JP2016064002A - Bag sterilization method and device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To efficiently perform sterilization processing of a bag.SOLUTION: Plural bags (1) which are not sealed and to which a pouring mouth member (2) is attached respectively, are mutually separated, and the bags are filled in a cassette rack (6), and the cassette rack (6) is put into a sterilization chamber (7), and a sterilization step is performed once or plural times, in which the sterilization step comprises: a step for making the sterilization chamber (7) a vacuum state; a step for introducing gas of hydrogen peroxide into the sterilization chamber (7) in the vacuum state; a step for introducing asepsis air into the sterilization chamber (7); a step for discharging the hydrogen peroxide by making the sterilization chamber (7) the vacuum state; and a step for introducing the asepsis air into the sterilization chamber (7).SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

  The present invention relates to a bag sterilization method and apparatus.

  Since the bag is excellent in recloseability, portability, volume reduction after use, etc., it is suitable for aseptic packaging of liquid beverages, jelly-like beverages, liquid foods and the like.

  The bag needs to be sterilized in advance in order to keep the content of the beverage or the like to be filled in a sterile state.

  Conventionally, a large number of bags are sterilized, packed in an exterior body, sealed, and irradiated with γ rays on the entire exterior body, and the entire exterior body including the interior and exterior surfaces of the bag is sterilized together with the exterior body. (For example, see Patent Document 1).

  In addition, attempts have been made to make aseptic bags by sterilizing and making a bag while running a film-like packaging material in an aseptic filling machine (see, for example, Patent Document 2).

JP 2002-68143 A JP 2013-116748 A

  Conventionally, since bags are sterilized by γ-ray irradiation, there is a problem that off-flavors are easily generated from the bags. It is conceivable to sterilize the bag using ethylene oxide gas (EOG) in addition to γ rays, but in that case, the ethylene oxide gas component tends to remain in the bag, and the sterilization treatment takes a long time. is there.

  Further, in the case of bag making while sterilizing a packaging material in an aseptic filling machine, it is extremely difficult to increase bag making ability and sterilizing ability and to maintain the accuracy of bag making.

  Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to solve the above problems.

  In order to solve the above problems, the present invention employs the following configuration.

  In order to facilitate understanding of the present invention, reference numerals are given in parentheses, but the present invention is not limited to this.

  That is, in the invention according to claim 1, a large number of unsealed bags (1) to which the spout member (2) is attached are loaded into the cassette rack (6) in a state of being separated from each other, and the cassette rack (6 ) In the sterilization chamber (7), evacuation in the sterilization chamber (7), introduction of hydrogen peroxide gas into the sterilized chamber (7) evacuated, and into the sterilization chamber (7) Sterilization of the bag in which the sterilization process including introduction of aseptic air, discharge of hydrogen peroxide by evacuation in the sterilization chamber (7), and introduction of aseptic air into the sterilization chamber (7) is performed one or more times. Adopt the method.

  As described in claim 2, in the bag sterilization method according to claim 1, irregularities may be formed on the inner surface of the bag (1) in advance.

  As described in claim 3, in the bag sterilization method according to claim 1 or 2, the spout member (2) has a protruding portion (2a) that protrudes into the back of the bag (1). It may be provided.

  As described in claim 4, in the bag sterilization method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, the spout member (2) may be left unsealed.

  As described in claim 5, in the bag sterilization method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, the spout member (2) is sealed, and the bag (1) is unsealed (1e). ) May be left in an unsealed state.

  The invention according to claim 6 is a cassette rack (6) in which a large number of unsealed bags (1) to which spout members (2) are attached are loaded in a state where they are separated from each other; ) And the sterilization chamber (7) for storing the cassette rack (6) together with the sterilization chamber (7) in which the cassette rack (6) is stored. Adopting a bag sterilization device that sequentially introduces hydrogen peroxide gas into the sterilization chamber (7) and discharges hydrogen peroxide by introducing sterile air into the sterilization chamber (7) To do.

  As described in claim 7, in the bag sterilization apparatus according to claim 6, the cassette rack (6) has a support rail (10) for supporting the bag at the location of the bag spout member (2). It can be provided.

  As described in claim 8, in the bag sterilization apparatus according to claim 7, a large number of fine protrusions (13a) are formed at locations where the support rail (10) contacts the bag spout member (2). It can be formed.

  According to the present invention, since the bag (1) is sterilized with hydrogen peroxide gas, unlike the conventional case of sterilizing the bag with γ rays, there is no inconvenience that a bad odor is generated from the bag. Further, unlike the case of sterilizing a bag using ethylene oxide gas, there is no inconvenience that an ethylene oxide gas component remains in the bag or a long time is required for sterilization treatment. Furthermore, a large number of unsealed bags (1) to which the spout member (2) is attached are separated and loaded into the cassette rack (6), and the bags (1) together with the cassette rack (6) are sterilized chamber ( 7) The hydrogen peroxide gas is introduced into the aseptic chamber (7) after the inside of the aseptic chamber (7) is evacuated and the hydrogen peroxide gas is introduced into the spout member (2). ) Quickly penetrates into the unfolded bag (1) and smoothly contacts the outer surface of the bag (1) loaded in the cassette rack (6) in a mutually separated state, The inner and outer surfaces of the bag (1) are sterilized promptly and appropriately.

It is a figure which shows an example of a bag, (A) is a front view of the bag of the unsealed state before content filling, (B) is a front view of the bag after content filling. It is a front view of a sterilization chamber. It is a front view of a cassette rack. FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken along line IV-IV in FIG. 3. It is a figure which shows the modification of the support rail shown in FIG. It is a figure which shows the other modification of the support rail shown in FIG. It is a figure which shows the 2nd example of a bag, (A) is a front view of the unsealed bag before the contents filling, (B) is a front view of the bag after the contents filling. It is a figure which shows the 3rd example of a bag, and is a front view of the bag of the unsealed state before the contents filling. It is a figure which shows the 4th example of a bag, and is a front view of the bag of the unsealed state before the contents filling. It is a figure which shows the 5th example of a bag, and is a front view of the bag of the unsealed state before the contents filling. It is a figure which shows the 6th example of a bag, and is a front view of the bag of the unsealed state before the contents filling.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below.

<Embodiment 1>
As shown in FIG. 1A, an unsealed bag 1 is prepared. The bag 1 has two sheets 3, 3 on the front and back, and the upper side and the left and right sides are closed by an upper horizontal heat seal portion 1a, a left vertical heat seal portion 1b, and a right vertical heat seal portion 1c. Formed by. The lower side is an unsealed portion 1e in order to serve as a filling port when the bag 1 is filled with contents such as beverages later. The unsealed portion 1e can be set to either the left or right side, and the lower side can be closed by the lower horizontal heat seal portion 1d. After the contents are filled in the bag 1, the unsealed portion 1e is sealed by the lower horizontal heat seal portion 1d as shown in FIG.

  As the sheets 3 and 3 constituting the bag 1, those made of a single layer of resin, those in which different types of resin layers are laminated, and those in which a metal layer such as an aluminum foil is laminated together with the resin layer are appropriately used. Unevenness (not shown) is formed on the inner surface of the sheet that is the inner side of the bag 1. Specifically, innumerable fine irregularities are formed on the inner surface of the sheet by embossing, matting or the like. As a result, a gap is formed between the inner surfaces of the two sheets, and a hydrogen peroxide gas described later easily enters the bag 1 from the unsealed portion 1e.

  The spout member 2 is fixed to the upper side of the bag 1 by sandwiching the spout member 2 in advance in the upper horizontal heat seal portion 1a. The spout member 2 is formed in a cylindrical shape by injection molding of a resin such as polypropylene. The inside and outside of the bag 1 can be conducted through the spout member 2, and the contents in the bag 1 can be poured out of the bag 1.

  However, the bag 1 does not necessarily have to be made of two sheets 3 and 3. One sheet may be folded in two, or the tube may be flattened.

  Further, since the spout member 2 is provided in the bag 1, a gap is formed between the inner surfaces of the two sheets 3 and 3, and a hydrogen peroxide gas described later easily enters the bag 1 from the unsealed portion 1e. In order to further facilitate the penetration of the hydrogen peroxide gas into the bag 1, the spout member 2 may be provided with a protruding portion 2 a that protrudes into the bag 1. As the protrusion part 2a, it can be set as the straw for making it easy to suck out the contents out of the bag 1, for example. The presence of the spout member 2 is coupled with the formation of the irregularities on the inner surfaces of the sheets 3 and 3, making it easy to form a gap between the sheets 3 and 3, and hydrogen peroxide gas from the unsealed portion 1e to the bag. Makes it easier to enter into 1. Of course, if the hydrogen peroxide gas enters the entire area of the bag 1 from the unsealed portion 1e only by the presence of the spout member 2, the formation of irregularities on the inner surfaces of the sheets 3 and 3 can be omitted.

  On the outer side of the spout member 2, a heat sealing flange 2b is formed at a location corresponding to the upper horizontal heat sealing portion 1a, and the heat sealing flange 2b is in close contact with the sheets 3 and 3 by heat sealing. A support flange 2c is formed on the spout member 2 above the heat seal flange 2b. As will be described later, when the bag 1 is subjected to various treatments, the bag 1 is held by various devices via the supporting flange 2c.

  In the case of the first embodiment, the opening on the bag outer side of the spout member 2 is sealed in advance with an easy-opening sheet 2d, and a cap 2e that is screwed onto the spout member 2 from above is covered. The spout member 2 according to the first embodiment is a so-called two-piece structure that is assembled after the main body and the cap 2e are made separately, but the opening of the spout member 2 is a thin wall for tearing. It may be a so-called one-piece one (not shown) that is shielded by a sealing piece that is sealed through a portion, and in which the easy-open sheet 2d and the cap 2e are omitted.

  The bag 1 shown in FIG. 1 (A) is sterilized by the sterilizer shown in FIG.

  The structure of the sterilization apparatus will be described. This sterilization apparatus is a cassette rack 6 in which a large number of unsealed bags 1 to which the spout member 2 shown in FIG. 1 (A) is attached are loaded in a separated state. And a sterilization chamber 7 for storing the bag together with the cassette rack 6. The sterilization chamber 7 in which the cassette rack 6 is stored is evacuated in the sterilization chamber 7, and the sterilization chamber 7 is stored in the vacuumed sterilization chamber 7. The introduction of hydrogen oxide gas and the discharge of hydrogen peroxide by the introduction of sterile air into the sterilization chamber 7 are sequentially performed.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the cassette rack 6 has a square cylinder-like box body 6 a placed horizontally. Both front and rear ends of the box 6a are open. A plurality of shelves 9 are arranged in the vertical direction in the box 6a. A plurality of support rails 10 that support the bags 1 are formed on each shelf 9 so as to extend in the front-rear direction of the box 6a. As shown in FIG. 4, each support rail 10 rises from a pair of hanging plates 11 hanging from the shelf 9, a horizontal plate 12 protruding so as to approach each other from the lower end of the hanging plate 11, and an edge of the horizontal plate 12. Plate 13. A groove through which the spout member 2 of the bag 1 is passed is provided between the pair of upright plates 13 and 13. The spout member 2 of the bag 1 is passed through the groove of each support rail 10, and the support flange 2 c is supported by the upper edge of the upright plate 13, whereby the bag 1 is suspended from the support rail 10. Similarly, when the spout member 2 of the other bag 1 is passed through the groove of each support rail 10, as shown in FIG. 4, a large number of bags 1 are separated from each other in the cassette rack 6. It is loaded with.

  Further, on the upper edges of the upright plates 13 on both sides of the groove of the support rail 10, as shown in FIG. 4, a number of fine details that contact the back surface of the support flange 2 c in the spout member 2 of the bag 1 passed through the groove The protrusion 13a is formed in a sawtooth shape. As a result, the back surface of the support flange 2c comes into point contact with the support rail 10, so that the hydrogen peroxide gas supplied later in the sterilization chamber 7 easily comes into contact with the back surface of the support flange 2c. The sterilizing effect on the back surface of the supporting flange 2c is enhanced.

  As shown in FIG. 4, a large number of holes 11 a and 13 b are formed in the hanging plate 11 and the upright plate 13. Accordingly, the hydrogen peroxide gas easily reaches the surface of the spout member 2 through these holes 11a and 13b, and the sterilizing effect on the surface of the spout member 2 is enhanced.

  The protrusion 13a can also be formed in a sharper pointed shape as shown in FIG. In this case, the hydrogen peroxide gas is more likely to come into contact with the back surface of the supporting flange 2c. Further, as shown in FIG. 6, the protrusion 13a can be formed in a shape with a chamfered tip. In this case, the support flange 2c is easily slid along the support rail 10, so that the bag 1 can be easily attached to the support rail 10.

  Further, the hole 13b provided in the upright plate 13 may be formed in a circular shape as shown in FIG. 5, or may be formed in a slit shape as shown in FIG. Further, although not shown, these holes 13b may be formed in a horizontal plate. The same applies to the holes 11 a provided in the hanging plate 11.

  As shown in FIG. 2, shutters 7 a and 7 b that can be opened and closed are provided on a pair of opposing walls of the sterilization chamber 7.

  The cassette rack 6 is carried into the sterilization chamber 7 by opening one shutter 7a by the carry-in conveyor 15 and confined in the sterilization chamber 7 by closing both shutters 7a and 7b. Then, the cassette rack 6 and the bag 1 loaded in the cassette rack 6 are sterilized. After the sterilization treatment, the cassette rack 6 is sent out of the sterilization chamber 7 by the carry-out conveyor 14 installed in the sterilization chamber 7 and is carried out to the next process by the transfer conveyor 16.

  Since the evacuation means for the sterilization chamber 7, the hydrogen peroxide gas introduction means, and the sterile air introduction means are well known, detailed description thereof will be omitted.

  Next, a bag sterilization method using the bag sterilizer will be described.

  (1) The unsealed bag 1 shown in FIG. 1A is loaded into the cassette rack 6 as shown in FIG. The bags 1 are separated from each other in the cassette rack 6.

  (2) The shutter 7a on the entrance side of the sterilization chamber 7 is opened, and the cassette rack 6 is put into the sterilization chamber 7 by the carry-in conveyor 15 as shown in FIG. Thereby, the sterilization chamber 7 is sealed.

  Note that the inside of the sterilization chamber 7 is heated to a predetermined temperature as necessary.

  (3) By evacuation of the sterilization chamber 7, introduction of hydrogen peroxide gas into the sterilized chamber 7 that has been evacuated, introduction of aseptic air into the sterilization chamber 7, and evacuation of the sterilization chamber 7. The sterilization process including discharging hydrogen peroxide and introducing sterile air into the sterilization chamber 7 is performed once or a plurality of times.

  The process from the introduction of sterile air into the sterilization chamber 7 through the discharge of hydrogen peroxide by evacuation of the sterilization chamber 7 to the introduction of sterile air into the sterilization chamber 7 is aeration. The hydrogen peroxide gas is discharged outside.

  By performing the sterilization process once or a plurality of times, the sterilization process of all the bags 1 in the cassette rack 6 and the sterilization process of the cassette rack 6 are simultaneously achieved.

  The two sheets 3 and 3 of the bag 1 are in a separated state by the spreading action by the spout member 2 attached to the end thereof, and therefore the unsealed portion 1e is in an open state. The introduced hydrogen peroxide gas enters the bag 1 and contacts the entire inner surface of the bag 1 and the spout member 2. In the case where irregularities are formed on the inner surfaces of the sheets 3 and 3 of the bag 1 by embossing or the like, the hydrogen peroxide gas flows into the bag 1 more smoothly. Thereby, not only the outer surface of the bag 1 but also the entire inner surface is uniformly sterilized.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 4, a large number of holes 11 a and 13 b are formed in the hanging plate 11 and the upright plate 13 of the support rail 10, and the support flange 2 c of the spout member 2 is in contact with the upright plate 13. Since a large number of protrusions 13a are formed at the locations, the hydrogen peroxide gas smoothly spreads through the gaps between the holes 11a and 13b and the protrusions 13a to the entire surface of the spout member 2. Thereby, the surface of the spout member 2 is appropriately sterilized including the back surface of the supporting flange 2c.

  The sterilization process ends when hydrogen peroxide gas is discharged out of the sterilization chamber 7 and aseptic air is introduced into the sterilization chamber 7.

  (4) When the sterilization process in the sterilization chamber 7 is completed, the shutter 7b on the outlet side is opened, and the cassette rack 6 is carried out onto the transport conveyor 16 outside the sterilization chamber 7 by the carry-out conveyor 14. Thereafter, the shutter 7b is closed.

  The sterilized cassette rack 6 can be carried out from the shutter 7a on the entrance side.

  The sterilized bag 1 is sent to the subsequent process along with the cassette rack 6 by the transfer conveyor 16 or the like, taken out from the cassette rack 6 in, for example, an aseptic room, filled with contents, and the unsealed portion 1e It is sealed with a heat seal part 1d to form a sterile bag-packed product as shown in FIG.

<Embodiment 2>
In the second embodiment, the bag 1 before the spout member 2 shown in FIG. 7A is closed with the easy-opening sheet 2d and the cap 2e is used.

  This bag 1 is loaded in the same cassette rack 6 as in the first embodiment as shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 4, the spout member 2 of the bag 1 is passed through the groove of the support rail 10 of the cassette rack 6, whereby a large number of bags 1 are held in the cassette rack 6.

  Next, the bag sterilization method using the sterilizer will be described.

  (1) The bag 1 having the unsealed spout member 2 shown in FIG. 7A is loaded into the cassette rack 6 as shown in FIG. 3 as in the first embodiment.

  (2) The shutter 7a on the entrance side of the sterilization chamber 7 is opened, and after the cassette rack 6 is placed in the sterilization chamber 7, as shown in FIG. 2, the shutter 7a is closed. Thereby, the sterilization chamber 7 is sealed.

  (3) Air is exhausted from the inside of the sterilization chamber 7, and the inside of the sterilization chamber 7 is evacuated. In addition, the inside of the sterilization chamber 7 is preheated to a predetermined temperature.

  Therefore, hydrogen peroxide gas is introduced into the sterilization chamber 7. The discharge of the air and the introduction of the hydrogen peroxide gas are repeated a predetermined number of times, and the sterilization processing of all the bags 1 in the cassette rack 6 and the sterilization processing of the cassette rack 6 are performed simultaneously by the hydrogen peroxide gas.

  The two sheets 3 and 3 of the bag 1 are in a separated state by the spreading action by the spout member 2 attached to the end thereof. The hydrogen peroxide gas introduced into the sterilization chamber 7 enters the bag 1 through the opening of the spout member 2 and contacts the entire inner surface of the bag 1. When countless fine irregularities are formed on the inner surface of the bag 1 by mat processing or the like, the hydrogen peroxide gas contacts the inner surface of the bag 1 more smoothly. Thereby, not only the outer surface of the spout member 2 and the bag 1, but also the inner surface of the spout member 2 and the bag 1 are uniformly sterilized.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 4, a large number of holes 11 a and 13 b are formed in the hanging plate 11 and the upright plate 13 of the support rail 10, and the support flange 2 c of the spout member 2 is in contact with the upright plate 13. Since a large number of projections 13a are formed at the location, the hydrogen peroxide gas passes through the gaps between the holes 11a and 13b and the projections 13a to reach the surface and the opening of the spout member 2 and from there into the bag 1 Flows smoothly into. Thereby, the surface of the spout member 2 is appropriately sterilized including the back surface of the supporting flange 2c.

  The sterilization process ends when hydrogen peroxide gas is discharged out of the sterilization chamber 7 and aseptic air is introduced into the sterilization chamber 7.

  (4) When the sterilization process in the sterilization chamber 7 is completed, the shutter 7 b is opened, and the cassette rack 6 is carried out of the sterilization chamber 7 by the cassette rack carry-out conveyor 14. Thereafter, the shutter 7b is closed.

  (5) Thereafter, the bag 1 is filled with the contents from the spout member 2 in, for example, an aseptic room, the opening of the spout member 2 is sealed as shown in FIG. 7B by the easy-open sheet 2d, and the cap 2e is poured. The vicinity of the opening is shielded by screwing onto the outlet member 2.

<Embodiment 3>
In the third embodiment, as shown in FIG. 8, the unsealed bag 1 is used as in the first embodiment.

  That is, as in the case of the first embodiment, the lower side is the unsealed portion 1e in order to serve as a filling port when the bag 1 is filled with contents such as beverages later.

  However, unlike the case of the first embodiment, the bag 1 is provided with an oblique side between the upper side and the right side, and an oblique heat seal portion 1f in which the spout member 2 is sandwiched is formed on the oblique side. The opening of the spout member 2 is already sealed with the easy-opening sheet 2d and closed by screwing the cap 2e.

  The unsealed portion 1e can be set to either the upper side or the left and right sides, and the lower side can be closed by the lower horizontal heat seal portion 1d. The unsealed portion 1e is sealed by the lower horizontal heat seal portion 1d after the contents are filled in the bag 1.

  In the third embodiment, the bag 1 is loaded into the cassette rack 6 in a posture as shown by a two-dot chain line in FIG. And it sterilizes with the sterilizer shown in FIG. 2 used in Embodiment 1. FIG.

<Embodiment 4>
In the fourth embodiment, as shown in FIG. 9, unlike the case of the third embodiment, the bag 1 before the spout member 2 is closed with the easy-opening sheet 2d and the cap 2e is used. The lower side of the bag 1 is closed by a lower horizontal heat seal portion 1d.

  In the fourth embodiment, sterilization is performed by the sterilization apparatus used in the second embodiment.

<Embodiment 5>
In the fifth embodiment, as shown in FIG. 10, the unsealed bag 1 is used as in the third embodiment.

  However, unlike the case of the third embodiment, the upper side of the bag 1 is the unsealed portion 1e in order to serve as a filling port when the bag 1 is filled with contents such as beverages later.

  In addition, a bottom folded sheet 29 is inserted into the lower side of the bag 1, and the bottom folded sheet 29 is bonded to the two front and rear sheets 3 and 3 by the bottom heat seal portion 1g and the left and right vertical heat seal portions. Bonded with 1b and 1c. The bottom fold sheet 29 has a non-heat-sealing process on the inner surface of the valley fold side. However, since the notches 30 are provided on both sides of the bottom fold sheet 29, the two front and rear sheets 3 are provided at the positions of the notches 30. , 3 are bonded together. Thereby, the bottom folding sheet 29 becomes a gusset, the expansion of the bottom of the bag 1 is permitted, and the bag 1 can stand on its own.

  Note that the unsealed portion 1e can be set to any one of the left and right sides of the bag 1.

  After the contents are filled in the bag 1, the unsealed portion 1e is sealed by the upper horizontal heat seal portion 1a (see FIG. 9).

  In the fifth embodiment, the bag 1 is loaded into the cassette rack 6 in a posture as shown by a two-dot chain line in FIG. And it sterilizes with the sterilizer used in Embodiment 1. FIG.

<Embodiment 6>
In the sixth embodiment, as shown in FIG. 11, unlike the case of the second embodiment shown in FIG. 7A, the bottom of the bag 1 is the same as that in the fifth embodiment shown in FIG. The bag 1 in which the folding sheet 29 is interposed is used.

  In the sixth embodiment, sterilization is performed by the sterilization apparatus used in the second embodiment.

  Below, Examples 1-40 are hung up and the bactericidal effect of the bag in this invention is shown.

  In Table 1, “2P type” in the column of the shape of the spout member means that the cap is provided separately from the main body of the spout member, and “1P type” means the main body of the spout member, The sealing piece that seals the mouth portion through the tearing thin wall portion is integrally formed from the beginning.

  “Vertical” means that the spout member 2 is disposed so as to ride on the center line of the bag 1 as shown in FIG. 1, and “oblique” means that the spout is as shown in FIG. It means that the member 2 is disposed so as to be inclined with respect to the center line of the bag 1.

  “P-seal” means that the opening of the spout member 2 is sealed with an easy-open seal 2d as shown in FIG.

  The “straw” means that the spout member 2 is provided with a straw-like shape as the protruding portion 2a, as indicated by a broken line in FIG.

  The “self-supporting bag” in the form of a bag means that the bag can be made independent when the bag bottom is expanded as shown in FIG. 10, and the “flat bag” is a flat bag as shown in FIG. Something that can't stand up.

  “Embossing” of the bag means that countless fine irregularities are formed on the inner surface of the sheet constituting the bag.

  The filling location “lower unsealed portion” means that the unsealed portion 1e is provided on the bottom of the bag in order to fill the contents from the lower side of the bag 1, as shown in FIG. The “unsealed portion” means that an unsealed portion 1e is provided on the upper side of the bag in order to fill the contents from the upper side of the bag 1, as shown in FIG.

  About each sample shown in Table 1, the bactericidal effect test was done and the result shown in Table 2 was obtained. The “bacterial application condition” and “evaluation method” are as follows.

A "Conditioning conditions"
(1) Indicator bacteria: B. subtilis ATCC9372
(2) Number of bacteria: 2.5 × 10 ⁵ / spot
(3) Place where BI (bioindicator) is attached: As shown in FIGS. 1 (A), 7 (A), and FIGS. 8 to 11, all of them are places where hydrogen peroxide gas is difficult to contact.
[Spout member]: In the case of the 2P-type spout member (for example, see FIG. 1 (A)), it was adhered to the inner side surface and the back surface of the supporting flange. In the case of a 1P type spout member (not shown), it was stuck to the innermost innermost part and the back surface of the supporting flange.
[Flat bag]: When the spout member is provided on the center line of the bag as shown in FIG. 1 (A) and the contents are filled from the bottom, the right vertical heat seal portion inside the bag Attached to the upper part and the middle part, respectively. As shown in FIG. 7 (A), when the bag was filled with the contents from the spout member, it was attached to the top and bottom of the right vertical heat seal portion inside the bag. As shown in FIG. 8, when the spout member is attached obliquely and the bag is filled with the contents from the bottom, the spout member of the upper side heat seal part and the upper side of the right vertical heat seal part inside the bag Each of them was attached to the end opposite to the side on which it was located. As shown in FIG. 9, when the spout member is attached obliquely and the bag is filled with the contents from the spout member, the upper part of the right vertical heat seal part in the bag and the lower side heat seal part Each of the spout members was attached to the opposite side and the opposite end.
[Self-supporting bag]: When the spout member is attached obliquely as shown in FIG. 10 and the contents are filled from the upper side, the upper part of the right vertical heat seal part in the bag and the bottom heat It stuck on the center of the seal part and the bottom folding sheet valley fold part which is outside the bag.
In addition, when the bag is filled with the contents from the spout member as shown in FIG. 11, the upper part of the right vertical heat seal part in the bag, the center of the bottom heat seal part, and the bottom outside the bag. It stuck to the valley fold part of the insert sheet, respectively.

B "Evaluation Method"
The various bags of Examples 1 to 40 were sterilized by a standard hydrogen peroxide gas sterilizer, and then BI was collected in an SCD broth medium, and after culturing at 37 ° C. for 7 days, the presence or absence of bacteria was confirmed. The results are shown in Table 2.

  The above various bags were filled with 100 mL of pure water, and after sufficiently stirring, the amount of hydrogen peroxide dissolved in the pure water was measured by the oxygen electrode method. The amount of residual hydrogen peroxide in the bag was It was less than 0.1 ppm.

  As can be seen from Table 2, when a bag equipped with a spout member is loaded into a cassette rack and sterilized in a sterilization chamber with hydrogen peroxide gas, the content filling process is performed. A bactericidal effect can be obtained.

  Further, for example, when Examples 6, 17, 19, and 23 and Examples 35, 36, and 37 are compared with each other, for example, it is understood that the sterilizing effect is further improved by providing a straw as a protruding portion on the spout member. .

  Further, for example, when Examples 31 and 34 and Examples 39 and 40 are respectively compared, it is understood that the sterilizing effect is further improved by embossing the inner surface of the bag to form a large number of fine irregularities. .

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Bag 1e ... Unsealed part 2 ... Outlet member 2a ... Protruding part 6 ... Cassette rack 7 ... Sterilization chamber

That is, the invention according to claim 1, separated from each other the bag (1) pourable to spout (2) multiple unsealed state attached is in Fukurogai the contents of the bag The cassette rack (6) is loaded in a state, and the cassette rack (6) is placed in the sterilization chamber (7). Introduction of hydrogen gas, introduction of sterile air into the sterilization chamber (7), discharge of hydrogen peroxide by evacuation in the sterilization chamber (7), introduction of sterile air into the sterilization chamber (7) DOO is a method for sterilizing a bag carried out once or more times a sterilization step performed sequentially, the spout (2) is supported by a number of fine projections (13a) are formed support rail (10) The bag sterilization method is adopted.

The invention according to claim 6, multiple bags unsealed state spout to allow pouring the contents of the bag to Fukurogai (2) is attached (1) are separated from each other A cassette rack (6) loaded in a state, and a sterilization chamber (7) for storing the bag (1) together with the cassette rack (6). The cassette rack (6) A support rail (10) for supporting the bag (1) is provided at the location of 2), and a number of fine protrusions (13a) are provided at locations where the support rail (10) contacts the spout member (2) of the bag. Adopt the bag sterilizer with formed .

Claims (8)

  A large number of unsealed bags attached with spout members are loaded into the cassette rack in a state of being separated from each other, the cassette rack is placed in the sterilization chamber, the sterilization chamber is evacuated, and the sterilized chamber is evacuated. Sterilization process consisting of introduction of hydrogen peroxide gas into the sterilization chamber, discharge of hydrogen peroxide by evacuation of the sterilization chamber, and introduction of sterile air into the sterilization chamber Is performed once or a plurality of times.   The bag sterilization method according to claim 1, wherein irregularities are formed in advance on the inner surface of the bag.   The bag sterilization method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the spout member is provided with a protruding portion that protrudes into the interior of the bag.   The bag sterilization method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the spout member is left unsealed.   The bag sterilization method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the bag is kept unsealed by sealing the spout member and providing the bag with an unsealed portion. Sterilization method.   A sterilization chamber having a cassette rack in which a plurality of unsealed bags with outlet members attached are loaded in a state where they are separated from each other, and a sterilization chamber for storing the bags together with the cassette rack. On the other hand, vacuuming in the sterilization chamber, introduction of hydrogen peroxide gas into the vacuumed sterilization chamber, and discharge of hydrogen peroxide by introducing sterile air into the sterilization chamber are performed in order. A bag sterilization device characterized by that.   7. The bag sterilizing apparatus according to claim 6, wherein a support rail for supporting the bag at the location of the bag spout member is provided on the cassette rack.   8. The bag sterilizing apparatus according to claim 7, wherein a number of fine protrusions are formed at locations of the support rail that come into contact with the bag spout member.

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