JP2006103739A - Method and device for reducing amount of residual oxygen in container - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a method and a device for reducing the amount of residual oxygen in a container which method and device enable effective gas replacement involving no wasted replacing gas, thus requiring a smaller amount of the gas, and allows a smaller drop in a gas concentration with the lapse of time. <P>SOLUTION: Following the move of a container 1 on transfer, a rotary disc 18 rotates to make replacing gas jet nozzles 23 on the rotary disc 18 to pass an open face of a replacing gas chamber formed on a stationary plate. When the jet nozzles 23 pass the open face, the replacing gas is supplied sequentially to radial replacing gas outflow passages 16 formed by separators 15, so that the direction of replacing gas outflows can be changed consecutively in pursuant to the move of the container 1. In this process, the replacing gas is jetted consecutively and directly into an opening of the container 1 while the container 1 passes through a gas replacement zone, but is not jetted to a position where the container 1 does not passes, thus no replacing gas is wasted. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for reducing residual oxygen in a container in a gas replacement packaging in which a head space is replaced with an inert gas and sealed after filling the container, such as a can or a cup.

Conventionally, in order to prevent oxidation and deterioration of contents in containers and packaging for foods, etc., the headspace gas (air) after filling the contents is replaced with an inert gas such as nitrogen gas (hereinafter referred to as replacement gas). It is generally done. In the conventional gas replacement packaging, the upper part of the conveying path from the content filling device to the sealing device is covered with a plate or hood having a replacement gas ejection hole, and the replacement gas is ejected from above or from the side toward the container opening. (For example, refer to Patent Documents 1 and 2) or by covering the upper part of the transport path with a semi-sealed tunnel and ejecting a replacement gas from above and from the side toward the container opening (for example, Patent Documents 3 and 4). In these conventional gas displacement devices, in the case of blowing in the replacement gas from above the container opening or in the case of blowing from the side, one or a plurality of jet nozzles are arranged along the conveyance path, A replacement gas chamber is provided that directly ejects the replacement gas toward the container, or is surrounded by a nozzle plate having a number of nozzle holes formed on the surface facing the conveyance path, and the gas discharged into the chamber is It is made to eject uniformly toward a container conveyance path via a nozzle plate.
JP 63-125118 A JP 11-157507 A JP 2001-58609 A JP 2004-123217 A

  In the conventional gas replacement device, for example, when the jet is directly ejected from above the conveyance path toward the container, the replacement gas is blown into the container only when the container passes the position below the nozzle. Therefore, even if the upper part of the transport path is enclosed in a plate or tunnel shape, the gas replacement rate of the container is improved at the moment when an inert gas is blown at the nozzle facing position (hereinafter, this method is referred to as the facing type) However, it increases to nearly 100%, but the replacement rate decreases as the distance from the nozzle position increases. The diagram b shown as a comparative example in the graph of FIG. 9 is a case in which nitrogen gas is blown into the container being transported from directly above in a tunnel in a conventional apparatus and gas replacement in the head space is performed approximately 100%. The result of analyzing the change of the gas replacement rate with the passage time in the tunnel after that is shown. As shown in the graph, the gas replacement rate in the head space increases rapidly until it reaches the position directly below the nozzle after entering the tunnel. It can be seen that the rate is decreasing. Therefore, the conventional facing type has a limit in improving the replacement rate. In order to improve the substitution rate with the opposed type, it is conceivable to arrange a large number of nozzles along the conveyance path of the container and constantly inject the substitution gas into the container passing therethrough. As necessary, the cost is increased, and containers filled with contents are not transported on the conveyor in a dense state, and are always transported at a predetermined interval. The replacement gas is blown, and there is a problem that a lot of waste is generated in the replacement gas. When the container is injected from the replacement gas chamber through the nozzle plate having a large number of injection holes, the replacement gas is always blown into the container in the section where the plate is disposed, but the position where there is no container as described above. Also, there is a problem that the replacement gas is blown in, the waste of the replacement gas is large, and a large amount of the replacement gas has to be ejected in order to improve the replacement rate.

  Therefore, the present invention can maintain a high gas replacement rate in the head space of the container in the gas replacement zone, reduce the amount of residual oxygen in the head space, and reduce and reduce waste of replacement gas. It is an object of the present invention to provide a method and apparatus for reducing the amount of oxygen remaining in a container that can effectively perform gas replacement with the amount of replacement gas and can reduce the flow rate of the replacement gas.

  The method for reducing the amount of oxygen remaining in the container according to the present invention that achieves the above object is a method for reducing the amount of oxygen remaining in the container by replacing the air in the headspace of the container being transferred from the filling process to the sealing process with a replacement gas. The position where the replacement gas flows into the container is continuously changed following the movement of the container being transported, and the replacement gas is blown into the container.

  The continuous change of the inflow position of the replacement gas into the container can be achieved by continuously changing the inflow direction of the replacement gas flowing in following the movement of the container. As another method, it can be achieved by continuously changing the position of the nozzle following the movement of the container. Furthermore, as another method, it can be achieved by sequentially switching the supply of the replacement gas to the plurality of nozzles arranged along the transport path following the movement of the container.

  Further, the device for reducing the amount of residual oxygen in a container according to the present invention that achieves the above-described object is provided by replacing the air in the headspace of the container being transferred from the filling device to the sealing device with a replacement gas in the gas replacement zone. This is a device for reducing the amount, and a replacement gas jetting device is arranged along the container transport path, and the position where the replacement gas flows into the container continuously follows the movement of the container being transported by the replacement gas jetting device. And a tracking means for blowing the replacement gas into the container.

  The tracking means includes a plurality of separators that are radially arranged so that the side facing the container transport path is divided into a plurality along the transport direction and the tips open, and a replacement gas supply that supplies a replacement gas between the separators It is composed of replacement gas supply switching means that moves the mouth following the conveyance of the container, and adopts a means configured to continuously change the inflow direction of the replacement gas that flows into the container following the movement of the container. Achieved by: The replacement gas supply switching means is composed of a combination of a rotating plate and a fixed plate arranged on both sides or one side of the separator, and the fixed plate is formed with a replacement gas chamber composed of arc grooves in a predetermined angle range, The replacement gas chamber communicates with a replacement gas source, and the side contacting the rotating plate is open and the opposite side is closed, so that the rotating plate can move along the opening of the replacement gas chamber of the fixed plate. One or a plurality of replacement gas supply ports are formed penetrating at equal intervals.

  Further, as another tracking means, a replacement gas chamber main body having a nozzle plate having a plurality of nozzles arranged at predetermined intervals along the conveyor transport path on the surface facing the transport path, and in the replacement gas chamber main body The rotating plate is arranged so as to be able to be driven to rotate so as to cover the chamber side opening of the nozzle, and the rotating plate has one or a plurality of replacement gas supply ports arranged at equal intervals on the circumference. The nozzle plate is formed with a nozzle inflow opening at a predetermined pitch so as to face the rotation trajectory of the replacement gas supply port of the rotating plate for each nozzle. Can be adopted. Further, as other tracking means, a replacement gas chamber main body arranged with an opening facing the transport path, an endless nozzle that covers the opening of the chamber main body and is driven to rotate following the container transport speed The nozzle belt is arranged with nozzles at predetermined intervals, and the replacement gas flows out from the nozzle only while the nozzle passes through the opening surface of the replacement chamber in synchronization with the container. The structure characterized by this can be adopted.

  According to the method and apparatus for reducing the amount of residual oxygen in a container according to the present invention, the position where the replacement gas flows is continuously changed following the movement of the container being transported and blown into the container. Since the replacement gas is constantly blown into the head space, it is possible to obtain a high gas replacement rate, and the replacement gas is blown into only the portion where the container is located, so there is no waste of replacement gas and gas replacement is performed efficiently. And replacement gas can be saved. Furthermore, according to Claim 2 and Claims 5 and 6, since the inflow direction of the replacement gas that flows in following the movement of the container is continuously changed, the replacement gas in the container is blown in addition to the above effect. The replacement gas can be blown uniformly to the corner near the difficult peripheral wall, and the gas replacement rate can be improved. According to the fifth and sixth aspects, since the replacement gas flow path is inclined radially, the apparatus can be downsized and the replacement gas can be blown following the container over a wide range of the transport path. There are advantages.

  Further, according to the configuration of claim 3 and claim 8, since the supply of the replacement gas to the nozzle is sequentially switched following the movement of the container, the nozzle ejected following the container is changed, and the nozzle is conveyed. The gas can be disposed along the center line of the path, and the replacement gas can be blown into the container more reliably, so that the gas replacement can be performed more efficiently. According to the fourth and ninth aspects of the invention, the nozzle is continuously moved following the movement of the container, so that the moving container is replaced while the relative positional relationship between the nozzle and the container is kept constant. Gas can be blown in, and more stable gas replacement can be performed.

  In the present invention, when the air in the head space of the container being transferred from the filling device to the sealing device is replaced with the replacement gas in the gas replacement zone, the replacement gas blown into the container in the conventional opposed type tunnel decreases with time. Therefore, it is intended to eliminate the increase in the amount of residual oxygen in the pipe, and to achieve a high replacement rate with a small amount of replacement gas without lowering the replacement rate over time. . This object can be achieved by employing the means shown in FIG. 1 in the present invention. FIG. 1 is a schematic explanatory schematic view of a first embodiment of the present invention, showing a case in which a container 1 advances from the right side to the left side in the figure by a conveyor 2, and the moment when it passes under the nozzle in the head space of the container. Instead of only spraying, the direction of injection from the nozzle 3 (indicated by the arrow 4) is changed following the moving container, and the nozzle always replaces directly from the nozzle toward the headspace of the container while passing through the replacement zone. By injecting gas, the replacement efficiency is increased, and the residual oxygen amount in the container can be reduced as compared with the prior art (first embodiment and second embodiment).

  Further, the above object can be achieved by adopting means for sequentially switching the supply of the replacement gas to the plurality of nozzles arranged along the transport path following the movement of the container (first embodiment and second embodiment). ). Furthermore, this can be achieved by employing means for continuously changing the position of the nozzle following the movement of the container (third embodiment).

2 to 4 show a device 10 for reducing residual oxygen in a container according to a first embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, the replacement gas jetting device is disposed above the transport path of the container, but it can also be disposed on the side of the transport path.
The apparatus 10 for reducing the amount of residual oxygen in a container according to the present embodiment includes a replacement gas jetting device 11 disposed above the container transport path, and the container 1 in which the replacement gas jetting device is being transported (in this embodiment a can is a can). Following the movement (shown), there is a tracking means for continuously changing the position where the replacement gas flows into the container and blowing the replacement gas into the container. The tracking means of the present embodiment fixes the cylindrical body 14 between the side walls 13 and 13 so as to cross the left and right in the central part in the transport direction of the box-shaped apparatus main body 12 having an open lower end. As shown, a plurality of separators 15 are arranged so as to extend substantially radially from the cylindrical body 14 so that the upper end is in contact with the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical body 14 and the lower end is positioned at the lower ends of the side walls 13 and 13 as will be described later. In addition, a replacement gas outflow passage 16 is formed in which the replacement gas is tracked in the conveyance of the container and continuously radiates and radiates. The separator 15 is fixedly disposed at either or both of the cylindrical body 14 and the side walls 13 and 13. Accordingly, a radial replacement gas outflow passage 16 is formed between the separators 15 along the container transport direction. The radial replacement gas outflow passage 16 has a lower end opened along the lower end of the side wall. The replacement gas outflow path 16 is divided so that the interval between the positions where the extension line of the outermost separator intersects the opening end of the container crosses about d + 2s, assuming the diameter d of the container conveyed by the conveyor at the interval s. However, it is possible to eject the replacement gas at least in the range of the conveyance pitch p of the container. As a result, the container can continuously receive the supply of the replacement gas while proceeding by one pitch, and the replacement gas ejection device can continuously perform the next replacement gas without wasting it continuously. It can flow out into the container.

  At the left and right ends of the separator 15, as shown in the figure, a replacement gas supply switching means composed of a combination of a pair of rotating plates 18 and a fixed plate 20 is arranged. The rotating plate 18 is disposed so as to directly face the left and right side ends of the separator 15, and the left and right rotating plates 18 are integrally connected to the apparatus body by a rotating shaft 19 rotatably supported by appropriate bearing means. A pair of fixed plates 20 are arranged on the outside of the pair of fixed plates 20 so as to prevent replacement gas in a replacement gas chamber, which will be described later, from leaking between the fixed plate and the rotating plate. Are arranged in contact with each other. As shown in FIG. 4A, the fixed plate 20 has an arc-shaped replacement gas chamber 21, and the surface of the replacement gas chamber 21 facing the rotating plate 18 is open over a range of 120 ° in this embodiment. The opposite side wall surface is closed except that the replacement gas supply port 22 is open. Although the replacement gas supply port 22 is connected to a replacement gas source by appropriate piping means, in this embodiment, the replacement gas pipe passes through the inside of the central shaft and also enters the replacement gas chamber of the fixed plate on the opposite side. At the same time, piping is provided so that replacement gas can be supplied.

  As shown in FIG. 5 (a), the rotation plate 18 is provided with a replacement gas outlet 23 that passes through the opening surface of the replacement gas chamber 21 of the stationary plate 20 when the rotation plate 18 rotates. ing. In the present embodiment, since the opening surface of the replacement gas chamber 21 is provided over a range of 120 °, three replacement gases are provided at intervals of 120 ° so that one replacement gas outlet 23 always faces the opening surface. A spout 23 is arranged.

  The apparatus for reducing the amount of residual oxygen in the container according to the present embodiment is configured as described above, and the replacement gas supplied to the replacement gas chamber 21 of the fixed plate 20 is transferred to the rotating plate 18 by the rotation of the rotating plate 18. When the formed replacement gas outlet 23 passes through the opening surface of the replacement gas chamber 21, the replacement gas is injected through the replacement gas outlet 23 in communication with the inside of the replacement gas. Since the replacement gas ejection port sequentially passes through the end of the separator 15 as the rotating plate rotates, the replacement gas outlet port 16 enters the replacement gas outflow passage 16 from the upstream side via the rotating plates 18 on both sides as shown in FIG. The replacement gas is sequentially supplied, and the supplied replacement gas is ejected from the opening of the outflow path toward the container opening being conveyed. Therefore, when the rotating plate 18 rotates in synchronization with the transport speed of the container, the replacement gas follows the movement of the container, and the replacement gas outflow path 16 from which the replacement gas is ejected sequentially changes and passes through the replacement gas replacement zone. While the replacement gas is always directly flowed toward the opening of the container, the replacement gas is not radiated to a position where the container does not pass, so that the replacement gas is not wasted. In addition, in this embodiment, since the replacement gas outflow passages are arranged radially, the outflow direction of the replacement gas changes following the movement of the container, and is ejected in a direction from the upstream side as shown in FIG. The angle gradually decreases and flows in the vertical direction directly below the rotating shaft, and after passing through that position, the replacement gas can gradually flow in the opposite feeding direction and flow into the container. Therefore, in this embodiment, the replacement gas can be uniformly blown to the corner near the peripheral wall of the container where the replacement gas of the container is difficult to blow in, the gas replacement rate can be improved, and the apparatus can be downsized. There is an advantage that the replacement gas can be blown following the container over a wide range of the conveyance path.

Using the apparatus of the above-mentioned embodiment, the change in the replacement rate in the tunnel when the gas replacement was performed under the following conditions was measured, and the comparison with the conventional facing type was performed.
Can transport pitch 95mm
Line speed 1200 cans / min Conveyor speed 1900mm / s
Replacement gas amount 100NL / min
In the embodiment, when the can center position is reached below the center replacement gas outflow passage 16 in the reduction device of the above embodiment, the replacement gas is blown from the position two pitches before the transfer of the can. It is started (the time is 0 second), the blowing direction of the replacement gas changes following the conveyance of the container, and when the time is 0.1 second, the replacement gas is blown out just below the replacement gas outflow passage. Passes for another two pitches (from 0.1 second to 0.2 second in time), the can is tracked while the blowing direction of the outlet changes, and the replacement gas is blown into the container. The diagram (a) in the graph of FIG. 9 is an examination of the replacement rate of air in the head space of the can by paying attention to one can before two pitches. Further, as a comparative example, the change with time of the gas replacement rate was examined when nitrogen gas was ejected at a fixed position under the same conditions as described above. The result is shown by a diagram (b) in the graph of FIG. In the graph, the vertical axis represents the replacement gas in the head space in weight%.
As a result, the comparative example instantaneously achieved a high substitution rate at the position facing the nozzle, but then decreased with the passage of time, and decreased to 86% after 0.3 seconds. On the other hand, in the present invention, a high replacement rate is obtained in the vicinity of the position immediately below the nozzle, but the decrease in the replacement rate accompanying the movement of the container is small thereafter, and a replacement rate of 90% or more is maintained until 0.3 seconds later. It was possible to confirm the effectiveness of the apparatus of this example.

  FIG. 6 shows a device 30 for reducing residual oxygen in a container according to a second embodiment of the present invention. The apparatus 30 for reducing the amount of residual oxygen in a container according to the present embodiment includes a replacement gas ejection device 31 arranged above the container conveyance path, and the replacement gas ejection device replaces the movement of the container 1 being conveyed. It has tracking means for continuously changing the position where the gas flows into the container and blowing the replacement gas into the container. The tracking means of this embodiment is a replacement gas in which the wall surface (in this embodiment, the bottom wall) facing the transport path is a nozzle plate 39 having a plurality of nozzles 34 arranged at predetermined intervals along the conveyor transport path. A combination of a chamber main body 32 and a rotary plate 35 disposed in the replacement gas chamber main body so as to be rotationally driven via a rotary shaft 38 so as to cover the chamber side opening of the nozzle is configured. As in the previous embodiment, the nozzle 34 changes the nozzle that ejects the replacement gas following the container, and a plurality of nozzles 34 are provided at appropriate intervals so that the replacement gas can be supplied directly to the container while the container advances approximately one pitch. Are arranged in series. The nozzle may be perpendicular to the transport path as indicated by the solid line, but as indicated by the broken line so as to sequentially change the inflow angle of the replacement gas into the container in the transport direction as in the above embodiment. As shown, it is desirable to provide it with an inclination.

  The opposite side wall surface of the replacement gas chamber main body 33 is in a closed state except that a replacement gas supply port 36 connected to a replacement gas supply pipe (not shown) is formed. A replacement gas chamber 33 is formed. The rotating plate 35 is formed with one or a plurality of replacement gas ejection ports 37. The replacement gas ejection port 37 is formed in an arc shape as indicated by an imaginary line in FIG. 7 and is formed adjacent to the nozzle plate 39 so that the replacement gas can be continuously supplied to the container, as will be described later. It is desirable to have the same arc length as the pitch between the replacement gas inlets 40. In the nozzle plate 39, a replacement gas inlet 40 that opens at a predetermined pitch is formed in communication with each nozzle 34 so as to face the rotation trajectory of the replacement gas supply port 37 of the rotating plate 35. Therefore, in the drawing, the nozzles 34 at both ends located on the rotation orbital surface of the replacement gas ejection port 37 are directly supplied with the replacement gas from the replacement gas ejection port 37, but the nozzle located inside is shown in FIG. Then, the gas is supplied to the nozzle 34 via the replacement gas inlet 40 and ejected.

  The apparatus of the present embodiment is configured as described above, and the rotation of the rotating plate 35 rotates substantially in synchronization with the moving speed of the container, and the replacement gas outlet 37 of the rotating plate 35 is sequentially moved along with the movement of the container. It moves on the replacement gas inflow port 40 to the adjacent nozzle, is directly connected to the replacement gas chamber 33 at a position coinciding with the replacement gas outlet 37, the replacement gas is supplied to the nozzle 34, and passes through the inside of the container 1. Blow in the replacement gas. Therefore, as the container moves, the nozzle for ejecting the replacement gas also changes, so that the replacement gas is always blown into the container while the container moves through the replacement zone.

  FIG. 8 shows a device 50 for reducing residual oxygen in a container according to a third embodiment of the present invention. The apparatus 50 for reducing the amount of oxygen remaining in the container according to the present embodiment includes a replacement gas ejection device 51 arranged above the container conveyance path, and the replacement gas ejection device replaces the movement of the container 1 being conveyed. It has tracking means capable of continuously moving the nozzle for ejecting the gas and continuously blowing the replacement gas into the vessel while moving through the replacement zone. The apparatus 50 for reducing the amount of oxygen remaining in the container according to the present embodiment covers the replacement gas chamber main body 52 arranged with the surface facing the transfer path opened, and the opening 53 of the chamber main body to follow the container transfer speed. The endless nozzle belt 54 is driven to rotate, and nozzles 55 are pitched to the nozzle belt at predetermined intervals. The nozzle 55 is formed with a through hole 56 at a position where the nozzle is attached, and the nozzle 55 is fixed vertically around the hole. Therefore, when the nozzle belt 54 rotates and the nozzle 55 faces the opening of the chamber body 52, the replacement gas flows into the nozzle through the through hole 56 of the nozzle belt and is blown from the nozzle. Therefore, when the nozzle belt 54 is driven synchronously with the container transport conveyor with the nozzle facing the opening of the container, the nozzle also moves following the movement of the container, and always passes through the replacement zone. The replacement gas is blown into the container from the nozzle, the gas replacement rate in the container can be improved as compared with the conventional case, and the residual oxygen amount in the container can be reduced. In addition, the replacement gas in which the nozzle and the container move in synchronism is ejected only toward the container opening, so that the replacement gas is not wasted. In FIG. 8, 57 is a gas blocking seal provided between the nozzle belt 54 and the replacement gas chamber body. Also in other embodiments, appropriate gas sealing means is provided between the movable part and the replacement gas chamber.

  As mentioned above, although the Example of this invention was described in detail, this invention is not limited to the said Example, A various design change is possible within the range of the technical idea. For example, the above embodiment shows the case where the replacement gas is disposed above the transport path of the container. However, the present invention is not necessarily limited to the case where the replacement gas is disposed above. It is also possible to blow the replacement gas into the container following the above.

  INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY The present invention can effectively replace a gas (air) in a container head space with a small amount of replacement gas at a high replacement rate in a filling and sealing line for contents in the container, and is useful as a means for reducing residual oxygen in the container. Yes, it is applicable not only to cans but also to gas replacement packaging in various types of containers.

It is a conceptual explanatory drawing of embodiment of the reduction method of the residual oxygen amount in a container of this invention. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view of a device for reducing the amount of oxygen remaining in a container according to an embodiment of the present invention (Example 1). It is a front schematic diagram of the apparatus of FIG. It is the fixed plate, (a) is a plan view, (b) is its center longitudinal sectional view. It is the rotating plate, (a) is a plan view, (b) is its center longitudinal sectional view. It is a front cross-sectional schematic diagram of the reduction apparatus of the residual oxygen amount in the container which concerns on embodiment of this invention (Example 2). It is AA sectional drawing of FIG. It is a front cross-sectional schematic diagram of the reduction apparatus of the residual oxygen amount in the container which concerns on embodiment of this invention (Example 3). It is a graph which shows the relationship between time passage and the change of the gas replacement rate in a container head space.

Explanation of symbols

1 container 2 conveyor 3 conveyor 4 arrow (injection direction from nozzle)
10, 30, 50 Reducing device 11, 31, 51 of oxygen remaining in container 11, replacement gas ejection device 12, device main body 14, circular body 15 separator 16, replacement gas outflow path 18, rotating plate 19, 38 rotating shaft 20, fixed plate 21, 33 Replacement gas chamber 22, 36 Replacement gas supply port
23, 37 Replacement gas ejection port 34 Nozzle 35 Rotary plate 39 Nozzle plate 40 Replacement gas inlet 52 Replacement gas chamber main body 53 Opening 54 Nozzle belt 55 Nozzle 56 Through hole

Claims (9)

  A method of replacing the air in the head space of the container being transferred from the filling process to the sealing process with a replacement gas to reduce the amount of residual oxygen in the container, and the replacement gas is transferred to the container following the movement of the container being transferred. A method for reducing the amount of oxygen remaining in a container, wherein the inflow position is continuously changed and a replacement gas is blown into the container.   The residual oxygen in the container according to claim 1, wherein the continuous change of the inflow position of the replacement gas into the container is performed by continuously changing the inflow direction of the replacement gas flowing into the container following the movement of the container. How to reduce the amount.   The continuous change of the inflow position of the replacement gas into the container is performed by sequentially switching the supply of the replacement gas to a plurality of nozzles arranged along the upper portion of the conveyance path following the movement of the container. To reduce the amount of oxygen remaining in the container.   The method for reducing the amount of residual oxygen in a container according to claim 1, wherein the continuous change of the inflow position of the replacement gas into the container is performed by continuously changing the position of the nozzle following the movement of the container.   A device that reduces the amount of oxygen remaining in the container by replacing the air in the head space of the container being transferred from the filling device to the sealing device with a replacement gas in the gas replacement zone, and the replacement gas ejection device is disposed along the container transfer path. And a tracking means for continuously blowing the replacement gas into the container by changing the position at which the replacement gas flows into the container following the movement of the container being transported. A device for reducing the amount of oxygen remaining in the container.   A replacement gas supply in which the tracking means supplies a replacement gas between a plurality of separators that are radially arranged so that the side facing the container transport path is divided into a plurality along the transport direction and the tip is opened. 6. The replacement gas supply switching means for moving the mouth following the movement of the container, and continuously changing the inflow direction of the replacement gas flowing into the container following the movement of the container. For reducing the amount of oxygen remaining in the container.   The replacement gas supply switching means is composed of a combination of a rotating plate and a fixed plate disposed on both sides or one side of the separator, and the replacement plate is formed with a replacement gas chamber composed of arc grooves in a predetermined angle range. The gas chamber communicates with a replacement gas source, the side that contacts the rotating plate is open and the opposite side is closed, and the rotating plate is replaced so that it can move along the opening of the replacement gas chamber of the fixed plate The apparatus for reducing the amount of residual oxygen in a container according to claim 6, wherein one gas supply port or a plurality of gas supply ports are formed so as to penetrate at an equal interval.   The tracking means includes a replacement gas chamber main body having a nozzle plate having a plurality of nozzles arranged at predetermined intervals along the conveyor transport path on a surface facing the transport path, and the nozzle in the replacement gas chamber main body. The rotating plate is arranged so as to be able to be rotationally driven so as to cover the opening on the chamber side. The rotating plate has one or a plurality of replacement gas supply ports arranged at equal intervals on the circumference, and the nozzle The residual oxygen in the container according to claim 6, wherein the plate is formed with nozzle inflow ports that open at a predetermined pitch so as to face the rotation orbit of the replacement gas supply port of the rotating plate for each of the nozzles. Quantity reduction device.   The tracking means comprises a replacement gas chamber main body arranged with an opening facing the conveyance path, and an endless nozzle belt that covers the opening of the chamber main body and is driven to rotate following the container moving speed. The nozzle belt is provided with nozzles at predetermined intervals, and the replacement gas flows out from the nozzles only while the nozzles pass through the opening surface of the replacement chamber in synchronization with the container. The apparatus for reducing the amount of oxygen remaining in the container as described in 1.

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