JP2011001130A - Method and system for retort sterilization of plastic container - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a method and a system for the retort sterilization of a plastic container, which retort-sterilizes articles held in the plastic container efficiently and also performs a longitudinal load countermeasure effectively.SOLUTION: The method and the system are composed of the structure including a piling-up process for piling up a unit basket 210 having a predetermined height gap higher than the installation height of the plastic container 60, a container arrangement process for arranging a plurality of plastic containers 60 in the gap of the unit basket 210 by preparing the plurality of arranged plastic containers 60 and by putting the plurality of plastic containers 60 into the gap of the unit basket 210 in package, and a retort sterilization process for retort-sterilizing the articles held in the plurality of plastic containers 60, in which the plurality of plastic containers 60 are arranged, while conveying a basket body 200 formed with the piled-up predetermined number of the unit baskets 210 into retort sterilization devices 30a, 30b.

Description

  The present invention relates to a retort sterilization method and system for performing retort sterilization by loading plastic containers such as plastic bottles in multiple stages.

  Conventionally, various retort sterilization methods for plastic containers have been proposed. In the first conventional method (for example, refer to Patent Document 1), a plurality of plastic bottles to be sterilized are placed on each of a plurality of shelves provided in a steam sterilizer, and a deformation preventing tool is placed on each plastic bottle. Is put on. In this state, the plastic bottle is heated by introducing the steam into the steam sterilizer, and the contents are sterilized. In such a method, since each plastic bottle to be heated is covered with a deformation prevention tool, it is possible to prevent deformation due to softening of the plastic bottle and expansion of the contents in the plastic bottle.

  In the second conventional method (see, for example, Patent Documents 2 and 3), a plurality of water tank trays in which a plurality of plastic bottles are arranged at a slight interval are stacked and set in a retort sterilizer. The retort sterilization under high temperature and high pressure is performed in a state where the water level is maintained at approximately the same level as the liquid level in each plastic bottle. According to such a method, since each plastic bottle is immersed in the water in each water tank tray, the water pressure (hydraulic pressure) inside and outside each plastic bottle is balanced, and each softened plastic bottle is caused by its own weight. Deformation is prevented.

Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 63-37963 Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 4-87934 Japanese Patent No. 3239347

  By the way, in recent years, plastic containers with improved heat resistance have been proposed (see, for example, JP 2001-150522 PR and JP 2003-291205 PR). When performing retort sterilization on the contents of such plastic containers, it is possible to perform retort sterilization without using measures to prevent deformation of the plastic containers as described above (deformation prevention device, water tank type tray). Can be. However, even in a plastic container that does not deform due to its own weight or the like, there are problems of poor sealing performance due to the loading retort and contact traces of the retort member to the container.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and a retort sterilization method capable of effectively taking measures against longitudinal loads when performing retort sterilization on the contents of a plastic container having excellent heat resistance as described above, and A system is provided.

  In the retort sterilization method according to the present invention, a plurality of partition bodies forming a gap having a predetermined height higher than the placement height of the plastic container are stacked, and a plurality of plastic containers are arranged in the gap formed by each partition body. The basket thus brought into the retort sterilizer is configured to retort sterilize the contents of the plurality of plastic containers.

  With such a configuration, a plurality of plastic bottles are arranged in a gap having a predetermined height formed in each of the partitions stacked in a plurality of stages in the basket. The basket in such a state is carried into the retort sterilizer, and the retort sterilization of the contents of the plurality of plastic containers is performed.

  The placement height of the plastic container corresponds to the length in the vertical direction when the plastic container is placed vertically, and corresponds to the trunk diameter when the plastic container is placed horizontally. is there.

  The partition body is not particularly limited as long as it has a structure in which a plurality of stages can be stacked in a basket and a plurality of plastic containers can be arranged in the gap. For example, the partition body can be composed of a plurality of blocks having the predetermined height and a partition plate supported by the plurality of blocks.

  With such a configuration, after arranging a plurality of blocks and a plurality of plastic containers, a partition plate is set so as to be supported by the block, whereby a plurality of spaces are formed in the plurality of blocks and the partition plate. The plastic containers will be arranged.

  The retort sterilization method according to the present invention includes a container arranging step of arranging a plurality of plastic containers in a basket in a plurality of stages, and a plurality of plastic containers accommodated in the basket by carrying the basket into a retort sterilizer. A retort sterilization step for retort sterilizing, wherein the container arranging step arranges a plurality of plastic containers and a plurality of blocks having a predetermined height higher than the mounting height of each plastic container, and And a step of setting the partition plate so as to be supported by a plurality of blocks, and the plurality of plastic containers are arranged in a plurality of stages in the basket in a state of being partitioned by the partition plate.

  With such a configuration, a plurality of plastic containers and a plurality of blocks are arranged in one stage in the basket, and the partition plate is set so as to be supported by the plurality of blocks. By repeating such steps, a plurality of plastic containers are arranged in a plurality of stages in a state where the plurality of plastic containers are partitioned by a partition plate. Then, a basket in which a plurality of plastic containers are arranged in a plurality of stages is carried into a retort sterilizer, and the contents of each plastic container are retort sterilized.

  Further, in the retort sterilization method according to the present invention, the step of arranging the plurality of plastic containers and the plurality of blocks in one stage includes arranging a plurality of blocks, and a plurality of blocks following the block row by the plurality of blocks. A configuration may be adopted in which plastic containers are arranged and a plurality of blocks are arranged following a container row of the plurality of plastic containers.

  With such a configuration, the plurality of blocks, the plurality of plastic containers, and the plurality of blocks are arranged in this order. Then, the partition plate is set so as to be supported by a plurality of blocks sandwiching the plurality of plastic containers.

  In the retort sterilization method according to the present invention, the step of arranging the plurality of plastic containers and the plurality of blocks by one stage can be configured to randomly arrange the plurality of plastic containers and the plurality of blocks. .

  With such a configuration, the partition plate is set so as to be supported by blocks randomly arranged in the basket. And a plastic container will be arranged at random in the space | gap formed under the partition plate supported by the said block.

  Furthermore, in the retort sterilization method according to the present invention, each of the plurality of plastic containers is a polyester bottle, and when each of the polyester bottles is placed vertically, the plurality of blocks have substantially the same body diameter as each of the polyester bottles. It can be set as the structure which is a columnar block which has.

  With such a configuration, the polyester bottle and the columnar block can be arranged according to the same method.

  In the retort sterilization method according to the present invention, the block may be configured by overlapping one or a plurality of unit blocks.

  With such a configuration, it is possible to perform retort sterilization on plastic containers of various heights by changing the number of unit blocks to be stacked according to the height of the plastic container containing the material to be retorted. Become.

  The retort sterilization method according to the present invention includes a container take-out step of taking out a plurality of plastic containers and a plurality of blocks from a basket carried out from the retort sterilizer after the retort sterilization step is completed, It may be configured to include a step of taking out the partition plate from the basket and a step of taking out a plurality of plastic containers for one stage from the basket together with a plurality of blocks supporting the taken out partition plate.

  With such a configuration, after the retort sterilization process is completed, the partition plate, the plurality of blocks, and the plurality of plastic containers can be separated and recovered.

  In addition, the retort sterilization method according to the present invention may include a container sorting step that sorts a plurality of blocks taken out from the basket and a plurality of plastic containers.

  With such a configuration, a plurality of blocks and a plurality of plastic containers taken out from the basket are sorted, and the blocks and the plastic containers can be collected separately.

  The sorting can be performed based on the difference between the height of each plastic container and the height of each block, or the difference in color, shape, material, weight, and the like.

  Furthermore, in the retort sterilization method according to the present invention, the retort sterilization step can be configured to retort sterilize the contents of the plurality of plastic containers by a pressure heating method.

  With such a configuration, retort sterilization of the contents of each plastic container is performed in a state where each plastic container is heated and pressurized.

  Any of steam, hot water, and hot water shower can be used as the heating medium for the heating. In particular, a method using a hot water shower is particularly preferable because each plastic container is completely allowed to stand during sterilization.

  In the retort sterilization method according to the present invention, the plastic container is made of a plastic material and is a bottle that does not cause deformation in the trunk due to its own weight and the load of the contents in retort sterilization. Can do.

  The retort sterilization system according to the present invention includes a container arrangement mechanism that arranges a plurality of plastic containers in a basket, a retort sterilizer that performs retort sterilization of objects accommodated therein, and the basket as the retort sterilizer. A basket carrying-in mechanism for carrying in, wherein the container arranging mechanism arranges a plurality of plastic containers and a plurality of blocks having a predetermined height higher than the placement height of each plastic container by one stage; And a mechanism for setting the partition plate to be supported by the block, and the plurality of plastic containers are arranged in a plurality of stages in the basket in a state of being partitioned by the partition plate.

  With such a configuration, a plurality of plastic containers and a plurality of blocks are arranged in one stage in the basket, and the partition plate is set so as to be supported by the plurality of blocks. By repeating such steps, a plurality of plastic containers are arranged in a plurality of stages in a state where the plurality of plastic containers are partitioned by a partition plate. Then, a basket in which a plurality of plastic containers are arranged in a plurality of stages is carried into a retort sterilizer, and the contents of each plastic container are retort sterilized.

  The retort sterilization system according to the present invention includes a basket carry-out mechanism for carrying out the basket from the retort sterilizer, and a container take-out mechanism for taking out a plurality of plastic containers and a plurality of blocks from the basket carried out from the retort sterilizer. The container take-out mechanism has a mechanism for taking out the partition plate from the basket, and a mechanism for taking out a plurality of plastic containers from the basket together with a plurality of blocks supporting the taken-out partition plate. It can be set as the structure which has these.

  With such a configuration, after the retort sterilization process is completed, the partition plate, the plurality of blocks, and the plurality of plastic containers can be separated and recovered.

  Furthermore, the retort sterilization system according to the present invention may have a container sorting mechanism that sorts a plurality of blocks taken out from the basket and a plurality of plastic containers.

  With such a configuration, a plurality of blocks and a plurality of plastic containers taken out from the basket are sorted, and the blocks and the plastic containers can be collected separately.

  In the retort sterilization method according to the present invention, a basket body in which a plurality of unit baskets in which a plurality of plastic containers are arranged in a gap having a predetermined height higher than the mounting height of the plastic container is stacked in a plurality of stages is carried into a retort sterilizer. It becomes the structure which performs the retort sterilization of the contents of a plastic container.

  With such a configuration, a basket body in a state in which a plurality of unit baskets in which a plurality of plastic containers are arranged in the gap is stacked in a plurality of stages is carried into the retort sterilizer, and retort sterilization of the contents of the plurality of plastic containers is performed.

  Further, the retort sterilization method according to the present invention comprises a stacking step of stacking unit baskets having gaps having a predetermined height higher than the mounting height of the plastic container, and a plurality of arranged plastic containers, and the plurality of plastics A container arranging step of collectively placing containers into the gap of the unit basket and arranging the plurality of plastic containers in the gap of the unit basket; and a predetermined number of unit baskets in which the plurality of plastic containers are arranged and stacked The basket body formed in this way is brought into a retort sterilizer and has a retort sterilization step for retort sterilizing the contents of the plurality of plastic containers.

  With such a configuration, a plurality of plastic containers are arranged in the gaps of the unit baskets in the process of stacking the unit baskets. Then, the plurality of plastic containers are arranged, and a basket body formed by a predetermined number of stacked unit baskets is carried into the retort sterilizer, and the contents of each plastic container are retort sterilized.

  Further, the retort sterilization method according to the present invention includes a container take-out step of taking out a plurality of plastic containers from a unit basket of the basket body carried out from the retort sterilizer after the retort sterilization step, and taking out the plurality of plastic containers. And a collecting step for collecting the unit basket.

  With such a configuration, the unit basket and the plastic container are separated and recovered after completion of the retort sterilization.

  Furthermore, in the retort sterilization method according to the present invention, the plastic container is a bottle formed of a plastic material, which does not cause deformation in the trunk due to its own weight and the load of the contents in retort sterilization. be able to.

  The retort sterilization system according to the present invention includes a stacking mechanism for stacking unit baskets having gaps with a predetermined height higher than the placement height of the plastic containers, and a plurality of prepared plastic containers arranged in the gaps of the unit baskets. The container arrangement mechanism for arranging the plurality of plastic containers in the gaps of the unit basket, the retort sterilization apparatus for performing retort sterilization of the objects accommodated therein, and the plurality of plastic containers are arranged and stacked. And a basket carrying-in mechanism for carrying a basket body formed of a predetermined number of unit baskets into the retort sterilizer.

  With such a configuration, in the process in which the unit baskets are stacked by the stacking mechanism, a plurality of plastic containers are arranged in the gaps of the unit baskets by the container arranging mechanism. Then, the plurality of plastic containers are arranged, and a basket body formed by a predetermined number of stacked unit baskets is carried into the retort sterilizer, and the contents of each plastic container are retort sterilized.

  The retort sterilization system according to the present invention includes a basket carry-out mechanism for carrying out the basket body from the retort sterilizer, and a container take-out mechanism for taking out a plurality of plastic containers from a unit basket of the basket body carried out from the retort sterilizer. And a collection mechanism for collecting the unit baskets taken out of the plurality of plastic containers.

  With such a configuration, when the retort sterilization in the retort sterilizer is completed, the basket body is carried out of the retort sterilizer. Then, the unit basket and the plastic container are separated and collected.

  In the retort sterilization method according to the present invention, a plurality of bottle storage stages are formed in which a plurality of rails of a predetermined length are arranged in parallel to slidably support the neck portion under the cap of the plastic bottle and to suspend and support the plastic bottle. A plurality of plastic bottles are suspended and supported on each rail of the basket, and the basket is carried into a retort sterilizer to retort sterilize the contents of the plurality of plastic bottles.

  With such a configuration, the neck portions of the plurality of plastic bottles are slidably supported on the respective rails of the plurality of bottle housing stages in the basket, so that the plurality of plastic bottles are suspended and supported on the rails. . The basket in such a state is carried into the retort sterilizer, and the retort sterilization of the contents of the plurality of plastic bottles is performed.

  In the retort sterilization method according to the present invention, a plurality of bottle storage stages are formed in which a plurality of rails of a predetermined length are arranged in parallel to slidably support the neck portion under the cap of the plastic bottle and to suspend and support the plastic bottle. A bottle housing step for accommodating a plurality of plastic bottles in each bottle housing stage of the basket, and a retort of the plurality of plastic bottles contained in each bottle housing stage of the basket by carrying the basket into a retort sterilizer A retort sterilization step for sterilization, wherein the bottle storage step includes a bottle guiding step for guiding a plurality of plastic bottles to one bottle storage step, and a plurality of the guided plastic bottles in cascade to store the one bottle Bottle insertion process to be inserted into each rail of the stage and multiple plastic bottles should be accommodated A configuration including a receiving stage movement step of varying the torque receiving stage.

  With such a configuration, the plurality of plastic bottles are guided to one bottle housing stage of the basket, and the plurality of plastic bottles are cascaded and inserted into each rail of the one bottle housing stage. As a result, the neck portions of the plurality of plastic bottles are slidably supported on the rails of the one bottle storage stage, and the plurality of plastic bottles are suspended and supported on the rails. Then, the bottle storage stage in which the plastic bottle is to be stored is changed, and a plurality of plastic bottles are stored in the bottle storage stage after the change in the same manner as described above. By repeating such a process, a plurality of plastic bottles are accommodated in a state of being suspended and supported on each rail in each of the plurality of bottle accommodation stages in the basket. As described above, a basket in which a plurality of plastic bottles are stored in each bottle storage stage is carried into a retort sterilization apparatus, and retort sterilization of the contents in the plurality of plastic bottles is performed.

  Further, in the retort sterilization method according to the present invention, a plurality of plastic bottles are cascaded on each rail of an aligned basket in which a plurality of rails are arranged in parallel so that the bottle guiding step corresponds to each bottle receiving stage of the basket. It can be set as the structure which has the process to set so that each rail may oppose the process of inserting, and the said alignment basket and the said one bottle accommodation stage.

  With such a configuration, a plurality of plastic bottles are slidably supported on each rail of the alignment basket, and the plurality of plastic bottles are suspended and supported on each rail. When the alignment basket and one bottle storage stage in the basket are set so that the respective rails face each other, a plurality of plastic bottles stored in each rail of the alignment basket are placed on the opposing bottle storage stage rails. Can be inserted.

  Furthermore, in the retort sterilization method according to the present invention, the bottle inserting step moves the plurality of plastic bottles inserted into the plurality of rails of the alignment basket collectively to the plurality of rails of the one bottle housing stage. It can be set as the structure containing.

With such a configuration, the plurality of plastic bottles accommodated in the rails of the alignment basket are collectively moved to the rails of the opposing bottle accommodating stages. Therefore, a plurality of plastic bottles can be efficiently stored in each bottle storage stage of the basket.

  In the retort sterilization method according to the present invention, after completion of the retort sterilization step, a plurality of plastic bottles suspended and supported by a plurality of rails of one bottle housing stage of the basket carried out from the retort sterilization apparatus are collectively collected. And a step of changing a bottle housing stage from which the plurality of plastic bottles are to be taken out.

  With such a configuration, when the retort sterilization is completed, the bottle storage stages from which a plurality of plastic bottles should be taken out are sequentially changed in the basket carried out from the retort sterilization apparatus. The plastic bottles are taken out collectively.

  The hanging part of the plastic bottle is not particularly limited as long as it is a part that can be slidably supported by the rail at the neck part under the cap. When the plastic bottle is a polyester bottle such as a plastic bottle, the rail Can be configured to support the crystallized neck ring of the polyester bottle.

  With such a configuration, since the neck ring whose hardness has been increased by crystallization in the polyester bottle is supported by the rail, each rail can reliably suspend and support the plastic bottle (polyester bottle). .

  In the retort sterilization method according to the present invention, the plastic bottle may be a bottle that is not deformed by its own weight and a load of contents in retort sterilization.

  In the retort sterilization system according to the present invention, a plurality of bottle storage stages are formed in which a plurality of rails of a predetermined length are arranged in parallel to slidably support the neck portion under the cap of the plastic bottle and to suspend and support the plastic bottle. A bottle housing mechanism that houses a plurality of plastic bottles in each bottle housing stage of the basket, a retort sterilizer that performs retort sterilization of an object accommodated therein, and a basket carry-in mechanism that carries the basket into the retort sterilizer. The bottle storage mechanism includes a bottle guide mechanism that guides a plurality of plastic bottles to one bottle storage stage, and a plurality of the guided plastic bottles are cascaded and inserted into each rail of the one bottle storage stage. Bottle insertion mechanism and storage stage shift to change the storage stage to store multiple plastic bottles A configuration having a mechanism.

  With such a configuration, the plurality of plastic bottles are guided to one storage stage of the basket by the bottle guiding mechanism, and the plurality of plastic bottles are cascaded and inserted into each rail of the one bottle storage stage by the bottle insertion mechanism. The As a result, the neck portions of the plurality of plastic bottles are slidably supported on the rails of the one bottle storage stage, and the plurality of plastic bottles are suspended and supported on the rails. Then, the bottle storage stage in which a plurality of plastic bottles should be stored is changed by the storage stage moving mechanism, and the plurality of plastic bottles guided by the bottle guiding mechanism are inserted into the rails of the changed bottle storage stage. Inserted by the mechanism. By repeating such a process, a plurality of plastic bottles are accommodated in a state of being suspended and supported on each rail in each of the plurality of bottle accommodation stages in the basket. In this way, a basket in which a plurality of plastic bottles are stored in each bottle storage stage is carried into the retort sterilizer by the basket carry-in mechanism, and the retort sterilization of the contents of each plastic bottle in the basket is performed by the retort sterilizer.

  The retort sterilization system according to the present invention is supported by being suspended from a basket carry-out mechanism for carrying out the basket from the retort sterilizer and a plurality of rails of one bottle housing stage of the basket carried out from the retort sterilizer. In addition, it is possible to adopt a configuration having a bottle taking-out mechanism for taking out a plurality of plastic bottles collectively and a mechanism for changing a bottle housing stage from which the plurality of plastic bottles are taken out.

  With such a configuration, when the retort sterilization is completed, the bottle storage stage in which a plurality of plastic bottles are to be taken out from the basket carried out by the basket carry-out mechanism from the retort sterilizer is sequentially changed. A plurality of plastic bottles are collectively taken out from the plurality of rails of the housing stage.

  In the retort sterilization method according to the present invention, a plurality of rails of a predetermined length arranged in parallel are slidably supported by neck portions under the caps of the plastic bottles, and the plastic bottles are suspended and supported. A basket body in which a plurality of unit baskets containing plastic bottles are stacked is loaded into a retort sterilizer to retort sterilize the contents of the plurality of plastic containers.

  With such a configuration, a plurality of unit baskets in which the neck portions of a plurality of plastic bottles are slidably supported on each of a plurality of rails arranged in parallel and are supported by hanging the plurality of plastic bottles on each rail are stacked in a plurality of stages. The basket body in a state of being put is carried into a retort sterilizer, and the retort sterilization of the contents of the plurality of plastic bottles is performed.

  A retort sterilization method according to the present invention includes a stacking step of stacking unit baskets in which a plurality of rails of a predetermined length that are slidably supported on a neck portion under a cap of a plastic bottle and suspend and support the plastic bottle are arranged in parallel. A bottle housing step for accommodating a plurality of plastic bottles in the unit basket; and a basket body formed by a predetermined number of unit baskets in which the plurality of plastic bottles are accommodated and stacked, is loaded into a retort sterilizer. A retort sterilization step for retort sterilizing a plurality of plastic bottle contents, wherein the bottle storage step includes a bottle guiding step for guiding a plurality of plastic bottles to the unit basket; And insert it into each rail of the unit basket A configuration having a bottle insertion step.

  With this configuration, in the process of stacking the unit baskets, a plurality of plastic bottles are guided to the unit basket, and the plurality of plastic bottles are cascaded and inserted into each rail of the unit basket. Thereby, the neck part of a some plastic bottle is slidably supported by each rail of each unit basket, and the said some plastic bottle is suspended and supported by each rail. Then, the plurality of plastic bottles are accommodated, and a basket body formed by a predetermined number of unit baskets stacked is carried into a retort sterilizer, and the contents of each plastic bottle are retort sterilized.

  Further, in the retort sterilization method according to the present invention, the bottle guiding step includes inserting a plurality of plastic bottles in a row in each rail of an alignment basket in which a plurality of rails are arranged in a row so as to correspond to the unit basket. And a step of setting the alignment basket and the unit basket so that the respective rails face each other.

  With such a configuration, a plurality of plastic bottles are slidably supported on each rail of the alignment basket, and the plurality of plastic bottles are suspended and supported on each rail. When the alignment basket and the unit basket are set so that the rails face each other, a plurality of plastic bottles accommodated in the rails of the alignment basket can be inserted into the rails of the opposing unit basket.

  Furthermore, in the retort sterilization method according to the present invention, the bottle insertion step includes a step of collectively moving a plurality of plastic bottles inserted into the plurality of rails of the alignment basket to the plurality of rails of the unit basket. It can be.

  With such a configuration, the plurality of plastic bottles accommodated in the rails of the alignment basket are collectively moved to the rails of the opposing unit basket. Therefore, a plurality of plastic bottles can be efficiently accommodated in each unit basket.

  In the retort sterilization method according to the present invention, after completion of the retort sterilization step, a plurality of plastic bottles suspended and supported by a plurality of rails of a unit basket of the basket body carried out from the retort sterilization apparatus are collectively taken out. It can be set as the structure which has a bottle taking-out process and the collection | recovery process which collect | recovers the unit baskets from which the said several plastic bottle was taken out.

  With such a configuration, when the retort sterilization is completed, the unit basket and the plastic container are separated and recovered from the basket body carried out from the retort sterilizer.

  Furthermore, in the retort sterilization method according to the present invention, the plastic bottle may be a polyester bottle, and each rail may support a crystallized neck ring of the polyester bottle.

  A retort sterilization system according to the present invention includes a stacking mechanism for stacking unit baskets in which a plurality of rails having a predetermined length are arranged in parallel to slidably support a neck portion under a cap of a plastic bottle and suspend and support the plastic bottle. , A bottle storage mechanism for storing a plurality of plastic bottles in the unit basket, a retort sterilizer for performing retort sterilization of an object stored therein, and a predetermined number of unit baskets in which the plurality of plastic bottles are stored and stacked A basket carry-in mechanism for carrying the basket body formed in the retort sterilizer, wherein the bottle housing mechanism guides a plurality of plastic bottles to the unit basket, and the plurality of led plastics Each bottle in the unit basket A configuration having a bottle insertion mechanism for inserting into.

  With such a configuration, in the process in which the unit basket is stacked by the stacking mechanism, a plurality of plastic bottles are guided to the unit basket by the bottle guiding mechanism, and the plurality of plastic bottles are cascaded by the bottle insertion mechanism, and each unit basket is Inserted into the rail. Thereby, the neck part of a some plastic bottle is slidably supported by each rail of each unit basket, and the said some plastic bottle is suspended and supported by each rail. And the basket body formed by the predetermined number of unit baskets that are stored in the plurality of plastic bottles is carried into the retort sterilizer by the basket carry-in mechanism, and the contents of each plastic bottle are received by the retort sterilizer. Retort sterilized.

  Further, the retort sterilization system according to the present invention is supported by being suspended by a plurality of rails of a unit basket in a basket unloading mechanism for unloading the basket body from the retort sterilizer and a basket body unloaded from the retort sterilizer. It can be set as the structure which has the bottle taking-out mechanism which takes out several plastic bottles collectively, and the collection | recovery mechanism which collects the unit basket from which the said several plastic bottle was taken out.

  With such a configuration, when the retort sterilization in the retort sterilizer is completed, the basket body is carried out of the retort sterilizer by the basket carry-out mechanism. Then, the unit basket and the plastic container are separated and collected.

  According to the retort sterilization method and system according to the present invention, it is possible to collectively store one-stage plastic containers or plastic bottles in a basket, and plastic containers or plastic bottles for each unit basket. Can be accommodated collectively. And a plurality of plastic containers etc. are stacked in a multi-stage in a state where no load other than its own weight and its load is applied, or a plurality of plastic containers etc. are stacked in a state where a load other than its own weight and its load is not applied Thus, by supplying the basket body in which the unit baskets are stacked to the retort sterilizer, retort sterilization can be performed in a state in which the countermeasure against the longitudinal load is effectively taken.

It is a figure showing the whole retort sterilization system composition concerning a first embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure which shows the detail of the supply part, block supply apparatus, alignment lane, zigzag alignment machine, and loader in the system shown in FIG. It is a figure which shows the height relationship between a block and a bottle. It is a figure which shows the procedure which supplies a block and a bottle to the lowest stage of a basket in the system shown in FIG. It is a figure which shows the procedure which supplies a block and a bottle to the middle stage of a basket in the system shown in FIG. It is a figure which shows the procedure which supplies a block and a bottle to the upper stage of a basket in the system shown in FIG. It is a figure which shows the state in which the upper block and bottle shown in FIG. 6 were accommodated in the basket. It is a figure which shows the state in which the bottle and the block were accommodated in the basket. It is a figure which shows the other example of an arrangement | sequence of a block and a bottle. It is a figure which shows the other structural example of a block. It is a figure which shows the structural example in the case of supplying a bottle in a horizontal state. It is a figure which shows the height relationship between the block used for the mechanism shown in FIG. 11, and a bottle. It is a figure which shows the whole structure of the retort sterilization system which concerns on 2nd embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the procedure which supplies a bottle to the lowest unit basket in the system shown in FIG. It is a figure which shows the procedure which supplies a bottle to the unit basket of a middle stage in the system shown in FIG. It is a figure which shows the procedure which supplies a bottle to the uppermost unit basket in the system shown in FIG. It is a figure which shows the whole structure of the retort sterilization system which concerns on 3rd embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the structure of the basket used with the system shown in FIG. It is a perspective view which shows the structure of each rail provided in the basket shown in FIG. It is a figure which shows a mode that the bottle is supplied to the alignment basket used with the system shown in FIG. 17, and this alignment basket. It is a figure which shows the structure on the opposite side to the bottle insertion side of an alignment basket. It is a figure which shows the procedure which supplies a bottle to the lowest accommodation stage of a basket in the system shown in FIG. It is a figure which shows the procedure which supplies a bottle to the middle storage stage of a basket in the system shown in FIG. It is a figure which shows the procedure which supplies a bottle to the highest stage accommodation stage of a basket in the system shown in FIG. It is a figure which shows the state in which the bottle of the basket was accommodated. It is a figure which shows the procedure which supplies a bottle to the lowest unit basket in the system which concerns on 4th embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the procedure which supplies a bottle to the unit basket of a middle stage in the system which concerns on 4th embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the procedure which supplies a bottle to the uppermost unit basket in the system which concerns on 4th embodiment of this invention.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  The retort sterilization system according to the first embodiment of the present invention is configured as shown in FIG. This retort sterilization system performs retort sterilization of beverages and the like stored in PET bottles having excellent heat resistance (see, for example, JP 2001-150522 A and JP 2003-291205 A).

  In FIG. 1, a bottle supply unit 11 transported from a capper for tightening a cap of a PET bottle (hereinafter simply referred to as a bottle) and a block supply device 13 for supplying a block to be described later are arranged adjacent to the alignment zone 14. ing. The supply unit 11 and the alignment zone 14 are partitioned by a stopper 12, and the bottles sequentially move from the supply unit 11 to the alignment zone 14 with the stopper 12 being opened. A staggered alignment machine 15 is provided at the discharge end of the alignment zone 14, and the staggered alignment machine 15 is supplied to the alignment zone 14 from the bottle and block supply device 13 supplied from the supply unit 11 to the alignment zone 14. Arrange the blocks in a staggered pattern. The staggered array machine 15 divides the array zone 15 and the loader 20. When the staggered aligner 15 is opened, the bottles and blocks arranged in the staggered pattern in the alignment zone 14 are carried into the loader 20.

  A supply-side elevator 21 a is installed facing the loader 20. The basket 100 is placed on the supply side elevator 21a, and the basket 100 can be moved up and down at a predetermined pitch by the supply side elevator 21a. The loader 20 supplies the bottle and the block carried in from the alignment zone 14 to the basket 100 in synchronization with the raising / lowering operation of the supply side elevator 21a. The partition plate supply / collection device 23 supplies partition plates for stacking bottles in a basket 100 placed on the supply side elevator 21a.

  Conveyors 50a and 50b are installed from the supply-side elevator 21a to the entrance of the retort sterilizers 30a and 30b. Each of the retort sterilizers 30a and 30b is a batch-type retort sterilizer, and performs retort sterilization of objects accommodated by a pressurized heating hot water shower system. The basket 100 conveyed by the conveyors 50a and 50b is carried into one of the retort sterilizers 30a and 30b. A transport conveyor 50c is installed from the carry-in port of the retort sterilizer 30a to the take-out elevator 21a, and a transport conveyor 50d extending from the carry-out port of the retort sterilizer 30b is connected to the transport conveyor 50c. As a result, the basket 100 that has been subjected to the retort sterilization process by the retort sterilizer 30a is supplied to the take-up elevator 21b by the conveyor 50c, and the basket 100 that has been subjected to the retort sterilization process by the retort sterilizer 30b is transported by the conveyor 50d and the conveyor. It is supplied to the take-out side elevator 21b by the conveyor 50c. The basket 100 can be moved up and down at a predetermined pitch by the take-out side elevator 21b.

  An unloader 22 is installed to face the take-out elevator 21b. The unloader 22 sequentially takes out the bottles and blocks stacked in the basket 100 from the basket 100 in synchronization with the raising / lowering operation of the take-out elevator 21b. Further, the partition plate supply / recovery device 23 recovers from the basket 100 the partition plates that partition the bottles at each stage in the process in which the unloader 22 takes out the bottles from the basket 100.

  A bottle conveyor 50e extending from the unloader 22 is installed. A block collection device 40 is installed at a predetermined position of the conveyor 50e. The block collection device 40 selects and collects only the blocks from the bottles and blocks conveyed from the unloader 22 by the conveyance conveyor 50e, and returns the blocks to the block supply device 13.

  The processing steps in the system described above will be specifically described.

  Referring to FIG. 2, first, a predetermined number of blocks 65 are supplied from the block supply device 13 to the alignment zone 14 (1), and the blocks 65 for one row are arranged in a staggered pattern by the staggered aligner 15. When the zigzag aligner 15 is opened and closed in this state, the block 65 for one row is carried into the loader 20 and arranged at the end thereof. Next, the stopper 12 is opened and closed, and a predetermined number of bottles 60 are supplied from the supply unit 11 to the alignment zone 14 in a vertically placed state (2), and a predetermined number of bottles 60 are staggered by the staggered alignment machine 15. Arranged. When the zigzag aligner 15 is opened and closed in this state, the predetermined number of bottles 60 are carried into the loader 20 and the predetermined number of bottles 60 are arranged following the block row (one row). The Further, when a predetermined number of blocks 65 are supplied from the block supply device 13 to the alignment zone 14 (3), the block 65 for one row is moved into the loader 20 by the same operation as described above. The rows of bottles 60 are arranged in a staggered pattern.

  FIG. 3 shows an example in which the block 65 has substantially the same diameter as the bottle 60 and the height H1 is set to be slightly larger than the placement height H0 of each bottle 60 in the vertically placed state. Yes. Thereby, a gap is formed between the surface including the upper end surface of each block 65 and the surface including the upper end surface of each bottle 60. In addition, there is no restriction | limiting in particular in the shape of the block 65, For example, a hollow cylinder shape may be sufficient.

  As shown in FIGS. 4 to 6, the loader 20 operates to move up and down the supply-side elevator 21 a and supplies the bottle 60 and the block 65 arranged as described above to the basket 100 set in the supply-side elevator 21 a. To do. The basket 100 is a frame on a box whose upper and lower ends are open, and a support flange 110 is formed inside the lower end of the frame. The elevator platform of the supply-side elevator 21a supports the bottom plate 111 that can move up and down in the basket 100.

  In the initial state, the supply-side elevator 21a is positioned at the uppermost position as shown in FIG. 4A, and the surface of the bottom plate 111 and the surface of the loader 20 are substantially flush with each other. In this state, the bottles 60 and the blocks 65 arranged as described above are supplied from the loader 20 onto the bottom plate 111 in the basket 100 as shown in FIG. Then, after the supply-side elevator 21a lowers the bottom plate 111 until the surface of the block 65 and the surface of the loader 20 become substantially the same surface as shown in FIG. 5A, the partition plate supply / recovery device 23a partitions the partition plate. The plate 101a is set so as to be supported by the blocks 65 arranged on the bottom plate 111. As a result, a predetermined number of bottles 60 are placed (vertically placed) in the gap formed below the partition plate 101a supported by the block 65 on the bottom plate 111 in the basket 100.

  Next, after the new bottle 60 and the block 65 are arranged on the loader 20 as described above (see FIG. 5A), the bottle 60 and the block 65 are removed from the loader 20 as shown in FIG. Supplied on the partition plate 101a. Then, after the supply-side elevator 21a lowers the bottom plate 111 until the surface of the block 65 and the surface of the loader 20 become substantially the same as shown in FIG. 6A, the partition plate supply / recovery device 23a partitions the partition plate. The plate 101b is set so as to be supported by the blocks 65 arranged on the partition plate 101a. As a result, a predetermined number of bottles 60 are arranged in the gaps formed below the partition plate 101 b supported by the block 65 on the partition plate 101 a in the basket 100.

  Further, after the new bottle 60 and the block 65 are arranged on the loader 20 as described above (see FIG. 6A), the bottle 60 and the block 65 are separated from the loader 20 as shown in FIG. 6B. Supplied on the plate 101b. Then, after the supply-side elevator 21a lowers the bottom plate 111 until the surface of the block 65 and the surface of the loader 20 become substantially the same surface as shown in FIG. 7, the partition plate supply / collection device 23a removes the partition plate 101c. It is set so as to be supported by the blocks 65 arranged on the partition plate 101b. As a result, a predetermined number of bottles 60 are arranged in the gaps formed below the partition plate 101c supported by the block 65 on the partition plate 101b in the basket 100.

  When the supply side elevator 21a lowers the bottom plate 11 to the set position of the uppermost partition plate 101c as described above, the bottom plate 111 reaches the support flange 110 at the lower end of the basket 100 (see FIG. 7). In this state, the surface of the lower end portion of the basket 100 and the surface of the transfer conveyor 50 are substantially the same surface.

  As described above, the setting timing of each partition plate 101a, 101b, 101c is such that the bottle 60 and the block 65 are supplied from the loader 20 to the basket 100 side, and the supply-side elevator 21a is connected to the surface of the block 65 and the loader 20 The timing may not be after the bottom plate 111 is lowered until the surface becomes substantially the same surface. For example, as shown in FIGS. 4B, 5B, and 6B, immediately after the bottle 60 and the block 65 are supplied from the loader 20 to the basket 100 side (before the bottom plate 111 is lowered). Partition plates 101a, 101b, and 101c can be set.

  By the processing steps as described above, as shown in FIG. 8, a plurality of bottles 60 are arranged in a plurality of stages (three stages) in a state of being partitioned by the partition plates 101a and 101b in the basket 100. Then, the basket 100 in which the bottles 60 are arranged in this way is transferred from the supply-side elevator 21a to the transport conveyor 50a, and is transported to one of the retort sterilizers 30a and 30b by the transport conveyor 50a and further by the transport conveyor 50b. . (See FIG. 1).

  When the basket 100 is loaded from the conveyor 50b, each retort sterilizer 30a, 30b performs retort sterilization of the contents (beverage liquid) contained in each bottle 60 mounted on the basket 100 by a pressurized superheated hot water shower method. Do. When the retort sterilization is completed, the basket 100 is carried out from the retort sterilizers 30a and 30b to the transport conveyor 50c or the transport conveyor 50d. The basket 100 transported to the transport conveyor 50c or the transport conveyor 50d is transported and set to the take-out elevator 21b.

  The operations of the take-out elevator 21b and the unloader 22 are the reverse of the operations of the supply elevator 21a and the loader 20 shown in FIGS. That is, in FIGS. 4 to 7, the conveyor 50a is replaced with the conveyor 50c, the supply elevator 21a is replaced with the take-out elevator 21b, and the loader 20 is replaced with the unloader 22, as shown in FIGS. Processing is performed in the order of FIGS. 5B, 5A, 4B, and 4A.

  In the process in which the bottom plate 110 in the basket 100 set in the take-out elevator 21b is raised stepwise by the processing according to this order, the surface of the partition plate 101b and the surface of the unloader 22 become substantially the same surface. After the partition plate 101c is collected by the partition plate supply / recovery device 23, the bottle 60 and the block 65 on the partition plate 101b are taken out by the unloader 22 (see FIGS. 7, 6 (b), (a)). Then, after the partition plate 101b is collected by the partition plate supply / recovery device 23 in a state where the surface of the partition plate 101a and the surface of the unloader 22 are substantially the same surface, the bottle 60 and the block on the partition plate 101a are blocked. 65 is taken out by the unloader 22 (see FIGS. 5B and 5A), and further, the partition is made in a state where the surface of the bottom plate 110 and the surface of the unloader 22 are substantially the same surface. After the plate 101a is collected by the partition plate supply / collection device 23, the bottle 60 and the block 65 on the bottom plate 110 are taken out by the unloader 22 (see FIGS. 4B and 4A).

  Each time the unloader 22 takes out the bottle 60 and the block 65 from the basket 100, the unloader 22 carries out the taken out bottle 60 and the block 65 to the transport conveyor 50e. And it is conveyed with the conveyance conveyor 50e in the state in which the bottle 60 and the block 65 which the retort sterilization of the accommodation completed were mixed. In this way, the block 60 from the bottle 60 and the block 65 conveyed in the mixed state is sorted and collected by the block collecting device 40. The block collection device 40 has a height sensor, sorts them based on the difference between the height H0 of the bottle 60 and the height H1 of the block 65, collects only the block 65, and supplies it to the block supply device 13. return. Thereby, only the bottle 60 is conveyed as it is to the subsequent process step by the conveyor 50e.

  The basket 100 from which all of the bottle 60 and the block 65 have been taken out by the unloader 22 is sent from the take-up elevator 21b to the supply-side elevator 21a by the basket feeding mechanism 24. As a result, the bottle 60 and the block 65 are removed from the loader 20 and the partition plates 101a, 101b, 101b, 101b according to the same procedure (see FIGS. 4 to 7) as described above for the basket 100 set on the supply side elevator 21a. 101 c is supplied by the partition plate supply / recovery device 23. In addition, the speed of supply to the basket 100 of the bottle 60, the block 65 and the partition plates 101a, 101b, and 101c, the transport speed of each of the conveyors 50a to 50b, the retort sterilization time in each of the retort sterilizers 30a and 30b, the bottle 60, The basket 100 is retained in the system by appropriately controlling the speed at which the block 65 and the partition plates 101a and 101b are taken out from the basket 100, the feed timing of the basket 100 from the take-out elevator 21b to the supply elevator 21a, etc. And can be circulated.

  As described above, in the retort sterilization system according to the first embodiment of the present invention, a plurality of bottles 60 are provided in the basket 100 in a state of being partitioned by the partition plates 101a and 101b supported by the plurality of blocks 65. Are arranged in a plurality of stages (three stages) in a vertically placed state, so that each bottle 60 stacked in a multi-stage is accommodated in a state where no load other than its own weight (including the weight of the contents) is applied. Retort sterilization of objects becomes possible. Since a plurality of bottles 60 for one stage can be collectively supplied to the basket 100, the bottle 60 can be efficiently accommodated in the basket 100. As a result, the bottle 60 can be efficiently accommodated in the accommodated items. Retort sterilization becomes possible. Further, since the bottles 60 are arranged in a plurality of stages in the gap formed by the plurality of blocks 65 and the partition plates 101a (101b) supported by the blocks 65 in the basket 100, the height of the bottles 60 changes. However, it becomes possible to stack the bottles 60 in the same basket 100 without waste by changing the height of the gap of the corresponding partition (the height of the block 65). In other words, the lower bottle 60 can be stacked in several more stages in the basket 100. Thereby, the efficient retort sterilization of the accommodation of the some bottle 60 mounted in the basket 100 is attained.

  As described above, the arrangement of the blocks 65 is not limited to the block 65 for one row sandwiching the bottles 60 for a predetermined number of rows (see FIG. 2), and the partition plates 101a (101b and 101c) are arranged. It can be arbitrarily determined as long as it can be reliably supported. For example, as shown in FIG. 9, the opening / closing control of the stopper 12 of the supply unit 11 and the timing control for supplying the block 65 from the block supply device 13 to the alignment zone 14 are performed at random, so that the bottle 60 and the block are placed in the loader 20. 65 can be randomly arranged. By supplying the bottle 60 and the block 65 from the loader 20 to the basket 100 in this state, the bottle 60 and the block 65 are randomly arranged at each stage of the basket 100, and further, the blocks 65 arranged at random are arranged. The partition plate 101a (101b, 101c) is supported.

  Moreover, although the partition body which forms the space | gap for accommodating the some bottle 60 with the some block 65 and the partition plate 101a (101b) is comprised, the structure of a partition body is not restricted to this, For example, it is also possible to use a U-shaped partition body in which a plurality of blocks 65 and members corresponding to the partition plates 101a (101b, 101c) supported by the blocks 65 are integrated to form the gap. In this case, the partition plate supply / recovery device 23 includes a mechanism for supplying and recovering the U-shaped partition body in place of the mechanism for supplying and recovering the partition plates 101a (101b, 101c).

  Furthermore, the block 65 described above may be configured by overlapping one or a plurality of unit blocks 65a as shown in FIGS. 10 (a) and 10 (b). For example, as shown in FIG. 10 (a), when a relatively high bottle 60a is used, the block 65 is formed by stacking the unit blocks 65a in two stages to form the partition plate 101 supported by the block 65. A gap in which the relatively high bottle 60a is to be disposed can be formed below. Further, for example, as shown in FIG. 10B, when a relatively low bottle 60b is used, the partition plate 101 supported by the block 65 is formed by forming the block 65 by a single unit block 65a. An appropriate gap that is not wasted in the arrangement of the relatively low bottle 60b can be formed below the lower portion.

  In the above-described system, the block 65 is arranged together with the bottle 60 at the uppermost stage of the basket 100 as in the middle and lowermost stages, and the partition plate 101c is supported by the block 65. In the upper stage, the block 65 and the partition plate 101c can be omitted. In this case, since the number of bottles 60 arranged at the uppermost stage increases, more effective retort sterilization becomes possible.

  Each bottle 60 can also be supplied into the basket 100 in a horizontal position. In this case, as shown in FIG. 11, the bottle 60 in a horizontally placed state is supplied from the supply unit 11. The procedure for supplying the block 65 and the bottle 60 is the same as in the above-described example, and the block 65 for one row is supplied to the alignment zone 14 from the block supply device 13 (1), and the block 65 for one row is the aligner. 16 are aligned and loaded into the loader 20. Next, a predetermined number of horizontally placed bottles 60 are supplied from the supply unit 11 to the alignment zone 14 (2), aligned by the aligner 16, and then loaded into the loader 20. Further, the blocks 65 for one row are supplied from the block supply device 13 to the alignment zone 14 (3), and the blocks for one row are aligned by the aligner 16 and carried into the loader 20. As a result, a predetermined number of horizontally placed bottles 60 sandwiched between the front and back of the block 65 for one row are arranged in the loader 20.

  In this case, as shown in FIG. 12, the height H <b> 1 of each block 65 is set to be slightly larger than the placement height H <b> 0 of the horizontally placed bottle 60, i.e., the body diameter of the bottle 60. The body diameter of each block 65 can be arbitrarily set as long as the predetermined number of bottles 60 can be supported by the partition plate 101a (101b).

  When changing the bottle capacity, the length in the vertical direction is usually changed more greatly than the body diameter. Therefore, as described above, when the bottle 60 is stored horizontally in the basket 100, the same type of block 65 having a certain height H1 is used for a relatively large number of types of bottles 60 having different capacities. Will be able to.

  The retort sterilization system according to the second embodiment of the present invention is configured as shown in FIG. In this system, without using the block 65 and the partition plates 101a, 101b, and 101c described above, a plurality of bottles 60 are stacked in multiple stages by stacking a plurality of unit baskets in which a plurality of bottles 60 are arranged in one stage. It differs from the system which concerns on 1st embodiment mentioned above by the point which carries out retort sterilization. In FIG. 13, the same reference numerals are assigned to the portions corresponding to the portions shown in FIG.

  In FIG. 13, this system is provided with a supply unit 11, a stopper 12, an alignment zone 14, a staggered array machine 15, a loader 20, and a supply side elevator 21a, as in the system shown in FIG. Also, conveyors 50a and 50b are installed from the supply-side elevator 21a to the inlet of each retort sterilizer 30a and 30b. A conveyor 50c is installed from the inlet of the retort sterilizer 30a to the take-out elevator 21b and retort sterilizer. A transfer conveyor 50d is installed from the carry-in port of the apparatus 30b to the take-out elevator 21b. An unloader 22 is installed to face the take-out elevator 21b, and a conveyor 50e is installed from the unloader 22 to the subsequent processing step. A unit basket supply / collection device 25 is installed in the Aida of the supply side elevator 21a and the extraction side elevator 21b.

  In the system having such a configuration, as shown in FIGS. 14 to 16, the loader 20 has the bottles 60 arranged in a staggered pattern in synchronization with the lifting operation of the supply side elevator 21a mounted on the supply side elevator 21a. The unit basket 210a (210b, 210c) is supplied. The unit basket 210a (210b, 210c) has a structure formed in a box shape with a support column, a top plate, and a bottom plate, and the bottle 60 can be taken in and out from four sides. In addition, a gap is formed between the top plate and the bottom plate so that the bottles 60 placed vertically are arranged.

  In the initial state, the supply-side elevator 21a is positioned at the uppermost position as shown in FIG. 14A, and the unit basket 210a is supplied from the unit basket supply / recovery device 25 to the supply-side elevator 21a. The surface of the bottom plate and the surface of the loader 20 are substantially the same surface. In this state, a predetermined number of bottles 60 arranged in a staggered pattern are supplied from the loader 20 to the unit basket 210a. Thereby, as shown in FIG.14 (b), the bottle 60 is accommodated in the state arranged in zigzag form in the unit basket 210a.

  Next, after the new bottles 60 are arranged on the loader 20, the supply-side elevator 21 a has a position where the top plate of the lowermost unit basket 210 a is slightly lowered from the surface of the loader 20 as shown in FIG. The unit basket 210a is lowered so that the next unit basket 210b is supplied from the unit basket supply / recovery device 25 so as to overlap the lowermost unit basket 210a. Thereby, the surface of the bottom plate of the unit basket 210b and the surface of the loader 20 become substantially the same surface. In this state, the bottles 60 are supplied from the loader 20 to the unit basket 210b, and as shown in FIG. 15B, the bottles 60 are accommodated in a staggered manner in the unit basket 210b.

  Further, after the bottles 60 are arranged on the loader 20, the supply side elevator 21a is positioned so that the top plate of the middle unit basket 210b is slightly lowered from the surface of the loader 20, as shown in FIG. The unit baskets 210a and 210b are lowered, and the next unit basket 210c is supplied from the unit basket supply / recovery device 25 so as to overlap the middle unit basket 210b. As a result, the surface of the bottom plate of the uppermost unit basket 210 c is substantially flush with the surface of the loader 20. At this time, the surface of the bottom plate of the lowermost unit basket 210a and the surface of the transfer conveyor 50e are substantially the same surface. In this state, the bottle 60 is supplied from the loader 20 to the uppermost unit basket 210c, and as shown in FIG. 16B, the bottles 60 are accommodated in a staggered arrangement in the unit basket 210c.

  Through the processing steps as described above, a plurality of (three) unit baskets 210a, 210b, 210c each containing the bottle 60 are stacked to form the basket body 200. Then, the basket body 200 in which the bottles 60 are stacked in a multi-stage (three-stage stack) in this manner is transferred from the supply-side elevator 21a to the transport conveyor 50a, and the retort sterilizers 30a and 30b are transported by the transport conveyor 50a and further by the transport conveyor 50b. (See FIG. 13).

  When the basket body 200 is carried in from the conveyor 50b, each retort sterilizer 30a, 30b retorts the contents (beverage liquid) contained in each bottle 60 stored in the basket body 200 by a pressurized heating hot water shower method. Sterilize. When the retort sterilization is completed, the basket body 200 is carried out from the retort sterilizers 30a and 30b to the conveyor 50c or 50d. The basket body 200 transported to the take-out elevator 21b by the transport conveyor 50c or 50d is set in the take-out elevator 21b.

  The operations of the take-out elevator 21b and the unloader 22 are the reverse of the operations of the supply elevator 21a and the loader 20 shown in FIGS. That is, in FIGS. 14 to 16, the conveyor 50a is replaced with the conveyor 50c or 50d, the supply-side elevator 21a is replaced with the take-out elevator 21b, and the loader 20 is replaced with the unloader 22. Processing is performed in the order of 15 (b), (a), FIG. 14 (b), and (a).

  By the processing in this order, in the process in which the basket body 200 is raised stepwise by the take-out elevator 21b, the unit basket 210c is supplied to the unit basket after the bottle 60 is taken out from the uppermost unit basket 210c by the unloader 22. -Collected by the collection device 25 (see FIGS. 16B, 16A, and 15B), and then the bottle 60 is taken out from the middle unit basket 210b by the unloader 22, and then the unit basket 210b. Was recovered by the unit basket supply / recovery device 25 (see FIGS. 15B, 15A, and 14B), and the bottle 60 was taken out by the unloader 22 from the lowermost unit basket 210a. Later, the unit basket 210a is recovered by the unit basket supply / recovery device 25 (see FIGS. 14B and 14A).

  Each time the unloader 22 takes out the bottle 60 from the unit basket 210c (210b, 210a), the unloader 22 carries out the taken out bottle onto the transport conveyor 50e. And the bottle 60 which the retort sterilization of the accommodation was complete | finished by the conveyance conveyor 50e is conveyed by the subsequent process process.

  Note that the supply cycle of the unit basket 210a (210b, 210c) to the supply side elevator 21a, the supply speed of the bottle 60 to each unit basket 210a (210b, 210c), the descent step time of the supply side elevator 21a, and each conveyor 50a ˜50e conveyance speed, retort sterilization time in each retort sterilizer 30a, 30b, take-out speed of each bottle from each unit basket 210a (210b, 210c), lift step time of take-up elevator 21b, etc. are appropriately controlled. Thus, the basket body 200 can be circulated in the system without stagnation in the system with the number of unit baskets stored in the unit basket supply / recovery device 25 being minimized.

  As described above, in the retort sterilization system according to the second embodiment of the present invention, a plurality of bottles 60 are arranged in each of the unit baskets 210a, 210b, 210c stacked in a plurality of stages (three stages). Therefore, the retort sterilization with respect to the accommodation becomes possible in a state where no load other than its own weight (including the weight of the accommodation) is applied to each of the bottles 60 stacked in multiple stages. In addition, since a plurality of bottles 60 can be collectively supplied to each unit basket 210a, 210b, 210c, an efficient multi-stage stacking operation of the bottles 60 becomes possible. Retort sterilization becomes possible. Moreover, even if the height of the bottle 60 changes, by using a unit basket having an appropriate gap height to accommodate the bottle 60, the height of the basket body 200 can be reduced to that of the retort sterilizer 30a, 30b. Even if it is restricted by use, retort sterilization of the contents can be performed in a state where the bottles 60 are stacked in a multistage manner without waste. That is, with the lower bottle 60, the basket body 200 having the regulated height can be formed with a larger number of unit baskets. Thereby, efficient retort sterilization of the contents of the plurality of bottles 60 mounted in the basket body 200 formed by stacking a plurality of unit baskets is possible.

  In this example as well, the bottle 60 can be mounted on the unit baskets 210a, 210b, 210c in a horizontally placed state. In this case, a predetermined number of bottles 60 placed in a horizontal state are carried into each unit basket by a mechanism as shown in FIG.

  The retort sterilization system according to the third embodiment of the present invention is configured as shown in FIG. This system is different from the systems according to the first embodiment and the second embodiment described above in that each bottle 60 is suspended and supported at the neck portion to accommodate a plurality of bottles 60 in the basket. Different. In FIG. 17, the same reference numerals are assigned to the portions corresponding to the portions shown in FIGS.

  In FIG. 17, a neck conveyance rail 71 extends from the capper 70 for tightening the cap of the bottle 60 to the alignment basket drive mechanism 26. An openable / closable stopper 72 is provided at the end of the neck conveying rail 71 on the side of the alignment basket drive mechanism 26. The alignment basket drive mechanism 26 reciprocates the alignment basket 400 between the container 60 start position and the discharge position. In the state where the alignment basket 400 is set at the discharge position of the bottle 60, the supply-side elevator 21a and the supply-side bottle extrusion device 27a, the alignment basket 400, and the supply-side bottle extrusion device 27 are linearly arranged. 27 is installed.

  A basket 300 is placed on the supply-side elevator 21a, and the basket 300 can be moved up and down at a predetermined pitch by the supply-side elevator 21a. Conveyors 50a and 50b are installed from the supply-side elevator 21a to the inlet of the retort sterilizer 30a and 30b, and a conveyor 50f is installed from the inlet of each of the retort sterilizers 30a and 30b to the take-out elevator 21b. A take-out bottle extrusion device 28 and a receiving zone 29 are provided so as to sandwich the take-out elevator 21b. The receiving zone 29 is connected through a stopper 29a that can be opened and closed to a conveyor 50g that continues to the subsequent processing step. A basket feed mechanism 24 is installed between the supply side elevator 21a and the takeout side elevator 21b.

  The basket 300 is configured as shown in FIG. FIG. 18 is a front view of the basket 30.

  In FIG. 18, the basket 300 is partitioned by a shelf configured by connecting and fixing a plurality of (seven) rails 301 in parallel, whereby a plurality (three) of bottle storage stages 310 a, 310 b, and 310 c are formed. Is formed. The arrangement pitch in the vertical direction of each shelf (rail arranged in parallel) is set according to the height of the bottle 60 to be accommodated. As shown in FIG. 19, each rail 301 has a rectangular cylindrical body. Holes 3014 are formed on the upper surface at a predetermined pitch in the length direction, and hooked rails 3012 are formed on the lower surface by slits 3011 extending in the length direction. 3013 is formed. The width of the slit 3011 is set slightly wider than the width of the neck portion of the bottle 60. The neck portion below the cap 61 of the bottle 60 is inserted into the slit 3011 of the rail 301, and the neck ring 62 formed on the neck portion is slidably supported by the hook rails 3012 and 3013. Thus, the bottle 60 is supported by being suspended by the rail 301. A stopper 302 for preventing the bottle 60 from dropping off is provided at the end of each rail 301 opposite to the bottle insertion end.

  In addition, it is preferable to use the bottle 60 (pet bottle) in which the neck ring 62 and its upper part are crystallized from the point of suspension support strength of the bottle 60 during retort sterilization.

  As shown in FIG. 20 (front view), the alignment basket 400 has a structure corresponding to the bottle storage stages 310a, 310b, 310c of the basket 300 described above. That is, it is a box shape, and, similar to each bottle housing stage 310a, 310b, 310c of the basket 300, a plurality of (seven) rails 401 are connected and fixed in parallel below the top plate. A gap for accommodating the bottle 60 is formed. Further, as shown in FIG. 21 (rear view), a stopper 402 for preventing the bottle 60 from dropping off is provided at the end of the rail 401 opposite to the bottle insertion end.

  The neck conveyance rail 71 extending from the capper 70 to the alignment basket drive mechanism 26 is composed of a pair of rails corresponding to the hook rails 3012 and 3013 shown in FIG. The neck ring 62 is supported and conveyed to the alignment basket drive mechanism 26.

  The processing steps in the system described above will be specifically described.

  The alignment basket drive mechanism 26 moves the alignment basket 400 stepwise from the accommodation start position of the bottle 60 toward the discharge position at a pitch corresponding to the arrangement pitch of the rails 401. In the process, as shown in FIG. 20, when the bottle insertion end of each rail 401 faces the end of the neck transport rail 71, the stopper 72 (see FIG. 17) is opened, and the alignment basket 400 extends from the neck transport rail 71. The bottle 60 sequentially moves on the rail 401 and further slides in the rail 401 sequentially. When the bottle 60 is suspended over the entire length of the rail 401, the stopper 72 stops the supply of the bottle 60 from the neck transport rail 71, and the alignment basket drive mechanism 26 causes the bottle insertion end of the next rail 401 to be transported in the neck. The alignment basket 400 is moved until it faces the end of the rail 71.

  By repeating the above-described operation, each rail 401 of the alignment basket 400 is in a state in which a predetermined number of bottles 60 are suspended and supported. Then, the alignment basket drive mechanism 26 moves the alignment basket 400 to the discharge position. When the alignment basket 400 is set at the discharge position, the rails 401 of the alignment basket 400 are opposed to the rails 301 of the bottle housing stages 310a (310b, 310c) of the basket 300 placed on the supply-side elevator 21a. Become.

  Thereafter, according to the procedure shown in FIGS. 22 to 24, the bottles 60 are sequentially accommodated in the basket 300 placed on the supply side elevator 21a.

  In the initial state, the supply-side elevator 21a is positioned at the uppermost position as shown in FIG. 22 (a), and each rail 401 of the alignment basket 400 set at the discharge position and the lowest bottle receiving stage 310a in the basket 300. The rails 301 are opposed to each other. In this state, the supply side bottle extruding device 27 pushes the bottle 60 located at the rear end of the row of bottles suspended and supported by the rails 401 of the alignment basket 400, thereby causing the bottles 60 to move from the rails 401 of the alignment basket 400. Moves to the corresponding rail 301 of the bottle receiving stage 310a in the basket 300. The supply side bottle extruding device 27 performs the pushing operation until the neck ring 62 of the bottle 60 located at the head of the bottle row reaches the stopper 302 of the rail 301 on the basket 300 side. Accordingly, as shown in FIG. 22B, the plurality of bottles 60 are accommodated in the bottle accommodating stage 310 a located at the bottom of the basket 300 in a state of being supported suspended by the rails 301.

  Next, when the next alignment basket 400 containing the bottles 60 is set at the discharge position as described above, the supply-side elevator 21a moves the rails to the middle bottle storage stage 310b as shown in FIG. The basket 300 is lowered so that 301 faces each rail 401 of the alignment basket 400. In this state, the supply side bottle extruding device 27 pushes the bottle 60 suspended and supported on each rail of the alignment basket 400 in the same manner as described above, so that the bottle receiving stage in the basket 300 from each rail of the alignment basket 400. The bottle 60 moves to the corresponding rail 301 of 310b. Accordingly, as shown in FIG. 23B, a plurality of bottles 60 are accommodated in a state of being supported suspended by the rails 301 in the bottle accommodating stage 310 b located in the middle of the basket 300.

  Further, as described above, when the next alignment basket 400 containing the bottles 60 is set at the discharge position, the supply-side elevator 21a moves the rails 301 of the uppermost bottle storage stage 310c as shown in FIG. The basket 300 is lowered so as to face each rail 401 of the alignment basket 400. At this time, the surface of the bottom plate of the basket 300 and the surface of the transfer conveyor 50a are substantially in the same state. In this state, the supply side bottle extruding device 27 pushes the bottle 60 suspended and supported on each rail 401 of the alignment basket 400 in the same manner as described above, whereby the bottles in the basket 300 from each rail 401 of the alignment basket 400. The bottle 60 moves to the corresponding rail 301 of the accommodation stage 310c. As a result, as shown in FIG. 24B, a plurality of bottles 60 are accommodated in a state of being supported suspended by the rails 301 in the bottle accommodating stage 310 c located at the top of the basket 300.

  Through the processing steps as described above, as shown in FIG. 25, a plurality of bottles 60 are accommodated in the basket 300 in a state of being supported suspended by the rails 301 of the bottle accommodating stages 310a, 310b, 310c. And the basket which accommodated the bottle 60 in this way is moved to the conveyance conveyor 50a from the supply side elevator 21a, and is conveyed to either the retort sterilizer 30a, 30b by the conveyance conveyor 50a and also the conveyance conveyor 50b (FIG. 17).

  When the basket 300 is carried in from the conveyor 50b, each retort sterilizer 30a, 30b performs retort sterilization of the contents (beverage liquid) contained in each bottle 60 stored in the basket 300 by a pressurized heating hot water shower method. Do. When the retort sterilization is completed, the basket 300 is carried out from the retort sterilizers 30a and 30b to the transport conveyor 50f. The basket 300 transported to the take-out elevator 21b by the transport conveyor 50f is set in the take-out elevator 21b.

  The operations of the take-out elevator 31b and the take-out bottle extrusion device 28 are the reverse of the operations of the supply-side elevator 21a and the supply bottle extrusion device 27 shown in FIGS. That is, in FIG. 22 to FIG. 24, the transport conveyor 50a is replaced with the transport conveyor 50f, the supply-side elevator 21a is replaced with the take-out elevator 21b, the alignment basket moving mechanism 26 and the alignment basket 400 are replaced with the receiving zone 29, 24 (b), (a), FIG. 23 (b), (a), instead of the take-out side bottle pusher 28 which is located on the opposite side of the supply side bottle pusher 27 with respect to the basket 300. The processing is performed in the order of FIGS. 22B and 22A.

  In this order, in the process in which the basket 300 is raised stepwise by the take-up elevator 21b, the bottle 50 is received in the receiving zone 29 from the rails 301 of the uppermost bottle storage stage 310c of the basket 300 at the take-out bottle extrusion start h28. (See FIGS. 24B and 24A), and then the bottle 60 is pushed out from each rail 301 of the middle bottle receiving stage 310b of the basket 300 to the receiving zone 29 by the take-out side pushing device 28 (see FIG. 23 (b) and (a)), the bottle 60 is pushed out from each rail 301 of the lowest bottle receiving stage 310a of the basket 300 to the receiving zone 29 by the take-out bottle pusher 28 (FIG. 22). (Refer to (b) and (a)).

  Each time the bottle 60 is pushed out of the basket 300, the receiving zone 29 opens the stopper 29a and carries out the bottles 60 corresponding to each bottle storage stage to the conveyor 50g. And the bottle 60 which the retort sterilization of the accommodation was complete | finished is conveyed by the subsequent process process with the conveyance conveyor 50g. The basket 300 from which all the bottles 60 have been taken out by the take-out side bottle extruding device 28 is sent from the take-out side lift 21b to the supply side lift 21a by the basket feed mechanism 24. As a result, the bottle 60 is supplied to the basket 300 set in the supply-side elevator 21a according to the same procedure as described above (see FIGS. 22 to 24).

  The speed at which the bottles 60 are transferred into the alignment basket 400, the movement speed of the alignment basket 400 to the discharge position, the movement speed of the bottles 60 from the alignment basket 400 to the basket 300, the descent step time of the supply-side elevator 21a, each conveyor 50a, 50b, 50f, 50g conveyance speed, retort sterilization time in each of the retort sterilizers 30a, 30b, time to take out the bottle 60 from the basket 300 to the receiving zone 29, time to take out the take-up elevator 21b, take-out elevator By appropriately controlling the movement time of the basket 300 from the 21b to the supply-side elevator 21a, the basket 300 can be circulated without staying in the system.

  As described above, in the third embodiment of the present invention, the bottle 60 is arranged in a plurality of stages (three stages) in the basket 300 by being supported by being suspended from the rails 301 of the bottle housing stages 310a, 310b, 310c. Thus, it becomes possible to perform retort sterilization on the contained items in a state where no load other than its own weight (including the weight of the contained items) is applied to each of the stacked bottles 60. In addition, since a plurality of bottles 60 can be collectively supplied to the bottle storage stages 310a, 310b, and 310c of the basket 300, the bottle 50 can be efficiently stored in the basket 300. As a result, an efficient retort is achieved. Sterilization becomes possible. In addition, since the load of the contents does not act on the bottom of the bottle 60, even if the bottom plate of the basket 300 has irregularities, the irregularities corresponding to the irregularities are formed on the bottom of the bottle 60 that has been softened during retort sterilization. Absent.

  In the above system, the alignment basket 400 and the alignment basket drive mechanism 26 are used as a mechanism for guiding the bottle 60 to each bottle accommodating stage 310a, 310b, 310c of the basket 300. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the neck conveyance rail 71 that continues from the capper 70 is distributed by the number of rails 301 in each bottle storage stage 310a, 310b, 310c of the basket 300, and from each neck conveyance rail to each rail 301 in each bottle storage stage 310a, 310b, 310c. It is also possible to supply the bottle 60 directly.

  Next, a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described.

  The system according to the fourth embodiment includes the system according to the second embodiment (see FIGS. 13 to 16) and the system according to the third embodiment (see FIGS. 17 to 25). It is a combination. That is, a unit basket is used in the same manner as the system shown in FIG. 13, and the structure of the unit basket is substantially the same as that of the single bottle storage stage of the basket 300 shown in FIG.

  In the system according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention, the bottles 60 are sequentially accommodated in the unit baskets placed on the supply side elevator 21a in the order shown in FIGS.

  In the initial state, the supply-side elevator 21a is positioned at the top as shown in FIG. 26A, and the unit basket 510a is supplied to the supply-side elevator 21a from the unit basket supply / recovery device 25 (see FIG. 13). The rails 401 of the alignment basket 400 set at the discharge position by the alignment basket driving mechanism 26 and the rails 501 of the unit basket 510a are opposed to each other. In this state, the supply-side bottle extrusion device 27 pushes the bottle 60 positioned at the rear end of the bottle row suspended and supported by the rails 401 of the alignment basket 400, thereby causing the bottles 60 to move from the rails 401 of the alignment basket 400. Moves to the corresponding rail 501 of the unit basket 510a. The supply-side bottle extrusion device 27 performs the extrusion operation until the neck ring 62 of the bottle 60 at the head of the bottle row reaches the stopper 502 of the rail 501 on the unit basket 510a side. As a result, as shown in FIG. 26 (b), a plurality of bottles 60 are accommodated in the unit basket 510 a located at the lowest level in a state of being supported suspended by the rails 501.

  Next, after the next alignment basket 400 containing the bottles 60 is set at the discharge position as described above, the supply-side elevator 21a aligns the upper surface of the lowermost unit basket 510a as shown in FIG. The unit basket 510a is lowered so as to be slightly lowered from the lower surface of the basket 400, and the next unit basket 510b is supplied from the unit basket supply / collection device 25 so as to overlap the lowermost unit basket 510a. Thereby, each rail 401 of the alignment basket 400 and each rail 501 of the unit basket 501b face each other. In this state, the supply side bottle extruding device 27 extrudes the bottle 60 suspended and supported by the rails 401 of the alignment basket 400 in the same manner as described above, so that the unit baskets 510b are released from the rails 401 of the alignment basket 400. The bottle 60 moves to the corresponding rail 501. As a result, as shown in FIG. 27B, the plurality of bottles 60 are accommodated in the middle unit basket 510b in a state of being supported suspended by the rails 501.

  Further, as described above, after the next alignment basket 400 containing the bottles 60 is set at the discharge position, the supply-side elevator 21a has the upper surface of the middle unit basket 510b as shown in FIG. The unit baskets 510a and 510b are lowered so as to be slightly lowered from the lower surface of the container, and the next unit basket 510c is supplied from the unit basket supply / recovery device 25 so as to overlap the unit basket 510b in the middle stage. Thereby, each rail 401 of the alignment basket 400 and each rail 501 of the unit basket 510c face each other. At this time, the lower surface of the lowermost unit basket 510a faces the conveyor 50a. In this state, the supply side bottle extruding device 27 extrudes the bottle 60 suspended and supported by the rails 401 of the alignment basket 400 in the same manner as described above, so that the unit basket 510c is released from each rail 401 of the alignment basket 400. The bottle 60 moves to the corresponding rail 501. As a result, as shown in FIG. 28 (b), a plurality of bottles 60 are accommodated in the uppermost unit basket 510 c while being suspended and supported by the rails 501.

  By the processing steps described above, a basket body 500 is formed in which a plurality (three) of unit baskets 510a, 510b, and 510c, in which the bottles 60 are suspended and supported by the rails 501, are stacked. Then, the basket body 500 in which the bottles 60 are stacked in multiple stages (three stages) in this way is similar to the system according to the second embodiment described above (see FIG. 13) from the supply-side elevator 21a to the transport conveyor 50a. Furthermore, it is conveyed to either the retort sterilizer 30a, 30b by the conveyance conveyor 50b. The basket body 500 that has undergone the retort sterilization process in the retort sterilizers 30a and 30b is set in the take-out elevator 21b in the same manner as in the system (see FIG. 13).

  The operations of the take-out elevator 21b and the take-out bottle extrusion device 28 (see FIG. 17) are the reverse of the operations of the supply-side elevator 21a and the supply-side extrusion device 27 shown in FIGS. That is, in FIGS. 24 to 26, the conveyor 50a is transferred to the conveyor 50f (see FIG. 15), the supply-side elevator 21a is removed to the take-out elevator 21b, the alignment basket moving mechanism 26 and the alignment basket 400 are received in the receiving zone 29 (FIG. 15). 28 (b), (a), and the supply side bottle extruding device 27 is replaced with the takeout side bottle extruding device 28 located on the opposite side of the supply side bottle extruding device 27 with respect to the basket body 500. ), FIG. 27B, FIG. 27A, FIG. 26B, and FIG.

  In this order, the bottle 60 is pushed out from the rails 501 of the uppermost unit basket 510c to the receiving zone 29 by the take-out bottle pusher 28 in the process in which the basket body 500 is raised stepwise by the take-up elevator 21b. After that, the unit basket 510c is recovered by the unit basket supply / recovery device 25 (see FIGS. 28B, 28A, and 27B), and then taken out from each rail 501 of the middle unit basket 510b. After the bottle 60 is extruded into the receiving zone 29 by the side bottle extrusion device 28, the unit basket 510b is recovered by the unit basket supply / recovery device 25 (FIGS. 27B, 27A and 26B). Further, from the rails 501 of the lowermost unit basket 510a to the take-out side bottle extrusion device 28 The unit basket 510a after the bottle 60 has been extruded to receive zone 29 is recovered in a unit basket supply and recovery unit 25 (FIG. 26 (b), the reference (a)).

  Each bottle 60 discharged to the receiving zone 29 is transported to the subsequent processing step by the transport conveyor 50g, as in the system according to the third embodiment.

  In addition, the conveyance speed of the bottle 60 to the alignment basket 400, the moving speed to the discharge position of the alignment basket 400, the supply cycle to the supply side elevator 21a of the unit block 510a (510b, 510c), each unit basket 510a from the alignment basket 400 (510b, 510c) The moving speed of the bottle 60, the descent step time of the supply side elevator 21a, the conveying speed of each conveyor 50a, 50b, 50f, 50g, the retort sterilizing time in each retort sterilizer 30a, 30b, basket By appropriately controlling the takeout time of the bottle 60 from the body 500 to the receiving zone 29, the ascending step time of the takeout elevator 21b, the movement time of the unit basket from the takeout elevator 21b to the supply elevator 21a, etc. Store in supply / collection device 25 Without staying basket body 500 in the system the number of units baskets while minimizing the it can be circulated.

  As described above, in the retort sterilization system according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention, a plurality of bottles 60 are suspended by rails 501 in each of unit baskets 510a, 510b, 510c stacked in a plurality of stages (three stages). Since it is accommodated in a supported state, retort sterilization of the accommodated item can be performed in a state in which no load other than its own weight (including the weight of the accommodated item) is applied to each bottle 60 stacked in multiple stages. In addition, since a plurality of bottles 60 can be collectively supplied to each unit basket 510a, 510b, 510c, an efficient multistage stacking operation of the bottles 60 becomes possible. Retort sterilization becomes possible. Moreover, even if the height of the bottle 60 changes, by using a unit basket having an appropriate gap height for accommodating the bottle 60, the height of the basket body 500 can be reduced to that of the retort sterilizer 30a, 30b. Even if it is limited by the specification, the retort sterilization of the contents can be performed in a state where the bottles 60 are stacked without waste. That is, in the lower bottle 60, the basket body 500 having the regulated height can be formed with a larger number of unit baskets. This enables efficient retort sterilization of the contents of the plurality of bottles 60 accommodated in the basket body 500 formed by stacking a plurality of unit baskets.

  As described above, the retort sterilization method and system for a plastic container according to the present invention has an effect of enabling effective retort sterilization of the contents of each bottle together with the effect of being able to effectively take measures against longitudinal loads. It is useful as a retort sterilization method and system for carrying out retort sterilization by loading plastic containers such as polyester bottles (such as PET bottles) in multiple stages.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 11 Supply part 12 Stopper 13 Block supply apparatus 14 Alignment zone 15 Staggered array machine 20 Loader 21a Supply side elevator 21b Take out side elevator 22 Unloader 23 Partition plate supply / recovery device 25 Unit basket supply / recovery device 26 Alignment basket drive mechanism 27 Supply side Bottle extrusion device 28 Unloading side bottle extrusion device 29 Receiving zone 29a Stopper 30a, 30b Retort sterilizer 40 Block recovery device 50a-50g Conveyor 60 Bottle 65 Block 65a Unit block 70 Capper 71 Neck transport rail 72 Stopper 100 Basket 101, 101a, 101b, 101c Partition plate 110 Support flange 111 Bottom plate 200 Basket body 210a, 210b, 210c Unit basket 300 Basket 30 Rail 302 stopper 310a lowest accommodating stage 310b median accommodating stage 310c uppermost accommodating stage 400 aligned basket 401 rail 402 stopper 500 basket body 501 rail 502 stopper 510a, 510b, 510c unit basket

Claims (5)

A stacking step of stacking unit baskets having gaps with a predetermined height higher than the mounting height of the plastic container;
Preparing a plurality of arranged plastic containers, collectively placing the plurality of plastic containers into the gap of the unit basket, and arranging the plurality of plastic containers in the gap of the unit basket; and
A retort sterilization step in which the plurality of plastic containers are arranged and a basket body formed by a predetermined number of unit baskets stacked is carried into a retort sterilizer and the contents of the plurality of plastic containers are retort sterilized. A method for sterilizing retort. After the completion of the retort sterilization step, a container take-out step of taking out a plurality of plastic containers from the unit basket of the basket body carried out from the retort sterilization device,
The retort sterilization method according to claim 1, further comprising a recovery step of recovering the unit basket taken out of the plurality of plastic containers.   3. The sterilization according to claim 1, wherein the plastic container is a bottle made of a plastic material and does not cause deformation in a body portion due to its own weight and a load of a contained item in retort sterilization. Method. A stacking mechanism for stacking unit baskets having gaps with a predetermined height higher than the mounting height of the plastic container;
A container arrangement mechanism that collectively put a plurality of prepared plastic containers into the gap of the unit basket and arrange the plurality of plastic containers in the gap of the unit basket;
A retort sterilizer for performing retort sterilization of objects contained therein;
A retort sterilization system comprising: a basket carrying-in mechanism for carrying a basket body formed of a predetermined number of unit baskets stacked and arranged in a plurality of plastic containers into the retort sterilizer. A basket unloading mechanism for unloading the basket body from the retort sterilizer;
A container take-out mechanism for taking out a plurality of plastic containers from the unit basket of the basket body carried out from the retort sterilizer;
The retort sterilization system according to claim 4, further comprising a recovery mechanism for recovering the unit baskets taken out of the plurality of plastic containers.

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