JP2011084301A - Filling nozzle system of automatic packaging machine equipped with inner sterilization mechanism - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a filling nozzle system enabling a filling nozzle to be washed and sterilized while remaining attached without being disassembled. <P>SOLUTION: The filling nozzle system of an automatic packaging machine includes a filling nozzle 8 casting a content into a bag made by heat-sealing a bag-like molded packaging film, a sterilizer recovery nozzle 60 washing and sterilizing the filling nozzle 8 while remaining attached to the automatic packaging machine without being disassembled, and a sterilizer supply device spraying the sterilizer into the filling nozzle 8 in case of conducting the washing and sterilizing motion. The sterilizer sprayed from the sterilizer supply device is discharged via the sterilizer recovery nozzle 60 to the outside of the automatic packaging machine by connecting and fixing a protrusion member 53 mounted at the tip end of a filling pipe 52 of the filling nozzle 8 to the sterilizer recovery nozzle 60. The inside of the filling nozzle 8 is washed and sterilized in this manner. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention belongs to the technical field of an automatic packaging machine that automatically fills and wraps raw materials (contents) using a packaging film. Specifically, the present invention is for sterilizing the inside of an automatic packaging machine. It relates to the mechanism.

  Conventionally, as a device that fills a bag with contents such as liquid in an aseptic environment, the packaging film is run while it is folded in half, the mating surface is vertically sealed, and the packaging film is formed into a cylindrical shape. An automatic wrapping machine has been developed in which a film is horizontally sealed in a transverse direction perpendicular to the crease to form a predetermined capacity of a bag and the inside is filled with contents. In such aseptic packaging by an automatic packaging machine, the contents and the packaging film are sterilized or sterilized, and then the contents are filled into the bag-shaped packaging film in an aseptic atmosphere, and the filling port is sealed. It is realized by doing.

  In such a conventional automatic packaging machine, in order to perform aseptic packaging, it is necessary to sterilize the packaging film and the inside of the automatic packaging machine before starting the filling of the contents. As a method of sterilizing the packaging film in such an automatic packaging machine, hydrogen peroxide water is sprayed on the packaging film while continuing the operation of the packaging film transport mechanism of the automatic packaging machine, or the packaging film itself is sterilized. A method of sterilizing a film by introducing it into a sterilization tank in which water is stored has been devised.

  And as a method of sterilizing the inside of the automatic packaging machine, the inside of the automatic packaging machine is filled with the sterilizing air made by melting the hydrogen peroxide evaporation gas obtained by evaporating the hydrogen peroxide water into the supplied sterile air. A method has been devised.

  In such an automatic packaging machine, the filling nozzle for injecting the contents into the bag-like packaging film has a small inner diameter, so it is difficult to wash by hand washing.When washing with a brush or the like, the target filling nozzle is detached from the automatic packaging machine body. Work to occur.

  However, this detaching operation of the filling nozzle leads to re-contamination of the filling nozzle including the inside of the automatic packaging machine. Therefore, it is necessary to clean and sterilize without disassembling with the filling nozzle attached.

  An object of the present invention is to provide a filling nozzle system that can be cleaned and sterilized without being disassembled while the filling nozzle is attached.

  (1) The automatic wrapping machine of the present invention made to solve the above-mentioned problems is a longitudinal direction in which the wrapping film is unrolled by a preset amount from a wrapping roll in which the wrapping film is wound into a raw fabric. A packaging film transport mechanism that feeds into a bag-making mechanism that folds it in half, a sealing mechanism that forms vertical and horizontal seals on the folded packaging film into a packaging bag shape, and the contents are put into this packaging bag An automatic packaging machine having a sterilization mechanism for performing a sterilization operation on the inside of the packaging film and the automatic packaging machine before the content filling operation, and the filling nozzle system of the filling mechanism forms the packaging film into a bag shape A filling nozzle for injecting the contents into the molded and heat-sealed, a disinfectant recovery nozzle for washing and sterilizing without disassembling the filling nozzle attached to the automatic packaging machine, A sterilizing agent supply device that sprays the sterilizing agent into the filling nozzle when performing the sterilizing operation, and the filling nozzle is connected to a content pressure feeding device such as a pump; And a projecting member for connecting and fixing the leading end of the filling pipe and the sterilizing agent recovery nozzle. The sterilizing agent recovery nozzle automatically wraps the sterilizing agent after cleaning. It comprises a discharge pipe that discharges to the outside of the machine, and a connection member for connecting and fixing the discharge pipe and the filling pipe.

  (2) Further, the connection member includes a housing that receives the sterilizing agent after washing in a state where the tip of the filling pipe is inserted and sends the sterilizing agent to the discharge pipe, a lid portion that closes the housing inlet while fitting the protruding member of the filling pipe, It comprises a clamp that sandwiches and fixes the packing between the housing and the lid, an O-ring that closes the gap between the filling pipe and the housing, and an O-ring pressing member.

  In the filling nozzle system of the automatic packaging machine described in the above (1) and (2), a protruding member is provided at the tip of the filling pipe for feeding the contents into the bag-shaped packaging film, and a connecting member is attached thereto. Since the disinfectant after cleaning can be discharged out of the automatic packaging machine by fitting the discharge pipe, the disassembling work of the filling nozzle for cleaning and disinfecting can be made unnecessary.

  As described above, according to the present invention, since the protruding member is provided on the filling nozzle side and the disinfectant recovery nozzle is connected and fixed so as to fit the protruding member, the filling nozzle is attached inside the automatic packaging machine. It becomes possible to perform cleaning and sterilization without disassembling in a state of being in a state, and there can be a remarkable effect that re-contamination of the filling nozzle including the inside of the automatic packaging machine can be prevented.

It is a front view of the automatic packaging machine which implemented this invention. It is the side view to which the filling nozzle of the filling nozzle system was expanded. It is the side view to which the disinfectant collection nozzle of the filling nozzle system was expanded. It is operation | movement explanatory drawing showing the state which the filling nozzle and sterilizer collection | recovery nozzle of a filling nozzle system are connected, and wash | cleans the inside of a filling nozzle.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of an internal sterilization mechanism in an automatic packaging machine according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a front view of an automatic packaging machine embodying the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, 1 is an automatic wrapping machine, 2 is an original fabric roll wound with a wrapping film, 3 is an area for installing an original roll in an automatic wrapping machine, 4 is an area for transporting a packaging film in an automatic wrapping machine, 5 Is an area for creating a packaging bag in an automatic packaging machine, and includes a bag making mechanism for folding the packaging film in the longitudinal direction and a longitudinal sealing mechanism for longitudinally sealing the folded packaging film. 6 is a roller between the packaging film transport mechanism and the packaging bag making mechanism, 7 is a folding guide rod of the bag making mechanism, 8 is a filling nozzle for feeding the contents into the packaging bag, 9 is a vertical sealing roll of the vertical sealing mechanism, 10 is a first horizontal seal roll that is the first horizontal seal mechanism, 11 is a second horizontal seal roll that is the next horizontal seal mechanism, and 17 is a discharge area that serves as a discharge passage for the sterilization air remaining in the automatic packaging machine. , 12 is a water-sealed tank containing water, 13 is a sterilizing tank containing a sterilizing agent, 14 is an air knife that sprays aseptic air onto the packaging film passing through the inside, 15 is Sterilizing agent squeeze roll for squeezing small water droplet-shaped bactericides adhering to the packaging film after the squeezing roll, 16 rough-cooking the large water droplet-shaped bactericidal agent adhering to the packaging film immediately after passing through the sterilization tank Ladder It is a roll. Note that FX is a packaging film fed out from the raw roll 2.

  Next, the operation | movement regarding the disinfection action of the packaging film accompanying the normal bag making operation | movement in an automatic packaging machine along the flow of the packaging film FX is demonstrated, referring FIG.

  (1) The packaging film FX fed out from the raw roll is transported through the raw roll installation area 3 and sent to the water sealing tank 12. During this time, it is in the same state as the outside air space, and the water sealing tank 12 plays a role of blocking between the outside air space and the internal space of the automatic packaging machine with the internal water. That is, the water sealing tank 12 prevents outside air from entering the internal space of the automatic packaging machine. At the same time, since the packaging film FX passes through the water stored in the water sealing tank 12, dust, impurities, packaging material additives, and the like attached to the packaging film FX are removed.

  (2) The packaging film FX that has passed through the water-sealed tank 12 is sent to the sterilization tank 13. The sterilizing tank 13 is filled with the sterilizing agent up to the position shown in the figure, and the packaging film FX is transported so as to be folded around the feed roller while being transported in the sterilizing agent, and given a strong sterilizing action. The Normally, hydrogen peroxide is used as the disinfectant.

  (3) The packaging film FX that has passed through the sterilization tank 13 is sent to the packaging film transport mechanism area 4 and first passes through a squeezing roll 16 that roughly roughens the large water droplet-like disinfectant adhering to the packaging film FX. Then, it passes through a sterilizing squeeze roll 15 that squeezes out the sterilizing agent in the form of small water droplets adhering to the packaging film after the ironing roll, and is then sent to the air knife 14. Aseptic air is sprayed inside the air knife 14, and the packaging film FX that has passed there is blown away a disinfectant such as hydrogen peroxide remaining on the surface of the packaging film FX by the ejection of this sterile air. It has been removed. As a result, the packaging film FX that has passed through the packaging film transport mechanism region 4 is subjected to a sufficient sterilization treatment and a removal treatment of the attached sterilizing agent, while changing the flow direction in a substantially horizontal direction. It is sent to the packaging bag creation area 5 in the next process.

  (4) The packaging film FX sent to the packaging bag creation area 5 is bent by the roller 6 from the substantially horizontal direction to the substantially vertical downward direction by about 90 degrees and sent to the bag making mechanism including the folding guide rod 7.

  (5) The packaging film FX sent to the bag making mechanism is folded in half in the longitudinal direction by the folding guide rod 7, and the vertical sealing roll 9 is applied to the folded packaging film FX by the vertical seal roll 9, The packaging film FX has a cylindrical shape.

  (6) The packaging film FX having a cylindrical shape is shaped into a packaging bag shape by the first horizontal seal roll 10, and the contents are fed into the packaging bag via the filling nozzle 8. After such a filling operation, the inlet of the packaging bag is sealed by the first horizontal seal roll 10 to form a sachet packaging shape, and the portion laterally sealed by the first horizontal seal roll 10 is the second horizontal seal. A lateral seal is applied again by the roll 11 to increase the seal strength. In this way, the sachet package shape filled with the contents is manufactured in a state where it is continuous in the running direction (downward) of the packaging film FX.

  (7) After that, a notch (cut) is appropriately given to the seal portion of the small bag packaging shape, and further, a perforation cut or a straight cut is given near the center of the horizontal seal portion to automatically form a desired packaging bag. It is discharged from the packaging machine 1.

  (8) Since the inside of the packaging film FX is shut off from the outside air after the packaging film FX is formed into a cylindrical shape by the vertical sealing roll 9, the first horizontal sealing roll 10 and the second horizontal sealing roll 11 and the subsequent The inside of the automatic packaging machine in the discharge area 17 is not subjected to active sterilization processing, but functions as a discharge path for sterilization air from above (vertical seal roll or the like) to prevent intrusion of outside air.

  Thus, although the packaging film FX accompanying the normal bag making operation in the automatic packaging machine 1 is sterilized, in order to reinforce the explanation of the operation, the packaging film FX and the automatic are prepared as preparatory operations before the filling operation of the contents. The operation when the inside of the packaging machine 1 is sterilized will also be described below with reference to FIG.

  (1) When the new automatic packaging machine 1 is started up, the internal structure of the automatic packaging machine 1 is changed, the set is changed in accordance with the change in the product type, or the original roll is replaced, the contents are filled. It is necessary to newly sterilize the inside of the packaging film FX and the automatic packaging machine 1 as a preparatory work before starting.

  (2) First, the automatic packaging machine 1 supplies a spray of a bactericide such as hydrogen peroxide or hydrogen peroxide gas to the packaging film transport mechanism area 4 and the packaging bag creation area 5 to transport these packaging films. The mechanism region 4 and the packaging bag creation region 5 are filled with a disinfectant.

  (3) The guide rod members of a plurality of rollers installed in the packaging film conveyance mechanism region 4 and the packaging bag creation region 5 are circulated while the conveyance operation of the packaging film FX is stopped while the sterilizing agent is filled. Let

  (4) As a result, a gap in which the disinfectant wraps around between the plurality of rollers and the packaging film FX in contact therewith, and the internal sterilization operation is stopped in a state where the transport operation of the packaging film FX is stopped. Has been implemented.

  Next, the preparatory operation until the inside of the packaging film FX and the automatic packaging machine 1 is completed and the operation moves to the normal bag making operation will be described below with reference to FIG.

  (5) When the sterilization work inside the packaging film FX and the automatic packaging machine 1 is finished, the spraying of the sterilizing agent such as hydrogen oxide water or the supply of hydrogen peroxide gas in the packaging film transport mechanism area 4 and the packaging bag making area 5 is stopped. The spray or hydrogen peroxide gas such as hydrogen oxide water filled in the packaging film transport mechanism area 4 and the packaging bag creation area 5 is discharged out of the automatic packaging machine 1 via the discharge area 17. The

  (6) The sterilized air is supplied to the packaging film transport mechanism area 4 and the packaging bag creation area 5 after discharging the sterilizing agent or the like.

  (7) At the same time, in the packaging film transport mechanism region 4 and the packaging bag creation region 5, the packaging film FX which has been sprayed with a sterilizing agent such as hydrogen oxide water or hydrogen peroxide gas is transported by a certain amount and sterilized. The wrapping film FX is replaced with a normal bag making operation.

  (8) It should be noted that the packaging film FX transported by the predetermined amount is discharged out of the automatic packaging machine 1 via the discharge area 17 and discarded.

  FIG. 2 is an enlarged side view of the filling nozzle of the filling nozzle system. In FIG. 2, a part of the drawing is omitted for convenience of drawing. As shown in FIG. 2, the filling nozzle 8 is a block that is attached to a nozzle base portion 50 connected to a content pumping device such as a pump, and a through hole provided in a wall surface in the packaging bag creation region 5 of the automatic packaging machine 1. The disk 51, the filling pipe 52 for feeding the contents into the bag-shaped packaging film, and the protruding member 53 for connecting and fixing the tip of the filling pipe 52 and the sterilizing agent recovery nozzle 60 are configured.

  FIG. 3 is an enlarged side view of the disinfectant recovery nozzle of the filling nozzle system. As shown in FIG. 3, the sterilizing agent recovery nozzle 60 includes a discharge pipe 66 for discharging the cleaned sterilant outside the automatic packaging machine, and a connection member 65 for connecting and fixing the discharge pipe and the filling pipe. It is composed of

  FIG. 4 is an operation explanatory diagram showing a state in which the filling nozzle of the filling nozzle system and the sterilizing agent recovery nozzle are connected to wash the inside of the filling nozzle. As shown in FIG. 4, the filling nozzle 8 is connected to the connection member 65 of the sterilizing agent recovery nozzle 60, and details of the connection state and the cleaning state will be described below.

  (1) First, before performing cleaning and sterilization, the packaging film that wraps the filling nozzle 8 is cut out in the discharge region 17 of the automatic packaging machine, and the tip of the filling pipe 52 in the filling nozzle 8 is exposed. Thereafter, the filling pipe 52 and the disinfectant recovery nozzle 60 are connected.

  (2) The front end portion of the filling pipe 52 in the filling nozzle 8 is in a state of entering the housing 67 of the connecting member 65, and the protruding member 53 of the filling pipe 52 is a lid portion 61 that closes the inlet of the housing 67. It is inserted in. An O-ring 64 and an O-ring pressing member 63 are fitted in the gap between the tip end portion of the filling pipe 52 and the housing 67 of the connection member 65.

  (3) A packing 62 is sandwiched between the lid 61 and the housing 67 and is sealed using a connection clamp.

  (4) In such a state, the filling nozzle system of the present invention is first connected to the nozzle base 50 of the filling nozzle 8 in order to perform cleaning and sterilization without disassembling with the filling nozzle attached. The piping from the content pressure feeding device such as a pump is removed, and the piping from the sterilizing agent supply device for spraying the sterilizing agent into the filling nozzle is connected to the nozzle base 50.

  (5) Thereafter, the sterilizing agent is poured from the sterilizing agent supply device into the filling nozzle 8 to clean the inside of the filling pipe 52. The sterilizing agent after cleaning is discharged into the housing 67 from the tip end portion of the filling pipe 52, and is discharged out of the automatic packaging machine 1 through the discharge pipe 66 of the sterilizing agent collection nozzle 60.

  (6) Finally, after the cleaning and sterilization of the filling nozzle 8 is completed, the piping from the sterilizing agent supply device connected to the nozzle base portion of the filling nozzle is removed, and the piping from the content pressure feeding device such as a pump is connected. To do. Further, the disinfectant recovery nozzle 60 connected to the front end portion of the filling pipe 52 in the filling nozzle 8 is also removed, and the front end portion of the filling pipe 52 in the filling nozzle 8 is stored in this packaging film while pulling out the sterilized packaging film. Then, the bag portion of the packaging film is sealed and sealed by the first horizontal seal roll 10 and the second horizontal seal roll 11.

  (7) In this way, an automatic packaging machine that fills a bag with contents such as a liquid in an aseptic environment can be provided. As a sterilizing agent used in the filling nozzle system, hydrogen peroxide is common. However, a sterilizing agent, hot water, steam or the like may be used as appropriate depending on the contents and the required degree of cleaning and sterilization.

  As described above, the filling nozzle system of the automatic packaging machine of the present invention described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 4 is provided with a protruding member at the tip portion of the filling pipe for feeding the contents into the bag-like packaging film, and the connecting member is provided therewith. By fitting the attached discharge pipe and discharging the cleaned disinfectant out of the automatic packaging machine, it is possible to eliminate the need for disassembling the filling nozzle for cleaning disinfection.

  The embodiment of the present invention is an example for embodying the present invention, and has a corresponding relationship with the invention-specific matters in the claims, but is not limited thereto. Various modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Automatic packaging machine 2 Original fabric roll 3 Original fabric roll installation area 4 Packaging film conveyance mechanism area 5 Packaging bag production area 6 Roller 7 Folding guide rod 8 Filling nozzle 9 Vertical seal roll 10 First horizontal seal roll 11 Second horizontal seal roll DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 12 Water sealing tank 13 Sterilization tank 14 Air knife 15 Sterilizing agent squeeze roll 16 Ironing roll 17 Discharge area | region 50 Nozzle base | substrate part 51 Closing disc 52 Filling pipe 53 Protrusion member 60 Sterilizing agent collection nozzle 61 Cover part 62 Packing 63 O ring pressing member 64 O-ring 65 Connection member 66 Discharge pipe 67 Housing

Claims (2)

A wrapping film transport mechanism that feeds a wrapping film into a bag making mechanism that folds the wrapping film in a longitudinal direction while feeding out a predetermined amount from a wrapping roll in which the wrapping film is wound in an original shape, and a folded wrapping film A sealing mechanism that forms a vertical and horizontal seal to form a packaging bag, a filling mechanism that puts the contents into the packaging bag, and sterilization of the packaging film and the automatic packaging machine before filling the contents An automatic packaging machine equipped with a sterilization mechanism for performing work,
The filling nozzle system of the filling mechanism includes a filling nozzle for injecting the contents into a bag-shaped packaging film that has been heat-sealed, and washing and sterilization without disassembling the filling nozzle attached to an automatic packaging machine. A sterilizing agent recovery nozzle for performing the sterilizing agent, and a sterilizing agent supply device for spraying the sterilizing agent into the filling nozzle when performing the cleaning sterilization operation
The filling nozzle is for connecting and fixing a nozzle base portion connected to a content pressure feeding device such as a pump, a filling pipe for feeding the contents into the bag-like packaging film, and a tip portion of the filling pipe and a sterilizing agent recovery nozzle. A projecting member, and
The disinfectant recovery nozzle is composed of a discharge pipe for discharging the cleaned disinfectant out of the automatic packaging machine, and a connection member for connecting and fixing the discharge pipe and the filling pipe. And automatic packing machine filling nozzle system.   The connection member includes a housing that receives the sterilizing agent after cleaning in a state where the end of the filling pipe is inserted and sends the sterilizing agent to the discharge pipe, a lid portion that closes the housing inlet while fitting the protruding member of the filling pipe, and the housing and the lid portion. 2. A filling nozzle for an automatic packaging machine according to claim 1, wherein the filling nozzle is composed of a clamp that sandwiches and fixes the packing therebetween, an O-ring that closes a gap between the filling pipe and the housing, and an O-ring pressing member. system.