JP2003181404A - Vessel sterilizing/cleaning method and sterilizing/ cleaning jet nozzle used therefor - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a vessel sterilizing/cleaning method by which the inside surface of a vessel can be sterilized and cleaned efficiently by agitating part of a sterilizing/cleaning fluid to be jetted toward the inside of the vessel and to provide a sterilizing/cleaning jet nozzle which is used in the vessel sterilizing/ cleaning method. <P>SOLUTION: The sterilizing jet nozzle 1 is inserted into a bottle 30 put in an inverted position from the mouth part 31 of the bottle 30. The sterilizing fluid jetted from a first jet nozzle hole 7 formed in the tip part of the nozzle 1 and a second nozzle hole 9 opened below the hole 7 flows down to the part 31 after jetted. Since a part of the sterilizing fluid flowing down to the part 31 is agitated, paddled up and scattered toward the inside surface of the bottle 30 by the sterilizing fluid jetted from the hole 9, the inside of the bottle 30 can be sterilized efficiently. When the cleaning fluid is jetted toward the inside of the sterilized bottle 30 after the sterilization, the inside of the bottle 30 can also be cleaned effectively by the same agitation action. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2003,JPO

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a container sterilization / cleaning method and a sterilization / cleaning method used therefor, which are performed prior to filling various beverages such as drinking water, juice and tea beverages into containers such as PET bottles. More specifically, the present invention relates to a jet nozzle for sterilization / washing, and a jetting nozzle for sterilization / washing, which efficiently stirs or cleans a container by causing a sterilizing fluid or a washing fluid to stir. Regarding

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, PET bottles as containers have been widely used as containers for beverages such as drinking water, juice, sports drinks, etc. because of their light weight, transparency, and high flexibility in capacity and shape. ing. The capacity is 350
Various capacities such as ml, 500 ml, 1500 ml, 2000 ml are provided, and in terms of shape, square bottles (square or polygonal) have been devised in addition to round bottles. An example of a rectangular PET bottle is shown as a side view in FIG. The PET bottle 30 (hereinafter, simply referred to as “bottle 30”) has the purpose of improving the rigidity of the container, absorbing the reduced pressure inside the container due to the temperature drop due to cooling after filling or cooling, and from the viewpoint of container design and the like. Particularly, in the body portion, a plurality of beads 38 are attached, and in the case of a rectangular bottle, a plurality of uneven panels 39 are formed.

As a sterilization method for containers such as bottles, a sterilization method by keeping a chemical solution fully filled has been used so that the sterilization performance is not affected by the shape of the bottle. According to this sterilization method, the inside of the bottle is fully filled with the chemical liquid, all the inner walls of the bottle are brought into contact with the chemical liquid, and the full-filled state is maintained for a predetermined time. However, in recent years, the capacity is 350 ml or 500 m.
With the progress of miniaturization of the bottle capacity such as 1 and increase of the filling speed of the filling line such as 600 bottles per minute or more, such a sterilization method by holding the chemical solution is efficient. It has become impossible to perform proper sterilization and cleaning, and for example, when trying to cope with a high filling speed, there arises a problem that a vast space is required to maintain the chemical liquid for a predetermined period of time.

Therefore, as shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, the injection nozzle is inserted from below into the mouth portion 31 of the bottle 30 placed in the inverted position, and the chemical liquid or the cleaning water is injected from the injection nozzle to thereby make the container A chemical spray sterilization method is used to sterilize and clean the inner surface. FIG. 9 is a longitudinal sectional view showing an example of a conventional sterilizing method for an inverted container, (a) a sterilizing method using a non-oscillating injection nozzle, and (b) a sterilizing method using an oscillating injection nozzle. Is shown. In the system shown in FIG. 9A, since the sterilizing injection nozzle 50 is inserted into the mouth portion 31, the sterilizing injection nozzle 50 can move up and down relatively to the bottle 30, but cannot swing. The chemical liquid (sterilizing agent) supplied through the chemical liquid supply pipe 40 is jetted from the sterilizing jet nozzle 50 to sterilize the inside of the bottle 30. Aseptic air supplied through the air supply pipe 41 after the sterilization is completed in the bottle 30.
By injecting the liquid inside, it is possible to drain the liquid medicine from the bottle 30. In the system shown in FIG. 9B, the injection direction of the chemical liquid to the bottle 30 is changed every moment by swinging the sterilization injection nozzle 50 with respect to the bottle 30 placed in the inverted posture. By changing the injection direction of the chemical liquid, the wettability of the chemical liquid in contact with the inner surface of the bottle 30 is improved, and the unsterilized area is prevented from remaining. Instead of swinging the sterilization injection nozzle 50, swinging the bottle 30 may be considered.

The bottle 30 that has been sterilized is washed with the cleaning liquid, that is, the container is washed. FIG. 10 is a longitudinal sectional view showing an example of a conventional method for cleaning an inverted container,
(A) shows a cleaning method using a non-oscillating cleaning injection nozzle, and (b) shows a cleaning method using an oscillating cleaning injection nozzle. Similarly to the case of sterilization, the cleaning injection nozzle 6 is inserted into the mouth portion 31 of the bottle 30 placed in the inverted posture from below.
This is performed by inserting 0 and spraying clean clean water (sterile water in aseptic filling) from the cleaning spray nozzle 60 toward the inner surface of the bottle 30. In the swinging method shown in FIG. 10B, the washing jet nozzle 60 is swung with respect to the bottle 30 placed in the inverted posture, and the jetting direction of the washing water with respect to the bottle 30 is changed moment by moment. Efficient flushing of the chemical liquid over the entire inner surface of the bottle 30 is performed.

In the aseptic filling system, a series of steps including sterilization / washing of a container, finishing rinser, filling of contents, and cap closing are performed in a sterile environment such as a clean room. The container sterilization / cleaning process is, for example,
A rotary sterilization / cleaning method, that is, a plurality of injection nozzles are provided in a rotating turret with the injection holes facing upward, and the mouth of the container that is placed in an inverted position is inserted into each injection nozzle, and the injection nozzle It is known that a container is continuously sterilized and cleaned by spraying a sterilizing liquid or cleaning water therein.

When microorganisms cannot be completely removed, it causes spoilage after filling the beverage, and the residual of the liquid medicine causes a medicinal odor and a decrease in the flavor of the beverage, both of which are strictly regulated. Compared to the shape of a glass bottle or can, the bottle 30
In particular, the bead 38, the panel 39, or the body 32 and the bottom 33
Since the boundary portion 34 has a complicated shape, the chemical liquid sprayed from the sterilization spray nozzle 50 inserted into the mouth 31 of the bottle 30 reaches every corner of the inner surface of the bottle 30 to kill bacteria. It's taking time. Similarly, for the same reason, it takes a long time to wash away the chemical liquid with the cleaning water sprayed from the cleaning spray nozzle 60. As described above, according to the chemical solution injection sterilization method combined with the rocking method, although a sufficient sterilization / cleaning effect can be obtained, as the bottle shape becomes complicated, the sterilization or cleaning time becomes longer, and the apparatus becomes larger. There are problems such as complication.

Conventionally, as an example of a device for cleaning the inside of a container, a can cleaning device for cleaning the inside of a can such as a drum can has been proposed (see Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 52-7479). According to this can cleaning device, the nozzle is rotated by inserting the nozzle from the canister which is directed downward and ejecting the cleaning water in a fan shape from the slit-shaped ejection port formed at the tip of the nozzle. Instead, the inner surface of the can is cleaned. Further, in sterilizing or cleaning the inside of a cylindrical container in a substantially upright posture, a straight-ahead nozzle that sprays a sterilizing agent or cleaning water in a straight line and sterilizes and cleans the bottom of the container and the boundary between the bottom and the body. And a method for sterilizing and cleaning a cylindrical container, which uses a hollow cone spray nozzle in which a sterilizing / cleaning target is the body of the container, which is sprayed in a conical shape from an annular ejection port (Japanese Patent Laid-open No. Sho-62-1999). 63-829
No. 89). Furthermore, a straight injection port along the central axis on the insertion tip side of the nozzle body that is inserted into the container from the opening of the inverted container, and an inclination around the straight injection port at a predetermined angle with respect to the central axis. A cleaning nozzle provided with an inclined jet port has been proposed (Actual Kaihei 3-758).
53).

In the sterilization or cleaning of the container disclosed in each of the above-mentioned publications, the injection of the sterilizing agent or the cleaning water uses both the injection from the center and the injection from the periphery thereof.
In both cases, the injection holes are formed in a concentrated manner at the tip of the injection nozzle, and the used sterilizing agent and cleaning water only flow out from the mouth of the container as it is. It depends on whether or not the sprayed germicidal agent or cleaning water directly impinges on the inner surface of the container, or wets the inner surface as it flows down along the inner surface of the container after the collision.

[0010]

Therefore, in the sterilization / cleaning of the inner surface of the container, the sterilization / cleaning fluid is sprayed separately in the axial direction of the nozzle to relatively swing the container and the spray nozzle. Efficient sterilization of the inner surface of the container
There is a problem to be solved in terms of cleaning.

An object of the present invention is to shorten the time required for sterilization and cleaning of the inner surface of the container in the sterilization and cleaning of the container by spraying the sterilizing and cleaning fluid without relatively rocking the container and the injection nozzle. The present invention is to provide a container sterilization / cleaning method and a sterilization / cleaning injection nozzle used for the same, which enables efficient and efficient sterilization / cleaning equipment.

[0012]

In order to solve the above problems, the present invention is directed to sterilizing a container by injecting a sterilizing / cleaning fluid from an injection nozzle inserted into the mouth of the container placed in an inverted position. The cleaning method is characterized in that the sterilization / cleaning fluid is sprayed from a first spray hole opening at the tip of the spray nozzle and a second spray hole opening at a position lower than the tip.

According to this container sterilization / cleaning method, when the container is sterilized or cleaned, the injection nozzle is inserted into the mouth of the container placed in the inverted posture, and in that state, it is separated vertically. A sterilizing fluid is sterilized during sterilization and a rinsing fluid is blasted inside the container during sterilization from the first and second ejection holes that are open at different positions. The sterilizing fluid or cleaning fluid is
The dispersibility of the injection to the inner surface of the container is enhanced, and the inner surface of the container such as the inner surface of the body or the bottom is collided to effectively sterilize the inner surface of the container or the sterilizing fluid remaining in the container is washed out. It can be performed. This container sterilization / cleaning method can be applied not only to the sterilization step in which cleaning is performed after sterilization and the cleaning step simultaneously or individually, but also to ozone sterilization and warm water in which only the sterilization step without the cleaning step is performed. It can be applied to sterilization and hot filling without a sterilization step and only with a washing step.

Further, according to the present invention, there is provided a sterilizing / cleaning injection nozzle for a container, which is inserted into a mouth portion of an inverted container and sprays a sterilizing / cleaning fluid toward an inner surface of the container. The multi-stage nozzle is provided with a first injection hole opening at the tip and a second injection hole opening at a position lower than the tip.

According to the sterilization / cleaning injection nozzle for this container, the structure of the injection nozzle is changed to include the first injection hole opening at the tip of the nozzle and the second injection hole opening at a position lower than the first injection hole. It is possible to inject the sterilizing fluid or the cleaning fluid into the container placed in an inverted position with the dispersibility increased by vertically, and it is not necessary to rock the container. It is possible to efficiently sterilize or wash. The injection nozzle for sterilization / cleaning of this container can be used not only in the process of both the sterilization process and the cleaning process in which cleaning is performed after the sterilization or in either process, but only in the sterilization process without the cleaning process. It can also be used for ozone sterilization and warm water sterilization, and for hot filling without a sterilization process and only with a cleaning process.

In this container sterilization / cleaning method and container sterilization / cleaning injection nozzle, a part of the sterilization / cleaning fluid injected from the injection nozzle and flowing down to the mouth of the container is used as the second injection hole. It can be scraped up by the sterilizing / cleaning fluid sprayed from The sterilization / cleaning fluid sprayed into the container placed in the inverted posture tries to flow down through the container mouth and out of the mouth of the container. The agitating action of the sterilization / cleaning fluid is generated by scraping up with the sterilization / cleaning fluid jetted from. That is, when the sterilization / cleaning fluid is a liquid, the scattering property is improved in terms of the randomness of the liquid scattering direction and the scattering range, and a shaking action similar to the action that occurs when shaking the container is generated. When the fluid is gas, the turbulence of the gas flow is increased. Therefore, it is not always necessary to relatively oscillate the container and the injection nozzle, and it is possible to more effectively sterilize every corner of the inner surface of the container, and to wash away the sterilizing fluid that adheres to or remains on the inner surface of the container. Also in this case, the washing fluid is efficiently washed by the stirring action of the washing fluid.

In this container sterilization / cleaning method and container sterilization / cleaning injection nozzle, the second injection hole is preferably located at the mouth of the container.
By arranging the second injection hole at the mouth of the container, each injection hole for injecting the sterilizing / cleaning fluid toward the inside of the container is efficiently arranged while minimizing the insertion process of the injection nozzle into the container. It will be possible. Further, when the sprayed sterilization / cleaning fluid flows down to the mouth of the container, it is possible to enhance the interference with the sterilization / cleaning fluid sprayed from the second spray holes to enhance the stirring action.

In this container sterilization / cleaning method and container sterilization / cleaning injection nozzle, the sterilization / cleaning fluid is
It can be a sterilizing solution such as warm water or a chemical solution, or a cleaning solution such as sterile water. That is, the sterilization / cleaning fluid as a liquid can be applied to hot water used for hot water sterilization or a sterilizing liquid using a chemical. Also, when cleaning, sterile water can be used in consideration of shipping.

In this container sterilization / cleaning method and container sterilization / cleaning injection nozzle, when a liquid is used as the sterilization / cleaning fluid, at least a part of the second injection holes are accumulated in the container. It can be placed open in the sterilizing liquid or the cleaning liquid. By forming at least a part of the second injection holes at positions that are opened in the sterilization / cleaning liquid that flows down to the mouth of the container, a part of the sterilization / cleaning liquid that has flowed down is injected from the second injection holes. It is scraped up by the sterilizing and cleaning liquid. The sterilizing / cleaning liquid that is scraped up one after another has no regularity in the amount, direction, and spread of scraping, and scatters randomly toward the inner surface of the container, similar to shaking the sterilizing / cleaning liquid in the container. The sterilizing liquid wets and sterilizes without leaving the inner surface of the container, and the cleaning liquid does not leave the sterilizing fluid such as the chemical liquid adhering to the inner surface of the container in the container. It can be carried out. in this case,
Since the first injection hole is not opened in the sterilization / cleaning liquid that flows down and collects at the mouth, the injection amount of the sterilization / cleaning liquid from the injection nozzle can be sufficiently maintained.

In a method of sterilizing and cleaning a container using a liquid sterilizing and cleaning fluid, in order to accelerate discharge of the sterilizing liquid or the cleaning liquid accumulated in the container during sterilizing and cleaning of the container, or the container. In order to promote draining of the sterilizing liquid or the cleaning liquid accumulated in the container after the sterilization / washing, it is preferable to inject air from the injection nozzle. That is, when the sterilization / cleaning liquid accumulates at the mouth of the container, the scraping action due to the sterilization / cleaning liquid jetted from the second injection hole of the sterilization / cleaning liquid flowing down to the mouth may be reduced. At this time, by injecting air from the injection nozzle into the container, pressure is applied from the inside of the container to the sterilizing / cleaning liquid that collects and accumulates at the mouth of the container, promoting discharge to the outside of the container, and sterilizing / cleaning. By revitalizing and maintaining the effective shaking action during the process, the sterilization / washing time per unit container required as the sterilization / washing speed becomes faster can be shortened. Even during the termination period of sterilization / cleaning, air is jetted from the injection nozzle into the container so that pressure is applied from inside the container to the sterilization / cleaning liquid collected at the mouth of the container and drained efficiently. Thus, the sterilization / washing time per unit container can be shortened.

In addition, in a jet nozzle for sterilizing / washing a container, the jet nozzle is used to promote discharge of a sterilizing / cleaning liquid during sterilizing / washing of such a container and drainage of the container after sterilizing / washing. It can be a double tube nozzle incorporating an air tube for injecting air. By ejecting air from the air injection nozzle into the container,
Disinfection is promoted by applying pressure to the sterilization / cleaning liquid from the inside of the container, so sterilization / collection at the mouth of the container
It is possible to recover the reduction of the shaking action due to the excessive accumulation of the cleaning liquid and to end the draining early. In addition, the sterilization / washing time required per unit container can be shortened as the sterilization / washing of the container becomes faster. The air tube can be inserted into the first injection hole, for example,
It is possible to maintain the simplicity of the structure of the injection nozzle.

In this container sterilization / cleaning method and container sterilization / cleaning injection nozzle, the sterilization / cleaning fluid is
It can be a sterilizing gas such as ozone gas or a cleaning gas such as aseptic air used for gas replacement in the container. That is, the sterilization / cleaning fluid as a gas can be applied to ozone used in ozone sterilization. In addition, when cleaning, it is possible to handle aseptic air that maintains the sterilized state inside the container in consideration of the case of transporting, storing, and shipping the container.

In the sterilization / cleaning injection nozzle of this container, the first injection hole is formed at the central position of the multi-stage nozzle, and the second injection hole is viewed in the axial direction of the multi-stage nozzle. It can be formed circumferentially spaced around the injection hole. The sterilization / cleaning fluid sprayed from the first spray hole formed in the central position directly sprays the sterilization / cleaning fluid toward the inner surface of the container to sterilize or clean the inner surface of the container. The second injection holes, which are circumferentially spaced around the first injection hole, are located at a position retracted from the first injection hole, so that the injection direction, the injection amount, or the stirring of the sterilization / cleaning fluid that flows down. It is possible to achieve a function different from the injection of the sterilization / cleaning fluid from the first injection hole such as worship and scraping.

In the sterilizing / cleaning injection nozzle of this container, it is preferable that the second injection holes are opened at different positions in the axial direction of the multi-stage nozzle. By further opening the second injection nozzle at different positions in the axial direction, the injection nozzle can be configured as a multi-stage nozzle such as a 3-stage nozzle or a 4-stage nozzle. By using such a multi-stage nozzle, a variety of jetting (direction / amount, etc.) patterns and agitation / scraping action can be secured, and sterilization / cleaning can be performed according to the variety of container size / design. Will be possible.

In the sterilizing / cleaning injection nozzle of this container, the first injection hole has an opening angle in the direction toward the inner surface of the bottom of the container when the container is inserted into the mouth portion, It is preferable that the injection hole has an opening angle ranging from an angle parallel to the first injection hole to an angle in a direction toward a boundary portion between the inner surface of the bottom and the inner surface of the body of the container. The sterilization / cleaning fluid from the first injection hole is sprayed toward the inner surface of the bottom of the container due to its opening angle, and the sterilization / cleaning fluid collides with the inner surface of the bottom and then spreads to the periphery. Second
The injection hole may have an opening angle from the same angle to an angle that opens toward the boundary portion between the inner surface of the bottom of the container and the inner surface of the body, as compared with the injection direction of the first injection hole. However, the sterilization / cleaning fluid jetted from the second injection hole has the effect of stirring and scraping up the sterilization / cleaning fluid flowing down to the mouth of the container. In particular, by setting the opening direction of the second injection hole toward the boundary between the inner surface of the bottom of the container and the inner surface of the body, the boundary between the inner surface of the bottom and the inner surface of the body where dirt and used chemicals tend to remain. The portion can be sterilized with a sterilizing fluid and washed with a cleaning fluid.

In the sterilizing / cleaning injection nozzle of this container, the second injection hole is formed by extending the inner surface of the shoulder portion formed around the mouth portion of the container in an inverted position and the center of the container. It may be opened near the intersection with the line. Sterilization / washing that flows down on the inner surface of the shoulder of the container by setting the opening position of the second injection hole near the intersection of the extension of the inner surface of the shoulder formed around the mouth of the container and the center line of the container Since the fluid collects in the vicinity of the intersection at the container mouth, the opening of the second injection hole is surely located in the sterilizing / cleaning fluid that has collected in the downward direction.
It is possible to reliably scrape up part of the cleaning fluid. First
The injection hole opens at a position inserted into the container more than the second injection hole, and the sterilization / cleaning fluid (particularly, liquid) injected from the first injection hole does not contact the inner surface of the shoulder portion of the container. It does not interfere with the sterilizing / cleaning fluid that flows down and collects in the mouth, and is reliably sprayed to the inner surface of the container, and high wettability and cleanability can be maintained.

[0027]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Embodiments of the container sterilization / cleaning method and the sterilization / cleaning injection nozzle used therefor according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of a sterilizing injection nozzle used for sterilizing and cleaning a container according to the present invention, (a) is a plan view thereof, (b) is a side sectional view thereof, and FIG. 2 is shown in FIG. It is an expanded side sectional view which shows the state which applied the sterilization injection nozzle to the opening part of a container.

The sterilizing injection nozzle 1 shown in FIG. 1 (hereinafter simply referred to as "injection nozzle 1" for simplicity) has a nozzle body 2 on the base end side and a nozzle body 2 on the tip side of the nozzle body 2.
And a nozzle tip portion 3 formed integrally with the nozzle. The nozzle body 2 is a tubular body connected to a sterilizing fluid supply pipe for supplying a sterilizing fluid, that is, a sterilizing liquid such as warm water or sterilizing water, or a sterilizing gas such as ozone gas. Has become. At the nozzle tip portion 3, a central injection pipe 5 extending to an injection passage 4 of the nozzle body 2 extends along an extension line 6a of an axis line 6 of the nozzle body 2, and the inside thereof serves as a first injection hole 7. . In the root portion 8 where the central jet pipe 5 is connected to the nozzle body 2, there are formed second jet holes 9 which are circumferentially spaced around the first jet hole 7 and which are continuous with the jet passage 4 of the nozzle body 2. Has been formed. Therefore, the first injection hole 7 is opened closer to the tip side than the second injection hole 9. The first injection hole 7 extends straight along the extension line 6a of the axis 6 of the nozzle body 2 (opening angle α = 0 degree), so that the chemical liquid is injected straight, but each second injection hole 9 has a nozzle. Since the main body 2 is inclined at a predetermined angle (β = 10 degrees as an example) with respect to the axis 6, the chemical solution is ejected in the radial direction. In this example, the second injection hole 9 is
Although the diameter is smaller than that of the first injection hole 7 and the holes are formed at four positions at equal intervals in the circumferential direction, the number of holes and the like are not limited to this.

As shown in FIG. 2, the injection nozzle 1 is applied by inserting it into the mouth portion 31 of the bottle 30 placed in an inverted position with its center aligned. Since the same reference numerals as those used in FIG. 1 are used for the respective parts of the injection nozzle 1 shown in FIG. 2, the repetitive description will be omitted. In a state where the injection nozzle 1 is applied to the bottle 30, the first injection hole 7 is the bottle 3
The second injection hole 9 is opened immediately above the extended surface 36 of the inner surface of the shoulder portion 35 of the bottle 30. As a result, the first injection hole 7 is opened at a position considerably higher than the intersection 37 at which the extension surface 36 of the inner surface of the shoulder portion 35 intersects with the center line 6 of the bottle 30. In a state where the injection nozzle 1 is applied to the mouth portion 31 of the bottle 30 placed in the inverted posture, the first injection hole 7 injects the sterilizing fluid toward the inner surface of the bottom portion 33 of the bottle 30 (see also FIG. 6). Each second injection hole 9 injects the sterilizing fluid toward the inner corner of the boundary portion 34 between the body portion 32 and the bottom portion 33 of the bottle 30 where dirt may remain.

The sterilizing fluid sprayed from the spray nozzle 1 and colliding with the inner surfaces of the body portion 32 and the bottom portion 33 of the bottle 30 and sterilizing the inner surface of the container flows down in the bottle 30 and flows out below the mouth portion 31. However, especially in the case of a sterilizing solution, the shoulder 35
It is easy to collect in the mouth portion 31 that is narrowed from the inside. First injection hole 7
Has an opening height above the sterilizing liquid accumulated in the mouth 31. Since the second injection hole 9 opens inside the sterilizing solution accumulated in the mouth portion 31, a part of the sterilizing solution accumulated in the mouth portion 31 is scraped up by the sterilizing solution ejected from the second ejecting hole 9. Even when the sterilizing fluid is a sterilizing gas such as ozone gas, similarly, the sterilizing gas accumulated in the mouth portion 31 is stirred and scraped up by the sterilizing gas injected from the second injection holes 9. The sterilized fluid that has been scraped up undergoes a strong stirring action,
It scatters toward the inner surface of the bottle 30 with a certain distribution (spread). Particularly in the case of a sterilizing solution, the same action as shaking in the bottle 30 occurs. By this stirring action,
The sterilizing fluid has a complicated shape such as the inner surface of the bottle 30, particularly the bead 38, the panel 39 (FIG. 11), or the inner surface of the boundary portion between the body portion 32 and the bottom portion 33. Touch and sterilize without leaving. During the sterilizing fluid jetting period, the bottle 30 and the jetting nozzle 1 may move relative to each other in the axial direction (vertical direction) which is the insertion direction into the mouth portion 31, but the sterilizing fluid is scraped up with a certain spread. , The bottle 30 or the injection nozzle 1 for changing the injection direction of the sterilizing fluid as conventionally performed
Need not be relatively rocked.

The injection nozzle 1 penetrates through the central injection pipe 5 from the injection passage 4 of the nozzle body 2 into the air injection pipe 10.
Is inserted, and is configured as a double pipe. The tip portion 11 of the air injection pipe 10 penetrates through the first injection hole 7 to form the mouth portion 3
It opens in the bottle 30 above the sterilizing fluid collected in 1. The first injection hole 7 is narrowed by an amount corresponding to the air injection pipe 10, but is formed in an annular shape between the central injection pipe 5 and the air injection pipe 10. By injecting air from the air injecting nozzle 10 into the bottle 30, pressure can be applied to the sterilizing fluid from the inside of the bottle 30 to accelerate its discharge. If the sterilizing fluid collected in the mouth portion 31 of the bottle 30 is excessively accumulated, the stirring action of the sterilizing fluid injected from the second injection holes 9 may be reduced.
By increasing the pressure in the bottle 30 to accelerate the discharge of the sterilizing fluid, the stirring action of the sterilizing fluid can be recovered. This restoration of the stirring action is particularly remarkable when the sterilizing fluid is a liquid. By recovering / maintaining the stirring action of the sterilizing fluid, the sterilization of the bottle 30 is made more efficient,
As the sterilization speed of the bottle 30 increases, the sterilization time required for each container can be further shortened. When the sterilizing fluid is a liquid, the bottle 3 from the air injection nozzle 10
Needless to say, it can be used for draining the sterilizing liquid by injecting the air into 0 even during the termination period of the sterilizing step. The air is, for example, aseptic air, so that the sterilized state in the bottle 30 will be
0 is maintained at each stage of transportation, storage, and shipping. In addition, generally, by adjusting the amount or pressure of the air jetted into the container through the jet nozzle 1, the discharge speed of the sterilization / washing fluid discharged through the mouth 31 of the bottle 30 from the mouth 31 is controlled. can do.

3A and 3B are views showing an example of a cleaning jet nozzle used for cleaning a container according to the present invention. FIG. 3A is a plan view thereof, FIG. 3B is a side sectional view thereof, and FIG. 4 is shown in FIG. It is an expanded side sectional view showing a state in which the cleaning jet nozzle is applied to the mouth of the container. Cleaning jet nozzle 20 shown in FIG.
The basic structure is substantially the same as that of the sterilizing liquid injection nozzle 1. That is, the cleaning injection nozzle 20 shown in FIG. 3 (hereinafter, simply referred to as “injection nozzle 20” for simplification) is integrally formed with the nozzle body 22 on the base end side and the nozzle body 22 on the tip side of the nozzle body 22. And the nozzle tip portion 23 formed in the. The nozzle body 22 is a cleaning fluid, that is,
In the case of a liquid, it is a tubular body connected to a cleaning fluid supply pipe that supplies a cleaning liquid such as a sterile liquid, and in the case of gas, a cleaning gas such as sterile air, and the inside serves as a cleaning fluid injection passage 24. There is. At the nozzle tip 23, a central injection pipe 25 connected to the injection passage 24 of the nozzle body 22 is provided.
It extends along an extension line 26a of the axis line 26, and the inside thereof serves as a first injection hole 27. A plurality of second injection holes, which are formed circumferentially around the first injection hole 27 and are connected to the injection passage 24 of the nozzle body 22, are formed in the base portion 28 where the central injection pipe 25 is connected to the nozzle body 22. 29 are formed (four are formed at equal intervals in this example, but not limited to this). Since the first injection holes 27 extend straight along the extension line 6a of the axis 6 of the nozzle body 22 (opening angle γ = 0), the cleaning fluid is injected straight, but each second injection hole 9 has a nozzle. Since the main body 22 is inclined at a predetermined angle (opening angle δ = 10 degrees) with respect to the axis 26, the cleaning fluid can be ejected in the radial direction. Since the injection nozzle 20 does not use air injection, it is not configured as a double pipe, and the first injection hole 27 is formed to have a smaller diameter than in the case of the injection nozzle 1 in which the air injection nozzle 10 is fitted and inserted. ing.

When the injection nozzle 20 is applied to the mouth 31 of the bottle 30, as shown in FIG. 4, when the injection nozzle 20 is inserted into the mouth 31, the positional relationship with the bottle 30 and the mouth 31 are gathered together. The relationship with the cleaning fluid to be used is the same as in the case of the sterilizing injection nozzle 1, and therefore its description is omitted.
Even at the time of cleaning the bottle 30, the cleaning fluid sprayed toward the inner surface of the bottle 30 is partially sprayed from the second spray holes 27 when flowing down in the bottle 30 and flowing out from the mouth 31. It is scraped up by the cleaning fluid that is generated and scatters with a certain distribution due to the stirring action,
The sterilizing fluid that remains after being attached to the inner surface of the bottle 30 is washed away without being left by the washing fluid. In addition, since the same air injection nozzle as the air injection nozzle 10 is not used as the injection nozzle 20, the supply of the cleaning fluid (particularly, the cleaning liquid) into the bottle 30 is not controlled.

FIG. 5 is a view showing another embodiment of the sterilizing injection nozzle according to the present invention, in which (a) is a plan view thereof.
(B) is a side sectional view thereof. The embodiment of the sterilization injection nozzle shown in FIG. 5 is different from the injection nozzle 1 shown in FIG. 1 only in that the second injection hole is opened in two stages at different axial positions, and therefore the same constituent parts are provided. Are denoted by the same reference numerals and will not be described again. In the sterilizing injection nozzle 1a shown in FIG. 5, the first injection hole 7 has the injection nozzle 1a.
Is formed at the tip of the nozzle in the same manner as, and the second injection hole is
As shown by a second injection hole 9a on the tip side (upper side) in the axial direction of the sterilization injection nozzle 1a and a second injection hole 9b on the base end side (lower side), two stages are formed so as to open at different positions in the vertical direction. Is formed in. The sterilizing injection nozzle 1a is configured such that the outer diameter and the inner diameter become larger toward the portion where the lower second injection hole is formed. The second injection hole 9b is the second injection hole 9
Similar to a, four are formed at the same opening angle in the circumferential direction, but the circumferential angles are set to be staggered in consideration of sterilization efficiency. The second injection hole 9a,
The vertical spacing of 9b, the opening direction, the numerical aperture, etc. are not limited to this example, but can be changed as appropriate. When the sterilizing injection nozzle 1a is applied to sterilize and wash the bottle 30 placed in the inverted posture, the upper second injection hole 9a is located below the first injection hole 7 and the first injection hole 7a. Similarly to the above, the opening is made inside the bottle 30, and the lower second injection hole 9 b is opened at the mouth 31 of the bottle 30. When spraying a sterilizing liquid as a sterilizing fluid,
In the sterilizing injection nozzle 1a, the second injection hole 9b has a bottle 30.
It is arranged so as to open in the sterilizing liquid accumulated in the mouth portion 31 of the. In this example, the second injection hole 9b has two stages,
The second injection holes may be configured to open in three or more stages. Further, the cleaning injection nozzle can also be configured to open the second injection holes in multiple stages.

FIG. 6 is a schematic explanatory view showing the state of sterilization and cleaning of the inside of the bottle, (a) shows the outline of the sterilization process inside the bottle, and (b) shows the outline of the cleaning process inside the bottle. ing. For the bottle 30 placed in an inverted position,
The sterilizing injection nozzle 1 is inserted into the mouth portion 31 from below. In the sterilization process, the sterilizing fluid supplied from the sterilizing fluid supply pipe 40 and the sterile air supplied from the air supply pipe 42 are jetted from the jet nozzle 1. In this step, the injection nozzle 1 and the bottle 30 are not rocked. The sterilizing fluid is
From the first injection hole 7 (see also FIGS. 1 and 2), the bottle 30
The boundary portion 3 between the body portion 32 and the bottom portion 33, which is sprayed toward the inner surface of the bottom portion 33 of the bottom portion 33 and is likely to leave dirt from the second injection holes 9.
4 is injected toward the inner surface. The sprayed sterilizing fluid travels along the inner surface of the body 32 and flows down to the mouth 31. Second
The stirring / raising action of the sterilizing fluid (particularly, the sterilizing liquid) accumulated in the mouth portion 31 by the sterilizing fluid ejected from the ejection holes 9 has already been described.

In the cleaning step, the cleaning fluid supplied from the cleaning fluid supply pipe 41 is jetted from the jet nozzle 20. Even in this step, the injection nozzle 20 and the bottle 30 are not rocked. The cleaning fluid is sprayed from the first injection hole 27 (see also FIGS. 3 and 4) toward the inner surface of the bottom portion 33 of the bottle 30, and from the second injection hole 29, the boundary portion between the body portion 32 and the bottom portion 33. It is injected toward the inner surface of 34. The sprayed cleaning fluid travels along the inner surface of the body portion 32 and flows down to the mouth portion 31. The agitation / raising action of the cleaning fluid accumulated in the mouth portion 31 by the cleaning fluid ejected from the second ejection holes 29 has already been described.

Next, the sterilization step and the washing step in the aseptic filling system will be described with reference to FIGS. 7 and 8. 7A and 7B are explanatory views showing the outline of the sterilization process in the aseptic filling system, FIG. 7A is a plan view, and FIG. 7B is a process drawing at each position A to F. The sterilization of the bottle 30 is performed while making one round around the rotating turret 70. That is, at the position A around the turret 70, the injection nozzle 1 starts to inject the chemical liquid, which is a sterilizing liquid, and the air, and starts to rise.
At the position B, the injection nozzle 1 is completely inserted into the bottle 30. Air injection is continued to the C position, and the bottle of chemical liquid 3
It is possible to prevent the shake function from being lowered due to excessive accumulation in 0. The injection of the chemical liquid from the injection nozzle 1 is continued to the D position, and thereafter, only the injection of the air is switched to drain the water to the E position. Further, at the E position, the injection nozzle 1
Is started, and the lowering of the injection nozzle 1 is completed at the F position.

FIG. 8 is an explanatory view showing an outline of the washing process in the aseptic filling system, (a) is a plan view and (b) is A to E.
FIG. 7 is a process drawing at each position of FIG. To wash the bottle 30,
It is performed while making one round with the rotating turret 71.
A plurality of injection nozzles 20 are arranged at equal intervals in the circumferential direction on the turret 71 that holds the bottle 30 upside down, and rotate together with the turret 71. At the A position around the turret 71, the injection nozzle 20 starts to inject the cleaning water as the cleaning fluid and starts to rise, and at the B position, the injection nozzle 20 is inserted into the bottle 30 placed in the inverted posture. The jet of cleaning water is continued to the C position. When the injection of the wash water is stopped at the C position, the wash water is drained until the D position. Furthermore, at the D position, the injection nozzle 2
The descent of 0 is started, and the descent of the injection nozzle 20 is completed at the E position.

Next, a concrete example will be described.
In the sterilizing injection nozzle 1, the second injection hole 9 is inclined at an opening angle β of 10 ° with respect to the center line 6. Further, the cleaning injection nozzle 20 also has the second injection holes 9
Are inclined with respect to the center line 26 with an opening angle δ of 10 °. The disposition of the sterilizing injection nozzle 1 and the cleaning injection nozzle 20 in the bottle 30 when inserted from the mouth 31 of the bottle 30 depends on the size and shape of the bottle or the structure of the mouth, but stirring and scratching. In order to surely obtain the lifting action, the first injection holes 7 and 27 are provided on the extension surface 3 of the shoulder portion 35 of the bottle 30.
Bottle 30 from intersection 37 where 6 intersects with central lines 6 and 26
It is set so as to open at an upper position of 10 mm or more toward the bottom 33 side of the bottle 30, and the second injection holes 9 and 29 are below the opening positions of the first injection holes 7 and 27 and from the intersection 37 of the bottle 30. It is preferable to set the opening at an upper position within 20 mm toward the bottom 33 side.

In the sterilization process, the capacity is 500 ml and 2000
50-150 each for PET bottles with ml
5 to 20 ml / sec, 80 to 240 ml / sec chemical flow rate
Fired for a second. In the cleaning step, the same amount of cleaning water was sprayed on each PET bottle for 2 to 5 seconds. In order to confirm the sterilization / cleaning effect of this invention, 5
10 ⁶ cfu / bottl on the inside of a 00 ml square bottle
e strain (Test strain: Bacillus subtili
s var. niger. IFO3108) is attached and the concentration of peracetic acid is 2000ppm as a germicide for aseptic filling.
After sterilizing TOYO-aktiv (Ecolab Co., Ltd.) that has been adjusted to 63 ° C and heated to 63 ° C on the inner surface of the bottle for 10 seconds, sterilizing water as cleaning water does not leave the disinfectant on the inner surface of the bottle. Washed thoroughly. After washing, a test bottle sealed aseptically was filled with a standard agar medium, the standard agar medium was adhered to the entire inner surface of the bottle, and cultured at 37 ° C. for 14 days to confirm the growth of bacteria.

The results of culturing the bacteria are shown in Table 1 below. As can be seen from Table 1, a comparative test was carried out with the test using the injection nozzle according to the present invention and the conventional injection nozzle including the case with rocking and the case without rocking on the bottle. When the initial number of adhered bacteria was the same, the number of bacteria cultured on standard agar medium after sterilization and washing was counted. The sterilization value is represented by a D value defined by the following formula. Sterilization value (D) = log (number of initial bacteria / number of viable bacteria) In the conventional injection nozzle, the sterilization value is 6D or more when there is rocking, whereas it is 3.1D when there is no rocking. When using the injection nozzle of the invention, 6D or more was obtained.

[Table 1]

[0042]

As described above, according to the container sterilizing / cleaning method and the container sterilizing / cleaning injection nozzle of the present invention, sterilization is performed from the injection nozzle inserted in the mouth of the container in the inverted posture. -In the method of sterilizing and cleaning a container by spraying a cleaning fluid, the first formed on the tip
Since the sterilization / cleaning fluid is injected from the axially separated positions of the injection hole and the second injection hole opening below the injection hole,
The dispersibility of the sterilizing fluid or the cleaning fluid on the inner surface of the container is enhanced, and the inner surface such as the inner surface of the body of the container or the inner surface of the bottom is efficiently sterilized without relatively rocking the container and the injection nozzle. Alternatively, cleaning such as flushing out the sterilizing fluid remaining in the container can be efficiently performed. Sterilization and cleaning of this container
It is needless to say that it is applied simultaneously or individually to each of the sterilization process and the cleaning process in which cleaning is performed after the sterilization, and for ozone sterilization and warm water sterilization in which only the sterilization process without the cleaning process is performed, the sterilization process is also performed. It can also be applied to hot filling without a cleaning process.

Further, in the container sterilization / cleaning method and container sterilization / cleaning injection nozzle according to the present invention, a part of the sterilization / cleaning fluid flowing down to the mouth of the container after injection is injected from the second injection nozzle. Stir with sterilization / cleaning fluid
In the sterilization / cleaning injection nozzle used for sterilization / cleaning of the container according to the present invention that can be scraped up, at least a part of the second injection holes is provided in the mouth part with the injection nozzle inserted and arranged in the mouth part. Since it is formed at a position that opens in the sterilizing / cleaning fluid that collects under flow, the sterilizing / cleaning fluid that is agitated / raised can scatter toward the inner surface of the container with a certain spread, and strengthen the turbulence. Especially sterilization
In the case of the cleaning liquid, the same stirring action as shaking in the container occurs, and the chemical liquid or the cleaning water is completely wetted on the inner surface of the container for sterilization or cleaning. Therefore, even if the container and the injection nozzle are not relatively swung, sterilization and cleaning are efficiently performed in a short time without requiring a large space, and stable sterilization and cleaning properties of the inner surface of the container are secured. be able to.

[Brief description of drawings]

1A and 1B are views showing an example of a sterilizing injection nozzle used for sterilizing and cleaning a container according to the present invention, FIG. 1A is a plan view thereof, and FIG. 1B is a side sectional view thereof.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged side sectional view showing a state in which the sterilizing injection nozzle shown in FIG. 1 is applied to the mouth of a container.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a cleaning jet nozzle used for cleaning a container according to the present invention, FIG.
(B) is a side sectional view thereof.

4 is an enlarged side cross-sectional view showing a state in which the cleaning injection nozzle shown in FIG. 3 is applied to the mouth of a container.

5A and 5B are views showing another embodiment of the sterilizing injection nozzle according to the present invention, in which FIG. 5A is a plan view thereof and FIG. 5B is a side sectional view thereof.

FIG. 6 is a schematic explanatory view showing a state of sterilization and cleaning inside the bottle, (a) is a schematic diagram of a sterilization process inside the bottle,
(B) is a schematic diagram of a cleaning process inside the bottle.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an outline of sterilization in an aseptic filling system to which the sterilization / washing method according to the present invention is applied, (a) is a plan view, and (b) is a sterilization process diagram.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an outline of cleaning in an aseptic filling system to which the sterilization / cleaning method according to the present invention is applied, in which (a) is a plan view and (b) is a cleaning process diagram.

FIG. 9 is a vertical cross-sectional view showing an example of a conventional container sterilizing method, (a) shows a sterilizing method using a non-oscillating injection nozzle, and (b) shows a sterilizing method using an oscillating injection nozzle. It is a figure which shows the method.

10A and 10B are vertical cross-sectional views showing an example of a conventional container cleaning method, FIG. 10A is a view showing a cleaning method using a non-oscillating cleaning injection nozzle, and FIG. It is a figure which shows the cleaning method by an injection nozzle.

FIG. 11 is a side view showing an example of a rectangular PET bottle.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Sterilization injection nozzle 2 Nozzle main body 3 Nozzle tip 4 Injection passage 5 Central injection pipe 6 Axis 7 First injection hole 8 Root 9 Second injection hole 10 Air injection pipe 20 Cleaning injection nozzle 22 Nozzle body 23 Nozzle tip 24 injection passage 25 central injection pipe 26 axis 27 first injection hole 28 root 29 second injection hole 30 bottle (container) 31 mouth 32 body 33 bottom 34 boundary 35 shoulder 36 extension 36 intersection 38 bead 39 panel 40 Chemical Supply Pipe 41 Cleaning Water Supply Pipe 42 Air Supply Pipe

─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification code FI theme code (reference) B65B 55/04 B65B 55/04 A 55/10 55/10 C F (72) Inventor Ken Iwashita Yokohama, Kanagawa 1-170 Yamu, Tsurumi-ku, Toyo Seikan Co., Ltd. Technical Term F-term (reference) 3B116 AA21 BB22 BB87 BB90 CC03 3B201 AA21 BB22 BB90 BB92 BB98 CC12 4C058 AA25 BB07 CC02 CC03 CC06 CC07 EE30 JJ06 JJ14 JJ24 JJ24 JJ24 JJ24 JJ24

Claims (19)

[Claims] 1. A sterilizing / cleaning method for a container by spraying a sterilizing / cleaning fluid from a spray nozzle inserted into the mouth of a container placed in an inverted position, wherein the sterilizing / cleaning fluid is the tip of the spray nozzle. A sterilization / cleaning method for a container, characterized in that the injection is performed from a first injection hole that is opened in a portion and a second injection hole that is opened in a position below the tip portion. 2. A part of the sterilization / cleaning fluid that is jetted from the jet nozzle and flows down to the mouth of the container
The container is sterilized by the sterilization / cleaning fluid sprayed from a spray hole.
Cleaning method. 3. The sterilization / cleaning method for a container according to claim 1, wherein the second injection hole is located at the mouth of the container. 4. The sterilization / cleaning fluid for a container according to claim 1, wherein the sterilization / cleaning fluid is a sterilizing solution such as warm water or a chemical solution, or a cleaning solution such as sterile water. Cleaning method. 5. The sterilization of the container according to claim 4, wherein at least a part of the second injection holes is opened in the sterilization liquid or the cleaning liquid accumulated in the container. Cleaning method. 6. The air is jetted from the jet nozzle in order to accelerate discharge of the sterilizing liquid or the cleaning liquid accumulated in the container during sterilization / cleaning of the container. The method for sterilizing and cleaning the container described in. 7. The air is jetted from the jet nozzle in order to accelerate draining of the sterilizing liquid or the cleaning liquid accumulated in the container after the sterilization / cleaning of the container. Sterilization / cleaning method for the described container. 8. The sterilizing / cleaning fluid is a sterilizing gas such as ozone gas, or a cleaning gas such as aseptic air used for gas replacement in the container. The method for sterilizing and cleaning the container described in. 9. An injection nozzle for sterilization / cleaning of a container, which is inserted into an opening of a container placed upside down and injects a sterilization / cleaning fluid toward an inner surface of the container, wherein the injection nozzle is provided at a tip portion. An injection nozzle for sterilizing and cleaning a container, which is a multi-stage nozzle including a first injection hole that opens and a second injection hole that opens below the tip. 10. The sterilization / cleaning fluid sprayed from the second spray hole scrapes up a part of the sterilization / cleaning fluid sprayed from the spray nozzle and flowing down to the mouth of the container. An injection nozzle for sterilizing and cleaning a container according to claim 9. 11. The sterilization / cleaning injection nozzle for a container according to claim 9, wherein the second injection hole is arranged at the mouth portion of the container. 12. The sterilizing / cleaning fluid for a container according to claim 9, wherein the sterilizing / cleaning fluid is a sterilizing solution such as warm water or a chemical solution, or a cleaning solution such as sterile water.
Cleaning jet nozzle. 13. At least a part of the second injection holes,
13. The sterilizing liquid or the cleaning liquid accumulated in the container is arranged so as to open into the sterilizing liquid or the cleaning liquid.
Spray nozzle for sterilization and cleaning of the container described in. 14. The sterilizing liquid accumulated in the container after sterilizing / cleaning the container, for promoting the discharge of the sterilizing liquid or the cleaning liquid accumulated in the container, or 13. The jet nozzle is a double pipe nozzle in which an air pipe for jetting air is incorporated in order to promote drainage of the cleaning liquid.
Or a jet nozzle for sterilizing and cleaning the container according to 13. 15. The sterilizing / cleaning fluid is a sterilizing gas such as ozone gas, or a cleaning gas such as sterile air used for gas replacement in the container.
An injection nozzle for sterilizing and cleaning the container according to any one of 1. 16. The first injection hole is formed at a central position of the multi-stage nozzle, and the second injection hole is circumferentially separated around the first injection hole when viewed in the axial direction of the multi-stage nozzle. It is formed by placing it.
An injection nozzle for sterilizing and cleaning the container according to any one of 1. 17. The sterilization / cleaning of the container according to claim 9, wherein the second injection holes are opened at different positions in the axial direction of the multistage nozzle. Injection nozzle. 18. When the container is inserted into the mouth, the first injection hole has an opening angle in the direction toward the inner surface of the bottom of the container, and the second injection hole is the same as the first injection hole. 18. An opening angle in a range from a parallel angle to an angle in a direction toward a boundary portion between the inner surface of the bottom portion and the inner surface of the body portion of the container. Injection nozzle for sterilization and cleaning of the described container. 19. The second injection hole is opened near an intersection of an extension line of an inner surface of a shoulder portion formed around the mouth portion of the container placed in an inverted posture and a center line of the container. The injection nozzle for sterilizing and cleaning a container according to any one of claims 9 to 18, characterized in that