JP2000238888A - Large-sized flexible container and liquid filling method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To easily fill a highly foamable liquid without expensive equipment. SOLUTION: The container main body 1 of a large-sized flexible container A, which has in the container main body 1 a discharging opening 2 for filling and stores and conveys a liquid B filled in the container main body 1, is provided with a deaerating opening 3 provided with a cock 4. The injection opening 2 of the container A and the filling nozzle 6 of a filling device are air-tightly connected together, also, air in the container is drawringly removed from the deaerating opening 3 with the cock 4 open, and then, after the cock 4 is closed, the liquid B is filled into the container main body 1 by the filling device. Therefore, by providing the large size flexible container with the deaerating opening having a gas circulation control means such as the cock, which is separate from the injection opening, even a highly foamable liquid can easily be filled into the large size flexible container by an ordinary general-purpose filling equipment, without the use of conventional expansive filling equipment, for example with the use of a vacuum pump, or even without such a pum the fluid can be filled.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a large-sized liquid container comprising a rigid outer frame and a flexible inner container made of a foldable plastic film bag or a plastic molded product. For example, in a large liquid container having a capacity of several liters to several thousand liters called an in-box or a flexible liquid container, a large-sized flexible container used as the inner container and a content liquid using a filling device for such a large-sized flexible container are used. Liquid filling method for filling the liquid, more specifically, even if the liquid to be filled is a highly foamable liquid, which solves the problem of bubbling of the liquid in the container during filling, The present invention relates to a large flexible container and a liquid filling method which can be easily filled in the container. That.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art When a large flexible container is filled with a liquid as a liquid content,
Normally, liquid as the content liquid is poured from the filling nozzle of the filling device into the filling port of the large flexible container folded into a flat bag shape, and the container is filled with the liquid. In the case of filling, in a normal filling method, bubbles generated in the container due to bubbling of the liquid overflow from the inlet of the large-sized flexible container and the required amount cannot be filled. In order to avoid such a situation, even if the filling nozzle of the filling device and the inlet of the container folded in a flat bag shape are air-tightly connected so that bubbles do not overflow from the inlet, the container is folded. Bubbles are generated in large quantities due to the residual air inside, and the bubbles overflow from the injection port when the filling nozzle is removed after filling. For this reason, some special filling methods have conventionally been employed as a method for filling a highly foamable liquid.

[0003] For example, one of the methods is to insert a filling nozzle until the tip reaches the bottom of the container and inject the liquid below the liquid level to prevent foaming due to entrainment of air. However, in this method, the folded flexible container must be inflated beforehand by air blowing and then filled, and originally the flexible container which is naturally expanded by the filling of the liquid without such labor is required. Not only is the advantage of the container lost, but also a long filling nozzle that reaches the bottom of the container is required. Furthermore, when inflated by air blow or the like, bacteria and foreign substances in the outside air are put into the container, which is not hygienic.

On the other hand, by setting the filling port and the spout of the flexible container at the lower side of the container at the time of filling, and pumping the liquid to the filling port to fill the container with the liquid, the air is filled. There is also a method of preventing foaming due to entrapment of a liquid. However, for example, in the case of a large flexible container used for a large flexible liquid container for 1 ton capacity, capping is performed at an injection port pressurized by the weight of the liquid. Work is complicated and extremely difficult.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a large-sized flexible container and a liquid filling method which can easily fill a highly foaming liquid without requiring expensive filling equipment. It is the purpose.

[0006]

In order to achieve the above object, the present inventor (1) has a filling inlet in a container main body, and stores and transports the filled liquid in the container main body. The present invention provides a large-sized flexible container characterized in that the container main body is provided with a deaeration port provided with gas flow control means for controlling the flow of gas inside and outside the container. Here, it is more preferable that the gas flow control means is detachable from the deaeration port, and that a cap capable of sealing the deaeration port is provided, and further, the deaeration port is the injection port. Is more preferable even if it is provided in the vicinity of.

Further, as a liquid filling method for filling a liquid into a large flexible container using the filling device described in the above (1), (2) the filling port of the large flexible container, the filling nozzle of the filling device, Airtightly connected, the gas flow control means is in a gas flowing state, the air in the container is suctioned and removed from the deaeration port, and then the gas flow control means is in a state in which the gas does not flow. A liquid filling method characterized by filling the inside of the container body with the liquid by the filling device; (3) an inlet of the large-sized flexible container and a filling nozzle of the filling device are air-tightly connected to each other; Fill the liquid with
(4) a liquid filling method, wherein the gas flow control means is set in a gas flow state, and air in the container and bubbles generated in the container are discharged from the deaeration port to outside the container. While airtightly connecting the injection port of the large flexible container and the filling nozzle of the filling device, the gas flow control means is in a state in which gas flows, and the air in the container is suctioned and removed from the deaeration port, Next, while filling the container body with the liquid by the filling device,
A liquid filling method is provided, wherein bubbles generated in the container are discharged from the deaeration port.

In the large flexible container of the present invention, in addition to a liquid inlet into the container body, a gas flow for controlling the flow of gas between the inside and the outside of the container such as an openable / closable cock for degassing, for example. It is provided with a deaeration port provided with a control means, by filling the liquid to be the content liquid of this large flexible container by the liquid filling method of the present invention,
Even if the liquid to be filled has a high foaming property, it is possible to prevent the problem caused by the generation of bubbles in the container body when the liquid is filled as described above.

That is, in the first liquid filling method of the present invention, the filling port of the large-sized flexible container and the filling nozzle of the filling device are air-tightly connected, and the gas flow control means is set to a state in which gas flows. After the air in the container is suctioned and removed from the deaeration port, and then the gas flow control unit is set to a state in which gas does not flow, the liquid is filled into the container body by the filling device. According to this method, the remaining air in the container normally set in a flat folded state and the air of the filling system such as the air in the filling nozzle can be degassed by the suction removal step, After eliminating the air in the filling system, the gas flow control means is kept in a state where gas does not flow to maintain the degassing state of the filling system, and then the filling valve of the filling device is opened to remove the liquid in the filling tank. When the liquid is injected into the container body from the injection port, it is possible to prevent the liquid to be injected from entraining air, so that even if the liquid is a highly foamable liquid, the liquid is easily foamed in the container without being foamed. Can be filled.

According to a second liquid filling method of the present invention, the filling port of the large-sized flexible container and the filling nozzle of the filling device are airtightly connected to fill the liquid in the container body and the gas flow control. Means are to discharge the air in the container and bubbles in the container to the outside of the container from the deaeration port in a state in which the gas flows, and while filling the container body with the liquid, the head space in the container is By discharging the bubbles in the container generated by the filling of the air and the liquid to the outside of the container, the liquid can be prevented from entraining the air at the time of filling, and the bubbles generated in the container can be removed. Even if the liquid is a highly foamable liquid, the container body can be easily filled with the liquid.

A third liquid filling method according to the present invention is a combination of the first and second liquid filling methods, and hermetically connects an inlet of the large flexible container to a filling nozzle of the filling device. And, after suctioning and removing air in the container from the deaeration port with the gas flow control means in a gas flow state, filling the container body with a liquid by the filling device, and filling the liquid with the liquid By discharging the foam generated in the container from the deaeration port,
Even if bubbles are generated in the container at the time of filling due to insufficient degassing in the container before filling, the bubbles can be discharged to the outside of the container. Even if the liquid is a liquid, the problem caused by bubbles generated at the time of filling can be solved more reliably, and the liquid can be more easily filled in the container body.

Here, when the gas flow control means provided at the deaeration port of the container is removable from the deaeration port and a cap capable of sealing the deaeration port is provided, After filling a predetermined amount of liquid into the container body as described above, by removing the gas flow control means from the deaeration port and replacing it with the cap, when transporting and handling a large flexible container filled with the content liquid In addition to ensuring the sealing performance in such a manner, the gas flow control means can be reused.

When the deaeration port is provided near the injection port, deaeration of the inside of the container, evacuation of the head space at the time of filling, and discharge of bubbles can be performed more easily.

[0014]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in more detail with reference to the drawings.

FIGS. 1 to 3 illustrate a configuration example of the present invention. FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a flexible container A folded into a flat bag shape for explaining a configuration example of a large flexible container of the present invention. FIG. 2 is an end view of a cut portion of a large-sized flexible container A set in a filling system for explaining a configuration example of a liquid filling method of the present invention for filling the above-mentioned flexible container A with a liquid serving as a content liquid B. FIG. 3 is a partially enlarged view of FIG. 2 showing a part of the flexible container A filled with a liquid by the above-mentioned filling method.

In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 denotes a container body, which is used when filling a liquid (inner solution) into the container body 1 at a position to be an upper portion of the container at the time of filling. An inlet 2 and a deaeration port 3 used for discharging residual air, bubbles and the like in the container are attached so as to be integral with the container body 1, respectively. A cock 4 that can be opened and closed is detachably and hermetically attached.

The flexible container A is used as a so-called inner container or inner bag of a bag-in-box with a container outer frame 5 (see FIG. 2) formed of a cardboard box having rigidity. 1 is a large-sized container for storing and transporting the content liquid B (see FIG. 2) filled in the container 1, and its content is preferably 5 to 10,000 liters, more preferably 100 to 2,000 liters. .

The shape of the container main body 1 is not particularly limited. For example, four sides are closed except for the opening of the inlet 2 and the vent 3, and the container main body 1 has a flat square or rectangular shape. It is possible to suitably use one that is configured to be cubic or cuboid when the content liquid is filled from the folded state and when the liquid is erected.

The material of the container body 1 is not particularly limited as long as it is foldable and excellent in water resistance as described above. For example, a thin plastic material having flexibility is preferably used. As such a plastic material, specifically, for example, polyethylene, polypropylene, polyethylene terephthalate, polyvinyl alcohol, polyamide, ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer, ionomer and the like can be suitably used. In the case of a molded product, these resins are molded singly, or mixed or laminated. In the case of a film bag product, one or more of these resins are used as a film. When high oxygen barrier properties are required, an inorganic substance such as silica or aluminum may be deposited, or a metal foil may be laminated.

The inlet 2 provided in the container body 1 is
It is used when filling a liquid as a content liquid, and after filling, can also be used as a spout for discharging the content liquid. The container A is provided with a cap (not shown) that is screwed into the inlet 2 so that after filling the content liquid, the cap can be sealed with the cap so that the content liquid does not leak. The inlet 2 is
The size, material and the like are not particularly limited, and a material used as an injection port such as an inner bag of a usual bag-in-box type container can be used, but in the case of the present invention, it is used for filling. It is necessary to be able to airtightly connect to the filling nozzle of the filling device. For example, as shown in FIG. 3, it is preferable that the upper portion of the injection port 2 is configured to be screwed with the tip of the filling nozzle 6. The inlet 2 does not need to be directly connected as long as it is secretly connected to the filling nozzle 6. For example, a connector such as a coupler having a cam lock detachment prevention mechanism that engages the inlet 2 with the tip of the filling nozzle 6. They may be connected by an appropriate connector.

In the case of this large-sized flexible container A, as shown in FIG. 3, the deaeration port 3 is formed at the opening 1a of the container body 1 at a flange 3b formed by a ring-shaped frame 3a along its lower peripheral edge. The cock 4 is configured to be detachably and hermetically attached to the ring-shaped frame 3a by screwing the cock 4 on the upper part of the ring-shaped frame 3a in an airtight manner by appropriate means such as heat sealing. .

Here, in the case of the present invention, the deaeration port 3 and the gas flow control means may be integrated, and for example, a foot-length cock having a flange along the lower peripheral edge may be used. Although it can be air-tightly attached to the opening 1a of the container body 1 by means such as heat sealing in the portion, taking into account the handleability and economical efficiency after filling the internal solution, the cock 4 shown in FIG. When the cock 4 is detachably attached to the deaeration port 3 and a cap (not shown) which is screwed to the deaeration port 3 is prepared after the cock 4 is removed, as described later. In this way, not only the content liquid can be prevented from leaking due to vibration during transportation or carelessness during handling after the inner solution B is filled, but also a cap which is less expensive than the cock 4 can be replaced after filling. And above Since it is also possible to reuse the click 4 is more preferable.

The size and material of the deaeration port 3 are not particularly limited as in the case of the injection port 2, and the same material as that of the injection port 2 can be used. In consideration of the risk of leakage, the diameter is desirably smaller than that of the injection port 2. In addition, the attachment position of the deaeration port 3 is not particularly limited. However, in consideration of workability, it is preferable that the deaeration port 3 is juxtaposed in the vicinity of the injection port. If it is attached to a position that is the upper part of the main body 1, it is above the liquid level in the container when the liquid is being filled, so that it is more preferable in terms of workability and the risk of leakage in the distribution process. .

In the case of the present invention, the material of the cock 4 is not particularly limited, and can be appropriately selected. For example, a commonly used plastic cock (two-way cock) or the like is preferably used. can do. Here, the configuration of the gas flow control means of the present invention is not particularly limited as long as the gas flow control means can flow or stop the flow between the inside of the container body 1 and the outside air from the deaeration port 3. Instead, valves (valves) of various configurations can be appropriately selected and used. The size of the cock 4 is
Although not particularly limited, for example, its foot portion 4a (attachment portion) is screwed to the ring-shaped frame 3a so as to be detachably and airtightly attached to the deaeration port 3 as described above. It is desirable to be formed so that it may be.

The method of manufacturing the large flexible container A is not particularly limited, except that the deaeration port 3 is provided in the container body 1 in the same manner as the injection port 2.
It can be manufactured in the same manner as the inner bag or inner container of a usual bag-in-box. After the injection port 2 and the deaeration port 3 previously formed by injection molding into a predetermined shape are fusion-bonded to a predetermined position of the molded product, the container body 1 is formed into a predetermined shape. The moldings can be manufactured by combining the above-mentioned molded products and heat-sealing a necessary portion.

Next, an example of the structure of the liquid filling method of the present invention in which the large flexible container A is filled with a liquid as a content liquid by a filling device will be described. In the liquid filling method of the present invention, the type of liquid to be filled is not particularly limited, but in consideration of the purpose of the present invention, a highly foamable liquid is effective, and as a highly foamable liquid, For example, soy sauce,
Examples include foods such as vinegar and sake, and industrial chemicals such as surfactants and liquid detergents.

When the large flexible container A is filled with a liquid, the container body 1 is folded into a flat bag as shown in FIG. 1, and this is folded into an outer frame as an outer box of the flexible container as shown in FIG. 5 is filled with the inlet 2 and the deaerator 3 facing upward, and a filling valve 8 is connected to the tip of a filling hose 7 connected to a filling tank (not shown).
The injection port 2 is set below the filling nozzle 6 attached via.

Then, the injection port 2 and the filling nozzle 6
Is airtightly connected to the tip of the device by a suitable means such as screwing. On the other hand, the deaeration port 3 is fitted with a deaeration hose 9 connected to a vacuum pump (not shown) on the distal end side of the cock 4, and the cock 4 and the deaeration hose 9 are inserted through the cock 4. The vacuum pump is attached to the deaeration port 3 of the container body 1.

The first method of filling the large flexible container A set as described above with the liquid B is as follows.
By opening the vacuum pump and driving the vacuum pump
As shown by an arrow X in the drawing, the remaining air in the container and the air of the filling system such as the inside of the filling nozzle 6 are suctioned and removed from the deaeration port 3, and the inside of the container and the filling system are evacuated. Close cock 4. Next, the filling bubble 8 is opened, and the liquid in the filling tank is poured into the container from the filling port 2 through the filling hose 7 and the filling nozzle 6 as shown by an arrow Y in the figure.

In the case of this method, the liquid is injected into the container after the remaining air in the container and the air of the filling system such as the inside of the filling nozzle 6 are degassed, so that the liquid injected into the container does not entrain the air. Therefore, even if the liquid is a highly foamable liquid, a predetermined amount of liquid can be easily filled in the container body 1 without foaming in the container.

In the second method, as described above, the container A
After the air inlet 2 is airtightly attached to the filling nozzle 6, the deaeration hose 9 attached to the cock 4 of the deaeration port 3 is attached to a vacuum pump with a trap to suck residual air from the cock 4. Alternatively, in a state where the liquid is pushed out by the liquid, the filling valve 8 is opened, and the liquid is injected into the container from the injection port 2.

In this method, the cock 4 is opened while the filling valve 8 is opened and the container body 1 is filled with liquid in the same manner as described above, and the vacuum pump is driven as necessary. In this manner, the air in the head space generated in the container and the bubbles generated by the filling are discharged to the outside of the container through the degassing hose 9 at the same time as the liquid is filled. In addition to suppressing the generation of bubbles in the container, even if the bubbles are generated in the container, the bubbles are discharged to the outside of the container during liquid filling. The inside can be easily filled. If necessary, the bubbles in the container can be removed after the injection of the liquid is completed.

The third method is a combination of the first and second methods. The cock 4 is opened, and the vacuum pump is driven. After sucking and removing the residual air in the chamber and the air of the filling system such as the inside of the filling nozzle 6, if necessary, the cock 4 is once closed and the filling valve 8 is opened to inject the liquid into the container. When the vacuum pump is equipped with a trap during the liquid injection and after the liquid injection is completed, the vacuum pump is replaced with the one with the trap otherwise. A method of discharging air and generated bubbles in a head space in a container through a deaeration hose 9 attached to a cock 4 of the deaeration port 3 by driving a pump. .

According to this method, even if the degassing by the vacuum pump before the start of the liquid injection is insufficient, the air in the head space and the generated bubbles are discharged through the degassing port 3 during the liquid injection. Further, since the excess foam can be discharged from the container through the deaeration port 3 even after the liquid injection is completed, even when the highly flexible liquid is filled in the large flexible container A, In addition, the problem caused by bubbles generated at the time of filling can be effectively solved and filling can be easily performed.

After the container body 1 has been filled with a predetermined amount of the liquid content B by the above-described method, the filling valve 8 is closed, and the filling nozzle 6 is removed from the injection port 2 to be drawn. As described above, the injection port 2 is sealed with a cap not provided, the cock 4 is removed from the deaeration port 3, and the deaeration port 3 is sealed with a cap (not shown) as described above. The cock 4 can be simply and reliably sealed, and the cock 4 can be re-used, for example, when the liquid is filled in another large flexible container, or used for other purposes. . Further, when the head space is filled with an inert gas such as nitrogen gas as required, the gas can be effectively injected from the cock 4.

It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the above configuration, and various changes may be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

Next, the present invention will be described in more detail with reference to examples.

The large flexible container A has a capacity of 1
A large-sized flexible container for liquid of 2,000 liters (container of the present invention) was used, and as a comparative example, a deaeration port 3 was not provided, and only an inlet 2 was provided. Using a large flexible container inner container (regular product), a 0.05% by weight aqueous solution of a surfactant (a surfactant stock solution of 70% by weight of an active ingredient) as a highly foamable liquid is used as a filling device (2-inch piping +50).
Liter / minute flow rate) was filled under normal conditions in the same manner except for the method shown in Table 1, and the filled state was observed. The results are also shown in Table 1. The degassing was performed by a vacuum pump (VP0935; manufactured by Nitto Koki; ultimate vacuum degree -340 mmHg).

[0039]

[Table 1]

According to the results shown in Table 1, it is recognized that the present invention can easily fill a highly foamable liquid without requiring any special filling equipment.

[0041]

According to the present invention, by providing a large flexible container with a deaeration port provided with a gas flow control means such as a cock in addition to an injection port, it is possible to eliminate the need for expensive filling equipment as in the prior art. For example, a large-sized flexible container can be easily filled even with a highly foamable liquid with a general-purpose filling facility without the need for, for example, a single vacuum pump or a vacuum pump.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a configuration example of a large flexible container according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram illustrating one configuration example of a liquid filling method of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a partially enlarged view of FIG. 2;

[Explanation of symbols]

 A Large flexible container B Liquid (content liquid) 1 Container body 2 Inlet 3 Deaeration port 4 Cock (gas flow control means) 6 Filling nozzle

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. A large-sized flexible container having a filling inlet in a container body for storing and transporting a liquid filled in the container body, and controlling the flow of gas inside and outside the container to the container body. A large-sized flexible container having a deaeration port provided with a gas flow control means. 2. The large flexible container according to claim 1, wherein said gas flow control means is detachable from said deaeration port, and further comprises a cap capable of sealing said deaeration port. 3. The large-sized flexible container according to claim 1, wherein the deaeration port is provided near the injection port. 4. A liquid filling method for filling a liquid in a large flexible container using a filling device according to claim 1, wherein the filling port of the large flexible container and the filling device are filled. While airtightly connecting the nozzle, the air in the container is suctioned and removed from the deaeration port with the gas flow control means in a state where gas flows, and then the gas flow control means is set in a state where gas does not flow. After that, a liquid is filled in the container body by the filling device. 5. A liquid filling method for filling a liquid into a large flexible container using a filling device according to claim 1, wherein the filling port of the large flexible container and a filling nozzle of the filling device. And airtightly connected, filling the container body with the liquid, and setting the gas flow control means in a gas circulating state to allow the air in the container and bubbles generated in the container to flow from the deaeration port. A liquid filling method, wherein the liquid is discharged outside the container. 6. A liquid filling method for filling liquid into a large flexible container using a filling device according to claim 1, wherein the filling port of the large flexible container and a filling nozzle of the filling device. And airtight connection,
With the gas flow control means in a state where gas flows, the air in the container is suctioned and removed from the deaeration port, and then the liquid is filled into the container body by the filling device, and the liquid is generated in the container. A liquid filling method, comprising discharging bubbles from the deaeration port.