Chemical apparatus and process disinfecting – deodorizing – preser – Process disinfecting – preserving – deodorizing – or sterilizing – Using direct contact steam to disinfect or sterilize
Patent
1996-07-23
1998-12-15
Ketter, James
Chemical apparatus and process disinfecting, deodorizing, preser
Process disinfecting, preserving, deodorizing, or sterilizing
Using direct contact steam to disinfect or sterilize
422307, A61L 206
Patent
active
058492461
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a spray sterilization apparatus for spraying hot water or steam upon containers filled with food or medicine, such as retort pouches or transfusion bags, for sterilization thereof and a method therefor.
2. Description of the Prior Art
In a process for producing retort-packed foods, a quantity of material or food Is filled into a retort-container and the container is sealed. Then, the container is placed in a sterilization apparatus for heat-sterilization.
There are various kinds of sterilization apparatuses for use in such application. One apparatus is of a spray type. In a typical sterilization apparatus of a spray type as shown in FIG. 8, a plural stages of trays 2 (stacked trays) each mounting thereon a product 45 are accommodated within a sterilization vessel 1. A plurality of sprays 23 are mounted in the sterilization vessel, each spray being directed toward a gap between the stacked trays 2. A spray of hot water or steam is ejected from each of the spray nozzles for heat-sterilizing the products. Then, a spray of cooling water is ejected from each of the spray nozzles 23 for cooling the products 45 (refer to for example Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 3-33197).
After completion of the cooling operation, the retort-packed products are removed from the sterilization vessel 1 and transferred to a drying station. In this station, the products are dried in order to eliminate water droplets on the surfaces of the products. Then, the products are transferred to a subsequent station, such as an inspection station or packaging station.
As mentioned in above, prior art installation was equipped with a sterilization apparatus and a dewatering/drying apparatus separately. This required a relatively large floor space for the production line, thus hindering effective utilization of space. It is also noted that wet products were supplied from the sterilization apparatus, so that provision of a drainage pan or a drainage trough before the drying apparatus was needed, for the treatment of water remaining on the products. This invited complication of peripheral constructions. It is further noted that such wet products tended to adhere thereon foreign materials in circulating air, thus causing hygienical problems.
When the products are required of a very high degree of hygienity, such as the case of medical transfusion bags, it is necessary for such products to be sterilized and dried in a clean room. It is noted, however, that, if the sterilization apparatus, as well as the drying apparatus, is provided in a clean room, an increased volume of clean room is required, so as to cause initial costs and running costs, including construction cost, air-conditioning cost, maintenance cost and labor cost, to be significantly increased.
When the trays are removed from the sterilization vessel and directly transferred into the drying apparatus, the contact surfaces between the trays and the products are insufficiently dried.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The invention is aimed at the provision of a spray sterilization apparatus which permits effective utilization of space and simplification of peripheral constructions, while at the same time maintaining a high degree of hygienity.
The invention is also directed to assuring the contact surfaces between the trays and products to be dried.
In order to achieve the above objects, the apparatus of the invention includes a sterilization vessel of a cylindrical configuration; a rotary housing supported within the sterilization vessel for rotatable movement about a horizontal axis of rotation, the rotary housing accommodating therein a plurality of stacked trays, each of the trays being adapted to mount thereon at least one product; a rotary drive unit for reversibly rotating the rotary housing; a plurality of spray nozzles within the rotary housing, each of the spray nozzles being arranged to be directed to a space between the stacked trays; an inlet port in the rotary housing, the inlet port being in
Fukuda Yoshikane
Hashimoto Toshitaka
Tsutsumi Ryuichi
Hisaka Works Limited
Ketter James
Otsuka Pharmaceutical Factory Inc.
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