray unit 31 may include a first cooling water spray unit 31a disposed along the moving direction of the conveyor belt 50 on the entire first linear track 51a and a second cooling water spray unit 31b disposed along the entire second linear track 51b.

[0115] The nitrogen injection unit 32 may include a first nitrogen injection unit 32a disposed at the rear end of the first linear track 51a along the moving direction of the conveyor belt 50 and a second nitrogen injection unit 32b disposed throughout the second linear track 51b.

[0116] That is, the cooling water injection unit 31 can cool the outside of the tank 10 throughout the entire process of the tank 10 moving along the conveyor belt 50, and the second nitrogen injection unit 32b can cool the inside of the tank 10 throughout the entire process of the tank 10 moving along the second linear track 51b.

[0117] The first nitrogen injection unit 32a can cool the interior of the tank 10 during a portion of its movement along the first linear track 51a. The first nitrogen injection unit 32a can also cool the interior of the tank 10 during the latter half of its movement along the first linear track 51a.

[0118] That is, the nitrogen injection unit 32 can continuously cool the inside of the tank 10 through the first nitrogen injection unit 32a provided at the rear end of the first linear track 51a and the second nitrogen injection unit 32b provided throughout the second linear track 51b.

[0119] The first nitrogen injection unit 32a can be disposed at the rear end of the first linear track 51a, so that the interior of the tank 10, which is cooled and transferred by the first cooling water injection unit 31a, can be additionally cooled.

[0120] That is, the second nitrogen injection unit 32b can be arranged together with the second cooling water injection unit 31b in the entire installation area, so as to cool the inside and outside of the tank 10 simultaneously. The first nitrogen injection unit 31a can be arranged together with a part of the installation area of ​​the first cooling water injection unit 31a, so as to cool the inside and outside of the tank 10 simultaneously in part of the process. However, the present invention is not limited to this.

[0121] The nitrogen injection unit 32 of the apparatus 1 for manufacturing carbonated beverages containing fruit pieces P of the present invention is provided at the rear end of the first linear track 51a and the second linear track 51b, thereby allowing concentrated cooling of the interior of the can containing fruit pieces P before the carbonated water containing carbonic acid gas is filled by the aerator 60.

[0122] Therefore, the temperature of the tank 10, which can increase the solubility of carbon dioxide gas and prevent vaporization, can be ensured, thereby preventing the formation of bubbles in the carbonated water during the process of filling the tank 10 with carbonated water containing carbon dioxide gas.

[0123] The first cooling device 30a includes three first adjusting brackets 40a and three first fixed brackets 41a, which are spaced apart and arranged on both sides of the conveyor belt 50. The first cooling device 30a may include 128 first cooling water spray nozzles 34a spaced apart on both sides of the conveyor belt 50. However, the present invention is not limited thereto.

[0124] The first cooling device 30a may include five first nitrogen injection pipes 35a and one first nitrogen supply pipe 36a arranged spaced apart from each other. The first cooling device 30a may include two first discharge sections 39a arranged spaced apart from each other. However, the present invention is not limited thereto.

[0125] The second cooling device 30b, spaced apart on both sides of the conveyor belt 50, may include two second adjusting brackets 40b and two second fixed brackets 41b. The second cooling device 30b may include 50 second cooling water spray nozzles 34b spaced apart on both sides of the conveyor belt 50. However, the present invention is not limited thereto.

[0126] The second cooling device 30b may include 11 second nitrogen injection pipes 35b and 2 second nitrogen supply pipes 36b arranged spaced apart from each other. The second nitrogen injection pipes 35b may be arranged at predetermined intervals. The second nitrogen supply pipes 36b may be located at one end and the other end of the second linear track 51b. The second cooling device 30b may include a second discharge section 39b; however, the present invention is not limited thereto.

[0127] Figure 6 The diagram illustrates the step-by-step method for manufacturing a carbonated beverage containing fruit particles according to the present invention. Figure 7 The diagram illustrates the heating / sterilization and cooling steps in the method for manufacturing a carbonated beverage containing fruit particles according to the present invention.

[0128] The following is for reference Figures 1 to 7 The present invention provides a detailed description of the method for manufacturing a carbonated beverage containing fruit particles.

[0129] The method for manufacturing a carbonated beverage containing fruit particles according to the present invention may include a mixing step S0, a heating / sterilization step a, a cooling step b, and a filling step c.

[0130] Step S0, the mixture preparation step, involves dissolving the raw materials in warm water according to the mixing ratio of the components. The mixture may contain fruit flavorings or fragrances corresponding to the fruit pieces P. For example, when fruit pieces P contain lemon chunks, the mixture may contain at least one of erythritol, carbon dioxide, citric acid, lemon concentrate, trisodium citrate, vitamin C, sucralose, acesulfame potassium, lemon flavoring, natural flavoring, honey flavoring, and purified water.

[0131] When the fruit granules P contain grapefruit chunks, the mixture may contain at least one of the following: erythritol, carbon dioxide, citric acid, red grapefruit concentrate, trisodium citrate, vitamin C, sucralose, acesulfame potassium, quinine hydrochloride, grapefruit flavoring, and purified water.

[0132] However, the present invention is not limited to this. In addition to lemon or grapefruit pieces, the fruit pieces P may include pineapple pieces, lychee pieces, mango pieces, peach pieces, grape pieces, and other types of fruit pieces P.

[0133] The mixture, prepared by dissolving the raw materials in warm water, can be sterilized at 95°C to 100°C for 20 to 60 seconds and then cooled, so that it can be stored in a separate storage tank (not shown). Preferably, the mixture can be sterilized at 98°C ± 2°C for 30 seconds and then cooled, so that it can be stored in a storage tank (not shown).

[0134] Heating / sterilization step a can be performed at 1.0 kg / cm³. 2 The inside of the pressure-controlled cleaning tank 10 can be filled with fruit granules P.

[0135] When the fruit piece P is a slice of fruit, the manufacturer can manually put the sliced ​​fruit piece P into the can 10. When the fruit piece P is a diced fruit, the diced fruit piece P can be automatically put into the can 10 through a separate feeding device (not shown).

[0136] Fruit pieces P may be present in the carbonated beverage containing a mixture of fruit pieces P and carbonated water at a weight percentage of 2 to 3%. Preferably, fruit pieces P may be present in the carbonated beverage at a weight percentage of 2.85. However, the invention is not limited thereto.

[0137] The can 10 containing fruit pieces P can be transferred by the conveyor belt 50, and the can 10 containing fruit pieces P can be heated and sterilized by the heating device 20.

[0138] In heating / sterilization step a, the can 10 containing fruit pieces P is heated and sterilized at a temperature of 90°C to 95°C for 10 to 15 minutes by a heating device 20 including a tunnel structure. Preferably, the can 10 containing fruit pieces P can be heated and sterilized at a temperature of 93°C ± 2°C for more than 10 minutes.

[0139] The method for manufacturing carbonated beverages containing fruit pieces of the present invention can maximize the sterilization of microorganisms remaining in the fruit pieces P containing raw fruit pulp by means of the heating / sterilization step a.

[0140] The can 10 containing fruit pieces P, which is heated / sterilized, can be made of aluminum. However, the invention is not limited to this, and the can 10 can be made of various materials that are heat-resistant and do not deform at the temperature required to heat / sterilize the fruit pieces P contained in the can 10.

[0141] On the other hand, when the carbonated beverage is an alcoholic beverage including whiskey, the alcohol in the whiskey can sterilize the microorganisms present in the fruit particles P. Therefore, in this case, the separate heating / sterilization step a can be omitted.

[0142] Since the heating / sterilization step a is omitted, the manufacturing time of the carbonated beverage containing fruit pieces P can be reduced. The temperature at which the fruit pieces P contained in the can 10 are heated / sterilized is heat-resistant. Therefore, the can 10 can be made of plastic instead of aluminum.

[0143] Furthermore, the can 10 may include a transparent material so that the fruit particles P contained inside the can 10 can be seen with the naked eye from the outside. The can 10 may include a transparent plastic material.

[0144] Cooling step b can be performed by cooling device 30 to cool the can containing fruit pieces P that has been heated and sterilized. The can containing fruit pieces P can be cooled by cooling device 30 as it is transferred by conveyor belt 50 through heating device 20.

[0145] The cooling step b may include step b-1, which involves spraying cooling water into the tank 10 through the cooling water spraying unit 31, and step b-2, which involves spraying nitrogen into the tank 10 through the nitrogen spraying unit 32.

[0146] In step b-1, cooling water can be sprayed onto the outer side of the tank 10 through the cooling water spraying unit 31, and in step b-2, nitrogen can be sprayed into the interior of the tank 10 through the nitrogen spraying unit 32.

[0147] Step b can begin from step b-1. While performing step b-1, step b-2 can be performed simultaneously, and steps b-1 and b-2 can end together.

[0148] That is, the can containing fruit pieces P, which is transported along the straight track 51, is cooled by the cooling water spray unit 31 throughout the transport process, and in part of the process, it can be further cooled by the nitrogen spray unit 32.

[0149] Step b may include the following steps: cooling the can 10 containing fruit pieces P by a first cooling device 30a provided on the first linear track 51a and cooling the can 10 containing fruit pieces P by a second cooling device 30b provided on the second linear track 52a.

[0150] The method for manufacturing a carbonated beverage containing fruit particles of the present invention can reduce the temperature of the heated can 10 containing fruit particles P by cooling step b, thereby preventing the carbon dioxide gas of the carbonated water filled into the can 10 by the aerator 60 from vaporizing.

[0151] In filling step c, a mixture of carbonated water stored in a storage tank (not shown) can be injected into the tank containing fruit pieces P, which is cooled by the cooling device 30, via the aerator 60.

[0152] Before filling step c, the can 10 containing the fruit pieces P can be cooled by the second cooling device 30b, and then carbonated water is filled by the aerator 60. The carbonated gas pressure of the aerator 60 can be injected to a volume of 3.0 ± 0.3. However, the present invention is not limited thereto.

[0153] The method for manufacturing a carbonated beverage containing fruit particles according to the present invention allows the filling step c to be performed after the cooling step b. This prevents foaming that may occur when filling the can 10 with a mixture of carbonated water and carbonated water containing carbon dioxide. Consequently, when sealing the product after filling, it prevents the filled mixture from overflowing to the outside of the can 10. Therefore, the filling speed can be increased by using the aerator 60, and the productivity of the product can be improved.

[0154] After filling step c, the can 10 containing fruit pieces P passes through a heating tunnel (not shown) and is heated to a temperature of approximately 40°C. It can be stamped with digital codes such as expiration date, and the weight of the product and any abnormalities can be checked. Products without abnormalities can be packaged for shipment.

[0155] The technical concept of the present invention described above has been illustrated through specific embodiments, but the scope of protection of the present invention is not limited to these embodiments.

[0156] Within the scope of the technical concept of the invention as expressly stated in the claims, any modifications or variations that can be made by those skilled in the art to which this invention pertains also fall within the scope of protection of this invention.

Claims

1. An apparatus for manufacturing a carbonated beverage containing fruit particles, characterized in that, include: Heating device to heat and sterilize the can containing fruit pieces; A cooling device for cooling the tank passing through the heating device; and The gasifier injects carbon dioxide gas into the tank passing through the cooling device. The cooling device includes: A cooling water injection unit sprays cooling water into the tank; and A nitrogen injection unit injects nitrogen into the tank.

2. The apparatus for manufacturing a carbonated beverage containing fruit particles according to claim 1, characterized in that, The cooling water injection unit sprays cooling water to the outside of the tank. The nitrogen injection unit injects nitrogen into the interior of the tank.

3. The apparatus for manufacturing a carbonated beverage containing fruit particles according to claim 2, characterized in that, The cooling water injection unit includes multiple cooling water injection pipes, which are respectively arranged near both sides of the conveyor belt that transports the tank along the moving direction of the conveyor belt, in order to cool the two sides of the tank. The plurality of cooling water jet pipes include a plurality of cooling water jet nozzles spaced apart along the moving direction of the conveyor belt.

4. The apparatus for manufacturing a carbonated beverage containing fruit particles according to claim 3, characterized in that, The nitrogen injection unit includes a nitrogen injection pipe disposed on the upper part of the tank as it moves with the conveyor belt, for cooling the interior of the tank.

5. The manufacturing apparatus for a carbonated beverage containing fruit pieces according to Claim 1, wherein The heating device includes a tunnel structure, through which steam is introduced into and discharged from the heating device to heat and sterilize the can containing the fruit particles.

6. The apparatus for manufacturing a carbonated beverage containing fruit particles according to claim 3, characterized in that, The cooling device also includes a foreign object prevention unit disposed above the conveyor belt to prevent foreign objects from penetrating into the interior of the tank. The foreign object prevention unit is configured to be connected to both sides of the nitrogen injection unit along the moving direction of the conveyor belt.

7. The apparatus for manufacturing a carbonated beverage containing fruit particles according to claim 3, characterized in that, The cooling device also includes a water collection unit disposed at the lower part of the conveyor belt to store the cooling water sprayed from the cooling water spraying unit. The water collection unit includes a discharge section that discharges cooling water stored in the water collection unit to the lower part of the water collection unit.

8. The manufacturing apparatus for a carbonated beverage containing fruit pieces according to claim 3, characterized by The cooling water injection unit also includes multiple adjusting brackets disposed on both sides of the conveyor belt to adjust the height of the multiple cooling water injection pipes according to the height of the tank.

9. The apparatus for manufacturing a carbonated beverage containing fruit particles according to claim 3, characterized in that, The conveyor belt includes a straight track and a curved track extending from the straight track. The cooling device is arranged along the straight track.

10. The apparatus for manufacturing a carbonated beverage containing fruit particles according to claim 9, characterized in that, The linear track includes a first linear track connected to the heating device and a second linear track spaced apart from the first linear track along the moving direction of the conveyor belt. The cooling device also includes: A first cooling device is disposed on the first linear track; and The second cooling device is installed on the second linear track, and its length along the moving direction of the conveyor belt is less than that of the first cooling device.

11. The manufacturing apparatus for a carbonated beverage containing fruit pieces according to claim 10, characterized by The nitrogen injection unit includes: A first nitrogen injection unit is disposed at the rear end of the first linear track along the moving direction of the conveyor belt; and The second nitrogen injection unit is constantly positioned on the second linear track.

12. A method of manufacturing a carbonated beverage comprising fruit particles, characterized in that, include: Step (a): The can containing the fruit pieces is transferred by a conveyor belt and heated and sterilized by a heating device. Step (b) involves cooling the can containing the heated and sterilized fruit pieces using a cooling device; and Step (c) involves injecting a mixture of carbonated water into the tank containing the cooled fruit pieces via an aerator.

13. The method for manufacturing a carbonated beverage containing fruit particles according to claim 12, characterized in that, In step (a), the can containing the fruit pieces is heated and sterilized by steam for 10 to 15 minutes by the heating device at a temperature of 90°C to 95°C.

14. The method for manufacturing a carbonated beverage containing fruit particles according to claim 12, characterized in that, Step (b) includes: Step (b-1), cooling water is sprayed onto the outer surface of the tank via a cooling water spray unit; and Step (b-2): Nitrogen gas is injected into the interior of the tank through a nitrogen injection unit.

15. The method for manufacturing a carbonated beverage containing fruit particles according to claim 14, characterized in that, In step (b), step (b-1) is performed, and step (b-2) is added during the process of performing step (b-1), thereby performing step (b-1) and step (b-2) simultaneously. Simultaneously, steps (b-1) and (b-2) are terminated.

16. The method for manufacturing a carbonated beverage containing fruit particles according to claim 14, characterized in that, Step (b) includes the following steps: The can containing the fruit pieces is cooled by a first cooling device; and The can containing the fruit pieces is cooled by a second cooling device that is spaced apart from the first cooling device along the direction of movement of the conveyor belt.

17. A carbonated beverage containing fruit pieces, characterized in that, include: Fruit pieces, including raw fruit pulp; A jar, containing the fruit pieces; and The mixture contains carbonic acid gas, which is then added to the container holding the fruit particles. The fruit pieces are cooled to prevent the carbon dioxide gas in the mixture being filled into the tank from vaporizing.

18. The carbonated beverage containing fruit particles according to claim 17, characterized in that, The fruit pieces include fruit slices or diced fruit.

19. The carbonated beverage containing fruit particles according to claim 17, characterized in that, The fruit pieces include at least one of the following: lemon pieces, pineapple pieces, lychee pieces, mango pieces, peach pieces, grape pieces, or grapefruit pieces.

20. The carbonated beverage containing fruit particles according to claim 17, characterized in that, The mixture contains alcohol to sterilize the fruit pieces contained in the container. The can is made of transparent plastic.

21. The carbonated beverage containing fruit particles according to claim 17, characterized in that, The fruit granules are heated and then cooled in a manner that heats the microorganisms remaining in the fruit granules. The can containing the fruit pieces, including the heating and cooling processes, is made of aluminum.

22. The carbonated beverage containing fruit particles according to claim 17, characterized in that, The fruit berries contain 2% to 3% by weight.

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