Cooling injection system

Abstract

This invention provides a cooling injection system that can obtain stable physical properties of the liquid injected into the transport container after cooling. [Solution] The cooling injection system 100 of the present invention comprises: a discharge tank 1 having a liquid discharge port 1A that receives liquid at a first temperature and discharges the liquid toward a transport container at its lower side; a cooling device 2 that cools the liquid discharged from the discharge tank 1 to a second temperature; a pump 3 provided on a first flow path FP1 between the liquid discharge port 1A of the discharge tank 1 and the liquid receiving port 2A1 of the cooling device 2 that receives liquid, and sending the liquid toward the cooling device 2; a second flow path FP2 that sends the liquid discharged from the cooling device 2 toward the transport container; and a temperature measuring device TM provided on the second flow path FP2 that measures the temperature of the liquid. The cooling device 2 is PID controlled based on the output of the temperature measuring device TM so that liquid at the second temperature is injected directly from the discharge tank 1 through the cooling device 2 into the transport container.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a cooling injection system that cools a prepared liquid at a first temperature to a second temperature and injects the liquid into a transport container.

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a transfer method for transferring a liquid raw material or a paste-like raw material, which includes a step of preparing a transfer container for containing the liquid raw material or the paste-like raw material, a step of charging the liquid raw material or the paste-like raw material into the transfer container, a step of measuring the weight of the liquid raw material or the paste-like raw material contained in the transfer container, and a step of stopping the charging of the liquid raw material or the paste-like raw material into the transfer container when the weight of the liquid raw material or the paste-like raw material contained in the transfer container reaches a preset value.

[0003] Patent Document 2 discloses a transfer and discharge method for a liquid raw material or a paste-like raw material using a transfer container, which includes a step of preparing a transfer container for containing the liquid raw material or the paste-like raw material at a raw material input station, a step of charging the liquid raw material or the paste-like raw material into the transfer container at the raw material input station, a step of transporting the transfer container containing the liquid raw material or the paste-like raw material from the raw material input station to a raw material discharge station, a step of discharging the liquid raw material or the paste-like raw material in the transfer container at the raw material discharge station, and a step of injecting a liquid into the inside of the transfer container at the raw material discharge station. The injected liquid has the same components as a part of the raw materials constituting the liquid raw material or the paste-like raw material discharged at the raw material discharge station, and a liquid having the same components as the injected liquid has been previously removed from the liquid raw material or the paste-like raw material charged into the transfer container at the raw material input station by an amount equal to the amount of the injected liquid. A transfer and discharge method is disclosed to avoid this.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2001-55297 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2001-55298 [Overview of the project] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0005] By the way, when mixing sauces for food using a mixing device (such as a Leonider), the mixing is sometimes done at a temperature higher than the temperature suitable for use with the sauce.

[0006] In such cases, the sauce needs to be cooled to a suitable temperature before being poured into a transport container for use in the next process.

[0007] Therefore, the sauce was transferred from the mixing device to a discharge tank that dispensed the sauce into a transport container, the mixed sauce at the first temperature in the discharge tank was circulated between the tank and a cooling device to cool it to the second temperature suitable for use, and then the sauce was dispensed from the discharge tank into the transport container.

[0008] However, this type of cooling can cause variations in the physical properties of the sauce after cooling (e.g., Brix value), and sometimes the desired physical properties cannot be obtained.

[0009] This invention has been made in view of these circumstances, and one of its objectives is to provide a cooling injection system that can obtain stable physical properties of liquids such as sauces that are injected into a transport container after cooling. [Means for solving the problem]

[0010] To achieve the above objective, the present invention is understood by the following configuration. The cooling injection system of the present invention is a cooling injection system that cools a pre-mixed liquid at a first temperature to a second temperature and injects the liquid into a transport container, The aforementioned cooling injection system is A discharge tank having a liquid discharge port on its lower side for receiving the liquid at the first temperature discharged from the mixing device and for discharging the liquid toward the transport container, A cooling device for cooling the liquid discharged from the discharge tank to the second temperature, A pump is provided in the first flow path between the liquid outlet of the discharge tank and the liquid inlet of the cooling device that receives the liquid, and the pump sends the liquid from the discharge tank toward the cooling device. A second channel for sending the liquid discharged from the cooling device to the transport container, The system comprises a temperature measuring device provided on the second flow path for measuring the temperature of the liquid, The cooling device is PID controlled based on the output of the temperature measuring device so that the liquid at the second temperature is injected directly from the discharge tank through the cooling device into the transport container. [Effects of the Invention]

[0011] In one aspect, the present invention provides a cooling injection system that can obtain stable physical properties of liquids such as sauces that are injected into a transport container after cooling. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0012] [Figure 1] This is a diagram illustrating the configuration of a cooling injection system according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] This is a flowchart illustrating the operation of the cooling injection system according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] This is a diagram illustrating the configuration of a cooling injection system according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] This is a flowchart illustrating the operation of the cooling injection system according to the second embodiment of the present invention. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0013] Hereinafter, with reference to the accompanying drawings, embodiments for carrying out the present invention (hereinafter referred to as "embodiments") will be described in detail. Throughout the description of the embodiments, the same elements are denoted by the same numbers or symbols.

[0014] However, in consideration of the clarity of the drawings, not all of the same elements are numbered or symbolized, and it should be noted that there are also elements to which no number or symbol is assigned.

[0015] <<First Embodiment>> A cooling injection system 100 that cools the prepared liquid at the first temperature according to the first embodiment of the present invention to the second temperature and injects the liquid into a transport container (hereinafter also referred to as the first transport container TV1) will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2.

[0016] The cooling injection system 100 of the first embodiment described below can be suitably used, for example, for sauces used in foods (for example, sauces used for ajifry, squid tempura, mentchikatsu, etc.).

[0017] FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining the configuration of the cooling injection system 100 according to the first embodiment of the present invention. Note that FIG. 1 is illustrated so that the configuration of the cooling injection system 100 of the first embodiment can be easily understood, and it should be noted that the height, size, arrangement, etc. are not the same as the actual height, size, arrangement, etc.

[0018] As shown in FIG. 1, the cooling injection system 100 includes a control device (not shown), and while heating the raw material of the sauce (for example, seasonings, etc.) to a predetermined temperature with a heater H and stirring it to produce a prepared liquid, it receives the liquid at the first temperature discharged from a preparation device MD (for example, Leonida) that produces the prepared liquid, and has a discharge tank 1 having a liquid discharge port 1A that discharges the liquid downward toward the first transport container TV1, and a cooling device 2 that cools the liquid discharged from the discharge tank 1 to the second temperature suitable for use in foods and the like.

[0019] Furthermore, the cooling injection system 100 includes a pump 3 provided on a first flow path FP1 between the liquid outlet 1A of the discharge tank 1 and the liquid inlet 2A1 of the cooling device 2 that receives liquid, which sends liquid from the discharge tank 1 to the cooling device 2; a second flow path FP2 that sends the liquid discharged from the liquid outlet 2A2 of the cooling device 2 to the first transport container TV1; and a temperature measuring device TM provided on the second flow path FP2 that measures the temperature of the liquid.

[0020] Furthermore, the cooling injection system 100 includes an empty detection device 4 provided on the first flow path FP1 between the liquid outlet 1A of the discharge tank 1 and the pump 3 for detecting when the discharge tank 1 is empty, a pressure measuring device P provided on the first flow path FP1 on the cooling device 2 side of the pump 3 for measuring the liquid pressure (also called hydraulic pressure), and an injection passage provided at the tip of the second flow path FP2 for injecting liquid into the first transport container TV1, the first injection passage FP21 for injecting liquid into the first transport container TV1. Furthermore, a valve V1 is provided on the first injection passage FP21.

[0021] [Control device] The control device (not shown) is a device that controls the overall operation of the cooling injection system 100 according to a program.

[0022] For example, the control device (not shown) is a so-called sequencer (also called a PLC), and includes a storage unit that stores programs for performing control operations, received data, and the results of calculations, a central processing unit that performs calculations, and a touch panel display unit on which settings can be entered.

[0023] Then, when the operator instructs the cooling injection system 100 to start operating via a touch panel display, the control device performs drive control for, for example, the pump 3, the cooling device 2, and the valve V1.

[0024] [Dispensing Tank 1] Discharge tank 1 is a tank that receives liquid at a first temperature that has been mixed in the mixing device MD, and is the source tank for supplying liquid to the first transport container TV1 in the cooling injection system 100.

[0025] As shown in Figure 1, the discharge tank 1 has a liquid discharge port 1A on its lower side for discharging liquid toward the first transport container TV1, and its bottom surface 1B is sloped so that the liquid collects at the liquid discharge port 1A.

[0026] Furthermore, the discharge tank 1 is equipped with wheels, which are provided for purposes such as moving the discharge tank 1 to the washing area.

[0027] Incidentally, conventionally, the piping between the first flow path FP1, the discharge tank 1 and the pump 3 was designed so that the piping would be introduced into the discharge tank 1 from the top side of the discharge tank 1. The piping from the pump 3 side would initially go upwards along the side wall of the discharge tank 1, then bend towards the tank 1, go slightly horizontally towards the discharge tank 1, then bend downwards towards the bottom surface 1B of the discharge tank 1. This was a so-called "torii gate" piping system.

[0028] Therefore, as the sauce passed through the pipe, it would incorporate not only the air bubbles drawn in by the mixing device MD, but also air from within the pipe.

[0029] In addition, if air is released to remove these bubbles, the pressure inside the pipe decreases, and the air dissolved in the sauce becomes trapped in the sauce as bubbles.

[0030] When bubbles are present in this way, uneven cooling is likely to occur when the liquid is cooled by the cooling device 2, and the physical properties of the liquid (e.g., Brix value) may vary.

[0031] On the other hand, as in the first embodiment, by providing the liquid outlet 1A of the discharge tank 1 on the lower side, the inclusion of air and bubbles into the liquid as described above can be suppressed, and the discharge of liquid containing bubbles from the discharge tank 1 can be prevented.

[0032] The temperature at which the liquid is mixed in the mixing device MD varies depending on the type of liquid being mixed (for example, the type of sauce), but for the same type of liquid, the temperature of the liquid discharged from the mixing device MD (for example, the Leonider) to the discharge tank 1 is generally the same first temperature.

[0033] [Cooling device 2] The cooling device 2 includes a heat exchange section 2A that cools the temperature of a liquid from a first temperature to a second temperature, a refrigerant cooling section 2B that cools the refrigerant (for example, pure water) supplied to the heat exchange section 2A for heat exchange to maintain a predetermined temperature, and a control valve CV that controls the flow rate (also called the refrigerant flow rate) of the refrigerant circulating within the cooling device 2.

[0034] More specifically, the control valve CV is located in the flow path of the refrigerant supplied from the refrigerant cooling section 2B to the heat exchange section 2A, and controls the flow rate of the refrigerant supplied from the refrigerant cooling section 2B to the heat exchange section 2A by adjusting the opening degree (orifice).

[0035] The heat exchange section 2A has a configuration (principle) that is basically the same as that of a typical chiller. It is configured to cool the liquid in the pipes provided within the heat exchange section 2A, which circulate liquid from the liquid inlet 2A1 to the liquid outlet 2A2, by cooling the pipes with a refrigerant supplied from the refrigerant cooling section 2B.

[0036] Previously, the refrigerant cooling unit 2B was set to a temperature of around 4°C, and refrigerant at around 4°C was supplied to the heat exchange unit 2A. However, it was considered that if the refrigerant temperature is low, the liquid is rapidly cooled, which can easily cause uneven cooling and potentially lead to variations in the physical properties of the liquid (e.g., Brix value). Therefore, the refrigerant cooling unit 2B is now set to a temperature of around 10°C, and refrigerant at around 10°C is supplied to the heat exchange unit 2A.

[0037] However, if the set temperature of the refrigerant cooling unit 2B is too high, it may hinder the cooling of the liquid, so the set temperature should preferably be in the range of 6°C to 20°C. Furthermore, the set temperature is preferably in the range of 7°C to 15°C, and more preferably in the range of 8°C to 10°C.

[0038] On the other hand, as will be described later, instead of increasing the refrigerant temperature, the cooling state in the heat exchange section 2A is compensated for by adjusting the opening degree of the control valve CV.

[0039] [Pump 3] Pump 3 sends the liquid from discharge tank 1 toward cooling device 2 in order to inject it into first transport container TV1.

[0040] The type of pump 3 does not need to be particularly limited, but since sauces and the like are highly viscous, a positive displacement pump or similar is preferable as it is easier to ensure a constant discharge pressure and flow rate, and there is little change in the amount of liquid delivered (also called pulsation).

[0041] [Temperature Measurement Device™] The temperature measuring device TM is a device that measures the temperature of the liquid cooled by the cooling device 2, and in the first embodiment, the temperature measuring device TM is equipped with a PID control function. However, the temperature measuring device™ does not need to be limited to those equipped with PID control functionality.

[0042] For example, if a temperature measuring device TM has a temperature measurement function and an output function that outputs the measured temperature data as an electrical signal, then PID control can be performed by sending the measured temperature data to an external PID controller. In other words, it becomes possible to perform the same control as a temperature measuring device TM equipped with PID control functionality.

[0043] Therefore, the temperature measuring device TM may be configured to include a temperature measuring instrument having a temperature measurement function and an output function, and a PID controller, that is, a temperature measuring instrument combined with a separate PID controller.

[0044] Alternatively, PID control can be achieved by building a program for PID control in the control device (not shown) described earlier, so that the temperature measurement device TM sends the temperature data measured by the control device to the control device, thereby enabling the control device to perform PID control.

[0045] Therefore, it is sufficient for the overall configuration of the cooling injection system 100 to enable PID control as described later, and the temperature measuring device TM does not need to be limited to one equipped with PID control functionality.

[0046] [Empty space detection device 4] The empty detection device 4 is a sensor for detecting when the liquid in the dispensing tank 1 has become empty. For example, the empty detection device 4 may be a flow sensor that measures the flow rate of liquid. In the case of a flow sensor, it is possible to detect that the liquid in the discharge tank 1 has become empty when the liquid flow can no longer be detected.

[0047] Thus, the type of empty detection device 4 is not particularly limited, as long as it is a sensor capable of detecting that the liquid in the dispensing tank 1 has become empty.

[0048] The signal measured by the air detection device 4 is then sent to the control device (not shown).

[0049] [Pressure measuring device P] The pressure measuring device P is a pressure sensor that measures the pressure of a liquid, and it measures the pressure (also called hydraulic pressure) of the liquid pumped out by the pump 3. The signal measured by the pressure measuring device P is then sent to a control device (not shown).

[0050] For example, if gas is trapped inside pump 3, the pump may fail to reach the specified hydraulic pressure or experience large fluctuations in hydraulic pressure. As will be explained later, pump 3 may be restarted or otherwise modified based on these tendencies.

[0051] [First transport container TV1] The first transport container TV1 is a trolley used to transport liquids such as sauces that have reached a second temperature suitable for use with food products to the next process, and is equipped with wheels for transport.

[0052] <Operation of the cooling injection system 100> Next, the cooling injection system 100 of the first embodiment will be described, including its operation. Figure 2 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of the cooling injection system 100 according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

[0053] Note that the operation of the cooling injection system 100 does not necessarily have to follow the flowchart shown in Figure 2; any steps that can be rearranged without causing operational problems may be rearranged.

[0054] Furthermore, the flowchart in Figure 2 assumes that the start point is when the dispenser tank 1 already contains liquid at the first temperature, and the operator has instructed the cooling injection system 100 to start operating.

[0055] (S1) The control device (not shown) opens valve V1 to allow liquid to be injected into the first transport container TV1.

[0056] (S2) The control device (not shown) starts the pump 3 and begins supplying the liquid at the first temperature from the discharge tank 1 to the cooling device 2.

[0057] (S3) The control device (not shown) makes a determination based on the hydraulic pressure measured by the pressure measuring device P (determining whether the hydraulic pressure is normal). Specifically, the control device (not shown) proceeds to S5 if the hydraulic pressure measured by the pressure measuring device P falls within a preset range, and proceeds to S4 if it is abnormal (S3:NG) otherwise.

[0058] (S4) The control device (not shown) stops the operation of pump 3, proceeds to S2 again, and performs control to restart pump 3. Furthermore, since pump 3 is stopped immediately after the S3 judgment is NG, not much liquid is pumped out and does not get injected into the first transport container TV1.

[0059] As explained earlier, if gas is trapped inside pump 3, the pump may fail to reach the specified liquid pressure, or the liquid pressure may fluctuate significantly.

[0060] If pump 3 is driven in this state, it will not be possible to send liquid to cooling device 2 at a stable flow rate, which may cause uneven cooling.

[0061] Furthermore, if uneven cooling occurs, the physical properties of the liquid (for example, the Brix value) may vary. Therefore, by stopping pump 3 and then restarting it, the gas inside pump 3 is sent out of pump 3.

[0062] Furthermore, if the hydraulic pressure does not reach a normal level after a predetermined number of restarts, a warning is displayed on the control unit's display (not shown) prompting the user to manually bleed the air. Although not shown in Figure 1, an air vent port for manually releasing air is provided at pump 3.

[0063] (S5) The control device (not shown) starts the operation of the cooling device 2. In this context, "driving" means starting the supply of refrigerant from the refrigerant cooling unit 2B to the heat exchange unit 2A for heat exchange. The refrigerant cooling unit 2B is pre-controlled to maintain the refrigerant temperature at a set temperature (for example, around 10°C).

[0064] Furthermore, while the cooling injection system 100 is running, the cooling device 2 may always be in a standby state, in which case step S5 is omitted.

[0065] (S6) The cooling device 2 is PID controlled based on the output of the temperature measuring device TM so that liquid at the second temperature is injected directly from the discharge tank 1 to the first transport container TV1 via the cooling device 2.

[0066] Specifically, the opening degree of the control valve CV, which controls the refrigerant flow rate in the cooling device 2, is controlled by PID control.

[0067] In other words, the temperature of the liquid measured by the temperature measuring device TM is reflected in the control of the opening degree of the control valve CV (see the dotted arrow AR in Figure 1).

[0068] This PID control is performed based on pre-tests conducted for each type of liquid to determine appropriate PID parameters (P gain, I gain, D gain) for each type of liquid, so that when the liquid is injected directly from the discharge tank 1 through the cooling device 2 into the first transport container TV1, it reaches a predetermined second temperature.

[0069] The specified second temperature is, for example, the appropriate temperature at which the sauce should be used when used with food, and the specified second temperature may differ depending on the type of sauce.

[0070] In other words, in the cooling injection system 100 of the first embodiment, the liquid (for example, food sauce) is not cooled by circulating between the discharge tank 1 and the cooling device 2 multiple times, but rather the liquid is cooled to the second temperature by passing through the cooling device 2 only once.

[0071] Thus, in the first embodiment, the cooling device 2 is PID controlled based on the output of the temperature measuring device TM, so that the liquid at the second temperature is injected directly from the dispensing tank 1 through the cooling device 2 into the transport container TV1 without circulating between the dispensing tank 1 and the cooling device 2.

[0072] (S7) The control device (not shown) continues to determine whether the discharge tank 1 is empty, and when the discharge tank 1 is empty (S7: YES), the operation of the cooling injection system 100 is terminated.

[0073] In other words, the control device (not shown) detects that the discharge tank 1 is empty based on the output of the empty detection device 4, and then performs control to terminate the discharge of liquid from the discharge tank 1.

[0074] For example, the control device (not shown) closes valve V1 and stops the pump 3 and cooling device 2, thereby ending the discharge of liquid from the discharge tank 1.

[0075] According to the cooling injection system 100 of the first embodiment described above, by discharging the liquid from the liquid outlet 1A on the lower side of the discharge tank 1, as explained earlier, the inclusion of air and bubbles into the liquid is suppressed, and the discharge of liquid containing bubbles from the discharge tank 1 is suppressed, thereby suppressing the occurrence of uneven cooling.

[0076] Furthermore, by adding PID control to the control of the cooling device 2, the occurrence of uneven cooling due to rapid cooling of the liquid is suppressed, and the liquid is cooled to the second temperature without circulating between the discharge tank 1 and the cooling device 2.

[0077] In addition, the injection of liquid into the first transport container TV1 is completed in a shorter time than when the liquid was circulated between the discharge tank 1 and the cooling device 2 to cool it to a second temperature before being injected into the first transport container TV1.

[0078] The combination of suppressing uneven cooling and shortening processing time allows for more effective suppression of variations in the physical properties of the liquid (e.g., Brix value).

[0079] Furthermore, by suppressing the unstable liquid supply when gas is trapped inside the pump 3, the occurrence of uneven cooling is further suppressed, and variations in the physical properties of the liquid (e.g., Brix value) can be reduced.

[0080] In the first embodiment, the determination to terminate the operation of the cooling injection system 100 is made based on the output of the air detection device 4 using a flow sensor or the like, but it is not limited to this.

[0081] For example, a load cell capable of measuring the weight of the first transport container TV1 may be used to detect when the weight measured by the load cell increases by an amount equivalent to the weight of the liquid in the discharge tank 1, thereby terminating the operation of the cooling injection system 100.

[0082] <<Second Embodiment>> Next, a cooling injection system 100, which cools a pre-mixed liquid at a first temperature to a second temperature and injects the liquid into a transport container according to a second embodiment of the present invention, will be described with reference to Figures 3 and 4.

[0083] Since the cooling injection system 100 of the second embodiment has the same basic configuration as the cooling injection system 100 of the first embodiment, the following will mainly describe the differences from the cooling injection system 100 of the first embodiment, and may omit explanations of points that are the same as the cooling injection system 100 of the first embodiment.

[0084] Figure 3 is a diagram illustrating the configuration of the cooling injection system 100 according to the second embodiment of the present invention, and corresponds to Figure 1. Note that the illustration of the mixing device MD is omitted in Figure 3.

[0085] As shown in Figure 3, in addition to the configuration of the cooling injection system 100 of the first embodiment, the cooling injection system 100 of the second embodiment includes: a second injection channel FP22 provided on the leading edge side of the second flow path FP2 for injecting liquid into a second transport container TV2 which is different from the first transport container TV1; a first switching device SV1 for switching the direction of liquid flow to either the first injection channel FP21 side or the second injection channel FP22 side; a first liquid volume measuring device LS detachably provided on the first transport container TV1 for measuring the amount of liquid in the first transport container TV1; and a first installation detection device PS provided on the first transport container TV1 for detecting the installation of the first liquid volume measuring device LS on the first transport container TV1.

[0086] In addition to the configuration of the cooling injection system 100 of the first embodiment, the cooling injection system 100 of the second embodiment includes a Brix value measuring device BX provided on the second flow path FP2 on the transport container (first transport container TV1 and second transport container TV2) side from the temperature measuring device TM for measuring the Brix value of the liquid, a third flow path FP3 that returns the liquid from the second flow path FP2 between the temperature measuring device TM and the Brix value measuring device BX to the discharge tank 1, and a second switching device SV2 that switches the direction of liquid flow to either the second flow path FP2 side or the third flow path FP3 side.

[0087] [Second transport container TV2] The second transport container TV2 is a trolley, similar to the first transport container TV1, for transporting liquids such as sauces that have reached a second temperature suitable for use with food products to the next process. Furthermore, the second transport container TV2, like the first transport container TV1, is equipped with wheels for transport.

[0088] [First switching device SV1] The first switching device SV1 includes a valve V1 provided in the first injection passage FP21 and a valve V2 provided on the second injection passage FP22.

[0089] Then, the first switching device SV1, in accordance with the instructions of the control device (not shown), opens valve V1 and closes valve V2, thereby switching the direction of liquid flow to the first injection path FP21 side (i.e., the side to be injected into the first transport container TV1).

[0090] Conversely, the first switching device SV1, in accordance with instructions from the control device (not shown), closes valve V1 and opens valve V2, thereby switching the direction of liquid flow to the second injection path FP22 side (i.e., the side to be injected into the second transport container TV2).

[0091] [First liquid volume measuring device LS] The first liquid volume measuring device LS is a level sensor attached to a mounting part (not shown) for detachable attachment to the first transport container TV1.

[0092] The first liquid volume measuring device LS then detects the amount of liquid injected into the first transport container TV1 by measuring the position of the liquid inside the first transport container TV1, thereby determining how high the liquid level is.

[0093] The first liquid volume measuring device LS only needs to be capable of measuring the amount (level) of injected liquid. Level sensors come in various types with different measurement principles, such as capacitive, float, and ultrasonic types, but any type of level sensor is acceptable as long as it can measure the amount (level) of injected liquid.

[0094] Furthermore, the first liquid volume measuring device LS does not need to be limited to a level sensor, as long as it is a sensor capable of measuring the amount of liquid injected. In other words, any sensor that can determine the timing for switching the liquid injection destination from the first transport container TV1 to the second transport container TV2 (as described later) is sufficient. For example, a load cell or similar device could be used to measure weight and detect the amount of liquid injected into the first transport container TV1.

[0095] [First installation detection device PS] The first installation detection device PS only needs to be able to detect that the first liquid volume measuring device LS is installed in the first transport container TV1, and in the second embodiment, a general, so-called proximity sensor is used.

[0096] [Brix value measuring device BX] The BX Brix value measuring device is an online Brix sensor capable of measuring the Brix value of liquids online.

[0097] In the case of food sauces and the like, the viscosity and temperature can affect the measurement results, so accurate results could not be obtained directly. Therefore, we conduct tests beforehand to determine the deviation from the true value and add a correction value to obtain accurate values.

[0098] [Second switching device SV2] The second switching device SV2 is a valve for switching the direction of liquid flow to either the second flow path FP2 side or the third flow path FP3 side, and is specifically a three-way valve.

[0099] <Operation of the cooling injection system 100> Next, the cooling injection system 100 of the second embodiment will be described, including its operation. Figure 4 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of the cooling injection system 100 according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

[0100] Furthermore, as with the first embodiment, the operation of the cooling injection system 100 in the second embodiment does not necessarily have to follow the flowchart shown in Figure 4. Steps can be rearranged if doing so does not cause any operational problems.

[0101] Furthermore, in Figure 4, the same step numbers as in Figure 2 are assigned to the steps that were explained in Figure 2. Therefore, in the explanation referring to Figure 4, we will mainly explain the steps that were not explained with reference to Figure 2, and we may omit the explanation for steps that have the same step number as in Figure 2.

[0102] (SA1) The control device (not shown) makes a determination based on the output of the first installation detection device PS. Specifically, the control device (not shown) determines, based on the output of the first installation detection device PS, whether the first liquid volume measuring device LS is installed in the first transport container TV1.

[0103] Then, when the first liquid volume measuring device LS is installed in the first transport container TV1 and preparations for dispensing the liquid are complete (SA1: OK), the process proceeds to S1.

[0104] On the other hand, if the first liquid volume measuring device LS is not installed in the first transport container TV1 and preparations for dispensing the liquid are not complete (SA1:NG), the process proceeds to SA2.

[0105] As will be explained later, this is because the timing of switching the liquid injection destination from the first transport container TV1 to the second transport container TV2 is determined based on the measurement results of the first liquid volume measuring device LS. If the first liquid volume measuring device LS is not installed, there is a risk that the liquid will overflow from the first transport container TV1.

[0106] (SA2) The control device (not shown) displays an installation confirmation warning on the control device's display unit (not shown) prompting the user to confirm whether the first liquid volume measuring device LS is installed in the first transport container TV1, and then returns to SA1.

[0107] Then, once the first liquid volume measuring device LS is installed in the first transport container TV1, the process proceeds to S1.

[0108] (SA3) If the pump 3 is stopped in S4, in the second embodiment, the control device (not shown) switches the second switching device SV2 (three-way valve) so that the liquid can be received into the third flow path FP3. The liquid supplied to the third channel FP3 will return to the discharge tank 1, as shown in Figure 3.

[0109] (SA4) The control device (not shown) determines whether the number of retries, which is the number of times the pump 3 is restarted in S2 after being stopped in S4, is within a predetermined number. Then, if the number of retries is within the set limit (SA4: OK), the process proceeds to S2 again, and pump 3 is restarted. On the other hand, if the number of retries exceeds the set limit (SA4:NG), the process proceeds to SA5.

[0110] (SA5) The control device (not shown) displays a warning on its display unit (not shown) prompting the user to manually bleed the air, and temporarily suspends the process. For example, once the air bleeding process is complete, the process will resume when an operator or other person performs the operation to restart the process.

[0111] (SA6) The control device (not shown) makes a determination based on the output of the Brix value measuring device BX. If the Brix value is normal (SA6: OK), it proceeds to SA10; if it is abnormal (SA6: NG), it proceeds to SA7.

[0112] (SA7) The control unit (not shown) issues a warning that the Brix value is outside the normal range and proceeds to SA8. For example, the control device's display unit (not shown) may display an abnormal Brix value or sound an alarm to inform the operator of the abnormal Brix value.

[0113] (SA8) The control device (not shown) determines whether the number of retries, which is the number of times the Brix value has been determined (re-determined) in SA6 after passing through SA7, is within a predetermined number. Then, if the number of retries is within the set limit (SA8: OK), proceed to S6 again. If the number of retries exceeds the set limit (SA8: NG), proceed to SA9.

[0114] (SA9) The control device (not shown) displays a warning on its display unit (not shown) indicating that an abnormal Brix value exceeding the number of retries has occurred, and temporarily suspends processing. For example, processing will resume when an operator or other relevant person performs an operation to restart processing after taking measures to address an abnormal Brix value.

[0115] (SA10) The control device (not shown) determines whether the liquid temperature is at the specified temperature based on the output of the temperature measuring device TM. If the temperature is at the specified temperature (SA10: OK), proceed to SA12; if the temperature is outside the specified temperature range (SA10: NG), proceed to SA11.

[0116] (SA11) The control device (not shown) switches the second switching device SV2 (three-way valve) so that the liquid is accepted into the third flow path FP3 and returns to SA10. In other words, as shown in Figure 3, the liquid is returned to the discharge tank 1.

[0117] (SA12) The control device (not shown) controls the first switching device SV1 and the second switching device SV2 so that the liquid is received into the first injection channel FP21, and then proceeds to SA13. For example, if the control device (not shown) is configured to supply liquid to the third channel FP3 side, the control device (not shown) will switch to supplying liquid to the second channel FP2 side. Furthermore, the control device (not shown) controls the valve V1 of the first switching device SV1 to be in the open state and the valve V2 to be in the closed state. Furthermore, the processing in SA12 causes the liquid to be injected into the first transport container TV1.

[0118] (SA13) The control device (not shown) determines whether the liquid temperature is at the specified temperature based on the output of the temperature measuring device TM. If the temperature is at the specified temperature (SA13: OK), proceed to SA14; if the temperature is outside the specified temperature range (SA13: NG), proceed to SA11.

[0119] (SA14) The control device (not shown) determines whether to switch the liquid supply destination to the second injection path FP22 side based on the output of the first liquid volume measuring device LS. Specifically, when the control device (not shown) detects, based on the output of the first liquid volume measuring device LS, that the amount of liquid injected into the first transport container TV1 has reached a predetermined amount, it considers the switch OK and proceeds to SA15; otherwise, it considers the switch NG and returns to SA12.

[0120] (SA15) The control device (not shown) determines whether the liquid temperature is at the specified temperature based on the output of the temperature measuring device TM. If the temperature is at the specified temperature (SA15: OK), proceed to SA17; if the temperature is outside the specified temperature range (SA15: NG), proceed to SA16.

[0121] (SA16) The control device (not shown) switches the second switching device SV2 (three-way valve) so that the liquid is accepted into the third flow path FP3 and returns to SA15. In other words, as shown in Figure 3, the liquid is returned to the discharge tank 1.

[0122] (SA17) The control device (not shown) controls the first switching device SV1 and the second switching device SV2 so that the liquid is received in the second injection channel FP22, and then proceeds to SA18. For example, if the control device (not shown) is configured to supply liquid to the third channel FP3 side, the control device (not shown) will switch to supplying liquid to the second channel FP2 side. Furthermore, the control device (not shown) controls the valve V1 of the first switching device SV1 so that it is closed and the valve V2 is open. Furthermore, the process in SA17 causes the liquid to be injected into the second transport container TV2.

[0123] (SA18) The control device (not shown) determines whether the liquid temperature is at the specified temperature based on the output of the temperature measuring device TM. If the temperature is at the specified temperature (SA18: OK), proceed to S7; if the temperature is outside the specified temperature range (SA18: NG), proceed to SA16. In the second embodiment, if the determination in S7 is NO, the process returns to SA17 and is repeated until the determination in S7 becomes YES.

[0124] The cooling injection system 100 of the second embodiment described above also has the same basic configuration as the cooling injection system 100 of the first embodiment, and therefore has the same effects as the first embodiment.

[0125] Furthermore, measuring Brix values ​​online eliminates the need for manual verification, thus saving time and contributing to improved work efficiency.

[0126] Furthermore, similar to the first embodiment, in the second embodiment as well, appropriate PID parameters (P gain, I gain, D gain) for each type of liquid are stored, and PID control of the cooling device 2 is performed based on these appropriate PID parameters (P gain, I gain, D gain), and the liquid is cooled to a second temperature by the cooling device 2.

[0127] Furthermore, the PID parameters (P gain, I gain, D gain) for each type of liquid may be stored in a temperature measuring device TM equipped with a PID control function, and the operator may select the appropriate PID parameters (P gain, I gain, D gain) for each type of liquid on the temperature measuring device TM before starting the cooling injection system 100.

[0128] Furthermore, the PID parameters (P gain, I gain, D gain) for each type of liquid may be stored in the memory of the control device (not shown), and before operating the cooling injection system 100, the operator can select the PID parameters (P gain, I gain, D gain) corresponding to the type of liquid on a touch panel display unit (not shown) on which settings input for the control device (not shown) can be made, and the selected PID parameters may be reflected in the PID parameters (P gain, I gain, D gain) of the temperature measuring device TM.

[0129] Furthermore, as a result of the cooling device 2 being PID controlled based on appropriate PID parameters (P gain, I gain, D gain), the temperature of the liquid in the piping after the cooling device 2 has not yet exceeded the specified temperature. However, since the cooling injection system 100 of the second embodiment is provided with a third flow path FP3, if any of the various judgments result in NG, the liquid in the piping can be returned to the discharge tank 1.

[0130] Therefore, if any of the various judgments result in a "NG" (Not Good), the cooling injection system 100 of the second embodiment can process the liquid in the piping by returning it to the discharge tank 1 through the third flow path FP3, without sending the liquid to the transport containers (first transport container TV1 and second transport container TV2). This prevents contamination of the transport containers (first transport container TV1 and second transport container TV2) and avoids wasting liquid.

[0131] Although the present invention has been described above based on specific embodiments, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments.

[0132] In the second embodiment, the system is configured to continuously inject liquid into two transport containers (the first transport container TV1 and the second transport container TV2), but it may also be configured to inject liquid into many more transport containers.

[0133] Thus, the present invention includes modifications and improvements to its embodiments, which is evident to those skilled in the art from the claims.

[0134] Furthermore, the following additional information is disclosed regarding the above embodiments. [Note 1] A cooling injection system that cools a pre-mixed liquid at a first temperature to a second temperature and injects the liquid into a transport container, The aforementioned cooling injection system is A discharge tank having a liquid discharge port on its lower side for receiving the liquid at the first temperature discharged from the mixing device and for discharging the liquid toward the transport container, A cooling device for cooling the liquid discharged from the discharge tank to the second temperature, A pump is provided in the first flow path between the liquid outlet of the discharge tank and the liquid inlet of the cooling device that receives the liquid, and the pump sends the liquid from the discharge tank toward the cooling device. A second channel for sending the liquid discharged from the cooling device to the transport container, The system comprises a temperature measuring device provided on the second flow path for measuring the temperature of the liquid, A cooling injection system in which the cooling device is PID controlled based on the output of a temperature measuring device, such that the liquid at the second temperature is injected directly from the discharge tank through the cooling device into the transport container. [Note 2] The cooling injection system described in Appendix 1, wherein the temperature measuring device is equipped with a PID control function. [Note 3] The cooling injection system according to Appendix 1 or Appendix 2, wherein the opening degree of a control valve that controls the flow rate of refrigerant in the cooling device is controlled by the PID control. [Note 4] The aforementioned cooling injection system is Control device and The system includes a pressure measuring device provided on the first flow path on the side of the cooling device that is closer to the pump, for measuring the liquid pressure of the liquid, The cooling injection system according to any one of Appendix 1 to Appendix 3, wherein the control device performs control to restart the pump if the determination based on the liquid pressure measured by the pressure measuring device at the time of pump startup is NG. [Note 5] The aforementioned cooling injection system is An injection channel provided on the tip side of the second flow path for injecting the liquid into the transport container, comprising a first injection channel for injecting the liquid into the first transport container and a second injection channel for injecting the liquid into a second transport container different from the first transport container, A first switching device that switches the direction of the liquid flow to either the first injection channel side or the second injection channel side, The system includes a first liquid volume measuring device that is detachably attached to the first transport container and measures the amount of liquid in the first transport container, The cooling injection system according to Appendix 4, wherein the control device controls the first switching device to switch the direction of liquid flow from the first injection path side to the second injection path side based on the output of the first liquid volume measuring device. [Note 6] The cooling injection system is provided in the first transport container and includes a first installation detection device that detects the installation of the first liquid volume measuring device in the first transport container. The cooling injection system according to Appendix 4 or Appendix 5, wherein the control device controls the dispensing of the liquid from the dispensing tank to not start if the determination based on the output of the first installation detection device is NG. [Note 7] The cooling injection system is provided on the first flow path between the liquid outlet of the discharge tank and the pump, and includes an empty detection device for detecting when the discharge tank is empty. The cooling injection system according to any one of the appendices 4 to 6, wherein the control device, based on the output to the empty detection device, detects that the discharge tank has become empty and controls the termination of the discharge of the liquid from the discharge tank. [Note 8] The aforementioned cooling injection system is A Brix value measuring device is provided on the second flow path on the transport container side of the temperature measuring device, and measures the Brix value of the liquid. A third flow path returns the liquid from the second flow path between the temperature measuring device and the Brix value measuring device to the discharge tank, The system includes a second switching device for switching the direction of liquid flow to either the second or third flow path, The cooling injection system according to any one of the appendices 4 to 7, wherein the control device controls the second switching device to switch the direction of liquid flow from the second flow path side to the third flow path side if the determination based on the output of the Brix value measuring device is NG. [Explanation of symbols]

[0135] 1...Discharge tank, 2...Cooling device, 2A...Heat exchange section, 2A1...Liquid inlet, 2A2...Liquid outlet, 2B...Refrigerant cooling section, 3...Pump, 4...Air detection device, 100...Cooling injection system, 1B...Bottom surface, BX...Brix value measuring device, CV...Control valve, FP1...First flow path, FP2...Second flow path, FP21...First injection path, FP22...Second injection path, FP3...Third flow path, H...Heater, LS...First liquid volume measuring device, P...Pressure measuring device, PS...First installation detection device, SV1...First switching device, SV2...Second switching device, TM...Temperature measuring device, TV1, TV2...Transport container, V1, V2...Valve

Claims

1. A cooling injection system that cools a pre-mixed liquid at a first temperature to a second temperature and injects the liquid into a transport container, The aforementioned cooling injection system is A discharge tank having a liquid discharge port on its lower side for receiving the liquid at the first temperature discharged from the mixing device and for discharging the liquid toward the transport container, A cooling device for cooling the liquid discharged from the discharge tank to the second temperature, A pump is provided in the first flow path between the liquid outlet of the discharge tank and the liquid inlet of the cooling device that receives the liquid, and the pump sends the liquid from the discharge tank toward the cooling device. A second channel for sending the liquid discharged from the cooling device to the transport container, The system comprises a temperature measuring device provided on the second flow path for measuring the temperature of the liquid, A cooling injection system in which the cooling device is PID controlled based on the output of the temperature measuring device, such that the liquid at the second temperature is injected directly from the discharge tank through the cooling device into the transport container.

2. The cooling injection system according to claim 1, wherein the temperature measuring device is equipped with a PID control function.

3. The cooling injection system according to claim 1, wherein the opening degree of a control valve that controls the flow rate of refrigerant in the cooling device is controlled by the PID control.

4. The aforementioned cooling injection system is Control device and The system includes a pressure measuring device provided on the first flow path on the side of the cooling device that is closer to the pump, for measuring the liquid pressure of the liquid, The cooling injection system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the control device performs control to restart the pump if the determination based on the liquid pressure measured by the pressure measuring device at the time of pump startup is NG.

5. The aforementioned cooling injection system is An injection channel provided on the tip side of the second flow path for injecting the liquid into the transport container, comprising a first injection channel for injecting the liquid into the first transport container and a second injection channel for injecting the liquid into a second transport container different from the first transport container, A first switching device that switches the direction of the liquid flow to either the first injection channel side or the second injection channel side, The system includes a first liquid volume measuring device that is detachably attached to the first transport container and measures the amount of liquid in the first transport container, The cooling injection system according to claim 4, wherein the control device controls the first switching device to switch the direction of liquid flow from the first injection path side to the second injection path side based on the output of the first liquid volume measuring device.

6. The cooling injection system is provided in the first transport container and includes a first installation detection device that detects the installation of the first liquid volume measuring device in the first transport container. The cooling injection system according to claim 5, wherein the control device controls the dispensing of the liquid from the dispensing tank not to start if the determination based on the output of the first installation detection device is NG.

7. The cooling injection system is provided on the first flow path between the liquid outlet of the discharge tank and the pump, and includes an empty detection device for detecting when the discharge tank is empty. The cooling injection system according to claim 4, wherein the control device, based on the output to the empty detection device, detects that the discharge tank has become empty and performs control to terminate the discharge of the liquid from the discharge tank.

8. The aforementioned cooling injection system is A Brix value measuring device is provided on the second flow path on the transport container side of the temperature measuring device, and measures the Brix value of the liquid. A third flow path returns the liquid from the second flow path between the temperature measuring device and the Brix value measuring device to the discharge tank, The system includes a second switching device for switching the direction of liquid flow to either the second flow path or the third flow path, The cooling injection system according to claim 4, wherein the control device controls the second switching device to switch the direction of the liquid flow from the second flow path side to the third flow path side if the determination based on the output of the Brix value measuring device is NG.

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