JPH0938175A - Method and apparatus for cleaning and sterilizing liquid food handling equipment - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a cleaning and sterilizing method and a cleaning and sterilizing mechanism of a liquid food handling device which is superior in cleanability of attached residues and the like and has a bactericidal action than ever before. According to the method for cleaning and sterilizing a liquid food handling device, a circulation path for an aqueous solution containing an electrolyte is formed between a liquid food handling device and an electrolytic passage, and an electrolytic solution containing an electrolyte in the electrolytic passage is electrically charged. By circulating the aqueous solution having an oxidative sterilization action generated by decomposition in the circulation route, the food distribution route of the liquid food handling device is washed and sterilized by the oxidative sterilization action of the aqueous solution.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a method of cleaning and sterilizing a liquid food handling device and a cleaning and sterilizing mechanism thereof.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, various beverage products, liquid seasonings and the like (some of which include solids and some in liquid form, which are collectively referred to as liquid foods in this specification) have been manufactured, distributed and sold. ing.

By the way, a liquid food manufacturing apparatus in a food factory, a container filling apparatus during transportation, and a dispenser such as a dispenser in a retail store (a beer hall, etc.) Is generally formed by using pipes and containers, and liquid food residues, bacteria, yeasts, molds, etc. that have propagated over time gradually adhere and accumulate on the inner surface of the pipes and containers.

Therefore, the liquid food handling device is regularly cleaned (removes foreign substances) and sterilized (inactivates fungi).
It is necessary to use high-pressure water to remove the attached dirt, or to mechanically scrape off by press-fitting a sponge having a size matching the inner diameter of the pipe.

However, in the above-mentioned method, the adhered dirt is not sufficiently removed and the fungi are often in an active state, and in such a state, the liquid food handling apparatus may be reused and food hygiene may occur. It had the above problem.

[0006]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Therefore, the present invention
It is intended to provide a cleaning and sterilizing method and a cleaning and sterilizing mechanism of a device for handling a liquid food, which has a better sterilizing effect on cleaning the residue and the like attached than before.

[0007]

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention employs the following technical means.

According to the method for cleaning and sterilizing a liquid food handling device of the present invention, a circulation route of an aqueous solution containing an electrolyte is formed between the liquid food handling device and the electrolytic passage, and the aqueous solution containing the electrolyte in the electrolytic passage is electrolyzed. By circulating the aqueous solution having the oxidative sterilizing action generated by the method in the circulation route, the oxidative sterilizing action of the aqueous solution is used to wash and sterilize the food distribution route of the liquid food handling device.

Further, the cleaning and sterilizing mechanism of the liquid food handling apparatus of the present invention includes an electrolytic passage for circulating an aqueous solution containing an electrolyte between the liquid food handling apparatus and the liquid food handling apparatus, and By circulating an aqueous solution having an oxidative sterilization effect generated by electrolysis in a circulation path, the food distribution path of a liquid food handling device is washed and sterilized by the oxidative sterilization effect of the aqueous solution. .

According to the present invention, by circulating an aqueous solution having an oxidative sterilizing action generated by electrolysis of an aqueous solution containing an electrolyte in an electrolytic passage in a circulation path, an apparatus for treating liquid foods by the oxidative sterilizing action of the aqueous solution. It is designed to wash and sterilize the food distribution route, and it is possible to wash and sterilize by oxidative sterilization action of an aqueous solution that circulates residues etc. that were difficult to remove by conventional high pressure water or mechanical scraping operation. .

As the electrolyte, for example, NaCl, KCl,
NaBr, KBr etc. can be mentioned. When an aqueous solution containing these electrolytes is electrolyzed in the electrolytic passage, hypochlorous acid, or sodium hypochlorite, or potassium hypochlorite, or sodium hypobromite, or hypochlorite, which has an oxidative sterilizing action in the aqueous solution, is obtained. Potassium bromate is generated and decomposed to generate active oxygen having an oxidative sterilizing effect.

An acid may be added to adjust the pH of the aqueous solution containing the electrolyte. Examples of this acid include inorganic acids and organic acids. A small amount of acid is sufficient.

For example, when electrolysis is performed in the presence of sodium chloride (NaCl) to generate hypochlorous acid and active oxygen, the following reaction occurs at the anode electrode.

[0014] _{^{2Cl - → Cl 2 + 2e -}} ... Cl2 + H2 O → HClO + HCl ... HClO → HCl + (O) ... (O) is active oxygen. The HCl generated in and is neutralized with NaOH generated at the cathode electrode and returns to NaCl.

When electrolysis is performed in the coexistence of sodium bromide (NaBr) to generate hypobromite and active oxygen, the following reaction is performed.

[0016] _{^{2Br - → Br 2 + 2e -}} ... Br2 + H2 O → HBrO + HBr ... HBrO → HBr + (O) ... hypochlorite or hypobromite to produce active oxygen and degrade over time, washing sterilized It exerts an oxidative decomposition action on food distribution channels.

As the pH increases, hypochlorous acid and hypobromite change to ClO ⁻ and BrO ⁻ as follows.

HClO ⇔ H + + ClO- HBrO ⇔ H ⁺ + BrO ^-When hypochlorous acid or hypobromic acid is changed to ClO- or BrO-, it is oxidized compared to the state as hypochlorous acid or hypobromite. The decomposition action is reduced to several tenths. Therefore, when producing hypochlorous acid, it is preferable to adjust the pH to a weak acidic region of about 7 or less in the presence of an acid such as hydrochloric acid and perform electrolysis. When it is generated, it is preferable to adjust the pH to a substantially neutral range of about 6 to about 8.5 or less and perform electrolysis.

By circulating the above-mentioned aqueous solution having an oxidative sterilizing action in a container or a pipe constituting a device for handling liquid foods, organic substances, yeasts, bacteria, molds and the like stuck to the food distribution channel are removed. Decomposes into carbon dioxide, water, nitrogen, etc.

It is preferable to adjust the degree of electrolysis in the electrolytic passage, the circulation time, etc. according to the degree of contamination of the food distribution path of the container or piping constituting the liquid food handling apparatus.

The cleaning and sterilizing mechanism of the liquid food handling apparatus may be implemented by including a reservoir of an aqueous solution containing an electrolyte and a pump for circulating the aqueous solution containing the electrolyte in the circulation path. it can.

[0022]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

As shown in FIG. 1, in this embodiment, a dispensing head 2 of a 15-liter stainless steel draft beer barrel 1, a beer cooling water tank 3 and its associated pipes are selected as an apparatus for handling liquid food to be washed and sterilized. ing. The beer cooling water tank 3 includes a refrigerator 4, a refrigerant coil 5, a beer cooling coil 6 (stainless steel pipe), a stirrer 7, a beer cock 8, and the like, and the water tank is filled with cold water.

Dispensing head 2 of this draft beer barrel 1
The beer cooling water tank 3 is used in restaurants, beer halls, etc., and its usage is as follows. The cap of the draft beer barrel 1 is removed and the dispensing head 2 is fixed here.
The dispensing head 2 is used repeatedly even if the draft beer barrel 1 is replaced. Dispense head 2
The carbon dioxide gas is supplied from the carbon dioxide gas cylinder 9. By this gas pressure, draft beer is transferred from the draft beer barrel 1 to the beer cooling water tank 3 via the vinyl chloride hose 10, and when the beer cock 8 of the beer cooling water tank 3 is twisted, the draft beer extruded by the carbon dioxide gas pressure is accompanied by bubbles. Mug
Filled with 11.

As shown in FIG. 2, the cleaning and sterilizing mechanism of this embodiment is an aqueous solution containing an electrolyte between the liquid food handling device (the dispensing head 2 of the draft beer barrel 1, the beer cooling water tank 3 and its associated piping). An electrolytic passage 12 is provided for circulating the. And by circulating an aqueous solution having an oxidative sterilizing action generated by electrolysis of an aqueous solution containing an electrolyte in the electrolytic passage 12 to wash the food distribution route of the liquid food handling device by the oxidative sterilizing action of the aqueous solution. I try to sterilize.

In addition, a reservoir 13 for an aqueous solution containing an electrolyte (a poly tank having a capacity of 1 liter) and a tube pump 14 for circulating the aqueous solution containing an electrolyte are provided in the circulation path. In this washing and sterilizing mechanism, each member and its control panel 16 are incorporated in a cylindrical casing 15 of a size that can be placed exactly on the draft beer barrel 1. The control board 16 has known circuits such as a control board, a rectifying board, and an overvoltage adjusting board (not shown) necessary for electrolyzing an aqueous solution containing an electrolyte.

As shown in FIG. 3, the electrolytic passage 12 is formed between two electrode plates 17. Both electrode plates 17 are formed by plating platinum on a titanium plate material, and are fitted into a case 18 of an electrolyzer which is formed in a shape such that they are arranged at a predetermined interval. The distance between the two electrode plates 17 forming the electrolytic passage 12 can be set within the range of about 1 to 10 mm, preferably within the range of 3 to 6 mm. Also the housing 18
Was formed by molding vinyl chloride resin.
A spacer 19 is provided between the upper ends of the two electrode plates 17 for accurately providing a gap, and the opening of the casing 18 is fixed with a countersunk screw 22 to a lid 21 via a packing 20.
23 is an electrode terminal (the other electrode terminal is not shown), 24
Is an O-ring, 25 is a round washer, and 26 is a titanium nut.

The aqueous solution containing the electrolyte from the reservoir 13 is caused to flow by the tube pump 14 through the hole H penetrating below the casing 18 of the electrolyzer. The aqueous solution containing the electrolyte passes through the electrolytic passage 12 between the two electrode plates 17 and flows out from the hole H penetrating above the casing.

The electrode polarities of both electrode plates 17 defining the electrolytic passage 12 were changed by a known electric method, and were changed at regular intervals (set at intervals of about 10 minutes). By doing so, the charged substance in the flowing water of the electrolytic passage 12 is prevented from depositing and growing on the corresponding oppositely charged electrode, the deterioration of the oxidative sterilization effect is prevented, and the electrolyte having a constant cleaning and sterilizing power is continuously provided. An aqueous solution can be supplied. Also, both electrode plates
If the polarity of 17 is fixed, the electrode plate selected on the anode side 17
Although the phenomenon of one-sided decrease occurs, the side that has become an anode alternately disappears due to the variable electrode polarity. Therefore, the rate of wear of both electrodes over time can be made substantially equal.

Next, the usage state of this embodiment will be described. Dispensing head 2 fixed to the top of draft beer barrel 1 is removed with vinyl chloride hose 10 still attached, and set on the top of casing 15 of the washing and sterilizing mechanism to connect to electrolytic passage 12 for washing and sterilization Connect and fix the hose 27 to the inlet side of the dispense head 2. Further, the beer cock 8 of the beer cooling water tank 3 and the reservoir 13 of the cleaning / sterilizing mechanism are connected by the cleaning / sterilizing hose 27.

The pipe of the beer cooling coil 6 in the beer cooling water tank 3 through which draft beer flows is a stainless steel pipe, and the pipe between the dispensing head 2 of the draft beer barrel 1 and the beer cooling water tank 3 is a vinyl chloride hose 10. Unlike the stainless steel pipe inside the beer cooling water tank 3, if the outside air temperature is high, there is a high possibility that bacteria will propagate after the business ends.

The tube pump 14 is started and an aqueous solution containing an electrolyte is supplied from the reservoir 13 (poly tank) to the electrolytic passage 12. The aqueous solution containing the electrolyte, which is electrolyzed in the electrolytic passage 12 to generate active oxygen and hypochlorous acid and is given an oxidative sterilizing action, is dispense head 2, vinyl chloride hose 10, beer cooling coil 6, beer cock. It is circulated in the order of 8 for cleaning and sterilization, returned to the poly tank by the cleaning and sterilizing hose 27, and is again sent from the electrolytic passage 12 to the circulation path by the tube pump 14.

According to this cleaning and sterilizing mechanism, an aqueous solution having an oxidizing and sterilizing action generated by electrolysis of the aqueous solution containing the electrolyte in the electrolytic passage 12 is circulated in the circulation path, so that the oxidative and sterilizing action of the aqueous solution causes the liquid food product to be discharged. Of the dispensing head 2, vinyl chloride hose 10, beer cooling coil 6, and beer cock 8, which are the handling devices, are cleaned and sterilized on the food distribution surface, and conventional high pressure water and mechanical scraping operations are performed. In this way, it is possible to clean and sterilize the residue and the like that were difficult to remove by the oxidative sterilization action of the circulating aqueous solution. Therefore, it has an advantage that it is superior in cleanability of attached residues and the like and has a bactericidal action as compared with the conventional case.

The draft beer barrel 1 is filled with draft beer by a beer maker and delivered to the user. The draft beer barrel 1 returned to the beer maker after use is washed and sterilized, then filled with draft beer again and delivered to the user. During this time,
Depending on the storage condition of the empty draft beer barrel 1, microorganisms are propagated and contaminated in the draft beer that is dirty or remains attached. A beer maker uses hot water etc. for automatic cleaning,
Draft beer barrel 1 after the time until it is returned is heavily soiled, and it is difficult to wash and sterilize it with an automatic washing line such as black mold. This is sorted and hand-washed with concentrated hot alkaline water, which is a laborious and dangerous task. Therefore,
Even when the beer maker cleans and sterilizes the draft beer barrel 1 after use, a circulation path is formed between the draft beer barrel 1 and the electrolytic passage 12, and the washing and sterilization is performed as described above. You can also

In addition to the above-mentioned embodiment, lactic acid, favorite beverages, seasonings and other food factories, transportation containers, filling stations for cans, bottles, etc., containers for soft drink dispensers, etc. It can be used for sterilization.

[0036]

[Example] The dispense head 2 to be washed and sterilized was left for about one week after the last use, and the microorganisms propagated by the left draft beer were overgrown and had a whitish slightly brown color. A yellow part and a bluish part were mixed in the part, and black mold was also mixed in this part, and the whole was dry and hard. In addition, in order to keep the dispense head 2 clean, the beer maker requests daily washing with high pressure water after business is closed. I tried to wash it repeatedly until I got it, but I couldn't wash and sterilize it enough.

One week has passed since the last use of the vinyl chloride hose 10 to be washed and sterilized, and bacteria, yeasts, molds, etc. propagate on the inner surface (food distribution route) and are white or gray deposits. It was opaque. Once the bacteria start to grow, it cannot be washed only by high-pressure washing with water every day, and even with washing with sponge once a week is not enough.

The distance between the two electrode plates 17 forming the electrolytic passage 12 of the electrolyzer is set to 5 mm in this embodiment. The electrode area is set to 1.5 dm ² .

As an aqueous solution containing an electrolyte, NaCl 50
g and 0.2 g of 35% HCl were dissolved in 1 liter of water. This is stored in the reservoir 13 (poly-tank). As the tube pump 14, a tube pump having a quantitative property and a relatively high discharge pressure (2.5 Kg / cm ² ) was used.

Next, the usage state of this embodiment will be described.
The tube pump 14 is started (60 cc / min), and the aqueous solution containing the electrolyte is supplied from the reservoir 13 (polytank) to the electrolytic passage 12. An aqueous solution containing an electrolyte that has been electrolyzed (current value 12 A, voltage value 5 V) in the electrolytic passage 12 to generate active oxygen and hypochlorous acid, and which has been given an oxidative sterilizing action, is dispense head 2 and vinyl chloride hose 10 The beer cooling coil 6 and the beer cock 8 are circulated in this order to wash and sterilize the route, and the washing and sterilizing hose 27 returns to the plastic tank and the tube pump 14 sends the route again to the circulating route. It is preferable that the flow velocity in the pipe is high in order to effectively remove the dirt in the food distribution passage on the inner surface of the vinyl chloride hose 10, but the washing and sterilizing effect was sufficiently observed even with the flow velocity of this example.

Twenty minutes after the start of the circulation treatment, the food distribution surface inside the vinyl chloride hose 10 became transparent. At this time, the residual chlorine concentration was 480 ppm and the pH was 6.3.

Then, a part of the vinyl chloride hose 10 before and after the cleaning and sterilization treatment was cut and cut open and a bacteria test was conducted by a wiping method. Before washing and sterilization, the number of general bacteria was 2.7 × 10 ⁶ per 1 g, and the number of coliform bacteria was about 3.8 × 10 ^3, and they were remarkably contaminated. On the other hand, after washing and sterilization treatment, general bacteria were 2.5 × 10 ^{2 in} 1 g and coliform bacteria were 0.
The number was extremely low and was a very satisfactory value for hygiene.

After completion of washing and sterilization, the tube pump 14
When pouring draft beer into the mug 11 at the next business, by pressing the carbon dioxide gas into the dispensing head 2 and pushing back the aqueous solution remaining in the vinyl chloride hose 10, the beer cooling coil, and the beer cock 8 to the poly tank with the closed head closed. It was avoided that the aqueous solution containing the electrolyte remained on the food distribution surface in.

[0044]

The present invention is configured as described above and has the following effects.

Since it is possible to wash and sterilize high-pressure water or residues that were difficult to remove by mechanical scraping operation by the oxidative sterilization action of the circulating aqueous solution, it is more excellent in washing properties than the conventional ones. In addition, it is possible to provide a method for cleaning and sterilizing a liquid food handling device and a mechanism for cleaning and sterilizing the same.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is an explanatory view of an apparatus for handling a liquid food to be washed and sterilized by a washing and sterilizing mechanism according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory view of a cleaning / sterilizing mechanism of the liquid food handling apparatus of FIG.

3 is a partial half-section exploded perspective view illustrating the structure of the electrolyzer of the cleaning / sterilizing mechanism of the liquid food handling apparatus of FIG.

[Explanation of symbols]

 12 Electrolysis passage 13 Reservoir 14 Pump

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A circulation path for an aqueous solution containing an electrolyte is formed between a liquid food handling device and an electrolysis passage, and an aqueous solution having an oxidative sterilizing action produced by electrolysis of the aqueous solution containing the electrolyte in the electrolysis passage is circulated. A method for cleaning and sterilizing a liquid food handling device, characterized in that the food distribution route of the liquid food handling device is washed and sterilized by being circulated in the route by the oxidative sterilization action of the aqueous solution. 2. An aqueous solution having an oxidative sterilizing action, which is provided with an electrolytic passage for circulating an aqueous solution containing an electrolyte between the liquid food handling device and an electrolysis solution of the aqueous solution containing the electrolyte in the electrolytic passage. A cleaning and sterilizing mechanism for a liquid food handling device, characterized in that the food distribution route of the liquid food handling device is washed and sterilized by the oxidative sterilization action of the aqueous solution by circulating the liquid in the circulation route. 3. The cleaning and sterilizing mechanism of the liquid food handling device according to claim 2, further comprising a reservoir of an aqueous solution containing an electrolyte in the circulation path and a pump for circulating the aqueous solution containing the electrolyte.