U.S. patent application number 14/810509 was filed with the patent office on 2015-11-26 for retort sterilization device, heating device, heat sterilization method and heat treatment method.
The applicant listed for this patent is Norio KADOWAKI, Satoru KADOWAKI, Manabu MORIWAKI, Hironobu TOMODA, Hiroshi TOMODA. Invention is credited to Norio KADOWAKI, Satoru KADOWAKI, Manabu MORIWAKI, Hironobu TOMODA, Hiroshi TOMODA.
Application Number | 20150335190 14/810509 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 47071109 |
Filed Date | 2015-11-26 |
United States Patent
Application |
20150335190 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
TOMODA; Hiroshi ; et
al. |
November 26, 2015 |
RETORT STERILIZATION DEVICE, HEATING DEVICE, HEAT STERILIZATION
METHOD AND HEAT TREATMENT METHOD
Abstract
A retort sterilization device includes a water steam generation
device for generating water steam and a heating pot, connected to
the water steam generation device, for accommodating retort food.
The water steam generation device includes a heat exchanger for
performing heat exchange between liquid flowing in a liquid path
and heating vapor flowing in the vapor path. A top end of the
liquid path of the heat exchanger is connected via a water steam
supply pipe to a water steam ejection section located in an
internal area of the heating pot. The heat exchanger is connected
to a liquid container. A bottom end of the liquid path of the heat
exchanger is connected to the liquid container via a communicating
tube. The liquid container is coupled to the heating pot.
Inventors: |
TOMODA; Hiroshi; (Tottori,
JP) ; KADOWAKI; Norio; (Shimane, JP) ; TOMODA;
Hironobu; (Tottori, JP) ; MORIWAKI; Manabu;
(Tottori, JP) ; KADOWAKI; Satoru; (Shimane,
JP) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
TOMODA; Hiroshi
KADOWAKI; Norio
TOMODA; Hironobu
MORIWAKI; Manabu
KADOWAKI; Satoru |
Tottori
Shimane
Tottori
Tottori
Shimane |
|
JP
JP
JP
JP
JP |
|
|
Family ID: |
47071109 |
Appl. No.: |
14/810509 |
Filed: |
July 28, 2015 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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14279571 |
May 16, 2014 |
9125428 |
|
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14810509 |
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13614290 |
Sep 13, 2012 |
8808638 |
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14279571 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
99/447 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A23L 3/12 20130101; A23L
3/00 20130101; A47J 27/04 20130101; A61L 2/00 20130101; A47J
2027/043 20130101; A23V 2002/00 20130101; A23B 4/0056 20130101;
A23B 4/26 20130101; A23L 3/10 20130101; A61L 2/07 20130101 |
International
Class: |
A47J 27/04 20060101
A47J027/04; A23L 3/10 20060101 A23L003/10 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Sep 16, 2011 |
JP |
2011-203092 |
Jun 12, 2012 |
JP |
2012-133245 |
Jun 12, 2012 |
JP |
2012-133246 |
Claims
1. A heating device, comprising: a heating pot for accommodating a
heating target; and a heat exchanger connected to the heating pot;
wherein, the heat exchanger has a liquid path and a vapor path
independent from each other, and the heat exchanger is configured
to perform heat exchange between liquid flowing in the liquid path
and heat vapor flowing in the vapor path, a top end of the liquid
path of the heat exchanger is connected via a first pipe to an
ejection section located in the heating pot, the heat exchanger is
connected to a liquid container for storing the liquid to be
supplied to the heat exchanger; a bottom end of the liquid path of
the heat exchanger is connected to the liquid container via a
communicating tube; and the liquid container is coupled to the
heating pot.
2. The heating device of claim 1, wherein: the heat exchanger is
configured to generate water steam from the top end of the liquid
path of the heat exchanger; and the heating pot includes an air
discharge valve for discharging air in the heating pot to outside
the healing pot when the water steam is supplied by the heat
exchanger to the heating pot.
3. The heating device of claim 1, wherein a lower part of the
heating pot is connected to a discharge pipe for discharging air in
the heating pot to outside the heating pot.
4. The heating device of claim 1, wherein: the liquid is in the
liquid container; and a water level of the liquid in the liquid
container matches a water level of the liquid in the liquid path of
the heat exchanger.
5. The heating device of claim 1, wherein: the liquid container
includes a liquid pot main body having a top opening in an upper
part thereof; and the liquid pot main body is attached to the
heating pot such that the top opening is in the heating pot.
6. The heating device of claim 5, wherein: the first pipe is
configured to provide the liquid in the liquid path of the heat
exchanger is from the top end of the liquid path into the heating
pot; and the liquid pot main body and the communicating tube are
configured to provide the liquid in the heating pot into the liquid
path.
7. The heating device of claim 6, wherein the communicating tube is
connected to a circulation pump for circulating the liquid.
8. The heating device of claim 1, wherein the heating target is
food.
9-16. (canceled)
17. A heating device using water steam, comprising: a heating pot
for accommodating a heating target; and a water steam generation
device for generating water steam, wherein, the heating pot is
connected to the water steam generation device; the water steam
generation device has a liquid path and a vapor path independent
from each other, and the water steam generating device includes a
heat exchanger for performing heat exchange between liquid flowing
in the liquid path and heating vapor flowing in the vapor path; the
vapor path of the heat exchanger is configured to receive vapor
from a boiler; a top end of the liquid path of the heat exchanger
is connected via a water steam supply pipe to a water steam
ejection section located in the heating pot; and a bottom end of
the liquid path of the heat exchanger is connected to the heating
pot via a communicating tube.
18. The heating device of claim 17, wherein the heat exchanger and
the heating pot are configured to circulate the water steam to put
an internal area of the heating pot into a pressurized state.
19. The heating device of claim 17, wherein the liquid is stored in
a lower part in the heating pot; and a water level of the liquid in
the heating pot matches a water level of the liquid in the liquid
path of the heat exchanger.
20. The heating device of claim 17, wherein the heating pot
includes a cylindrical main body, the cylindrical main body
including openable and closable doors at a front opening and a rear
opening of the main body, respectively.
21. The heating device of claim 17, wherein the water steam
generated by the water steam generation device is saturated water
steam having a minute pressure of 0.12 MPaA or less.
22. The heating device of claim 17, wherein the heating target is
fish.
23. A heating device, comprising: a heating pot for accommodating a
heating target; and a water steam generation device for generating
water steam, wherein the heating pot is configured to receive a
gas, said gas including the water steam without compressed air, the
gas is water vapor having a minute pressure, and the water steam
generation device and the heating pot are connected via a pipe to
form a substantially sealed space.
24. The heating device of claim 23, wherein: the water steam
generation device has a liquid path and a vapor path independent
from each other, and the water steam generation device includes a
heat exchanger for performing heat exchange between liquid flowing
in the liquid path and heating vapor flowing in the vapor path; the
vapor path of the heat exchanger is configured to receive vapor
from a boiler; a top end of the liquid path of the heat exchanger
is connected via a water steam supply pipe to a water steam
ejection section located in the heating pot; and a bottom end of
the liquid path of the heat exchanger is connected to the heating
pot via a communicating tube.
25. The heating device of claim 24, wherein the heat exchanger and
the heating pot are configured to put an internal area of the
heating pot into a pressurized state.
26. The heating device of claim 24, wherein: the heat exchanger is
configured to generate the water steam is generated from the top
end of the liquid path of the heat exchanger; and the heating pot
includes an air discharge valve for discharging air in the heating
pot to outside the heating pot when the water steam is supplied to
the heating pot.
27. The heating device of claim 24, wherein a lower part of the
heating pot is connected to a discharge pipe for discharging air in
the heating pot to outside the heating pot.
28. The heating device of claim 24, wherein a heating source in the
heating pot is the water vapor having the minute pressure without
spraying hydroheat drops.
Description
[0001] This application is a divisional application of and claims
priority under 35 U.S.C. .sctn.120/121 to U.S. application Ser. No.
14/279,571 filed May 16, 2014, which is a divisional application of
U.S. application Ser. No. 13/614,290 filed Sep. 13, 2012, which
claims priority under 35 U.S.C. .sctn.119 to Japanese Patent
Application No. 2011-203092 filed on Sep. 16, 2011, Japanese Patent
Application No. 2012-133245 filed on Jun. 12, 2012, and Japanese
Patent Application No. 2012-133246 filed on Jun. 12, 2012, the
entirety of the contents of each of these applications is
incorporated herein by reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] The present invention relates to a retort sterilization
device, a heating device, a heat sterilization method and a heat
treatment method, and specifically, to a retort sterilization
device including a heating pot for performing sterilization with
heating and pressurization.
[0004] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0005] In general, a surface or inside of food has microorganisms
such as mold, yeast, bacteria and the like attached or mixed
thereto. When the food contains much moisture, such microorganisms
make the food rotten. As a food preservation method for avoiding
this, drying, salt preservation, low-temperature preservation and
the like have been performed from old days. Packaging in film makes
it easy to completely block microorganisms. Thus, heat
sterilization after packaging is widely used as an effective
preservation method.
[0006] Heat sterilization is available in dry sterilization, which
is performed with heated air, and wet sterilization, which is
performed with vapor or hydroheat. Wet sterilization provides a
higher sterilization effect because of the amount of heat. A
simplest method of sterilization against microorganisms using wet
heat is boil sterilization (sterilization in hot water), by which
packaged food is put into hot water for sterilization. However,
boil sterilization has the following defects. When the heating time
is long, the food is deteriorated by heat; and when there is a
heat-resistant microorganism which does not die even at 100.degree.
C., complete sterilization is impossible under normal pressure.
[0007] Thus, when necessary, sterilization with pressurization and
heating (retort sterilization) at a temperature exceeding
100.degree. C. is performed. When being warmed in hot water, the
food cannot be heated to a temperature higher than the boiling
point of water (100.degree. C.). However, when vapor or pressurized
hydroheat is used, the food can be heated to a temperature higher
than 100.degree. C. Such a method of sterilization is retort
sterilization. When the food is heated at a temperature higher than
100.degree. C., the bag packaging the food is burst during cooling
because the internal pressure of the bag becomes too high.
Therefore, during the cooling, the food needs to be pressurized at
a pressure higher than the pressure used for heating and the
pressure needs to be adjusted. In order to perform retort
sterilization, a device capable of adjusting the temperature, time
and pressure precisely is needed. The initial cost is higher beyond
comparison than that when a boil sterilization device is used.
[0008] For performing retort sterilization on food sealed in a bag
of a heat-resistant resin film or the like, the packaging bag is
heated with vapor or hydroheat in a retort pot. However, it is
difficult to uniformize the heating temperature in the retort pot,
and thus the heating temperature may become non-uniform. Japanese
Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 2008-301739 discloses a
sterilization method, by which sterilization of retort food and
cooling after that are performed while the food is slid in a
forward-backward direction and in a leftward-rightward
direction.
[0009] FIG. 16 shows a sterilization device 1000 disclosed in
Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 2008-301739. In the
sterilization device 1000 shown in FIG. 16, a rail 220 is provided
in a retort pot main body 210, and a movable table 240 is supported
by the rail 220 via wheels 230. On the movable table 240, trays 260
having many bags of retort food 250 placed thereon are stacked in
multiple stages and supported. The movable table 240 is coupled,
via a shaft sealing device 290 provided on the retort pot main body
210, to a driving shaft 285 of a crank mechanism 280 drivable by a
motor 270.
[0010] When the motor 270 is driven and rotated, the driving shaft
285 of the crank mechanism 280 reciprocates the retort pot main
body 210 in association with the rotation of the motor 270, and
thus the movable table 240 which supports the trays 260 having the
retort food 250 placed thereon is slid. The retort food is
sterilized and then cooled while being slid, so that the food is
suppressed from, for example, being burned during the
sterilization.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0011] For sterilizing retort food having fluid food or the like
sealed therein, in Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No.
2008-301739, the retort food 250 is mainly slid during the
sterilization to suppress the food from being burned. However, as a
result of studies, the present inventors found the following. The
temperature in the retort pot main body 210 is not uniform. The
problem that the food may be burned during the sterilization is not
limited to fluid food. Even non-fluid food is heated non-uniformly
during the sterilization depending on the position thereof in the
retort pot main body 210.
[0012] One reason that the food is heated non-uniformly during
retort sterilization is a temperature difference described below.
When hydroheat is poured on the retort food for heating in the
retort pot main body 210, there is a temperature difference between
a part which is exposed to hydroheat well and a part which is not.
When high-temperature, high-pressure vapor (boiler vapor) is
introduced into the retort pot main body 210 and the retort food is
heated with the boiler vapor, there is a temperature difference
between a part which is exposed to the boiler vapor well and a part
which is not. Air remaining in the retort pot main body 210 acts as
a heat insulator and causes heating non-uniformity, namely,
non-uniform temperature distribution, in the retort pot main body
210. The temperature and the pressure of the boiler vapor
introduced into the retort pot main body 210 are higher than the
temperature and the pressure set in the retort pot. Therefore, the
food may be heated to a higher temperature than assumed. Especially
in a part exposed to the boiler vapor well, the problem of heating
non-uniformity is often serious.
[0013] The air may be discharged from the retort pot main body 210
by connecting a vacuum pump (pressure decrease pump) to the inside
of the retort pot main body 210. However, use of the vacuum pump
needs high facility cost and also high running cost, which
significantly raises the sterilization cost (or production cost) of
retort food. As described above, a retort sterilization device
requires high initial cost beyond comparison than that of a boil
sterilization device, and use of a vacuum pump still raises the
cost. In addition, even if the air in the retort pot main body 210
can be discharged, there is still heating non-uniformity between a
part directly exposed to the boiler vapor well and a part which is
not. In a device in which hydroheat is poured on the food,
compressed air is introduced into the retort pot main body 210 to
put the inside thereof into a pressurized state. Therefore, the
influence of the air cannot be eliminated.
[0014] The heating non-uniformity involves a possibility that a
low-temperature part of the food is not sufficiently sterilized. In
addition, even if retort sterilization is performed successfully,
there is a high possibility that the heating non-uniformity may
spoil the taste of the food.
[0015] The present invention made in light of the above-described
situation, has a main object of providing a retort sterilization
device, a heating device, a heat sterilization method and a heat
treatment method which have a high energy efficiency and/or are
capable of suppressing heating non-uniformity.
[0016] A retort sterilization device according to the present
invention includes a heating pot for accommodating retort food; and
a water steam generation device for generating water steam. The
heating pot is connected to the water steam generation device; the
water steam generation device has a liquid path and a vapor path
independent from each other, and includes a heat exchanger for
performing heat exchange between liquid flowing in the liquid path
and heating vapor flowing in the vapor path; the heating vapor from
a boiler is introduced into the vapor path of the heat exchanger; a
top end of the liquid path of the heat exchanger is connected via a
water steam supply pipe to a water steam ejection section located
in the heating pot; the heat exchanger is connected to the liquid
container for storing the liquid to be supplied to the heat
exchanger; a bottom end of the liquid path of the heat exchanger is
connected to the liquid container via a communicating tube; and the
liquid container is coupled to the heating pot.
[0017] In a preferable embodiment, the liquid is stored in the
liquid container; and a water level of the liquid in the liquid
container matches a water level of the liquid in the liquid path of
the heat exchanger.
[0018] In a preferable embodiment, the liquid container is provided
with a water level adjustment member for adjusting the water level
of the liquid.
[0019] In a preferable embodiment, the liquid container is
connected to the heating pot via a coupling pipe.
[0020] In a preferable embodiment, the liquid container includes a
liquid pot main body having a top opening in an upper part thereof
and a lid for sealing the top opening of the liquid pot main body;
the liquid pot main body is a pressure-resistant container; a
bottom part of the liquid pot main body is connected to the
communicating tube; and the lid is connected to the coupling
pipe.
[0021] In a preferable embodiment, the liquid container includes a
liquid pot main body having a top opening in an upper part thereof;
and the liquid pot main body is attached to the heating pot such
that the top opening is located in the heating pot.
[0022] In a preferable embodiment, a bottom surface of the liquid
pot main body is connected to the communicating tube.
[0023] In a preferable embodiment, a top lid which does not seal
the top opening is provided at the top opening of the liquid pot
main body.
[0024] In a preferable embodiment, the heating pot is cylindrical;
and a plate on which a container for accommodating the retort food
is to be placed is located in the heating pot.
[0025] In a preferable embodiment, the water steam ejection section
is a sparge pipe located so as to extend in a horizontal direction
in the heating pot.
[0026] In a preferable embodiment, a plurality of the water steam
ejection sections are located in the heating pot.
[0027] In a preferable embodiment, the water steam ejection section
is located in a lower area in the heating pot.
[0028] In a preferable embodiment, at least two of the water steam
ejection sections are located in the lower area in the heating pot;
and at least two of the water steam ejection sections are located
in an area above the lower area in the heating pot.
[0029] In a preferable embodiment, a lower part of the heating pot
is connected to a discharge pipe for discharging gas in the heating
pot to outside the heating pot.
[0030] In a preferable embodiment, the discharge pipe is connected
to a variable valve for varying an opened/closed state of the
discharge pipe; and the discharge pipe is capable of discharging
drip water from a bottom part of the heating pot.
[0031] In a preferable embodiment, the heating pot is provided with
at least one of an air discharge valve for discharging air in the
heating pot to outside the heating pot and a proportional valve as
a pressure relief valve for adjusting an internal pressure.
[0032] In a preferable embodiment, the air discharge valve is
attached to a highest part of the heating pot.
[0033] In a preferable embodiment, a heating device for heating the
water steam is provided at a part of the water steam supply pipe
connected to the water steam ejection section.
[0034] In a preferable embodiment, the heating device is an
electric heater.
[0035] In a preferable embodiment, the retort sterilization device
is a pressurization and heating device for circulating the water
steam through the heat exchanger, the heating pot and the liquid
container to put an internal area of the heating pot into a
pressurized state.
[0036] In a preferable embodiment, the water steam generated by the
water steam generation device is saturated water vapor having a
minute pressure of 0.12 MPaA or less (i.e., gauge pressure of
0.0187 MpaG or less).
[0037] In a preferable embodiment, a cooling water supply pipe is
connected to a part of the water steam supply pipe such that
cooling water is ejected from the water steam ejection section.
[0038] In a preferable embodiment, the communicating tube for
providing communication between the heat exchanger and the liquid
container is branched into a first path and a second path.
[0039] In a preferable embodiment, a circulation pump for
circulating the liquid is located in the second path.
[0040] A heating device according to the present invention includes
a heating pot for accommodating a heating target; and a heat
exchanger connected to the heating pot. The heat exchanger has a
liquid path and a vapor path independent from each other, and
performs heat exchange between liquid flowing in the liquid path
and heating vapor flowing in the vapor path; a top end of the
liquid path of the heat exchanger is connected via a first pipe to
an ejection section located in the heating pot; the heat exchanger
is connected to a liquid container for storing the liquid to be
supplied to the heat exchanger; a bottom end of the liquid path of
the heat exchanger is connected to the liquid container via a
communicating tube; and the liquid container is coupled to the
heating pot.
[0041] In a preferable embodiment, water steam is generated from
the top end of the liquid path of the heat exchanger by the heat
exchange performed by the heat exchanger; and the heating pot is
provided with an air discharge valve for discharging air in the
heating pot to outside the heating pot when the water steam is
supplied to the heating pot.
[0042] In a preferable embodiment, a lower part of the heating pot
is connected to a discharge pipe for discharging air in the heating
pot to outside the heating pot.
[0043] In a preferable embodiment, the liquid is stored in the
liquid container; and a water level of the liquid in the liquid
container matches a water level of the liquid in the liquid path of
the heat exchanger.
[0044] In a preferable embodiment, the liquid container includes a
liquid pot main body having a top opening in an upper part thereof;
and the liquid pot main body is attached to the heating pot such
that the top opening is located in the heating pot.
[0045] In a preferable embodiment, the liquid in the liquid path of
the heat exchanger is introduced from the top end of the liquid
path into the heating pot via the first pipe; and the liquid in the
heating pot is introduced into the liquid path via the liquid pot
main body and the communicating tube.
[0046] In a preferable embodiment, the communicating tube is
connected to a circulation pump for circulating the liquid.
[0047] In a preferable embodiment, the heating target is food.
[0048] A heat sterilization method according to the present
invention is a method for performing heat sterilization in a
pressurized state and includes the steps of locating a heating
target in a heating pot; and introducing water steam into the
heating pot. The water steam is generated by a heat exchanger; the
heat exchanger, a liquid container for supplying liquid to the heat
exchanger and the heating pot are connected to form a sealed space;
and the step of introducing the water steam is carried out
continuously to put an internal area of the heating pot into a
pressurized state.
[0049] In a preferable embodiment, the heat exchanger, the liquid
container and the heating pot are connected so as to be continuous
in a loop.
[0050] In a preferable embodiment, in the step of introducing the
water steam, the water steam is introduced into an area in the
heating pot including a central part and an area below the central
part, and air in the heating pot is discharged from an upper part
thereof.
[0051] In a preferable embodiment, in the step of introducing the
water steam, air in the heating pot is discharged from a lower part
thereof.
[0052] In a preferable embodiment, the heating target is at least
one selected from the group consisting of food packaged by a retort
pouch, canned food and bottled food.
[0053] A heat treatment method according to the present invention
is a method for heat-treating a heating target and includes the
steps of locating the heating target in a heating pot; and
introducing water steam into the heating pot. The water steam is
generated by a heat exchanger; the heat exchanger, a liquid
container for supplying liquid to the heat exchanger and the
heating pot are connected so as to be continuous in a loop; and the
step of introducing the water steam is carried out continuously to
heat an internal area of the heating pot.
[0054] In a preferable embodiment, in the step of introducing the
water steam, the water steam is introduced, and also air in the
heating pot is discharged from an upper part thereof.
[0055] In a preferable embodiment, in the step of introducing the
water steam, the water steam is introduced, and also air in the
heating pot is discharged from a lower part thereof.
[0056] In a preferable embodiment, in the step of introducing the
water steam, the water steam is introduced into an area in the
heating pot including a central part and an area below the central
part, and air in the heating pot is discharged from an upper part
thereof.
[0057] In a preferable embodiment, the step of introducing the
water steam into the heating pot includes introducing overheated
vapor which is generated by heating the water steam generated by
the heat exchanger.
[0058] In a preferable embodiment, the heating target is at least
one selected from the group consisting of retort food, fish, meat,
vegetable, root crop, fruit, rice, bread, tea, coffee, and
tsukudani.
[0059] A heat treatment method in an embodiment uses water steam,
and includes the steps of generating the water steam by a water
steam generation device including a heat exchanger; introducing the
water steam into a heating pot; and introducing liquid present in a
bottom part in the heating pot into the heat exchanger.
[0060] In a preferable embodiment, in the step of heating in the
heating pot, the water steam is circulated between the heat
exchanger and the heating pot to put an internal area of the
heating pot into a pressurized state.
[0061] A method for producing a fish-processed product according to
the present invention includes the step of heating fish having
bones in a heating pot. The heating pot is connected to a water
steam generation device for generating water steam; the water steam
generation device has a liquid path and a vapor path independent
from each other, and includes a heat exchanger for performing heat
exchange between liquid flowing in the liquid path and heating
vapor flowing in the vapor path; high-pressure vapor from a boiler
is introduced into the vapor path of the heat exchanger; a top end
of the liquid path of the heat exchanger is connected via a water
steam supply pipe to a water steam ejection section located in the
heating pot; and a bottom end of the liquid path of the heat
exchanger is connected to the heating pot via a communicating
tube.
[0062] In a preferable embodiment, in the step of heating in the
heating pot, the water steam is circulated between the heat
exchanger and the heating pot to put an internal area of the
heating pot into a pressurized state.
[0063] In a preferable embodiment, in the step of heating in the
heating pot, the bones of the fish are softened.
[0064] In a preferable embodiment, the method further includes the
steps of, after the step of heating in the heating pot; kneading
the fish heated by the heating pot; and baking the kneaded fish by
a high-temperature vapor baking machine.
[0065] In a preferable embodiment, in the step of kneading the
fish, a seasoning is added to the heated fish; and in the step of
baking by the high-temperature vapor baking machine, the kneaded
fish is baked in the state of being spread to be thin.
[0066] In a preferable embodiment, the high-temperature vapor
baking machine includes a second water steam generation device for
generating the water steam; a heating device for heating the water
steam to generate overheated vapor; and a baking chamber for baking
the kneaded fish with the overheated vapor; and an ejection pipe
for ejecting the overheated vapor is located in the baking
chamber.
[0067] In a preferable embodiment, the high-temperature vapor
baking machine further includes a belt conveyor which passes
through the baking chamber; the baking chamber is an open space
which is opened at an entrance and an exit for the belt conveyor;
and an ejection opening of the ejection pipe is located above the
belt conveyor.
[0068] Another heating device according to the present invention is
a heating device using water steam and includes a heating pot for
accommodating a heating target; and a water steam generation device
for generating water steam. The heating pot is connected to the
water steam generation device; the water steam generation device
has a liquid path and a vapor path independent from each other, and
includes a heat exchanger for performing heat exchange between
liquid flowing in the liquid path and heating vapor flowing in the
vapor path; high-pressure vapor from a boiler is introduced into
the vapor path of the heat exchanger; a top end of the liquid path
of the heat exchanger is connected via a water steam supply pipe to
a water steam ejection section located in the heating pot; and a
bottom end of the liquid path of the heat exchanger is connected to
the heating pot via a communicating tube.
[0069] In a preferable embodiment, the heating device circulates
the water steam between the heat exchanger and the heating pot to
put an internal area of the heating pot into a pressurized
state.
[0070] In a preferable embodiment, the liquid is stored in a lower
part in the heating pot; and a water level of the liquid in the
heating pot matches a water level of the liquid in the liquid path
of the heat exchanger.
[0071] In a preferable embodiment, the heating pot includes a
cylindrical main body; and includes openable/closable doors
respectively at a front opening and a rear opening of the main
body.
[0072] In a preferable embodiment, the water steam generated by the
water steam generation device is saturated water steam having a
minute pressure of 0.12 MPaA or less.
[0073] In a preferable embodiment, the heating target is fish.
[0074] A heat treatment method according to the present invention
is a heating method using water steam and includes the steps of
generating the water steam by a water steam generation device
including a heat exchanger; introducing the water steam into a
heating pot; and introducing liquid present in a bottom part in the
heating pot into the heat exchanger.
[0075] In a retort sterilization device according to the present
invention, the water steam generation device connected to the
heating pot includes the heat exchanger, and the top end of the
liquid path of the heat exchanger is connected via the water steam
supply pipe to the water steam ejection section located in the
heating pot. The heat exchanger is connected to the liquid
container, and the bottom end of the liquid path of the heat
exchanger is connected to the liquid container via the
communicating tube. The liquid container is coupled to the heating
pot. Therefore, a sealed space can be constructed by connecting the
heat exchanger, the heating pot and the liquid container. By
introducing the water steam (minute-pressure vapor) from the water
steam generation device including the heat exchanger into the
heating pot, the internal pressure of the heating pot can be
gradually raised to put the internal area of the heating pot into a
pressurized state. The water steam is basically saturated water
vapor. Therefore, by introducing the water steam into the heating
pot, an atmosphere of saturated water steam containing almost no
air can be formed. Thus, heating non-uniformity caused by air
acting as a heat insulator can be suppressed. As a result, a retort
sterilization device having a high energy efficiency and/or capable
of suppressing heating non-uniformity can be realized. Owing to the
sealed space provided by connecting the heat exchanger, the heating
pot and the liquid container, these elements have an equal internal
pressure. Therefore, the water level in the heat exchanger and the
water level in the liquid container can be matched to each other
based on the Pascal's principle. This stabilizes the water level in
the heat exchanger, and thus water steam can be generated stably
and continuously.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0076] FIG. 1 is a schematic view showing a structure of a retort
sterilization device (heating device) 100 in an embodiment
according to the present invention.
[0077] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing a
structure of a heating pot 50 in an embodiment according to the
present invention.
[0078] FIG. 3 shows a structure of a water steam generation device
10 (heat exchanger 90) in an embodiment according to the present
invention.
[0079] FIG. 4 is a schematic view showing a structure of the heat
exchanger 90 in an embodiment according to the present
invention.
[0080] FIG. 5 is a schematic view showing a structure of a retort
sterilization device (heating device) 100 in an embodiment
according to the present invention.
[0081] FIG. 6 is a schematic view showing an internal structure of
the heating pot 50 in an embodiment according to the present
invention.
[0082] FIG. 7A and FIG. 7B are respectively a front view and a side
view showing a structure of the retort sterilization device 100 in
an embodiment according to the present invention.
[0083] FIG. 8 shows a structure of a retort sterilization device
100 in an embodiment according to the present invention.
[0084] FIG. 9 shows a structure of a retort sterilization device
100 in an embodiment according to the present invention.
[0085] FIG. 10 is a graph showing the temperature and the pressure
in the case where the retort sterilization device 100 is
operated.
[0086] FIG. 11 is a schematic view showing a structure of a retort
sterilization device (heating device) 200 in an embodiment
according to the present invention.
[0087] FIG. 12 is a schematic view showing a structure of a retort
sterilization device (heating device) 100 in an embodiment
according to the present invention.
[0088] FIG. 13 is a schematic view showing a structure of a retort
sterilization device (heating device) 100 in an embodiment
according to the present invention.
[0089] FIG. 14 is a schematic view showing a structure of a retort
sterilization device (heating device) 100 in an embodiment
according to the present invention.
[0090] FIG. 15 shows a structure of a production system 300 of a
fish-processed product in an embodiment according to the present
invention.
[0091] FIG. 16 is a cross-sectional view showing a structure of a
conventional retort sterilization device 1000.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0092] The present inventors studied poor energy efficiency and/or
heating non-uniformity of a retort sterilization device for many
years. Since conventional retort sterilization devices using
high-temperature pressurized vapor (boiler vapor) and hydroheat are
completed per se, the present inventors considered that the defects
thereof would be only alleviated by accumulating small
improvements. However, the present inventors found a technique
unique and quite different from the conventional common knowledge,
by which heating in a pressurized state is performed using
minute-pressure vapor (water steam), and thus achieved the present
invention. Specifically, in order to perform retort sterilization
by heating in a pressurized state using water steam
(minute-pressure saturated vapor), the present inventors succeeded
in generating a pressurized state easily in a heating pot without
using compressed air. A retort sterilization device using boiler
vapor has problems in terms of taste and appearance; for example, a
retort odor (e.g., odor generated by denaturing of protein) may be
generated, or discolorization (to a dull brown color) may occur,
when a heating target is heated by high-temperature boiler vapor
which flows into the device. Even in a retort sterilization device
in which hydroheat is poured on food, a retort odor (e.g., odor
generated by denaturing of protein) may be generated, or
discolorization (to a dull brown color) may occur, after the
heating due to heating non-uniformity or the like.
[0093] Hereinafter, with reference to the drawings, embodiments of
the present invention will be described. In the following drawings,
elements having substantially identical functions will be
represented with identical reference numerals for simplifying the
description. The present invention is not limited to the following
embodiments.
[0094] FIG. 1 is a schematic view showing a structure of a retort
sterilization device (heating device) 100 in an embodiment
according to the present invention. The retort sterilization device
100 in this embodiment is a heating device capable of performing
sterilization with pressurization and heating (retort
sterilization) on retort food sealed in a bag formed of a
heat-resistant resin film or the like. The heating device 100 in
this embodiment is a device (vapor heating device) for heating a
heating target by use of water steam (minute-pressure saturated
vapor). Especially when the heating target is food (retort food in
this example), the heating device 100 in this embodiment is a
vapor-system food heating device.
[0095] The retort sterilization device 100 in this embodiment
includes a heating pot 50 and a water steam generation device 10
for generating water steam. The heating pot 50 is connected to the
water steam generation device 10. A heat exchanger 90 is connected
to a liquid container 20 for storing liquid 25 to be supplied to
the heat exchanger 90. The liquid container 20 is coupled to the
heating pot 50.
[0096] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing a
structure of the heating pot 50 in this embodiment. The heating pot
50 in this embodiment is a retort pot (heating pot) in which retort
food 70 is to be placed. In the example shown in FIG. 2, a plate 75
on which containers (trays) 72 for accommodating the retort food 70
are to be placed is located in the heating pot 50. In this example,
the retort food 70 is accommodated in each of the trays 72, and the
containers 72 are stacked in multiple stages and are located in an
internal area 55 of the heating pot 50. In the example shown here,
the retort food 70 is accommodated in the containers 72, but the
food 70 may be in any other form as long as being located in the
internal area 55 of the heating pot 50.
[0097] The retort food in this embodiment is food which is to be
treated with heating in a pressurized state, and is, for example,
food packaged in a retort pouch. A retort pouch is generally formed
of a film obtained by a lamination process and having a
polypropylene layer on the side of the food and a polyester (PET)
or any other synthetic resin layer or an aluminum foil on the outer
side. The retort pouch can contain the food inside in a sealed
state by blocking air, moisture and light. Retort pouches (retort
packaging containers) are available in a flat bag (flat,
envelope-like bag; used for, for example, curry, "gyudon" (steamed
rice topped with stewed beef), etc.), a standing pouch (bag having
an extended bottom; used for, for example, stew, etc.), and a
molded container (lunch box-type plastic container having a sealing
film applied on top thereof; used, for example, retort rice,
etc.).
[0098] The "retort food" in this embodiment means food to be
sterilized with pressurization and heating, and encompasses food
packaged in a retort pouch, canned food, and bottled food. Food
provided as retort food may be any type of food which is suitable
to be produced into retort food; for example, fish, meat,
vegetables, root crops, fruits or the like. The "retort food" in
this embodiment is not limited to food for humans, and may be food
for pets or animal retort food. "Retort sterilization" (heating in
a pressurized state) for producing retort food is not limited to
being used for the purpose of heat sterilization treatment, and may
be used for the purpose of softening the food. Representative
examples of the retort food include curry (retort curry), stew,
soup, porridge, pasta sauce, ingredients of "donburi" (ingredients
of toppings of boiled rice), rice (retort rice), hamburger steak,
meat ball, and the like.
[0099] Retort treatment (retort sterilization) is, on principle,
sterilization performed in the state where a central part of the
food in the container is pressurized and heated at 120.degree. C.
for 4 minutes or by use of an equivalent amount of heat (the
temperature and time are adjusted in accordance with the type of
food). This treatment can annihilate spore bacteria and also is
considered to eliminate the botulinum bacteria, which are most
heat-resistant among general food-poisoning bacteria. In the food
industry, the numerical value which represents the effectiveness of
sterilization is F value (F value=1 at 120.degree. C. for 1
minute). Usually, sterilization of an F value of 5 about to 10 is
performed.
[0100] The heating pot 50 in this embodiment is a
pressure-resistant heating container and is cylindrical. The
heating pot 50 in this embodiment is formed of, for example, a
stainless steel material. Since the heating pot 50 is cylindrical,
a structure strong against the pressure is provided. However, the
heating pot 50 is not limited to being cylindrical, and may be of
any other shape as long as acting as a retort pot. The heating pot
50 is preferably cylindrical because a heating pot of any other
shape (e.g., shape having a quadrangular cross-section) is heavier
than a cylindrical heating pot. Herein, the term "cylindrical" is
not limited to a precisely cylindrical shape in a geometric sense.
A shape having a slightly deformed circular cross-section (e.g.,
elliptical, egg-shaped), namely, a substantially cylindrical shape,
is usable.
[0101] The water steam generation device 10 in this embodiment
includes the heat exchanger 90. The structure of the heat exchanger
90 in this embodiment is shown in FIG. 3 and FIG. 4. FIG. 3 shows a
cross-sectional structure of the heat exchanger 90 together with a
boiler 94. FIG. 4 is a perspective view schematically showing an
internal structure of the heat exchanger 90.
[0102] The heat exchanger 90 in this embodiment includes a liquid
path 91 and a vapor path 92 independent from each other. Heat is
exchanged between liquid (in this example, water) flowing in the
liquid path 91 and heating vapor (in this example, steam vapor)
flowing in the vapor path 92.
[0103] As shown in FIG. 3, the heating vapor from the boiler 94
(boiler vapor or high-pressure vapor) is introduced into the vapor
path 92 of the heat exchanger 90. Specifically, the high-pressure
vapor from the boiler 94 is introduced into the vapor path 92 of
the heat exchanger 90 via a boiler pipe 82. In the heat exchanger
90, the heat of the heating vapor flowing in the vapor path 92 is
transferred to the liquid present in the liquid path 91 and thus
heat is exchanged. In the heat exchanger 90, the heat is exchanged
when the heating vapor (thermal medium) and the liquid (medium to
be heat-exchanged) cross each other in a non-contact manner. Thus,
water is boiled and water steam (minute-pressure saturated vapor)
15 is generated. The heating vapor after the heat exchange in the
heat exchanger 90 is discharged via an exhaust steam pipe 84.
[0104] As shown in FIG. 4, the heat exchanger 90 in this embodiment
includes a plurality of liquid paths 91 located in an outer casing
93. In this embodiment, the outer casing 93 is generally
cylindrical, and the liquid paths 91 are formed of heat
transmission pipes. The heat transmission pipes forming the liquid
paths 91 are formed of a material for transferring the heat of the
thermal medium (steam) to the heat exchange target (in this
example, water), and are formed of, for example, metal pipes (e.g.,
stainless steel). The liquid paths (heat transmission pipes) 91
extend in a longitudinal direction (axial direction) of the
cylindrical outer casing 93. In this embodiment, the liquid paths
91 extend in the axial direction and are located parallel to each
other with an interval in a circumferential direction of the
cylindrical outer casing 93. A space between the liquid paths (heat
transmission pipes) 91 acts as the vapor path 92 through which the
thermal medium (steam) 16 passes. The water steam 15 is generated
and transferred from tip ends 91a of the liquid paths 91 of the
heat exchanger 90.
[0105] As shown in FIG. 1, the water steam generation device 10
including the heat exchanger 90 is connected via a water steam
supply pipe 12 to a water steam ejection section 52 located in the
internal area 55 of the heating pot 50. Therefore, the water steam
15 generated from top ends 91a of the liquid paths 91 of the heat
exchanger 90 is transferred through the water steam supply pipe 12,
is introduced into the internal area 55 of the heating pot 50, is
ejected from the water steam ejection section 52, and is released
into the internal area 55 of the heating pot 50 (arrow 53).
[0106] In this embodiment, at least one water steam ejection
section 52 is located in the internal area 55 of heating pot 50. In
the structure of this embodiment, a plurality of water steam
ejection sections 52 (52A, 52B) are located in the internal area 55
of the heating pot 50. The water steam ejection sections 52 in this
embodiment are each a sparge pipe having a plurality of ejection
openings. In the example shown here, the water steam ejection
sections 52 are located so as to extend in a horizontal direction
in the internal area 55 of the heating pot 50. In this example, the
water steam ejection sections 52 (sparge pipes) are located in a
longitudinal direction of the cylindrical heating pot 50.
[0107] In the structure shown in FIG. 2, at least one of the water
steam ejection sections 52 (52B) in this embodiment is located in a
lower area of the internal area 55 of the heating pot 50. In the
example shown here, two sparge pipes 52B are located in the lower
area of the internal area 55 of the heating pot 50. In this
embodiment, the "lower area" of the internal area 55 of the heating
pot 50 refers to an area close to a bottom surface of the internal
area 55 of the heating pot 50. In the example shown in FIG. 2, the
"lower area" is an area below the plate 75. Also in the example
shown in FIG. 2, the water steam ejection sections 52 (52A) are
located above the lower area in the heating pot 50. In this
example, the water steam ejection sections 52 (52A) are located in
a central area of the heating pot 50 (a horizontal plane passing
the center of the cylindrical heating pot 50 or in the vicinity
thereof). In the example shown here, two lower sparge pipes 52B and
two central sparge pipes 52A are located in the internal area 55 of
the heating pot 50. The two sparge pipes 52A are located in
left-right symmetry to each other, and the lower sparge pipes 52B
are also located in left-right symmetry to each other. It is
possible to locate one or a plurality of (e.g., two) water steam
ejection sections (sparge pipes) 52 in an upper area in the heating
pot 50 (area close to a top surface of the internal area 55 of the
heating pot 50). Namely, according to the structure of this
embodiment, it is possible to locate a plurality of water steam
ejection sections (sparge pipes) 52 in the entire internal area 55,
namely, in the upper, lower, left and right parts therein.
[0108] Bottom ends 91b of the liquid paths 91 of the heat exchanger
90 are connected to the liquid container 20 via a communicating
tube 30. More specifically, one end 30a of the communicating tube
30 is connected to the liquid container 20, and the other end 30b
of the communicating tube 30 is connected to the heat exchanger
(especially, the bottom ends 91b of the liquid paths 91).
Therefore, the liquid (water) 25 in the liquid container 20 can be
transferred to the communicating tube 30. Then, the water steam is
generated from the liquid paths 91 of the heat exchanger 90 and the
water level in the liquid paths 91 of the heat exchanger 90 is
lowered. In accordance with this, and so as to compensate for this,
the liquid in the communicating tube 30 is transferred toward the
bottom ends 91b of the liquid paths 91 of the heat exchanger
90.
[0109] In the structure shown in FIG. 1, the liquid container 20
includes a liquid pot main body 21 having an opening 21a in an
upper part thereof and a lid 22 for sealing the opening 21a of the
liquid pot main body 21. The liquid pot main body 21 is a
pressure-resistant container and can withstand a predetermined
pressure during the operation. A bottom part of the liquid pot main
body 21 is connected to the communicating tube 30. The lid 22 for
closing the opening 21a in the upper part of the liquid pot main
body 21 is connected to a coupling pipe 28. One end 28a of the
coupling pipe 28 is located in the liquid container 20, and the
other end 28b of the coupling pipe 28 is located in the internal
area 55 of the heating pot 50.
[0110] In the structure shown in FIG. 1, a lower part of the
heating pot 50 is connected to a discharge pipe 69. The discharge
pipe 69 in this embodiment can discharge drip water (obtained as a
result of the vapor being deteriorated, liquid generated from the
heating target) stored in the bottom part in the heating pot 50.
The discharge pipe 69 is opened or closed by a variable valve 69a.
The discharge pipe 69 (and the variable valve 69a) in this
embodiment can be used to discharge gas (air and/or vapor) in the
heating pot 50 to the outside. The discharge pipe 69 and the
variable valve 69a can adjust the internal pressure of the heating
pot 50.
[0111] In the structure shown in FIG. 1, the liquid container 20 is
sealed by the liquid pot main body 21 and the lid 22.
Alternatively, the communicating tube 30 and the coupling pipe 28
may be connected to each other in the liquid container 20 of an
integrated form without providing the lid 22. Still alternatively,
the lid 22 may be attached to a part, other than the top surface
(for example, a side surface), of the liquid pot main body 21
included in the liquid container 20.
[0112] In the retort sterilization device 100 in this embodiment,
the liquid container 20 is connected to the heating pot 50 via the
coupling pipe 28. The liquid path 91 of the heat exchanger 90 is
connected to the heating pot 50 via the water steam supply pipe 12.
The liquid path 91 of the heat exchanger 90 is connected to the
liquid container 20 via the communicating tube 30. Therefore, a
sealed space can be constructed by connecting the heat exchanger
90, the heating pot 50 and the liquid container 20. By introducing
the water steam (minute-pressure vapor) 15 generated by the water
steam generation device 10 including the heat exchanger 90 into the
heating pot 50, the pressure of the internal area 55 of the heating
pot 50 can be gradually raised with the introduced water steam 53
to realize a pressurized state.
[0113] In the sealed structure having the sealed space, the
pressure is equal at any position because of the Pascal's
principle. Therefore, as long as the heat exchanger 90, the heating
pot 50, the liquid container 20 and the pipes connecting these have
a pressure-resistant structure, the internal pressure of the sealed
structure is gradually raised while being equal.
[0114] This will be described in more detail. Even if the vapor
(water steam) generated from the heat exchanger 90 is of a minute
pressure, a sealed space such as a balloon, a tire or the like can
be put into a pressurized state by continuously supplying gas to
the sealed space. When the pressure of the pressurized state is
entirely in synchronization, the pressure is gradually raised, and
as a result, a pressure higher than that of the introduced vapor
(water steam) can be achieved. Namely, since the Pascal's principle
works in a sealed structure, when the internal pressure of the
heating pot 50 is slightly raised by the introduction of
minute-pressure water steam, the same level of pressure is
generated also in the heat exchanger 90. As a result, as the
minute-pressure water steam is gradually introduced, the internal
pressure of the heat exchanger 90 is raised along with the internal
pressure of the heating pot 50 (and of the liquid container 20). As
a result, even if the pressure of the water steam generated from
the heat exchanger 90 is about 0.12 MPaA or less (i.e., gauge
pressure of 0.0187 MpaG or less), the internal pressure of the
heating pot 50 can be made higher than 0.12 MPaA. Specifically, the
internal pressure of the heating pot 50 can be made in the range of
an absolute pressure of 0.12 MPaA or a pressure close thereto to
about 0.2 MPaA (or 0.3 MPaA). The temperature can be raised to
about 120.degree. C., which is up to about 90% (about 80 to 90%) of
the temperature of the thermal source for heat exchange. Typically,
water steam (minute-pressure vapor) having a pressure of 0.13 MPaA
or less (in one example, 0.105 to 0.12 MPaA) is used to put the
internal area 55 of the heating pot 50 into a pressurized state in
which retort sterilization can be performed (e.g., about 0.2
MPaA).
[0115] In addition, water steam is basically saturated water vapor.
Therefore, by introducing the water steam into the heating pot, an
atmosphere of saturated water vapor containing almost no air can be
formed. Thus, heating non-uniformity caused by air acting as a heat
insulator can be suppressed. As a result, a retort sterilization
device which has a high energy efficiency and/or can suppress
heating non-uniformity can be realized. Boiler vapor contains
impurities, but water steam does not contain impurities. On this
point also, the water steam is advantageous.
[0116] In the sealed space formed of the heat exchanger 90, the
heating pot 50 and the liquid container 20, the pressure is
substantially equal at any position. Therefore, the water level
(WL1) in the liquid container 20 can be matched to the water level
(WL2) in the liquid path 91 of the heat exchanger 90 via the
communicating tube 30 based on the Pascal's principle.
Specifically, in a pre-pressurization state, the water level (WL1)
in the liquid container 20 can be matched to the water level (WL2)
in the liquid path 91 of the heat exchanger 90 owing to the
atmospheric pressure based on the Pascal's principle. In a
pressurized state, the water level (WL1) in the liquid container 20
can be matched to the water level (WL2) in the liquid path 91 of
the heat exchanger 90 owing to the internal pressure of the sealed
space, again based on the Pascal's principle.
[0117] Since the water level (WL2) in the liquid path 91 of the
heat exchanger 90 can be controlled simply and stably, vapor (water
steam) can be introduced stably. Introduction of high-temperature,
high-pressure boiler vapor is difficult to be controlled precisely.
By contrast, according to the retort sterilization device 100 in
this embodiment, vapor introduction can be controlled precisely in
accordance with the control procedure. One reason for this is that
the minute-pressure water vapor (water steam) has a low flow rate
and thus is easily controllable. As a result, according to the
retort sterilization device 100 in this embodiment, a sterilization
and/or heating process can be allowed to proceed precisely, stably
and simply.
[0118] In the structure shown in FIG. 1, the liquid container 20 is
provided with a water level adjustment member 23 for adjusting the
water level (WL1) of the liquid 25. The water level adjustment
member 23 is formed of, for example, a water level indicator (e.g.,
floating sphere). The liquid container 20 is connected to a pipe
(e.g., water pipe) 26 for supplying liquid (water). According to
the structure of this embodiment, water can be supplied via the
pipe (e.g., pipe having a pressure higher than the internal
pressure; typically, water pipe) 26 based on the water level WL1
indicated by the water adjustment member (water level indicator)
23. The water adjustment member 23 is not limited to a simple water
level indicator (e.g., floating sphere), and may be an
electronically controllable device which can adjust the water level
WL1 to a prescribed or constant level.
[0119] As described above, according to the retort sterilization
device 100 in this embodiment, boiler vapor (pressurized vapor for
heating) from the boiler 94 is not introduced as it is into the
internal area 55 of the heating pot 50, but the water steam 15 from
the water steam generation device 10 is introduced into the
internal area 55 of the heating pot 50. The water steam generation
device 10 generates the water steam (saturated water vapor) 15
having a minute pressure (e.g., 0.12 MPaA or less). Owing to having
such a minute pressure, the water steam 15 is transferred slowly in
the water steam supply pipe 12 and introduced into the internal
area 55 of the heating pot 50. Herein, the "water steam" refers to
minute-pressure vapor, not high-pressure vapor such as boiler
vapor. In other words, the "water steam" in this embodiment is not
high-temperature, high-pressure steam vapor, but is minute-pressure
vapor (e.g., vapor having a pressure of 0.12 MPaA or less). Herein,
the "water steam" is characterized in being minute-pressure vapor,
and may be any vapor which rises from boiled water (water vapor).
The "water steam" is not limited to being in a state of small water
drops which appear like a white smoke. Namely, the "water steam"
may be in a state like a white smoke or may be transparent.
[0120] According to the technological common knowledge, in order to
realize a high-temperature, high-pressure heating environment in a
heating pot, high-pressure gas (vapor, air) is introduced into the
heating pot to realize a high-temperature, high-pressure state. The
higher the pressure is, the easier it is to realize a
high-temperature heating environment. Against such an assumption,
the present inventors continuously introduces the water steam 15,
which is minute-pressure vapor, into the heating pot 50, so that
the internal area 55 of the heating pot 50 is put into a
pressurized state. Namely, the present inventors constructs a
pressurized state in the heating pot 50 in an approach different
from the technological common knowledge in the art.
[0121] According to the heating device 100 in this embodiment, the
water steam 15 having a pressure of 0.11 MPaA or 0.12 MPaA is
continuously introduced, and thus the internal area 55 of the
heating pot 50 can be provided with a pressure of, for example,
0.15 MPaA to 0.25 MPaA (in one example, 0.15 MPaA (111.degree.
C.)), 0.20 MPaA (120.degree. C.) or 0.30 MPaA (133.degree. C.).
Since the liquid is automatically supplied to the liquid path 91 of
the heat exchanger 90 via the communicating tube 30, the water
steam 15 can be continuously introduced into the heating pot 50 by
the heat exchange performed by the heat exchanger 90. In one
example, boiler vapor having a pressure of 0.30 MPaA (133.degree.
C.) is used to generate water steam (clean steam) 15 having a
pressure of 0.12 MPaA (104.degree. C.) by use of the heat exchanger
90 (in other words, the water steam generation device 10 of a vapor
indirect heating system) and to raise the pressure and the
temperature of the water steam 15 by the above-described mechanism
(synchronous pressure raising method), so that the internal area 55
of the heating pot 50 is put into a pressurized state with the
water steam 15. Specifically, the pressure of the internal area 55
of the heating pot 50 can be raised to, for example, 0.20 MPaA
(120.degree. C.) by the pressure and temperature rise performed
with the water steam 15 provided by the heat exchanger 90.
[0122] In the heating pot 50 of the heating device 100 in this
embodiment, heating by vapor (heating by the water steam 15) was
performed at a heating temperature of 110 to 120.degree. C. and a
pressure of 0.14 MPaA to 0.20 MPaA for, for example, 20 to 40
minutes. As a result, retort sterilization of an F value of 6 was
performed on retort food. The heating temperature and the heating
time (or pressure) are not limited to these, and may be selected
appropriately. For example, retort sterilization may be performed
in a shorter time than 20 minutes or a longer time than 40 minutes
depending on the conditions. Specifically, the heating time varies
in accordance with the specific heat, size or the like of the
heating target. Therefore, an appropriate heating time may be
selected in accordance with the target.
[0123] Food provided as a product by a retort production method is
often not as tasty as usual cooked food, which is produced by a
method other than the retort production method. A conceivable
reason for this is that the main object of the retort production
method is to sterilize at a high temperature in a pressurized state
(retort sterilization) (namely, sterilization is the main object)
but is not to improve the state of the heated food. A treatment
performed by a conventional retort sterilization device heats the
food at a high temperature in a pressurized state, which often
results in generation of a retort odor (e.g., odor generated by
denaturing of protein) after the heating. In addition, when boiler
vapor (about 130 to 150.degree. C.) is directly introduced into the
heating pot, there is a high possibility that non-uniformity is
caused in raising the temperature in the heating pot. In the case
where pressurized air (compressed air) is used for raising the
pressure, heating non-uniformity is caused also by an influence of
introduction of pressurized air acting as a heat insulator.
[0124] By contrast, according to the retort sterilization device
(heat treatment method) in this embodiment, water steam can be
continuously introduced into the heating pot 50 by use of the heat
exchanger 90. By gradually raising the pressure and the temperature
through the introduction of the water steam 15, the temperature in
the heating pot 50 in this embodiment and the temperature of the
retort food 70 in the heating pot 50 can be raised in a matched
state. (Note that the core temperature of the retort food 70 is
raised in a delayed manner.) As a result, an effect provided by the
stable temperature rise of the food 70, an effect provided by the
uniform heating environment in the heating pot 50 (reduction of the
heating non-uniformity), an effect provided by the clean vapor
(water steam) with no use of boiler vapor, an effect provided by
the heating environment in a low air state (high thermal
conductivity owing to a small amount of air), an effect provided by
the heating environment having high concentration water vapor
similar to the state inside a basket steamer, and the like are
obtained. The specific heat of saturated water vapor is higher than
the specific heat of dry air. Therefore, the heating environment
having high concentration water vapor containing substantially no
air is preferable for heating food (especially, retort
sterilization).
[0125] In a structure in which the water steam ejection section 52
is located in the lower area (or the central area) of the internal
area 55 of the heating pot 50, the following advantages are
provided. When the water steam ejection section 52 is located in
the lower area (or the central area) of the internal area 55 of the
heating pot 50 in a structure in which an air discharge valve for
discharging air in the internal area 55 of the heating pot 50 to
the outside is located in the upper area in the heating pot 50, the
water steam 53 is transferred to the lower area of the internal
area 55 of the heating pot 50 during an initial period of the
introduction of the water steam 53, because the water steam 53
formed of water vapor has a higher specific gravity than that of
the air. As the reaction to the introduction of the water steam 53,
the air initially present in the internal area 55 of the heating
pot 50 is discharged via the air discharge valve provided in, for
example, the upper area in the heating pot 50. Next, as the water
steam 53 is introduced, the water steam 53 fills the heating pot 50
from a relatively lower area to a relatively upper area thereof in
terms of the concentration of the water steam 53. As the water
steam 53 is introduced, the air in the heating pot 50 is discharged
via the air discharge valve.
[0126] In the case where boiler vapor (about 130 to 150.degree. C.)
is directly introduced into the heating pot 50, the air in the
heating pot 50 cannot be discharged for the following reasons. The
high-temperature, high-pressure boiler vapor introduced into the
heating pot 50 is transferred at quite a high rate in the heating
pot 50, and therefore it is dangerous to open the heating pot 50
with an electromagnetic valve. Even if the heating pot 50 is
opened, it is difficult to discharge only the air, and both of the
air and the boiler vapor are discharged outside. There is another
problem that since the internal pressure rapidly becomes high due
to the volume expansion of air, it is difficult to put the boiler
vapor into the heating pot 50. Even if an air discharge valve is
provided in the heating pot 50, the air cannot be discharged with
priority at the time of introduction of the boiler vapor because
the boiler vapor is transferred while being diffused at a high rate
in the heating pot 50 and thus is mixed with the air. Therefore,
with the method of directly introducing boiler vapor into the
heating pot, the air needs to be discharged by a vacuum pump before
the boiler vapor is introduced, in order to realize appropriate
heating control. Use of a vacuum pump requires facility cost and
energy cost. In addition, it loses a lot of energy to repeat the
steps of putting the internal area 55 of the heating pot 50 into a
vacuum state by the vacuum pump, raising the internal pressure of
the heating pot 50 with the boiler vapor, returning the internal
pressure to normal pressure for removing the boiler vapor, and then
putting the internal area 55 of the heating pot 50 into a vacuum
state again for another cycle of heating. The structure of the
retort sterilization device 100 in this embodiment can solve such a
poor energy efficiency. It is convenient that the air discharge
valve attached to the heating pot 50 in this embodiment has a
structure in which air can be naturally discharged by a pressure
difference between the inside and the outside of the heating pot
50.
[0127] In the case where the water steam ejection section 52 is
located in the central area in the heating pot 50, as well as in
the case where the water steam ejection section 52 is located in
the lower area in the heating pot 50, the water steam 53 is
transferred to the lower area in the heating pot 50 because of the
specific gravity difference between the water steam 53 and air.
Therefore, an effect that the air is discharged at the time of
introduction of the water steam 53 is provided. In the case where
the water steam ejection section 52 is located in the central area
in the heating pot 50, it is easy to spray the water steam 53 to
the food (retort food) 70 which is put in the central part (central
position) in the heating pot 50. This provides an effect in terms
of the heating efficiency and the sterilization efficiency. As
shown in FIG. 2, in the case where the water steam ejection
sections 52 are located in both of the lower area and the central
area in the heating pot 50, both of the effect of discharging the
air at the time of introduction of the water steam 53 and the
effect of uniformizing the heating temperature in the heating pot
50 can be provided.
[0128] The water steam ejection section 52 may be provided in the
upper area in the heating pot 50. In the case where the water steam
ejection section 52 is provided in the central area and/or the
upper area in the heating pot 50, the water steam 53 is transferred
to the lower area in the heating pot 50 because of the specific
gravity thereof. Therefore, the discharge pipe 69 provided on the
lower part of the heating pot 50 can be opened so as to discharge
the air along with the flow of the transferring water steam 53.
[0129] In the retort sterilization device 100 shown in FIG. 1, the
liquid container 20 is located outside the heating pot 50. The
retort sterilization device 100 is not limited to this, and may
have another structure. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 5, the
liquid container 20 may be attached to the heating pot 50.
[0130] In the retort sterilization device 100 shown in FIG. 5, the
liquid container 20 includes a liquid pot main body 21 having a top
opening 21a. The liquid pot main body 21 is attached to the heating
pot 50 such that the top opening 21a of the liquid pot main body 21
is located in the internal area 55 of the heating pot 50. Namely,
the liquid container 20 is attached to the lower part (bottom
surface) of the heating pot 50, and the top opening 21a of the
liquid pot main body 21 is exposed to the internal area 55 of the
heating pot 50.
[0131] In the structure shown in FIG. 5, a bottom surface 21b of
the liquid pot main body 21 is connected to the communicating tube
30, and the communicating tube 30 is connected to the heat
exchanger 90 (especially, the bottom end 91b of the liquid path 91
of the heat exchanger 90). In such a structure in which the liquid
container 20 is attached to the heating pot 50 also, the heat
exchanger 90, the heating pot 50, and the liquid container 20 are
connected to each other to form a sealed space. By introducing the
water steam 15 (minute-pressure vapor) 15 from the water steam
generation device 10 including the heat exchanger 90 into the
heating pot 50, the pressure of the internal area 55 of the heating
pot 50 can be gradually raised with the introduced water steam 53
to realize a pressurized state.
[0132] According to the retort sterilization device 100 shown in
FIG. 5 also, the water level (WL1) in the liquid container 20
(liquid pot main body 21) and the water level (WL2) in the heat
exchanger 90 (liquid path 91 of the heat exchanger 90) can be
matched to each other by the internal pressure of the sealed space
being equal, namely, based on the Pascal's principle. Specifically,
as the amount of liquid (water) 25b in the liquid path 91 of the
heat exchanger 90 is decreased along with the generation of the
water steam 15, liquid (water) 25a in the liquid container 20 is
automatically supplied to the liquid path 91 of the heat exchanger
90 via the communicating tube 30 (liquid 25c). Therefore, the water
levels of the liquid 25 (WL1 and WL2) can be adjusted to be equal
to each other.
[0133] According to the structure shown in FIG. 5, the liquid
container 20 (liquid pot main body 21) may be connected to the
liquid supply pipe (water pipe) 26 for supplying tap water or the
like. Water can also be supplied via a pipe (e.g., pipe having a
pressure higher than the internal pressure; typically, water pipe
26) based on the water level WL1 indicated by the water level
adjustment member (water level indicator) 23. The water adjustment
member 23 is not limited to a simple water level indicator (e.g.,
floating sphere), and may be an electronically controllable device
which can adjust the water level WL1 to a prescribed or constant
level.
[0134] According to the retort sterilization device 100 in this
example, the liquid generated in the heating pot 50 (encompassing
condensed water steam) reaches the liquid pot main body 21. The
liquid 25 (25a) in the liquid pot main body 21 can be used as the
liquid 25 (25b) to be provided to the heat exchanger 90. Namely,
according to the retort sterilization device 100 shown in FIG. 5,
the water steam 15 is circulated between the heat exchanger 90 and
the heating pot 50 (more accurately, the water steam 15 and the
liquid in the communicating tube 30 are circulated), so that the
internal area 55 of the heating pot 50 can be put into a
pressurized state. By this circulation heating system, the water
steam 15 is made reusable. Therefore, a high efficiency retort
sterilization device with less waste of the liquid (water) can be
realized. In the retort sterilization device 100 in this
embodiment, the vapor may be discharged outside via the discharge
pipe 69 equipped with the variable valve 69a, so that the heating
pot 50 is driven while the pressure therein is adjusted, in
addition to the liquid being positively reused.
[0135] The liquid 25 (25a) generated in the heating pot 50 and
reaching the liquid pot main body 21 is warm water. Therefore, as
compared with the case where cooling water is heated by the heat
exchanger 90, the energy efficiency can be improved. Namely,
according to the retort sterilization device 100 in this example,
thermal energy which would be otherwise disposed of can be reused.
In addition, according to the structure in this example, drop waste
liquid generated in the internal area 55 of the heating pot 50 can
also be treated simply. Thus, multi-faceted advantages are
provided.
[0136] Now, with reference to FIG. 6 through FIG. 10, the structure
of the retort sterilization device 100 in this embodiment will be
described in more detail. The retort sterilization device 100 shown
in FIG. 6 through FIG. 10 is of a preferable example embodying the
retort sterilization device 100 in this embodiment, and the retort
sterilization device 100 in this embodiment is not limited to such
a structural example.
[0137] FIG. 6 shows an internal structure of the heating pot 50. A
pot main body 51 of the heating pot 50 has a cylindrical (or
generally cylindrical) shape having a circular cross-section, and
is formed of, for example, stainless steel. In the internal area 55
of the heating pot 50, the plurality of water steam ejection
sections 52 (52A, 52B) are located. The water steam ejection
sections 52 are formed of pipes (sparge pipes) having vapor (water
steam) ejection openings located at an equal interval. The water
steam ejection sections 52 are located in the longitudinal
direction of the cylindrical heating pot 50, so that the water
steam 53 is ejected into the internal area 55 of the heating pot 50
as uniformly as possible.
[0138] The pipes forming the water steam ejection sections 52 may
extend so as to include a curved part, or extend in a meandering
manner, instead of extending straight in the longitudinal direction
(or horizontal direction). Alternatively, the pipes forming the
water steam ejection sections 52 may extend in a spiral manner in
the internal area 55 of the heating pot 50, or a plurality of such
pipes extending in a circumferential direction in the internal area
55 of the heating pot 50 may be coupled to each other. Even in a
structure in which the pipes forming the water steam ejection
sections 52 extend straight, the water steam 53 can be sprayed
uniformly, but the spraying uniformity of the water steam 53 can be
possibly improved when the pipes extend to include a curved part,
extend spirally, or extend to include a circular part.
[0139] In the structural example shown in FIG. 6, the pipes forming
the water steam ejection sections 52 are located so as to contact
the inner wall of the heating pot 50. The structure of the pipes is
not limited to this. For example, the pipes may extend so as to
pass through the internal area 55 of the heating pot 50. The water
steam ejection sections 52 are not limited to having a form of
pipe, and may be in any other form. The water steam ejection
sections 52 may be, for example, through-holes formed in the pot
main body 51 of the heating pot 50, through which the water steam
53 can be ejected. Alternatively, the water steam ejection sections
52 may be formed of sprinkler-like members or disc-like members
having a through-hole, from which the water steam 53 can be
ejected.
[0140] A pipe for supplying water (tap water or cooling water) may
be connected to the water steam ejection sections 52, so that water
(cooling water) is sprayed from the water steam ejection sections
52. Such a water spraying mechanism can act as a cooling mechanism
of the heating pot 50. The water spraying mechanism may have the
following structure, for example. A switch valve and a water pipe
are attached to a part of the water steam supply pipe 12 connected
to the water steam ejection sections 52, so that tap water (or any
other type of water) can be introduced by switching the switch
valve. In this manner, the cooling mechanism can be provided by a
simple structure. Instead of allowing water to flow in the water
steam ejection sections 52, an independent cooling water pipe
(sparge pipe) may be located, so that water (cooling water) can be
sprayed into the heating pot 50. Alternatively, a sprinkler device
may be located. In the example shown in FIG. 6, an opening
(connection end) 69b of the discharge pipe 69 is shown. Sprayed
cooling water or the like can be discharged through the opening 69b
of the discharge pipe 69.
[0141] In addition, the liquid pot main body 21 included in the
liquid container 20 shown in FIG. 6 has a rectangular (or
parallelepiped) shape, but the shape of the liquid pot main body 21
is not limited to this. For example, the liquid pot main body 21
may have a cylindrical shape having the opening 21a in the upper
part thereof or a polygonal shape. In the structural example shown
in FIG. 6, a top end of the liquid pot main body 21 projects from
the inner wall of the heating pot 50, but the liquid pot main body
21 is not limited to this. The top end of the liquid pot main body
21 may be flush with the inner wall of the heating pot 50.
[0142] A top lid which covers, but does not seal, the top opening
21a of the liquid pot main body 21 may be located. This top lid can
prevent rubbish or foreign objects from entering the internal area
55 of the heating pot 50. Instead of the top lid, a porous member
formed of an air-permeable mesh-like or net-like member may be
located so as to cover the top opening 21a of the liquid pot main
body 21.
[0143] FIG. 7A and FIG. 7B are respectively a front view and a side
view (cross-sectional view) showing a structure of the heating pot
50 in this embodiment. As shown in FIG. 7A, a door 57 (57A) for
closing a front opening of the pot main body 51 of the heating pot
50 is provided on the front side thereof. The door 57 is
openable/closable by hinges 58, and can be locked by a lever 59. In
this structural example, as shown in FIG. 7B, a door 57 (57B) for
closing a rear opening of the pot main body 51 of the heating pot
50 is provided on the rear side thereof. The heating pot 50 having
openable/closable doors 57A and 57B on the front and rear sides
thereof allows a heating target to be put into, or taken out of,
the heating pot 50 through both of the front and rear doors. This
can improve the work efficiency of the production line. Needless to
say, the heating pot 50 may have one openable/closable door (e.g.,
door 57A) through which food (retort food) may be put into, or
taken out of, the heating pot 50.
[0144] As shown in FIG. 7B, air discharge valves 60a (60) are
provided on an upper part (especially, on a highest part) of the
heating pot 50. In this example, a plurality of discharge valves 60
are provided on the heating pot 50, so that air can be discharged
from the heating pot 50 as uniformly as possible. In this
embodiment, there is no specific limitation on the structure or the
type of the air discharge valves 60, and any valve which can
appropriately discharge air (and/or internal vapor) while keeping
the internal area 55 of the heating pot 50 in a pressurized state
(air vent) is usable. For example, as the discharge valve 60 for
discharging air from the device (pot), an automatic valve
(automatic air vent) is preferable. For example, an air vent for
discharging air from a vapor pipe or a device (e.g., an air
discharge valve using the technology of thermostatic steam trap) is
usable. A device for manually discharging air (and/or internal
vapor) may be provided. In this embodiment, in order to control the
pressure of the internal area 55 of the heating pot 50 positively
and more precisely, an electromagnetic relief valve may be
provided, so that the internal pressure of the heating pot 50 can
be adjusted. In the example shown in FIG. 7B, the air discharge
valves 60a are provided on the highest part of the heating pot 50.
It is not absolutely necessary that the air discharge valves 60a
are provided on the highest part, and there is no specific problem
as long as the air discharge valves 60a are provided on the upper
part. Relief valves 60 and 69 may be provided on both of the upper
part and the lower part of the heating pot 50. On the upper part,
the air discharge valve 60 for discharging air (and/or internal
vapor) may be provided; and on the lower part, a drain or the
discharge pipe 69 for discharging the internal vapor may be
provided. Through the discharge pipe 69, gas (air and/or water
vapor) in the heating pot 50 can be discharged by adjusting the
valve (variable valve 69a).
[0145] In FIG. 7B, safety valves 61 are also provided on the upper
part (especially, the uppermost part) of the heating pot 50. In the
case where a sealed container having a high internal pressure is
heated, a safety valve prevents from the internal pressure from
becoming excessively high and thus prevents the container from
being broken. Since the retort sterilization device 100 in this
embodiment uses the water steam 53, which is minute-pressure vapor,
the risk that the internal pressure is raised to break the heating
pot 50 is quite low, but the safety valves 61 are provided for
safety. The internal pressure of the heating pot 50 can also be
decreased by opening or closing the discharge pipe 69 using the
variable valve 69a.
[0146] In this example, top lids 29 for covering the top openings
21a of the liquid pot main bodies 21 included in the liquid
containers 20 are shown. Each of the top lids 29 is located so as
to cover, but not to seal, the liquid pot main body 21. The pot
main body 51 of the heating pot 50 is supported by support rods
(support table) 65, and securing members 51a for securing the
support rods 65 are formed in an outer circumferential surface of
the pot main body 51 of the heating pot 50. In the pot main body 51
of the heating pot 50, through-holes 12c through which the water
steam supply pipes (vapor supply pipes) 12 extend from outside to
the inside of the pot main body 51 are formed. In the heating pot
50, various sensors (temperature sensor, pressure sensor, etc.) are
located. The sensors are connected to a control device (control
board) for controlling the driving of the retort sterilization
device 100. According to the structure of this embodiment, the
control device is used to adjust the internal pressure by use of an
electric proportional valves located on the upper part or on each
of the upper part and the lower part of the heating pot 50, and
also to control the boiler vapor to be taken into the heat
exchanger 90. In this manner, both of the internal temperature and
the internal pressure of the heating pot 50 can be adjusted. A
proportional valve (proportional control valve or electromagnetic
proportional control valve) can control a fluid in a proportional
manner in addition to being controlled to be opened or closed. By
changing a control signal to be sent to the proportional valve
(proportional control valve), the flow rate of the flowing fluid
can be continuously controlled in the range of 0 to 100% with
respect to the maximum flow rate.
[0147] FIG. 7A and FIG. 7B do not show the heat exchanger 90, but
at least one heat exchanger 90 is provided for one heating pot 50.
In this embodiment, a plurality of (e.g., three) heat exchangers 90
are provided for one heating pot 50, so that a large amount of
water steam 53 can be supplied to the heating pot 50 as uniformly
as possible, although the number of the heat exchangers 90 depends
on the size and volume of the heating pot 50. The size of the
heating pot 50 is, for example, as follows, although there is no
specific limitation thereon. The diameter of the heating pot 50 is,
for example, 50 cm to 2 m or greater, and the length of the heating
pot 50 in the longitudinal direction is, for example, 50 cm to 10 m
or greater.
[0148] FIG. 8 shows a structural example in which the liquid
container 20 attached to the heating pot 50 and the heat exchanger
90 are connected to each other via the communicating tube 30. The
communicating tube 30 extending from the heat exchanger 90 is
connected to the liquid container 20, and the opening 21a of the
liquid container 20 is exposed to the internal area 55 of the
heating pot 50. The communicating tube 30 is coupled to a drain
pipe 34 for discharging the liquid from the internal area 55 of the
heating pot 50, so that the waste liquid can be discharged from the
drain pipe 34 via an openable/closable valve 33. In the case where
the discharge pipe 69 is connected to the heating pot 50, the drain
pipe 34 may be connected to the discharge pipe 69. The support rods
65 for supporting the heating pot 50 are coupled to a base 67.
[0149] FIG. 9 shows a structural example of the heating pot 50, the
water steam supply pipes 12 (12A, 12B), and the water steam
ejection sections 52 (52A, 52B). In the example shown in FIG. 9,
the one, common water steam supply pipe 12 is branched into a first
water steam supply pipe 12A and a second water steam supply pipe
12B, which are introduced into the internal area 55 of the heating
pot 50. In the example shown in FIG. 9, the first water steam
supply pipe 12A and the second water steam supply pipe 12B are each
branched into a plurality of (two) pipes. One of the first water
steam supply pipes 12A extends so as to stride over the heating pot
50. The first water steam supply pipes 12A are not limited to
having this structure, and one of the first water steam supply
pipes 12A may extend below the heating pot 50.
[0150] A heating device 40 for heating the water steam may be
provided in a part of the water steam supply pipes 12. In the case
where the heating device 40 is located in a part of the water steam
supply pipes 12, the temperature of the water stream flowing in the
water steam supply pipes 12 can be raised. Specifically, the
heating device 40 can act as an additional means (heating means)
for adjusting the temperature in the retort sterilization device
100 to a predetermined level. The heating device 40 is, for
example, an electric heater. The electric heater 40 in this
embodiment is, for example, an electric heater of about several
kilowatts (e.g., plug heater, flange heater, etc.)
[0151] By heating the water steam by use of the heating device 40,
overheated water steam can be generated from the water steam. When
usual high-temperature, high-pressure boiler vapor is heated by an
electric heater, the heating efficiency is not high because the
flow rate of the boiler vapor is high. According to the structure
of this embodiment, water vapor (minute-pressure vapor) having a
low flow rate is heated by the heating device (e.g., electric
heater). Therefore, the overheated vapor can be generated at a high
efficiency. In an atmosphere of the overheated vapor of the heating
pot 50, food can be retort-heated (retort-sterilized) or heated. In
the heating device 40, heating is performed at substantially the
same internal pressure as the atmospheric pressure (e.g., internal
pressure of 1.2 atmospheric pressure or less) during the operation.
Therefore, a safe operation in terms of the pressure can be
guaranteed.
[0152] Now, with reference to FIG. 10, operation results of the
retort sterilization device 100 in this embodiment will be
described. FIG. 10 is a graph showing the results of the operation
of the retort sterilization device 100. The graph of FIG. 10 shows
the temperature of the internal area 55 of the heating pot 50 (in a
right part and a left part in the heating pot 50) and the core
temperature of the food 70 located therein (in a right part and a
left part in the heating pot 50), and also shows the pressure of
the internal area 55 in the heating pot 50. In this example, the
results of the operation of heating bottled food are shown. One
graduation of the horizontal axis is about 4 minutes. In this
example, water steam having an absolute pressure of 0.12 MPaA or
less (e.g., about 0.11 MPaA) is continuously introduced, and the
pressure is raised by accumulating the pressure of the water steam
continuously added (zone T1). After the pressure reaches a
predetermined level (0.20 MPaA), the internal pressure is
controlled to be constant at the level (zone T2).
[0153] When the retort sterilization device 100 starts operating,
the internal pressure is raised. Along with this, the temperature
in the heating pot 50 is raised. It is seen that at the time of
start and while the temperature is rising (zone T1), the
temperature difference between parts (right part, left part) in the
heating pot 50, which would be usually large, is suppressed small.
Namely, it is seen that the temperature in the heating pot 50 is
controlled with high uniformity. It is also seen that while the
temperature in the furnace is adjusted to the set temperature
(about 120.degree. C.) (zone T2), the temperature difference
between the parts (right part, left part) in the heating pot 50 is
very small. Along with the temperature rise in the heating pot 50,
the core temperature of the food (right part, left part) also
rises. Since the dispersion in the temperature between the parts in
the heating pot 50 (right part, left part) is very small, the
dispersion in the core temperature of the food is also very small.
Since the core temperature rises smoothly along with the
temperature rise in the furnace, very appropriate heating treatment
can be performed. Owing to this, food can be processed
(heat-treated) to be tasty.
[0154] When the heating of the retort sterilization is finished,
the internal temperature is controlled to be decreased (point T3).
Along with this, the temperature in the furnace and the core
temperature of the food are decreased. During the process of
decreasing the internal temperature, pressurized air is introduced
into the heating pot 50 by a compressor and the air is kept
pressurized in the furnace until the core temperature of the
product is decreased to a certain temperature (e.g., 70.degree.
C.), in order to prevent the bag from being broken. In a final
step, the internal pressure of the heating pot 50 is made the
atmospheric pressure and the heated product is taken out. Thus, the
retort sterilization treatment is finished.
[0155] As can be seen from FIG. 10, according to the retort
sterilization device 100 in this embodiment, the pressure and the
temperature in the heating pot can be controlled precisely. A
conceivable reason why such precise control can be performed is
that since a minute pressure (e.g., 0.12 MPaA or less) is
repeatedly added by the water steam to the pressure in the heating
pot 50, the pressure, temperature, specific volume, and amount of
heat (latent heat) of the internal area 55 of the heating pot 50 do
not change much. There is also the following advantage. Since the
water steam has a low flow rate, the introduction of the water
steam does not disturb the air in the internal area 55 of the
heating pot 50, and the air can be smoothly released by the air
discharge valve 60 (or the discharge pipe 69) provided on the
heating pot 50.
[0156] By contrast, when the system of directly putting boiler
vapor into the heating pot is used, at the time of making settings
on the control device, the temperature and the pressure can each be
regulated to a predetermined value. However, it is actually very
difficult to remove the dispersion in the pressure and the
temperature between parts in the heating pot. This will be
described in more detail. With the system of directly putting
boiler vapor, when boiler vapor having a pressure of 0.3 MPaA flows
in (usually, boiler having a pressure of about 0.4 MPaA is used),
namely, when the boiler is put into the heating pot from the pipe,
the pressure of the vapor temporarily changes, for example, from
0.3 MPaA to 0.1 MPaA. The temperature of the vapor changes from
133.degree. C. to 100.degree. C. The specific volume changes from
0.605 m.sup.3/kg to 1.673 m.sup.3/kg. The amount of heat (latent
heat) changes from 516.8 kcal/kg to 539.6 kcal/kg. It is very
difficult to control the heating temperature using a thermal medium
(boiler vapor) having characteristics which change significantly
when being put into the heating pot from the pipe. In order to
continuously put boiler vapor as an external thermal source, the
thermal source needs to have a pressure higher than the set
pressure. This is also a factor of restriction. With the system of
directly putting boiler vapor, boiler vapor having a pressure of
0.3 MPaA (133.degree. C.) flows in. Therefore, the difference
between the temperature in the heating pot and the core temperature
of the product is 100.degree. C. or higher when the temperature
starts rising. The temperatures of an area contacting the boiler
vapor and an area not contacting the boiler vapor keep rising while
having a large temperature difference. When the core temperature of
the product becomes about 110.degree. C., the temperature starts
rising proportionally. However, the temperature difference is still
about 13.degree. C. (the temperature of the boiler vapor is
133.degree. C., whereas the set temperature for the product is
120.degree. C.), and therefore there is a problem that the
production quality is not constant.
[0157] The system of directly putting boiler vapor into the heating
pot has the following problem. The conditions for the boiler vapor
are changed significantly. Therefore, in the state where vapor
having a pressure higher than the set pressure and a temperature
higher than the set temperature flows in, a rapid pressure decrease
or a rapid temperature decrease may occur in the heating pot (in
the furnace). Against such a state, it is needed to maintain the
set temperature. In such a state, precise temperature control is
almost impossible even if the flow rate of the boiler vapor is
controlled by an electromagnetic valve. As a result, the
temperature non-uniformity occurs. Since the vapor having a
temperature higher than the set temperature is present, the food is
partially burned or overdone. This promotes denaturing of protein,
which leads to poor taste or odor.
[0158] Similarly, with the system of putting hydroheat into the
heating pot by use of compressed air, at the time of making
settings on the control device, the temperature and the pressure
can each be regulated to a predetermined value. However, it is
actually very difficult to remove the dispersion in the pressure
and the temperature between parts in the heating pot. Both of the
systems use a pressurized boiler vapor or compressed air, and
therefore have more serious problems in terms of driving safety and
control on the temperature and the pressure than the system of this
embodiment which uses minute-pressure vapor (water steam).
[0159] With the system of directly putting boiler vapor into the
heating pot, a strong alkaline boiler compound (e.g., of about pH
11 to 13) is used when the boiler vapor is generated. Therefore,
the strong alkaline component may be mixed into the boiler vapor
and attached to the bag of the product or the like. By contrast,
according to the structure of this embodiment, water steam obtained
by boiling water by heat exchange is introduced into the heating
pot 50. Therefore, the problem of corrosion by such a strong
alkaline component can be avoided.
[0160] With the system of putting hydroheat into the heating pot by
use of compressed air, the compressed air needs to be introduced
and the pressure of the air needs to be returned to the atmospheric
pressure each time. This involves a problem of poor energy
efficiency. In addition, hydroheat drops below the heating pot
because of the gravity, and thus it is necessary to keep supplying
new hydroheat to the heating pot and keep spraying the hydroheat to
the food (retort food). This also decreases the energy efficiency.
According to the technique of the embodiment of the present
invention, water steam drifts in the heating pot 50, and therefore
is highly advantageous as compared with the system which requires
constant spraying of hydroheat to the food. According to the
technique of the embodiment of the present invention, the
temperature and the pressure can be raised by continuously
supplying water steam acting as a heating source. Therefore, it is
not necessary to use compressed air, and also introduction of air
acting as a heat insulator can be avoided. This is also a great
contribution technologically.
[0161] Therefore, according to the structure of this embodiment,
the retort sterilization device (heating device) 100 having a high
energy efficiency and/or capable of suppressing heating
non-uniformly can be realized.
[0162] In the above embodiment, the retort sterilization device 100
capable of performing retort sterilization by use of water steam
has been described. By modifying the retort sterilization device
100 in this embodiment, a hydroheat circulation-system retort
sterilization device (heating device) can be realized.
[0163] FIG. 11 schematically shows a structure of a retort
sterilization device 200 in an embodiment according to the present
invention. The retort sterilization device 200 shown in FIG. 11 has
substantially the same basic structure as that of the retort
sterilization device 100 shown in FIG. 5. According to the retort
sterilization device 200 in this embodiment, heating water
(hydroheat or warm water) can be circulated through the heat
exchanger (hydroheat generation device) 90, the heating pot 50, and
the communicating tube 30.
[0164] The communicating tube 30 of the retort sterilization device
200 includes a second path 32b separately from a first path 32a. In
the second path 32b, a circulation pump 35 for circulating liquid
(hydroheat) 25 is provided. Namely, the communicating tube 30
includes the second path 32b branched from the first path 32a used
as the communicating tube 30 for uniformizing the water level.
According to this structure, when the circulation pump 35 is
operated in the state where an openable/closable valve 31c of the
first path 32a is closed while openable/closable valves 31a and 31b
of the second path 32b are opened, the liquid (hydroheat) 25 can be
circulated.
[0165] Specifically, when the water steam ejection sections (in
this example, hydroheat ejection sections) 52 (in this example,
52A) are filled with the liquid 25 (25c) up to an upper part
thereof, the liquid 25 (25b) is heated by heat exchange performed
by the heat exchanger 90 and thus becomes high-temperature
hydroheat 18. The hydroheat 18 flows in the water steam supply
pipes (in this example, hydroheat supply pipes) 12 and is supplied
as hydroheat 54 to the internal area 55 of the heating pot 50 from
the water steam ejection sections (in this example, hydroheat
ejection sections) 52. Next, the liquid 25c in the internal area 55
of the heating pot 50 flows in the liquid container 20 (liquid pot
main body 21) and enters the communicating tube 30. Then, the
liquid 25a is circulated by the circulation pump 35.
[0166] According to the retort sterilization device 200 in this
embodiment, heating is performed with hydroheat. Therefore, the
heat transmission efficiency is still improved as compared with
heating with water steam. In the case where the pressure in the
heating pot 50 is high, hydroheat heating treatment at a
temperature exceeding 100.degree. C. can be performed. As shown in
FIG. 11, in the case where, for example, half or more of the
internal area 55 of the heating pot 50 is filled with hydroheat 25
(25c), the food (retort food) can be entirely heated and thus the
heating non-uniformity does not occur. The temperature of the
hydroheat can be adjusted in the range from a low temperature (room
temperature to less than 100.degree. C.) to a high temperature
exceeding 100.degree. C. In the case where the structure shown in
FIG. 11 is applied to food which is not retort-packaged, a boiling
step (stewing, boiling) with hydroheat can be performed.
[0167] After the food is heat-treated by the retort sterilization
device 200, the hydroheat 25 may be transferred to another tank to
empty the heating pot 50, and then the food (retort food) may be
taken out. For performing heat treatment by the retort
sterilization device 200 again, the hydroheat 25 may be introduced
into the communicating tube 30 again from the another tank, so that
the hydroheat 25 can be circulated in the retort sterilization
device 200. After the hydroheat 25 is transferred to the another
tank, heat treatment with water steam may be performed by switching
the openable/closable valves 31a through 31c, namely, by opening
the openable/closable valve 31a and closing the openable/closable
valves 31b and 31c.
[0168] According to the structure shown in FIG. 11, hydroheat may
be circulated in the state where the liquid level of the hydroheat
(warm water) 25 is higher than the top end of the liquid container
20 (liquid pot main body 21) and lower than the position of the
product (heating object). In this case, the hydroheat can be
released like a shower from the sparge pipes (hydroheat ejection
sections) 52 to perform heating with the shower. In the case where
the heating pot 50 of the retort sterilization device 200 in this
embodiment is put into a pressurized state (by, for example,
introducing compressed air), heating in a pressurized state can be
performed.
[0169] In FIG. 5 and the like referred to above, the liquid
container 20 (liquid pot main body 21) is located in the heating
pot 50. Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 1, the liquid container 20
(liquid pot main body 21) may be located outside the heating pot
50. FIG. 12 is a structural view of the retort sterilization device
100 in which the liquid container 20 is located outside the heating
pot 50.
[0170] In the retort sterilization device 100 shown in FIG. 12, a
plurality of water steam ejection sections (sparge pipes) 52 (52A,
52B) are located in the heating pot 50. Also in the heating pot 50,
a cooling water pipe (sparge pipe) 53 for ejecting cooling water is
located. The cooling water pipe 53 is connected to a cooling water
supply pipe (e.g., water pipe) 64 via through-holes 12d. The
heating pot 50 is provided with the air discharge valve 60 for
discharging air, the safety valves 61, a pressure adjustment valve
(vacuum adjustment valve) 62 for adjusting the internal pressure of
the heating pot 50, a pressure sensor 63a, a boost gauge 63b,
temperature sensors 63c, core temperature sensors 63d and the like.
Wiring lines for the core temperature sensors 63d are connected
through through-holes 12e. On the lower part of the heating pot 50,
the discharge pipe 69 is located. An air introduction pipe 66 for
cooling air, introducing compressed air or the like is connected to
the heating pot 50.
[0171] In the example shown in the figure, the pot main body 51 of
the heating pot 50 is supported by the support rods (support table)
65. Wheels are attached to lower parts of the support rods 65.
Therefore, the retort sterilization device 100 in this structural
example can be moved to a desired position in a plant. As described
above, minute-pressure vapor is introduced into the heating pot 50
by the water steam generation device 10 including the heat
exchanger 90 and is circulated to raise the pressure and the
temperature in a synchronous manner.
[0172] In the case where the liquid container 20 is provided
outside the heating pot 50 as shown in FIG. 12, the existing
heating pot 50 is usable, unlike in the case where the liquid
container 20 is provided in the heating pot 50 as shown in FIG. 5.
This provides an advantage that a heating pot of an existing retort
sterilization device can be modified into the structure shown in
FIG. 12. Since the existing heating pot is usable, there is an
advantage that the production cost and facility cost can be
suppressed. Even in the case where the liquid container 20 is
provided outside the heating pot 50, the system of circulating warm
water (hydroheat) as shown in FIG. 11 can be constructed by
appropriately locating and connecting the pipes.
[0173] In FIG. 1 and FIG. 12 described above, the liquid container
20 is provided outside the heating pot 50; and in FIG. 5 and the
like, the liquid container 20 is provided in the heating pot 50.
The method for raising the temperature and the pressure in the
heating pot 50 using water steam is not limited to using the liquid
container 20. For example, in FIG. 13, the communicating tube 30 is
connected to the heating pot 50, and is also connected to the
bottom end of the liquid path 91 of the heat exchanger 90. By this
system also, the pressure and the temperature in the entire heating
pot can be raised in a synchronous manner while water steam
(minute-pressure vapor) is circulated. As shown in FIG. 14, the
liquid 25 may be located in the bottom part in the heating pot 50
and thus stored, instead of using the liquid container 20. The
systems shown in FIG. 13 and FIG. 14 are also usable for a heat
treatment method using water steam, which includes the step of
generating water steam by the water steam generation device 10
including the heat exchanger 90, the step of introducing water
steam 53 into the heating pot 50, and the step of introducing the
liquid 25 present in the bottom part in the heating pot 50 into the
heat exchanger 90. In the step of heating by the heating pot 50,
the water steam is circulated between the heat exchanger 90 and the
heating pot 50, so that the internal area 55 of the heating pot 50
can be put into a pressurized state. The structure of the water
steam ejection section 52, the discharge valves 60 (60a, 60b) and
the like may be optionally modified in a preferable manner, as
described above.
[0174] In the above-described embodiments, heat treatment of
packaged food in a pressurized state (retort sterilization
treatment) has been mainly described. The technique in this
embodiment is not limited to this, and may be usable for heat
treatment of food which is not packaged and/or heat treatment other
than retort sterilization treatment. This will be described in more
detail. When a conventional retort sterilization device is used for
usual heat treatment of food, if boiler vapor is directly sprayed
to food which is not retort-packaged (e.g., fish, meat, etc.), the
food may be non-preferably burned or may caused to smell like a
boiler by a component contained in the boiler vapor (alkaline
component, etc.). In the system of spraying hydroheat at a high
pressure, the food may be shredded due to the hydroheat, which is
not preferable. By contrast, heating with water steam performed by
the heating device (retort sterilization device) 100 in this
embodiment is like a streaming step performed in a basket steamer,
because water steam is saturated water vapor. Therefore, the food
can be prevented from being dried during the heating and can be
heated in a preferable manner. In the case where the gauge pressure
of the water steam is 0 kg/cm.sup.2, the amount of latent heat is
539.6 kcal/kg. The amount of latent heat of the water vapor is
highest.
[0175] Food other than retort food can also be treated by the
heating device 100 in this embodiment. Examples of the food which
can be treated include frozen food (frozen fish, frozen meat,
frozen vegetables, etc.), chilled food, seasoned food, dried food,
and any other type of food suitable to the steaming step. Examples
of the food which can be heated by the heating device 100 in this
embodiment include rice, root crops, fish, meat (including
processed food such as ham and the like), bread, tea, coffee,
"tsukudani" (food boiled down in soy sauce, etc.) and the like.
When frozen food or the like is heat-treated by the heating device
100 in this embodiment, drips are generated from the frozen food.
According to the structure of this embodiment, the drips can be
collected in the liquid container 20 used for generating water
steam. In the case where the drips have an odor and it is desired
to avoid the food from obtaining the odor, drips may be discharged
through the drain pipe 34. Alternatively, the drips may be
prevented from entering the liquid container 20 by the top lid 29.
Still alternatively, the drips may be collected in an outer release
pipe (another lower drain pipe) and discharged by an electric
proportional valve or a manual valve.
[0176] Recently, fish which can be eaten down to bones is a target
of attention. The heating device 100 in this embodiment performs
heating with water steam, and therefore can easily produce a food
product of such fish which can be eaten down to bones. For example,
in the structure shown in FIG. 2, fish (e.g., frozen fish) 70 is
put on the trays 72 and is heated. By adding water vapor to the
food (fish), fish which can be eaten down to bones can be produced.
The fish may be given a flavor with a seasoning or may be kneaded
and minced. There is no specific limitation on the type of fish
which can be heat-treated in this embodiment. Low-cost small fish
is given a high added value. It has been confirmed that food
heat-treated in this embodiment has very tasty. When fish having
bones is heat-treated by the device in this embodiment, broiled
fish which can be eaten down to bones can be provided. Examples of
fish which can be heat-treated in this embodiment include
blue-skinned fish such as mackerel, saurel, saury, sardine, and the
like. These types of fish may have a thick fat layer between the
epidermis and the fish meat. In addition, flatfish, flounder,
cutlassfish, yellowtail, herring and the like (including white-meat
fish) may be used.
[0177] These types of fish can be used in the form of the entire
body, in the state where a part of the body such as an internal
organ, head or the like is removed, or in the state where the body
is divided into parts. Parts with the bones, for example, the head,
fins, backbone, little bones and the like are preferably usable. In
the market, fish without bones is sold. However, it is costly to
completely remove the bones of the fish. In consideration of the
reuse of resources, the problem of garbage and the like, it is
technologically highly valuable that the bones of the fish are
softened so as to be eatable by the heat-treatment method or
production method in this embodiment. This is also valuable in
terms of nutrition because the bones of fish contain a lot of
calcium. In addition, the softening of the bones solves the problem
that senior citizens or children have a fishbone stuck in the
throat.
[0178] The fish usable in this embodiment may be raw or
pre-treated. In this embodiment, "raw fish" encompasses fish which
has not been heat-treated yet, for example, fish which is chilled,
frozen, or partially frozen without being heat-treated.
Pre-freezing fish and defrosted fish causes a problem in storage.
Therefore, it is technologically significant that frozen fish can
be put into the heating pot 50 in this embodiment in the frozen
state and made eatable down to the bones.
[0179] The "pre-treated fish" usable in this embodiment refers to
fish treated with any of various known methods performed on raw
fish, except for heat-treatment. More specifically, "pre-treatment"
encompasses various cooking methods and various processing methods
performed on raw fish, and a part thereof. For example,
"pre-treatment" encompasses impregnation treatment of impregnating
with oil, extract, soup, salt, miso, soy sauce or the like; drying
or dehydration treatment; fermentation treatment; treatment of
attaching salt, pepper, flour, starch, rice flour, sesame, poppy
seed, green layer, or powder or flake of any of other various types
of food; treatment of providing any other food as filling;
treatment of providing the brown color or cutting lines on the
outer layer; and the like; and also a combination of two or more of
these. In this specification, the "heat treatment" means treatment
of denaturing protein in the fish by heat.
[0180] In the above, fish is described. Heat treatment by water
steam can be made on meat (frozen meat, dried meat, processed meat
such as ham and the like) and vegetables. A novel heating system
(heat treatment with saturated water vapor), which cannot be
performed by the conventional system of directly spraying boiler
vapor or the conventional system of spraying hydroheat at a high
pressure, can be carried out. Thus, a novel cooking method, a novel
meal, and novel preserved food can be realized.
[0181] In the above embodiments, the liquid 25 has not been
specifically described. The liquid 25 is typically water, and may
be, for example, tap water, mineral water, ion exchange water,
distilled water, or pure water. In addition, in the case where the
food 70 is not packaged in a container, a seasoning may be added to
the liquid 25, and the food may be heat-treated while being
seasoned with water steam containing the seasoning.
[0182] In the structure in which the heating device 40 for heating
water steam is provided in a part of the water steam supply pipes
12 (see FIG. 9), overheated vapor can be generated from the water
steam. In the case where a plurality of heating devices 40 are
directly coupled to each other, overheated vapor having a higher
temperature can be generated.
[0183] Since the water steam generated by the heat exchanger 90 is
saturated vapor (saturated water vapor), the overheated vapor
introduced into the heating pot 50 is gas containing a large amount
of moisture although having a high temperature. Therefore, the
problem that when food is heated with overheated vapor generated as
a result of heating water steam (saturated vapor), moisture is
removed from the food more than necessary and the food becomes too
dry can be suppressed. On this point, the overheated vapor
generated by heating the water steam is different from the
overheated vapor generated by heating high-temperature,
high-pressure steam vapor to a high temperature (overheated vapor
generated from steam vapor having a high degree of drying). This
causes a difference in the quality (taste, dried state) of the
resultant baked fish-processed product.
[0184] The overheated vapor has the following advantages. First,
the overheated vapor has a feature of having a very high thermal
efficiency because the overheated vapor is transmitted through
convection and also through radiation. The baked state of fish or
meat provided by the overheated vapor is equivalent to or higher
than that provided by an open flame or gas. The overheated vapor is
water vapor and thus is transmitted fast through convection,
specifically by about 10 times faster than air. The overheated
vapor has an original property of water vapor of being condensed
when contacting a low-temperature substance and giving heat to the
substance at the time of contact to raise the temperature (core
temperature) of the substance, and also a property of heating a
substance like heating air. Therefore, food can be baked within a
short time. In addition, since the core temperature of a product is
raised in a short time, the baking non-uniformity between the
surface and the inside of the heating target (fish, meat, etc.) can
be reduced.
[0185] The overheated vapor is in an oxygen-free state (or in a
state of having a lower oxygen concentration than that of the
atmosphere of the atmospheric pressure). Therefore, oxidation of
fats and oils, destruction of vitamins and the like can be
suppressed, and thus the preservation state of the product can be
improved. In addition, the food is prevented from losing color.
Water has a property of holding oil when being vaporized. This
property is usable as a deoiling effect.
[0186] Cooking with overheated vapor having such characteristics
does not remove too much moisture of the food, and thus can prevent
the surface of the food from being hardened (e.g., production yield
is 85% or higher) and bring out the taste of the food material. The
overheated vapor is especially suitable for baking meat, a
meat-processed product, or a fish-processed product. Specifically,
when being baked with overheated vapor, meat, the meat-processed
product, or the fish-processed product becomes more tasty and is
softened. A reason for this is that since the meat, the
meat-processed product, or fish is baked in a low oxygen state (or
in a substantially oxygen-free state such that candlelight put into
the heating pot 50 is extinguished), the fats and oils thereof are
not oxidized and thus do not cause an uncomfortable odor of oil.
Another reason is that since the temperature of the fish rises
quickly, baking is performed in a preferable manner. In addition,
in the case where the food contains a seasoning, the seasoning is
entwined with the particles of gas or vapor and thus easily
permeates into the fish meat. Thus, the fish becomes more tasty. In
the heating pot 50, far infrared rays are generated because of the
presence of the overheated vapor. This also improves the effect of
heating. In the case where the temperature of the overheated vapor
is 300.degree. C. to 350.degree. C. or greater, fish can be heated
at a temperature far higher than 200.degree. C., which is the
boiling point of the fats and oils of the fish. This is also why
the fish is tasty. Examples of the meat and the meat-processed
product include beef, pork, chicken, mutton, ham, bacon and the
like. The overheated vapor is not limited to being used for meat,
fish and processed products thereof, and is also usable effectively
for heating vegetables and for roasting tea or coffee beans.
[0187] For the heating pot 50 in this embodiment, a plurality of
heating devices (electric heaters) 40 may be connected in series,
so that overheated vapor having a temperature of, for example,
300.degree. C. to 400.degree. C. or higher (e.g., 550.degree. C.)
may be generated and introduced. In this case also, the retort
sterilization device 100 can be operated while the internal
pressure of the pipes is substantially the atmospheric pressure.
Specifically, the retort sterilization device 100 can be operated
at an internal pressure of merely 0.12 MPaA or less at most. When
the overheated vapor is used, the heating treatment is preferably
performed with the internal pressure of the heating pot 50 being
kept at a minute pressure (0.13 MPaA to 0.15 MPaA) without being
raised much, while the vapor is discharged from the lower part of
the heating pot 50. In order to perform heating to a high
temperature of 300.degree. C. to 400.degree. C. or higher using the
boiler, an operation pressure of several atmospheric pressure or
higher is needed, needless to say.
[0188] A reason why the heating device 40 can be operated at
substantially 1 atmospheric pressure is that high-temperature
overheated vapor can be generated by heating the water stream,
which is minute-pressure vapor. In accordance with the
technological common knowledge, in order to generate
high-temperature gas, a high pressure is needed. However, when, for
example, heat high-temperature, high-pressure boiler vapor is to be
heated, it is actually difficult to heat the boiler vapor in a
successful manner, or even if the boiler vapor is heated, an
inefficiently huge amount of energy is required, because the flow
rate of the boiler vapor is high. By contrast, according to the
structure of this embodiment, water steam as the minute-pressure
vapor drifts slowly in the pipe path. Therefore, during this time
period, the food can be heated by the electric heater. Overheated
vapor of a high temperature (e.g., 300.degree. C. or higher) can be
generated at substantially the atmospheric pressure. In the case
where the retort sterilization device 100 is in a pressurized
state, the overheated vapor is generated in the pressurized
state.
[0189] The overheated vapor generated by the heating device 40
preferably has a temperature of 180.degree. C. or higher. A reason
for this is that the overheated vapor generated by heating water
steam (saturated vapor) changes properties thereof at about
180.degree. C. and becomes suitable for heat treatment performed on
food materials or the like. This will be described in more detail.
Overheated vapor generated by heating saturated vapor is very
lightweight and easily fills an enclosed space down to corners
thereof. The overheated vapor has a high rate of expansion, a low
content of oxygen, and a high heat transmission rate. When a food
material is heated using such overheated vapor, the surface layer
of the food material can be burned. The overheated vapor permeates
into the outer layer to raise the internal temperature thereof, and
can vaporize only the moisture of the surface layer. As a result,
the inside of the food material can be baked in a juicy state while
the surface is browned to look delicious. The overheated vapor has
a property of changing the temperature thereof rapidly by a small
change of the amount of heat. Therefore, it is preferable for heat
treatment of food that overheated vapor having a temperature of
180.degree. C. or higher is generated and introduced into the
internal area 55 of the heating pot 50, as opposed to relatively
unstable overheated vapor of about 120.degree. C.
[0190] Now, with reference to FIG. 15, a production device
(production system) 300 of a fish-processed product including the
heating device 100 in this embodiment, and a method for producing
the fish-processed product will be described.
[0191] The production system 300 of a fish-processed product shown
in FIG. 15 includes the heating device 100 including the
above-described heating pot 50, a kneader 160 for kneading fish
heated by the heating pot 50, and a high-temperature vapor baking
machine 170 for baking the kneaded fish.
[0192] The heating pot 50 shown in FIG. 15 includes a cylindrical
(or generally cylindrical) main body 51. The heating pot 50 in this
example has openable/closable doors 57A and 57B respectively at a
front opening and a rear opening of the pot main body 51.
Therefore, referring to FIG. 15, the door 57A at the front opening
is opened to put the fish into the heating pot 50 as represented by
arrow 141 to perform the heating step, and after the heating step,
the door 57B at the rear opening is opened to take out the heated
fish as represented by arrow 142. The heating pot 50 having the
openable/closable doors 57A and 57B respectively at the front side
and the rear side can improve the work efficiency of the production
line. Needless to say, the heating pot 50 may have one
openable/closable door (e.g., door 57A) through which fish is put
into, and taken out of, the heating pot 50.
[0193] In this example, in a lower part in the heating pot 50, a
plate (flat plate) may be provided. On the plate, for example, a
basket steamer (formed of a metal or plastic material; not shown)
packed with a plurality of pieces of frozen fish (frozen saurel) is
placed. A plurality of basket steamers may be stacked on the plate.
Alternatively, a plurality of basket steamers may be placed on the
plate in parallel. Instead of the plate, a palette may be provided
in the lower part in the heating pot 50. Below the plate, there is
a opening for connecting the heating pot 50 and the communicating
tube 30 directly or indirectly.
[0194] In this embodiment, a palette is packed with fish in a
frozen state (e.g., frozen saurel) and is put into the heating pot
50 as represented by arrow 141 in FIG. 15. Then, the heating pot 50
of the heating device 100 in this embodiment is heated for about 1
hour to soften the bones. Next, as represented by arrow 142, the
door 57B is opened and the heated palette is taken out, and then
the heated fish is put into the kneader 160. In the kneader 160,
the fish meat is kneaded with the softened bones to provide minced
fish. During (or before or after) the kneading step performed by
the kneader 160, a seasoning (e.g., vegetable oil, amino acid,
salt, etc.) is added to, and mixed with, the minced fish. The
pre-treatment described above may be performed on this stage.
[0195] Next, the fish (fish-processed product) kneaded and then
flaked is baked by the high-temperature vapor baking machine 170.
The high-temperature vapor baking machine 170 shown in FIG. 15 is a
device for heating vapor (water vapor) to generate overheated vapor
and baking a heating target (kneaded fish) 165 with the overheated
vapor. As described above, the overheated vapor is vapor obtained
by heating water vapor to a temperature exceeding 100.degree. C. at
a constant pressure. Unlike the water vapor or high-pressure,
high-temperature water vapor, the overheated water vapor (or
overheated vapor) is heat radiating gas for radiating far infrared
rays suitable to heat food, and an atmosphere thereof has an
advantage of, for example, blocking oxygen and thus preventing
oxidation. It is known that when overheated water vapor is used,
fish, meat and the like can be, for example, baked to be tasty.
[0196] A high-temperature vapor baking machine using overheated
vapor typically heats high-temperature, high-pressure boiler vapor
by a baking device including a burner which provides a larger
amount of heat (or a high-output electromagnetic heating device) to
generate overheated vapor, and uses the overheated vapor. However,
such a machine does not have a high energy efficiency. The
high-temperature vapor baking machine 170 in this embodiment heats
water steam (minute-pressure vapor) by a heating device (e.g.,
electric heater) to generate overheated vapor, and sprays the
overheated vapor to the heating target (kneaded fish) 165 to bake
the kneaded fish 165.
[0197] The high-temperature vapor baking machine 170 shown in FIG.
15 will be described more specifically. The high-temperature vapor
baking machine 170 includes a water steam generation device 180 for
generating water steam 161, and a heating device 172 for heating
the water steam 161 to generate overheated vapor 162 (or 175). The
generated overheated vapor 162 is introduced into a baking chamber
177 for baking the kneaded fish 165. In the baking chamber 177,
ejection pipes 174 for ejecting the overheated vapor 175 are
located.
[0198] The heating device 172 in this embodiment is, for example,
an electric heater. In the example shown in FIG. 15, a plurality of
heating devices 172a and 172b are connected in series. One heating
device 172 may be provided, or three or more heating devices may be
connected in series. The heating devices 172 may be located in
parallel, instead of in series, so that the overheated vapor 162
and 175 can be generated from the water steam 161. The water steam
generation device 180 for generating the water steam 161 is
connected to the heating device 172 (172a) via a water steam supply
pipe 181. The heating device 172 (first heating section 172a) is
connected to the heating device 172 (second heating section 172b)
via a vapor pipe 182. The second heating section 172b is connected
to the ejection pipes 174. The ejection pipes 174 each have an
ejection opening 176 at a tip thereof, through which the overheated
vapor 175 is ejected.
[0199] The high-temperature vapor baking machine 170 in this
embodiment includes a belt conveyor 185 passing through the baking
chamber 177. The baking chamber 177 is an open space which is
opened at an entrance and an exit for the belt conveyor 185. The
ejection openings 176 of the ejection pipes 174 are located above
the belt conveyor 185. The baking chamber 177 is formed of, for
example, stainless steel. In this embodiment, the ejection pipes
174, the vapor pipe 182, and the water steam supply pipe 181 are
also formed of stainless steel.
[0200] In this embodiment, the fish 165 kneaded by the kneader 160
is put on the belt conveyor 185 as represented by arrow 143. The
belt conveyor 185 advances as represented by arrow 144, and the
kneaded fish 165 is baked in the baking chamber 177 with the
overheated vapor 175. Then, along with the movement of the belt
conveyor 185 represented by arrow 145, the baked fish 165 comes out
of the baking chamber 177 and flows downstream as a baked product
(fish-processed product). In the example shown here, the kneaded
fish 165 is put on a metal (e.g., stainless steel) net in a thin,
spread state. The net having the thin, spread fish 165 is put on
the belt conveyor 185, and the fish 165 is baked with the
overheated vapor 175.
[0201] According to the production method in this embodiment, fish
heated by the heating pot 50 (fish softened to the bones) is
kneaded, so that even bones, head and fins are eatable without
being disposed of. In the case where a seasoning is added during
the kneading, adjustment of taste can be omitted in a step
thereafter (baking step) and thus the work of producing the
fish-processed product flows well. The kneaded fish is put on the
belt conveyor 185 as being spread to be thin (e.g., to a thickness
of about 1 cm to 5 cm) and thus can be baked with the overheated
vapor efficiently (since the fish is thin, heat is transmitted well
and the fish can be baked uniformly). Instead of being spread to be
thin, the fish may be put into balls or blocks before being
baked.
[0202] According to the high-temperature vapor baking machine 170
in this embodiment, water steam as minute-pressure vapor drifts
slowly in the heating device (electric heater) 172. Such water
steam can be heated efficiently by the electric heater 172 as
compared with high-pressure vapor transferring at a high rate. As a
result, the overheated vapor 175 having a high temperature (e.g.,
300.degree. C. or higher) can be generated at the atmospheric
pressure. The high-temperature overheated vapor 175 can be sprayed,
while having the high-temperature, to the fish (heating target) 165
on the belt conveyor 185 located right below. The heating device
172 in this embodiment is, for example, an electric heater, and can
perform heating at substantially the same internal pressure as the
atmospheric pressure (e.g., internal pressure of 1.2 atmospheric
pressure or less) during operation.
[0203] As the water steam generation device 180 shown in FIG. 15,
any device for generating water steam is usable with no specific
limitation. It is preferable that the water steam generation device
180 includes the above-described heat exchanger 90 from the
viewpoints of energy efficiency and continuous use. When, for
example, the temperature of the water steam generated by the water
steam generation device 180 is about 95.degree. C. to 110.degree.
C., the water steam is generated by the electric heaters 172 (172a,
172b) to become overheated vapor (superheated vapor) having a
temperature of 150.degree. C. or higher, preferably 180.degree. C.
or higher (or 300.degree. C. to 600.degree. C. or higher). The
electric heater 172 in this embodiment is, for example, of about
several kilowatts (e.g., plug heater, flange heater, etc.).
[0204] Since the water steam 161 is saturated vapor (saturated
water vapor), the overheated vapor introduced into the baking
chamber 177 is gas containing a large amount of moisture although
having a high temperature. Therefore, the problem that when food is
heated with overheated vapor generated as a result of heating water
steam (saturated vapor), moisture is removed from the food more
than necessary and the food becomes too dry can be suppressed. On
this point, the overheated vapor generated by heating the water
steam is different from the overheated vapor generated by heating
high-temperature, high-pressure steam vapor to a high temperature
(overheated vapor generated from steam vapor). This causes a
difference in the quality (taste, dried state) of the resultant
baked fish-processed product.
[0205] The high-temperature vapor baking machine 170 in this
embodiment can generate overheated vapor having a temperature of,
for example, 300.degree. C. to 400.degree. C. or higher (e.g.,
550.degree. C.), but is operated at an internal pressure of
substantially 1 atmospheric pressure. Specifically, the
high-temperature vapor baking machine 170 is operated at 1.2
atmospheric pressure or less at most. In order to perform heating
to a high temperature of 300.degree. C. to 400.degree. C. or higher
using the boiler, an operation pressure of several atmospheric
pressure or higher is needed, needless to say.
[0206] A reason why the high-temperature vapor baking machine 170
can be operated at substantially 1 atmospheric pressure is that
high-temperature overheated vapor can be generated by heating the
water stream, which is minute-pressure vapor. In accordance with
the technological common knowledge, in order to generate
high-temperature gas, a high pressure is needed. However, when, for
example, high-temperature, high-pressure boiler vapor is to be
heated, it is actually difficult to heat the boiler vapor in a
successful manner, or even if the boiler vapor is heated, an
inefficiently huge amount of energy is required, because the flow
rate of the boiler vapor is high. By contrast, according to the
structure of this embodiment, water steam as the minute-pressure
vapor drifts slowly in the pipe path. Therefore, during this time
period, the food can be heated by the electric heater. Overheated
vapor of a high temperature (e.g., 300.degree. C. or higher) can be
generated at the atmospheric pressure.
[0207] According to the high-temperature vapor baking machine 170
in this embodiment, even though the baking chamber 177 is of an
open type, frozen fish (frozen mackerel, etc.), for example, can be
completely defrosted and also baked within several minutes when the
temperature of the overheated vapor is set to 300.degree. to
400.degree. C. (in a typical example, 400.degree. C..+-.10.degree.
C.) or 300.degree. C. to 550.degree. (in a typical example,
450.degree. C..+-.10.degree. C.). Therefore, the fish 165 which has
been heated and kneaded can be baked successfully with the
overheated vapor 175.
[0208] It is preferable that the temperature of the overheated
vapor 175 ejected from the ejection pipes 174 is 180.degree. C. or
higher. A reason for this is that the overheated vapor generated by
heating water steam (saturated vapor) changes properties thereof at
about 180.degree. C. and becomes suitable for heat treatment
performed on food materials or the like. This will be described in
more detail. Overheated vapor generated by heating saturated vapor
is very lightweight and easily fills an enclosed space down to
corners thereof. The overheated vapor has a high rate of expansion,
a low content of oxygen, and a high heat transmission rate. When a
food material is heated using such overheated vapor, the surface
layer of the food material can be burned. The overheated vapor
permeates into the outer layer to raise the internal temperature
thereof, and can vaporize only the moisture of the surface layer in
a large amount. As a result, the inside of the food material can be
baked in a juicy state while the surface is browned to look
delicious. The overheated vapor has a property of changing the
temperature thereof rapidly by a small change of the amount of
heat. Therefore, it is preferable for heat treatment of food that
overheated vapor having a temperature of 180.degree. C. or higher
is generated and introduced into the baking chamber 177, as opposed
to relatively unstable overheated vapor of about 120.degree. C.
[0209] In the example shown in FIG. 15, the ejection pipes 174 are
inserted from above the baking chamber 177. The ejection pipes 174
are not limited to this. For example, the ejection pipes 174 may be
introduced from the side of the baking chamber 177 (left side,
right side, or both of the left side and the right side) such that
the ejection openings 176 of the ejection pipes 174 are located
above the belt conveyor 185. There is no specific limitation on the
number or positions of the ejection pipes 174, which may be
appropriately selected in accordance with the baking conditions.
The ejection pipes 174 and the ejection openings 176 thereof may be
located above and below the belt conveyor 185, so that the food is
baked from both sides. The distance between the ejection pipes 174
and the heating device (electric heater) 172 closest to the
ejection pipes 174 may be short. In this case, the overheated vapor
175 can be sprayed to the fish (food) 165 while the temperature of
the overheated vapor 175 is prevented from decreasing.
[0210] The fish-processed product in this embodiment is usable in a
wide range including ingredients of rice balls, ingredients of
sandwiches, ingredients of fish-mixed rice, toppings of salad,
ingredients of pasta and the like. When fish is eaten with bones,
the calcium intake is ten times higher than that when fish without
bones is eaten. Therefore, fish with bones is optimal as health
food. The fish may be provided in the state where the entire body
including bones is treated, or as an IQF (Individual Quick Frozen)
product with the bones being soften while the shape of the fish
being kept. In the latter case, the product can be eaten with a
taste of boiled fish. Slices of fish may be provided as tempura.
Tempura may be cooked by the high-temperature vapor baking machine
170 with the overheated vapor after oil is applied to the surface
of the fish, instead of being deep-fried with oil. A fish-processed
product can be provided with the shape of broiled fish or boiled
fish being left. For providing a fish-processed product with the
shape of fish being left, the fish is merely heated by the heating
pot 50 of the heating device 100 (or, additionally baked by the
high-temperature vapor baking machine 170) without being kneaded by
the kneader 160.
[0211] The production method of a fish-processed product in this
embodiment according to the present invention includes the step of
heating fish having bones by the heating pot 50. In this
embodiment, the production method further includes the step of
kneading the fish heated by the heating pot 50, and the step of
baking the kneaded fish by the high-temperature vapor baking
machine 170. In the step of heating, the top end 91a and the bottom
end 91b of the liquid path 91 of the heat exchanger 90 are
connected to the heating pot 50 via the pipes 12 and 14
respectively, and the water steam 15 is circulated between the heat
exchanger 90 and the heating pot 50, so that the internal area 55
of the heating pot 50 is put into a pressurized state. Therefore,
by continuously introducing the water steam into the heating pot 50
while circulating the water steam between the heat exchanger 90 and
the heating pot 50, the fish located in the heating pot 50 can be
heated while being gradually pressurized. As a result, in the
heating step, the bones of the fish can be softened.
[0212] According to International Publication WO2006/025102
proposing a production method of a fish-processed product which is
softened down to the bones, the step of decreasing the pressure is
necessary. With the heating device 100 in this embodiment, such a
step decreasing the pressure is not necessary, and thus significant
energy loss can be suppressed. In the step of heating in a
pressurized state, air for pressurization does not need to be
introduced, and the step of heating can be performed by a heating
pot which can be pressurized efficiently. In the step of heating,
boiler vapor does not enter the heating pot. This provides
advantages that there is no boiler vapor odor in the heating pot
and the retort pouch does not smell like boiler vapor.
[0213] Since the fish (fish meat) with softened bones is kneaded
and baked by the high-temperature vapor baking machine 170, the
bones, fins, head and the like of the fish can be used without
being disposed of. As described above, the calcium intake provided
by a fish food product in which bones are eatable is about ten
times higher than that provided by a fish food product with no
bones. Thus, the technique in this embodiment decreases the amount
of wastes and thus decreases the material cost, which is preferable
environmentally. The technique of this embodiment is also
preferable for health in terms of calcium intake. Since the kneaded
fish is baked by the high-temperature vapor baking machine 170, the
fish is more tasty. The high-temperature vapor baking machine 170
bakes in an oxygen-free state (e.g., at a temperature of
300.degree. C. or higher). Therefore, the fat components of the
fish baked by this machine is not oxidized and thus the fish does
not have a fat odor, as opposed to the fish baked by a burner.
Baking by the high-temperature vapor baking machine 170 also
provides effects that the temperature of the fish is raised quickly
and that a seasoning is entwined with particles of gas or vapor and
thus easily permeates into the fish meat to make the fish more
tasty.
[0214] The heat treatment performed by the heating pot 50 of the
heating device 100 is suitable for fish having bones. Needless to
say, a processed marine product (and/or food product) with no bones
can be heated by the heating pot 50 of the heating device 100. The
heat treatment method performed by the heating pot 50 is usable for
any type of food, not only for fish, as a simple heat treatment
method performed in a pressurized state. As described above, the
range of uses of the heating device 100 (or the heating pot 50) in
this embodiment is wide. Monitoring was conducted for obtaining
general evaluation on products (fish-processed products) in this
embodiment. Ten out of ten people evaluated the products very
highly, and thus the tastiness of the products has been proved.
[0215] So far, preferable embodiments of the present invention have
been described. The present invention is not limited to these
embodiment, and can be modified in various manners, needless to
say. The features of the devices shown in the figures can be
combined appropriately, and each figure does not disclose only the
structure of the device shown therein. For example, the water steam
ejection section 52 located in an upper part in the device shown in
FIG. 14 is usable to a device shown in another figure. The device
shown in FIG. 14 may have the air discharge pipe 60 or the
like.
[0216] According to the present invention, a retort sterilization
device and a heating device having a high energy efficiency and/or
capable of suppressing heating non-uniformity can be provided.
DESCRIPTION OF REFERENCE CHARACTERS
[0217] 10 Water steam generation device [0218] 12 Water steam
supply pipe [0219] 15 Water steam [0220] 18 High-temperature
hydroheat [0221] 20 Liquid container [0222] 21 Liquid pot main body
[0223] 21a Top opening (opening) [0224] 22 Lid [0225] 23 Water
level adjustment member [0226] 25 Liquid [0227] 26 Pipe (water
pipe) [0228] 28 Coupling pipe [0229] 29 Top lid [0230] 30
Communicating tube [0231] 31a, 31b, 31c Openable/closable valve
[0232] 32a First path [0233] 32b Second path [0234] 33
Openable/closable valve [0235] 34 Drain pipe [0236] 35 Circulation
pump [0237] 40 Heating device (electric heater) [0238] 50 Heating
pot [0239] 51 Pot main body [0240] 51a Securing member [0241] 52
Water steam ejection section (sparge pipe) [0242] 55 Internal area
of the heating pot [0243] 57 Door [0244] 58 Hinge [0245] 59 Lever
[0246] 60 Air discharge valve [0247] 61 Safety valve [0248] 62
Vacuum adjustment valve [0249] 63 (63a-63d) Sensor [0250] 65
Support rod [0251] 66 Air introduction pipe [0252] 67 Base [0253]
69 Discharge pipe [0254] 70 Heating target (retort food) [0255] 72
Container (tray) [0256] 75 Plate [0257] 82 Boiler pipe [0258] 84
Exhaust steam pipe [0259] 90 Heat exchanger [0260] 91 Liquid path
[0261] 92 Vapor path [0262] 93 Outer casing [0263] 94 Boiler [0264]
100 Retort sterilization device (heating device) [0265] 160 Kneader
[0266] 161 Water steam [0267] 162 Overheated vapor [0268] 165
Heating target (kneaded fish) [0269] 170 High-temperature vapor
baking machine [0270] 172 Heating device (electric heater) [0271]
174 Ejection pipe [0272] 175 Overheated vapor [0273] 176 Ejection
opening [0274] 177 Baking chamber [0275] 180 Water steam generation
device [0276] 181 Water steam supply pipe [0277] 182 Vapor pipe
[0278] 185 Belt conveyor [0279] 200 Retort sterilization device
[0280] 220 Rail [0281] 230 Wheel [0282] 240 Movable table [0283]
250 Retort food [0284] 260 Tray [0285] 270 Motor [0286] 280 Crank
mechanism [0287] 285 Driving shaft [0288] 290 Shaft sealing device
[0289] 300 Production device (production system) [0290] 1000 Retort
sterilization device
* * * * *