Patent ID: 7631476

Claim:
A steam-replacement deaeration apparatus for use in a bag packaging machine, said apparatus comprising: a nozzle comprising, proximate a distal end thereof, a spout to be inserted into a packaging bag; a steam supply source for supplying steam to said nozzle; a heating device that heats steam to be supplied to said nozzle; a primary steam supply passage connected at opposite ends thereof to said steam supply source and said heating device, respectively; a secondary steam supply passage connected at opposite ends thereof to said heating device and said nozzle, respectively; a first temperature sensor disposed near an outlet for steam of said heating device to measure a temperature of steam near said outlet; a second temperature sensor disposed in said nozzle to measure a temperature of steam near the spout of said nozzle; and means for controlling said heating device operatively connected to said first temperature sensor, said second temperature sensor and said heating device; said controlling means receives input of a first target temperature for steam at said first temperature sensor and input of a second target temperature for steam at said second temperature sensor, said controlling means resets said first target temperature on a basis of said second target temperature and a temperature measured by said second temperature sensor, and said controlling means controls said heating device on a basis of the first target temperature and a temperature measured by said first temperature sensor.