CN116615378A

CN116615378A - Container sterilization method, container sterilization device, and content filling system

Info

Publication number: CN116615378A
Application number: CN202180085519.2A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 早川睦
Original assignee: Dai Nippon Printing Co Ltd
Current assignee: Dai Nippon Printing Co Ltd
Priority date: 2020-12-17
Filing date: 2021-11-15
Publication date: 2023-08-18
Also published as: JP2022096392A; WO2022130868A1; JP2023181297A; JP7406728B2

Abstract

A container sterilization method, a container sterilization device and a content filling system. The container sterilization method of the present invention comprises: a conveying step of conveying a container (100) filled with a content and having a mouth (110); a nozzle insertion step of inserting a nozzle (90) for spraying a bactericide into the container (100) to be transported; a bactericide supply step for supplying a bactericide to a container (100) in which a nozzle (90) is inserted; and a top surface sterilization step of spraying a sterilizing agent from the nozzle (90) onto the top surface (115) of the mouth (110) of the container (100) at least one of before the nozzle insertion step and after the sterilizing agent supply step.

Description

Container sterilization method, container sterilization device, and content filling system

Technical Field

The present disclosure relates to a container sterilization method, a container sterilization apparatus, and a content filling system.

Background

There is known a sterile filling system (fitment filling system) that fills sterilized contents into sterilized containers (PET bottles) in a sterile environment and then caps the containers with caps.

Specifically, in the aseptic filling system, the molded container is supplied to the aseptic filling system, and in the aseptic filling system, an aqueous hydrogen peroxide solution as a sterilizing agent is sprayed onto the container. It is then dried, the container is sterilized, and the contents are then aseptically filled into the container. As a sterilization method for sterilizing a container, for example, a sterilization method for sterilizing a PET bottle after inserting a nozzle into the PET bottle is known (for example, refer to patent document 1).

However, in sterilizing a container, it is required to sterilize not only the inner surface of the container but also the top surface of the mouth of the container.

Prior art literature

Patent literature

Patent document 1 (Japanese patent publication No. 4526820)

The present disclosure has been made in view of the above, and an object thereof is to provide a container sterilization method, a container sterilization apparatus, and a content filling system capable of efficiently sterilizing the inner surface of a container and the top surface of the mouth portion of the container.

Disclosure of Invention

The container sterilization method according to one aspect of the present invention comprises: a conveying step of conveying a container filled with a content and having a mouth; a nozzle insertion step of inserting a nozzle for spraying a sterilizing agent into the container to be transported; a bactericide supply step of supplying the bactericide to the container in which the nozzle is inserted; and a top surface sterilization step of spraying the sterilizing agent from the nozzle onto the top surface of the mouth portion of the container at least one of before the nozzle insertion step and after the sterilizing agent supply step.

In the container sterilization method according to one aspect of the present invention, in the top surface sterilization step, a distance between the top surface of the mouth portion and the tip end of the nozzle may be 2mm or more and 100mm or less.

In the container sterilization method according to one aspect of the present invention, in the top surface sterilization step, the time for spraying the sterilizing agent from the nozzle may be 0.1 seconds or more and 5.0 seconds or less.

In the container sterilization method of one aspect of the present invention, the nozzle includes: a small diameter portion that forms a tip of the nozzle; a large diameter portion provided upstream of the small diameter portion in the flow direction of the bactericide, the large diameter portion having a larger inner diameter than the small diameter portion; and a reduced diameter portion located between the large diameter portion and the small diameter portion, the reduced diameter portion having a gradually smaller inner diameter toward a downstream side in a flow direction of the bactericide.

In the container sterilization method according to the aspect of the present invention, when D1 is the inner diameter of the mouth portion and D1 is the outer diameter of the nozzle, the relationship of 2 mm.ltoreq.d1—d1.ltoreq.25 mm may be satisfied.

In the container sterilization method according to the aspect of the present invention, the nozzle may be provided with a flange portion protruding radially from the nozzle and an annular wall portion protruding from a peripheral edge of the flange portion toward a distal end side of the nozzle, and the wall portion may cover at least a part of an outer surface of the mouth portion when the nozzle is inserted into the container.

In the container sterilization method according to the aspect of the present invention, when D2 is the inner diameter of the wall portion and D2 is the outer diameter of the mouth portion at the upper end of the mouth portion, the relationship of 5 mm.ltoreq.d2—d2.ltoreq.30 mm may be satisfied.

In the container sterilization method according to the aspect of the present invention, a tapered surface may be formed between the tip of the nozzle and the outer surface of the nozzle.

In the container sterilization method according to an aspect of the present invention, the mouth portion of the container may include a screw portion and a support ring provided below the screw portion, the support ring being disposed between a first imaginary line extending radially outward in a horizontal direction from a front end of the nozzle and a second imaginary line extending radially outward in the tapered surface from the front end of the nozzle in a vertical cross section when the nozzle is inserted into the container.

In the container sterilization method according to the aspect of the present invention, in the sterilant supply step, the sterilant may be supplied to the container while the support ring is held from below.

In the container sterilization method according to one aspect of the present invention, a preheating step of heating the container may be further provided between the nozzle insertion step and the sterilant supply step.

In the container sterilization method according to an aspect of the present invention, in the preheating process, the container may be heated by hot air or infrared rays.

The container sterilization device according to one aspect of the present invention comprises: a transport mechanism for transporting a container filled with a content and having a mouth; a supply unit that supplies a sterilizing agent to the container conveyed by the conveying mechanism, the supply unit having a nozzle for spraying the sterilizing agent, the nozzle supplying the sterilizing agent to the container in a state of being inserted into the container, and spraying the sterilizing agent to a top surface of the mouth portion of the container in a state of not being inserted into the container.

In the container sterilization apparatus according to one aspect of the present invention, when the nozzle sprays the sterilizing agent onto the top surface, a distance between the top surface of the mouth portion and a tip end of the nozzle may be 2mm or more and 100mm or less.

In the container sterilization apparatus according to the aspect of the present invention, the time for the nozzle to spray the sterilizing agent onto the top surface may be 0.1 seconds or more and 5.0 seconds or less.

In the container sterilization apparatus of an aspect of the present invention, the nozzle may include: a small diameter portion that forms a tip of the nozzle; a large diameter portion provided upstream of the small diameter portion in the flow direction of the bactericide, the large diameter portion having a larger inner diameter than the small diameter portion; and a reduced diameter portion located between the large diameter portion and the small diameter portion, the reduced diameter portion having a gradually smaller inner diameter toward a downstream side in a flow direction of the bactericide.

In the container sterilization apparatus according to the aspect of the present invention, when D1 is the inner diameter of the mouth portion and D1 is the outer diameter of the nozzle, the relationship of 2 mm.ltoreq.d1—d1.ltoreq.25mm may be satisfied.

In the container sterilization apparatus according to one aspect of the present invention, the nozzle may be provided with a flange portion protruding radially from the nozzle and an annular wall portion protruding from a peripheral edge of the flange portion toward a distal end side of the nozzle, and the wall portion may cover at least a part of an outer surface of the mouth portion when the nozzle is inserted into the container.

In the container sterilization apparatus according to the aspect of the present invention, when D2 is the inner diameter of the wall portion and D2 is the outer diameter of the mouth portion at the upper end of the mouth portion, the relationship of 5mm < D2-D2 < 30mm may be satisfied.

In the container sterilization apparatus according to an aspect of the present invention, a tapered surface may be formed between a tip end of the nozzle and an outer surface of the nozzle.

In the container sterilization apparatus according to one aspect of the present invention, the mouth portion of the container may include a screw portion and a support ring provided below the screw portion, and the support ring may be disposed between a first virtual line extending radially outward in a horizontal direction from a front end of the nozzle and a second virtual line extending radially outward in the tapered surface from the front end of the nozzle in a vertical cross section when the nozzle is inserted into the container.

In the container sterilization apparatus according to one aspect of the present invention, the transport mechanism may have a holding member that holds the container, and the holding member holds the support ring from below.

In the container sterilization apparatus according to one aspect of the present invention, the supply unit may heat the container before the sterilizing agent is supplied to the container.

In the container sterilization apparatus according to one aspect of the present invention, the supply unit may heat the container by hot air or infrared rays.

The content filling system according to one aspect of the present invention includes: a container sterilization apparatus of one aspect; a filling device for filling the container with the content; and a cap mounting means for capping the container with a cap.

According to the present disclosure, the inner surface of the container and the top surface of the container mouth can be effectively sterilized.

Drawings

Fig. 1 is a schematic plan view showing a content filling system according to the present embodiment.

Fig. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the container sterilization apparatus according to the present embodiment.

Fig. 3 is a schematic plan view showing the container sterilization apparatus according to the present embodiment.

Fig. 4 is a schematic front view showing an enlarged view of a nozzle of the container sterilization apparatus according to the present embodiment.

Fig. 5 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the relationship between a nozzle and a bottle of the container sterilization apparatus according to the present embodiment.

Fig. 6 is a flowchart showing a content filling method using the content filling system according to the present embodiment.

Fig. 7 is a schematic front view showing a content filling method using the content filling system according to the present embodiment.

Fig. 8 is a flowchart showing a modification of the content filling method using the content filling system according to the present embodiment.

Detailed Description

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Fig. 1 to 7 are diagrams showing an embodiment of the present invention.

(content filling System)

First, a content filling system (sterile filling system, fitment filling system) according to an embodiment will be described with reference to fig. 1.

The content filling system 10 shown in fig. 1 is a system for filling a bottle (container) 100 having a mouth 110 shown in fig. 4) filled with a content such as a beverage. The bottle 100 can be produced by biaxially stretching and blow molding a preform produced by injection molding a synthetic resin material. Alternatively, the bottle 100 may be produced by direct blow molding. As a material of the bottle 100, a thermoplastic resin is preferably used, and PE (polyethylene), PP (polypropylene), PET (polyethylene terephthalate), or PEN (polyethylene naphthalate) is particularly preferably used. Further, the container may be glass, can, paper, bag, or a composite container thereof. In this embodiment, a case where a bottle is used as a container will be described as an example.

As shown in fig. 1, the content filling system 10 includes a bottle forming section 30, a sterilizing device (container sterilizing device) 11, a gas flushing device 14, a sterile water flushing device 15, a filling device (filler) 20, a cap mounting device (cap, wind-up and bolt-removing machine) 16, and a product bottle carrying-out section 22. The bottle forming section 30, the sterilizing device 11, the gas flushing device 14, the sterile water flushing device 15, the filling device 20, the cap mounting device 16, and the product bottle carrying-out section 22 are disposed in this order from the upstream side to the downstream side in the conveying direction of the bottle 100. A plurality of conveying wheels 12 for conveying the bottle 100 between the adjustment conveying unit 5, the sterilizing device 11, the gas flushing device 4, the sterile water flushing device 15, the filling device 20, and the cap mounting device 16, which will be described later, are provided between these devices.

The bottle molding unit 30 is a unit that sequentially receives the preforms 100a from the outside, molds the bottles 100, and conveys and supplies the molded bottles 100 to the sterilization apparatus 11. Thus, the bottle molding section 30 is configured to receive the preform 100a and mold the bottle 100. As a result, in the content filling system 10, the steps from the supply of the preform 00a through the molding of the bottle 100 to the filling of the bottle 100 with the content and the capping can be continuously performed. In this case, since the preform 100a having a small volume can be transported from the outside to the content filling system 10 instead of the bottle 100 having a large volume, the transport cost can be reduced.

The bottle forming section 30 includes: a preform conveying section 31 that conveys the preform 100a; a blow molding unit 32 that performs blow molding on the preform 100a to mold the bottle 100; and a bottle conveying unit 33 for conveying the molded bottle 100.

The preform conveying section 31 includes a receiving section 34, a heating section 35, and a delivery section 36. The receiving portion 34 is a portion that receives the preform 100a supplied from the preform supply device 1 via the preform supply conveyor 2. The receiving portion 34 is provided with a preform sterilization device 34a for sterilizing the preform 100 a. By this preform sterilization device 34a, mist or gas of the aqueous hydrogen peroxide solution is blown onto the preform 100a, and the preform 100a is sterilized (pre-sterilized).

As a sterilizing agent for sterilizing the preform 100a, a property of inactivating microorganisms may be provided. For example, in addition to hydrogen peroxide, peracetic acid, acetic acid, peroxynitric acid, nitric acid, a chlorine-based chemical, alcohols such as sodium hydroxide, potassium hydroxide, ethanol, and isopropyl alcohol, chlorine dioxide, ozone water, acidic water, and a surfactant may be used alone, or two or more of them may be used in combination.

The heating portion 35 of the preform conveying portion 31 is a portion that receives the preform 100a from the receiving portion 34 and heats the preform 100a while conveying. The heater 35a for heating the preform 100a is provided in the heating section 35. The heater 35a may be, for example, an infrared heater. By this heater 35a, the preform 100a is heated to, for example, 90 ℃ or higher and 130 ℃ or lower. In order to prevent deformation, the mouth temperature of the preform 100a is suppressed to 70 ℃ or lower.

The transfer section 36 of the preform conveying section 31 is a section that receives the preform 100a heated by the heating section 35 and transfers it to the blow molding section 32.

The blow molding portion 32 includes a mold, not shown, and performs blow molding on the preform 100a by using the mold to mold the bottle 100.

An adjustment conveying unit 5 is provided between the bottle forming unit 30 and the sterilization apparatus 11. The adjustment conveying unit 5 is a portion that receives the bottle 100 from the bottle conveying unit 33 of the bottle forming unit 30 and delivers the bottle 100 to the sterilization apparatus 11. At least a part of the adjustment conveying unit 5 is housed in an ambient gas shielding chamber 70b described later. In the illustrated example, the adjustment conveying unit 5 is disposed so as to span a molding unit chamber 70a described later and an ambient gas shielding chamber 70b described later.

In the illustrated example, a single conveying wheel 12 is provided between the adjustment conveying unit 5 and the bottle conveying unit 33 of the bottle forming unit 30. That is, the bottle conveying section 33 of the bottle forming section 30, the single conveying wheel 12, and the adjustment conveying section 5 are provided between the blow molding section 32 of the bottle forming section 30 and the sterilizing apparatus 11. As a result, the content filling system 10 can be made compact as compared with the case where a plurality of conveying wheels 12 are provided between the adjustment conveying section 5 and the bottle conveying section 33 of the bottle forming section 30. Although not shown, only the adjustment conveying section 5 may be provided between the blow molding section 32 of the bottle molding section 30 and the sterilization apparatus 11. At this time, the content filling system 10 can be made more compact.

The sterilization device 11 is a device for sterilizing the inside of the bottle 100 by spraying a sterilizing agent into the bottle 100. Thus, the bottle 100 is sterilized by the sterilizing agent before the content is filled. As the bactericide, for example, an aqueous hydrogen peroxide solution is used. In the sterilization apparatus 11, mist or gas of the aqueous hydrogen peroxide solution is generated, and the mist or gas is sprayed onto the inner and outer surfaces of the bottle 100. Thus, the bottle 100 is sterilized by the mist or gas of the aqueous hydrogen peroxide solution, so that the inner and outer surfaces of the bottle 100 are uniformly sterilized.

The gas purging device 14 is a device that activates hydrogen peroxide and removes foreign substances, hydrogen peroxide, and the like from inside the bottle 100 by supplying a sterile heating gas or a normal temperature gas to the bottle 100. In the gas flushing device 14, if necessary, a condensed mist of low-concentration hydrogen peroxide may be mixed with a normal-temperature sterilized gas to gasify the hydrogen peroxide, and the mixture may be supplied to the bottle 100. The gas flushing device 14 may have a configuration substantially similar to that of the sterilizing device 11 shown in fig. 2 described later.

The sterile water washing device 15 is a device for washing the bottle 100 sterilized by hydrogen peroxide as a sterilizing agent with water at 15 ℃ to 85 ℃ based on sterility. Thereby, the hydrogen peroxide adhering to the bottle 100 is rinsed and foreign matter is removed.

The filling device 200 is a device for filling the bottle 100 with the content that has been sterilized in advance from the mouth 110 of the bottle 100. In this filling device 20, the empty bottle 100 is filled with the content. In this filling device 20, while rotating and transporting a plurality of bottles 100, the inside of the bottles 100 is filled with the contents.

The cap mounting device 16 is a device for capping the bottle 100 by mounting the cap 80 on the mouth 110 of the bottle 100. In the cap mounting device 16, the mouth 110 of the bottle 100 is capped by the cap 80. This seals the bottle 100 so that external air and microorganisms do not enter the bottle 100. In the cap mounting device 16, the cap 80 is mounted on the mouth 110 of the bottle 100 filled with the content while rotating (revolving). Thus, by attaching the cap 80 to the mouth 110 of the bottle 100, the product bottle 101 is obtained.

The cover 80 is sterilized in advance by the cover sterilizing device 18. The cap sterilization device 18 is disposed outside a sterile chamber 70f (described later) and in the vicinity of the cap mounting device 16, for example. In the cap sterilization device 18, a plurality of caps 80 carried in from the outside of the content filling system 10 are collected in advance and conveyed in a row to the cap mounting device 16. While the cover 80 is facing the cover mounting device 16, mist or gas of hydrogen peroxide is blown onto the inner and outer surfaces of the cover 80. Then, the cover 80 is subjected to sterilization treatment by drying the cover 80 with hot air.

The product bottle carrying-out section 22 is a section for continuously carrying out the product bottles 101 with the caps 80 attached thereto by the cap attaching device 16 to the outside of the content filling system 10.

The content filling system 10 further includes a molding portion chamber 70a, an ambient gas shielding chamber 70b, a sterilizing agent spraying chamber 70c, a first sterilizing agent removing chamber 70d, a second sterilizing agent removing chamber 70e, a sterilizing chamber 70f, and an outlet chamber 70g. The blow molding portion 32 of the bottle molding portion 30 is accommodated in the molding portion chamber 70 a.

At least a part of the adjustment conveying unit 5 is housed in the ambient gas shielding chamber 70b. As described above, in the present embodiment, the content filling system 10 includes the ambient gas shielding chamber 70b that accommodates at least a part of the adjustment conveying unit 5 therein. This can prevent the sterilizing agent gas or mist or a mixture thereof generated in the sterilizing agent spraying chamber 70c from flowing into the molding chamber 70a of the accommodating bottle molding portion 30.

Here, the camera may be disposed inside the ambient gas shielding chamber 70 b. Further, by using a camera, it is possible to check whether or not the bottle 100 has no problem in molding. A thermometer may be provided in the ambient gas shielding chamber 70 b. The temperature of the bottle 100 before sterilization can also be measured by the thermometer. Here, the temperature of the bottle 100 is an important factor for the sterilization efficiency of the bottle 100. That is, by maintaining the temperature of the bottle 100 at an appropriate temperature, the sterilization efficiency of the bottle 100 can be improved. Therefore, by measuring the temperature of the bottle 100 before sterilization by the thermometer, the temperature of the bottle 100 at the time of sterilization can be maintained at an appropriate temperature, and the sterilization efficiency of the bottle 100 can be improved.

The sterilizing device 11 is housed in the sterilizing agent spraying chamber 70 c. A pressure gauge 71 (see fig. 2) for measuring the pressure in the sterilizing agent spray chamber 70c is attached to the sterilizing agent spray chamber 70 c.

Further, the gas flushing device 14 is housed in the first sterilizing agent removal chamber 70 d. In addition, the sterile water flushing device 15 is housed in the second sterilizing agent removal chamber 70 e.

Further, the filling device 20 and the cap mounting device 16 are housed in the aseptic chamber 70 f. Further, the product bottle carrying-out portion 22 is housed in the outlet chamber 70 g.

As described above, the pressure gauge 71 (see fig. 2) for measuring the pressure in the sterilizing agent spray chamber 70c is attached to the sterilizing agent spray chamber 70 c. In each chamber other than the sterilizing agent spraying chamber 70c, a pressure gauge (not shown) for measuring the internal pressure of the filling environment is attached at least to the inside of the aseptic chamber 70 f. Further, a pressure gauge for measuring the internal pressure may be attached to the molding portion chamber 70a, the ambient gas shielding chamber 70b, the first sterilizing agent removing chamber 70d, the second sterilizing agent removing chamber 70e, and/or the outlet chamber 70 g.

Such a content filling system 10 may be constituted by a sterile filling system, for example. In this case, the inside of the sterilizing agent spraying chamber 70c, the first sterilizing agent removing chamber 70d, the second sterilizing agent removing chamber 70e, the sterilizing chamber 70f, and the outlet chamber 70g is maintained in a sterile state. In the illustrated example, the transport wheel 12 provided between the sterilization device 11 and the gas flushing device 14 may be disposed in a sterile space surrounded by the chamber wall 12 a. Likewise, the transfer wheel 12 provided between the gas flushing device 14 and the sterile water flushing device 15 may be disposed in a sterile space surrounded by the chamber wall 12 a. A chamber (not shown) connecting the aseptic zone in the aseptic state and the non-aseptic zone in the non-aseptic state may be provided downstream of the outlet chamber 70 g.

Next, a sterilizing apparatus (container sterilizing apparatus) 11 according to the present embodiment will be described in detail with reference to fig. 2. Fig. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the sterilization apparatus 11. As shown in fig. 2, the sterilization apparatus 11 includes a conveying mechanism 40 for conveying bottles 100 and a supply unit 50 for supplying a sterilizing agent to the bottles 100 conveyed by the conveying mechanism 40. In the present embodiment, the conveying mechanism 40 includes a rotatable wheel 41 and a gripper (holding member) 42 coupled to the wheel 41 and conveying the bottle 100 while holding the bottle.

The wheel 41 is configured to rotate by power from a predetermined drive source, and is mounted on a rotation shaft 44 standing on the machine 43 so that the disk surface is parallel to the horizontal plane. The stay 45 extends upward from the disk surface of the wheel 41, and a manifold 52 described later of the supply unit 50 is connected to the upper end of the stay 45.

The other strut 48 extends upward from the disk surface of the wheel 41, and the holder 42 for the bottle 100 is attached to the upper portion of the strut 48. The support column 48 and the holder 42 are arranged around the wheel 41 at predetermined intervals. The plurality of holders 42 are coupled to the wheel 41 via the strut 48 and rotate together with the rotation of the wheel 41. Further, around the wheel 41, a tunnel 49 is provided so as to surround the passage of the bottle 100 held by the holder 42. The sterilizing agent sprayed from a nozzle 90 described later is retained in the tunnel 49, and the outer surface of the bottle 100 is completely sterilized by passing the bottle 100 through the tunnel 49.

Further, the tunnel 49 is provided, so that the outer surface of the bottle 100 can be effectively sterilized, but the tunnel 49 may not be provided. In this case, for example, a chamber wall is provided between the wheel 41 and the wheels (in the example shown in fig. 1, the conveying wheels 12 disposed on both sides of the sterilizing device 11) disposed on both sides of the wheel 41. Further, by forming a space having a compact volume by the chamber wall, the outer surface of the bottle 100 can be effectively sterilized.

Next, the supply unit 50 of the sterilization apparatus 11 will be described. The supply unit 50 is a portion for supplying a sterilizing agent to at least the inner surface of the bottle 100. The supply unit 50 may supply the sterilizing agent to the inner and outer surfaces of the bottle 100. The supply unit 50 has a nozzle 90 for spraying the bactericide. The nozzle 90 is attached to the pillar 48 so as to be movable in the vertical direction, and an opening of a tip 90a (see fig. 4 and 5) thereof is opposed to a mouth 110 (see fig. 4 and 5) of the bottle 100 held by the holder 42. The nozzle 90 is configured to be inserted into the bottle 100 by being moved in the up-down direction. According to such a structure, when the wheel 41 rotates, the nozzle 90 rotates around the rotation shaft 44 together with the bottle 100 held by the holder 42. The nozzle 90 is configured to blow a sterilizing agent (hydrogen peroxide gas) onto the bottle 100 while moving in synchronization with the bottle 100 conveyed by the gripper 42 of the conveying mechanism 40.

However, the holder (holding member) 42 preferably holds the support ring 112 of the bottle 100 from below. That is, the gripper 42 preferably grips the portion below the support ring 112. Here, the nozzle 90 is lowered, and when blowing the sterilizing agent into the bottle 100, the bottle 100 is pressed downward by the air pressure of the sterilizing agent. Therefore, by gripping the portion below the support ring 112 by the gripper 42, the amount of air supplied by the sterilizing agent is increased, and even when the internal pressure of the bottle 100 is increased, the horizontal position of the bottle 100 can be suppressed from being shifted downward. Thus, the bottle 100 can be transferred to the next wheel without problems.

The supply unit 50 has a manifold 52 into which hydrogen peroxide gas flows. The duct 53 extends upward from the upper center of the manifold 52 on the extension line of the axial center of the rotary shaft 44. The duct 53 is held by a frame member of the sterilizing agent spraying chamber 70c connected to the machine 43 via a bearing 54. Thereby, the manifold 52 can rotate around the rotation shaft 44 integrally with the wheel 41.

The hydrogen peroxide gas supply pipes 55 extend from the periphery of the manifold 52 to the holders 42. The nozzle 90 is attached to the tip of each supply pipe 55.

A conduit 57 is connected to the upper end of the conduit 53 of the manifold 52 via a sealing member 56. The duct 53 rotates integrally with the manifold 52 with respect to the duct 57, and the seal member 56 prevents leakage of the hydrogen peroxide gas from the joint between the two pipes 53, 57. A valve 58a for controlling the passage of hydrogen peroxide gas in the conduit 57 is attached to the conduit 57. The conduit 57 is provided with a pressure gauge P for measuring the pressure in the nozzle 90, a concentration gauge C for measuring the concentration of the hydrogen peroxide gas, a thermometer T for measuring the temperature of the hydrogen peroxide gas, and a wind meter F for measuring the wind volume of the hydrogen peroxide gas.

A gas supply device including a blower 60, a HEPA filter (High Efficiency Particulate Air Filter: high efficiency particulate gas filter) 61, and an electric heater 62 is provided upstream of the duct 57. A hydrogen peroxide adding device 63 is incorporated in one or both of the front and rear sides of the electric heater 62. In the case where the hydrogen peroxide adding device 63 is provided on the downstream side of the electric heater 62, the hydrogen peroxide adding device 63 may add hydrogen peroxide to the pipe in a gaseous state. If the hydrogen peroxide added to the pipe is not in a gaseous state, the residual value of the hydrogen peroxide in the bottle 100 tends to increase. On the other hand, when the hydrogen peroxide adding device 63 is provided upstream of the electric heater 62, the hydrogen peroxide converting device 3 may add hydrogen peroxide in a liquid state such as a spray into the pipe. At this time, the set temperature of the electric heater 62 is preferably equal to or higher than the boiling point of the supplied sterilizing agent, but may be set to 100 ℃ or higher (preferably 130 ℃ or higher) depending on the sterilization strength of the bottle 100. Further, another electric heater may be provided further upstream of the hydrogen peroxide adding device 63, and the liquid hydrogen peroxide may be sprayed onto the sterilized hot air (80 ℃ or higher). Alternatively, the hydrogen peroxide adding device 63 may be incorporated in both the front and rear sides of the electric heater 62.

Here, the bottle 100 is made of PET (polyethylene terephthalate) and is likely to adsorb hydrogen peroxide and the residual value is likely to increase, but when the bottle is made of HDPE (high density polyethylene), the amount of hydrogen peroxide adsorbed is extremely small, and is 1/20 or more and 1/5 or less of that of PET (polyethylene terephthalate). Therefore, when the material of the bottle 100 is HDPE (high density polyethylene), not only a method of vaporizing hydrogen peroxide water and adding the vaporized hydrogen peroxide water to a sterile gas but also a method of spraying hydrogen peroxide water and mixing the hydrogen peroxide water with the gas may be employed. The hydrogen peroxide gas is supplied into the manifold 52 through the pipe 57, and is blown out from the nozzle 90 to the bottle 100 through the supply pipe 55, thereby sterilizing the bottle 100. The bactericide may be one containing hydrogen peroxide in an amount of 1% or more. As the bactericide, a bactericide obtained by diluting 35% hydrogen peroxide water with ethanol may be used.

When hydrogen peroxide is used as the sterilizing agent, a stabilizer contained in the hydrogen peroxide component is accumulated in the pipe 57. Therefore, in order to prevent clogging of the nozzle 90 due to the stabilizer accumulated in the pipe 57, the cleaning liquid such as water, alkali, or acid may be flowed to the supply unit 50, and the supply unit 50 may be configured to be CIP (Cleaning In Place: clean in place). In the illustrated example, a conduit 64 for CIP and a valve 58b for controlling the passage of cleaning liquid in the conduit 64 are attached to the upstream side of the valve 58 a. The conduit 64 for CIP may be attached to one or both of the front and rear sides of the hydrogen peroxide adding device 63, or the conduit 64 for CIP may be directly attached to the hydrogen peroxide adding device 63. On the other hand, in order to prevent the chemical used in CIP from contacting the blower 60, HEPA filter 61, and electric heater 62, it is preferable that the chemical not flow upstream. In this case, for example, a valve may be provided between the device such as the blower 60 and the conduit 64 for CIP.

Next, the nozzle 90 of the supply unit 50 will be described in more detail. The nozzle 90 of the present embodiment is configured to be inserted into the bottle 100, thereby making the bottle 100 slightly positive in pressure. At this time, by inserting the nozzle 90 into the bottle 100, the static pressure in the conduit 57 connected to the nozzle 90 is substantially the same as the pressure in the bottle 100. Therefore, when the nozzle 90 is inserted into the bottle 100 to make the bottle 100 slightly positive in pressure, the static pressure in the conduit 57 increases. As a result, the flow rate of the bactericide sprayed from the nozzle 90 can be increased when the bactericide is blown out from the mouth 110 of the bottle 100. Thus, when the sterilizing agent is sprayed from the nozzle 90 into the bottle 100, the temperature of the bottle 100 can be effectively increased. As described above, the pressure in the bottle 100 is substantially the same as the static pressure in the pipe 57. Therefore, the pressure in the bottle 100 can be measured by the pressure gauge P attached to the pipe 57.

The nozzle 90 maintains the pressure in the bottle 100 at 1kPa or more and 20kPa or less. The nozzle 90 maintains the pressure in the bottle 100 at 1kPa or more, so that the flow rate of the sterilizing agent sprayed from the nozzle 90 when the sterilizing agent is blown out from the mouth 110 of the bottle 100 can be made faster, and the temperature of the bottle 100 can be increased more effectively. In addition, the nozzle 90 maintains the pressure in the bottle 100 at 20kPa or less, and can suppress deformation of the bottle 100 even when the bottle 100 is thinned.

In this case, the pressure in the nozzle 90 is raised by 0.01kPa to 2.0kPa (preferably 0.05kPa to 1.5 kPa) by inserting the nozzle 90 into the bottle 100. That is, by inserting the nozzle 90 into the bottle 100, the static pressure in the duct 57 is raised by 0.01kPa to 2.0kPa (preferably 0.05kPa to 1.5 kPa). By increasing the pressure in the nozzle 90 by 0.01kPa or more, the flow rate of the sterilizing agent sprayed from the nozzle 90 when it is blown out from the mouth 110 of the bottle 100 can be made faster, and the temperature of the bottle 100 can be increased more effectively. In addition, by increasing the pressure in the nozzle 90 to 2.0kPa or less, deformation of the bottle 100 when spraying the sterilizing agent from the nozzle 90 can be suppressed.

Here, in the sterilization apparatus 11, the proportion of the nozzles 90 inserted into the bottle 100 among the plurality of nozzles 90 may be 56% or more and 86% or less. In other words, as shown in fig. 3, the center angle θ1 of a sector (region shown by hatching) of a trajectory forming an arc of a circle of the bottle 100 into which the nozzle 90 is inserted is preferably 200 ° or more and 310 ° or less. In other words, the rotation angle θ1 of the rotation in a state where one nozzle 90 is inserted into the interior of the bottle 100 is preferably 200 ° or more and 310 ° or less. By setting the center angle (rotation angle) θ1 to 200 ° or more, the number of nozzles 90 inserted into the bottle 100 can be increased. This effectively increases the static pressure in the duct 57. Further, by setting the center angle θ1 to 310 ° or less, it is possible to eliminate a poor transfer between the transfer wheel 12 that transfers the bottle 100 to the sterilization apparatus 11 and the transfer wheel 12 that receives the bottle 100 from the sterilization apparatus 11, which is caused by interference or so-called container vibration. In the present specification, "container vibration" means that the bottle 100 is vibrated by the sterilizing agent blown from the nozzle 90.

As shown in fig. 4, the nozzle 90 includes a small diameter portion 91, a large diameter portion 92, and a reduced diameter portion 93. The small diameter portion 91 is a portion constituting the tip 90a of the nozzle 90. The large diameter portion 92 is located upstream of the small diameter portion 91 in the flow direction of the bactericide, and has a larger inner diameter than the small diameter portion 91. The reduced diameter portion 93 is a portion located between the large diameter portion 92 and the small diameter portion 91, and has an inner diameter that gradually decreases toward the downstream side in the flow direction of the bactericide. In this way, since the nozzle 90 includes the small diameter portion 91, the large diameter portion 92, and the reduced diameter portion 93, the flow rate of the sterilizing agent blown from the nozzle 90 can be increased.

Thus, the inner diameter dn1 of the small diameter portion 91 may be, for example, 2mm to 15mm, or preferably 3mm to 10 mm. By setting the inner diameter dn1 of the small diameter portion 91 to 2mm or more, the sterilizing agent sprayed from the nozzle 90 can be effectively adhered not only to the inner surface but also to the outer surface of the bottle 100. Therefore, not only the inner surface of the bottle 100 but also the outer surface of the bottle 100 can be sterilized. Further, by setting the inner diameter dn1 of the small diameter portion 91 to 15mm or less, the sterilizing agent can be effectively blown onto the inner surface of the bottle 100, and as will be described later, the bottle 100 can be sterilized while being heated to a desired temperature. The inner diameter dn2 of the large diameter portion 92 may be, for example, 5mm to 30 mm.

The length of the small diameter portion 91 of the nozzle 90 is preferably 5mm to 400 mm. By setting the length of the small diameter portion 91 to 5mm or more, the propulsive force of the bactericide gas can be maintained satisfactorily. In addition, by setting the length of the small diameter portion 91 to 400mm or less, the length of the nozzle 90 can be suppressed from becoming too long, and the lifting time of the nozzle 90 can be shortened. Therefore, the nozzle 90 can be maintained in a slightly lowered state. Here, the internal pressure of the bottle 100 and the static pressure in the pipe 57 connected to the nozzle 90 are each maximized in a state where the nozzle 90 is lowered. Therefore, by setting the length of the small diameter portion 91 to 400mm or less, the internal pressure of the bottle 100 and the static pressure in the pipe 57 connected to the nozzle 90 can be kept slightly longer.

The nozzle 90 is provided with a flange 95 protruding radially from the nozzle 90 and an annular wall 96 protruding from the periphery of the flange 95 toward the tip 90a of the nozzle 90. In the case of such umbrella nozzle 90, the hot air blown out of the bottle 100 from the mouth 110 of the bottle 100 can be guided to the outer peripheral side of the mouth 110 among the hot air supplied into the bottle 100. This can effectively preheat and sterilize the mouth 110. Therefore, the interface between the outer surface and the inner surface of the bottle 100 (the top surface 115 (see fig. 5) of the mouth 110) and the like can be sterilized efficiently and reliably.

Here, as shown in fig. 5, the flange portion 95 includes an opposing surface 95a that opposes the mouth portion 110 of the bottle 100 when the nozzle 90 is inserted into the bottle 100. The opposing surface 95a includes a curved surface 95b recessed toward a side away from the mouth 110. This effectively guides the hot air blown out of the mouth 110 of the bottle 100 to the outside of the bottle 100 to the outer peripheral side of the mouth 110. The radius of curvature R of the curved surface 95b may be 1mm or more and 5mm or less.

Next, the relationship between the nozzle 90 and the mouth 110 of the bottle 100 will be described in more detail. Here, the mouth 110 of the bottle 100 includes a screw portion 111 screwed on the cap 80, and a support ring 112 provided below the screw portion 111.

As described above, the nozzle 90 is inserted into the bottle 100. As shown in fig. 5, when the nozzle 90 is inserted into the bottle 100, the insertion amount L1 of the nozzle 90 into the bottle 100 in the up-down direction (in the direction along the central axis of the bottle 100) may be, for example, 5mm or more and 50mm or less. By setting the insertion amount L1 to 5mm or more, the pressure in the bottle 100 can be effectively increased when the nozzle 90 is inserted into the bottle 100. In addition, by setting the insertion amount L1 to 50mm or less, the moving distance of the nozzle 90 in the up-down direction can be shortened, and the time required for supplying the bactericide can be shortened. In addition, by setting the insertion amount L1 to 50mm or less, it is possible to suppress blowing of the high-temperature bactericide to the bottom of the bottle 100, and thus it is possible to suppress deformation of the bottom of the bottle 100.

When D1 is the inner diameter of the mouth 110 of the bottle 100 and D1 is the outer diameter of the nozzle 90, the relationship of 2 mm.ltoreq.d1 to d1.ltoreq.25 mm is preferably satisfied.

This can effectively increase the pressure in the bottle 100 when the nozzle 90 is inserted into the bottle 100. In addition, the flow rate of the sterilizing agent sprayed from the nozzle 90 can be increased when the sterilizing agent is blown out from the mouth 110 of the bottle 100, and the temperature of the bottle 100 can be increased more effectively. In addition, when the sterilizing agent is sprayed from the nozzle 90, deformation of the bottle 100 can be suppressed. Here, in the present specification, the "outer diameter D1 of the nozzle" refers to an outer diameter of a portion of the outer diameter of the nozzle 90 that is located in the bottle 100 when the nozzle 90 is inserted into the bottle 100.

In addition, when the nozzle 90 is inserted into the bottle 100, the wall portion 96 is configured to cover at least a portion of the outer surface of the mouth portion 110. This makes it possible to more reliably guide the hot air blown out of the mouth 110 of the bottle 100 to the outside of the bottle 100, out of the hot air supplied into the bottle 100, to the outer peripheral side of the mouth 110. This can more effectively preheat and sterilize the mouth 110.

In this case, the overlapping amount L2 of the wall portion 96 and the mouth portion 110 in the up-down direction (direction along the central axis of the bottle 100) may be, for example, 1mm or more and 25mm or less. By setting the overlap amount L2 to 1mm or more, the flow rate of the hot air guided to the outer peripheral side of the mouth 110 can be increased. Therefore, the sterilizing gas can be attached to the screw portion 111 having a complicated shape, and the mouth portion 110 can be effectively sterilized. In addition, by setting the overlapping amount L2 to 25mm or less, when spraying the sterilizing agent from the nozzle 90 into the bottle 100, it is possible to suppress an excessive pressure in the bottle 100. Therefore, even when the bottle 100 is thinned, deformation of the bottle 100 can be suppressed. Further, by setting the overlap amount L2 to 25mm or less, the moving distance of the nozzle 90 in the up-down direction can be shortened, and the time required for supplying the sterilizing agent can be shortened. If the wall 96 is too close to the support ring 112, the internal pressure of the bottle 100 increases, and the bottle 100 may be deformed. Accordingly, wall 96 is preferably located at least above support ring 112.

The wall 96 may also be proximate the holder 42 in order to increase the internal pressure of the bottle 100. In this case, the distance L3 between the wall 96 and the holder 42 in the up-down direction is preferably 1mm or more and 25mm or less. By setting the distance L3 between the wall 96 and the holder 42 to 1mm or more, the excessive pressure in the bottle 100 can be suppressed. Further, by setting the distance L3 between the wall 96 and the holder 42 to 25mm or less, the internal pressure required for sterilization can be sufficiently ensured. Further, by setting the distance L3 between the wall 96 and the holder 42 to 25mm or less, the flow rate of the hot air guided to the outer peripheral side of the mouth 110 can be increased. Therefore, the sterilizing gas can adhere to the screw portion 111 having a complicated shape, and the mouth portion 110 can be effectively sterilized.

When D2 is the inner diameter of the wall 96 and D2 is the outer diameter of the mouth 110 at the upper end of the mouth 110, the relationship of 5mm 2-D2 is preferably satisfied.

This effectively increases the flow rate of the hot air guided to the outer peripheral side of the mouth 110. In addition, when the sterilizing agent is sprayed from the nozzle 90 into the bottle 100, the excessive pressure in the bottle 100 can be effectively suppressed. Therefore, even when the bottle 100 is thinned, deformation of the bottle 100 can be suppressed.

A tapered surface 90c is formed between the tip 90a of the nozzle 90 and the outer surface 90b of the nozzle 90. Accordingly, when the hot air blown into the bottle 100 is blown out from the mouth 110 of the bottle 100, the traveling direction of the hot air blown onto the tapered surface 90c is changed, and the hot air is blown onto the support ring 112 of the mouth 110 of the bottle 100. Here, the support ring 112 is thicker than the other portions, and the temperature rise takes time as compared with the other portions having a thin wall. In contrast, by blowing hot air blown into the bottle 100 onto the support ring 112, the support ring 112 thicker than the other portions can be effectively warmed. This can effectively raise the temperature of the mouth 110 of the bottle 100.

Here, when the nozzle 90 is inserted into the bottle 100, the support ring 12 is preferably arranged between the first virtual line 1L1 and the second virtual line 1L2 in a vertical cross section. The first virtual line 1L1 is a virtual line extending radially outward in the horizontal direction from the front end 90a of the nozzle 90 in a vertical cross section. The second virtual line 1L2 is a virtual line extending radially outward from the tip end 90a of the nozzle 90 along the tapered surface 90c in a vertical cross section.

In this way, the support ring 112 is arranged between the first virtual line 1L1 and the second virtual line 1L2 in the vertical cross section, and the volume of the hot air blown onto the support ring 112 can be increased. Therefore, the temperature of the support ring 112 thicker than the other portions can be raised more effectively. In this case, the angle θ2 formed by the first virtual line 1L1 and the second virtual line 1L2 may be 5 ° or more and 80 ° or less, and may be 45 ° as an example, in a vertical cross section.

The nozzle 90 is configured to supply the sterilizing agent to the bottle 100 in a state of being inserted into the bottle 100, and to spray the sterilizing agent onto the top surface 115 of the mouth portion 110 of the bottle 100 in a state of not being inserted into the bottle 100. This can improve the sterilization efficiency of the top surface 115 of the mouth 110.

When the nozzle 90 sprays the sterilizing agent on the top surface 115 of the nozzle 110, the distance L4 (vertical distance, see fig. 7) between the top surface 115 of the nozzle 110 and the front end 90a of the nozzle 90 is preferably 2mm or more and 100mm or less. Thus, the sterilizing agent can be attached to the entire top surface 115 of the mouth 110.

The time for spraying the sterilizing agent on the top surface 115 of the mouth 110 by the nozzle 90 is preferably 0.1 seconds to 5.0 seconds. By setting the spraying time of the bactericide from the nozzle 90 to 0.1 seconds or longer, a sufficient replenishing effect can be obtained. In addition, by setting the spraying time of the bactericide from the nozzle 90 to 5.0 seconds or less, the risk of deformation of the mouth portion 110 can be reduced.

(content filling method)

Next, a content filling method using the content filling system 10 (fig. 1) will be described with reference to fig. 6 and 7.

First, the preform supply device 1 sequentially supplies a plurality of preforms 100a to the receiving portion 34 of the preform conveying portion 31 via the preform supply conveyor 2 (preform supply step, reference symbol S1 in fig. 6). At this time, the preform 100a is sterilized by blowing a mist or gas of hydrogen peroxide into the preform sterilizing device 34a, and then dried with hot air.

Next, the preform 100a is sent to the heating unit 35, and is heated by the heater 35a to, for example, 90 ℃ or higher and 130 ℃ or lower. Next, the preform 100a heated by the heating unit 35 is sent to the delivery unit 36. The preform 100a is then transferred from the interface 36 to the blow-molding section 32.

Next, the preform 100a sent to the blow molding unit 32 is blow molded by using a mold not shown, thereby molding the bottle 100 (bottle molding step, reference symbol S2 in fig. 6). Then, the molded bottle 100 is sent to the bottle conveying section 33.

Next, in the sterilization apparatus 11, the bottle 100 is sterilized using an aqueous hydrogen peroxide solution as a sterilizing agent (container sterilization step, reference symbol S3 in fig. 6). At this time, the aqueous hydrogen peroxide solution is a gas or mist which is vaporized temporarily at a boiling point or higher, and is supplied to the bottle 100. A mist of the aqueous hydrogen peroxide solution adheres to the inner and outer surfaces of the bottle 100 to sterilize the inner and outer surfaces of the bottle 100.

At this time, first, the bottle 100 is conveyed by the conveying mechanism 40 (conveying step, reference symbol S31 in fig. 6). In the present embodiment, the bottle 100 is transported by a gripper 42 (see fig. 2) coupled to the wheel 41. At this time, the bottle 100 is conveyed in a state where the support ring 112 is held by the gripper 42 from below (see fig. 5). Then, the bottle 100 moves from point a to point B shown in fig. 3. At this time, as shown in fig. 7, the bottle 100 is conveyed in the vertical direction with a predetermined gap from the nozzle 90. In fig. 7, points a to F correspond to points a to F of fig. 3, respectively.

At this time, the top surface 115 of the mouth portion 110 of the bottle 100 is sprayed with the sterilizing agent from the nozzle 90 (top surface sterilizing step, reference sign S32 in fig. 6). In this case, first, the sterilizing agent is supplied to the nozzle 90 through the duct 57. Then, the sterilizing agent supplied to the nozzle 90 is supplied to the bottle 100. After the nozzle 90 is inserted into the bottle 100, sterilization is performed while heating the bottle 100, as will be described later. On the other hand, in this top surface sterilization step, sterilization of the mouth 110 of the bottle 100 can be supplemented by spraying the sterilizing agent onto the bottle 100 from above the bottle 100. In the above-described conveying step, the sterilizing agent may be blown from the nozzle 90 onto the top surface 115 of the mouth portion 110 of the bottle 100, while the bottle 100 is transferred to the holder 42.

Here, as shown in fig. 7, when the top surface 115 of the mouth portion 110 is sprayed with the bactericide from the nozzle 90 (when the bottle 100 moves from the point a to the point B), the position of the nozzle 90 in the up-down direction with respect to the bottle 100 does not change. That is, the sterilizing agent is blown from the nozzle 90 to the bottle 100 in a state where the nozzle 90 and the bottle 100 are spaced apart from each other in the vertical direction by a predetermined interval. At this time, the distance L4 between the top surface 115 of the mouth 110 and the front end 90a of the nozzle 90 is preferably 2mm or more and 100mm or less. Thus, the sterilizing agent can be attached to the entire top surface 115 of the mouth 110.

In this case, the time for spraying the bactericide from the nozzle 90 is preferably 0.1 seconds to 5.0 seconds. By setting the spraying time of the bactericide from the nozzle 90 to 0.1 seconds or longer, a sufficient replenishing effect can be obtained. In addition, by setting the spraying time of the bactericide from the nozzle 90 to 5.0 seconds or less, the risk of deformation of the mouth portion 110 can be reduced.

Next, the nozzle 90 for spraying the bactericide is inserted into the bottle 100 to be conveyed (nozzle insertion step, reference numeral S33 in fig. 6). At this time, the bottle 100 moves from point B to point C shown in fig. 3. At this time, as shown in fig. 7, the nozzle 90 is inserted into the bottle 100 by moving the nozzle 90 downward. Then, by inserting the nozzle 90 into the bottle 100, the inside of the bottle 100 is brought to a slight positive pressure. Here, the sterilizing agent is continuously sprayed from the nozzle 90. Accordingly, by inserting the nozzle 90 into the bottle 100, the pressure in the bottle 100 is raised by the sterilizing agent sprayed into the bottle 100. In addition, by inserting the nozzle 90 into the bottle 100, the pressure in the bottle 100 increases due to the volume of the nozzle 90. Thus, by inserting the nozzle 90 into the bottle 100, the bottle 100 becomes slightly positive in pressure.

By inserting the nozzle 90 into the bottle 100, the static pressure in the pipe 57 connected to the nozzle 90 is substantially the same as the pressure in the bottle 100. Therefore, when the nozzle 90 is inserted into the bottle 100 to make the inside of the bottle 100 slightly positive, the static pressure in the duct 57 increases, and the flow rate of the sterilizing agent sprayed from the nozzle 90 when blown out from the mouth 110 of the bottle 100 can be increased. Thus, when the sterilizing agent is sprayed from the nozzle 90 into the bottle 100, the temperature of the bottle 100 can be effectively increased.

In this case, by inserting the nozzle 90 into the bottle 100, the pressure in the bottle 100 is preferably maintained at 1kPa or more and 20kPa or less. Further, by inserting the nozzle 90 into the bottle 100, the pressure in the nozzle 90 is preferably raised by 0.01kPa or more and 2.0kPa or less.

Next, the sterilizing agent is supplied to the bottle 100 in which the nozzle 90 is inserted (sterilizing agent supplying step, reference symbol S34 in fig. 6). In this embodiment, the sterilization agent is continuously sprayed from the nozzle 90. Accordingly, the sterilization agent is further supplied to the bottle 100 by inserting the nozzle 90 into the bottle 100. At this time, the bottle 100 moves from point C to point D shown in fig. 3. In this case, as shown in fig. 7, the position of the nozzle 90 in the up-down direction with respect to the bottle 100 does not change. In addition, the spraying of the sterilizing agent from the nozzle 90 may be stopped after the top surface sterilization step (symbol S32 in fig. 6), and the sterilizing agent may be sprayed again from the nozzle 90 after the nozzle insertion step (symbol S33 in fig. 6). In this case, for example, a valve, not shown, may be provided in the nozzle 90, and the valve may be opened only for a necessary time in accordance with a predetermined timing. Thus, the amount of the bactericide to be used can be reduced.

Here, the bottle 100 is conveyed in a state where the support ring 112 is held by the gripper 42 from below. Therefore, the sterilizing agent is supplied to the bottle 100 in a state where the support ring 112 is held by the holder 42 from below. Thus, even when the bottle 100 is pressed downward by the wind pressure of the bactericide, the horizontal position of the bottle 100 can be prevented from being displaced downward.

The nozzle 90 supplies the sterilizing agent to the bottle 100 while moving synchronously with the bottle 100 conveyed by the gripper 42 of the conveying mechanism 40. The sterilizing agent is supplied to the bottle 100 while being kept in a slightly positive pressure state in the bottle 100. This can heat the bottle 100 to a desired temperature.

Further, by moving the nozzle 90 in synchronization with the bottle 100 conveyed by the gripper 42 of the conveying mechanism 40, the nozzle 90 can supply the sterilizing agent to the bottle 100 while following the bottle 100. This allows the sterilizing agent to be efficiently supplied to the inner surface of the bottle 100, and the amount of the sterilizing agent to be used can be reduced. In addition, by efficiently supplying the sterilizing agent to the inner surface of the bottle 100, the bottle 100 can be heated to a desired temperature by the heat of the sterilizing agent.

In this case, when the sterilizing agent supplied into the bottle 100 is hydrogen peroxide gas, the concentration of the hydrogen peroxide gas may be, for example, 5mg/L or more and 600mg/L or less. The sterilization effect can be sufficiently exhibited by setting the concentration of the hydrogen peroxide gas to 5mg/L or more. Further, by setting the concentration of the hydrogen peroxide gas to 600mg/L or less, the supply time of the hot gas for removing the residual hydrogen peroxide can be suppressed from being long. Thereby, the sterilization device 11 and the content filling system 10 can be miniaturized. In the case where the sterilizing agent is a mist of hydrogen peroxide, the amount of the mist of hydrogen peroxide may be, for example, 5 to 100. Mu.L/bottle in terms of 35 wt%. The sterilization effect can be sufficiently exhibited by setting the amount of the mist of hydrogen peroxide to 5. Mu.L/bottle or more. Further, by setting the amount of the mist of hydrogen peroxide to 100. Mu.L/bottle or less, the supply time of hot gas for removing residual hydrogen peroxide can be suppressed from being long. Thereby, the sterilization device 11 and the content filling system 10 can be miniaturized.

In the case where the sterilizing agent is 35% by weight of hydrogen peroxide, the flow rate of the sterilizing agent per nozzle 90 may be 30 to 400L/min, preferably 50 to 300L/min. By setting the flow rate of the sterilizing agent to 30L/min or more, the sterilization efficiency of the bottle 100 can be improved. In addition, by setting the flow rate of the sterilizing agent to 400L/min or less, the cost can be reduced while maintaining the sterilizing efficiency of the bottle 100.

The temperature of the bactericide may be 70 ℃ or higher and 200 ℃ or lower. By setting the temperature of the sterilizing agent to 70 ℃ or higher, the sterilization efficiency of the bottle 100 can be improved. In addition, by setting the temperature of the sterilizing agent to 200 ℃ or lower, even in the case of the thinned bottle 100, deformation of the bottle 100 due to heat of the sterilizing agent can be suppressed.

The time for supplying the sterilizing agent to the bottle 100 in which the nozzle 90 is inserted may be 0.1 seconds to 10 seconds, and preferably 0.5 seconds to 10 seconds. By setting the time for supplying the sterilizing agent to 0.1 seconds or longer, the sterilization efficiency of the bottle 100 can be improved. In addition, by setting the time for supplying the sterilizing agent to 0.5 seconds or longer, the bottle 100 can be effectively warmed by the heat of the sterilizing agent. In addition, by setting the time for supplying the sterilizing agent to 10 seconds or less, the operation time for supplying the sterilizing agent can be shortened while maintaining the sterilizing efficiency of the bottle 100.

Next, bottle 100 moves from point D to point E shown in fig. 3. At this time, as shown in fig. 7, the nozzle 90 is moved upward to remove the nozzle 90 from the bottle 100.

Thereafter, bottle 100 is moved from point E to point F shown in FIG. 3. At this time, as shown in fig. 7, the bottle 100 is conveyed in the vertical direction with a predetermined gap from the nozzle 90. When the bottle 100 is moved from point D to point F shown in fig. 3, the top surface 115 of the mouth 110 may be sprayed with the sterilizing agent from the nozzle 90 as described above (top surface sterilizing step, reference symbol S35 in fig. 6). This can improve the sterilization effect of the mouth 110 of the bottle 100. The top sterilization step may be performed only before the nozzle 90 is inserted into the bottle 100 (before the nozzle insertion step), or may be performed only after the nozzle 90 is removed from the bottle 100 (after the sterilant supply step).

The bottle 100 is then sent to the gas flushing device 14. In the gas purging device 14, a sterile heating gas or a normal temperature gas is supplied to the bottle 100, whereby the hydrogen peroxide is activated and foreign substances, hydrogen peroxide, and the like are removed from the bottle 100 (gas purging step, reference symbol S4 in fig. 6). In the gas purging step, when sterilized hot air is fed into the bottle 100, the bottle 100 is heated from the inner wall surface by the hot air. Thus, the sterilizing effect by the sterilizing agent mist is improved. In addition, by suppressing adsorption and permeation of hydrogen peroxide into the bottle 100, hydrogen peroxide tends to float up on the inner surface of the bottle 100. The mist floating inside the bottle 100 is discharged outside the bottle 100 by hot air. At this time, sterilization is sufficiently performed by the sterilizing agent mist adhering to the inner surface of the bottle 100. Therefore, even if mist floating in the inner space of the bottle 100 is discharged, the sterilizing effect is not lost. By early discharge of the excessive mist, excessive adsorption or permeation of hydrogen peroxide to the inner surface of the bottle 100 can be suppressed. If necessary, a condensed mist of low-concentration hydrogen peroxide may be mixed with a sterile heated gas or a sterile gas at room temperature to gasify the hydrogen peroxide and supply the vaporized hydrogen peroxide to the bottle 100.

When the hydrogen peroxide is vaporized by mixing a condensed mist of hydrogen peroxide with a sterile heating gas and supplied to the bottle 100, the amount of hydrogen peroxide contained in the hot air supplied into the bottle 100 is preferably 1mg or more and 10mg or less, more preferably 2mg or more and 8mg or less, relative to 1L of hot air. The time for supplying the heated gas to the bottle 100 may be within a range in which the sterilizing agent floating in the bottle 100 can be discharged entirely and the defective sterilization caused by the sterilizing agent can be compensated for. From the viewpoint of removing hydrogen peroxide in the bottle 100, the temperature of the hot air is preferably set to be as high as possible within a range where the bottle 100 is not deformed. For example, in the case where the bottle 100 is a PET bottle, the temperature of hot air used for gas purging is set in a range of 50 ℃ or higher and less than 150 ℃, preferably in a range of 75 ℃ or higher and less than 120 ℃. In the case where the bottle 100 is an HDPE bottle, the temperature of hot air used for gas purging is set in a range of 100 ℃ or more and less than 200 ℃, preferably in a range of 110 ℃ or more and less than 180 ℃. If the temperature of the hot air and the hydrogen peroxide gas is equal to or higher than the heat resistant temperature of the bottle 100, if the blowing time is too long, the bottle 100 is heated to a temperature exceeding the heat resistant temperature and deformed, and therefore, care is required. The blowing time of the hot air and the hydrogen peroxide gas is set to, for example, 2 seconds to 5 seconds. In the present embodiment, it is preferable that the time period from when the introduction of the bactericide mist is stopped to when the blowing of hot air is started is shorter. This time is set to a maximum of 10 seconds or less, preferably 5 seconds or less.

The bottle 100 is then transported to the sterile water flushing device 15. In the sterile water washing apparatus 15, the bottle 100 is washed (flushed) with water having a temperature of about 15 ℃ to 85 ℃ in a sterile manner (sterile water flushing step, reference symbol S5 in fig. 6). Specifically, sterile water at 15 ℃ or higher and 85 ℃ or lower is supplied into the bottle 100 at a flow rate of 5L/min or higher and 15L/min or lower. At this time, the bottle 100 is preferably in an inverted state, and sterile water is supplied into the bottle 100 from the mouth 110 facing downward. The sterile water flows out of the bottle 100 from the downward mouth 110. The hydrogen peroxide attached to the bottle 100 is rinsed with the warm water, and foreign matter is removed. The method of cleaning the bottle 100 with sterile water is not limited to the method performed while flowing sterile water. In order to remove the residual water of the sterile water in the sterile water washing step, the sterile gas may be supplied to the bottle 100 after the bottle 100 is washed with the sterile water. At this time, for example, the sterile gas may be supplied from a sterile gas supply device (not shown) to the bottle 100 at a pressure of 0.1MPa or more, and the residual water may be removed by blowing for 0.5 seconds or more. Further, by replacing the sterile gas with sterile nitrogen, the oxygen concentration in the bottle 100 can be reduced.

The bottle 100 is then transported to the filling device 20. In this filling apparatus 20, the bottle 100 is rotated (revolved) and the contents are filled from the mouth 110 into the bottle 100 (filling step, reference symbol S6 in fig. 6).

Before the bottle 100 is filled with the filling device 20, the content is prepared and subjected to heat sterilization treatment. The heating temperature is generally about 60 ℃ to 120 ℃ when the acidity of the content is lower than pH4.0, and about 115 ℃ to 150 ℃ when the acidity is higher than pH 4.0. Thereby, microorganisms present in the content before filling and capable of developing in the product bottle 101 are all sterilized. The content after the heat sterilization treatment is cooled to a temperature of about 3 ℃ or more and 40 ℃ or less.

In the filling device 20, the sterilized bottle 100 is filled with the content which is sterilized and cooled to the normal temperature at the normal temperature. The temperature of the content during filling is, for example, about 3 ℃ to 40 ℃.

The bottle 100 filled with the contents is then transported to the cap mounting device 16 by the transport wheel 12.

On the other hand, the cover 80 is sterilized by the cover sterilizer 18 in advance (cover sterilization step, reference symbol S7 in fig. 6). During this time, first, the cap 80 is carried into the cap sterilization device 18 from the outside of the content filling system 10. Then, in the cap sterilization device 18, mist or gas of hydrogen peroxide is blown onto the inner and outer surfaces of the cap 80. Then, the cover 80 is subjected to sterilization treatment by drying the inner and outer surfaces of the cover 80 with hot air. Then, the cap 80 after the sterilization process is sent to the cap mounting device 16.

Next, in the cap mounting device 16, the sterilized cap 80 is mounted on the mouth 110 of the bottle 100 conveyed from the filling device 20. Thus, the bottle 100 is capped, and the product bottle 101 is obtained (capping step, reference symbol S8 in fig. 6).

Thereafter, the product bottle 101 is transported from the cap mounting device 16 to the product bottle carrying-out section 22 and carried out to the outside of the content filling system 10 (bottle discharging step, reference sign S9 in fig. 6). The product bottles 101 are then transported to a packaging line, not shown, and packaged.

The steps from the container sterilization step to the bottle discharge step are performed in a sterile environment, which is a sterile environment gas surrounded by the sterilizing agent spraying chamber 70c, the first sterilizing agent removing chamber 70d, the second sterilizing agent removing chamber 70e, the sterile chamber 70f, or the outlet chamber 70 g. The sterilization treatment is performed in advance by spraying hydrogen peroxide, peracetic acid, discharging water of warm water, or the like in the sterilization agent spraying chamber 70c, the first sterilization agent removing chamber 70d, the second sterilization agent removing chamber 70e, the aseptic chamber 70f, and the outlet chamber 70 g. After the sterilization treatment, the positive pressure sterile gas is supplied to the sterilizing agent spray chamber 70c, the first sterilizing agent removal chamber 70d, the second sterilizing agent removal chamber 70d, the sterile chamber 70f, and the outlet chamber 70g so that the sterile gas is always blown out of the sterilizing agent spray chamber 70c, the first sterilizing agent removal chamber 70d, the second sterilizing agent removal chamber 70e, the sterile chamber 70f, and the outlet chamber 70 g. In this case, the sterilizing gas in each chamber and the sterilizing agent used for sterilizing the bottle are exhausted from the ambient gas shielding chamber 70b, the sterilizing agent spraying chamber 70c, and the outlet chamber 70 g. At this time, the positive pressure in each of the first sterilizing agent removal chamber 70d, the second sterilizing agent removal chamber 70e, and the aseptic chamber 70f is adjusted to 1Pa or more, preferably 10Pa or more. In this case, the outlet chamber 70g may be adjusted to a positive pressure of 1Pa or more, preferably 10Pa or more, as in the first sterilizing agent removal chamber 70 d.

In addition, the production (delivery) speed of the bottle 100 in the content filling system 10 is preferably 100bpm or more and 1500bpm or less. Herein, bpm (bottle per minute: bottle/min) refers to the transport speed of the bottle 100 per minute.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, the supply portion 50 has the nozzle 90 for spraying the sterilizing agent, the nozzle 90 supplies the sterilizing agent to the bottle 100 in a state of being inserted into the bottle 100, and sprays the sterilizing agent to the top surface 115 of the mouth portion 110 of the bottle 100 in a state of not being inserted into the bottle 100. Thus, the inner surface of the bottle 100 and the top surface 115 of the mouth 110 of the bottle 100 can be effectively sterilized.

In addition, according to the present embodiment, the nozzle 90 includes a small diameter portion 91 that constitutes the tip 90a of the nozzle 90, a large diameter portion 92 that is located on the upstream side in the flow direction of the bactericide than the small diameter portion 91 and has an inner diameter larger than the small diameter portion 91, and a reduced diameter portion 93 that is located between the large diameter portion 92 and the small diameter portion 91 and has an inner diameter that gradually decreases toward the downstream side in the flow direction of the bactericide. This can increase the flow rate of the sterilizing agent blown from the nozzle 90. Therefore, when the sterilizing agent is sprayed from the nozzle 90 into the bottle 100, the temperature of the bottle 100 can be more effectively increased.

In addition, according to the present embodiment, the nozzle 90 is provided with a flange 95 protruding radially from the nozzle 90, and an annular wall 96 protruding from the periphery of the flange 95 toward the tip 90a of the nozzle 90. In the case of such umbrella nozzle 90, the hot air blown out of the bottle 100 from the mouth 110 of the bottle 100 among the hot air supplied into the bottle 100 can be guided to the outer peripheral side of the mouth 110. This can effectively preheat and sterilize the mouth 110. Therefore, the interface between the outer surface and the inner surface of the bottle 100 can be sterilized efficiently and reliably.

In addition, according to the present embodiment, a tapered surface 90c is formed between the tip 90a of the nozzle 90 and the outer surface 90b of the nozzle 90. This allows hot air blown into the bottle 100 to be blown onto the support ring 112 of the mouth portion 110 of the bottle 100. Therefore, the temperature of the support ring 112 thicker than the other portions can be effectively raised. This can effectively raise the temperature of the mouth 110 of the bottle 100.

Further, according to the present embodiment, when the nozzle 90 is inserted into the bottle 100, the support ring 112 is arranged between a first virtual line 1L1 extending radially outward in the horizontal direction from the front end 90a of the nozzle 90 and a second virtual line L2 extending radially outward in the tapered surface 90c from the front end 90a of the nozzle 90 in a vertical cross section. Thereby, the amount of the hot air blown to the support ring 112 can be increased. Therefore, the temperature of the support ring 112 thicker than the other portions can be raised more effectively.

In addition, according to the present embodiment, the holder 42 holds the support ring 112 from below. Therefore, the sterilizing agent is supplied to the bottle 100 in a state where the support ring 112 is held by the holder 42 from below. Thus, even when the bottle 100 is pressed downward by the wind pressure of the bactericide, the horizontal position of the bottle 100 can be prevented from being displaced downward.

In the above embodiment, the bactericide supply step is described as an example after the nozzle insertion step, but the supply unit 50 may heat the bottle 100 before supplying the bactericide to the bottle 100. This makes it possible to easily raise the temperature of the bottle 100 to a desired temperature. As a result, the sterilization efficiency of the bottle 100 can be further improved.

In this case, the supply unit 50 may heat the bottle 100 with hot air. For example, the supply unit 50 may heat the bottle 100 by supplying hot air from the nozzle 90 into the bottle 100, or may heat the bottle 100 by a heating mechanism not shown. Alternatively, the supply unit 50 may heat the bottle 100 by infrared rays.

In this modification, for example, as in reference numerals S1 to S2 in fig. 6, the preform supplying step (reference numeral S11 in fig. 8) and the bottle molding step (reference numeral S12 in fig. 8) are sequentially performed when filling the content.

Next, in the sterilization apparatus 11, the bottle 100 is sterilized using an aqueous hydrogen peroxide solution as a sterilizing agent (container sterilization step, reference symbol S13 in fig. 8).

At this time, first, as in reference numerals S31 to S33 in fig. 6, a conveying step (reference numeral S131 in fig. 8), a top surface sterilization step (reference numeral S132 in fig. 8), and a nozzle insertion step (reference numeral S133 in fig. 8) are sequentially performed.

Subsequently, the bottle 100 is heated (preheating step, reference symbol S134 in fig. 8). At this time, the bottle 100 is heated by hot air, for example. In this way, by heating the bottle 100 before the sterilizing agent is supplied to the bottle 100, the temperature of the bottle 100 can be easily increased to a desired temperature. As a result, the sterilization efficiency of the bottle 100 can be further improved. As shown in fig. 5, the preheating step of the bottle 100 may be performed by inserting the nozzle 90 into the bottle 100 while making the nozzle 90 follow the bottle 100. In this case, the entire bottle 100 can be warmed. Alternatively, the preheating step of the bottle 100 may be performed by a method of causing the nozzle 90 to follow the bottle 100 in a non-inserted state without inserting the nozzle 90 into the bottle 100. In this case, the temperature of the mouth 110, which may be low after molding the bottle 100, can be positively raised.

Next, as in reference numerals S34 to S35 in fig. 6, a bactericide supply step (reference numeral S135 in fig. 8) and a top surface sterilization step (reference numeral S136 in fig. 8) are sequentially performed.

Thereafter, as in the case of reference numerals S4 to S9 in fig. 6, a gas flushing step (reference numeral S14 in fig. 8), a sterile water flushing step (reference numeral S15 in fig. 8), a filling step (reference numeral S16 in fig. 8), a cap sterilization step (reference numeral S17 in fig. 8), a cap sealing step (reference numeral S18 in fig. 8), and a bottle discharging step (reference numeral S19 in fig. 8) are sequentially performed. Thus, the bottle 100 is capped, resulting in a product bottle 101.

According to this modification, the temperature of the bottle 100 can be easily raised to a desired temperature by heating the bottle 100 before the sterilizing agent is supplied to the bottle 100. Therefore, the sterilization efficiency of the bottle 100 can be further improved.

In the above embodiment, the case where the sterilizing apparatus for sterilizing the container with hydrogen peroxide and sterilizing the container with hot water was used was described, but the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, the sterilization apparatus for a container may be a peracetic acid sterilization type sterilization apparatus in which the inner and outer surfaces of a bottle are sterilized with a peracetic acid solution (or a gas, a mist, or a mixture thereof) and then the inner and outer surfaces are rinsed with sterile water. Alternatively, the sterilization apparatus for the container may be one in which peracetic acid, acetic acid, peroxynitric acid, nitric acid, sodium hypochlorite, chlorine, caustic soda, or the like is used as a monomer, in addition to hydrogen peroxide or ethanol, or one in which two or more of these sterilization agents are combined. In addition, the sterilization apparatus can sterilize not only bottles but also preforms, cups, bags, paper containers or their composites.

In the above embodiment, the description has been made of an example in which the conveying mechanism 40 has the rotatable wheel 41 and the gripper 42 that is coupled to the wheel 41 and conveys the bottle 100 while holding it, but the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, a star wheel (holding member) or a conveyor belt may be used as the conveying mechanism 40.

In the above embodiment, the case where the content filling system 10 includes the bottle forming portion 30 has been described, but the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, the content filling system may be configured to sequentially receive the molded empty bottles 100 from the outside by gas feeding or the like, and feed the received bottles 100 to the sterilizing device 11. In this case, the above-described effects can be obtained. In particular, when the content filling system 10 sequentially receives the molded empty bottles 100 from the outside, the bottles 100 sterilized by the sterilizing device 11 may cool heat generated by the blow molding. In this case, the bottle 100 can be heated to a desired temperature by the heat of the sterilizing agent, so that it is unnecessary to provide a temperature control device on the downstream side of the blow molding portion 32, and the sterilizing efficiency of the bottle 100 can be improved.

The plurality of components disclosed in the above embodiments and modifications may be appropriately combined as necessary. Alternatively, some of the components may be deleted from all of the components shown in the above embodiments and modifications.

Claims

1. A method of sterilizing a container, comprising:

a conveying step of conveying a container filled with a content and having a mouth;

a nozzle insertion step of inserting a nozzle for spraying a sterilizing agent into the container to be transported;

A bactericide supply step of supplying the bactericide to the container in which the nozzle is inserted;

and a top surface sterilization step of spraying the sterilizing agent from the nozzle onto the top surface of the mouth portion of the container at least one of before the nozzle insertion step and after the sterilizing agent supply step.

2. The container sterilization method according to claim 1, wherein in the top surface sterilization step, a distance between the top surface of the mouth portion and a tip end of the nozzle is 2mm or more and 100mm or less.

3. The container sterilization method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, in the top surface sterilization step, the time for spraying the sterilizing agent from the nozzle is 0.1 seconds or more and 5.0 seconds or less.

4. A container sterilization process according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the nozzle comprises: a small diameter portion that forms a tip of the nozzle; a large diameter portion provided upstream of the small diameter portion in the flow direction of the bactericide, the large diameter portion having a larger inner diameter than the small diameter portion; and a reduced diameter portion located between the large diameter portion and the small diameter portion, the reduced diameter portion having a gradually smaller inner diameter toward a downstream side in a flow direction of the bactericide.

5. The method for sterilizing a container according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein, when D1 is the inner diameter of the mouth portion and D1 is the outer diameter of the nozzle, the method is satisfied

2mm is less than or equal to D1-D1 is less than or equal to 25 mm.

6. The container sterilization method according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein a flange portion protruding radially from the nozzle and an annular wall portion protruding from a peripheral edge of the flange portion toward a front end side of the nozzle are provided in the nozzle, and the wall portion covers at least a part of an outer surface of the mouth portion when the nozzle is inserted into the container.

7. The container sterilization method according to claim 6, wherein, when D2 is the inner diameter of the wall portion and D2 is the outer diameter of the mouth portion at the upper end of the mouth portion, the method satisfies the condition that

The relation of D2-D2 which is more than or equal to 5mm and less than or equal to 30 mm.

8. The container sterilization method according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein a tapered surface is formed between a front end of the nozzle and an outer surface of the nozzle.

9. The container sterilization method according to claim 8, wherein the mouth portion of the container includes a screw portion and a support ring provided below the screw portion, the support ring being arranged in a vertical section between a first imaginary line extending radially outward in a horizontal direction from a front end of the nozzle and a second imaginary line extending radially outward in the tapered surface from the front end of the nozzle when the nozzle is inserted into the container.

10. The container sterilization method according to claim 9, wherein in the sterilant supply step, the sterilant is supplied to the container while the support ring is held from below.

11. The method for sterilizing a container according to any one of claims 1 to 10, further comprising a preheating step of heating the container between the nozzle insertion step and the sterilizing agent supply step.

12. The container sterilization method according to claim 11, wherein in the preheating process, the container is heated by hot air or infrared rays.

13. A container sterilization apparatus, comprising: a transport mechanism for transporting a container filled with a content and having a mouth;

a supply unit that supplies a sterilizing agent to the container conveyed by the conveying mechanism;

the supply part is provided with a nozzle for spraying the bactericide,

the nozzle supplies the sterilizing agent to the container in a state of being inserted into the container, and sprays the sterilizing agent to the top surface of the mouth portion of the container in a state of not being inserted into the container.

14. The container sterilization apparatus according to claim 13, wherein a distance between the top surface of the mouth and a front end of the nozzle is 2mm or more and 100mm or less when the nozzle sprays the sterilizing agent on the top surface.

15. A container sterilization apparatus according to claim 13 or 14, wherein the nozzle sprays the sterilizing agent on the top surface for a period of time of 0.1 seconds or more and 5.0 seconds or less.

16. The container sterilization apparatus of any one of claims 13 to 15, wherein the nozzle comprises: a small diameter portion that forms a tip of the nozzle; a large diameter portion provided upstream of the small diameter portion in the flow direction of the bactericide, the large diameter portion having a larger inner diameter than the small diameter portion; and a reduced diameter portion located between the large diameter portion and the small diameter portion, the reduced diameter portion having a gradually smaller inner diameter toward a downstream side in a flow direction of the bactericide.

17. The container sterilization device according to any one of claims 13 to 16, wherein, when D1 is an inner diameter of the mouth portion and D1 is an outer diameter of the nozzle, it is satisfied that

2mm is less than or equal to D1-D1 is less than or equal to 25 mm.

18. The container sterilization apparatus according to any one of claims 13 to 17, wherein a flange portion protruding radially from the nozzle and an annular wall portion protruding from a peripheral edge of the flange portion toward a front end side of the nozzle are provided in the nozzle, and the wall portion covers at least a part of an outer surface of the mouth portion when the nozzle is inserted into the container.

19. The container sterilization apparatus according to claim 18, wherein, when an inner diameter of the wall portion is D2 and an outer diameter of the mouth portion at an upper end of the mouth portion is D2, it is satisfied that

20. A container sterilization apparatus according to any one of claims 13 to 19, wherein a tapered surface is formed between the front end of the nozzle and the outer surface of the nozzle.

21. The container sterilization apparatus according to claim 20, wherein the mouth portion of the container includes a screw portion and a support ring provided below the screw portion, the support ring being arranged in a vertical section between a first imaginary line extending radially outward in a horizontal direction from a front end of the nozzle and a second imaginary line extending radially outward in the tapered surface from the front end of the nozzle when the nozzle is inserted into the container.

22. The container sterilization apparatus according to claim 21, wherein the conveying mechanism has a holding member that holds the container, the holding member holding the support ring from below.

23. A container sterilization apparatus according to any one of claims 13 to 22, wherein the supply unit heats the container before the sterilizing agent is supplied to the container.

24. The container sterilization apparatus of claim 23, wherein the supply unit heats the container using hot air or infrared rays.

25. A content filling system, comprising:

the container sterilization apparatus according to any one of claims 13 to 24;

a filling device for filling the container with the content;

and a cap mounting means for capping the container with a cap.