JP2004299722A - Manufacturing method for mineral water packed in plastic bottle - Google Patents
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- JP2004299722A JP2004299722A JP2003093855A JP2003093855A JP2004299722A JP 2004299722 A JP2004299722 A JP 2004299722A JP 2003093855 A JP2003093855 A JP 2003093855A JP 2003093855 A JP2003093855 A JP 2003093855A JP 2004299722 A JP2004299722 A JP 2004299722A
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- XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N water Substances O XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 title claims abstract description 78
- 239000004033 plastic Substances 0.000 title claims abstract description 47
- 229920003023 plastic Polymers 0.000 title claims abstract description 47
- 229910052500 inorganic mineral Inorganic materials 0.000 title claims abstract description 20
- 239000011707 mineral Substances 0.000 title claims abstract description 20
- 238000004519 manufacturing process Methods 0.000 title claims abstract description 14
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 claims abstract description 23
- 230000001954 sterilising effect Effects 0.000 claims description 68
- 238000004659 sterilization and disinfection Methods 0.000 claims description 47
- 238000007789 sealing Methods 0.000 claims description 2
- 238000010438 heat treatment Methods 0.000 claims 1
- 230000000844 anti-bacterial effect Effects 0.000 abstract description 4
- 239000003899 bactericide agent Substances 0.000 abstract 1
- 241000894006 Bacteria Species 0.000 description 24
- 238000012360 testing method Methods 0.000 description 13
- 235000013361 beverage Nutrition 0.000 description 7
- 230000001580 bacterial effect Effects 0.000 description 6
- 230000000694 effects Effects 0.000 description 6
- 239000002609 medium Substances 0.000 description 6
- 239000001965 potato dextrose agar Substances 0.000 description 6
- 239000007921 spray Substances 0.000 description 6
- 230000002378 acidificating effect Effects 0.000 description 5
- 239000000725 suspension Substances 0.000 description 5
- 238000004140 cleaning Methods 0.000 description 4
- 239000000645 desinfectant Substances 0.000 description 4
- 230000002070 germicidal effect Effects 0.000 description 4
- 241000228245 Aspergillus niger Species 0.000 description 3
- 238000005507 spraying Methods 0.000 description 3
- 230000004083 survival effect Effects 0.000 description 3
- MHAJPDPJQMAIIY-UHFFFAOYSA-N Hydrogen peroxide Chemical compound OO MHAJPDPJQMAIIY-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 2
- 238000007796 conventional method Methods 0.000 description 2
- 238000010586 diagram Methods 0.000 description 2
- 239000003206 sterilizing agent Substances 0.000 description 2
- ZAMOUSCENKQFHK-UHFFFAOYSA-N Chlorine atom Chemical compound [Cl] ZAMOUSCENKQFHK-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 239000004698 Polyethylene Substances 0.000 description 1
- 240000004808 Saccharomyces cerevisiae Species 0.000 description 1
- 238000007664 blowing Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000000460 chlorine Substances 0.000 description 1
- 229910052801 chlorine Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 238000011109 contamination Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000002474 experimental method Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000009434 installation Methods 0.000 description 1
- 244000005700 microbiome Species 0.000 description 1
- -1 polyethylene Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 229920000573 polyethylene Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 238000011160 research Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000012827 research and development Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000012546 transfer Methods 0.000 description 1
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Abstract
Description
【０００１】
【発明の属する技術分野】
本発明は、プラスチックボトル詰めミネラルウォーターの製造方法に関する。
【０００２】
【従来の技術】
近年ＰＥＴボトル等プラスチックボトル詰めのミネラルウォーターの消費が増大している。従来ＰＥＴボトル等のプラスチックボトルは、ミネラルウォーターの充填の前に過酸化水素または塩素系殺菌剤等の殺菌剤を使用して殺菌している。しかし殺菌剤を使用する殺菌方法は殺菌剤を洗浄するために多量の水を使用しなければならず、製造工程も複雑であって製造コストが嵩むという問題点がある。
【０００３】
【発明が解決しようとする課題】
また、殺菌剤を使用する殺菌方法のかわりに温水を使用してＰＥＴボトルを殺菌する方法も種々提案され使用されている。一例として、特許文献１には、内容物をｐＨ４．０以下の酸性飲料を常温で充填することを目的として、６５℃ないし８５℃の温水を間欠的に倒立状態のボトル内面に噴射してボトル内面に付着したかびや酵母を殺菌した後常温状態の酸性飲料を充填・密封する酸性飲料のＰＥＴボトル充填法が示されている。この方法は、殺菌剤を使用しないで容器を殺菌することができるので、殺菌剤を使用する方法に比べて低コストであるという長所がある。しかしながら、この方法は酸性飲料を対象としたものであり、酸性飲料以外の用途への適用については示唆するところがなく、研究開発の余地を残すものである。
【０００４】
本発明は、上記従来のプラスチックボトル殺菌方法の問題点にかんがみなされたものであって、殺菌剤を使用することなく、簡単で低コストの方法によりプラスチックボトルを殺菌することができるプラスチックボトル詰めミネラルウォーターの製造方法を提供しようとするものである。
【０００５】
【特許文献１】
特許第２８４４９８３号公報
【０００６】
【課題を解決する手段】
本発明者は、上記課題を解決するため鋭意研究と実験を重ねた結果、上記文献記載の方法等従来の温水を使用してプラスチックボトルを殺菌する場合、温水で殺菌を行う空間は、温水殺菌近傍は微生物が増殖する危険性が極めて高く、温水殺菌してからボトルを飲料充填位置に移送する間に空気中に浮遊するかび、細菌等が再びボトルの内外面に付着するおそれがあり、充分な容器殺菌効果が必ずしも挙げられないおそれがあることを考慮し、無菌閉鎖空間を温水及び／又は蒸気により空間内壁全面および空間内に設置された装置表面を湿熱加熱するとともに無菌エアーにより無菌閉鎖空間内を陽圧保持することにより従来よりも簡便な方法と設備により従来と同等の無菌環境が維持されるという知見に基づき本発明に到達した。また、この問題を解決するためにたとえ温水によるボトルの殺菌を無菌環境下において行うとしても、未殺菌のボトルを無菌環境に導入することにより容器に付着していたかび、細菌等が無菌環境内に飛散し、温水による殺菌後のボトルにこれらのかび、細菌が再び付着するおそれがあることを考慮し、かびや細菌はボトルの内面よりも外面により多く付着し、ボトルの外面は内面に比べて汚染度が著しく高いことに着目し、ボトルを無菌環境に導入する前に予めボトルの少なくとも外面を殺菌すれば、無菌環境内にボトルとともに導入されるかびや細菌の量は著しく減少するという知見を得た。
【０００７】
本発明の目的を達成するプラスチックボトル詰めミネラルウォーターの製造方法は、温水及び／又は蒸気により空間内壁全面および空間内に設置された装置表面が湿熱加熱されるとともに無菌エアーにより陽圧保持される無菌閉鎖空間にプラスチックボトルを導入し、前記プラスチックボトルの少なくとも内面を温水及び／又は蒸気により湿熱加熱殺菌し、次いで殺菌済みプラスチックボトルに殺菌済みミネラルウォーターを充填し、プラスチックボトルの口部を密封することを特徴とするものである。
【０００８】
本発明の１側面においては、前記無菌閉鎖空間に導入されるプラスチックボトルは、外面を温水及び／又は蒸気による湿熱加熱殺菌された後に無菌閉鎖空間内に導入されることを特徴とする。
【０００９】
本発明の１側面においては、前記無菌閉鎖空間に導入されるプラスチックボトルの外面殺菌の工程は、温水噴出ノズルまたは蒸気噴出ノズルより温水及び／又は蒸気を該プラスチックボトルに噴出させ、該プラスチックボトルの外面温度が６５度以上９６℃未満となるように湿熱加熱殺菌することにより行われることを特徴とする。
【００１０】
本発明の１側面においては、前記無菌閉鎖空間に導入されるプラスチックボトルの外面殺菌は、前記無菌閉鎖空間に連通し、プラスチックボトルの搬入・搬出口が設けられた外面殺菌室内で行われることを特徴とする。
【００１１】
本発明の１側面においては、前記外面殺菌室は、水蒸気で満たされていることを特徴とする。
【００１２】
本発明の１側面においては、前記プラスチックボトルの少なくとも内面を殺菌する工程は、該プラスチックボトルの内面温度が６５℃以上７０℃未満となるように湿熱加熱殺菌することにより行われることを特徴とする。
【００１３】
【作用】
本発明によれば、プラスチックボトルの少なくとも内面を温水で殺菌する無菌閉鎖空間は、温水及び／又は蒸気により空間内壁全面および空間内に設置された装置表面が湿熱加熱されるとともに無菌エアーにより空間内が陽圧保持されるため、従来の殺菌剤散布の方法に比べて空間内殺菌後の洗浄工程や洗浄設備が不要となり、従来と同等の無菌環境が維持されつつも設備コスト等が削減される。
【００１４】
また、本発明の１側面によれば、無菌閉鎖空間の外においてボトルの外面を外面殺菌室内で湿熱加熱殺菌した後無菌閉鎖空間内にボトルを導入してボトルの少なくとも内面を温水で殺菌するので、ボトルは汚染度の高いボトル外面のかびや細菌が殺菌された状態で無菌閉鎖空間内に導入され、その結果閉鎖空間内に導入されるかびや細菌の量が最大限に減少し、ボトル内面殺菌後のボトルにかびや細菌が再び付着する可能性が最大限に減少し、ボトル内外面の殺菌をもっとも効率的に行うことができる。
【００１５】
【発明の実施の形態】
以下添付図面を参照して本発明の実施の形態について説明する。
本発明の方法が適用される容器は、ＰＥＴボトル、ポリエチレンボトル等のプラスチックボトル（以下「ボトル」と略称する）である。
【００１６】
本発明の方法においては、ボトルの外面の殺菌と内面の殺菌を分けて２段階で行い、まず無菌閉鎖空間の外において温水または蒸気でボトルの外面を湿熱加熱殺菌した後無菌閉鎖空間内にボトルを導入してボトルの内面を温水で殺菌することを特徴とする。
【００１７】
ボトルの外面の湿熱加熱殺菌は、６５℃〜９５℃で行い、６５℃の場合殺菌時間は１０秒以上、９５℃の場合は２秒以上が好ましい。ボトル外面の殺菌もできれば無菌閉鎖空間としての外面殺菌室内で行うことが好ましい。ここで無菌閉鎖空間とは、容器搬入のための出入り口を設けた作業室内の一部空間を囲って密封空間とし、この密封空間内に温水噴射や水蒸気噴出などの湿熱加熱殺菌を行い陽圧の無菌空気を導入して無菌状態を維持するようにした空間を意味する。クリーンルーム内で湿熱加熱殺菌を行うと、水蒸気によりクリーンルーム天井部のＨＥＰＡフイルターが損傷を受けるので、クリーンルームは湿熱加熱殺菌およびその後のフイラーによる内容物のボトルへの充填作業を行うには不適である。またこのような無菌空間を使用することにより、設置費用が高価で、例えば風流制御などの各種制御が難しいクリーンルームを使用しないですむので、容器殺菌に要する費用を一層低減することができる。
【００１８】
ボトル外面の殺菌が行われる外面殺菌室は、温水を放散するか水蒸気を吹込むことにより発生する水蒸気で満たすようにしてもよい。外面殺菌室を水蒸気で満たすことにより、ボトル外面殺菌効果が向上するとともに、外面殺菌室内がボトル搬入口の外部の大気に対してエアシールされた状態となり、外部の大気中の菌が無菌閉鎖空間内に流入することが防止される。
【００１９】
本発明の方法によれば、ボトルに充填する内容物がミネラルウォーターであり、ボトル内面の温水による殺菌は６５℃以上７０℃未満で１０秒以下の殺菌時間で行うことができる。したがって、比較的に低いエネルギーでボトルを殺菌することができ、またボトル自体の耐熱性を低くすることもできるので、ミネラルウォーターを経済的に製造することができる。
【００２０】
温水によるボトル外面の殺菌は、ボトルが正立、倒立いずれの状態の場合でも、図１に示すように、閉鎖空間を設けて複数の温水スプレーノズルをボトルの側面および底面に向けて温水を噴射することにより行うことができる。
【００２１】
ボトル内面の殺菌は、上記ボトル外面殺菌を行なう無菌閉鎖空間と同一条件の無菌閉鎖空間内で行う。この無菌閉鎖空間内において、ボトルが倒立の状態において、１本の温水スプレーノズルを図２に示すようにボトルの口の下方に配置し、温水をボトル内部に向けて噴射することによって行う。温水スプレーノズルをボトルの内部に挿入して温水を噴射することも可能であるが、図２に示すように温水スプレーノズルをボトルの口の下方に固定して配置した状態で温水を噴射する方が、温水スプレーノズルの昇降動作が不要であるので、装置の機械的な構造を簡素化することができ、また、ボトル内壁を伝ってノズル近傍にたまった温水をノズルから噴射された温水とともに容器内壁へ再び噴射するいわゆる温水のジャグリングも行うことができ使用する温水の量を低減することができるので、飲料製品の製造コストを低減することができる。なお図２の例では、ボトルの内面のみならずボトルの外面にも温水を噴射して殺菌を行っている。
【００２２】
ボトル外面の殺菌を外面殺菌室内で行なう場合は、この外面殺菌室をボトル内面の殺菌を行なう無菌閉鎖空間と連通させるように構成することが好ましい。こうすることによって、ボトルが両無菌閉鎖空間の間に移送される途中で外部から菌が付着することが防止される。また、この外面殺菌室内で温水を用いて湿熱加熱殺菌する場合、使用する温水はボトルの内面殺菌に用いた温水を循環させて再利用することもできる。
【００２３】
ボトル内面の殺菌を終了後ボトルは上記と同一条件の無菌閉鎖空間内に設けられたフイラーに移送され、殺菌済みのミネラルウォーターがボトル内に充填される。ミネラルウォーターが充填されたボトルは上記と同一条件の無菌閉鎖空間内に設けられたキャッパーに移送され、殺菌済みキャップで密封された後製品として無菌閉鎖空間外に排出される。
【００２４】
【実施例】
実施例１
供試ボトルとして５００ｍｌ 角形φ２８ｍｍのＰＥＴボトルを使用した。 また、供試菌としてＡｓｐｅｒｇｉｌｌｕｓ ｎｉｇｅｒ ＡＴＣＣ６２７５を３０日間ポテトデキストロース寒天培地で培養したものを使用した。
【００２５】
供試ボトルの外面に、供試菌の胞子懸濁液を０．１ｍｌ噴霧して、１０６ｃｆｕ／ボトルとなるように懸濁液を付着させた後、一昼夜クリーンルーム内で乾燥させ、供試ボトルとして用いた。
【００２６】
この供試ボトルを正立の状態で図２に示す方法により湿熱加熱殺菌した。
【００２７】
殺菌後のボトル外面の生残菌数をポテトデキストロース寒天培地で３０℃×７日間培養して菌数を計測し、Ｌｏｇ（初期菌数／生残菌数）より、殺菌効果を求めた。
【００２８】
ボトル外面の殺菌温度・時間と殺菌効果の関係を表１に示す。
【００２９】
【表１】
実施例２
供試ボトルとして５００ｍｌ 角形φ２８ｍｍのＰＥＴボトルを使用した。
【００３１】
また、供試菌としてＡｓｐｅｒｇｉｌｌｕｓ ｎｉｇｅｒ ＡＴＣＣ６２７５を３０日間ポテトデキストロース寒天培地で培養したものを使用した。
【００３２】
供試ボトルの内外面に、供試菌の胞子懸濁液を各０．１ｍｌ噴霧して、１０６ｃｆｕ／ボトルとなるように懸濁液を内外面にそれぞれ付着させた後、一昼夜クリーンルーム内で乾燥させ、供試ボトルとして用いた。
【００３３】
この供試ボトルを倒立の状態で図３に示す方法によりその内外面を温水殺菌した。
【００３４】
殺菌後のボトル内外面の生残菌数をポテトデキストロース寒天培地で３０℃×７日間培養して菌数を計測し、Ｌｏｇ（初期菌数／生残菌数）より、殺菌効果を求めた。
【００３５】
ボトル内外面それぞれの殺菌温度・時間と殺菌効果の関係を表２に示す。
【００３６】
【表２】
実施例３
供試菌としてＡｓｐｅｒｇｉｌｌｕｓ ｎｉｇｅｒ ＡＴＣＣ６２７５を３０日間ポテトデキストロース寒天培地で培養したものを使用した。
【００３８】
この供試菌の胞子懸濁液を図４の装置内の機器表面の適当な場所に１０６ｃｆｕ／１００ｃｍ２となるように付着させ、乾燥後、温水循環による殺菌を行った。
【００３９】
殺菌後の機器表面の生残菌数をポテトデキストロース寒天培地で３０℃×７日間培養して菌数を計測し、Ｌｏｇ（初期菌数／生残菌数）より、殺菌効果を求めた。
【００４０】
機器表面における殺菌温度・時間と殺菌効果の関係を表３に示す。
【００４１】
【表３】
【発明の効果】
以上述べたように、本発明によれば、プラスチックボトルの少なくとも内面を温水で殺菌する無菌閉鎖空間は、温水及び／又は蒸気により空間内壁全面および空間内に設置された装置表面が湿熱加熱されるとともに無菌エアーにより空間内が陽圧保持されるため、従来の殺菌剤散布の方法に比べて空間内殺菌後の洗浄工程や洗浄設備が不要となり、従来と同等の無菌環境が維持されつつも設備コスト等が削減される。
【００４３】
また、本発明の１側面によれば、無菌閉鎖空間の外においてボトルの外面を外面殺菌室内で湿熱加熱殺菌した後無菌閉鎖空間内にボトルを導入してボトルの少なくとも内面を温水で殺菌するので、ボトルは汚染度の高いボトル外面のかびや細菌が殺菌された状態で無菌閉鎖空間内に導入され、その結果閉鎖空間内に導入されるかびや細菌の量が最大限に減少し、ボトル内面殺菌後のボトルにかびや細菌が再び付着する可能性が最大限に減少し、ボトル内外面の殺菌をもっとも効率的に行うことができる。
【図面の簡単な説明】
【図１】温水によるボトル外面の殺菌方法の１例を示す説明図である
【図２】温水によるボトル内面の殺菌方法の１例を示す説明図である。[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a method for producing mineral water packed in plastic bottles.
[0002]
[Prior art]
In recent years, consumption of mineral water packed in plastic bottles such as PET bottles has been increasing. Conventionally, plastic bottles such as PET bottles are sterilized using a disinfectant such as hydrogen peroxide or a chlorine-based disinfectant before filling with mineral water. However, the sterilization method using a germicide requires a large amount of water to wash the germicide, and has a problem that the manufacturing process is complicated and the manufacturing cost is increased.
[0003]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
Also, various methods of sterilizing PET bottles using hot water instead of the sterilizing method using a sterilizing agent have been proposed and used. As an example, Patent Literature 1 discloses a method in which hot water of 65 ° C to 85 ° C is intermittently sprayed onto an inner surface of an inverted bottle in order to fill the contents with an acidic beverage having a pH of 4.0 or less at room temperature. A method for filling a PET bottle of an acidic beverage is disclosed, in which mold and yeast adhered to the inner surface are sterilized and then an acidic beverage at a normal temperature is filled and sealed. This method has an advantage in that the container can be sterilized without using a germicide, so that the cost is lower than the method using a germicide. However, this method is intended for acidic beverages, and there is no suggestion for application to uses other than acidic beverages, leaving room for research and development.
[0004]
The present invention has been made in view of the problems of the conventional plastic bottle sterilizing method described above, and uses a plastic bottle-filled mineral that can sterilize a plastic bottle by a simple and low-cost method without using a sterilizing agent. It is intended to provide a method for producing water.
[0005]
[Patent Document 1]
Japanese Patent No. 2,844,983
[Means to solve the problem]
The inventor of the present invention has conducted extensive research and experiments to solve the above-described problems. As a result, when sterilizing a plastic bottle using conventional hot water such as the method described in the above-mentioned document, the space for performing sterilization with hot water requires hot water sterilization. In the vicinity, there is an extremely high risk of microorganisms growing, and there is a risk that molds that float in the air during the transfer of the bottle to the beverage filling position after sterilization with warm water and bacteria etc. may adhere to the inside and outside surfaces of the bottle again. Considering that there is a possibility that a sterile container sterilization effect may not be necessarily obtained, the entire sterilized closed space is heated with hot water and / or steam to the entire inner wall of the space and the surface of the device installed in the space, and the sterilized closed space is sterilized with air. The present invention has been achieved based on the finding that a sterile environment equivalent to the conventional one can be maintained by a simpler method and equipment than the conventional one by maintaining the inside at a positive pressure. In order to solve this problem, even if sterilization of bottles with hot water is performed in a sterile environment, molds and bacteria, etc. adhered to the container by introducing the unsterilized bottles into the sterile environment may be removed in the sterile environment. Considering that these molds and bacteria may re-attach to the bottle after sterilization with warm water, the mold and bacteria adhere more to the outer surface than to the inner surface of the bottle, and the outer surface of the bottle is compared to the inner surface. Focusing on the fact that the degree of contamination is extremely high, if at least the outer surface of the bottle is sterilized before introducing the bottle into the aseptic environment, the amount of mold and bacteria introduced together with the bottle into the aseptic environment will be significantly reduced. Got.
[0007]
The method for producing mineral water packed in a plastic bottle, which achieves the object of the present invention, is characterized in that the entire surface of the inner wall of the space and the surface of the device installed in the space are heated by wet heat with hot water and / or steam, and positive pressure is maintained by aseptic air. Introducing a plastic bottle into the enclosed space, sterilizing at least the inner surface of the plastic bottle with hot water and / or steam, and then filling the sterilized plastic bottle with sterilized mineral water and sealing the mouth of the plastic bottle. It is characterized by the following.
[0008]
In one aspect of the present invention, the plastic bottle introduced into the aseptic closed space is characterized in that the outer surface is sterilized with hot water and / or steam and heated and then introduced into the aseptic closed space.
[0009]
In one aspect of the present invention, the step of sterilizing the outer surface of the plastic bottle introduced into the aseptic closed space includes jetting hot water and / or steam from the hot water jet nozzle or the steam jet nozzle into the plastic bottle. It is performed by performing heat-heat sterilization so that the outer surface temperature becomes 65 ° C. or more and less than 96 ° C.
[0010]
In one aspect of the present invention, the outer surface sterilization of the plastic bottle introduced into the aseptic closed space is performed in an outer sterilization chamber communicating with the aseptic closed space and provided with a carry-in / out port for the plastic bottle. Features.
[0011]
In one aspect of the invention, the outer sterilization chamber is filled with steam.
[0012]
In one aspect of the present invention, the step of sterilizing at least the inner surface of the plastic bottle is performed by performing wet heat sterilization so that the inner surface temperature of the plastic bottle becomes 65 ° C. or more and less than 70 ° C. .
[0013]
[Action]
According to the present invention, the aseptic closed space in which at least the inner surface of the plastic bottle is sterilized with warm water, the entire inner wall of the space and the surface of the device installed in the space are heated by wet heat with warm water and / or steam, and the inside of the space is sterilized with aseptic air. Is maintained at a positive pressure, eliminating the need for a cleaning step and cleaning equipment after disinfection in space compared to the conventional method of spraying disinfectants, and reducing equipment costs while maintaining the same sterile environment as before. .
[0014]
Further, according to one aspect of the present invention, since the outer surface of the bottle is sterilized by heat and humidity in an outer sterilization chamber outside the sterile closed space, the bottle is introduced into the sterile closed space, and at least the inner surface of the bottle is sterilized with hot water. The bottle is introduced into the sterile enclosed space with the mold and bacteria on the outer surface of the highly contaminated bottle sterilized, and as a result, the amount of mold and bacteria introduced into the enclosed space is reduced to the maximum, and the bottle is sterilized inside the bottle. The possibility of mold and bacteria re-adhering to the subsequent bottle is minimized, and the inner and outer surfaces of the bottle can be sterilized most efficiently.
[0015]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
The container to which the method of the present invention is applied is a plastic bottle (hereinafter abbreviated as “bottle”) such as a PET bottle and a polyethylene bottle.
[0016]
In the method of the present invention, sterilization of the outer surface of the bottle and sterilization of the inner surface are separately performed in two stages. First, the outer surface of the bottle is heated and sterilized with hot water or steam outside the sterile closed space, and then the bottle is sterilized in the sterile closed space. And sterilizing the inner surface of the bottle with warm water.
[0017]
The wet heat sterilization of the outer surface of the bottle is performed at 65 ° C. to 95 ° C .; If it is possible to sterilize the outer surface of the bottle, it is preferable to perform the sterilization in an outer sterilization room as a sterile closed space. Here, the sterile enclosed space is a sealed space that surrounds a part of the working room provided with an entrance for carrying in and out the container, and performs a heat-heat sterilization such as hot water jet or steam jet in this sealed space to apply positive pressure. It means a space in which sterile air is introduced to maintain a sterile state. When wet heat sterilization is performed in a clean room, the HEPA filter at the ceiling of the clean room is damaged by water vapor. Therefore, the clean room is unsuitable for performing wet heat heat sterilization and subsequently filling the contents into bottles by a filter. In addition, by using such a sterile space, installation costs are expensive, and for example, a clean room in which various controls such as airflow control are difficult is not required, so that the cost required for container sterilization can be further reduced.
[0018]
The outer surface sterilizing chamber in which the outer surface of the bottle is sterilized may be filled with steam generated by radiating hot water or blowing steam. By filling the outer sterilization chamber with water vapor, the outer sterilization effect of the bottle is improved, and the outer sterilization chamber is air-sealed to the outside air of the bottle carry-in port. Is prevented from flowing into.
[0019]
According to the method of the present invention, the content to be filled in the bottle is mineral water, and sterilization of the inner surface of the bottle with warm water can be performed at 65 ° C. or more and less than 70 ° C. for a time of 10 seconds or less. Therefore, the bottle can be sterilized with relatively low energy, and the heat resistance of the bottle itself can be lowered, so that mineral water can be economically produced.
[0020]
Sterilization of the outer surface of the bottle with hot water, regardless of whether the bottle is upright or inverted, provides a closed space and sprays hot water with multiple hot water spray nozzles directed toward the side and bottom of the bottle, as shown in FIG. Can be performed.
[0021]
Sterilization of the inner surface of the bottle is performed in a sterile closed space under the same conditions as the sterile closed space for sterilizing the outer surface of the bottle. In this sterile closed space, one hot-water spray nozzle is arranged below the mouth of the bottle as shown in FIG. 2 in a state where the bottle is inverted, and hot water is sprayed toward the inside of the bottle. It is possible to insert hot water spray nozzles inside the bottle to inject hot water. However, as shown in FIG. 2, a method in which hot water is sprayed with the hot water spray nozzle fixed and arranged below the mouth of the bottle is used. However, since the raising / lowering operation of the hot water spray nozzle is not required, the mechanical structure of the apparatus can be simplified, and the hot water accumulated near the nozzle along the inner wall of the bottle and the hot water sprayed from the nozzle are stored in the container. The so-called hot water juggling which is sprayed again to the inner wall can be performed, and the amount of hot water used can be reduced, so that the production cost of the beverage product can be reduced. In the example of FIG. 2, sterilization is performed by spraying hot water not only on the inner surface of the bottle but also on the outer surface of the bottle.
[0022]
When sterilizing the outer surface of the bottle in the outer sterilizing chamber, it is preferable that the outer sterilizing chamber is configured to communicate with a sterile closed space for sterilizing the inner surface of the bottle. This prevents bacteria from adhering from the outside while the bottle is being transferred between the aseptic closed spaces. Further, in the case of performing sterilization by wet heat using hot water in the outer sterilization chamber, the hot water used can be reused by circulating the hot water used for sterilizing the inner surface of the bottle.
[0023]
After the sterilization of the inner surface of the bottle is completed, the bottle is transferred to a filer provided in a sterile closed space under the same conditions as above, and the bottle is filled with sterilized mineral water. The bottle filled with mineral water is transferred to a capper provided in a sterile closed space under the same conditions as above, sealed with a sterilized cap, and discharged out of the sterile closed space as a product.
[0024]
【Example】
Example 1
As a test bottle, a 500 ml square PET bottle having a diameter of 28 mm was used. As a test bacterium, Aspergillus niger ATCC 6275 cultured on a potato dextrose agar medium for 30 days was used.
[0025]
0.1 ml of a spore suspension of the test bacterium is sprayed on the outer surface of the test bottle, and the suspension is allowed to adhere so as to be 10 6 cfu / bottle. Then, the sample is dried in a clean room for 24 hours. Used as a bottle.
[0026]
The test bottle was sterilized by heat and heat in an upright state by the method shown in FIG.
[0027]
The number of surviving bacteria on the outer surface of the bottle after sterilization was cultured on a potato dextrose agar medium at 30 ° C. for 7 days, the number of bacteria was counted, and the bactericidal effect was determined from Log (initial bacterial count / survival bacterial count).
[0028]
Table 1 shows the relationship between the sterilization temperature and time on the outer surface of the bottle and the sterilization effect.
[0029]
[Table 1]
Example 2
As a test bottle, a 500 ml square PET bottle having a diameter of 28 mm was used.
[0031]
As a test bacterium, Aspergillus niger ATCC 6275 cultured on a potato dextrose agar medium for 30 days was used.
[0032]
0.1 ml each of the spore suspension of the test bacterium is sprayed on the inner and outer surfaces of the test bottle, and the suspension is adhered to the inner and outer surfaces so as to obtain 10 6 cfu / bottle. And used as a test bottle.
[0033]
The inner and outer surfaces of the test bottle were sterilized with hot water by the method shown in FIG.
[0034]
The number of surviving bacteria on the inner and outer surfaces of the bottle after sterilization was cultured on a potato dextrose agar medium at 30 ° C. for 7 days, the number of bacteria was counted, and the bactericidal effect was determined from Log (initial bacterial count / survival bacterial count).
[0035]
Table 2 shows the relationship between the sterilization temperature and time on each of the inner and outer surfaces of the bottle and the sterilization effect.
[0036]
[Table 2]
Example 3
Aspergillus niger ATCC 6275 cultured on a potato dextrose agar medium for 30 days was used as a test bacterium.
[0038]
The spore suspension of this test bacterium was adhered to an appropriate place on the device surface in the apparatus in FIG. 4 so as to have a density of 10 6 cfu / 100 cm 2 , dried, and then sterilized by circulating warm water.
[0039]
The number of surviving bacteria on the device surface after sterilization was cultured on a potato dextrose agar medium at 30 ° C. for 7 days, the number of bacteria was counted, and the bactericidal effect was determined from Log (initial bacterial count / survival bacterial count).
[0040]
Table 3 shows the relationship between the sterilization temperature / time and the sterilization effect on the device surface.
[0041]
[Table 3]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, in an aseptic closed space in which at least the inner surface of a plastic bottle is sterilized with hot water, the entire surface of the inner wall of the space and the surface of the apparatus installed in the space are wet-heated by hot water and / or steam. In addition, the space inside is maintained under a positive pressure by sterile air, which eliminates the need for a cleaning process and cleaning equipment after sterilization in the space compared to the conventional method of spraying disinfectants, while maintaining the same sterile environment as before. Costs are reduced.
[0043]
Further, according to one aspect of the present invention, since the outer surface of the bottle is sterilized by heat and humidity in an outer sterilization chamber outside the sterile closed space, the bottle is introduced into the sterile closed space, and at least the inner surface of the bottle is sterilized with warm water. The bottle is introduced into the sterile enclosed space with the mold and bacteria on the outer surface of the bottle highly contaminated, and as a result, the amount of mold and bacteria introduced into the enclosed space is reduced to the maximum, and the bottle is sterilized inside the bottle. The possibility of mold and bacteria re-adhering to the subsequent bottle is minimized, and the inner and outer surfaces of the bottle can be sterilized most efficiently.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a method of sterilizing the outer surface of a bottle with warm water. FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a method of sterilizing the inner surface of the bottle with warm water.
Claims (6)
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| JP2003093855A JP4292463B2 (en) | 2003-03-31 | 2003-03-31 | Manufacturing method of plastic bottled mineral water |
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| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| JP2003093855A JP4292463B2 (en) | 2003-03-31 | 2003-03-31 | Manufacturing method of plastic bottled mineral water |
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| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| JP2006032845A Division JP2006160373A (en) | 2006-02-09 | 2006-02-09 | Method of manufacture of mineral water filled in plastic bottle |
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|---|---|
| JP2004299722A true JP2004299722A (en) | 2004-10-28 |
| JP2004299722A5 JP2004299722A5 (en) | 2006-03-30 |
| JP4292463B2 JP4292463B2 (en) | 2009-07-08 |
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Cited By (4)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| JP2008133049A (en) * | 2006-10-05 | 2008-06-12 | Toyo Seikan Kaisha Ltd | Heat-sterilizing method of thin-walled plastic bottle |
| JPWO2007015586A1 (en) * | 2005-08-04 | 2009-02-19 | 東洋製罐株式会社 | Plastic bottle sterilization method |
| JP4985992B2 (en) * | 2006-06-09 | 2012-07-25 | 東洋製罐株式会社 | Non-insertion nozzle for sterilization and washing of bottle containers and inner surface sterilization and washing method of bottle containers |
| US10105459B2 (en) | 2014-03-14 | 2018-10-23 | Dai Nippon Printing Co., Ltd. | Method and apparatus for sterilizing container |
Families Citing this family (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| JP7096061B2 (en) | 2018-04-26 | 2022-07-05 | 小島プレス工業株式会社 | Manufacturing method of laminated film |
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2003
- 2003-03-31 JP JP2003093855A patent/JP4292463B2/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
Cited By (5)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| JPWO2007015586A1 (en) * | 2005-08-04 | 2009-02-19 | 東洋製罐株式会社 | Plastic bottle sterilization method |
| JP4984161B2 (en) * | 2005-08-04 | 2012-07-25 | 東洋製罐株式会社 | Plastic bottle sterilization method |
| JP4985992B2 (en) * | 2006-06-09 | 2012-07-25 | 東洋製罐株式会社 | Non-insertion nozzle for sterilization and washing of bottle containers and inner surface sterilization and washing method of bottle containers |
| JP2008133049A (en) * | 2006-10-05 | 2008-06-12 | Toyo Seikan Kaisha Ltd | Heat-sterilizing method of thin-walled plastic bottle |
| US10105459B2 (en) | 2014-03-14 | 2018-10-23 | Dai Nippon Printing Co., Ltd. | Method and apparatus for sterilizing container |
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| JP4292463B2 (en) | 2009-07-08 |
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