A sterilization device
By introducing a temporary storage module and a hot water module into the plate sterilizer, efficient cooling of the sterilized products is achieved, solving the problem of insufficient cooling in the existing technology and improving production efficiency and equipment flexibility.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Utility models(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- 隆昌万林科技有限公司
- Filing Date
- 2025-08-27
- Publication Date
- 2026-07-24
Smart Images
Figure CN224539346U_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] This utility model relates to the field of food processing technology, and in particular to a sterilization device. Background Technology
[0002] The working principle of the plate sterilizer is to first transport the liquid material to be processed from the material tank to the heat exchanger assembly inside the equipment, and then exchange heat indirectly with the circulating water heated by steam to further raise the temperature of the material to the preset sterilization temperature to achieve sterilization; after sterilization, the material flows out.
[0003] However, in practical applications, existing plate sterilizers still have the following technical shortcomings: Current plate sterilizers cannot cool products that have undergone ultra-high temperature sterilization. This results in the product maintaining a high temperature after sterilization. If subsequent filling and packaging processes are carried out directly, the high temperature can cause deformation and damage to the packaging materials, and may also lead to secondary microbial contamination of the product during packaging. If the product is allowed to cool naturally to a suitable temperature, the production cycle will be extended, reducing production efficiency. Utility Model Content
[0004] Therefore, in order to overcome the above-mentioned shortcomings, this utility model provides a sterilization device, comprising: The sterilization module includes a plate sterilizer, which is provided with a first material inlet, a first material outlet, a hot water inlet, a hot water outlet, a cold water inlet, a cold water outlet, a second material inlet, and a second material outlet. A temporary storage module includes a temporary storage tank and a material discharge pump. The temporary storage tank can hold a limited amount of material. The material discharge pump is connected to the bottom of the temporary storage tank through a second material discharge pipe and is connected to a first material inlet through a first sterilization inlet pipe. The top of the temporary storage tank is provided with a first material discharge pipe, which connects the top of the temporary storage tank to the first material outlet. The temporary storage module also includes a material inlet pipe, which is connected to the second material discharge pipe. The coil is connected to the second material inlet and the second material outlet respectively.
[0005] Driven by a material discharge pump, the material enters the heating zone of the plate sterilizer through the material inlet pipe, where it exchanges heat with hot water introduced through the hot water inlet to raise the material temperature to the preset sterilization temperature. Then, it enters the coil, where it undergoes preliminary heat exchange with the outside air to lower part of the material temperature. Finally, it enters the cooling zone of the plate sterilizer, where it exchanges heat with cold water to cool down the temperature to a suitable range for packaging, thus improving the overall cooling efficiency.
[0006] Furthermore, the temporary storage module also includes a first connecting pipe, one end of which is connected to the temporary storage tank and the other end is connected to the material inlet pipe. A reversing valve is provided between the material inlet pipe and the first connecting pipe.
[0007] When the material handling volume needs to be adjusted during production or when the material is found to be below the preset sterilization / cooling standard, the flow path can be switched through the reversing valve to temporarily store the material from the material inlet pipe into the temporary storage tank, thus avoiding waste caused by direct discharge of the material. After the production conditions are restored or the material meets the standard after circulation treatment, the flow path can be switched back to the normal conveying path through the reversing valve, which improves the flexibility of the equipment in responding to changes in production rhythm and fluctuations in material quality.
[0008] Furthermore, the temporary storage module also includes: The first material discharge pipe is connected at one end to the first material outlet pipe and at the other end to the next process equipment. A reversing valve is provided at the connection between the first material discharge pipe and the first material outlet pipe. The second material discharge pipe is connected at one end to the first connecting pipe and at the other end to the next process equipment. A reversing valve is provided at the connection between the second material discharge pipe and the first connecting pipe.
[0009] When materials need to proceed directly to the next process after cooling, the reversing valve at the first material discharge pipe can be used to connect the first material outlet pipe and the first material discharge pipe, allowing the sterilized materials to be directly transported to the next equipment without passing through the temporary storage tank. When materials need to be transported to the next process in batches after cooling and being temporarily stored in the temporary storage tank, the reversing valve at the second material discharge pipe can be used to connect the first connecting pipe and the second material discharge pipe, allowing the materials in the temporary storage tank to be accurately transported to the next equipment through the first connecting pipe and the second material discharge pipe. This achieves flexible switching between "immediate output" and "output after temporary storage," improving the compatibility of the device with different downstream processes such as filling, homogenization, and packaging.
[0010] Furthermore, the sterilization device also includes a hot water module, which comprises: A hot water tank having an inlet pipe connected to a water source and a drain pipe at the bottom of the tank; A hot water pump, which is connected to the bottom of the hot water tank and to the hot water inlet via a hot water inlet pipe; The heater is installed on the end of the hot water inlet pipe away from the hot water inlet, and is connected to a steam source through a steam inlet pipe. The heater also has an exhaust pipe connected to the steam source.
[0011] The hot water tank is connected to the water source through the inlet pipe and can store a sufficient amount of cold water in advance. The hot water pump steadily draws water from the bottom of the hot water tank and delivers it to the heater through the hot water inlet pipe. The heater introduces steam through the steam inlet pipe to heat the water and then delivers the high-temperature hot water to the plate sterilizer to exchange heat with the materials.
[0012] Furthermore, the hot water module also includes a hot water return pipe, one end of which is connected to the hot water tank and the other end is connected to the hot water outlet.
[0013] In the sterilization process, after heat exchange with the material in the plate sterilizer, the hot water flows back to the hot water tank through the hot water return pipe. The returned hot water mixes with the newly added cold water in the tank and is then pumped to the heater for reheating. It then re-enters the plate sterilizer to participate in heat exchange, thereby realizing the recovery and utilization of residual heat in the hot water and reducing the heat energy waste caused by the direct discharge of high-temperature hot water.
[0014] Furthermore, the hot water module also includes a cold water return pipe, one end of which is connected to the hot water return pipe and the other end of which is connected to the cold water outlet pipe.
[0015] In the cooling process, the cold water that has been heated by exchanging heat with the material in the plate sterilizer is transported to the hot water return pipe through the cold water return pipe to realize the high-temperature cold water return and reuse, and to recover the heat of the material absorbed by the cold water in the cooling process.
[0016] This utility model has the following advantages: Driven by a material discharge pump, the material enters the heating zone of the plate sterilizer through the material inlet pipe, where it exchanges heat with hot water introduced through the hot water inlet to raise the material temperature to the preset sterilization temperature. Then, it enters the coil, where it undergoes preliminary heat exchange with the outside air to lower part of the material temperature. Finally, it enters the cooling zone of the plate sterilizer, where it exchanges heat with cold water to cool down the temperature to a suitable range for packaging, thus improving the overall cooling efficiency. Attached Figure Description
[0017] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the sterilization device; Figure 2 yes Figure 1 A front view of the sterilization device shown; Figure 3 yes Figure 1 A side view of the military-related device shown. Figure 4 yes Figure 3 A schematic diagram of the first structure of the sterilization module in the sterilization device shown. Figure 5 yes Figure 4 The diagram shows the second structure of the sterilization module. Figure 6 yes Figure 4 A front view of the sterilization module shown; Figure 7 yes Figure 1 The diagram shows the structure of the hot water module of the sterilization device. Figure 8 yes Figure 2 A schematic diagram of the temporary storage module in the sterilization device shown. Figure 9 yes Figure 8 A schematic diagram of the back of the temporary storage module shown; In the picture: 100. Coil; 200. Hot water module; 210. Hot water tank; 220. Steam inlet pipe; 230. Hot water pump; 240. Hot water return pipe; 250. Cold water return pipe; 260. Inlet pipe; 270. Hot water inlet pipe; 280. Drain pipe; 290. Heater; 300. Sterilization module; 310. Plate sterilizer; 320. Hot water inlet; 330. First material inlet; 340. First material outlet; 350. Cold water outlet; 360. Second material inlet; 370. Second material outlet; 380. Hot water outlet; 390. Cold water inlet. Detailed Implementation
[0018] The embodiments of this application are described in detail below. Examples of these embodiments are shown in the accompanying drawings, wherein the same or similar reference numerals denote the same or similar elements or elements having the same or similar functions throughout. The embodiments described below with reference to the accompanying drawings are exemplary and intended to explain this application, and should not be construed as limiting this application.
[0019] In this document, relational terms such as "first" and "second" are used merely to distinguish one entity or operation from another, without necessarily requiring or implying any such actual relationship or order between these entities or operations. Furthermore, the terms "comprising," "including," or any other variations thereof are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements includes not only those elements but also other elements not expressly listed, or elements inherent to such a process, method, article, or apparatus.
[0020] As described in the background section, current plate sterilizers cannot cool products that have undergone ultra-high temperature sterilization. This results in the product maintaining a high temperature after sterilization. If subsequent filling and packaging processes are carried out directly, the high temperature can cause deformation and damage to the packaging materials, and may also lead to secondary microbial contamination of the product during packaging. If the product is allowed to cool naturally to a suitable temperature, the production cycle will be extended and production efficiency will be reduced.
[0021] Example 1: Therefore, in order to solve the above-mentioned technical problems existing in the prior art, this embodiment provides a sterilization device, such as... Figures 1-3 As shown, the sterilization device includes: Sterilization module 300, such as Figures 4-6 As shown, the sterilization module includes a plate sterilizer 310, which is provided with a first material inlet 330, a first material outlet 340, a hot water inlet 320, a hot water outlet 380, a cold water inlet 390, a cold water outlet 350, a second material inlet 360, and a second material outlet 370. Temporary storage module 400, such as Figure 8 , 9 As shown, the temporary storage module includes a temporary storage tank 420 and a material discharge pump 410. The temporary storage tank can hold a limited amount of material. The material discharge pump is connected to the bottom of the temporary storage tank through a second material discharge pipe 490. The material discharge pump is connected to a first material inlet through a first sterilization inlet pipe 430. A first material discharge pipe 440 is provided at the top of the temporary storage tank, which connects the top of the temporary storage tank to the first material outlet. The temporary storage module also includes a material inlet pipe 480, which is connected to the second material discharge pipe. The coil 100 is connected to the second material inlet 360 and the second material outlet 370 respectively.
[0022] Specifically, the usage process of this embodiment is as follows: The liquid material to be processed enters the system through the material inlet pipe, merges with the second material outlet pipe, and, driven by the material outlet pump, is transported through the first sterilization inlet pipe to the first material inlet of the plate sterilizer, ultimately entering the heating zone of the plate sterilizer. Hot water enters the heating zone through the hot water inlet of the plate sterilizer, undergoing indirect heat exchange with the material. During this heat exchange, the material temperature gradually rises to the preset sterilization temperature, achieving sterilization. The hot water, after heat exchange, is discharged from the heating zone through the hot water outlet. The material, sterilized at high temperature, flows out of the heating zone and enters the coil through the second material inlet. Inside the coil, the material undergoes preliminary heat exchange with the outside air, dissipating some heat and initially lowering the material temperature. The material, having completed its initial cooling, returns to the cooling zone of the plate sterilizer through the second material outlet. At this point, cold water enters the cooling zone through the cold water inlet, undergoing another indirect heat exchange with the material, further lowering the material temperature to a range suitable for subsequent packaging processes. The cold water, after heat exchange, is discharged from the cooling zone through the cold water outlet. The cooled material flows out of the plate sterilizer through the first material outlet and is then transported to the top of the temporary storage tank via the first material outlet pipe, where it is temporarily stored. If the material needs to be processed again, the material at the bottom of the temporary storage tank can be pumped back into the plate sterilizer via the second material outlet pipe and the first sterilization inlet pipe by the material outlet pump for secondary sterilization and cooling, and this process is repeated.
[0023] Driven by the material discharge pump, the material enters the heating zone of the plate sterilizer through the material inlet pipe, where it exchanges heat with the hot water introduced through the hot water inlet, raising the material to the preset sterilization temperature. Then, it enters the coil, where it undergoes preliminary heat exchange with the outside air, reducing part of the material's temperature. Finally, it enters the cooling zone of the plate sterilizer, where it exchanges heat with cold water to cool down to a suitable packaging range, thus improving the overall cooling efficiency.
[0024] In addition, such as Figure 9 As shown, the temporary storage module also includes a first connecting pipe 450, one end of which is connected to the temporary storage tank and the other end is connected to the material inlet pipe. A reversing valve is provided between the material inlet pipe and the first connecting pipe.
[0025] When the material handling volume needs to be adjusted during production, such as when the subsequent filling process is temporarily suspended, the flow path can be switched through the reversing valve. The material can be introduced from the material inlet pipe into the temporary storage tank for temporary storage. After the production conditions are restored or the material is circulated and meets the standards, the flow path can be switched back to the normal conveying path through the reversing valve. This improves the flexibility of the equipment in responding to changes in production rhythm and fluctuations in material quality.
[0026] In this embodiment, as Figure 8 , 9 As shown, the temporary storage module further includes: The first material discharge pipe 461 is connected at one end to the first material outlet pipe and at the other end to the next process equipment. A reversing valve is provided at the connection between the first material discharge pipe and the first material outlet pipe. The second material discharge pipe 462 is connected at one end to the first connecting pipe and at the other end to the next process equipment. A reversing valve is provided at the connection between the second material discharge pipe and the first connecting pipe.
[0027] When materials need to proceed directly to the next process (such as filling) after cooling, the reversing valve at the first material drain pipe can connect the first material outlet pipe and the first material discharge pipe, allowing the sterilized material to be directly transported to the next equipment without passing through the temporary storage tank. If the material is detected as not meeting the preset sterilization / cooling standards, the reversing valve at the first material drain pipe can connect the first material outlet pipe, transporting the material to the temporary storage tank for temporary storage. The material outlet pump then pumps the material in the temporary storage tank to the plate sterilizer for sterilization and cooling until the preset requirements are met. When materials need to be transported to the next process in batches after cooling and temporary storage in the temporary storage tank, the reversing valve at the second material drain pipe can connect the first connecting pipe and the second material drain pipe, allowing the material in the temporary storage tank to be accurately transported to the next equipment via the first connecting pipe and the second material drain pipe. This achieves flexible switching between "immediate output" and "output after temporary storage," improving the adaptability of the device to different downstream processes such as filling, homogenization, and packaging.
[0028] like Figure 2 As shown, the sterilization device also includes a hot water module 200, such as... Figure 7 As shown, the hot water module includes: Hot water tank 210, which has an inlet pipe 260 connected to a water source and a drain pipe 280 at the bottom of the hot water tank; Hot water pump 230, which is connected to the bottom of hot water tank and connected to hot water inlet through hot water inlet pipe 270; Heater 290 is installed on the end of the hot water inlet pipe away from the hot water inlet, and is connected to a steam source via steam inlet pipe 220. The heater also has an exhaust pipe connected to the steam source.
[0029] The hot water tank is connected to the water source through the inlet pipe and can store a sufficient amount of cold water in advance. The hot water pump steadily draws water from the bottom of the hot water tank and delivers it to the heater through the hot water inlet pipe. The heater introduces steam through the steam inlet pipe to heat the water and then delivers the high-temperature hot water to the plate sterilizer to exchange heat with the materials.
[0030] In this embodiment, the hot water module further includes a hot water return pipe 240, one end of which is connected to the hot water tank and the other end is connected to the hot water outlet.
[0031] In the sterilization process, after heat exchange with the material in the plate sterilizer, the hot water flows back to the hot water tank through the hot water return pipe. The returned hot water mixes with the newly added cold water in the tank and is then pumped to the heater for reheating. It then re-enters the plate sterilizer to participate in heat exchange, thereby realizing the recovery and utilization of residual heat in the hot water and reducing the heat energy waste caused by the direct discharge of high-temperature hot water.
[0032] In this embodiment, the hot water module further includes a cold water return pipe 250, one end of which is connected to the hot water return pipe and the other end is connected to the cold water outlet pipe.
[0033] In the cooling process, the cold water that has been heated by exchanging heat with the material in the plate sterilizer is transported to the hot water return pipe through the cold water return pipe to realize the high-temperature cold water return and reuse, and to recover the heat of the material absorbed by the cold water in the cooling process.
[0034] In this embodiment, the cooling area and the heating area are two separate heat exchange areas, and the two areas have the same internal structure.
[0035] The above description of the disclosed embodiments enables those skilled in the art to make or use the present invention. Various modifications to these embodiments will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the general principles defined herein may be implemented in other embodiments without departing from the spirit or scope of the present invention. Therefore, the present invention is not to be limited to the embodiments shown herein, but is to be accorded the widest scope consistent with the principles and novel features disclosed herein.
Claims
1. A sterilization device, characterized in that, include: The sterilization module includes a plate sterilizer, which is provided with a first material inlet, a first material outlet, a hot water inlet, a hot water outlet, a cold water inlet, a cold water outlet, a second material inlet, and a second material outlet. A temporary storage module includes a temporary storage tank and a material discharge pump. The temporary storage tank can hold a limited amount of material. The material discharge pump is connected to the bottom of the temporary storage tank through a second material discharge pipe and is connected to a first material inlet through a first sterilization inlet pipe. The top of the temporary storage tank is provided with a first material discharge pipe, which connects the top of the temporary storage tank to the first material outlet. The temporary storage module also includes a material inlet pipe, which is connected to the second material discharge pipe. The coil is connected to the second material inlet and the second material outlet respectively.
2. The sterilization device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The temporary storage module also includes a first connecting pipe, one end of which is connected to the temporary storage tank and the other end is connected to the material inlet pipe. A reversing valve is provided between the material inlet pipe and the first connecting pipe.
3. The sterilization device according to claim 2, characterized in that, The temporary storage module also includes: The first material discharge pipe is connected at one end to the first material outlet pipe and at the other end to the next process equipment. A reversing valve is provided at the connection between the first material discharge pipe and the first material outlet pipe. The second material discharge pipe is connected at one end to the first connecting pipe and at the other end to the next process equipment. A reversing valve is provided at the connection between the second material discharge pipe and the first connecting pipe.
4. The sterilization device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The sterilization device further includes a hot water module, which comprises: A hot water tank having an inlet pipe connected to a water source and a drain pipe at the bottom of the tank; A hot water pump, which is connected to the bottom of the hot water tank and to the hot water inlet via a hot water inlet pipe; The heater is installed on the end of the hot water inlet pipe away from the hot water inlet, and is connected to a steam source through a steam inlet pipe. The heater also has an exhaust pipe connected to the steam source.
5. A sterilization device according to claim 4, characterized in that, The hot water module also includes a hot water return pipe, one end of which is connected to the hot water tank and the other end of which is connected to the hot water outlet.
6. The sterilization device according to claim 5, characterized in that, The hot water module also includes a cold water return pipe, one end of which is connected to the hot water return pipe and the other end of which is connected to the cold water outlet pipe.