JP3699662B2 - Liquid high temperature filling equipment - Google Patents

Liquid high temperature filling equipment Download PDF

Info

Publication number
JP3699662B2
JP3699662B2 JP2001141150A JP2001141150A JP3699662B2 JP 3699662 B2 JP3699662 B2 JP 3699662B2 JP 2001141150 A JP2001141150 A JP 2001141150A JP 2001141150 A JP2001141150 A JP 2001141150A JP 3699662 B2 JP3699662 B2 JP 3699662B2
Authority
JP
Japan
Prior art keywords
liquid
filling
valve
temperature
drinking water
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired - Lifetime
Application number
JP2001141150A
Other languages
Japanese (ja)
Other versions
JP2002337988A (en
Inventor
義三 瀧澤
道夫 臼井
晴夫 林
Original Assignee
株式会社アサヒビールエンジニアリング
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by 株式会社アサヒビールエンジニアリング filed Critical 株式会社アサヒビールエンジニアリング
Priority to JP2001141150A priority Critical patent/JP3699662B2/en
Publication of JP2002337988A publication Critical patent/JP2002337988A/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of JP3699662B2 publication Critical patent/JP3699662B2/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

Links

Images

Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B67—OPENING, CLOSING OR CLEANING BOTTLES, JARS OR SIMILAR CONTAINERS; LIQUID HANDLING
    • B67C—CLEANING, FILLING WITH LIQUIDS OR SEMILIQUIDS, OR EMPTYING, OF BOTTLES, JARS, CANS, CASKS, BARRELS, OR SIMILAR CONTAINERS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; FUNNELS
    • B67C3/00—Bottling liquids or semiliquids; Filling jars or cans with liquids or semiliquids using bottling or like apparatus; Filling casks or barrels with liquids or semiliquids
    • B67C3/02—Bottling liquids or semiliquids; Filling jars or cans with liquids or semiliquids using bottling or like apparatus
    • B67C3/22—Details
    • B67C3/28—Flow-control devices, e.g. using valves
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B67—OPENING, CLOSING OR CLEANING BOTTLES, JARS OR SIMILAR CONTAINERS; LIQUID HANDLING
    • B67C—CLEANING, FILLING WITH LIQUIDS OR SEMILIQUIDS, OR EMPTYING, OF BOTTLES, JARS, CANS, CASKS, BARRELS, OR SIMILAR CONTAINERS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; FUNNELS
    • B67C3/00—Bottling liquids or semiliquids; Filling jars or cans with liquids or semiliquids using bottling or like apparatus; Filling casks or barrels with liquids or semiliquids
    • B67C3/02—Bottling liquids or semiliquids; Filling jars or cans with liquids or semiliquids using bottling or like apparatus
    • B67C3/04—Bottling liquids or semiliquids; Filling jars or cans with liquids or semiliquids using bottling or like apparatus without applying pressure
    • B67C3/045—Apparatus specially adapted for filling bottles with hot liquids

Description

【０００１】
【発明の属する技術分野】
本発明は、液体の高温充填装置において、特に、エネルギ消費及び品質劣化を抑制しつつ、加熱殺菌後の液体温度の低下を防止する技術に関する。
【０００２】
【従来の技術】
従来、飲料水などの製造工程においては、飲料水充填経路における雑菌等の増殖を抑制するため、飲料水を加熱殺菌した後、高温状態の飲料水をそのまま容器に充填する構成が採用されている。そして、飲料水充填経路における飲料水温度の低下を防止するために、例えば、特開昭５９−７４０９７号公報に開示されるように、飲料水の充填停止中には、充填バルブに導入される飲料水の全量を飲料水タンクに戻し、これを再度加熱殺菌して循環させる技術が提案されている。
【０００３】
【発明が解決しようとする課題】
しかしながら、かかる構成においては、飲料水充填経路における飲料水温度の低下を防止できるものの、次のような問題点があった。即ち、飲料水の充填停止中には、飲料水の全量を再度加熱殺菌させるため、加熱殺菌装置が大型化すると共に、加熱に要する電力等のエネルギが大であった。また、飲料水が何度も加熱殺菌されることから、飲料水品質が劣化するおそれもあった。
【０００４】
そこで、本発明は以上のような従来の問題点に鑑み、飲料水などの液体の充填停止中には、充填バルブに導入された高温液体の所定量を再加熱しつつ循環させるようにして、エネルギ消費及び品質劣化を抑制しつつ、液体温度の低下を防止した液体の高温充填装置を提供することを目的とする。
【０００５】
【課題を解決するための手段】
このため、請求項１記載の発明では、容器に充填される液体を加熱殺菌する加熱殺菌装置と、高温液体を容器に充填する充填バルブと、前記加熱殺菌装置で加熱殺菌された高温液体を、前記充填バルブに導く導入通路と、前記充填バルブに導入された高温液体を、前記導入通路に還流させる還流通路と、該還流通路を介して前記導入通路に還流される高温液体を、再加熱する再加熱装置と、高温液体の充填時には、前記充填バルブに導入された高温液体を容器に充填する一方、高温液体の充填停止時には、前記充填バルブに導入された高温液体の所定量を前記還流通路に導くバルブ制御手段と、を含んで液体の高温充填装置を構成したことを特徴とする。
【０００６】
かかる構成によれば、容器に充填される飲料水などの液体は、加熱殺菌装置で加熱殺菌された後、導入通路を介して充填バルブに導入される。そして、高温液体の充填時には、充填バルブに導入された高温液体が容器に充填される。一方、高温液体の充填停止時には、充填バルブに導入された高温液体の所定量が還流通路を介して導入通路に還流される。このとき、導入通路に還流される高温液体は、再加熱装置で再加熱される。このため、高温液体の充填が行われていないときであっても、充填バルブの先端まで常に高温液体が満たされており、例えば、故障により高温液体の充填ラインが長時間停止しても、加熱殺菌後の高温液体の温度低下が防止される。また、高温液体の温度低下を防止するために、再加熱する高温液体を最小限とすれば、エネルギ消費及び品質劣化が抑制される。
【０００７】
請求項２記載の発明では、前記還流通路は、高温液体の充填時に、前記容器内の空気を排出することを特徴とする。
かかる構成によれば、高温液体の充填時には、還流通路を介して容器内の空気が排出されるので、容器内圧力の上昇が抑制される。
請求項３記載の発明では、前記還流通路には、液体と空気とを分離する気液分離装置が介装されたことを特徴とする。
【０００８】
かかる構成によれば、気液分離受装置では、液体と空気との分離が行われるので、再加熱装置に空気を含んだ液体が戻されることが防止される。このため、空気による液体の酸化が防止され、液体品質の劣化が抑制される。
請求項４記載の発明では、前記還流通路には、その内部を大気開放する開放弁が接続され、高温液体の充填開始時に、前記開放弁が所定時間開弁されることを特徴とする。
【０００９】
かかる構成によれば、高温液体の充填開始時には、還流通路内が大気開放され、還流通路内の高温液体が容器内に落下するので、容器内に存在する空気をすぐに排出することが可能となり、充填時間が効果的に短縮される。
請求項５記載の発明では、前記充填バルブは、前記導入通路を介して導入される高温液体流量を制御する液入口弁と、前記容器への高温液体の充填量を制御する液出口弁と、を備え、前記バルブ制御手段は、高温液体の充填時には、前記液入口弁と液出口弁とを全開に制御し、高温液体の充填停止時には、前記液入口弁を微開に制御する一方、前記液出口弁を全閉に制御することを特徴とする。
【００１０】
かかる構成によれば、液入口弁は、少なくとも、その開度が微開と全開とに制御可能に構成され、液出口弁は、少なくとも、その開度が全閉と全開とに制御可能に構成されればよい。このため、液入口弁及び液出口弁の駆動機構は、簡単な機構及び制御により実現され、充填バルブの耐久性及び信頼性の低下が抑制される。
【００１１】
【発明の実施の形態】
以下、添付された図面を参照して本発明を詳述する。
図１は、本発明を適用した飲料水の高温充填装置（以下「高温充填装置」という）の全体構成を示す。
調合タンク１０に貯蔵された飲料水は、送液ポンプ１２により加圧され、加熱殺菌装置１４に導入される。加熱殺菌装置１４に導入された飲料水は、例えば、１２０℃〜１３０℃で加熱殺菌された後、９０℃〜９５℃に冷却され、高温状態のまま脱気タンク１６に導入される。脱気タンク１６に導入された高温飲料水は、酸化による品質劣化を防止すべく、その中の溶存空気が分離される。分離された溶存空気は、脱気タンク１６の上部から外部に排出される。溶存空気が分離排出された高温飲料水は、脱気タンク１６の下部から、その下方に位置するフィラーボウル（充填液タンク）１８に落下導入される。フィラーボウル１８に導入された飲料水は、複数の充填バルブ２０に分配供給される。なお、加熱殺菌装置１４で加熱殺菌された高温液体を充填バルブ２０に導く配管が、導入通路に該当する。
【００１２】
充填バルブ２０は、図２及び図３に示すような構造をなす。
即ち、固定部材２０Ａの下面には、鉛直方向に延びる略円筒形状の気液管２０Ｂ及びシリンダ部材２０Ｃが夫々同心に固定される。シリンダ部材２０Ｃの内周面には、ピストンが一体化された略円筒形状の可動部材２０Ｄが摺動自由に嵌合される。可動部材２０Ｄの先端部には、先端部に弁座が形成された鉛直方向に延びる略円筒形状の円筒部材２０Ｅが嵌合固定される。また、気液管２０Ｂの先端部には、円筒部材２０Ｅの弁座に着座する弁体としての機能を発揮すべく、外方に膨出した略傘形状の弁体２０Ｆが一体的に形成される。なお、以下の説明では、円筒部材２０Ｅの弁座と弁体２０Ｆにより構成される開閉弁を「液出口弁Ａ」と呼ぶこととする。そして、シリンダ部材２０Ｃと可動部材２０Ｄとの間に配設されたバネ２０Ｇにより、可動部材２０Ｄ及び円筒部材２０Ｅが図中下方に付勢され、液出口弁Ａが閉弁する。
【００１３】
一方、液出口弁Ａを開弁させる構成として、シリンダ部材２０Ｃと可動部材２０Ｄのピストン下面との間に、作動流体としてのエアが供給されるエア室２０Ｈが形成される。そして、エア室２０Ｈにエアが供給されると、バネ２０Ｇの付勢力に抗して可動部材２０Ｄ及び円筒部材２０Ｅが図中上方に移動し、液出口弁Ａが開弁する。なお、エア室２０Ｈに供給されるエアを制御する機構が、バルブ制御手段の一部に該当する。
【００１４】
また、気液管２０Ｂの先端部周壁には、その内部と外部とを連通させる気液孔２０Ｉが少なくとも１つ形成される。一方、気液管２０Ｂの内部は、その基端部において、固定部材２０Ａの内部に形成された気液通路２０Ｊを介して、後述する気液分離受槽２２（気液分離装置）に連通される。固定部材２０Ａと気液分離受槽２２とを接続させる配管には、その内部を大気開放する気液開放弁２０Ｋ（開閉弁）が配設される。
【００１５】
固定部材２０Ａの一側面には、充填バルブ２０に供給される飲料水流量を制御する液入口弁Ｂが取り付けられる。液入口弁Ｂは、先端部に弁座が形成されると共に内部に液体通路が形成された弁本体２０Ｌと、エアシリンダ２０Ｍと、その作動ロッドの先端部に一体的に固定される弁体２０Ｎと、を含んで構成される。そして、液入口弁Ｂは、エアシリンダ２０Ｍに供給されるエアにより、少なくとも、微開状態と全開状態との２状態に制御される。なお、エアシリンダ２０Ｍに供給されるエアを制御する機構が、バルブ制御手段の一部に該当する。
【００１６】
充填バルブ２０の気液管２０Ｂと連通する気液分離受槽２２では、高温飲料水（液体）と空気（気体）との分離が行われ、高温飲料水のみが循環ポンプ２４により加圧された後、再加熱装置２６に導入される。再加熱装置２６では、高温飲料水が所定温度に再加熱される。そして、再加熱された高温飲料水は、脱気タンク１６に再導入される。
【００１７】
なお、気液孔２０Ｉが形成された気液管２０Ｂ，気液通路２０Ｊ、並びに、気液分離受槽２２，循環ポンプ２４及び再加熱装置２６を経由して高温飲料水を脱気タンク１６に導入する配管が、還流通路に該当する。
次に、かかる構成からなる高温充填装置の作用について説明する。
調合タンク１０に貯蔵された飲料水は、送液ポンプ１２により加圧された後、加熱殺菌装置１４に導入され、ここで加熱殺菌される。加熱殺菌された高温飲料水は、所定温度を保ったまま脱気タンク１６に導入され、ここで溶存空気が分離排出される。溶存空気が分離排出された高温飲料水は、フィラーボウル１８により複数の充填バルブ２０に分配供給される。
【００１８】
そして、充填バルブ２０の下方にＰＥＴ（PolyEthylene Terephthalate）ボトルなどの容器２８がセットされると、図２に示すように、液出口弁Ａ及び液入口弁Ｂが共に開弁される。すると、高温飲料水は、弁本体２０Ｌの液体通路，可動部材２０Ｄ及び円筒部材２０Ｅの内部を介して、円筒部材２０Ｅと弁体２０Ｆとの隙間から容器２８に充填される。このとき、容器２８の内部に存在する空気は、気液管２０Ｂの先端部周壁に形成された気液孔２０Ｉを介して、気液管２０Ｂの内部に導入される。気液管２０Ｂの内部に導入された空気は、気液管２０Ｂ及び気液通路２０Ｊを介して、気液分離受槽２２に導入される。
【００１９】
なお、高温飲料水の充填開始に先立って、気液開放弁２０Ｋを所定時間開弁させ、気液管２０Ｂ及び気液通路２０Ｊ内の飲料水を、容器２８及び気液分離受槽２２内に落下させることが望ましい。このようにすれば、高温飲料水の充填中に、容器２８内の空気が気液管２０Ｂを介して気液分離受槽２２に容易に導入されるようになり、充填時間を短縮することができる。
【００２０】
容器２８への高温飲料水の充填が完了すると、図３に示すように、液出口弁Ａが閉弁すると共に、液入口弁Ｂが微開状態とされる。すると、充填バルブ２０に供給された高温飲料水の所定量は、液入口弁Ｂ，可動部材２０Ｄ及び円筒部材２０Ｅの内部空間，気液孔２０Ｉ，気液管２０Ｂ並びに気液通路２０Ｊを介して、気液分離受槽２２に戻される。気液分離受槽２２では、高温飲料水と空気との分離が行われ、高温飲料水のみが循環ポンプ２４により加圧された後、再加熱装置２６に導入される。そして、高温飲料水は、再加熱装置２６により所定温度に再加熱された後、脱気タンク１６に再導入される。脱気タンク１６では、加熱殺菌された高温飲料水と再加熱された高温飲料水とが混合し、フィラーボウル１８に落下導入される。
【００２１】
かかる構成によれば、高温飲料水の充填が行われていないときであっても、充填バルブ２０に導入された高温飲料水の所定量が再加熱されつつ循環されることとなる。このため、充填バルブ２０の先端まで常に高温飲料水が満たされており、例えば、故障により高温飲料水の充填ラインが長時間停止しても、加熱殺菌後の高温飲料水の温度低下を防止することができる。また、高温飲料水の温度低下を防止するため、再加熱する飲料水を最小限にすれば、エネルギ消費及び品質劣化を抑制することができる。実験によれば、再加熱する飲料水量は、充填バルブ２０に供給される高温飲料水の３％〜２０％であれば十分であった。
【００２２】
なお、何らかの原因により、加熱殺菌装置１４から充填バルブ２０への飲料水供給路における飲料水温度が異常低下したならば、開閉弁３０を開弁させて、飲料水を一旦戻しタンク３２に戻すようにすればよい。そして、調合タンク１０から供給される飲料水に対して、戻しタンク３２に戻された飲料水を混合して、加熱殺菌を再度行なえばよい。
【００２３】
また、以上説明した高温充填装置は、飲料水の充填を前提としたが、加熱殺菌した状態で容器に充填される液体であれば、本発明は適用可能であることはいうまでもない。
【００２４】
【発明の効果】
以上説明したように、請求項１記載の発明によれば、高温液体の充填が行われていないときであっても、充填バルブの先端まで常に高温液体が満たされており、加熱殺菌後の液体温度の低下を防止することができる。即ち、充填停止時間の長短にかかわらず、容器の供給が間欠的になった場合においても、充填液温が低下しないことを保証できる。また、再加熱する高温液体を最小限とすることで、エネルギ消費及び品質劣化を抑制することができる。
【００２５】
請求項２記載の発明によれば、高温液体の充填時には、容器内圧力の上昇が抑制され、高温液体の充填時間を短縮することができる。
請求項３記載の発明によれば、空気による高温液体の酸化が防止され、液体品質の劣化を抑制することができる。
請求項４記載の発明によれば、高温液体の充填開始時には、気液管内の高温液体が容器内に落下するので、容器内に存在する空気を排出することが短時間で可能となり、充填時間を効果的に短縮することができる。
【００２６】
請求項５記載の発明によれば、液入口弁及び液出口弁の駆動機構は、簡単な機構及び制御により実現されるため、充填バルブの耐久性及び信頼性の低下を抑制することができる。
【図面の簡単な説明】
【図１】本発明を適用した高温充填装置の全体構成図
【図２】飲料水充填時の充填バルブの作動状態を示す断面図
【図３】飲料水充填停止時の充填バルブの作動状態を示す断面図
【符号の説明】
Ａ 液出口弁
Ｂ 液入口弁
１４ 加熱殺菌装置
２０ 充填バルブ
２０Ｂ 気液管
２０Ｉ 気液孔
２０Ｊ 気液通路
２０Ｋ 気液開放弁
２２ 気液分離受槽
２６ 再加熱装置
２８ 容器[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a technique for preventing a decrease in liquid temperature after heat sterilization, particularly while suppressing energy consumption and quality deterioration in a liquid high-temperature filling apparatus.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Conventionally, in the manufacturing process of drinking water and the like, in order to suppress the growth of germs and the like in the drinking water filling route, after the drinking water is sterilized by heating, the container is filled with the drinking water in a high temperature state as it is. . In order to prevent a decrease in the temperature of the drinking water in the drinking water filling path, for example, as disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 59-74097, the drinking water is introduced into the filling valve during the stoppage of the drinking water. A technique has been proposed in which the entire amount of drinking water is returned to the drinking water tank and is sterilized by heating again.
[0003]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, such a configuration can prevent a decrease in the drinking water temperature in the drinking water filling path, but has the following problems. That is, while stopping the filling of drinking water, the entire amount of drinking water is again heat sterilized, so that the heat sterilization apparatus is enlarged and the energy such as electric power required for heating is large. Moreover, since drinking water is heat-sterilized many times, there also existed a possibility that drinking water quality might deteriorate.
[0004]
Therefore, in view of the above-described conventional problems, the present invention is configured to circulate while reheating a predetermined amount of high-temperature liquid introduced into the filling valve while stopping filling of liquid such as drinking water, An object of the present invention is to provide a high-temperature liquid filling device that prevents a decrease in liquid temperature while suppressing energy consumption and quality deterioration.
[0005]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
Therefore, in the first aspect of the present invention, the heat sterilization apparatus for heat sterilizing the liquid filled in the container, the filling valve for filling the container with the high temperature liquid, and the high temperature liquid sterilized by the heat sterilization apparatus, The introduction passage leading to the filling valve, the reflux passage for refluxing the high-temperature liquid introduced into the filling valve to the introduction passage, and the high-temperature liquid refluxed to the introduction passage via the reflux passage are reheated. When refilling the reheating device and the high temperature liquid, the container is filled with the high temperature liquid introduced into the filling valve, and when the filling of the high temperature liquid is stopped, a predetermined amount of the high temperature liquid introduced into the filling valve is supplied to the reflux passage. And a valve control means for guiding the liquid to the liquid high temperature filling device.
[0006]
According to such a configuration, the liquid such as drinking water filled in the container is introduced into the filling valve via the introduction passage after being sterilized by heating with the heat sterilization apparatus. When the high temperature liquid is filled, the high temperature liquid introduced into the filling valve is filled into the container. On the other hand, when the filling of the high temperature liquid is stopped, a predetermined amount of the high temperature liquid introduced into the filling valve is recirculated to the introduction passage through the recirculation passage. At this time, the high-temperature liquid returned to the introduction passage is reheated by the reheating device. For this reason, even when high-temperature liquid filling is not performed, the high-temperature liquid is always filled up to the tip of the filling valve. The temperature drop of the high temperature liquid after sterilization is prevented. Further, if the high-temperature liquid to be reheated is minimized in order to prevent the temperature of the high-temperature liquid from decreasing, energy consumption and quality deterioration are suppressed.
[0007]
The invention according to claim 2 is characterized in that the reflux passage discharges air in the container when the high-temperature liquid is filled.
According to such a configuration, when the high temperature liquid is filled, the air in the container is discharged through the reflux passage, so that an increase in the pressure in the container is suppressed.
The invention according to claim 3 is characterized in that a gas-liquid separation device for separating liquid and air is interposed in the reflux passage.
[0008]
According to such a configuration, in the gas-liquid separation receiver, the liquid and the air are separated, so that the liquid containing air is prevented from being returned to the reheating device. For this reason, the oxidation of the liquid by air is prevented and the deterioration of the liquid quality is suppressed.
According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, an opening valve for opening the inside of the reflux passage to the atmosphere is connected, and the opening valve is opened for a predetermined time at the start of filling with the high temperature liquid.
[0009]
According to such a configuration, when the high temperature liquid is started to be filled, the inside of the reflux passage is opened to the atmosphere, and the high temperature liquid in the reflux passage falls into the container, so that the air present in the container can be immediately discharged. The filling time is effectively shortened.
In the invention according to claim 5, the filling valve includes a liquid inlet valve that controls a flow rate of the high-temperature liquid introduced through the introduction passage, a liquid outlet valve that controls a filling amount of the high-temperature liquid into the container, The valve control means controls the liquid inlet valve and the liquid outlet valve to be fully opened when filling with high-temperature liquid, and controls the liquid inlet valve to be slightly opened when filling with high-temperature liquid is stopped. The liquid outlet valve is controlled to be fully closed.
[0010]
According to such a configuration, the liquid inlet valve is configured such that at least its opening degree can be controlled to be slightly opened and fully opened, and the liquid outlet valve is configured such that at least its opening degree can be controlled to be fully closed and fully opened. It only has to be done. For this reason, the drive mechanism of the liquid inlet valve and the liquid outlet valve is realized by a simple mechanism and control, and a decrease in durability and reliability of the filling valve is suppressed.
[0011]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.
FIG. 1 shows an overall configuration of a high-temperature filling device for drinking water (hereinafter referred to as “high-temperature filling device”) to which the present invention is applied.
Drinking water stored in the mixing tank 10 is pressurized by the liquid feed pump 12 and introduced into the heat sterilizer 14. The drinking water introduced into the heat sterilizer 14 is, for example, heat sterilized at 120 ° C. to 130 ° C., then cooled to 90 ° C. to 95 ° C., and introduced into the deaeration tank 16 in a high temperature state. The high temperature drinking water introduced into the deaeration tank 16 is separated from dissolved air in order to prevent quality deterioration due to oxidation. The separated dissolved air is discharged from the upper part of the deaeration tank 16 to the outside. The high-temperature drinking water from which the dissolved air has been separated and discharged is dropped and introduced from the lower part of the deaeration tank 16 into a filler bowl (filling liquid tank) 18 located below the deaeration tank 16. The drinking water introduced into the filler bowl 18 is distributed and supplied to the plurality of filling valves 20. A pipe for guiding the high-temperature liquid sterilized by the heat sterilizer 14 to the filling valve 20 corresponds to the introduction passage.
[0012]
The filling valve 20 has a structure as shown in FIGS.
That is, a substantially cylindrical gas-liquid pipe 20B and a cylinder member 20C extending in the vertical direction are fixed concentrically to the lower surface of the fixing member 20A. A substantially cylindrical movable member 20D integrated with a piston is slidably fitted to the inner peripheral surface of the cylinder member 20C. A substantially cylindrical cylindrical member 20E extending in the vertical direction and having a valve seat formed at the tip is fitted and fixed to the tip of the movable member 20D. In addition, a substantially umbrella-shaped valve body 20F bulging outward is integrally formed at the distal end of the gas-liquid pipe 20B so as to function as a valve body seated on the valve seat of the cylindrical member 20E. The In the following description, the on-off valve constituted by the valve seat of the cylindrical member 20E and the valve body 20F is referred to as “liquid outlet valve A”. The movable member 20D and the cylindrical member 20E are urged downward in the figure by the spring 20G disposed between the cylinder member 20C and the movable member 20D, and the liquid outlet valve A is closed.
[0013]
On the other hand, as a configuration for opening the liquid outlet valve A, an air chamber 20H to which air as a working fluid is supplied is formed between the cylinder member 20C and the lower surface of the piston of the movable member 20D. When air is supplied to the air chamber 20H, the movable member 20D and the cylindrical member 20E move upward in the drawing against the biasing force of the spring 20G, and the liquid outlet valve A opens. A mechanism for controlling the air supplied to the air chamber 20H corresponds to a part of the valve control means.
[0014]
In addition, at least one gas-liquid hole 20I that communicates the inside and the outside is formed in the peripheral wall of the distal end portion of the gas-liquid tube 20B. On the other hand, the interior of the gas-liquid pipe 20B is communicated at its proximal end to a gas-liquid separation receiving tank 22 (gas-liquid separation device), which will be described later, via a gas-liquid passage 20J formed inside the fixing member 20A. . A gas / liquid release valve 20K (open / close valve) that opens the inside of the pipe that connects the fixing member 20A and the gas / liquid separation receiving tank 22 to the atmosphere is disposed.
[0015]
A liquid inlet valve B that controls the flow rate of drinking water supplied to the filling valve 20 is attached to one side surface of the fixing member 20A. The liquid inlet valve B includes a valve body 20L having a valve seat formed at the tip and a liquid passage formed therein, an air cylinder 20M, and a valve body 20N fixed integrally to the tip of the operating rod. And comprising. The liquid inlet valve B is controlled to at least two states, that is, a slightly opened state and a fully opened state by the air supplied to the air cylinder 20M. A mechanism for controlling the air supplied to the air cylinder 20M corresponds to a part of the valve control means.
[0016]
In the gas-liquid separation receiving tank 22 communicating with the gas-liquid pipe 20 </ b> B of the filling valve 20, high temperature drinking water (liquid) and air (gas) are separated, and only the high temperature drinking water is pressurized by the circulation pump 24. The reheating device 26 is introduced. In the reheating device 26, the hot drinking water is reheated to a predetermined temperature. Then, the reheated hot drinking water is reintroduced into the deaeration tank 16.
[0017]
In addition, high-temperature drinking water is introduced into the deaeration tank 16 via the gas-liquid pipe 20B in which the gas-liquid hole 20I is formed, the gas-liquid passage 20J, the gas-liquid separation receiving tank 22, the circulation pump 24, and the reheating device 26. The piping to be used corresponds to the return passage.
Next, the operation of the high temperature filling apparatus having such a configuration will be described.
The drinking water stored in the blending tank 10 is pressurized by the liquid feed pump 12 and then introduced into the heat sterilizer 14 where it is heat sterilized. The high temperature drinking water sterilized by heating is introduced into the deaeration tank 16 while maintaining a predetermined temperature, and the dissolved air is separated and discharged here. The high-temperature drinking water from which dissolved air is separated and discharged is distributed and supplied to the plurality of filling valves 20 by the filler bowl 18.
[0018]
When a container 28 such as a PET (PolyEthylene Terephthalate) bottle is set below the filling valve 20, the liquid outlet valve A and the liquid inlet valve B are both opened as shown in FIG. Then, the high-temperature drinking water is filled into the container 28 from the gap between the cylindrical member 20E and the valve body 20F via the liquid passage of the valve body 20L, the movable member 20D, and the inside of the cylindrical member 20E. At this time, the air present in the container 28 is introduced into the gas-liquid tube 20B through the gas-liquid hole 20I formed in the peripheral wall of the distal end portion of the gas-liquid tube 20B. The air introduced into the gas-liquid pipe 20B is introduced into the gas-liquid separation receiving tank 22 through the gas-liquid pipe 20B and the gas-liquid passage 20J.
[0019]
Prior to the start of filling with high-temperature drinking water, the gas-liquid release valve 20K is opened for a predetermined time, and the drinking water in the gas-liquid pipe 20B and the gas-liquid passage 20J falls into the container 28 and the gas-liquid separation receiving tank 22. It is desirable to make it. In this way, the air in the container 28 can be easily introduced into the gas-liquid separation receiving tank 22 via the gas-liquid pipe 20B during the filling of the high-temperature drinking water, and the filling time can be shortened. .
[0020]
When the filling of the high-temperature drinking water into the container 28 is completed, the liquid outlet valve A is closed and the liquid inlet valve B is slightly opened as shown in FIG. Then, the predetermined amount of the high-temperature drinking water supplied to the filling valve 20 passes through the liquid inlet valve B, the internal space of the movable member 20D and the cylindrical member 20E, the gas-liquid hole 20I, the gas-liquid pipe 20B, and the gas-liquid passage 20J. The gas-liquid separation receiving tank 22 is returned. In the gas-liquid separation receiving tank 22, the high temperature drinking water and the air are separated, and only the high temperature drinking water is pressurized by the circulation pump 24 and then introduced into the reheating device 26. The hot drinking water is reheated to a predetermined temperature by the reheating device 26 and then reintroduced into the deaeration tank 16. In the deaeration tank 16, the hot sterilized hot drinking water and the reheated hot drinking water are mixed and dropped into the filler bowl 18.
[0021]
According to such a configuration, even when the high temperature drinking water is not filled, a predetermined amount of the high temperature drinking water introduced into the filling valve 20 is circulated while being reheated. For this reason, the hot drinking water is always filled up to the tip of the filling valve 20, and for example, even if the hot drinking water filling line is stopped for a long time due to a failure, the temperature drop of the hot drinking water after heat sterilization is prevented. be able to. Moreover, in order to prevent the temperature drop of high temperature drinking water, energy consumption and quality deterioration can be suppressed if the drinking water to be reheated is minimized. According to experiments, the amount of drinking water to be reheated is sufficient if it is 3% to 20% of hot drinking water supplied to the filling valve 20.
[0022]
If for some reason the drinking water temperature in the drinking water supply path from the heat sterilizer 14 to the filling valve 20 is abnormally lowered, the on-off valve 30 is opened to return the drinking water to the return tank 32 once. You can do it. And what is necessary is just to mix the drinking water returned to the return tank 32 with the drinking water supplied from the preparation tank 10, and to perform heat sterilization again.
[0023]
Moreover, although the high temperature filling apparatus demonstrated above presupposed filling of drinking water, it cannot be overemphasized that this invention is applicable if it is the liquid with which a container is filled in the heat-sterilized state.
[0024]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the first aspect of the present invention, even when the high temperature liquid is not filled, the high temperature liquid is always filled up to the tip of the filling valve, and the liquid after the heat sterilization is obtained. A decrease in temperature can be prevented. That is, it can be assured that the temperature of the filling liquid does not decrease even when the supply of the container becomes intermittent regardless of the length of the filling stop time. Moreover, energy consumption and quality deterioration can be suppressed by minimizing the high-temperature liquid to be reheated.
[0025]
According to the second aspect of the present invention, at the time of filling the high temperature liquid, an increase in the pressure in the container is suppressed, and the filling time of the high temperature liquid can be shortened.
According to the invention described in claim 3, the oxidation of the high temperature liquid by air can be prevented, and the deterioration of the liquid quality can be suppressed.
According to the invention of claim 4, since the high temperature liquid in the gas-liquid pipe falls into the container at the start of filling of the high temperature liquid, it is possible to discharge the air present in the container in a short time, and the filling time Can be effectively shortened.
[0026]
According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, since the drive mechanism for the liquid inlet valve and the liquid outlet valve is realized by a simple mechanism and control, it is possible to suppress a decrease in durability and reliability of the filling valve.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is an overall configuration diagram of a high-temperature filling apparatus to which the present invention is applied. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing an operating state of a filling valve when drinking water is filled. Sectional view shown [Explanation of symbols]
A Liquid outlet valve B Liquid inlet valve 14 Heat sterilizer 20 Filling valve 20B Gas liquid pipe 20I Gas liquid hole 20J Gas liquid passage 20K Gas liquid release valve 22 Gas liquid separation receiving tank 26 Reheating apparatus 28 Container

Claims (5)

容器に充填される液体を加熱殺菌する加熱殺菌装置と、
高温液体を容器に充填する充填バルブと、
前記加熱殺菌装置で加熱殺菌された高温液体を、前記充填バルブに導く導入通路と、
前記充填バルブに導入された高温液体を、前記導入通路に還流させる還流通路と、
該還流通路を介して前記導入通路に還流される高温液体を、再加熱する再加熱装置と、
高温液体の充填時には、前記充填バルブに導入された高温液体を容器に充填する一方、高温液体の充填停止時には、前記充填バルブに導入された高温液体の所定量を前記還流通路に導くバルブ制御手段と、
を含んで構成されることを特徴とする液体の高温充填装置。A heat sterilization device for heat sterilizing the liquid filled in the container;
A filling valve for filling the container with hot liquid;
An introduction passage for guiding the high temperature liquid sterilized by the heat sterilization apparatus to the filling valve;
A reflux passage for refluxing the high-temperature liquid introduced into the filling valve to the introduction passage;
A reheating device for reheating the high-temperature liquid refluxed to the introduction passage through the reflux passage;
A valve control unit that fills the container with the high-temperature liquid introduced into the filling valve when filling with the high-temperature liquid, and guides a predetermined amount of the high-temperature liquid introduced into the filling valve to the reflux passage when the filling of the high-temperature liquid is stopped. When,
A liquid high-temperature filling device comprising: 前記還流通路は、高温液体の充填時に、前記容器内の空気を排出することを特徴とする請求項１記載の液体の高温充填装置。2. The liquid high temperature filling apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the reflux passage discharges air in the container when the high temperature liquid is filled. 前記還流通路には、液体と空気とを分離する気液分離装置が介装されたことを特徴とする請求項２記載の液体の高温充填装置。3. The liquid high-temperature filling apparatus according to claim 2, wherein a gas-liquid separator for separating the liquid and air is interposed in the reflux passage. 前記還流通路には、その内部を大気開放する開放弁が接続され、
高温液体の充填開始時に、前記開放弁が所定時間開弁されることを特徴とする請求項２又は請求項３に記載の液体の高温充填装置。An opening valve for opening the inside of the reflux passage to the atmosphere is connected,
4. The liquid high-temperature filling apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the opening valve is opened for a predetermined time at the start of filling of the high-temperature liquid. 前記充填バルブは、前記導入通路を介して導入される高温液体流量を制御する液入口弁と、前記容器への高温液体の充填量を制御する液出口弁と、を備え、
前記バルブ制御手段は、高温液体の充填時には、前記液入口弁と液出口弁とを全開に制御し、高温液体の充填停止時には、前記液入口弁を微開に制御する一方、前記液出口弁を全閉に制御することを特徴とする請求項１〜請求項４のいずれか１つに記載の液体の高温充填装置。The filling valve includes a liquid inlet valve that controls a flow rate of high-temperature liquid introduced through the introduction passage, and a liquid outlet valve that controls a filling amount of the high-temperature liquid into the container,
The valve control means controls the liquid inlet valve and the liquid outlet valve to be fully opened when the high temperature liquid is filled, and controls the liquid inlet valve to be slightly opened when the filling of the high temperature liquid is stopped. The liquid high temperature filling device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the liquid is controlled to be fully closed.
JP2001141150A 2001-05-11 2001-05-11 Liquid high temperature filling equipment Expired - Lifetime JP3699662B2 (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
JP2001141150A JP3699662B2 (en) 2001-05-11 2001-05-11 Liquid high temperature filling equipment

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
JP2001141150A JP3699662B2 (en) 2001-05-11 2001-05-11 Liquid high temperature filling equipment

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
JP2002337988A JP2002337988A (en) 2002-11-27
JP3699662B2 true JP3699662B2 (en) 2005-09-28

Family

ID=18987645

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
JP2001141150A Expired - Lifetime JP3699662B2 (en) 2001-05-11 2001-05-11 Liquid high temperature filling equipment

Country Status (1)

Country Link
JP (1) JP3699662B2 (en)

Families Citing this family (16)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
ES2413486T3 (en) 2002-12-12 2013-07-16 Suntory Beverage & Food Limited Liquid filling method and liquid filling device
JP5090298B2 (en) * 2002-12-17 2012-12-05 サントリーホールディングス株式会社 Liquid filling equipment and operating method thereof
DE102004004331B3 (en) * 2004-01-29 2005-09-15 Khs Maschinen- Und Anlagenbau Ag Process for hot filling of a liquid filling material into bottles or the like container and filling machine for carrying out the method
JP4699747B2 (en) * 2004-12-15 2011-06-15 三菱重工食品包装機械株式会社 Liquid filling device
PL1731426T3 (en) * 2005-06-10 2008-02-29 Indag Gesellschaft Fuer Ind Mbh & Co Betriebs Kg Method and apparatus for filling liquids into plastic bags with a spout
DE102007024106B4 (en) * 2007-05-22 2009-12-03 Khs Ag filling system
JP5341609B2 (en) * 2009-05-11 2013-11-13 株式会社イズミフードマシナリ Liquid feeding system
FR2962413B1 (en) 2010-07-08 2012-08-24 Sidel Participations FILLING DEVICE WITH FLOW CONTROL SYSTEM
IT1402577B1 (en) * 2010-10-25 2013-09-13 Cortellazzi GRAVITY FILLING VALVE FOR HOT BOTTLED PRODUCTS WITH A RECIRCULATION SYSTEM FOR THE PRODUCT TO BE BOTTLED BOTH THE VALVE IS OPEN AND THE VALVE IS CLOSED.
IT1403550B1 (en) * 2011-01-14 2013-10-31 Corfill Internat S R L FILLING VALVE
ITBS20110037A1 (en) * 2011-03-31 2012-10-01 Corfill Internat S R L FILLING VALVE FOR FOOD USE PROVIDED WITH AN ANTI-CLOGGING SYSTEM AND ITS FILLING METHOD
DE102011114690A1 (en) * 2011-10-04 2013-04-04 Khs Gmbh Method for controlling a filling system and filling system
ITBS20110175A1 (en) * 2011-12-15 2013-06-16 Corfill Internat S R L GROUP WITH FILLING VALVE AND RECIRCULATING AND ANTI-CLOGGING VALVES SEPARATED FROM THE FILLING VALVE
ITBS20110176A1 (en) * 2011-12-19 2013-06-20 Corfill Internat S R L FILLING VALVE WITH RECIRCULATION, IN PARTICULAR FOR FOOD LIQUIDS IN THE CAN
JP6660126B2 (en) * 2015-09-15 2020-03-04 サッポロビール株式会社 Liquid filling device and method of sterilizing liquid filling device
DE102017104313A1 (en) 2017-03-01 2018-09-06 Krones Ag Device for filling a container with a sterilized filling product

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
JP2002337988A (en) 2002-11-27

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
JP3699662B2 (en) Liquid high temperature filling equipment
US9409759B2 (en) Beverage dispensing apparatus with a carbonation system
US20150217984A1 (en) Water dispenser
ES2381786T3 (en) Provision for water supply of a dialysis machine
JP6498637B2 (en) 3-fluid nozzle used for container sterilization
WO2019230642A1 (en) Method for maintaining positive pressure inside tank and device for maintaining positive pressure inside tank
JP2008542137A (en) Carbonated fluid distribution
US20150048116A1 (en) Water server
JP4468181B2 (en) Liquid filling method and apparatus
JPWO2006038445A1 (en) Drinking water dispenser
WO2013150936A1 (en) Water dispenser
KR20150070188A (en) Water server
US10857248B2 (en) Method of sterilizing beverage dispenser and beverage dispenser
KR20150133823A (en) Water server
ES2400850T3 (en) Self-disinfection water treatment device with a tank for treated water that includes a heating element
JP5033159B2 (en) Gas-liquid separation liquid cyclone and gas-liquid separation system
CN109153557B (en) Beverage supply device
KR20110135717A (en) Sealed type check valve dispenser system with sterlization
KR20150124975A (en) Water dispenser
US20050063885A1 (en) Apparatus for sterilizing, pasteurizing, and/or disinfecting a pumpable or free flowing medium
JP4183212B2 (en) Water dispenser for beverage dispenser
CN219742442U (en) Device for storing and dispensing heated liquid
WO2017119267A1 (en) Beverage supply device, and operation method and sterilization method of beverage supply device
JP5090298B2 (en) Liquid filling equipment and operating method thereof
JP4265357B2 (en) Filling system

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
A977 Report on retrieval

Free format text: JAPANESE INTERMEDIATE CODE: A971007

Effective date: 20050331

TRDD Decision of grant or rejection written
A01 Written decision to grant a patent or to grant a registration (utility model)

Free format text: JAPANESE INTERMEDIATE CODE: A01

Effective date: 20050628

A61 First payment of annual fees (during grant procedure)

Free format text: JAPANESE INTERMEDIATE CODE: A61

Effective date: 20050708

R150 Certificate of patent or registration of utility model

Free format text: JAPANESE INTERMEDIATE CODE: R150

FPAY Renewal fee payment (event date is renewal date of database)

Free format text: PAYMENT UNTIL: 20090715

Year of fee payment: 4

FPAY Renewal fee payment (event date is renewal date of database)

Free format text: PAYMENT UNTIL: 20100715

Year of fee payment: 5