Steam steriliser for e.g. canned food in batches - has tunnel contg. endless belt unloaded whilst receiving new batch from conveyor

摘要

The steam sterilisation unit for batches of foodstuff in cans or glass jars comprises a horizontal (heat-insulated 2) tunnel (1) with closable (8,11) inlet and outlet openings (7) at the ends and containing an endless conveyor belt (3). This belt is arranged in line with supply and further transport conveyors of the production line and its drive is switched such (by 13) that it moves a new batch into the tunnel whilst passing the sterilised batch to the conveyor connecting with the outlet. The openings (7) are pref. closed by inwardly pivotable (10) doors (8) so that they are held in the closed position by the pressure inside the tunnel. These doors may be provided with inflatable seals (9) and with pushers (12) to move the end cans on to the supply and transport belts as the doors are closed. Used for steam-sterilising batches of canned or glass jar-packed food. The arrangement eliminates the need for transferring batches to and from a drum steriliser which interrupts the production flow. By arranging tunnels in parallel it is possible to operate a continuous production line. The unit accepts a max. charge in a min. volume and thus minimises steam consumption.