JP2016153316A - Method and apparatus for sterilizing aseptic filling machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To efficiently sterilize an endless chain within an aseptic chamber.SOLUTION: In a method for sterilizing an aseptic filling machine, an endless chain (9) for conveying a packaging material is immersed in a bactericidal agent (10) within an immersion tank (28) to be sterilized. An ultrasonic transducer (29), which is installed within the immersion tank, applies an ultrasonic wave from the ultrasonic transducer toward the endless chain traveling through the bactericidal agent within the immersion tank.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for sterilizing an aseptic filling machine.

  For example, an aseptic filling machine that manufactures a portion pack heats a sheet while conveying a container sheet as a packaging material in one direction in an aseptic chamber, and forms many small cup-shaped recesses in the sheet, Fill each recess with milk, cover the sheet with a lid sheet and heat seal to seal the recess. Finally, punch the stack of container sheet and lid sheet for each pack, and finally cup The package body is to be obtained.

  In such an aseptic filling machine, it is necessary to convey the sheet in one direction from the heating of the container sheet to heat sealing, but recently, an endless chain with a clip that conveys the sheet while sandwiching the sheet on both sides is used. Yes.

  The aseptic filling machine needs to sterilize each device in the aseptic chamber that covers the aseptic filling machine when it is started up. In this sterilization, in order to sterilize the entire sterilization chamber, the temperature in the sterilization chamber is raised, sprayed with a sterilizing agent in the sterilization chamber, and then the sterilization chamber is left for a predetermined time for sterilization. It is performed by blowing warm air into the inside and drying the disinfectant.

  Among the devices in the aseptic chamber, the endless chain is composed of a combination of various plates, pins, rollers, bushes, clips, etc., and there are many fine and complicated gaps between parts. It is sterilized by another sterilization method.

  As the endless chain sterilization method, the most common method is to immerse the endless chain in a disinfectant such as a hydrogen peroxide solution or a hypochlorous acid solution. That is, during the sterilization process in the aseptic chamber, the endless chain is run in the aseptic chamber and immersed in the sterilizing agent stored in the immersion tank. As the warm air is blown into the aseptic chamber, the endless chain is left still for 30 minutes or more. This completes the sterilization of the endless chain as well as the sterilization in the aseptic chamber. Then, after the hydrogen peroxide solution contained in the immersion tank is switched to aseptic water containing a lubricant, the aseptic filling machine is operated, and production of a package that is a packed product is started.

JP 2002-68143 A JP 2009-18850 A

  The conventional endless chain sterilization method circulates the endless chain at a low speed so that the attachment time of the sterilizing agent to the endless chain becomes longer. That is, a large amount of sterilizing agent is attached to the endless chain and sterilized at a low temperature of about room temperature.

  However, since the endless chain has a structure in which various kinds of metal parts such as plates, pins, rollers, clips, etc. are combined, many fine gaps are formed between the parts. Even if such an endless chain is immersed in a low-temperature disinfectant for a long time, the disinfectant may not permeate depending on the position and shape of the gap, and may come out of the immersion tank with bubbles remaining in the gap. Since air bubbles remain and the sterilizer does not come into contact with the sterilizer, sterilization is insufficient.

  Even if the sterilizing agent does not sufficiently penetrate into the gap in the immersion tank, it is considered that the sterilizing agent spreads in the gap while circulating in the sterile chamber after the endless chain comes out of the immersion tank, The amount of bactericidal agent necessary for sterilization does not always adhere to all the gaps. In addition, by increasing the number of immersions, for example, hydrogen peroxide solution can be distributed evenly in all the gaps, but when the endless chain is immersed in the disinfectant while supplying the container sheet as a packaging material, This is not an appropriate measure because of increased packaging loss.

  On the other hand, it is possible to improve the penetrability of the disinfectant into the gaps in the endless chain by shortening the disinfecting time by heating the disinfectant temperature to several tens of degrees Celsius. Since it takes a long time to raise the temperature of the bactericidal agent, the productivity of the package is reduced.

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

  The inventors of the present invention have intensively studied to solve the above-mentioned problems. As a result, when the endless chain is irradiated with ultrasonic waves in the immersion tank, the endless chain is used even if the disinfectant in the immersion tank is at a low temperature or normal temperature. It was found that the air bubbles generated in the gaps were expelled and the disinfectant could permeate evenly in all the gaps.

  Ultrasonic waves are classified into three types: low frequency of several tens of kHz to 100 kHz, medium frequency of 100 kHz to 200 kHz, and high frequency of several hundred kHz to several MHz. Among these three types of ultrasonic waves, In order to enhance the sterilization effect, it has been found that it is particularly desirable to use ultrasonic waves with a low frequency for sterilizing the endless chain. In other words, the gap that is thought to be the least difficult to remove bubbles in the endless chain is considered to be between the roller and the bush. To efficiently remove or move bubbles from such a gap, vibration is required. It is desirable to vibrate the roller or bush during immersion using ultrasonic waves of high frequency and low frequency. It has also been found that, among low frequency ultrasonic waves, a frequency between 20 kHz and 50 kHz is more desirable.

  The present invention has been made based on the above findings, and 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, the invention according to claim 1 is an aseptic filling machine in which an endless chain (9) for transporting a packaging material is sterilized by immersing it in a sterilizing agent (10) in an immersion tank (28). In this sterilization method, an ultrasonic vibrator (29) is installed in the immersion tank (28), and ultrasonic waves are sent from the ultrasonic vibrator (29) into the disinfectant (10) in the immersion tank (28). The sterilization method of the aseptic filling machine that irradiates the traveling endless chain (9) is adopted.

  As described in claim 2, in the sterilization method for an aseptic filling machine according to claim 1, the frequency of ultrasonic waves can be set to several tens kHz to 100 kHz.

  As described in claim 3, in the sterilization method for an aseptic filling machine according to claim 1, the frequency of the ultrasonic wave can be set to 20 kHz to 50 kHz.

  As described in claim 4, in the sterilization method for an aseptic filling machine according to any one of claims 1 to 3, the temperature of the sterilizing agent (10) in the immersion bath (28) is 25 ° C to 50 ° C. It can also be set to ° C.

  As described in claim 5, in the sterilization method of the aseptic filling machine according to any one of claims 1 to 4, sterilization by immersing the endless chain (9) in the disinfectant (10), Immersion of the endless chain (9) into the disinfectant (10) starts at the same time as the start of the disinfection process in the aseptic chamber (6) of the aseptic filling machine, and before spraying of the disinfectant in the aseptic chamber (6) is completed. It is also possible to complete the sterilization of the endless chain (9) before the drying of the sterilizing agent in the aseptic chamber (6) is completed.

  As described in claim 6, in the sterilization method for an aseptic filling machine according to any one of claims 1 to 5, after the sterilization treatment of the endless chain (9) is completed, the inside of the immersion tank (28) It is also possible to replace the disinfectant (10) with sterile water to which a lubricant has been added.

  The invention according to claim 7 is a sterilization of an aseptic filling machine in which the endless chain (9) for conveying the packaging material is sterilized by immersing it in the sterilizing agent (10) in the immersion tank (28). In the apparatus, an ultrasonic vibrator (29) is installed in the immersion tank (28), and the ultrasonic waves from the ultrasonic vibrator (29) travel through the disinfectant (10) in the sterilization tank (28). A sterilization device for an aseptic filling machine adapted to irradiate toward the chain (9) is adopted.

  As described in claim 8, in the sterilization apparatus for an aseptic filling machine according to claim 7, the ultrasonic vibrator (29) transmits ultrasonic waves having a frequency of several tens of kHz to 100 kHz to the endless chain (9). You may irradiate toward.

  As described in claim 9, in the sterilization apparatus for an aseptic filling machine according to claim 7, the ultrasonic vibrator (29) transmits ultrasonic waves having a frequency of 20 kHz to 50 kHz toward the endless chain (9). Irradiation may be used.

  As described in claim 10, in the sterilization apparatus for an aseptic filling machine according to any one of claims 7 to 9, the temperature of the disinfectant (10) in the immersion tank (28) is 25 ° C to 50 ° C. The temperature may be set to ° C.

  As described in claim 11, in the sterilization apparatus for an aseptic filling machine according to any one of claims 7 to 10, sterilization by immersing the endless chain (9) in the disinfectant (10), Immersion of the endless chain (9) into the disinfectant (10) is started at the same time as the start of the disinfection process in the aseptic chamber (6) of the aseptic filling machine, and before spraying of the disinfectant in the aseptic chamber (6) is completed. And the sterilization of the endless chain (9) may be completed before the drying of the sterilizing agent in the aseptic chamber (6) is completed.

  As described in claim 12, in the sterilization apparatus for an aseptic filling machine according to any one of claims 7 to 11, after the sterilization treatment of the endless chain (9) is completed, the inside of the immersion tank (28) The disinfectant (10) may be replaced with sterile water to which a lubricant is added.

  According to the present invention, in the sterilization method of the aseptic filling machine, the endless chain (9) for conveying the packaging material is sterilized by immersing it in the sterilizing agent (10) in the immersion tank (28). The ultrasonic vibrator (29) is installed in the immersion tank (28), and the endless chain that travels the ultrasonic wave from the ultrasonic vibrator (29) in the disinfectant (10) in the immersion tank (28). Since it is the sterilization method of the aseptic filling machine which irradiates toward (9), the endless chain (9) used as the conveying means of the packaging material in the aseptic filling machine can be sterilized efficiently. That is, by removing the bubbles from the fine gaps of the endless chain (9) by ultrasonic vibration, the bactericidal agent (10) such as hydrogen peroxide solution adheres to the entire endless chain (9) evenly. The sterilizing effect of the endless chain (9) can be increased, and as a result, the sterility of the package (1) such as a packed product can be further increased.

It is a schematic front view of an aseptic filling machine. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line II-II in FIG. It is a half sectional view of a package manufactured by an aseptic filling machine.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below.

  First, a package manufactured by an aseptic filling machine will be described.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the package 1 includes a container 2 and a lid 3 that closes the opening of the container 2, and the container 2 is filled with a content a.

  The container 2 is, for example, a small capacity cup. The cup has a wide-opening at the upper end of a body portion made of a tapered wall, and has a flange 2a on the outer periphery of the opening, and is integrally formed of synthetic resin as a whole.

  The lid 3 is made of a sheet in which a heat seal layer is laminated on a metal foil, for example. This sheet is put on the opening of the container 2 after the contents a are filled, and the container 2 is sealed by heat-sealing the flange 2a on the surface of the heat seal layer.

  The content a is a beverage such as milk. The beverage is sterilized in advance, and the sterilized beverage is filled in the container 2.

  Next, an aseptic filling device for producing the package 1 will be described.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the aseptic filling apparatus includes a conveying unit that conveys a continuous container sheet 4 that is a packaging material in one direction, a heating unit that heats the container sheet 4 to a moldable temperature, Concave forming means for forming a large number of cup-shaped recesses in the heated container sheet 4, filling means for filling the contents a in the respective recesses, and a lid that is a packaging material for the recesses filled with the contents a Sealing means for sealing with the sheet 5 and punching means for punching out the sealed portion and taking out the package 1.

  A sterile chamber 6 is provided along the path of the container sheet 4. The aseptic chamber 6 covers the area from the heating means to the sealing means.

  In the sterilization chamber 6, although not shown, a sterilizing agent spray nozzle for spraying a sterilizing agent such as hydrogen peroxide, a sterilizing air discharge nozzle for discharging sterilized air, and the like are arranged. Prior to aseptic filling in the aseptic chamber 6, hydrogen peroxide or the like is sprayed from the sterilizing agent spray nozzle to sterilize the inside of the aseptic chamber 6, and aseptic air is discharged from the sterilizing air discharge nozzle after the sterilizing process. As a result, the inside of the sterile chamber 6 is maintained at a positive pressure, and the entry of microorganisms and the like from the outside into the sterile chamber 6 is prevented.

  The conveying means includes a feeding roll 7 that winds up the continuous container sheet 4, a winding roll 8 that winds up the container sheet 4 fed from the feeding roll 7, and both the feeding roll 7 and the winding roll 8. An endless chain 9 with a clip is provided that travels while sandwiching both sides of the container sheet 4 between the rolls 7 and 8.

  The winding roll 8 can be rotated in one direction by driving a motor (not shown), and the container sheet 4 is pulled out from the feeding roll 7 in synchronization with the rotation.

  The container sheet sterilizing means as described below is provided at a location where the container sheet 4 drawn from the feeding roll 7 is introduced into the aseptic chamber 6.

  A sterilization chamber 11 that also serves as a storage tank for a sterilizing agent 10 such as a hydrogen peroxide solution is provided in the aseptic chamber 6 where the container sheet 4 is drawn. The container sheet 4 fed from the feeding roll 7 of the container sheet 4 is immersed in the sterilizing agent 10 in the sterilization chamber 11 and introduced into the sterilization chamber 6 while being sterilized.

  Scraping air for removing the sterilizing agent 10 from the surface of the container sheet 4 by spraying the scraping air on the container sheet 4 at a location where the container sheet 4 travels after being immersed in the sterilizing agent 10. A discharge nozzle 12 is provided, and further, a drying air discharge nozzle 13 for drying the bactericide 10 remaining on the surface of the container sheet 4 by blowing drying air onto the container sheet 4 is provided. Thereby, the container sheet 4 sterilized and from which the sterilizing agent 10 is removed reaches the endless chain 9 with a clip.

  A commercially available endless chain 9 with a clip is adopted. Although this endless chain 9 is not shown, clips (not shown) are attached to an endless chain of a general structure at a constant pitch, and two endless chains 9 and 9 are respectively arranged in two parallel vertical planes. A loop is formed on the plurality of sprocket wheels 14a, 14b, 14c, and 14d.

  Although not shown in the figure, the clip is urged in the direction in which the pair of clip pieces are always closed by the spring force of the coil spring, and one clip piece is formed with a cam follower. It arrange | positions so that 9 may mutually oppose. The cam wheels are attached to the shafts of the upstream and downstream sprocket wheels 14a and 14b in the clipless endless chain 9 so as to keep the stationary state.

  When the endless chain 9 travels around the sprocket wheel 14a, if the cam wheel and the cam follower of the clip come into sliding contact, the clip that reaches the upper traveling portion of both endless chains 9, 9 is temporarily opened, and the cam follower is removed from the cam wheel. When detached, the clip closes and grips both sides of the container sheet 4 and travels with the container sheet 4 held. Thereafter, when the cam follower of the clip of the upper running portion slides into contact with the cam wheel of the downstream sprocket wheel 14b, the clip is temporarily opened to release the packaging material, and when the cam follower is detached from the cam wheel, the clip is closed again. By repeating the operation of the clip of the endless chain 9 as described above, the container sheet 4 as the packaging material is conveyed in one direction while maintaining a horizontal state.

  The heating means is, for example, an electric heater 15 and is disposed opposite to the front and back of the container sheet 4 conveyed by the endless chain 9. By heating with the electric heater 15, the container sheet 4 is softened to the extent that it can be molded.

  The recess forming means includes a molding die 16 corresponding to the recess to be formed in the container sheet 4. The container sheet 4 heated by the electric heater 15 of the heating means is sandwiched between the forming dies 16, and the container 2 which is a large number of recesses is formed in the container sheet 4 by the action of vacuum pressure.

  The filling means includes a filling nozzle 17 protruding toward the container sheet 4 held by the clip of the endless chain 9. By the filling nozzle 17, the content a which is, for example, milk is quantitatively filled into the container 2 which is a recess formed in the container sheet 4. On the upstream side of the filling nozzle 17, although not shown, sterilization means for sterilizing the contents a, a storage tank, a pressure pump, and the like are arranged.

  The filling means is provided with an inert gas supply nozzle 18 for supplying an inert gas such as nitrogen gas into the head space of the container 2 after the contents a are filled as required.

  The sealing means is a heating plate 19 that heat-seals the continuous lid sheet 5 that is a packaging material to a portion that becomes the flange 2 a of the container 2 formed in the container sheet 4. When the heating platen 19 moves up and down toward the container sheet 4 held by the clip of the endless chain 9, the lid sheet 5 is heat-sealed to the container sheet 4, and the contents a in the container sheet 4 are transferred. The filled container 2 is sealed.

  The lid sheet 5 is introduced into the sterilization chamber 6 while being fed from the feed roll 20. Since the lid sheet 5 is bonded to the container sheet 4 in the aseptic chamber 6, the lid sheet 5 is pulled out from the feeding roll 20 as the container sheet 4 is pulled.

  At the place where the lid sheet 5 is introduced into the aseptic chamber 6, the following lid sheet sterilizing means is provided.

  A sterilization chamber 21 is provided at a position where the lid sheet 5 is drawn into the sterilization chamber 6, and a storage tank 22 for a sterilizing agent 10 such as hydrogen peroxide is provided in the sterilization chamber 21. The lid sheet 5 fed from the feed roll 20 is immersed in the sterilizing agent 10 in the storage tank 22, passes through the sterilization chamber 21 while being sterilized, and is introduced into the aseptic chamber 6. Scraping air for removing the bactericidal agent 10 from the surface of the lid sheet 5 by spraying the lid sheet 5 with a scraping air at a location where the lid sheet 5 travels after being immersed in the bactericidal agent 10. A discharge nozzle 23 is provided, and further, a drying air discharge nozzle 24 is provided for drying the bactericide 10 remaining on the surface of the lid sheet 5 by blowing drying air onto the lid sheet 5. Accordingly, the lid sheet 5 sterilized and from which the sterilizing agent 10 is removed is introduced into the aseptic chamber 6.

  The punching means is, for example, a punch 25. When the container sheet 4 closed by the lid sheet 5 arrives directly under the punching punch 25, the punching punch 25 descends toward the overlapping sheet of the container sheet 4 and the lid sheet 5, thereby FIG. The package 1 that is the cup-filled product shown in FIG. Below the punch 25, a conveyor 26 for receiving and transporting the package 1 is provided.

  There is a high possibility that the aseptic chamber 6 is contaminated with microorganisms before the aseptic filling machine is operated or immediately after maintenance work is performed. Therefore, as described above, a nozzle or the like for spraying the sterilizing agent 10 for sterilizing the inside of the sterile chamber 6 is provided in the sterile chamber 6. However, as described above, the endless chain 9 with a clip has many complicated and minute gaps, and therefore, it is not possible to perform a sufficient sterilization process by simply spraying the sterilizing agent 10.

  Therefore, the aseptic filling machine is provided with a sterilizing device for sterilizing the endless chain 9 with a clip as described below.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, by providing a guide sprocket wheel 27 to the lower traveling portion of the endless chain 9, a bypass traveling portion is provided in the endless chain 9. The detour traveling portion of the endless chain 9 is covered with the immersion tank 28.

  The sterilizing agent 10 such as hydrogen peroxide solution is stored in the immersion tank 28, and when the endless chain 9 is driven, the endless chain 9 travels while being immersed in the sterilizing agent 10 in the immersion tank 28. By this running, the sterilizing agent 10 adheres to the surface of the endless chain 9, and the surface of the endless chain 9 is sterilized.

  An ultrasonic transducer 29 is installed in the immersion tank 28. The ultrasonic transducer 29 is installed on the bottom surface of the immersion bath 28 so as to face the endless chains 9 and 9. The ultrasonic transducer 29 may be installed on the side surface of the immersion bath 28, or may be added on the side surface in addition to the bottom surface. The distance between the ultrasonic transducer 29 and the endless chain 9 is preferably the clearance between the ultrasonic transducer and a portion where cavitation of the endless chain 9 is likely to occur. This distance can be determined by an erosion test.

  When ultrasonic waves are radiated from the ultrasonic vibrator 29 toward the endless chain 9 running in the sterilizing agent 10 in the sterilization tank 28, bubbles are generated from various fine gaps in the rollers, bushes, clips, etc. of the endless chain 9. The disinfectant 10 comes off and adheres evenly to each part of the endless chain 9. Thereby, the whole endless chain 9 is appropriately sterilized.

  The ultrasonic wave irradiation time by the ultrasonic vibrator 29 may be instantaneous for one pitch of the endless chain 9, but about 2 seconds is appropriate. A longer irradiation time can be dealt with by increasing the number of ultrasonic transducers 29 installed.

  The frequency of the ultrasonic wave emitted from the ultrasonic transducer 29 toward the endless chain 9 is preferably several tens of kHz to 100 kHz, more preferably 20 kHz to 50 kHz, in order to facilitate the removal of bubbles. It is.

  Moreover, when the disinfectant 10 in the immersion bath 28 is, for example, hydrogen peroxide, it is desirably set to 25 ° C. to 50 ° C., but depending on the set temperature, it is heated as necessary. The bactericidal effect can be enhanced by heating the bactericide 10.

  Next, the operation of the aseptic filling apparatus will be described.

  (1) The sterilization process in the aseptic chamber 6 is performed before the operation of the aseptic filling apparatus or after maintenance.

  That is, hydrogen peroxide or the like is sprayed from a disinfectant spray nozzle (not shown) in the aseptic chamber 6. Next, heated aseptic air is discharged from a sterile air discharge nozzle (not shown). Thereby, the bactericidal agent 10 sprayed in the aseptic chamber 6 is dried, and the bactericidal effect is enhanced by heating. Further, aseptic air is continuously blown into the aseptic chamber 6, the inside of the aseptic chamber 6 is maintained at a positive pressure. Thereby, invasion of microorganisms or the like from the outside into the aseptic chamber 6 is prevented.

  (2) The endless chain 9 is driven simultaneously with the start of the sterilization process in the aseptic chamber 6 of the aseptic filling machine, and the sterilization of the aseptic chain 9 is started. The endless chain 9 starts to be immersed in the disinfectant 10 in the immersion tank 28 by starting to travel around the detour traveling part, and the entire length of the endless chain 9 is immersed in the immersion tank until the spraying of the disinfectant 10 in the aseptic chamber 6 is completed. The dipping is finished by passing through the inside of 28. By immersing the entire length of the endless chain 9 in the sterilizing agent 10 in the immersion tank 28, the sterilizing agent 10 is applied to the entire endless chain 9.

  (3) While the endless chain 9 passes through the immersion bath 28, ultrasonic waves are irradiated from the ultrasonic transducer 29 toward the endless chain 9.

  As a result, vibration is generated in the endless chain 9, bubbles are released from various fine gaps in the rollers, bushes, clips, and the like of the endless chain 9, and the sterilizing agent 10 is evenly attached to each part of the endless chain 9.

  (4) At the same time as the spraying of the sterilizing agent 10 in the aseptic chamber 6 is completed, the immersion treatment of the sterilizing agent 10 in the endless chain 9 is completed.

  (5) The heated sterilized air blown into the sterilization chamber 6 is used to dry the excess sterilizer 10 supplied into the sterilization chamber 6. At the same time, the sterilizer 10 adhered to the endless chain 9 is removed. A drying process is also performed. Thereby, the bactericidal agent 10 is activated and the bactericidal effect is enhanced.

  Thus, the sterilization of the endless chain 9 is completed at the same time as the drying of the sterilizing agent 10 in the aseptic chamber 6 is completed.

  (6) After the sterilization treatment of the endless chain 9 is completed, the sterilizing agent 10 in the immersion tank 28 is replaced with aseptic water to which a lubricant is added.

  (7) Even after the sterilization in the aseptic chamber 6 is completed, aseptic air blowing is maintained. Thereby, the inside of the sterilization chamber 6 is positively pressurized, and entry of outside air, microorganisms and the like into the sterilization chamber 6 is prevented.

  (8) By driving the endless chain 9 or the like, the container sheet 4 is conveyed in the aseptic chamber 6 and heated to a temperature at which it can be molded by the electric heater 15. Subsequently, the container 2 that is a recess is formed in the container sheet 4 by the forming die 16, and then intermittently conveyed to the filling nozzle 17, the inert gas supply nozzle 18, the heating plate 19, and the punching punch 25. The filling of the contents a, the supply of the inert gas, the heat sealing of the lid sheet 5, and the punching of the overlapping sheet of the container sheet 4 and the lid sheet 5 are sequentially performed. Thereby, the package 1 shown in FIG. 3 is completed.

  (9) The superimposed sheet of the container sheet 4 and the lid sheet 5 after the package 1 is punched out is taken up by the take-up roll 8 and discarded.

  (10) Thereafter, the same operation is repeated to produce the sterile package 1.

  Examples and comparative examples will be described below.

1. Test method (1) Evaluation sample: Endless chain with clip (2) Bacteria applied: B.atrophaeus ATCC9372
(3) Number of applied bacteria: 1.4 × 10 ⁶ cfu / μl * 1 μl of a spore suspension of 10 ⁹ cfu / ml was applied.
(4) Bacterial application location: Two locations between inner and outer plates and between roller and bush (5) Treatment conditions: See Table 1, all carried out with n = 5, and the ultrasonic irradiation time was 2 seconds.
(6) Evaluation procedure (a) An ultrasonic vibrator was placed in the immersion tank, a stand was installed so that the height of the ultrasonic vibrator was 25 mm from the ultrasonic vibrator, and hydrogen peroxide was stored in the immersion tank. The chain for 3 pitches was placed on a mesh-like stainless steel tray, and the tray was slowly placed on a frame in the immersion tank.
(B) The immersion time was 5 seconds, and the chain was irradiated with ultrasonic waves only for 2 seconds, and then slowly pulled up from the hydrogen peroxide solution and collected in a petri dish.
(C) Leave the chain in the incubator for 30 minutes together with the petri dish, then remove the hydrogen peroxide with a sterile hydrogen peroxide decomposition solution filtered through a membrane filter, collect it in SCD bouillon medium, After 7 days of culture, the presence or absence of bacteria was confirmed.

2. Test Results As is clear from the culture results shown in Table 2, when ultrasonic irradiation was performed, the hydrogen peroxide solution could be sterilized even between the inner and outer plates and between the roller and the bush even at a temperature of 30 ° C. From this, it was confirmed that the bubbles in the gap in the chain were removed by ultrasonic waves or moved by vibration, and the hydrogen peroxide solution was evenly attached to the entire chain, which was an effective treatment method.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Packaging 6 ... Aseptic chamber 7 ... Sterilization chamber 9 ... Endless chain 10 ... Sterilizer 28 ... Immersion tank 29 ... Ultrasonic vibrator

Claims (12)

  In an aseptic filling machine sterilization method in which an endless chain for transporting the packaging material is immersed in a disinfectant in the immersion tank, an ultrasonic vibrator is installed in the immersion tank. A sterilization method for an aseptic filling machine, characterized by irradiating an ultrasonic wave from a sonic vibrator toward an endless chain running in a disinfectant in an immersion tank.   The sterilization method for an aseptic filling machine according to claim 1, wherein the frequency of the ultrasonic wave is several tens to 100 kHz.   The sterilization method for an aseptic filling machine according to claim 1, wherein the frequency of the ultrasonic wave is 20 kHz to 50 kHz.   The sterilization method for an aseptic filling machine according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the temperature of the sterilizing agent in the immersion bath is set to 25 ° C to 50 ° C.   The sterilization method for an aseptic filling machine according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the sterilization by immersing the endless chain in the sterilizing agent is started simultaneously with the start of the sterilization treatment in the aseptic chamber of the aseptic filling machine. The sterilization of the endless chain is completed before the spraying of the sterilizing agent in the aseptic chamber is completed, and the sterilization of the endless chain is also completed before the drying of the sterilizing agent in the aseptic chamber is completed. To sterilize aseptic filling machine.   In the sterilization method of the aseptic filling machine according to any one of claims 1 to 5, after the sterilization treatment of the endless chain is completed, the sterilizing agent in the immersion tank is replaced with aseptic water to which a lubricant is added. A sterilization method for a characteristic aseptic filling machine.   In an aseptic filling machine sterilization apparatus that sterilizes an endless chain for transporting packaging material in a sterilizing agent in an immersion tank, an ultrasonic vibrator is installed in the immersion tank. A sterilizing apparatus for an aseptic filling machine, characterized in that ultrasonic waves are emitted from a sound wave oscillator toward an endless chain running in a sterilizing agent in a sterilizing tank.   The sterilization apparatus for an aseptic filling machine according to claim 7, wherein the ultrasonic vibrator irradiates an endless chain with an ultrasonic wave having a frequency of several tens of kHz to 100 kHz. Sterilizer.   8. The sterilizing apparatus for an aseptic filling machine according to claim 7, wherein the ultrasonic vibrator irradiates an endless chain with an ultrasonic wave having a frequency of 20 kHz to 50 kHz. .   10. The sterilizing apparatus for an aseptic filling machine according to claim 7, wherein the temperature of the sterilizing agent in the immersion bath is set to 25 ° C. to 50 ° C. .   The sterilization apparatus for an aseptic filling machine according to any one of claims 7 to 10, wherein the sterilization by immersing the endless chain in the sterilizing agent is started simultaneously with the start of the sterilization treatment in the aseptic chamber of the aseptic filling machine. The endless chain has been immersed in the disinfectant before spraying of the disinfectant in the aseptic chamber is completed, and the endless chain disinfection is completed before the disinfectant is dried in the aseptic chamber. A sterilizer for aseptic filling machines.   The sterilization apparatus for an aseptic filling machine according to any one of claims 7 to 11, wherein the sterilizing agent in the immersion tank is replaced with aseptic water to which a lubricant is added after the endless chain sterilization treatment is completed. A sterilizer for aseptic filling machines, characterized in that

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