JP2009073545A - Inert gas-jetting device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an inert gas-jetting device capable of enhancing an efficiency of replacement rate of inert gas in a head space of a vessel, decreasing a consumption amount of the inert gas, and maintaining the replacement rate without variation among the vessels. <P>SOLUTION: The vessel 33 which keeps a liquid food filled with the head space unfilled and is top-sealed by closing an upper opening 33a has an opening cover 40 located in the vicinity of an opening 33a of the vessel before closure to cover an area broader than the opening from upper, and first jetting nozzles 41a and 41b penetrating the cover 40 and located in the vicinity of the opening to jet the inert gas to every head space wherein a hood 10 covers from the upper a band area 11 where the inert gas is jetted from the first jetting nozzle to the upper opening and a band area 12 where the upper opening is closed and top-sealed. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

The present invention relates to an inert gas injection device for a container that is filled with liquid food leaving a head space and whose upper opening is gradually closed and sealed.

There are various types of containers for liquid foods such as milk, fruit juice, and soft drinks. For example, a pouch container and a gave top paper container are containers that are filled with liquid food leaving a head space, and the upper opening is gradually closed and sealed.

The gave top paper container 36 shown in FIG. 3 is composed of a roof-shaped upper part 36a and a rectangular parallelepiped main body 36b, and an opening is formed in the upper part before sealing. Filled to leave.
In this container, the upper opening is fastened in a state where the upper opening is folded inward along the crease line, and the top seal 36c is formed by means of heat sealing or the like on the fastening surface, thereby making the container. .

In the packaging filling machine for the gave top paper container of the aspect shown in FIG. 4, the printed laminated packaging material with a crease line is cut into a predetermined shape to obtain container blanks 31 that are vertically sealed in the container vertical direction. The bottom of the blank is sealed by the bottom sealing means 32, and the liquid food is filled from the opening at the top of the container 33 at the filling station 34a leaving the head space by the filling means 34, and the top opening is folded inward along the crease line. The container 33 is gradually closed and the upper end of the container 33 is heat-sealed by the top sealing means 35 at the preheating station 35a and the top sealing station 35b to obtain a filled container 36 as shown in FIG.

When the upper opening is sealed, a head space (closed space) is created in the upper part of the container. Oxygen gas exists in the closed space, and the liquid food filled in the container comes into contact with oxygen in the closed space, and the product deterioration due to oxidation proceeds.
This deterioration impairs the flavor and seriously affects the shelf life of the product after filling.
An apparatus and a method for replacing the inside of the head space with an inert gas such as nitrogen gas have been proposed. (See Patent Documents 1, 2, 3, and 4)

For example, an opening cover that covers the opening from above before closing the opening, a first injection nozzle that passes through the opening cover and injects an inert gas into the head space in the container, and the upper opening extends along the fold line. The second injection nozzle for injecting an inert gas from above the opening to the head space in the container is also provided in the middle of being closed and gradually closed, and between the first injection nozzle and the second injection nozzle. In addition, an inert gas replacement device provided with a cover and a third injection nozzle has been proposed. (See Patent Document 1)
Before the upper opening is closed, the inert gas is injected from the first injection nozzle. Further, the upper opening is folded inward along the crease line, and the third and second portions are gradually closed. Since the inert gas is ejected by the ejection nozzle, it is expected that the entire atmosphere is covered with the inert gas, and the inert gas replacement ratio to the head space is improved.
However, a large amount of inert gas is injected from the first injection nozzle, the second and third injection nozzles, and the consumption of the inert gas may increase.

In another inert gas replacement device, liquid food is filled from the opening at the top of the container at the filling station leaving a head space with a filling means, preheated for top sealing at the preheating station, and the upper opening is a crease line. Folded inward along and gradually closed. In this apparatus, an opening cover that covers the opening from above before closing the opening of the container that is intermittently conveyed every two pieces, and two that inject inert gas into the head space inside the container through the opening cover A first injection nozzle is provided. Furthermore, two second injection nozzles for injecting an inert gas from above the opening to the head space in the container while the upper opening is folded inward along the crease line and gradually closed are also provided. Next, the upper end 36c of the container is heat-sealed by the top sealing means at the top sealing station. (See Patent Document 2)
The conduit from the inert gas source to the injection nozzle communicates through the manifold and is expected to inject the inert gas uniformly in substantially the same manner as the other conduits.
However, the degree of freedom in designing pipes and conduits is low, and inconvenience arises in more appropriate arrangement and positioning, and there are cases where the rate of replacement with inert gas is not high.

In still another inert gas replacement device, a hood that covers the upper openings of the plurality of containers and the tip of the injection nozzle is provided above, and the entire inert gas replacement station is made an inert gas atmosphere. (See Patent Documents 3 and 4)
Further, in the fifth inert gas replacement device, a cover that covers the upper opening of the single container and the tip of the injection nozzle is provided above, and the upper part of the opening is made an inert gas atmosphere. (See Patent Document 5)
JP 2002-37215 A JP 2003-165509 A JP 7-187135 A JP 61-047323 A Japanese Patent No. 3113339

In the conventional apparatus and method for replacing with an inert gas, the rate at which the inert gas can be replaced is not high, the consumption of the inert gas is large, and the container is transported intermittently every predetermined number In the aspect, the variation of the substitution rate is generated between a predetermined number of containers.

The present invention eliminates the above inconveniences, increases the inert gas replacement rate in the head space in the container, reduces the consumption of the inert gas, and can maintain the replacement rate between the containers without variation. I will provide a.

The inert gas injection device according to the present invention is a container that is filled with liquid food leaving a head space, the top opening is closed, and is top-sealed before the container that is intermittently conveyed every predetermined number is closed. An opening cover that covers a region wider than the opening adjacent to the opening from above, and a predetermined number of first injection nozzles that pass through the opening cover and inject the inert gas into each head space in the container in the vicinity of the opening. ,
A zone for injecting an inert gas into the upper opening with the first injection nozzle and a hood for covering the zone for closing the top opening and closing the top from above the opening are provided, and the lower end of the skirt portion of the hood is separated from the upper end of the container opening. The level of the opening cover or above the level.

The inert gas injection device according to a preferred aspect of the present invention includes a predetermined number of second injection nozzles for injecting an inert gas from above the opening in the middle of closing to each head space in the container.

In the inert gas injection device according to a preferred aspect of the present invention, the opening cover is a rectangular plate that covers a predetermined number of openings and a rectangular section in series.

In the inert gas injection device according to a preferred aspect of the present invention, the opening cover is a rectangular plate that individually covers a predetermined number of openings and a rectangular section in series.

The present invention having the above-described configuration functions and functions as follows.
The inert gas injection device according to the present invention is a container that is filled with liquid food leaving a head space, the top opening is closed, and is top-sealed before the container that is intermittently conveyed every predetermined number is closed. An opening cover that covers a region wider than the opening from above, and a predetermined number of first injection nozzles that pass through the opening cover and inject an inert gas into each head space in the container. Prepare.
In this specification, the inert gas refers to a gas that does not adversely affect the liquid food, and specifically includes nitrogen gas, carbon dioxide gas, rare gas, and mixed gas thereof.

Due to the above characteristics, as shown in FIG. 2, the inert gas 20 is injected from above into the head space 26 of the container 33 by the first injection nozzle 23. The inert gas at the time of injection enters the container in a jet form from the upper opening, spreads in all directions, and rises along the vessel wall. At this time, a space formed by the head space and the opening cover is a closed space except for a gap between the container upper end 21 and the opening cover 22. Air existing in the head space 20 before jetting is discharged from the gap so as to be pushed out by the inert gas. Therefore, the opening cover 22 functions to form a closed space having a gap, rather than a function of preventing the inert gas 20 from moving upward from the upper opening.

When there is no opening cover, the replacement ratio of the inert gas to the air in the head space 26 is about 60% on average when compared with experimental data. Further, when the opening cover 22 prevents the inert gas 20 from scattering from the opening, the replacement rate rises to an average of about 80%, but there is a variation.
On the other hand, in the configuration according to the present invention, the opening cover 22 close to the opening functions to form a closed space having a gap, so that the replacement rate uniformly shows a high rate of about 80% or more. This is considered that the above-mentioned gap functions as a laminar flow (containing a lot of air) exhaust port formed by injection of inert gas.

In another aspect of the present invention, a zone for injecting the inert gas through the first opening with the first injection nozzle and a hood for closing the top opening and covering the zone for top sealing from above the opening are provided.
The zone covered by the hood is a zone where a lot of inert gas is present and its concentration is desired to be higher. The hood prevents the scattering of inert gas and makes it possible to maintain a high concentration. The inert gas to be ejected is usually sterilized and heated to room temperature or higher, and excess inert gas flows upward and stays inside the hood. This staying gas has a zone where the hood covers a lot of inert gas and its concentration is higher.

If the contents and liquid food to be filled in the container are, for example, milk, the temperature is as low as about 4 ° C. to 10 ° C., and the container is intermittently conveyed every predetermined number, so near the upper opening This temperature is also maintained at a relatively low temperature. The heated extra inert gas flows upward and stays inside the hood.
In addition, the container moves at high speed in the vicinity of the upper opening of the container, and a large air flow is generated in the moving direction of the container. However, the inert gas staying inside the hood overflows and enters the air stream, changing the vicinity of the upper opening to a high concentration zone of the inert gas.
The lower end of the skirt portion of the hood is separated from the upper end of the container opening and above the level of the opening cover or above the level so as to allow the circulation of the inert gas and the flow of the airflow.

The above features improve the inert gas replacement rate, replace all containers uniformly and satisfactorily, and suppress the oxidation of liquid foods in all containers.For example, filled containers have a longer shelf life It is possible to provide a margin for container storage and distribution processes.

In the inert gas injection device according to a preferred aspect of the present invention, the opening cover is a rectangular plate that covers a predetermined number of openings and a rectangular section in series.
Since the opening cover is integrated, it contributes to mechanical strength and covers the whole, so that a high inert gas replacement efficiency can be improved.

In the inert gas injection device according to a preferred aspect, the opening cover is a rectangular plate that covers a predetermined number of openings and a rectangular cross section arranged in series.
Since they are individually covered, they can be replaced effectively and efficiently.

The inert gas injection device according to a preferred aspect of the invention includes a predetermined number of second injection nozzles for injecting an inert gas into the head space in the container from above the opening in the middle of closing.
By replacing the inert gas by the first injection nozzle, a sufficient replacement rate as a product is obtained, and then the container is sealed by gradually closing the upper opening. Furthermore, it is effective to provide the second injection nozzle when it is necessary to increase the replacement rate. Since the degree of freedom inside the apparatus is sacrificed, the necessity of providing an opening cover is low. Therefore, the replacement rate of the inert gas can be further increased, and a more compact device can be obtained.

In an inert gas injection device according to a preferred aspect of the present invention, the inert gas injection device includes a predetermined number of second injection nozzles for injecting an inert gas into the head space in the container from above the opening in the middle of closing. It is supplied from the same inert gas source and a branched second conduit.
The second conduits leading the inert gas from the inert gas source to the individual second injection nozzles have substantially similar flow rates (flow rates), similar patterns and profiles of the flow in the conduits, and as a result, All of the containers that are intermittently conveyed every predetermined number have substantially the same replacement rate and exhibit uniform replacement efficiency.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is a side view of a packaging and filling machine for a gave top paper container equipped with an embodiment of an inert gas injection device according to the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing how the first injection nozzle shown in FIG. 1 injects an inert gas.
FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a paper container used in the inert gas injection device according to the present invention.
FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a glove top paper container packaging and filling machine used in the inert gas injection device according to the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 4, in the glove top paper container packaging and filling machine used in the inert gas injection device according to the present invention, the packaging material with the crease line is cut into a predetermined shape and vertically sealed in the container vertical direction. A container blank 31 is obtained. The bottom of the blank is sealed by the bottom sealing means 32, and the liquid food is filled from the opening 33a at the top of the container 33 at the filling station 34a leaving the head space by the filling means 34, and the top opening is folded inward along the crease line. Then, the container 33 is gradually closed, and the upper end of the container 33 is heat-sealed by the top sealing means 35 at the preheating station 35a and the top sealing station 35b to obtain a filled container 36 having an upper end top seal portion 36c as shown in FIG.

The first injection nozzle and the second injection nozzle of the inert gas injection device according to the embodiment are also disposed downstream of the filling station 34a and the preheating station 35a and upstream of the top seal station 35b. .

In this example of the inert gas replacement apparatus, as shown in FIG. 1, the containers are transported on the conveyor in the direction indicated by the arrow, and the liquid food from the opening at the top of the container 33 is filled by the filling means 34 at the filling station 34a. It is left filled and preheated for top sealing at the preheating station 35a, and the upper opening is folded inward along the crease line and gradually closed. In this apparatus, before closing the opening of the container 33 that is intermittently transported every two, the opening cover 40 that covers the opening from above, and the inert gas is injected into the head space in the container through the opening cover 40. Two first injection nozzles 41a and 41b are provided.

Further, two second injection nozzles 42a and 42b for injecting an inert gas from above the opening to the head space in the container while the upper opening is folded inward along the crease line and gradually closed. Prepare. Next, the upper end 36c of the container 33 is heat-sealed by the top sealing means at the top sealing station 35b.
The conduits from the inert gas supply source (not shown) to the injection nozzles 41a, 41b, 42a, 42b communicate with each other through the manifold 43, and uniformly inject the inert gas with substantially the same air volume to each conduit. .

In this embodiment, there is a hood 10 that covers the zone 11 in which an inert gas is jetted from the upper opening with the first jet nozzle and the zone 12 in which the top opening is closed and top sealed from above the opening 33a.
The zones 11 and 12 covered by the hood are zones where a lot of inert gas exists and the concentration thereof is higher. The hood prevents the scattering of inert gas and makes it possible to maintain a high concentration. In this embodiment, the spouted inert gas is sterilized and heated to a temperature higher than room temperature, and the excess inert gas flows upward and stays inside the hood. The zone covered by the hood with the staying gas is defined as a zone where the concentration of the inert gas is higher.

In the embodiment, the liquid food filled in the container is milk, and the temperature is as low as about 4 ° C. to 6 ° C. Since the container is intermittently transported every two pieces, the temperature near the upper opening Is maintained at a relatively low temperature. The heated extra inert gas flows upward and stays inside the hood.
In the vicinity of the upper opening 33a of the container, the container moves at a high speed, and a large air flow is generated in the moving direction of the container. However, the inert gas staying inside the hood 10 overflows and enters the air flow to enter the upper opening 33a. Change the vicinity to a high concentration zone of inert gas.
In this embodiment, the lower end 10a of the skirt portion of the hood 10 is away from the upper end of the container opening 33a and is near the level of the opening cover 40, thereby enabling the above-described effect.

The hood of this aspect has an inverted U-shaped cross section.
The cooled inert gas descends along the inverted U-shaped hood side wall and effectively enters and mixes with the moving airflow in the vicinity of the upper opening 33a of the container so that the vicinity of the upper opening 33a has a high concentration zone of the inert gas. Can be changed to

In the inert gas injection device of the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the opening cover 40 is a rectangular plate that covers a rectangular section and two openings (not shown) arranged in series.
Since the opening cover is integrated, it contributes to mechanical strength and covers the whole, so that a high inert gas replacement efficiency can be improved.
As another aspect, the opening cover may be a rectangular plate that covers a predetermined number of openings and a rectangular cross section arranged in series.

In addition, this invention is not limited to this embodiment, It can change variously based on the meaning of this invention, and does not exclude them from the scope of the present invention.

The present invention can be applied to the manufacture of a packaging container for packaging and filling a fluid food.

[BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS] It is a side view of the packaging filling machine for gave top paper containers equipped with one Example of the inert gas injection apparatus by this invention. It is sectional drawing which shows a mode that the 1st injection nozzle shown in FIG. 1 injects an inert gas. It is a perspective view of the paper container used for the inert gas injection apparatus by this invention. It is a perspective view of the packing filling machine for gave top paper containers used for the inert gas injection device by this invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Hood 41 ... 1st injection nozzle 42 ... 2nd injection nozzle 40 ... Opening cover 33 ... Container

Claims (5)

A container which is filled with liquid food leaving a head space, and whose top opening is closed and top-sealed, and which is intermittently transported every predetermined number, in the vicinity of the opening before closing the container. An opening cover that covers a wider area from above, and a predetermined number of first injection nozzles that pass through the opening cover and inject the inert gas into the head space in the container in the vicinity of the opening;
A hood for injecting the inert gas into the upper opening with the first injection nozzle and a hood for closing the upper opening and closing the top seal from above the opening are provided, and the lower end of the skirt portion of the hood has the lower end of the container opening. An inert gas injection device for a container having a head space, wherein the inert gas injection device is separated from an upper end and is at or above the level of the opening cover. The inert gas injection device according to claim 1, further comprising a predetermined number of second injection nozzles for injecting an inert gas from above the opening in the middle of closing to each head space in the container. The inert gas injection device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the opening cover is a rectangular plate that covers a predetermined number of openings and has a rectangular cross section arranged in series. The inert gas injection device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the opening cover is a rectangular plate having a rectangular cross section arranged in series and individually covering a predetermined number of the openings. The inert gas injection device according to claim 1, wherein a cross-sectional shape of the hood is an inverted U shape.