Vertical pressure steam sterilizer

Abstract

The utility model relates to the technical fields of sterilization equipment, in particular to a vertical pressure steam sterilizer, which can shorten the cooling time of the utensils, improve the sterilization processing efficiency of the utensils, reduce the heat exhaust loss, shorten the preheating time and be more energy-saving, comprising a sterilization tank body, a heater, a heat insulation pot installed on the upper part of the sterilization tank body, a vertical shaft rotatably installed on the heat insulation pot, a plurality of arc-shaped blocking plates installed on the top of the vertical shaft and a driving element for providing power for the rotation of the vertical shaft, the heat insulation pot divides the sterilization tank body into an upper cavity and a lower cavity from top to bottom, the heater is installed in the lower cavity, a plurality of through holes are arranged on the heat insulation pot and communicated with the upper cavity and the lower cavity, the plurality of through holes are evenly distributed around the heat insulation pot, a plurality of arc-shaped blocking plates are arranged correspondingly to the plurality of through holes, the arc-shaped blocking plates are used for blocking the corresponding through holes, and a placing table is installed on the top of the plurality of arc-shaped blocking plates.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the technical field of sterilization equipment, and in particular to a vertical pressure steam sterilizer. Background Technology

[0002] Fermented food microorganisms are those used in the fermentation process to manufacture food. The most commonly used are yeast, Aspergillus, and bacteria such as lactic acid bacteria, acetic acid bacteria, short bacilli, and corynebacteria. Distilled spirits, rice wine, fruit wine, and beer are all made through the action of these microorganisms; among them, beer and other alcoholic beverages require sterilization of the culture dishes used to hold yeast and other microorganisms before fermentation to prevent the growth of other contaminants.

[0003] For example, Chinese utility model patent CN215426236U discloses a safe vertical pressure steam sterilizer, which includes a vertical steam sterilizer body, a handwheel, a control console, and several casters. The exterior of the vertical steam sterilizer body is provided with several heat dissipation holes and a water tank cover located below the heat dissipation holes. A rubber sealing ring is provided at the connection between the vertical steam sterilizer body and the handwheel. The interior of the vertical steam sterilizer body is provided with a stainless steel inner liner. It has the advantages of controlling internal pressure and good safety.

[0004] However, the above-mentioned device still has the following drawbacks: after sterilizing petri dishes and other vessels, the entire sterilizer needs to be depressurized and cooled down, resulting in a long cooling time for the vessels and a need to further improve the sterilization efficiency; in addition, all the steam inside the sterilizer is discharged, causing heat loss, and the sterilizer needs to be reheated, which prolongs the sterilization heating time for the next batch of vessels, thus limiting its use. Utility Model Content

[0005] To address the shortcomings of existing technologies, this utility model provides a vertical pressure steam sterilizer that shortens the cooling time of vessels, improves the sterilization efficiency of vessels, reduces heat loss, shortens the preheating time, and is more energy-efficient.

[0006] To achieve the above objectives, this utility model provides the following technical solution: a vertical pressure steam sterilizer, comprising a sterilizer body, a heater, a heat-insulating pot installed in the upper part of the sterilizer body, a vertical shaft rotatably mounted on the heat-insulating pot, multiple arc-shaped sealing plates installed on the top of the vertical shaft, and a drive component providing power for the rotation of the vertical shaft. The heat-insulating pot divides the sterilizer body into an upper cavity and a lower cavity from top to bottom. The heater is installed in the lower cavity. The heat-insulating pot is provided with multiple through holes communicating with the upper cavity and the lower cavity. Multiple through holes are evenly distributed around the circumference of the insulated pot, and multiple arc-shaped sealing plates are correspondingly arranged with the multiple through holes. The arc-shaped sealing plates are used to seal the corresponding through holes, and a placement platform is installed on the top of the multiple arc-shaped sealing plates. Furthermore, the insulated pot is preferably made of ceramic material or other equivalent material with a certain heat insulation effect. The placement platform is used to place the vessels to be sterilized. The heater is preferably an electric heater, such as an electric heating tube or electric heating rod. The sterilization tank body is equipped with necessary components such as a pressure relief valve and a pressure gauge.

[0007] Preferably, a guide rod is fixedly installed at the bottom of the placement platform, and the guide rod is slidably installed on the upper part of the corresponding arc-shaped sealing plate, with the outlet end of the through hole facing the bottom edge of the placement platform.

[0008] Preferably, a spring is fitted on the guide rod, one end of the spring is connected to the bottom of the placement platform, and the other end of the spring is connected to the top of the arc-shaped sealing plate.

[0009] Preferably, the placement platform has a plurality of evenly distributed through holes in the middle, and the top of the placement platform has a plurality of evenly distributed limiting rods; further, the plurality of limiting rods are used to limit the inverted state of the vessel.

[0010] Preferably, the top of the limiting rod is provided with a flexible cap; further, the flexible cap is preferably made of high-temperature resistant rubber or silicone material.

[0011] Preferably, the driving component includes a horizontal shaft rotatably mounted on the sterilization tank body, a drive motor, and a bevel gear guide box. One end of the horizontal shaft is connected to the vertical shaft via the bevel gear guide box, and the other end of the horizontal shaft extends out of the sterilization tank body. The output end of the drive motor is connected to the horizontal shaft. Further, the horizontal shaft and the sterilization tank body are rotatably sealed via a mechanical shaft seal or a packing seal. The drive motor is preferably a brake stepper motor. The bevel gear guide box is fixedly mounted on the bottom of the insulated pot. The rotation angle of the brake stepper motor corresponds to the number of arc-shaped sealing plates. For example, if there are 6 sets of arc-shaped sealing plates, the angle driven by the brake stepper motor to the horizontal and vertical shafts is 60 degrees; if there are 10 sets of arc-shaped sealing plates, the angle driven by the brake stepper motor to the horizontal and vertical shafts is 36 degrees. That is, if the number of arc-shaped sealing plates is n, the rotation angle driven by the brake stepper motor to the horizontal and vertical shafts is 360 / n degrees.

[0012] Preferably, the sterilization tank body is covered with a shell; further, the shell is used to prevent operators from directly contacting the sterilization tank body at high temperatures, reducing the rate of burns. There is an interlayer between the shell and the sterilization tank body, and the interlayer can be filled with heat insulation materials such as asbestos to reduce heat damage and prevent the temperature at the shell from becoming too high.

[0013] Preferably, the vertical shaft has a connecting channel in the middle, and the bottom of multiple arc-shaped sealing plates surrounds a cavity. One end of the connecting channel extends into the bottom of the cavity, and the other end of the connecting channel extends into the lower cavity. A sealing plug can be detachably installed at the top port of the connecting channel. Further, the sealing plug is preferably a threaded plug, but a rubber plug can also be used.

[0014] Preferably, it also includes a water supply pipe and a drain pipe extending into the sterilization tank body. The bottom of the sterilization tank body is provided with an inclined slope, and the input end of the drain pipe extends into the bottom of the sterilization tank body. The bottom of the inclined slope slopes towards the drain pipe. Furthermore, necessary valves such as switch valves are installed on the water supply pipe and the drain pipe.

[0015] Preferably, the outer wall of the arc-shaped sealing plate is provided with a sealing gasket corresponding to the through hole; further, the sealing gasket is preferably a high-temperature resistant rubber gasket or silicone gasket.

[0016] Compared with the prior art, this utility model provides a vertical pressure steam sterilizer with the following advantages: In this vertical pressure steam sterilizer, the vessels are placed on the platform inside the sterilization tank. A heater heats the water in the lower chamber, and the resulting steam enters the upper chamber through a through-hole. The high-temperature steam sterilizes the vessels in the upper chamber. After sterilization, a drive unit rotates the arc-shaped sealing plates, which seal the corresponding through-holes. The sterilizer operates until the air pressure in the upper chamber reaches zero. Afterwards, open the lid on the top of the sterilization tank and load and unload the vessels. During this process, due to the small volume of the upper cavity, rapid depressurization and cooling of the upper cavity can be achieved, greatly shortening the cooling time of the vessels. At the same time, it effectively reduces the heat loss from the lower cavity, improves the sterilization efficiency of the vessels, and reduces heat loss. When sterilizing the next vessel, the arc-shaped sealing plate directly detaches from the sealing of the through hole to allow steam to enter the upper cavity, greatly shortening the preheating time and saving energy. Attached Figure Description

[0017] Figure 1 This is a three-dimensional structural schematic diagram of the present invention;

[0018] Figure 2 This is a top view schematic diagram of the structure of this utility model;

[0019] Figure 3 This is the utility model Figure 2 Schematic diagram of the cross-sectional structure at point AA;

[0020] Figure 4 This is the utility model Figure 3 Schematic diagram of the cross-sectional structure at point BB;

[0021] Figure 5 This is a three-dimensional structural diagram of the insulated pot and the placement platform of this utility model;

[0022] Figure 6 This is the utility model Figure 3 A magnified schematic diagram of the structure at point C in the middle;

[0023] The following are labeled in the attached diagram: 1. Sterilization tank body; 2. Heater; 3. Insulated pot; 4. Vertical shaft; 5. Arc-shaped sealing plate; 6. Through hole; 7. Placement platform; 8. Guide rod; 9. Spring; 10. Through hole; 11. Limiting rod; 12. Flexible cap; 13. Horizontal shaft; 14. Drive motor; 15. Bevel gear guide box; 16. Shell; 17. Connecting channel; 18. Sealing plug; 19. Water supply pipe; 20. Drain pipe; 21. Inclined bottom; 22. Sealing gasket. Detailed Implementation

[0024] To enable those skilled in the art to better understand the present invention, the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0025] As described in the background section, a safe vertical pressure steam sterilizer requires depressurization and cooling of the entire sterilizer after sterilizing petri dishes and other vessels. This results in a long cooling time for the vessels, and the sterilization efficiency needs further improvement. Furthermore, all the steam inside the sterilizer is discharged, causing heat loss. The sterilizer needs to be reheated, which prolongs the sterilization heating time for the next batch of vessels, thus limiting its application.

[0026] To solve this technical problem, this utility model provides a vertical pressure steam sterilizer, which is used for the sterilization of utensils.

[0027] It should be noted that, unless otherwise specified, the embodiments and features and technical solutions in the present invention can be combined with each other.

[0028] It should be noted that similar labels and letters in the following figures indicate similar items. Therefore, once an item is defined in one figure, it does not need to be further defined and explained in subsequent figures.

[0029] Example 1

[0030] Please refer to Figures 1-6A vertical pressure steam sterilizer includes a sterilization tank body 1, a heater 2, an insulated pot 3 installed in the upper part of the sterilization tank body 1, a vertical shaft 4 rotatably installed on the insulated pot 3, multiple arc-shaped sealing plates 5 installed on the top of the vertical shaft 4, and a drive component that provides power for the rotation of the vertical shaft 4. The insulated pot 3 divides the sterilization tank body 1 into an upper cavity and a lower cavity from top to bottom. The heater 2 is installed in the lower cavity. The insulated pot 3 is provided with multiple through holes 6 communicating with the upper cavity and the lower cavity. The multiple through holes 6 surround the insulated pot 3. The hot pot 3 is evenly distributed around its circumference, with multiple arc-shaped sealing plates 5 corresponding to multiple through holes 6. The arc-shaped sealing plates 5 are used to seal the corresponding through holes 6, and a placement platform 7 is installed on the top of the multiple arc-shaped sealing plates 5. Furthermore, the insulated pot 3 is preferably made of ceramic material or other equivalent material with a certain heat insulation effect. The placement platform 7 is used to place the vessels to be sterilized. The heater 2 is preferably an electric heater, such as an electric heating tube or electric heating rod. The sterilization tank body 1 is equipped with necessary components such as a pressure relief valve and a pressure gauge.

[0031] For details, please refer to Figure 1 as well as Figure 3 It also includes a water supply pipe 19 and a drain pipe 20 that extend into the sterilization tank body 1. The bottom of the sterilization tank body 1 is provided with an inclined slope bottom 21. The input end of the drain pipe 20 extends into the bottom of the sterilization tank body 1. The bottom of the inclined slope bottom 21 is inclined towards the drain pipe 20. Furthermore, necessary valves such as switch valves are installed on the water supply pipe 19 and the drain pipe 20.

[0032] For details, please refer to Figure 6 The outer wall of the arc-shaped sealing plate 5 is provided with a sealing gasket 22 corresponding to the through hole 6; furthermore, the sealing gasket 22 is preferably a high-temperature resistant rubber gasket or silicone gasket.

[0033] For details, please refer to Figure 3 The driving components include a horizontal shaft 13 rotatably mounted on the sterilization tank body 1, a drive motor 14, and a bevel gear guide box 15. One end of the horizontal shaft 13 is connected to the vertical shaft 4 via the bevel gear guide box 15, and the other end of the horizontal shaft 13 extends out of the sterilization tank body 1. The output end of the drive motor 14 is connected to the horizontal shaft 13. Furthermore, the horizontal shaft 13 is rotatably sealed to the sterilizer body 1 via a mechanical shaft seal or a packing seal; the drive motor 14 is preferably a brake stepper motor, and the bevel gear guide box 15 is fixedly installed at the bottom of the insulated pot 3. The rotation angle of the brake stepper motor corresponds to the number of arc-shaped sealing plates 5. For example, if there are 6 sets of arc-shaped sealing plates 5, the angle driven by the brake stepper motor to the horizontal shaft 13 and the vertical shaft 4 is 60 degrees. If there are 10 sets of arc-shaped sealing plates 5, the angle driven by the brake stepper motor to the horizontal shaft 13 and the vertical shaft 4 is 36 degrees. That is, if the number of arc-shaped sealing plates 5 is n, the rotation angle driven by the brake stepper motor to the horizontal shaft 13 and the vertical shaft 4 is 360 / n degrees.

[0034] For details, please refer to Figure 1 and Figure 3 The sterilization tank body 1 is covered by a shell 16. Furthermore, the shell 16 is used to prevent operators from directly contacting the sterilization tank body 1 at high temperatures, thereby reducing the rate of burns. There is a sandwich between the shell 16 and the sterilization tank body 1. The sandwich can be filled with heat insulation materials such as asbestos to reduce heat damage and prevent the temperature at the shell 16 from becoming too high.

[0035] The vertical pressure steam sterilizer provided in this embodiment can drive the horizontal shaft 13 to rotate after the brake stepper motor is started. After being driven by the bevel gear guide box 15 and the vertical shaft 4, it can drive the rotation of multiple arc-shaped sealing plates 5. Water can be added to the lower cavity through the water supply pipe 19. When the sterilizer is not in use, the water in the lower cavity can be drained through the drain pipe 20. The inclined bottom 21 can completely drain the water in the lower cavity to prevent water from remaining in the lower cavity and avoid the growth of bacteria. The sealing gasket 22 can improve the sealing between the arc-shaped sealing plate 5 and the through hole 6 to prevent steam from leaking out from the through hole 6.

[0036] Example 2

[0037] The vertical pressure steam sterilizer provided in Example 1 has been further optimized. For details, please refer to [link / reference needed]. Figure 6 A guide rod 8 is fixedly installed at the bottom of the placement platform 7. The guide rod 8 is slidably installed on the upper part of the corresponding arc-shaped sealing plate 5. The outlet end of the through hole 6 faces the bottom edge of the placement platform 7. Furthermore, the arc-shaped sealing plate 5 is provided with a sliding hole. The guide rod 8 is slidably installed in the sliding hole. A limit nut is installed at the bottom of the guide rod 8 to prevent the guide rod 8 from falling off the arc-shaped sealing plate 5.

[0038] For details, please refer to Figure 6 A spring 9 is fitted on the guide rod 8. One end of the spring 9 is connected to the bottom of the placement platform 7, and the other end of the spring 9 is connected to the top of the arc-shaped sealing plate 5.

[0039] For details, please refer to Figures 3-4 The middle part of the placement platform 7 is provided with multiple evenly distributed through holes 10, and the top of the placement platform 7 is provided with multiple evenly distributed limiting rods 11; furthermore, the multiple limiting rods 11 are used to limit the inverted state of the vessel.

[0040] For details, please refer to Figure 4 or Figure 5 The top of the limiting rod 11 is provided with a flexible cap 12; furthermore, the flexible cap 12 is preferably made of high-temperature resistant rubber or silicone material.

[0041] For details, please refer to Figure 3The vertical shaft 4 has a connecting channel 17 in the middle, and the bottom of multiple arc-shaped sealing plates 5 surrounds a cavity. One end of the connecting channel 17 extends into the bottom of the cavity, and the other end of the connecting channel 17 extends into the lower cavity. A sealing plug 18 can be detachably installed at the top port of the connecting channel 17. Furthermore, the sealing plug 18 is preferably a threaded plug, but a rubber plug or the like can also be used.

[0042] In the vertical pressure steam sterilizer provided in this embodiment, when petri dishes and other vessels are placed statically, some areas cannot directly contact the steam, creating sterilization dead zones. During steam sterilization, condensation forms when the steam comes into contact with the vessels, increasing the risk of bacterial growth. To address this, this design uses a guide rod 8 to allow the placement platform 7 to slide up and down at the arc-shaped sealing plates 5. As the drive unit rotates multiple arc-shaped sealing plates 5, the through holes 6 are frequently blocked and reconnected. When the through holes 6 are not blocked, pressurized steam passes through them and acts on the bottom edge of the placement platform 7. Under the thrust of the pressurized steam, the placement platform 7 moves upward. When the through holes 6 are blocked, the placement platform 7 moves under the influence of the vessels and its own gravity, thus causing the placement platform 7 to vibrate. This vibration helps to dislodge condensation droplets from the vessels, reducing the amount of condensation adhering to them. Spring 9 enhances the vibration effect, further dislodging condensate from the vessel. The vessel can be placed with its opening facing down, allowing the top of the limiting rod 11 to extend into the vessel, thus limiting its movement on the placement platform 7 and reducing the contact area between the vessel and the platform 7. The through hole 10 allows steam to pass through, ensuring uniform contact between the steam and the inner and outer walls of the vessel. The vessel frequently detaches from the limiting rod 11 under vibration, allowing steam to sterilize all parts of the vessel and further improving the sterilization effect. The soft cap 12 prevents the limiting rod 11 from directly contacting the vessel, thus avoiding scratches and reducing vibration noise. Some condensed steam accumulates in the collection cavity enclosed by the arc-shaped sealing plate 5. The sealing plate 18 can be removed, allowing the condensate to flow into the lower cavity through the connecting channel 17, preventing residual condensate in the collection cavity from breeding bacteria.

[0043] The process of using the vertical pressure steam sterilizer provided by this utility model is as follows: The vessel is placed upside down on the placement platform 7, and the limiting rod 11 is inserted into the vessel. Water is injected into the lower cavity through the water supply pipe 19. The heater 2 heats the water in the lower cavity, and some of the heated water forms steam. The brake stepper motor drives the horizontal shaft 13 to rotate. After being driven by the bevel gear guide box 15 and the vertical shaft 4, each arc-shaped sealing plate 5 rotates. The arc-shaped sealing plate 5 frequently seals the through holes 6. The steam intermittently passes through the through holes 6 and acts on the bottom of the placement platform 7. The placement platform 7 moves up and down under the uneven force of the steam. The condensate formed on the inner and outer walls of the vessel is shaken off. The steam sterilizes the vessel. When the vessel has been heat-treated for the required time, the drive component drives each arc-shaped sealing plate 5 to rotate. The arc-shaped sealing plate 5 seals the corresponding through holes 6. After the air pressure in the upper cavity is zero, the cover on the upper part of the sterilizer body 1 is opened, and the vessel can be loaded and unloaded.

[0044] In this utility model, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, the terms "installation," "connection," "joining," and "fixing," etc., should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral part; they can refer to a mechanical connection, an electrical connection, or a connection that allows communication between them; they can refer to a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium; they can refer to the internal communication of two components or the interaction between two components, unless otherwise explicitly limited. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this utility model according to the specific circumstances.

Claims

1. A vertical pressure steam sterilizer, characterized in that, The device includes a sterilization tank body (1), a heater (2), an insulated pot (3) installed in the upper part of the sterilization tank body (1), a vertical shaft (4) rotatably installed on the insulated pot (3), multiple arc-shaped sealing plates (5) installed on the top of the vertical shaft (4), and a drive component that provides power for the rotation of the vertical shaft (4). The insulated pot (3) divides the sterilization tank body (1) into an upper cavity and a lower cavity from top to bottom. The heater (2) is installed in the lower cavity. The insulated pot (3) is provided with multiple through holes (6) communicating with the upper cavity and the lower cavity. The multiple through holes (6) are evenly distributed around the circumference of the insulated pot (3). The multiple arc-shaped sealing plates (5) are correspondingly arranged with the multiple through holes (6). The arc-shaped sealing plates (5) are used to seal the corresponding through holes (6). A placement platform (7) is installed on the top of the multiple arc-shaped sealing plates (5).

2. The vertical pressure steam sterilizer according to claim 1, characterized in that, The bottom of the placement platform (7) is fixedly installed with a guide rod (8), which is slidably installed on the upper part of the corresponding arc-shaped sealing plate (5). The outlet end of the through hole (6) faces the bottom edge of the placement platform (7).

3. The vertical pressure steam sterilizer according to claim 2, characterized in that, A spring (9) is fitted on the guide rod (8). One end of the spring (9) is connected to the bottom of the placement platform (7), and the other end of the spring (9) is connected to the top of the arc-shaped sealing plate (5).

4. The vertical pressure steam sterilizer according to claim 3, characterized in that, The placement platform (7) has multiple evenly distributed through holes (10) in the middle and multiple evenly distributed limiting rods (11) on the top of the placement platform (7).

5. The vertical pressure steam sterilizer according to claim 4, characterized in that, The top of the limiting rod (11) is provided with a flexible cap (12).

6. The vertical pressure steam sterilizer according to claim 1, characterized in that, The driving components include a horizontal shaft (13) rotatably mounted on the sterilization tank body (1), a drive motor (14), and a bevel gear guide box (15). One end of the horizontal shaft (13) is connected to the vertical shaft (4) via the bevel gear guide box (15), and the other end of the horizontal shaft (13) extends out of the sterilization tank body (1). The output end of the drive motor (14) is connected to the horizontal shaft (13).

7. The vertical pressure steam sterilizer according to claim 1, characterized in that, The sterilization tank body (1) is covered with a shell (16).

8. The vertical pressure steam sterilizer according to claim 6, characterized in that, The vertical shaft (4) has a connecting channel (17) in the middle, and multiple arc-shaped sealing plates (5) form a cavity at the bottom. One end of the connecting channel (17) extends into the bottom of the cavity, and the other end of the connecting channel (17) extends into the lower cavity. A sealing plug (18) can be detachably installed at the top port of the connecting channel (17).

9. The vertical pressure steam sterilizer according to claim 8, characterized in that, It also includes a water supply pipe (19) and a drain pipe (20) extending into the sterilization tank body (1). The bottom of the sterilization tank body (1) is provided with an inclined slope (21). The input end of the drain pipe (20) extends into the bottom of the sterilization tank body (1). The bottom of the inclined slope (21) is inclined toward the drain pipe (20).

10. The vertical pressure steam sterilizer according to claim 1, characterized in that, The outer wall of the arc-shaped sealing plate (5) is provided with a sealing gasket (22) corresponding to the through hole (6).

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