Aseptic filling process and device for stick-inserted food products

Abstract

The present application discloses an aseptic filling process and device for stick-inserted food products. The device comprises an aseptic chamber, a conveying component, a stick inserting component, a filling component, and a sealing component, and further comprises a sterilizing component and a drying component. The sterilizing component, the drying component, the stick inserting component, the filling component, and the sealing component are sequentially distributed on a conveying path; the aseptic chamber is provided with a sterilizing cavity, a drying cavity, a stick inserting cavity, a filling cavity, and a sealing cavity; and the sterilizing component extends into the conveying path by means of a sterilizing operation end to spray a sterilizing agent to the conveying path, and the drying component extends into the conveying path by means of a drying operation end to spray drying gas to the conveying path. According to the present application, the top of the sterilized formed sheet only sequentially extends into and passes through the stick inserting cavity, the filling cavity, and the sealing cavity, reducing the usage amount of aseptic air required to be introduced for constructing the whole aseptic environment of the aseptic chamber, reducing the condition for constructing the aseptic environment, thereby greatly reducing the production cost.

Description

A sterile filling process and device for stick-type food

[0001] Cross-reference to Related Applications

[0002] This application claims priority to the application No. 2024104481771 and entitled "A sterile filling process and device for stick-type food" filed on April 15, 2024 with the China Patent Office, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. TECHNICAL FIELD

[0003] The present application belongs to the field of sterile filling, and particularly relates to a sterile filling process and device for stick-type food. BACKGROUND

[0004] The sterile filling process for stick-type food (e.g., cheese sticks) is different from that for other food, because the packaging container of stick-type food is not derived from a single independent container, but is formed by folding and blow molding a sheet. In the filling device, the sheet is continuously distributed, and each component is densely arranged in a compact arrangement.

[0005] At present, the existing stick-type food needs to be sterilized by spraying sterilizing agent on both sides of the sheet-shaped sheet before filling. Then, after drying, the sheet is folded and blow molded to form a molded sheet. Finally, the stick, filling and sealing operations are performed. The entire process requires the sheet to be in a sterile environment in the sterile chamber. Therefore, a larger sterile chamber is required. However, a large sterile chamber requires a large amount of sterile air to be continuously introduced to build and maintain a sterile environment, resulting in high cost of maintaining the sterile environment of the sterile chamber. In addition, the sterilization area of the sheet-shaped sheet before folding and blow molding is the sum of the areas of the front and back sides of the sheet, which is large, resulting in a large amount of sterilizing agent being consumed, high sterilization cost, and high cost of maintaining the sterile environment and sterilization.

[0006] SUMMARY

[0007] The technical problem to be solved by the present application is to provide a sterile filling process and device for stick-type food to solve the problem of large consumption of sterilizing agent.

[0008] To solve the above technical problems, the present application adopts the following technical solution: a sterile filling process and device for stick-type food, comprising the following steps:

[0009] Step one, the sheet is folded and blow molded to form a molded sheet, the molded sheet has a plurality of open upward cavities, the plurality of cavities are continuously arranged and independent of each other, and the molded sheet is conveyed in a step-by-step manner;

[0010] Step two, the formed sheet enters the sterilization cavity in an integral manner, the sterilization agent is sprayed to the outer surface of the formed sheet entering the sterilization cavity and the inner surface of the formed sheet at the cavity;

[0011] Step three, the formed sheet enters the drying cavity in an integral manner, the high-temperature sterile air is sprayed to the outer surface of the formed sheet entering the drying cavity and the inner surface of the formed sheet at the cavity;

[0012] Step four, the formed sheet enters the stick inserting cavity in a partial manner, only the top of the formed sheet provided with the opening is located in the stick inserting cavity, the rest of the formed sheet is located outside the stick inserting cavity, the stick is inserted into the cavity of the formed sheet;

[0013] Step five, the formed sheet enters the filling cavity in a partial manner, only the top of the formed sheet provided with the opening is located in the filling cavity, the rest of the formed sheet is located outside the filling cavity, the material is filled into the cavity of the formed sheet;

[0014] Step six, the formed sheet enters the sealing cavity in a partial manner, only the top of the formed sheet provided with the opening is located in the sealing cavity, the rest of the formed sheet is located outside the sealing cavity, the opening provided in the top of the formed sheet is closed;

[0015] Step seven, the formed sheet is cut to cut out the stick food in independent packaging;

[0016] The sterilization cavity, the drying cavity, the stick inserting cavity, the filling cavity and the sealing cavity are communicated and the inside is a sterile environment, the air pressure of the filling cavity is greater than that of the stick inserting cavity and the sealing cavity, the air pressure of the stick inserting cavity is greater than that of the drying cavity, the air pressure of the drying cavity is greater than that of the sterilization cavity.

[0017] The technical scheme has the following technical effects:

[0018] The sheet is folded and blow molded, and then a sterilizing agent is sprayed to the outer surface and the inner surface of the cavity of the molded sheet to sterilize the molded sheet, because the folded and blow molded sheet does not need to be sprayed with the sterilizing agent on the folded connection part of the inner surface, and the sterilization surface of the molded sheet is limited to the formed inner surface of the cavity and the outer surface of the molded sheet. If the sheet is sterilized before being folded and blow molded, the sterilizing agent needs to be sprayed on both surfaces of the flat sheet, and the sterilization area is larger. Therefore, the sterilization area of the molded sheet is smaller than that of the sheet without being folded and blow molded, and the amount of sterilizing agent used by the molded sheet is less. Spraying the sterilizing agent after the sheet is folded and blow molded can reduce the consumption of the sterilizing agent, and in turn reduce the amount of high-temperature sterile air used for drying, and reduce the sterilization and drying costs. By inserting the molded sheet with only the open top into and through the plug rod cavity, the filling cavity and the sealing cavity in turn, the cavity of the molded sheet is communicated with the plug rod cavity, the filling cavity and the sealing cavity through the opening, and the inner surface of the cavity is in a sterile environment, so that the plug rod, filling and sealing steps can be performed without the molded sheet passing through the plug rod cavity, the filling cavity and the sealing cavity. The height of the plug rod cavity, the filling cavity and the sealing cavity can be reduced, and the volume of the plug rod cavity, the filling cavity and the sealing cavity can be reduced, and in turn the amount of sterile air required to build a sterile environment for the sterilization cavity, the drying cavity, the plug rod cavity, the filling cavity and the sealing cavity can be reduced, the construction conditions of the sterile environment can be reduced, and the maintenance cost of the sterile environment can be reduced, thereby greatly reducing the production cost.

[0019] In the above-mentioned plug rod type food sterile filling process, the molded sheet in steps four, five and six is in the same clean cavity except for the top part, the clean cavity is communicated with the bottom of the sterilization cavity, the drying cavity, the plug rod cavity, the filling cavity and the sealing cavity, and the air pressure of the sterilization cavity and the sealing cavity is greater than that of the clean cavity. The construction of the sterile environment in the sterilization cavity, the drying cavity, the plug rod cavity, the filling cavity and the sealing cavity is achieved by continuously introducing sterile air into these cavities, and by continuously discharging sterile air from the inlet of the sterilization cavity and the outlet of the sealing cavity. Because the flow rate of the inlet of the sterilization cavity and the outlet of the sealing cavity is limited, the construction of the sterile environment is limited by the size of the inlet of the sterilization cavity and the outlet of the sealing cavity. By communicating the clean cavity with the sterilization cavity, the drying cavity, the plug rod cavity, the filling cavity and the sealing cavity above, and setting the air pressure of the clean cavity to be lower than that of each cavity above, when the flow rate of the sterile air in the sterilization cavity, the drying cavity, the plug rod cavity, the filling cavity and the sealing cavity is large, the clean cavity can provide a supplementary outlet for the discharge of the sterile air in the sterilization cavity, the drying cavity, the plug rod cavity, the filling cavity and the sealing cavity to maintain the sterile environment in the sterilization cavity, the drying cavity, the plug rod cavity, the filling cavity and the sealing cavity, and the air pressure of the clean cavity is lower than that of each cavity above, which can prevent bacteria in the clean cavity from entering the sterilization cavity, the drying cavity, the plug rod cavity, the filling cavity or the sealing cavity to destroy the sterile environment inside.

[0020] In the above-mentioned sterile filling process of the stick-type food, the air barriers are respectively arranged at the inlet of the sterilization cavity and the outlet of the sealing cavity, the air pressure of the air barrier arranged at the inlet of the sterilization cavity is less than the air pressure of the sterilization cavity, and the air pressure of the air barrier arranged at the outlet of the sealing cavity is less than the air pressure of the sealing cavity. The air pressure of the air barrier arranged at the inlet of the sterilization cavity is less than the air pressure of the sterilization cavity, so as to separate the sterilization cavity and the outside through the air barrier, and avoid that the bacteria in the outside air enter the sterilization cavity through the inlet of the sterilization cavity to destroy the sterile environment of the sterilization cavity. The air pressure of the air barrier arranged at the outlet of the sealing cavity is less than the air pressure of the sealing cavity, so as to separate the sealing cavity and the outside through the air barrier, and avoid that the bacteria in the outside air enter the sealing cavity through the outlet of the sealing cavity to destroy the sterile environment of the sealing cavity.

[0021] The application further provides a sterile filling device for stick-type food, which comprises a sterile bin, a conveying component, a stick component, a filling component and a sealing component, the conveying component has a conveying path, and the sterile filling device for stick-type food further comprises a sterilization component and a drying component, the sterilization component, the drying component, the stick component, the filling component and the sealing component are sequentially arranged on the conveying path, the sterile bin has a sterilization cavity, a drying cavity, a stick cavity, a filling cavity and a sealing cavity, the sterilization cavity, the drying cavity, the stick cavity, the filling cavity and the sealing cavity are communicated, a sterilization operation end of the sterilization component extends into the sterilization cavity, a drying operation end of the drying component extends into the drying cavity, a stick operation end of the stick component extends into the stick cavity, a filling operation end of the filling component extends into the filling cavity, and a sealing operation end of the sealing component extends into the sealing cavity, the conveying path entirely passes through the sterilization cavity and the drying cavity, the top of the conveying path passes through the stick cavity, the filling cavity and the sealing cavity, the sterilization operation end moves in the vertical direction and the movement range of the sterilization operation end intersects with the conveying path, the sterilization component sprays sterilization agent into the conveying path through the sterilization operation end, the drying operation end moves in the vertical direction and the movement range of the drying operation end intersects with the conveying path, and the drying component sprays drying gas into the conveying path through the drying operation end.

[0022] The technical scheme has the following technical effects:

[0023] The present application folds and blow-molds the sheet, then drags the molded sheet into the sterilization cavity through the conveying component, sprays the sterilizing agent to the outer surface of the molded sheet and the inner surface of the cavity through the sterilization operation end to sterilize the molded sheet. Because the folded and blow-molded molded sheet does not need to be sprayed with sterilizing agent on the folded connection part of the inner surface, the surface of the molded sheet that needs to be sterilized is limited to the inner surface of the formed cavity and the outer surface of the molded sheet. If the sheet is sterilized before being folded and blow-molded, the sterilizing agent needs to be sprayed on both sides of the flat sheet, and the sterilization area is larger. Therefore, the sterilization area required by the molded sheet is smaller than that of the sheet that is not folded and blow-molded, and the amount of sterilizing agent required by the molded sheet is less. Spraying the sterilizing agent after the sheet is folded and blow-molded can reduce the consumption of sterilizing agent, thereby reducing the amount of high-temperature sterile air used for drying and reducing the cost of sterilization and drying. By only inserting the top of the sterilized molded sheet into the plug rod cavity, the filling cavity and the sealing cavity in turn, the cavity of the molded sheet is connected with the plug rod cavity, the filling cavity and the sealing cavity through the opening at the top of the molded sheet, ensuring that the inner surface of the cavity of the molded sheet is always in a sterile environment. The plug rod component, the filling component and the sealing component can be used to sequentially plug, fill and seal the molded sheet without the molded sheet passing through the plug rod cavity, the filling cavity and the sealing cavity. This can reduce the height of the plug rod cavity, the filling cavity and the sealing cavity, i.e. reduce the volume of the plug rod cavity, the filling cavity and the sealing cavity, thereby reducing the amount of sterile air required to build a sterile environment in the whole sterile bin, reducing the construction conditions of the sterile environment in the sterile bin, and further reducing the maintenance cost of the sterile environment, greatly reducing the production cost.

[0024] In the above-mentioned plug rod type food sterile filling equipment, the plug rod type food sterile filling equipment further comprises a clean bin arranged at the bottom of the sterile bin, and the clean bin is provided with a clean cavity, and the clean cavity is communicated with the bottom of each cavity of the sterile bin. The bottom surface height of the plug rod cavity, the filling cavity and the sealing cavity is higher than the bottom surface height of the sterilization cavity and the drying cavity, so that when the top of the conveying path passes through the plug rod cavity, the filling cavity and the sealing cavity, the lower part of the conveying path extending out of the plug rod cavity, the filling cavity and the sealing cavity is located in the clean cavity. The construction of the sterile environment in the sterilization cavity, the drying cavity, the plug rod cavity, the filling cavity and the sealing cavity is achieved by continuously introducing sterile air into these cavities, and by continuously flowing out of the inlet of the sterilization cavity and the outlet of the sealing cavity. Because the flow of the inlet of the sterilization cavity and the outlet of the sealing cavity is limited, the construction of the sterile environment is limited by the size of the inlet of the sterilization cavity and the outlet of the sealing cavity. By communicating the clean cavity with the sterilization cavity, the drying cavity, the plug rod cavity, the filling cavity and the sealing cavity above, the clean cavity can provide a supplementary outlet for the discharge of sterile air in the sterilization cavity, the drying cavity, the plug rod cavity, the filling cavity and the sealing cavity, so as to maintain the sterile environment of the sterilization cavity, the drying cavity, the plug rod cavity, the filling cavity and the sealing cavity.

[0025] In the above-mentioned sterile filling equipment for stick-type food, the two sides of the sterile bin are respectively provided with a first air barrier bin and a second air barrier bin, the first air barrier bin is communicated with the inlet of the sterilization cavity, and the second air barrier bin is communicated with the outlet of the sealing cavity. The first air barrier bin is located at the inlet of the sterilization cavity, and the first air barrier bin is communicated with the sterilization cavity through the inlet of the sterilization cavity to separate the sterilization cavity and the outside, so as to avoid that the bacteria in the outside air enter the sterilization cavity through the inlet of the sterilization cavity to destroy the sterile environment of the sterilization cavity. The second air barrier bin is located at the outlet of the sealing cavity, and the second air barrier bin is communicated with the sealing cavity through the outlet of the sealing cavity to separate the sealing cavity and the outside, so as to avoid that the bacteria in the outside air enter the sealing cavity through the outlet of the sealing cavity to destroy the sterile environment of the sealing cavity.

[0026] In the above-mentioned sterile filling equipment for stick-type food, the conveying path is arranged to be bent in the sterilization cavity and the drying cavity, so that the part of the conveying path in the sterilization cavity and the drying cavity is in the shape of n. In this way, the formed sheet can stay in the sterilization cavity and the drying cavity for a sufficient time to be completely sterilized, and the length of the whole machine can be shortened, so that the structure of the whole machine is more compact.

[0027] In the above-mentioned sterile filling equipment for stick-type food, the sterilization component includes a first lifting assembly and a sterilization assembly, the sterilization assembly is installed on the first lifting assembly, and the first lifting assembly drives the sterilization assembly to ascend to move away from the conveying component or drives the sterilization assembly to descend to spray the sterilization agent to the formed sheet on the conveying component. The structure is simple and stable in operation.

[0028] In the above-mentioned sterile filling equipment for stick-type food, the sterilization assembly includes a main pipe body and a plurality of spraying units, the spraying units are connected to the main pipe body and distributed along the conveying path, the spraying unit includes a vertically extending inner pipe and an outer pipe, the outer pipe is provided with two, the two outer pipes are arranged on the two sides of the inner pipe, the bottom of the inner pipe is provided with an inner nozzle, and the outer pipe is provided with an outer nozzle on the side wall facing the inner pipe. When the first lifting assembly drives the sterilization assembly to descend to the position, the inner pipe extends into the cavity through the opening at the top of the formed sheet, the sterilization agent is sprayed downward from the inner nozzle and flows upward to achieve the coverage sterilization of the inner surface of the cavity of the formed sheet. The outer pipe is located on the two sides of the formed sheet, the outer nozzles on the two outer pipes are respectively arranged towards the two outer sides of the formed sheet, and the sterilization agent is sprayed from the outer nozzles to the outer sides of the formed sheet to achieve the coverage sterilization of the outer surface of the formed sheet. The spraying unit can completely sterilize the formed sheet.

[0029] In the above-mentioned sterile filling device for stick-type food, the drying component comprises a second lifting assembly and a drying assembly which has the same structure as the sterilizing assembly, the drying assembly is installed on the second lifting assembly, the second lifting assembly drives the drying assembly to ascend to move away from the conveying component or drives the drying assembly to descend to spray drying gas to the formed sheet on the conveying component. When the second lifting assembly drives the drying assembly to descend to the position, the drying assembly can spray drying gas to the formed sheet to dry the sterilizing agent on the outer surface of the formed sheet and the inner surface of the cavity. The drying assembly in the embodiment has the same structure as the sterilizing assembly, the difference is that the drying gas is sprayed in the drying assembly while the sterilizing agent is sprayed in the sterilizing assembly, the drying assembly and the sterilizing assembly have the same structure, so that the drying effect of the drying assembly on the formed sheet is better and the drying efficiency is improved.

[0030] The features and advantages of the present application will be described in detail in the following detailed description, drawings and claims. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0031] The present application will be further described below in conjunction with the drawings and specific embodiments:

[0032] Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the sterile filling device for stick-type food in the embodiment;

[0033] Fig. 2 is a front view of the sterile filling device for stick-type food in the embodiment;

[0034] Fig. 3 is an internal schematic view of the sterile filling device for stick-type food in the embodiment;

[0035] Fig. 4 is a transverse cross-sectional schematic view of the sterile filling device for stick-type food in the embodiment;

[0036] Fig. 5 is a front view of the sterilizing component in the embodiment;

[0037] Fig. 6 is a side view of the sterilizing component in the embodiment.

[0038] 100, sterile chamber; 110, sterilization cavity; 120, drying cavity; 130, stick insertion cavity; 140, filling cavity; 150, sealing cavity; 160, roller; 200, clean chamber; 210, clean cavity; 310, first air barrier chamber; 320, second air barrier chamber; 400, sterilization component; 410, first lifting assembly; 420, sterilization assembly; 421, main body; 422, spraying unit; 4221, inner pipe; 4222, inner spraying port; 4223, outer pipe; 4224, outer spraying port; 500, drying component; 510, second lifting assembly; 520, drying assembly; 600, conveying component; 610, conveying path; 710, stick insertion component; 711, stick insertion operation end; 720, filling component; 721, filling operation end; 730, sealing component; 731, sealing operation end; 800, formed sheet; 810, cavity; 820, opening. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0039] The technical solutions of the embodiments of the present application are explained and described below in combination with the drawings of the embodiments of the present application. The following embodiments are only optional embodiments of the present application, and not all. Based on the embodiments in the embodiments, other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative labor are within the protection scope of the present application.

[0040] In the description of the present application, it should be understood that the terms "center", "longitudinal", "transverse", "length", "width", "thickness", "upper", "lower", "front", "rear", "left", "right", "vertical", "horizontal", "top", "bottom", "inner", "clockwise", "counterclockwise" and the like indicate the orientation or positional relationship shown in the drawings, and are only for the convenience of describing the present application and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a particular orientation, be constructed and operated in a particular orientation, and therefore cannot be understood as a limitation of the present application.

[0041] In addition, the terms "first", "second" are only for description purpose, and cannot be understood as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly indicating the number of the technical features indicated. Therefore, the features defined with "first", "second" can explicitly or implicitly include one or more of the features. In the description of the present application, unless otherwise specified, the meaning of "multiple" is two or more, unless otherwise explicitly limited.

[0042] In the present application, unless specifically defined otherwise and limited, the terms "mount", "connect", "connection", "fixed", and the like should be construed as broadly as possible, for example, can be fixedly connected, can be detachably connected, or integrally connected; can be mechanically connected, or electrically connected; can be directly connected, or indirectly connected through an intermediate medium, or can be connected inside two elements. For those skilled in the art, the specific meaning of the above terms in the present application can be understood according to the specific circumstances.

[0043] In the present application, unless specifically defined otherwise and limited, the first feature "on" or "under" the second feature can include that the first and second features are in direct contact, or that the first and second features are not in direct contact but are in contact through another feature between them. Moreover, the first feature "on", "above" and "above" the second feature includes that the first feature is directly above and obliquely above the second feature, or only indicates that the horizontal height of the first feature is higher than that of the second feature. The first feature "below", "below" and "below" the second feature includes that the first feature is directly below and obliquely below the second feature, or only indicates that the horizontal height of the first feature is less than that of the second feature.

[0044] A sterile filling process of stick-type food, comprising the following steps:

[0045] Step one, the sheet is folded and blown to form a shaped sheet, the shaped sheet has a plurality of cavities, the openings of the cavities are arranged on the top of the shaped sheet, the openings are configured to communicate the cavities with the outside of the shaped sheet, the plurality of cavities are arranged continuously and independently, and the shaped sheet is conveyed in a step-by-step manner;

[0046] Step two, the shaped sheet is transported into a sterilization cavity, the shaped sheet enters the sterilization cavity as a whole, that is, the shaped sheet entering the sterilization cavity is located entirely in the sterilization cavity from top to bottom, and a sterilizing agent is sprayed to the outer surface of the shaped sheet entering the sterilization cavity and the inner surface of the shaped sheet at the cavities, so as to sterilize the shaped sheet;

[0047] Step three, the shaped sheet is transported into a drying cavity, the shaped sheet enters the drying cavity as a whole, that is, the shaped sheet entering the drying cavity is located entirely in the drying cavity from top to bottom, and high-temperature sterile air is sprayed to the outer surface of the shaped sheet entering the drying cavity and the inner surface of the shaped sheet at the cavities, so as to dry the shaped sheet;

[0048] Step four, the shaped sheet is transported into a stick cavity, the shaped sheet enters the stick cavity in a partial manner, that is, the top and bottom of the shaped sheet are not located entirely in the stick cavity, only the top of the shaped sheet provided with the openings is located in the stick cavity, and the remaining part of the shaped sheet is located outside the stick cavity below the stick cavity, and a stick is inserted into the cavity of the shaped sheet through the openings in the stick cavity;

[0049] Step five, the formed sheet is conveyed into the filling cavity, the formed sheet enters the filling cavity in a partial way, i.e. the top and bottom of the formed sheet are not all located in the filling cavity, only the top of the formed sheet with the opening is located in the filling cavity, and the rest of the formed sheet is located outside the filling cavity below the filling cavity, the material is filled into the cavity of the formed sheet through the opening in the filling cavity;

[0050] Step six, the formed sheet is conveyed into the sealing cavity, the formed sheet enters the sealing cavity in a partial way, i.e. the top and bottom of the formed sheet are not all located in the sealing cavity, only the top of the formed sheet with the opening is located in the sealing cavity, and the rest of the formed sheet is located outside the sealing cavity below the sealing cavity, the opening of the formed sheet in the sealing cavity is closed to seal the cavity of the formed sheet and the material in the cavity;

[0051] Step seven, the formed sheet is cut to cut the formed sheet with a plurality of cavities arranged in series into stick-type food with independent packaging.

[0052] During the whole aseptic filling process, sterile air is supplied to the inside of the sterilization cavity, the drying cavity, the stick cavity, the filling cavity and the sealing cavity to form a sterile environment, and the side parts of the sterilization cavity, the drying cavity, the stick cavity, the filling cavity and the sealing cavity are connected with each other and can be passed through by the formed sheet, wherein the air pressure of the filling cavity is the largest, and the air pressure gradually decreases from the filling cavity to the cavities on both sides, i.e. the air pressure of the filling cavity is greater than the air pressure of the stick cavity, the air pressure of the stick cavity is greater than the air pressure of the drying cavity, the air pressure of the drying cavity is greater than the air pressure of the sterilization cavity, and at the same time, the air pressure of the filling cavity is also greater than the air pressure of the sealing cavity, and the air pressure of the sterilization cavity and the sealing cavity is greater than the atmospheric pressure, which can avoid the entry of external bacteria, especially the entry of bacteria into the filling cavity, so as to ensure that the sterile environment in the filling cavity is not damaged during filling, and prevent bacteria from entering the cavity of the formed sheet.

[0053] The present application folds and blow-molds the sheet, and then sprays a sterilizing agent to the outer surface of the molded sheet and the inner surface of the cavity to sterilize the molded sheet, because the folded and blow-molded molded sheet does not need to be sprayed with a sterilizing agent on the folded connection part of the inner surface, that is, the sterilized surface of the molded sheet is limited to the inner surface of the formed cavity and the outer surface of the molded sheet, and sterilizing the sheet before folding and blow-molding requires spraying a sterilizing agent on both sides of the flat sheet, which has a larger sterilization area. Therefore, the sterilization area required by the molded sheet is smaller than that of the sheet that is not folded and blow-molded, so the amount of sterilizing agent required by the molded sheet is less, and spraying the sterilizing agent after folding and blow-molding the sheet can reduce the consumption of sterilizing agent, thereby reducing the amount of high-temperature sterile air used for drying, and reducing the cost of sterilization and drying. By inserting the molded sheet with only the open top into and through the plug rod cavity, the filling cavity and the sealing cavity in turn, the cavity of the molded sheet is communicated with the plug rod cavity, the filling cavity and the sealing cavity through the opening, ensuring that the inner surface of the cavity is in a sterile environment, so that the plug rod, filling and sealing steps can be performed, and the molded sheet does not need to pass through the plug rod cavity, the filling cavity and the sealing cavity, which can reduce the height of the plug rod cavity, the filling cavity and the sealing cavity, that is, the volume of the plug rod cavity, the filling cavity and the sealing cavity, thereby reducing the amount of sterile air required to build a whole sterile environment of the sterilizing cavity, the drying cavity, the plug rod cavity, the filling cavity and the sealing cavity, reducing the construction conditions of the sterile environment, thereby reducing the cost of maintaining the sterile environment, and greatly reducing the production cost.

[0054] When the top of the shaped sheet provided with the opening is in the plug cavity, the filling cavity or the sealing cavity, the other part of the shaped sheet except the top is in the same clean cavity, the clean cavity is communicated with the sterilization cavity, the drying cavity, the plug cavity, the filling cavity and the sealing cavity, and the clean cavity is located below the sterilization cavity, the drying cavity, the plug cavity, the filling cavity and the sealing cavity. The top of the clean cavity is communicated with the bottom of the sterilization cavity, the drying cavity, the plug cavity, the filling cavity and the sealing cavity, and the air pressure of the sterilization cavity, the drying cavity, the plug cavity, the filling cavity and the sealing cavity is greater than the air pressure of the clean cavity. The construction of the sterile environment in the sterilization cavity, the drying cavity, the plug cavity, the filling cavity and the sealing cavity is realized by continuously introducing sterile air into these cavities and continuously flowing out of the inlet of the sterilization cavity and the outlet of the sealing cavity. Because the flow of the inlet of the sterilization cavity and the outlet of the sealing cavity is limited, the construction of the sterile environment is limited by the size of the inlet of the sterilization cavity and the outlet of the sealing cavity. By communicating the clean cavity with the sterilization cavity, the drying cavity, the plug cavity, the filling cavity and the sealing cavity above, and setting the air pressure of the clean cavity to be lower than the air pressure of the cavities above, when the sterile air flow in the sterilization cavity, the drying cavity, the plug cavity, the filling cavity and the sealing cavity is large, the clean cavity can provide a supplementary outlet for the discharge of sterile air in the sterilization cavity, the drying cavity, the plug cavity, the filling cavity and the sealing cavity to maintain the sterile environment of the sterilization cavity, the drying cavity, the plug cavity, the filling cavity and the sealing cavity. The air pressure of the clean cavity is lower than the air pressure of the cavities above, which can prevent bacteria in the clean cavity from entering the sterilization cavity, the drying cavity, the plug cavity, the filling cavity or the sealing cavity to destroy the sterile environment inside.

[0055] In the embodiment, the inlet of the sterilization cavity and the outlet of the sealing cavity are respectively provided with air barriers. The air barrier located at the inlet of the sterilization cavity is communicated with the sterilization cavity through the inlet of the sterilization cavity, and the air pressure of the air barrier located at the inlet of the sterilization cavity is lower than the air pressure of the sterilization cavity, so as to separate the sterilization cavity and the outside through the air barrier and prevent bacteria in the outside air from entering the sterilization cavity through the inlet of the sterilization cavity to destroy the sterile environment of the sterilization cavity. The air barrier located at the outlet of the sealing cavity is communicated with the sealing cavity through the outlet of the sealing cavity, and the air pressure of the air barrier located at the outlet of the sealing cavity is lower than the air pressure of the sealing cavity, so as to separate the sealing cavity and the outside through the air barrier and prevent bacteria in the outside air from entering the sealing cavity through the outlet of the sealing cavity to destroy the sterile environment of the sealing cavity.

[0056] The application discloses a kind of stick type food sterile filling equipment, as shown in Figures 1-6, including sterile warehouse 100, conveying component 600, sterilization component 400, drying component 500, stick component 710, filling component 720 and sealing component 730, conveying component 600 is configured to drag through the forming sheet 800 formed by folding and blowing, so that forming sheet 800 stepwise moves, conveying component 600 has conveying path 610, the path that forming sheet 800 is dragged by conveying component 600 and is passed through is conveying path 610 of conveying component 600, sterilization component 400, drying component 500, stick component 710, filling component 720 and sealing component 730 are sequentially distributed on conveying path 610 along the conveying direction of forming sheet 800.Sterile warehouse 100 has adjacent sterilization cavity 110, drying cavity 120, stick cavity 130, filling cavity 140 and sealing cavity 150, sterilization cavity 110, drying cavity 120, stick cavity 130, filling cavity 140 and sealing cavity 150 are communicated with each other, and sterile air is passed in its inside to form sterile environment, conveying path 610 passes through sterilization cavity 110 and drying cavity 120, i.e., when forming sheet 800 passes through sterilization cavity 110 and drying cavity 120, forming sheet 800 is located in sterilization cavity 110 and drying cavity 120 from top to bottom as a whole, the top of conveying path 610 passes through stick cavity 130, filling cavity 140 and sealing cavity 150, i.e., when forming sheet 800 passes through stick cavity 130, filling cavity 140 and sealing cavity 150, only the top of forming sheet 800 provided with cavity opening 820 of 810 is located in stick cavity 130, filling cavity 140 and sealing cavity 150, and the rest of forming sheet 800 is located outside stick cavity 130, filling cavity 140 and sealing cavity 150.

[0057] The sterilization member 400 has a sterilization working end configured to spray a sterilizing agent, the sterilization working end extends into the sterilization chamber 110 and moves in the vertical direction, the movement range of the sterilization working end intersects with the conveying path 610, the sterilization member 400 extends into the conveying path 610 through the sterilization working end to spray the sterilizing agent to the conveying path 610, so that the outer surface of the shaped sheet 800 and the inner surface of the cavity 810 are uniformly covered with the sterilizing agent for sterilization. The drying member 500 has a drying working end configured to spray a drying gas, the drying working end extends into the drying chamber 120 and moves in the vertical direction, the movement range of the drying working end intersects with the conveying path 610, the drying member 500 extends into the conveying path 610 through the drying working end to spray the drying gas to the conveying path 610, and the outer surface of the shaped sheet 800 and the inner surface of the cavity 810 are dried. The stick inserting member 710 has a stick inserting working end 711 extending into the stick inserting chamber 130 to be configured to insert a stick into the cavity 810 of the shaped sheet 800. The filling member 720 has a filling working end 721 extending into the filling chamber 140 to be configured to fill a material into the cavity 810 of the shaped sheet 800. The sealing member 730 has a sealing working end 731 extending into the sealing chamber 150 to be configured to close the opening 820 of the cavity 810 of the shaped sheet 800 located in the sealing chamber 150.

[0058] The sheet is folded and blow molded, and then the molded sheet 800 is pulled into the sterilization cavity 110 by the conveying component 600, and the outer surface of the molded sheet 800 and the inner surface of the cavity 810 are sprayed with sterilizing agent by the sterilization operation end to sterilize the molded sheet 800. Because the folded and blow molded molded sheet 800 does not need to be sprayed with sterilizing agent on the folded connection part of the inner surface, the sterilization surface required for the molded sheet 800 is limited to the inner surface of the formed cavity 810 and the outer surface of the molded sheet 800. If the sheet is sterilized before being folded and blow molded, sterilizing agent needs to be sprayed on both sides of the flat sheet, and the sterilization area is larger. Therefore, the sterilization area required for the molded sheet 800 is smaller than that of the sheet that is not folded and blow molded, so that the amount of sterilizing agent required for the molded sheet 800 is less. Spraying sterilizing agent after the sheet is folded and blow molded can reduce the consumption of sterilizing agent, thereby reducing the amount of high-temperature sterile air used for drying and reducing the cost of sterilization and drying. By sequentially inserting the top of the sterilized molded sheet 800 into and through the plug rod cavity 130, the filling cavity 140, and the sealing cavity 150, the cavity 810 of the molded sheet 800 is in communication with the plug rod cavity 130, the filling cavity 140, and the sealing cavity 150 through the opening 820 at the top of the molded sheet 800, ensuring that the inner surface of the cavity 810 of the molded sheet 800 is always in a sterile environment. The plug rod component 710, the filling component 720, and the sealing component 730 can sequentially plug, fill, and seal the molded sheet 800 without the molded sheet 800 passing through the plug rod cavity 130, the filling cavity 140, and the sealing cavity 150. This can reduce the height of the plug rod cavity 130, the filling cavity 140, and the sealing cavity 150, i.e., the volume of the plug rod cavity 130, the filling cavity 140, and the sealing cavity 150, thereby reducing the amount of sterile air required to build a sterile environment in the sterile bin, reducing the conditions for building a sterile environment in the sterile bin, and thereby reducing the cost of maintaining a sterile environment, greatly reducing production costs.

[0059] In the embodiment, the stick type food product aseptic filling device further comprises a clean room 200 arranged at the bottom of the aseptic room 100, and a clean cavity 210 is arranged in the clean room 200, and dust-free air is passed through the clean cavity 210 to form a dust-free environment, the clean cavity 210 is located below the sterilization cavity 110, the drying cavity 120, the stick cavity 130, the filling cavity 140 and the sealing cavity 150 as a whole, the top of the clean cavity 210 is communicated with the bottom of the sterilization cavity 110, the drying cavity 120, the stick cavity 130, the filling cavity 140 and the sealing cavity 150 respectively, and the bottom of the aseptic room 100 is not a plane, the bottom surface height of the stick cavity 130, the filling cavity 140 and the sealing cavity 150 is higher than the bottom surface height of the sterilization cavity 110 and the drying cavity 120, so that the formed sheet 800 located in the sterilization cavity 110 and the drying cavity 120 is only the top of the formed sheet 800 in the stick cavity 130, the filling cavity 140 and the sealing cavity 150 when entering the stick cavity 130, the filling cavity 140 and the sealing cavity 150, and other parts except the top (i.e. the part of the lower part of the formed sheet 800 extending out of the stick cavity 130, the filling cavity 140 and the sealing cavity 150) are located in the same clean cavity 210. The construction of the sterile environment in the sterilization cavity 110, the drying cavity 120, the stick cavity 130, the filling cavity 140 and the sealing cavity 150 is realized by continuously passing sterile air into these cavities on the one hand, and by continuously flowing out of the inlet of the sterilization cavity 110 and the outlet of the sealing cavity 150 on the other hand. Because the flow of the inlet of the sterilization cavity 110 and the outlet of the sealing cavity 150 is limited, the construction of the sterile environment is limited by the size of the inlet of the sterilization cavity 110 and the outlet of the sealing cavity 150. By communicating the clean cavity 210 with the sterilization cavity 110, the drying cavity 120, the stick cavity 130, the filling cavity 140 and the sealing cavity 150 above, the clean cavity 210 can provide a supplementary outlet for the discharge of sterile air in the sterilization cavity 110, the drying cavity 120, the stick cavity 130, the filling cavity 140 and the sealing cavity 150, so as to maintain the sterile environment of the sterilization cavity 110, the drying cavity 120, the stick cavity 130, the filling cavity 140 and the sealing cavity 150.

[0060] As shown in FIG. 3, the sterile chamber 100 in the embodiment is provided with a first air barrier chamber 310 and a second air barrier chamber 320 on two sides thereof, respectively, and the first air barrier chamber 310 and the second air barrier chamber 320 are sterile environments. The first air barrier chamber 310 is located at the entrance of the sterilization cavity 110 and is in communication with the sterilization cavity 110 through the entrance of the sterilization cavity 110 to separate the sterilization cavity 110 from the outside environment, so as to avoid that bacteria in the outside air enter the sterilization cavity 110 through the entrance of the sterilization cavity 110 and destroy the sterile environment of the sterilization cavity 110. The second air barrier chamber 320 is located at the exit of the sealing cavity 150 and is in communication with the sealing cavity 150 through the exit of the sealing cavity 150 to separate the sealing cavity 150 from the outside environment, so as to avoid that bacteria in the outside air enter the sealing cavity 150 through the exit of the sealing cavity 150 and destroy the sterile environment of the sealing cavity 150. The sterile environment in the first air barrier chamber 310 and the second air barrier chamber 320 in the embodiment can be constructed in various ways, for example, by introducing external sterile air into the first air barrier chamber 310 and the second air barrier chamber 320 or by extracting air in the first air barrier chamber 310 and the second air barrier chamber 320.

[0061] The conveying path 610 of the shaped sheet 800 in the sterilization cavity 110 and the drying cavity 120 in the embodiment is not a straight line extending left and right, but is bent, as shown in FIG. 4. The shaped sheet 800 passes around the roller 160 in the sterilization cavity 110 and the drying cavity 120 to form a conveying path 610 extending front and back, respectively, so that the part of the conveying path 610 in the sterilization cavity 110 and the drying cavity 120 is in the shape of n in the top view. In this way, the shaped sheet 800 can stay in the sterilization cavity 110 and the drying cavity 120 for a sufficient time to be sterilized completely, and the length of the whole machine (i.e. the length in the left-right direction in the drawing) can be shortened, so that the structure of the whole machine is more compact.

[0062] In the embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3, the sterilization component 400 comprises a first lifting assembly 410 and a sterilization assembly 420, the sterilization assembly 420 is installed on the first lifting assembly 410, the first lifting assembly 410 can drive the sterilization assembly 420 to rise or fall, when the first lifting assembly 410 drives the sterilization assembly 420 to rise, the sterilization assembly 420 is away from the formed sheet 800, when the first lifting assembly 410 drives the sterilization assembly 420 to fall in place, the sterilization assembly 420 can spray sterilization agent to the formed sheet 800 to sterilize the formed sheet 800, the structure is simple, and the operation is stable. As shown in FIG. 5, the sterilization assembly 420 comprises a main pipe body 421 and a plurality of spraying units 422, the top of the spraying unit 422 is connected to the main pipe body 421, and the plurality of spraying units 422 are distributed at equal intervals along the conveying path 610, so that when the first lifting assembly 410 drives the sterilization assembly 420 to fall, the plurality of spraying units 422 respectively spray sterilization agent into and out of the plurality of adjacent cavities 810 on the formed sheet 800, and the sterilization efficiency is improved. Each spraying unit 422 respectively comprises an inner pipe 4221 and two outer pipes 4223, the top of the inner pipe 4221 and the outer pipe 4223 is connected to the main pipe body 421, the lower part of the inner pipe 4221 and the outer pipe 4223 extends vertically, and the two outer pipes 4223 are respectively arranged on the opposite sides of the inner pipe 4221, the inner nozzle 4222 configured to spray sterilization agent is arranged at the bottom of the inner pipe 4221, the outer nozzle 4224 configured to spray sterilization agent is arranged on the side wall of the outer pipe 4223, and the outer nozzle 4224 is arranged on the side wall of the outer pipe 4223 facing the inner pipe 4221, each outer nozzle 4224 on each outer pipe 4223 can be one or a plurality of, and optionally, a plurality of outer nozzles 4224 are arranged on each outer pipe 4223.

[0063] When the first lifting assembly 410 drives the sterilization assembly 420 to fall in place, the inner pipe 4221 extends into the cavity 810 through the opening 820 at the top of the formed sheet 800, the sterilization agent is sprayed downward from the inner nozzle 4222 and flows upward to achieve the coverage sterilization of the inner surface of the cavity 810 of the formed sheet 800, the outer pipe 4223 is located on both sides of the formed sheet 800, the outer nozzles 4224 on the two outer pipes 4223 are respectively arranged towards the two outer sides of the formed sheet 800, the sterilization agent is sprayed from the outer nozzles 4224 to the outer sides of the formed sheet 800 on the side to achieve the coverage sterilization of the outer surface of the formed sheet 800, so that the sterilization of the formed sheet 800 by the spraying unit 422 is comprehensive and thorough.

[0064] The drying part 500 comprises a second lifting assembly 510 and a drying assembly 520, the drying assembly 520 is installed on the second lifting assembly 510, the second lifting assembly 510 can drive the drying assembly 520 to rise or fall, when the second lifting assembly 510 drives the drying assembly 520 to rise, the drying assembly 520 is away from the formed sheet 800, when the second lifting assembly 510 drives the drying assembly 520 to fall into place, the drying assembly 520 can spray the drying gas (such as high-temperature sterile hot air) to the formed sheet 800, so as to dry the sterilizing agent on the outer surface of the formed sheet 800 and the inner surface of the cavity 810. The structure of the drying assembly 520 in the embodiment is the same as that of the sterilizing assembly 420, the difference is that the drying gas is introduced into the drying assembly 520, while the sterilizing agent is introduced into the sterilizing assembly 420, the drying assembly 520 and the sterilizing assembly 420 have the same structure, so that the drying effect of the drying assembly 520 on the formed sheet 800 is better, and the drying efficiency is improved.

[0065] The above is only an optional embodiment of the present application, the protection scope of the present application is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiments, all technical solutions belonging to the idea of the present application are within the protection scope of the present application. It should be pointed out that, for ordinary skilled in the art, some improvements and decorations without departing from the principle of the present application, these improvements and decorations should also be considered as the protection scope of the present application. Industrial applicability

[0066] The sterile filling process and equipment for stick-type food provided by the present application, by only sequentially inserting the top of the sterilized formed sheet into and through the stick cavity, the filling cavity and the sealing cavity, reducing the amount of sterile air required to be introduced for building the overall sterile environment of the sterile chamber, reducing the construction conditions of the sterile environment, greatly reducing the production cost.

Claims

1. A process for the aseptic filling of stick-type food products, characterized in that, The method comprises the following steps: Step one, the sheet is folded and blown to form a shaped sheet, the shaped sheet has a plurality of open upward cavities, the plurality of cavities are arranged continuously and are independent respectively, and the shaped sheet is conveyed in a step-by-step manner; Step two, the shaped sheet enters a sterilization cavity in an integral manner, a sterilizing agent is sprayed to the outer surface of the shaped sheet entering the sterilization cavity and the inner surface of the shaped sheet at the cavities; Step three, the shaped sheet enters a drying cavity in an integral manner, high-temperature sterile air is sprayed to the outer surface of the shaped sheet entering the drying cavity and the inner surface of the shaped sheet at the cavities; Step four, the shaped sheet enters a stick inserting cavity in a partial manner, only the top part of the shaped sheet provided with the openings is located in the stick inserting cavity, the remaining part of the shaped sheet is located outside the stick inserting cavity, and a stick is inserted into the cavities of the shaped sheet; Step five, the shaped sheet enters a filling cavity in a partial manner, only the top part of the shaped sheet provided with the openings is located in the filling cavity, the remaining part of the shaped sheet is located outside the filling cavity, and a material is filled into the cavities of the shaped sheet; Step six, the shaped sheet enters a sealing cavity in a partial manner, only the top part of the shaped sheet provided with the openings is located in the sealing cavity, the remaining part of the shaped sheet is located outside the sealing cavity, and the openings provided in the top part of the shaped sheet are closed; Step seven, the shaped sheet is cut to cut out independently packaged stick-type food; The sterilization cavity, the drying cavity, the stick inserting cavity, the filling cavity and the sealing cavity are communicated and the interiors are sterile environments, the air pressure of the filling cavity is greater than the air pressure of the stick inserting cavity and the sealing cavity, the air pressure of the stick inserting cavity is greater than the air pressure of the drying cavity, and the air pressure of the drying cavity is greater than the air pressure of the sterilization cavity.

2. A process for aseptic filling of stick-type food products according to claim 1, characterized in that: In step four, step five and step six, the part of the shaped sheet other than the top part is located in the same clean cavity, the clean cavity is communicated with the bottom of the sterilization cavity, the drying cavity, the stick inserting cavity, the filling cavity and the sealing cavity, and the air pressure of the sterilization cavity and the sealing cavity is greater than the air pressure of the clean cavity.

3. A process for aseptic filling of stick-type food products according to claim 1, characterized in that: Air barriers are respectively arranged at the inlet of the sterilization cavity and the outlet of the sealing cavity, the air pressure of the air barrier located at the inlet of the sterilization cavity is less than the air pressure of the sterilization cavity, and the air pressure of the air barrier located at the outlet of the sealing cavity is less than the air pressure of the sealing cavity.

4. A stick-type food product aseptic filling apparatus comprising an aseptic chamber, a conveying member, a stick member, a filling member, and a sealing member, the conveying member having a conveying path, characterized by: The stick food sterile filling device further comprises a sterilization component and a drying component, the sterilization component, the drying component, the stick component, the filling component and the sealing component are sequentially arranged on the conveying path, the sterile chamber has a sterilization cavity, a drying cavity, a stick cavity, a filling cavity and a sealing cavity, the sterilization cavity, the drying cavity, the stick cavity, the filling cavity and the sealing cavity are communicated, the sterilization operation end of the sterilization component extends into the sterilization cavity, the drying operation end of the drying component extends into the drying cavity, the stick operation end of the stick component extends into the stick cavity, the filling operation end of the filling component extends into the filling cavity, the sealing operation end of the sealing component extends into the sealing cavity, the conveying path passes through the sterilization cavity and the drying cavity, the top of the conveying path passes through the stick cavity, the filling cavity and the sealing cavity, the sterilization operation end moves in the vertical direction and the movement range of the sterilization operation end intersects with the conveying path, the sterilization component sprays sterilizing agent into the conveying path through the sterilization operation end, the drying operation end moves in the vertical direction and the movement range of the drying operation end intersects with the conveying path, the drying component sprays drying gas into the conveying path through the drying operation end.

5. A stick-type food product aseptic filling apparatus according to claim 4, characterized by: The stick food sterile filling device further comprises a clean chamber arranged at the bottom of the sterile chamber, the clean chamber is provided with a clean cavity, the clean cavity is communicated with the bottom of each cavity of the sterile chamber, the bottom surface height of the stick cavity, the filling cavity and the sealing cavity is higher than the bottom surface height of the sterilization cavity and the drying cavity, so that when the top of the conveying path passes through the stick cavity, the filling cavity and the sealing cavity, the lower part of the conveying path extending out of the stick cavity, the filling cavity and the sealing cavity is located in the clean cavity.

6. A stick-type food product aseptic filling apparatus according to claim 5, wherein: The two sides of the sterile chamber are respectively provided with a first air barrier chamber and a second air barrier chamber, the first air barrier chamber is communicated with the inlet of the sterilization cavity, and the second air barrier chamber is communicated with the outlet of the sealing cavity.

7. A stick-type food product aseptic filling apparatus according to claim 4, characterized by: The conveying path is arranged in a bent manner in the sterilization cavity and the drying cavity, so that the part of the conveying path located in the sterilization cavity and the drying cavity is in an n type.

8. A stick-type food product aseptic filling apparatus according to claim 4, characterized by: The sterilization component comprises a first lifting assembly and a sterilization assembly, the sterilization assembly is installed on the first lifting assembly, the first lifting assembly drives the sterilization assembly to ascend to move away from the conveying component or drives the sterilization assembly to descend to spray sterilizing agent to the formed sheet on the conveying component.

9. A stick-type food product aseptic filling apparatus according to claim 8, characterized by: The sterilization assembly comprises a main pipe body and a plurality of spraying units, the spraying units are connected to the main pipe body and are arranged along the conveying path, the spraying unit comprises a vertically extending inner pipe and an outer pipe, the outer pipe is provided with two outer pipes arranged on both sides of the inner pipe, the bottom of the inner pipe is provided with an inner nozzle, and the outer pipe is provided with an outer nozzle on the side wall facing the inner pipe.

10. A stick-type food product aseptic filling apparatus according to claim 9, characterized by: The drying component comprises a second lifting assembly and a drying assembly identical in structure to the sterilizing assembly, the drying assembly being installed on the second lifting assembly, the second lifting assembly driving the drying assembly to ascend to move away from the conveying component or to descend to spray drying gas to the formed sheet on the conveying component.

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