JP6927359B2 - Aseptic filling machine and its purification method - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to an aseptic filling machine for filling a container such as a PET bottle with a beverage and a purification method thereof.

Conventionally, in an aseptic filling machine for beverages, when the type of beverage to be filled in a container such as a bottle is changed from tea beverage to milk coffee, the inside of the beverage supply system pipe of this aseptic filling machine is changed. First, CIP (Cleaning in Place) processing is performed, and then SIP (Sterilizing in Place) processing is performed (see Patent Document 1).

In the CIP treatment, a cleaning liquid in which an alkaline chemical such as caustic soda is added to water is flowed through the flow path from the inside of the beverage filling route to the filling nozzle of the filling machine, and then a cleaning liquid in which an acidic chemical is added to water. It is done by flowing. As a result, the residue of the previous beverage adhering to the beverage filling path is removed (see Patent Documents 1, 2 and 3).

The SIP treatment is performed, for example, by flowing steam, hot water, or the like into the flow path washed by the CIP treatment. As a result, the inside of the beverage filling route is sterilized and made sterile (see Patent Document 1).

In addition, the aseptic filling machine is equipped with a filling machine (filler) that automatically fills the container with beverages, and this filling machine is surrounded by a sterile chamber that can maintain a sterile atmosphere inside the chamber. It is blocked. Since droplets of the beverage filled in the previous filling operation adhere to the inside of this aseptic chamber, when switching the type of beverage to be filled, the inner wall of the aseptic chamber and the filling in the aseptic chamber in the previous filling operation are filled. A COP (Cleaning out of Place) treatment is performed on the inside of the aseptic chamber in order to remove droplets of beverages and the like adhering to the outer surface of equipment such as a machine from the inside of the aseptic chamber. The COP treatment is performed, for example, by spraying water or the like into a sterile chamber in a shower shape (see Patent Document 4).

Further, since microorganisms may invade the sterile chamber during various operations when switching the type of beverage, a SOP treatment (Sterilizing out of Place) treatment is also performed in the sterile chamber. The SOP treatment is performed, for example, by supplying hydrogen peroxide solution in the form of a mist or shower into a sterile chamber, and then blowing hot air into the sterile chamber to dry the remaining hydrogen peroxide (Patent Document 4). reference).

During the COP and SOP treatments, sterile water is sprayed into the sterile chamber to wash away the cleaning and fungicides. The aseptic filling machine is equipped with a sterilizer to sterilize the beverage to be filled. Further, in order to produce sterile water used for performing COP treatment and SOP treatment, a sterilizer for heat sterilizing water is also provided (see Patent Document 5).

In a conventional aseptic filling machine, it is necessary to clean the inside of the container after sterilization, the cap after sterilization, and the outer surface of the container mouth after filling the beverage, and a large amount of sterile water is used in these steps. In addition to the sterilizer for sterilizing beverages, a sterilizer for producing sterile water was required. However, by using a gas or mist of a gasified sterilizing agent or a mixture thereof for sterilizing the container and the cap, it is not necessary to wash the inside of the container after sterilization and the cap after sterilization, and the beverage is filled. The subsequent cleaning of the outer surface of the container mouth is no longer necessary due to the improvement of the filling nozzle.

JP-A-2007-22600 JP-A-2007-331801 Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2000-153245 Japanese Patent No. 6056930 Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2010-189034

In the conventional aseptic filling machine, it is necessary to wash the inside of the container after sterilization, the cap after sterilization, and the outer surface of the container mouth after filling the beverage, and a large amount of aseptic water is used in these steps. Further, when performing the SOP treatment, sterile water is sprayed into the sterile chamber to wash away the detergent and the bactericide. Sterile water used for SOP treatment performed before the aseptic filling machine is in operation, and the inside of the container after sterilization used when the aseptic filling machine is in operation, the cap after sterilization, and the container after filling with beverage. In order to produce sterile water used for cleaning the outer surface of the mouth, a sterilizer for producing sterile water was required in addition to the sterilizer for sterilizing beverages. A sterilizer that heats and sterilizes water to produce sterile water is expensive and burdens the initial investment.

By improving the sterilization method and filling method in the aseptic filling machine, it is no longer necessary to clean the inside of the container after sterilization, the cap after sterilization, and the outer surface of the container mouth after filling the beverage. Water is no longer necessary.

However, when performing SOP treatment before the operation of the aseptic filling machine, sterile water for washing away the detergent and the disinfectant is required, and the aseptic filling machine is a sterilizing device that produces sterile water for performing the SOP treatment. Must be prepared. In addition to the sterilizer for sterilizing beverages, providing a sterilizer for producing sterile water for SOP treatment makes the initial investment of the aseptic filling machine excessive, and aseptic filling machines that do not need to be equipped with such a sterilizer It has been demanded.

An object of the present invention is to provide an aseptic filling machine and a purification method thereof, which are not provided with a sterilizing device for producing sterile water for performing SOP treatment in addition to a sterilizing device for sterilizing beverages.

The aseptic filling machine according to the present invention has at least a filling portion for filling a container sterilized by an aseptic atmosphere with the contents sterilized by the contents sterilizer, and a lid for sterilizing the container filled with the contents. An aseptic filling machine in which sealing portions are sequentially provided by the material to seal in a sterile atmosphere, and at least a filling portion chamber for shielding the filling portion is provided, and sterile water sterilized by the content sterilizer is sterilized at 60 ° C to 100 ° C. It is characterized by comprising a sterile water supply device that supplies the aseptic filling machine so as to be sprayed into at least the filling chamber without storing the aseptic filling machine in a cooled state. Further, the aseptic filling machine according to another embodiment of the present invention is filled with at least a filling portion for filling a container sterilized by a content sterilizer into a container sterilized in an aseptic atmosphere, and the content. A sterile filling machine provided with a sealing portion for sealing the container in a sterile atmosphere with a sterilized lid material, and at least a filling portion chamber for shielding the filling portion, which was sterilized by the content sterilizer. It is characterized by comprising a sterile water supply device that supplies sterile water to at least the filling chamber of the sterile filling machine.

Further, it is preferable that the aseptic filling machine according to another embodiment of the present invention includes a heating device for heating the aseptic water.

Further, in the aseptic filling machine according to the present invention, the aseptic water supply device provides a sterilizer that sterilizes the inside of the sterile water supply pipe that supplies the sterile water from the content sterilizer to at least the filling chamber with a sterilizer. It is preferable to provide.

Further, in the aseptic filling machine according to the present invention, it is preferable that a plurality or more of the content sterilizers are provided.

The method for purifying the aseptic filling machine according to the present invention is to at least sterilize a filling portion in which the contents sterilized by the contents sterilizer are filled in a container sterilized in an aseptic atmosphere and the container filled with the contents. This is a method for purifying a sterile filling machine in which sealing portions that are sealed in a sterile atmosphere by the lid material are sequentially provided, and at least a filling portion chamber that shields the filling portion is provided. Is characterized in that at least the sterile water is sprayed into the filling chamber to purify the inside of the filling chamber by supplying the aseptic water in a state of being cooled to 60 ° C. to 100 ° C. without storing. Further, the method for purifying the aseptic filling machine according to another embodiment of the present invention includes at least a filling portion for filling a container sterilized by an aseptic atmosphere with the contents sterilized by the contents sterilizer, and the contents. A method for purifying a sterile filling machine, wherein sealing portions for sealing the container filled with sterilized lid material in a sterile atmosphere are sequentially provided, and at least a filling portion chamber for shielding the filling portion is provided. It is characterized in that at least the inside of the filling chamber is purified by supplying sterile water sterilized by a sterilizer.

Further, in the purification method of the aseptic filling machine according to another embodiment of the present invention, it is preferable that the aseptic water supplied from the aseptic water supply device is heated.

Further, in the purification method of the aseptic filling machine according to the present invention, it is preferable to sterilize the inside of the aseptic water supply pipe for supplying the sterile water from the content sterilizer to at least the filling portion chamber with a sterilizing agent.

Further, in the purification method of the aseptic filling machine according to the present invention, it is preferable to supply the aseptic water from at least one of the plurality of the contents sterilizers.

According to the present invention, it is not necessary to provide a sterilizer for producing sterile water used for SOP treatment of the aseptic filling machine, and the initial investment of the aseptic filling machine can be suppressed. In addition, aseptic water produced by the content sterilizer that sterilizes the contents can purify the inside of the chamber that should be aseptic before the operation of the aseptic filling machine. By operating the sterilizer, the number of times the contents sterilizer is stopped and cooled when the aseptic filling machine is stopped is reduced, and the energy efficiency is improved and running is improved compared to the case where the sterilizer is separately provided for the production of aseptic water. The cost can also be suppressed.

It is a top view which shows the outline of the aseptic filling machine which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention. The steps of the heating part and the molding part of the sterile filling machine which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention are shown, (A) is a preform supply process, (B) is a preform heating process, (C) is a blow molding process. , (D) shows the container taking-out process. The steps of the sterilizing part and the filling part of the sterile filling machine according to the first embodiment of the present invention are shown. Disinfectant gas spraying process The disinfectant gas spraying process performed by inserting the nozzle into the container, (F-1) is the air rinsing process with the container upright, and (F-2) is the air rinsing process with the container upside down. , (G) indicates a filling process, and (H) indicates a sealing process. The disinfectant gas generator incorporated in the aseptic filling machine which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention is shown. The disinfectant spraying nozzle, the liquid spraying nozzle, and the sterile air supply device provided in the chamber of the aseptic filling machine according to the first embodiment of the present invention are shown. The content sterilizer and the aseptic water supply device provided in the aseptic filling machine according to the embodiment of the present invention are shown. A sterile water supply device including a content sterilizer and a sterile water storage tank provided in the sterile filling machine according to the embodiment of the present invention is shown. A plurality of content sterilizers and aseptic water supply devices provided in the aseptic filling machine according to the embodiment of the present invention are shown. It is a top view which shows the outline of the aseptic filling machine which concerns on Embodiment 2 of this invention. The process of the preform sterilization part of the aseptic filling machine according to the second embodiment of the present invention is shown, (I) shows a sterilizing agent gas blowing step on the preform, and (J) shows an air blowing step on the preform. ..

Hereinafter, embodiments for carrying out the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

(Embodiment 1)
FIG. 1 shows a sterile filling machine according to the first embodiment of the present invention. It is a sterile filling machine that sterilizes containers, from the supply of preform to the heating part of the preform, the molding part from the preform to the container, the inspection part of the molded container, the container sterilization part that sterilizes the container, the sterilized container. Air rinse part, filling part that fills the sterilized container with the contents sterilized by the contents sterilizer in a sterile atmosphere, sealing part that seals the container filled with contents with a sterilized lid material in a sterile atmosphere The outline of the sterilization filling machine including the discharge part for discharging the sealed container will be described with reference to FIG. 1, the details of each part will be described with reference to FIGS. 2, 3, 4 and 5, and the SOP in the chamber for shielding each part will be described. The sterile water supply device used in the treatment will be described with reference to FIGS. 6, 7, and 8. According to the first embodiment, sterile water used for COP treatment or SOP treatment in a chamber to be aseptic atmosphere of a sterile filling machine can be supplied by a content sterilizer that sterilizes the contents. Therefore, the initial investment can be suppressed and the energy consumption during running can be reduced.

(Outline of Embodiment 1)
As shown in FIG. 1, the sterile filling machine according to the first embodiment is heated by a preform supply device 4 that supplies the preform 1, a heating unit 6 that heats the preform 1 to a temperature at which the preform 1 is formed into a container 2. Molding unit 16 for molding the preform 1 into the container 2, inspection wheel 23 for inspecting the molded container, container sterilizing unit 30 for sterilizing the molded container 2, air rinsing unit 34 for air rinsing the sterilized container 2, and air rinsing. Filling part 39 that fills the sterilized contents in the container 2 in a sterile atmosphere, lid material sterilizing part 52 that sterilizes the lid material 3 that is a sealing member, and lid material that sterilized the container 2 filled with the contents part. A sealing unit 44 that seals the sealed container 2 in a sterile atmosphere, a discharge unit 47 that places the sealed container 2 on the discharge conveyor 50, and an outlet portion 51 that discharges the container 2 to the non-sterile zone by the discharge conveyor 50 are provided. Here, the inspection wheel 23 and the air rinse unit 34 may not be provided.

The heating unit 6 is the heating unit chamber 12, the molding unit 16 and the inspection wheel 23 are the molding unit chamber 17, the container sterilization unit 30 is the container sterilization unit chamber 33, the air rinse unit 34 is the air rinse unit chamber 36, and the filling unit 39 is the filling unit chamber 41. The sealing portion 44 is shielded by the sealing chamber 46, the discharging portion 47 is shielded by the discharging chamber 49, and the outlet portion 51 is shielded by the outlet chamber 53. An atmosphere blocking chamber 27 is provided between the molding section chamber 17 and the container sterilizing section chamber 33 so that the gas or mist of the disinfectant generated in the container sterilizing section 30 or a mixture thereof does not flow into the molding section 16. .. The gas or mist of the disinfectant generated in the container sterilizing chamber 33 or a mixture thereof does not flow into the molding chamber 17 by exhausting the atmosphere blocking chamber 27. Here, the heating unit 6 and the molding unit 16 may be shielded by a single chamber. Further, the lid material sterilizing unit 52 and the sealing unit 44 may also be shielded by a single chamber. Further, the sealing portion 44 and the discharging portion 47 may also be shielded by a single chamber.

During the operation of the aseptic filling machine, the container sterilization chamber 33, the air rinse chamber 36, the filling chamber 41, the sealing chamber 46, the discharge chamber 49 and the outlet chamber 53 are aseptically sterilized by a sterilization filter. By supplying air and making the pressure in each chamber positive, the sterility of the aseptic filling machine is maintained. The pressure held at the positive pressure is set to be the highest in the filling chamber 41 and lower toward the upstream of the air rinse chamber 36 and the container sterilizer chamber 33. Further, the sealing chamber 46, the discharge chamber 49, and the outlet chamber 53 are set lower toward the downstream. By exhausting the atmosphere blocking chamber 27, the pressure in the atmosphere blocking chamber 27 is maintained to be substantially the same as the atmospheric pressure. For example, when the pressure in the filling chamber 41 is 20 Pa to 40 Pa, the pressure in the other chambers is lower than the pressure in the filling chamber 41.

Aseptic filling machine operation must be maintained in the container sterilization chamber 33, air rinse chamber 36, filling chamber 41, sealing chamber 46, discharge chamber 49, and outlet chamber 53, which must maintain an aseptic atmosphere during operation. Sterilized before. That is, the SOP process is performed. After that, the inside of each chamber is maintained in a sterile atmosphere by supplying sterile air. Since the container sterilizer chamber 33 is sprayed with the gas or mist of the disinfectant or a mixture thereof during the operation of the aseptic filling machine, it does not have to be sterilized before the operation of the aseptic filling machine.

In the first embodiment, the preform 1 is supplied to the aseptic filling machine and molded into the container 2 in the aseptic filling machine, but the aseptic filling machine that supplies the molded container 2 to the container sterilizing unit 30 may be used.

(Details of Embodiment 1)
First, the preform 1 shown in FIG. 2 (A) is continuously conveyed from the preform supply device 4 shown in FIG. 1 to the heating unit 6 at a desired speed by the preform supply conveyor 5.

The preform 1 in the present embodiment is a test tubular bottomed tubular body, and a mouth portion 1a similar to the container 2 shown in FIG. 2D is provided at the beginning of its molding. A male screw is formed in the mouth portion 1a at the same time as the molding of the preform 1. Further, the preform 1 is formed with a support ring 1b for transportation under the mouth portion 1a. The preform 1 or the container 2 is gripped by the gripper 22 via the support ring 1b and runs in the aseptic filling machine. Preform 1 is molded by injection molding, compression molding, or the like. The material of the preform 1 is made of a thermoplastic resin such as polyethylene terephthalate, polyethylene naphthalate, polypropylene, and polyethylene, and these resins may be used alone or as a mixture, or may contain a recycled thermoplastic resin. Further, in order to impart barrier properties, a thermoplastic resin such as an ethylene-vinyl alcohol copolymer or a polyamide having an aromatic amine as a monomer such as m-xylylenediamine may be contained as a layer or as a mixture.

The preform 1 supplied to the heating unit 6 is conveyed by the wheels 7 and 8 provided with a large number of grippers 22 at a constant pitch, and reaches the heating unit transfer wheel 9. Here, as shown in FIG. 2B, the spindle 19 is released from the gripper 22 and the spindle 19 is inserted into the mouth portion 1a of the preform 1 and conveyed.

As shown in FIG. 2B, the preform 1 is heated to a temperature suitable for subsequent blow molding by an infrared heater 14 or other heating means. This temperature is preferably 90 ° C to 130 ° C.

The temperature of the mouth portion 1a of the preform 1 is suppressed to 70 ° C. or lower in order to prevent deformation and the like.

As shown in FIG. 2B, the preform 1 has a spindle 19 inserted into the mouth portion 1a, is heated by an infrared heater 14, and is conveyed by an endless chain 13 while rotating. Spindles 19 are provided on the endless chain 13 at regular intervals. The endless chain 13 is rotated by pulleys 10 and 11. By inserting the mandrel into the preform 1 instead of the spindle 19, it is possible to transport the preform 1 while rotating it in an inverted state.

The heated preform 1 is released from the spindle 19, is gripped by the gripper 22, and is conveyed to the molding wheel 18 of the molding portion 16 via the wheel 15. As shown in FIG. 2C, the preform 1 is blow-molded into the container 2 by the mold 20 provided on the molding wheel 18. A plurality of molds 20 and blow nozzles 21 are arranged around the molding wheel 18, and rotate around the molding wheel 18 at a constant speed as the molding wheel 18 rotates. When the heated preform 1 arrives, the mold 20 sandwiches the preform 1. Subsequently, the blow nozzle 21 is joined to the preform 1, and a drawing rod (not shown) is guided into a hole provided in the blow nozzle 21 and inserted into the preform 1. The stretch rod to be inserted stretches the bottom of the preform 1, so that the preform 1 is vertically stretched, and at the same time, a gas such as air is blown into the preform 1 from the blow nozzle 21 and the preform 1 is stretched laterally. The preform 1 is vertically stretched and horizontally stretched in the mold 20, and the container 2 is formed. As shown in FIG. 2D, the molded container 2 is taken out from the mold 20, the support ring 1b is gripped by the gripper 22 provided on the inspection wheel 23, and the container 2 is delivered to the inspection wheel 23.

The molded container 2 was judged to be abnormal by inspecting the container temperature, the container body, the support ring 1b, the top surface of the container mouth, the bottom of the container, etc. by the inspection equipment 24 provided around the inspection wheel 23. In this case, the container is discharged to the outside of the aseptic filling machine by a discharge device (not shown). The inspection of the container is performed in the molding unit chamber 17, but the inspection unit may be shielded by a separate chamber.

In the container temperature inspection, the surface temperature of the container 2 is inspected to determine the quality of the container 2. The temperature sensor is, for example, an infrared radiation thermometer (infrared radiation camera), but other thermometers can also be used. It is necessary that the residual heat at the time of container molding remains in the container 2 in order to properly sterilize the container 2. The temperature detected by the temperature sensor is preferably 50 ° C. or higher.

Further, the container body, the support ring 1b, the top surface of the container mouth, and the bottom of the container are imaged by a camera, and the state of each part is inspected. The captured image is processed by an image processing device, and the presence or absence of abnormalities such as scratches, foreign substances, deformation, and discoloration is determined. A container 2 that exceeds the permissible range is determined to be abnormal.

The container 2 which was not determined to be abnormal by the inspection by the inspection equipment 24 has the molding unit 16 and the container sterilizing unit so that the gas or mist of the sterilizing agent generated in the container sterilizing unit 30 or a mixture thereof does not flow into the molding unit 16. It is conveyed to the container sterilizer 30 via the wheels 25 and 26 in the atmosphere blocking chamber 27 provided between the 30s.

The container 2 conveyed to the container sterilizer 30 is sterilized by the wheel 28. FIG. 3 (E-1) shows a step of spraying a gas of a bactericide onto the container 2 for sterilizing the container 2. A bactericide gas spray nozzle 31 is provided to blow the bactericide gas onto the container 2. The disinfectant gas spray nozzle 31 is fixed so that the nozzle hole at the tip thereof can face the opening of the mouth portion 1a of the container 2 running directly below. Further, if necessary, a disinfectant gas spraying tunnel 32 is provided below the disinfectant gas spraying nozzle 31 along the traveling path of the container 2 as shown in FIG. 3 (E-1). The number of the disinfectant gas spray nozzles 31 may be one or a plurality. The gas of the disinfectant sprayed on the container 2 flows into the inside of the container 2 and sterilizes the inner surface of the container 2. At this time, when the container 2 runs in the disinfectant gas spraying tunnel 32, the disinfectant gas or mist or a mixture thereof also flows to the outer surface of the container 2 and the outer surface of the container 2 is sterilized.

Further, as shown in FIG. 3 (E-2), the disinfectant gas spraying nozzle 31 is made to follow the transportation of the container 2, and the disinfectant spraying nozzle 31 is inserted into the container 2, and the disinfectant gas or mist is inserted. Alternatively, the mixture thereof may be sprayed directly onto the inner surface of the container 2. The disinfectant gas or mist overflowing from the container 2 or a mixture thereof collides with the guide member 31a provided surrounding the disinfectant gas spray nozzle 31 and flows to the outer surface of the container 2 and contacts the outer surface of the container 2. do. The guide member 31a is provided with a flange portion coaxial with the disinfectant gas spray nozzle 31 and an annular wall portion protruding from the flange portion to the outer periphery.

The disinfectant gas or mist or a mixture thereof is a disinfectant gasified by the disinfectant gas generator 55 shown in FIG. 4 or a mist or a mixture thereof in which the gasified disinfectant is condensed. The disinfectant gas generator 55 heats the disinfectant supply unit 56, which is a two-fluid spray nozzle that supplies the disinfectant in the form of droplets, and the disinfectant supplied from the disinfectant supply unit 56 to a decomposition temperature or lower. It is provided with a vaporizing unit 57 for vaporizing. The disinfectant supply unit 56 introduces the disinfectant and compressed air from the disinfectant supply path 56a and the compressed air supply path 56b, respectively, and sprays the disinfectant into the vaporization unit 57. The vaporization unit 57 is a pipe in which a heater 57a is sandwiched between the inner and outer walls, and heats and vaporizes the disinfectant blown into the pipe. The vaporized disinfectant gas is ejected from the disinfectant gas spray nozzle 31 to the outside of the vaporized portion 57. The vaporization unit 57 may be heated by dielectric heating instead of the heater 57a.

As the operating conditions of the disinfectant supply unit 56, for example, the pressure of the compressed air is adjusted in the range of 0.05 MPa to 0.6 MPa. Further, the disinfectant may be dropped by gravity or pressure may be applied, and the supply amount can be freely set. For example, the disinfectant is applied to the disinfectant supply path 56a at 1 g / min. ~ 100 g / min. It is supplied in the range of. Further, the inner surface of the vaporizing portion 57 is heated from 140 ° C. to 450 ° C. to vaporize the sprayed bactericide.

The disinfectant gas is sprayed onto the container 2 from the disinfectant gas spray nozzle 31 as shown in FIG. 3 (E). The amount of the disinfectant gas or mist or a mixture thereof sprayed is arbitrary, but the amount of the disinfectant is determined by the amount of the disinfectant supplied to the disinfectant gas generator 55 and the spraying time. A plurality of disinfectant gas generators 55 may be provided. The amount of spraying also varies depending on the size of the container 2.

The fungicide preferably contains at least hydrogen peroxide. The content is appropriately in the range of 0.5% by mass to 65% by mass. If it is less than 0.5% by mass, the bactericidal activity may be insufficient, and if it exceeds 65% by mass, it becomes difficult to handle for safety. Further, more preferable is 0.5% by mass to 40% by mass, and when it is 40% by mass or less, it is easier to handle, and since the concentration is low, the residual amount of the bactericidal agent in the container 2 after sterilization can be reduced. ..

When the disinfectant is hydrogen peroxide solution, the amount of gas sprayed from the hydrogen peroxide solution is as follows. The amount of hydrogen peroxide adhering to the inner surface of the container 2 due to the hydrogen peroxide solution gas sprayed from the disinfectant gas spray nozzle 31 onto the inner surface of the container 2 is the amount of hydrogen peroxide solution containing 35% by mass of hydrogen peroxide. 30 μL / container to 150 μL / container is preferable, and 50 μL / container to 100 μL / container is more preferable. The hydrogen peroxide concentration of the hydrogen peroxide solution gas sprayed on the container 2 is preferably 2 mg / L to 20 mg / L, more preferably 5 mg / L to 10 mg / L.

The bactericidal agent contains water, but is one of alcohols such as methyl alcohol, ethyl alcohol, isopropyl alcohol, normal propyl alcohol and butyl alcohol, ketones such as acetone, methyl ethyl ketone and acetyl acetone, glycol ethers and the like. Two or more types may be included.

Further, the bactericidal agent includes organic acids such as peracetic acid and acetic acid, chlorine compounds such as sodium hypochlorite, compounds having a bactericidal effect such as ozone, cationic surfactants, nonionic surfactants, phosphoric acid compounds and the like. May contain the additive of.

As shown in FIG. 1, the container 2 sterilized by the container sterilization unit 30 is conveyed to the air rinse unit 34 via the wheel 29. In the container 2 in the air rinse wheel 35 shown in FIG. 1, aseptic air is blown to the container 2 in an upright state by the air rinse nozzle 38 as shown in FIG. 3 (F-1). Aseptic air may be at room temperature, but is preferably heated. The sterile air also has the effect of discharging the bactericidal agent remaining inside the container 2, decomposing the remaining bactericidal agent to further enhance the bactericidal effect, and eliminating the presence of foreign matter inside the container 2. Further, as shown in FIG. 3 (F-2), the container 2 may be turned upside down and sterile air may be blown into the container 2. In this case, it is more effective than the upright state for removing foreign matter. Further, similarly to the disinfectant spray nozzle 31 shown in FIG. (E-2), by providing a guide member surrounding the air rinse nozzle 38, sterile air introduced into the container 2 and overflowing from the mouth portion 1a is released. When it collides with the guide member, the outer peripheral portion of the mouth portion 1a is also rinsed, the temperature of the outer peripheral portion of the mouth portion 1a rises, and the bactericidal effect of the outer peripheral portion of the mouth portion 1a is enhanced. The air rinse nozzle 38 may be moved up and down, and sterile air may be blown into the container 2.

As shown in FIG. 1, the container 2 air-rinsed by the air-rinsing unit 34 is conveyed to the filling unit 39 via the wheel 37. In the filling unit 39, the filling wheel 40 shown in FIG. 1 fills the container 2 with the contents by the filling nozzle 42 as in the filling step shown in FIG. 3 (G). The contents are sterilized in advance, and a certain amount of contents such as beverages is filled in the container 2 by the filling nozzle 42 running synchronously with the container 2.

As shown in FIG. 6, the aseptic filling machine includes a content mixing device 65 and a content sterilizing device 66 for sterilizing the content, and the content sterilizing device 66 and the filling nozzle 42 of the filling unit 39 supply the content. It is connected by a system pipe.

The blending device 65 is for blending beverages such as tea beverages and fruit beverages at desired blending ratios, but since it is a known apparatus, detailed description thereof will be omitted.

The filling unit 39 is formed by arranging a large number of filling nozzles 42 around a filling wheel 43 that rotates at high speed in a horizontal plane, and is under the filling nozzle 42 while rotating the filling nozzle 42 with the rotation of the filling wheel 43. The container 2 traveling in synchronization with the peripheral speed of the filling wheel 43 is filled with a fixed amount of beverage from the filling nozzle 42.

The content sterilizer 66 heats the contents from 20 ° C. to 65 ° C. in a first-stage heating unit formed by connecting a plurality of shell and tube heat exchangers in series, and is more than the first-stage heating unit. The contents are heated from 65 ° C to 140 ° C in the second stage heating section formed by connecting the shell and tube heat exchangers in series, and the contents heated to 140 ° C are held at 140 ° C in the holding tube. It is a device that sterilizes. The contents are further cooled to room temperature by a cooling unit provided in the contents sterilizer 66.

The contents prepared by the mixing device 65 and sterilized by the contents sterilizing device 66 are stored in the surge tank 67 via the switching valve 69, and further sent to the head tank 68 provided in the vicinity of the filling portion 39 to be fed to the head tank. It is supplied from 68 to the filling nozzle 42 and filled in the container 2.

The container 2 filled with the contents is conveyed to the sealing portion 44 via the filling wheel 43 shown in FIG. In the sealing wheel 45 provided in the sealing portion 44, as in the sealing step shown in FIG. It is supplied to the sealing wheel 45 via the lid material supply wheel 54a and the lid material receiving wheel 54b, and is wound around the mouth portion 1a of the container 2 by a capper (not shown), and the container 2 is sealed.

The sealed container 2 is delivered from the gripper 22 of the sealing wheel 45 to the gripper 22 of the discharge wheel 48 of the discharge unit 47. The container 2 delivered to the discharge wheel 48 is placed on the discharge conveyor 50. The container 2 placed on the discharge conveyor 50 is discharged from the inside of the outlet chamber 53 to the outside of the aseptic filling machine.

The inside of the container sterilization chamber 33, the air rinse chamber 36, the filling chamber 41, the sealing chamber 46, the discharge chamber 49, and the outlet chamber 53 is SOP-treated before the operation of the aseptic filling machine. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 5, each chamber is provided with a disinfectant spray nozzle 58 and a liquid spray nozzle 59. As described above, the container sterilizer chamber 33 does not have to be SOP-treated.

The disinfectant spray nozzle 58 uses a one-fluid spray or a two-fluid spray in which the disinfectant is mixed with compressed air and sprayed so that the disinfectant adheres to the entire area in each chamber requiring disinfection. The inside of each chamber is sterilized by the sprayed disinfectant. The disinfectant spray nozzle 58 is arranged so that the disinfectant adheres to the entire area in each chamber. As the disinfectant, the same disinfectant as that used for disinfecting the container 2 can be used, and it is preferable to use a disinfectant containing peracetic acid or hydrogen peroxide. The disinfectant may be sprayed multiple times with different disinfectants.

When peracetic acid is contained as a bactericidal agent, the peracetic acid concentration is 500 ppm or more, preferably 1000 ppm or more. The sterilization conditions in this case are that the disinfectant is heated to 40 ° C. to 95 ° C., preferably 50 ° C. to 95 ° C., and peracetic acid is 0.01 g / cm ^{2 on} the surface of the apparatus and the wall in the chamber, preferably 0. . The disinfectant is sprayed into the chamber so that it adheres to 1 g / cm ^{2 or more.} The spraying time is preferably 30 seconds to 30 minutes. It may be done for 30 minutes or more, but the productivity is reduced.

After the disinfectant is sprayed from the disinfectant spray nozzle 58, sterile water is sprayed over the entire area in each chamber by the liquid spray nozzle 59. The sterile water cleans the disinfectant remaining in each chamber. The liquid spray nozzle 59 is arranged so that the liquid is sprayed over the entire area in each chamber. Aseptic water is water that has been sterilized by being heated at 121.1 ° C. or higher for 4 minutes or longer by a content sterilizer 66. The sterile water sprayed from the liquid spray nozzle 59 into each chamber is preferably heated to 20 ° C. to 100 ° C., preferably 60 ° C. to 100 ° C. The cleaning ability of sterile water is improved by setting the temperature to 60 ° C. or higher. Further, if the temperature exceeds 100 ° C., the liquid spray nozzle 59 may be damaged, which is not preferable. In addition, part of the sterile water to be supplied may become water vapor and pulsate, resulting in unstable supply. As the liquid spray nozzle 59, for example, a spray nozzle using a spin ball is used. Aseptic water may be sprayed from the disinfectant spray nozzle 58 without providing the liquid spray nozzle 59. In order to efficiently wash in a short time, it is preferable to supply sterile water at a liquid feeding pressure of 0.1 MPa or more, preferably 0.2 MPa or more to the liquid spray nozzle 59. After cleaning the inside of each chamber with sterile water, the sterile water is discharged from the chamber. It is preferable that the non-sterile area where sterile water is discharged and the inside of each chamber are sealed by a water sealing mechanism. Further, the disinfectant spray nozzle 58 and the liquid spray nozzle 59 are preferably mounted at positions away from the transport path on the mouth of the container 2 in order to avoid the risk of mixing into the container 2.

Since the contents of the filling chamber 41 are scattered in the chamber and are heavily contaminated, a SOP treatment using a bactericidal agent such as peracetic acid or an alkaline solution containing caustic soda as a main component is performed. However, since the discharge chamber 49 and the outlet chamber 53 are limited in contamination, SOP treatment using only hydrogen peroxide may be performed. In this case, cleaning with sterile water may not be performed. Therefore, the sterile water produced by the content sterilizer 66 is supplied to at least the filling chamber 41. Therefore, at least the filling chamber 41 is provided with a sterile water supply device 70 that supplies sterile water produced by the content sterilizer 66.

If the inside of the sealed chamber 46 is also contaminated with the contents, a SOP treatment is performed using a bactericidal agent such as peracetic acid or an alkaline solution containing caustic soda as a main component. Therefore, sterile water produced by the content sterilizer 66 is also supplied to the inside of the sealed chamber 46.

Aseptic water is produced by supplying water to the content sterilizer 66 and heat-sterilizing the supplied water with the content sterilizer 66. As shown in FIG. 6, the produced sterile water is supplied to the filling chamber 41 by the sterile water supply device 70 via the switching valve 69, and is sprayed into the chamber from the liquid spray nozzle 59. Further, it may be supplied to a chamber other than the filling chamber 41. Aseptic water is produced by heating the water by the content sterilizer 66, but since it is cooled by the content sterilizer 66, it is supplied in order to improve the cleaning ability of the sterile water supplied into each chamber. The sterile water is preferably heated. Therefore, it is heated by the heater 72 before being supplied to the filling chamber 41 and each chamber via the switching valve 69. Aseptic water is preferably heated to 60 ° C. to 100 ° C. as described above.

Further, as shown in FIG. 7, sterile water may be supplied to each chamber after being stored in the sterile water storage tank 71. The sterile water supply device 70 includes a sterile water supply pipe from a switching valve 69 to each chamber, a sterile water storage tank 71, and a heater 72. Further, the sterile water supply device 70 may include a sterile air supply device that supplies sterile air to pump sterile water. Further, the sterile water supply device 70 may include a sterile pump provided with a steam barrier for supplying sterile water to each chamber. The supply of sterile water to each chamber may be performed in a single chamber or in a plurality of chambers at the same time.

Before supplying sterile water to each chamber, the inside of the sterile water supply pipe is sterilized. As shown in FIG. 6, the piping from the switching valve 69 to each chamber is preferably sterilized with a sterilizing agent (mainly peracetic acid or hydrogen peroxide) before sending sterile water. This is because sterilization with heated steam is not preferable because the liquid spray nozzle 59 may be damaged by heat.

When sterilizing the inside of the sterile water supply pipe that supplies sterile water into each chamber with a sterilizing agent containing peracetic acid as the main component, the peracetic acid concentration is set to 500 ppm or more, preferably 1000 ppm to 5000 ppm, and the sterilizing agent is used as the sterile water supply pipe. This is done by sending the liquid inside. At this time, the disinfectant is heated to 40 ° C. to 95 ° C., preferably 50 ° C. to 95 ° C., and the liquid is sent at a flow velocity in the pipe of 1.0 m / sec or more. The liquid feeding time is preferably 30 seconds to 30 minutes. The peracetic acid concentration of the disinfectant may be set to 5000 ppm or more, or the disinfectant may be fed for 30 minutes or more, but the cost increases and the productivity decreases.

When sterilizing the inside of the sterile water supply pipe with a disinfectant containing hydrogen peroxide as the main component, 5 sterile air containing hydrogen peroxide at a temperature of 50 to 100 ° C. at a concentration of 1.0 to 20 mg / L is used. It is possible to sterilize the inside of the sterile water supply pipe by supplying it into the sterile water supply pipe for more than a minute. Supplying sterile air containing hydrogen peroxide at a concentration of 20 mg / L or higher increases costs and reduces productivity.

The sterile water supply pipe may be sterilized with both a disinfectant containing peracetic acid as a main component and a disinfectant containing hydrogen peroxide as a main component. In that case, it is preferable to first perform sterilization with a bactericidal agent containing peracetic acid as a main component, and then perform sterilization with a bactericidal agent containing hydrogen peroxide as a main component, which has a high bactericidal effect.

As shown in FIG. 7, when the sterile water supply device 70 includes the sterile water storage tank 71, the sterilization by the sterilizing agent in the sterile water supply pipe supplies the sterilizing agent to the switching valve 72a upstream of the heater 72 to switch. The sterile water supply pipe from the valve 72a to each chamber via the heater 72 is sterilized. It is preferable that the sterile water supply pipe from the switching valve 69 to the switching valve 72a is sterilized by heated steam. This is because when a sterilizing agent is used to sterilize the sterile water storage tank 71, the amount of the sterilizing agent used becomes large.

As shown in FIG. 7, by providing the sterile water storage tank 71, the contents are supplied to the filling unit 41 after the CIP treatment and the SIP treatment of the contents sterilizer 66 performed when the contents are changed. Aseptic water can be produced and stored by the content sterilizer 66 during CIP treatment or SIP treatment in the supply pipe. Of the container sterilization chamber 33, the air rinse chamber 36, the filling chamber 41, the sealing chamber 46, the discharge chamber 49, and the outlet chamber 53 for supplying sterile water, the filling chamber 41 is a relatively large chamber. Since a large amount of sterile water is supplied, the sterile water may be insufficient if the sterile water is supplied while being produced by the content sterilizer 66. By using the sterile water stored in the storage tank 71, a required amount of sterile water can be supplied to the filling chamber 41 and other chambers, and the SOP treatment of each chamber can be completed in a short time.

As shown in FIG. 8, a plurality of content sterilizers 66 may be provided. The purpose of providing a plurality of content sterilizers 66 is to shorten the change time of different contents. The relatively high temperature portion of the content sterilizer 66 may cause kogation depending on the content, and it may take a long time for the CIP process of the content sterilizer 66 when changing the content. At this time, when a plurality of content sterilizers 66 are provided and the contents are sterilized and filled by one content sterilizer 66, the CIP process and SIP process of the other content sterilizer 66 are completed. By doing so, when the content is changed, the next content can be sterilized and filled immediately by using the other content sterilizer 66. After completing the CIP treatment and SIP treatment of the other content sterilizer 66, sterile water can be produced and sterile water can be stored in the sterile water storage tank 71, and each chamber can also supply sterile water to each chamber. When sterile water is needed, it can be supplied immediately.

The aseptic water supplied to each chamber is 20 ° C. to 100 ° C., preferably 60 ° C. to 100 ° C., but the sterile water sterilized by heating in the content sterilizer 66 is not cooled to room temperature, and is 60 ° C. to 100 ° C. This is achieved by supplying each chamber in a cooled state. At this time, it is not necessary to heat the sterile water with the heater 72. By setting the temperature of sterile water to 60 ° C or higher, in addition to improving the cleaning ability, it is added to heat-resistant mold and heat-resistant yeast damaged by chemicals such as peracetic acid and alkali, which are bactericidal agents used for SOP treatment. The bactericidal effect of warm sterile water is expected.

It is also possible to sterilize fungi, yeast, and bacterial vegetative cells other than bacterial spores by setting the temperature of sterile water to 60 ° C to 100 ° C without using a bactericidal agent such as peracetic acid or an alkaline solution. Since the cleaning effect is high when the temperature of sterile water is 60 ° C. or higher, sterilization and cleaning can be performed simultaneously in one step. Simultaneous sterilization and washing with warm aseptic water is effective as an SOP treatment for an aseptic filling machine containing acidic beverages or mineral water. The SOP treatment with heated sterile water may be performed in the molding section chamber 17 and the cap sterilizing section 52 other than the filling section chamber 41 and the sealing section chamber 46 in which the product liquid is scattered.

Aseptic water is sprayed into each chamber after spraying the disinfectant, but before spraying the disinfectant, the contents are scattered in the filling chamber 41, the sealing chamber 46, the discharging chamber 49, and the outlet chamber 53. If so, the cleaning liquid is sprayed from the liquid spray nozzle 59, and the inside of each chamber is COP-treated. The cleaning liquid is water or water containing an acidic compound or a basic compound. The water may be any water that does not contain foreign substances such as ion-exchanged water, distilled water, and tap water. The acidic compound is an inorganic acid such as hydrochloric acid, nitrate or phosphoric acid, or an organic acid such as acetic acid, formic acid, octanoic acid, oxalic acid, citric acid, succinic acid or gluconic acid. The basic compound is an inorganic basic compound such as sodium hydroxide or potassium hydroxide, or an organic basic compound such as ethanolamine or diethylamine. In addition, non-metal ion blocking agents such as alkali metal salts of organic acids, alkaline earth metal salts, ammonium salts and ethylenediamine tetraacetic acid, anionic surfactants, cationic surfactants, polyoxyethylene alkylphenyl ethers and the like. Includes ionic surfactants, solubilizers such as sodium cumenesulfonate, acid-based polymers such as polyacrylic acid or metal salts thereof, corrosion inhibitors, preservatives, antioxidants, dispersants, antifoaming agents, etc. But it doesn't matter. Further, since these cleaning liquids also have a bactericidal action when heated to 50 ° C. or higher, the cleaning liquids may be used as a bactericidal agent for sterilizing the inside of the chamber.

Each chamber is equipped with a sterile air supply device 60, as shown in FIG. The sterile air supply device 60 is connected to the top of each chamber. The aseptic air supply device 60 includes a blower 61, a heating device 62, and a sterilization filter 63. The air from the blower 61 is heated by the heating device 62, sterilized by the sterilization filter 63, and then becomes sterile air and supplied into each chamber. As shown in FIG. 5, the disinfectant filter 63 is provided perpendicular to the top surface of the chamber in order to prevent the cleaning liquid and the disinfectant from adhering to the surface of the disinfectant filter 63. be. The sterilization filter 63 may be provided parallel to the chamber surface.

Further, each chamber is provided with an exhaust device 64, and the pressure in each chamber is maintained at an appropriate value in conjunction with the aseptic air supply device 60.

The sterile air supplied from the sterile air supply device 60 vaporizes and removes the sterile water sprayed from the liquid spray nozzle 59 remaining in each chamber. At this time, the aseptic air is heated so that the aseptic water can be quickly removed by vaporization. Further, the aseptic air supply device 60 supplies aseptic air into each chamber in order to maintain asepticity in each chamber when the aseptic filling machine is in operation. In this case, the sterile air does not have to be heated.

It is preferable to dry the inside of each chamber as much as possible before sterilizing the inside of each chamber with a sterilizing agent containing hydrogen peroxide as a main component. In the wet state, hydrogen peroxide dissolves in the liquid and the concentration of hydrogen peroxide existing as a gas decreases, so that the bactericidal ability cannot be exhibited. In order to efficiently remove the sterile water remaining in each chamber in a short time, it is preferable to rotate the wheel in each chamber. When the CIP process or SIP process of the filling portion 39 is being performed, the clutch of the wheel of the filling portion wheel 40 is disengaged to rotate the wheels other than the filling portion wheel 40. The rotation speed should be increased to the operating speed at the time of production. The centrifugal force generated by this high-speed rotation can remove aseptic water adhering to the wheels other than the filling wheel 40 such as the sealing wheel 45, the air rinse wheel 35, and the wheel 28, the gripper 22, and the bellows of each part in the aseptic filling machine. Is. This residual water removing step is performed while supplying sterile air so that the sterility does not deteriorate. It is preferable that the residual water of the filling portion 39 is removed after the CIP treatment of the filling portion 39 is completed and before the SOP treatment.

In sterilization before the operation of the aseptic filling machine, the surface of the sterilizing filter 63 can also be sterilized by spraying the sterilizing agent with the sterilizing agent spraying nozzle 58. The surface of the sterilization filter 63 may be sterilized with a gas or mist of hydrogen peroxide solution or a mixture thereof.

The content supply system piping from the content sterilizer 66 to the filling nozzle 42 is subjected to CIP processing and SIP processing when the content is changed. This may be performed at the same time as the COP process and the SOP process, or may be performed sequentially.

As shown in FIG. 6, a circulation pipeline 73 for circulating the cleaning liquid for the CIP treatment discharged from the filling nozzle 42 is provided. The connection between the filling nozzle 42 and the circulation pipeline 73 is not shown, but is performed by covering the tip of the filling nozzle 42 with a cup provided in the circulation pipeline 73 by an actuator.

An introduction pipe 75 for supplying a cleaning liquid or the like to the circulation passage 73 is connected to the circulation pipe 73 via a valve manifold 74. Supply sources of cleaning liquid, water, heated steam, and sterile air are connected to the upstream side of the introduction pipe 75 via switching valves. Various other valves, pumps, and the like are provided in the circulation pipe 73 and the introduction pipe 75, but they are not shown. A circulation pipe line 73a connected from the valve manifold 74 to the outlet of the content sterilizer 66 and a circulation pipe line 73b connected to the upstream of the surge tank 67 are provided. Further, a sterilizer circulation path 76 is provided in the circulation path 73a. That is, a circulation path 76 that circulates in the content sterilizer 66, and a circulation path from the surge tank 67 and the head tank 68 to the filling nozzle 42 via the circulation paths 73 and 73b are formed. CIP treatment is performed by supplying cleaning liquid and water to these circulation paths from the introduction pipe 75 and circulating them. The cleaning liquid and water may be the same as those used for COP treatment.

Further, the SIP treatment is performed by supplying heated steam to the content supply piping system. The heated steam to be SIP-treated is blown out from the filling nozzle 42 to perform SIP treatment in the content supply system piping. After the SIP treatment, aseptic air is introduced into the content supply system piping to maintain the sterility in the content supply system piping.

The first embodiment is an aseptic filling machine that sterilizes the container 2, but the preform 1 may be sterilized before the container 2 is sterilized.

(Embodiment 2)
FIG. 9 shows a second embodiment of the present invention. The first embodiment is an aseptic filling machine that sterilizes the container 2, while the second embodiment is an aseptic filling machine that sterilizes the preform 1 and does not sterilize the container 2. The aseptic filling machine provided with the preform sterilizing unit 77 for sterilizing the preform 1 will be described below.

(Outline of Embodiment 2)
As shown in FIG. 9, in the sterile filling machine according to the second embodiment, the preform supply device 4 for supplying the preform 1, the preform sterilizer 77 for sterilizing the preform 1, and the preform 1 are molded into the container 2. The contents sterilized in the heating unit 6 that heats to the temperature to be heated, the molding unit 16 that molds the heated preform 1 into the container 2, the inspection unit 78 that inspects the molded container 2, and the container 2 that is judged to be normal by the inspection. A filling part 39 for filling an object, a lid material sterilizing part 52 for sterilizing a lid material 3 which is a sealing member, a sealing part 44 for sealing a container 2 filled with a content part with a sterilized lid material 3, and a sealed container. A discharge section 47 for placing 2 on the discharge conveyor 50 and an outlet section 51 for discharging the container 2 to the non-sterile zone by the discharge conveyor 50 are provided. The inspection unit 78 may not be provided.

The preform sterilization unit 77 is the preform sterilization chamber 79, the heating unit 6 is the heating unit chamber 12, the molding unit 16 is the molding unit chamber 17, the inspection unit 78 is the inspection unit chamber 80, and the filling unit 39 is the filling unit chamber 41. The portion 44 is shielded by the sealing chamber 46, the discharge portion 47 is shielded by the discharge chamber 49, and the outlet portion 51 is shielded by the outlet chamber 53. Unlike the first embodiment, the molding unit 16 and the inspection unit 78 may not be in the same chamber and may be shielded by the molding unit chamber 17 and the inspection unit chamber 80, respectively. Here, the lid material sterilizing portion 52 and the sealing portion 44 may be shielded by a single chamber. Further, the sealing portion 44 and the discharging portion 47 may also be shielded by a single chamber.

The heating part chamber 12, the molding part chamber 17, the inspection part chamber 80, the filling part chamber 41, the sealing part chamber 46, the discharge part chamber 49 and the outlet part chamber 53 are sterilized by an aseptic filter while the aseptic filling machine is in operation. The aseptic air of the aseptic filling machine is maintained by supplying the aseptic air to the positive pressure inside each chamber. The positive pressure is set highest in the filling chamber 41 and lower toward the upstream or downstream. For example, when the pressure in the filling chamber 41 is 20 Pa to 40 Pa, the pressure in the other chambers is lower than the pressure in the filling chamber 41.

The preform sterilizer chamber 79 is connected to an exhaust means including a filter 81 for decomposing a sterilizer in the air in the preform sterilizer chamber 79 and a blower 82. By exhausting the air in the preform sterilizing section chamber 79 during the operation of the aseptic filling machine, it is possible to prevent the sterilizing agent from flowing into the adjacent heating section 6. Therefore, while the aseptic filling machine is in operation, the pressure in the preform sterilizer chamber 79 is substantially equal to or negative pressure at atmospheric pressure.

(Details of Embodiment 2)
The preform 1 is continuously conveyed to the preform sterilizer 77 by the preform supply conveyor 5 at a desired speed by the preform supply device 4 shown in FIG. Preform 1 is the same as that of the first embodiment.

The preform 1 is gripped from the preform supply conveyor 5 by grippers 22 provided on the wheel 7 at regular intervals, and is gripped by a preform disinfectant gas spray nozzle 83 provided on the wheel 7 as shown in FIG. 10 (I). , Fungicide gas or mist or a mixture thereof is sprayed.

As shown in FIG. 10 (I), the disinfectant gas or mist or a mixture thereof flows in two hands in the preform disinfectant gas spray nozzle 83, and flows into the preform 1 from one of the nozzles 83a. It is sprayed toward the outer surface of the preform 1 from the other nozzle 83b. The disinfectant gas or mist or a mixture thereof exits the preform disinfectant gas spray nozzle 83 and then flows into the preform 1 in a gas state or as a mist or a mixture thereof. Alternatively, it comes into contact with the outer surface of the preform 1.

The disinfectant gas or mist sprayed toward the inside of the preform 1 or a mixture thereof overflows from the mouth portion 1a of the preform 1 after flowing into the preform 1, but the overflowing disinfectant gas Alternatively, the flow of the mist or a mixture thereof collides with the guide member 84, is guided to the inner surface of the guide member 84, changes the flow toward the outer surface of the preform 1, and comes into contact with the outer surface of the preform 1. When the guide member 84 is provided with the annular groove 84a, the overflowing fungicide gas or mist or a mixture thereof flows along the outer surface of the preform 1.

In this way, the gas or mist of the disinfectant or a mixture thereof comes into contact with and adheres to the inner and outer surfaces of the preform 1, so that the bacteria and the like adhering to the surface of the preform 1 are sterilized.

Not only one preform disinfectant gas spray nozzle 83 shown in FIG. 10 (I), but a plurality of preform disinfectant gas spray nozzles 83 are arranged along the traveling path of the preform 1, and the disinfectant is released from these preform disinfectant gas spray nozzles 83. Gas or mist or a mixture thereof may be sprayed toward the preform 1. Further, by changing the diameter of the preform disinfectant gas spray nozzle 83, the nozzle 83a or the nozzle 83b, or the diameter and the number of the disinfectant gas outlets provided in the nozzle 83b, the preform 1 is sterilized on the inner surface and the outer surface. It is possible to adjust the amount of the agent adhered to each.

The preform sterilizing agent gas spraying nozzle 83, nozzle 83a, and nozzle 83b are supplied with sterile air at room temperature or heated from the middle of these, and the sterilizing agent gas or mist diluted with the sterile air, or these. The mixture of may be sprayed onto the preform 1.

The preform 1 may be preheated by, for example, blowing hot air on the preform 1 immediately before blowing the gas of the fungicide onto the preform 1 shown in FIG. 10 (I). This preheating can further enhance the bactericidal effect of Preform 1.

As the disinfectant, the same disinfectant as in the first embodiment is used. Further, the gasification of the disinfectant is carried out by the disinfectant gas generator 55 as in the first embodiment. The amount of gas sprayed from the disinfectant is arbitrary, but when the disinfectant is hydrogen peroxide solution, the amount of hydrogen peroxide adhering to Preform 1 is the amount of hydrogen peroxide solution containing 35% by mass of hydrogen peroxide. The amount is preferably 0.001 μL / cm ^{2 to} 0.5 μL / cm ^2. If the amount of adhesion ^{is less than 0.001 μL / cm 2} , a sufficient bactericidal effect cannot be obtained. Further, when this adhesion amount ^{exceeds 0.5 μL / cm 2} , when the preform 1 is blow-molded into the bottle 2, whitening, spots, wrinkles, and deformation defects occur in the container 2, and the container 2 becomes excessive. Residual hydrogen peroxide increases.

As shown in FIG. 10 (J), the preform 1 to which the disinfectant gas has been sprayed may be gripped by the gripper 22 and aseptically air may be blown by the air blowing nozzle 85 while being conveyed. Depending on the type and amount of disinfectant, sterile air may not be sprayed.

By spraying sterile air, the bactericidal agent adhering to the surface of the preform 1 is activated, and bacteria and the like on the inner and outer surfaces of the preform 1 are sterilized. Further, by blowing sterile air, the bactericidal agent adhering to the preform 1 is quickly removed from the surface of the preform 1. The disinfectant adhering to the preform 1 is removed from the preform 1 by blowing sterile air before heating. In addition, foreign matter in the preform 1 is also removed by spraying sterile air onto the preform 1.

Aseptic air may be at room temperature, but by heating to make sterile hot air, the bactericidal effect is enhanced, and when the bactericidal agent contains hydrogen peroxide, the residual hydrogen peroxide in the preform 1 is also reduced. The aseptic air is preferably heated so that the temperature of the aseptic hot air sprayed on the preform 1 is 40 ° C. to 140 ° C. If the temperature is less than 40 ° C, the effect of heating is small, and if the temperature of the preform 1 exceeds 70 ° C, inconveniences such as deformation of the mouth 1a of the preform 1 occur. Therefore, the temperature of sterile hot air preferably does not exceed 140 ° C. ..

As shown in FIG. 10 (J), sterile air is blown out from the slit-shaped outlet 85a formed in the box-shaped manifold 85b that is the main body of the air blowing nozzle 85. Further, the air blowing nozzle 85 may be made to follow the preform 1 to blow sterile air to the preform 1. Further, the air blowing nozzle 85 may be formed into a rod shape and inserted into the preform 1, and sterile air may be blown into the preform 1 to remove foreign substances in the preform 1.

The disinfectant gas spraying on the preform 1 shown in FIG. 10 (I) is performed by the preform disinfectant gas spray nozzle 83 provided on the wheel 7 as shown in FIG. 9, and the preform 1 shown in FIG. 10 (J) is sprayed. Aseptic air is blown to the air through the air blowing nozzle 85 provided on the wheel 8 as shown in FIG. However, any of the steps may be performed on the wheel 7 or the wheel 8.

The preform 1 supplied to the heating unit 6 reaches the heating unit transfer wheel 9 shown in FIG. After that, the heating step of the preform 1 is the same as that of the first embodiment. As shown in FIG. 9, the heated preform 1 is conveyed to the molding unit 16 via the wheel 15. As shown in FIG. 9, the transport path of the wheel 15 is provided with a preform tunnel 86 that surrounds the transport path of the preform 1. The preform tunnel 86 covers the mouth portion 1a of the preform 1 from above, and the ceiling portion is formed like a roof having an inclined surface. Further, on the ceiling portion, nozzles for blowing sterile air toward the mouth portion 1a of the preform 1 are provided in a row or slit shape of a pipe. As a result, sterile air is efficiently supplied to the preform 1, and the preform 1 is delivered to the molding wheel 18 of the molding section 16 while maintaining sterility.

The molding process of the preform 1 delivered to the molding wheel 18 is the same as that of the first embodiment.

The molded container 2 is transported to the inspection unit 78 via the wheel 23, and the transport path in the wheel 23 is provided with a container tunnel 87 surrounding the transport path of the container 2 as shown in FIG. The container tunnel 87 covers the mouth portion 1a of the container 2 from above, and the ceiling portion is formed like a roof having an inclined surface. Further, on the ceiling portion, nozzles for blowing sterile air toward the mouth portion 1a of the container 2 are provided in a row or slit shape of pipes. As a result, sterile air is efficiently supplied to the container 2, and the container 2 is inside the molding section chamber 17 and can travel while maintaining sterility.

The container 2 is delivered to the inspection wheel 88 of the inspection unit 78 via the wheel 23. Only the container 2 whose inspection has confirmed that there is no defect is further conveyed to the filling unit 39. It is preferable that the container 2 is inspected by the inspection unit 78 so that an improper product is not produced by using the abnormal container 2 due to molding defects or the like. When an abnormality is found by the inspection, the container is discharged to the outside of the aseptic filling machine by the defective container discharge device 89 shown in FIG. Inspection equipment 24 for inspecting the container 2 is provided along the inspection wheels 88 and 90 of the inspection unit.

The inside of the inspection unit chamber 80 is sterilized before operation, and aseptic air is supplied during operation to maintain an aseptic atmosphere. In sterilization before the operation of the aseptic filling machine, the inspection equipment 24 is housed in a closed container so that the inspection equipment 24 for inspecting the container 2 does not come into contact with the disinfectant. This is to prevent the inspection equipment 24 from coming into contact with the disinfectant and causing corrosion or the like. That is, the inspection unit 78 includes inspection equipment 24 housed in a closed container. The inspection items and the inspection process are the same as those in the first embodiment, but since the container 2 has already been sterilized, it is not necessary to measure the temperature.

The container 2 determined to be abnormal by the inspection is provided on the discharge wheel 91 and is discharged to the outside of the aseptic filling machine by the discharge device 89, but the container 2 determined to be normal is conveyed to the filling unit 39 via the wheel 92. NS. The steps in the filling section 39, the sealing section 44, and the discharging section 47 are the same as those in the first embodiment.

Before the operation of the aseptic filling machine, the inside of the heating section chamber 12 and the molding section chamber 17 is sterilized. For example, as one of the sterilization methods, the inside of the heating section chamber 12 and the molding section chamber 17 is gas sterilized with air containing hydrogen peroxide at a concentration of 20 mg / L or less. In this case, the heating unit chamber 12 and the molding unit chamber 17 are provided with the disinfectant spraying nozzle 58 as shown in FIG. 5, as in the first embodiment. Further, the portion in contact with the preform 1 or the container 2 may be irradiated with a UV lamp (ultraviolet sterilization). Further, a liquid disinfectant is introduced into the preform 1 by a method such as dropping, and air or the like is blown into the preform 1 from the blow nozzle 21 while the disinfectant remains inside the preform 1. , The inside of the molding part chamber 17 may be sterilized by diffusing the bactericide into the molding part chamber 17. In the sterilization of the heating section chamber 12 and the molding section chamber 17 with hydrogen peroxide, it is not necessary to rinse the chambers with sterile water because the sterilizing agent is unlikely to remain.

Aseptic air is supplied into the heating section chamber 12 and the molding section chamber 17 in order to maintain the sterility in the heating section chamber 12 and the molding section chamber 17 during the operation of the aseptic filling machine. Similar to the first embodiment, the heating unit chamber 12 and the molding unit chamber 17 are provided with a sterile air supply device 60.

The inspection unit chamber 80 includes a disinfectant spray nozzle 58, a liquid spray nozzle 59, and a sterile air supply device 60, as in the first embodiment shown in FIG. Sterilization in the inspection unit chamber 80 before the operation of the aseptic filling machine is performed in the same manner as in each chamber in the first embodiment.

Cleaning and sterilization of the filling chamber 41, the sealing chamber 44, the discharging chamber 49, and the outlet chamber 53 are the same as those in the first embodiment. Since the contents of the filling chamber 41 are scattered in the chamber and are heavily contaminated, SOP treatment using a peracetic acid or alkaline solution as a bactericide is performed, so that cleaning with sterile water is required. However, since the contamination of the inspection chamber 80, the discharge chamber 49, and the outlet chamber 53 is limited, SOP treatment using only hydrogen peroxide may be performed. In this case, cleaning with sterile water is not necessary. I do not care. Therefore, the sterile water produced by the content sterilizer 66 is supplied to at least the filling chamber 41. Further, at least the filling chamber 41 is provided with a sterile water supply device 70 that supplies sterile water produced by the content sterilizer 66.

If the inside of the sealed chamber 46 is also contaminated with the contents, a SOP treatment is performed using a bactericidal agent such as peracetic acid or an alkaline solution containing caustic soda as a main component. Therefore, sterile water produced by the content sterilizer 66 is also supplied to the inside of the sealed chamber 46.

At least, when the filling chamber 41 is SOP-treated before the operation of the aseptic filling machine, the aseptic water is supplied to each chamber from the aseptic water supply device 70 after the disinfectant is sprayed on each chamber, and the disinfectant is washed away. Is done.

The embodiment according to the present application has been described by a sterile filling machine that molds preform 1 into a container 2, but it can also be applied to a sterile filling machine for cups, liquid paper containers, and film packaging in addition to the container for preform molding. be.

66 ... Sterilizer 67 ... Surge tank 68 ... Head tank 70 ... Aseptic water supply device 71 ... Aseptic water storage tank

Claims (6)

At least, a filling part for filling a container sterilized by a content sterilizer into a container sterilized in an aseptic atmosphere, and a sealing part for sealing the container filled with the contents with a sterilized lid material in a sterile atmosphere. Are sequentially provided, and at least a sterile filling machine including a filling portion chamber that shields the filling portion.
The aseptic water supply device is provided so that the aseptic water sterilized by the content sterilizer is not stored in a state of being cooled to 60 ° C. to 100 ° C. but is sprayed into at least the filling chamber of the aseptic filling machine. A sterile filling machine characterized by that. In the aseptic filling machine according to claim 1,
The aseptic water supply device includes a sterilizer that sterilizes the inside of a sterile water supply pipe that supplies the sterile water from the content sterilizer to at least the filling chamber with a sterilizer. In the aseptic filling machine according to claim 1 or 2.
An aseptic filling machine characterized in that a plurality of the contents sterilizers are provided. At least, a filling part for filling a container sterilized by a content sterilizer into a container sterilized in an aseptic atmosphere, and a sealing part for sealing the container filled with the contents with a sterilized lid material in a sterile atmosphere. Is a method for purifying a sterile filling machine, which is sequentially provided with, and at least includes a filling portion chamber that shields the filling portion.
By supplying sterile water sterilized by the content sterilizer in a state of being cooled to 60 ° C. to 100 ° C. without storing, the sterile water is sprayed into at least the filling chamber, and the inside of the filling chamber is filled. A method for purifying a sterile filling machine, which comprises purifying. In the method for purifying an aseptic filling machine according to claim 4,
A method for purifying a sterile filling machine, which comprises sterilizing the inside of a sterile water supply pipe for supplying the sterile water from the content sterilizer to at least the filling chamber with a sterilizing agent. In the method for purifying an aseptic filling machine according to claim 4 or 5.
A method for purifying an aseptic filling machine, which comprises supplying the aseptic water from at least one of a plurality or more of the contents sterilizers.

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