JPS63252509A - Defoaming equipment with application of optical beam - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To perform defoaming without contaminating potable water by projecting optical beams such as laser beams to bubbles floating on the liquid surface in a vessel of potable water after packing it therein. CONSTITUTION:A projection port 2 of a CO2 laser is provided to a packing equipment 5 of potable water, and CO2 laser beams 6 are projected toward bubbles 2 from the interval between the mouth of a vessel and a packing pipe 4. A YAG laser and a semiconductor laser or the like besides the CO2 laser may be used as a light source. Further, light of an incandescent lamp and a mercury lamp can also be used for the aim of defoaming when it is the light source capable of stop-down and transmission of optical beams. Further laser beams may be projected to the mouth of the vessel of potable water via optical fiber. Therefore only optical beams or optical fiber is introduced into the vessel in order to defoam bubble and possibilities for contaminating potable water are prevented.

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] [Field of Industrial Application] The present invention relates to the head space of containers in filling and sealing systems (including closures such as crowns, caps, etc. and seals at container openings) for beverages such as beer, fruit juice, and milk. This invention relates to a defoaming device.

[Conventional technology]

Conventionally, methods using steam and methods using ultrasonic waves are known as methods for eliminating bubbles in the head space of beverage containers.

The former is a method of defoaming by blowing heated steam into the beverage container, and the latter is a method of defoaming by inserting an ultrasonic vibrator into the head space of the beverage container.

[Problem that the invention seeks to solve]

In the method using steam, since heated steam is blown into the beverage container, reliable sanitation of the steam piping system is required, and the time required for maintenance of the apparatus is large.

In both methods using steam and ultrasonic waves, steam or an ultrasonic vibrator must be introduced from the mouth of the container to defoam, but it is necessary to introduce steam or an ultrasonic vibrator from the mouth of the container. It is difficult to inject steam and insert a vibrator, but after the filling process is completed, steam is injected and a vibrator is inserted to defoam, so two steps are required: filling process and defoaming process.
It requires a process and takes an hour.

The present invention aims to solve the above problems.

[Means for solving problems]

In the present invention, a device capable of generating and irradiating a light beam, such as a C0w laser irradiation device, is installed in the filling device, and the light beam is irradiated onto the foam between the filling pipe and the mouth of the container to eliminate foam. Features.

[Effect]

The light beam can be irradiated from a narrow space, and defoaming can be performed simultaneously with the filling of the beverage or immediately after filling. Furthermore, since defoaming is performed using a light beam, there is no risk of contaminating the beverage.

〔Example〕

FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 shows an explanatory diagram of the operation. co! to the beverage filling device 5! A laser irradiation lower is installed, and CO is emitted from between the mouth of the container and the filling pipe 4 toward the bubble 2.
s Laser light 6 is irradiated. Bubbles can be quickly disappeared by irradiation with laser light.

In addition to the Cot laser, a YAG laser, a semiconductor laser, etc. may be used as the light source. In addition, light sources such as mercury lamps and incandescent lamps that can narrow down and transmit light beams can be used for the purpose of defoaming.

FIG. 3 shows another embodiment of the invention. A semiconductor laser 16 is installed in the beverage filling device 15, and the filling tube 1
4 and the mouth of the container 11.
Set up. The laser light emitted from the semiconductor laser 16 passes through the optical fiber 17 and is irradiated onto the bubbles in the headspace of the container. The bubbles can be quickly eliminated by irradiation with this laser light.

In addition to semiconductor lasers, He-N can be used as a light source laser.
An e-laser, k-ion laser, etc. may also be used. In addition, even a light source such as a mercury lamp or an incandescent lamp can be used as the light source of the defoaming device according to the present invention, as long as the light beam is focused and can be transmitted through an optical fiber.

This device irradiates a light beam such as a laser beam from an optical fiber that passes between the filling tube and the container opening to eliminate bubbles in the head space of the beverage container. Foaming can be defoamed rapidly.

〔Effect of the invention〕

(1) The only thing that enters the container for defoaming is a light beam or optical fiber, so there is no risk of contaminating the beverage.

(2) Beverage filling and defoaming can be performed in the same process, reducing the time required for filling and sealing.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a longitudinal sectional view showing one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is an enlarged longitudinal sectional view for explaining the operation of the above-mentioned device, and FIG. 3 is a longitudinal sectional view showing another embodiment of the present invention. l, 11...container, 2.13...foam, 3,12...
- Beverage, 4.14... Filling tube, 5.15... Filling device, 6... COs laser light, 7... Laser irradiation port, 16... Semiconductor laser, 17... Optical fiber.

Claims (2)

[Claims] (1) A defoaming device that uses a light beam such as a laser beam to eliminate foam floating on the liquid surface inside a beverage container after filling. (2) The defoaming device according to claim 1, characterized in that a light beam such as a laser beam is guided into the beverage container using an optical waveguide.