JP2004059014A - Sterilization method, sterilizing apparatus, and packaging/filling apparatus for food packaging container - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a packaging/filling apparatus, by which packaging containers processed in a sequentially filling packaging system are charged with foods as promptly as possible after sterilization for improving productivity, and a sterilizing agent, such as hydrogen peroxide, can be eliminated from the container quickly and certainly, and the use of a strong sterilizing agent can be reduced drastically to prevent an agent residue in the food, and a gas in an upper space of the container, a head space, can be replaced practically with an inert gas, such as nitrogen. <P>SOLUTION: According to the packaging/filling apparatus, a sterilizing method, and a sterilizing apparatus for the packaging containers, a solution containing low density of hydrogen peroxide is sprayed on the interior of the container, and ultraviolet rays are emitted thereon to create a synergistic effect to sterilize the container quickly. Then, the inert gas is sprayed on the interior to eliminate the hydrogen peroxide promptly, after which a gas in the head space in the charged container is replaced with the same inert gas. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a method for sterilizing food packaging containers, a sterilizing apparatus, and a packaging and filling apparatus.
[0002]
[Prior art]
A conventional food packaging system of this type for filling and packaging liquid foods such as juice and milk is disclosed in, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 62-255128. In such a packaging system, a blank for a packaging container folded in a plate shape is formed into a bottomed open container having a bottom, and after filling the inside with a liquid food, the opening at the top of the container is sealed. I do. In this system, a transport conveyor that intermittently transports packaging containers, a forming device that forms folded packaging container blanks into a bottomed open container and supplies the containers onto the transport conveyor, and moves on the transport conveyor. There is provided a filling device for filling the food from above into the packaging container, and a sealing device for sealing the upper part of the packaging container filled with the food. According to this packaging system, a liquid food can be continuously filled in a packaging container and packaged in a sealed state.
[0003]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
Food packaging container sterilization method, sterilization device, and packaging and filling device, preserve the quality of packaged food for a long time by sterilizing the container before filling and inactivating the upper space of the container filled with food. In order to do so, a longer refrigerated storage period for foodstuffs filled in packaging containers is desired.
In the case of a continuous filling packaging system, it is necessary to fill the food as quickly as possible after sterilization in order to improve productivity. Therefore, there is a need for a method of removing a sterilizing agent that quickly and surely removes a sterilizing agent such as hydrogen peroxide.
However, the use of strong or concentrated disinfectants causes the disinfectants to remain inside the food, long disinfecting times hinder efficient packing and filling, and the headspace in the head space of the container is not filled with nitrogen gas or the like. It is difficult to sufficiently and practically replace with an active gas.
An object of the present invention is to provide a method for sterilizing a food packaging container, a sterilizing apparatus, and a packaging and filling apparatus that solve the above-mentioned problems.
[0004]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The present invention that solves this problem adheres the inside of a food packaging container using a low-density hydrogen peroxide-containing solution, disinfects it in a short time by the synergistic effect of the disinfectant adhesion and ultraviolet irradiation, Hydrogen peroxide is removed immediately by spraying active gas, and the filled container head space is replaced with an inert gas of the same supply source.
As a result, the above means for solving the problem is obtained.
[0005]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
The invention according to claim 1 of the present invention provides a disinfectant adhering step of adhering a low-concentration hydrogen peroxide-containing solution to the inside of a food packaging container having an opening at the top, and the inside of the container to which hydrogen peroxide has adhered. A UV sterilization step of sterilizing the container by irradiating it with ultraviolet light, a disinfectant removing step of removing hydrogen peroxide from the inside of the container by spraying an inert gas as a removing gas into the inside of the container to which the hydrogen peroxide is attached, A filling step of filling an object into the container from the opening, and blowing an inert gas as a replacement gas into an upper space in the container filled with the contents to replace the upper space with the inert gas. A replacing step, a sealing step of sealing an opening at an upper portion of the container to seal the container, and removing an inert gas from an inert gas source with an inert gas of the replacing gas and an inert gas of the removing gas. And distribute to gas It is a method of sterilizing food packaging containers, characterized in that it comprises an inert gas supply step of feeding.
[0006]
The invention according to claim 2 is a disinfectant attaching means for attaching a hydrogen peroxide-containing solution to the inside of a food packaging container having an opening at the top, and irradiating the inside of the container with the hydrogen peroxide with ultraviolet rays. UV irradiation means for disinfecting, disinfectant removing means for removing hydrogen peroxide from the inside of the container by blowing an inert gas as a removing gas into the container to which the hydrogen peroxide is attached, and disposing the contents in the container. Filling means for filling from the opening, replacement means for blowing an inert gas as a replacement gas into an upper space in the container filled with the contents thereof to replace the upper space with the inert gas, Sealing means for sealing the opening of the upper part of the container to seal the container, and distributing the inert gas from the inert gas source to the inert gas for the replacement gas and the inert gas for the removal gas. Inert supply A sterilization device for food packaging containers, characterized in that it comprises a scan supply means.
[0007]
According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a container forming means for forming a food packaging container having an opening at an upper portion, and a disinfectant attaching means for attaching a hydrogen peroxide-containing solution to the inside of the food packaging container having an opening at an upper portion. And ultraviolet irradiation means for irradiating the inside of the container with hydrogen peroxide with ultraviolet rays to sterilize the container, and spraying an inert gas as a removing gas into the inside of the container with hydrogen peroxide to peroxidize the inside of the container. Disinfectant removing means for removing hydrogen, filling means for filling the contents into the container from the opening, and blowing an inert gas as a replacement gas into an upper space in the container filled with the contents. Replacement means for replacing the upper space with the inert gas, sealing means for sealing the opening of the upper part of the container to seal the container, and replacing the inert gas from the inert gas source with the replacement gas. Inert moth A packaging and filling apparatus for food packaging containers, characterized in that it comprises an inert gas supply means for supplying and distributing the inert gas in the removing gas and.
[0008]
The present invention having the above configuration has the following operations.
In the present invention, a blank for a packaging container folded into a plate shape is formed into a bottomed open-ended container having a bottom portion by container forming means for forming a food packaging container having an opening at an upper portion.
In the disinfectant adhering step, a low-concentration hydrogen peroxide-containing solution of about 0.01 to 0.5% by weight, preferably about 0.1% is adhered to the inside of a food packaging container having an opening at the top. Conventionally, the concentration is about 25% to 50%. In the present invention, however, even if the concentration is low, a practically sufficient sterilizing effect and the residual hydrogen peroxide can be eliminated by a combination with the downstream process.
In the UV sterilization process, when the inside of the container to which hydrogen peroxide is attached is irradiated with ultraviolet light and sterilized, even if the sterilizing effect of hydrogen peroxide and the sterilizing effect of ultraviolet light are individually weak, hydrogen peroxide by a combination is used. By virtue of the synergistic effect, a sufficient sterilizing effect can be exhibited practically, and the amount of hydrogen peroxide used can be dramatically reduced.
In the disinfectant removing step, an inert gas as a removing gas is blown into the inside of the hydrogen peroxide-attached container to remove hydrogen peroxide from the inside of the container. When the inert gas as the removing gas is blown, the solvent of the hydrogen peroxide solution evaporates first, and in this process, the concentration of hydrogen peroxide increases, and the sterilizing power of hydrogen peroxide also increases, thereby contributing to the improvement of the sterilizing effect. Conventionally, hot air is used. However, in the present invention, heat energy is not required, and a solvent removing action of an inert gas is used to reduce energy consumption and prevent damage to the container due to heat.
In the filling step, when the contents such as liquid food are filled into the container from the opening, the inside of the container is practically sufficiently sterilized and the bactericide is completely removed practically, so from the viewpoint of food hygiene, microorganisms, It can be packaged and filled substantially free of bacteria and toxic substances.
In the replacement process, when an inert gas as a replacement gas is blown into the upper space (head space) in the container filled with the contents and the upper space is replaced with the inert gas, the inside food is adversely affected from inside the container. Oxygen gas or the like, which may give rise to heat, can be removed, and the period during which quality can be maintained can be greatly extended.
In the sealing step, when the upper part of the container is sealed and the container is sealed, the contents such as liquid food can be sealed in a liquid-tight manner. Further, the inert gas that has been replaced and sealed can also be hermetically sealed.
In the inert gas supply step, the inert gas from the inert gas source is distributed and supplied to the replacement gas inert gas and the removal gas inert gas. By the distribution, gas used in the replacement step and the removal step can be supplied without excess and deficiency, and at least the atmosphere between the steps is filled with this gas by using the same gas source in the upstream step and the downstream step. Alternatively, an atmosphere containing a large amount of this gas can be provided, and the atmosphere of the filling and packaging system can be a favorable atmosphere for food hygiene. Further, the substitution rate in the downstream substitution step can be improved.
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 5.
[0009]
(Embodiment 1)
FIG. 1 is a partial schematic perspective view showing a main part of a packaging and filling apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention.
This packaging system includes a container forming means 2 for forming a food packaging container 1 having an opening at an upper part, and a bactericide attaching means 3 for attaching a hydrogen peroxide-containing solution to the inside of the food packaging container having an opening at an upper part. UV irradiation means 4 for irradiating the inside of the container with the hydrogen peroxide with ultraviolet rays to sterilize the container, and spraying an inert gas as a removing gas into the inside of the container with the hydrogen peroxide to form a peroxidation chamber. Disinfectant removing means 5 for removing hydrogen, filling means 6 for filling contents from the opening into the container, and an inert gas as a replacement gas in an upper space in the container filled with the contents. , A replacement means 7 for replacing the upper space with the inert gas, a sealing means 8 for sealing the upper opening of the container to seal the container, and the inert gas from the inert gas source. Replacement A packaging and filling apparatus for food packaging containers comprising an inert gas supply means 9 for supplying and distributing the inert gas in the removing gas and inert gas.
[0010]
The container blanks are made of a flexible thin plate formed by laminating a resin material on both sides of a paper material into a substantially rectangular tube shape, and are stacked in a magazine (not shown) in a flat folded state. Both surfaces of the packaging container blanks constitute a thermoplastic layer for bonding. A number of fold lines are inserted into the blanks, and the fold lines divide the blank into a side wall panel, a bottom wall panel on the bottom side, and a top wall panel on the top side.
[0011]
The forming means 2 includes a mandrel wheel, a bottom heater, and a bottom pressing device. The mandrel wheel includes a core portion that is intermittently driven to rotate, and a plurality of mandrels 21 radially arranged around the core portion. The blanks are lifted from the magazine and supplied to the mandrel 21 in the form of a rectangular cylinder having a substantially square cross section. The bottom of the packaging container 1 mounted on the mandrel 21 is heated by the bottom heater, the bottom of the packaging container 1 is pressed by the pressurizing device, and cooled to form a sealed bottom without water leakage. .
When the mandrel wheel further rotates and the packaging container 1 provided with the bottom reaches above the transport path, it is placed on the transport path.
[0012]
Above the transport path, a disinfectant attaching means 3, an ultraviolet irradiation means 4, a disinfectant removing means 5, a filling means 6, a replacing means 7, a sealing means 8, and an inert gas supply means 9 are provided. It is arranged.
[0013]
The packaging containers 1 placed on the transport path from the mandrill truck are intermittently transported two by two before and after, and are transported below the disinfectant attaching means 3. The disinfectant applying means 3 has a disinfectant injection nozzle 31 disposed substantially at the center of the upper opening of the packaging container 1 that is intermittently transported and stopped by the transport path. The containing solution (sterilant) is continuously applied inside the container. The hydrogen peroxide-containing solution (sterilizing agent) used here is a solution having a low concentration of about 0.01 to 0.5% by weight, preferably about 0.1%.
[0014]
The ultraviolet irradiating means 4 has an ultraviolet irradiating lamp disposed above the upper opening of the packaging container 1 which is transferred from the germicide applying means 3 and stopped. Irradiated. The irradiation time inside the container is short, for example, 0.6 to 1.8 seconds.
[0015]
The disinfectant removing means 5 includes two inert gas nozzles 51 and 52, an inert gas pipeline, a dust filter, and the like, and performs a disinfectant removing step. Each nozzle is disposed so as to be located substantially above the center of the upper opening of the two front and rear packaging containers 1 which are intermittently transported by the transport path and stopped. An inert gas is supplied to the inert gas pipe from an inert gas supply unit 9 described later.
[0016]
The filling means 6 includes filling nozzles 61 and 62, a tank, and a circulation pipe connecting these tanks. The filling nozzles 61 and 62 are provided at two locations each. The filling nozzles 61 and 62 are disposed so as to be located substantially above the center of the upper openings of the two front and rear packaging containers 1 which are intermittently transported and stopped by the transport path, and the lifter faces the filling nozzle. It is provided below the bottom of the packaging container 1. The transferred empty packaging container 1 is first lifted by a lifter. At the same time, the pump operates to suck, and a predetermined amount of liquid food is filled from the tank through the filling nozzle into the container, and during filling, the lifter lowers the packaging container 1 gradually. After the predetermined amount of food has been filled, the lifter completely returns to the initial position, and the filled packaging container is placed on the transport path again and transferred to the next step.
The operating conditions of the transport path are set so that the packaging containers 3 are intermittently transported two by two in about 1.2 seconds, and stop for about 0.6 seconds in the meantime.
[0017]
FIG. 2 shows a downstream main portion of the packaging and filling apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG. FIG. 2 is a partial schematic side view.
The replacement means 7 blows an inert gas as a replacement gas onto the upper space in the container 1 filled with the contents by the filling means 6 to replace the upper space with the inert gas.
The replacement means 7 of this embodiment has two kinds of nozzles 71, 72, 73, 74 before and after, to which inert gas is supplied from an inert gas supply means 9 via a conduit. Have been.
As shown in FIG. 3, in this embodiment, a cover 75 is provided above the container opening. In this replacement step, an inert gas as a replacement gas is blown from the nozzles 71 and 72 into an upper space (head space) inside the container 1 filled with the contents to replace the upper space with the inert gas. . The nozzles 73 and 74 prevent unnecessary gas from returning to the inside of the container again until the nozzle is sealed (distance, time).
[0018]
The sealing means 8 seals the container by sealing the opening at the upper part of the container, and the sealing device 8 of this embodiment includes a top heater 82 and a top pressing device 81. The filled packaging container 1 transported by the transport path is heated with its top panel passed through a top heater and the thermoplastic layer reaches a suitable sealing temperature. The top pressure device presses the top panels together and bonds them through a thermoplastic layer to seal the top of the packaging container.
[0019]
The packaging and filling apparatus of this embodiment includes an inert gas supply unit 9 for supplying an inert gas from an inert gas source by dividing the inert gas into the inert gas for the replacement gas and the inert gas for the removal gas. .
In the inert gas supply step, the inert gas from the inert gas source is distributed and supplied to the replacement gas inert gas and the removal gas inert gas. By the distribution, gas used in the replacement step and the removal step can be supplied without excess and deficiency, and at least the atmosphere between the steps is filled with this gas by using the same gas source in the upstream step and the downstream step. Alternatively, an atmosphere containing a large amount of this gas can be provided, and the atmosphere of the filling and packaging system can be a favorable atmosphere for food hygiene. Further, the substitution rate in the downstream substitution step can be improved.
In the present invention, the inert gas refers to a gas capable of maintaining and protecting the quality of the contents, and specifically refers to a nitrogen gas, a so-called inert gas, or a mixed gas thereof.
[0020]
The sealed food-filled packaging container is delivered from the packaging system as a final product through a dating device and a delivery conveyor.
In addition, from the molding means including these transport paths to the sealing means, it is covered by a case (not shown) in order to enhance the sterilization effect.
[0021]
The present invention is capable of various modifications other than the above. For example, as shown in FIG. 4, the replacement means 7 can be arranged so as to be able to move up and down, and can be moved up and down as needed.
[0022]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, the following advantageous effects can be obtained.
Hydrogen peroxide can be sufficiently removed from the inside of the container in a short time.
Even in a packaging system in which food is continuously filled into packaging containers that are intermittently transferred by a transport device, hydrogen peroxide can be sufficiently removed from the inside of the container in a short time, and productivity can be improved. It is possible to achieve both the improvement and the effect of maintaining the quality of food.
Since the inert gas is blown, hydrogen peroxide can be accurately removed by the sterilant removing means using the same gas source as in the replacement step.
Longer refrigerated storage of food filled in packaging containers to preserve the quality of the packaged food for a long time by sterilizing the containers before filling and inactivating the headspace of the filled containers A period can be achieved.
[0023]
In a continuous filling packaging system, in order to improve productivity, it is necessary to fill food in the shortest possible time after sterilization and to remove sterilizers that quickly and surely remove sterilizers such as hydrogen peroxide. it can.
The use of powerful disinfectants can be drastically reduced to eliminate disinfectant residues inside the food, replacing the headspace in the headspace of the container with an inert gas such as nitrogen gas that is sufficiently practical. be able to.
Even at a low concentration, a practically sufficient bactericidal effect and residual hydrogen peroxide can be eliminated by a combination with the downstream process.
Even if the germicidal effect of hydrogen peroxide and the germicidal effect of ultraviolet light are individually weak, the synergistic effect with hydrogen peroxide by the combination can exert a practically sufficient bactericidal effect, and the use of hydrogen peroxide The amount can be reduced dramatically.
[0024]
No heat energy is required, and the solvent removal effect of the inert gas is used to reduce energy consumption and prevent damage to the container due to heat.
Since the inside of the container is practically sufficiently disinfected and the disinfectant is completely removed practically, packaging and filling can be performed in a state substantially free of microorganisms, bacteria and toxic substances for food hygiene.
Oxygen gas or the like that may adversely affect the internal food can be removed from the inside of the container, and the period during which quality can be maintained can be significantly extended.
The gas used in the replacement step and the removal step can be supplied without excess and deficiency, and at least the atmosphere between the steps is filled with this gas or this gas is used by using the same gas source in the upstream step and the downstream step. , And the atmosphere of the filling and packaging system can be a favorable atmosphere for food hygiene. Further, the substitution rate in the downstream substitution step can be improved.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a partial schematic perspective view showing a main part of a packaging and filling apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a part showing a downstream main part of a packaging and filling apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a partial cross-sectional view illustrating a replacement step according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a view showing a downstream main part of a packaging and filling apparatus according to another embodiment of the present invention. Schematic side view [Explanation of reference numerals]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Food packaging container 2 ... Container molding means 3 ... Fungicide attaching means 4 ... Ultraviolet irradiation means 5 ... Fungicide removing means 6 ... Filling means 7 ... Replacement means 8 ... sealing means 9 ... inert gas supply means

Claims (3)

A disinfectant attaching step of attaching a hydrogen peroxide-containing solution to the inside of a food packaging container having an opening at an upper portion, a UV sterilizing step of irradiating the inside of the container with the hydrogen peroxide with ultraviolet rays for sterilization, A disinfectant removing step of spraying an inert gas as a removing gas into the container to which hydrogen has adhered to remove hydrogen peroxide from the inside of the container, and a filling step of filling contents from the opening into the inside of the container. Replacing the upper space with the inert gas by blowing an inert gas as a replacement gas into an upper space in the container filled with the contents, and sealing an opening in the upper portion of the container. A sealing step of sealing the container, and an inert gas supply step of distributing and supplying an inert gas from an inert gas source to the inert gas of the replacement gas and the inert gas of the removal gas. For food characterized by including Sterilization method of instrumentation container. Disinfectant attachment means for attaching a low-concentration hydrogen peroxide-containing solution to the inside of a food packaging container having an opening at the top, and ultraviolet irradiation means for sterilizing by irradiating ultraviolet rays to the inside of the container to which hydrogen peroxide is attached. Disinfectant removing means for spraying an inert gas as a removing gas to the inside of the container to which hydrogen peroxide is attached to remove hydrogen peroxide from the inside of the container, and filling the contents into the container from the opening through the opening Filling means, replacement means for blowing an inert gas as a replacement gas into an upper space in the container filled with the contents to replace the upper space with the inert gas, and sealing an opening at an upper portion of the container. A sealing means for stopping and sealing the container; and an inert gas supply for distributing and supplying an inert gas from an inert gas source to the inert gas for the replacement gas and the inert gas for the removal gas. Means. Food packaging container of the sterilizer that. Container forming means for forming a food packaging container having an opening at an upper portion; disinfectant attaching means for attaching a hydrogen peroxide-containing solution to the inside of the food packaging container having an opening at an upper portion; Ultraviolet irradiation means for irradiating the inside of the container with ultraviolet light for sterilization, and disinfectant removing means for removing hydrogen peroxide from the inside of the container by blowing an inert gas as a removing gas into the inside of the container to which hydrogen peroxide has adhered. Filling means for filling the contents into the container from the opening, and blowing an inert gas as a replacement gas into an upper space in the container filled with the contents to fill the upper space with the inert gas. Replacement means for replacing with, a sealing means for sealing the opening of the upper part of the container to seal the container, an inert gas from an inert gas source, the replacement gas of the inert gas and the removal gas Partition with inert gas Packaging and filling apparatus for food packaging containers, characterized in that it comprises an inert gas supply means for supplying.

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