JP2659119B2 - Sterilization method of packaging container - Google Patents

Description

Description: TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to a method for sterilizing packaging containers used for aseptically filling foods and the like.

[Conventional technology]

In recent years, packaging containers such as plastic containers, paper containers, glass containers, plastic bags, and the like have been increasingly used for aseptically filling various foods and the like. Generally, these packaging containers require a sterilization treatment before filling the contents such as food. As the sterilizing means, the packaging container is sprayed with a sterilizing agent such as an aqueous solution of hydrogen peroxide at room temperature or heated, or the packaging container is immersed in a sterilizing agent such as an aqueous solution of hydrogen peroxide and then blown with hot air to form the packaging container. The method of drying is common. Further, a bag-shaped packaging container such as a so-called back-in-box inner bag in which the periphery of two plastic films is sealed and sealed and a spout is attached to one of the plastic films is a liquid such as the above-mentioned aqueous solution of hydrogen peroxide. It is difficult to employ a sterilizing means using a sterilizing agent. Usually, sterilization by Υ (gamma) rays or sterilization by a toxic gas such as ethylene oxide is performed.

[Problems to be solved by the invention]

However, the sterilization method using a liquid sterilant such as the above-described hydrogen peroxide aqueous solution requires a large-scale apparatus, and sterilization can be performed in a short time, but a large amount of the sterilant used remains on the inner surface of the packaging container. There's a problem.

Further, the sterilization method using the above-mentioned X-ray has a problem that the apparatus is large and expensive, and further, depending on the material of the packaging container, discoloration and quality deterioration are caused by the X-ray.

Furthermore, the above-mentioned sterilization method using a toxic gas such as ethylene oxide has a problem that it is difficult to remove the toxic gas that has entered the surface pores of the packaging container.

An object of the present invention is to solve the above-mentioned various problems, and to provide a method for sterilizing a packaging container which easily and safely has a good sterilizing effect without requiring an expensive and large-scale apparatus.

[Means for solving the problem]

The present invention is configured such that a sterilizing gas containing at least hydrogen peroxide gas in a range of 10 to 30 ppm is blown into the packaging container from an opening in the packaging container, and then the opening is sealed and allowed to stand. And

[Action]

Blowing a sterilizing gas by an air nozzle or the like from the mouth into the packaging container and filling the packaging container with the sterilizing gas containing at least the hydrogen peroxide gas in the range of 10 to 30 ppm by opening the mouth. Seal with lid. By leaving in this state for a predetermined time, the inner surface of the packaging container and the inner surface of the lid are sterilized by the sterilizing gas, and the sterilizing gas is discharged out of the packaging container by contents such as food during aseptic filling. .

〔Example〕

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a view showing an example of a packaging container for carrying out the method of the present invention. The packaging container 1 is formed by stacking two plastic films 2 and 3 face to face, and heat-sealing the periphery to form a peripheral sealing portion 4. The plastic film 2 is provided with an opening 5. A sterilizing gas 7 is blown into the packaging container 1 from the mouth 5 by an air nozzle 6, and then the mouth 5 is sealed by a lid C.
The inside of the container 1 and the inner surface of the lid C are satisfactorily sterilized by the sterilizing gas 7 sealed in the packaging container 1 during a predetermined time.

Examples of the sterilizing gas 7 include a hydrogen peroxide gas, a chlorine gas, and ozone. The effect is synergistically enhanced by using a volatile disinfectant such as ethyl alcohol, isopropyl alcohol, methyl alcohol or the like with the disinfecting gas.

Further, the sterilizing gas 7 may be composed of a gas sterilizing agent such as a hydrogen peroxide gas alone, or may be a mixed gas of the gas sterilizing agent and a sterile inert gas or the like. Normal,
If a gas sterilizing agent is present in the sterilizing gas 7 at about 10 to 30 ppm, a sufficient sterilizing effect can be obtained.

After the sterilizing gas 7 is sealed, the packaging container 1 is left for about 24 to 48 hours.

The packaging container thus subjected to the sterilization treatment is then filled with the contents such as food by removing the lid C in an aseptic filling step. It is discharged outside. Further, since the lid C has already been sterilized, it can be used as it is for sealing the packaging container.

In addition, as a container in which the present invention can be implemented,
In addition to the above-mentioned bag-shaped container, there is no particular limitation, such as a plastic container, a paper container, and a glass container.

(Experimental Example) Next, the present invention will be described in more detail based on examples.

Experimental Example 1 Bacillus subtilis spores of 10 ⁶ spore / bottle were adhered to the inner surface of a PET (polyethylene terephthalate) bottle for 1,5. Hydrogen peroxide gas content of 3
A sterilizing gas of 0 p.pm was blown from the air nozzle for 2 seconds (blowing capacity: 50 cm ³ ), then sealed with an aluminum cap and stored at 22 ° C. for 10 hours. Perform the above operation for 1000 PET
After storing the bottles, 100 ml of a tryptic soy broth medium was aseptically injected into each PET bottle, and cultured at 30 ° C. for one week to check the generation of bacteria. Further, the concentration of hydrogen peroxide remaining in the PET bottle was measured by an orientator (manufactured by Oriental Electric Co., Ltd., measurement limit: 0.01 ppm).

As a result, no bacteria were generated in all PET bottles, and no residual hydrogen peroxide was detected.

Experimental Example 2 In the bag shown in FIG. 1, two plastic films 2 and 3 were coated with low-density polyethylene 50 μm / vinylidene chloride-coated stretched polyamide 12 μm / low-density polyethylene 50 μm.
A plastic film (dimensions: about 570 mm × 570 mm) was prepared in which a laminated film of m and a low-density polyethylene of 80 μm were laminated to form a plastic film, and the mouth 5 was made of high-density polyethylene.

Bacillus subtilis spores from the mouth of this bag for 10 ² s
A test piece having pores / sheet adhered thereto is introduced, and then two kinds of sterilizing gases having a hydrogen peroxide gas content of 30 p.pm and 10 p.pm are blown through the air nozzle 6 for 1 second (blowing volume: 25 c.
m ³ ) Then, the mouth 5 was sealed with a high-density polyethylene lid. 100 bags each of which had been subjected to the above operations were prepared for each of the two types of sterilizing gas, and these were stored at 22 ° C. for 1 hour.

After storage, the test piece contained in each bag was placed in a test tube containing 20 ml of tryptic soy broth and cultured at 30 ° C. for one week, and the occurrence of bacteria was examined. Table 1 shows the results.

Table 1 shows that no bacteria were generated when any of the sterilizing gases was used, and it is clear that the sterilizing method of the present invention was excellent.

Experimental Example 3 Bacillus subtilis spores were 10 ² , 10 ³ , 10 ⁴ Spore / 10μ
10 μm of the contained bacterial solution was adhered to an aluminum foil (6 mm × 35 mm) and dried, and a total of three plates were attached to the inner surface of a 1.5 glass container, one for each. A sterilizing gas having a hydrogen peroxide gas content of 10 p.pm was injected into the glass container through an air nozzle.
After blowing for 2 seconds (blowing volume: 10 cm ³ ), the mouth of the glass container was sealed with an aluminum cap and stored at 22 ° C. for 1 hour. The above operation was performed on 100 glass containers.

After storage, the aluminum foil is
Put into a test tube containing 20 ml each, and culture at 37 ° C for 5 days.
The outbreak of bacteria was examined. Table 2 shows the results.

From Table 2, it can be seen that the sterilization method of the present invention effectively sterilized any of the bacterial numbers.

〔The invention's effect〕

ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to the sterilization method of the packaging container of this invention, there is no residual gas-absorbing agent in a packaging container, there is no deterioration of the quality of a packaging container, and no expensive and large-scale equipment is required. The effect that sterilization can be performed is produced.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a drawing showing an example of a packaging container for carrying out the method of the present invention. 1 ... packaging container, 5 ... mouth, 6 ... air nozzle, 7 ...
... Sterilizing gas.

Claims (1)

(57) [Claims] 1. A method of sterilizing a packaging container used for aseptic filling, wherein a sterilizing gas containing at least hydrogen peroxide gas in a range of 10 to 30 ppm is supplied from an opening in the packaging container. A method of sterilizing a packaging container, wherein the mouth is sealed and left to stand.