JP2004001850A - Apparatus for monitoring cleaning or sterilizing of filling nozzle - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an apparatus which can surely monitoring cleaning or sterilizing condition with no jetting into a release space from a filling nozzle. <P>SOLUTION: The apparatus 14 for monitoring cleaning or sterilizing the filling nozzle 1 for feeding and filling a liquid for eating and drinking into a specified container during its conveying, is equipped with a cleaning or sterilizing means for cleaning or sterilizing the filling nozzle 1 by elevating the temperature for cleaning or sterilizing, an IR rays radiation thermometer 4 for detecting the temperature of the filling nozzle 1, and a judging means for judging whether cleaning or sterilizing of the filling nozzle 1 is performed based on the temperature detected by the IR rays radiation thermometer 4. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a cleaning or sterilizing apparatus for cleaning or sterilizing a filling nozzle for filling a beverage such as a bottle, a can, or a bottle in an aseptic, that is, a sterile filling system, and in particular, performing the cleaning or sterilization. The present invention relates to a device for monitoring the fact.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Conventionally, each filling nozzle has been regularly closed and a cleaning or sterilization step has been performed to maintain the cleaning and aseptic state of the filling piping system. This cleaning step was performed by allowing the cleaning liquid to pass through the inside surface of the filling nozzle while the operator visually checked the thermometer. In addition, the above sterilization step is performed by supplying a relatively high-temperature gas of superheated steam to the filling nozzle and injecting it from the filling nozzle while the operator visually observes the thermometer.
[0003]
In addition, the washing or sterilization process is performed before and after the operation of the normal container filling, so that an aseptic environment is always maintained.
[0004]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, when a clogging of a pipe or a filling nozzle to each filling nozzle occurs, there is no method for detecting the clogging, and it is not known whether the temperature has reached an important temperature in the washing or sterilization process. In addition, if the worker tries to measure the important temperature with a measuring device using a thermocouple or the like, the bacteria possessed by the worker enter the room of the aseptic filling facility. As a result, there is a disadvantage that the aseptic state of the aseptic filling equipment cannot be maintained.
[0005]
The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and provides an apparatus capable of reliably monitoring the state of cleaning or sterilization of a filling nozzle.
[0006]
Means for Solving the Problems and Their Functions
In order to achieve the above object, the invention according to claim 1 is a cleaning or sterilization monitoring apparatus for a filling nozzle for supplying and filling a liquid for eating and drinking during the transportation of a predetermined container. Washing or sterilizing means in which washing or sterilization is performed by raising the temperature of the filling nozzle by flowing a high-temperature sterilizing fluid in a pipe reaching the tip of the nozzle, and a temperature detector for detecting the temperature of the filling nozzle, Determining means for determining whether the filling nozzle has been washed or sterilized based on the temperature detected by the temperature detector.
[0007]
According to the invention described in claim 1, a cleaning or sterilizing means in which cleaning or sterilization is performed by increasing the temperature of the filling nozzle for cleaning or sterilization, and a temperature detector for detecting the temperature of the filling nozzle, The cleaning or sterilization can be monitored by controlling the determination means for determining whether the cleaning or sterilization of the filling nozzle has been performed based on the temperature detected by the temperature detector.
[0008]
The invention described in claim 2 is characterized in that the washing or sterilizing means includes a dummy cap which is attached to a tip opening of the filling nozzle to form a circulation path of a washing liquid or a sterilizing liquid, and wherein the temperature measuring means is It is characterized by including means for detecting the outer surface temperature of the filling nozzle in a non-contact manner.
[0009]
According to a second aspect of the present invention, in addition to the configuration of the first aspect, the cleaning or sterilizing means is provided with a dummy cap which is mounted on a tip end opening of a filling nozzle to form a circulation path of the cleaning liquid or the sterilizing liquid, and The temperature detecting means can detect the outer surface temperature of the filling nozzle in a non-contact manner.
[0010]
According to a third aspect of the present invention, when the detected temperature and time exceed a predetermined threshold, the determination means determines that the filling nozzle has been cleaned or sterilized. It is characterized by including means.
[0011]
According to the third aspect of the invention, the determination means can confirm that the filling nozzle has been cleaned or sterilized when the detected temperature and time exceed a predetermined threshold value. .
[0012]
According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect, a plurality of charging nozzles are attached to an outer peripheral portion of the rotating body, and the temperature detector is provided with a turning radius of the charging nozzle. A timing sensor fixed to the outer peripheral side of, and detecting the position of each filling nozzle and outputting the position signal corresponding to the temperature signal detected by the temperature detector. is there.
[0013]
According to the invention of claim 4, by providing the timing sensor, a plurality of filling nozzles are attached to the outer peripheral portion of the rotating body, and the temperature detector is fixed to the outer peripheral side of the turning radius of the filling nozzle, and The position of each filling nozzle can be detected, and the position signal can be output to the judgment means in association with the temperature signal detected by the temperature detector.
[0014]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, an embodiment of a plastic bottle cleaning or sterilization monitoring facility of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In this embodiment, PET (polyethylene terephthalate) is used as the material of the bottle, but other plastic materials, for example, polyethylene naphthalate, polypropylene, polyethylene, polycarbonate, nylon and the like can be used.
[0015]
FIG. 1 shows an example in which a filling nozzle for filling the PET bottle with a beverage is cleaned or sterilized.
[0016]
A plurality of the filling nozzles 1 are attached to an outer peripheral side of a main wheel 9 corresponding to a rotating body of the present invention, and the filling nozzle 1 is turned on a circumference of a predetermined radius by rotation of the main wheel 9. The rotation of the PET bottle is made to coincide with the transport speed of the PET bottle, and during the transport of the PET bottle, the beverage is ejected from the filling nozzle 1 to supply and fill the PET bottle with the beverage. This is the same configuration as a known filler (filling machine).
[0017]
In order to maintain an aseptic state or to sterilize, the filling nozzle 1 is washed or sterilized before the start of operation, after the end of operation, or at predetermined intervals, and for that purpose, the apparatus shown in FIG. In, a dummy bottle 3 is provided. This can be moved between a retracted position on the lower surface side of the main wheel 9 and a position where the filling nozzle 1 is mounted on the front end opening of the filling nozzle 1 and hermetically closes the filling nozzle 1. As shown in FIG. 2, when filling the container from the filling nozzle 1, the container is held at the retracted position, and is attached to the opening at the tip of the filling nozzle 1 during washing.
[0018]
The dummy bottle 3 has a hollow structure, and is connected to a pipeline 5. That is, when the cleaning liquid or the sterilizing liquid is supplied to the filling nozzle 1 and jetted instead of the beverage, the jetted cleaning liquid or the sterilizing liquid is collected from the dummy bottle 3 via the pipe 5 or circulated. It has become.
[0019]
An infrared radiation thermometer 4 corresponding to a temperature detector of the present invention is disposed at a position outside the turning radius of the filling nozzle 1 turning with the rotation of the main wheel 9.
[0020]
The infrared radiation thermometer 4 is used for cleaning or disinfection, when a high-temperature fluid such as superheated steam is allowed to flow through a pipe to the filling nozzle 1 and the inside of the filling nozzle 1 for a predetermined time, and the temperature of the filling nozzle 1 is increased. This is a device for detecting the temperature of the filling nozzle 1 by infrared rays 8 radiated from the filling nozzle 1.
[0021]
Accordingly, the temperature of the cleaning liquid or the sterilizing liquid can be measured inside the filling nozzle 1 by recognizing the temperature near the filling nozzle 1 by the infrared radiation 8 using the infrared radiation thermometer 4.
[0022]
By the infrared radiation thermometer 4, the difference between the temperature during the step other than the washing or sterilization step and the time during the washing or sterilization step, that is, the peak value of the detected temperature exceeds a predetermined threshold value, the cleaning liquid or The presence or absence of circulation of the sterilizing solution is confirmed. Therefore, it is possible to confirm that the washing or sterilization process is performed well without the operator's confirmation. Note that the cleaning solution or the sterilizing solution is returned to the cleaning / sterilizing device via the dummy bottle 3 after the completion of the cleaning or sterilizing step. As the threshold value of the acidic cleaning solution (hydrogen peroxide solution), the detection temperature is 70 ° C., and the cleaning time is 20 minutes. As the threshold value of the alkaline cleaning liquid, the detection temperature is 80 ° C. and the cleaning time is 20 minutes. As the threshold value of the sterilizing solution (superheated steam), the detected temperature is 130 ° C. and the sterilizing time is 30 minutes. The longer the washing time and the sterilization time are, the more the effect is obtained. However, the above-mentioned time is a minimum necessary time at the exemplified temperature. Also, it is determined according to the type of the target beverage, for example, tea or coffee.
[0023]
In addition, sodium hydroxide, potassium hydroxide, sodium metasilicate, trisodium phosphate, sodium carbonate, sodium hydrogen carbonate, or the like can be used as a main component alkali builder of the alkali cleaning solution. In addition, phosphoric acid, nitric acid, sulfuric acid, hydrochloric acid, and the like can be used as the inorganic acid system of the acidic cleaning solution (hydrogen peroxide solution), and gluconic acid, glycolic acid, acetic acid, citric acid, and the like can be used as the organic acid system.
[0024]
The timing sensor 2 is disposed on a timing sensor dog 10 that rotates once every bottle movement in conjunction with the drive unit of the main wheel 9. In addition, the timing sensor 2 detects the infrared radiation position of the filling nozzle 1 to determine whether the temperature detected by the infrared radiation thermometer 4 is the temperature of any of the filling nozzles 1, and outputs the position signal. And a sensor that outputs the signal in accordance with the detection signal from the infrared radiation thermometer 4.
[0025]
Accordingly, the timing sensor 2 can detect the timing sensor Doc 10 with a specific filling nozzle 1 even with a plurality of filling nozzles 1, so that the accuracy of the input / output data of the cleaning liquid or the sterilizing liquid can be easily improved.
[0026]
A basic position sensor dog 11 is disposed above the main wheel 9 and faces the basic position sensor 12 once per rotation of the main wheel. Based on a combination of the basic position signal 13 detected from the basic position sensor 12 and the timing signal 6 detected from the timing sensor 2, the position of the filling nozzle 1 in the main wheel is determined.
[0027]
These detection signals are input to the sequencer 7 corresponding to the controller. The detection signal obtained by the infrared radiation thermometer 4 is a waveform signal whose detected value changes depending on the time or the moving distance because the filling nozzle 1 is turning. The temperature of each filling nozzle 1 is detected based on the waveform signal and the signal from the timing sensor 2, and when the detected temperature and time exceed a predetermined threshold, cleaning or sterilization accompanied by a rise in the temperature of the filling nozzle 1. Is determined to be performed normally. For example, as the threshold value of the acidic cleaning liquid (hydrogen peroxide solution), the detection temperature is 70 ° C. and the time is 20 minutes, and as the threshold value of the alkaline cleaning liquid, the detection temperature is 80 ° C. and the time is 20 minutes. The sterilizing solution has a threshold value of superheated steam of 130 ° C. and a time of 30 minutes.
[0028]
In operation, a cleaning liquid or a sterilizing liquid such as superheated steam or sterile water is supplied to the filling nozzle 1 on which the dummy bottle 3 is mounted. An acidic cleaning liquid (aqueous solution having a concentration of 2.0% of hydrogen peroxide) and an alkaline cleaning liquid (aqueous solution having a concentration of 2.0% of an alkaline detergent) are alternately circulated through the filling nozzle 1 through a pipe line 5. For example, the acidic cleaning liquid at around 70 ° C. is circulated through the filling nozzle 1 through the pipe line 5 for 20 minutes, and then the alkaline cleaning liquid at around 80 ° C. is circulated through the inside of the filling nozzle 1 for 20 minutes.
[0029]
As the pattern of the above-described cleaning step, an acidic cleaning liquid is circulated in order 1 and an alkaline cleaning liquid is circulated in filling nozzle 1 in order 2. As another pattern of the above-described cleaning step, an acidic cleaning liquid is circulated in order 1 in an alkaline cleaning liquid in order 2, and an acidic cleaning liquid is circulated in a filling nozzle in order 3. The patterns of these two types of washing steps can be determined according to the type of beverage.
[0030]
Next, in a rinsing step, distilled water or the like is allowed to flow through the inside of the filling nozzle 1 for about 10 minutes. In the next step, pure water or the like is allowed to flow inside the filling nozzle 1 for about 5 minutes. Further, the inside of the filling nozzle 1 is heated (130 ° C.) with superheated steam for 30 minutes from a filling pressurized tank (not shown) via the pipe line 5. As a result, the acidic cleaning solution and the alkaline cleaning solution of the chemical solution adhered to the inside of the filling nozzle 1 are decomposed. At that time, the sterilization treatment is promoted by the oxygen generated at the same time. Finally, by cooling with aseptic water or aseptic nitrogen gas, it is possible to maintain an aseptic state because it does not come into contact with outside air. The cleaning liquid or the sterilizing liquid is collected from the filling nozzle 1 through the dummy bottle 3 and the pipe line 5 connected to the dummy bottle 3 to the cleaning device 14 or circulated to the filling nozzle 1. That is, it is not injected outside.
[0031]
The temperature of the filling nozzle 1 is raised by the cleaning liquid or the sterilizing liquid. Such cleaning or sterilization is performed in a state where the filling nozzle 1 is swiveled together with the main wheel. Then, the temperature of the filling nozzle 1 in the process is detected by the infrared radiation thermometer 4. Based on the detection signal, it is determined whether or not the temperature of the filling nozzle 1 has been raised to the normal temperature, together with the timing signal 6 from the timing sensor 2. If the threshold value is not exceeded, a determination of cleaning or sterilization failure is performed and a predetermined determination signal is output. Conversely, if the threshold value is exceeded, cleaning or sterilization has been performed normally. Is output.
[0032]
Although the non-contact infrared radiation thermometer 4 using the infrared rays 8 of the above embodiment is provided, a single thermocouple may be provided as long as the surface temperature of the filling nozzle 1 can be measured.
[0033]
Further, in the above embodiment, the infrared radiation thermometer 4 for measuring the temperature with the infrared rays 8 is provided for the temperature measurement. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and may be configured using an energy beam such as an ultraviolet ray or a visible spectrum.
[0034]
Further, as shown in FIG. 1, the cleaning or sterilization is performed by always discharging the cleaning liquid or the sterilizing liquid that has once passed through the filling nozzle 1 without being limited to the configuration of the pipe line 5 that recirculates the cleaning liquid or the sterilizing liquid. It may be configured.
[0035]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the first aspect of the present invention, the temperature of the filling nozzle can be measured by the cleaning or sterilizing means, and the cleaning and sterilizing can be monitored.
[0036]
According to the second aspect of the present invention, the means for detecting the outer surface temperature of the filling nozzle in a non-contact manner makes it possible to monitor the cleaning of the plurality of filling nozzles by moving the dummy cap.
[0037]
Further, according to the third aspect of the present invention, the cleaning or sterilization can be monitored by the determination unit that determines whether the cleaning or the sterilization of the filling nozzle has been performed.
[0038]
According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, by providing the timing sensor, it is possible to always detect the temperature at a fixed position of the filling nozzle at a constant timing of the washing or sterilizing step.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram for explaining a cleaning or sterilization monitoring facility according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a schematic configuration diagram illustrating a state where the container is filled from the filling nozzle according to the embodiment of the present invention.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Filling nozzle, 2 ... Timing sensor, 3 ... Dummy bottle, 4 ... Infrared radiation thermometer, 5 ... Pipe line, 6 ... Timing signal, 7 ... Sequencer, 8 ... Infrared, 9 ... Main wheel, 10 ... Timing sensor dog Reference numeral 11: Basic position sensor dog, 12: Basic position sensor, 13: Basic position signal, 14: Cleaning / sterilization device.

Claims (4)

In a cleaning or sterilization monitoring device for a filling nozzle for supplying and filling a liquid for eating and drinking during the transportation of a predetermined container,
Washing or sterilizing means in which washing or sterilization is performed by raising the temperature of the filling nozzle by flowing a high-temperature sterilizing fluid in a pipe reaching the tip of the filling nozzle,
A temperature detector for detecting the temperature of the filling nozzle,
A determination means for determining whether cleaning or sterilization of the filling nozzle has been performed based on the temperature detected by the temperature detector. The washing or sterilizing means includes a dummy cap attached to a tip opening of the filling nozzle to form a circulation path of a washing liquid or a sterilizing liquid, and the temperature detector detects an outer surface temperature of the filling nozzle in a non-contact manner. The apparatus for monitoring the cleaning or sterilization of a filling nozzle according to claim 1, further comprising means. The determining means includes a means for determining that the filling nozzle has been cleaned or sterilized when the detected temperature and time exceed a predetermined threshold value. 3. The cleaning or sterilization monitoring device for a filling nozzle according to 1 or 2. A plurality of the filling nozzles are attached to an outer peripheral portion of a rotating body, the temperature detector is fixed to an outer peripheral side of a turning radius of the filling nozzle, and a position signal of each of the filling nozzles is detected, and the position signal is detected and the temperature is measured. The cleaning or sterilization monitoring apparatus for a filling nozzle according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising a timing sensor for outputting the temperature signal in correspondence with the temperature signal detected by the vessel.

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