Horizontal continuous sterilization machine

Abstract

The utility model discloses a horizontal continuous sterilization machine which comprises a sterilization kettle used for continuous sterilization, the sterilization kettle comprises a feeding end and a discharging end, and the feeding end and the discharging end of the sterilization kettle are respectively connected with a transfer channel. Channel opening and closing devices are mounted at the positions, close to the sterilization kettle and far away from the sterilization kettle, of the transfer channel correspondingly, and the transfer channel between the two channel opening and closing devices forms a transfer flat pressing space; the transfer flat pressing space is connected with a high-pressure flat pressing pipeline communicated with the inner space of the sterilization kettle and a normal-pressure flat pressing pipeline communicated with the outer space of the sterilization kettle, a high-pressure control valve is arranged on the high-pressure flat pressing pipeline, and a normal-pressure control valve is arranged on the normal-pressure flat pressing pipeline. The device is compact in structure, can keep a high-temperature and high-pressure sterilization environment, remarkably reduces waiting time before sterilization, and is high in sterilization treatment efficiency.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The utility model relates to the technical field of food sterilization equipment, in particular to a horizontal continuous sterilizer. Background Art

[0002] Food sterilization is the process of killing or removing microorganisms in food ingredients or processed products to stabilize food quality and extend its shelf life. Among them, continuous sterilization is becoming one of the increasingly popular sterilization processes due to its high efficiency and energy conservation. However, continuous food sterilization is currently mainly achieved through sterilization processes such as pasteurization or microwave sterilization. The main reason for this is that the equipment in these processes does not need to withstand pressure and has low sealing requirements. However, in actual production, many foods, especially packaged foods, need to be sterilized at high temperatures. The sterilization process requires a certain pressure environment. Currently, continuous sterilization is not applicable to this high-temperature and high-pressure sterilization process, so batch sterilization is mainly used.

[0003] This retort feeds the product to be sterilized in batches, requiring a waiting time before entering the retort. The longer this waiting time, the more bacteria can multiply within the product. Consequently, the initial bacterial counts of earlier and later products in each batch can differ significantly. To ensure that even earlier products meet sterilization requirements, the sterilization intensity must be increased, such as by raising the sterilization temperature, extending the sterilization time, or increasing the sterilization pressure. However, increasing sterilization intensity not only consumes more resources but can also affect product taste and flavor. While multiple parallel retorts can be used to reduce product sterilization waiting times, this approach requires complex loading and unloading and transportation equipment, requiring significant investment and space. Utility Model Content

[0004] The technical problem to be solved by the utility model is to provide a horizontal continuous sterilizer which has a compact structure, can maintain a high temperature and high pressure sterilization environment, significantly reduces the waiting time before sterilization, and has high sterilization efficiency.

[0005] In order to solve the above technical problems, the technical solution of the utility model is: a horizontal continuous sterilizer, including a sterilization kettle for continuous sterilization, the sterilization kettle including a feed end and a discharge end, the feed end and the discharge end of the sterilization kettle are respectively connected to a transfer channel, the transfer channel is respectively installed with a channel opening and closing device at a position close to the sterilization kettle and away from the sterilization kettle, the transfer channel between the two channel opening and closing devices constitutes a transfer equalization space, the transfer equalization space is connected with a high-pressure equalization pipeline connected to the inner space of the sterilization kettle and a normal-pressure equalization pipeline connected to the outer space of the sterilization kettle, a high-pressure control valve is provided on the high-pressure equalization pipeline, and a normal-pressure control valve is provided on the normal-pressure equalization pipeline.

[0006] As a preferred technical solution, the sterilization kettle includes a horizontally arranged tank body, a sterilization conveying device for conveying from the feed end to the discharge end is provided in the tank body, and a sterilization medium supply device is provided on the tank body.

[0007] As a preferred technical solution, several partition walls are provided inside the tank body along the conveying direction, and the partition walls divide the inner space of the tank body into at least a feeding waiting area located at the feeding end, a discharging waiting area located at the discharging end, and several sterilization areas located between the feeding waiting area and the discharging waiting area. The sterilization medium supply device is respectively provided at each of the sterilization areas on the tank body; and a contoured passage is provided on the partition wall.

[0008] As a preferred technical solution, the sterilization medium supply device includes a medium circulation pump, a circulating return pipe is provided between the liquid inlet of the medium circulation pump and the bottom wall corresponding to the sterilization area, a sprayer for spraying the sterilization medium is provided on the side wall and / or top wall of the sterilization area, a circulating supply pipe is provided between the liquid outlet of the medium circulation pump and the sprayer corresponding to the sterilization area, and a heat exchange device is provided on the circulating supply pipe.

[0009] As a preferred technical solution, the sterilization zone includes a temperature rising zone, a high temperature zone and a temperature falling zone arranged in sequence along the conveying direction.

[0010] As a preferred technical solution, the feeding waiting area and the discharging waiting area are respectively provided with waiting area conveying devices that form continuous conveying with the sterilization conveying device, and a transfer lifting device is provided between the waiting area conveying device and the tank body.

[0011] As a preferred technical solution, a transfer conveying device is installed in the transfer channel.

[0012] As a preferred technical solution, the channel opening and closing device includes an opening and closing gate, and the opening and closing gate is connected to an opening and closing controller.

[0013] Due to the adoption of the above technical solution, during operation of the present invention, at the feed end, the high-pressure control valve is first closed and the normal-pressure control valve is opened, achieving a pressure equal to the external normal pressure in the transfer equalization space. The channel opening and closing device away from the retort is opened, and the sterilization container is conveyed into the transfer equalization space. The channel opening and closing device away from the retort is then closed, the normal-pressure control valve is closed, and the high-pressure control valve is opened, achieving a pressure equal to the high pressure in the retort in the transfer equalization space. The channel opening and closing device close to the retort is opened, and the sterilization container is conveyed from the transfer equalization space into the retort. The output principle at the discharge end is the opposite of the input principle described above. By providing the intermediate pressure-equalizing space and coordinating the high-pressure control valve and the normal-pressure control valve, there is no significant pressure loss during the transfer of the sterilization container into and out of the retort, and no significant loss of the sterilization medium within the retort. As a result, the retort can maintain the required high-temperature and high-pressure environment for continuous sterilization, and the transfer of the sterilization container into and out of the retort also forms a continuous operation. This significantly reduces the waiting time before sterilization, allowing food to enter the retort with a relatively stable initial bacterial load. This not only achieves high sterilization efficiency and good sterilization effect, but also minimizes the impact on taste and flavor, helping to ensure the stability of the final product quality. This embodiment utilizes the retort in conjunction with the intermediate channel for input and output to achieve continuous food sterilization, eliminating the need for complex transfer equipment arrangements, resulting in a compact structure and a small footprint. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0014] The following drawings are intended only to illustrate and explain the present invention, and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention.

[0015] Figure 1 This is a top-view cross-sectional structural principle diagram of the first embodiment of the present utility model;

[0016] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 A magnified schematic diagram of the AA structure;

[0017] Figure 3 yes Figure 1 A magnified schematic diagram of the middle BB structure;

[0018] Figure 4 yes Figure 1 Schematic diagram of CC structure;

[0019] Figure 5 yes Figure 4 A magnified schematic diagram of the DD structure;

[0020] Figure 6 This is a cross-sectional structural principle diagram of the second embodiment of the present invention.

[0021] In the figure: 1- sterilization kettle; 11- tank body; 111- feed end; 112- discharge end; 12- partition wall; 121- profiled passage; 13- feed waiting area; 14- discharge waiting area; 15- sterilization area; 151- heating area; 152- high temperature area; 153- cooling area; 2- sterilization conveying device; 3- sterilization medium supply device; 31- medium circulation pump; 32- circulation return pipe; 33- sprayer; 34- circulation supply pipe; 35- heat exchange device; 4- transfer channel; 41- channel opening and closing device; 42- transfer equalization space; 43- high pressure equalization pipeline; 44- high pressure control valve; 45- normal pressure equalization pipeline; 46- normal pressure control valve; 47- transfer conveying device; 5- waiting area conveying device; 51- lifting device; 9- sterilization container; 91- sterilization tray; 92- food. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0022] The present invention is further described below with reference to the accompanying drawings and examples. In the detailed description that follows, certain exemplary embodiments of the present invention are described by way of illustration only. It goes without saying that those skilled in the art will recognize that the described embodiments may be modified in various ways without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Therefore, the drawings and description are illustrative in nature and are not intended to limit the scope of the claims.

[0023] Example 1: Figures 1 to 5 As shown, the horizontal continuous sterilizer includes a sterilizer 1 for continuous sterilization, wherein the sterilizer 1 includes a feed end 111 and a discharge end 112. The sterilizer 1 utilizes a high temperature and high pressure environment to continuously sterilize the food 92 conveyed from the feed end 111 to the discharge end 112.

[0024] Specifically, the retort 1 includes a horizontally arranged tank body 11, and a sterilization conveying device 2 is provided in the tank body 11 for conveying from the feed end 111 to the discharge end 112. During actual production, food 92 is stacked on the sterilization container 9, which is seated on the sterilization conveying device 2. Relying on the conveyance of the sterilization conveying device 2, the food 92 is continuously conveyed. The sterilization container 9 can be a sterilization basket or a stack of sterilization trays 91, which is not limited here. In this embodiment, a stack of sterilization trays 91 is used for illustration. The sterilization conveying device 2 can be implemented using a chain or belt conveying structure that can drive the sterilization container 9. This is not limited here. Of course, the drive motor of the chain or belt conveying structure is preferably arranged outside the tank body 11, and the drive transmission is achieved through a transmission shaft passing through the tank body 11.

[0025] The tank body 11 is provided with a sterilizing medium supply device 3, which supplies a sterilizing medium, thereby creating a high-temperature environment within the retort 1 and a high-pressure environment higher than the ambient pressure. The sterilizing medium can be water or steam, without limitation.

[0026] In this embodiment, a plurality of partition walls 12 are provided in the tank body 11 along the conveying direction, and the partition walls 12 divide the inner space of the tank body 11 into at least a feeding waiting area 13 located at the feeding end 111, a discharging waiting area 14 located at the discharging end 112, and a plurality of sterilization areas 15 located between the feeding waiting area 13 and the discharging waiting area 14. The sterilization medium supply device 3 is provided at each of the sterilization areas 15 on the tank body 11; and a contoured passage 121 is provided on the partition wall 12.

[0027] Separated by partition walls 12, each sterilization zone 15 can achieve the desired temperature and pressure based on the temperature and flow of the sterilization medium supplied by the corresponding sterilization medium supply device 3. The contoured passage 121 is configured based on the cross-sectional shape of the sterilization container 9 perpendicular to the conveying direction, so that when the sterilization container 9 passes through the contoured passage 121, it can form a blockage on the contoured passage 121, thereby maintaining a relatively independent working environment for each sterilization zone 15. Based on the configuration of the partition walls 12, the sterilization conveying device 2 should be arranged in sections in each sterilization zone 15, that is, the conveying sections within multiple sterilization zones 15 together constitute the sterilization conveying device 2.

[0028] Preferably, the sterilization zone 15 includes a heating zone 151, a high temperature zone 152, and a cooling zone 153 arranged in sequence along the conveying direction. During the continuous conveying process, the food 92 can be sterilized by heating and high temperature, and after sterilization, it can be sterilized by cooling to form a full sterilization process, which is convenient for subsequent processes at lower temperatures. At the same time, each sterilization zone 15 basically maintains its own temperature for operation, the flow rate and temperature of the medium supply are relatively stable, and the energy consumption is stable. In addition, other processing processes for pre-heating and pre-cooling are eliminated, forming a continuous process of heating, high temperature and cooling. This embodiment is conducive to reducing overall production energy consumption. In actual settings, such as the high temperature zone 152, it can be set as multiple small areas in series as needed, or it can be a whole single large area, which is not limited here; of course, the same applies to the heating zone 151 and the cooling zone 153.

[0029] The sterilization medium supply device 3 of this embodiment includes a medium circulation pump 31. A circulation return pipe 32 is provided between the liquid inlet of the medium circulation pump 31 and the bottom wall of the corresponding sterilization zone 15. Sprayers 33 for spraying the sterilization medium are provided on the side walls and / or top walls of the sterilization zone 15. A circulation supply pipe 34 is provided between the liquid outlet of the medium circulation pump 31 and the sprayers 33 in the corresponding sterilization zone 15. A heat exchange device 35 is provided on the circulation supply pipe 34. As a result, the sterilization medium in each sterilization zone 15 is circulated and reused, which helps reduce resource consumption. During the circulation process, the temperature of the sterilization medium is controlled by the heat exchange device 35, thereby controlling the temperature within the corresponding sterilization zone 15. Specifically, if the high-temperature zone 152 requires a high-temperature environment, the heat is transferred to the sterilization medium through other heat sources via the heat exchange device 35 to make it reach a high temperature. After the sterilization medium is sprayed into the high-temperature zone 152, the high-temperature zone 152 forms a high-temperature environment. If the cooling zone 153 requires a low-temperature environment, the heat in the sterilization medium is absorbed through other cold sources via the heat exchange device 35 to lower its temperature. After the sterilization medium is sprayed into the cooling zone 153, the food 92 is cooled.

[0030] The feed end 111 and the discharge end 112 of the sterilizer 1 are respectively connected to the transfer channel 4, and the transfer channel 4 is respectively installed with a channel opening and closing device 41 at a position close to the sterilizer 1 and away from the sterilizer 1. The transfer channel 4 between the two channel opening and closing devices 41 constitutes a transfer equalization space 42, and the transfer equalization space 42 is connected to a high-pressure equalization pipeline 43 connected to the inner space of the sterilizer 1 and a normal-pressure equalization pipeline 45 connected to the outer space of the sterilizer 1. A high-pressure control valve 44 is provided on the high-pressure equalization pipeline 43, and a normal-pressure control valve 46 is provided on the normal-pressure equalization pipeline 45.

[0031] During actual operation, for example, at the feed end 111, the high-pressure control valve 44 is first closed and the normal-pressure control valve 46 is opened, achieving a pressure equal to the ambient pressure within the intermediate pressure-equalizing space 42 and isolating it from the interior of the retort 1. The channel opening and closing device 41 located away from the retort 1 is then opened, achieving a pressure equal to the ambient pressure within the intermediate pressure-equalizing space 42, making it easier to open the channel opening and closing device 41. The sterilization container 9 containing food 92 is then introduced into the intermediate pressure-equalizing space 42. The channel opening and closing device 41 located away from the retort 1 is then closed, the normal-pressure control valve 46 is closed, and the high-pressure control valve 44 is opened, achieving a pressure equal to the high pressure within the retort 1 and isolating it from the outside world. The channel opening and closing device 41 located closer to the retort 1 is then opened. Similarly, the intermediate pressure-equalizing space 42 achieves a pressure equal to the high pressure within the retort 1, making it easier to open the channel opening and closing device 41. The sterilization container 9 is transported from the intermediate pressure-equalizing space 42 to the retort 1, and of course, is transported to the feed waiting area 13. The channel opening and closing device 41 near the retort 1 is closed, the high-pressure control valve 44 is closed, and the normal-pressure control valve 46 is opened. The next sterilization container 9 is then input according to the above steps. The input sterilization container 9 is transported by the sterilization conveying device 2, and sequentially undergoes heating, high-temperature, and cooling processes to complete the entire sterilization process, and finally arrives at the discharge waiting area 14. The output principle at the discharge end 112 is opposite to the above-mentioned input principle. This is easily deduced by those skilled in the art based on the description of the above-mentioned input principle and will not be repeated here.

[0032] A transfer conveyor device 47 is installed in the transfer channel 4 to enable the sterilization container 9 to enter and exit the transfer and leveling space 42. Based on the configuration of the two channel opening and closing devices 41, the transfer conveyor device 47 can also be implemented using conveyor chain segments or conveyor belt segments respectively arranged inside and outside the transfer and leveling space 42. In addition, the transfer channel 4 can also be implemented using a mechanism that can be pushed in or pulled out of the transfer channel 4. This is not limited here, and this embodiment only illustrates a segmented conveying structure.

[0033] The channel opening and closing device 41 includes an opening and closing gate connected to an opening and closing controller. When closed, the opening and closing gate blocks the transfer channel 4. The opening and closing controller controls the opening and closing gate to radially move away from the transfer channel 4 to open the channel. The opening and closing controller can be implemented using a drive cylinder or a motor with a transmission, etc., which is not limited here.

[0034] Because the sterilization container 9 described in this embodiment is composed of stacked sterilization trays 91, in order to reduce the waiting time before sterilization of each sterilization tray 91, the transfer channel 4 described in this embodiment is mainly used for the input and output of the sterilization trays 91. Therefore, the cross-section of the transfer channel 4 should be adapted to the cross-section of the sterilization trays 91. In addition, the feeding waiting area 13 and the discharging waiting area 14 are respectively provided with a waiting area conveyor device 5 that forms a continuous conveyance with the sterilization conveyor device 2. A transfer lifting device 51 is provided between the waiting area conveyor device 5 and the tank body 11. This allows the feeding end 111 to cooperate with the sterilization trays 91 to be stacked in the feeding waiting area 13, thereby reducing the waiting time before sterilization.

[0035] The specific working principle of the transfer lifting device 51 in the feeding waiting area 13 is as follows: the transfer lifting device 51 initially drives the waiting area conveying device 5 of the feeding waiting area 13 to the highest position, and the first sterilization tray 91 input by the feeding end 111 arrives on the waiting area conveying device 5, and the transfer lifting device 51 drives the waiting area conveying device 5 to descend to the height of one sterilization tray 91, and the second sterilization tray 91 input by the feeding end 111 can be stacked on the first sterilization tray 91 by itself; and so on, until the transfer lifting device 51 drives the waiting area conveying device 5 to the lowest position, and the required number of sterilization trays 91 are stacked on the waiting area conveying device 5, that is, the sterilization containers 9 are stacked at the feeding waiting area 13; then the waiting area conveying device 5 of the feeding waiting area 13 is started, and forms continuous conveying with the sterilization conveying device 2; the waiting area conveying device 5 of the feeding waiting area 13 returns to the high position again, waiting for the subsequent sterilization tray 91 to be input, and repeats the stacking process. At the discharging waiting area 14, the waiting area conveying device 5 is first in the lowest position. After the sterilization container 9 is sterilized, it finally arrives at the waiting area conveying device 5 at the discharging waiting area 14, and the top sterilization tray 91 on the sterilization container 9 begins to be output. Every time a sterilization tray 91 is output, the waiting area conveying device 5 at the discharging waiting area 14 is driven to rise the height of one sterilization tray 91 until all the sterilization trays 91 are output. The waiting area conveying device 5 returns to the lowest position and waits for the arrival of the sterilization container 9 that has completed the subsequent sterilization treatment.

[0036] In this embodiment, by providing the intermediate pressure-equalizing space 42 and coordinating the high-pressure control valve 44 and the normal-pressure control valve 46, there is no significant pressure loss during the transfer of the sterilization container 9 into and out of the retort 1, and no significant loss of the sterilization medium within the retort 1. As a result, the retort 1 can maintain the required high-temperature and high-pressure environment for continuous sterilization, and the transfer and removal of the sterilization container 9 also form a continuous operation. This significantly reduces the waiting time before sterilization, allowing the food 92 to enter the retort 1 with a relatively stable initial bacterial load. This not only improves the sterilization efficiency and sterilization effect, but also minimizes the impact on taste and flavor, thereby ensuring the stability of the final product quality. In this embodiment, the retort 1 is combined with the intermediate pressure-equalizing space 4 for transfer and removal, achieving continuous sterilization of the food 92. This eliminates the need for complex transfer equipment, resulting in a compact structure and a small footprint.

[0037] Example 2: Figure 6 As shown, the difference between this embodiment and embodiment 1 is that: in this embodiment, the sterilization container 9 enters and exits the sterilization kettle 1 as a whole, so the sterilization channel is set to adapt to the cross-section of the sterilization container 9 as a whole, and the feeding waiting area 13 and the discharging waiting area 14 are only provided with a waiting area conveying device 5 that can adapt to the transfer conveying device 47 and the sterilization conveying device 2 to form continuous conveying.

[0038] The above shows and describes the basic principles, main features and advantages of the present invention. Those skilled in the art should understand that the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments. The above embodiments and descriptions are only for illustrative purposes. Without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention, the present invention may be subject to various changes and improvements. For example, the sterilization container 9 may be input in the form of a sterilization tray 91 and output as a whole sterilization container 9, or the sterilization container 9 may be input as a whole and output as a sterilization tray 91, thereby forming a combination of different input and output forms. These changes and improvements fall within the scope of the present invention. The scope of protection claimed in the present invention is defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. A horizontal continuous sterilizer, comprising a sterilizing kettle for continuous sterilization, the sterilizing kettle comprising a feeding end and a discharging end, characterized in that: The feeding end and the discharging end of the sterilizing kettle are respectively connected with transfer channels, and the transfer channel is respectively installed with channel opening and closing devices at positions close to the sterilizing kettle and far away from the sterilizing kettle. The transfer channel between the two channel opening and closing devices constitutes a transfer equalization pressure space, and the transfer equalization pressure space is connected with a high-pressure equalization pressure pipeline connected to the inner space of the sterilizing kettle and a normal-pressure equalization pressure pipeline connected to the outer space of the sterilizing kettle. A high-pressure control valve is provided on the high-pressure equalization pressure pipeline, and a normal-pressure control valve is provided on the normal-pressure equalization pressure pipeline.

2. The horizontal continuous sterilizer according to claim 1, characterized in that: The sterilizing kettle comprises a transversely arranged tank body, a sterilizing conveying device for conveying from the feeding end to the discharging end is arranged in the tank body, and a sterilizing medium supplying device is arranged on the tank body.

3. The horizontal continuous sterilizer according to claim 2, characterized in that: A plurality of partition walls are arranged inside the tank body along the conveying direction, and the partition walls divide the inner space of the tank body into at least a feeding waiting area located at the feeding end, a discharging waiting area located at the discharging end, and a plurality of sterilization areas located between the feeding waiting area and the discharging waiting area, and the sterilization medium supply device is respectively arranged at each of the sterilization areas on the tank body; and a contoured passage opening is arranged on the partition wall.

4. The horizontal continuous sterilizer according to claim 3, characterized in that: The sterilization medium supply device includes a medium circulation pump, a circulating liquid return pipe is provided between the liquid inlet of the medium circulation pump and the bottom wall corresponding to the sterilization area, a sprayer for spraying sterilization medium is provided on the side wall and / or top wall of the sterilization area, a circulating supply pipe is provided between the liquid outlet of the medium circulation pump and the sprayer corresponding to the sterilization area, and a heat exchange device is provided on the circulating supply pipe.

5. The horizontal continuous sterilizer according to claim 3, characterized in that: The sterilization zone includes a temperature rising zone, a high temperature zone and a temperature falling zone which are sequentially arranged along the conveying direction.

6. The horizontal continuous sterilizer according to claim 3, characterized in that: The feeding waiting area and the discharging waiting area are respectively provided with waiting area conveying devices which form continuous conveying with the sterilization conveying device, and a transfer lifting device is provided between the waiting area conveying device and the tank body.

7. The horizontal continuous sterilizer according to claim 1, characterized in that: A transfer conveying device is installed in the transfer channel.

8. The horizontal continuous sterilizer according to claim 1, characterized in that: The channel opening and closing device comprises an opening and closing gate, and the opening and closing gate is connected to an opening and closing controller.

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