JP2017013798A - Producing method of filled up product, plastic bottle, filled up product and producing apparatus of filled up product - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a producing method of a filled up product, a plastic bottle, the filled up product and a producing apparatus of the filled up product in which a plastic bottle having heat resistance allowing application to middle temperature filling up and a filled up product into which contents are injected by the middle temperature filling up are produced in-line.SOLUTION: The method comprises: a step of heating a drum part of a preform whose mouth part is not crystal; a step of blow molding of a plastic bottle with a mold from the preform; a step of filling up the plastic bottle with liquid at middle temperature; a step of equipping the mouth part of the plastic bottle with a cap; a step of overturning the mouth part of the plastic bottle and the cap to sterilize them; and a step of cooling the plastic bottle. The method further comprises a step of blowing cooling air to the plastic bottle in the step of blow molding. The drum part of the preform is heated at 110°C or more and 135°C or less. Temperature of a drum mold of the mold is 70°C or more and 125°C or less. All the steps are executed in an in-line manner.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

  The present invention relates to a method for producing a filling body, a plastic bottle, a filling body, and an apparatus for producing a filling body, and more specifically, a filling body by so-called medium temperature filling in which a molded plastic bottle is filled while sterilizing a liquid at an intermediate temperature. The present invention relates to a manufacturing method, a plastic bottle, a filler, and a filler manufacturing apparatus.

  Plastic bottles are often used as containers filled with liquids such as beverages as contents. In the production of plastic bottles, a method is often used in which a test tubular preform is molded from a resin with an injection molding machine or the like, and the preform is molded into a bottle with a blow molding machine. As a method of filling the contents into the plastic bottle, so-called hot filling in which a plastic bottle is filled with a liquid at a high temperature (for example, 85 ° C.) and aseptic filling in which a liquid at a normal temperature (for example, 30 ° C.) is filled. And medium temperature filling in which a plastic bottle is filled with a liquid at a medium temperature (for example, 65 ° C.).

  Aseptic filling does not require heat resistance in the plastic bottle, and therefore it is relatively easy to mold. For this reason, in the aseptic filling method, there are many cases where an aseptic filling system in which a blow molding machine for plastic bottles is in-line with a filling machine is formed. And when plastic bottles are molded in-line, the form of containers supplied to the aseptic filling system can be changed to preforms that are smaller in volume than plastic bottles, greatly improving the transport efficiency from container manufacturers. For example, it is possible to increase it by 6 times or more. Therefore, the aseptic filling system using aseptic filling in which the plastic bottle blow molding machine is in-line contributes to the reduction of the transportation cost of the container and the reduction of the environmental load.

  On the other hand, compared to an aseptic filling system using aseptic filling, a hot-filling or medium-temperature filling system that can suppress initial costs without introducing a blow molding machine is often used because it is a bottle purchase. However, the hot-filling and medium-temperature filling methods require heat treatment to the plastic bottle so that the plastic bottle is not deformed by high-temperature or medium-temperature liquid, and it is manufactured to crystallize the mouth or body. The capacity is low and the cost per bottle is high.

  In Patent Document 1, after container molding, the molded container is directly transferred to the contents filling step, the contents are filled in the mouth amorphous polyester container, and the container mouth temperature at the time of sterilization after sealing is , A method for producing a container-packed content in which the container is sterilized within a range of 61 ° C. or higher and lower than the glass transition temperature (80 ° C. or lower) determined by the moisture content of the container is disclosed.

JP 2004-331205 A

  According to the method for producing a container-packed content of Patent Document 1, by directly transferring the molded container to the content filling step, the time from the container molding to the content filling is shortened, so that the container is an external environment. It is said that the amount of moisture absorbed from the water can be reduced and the moisture content of the container can be kept low. And sufficient commercial sterility can be obtained by filling a container with the filling temperature (61-80 degreeC) in the temperature range within 61 degreeC or more and less than the glass transition temperature defined by the moisture content of a container. Therefore, it is possible to use a mouth non-crystalline polyester container whose glass transition temperature is within this temperature range.

  However, Patent Document 1 does not describe anything about in-lining the plastic bottle blow molding machine and the filling machine. In other words, Patent Document 1 does not describe at all that plastic bottles are formed in a state where heat resistance deterioration due to humidification is small due to in-line implementation.

  Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a plastic bottle having heat resistance applicable to medium temperature filling, a method for producing a filling body in which a filling body filled with medium temperature is produced in-line, a plastic bottle, a filling body, and filling It is to provide a body manufacturing apparatus.

  In order to solve the above problems, the present invention is a method for manufacturing a filling body in which a plastic bottle molded from a preform having a non-crystalline mouth is filled with a liquid, and heating the body of the preform A step of blow molding the plastic bottle using a mold from the preform, a step of filling the plastic bottle with the medium-temperature liquid, a step of attaching a cap to the mouth of the plastic bottle, A step of tipping and sterilizing the mouth of the plastic bottle and the cap, and a step of cooling the plastic bottle, and further comprising a step of blowing cooling air to the plastic bottle in the blow molding step The body portion of the preform is heated to 110 ° C. or higher and 135 ° C. or lower, and the temperature of the mold body die is set to 7 ° C. or higher, and 125 ° C. or less, and performs all the steps in the line system.

  Further, the step of blowing cooling air to the plastic bottle is omitted, and the temperature of the body die is set to 70 ° C. or higher and 115 ° C. or lower.

  Furthermore, the temperature of the body portion of the preform is higher than the temperature of the body mold.

  Furthermore, the temperature of the medium temperature liquid is set to 45 ° C. to 70 ° C.

  Furthermore, the longitudinal stretch ratio from the preform to the plastic bottle is set to 1.8 to 4.0.

  Furthermore, the transverse draw ratio from the preform to the plastic bottle is 1.8 to 3.0.

  Furthermore, the temperature of the cooling air is 1 to 30 ° C., the time for blowing the cooling air is 0.1 to 1.5 seconds, and 1% to 10% of the time for blowing high-pressure air during the blow molding step %.

  Furthermore, the temperature of the heat exchange liquid in the step of cooling the plastic bottle is 70 ° C. or less.

  Furthermore, the present invention is a plastic bottle formed by the above-described method for producing a filler, wherein the crystallinity of the body of the plastic bottle is 20 to 39%.

  Further, the material constituting the plastic bottle is polyethylene terephthalate.

Further, the density of the body of the plastic bottle is 1.350 to 1.380 g / cm ³ .

  Further, the body portion of the plastic bottle is cut into 10 mm × 50 mm cut pieces, and the cut pieces have a tensile fracture strain of 40% to 75% at 85 ° C. and 300 mm / min.

  Furthermore, at least one of a germanium compound, a titanium compound, and an aluminum compound is used as the polymerization catalyst for the polyethylene terephthalate.

  Furthermore, the present invention is a packing manufactured by the method for manufacturing a packing, wherein the pressure reduction amount of the packing is 1 to 15 kPa.

  Furthermore, the cap is non-sterile before filling.

  Furthermore, the present invention is an apparatus for manufacturing a filling body in which a plastic bottle molded from a preform having a non-crystalline mouth is filled with a liquid, the heating unit for heating the body of the preform, A molding part that blow-molds the plastic bottle using a mold from a preform, a filling part that fills the plastic bottle with the medium-temperature liquid, a mounting part that attaches a cap to the mouth of the plastic bottle, and An overturning sterilization unit for overturning and sterilizing the mouth of the plastic bottle and the cap; and a cooling unit for cooling the plastic bottle, wherein the heating unit has the body portion of the preform of 110 ° C. or higher and 135 ° C. The molding section is configured to be heated below, and the temperature of the mold die of the mold is set to 70 ° C. or higher and 115 ° C. or lower, and all the apparatuses are installed. Characterized in that it is configured in-system.

The molding unit further includes a cooling air spraying unit that sprays cooling air onto the plastic bottle, and the molding unit has a temperature of the body die of 70 ° C. or more and 125 ° C. or less.

  Furthermore, the temperature of the body portion of the preform is higher than the temperature of the body mold.

  According to the present invention, there is provided a method for producing a filling body in which a plastic bottle molded from a preform having a non-crystalline mouth is filled with a liquid, the step of heating the body of the preform, Blow molding of plastic bottles using molds, filling plastic bottles with medium-temperature liquid, attaching caps to plastic bottle mouths, and sterilizing plastic bottle mouths and caps by overturning And a step of cooling the plastic bottle, and further comprising a step of blowing cooling air to the plastic bottle in the blow molding step, and heating the body of the preform to 110 ° C. or higher and 135 ° C. or lower. The temperature of the die body is set to 70 ° C or higher and 125 ° C or lower, and all processes are performed in-line. Plastic bottle with a use possible heat resistance, and the contents can be provided a method of manufacturing a packing body mesophilic filled packing is made in-line.

  Furthermore, the process of blowing cooling air to the plastic bottle is omitted, and the temperature of the body die is set to 70 ° C. or higher and 115 ° C. or lower, so that the plastic bottle having heat resistance applicable to the medium temperature filling and the contents are filled with the medium temperature It is possible to provide a method for manufacturing a filling body in which the formed filling body is produced in-line.

  Furthermore, since the temperature of the preform body is higher than the temperature of the body mold, a plastic bottle having heat resistance applicable to intermediate temperature filling and a filling body in which the contents are filled at medium temperature are filled in-line. A method of manufacturing a body can be provided.

  Furthermore, since the temperature of the medium temperature liquid is set to 45 ° C. to 70 ° C., the mouth portion and the cap of the plastic bottle can be effectively sterilized. Therefore, it is possible to provide a plastic bottle having heat resistance applicable to medium temperature filling, and a filling body manufacturing method in which a filling material filled with medium temperature is produced in-line.

  Furthermore, since the longitudinal draw ratio from the preform to the plastic bottle is 1.8 to 4.0, the strength, rigidity, and heat resistance of the plastic bottle are increased. Therefore, it is possible to provide a plastic bottle having heat resistance applicable to medium temperature filling, and a filling body manufacturing method in which a filling material filled with medium temperature is produced in-line.

  Furthermore, since the transverse stretch ratio from the preform to the plastic bottle is 1.8 to 3.0, the strength, rigidity, and heat resistance of the plastic bottle are increased. Therefore, it is possible to provide a plastic bottle having heat resistance applicable to medium temperature filling, and a filling body manufacturing method in which a filling material filled with medium temperature is produced in-line.

  Furthermore, the temperature of the cooling air is set to 1 to 30 ° C., the time for blowing the cooling air is 0.1 second to 1.5 seconds, and any of 1% to 10% of the time for blowing the high pressure air in the blow molding process As a result, the heat resistance of the plastic bottle increases. Therefore, it is possible to provide a plastic bottle having heat resistance applicable to medium temperature filling, and a filling body manufacturing method in which a filling material filled with medium temperature is produced in-line.

  Furthermore, since the temperature of the heat exchange liquid in the process of cooling the plastic bottle is 70 ° C. or less, damage due to heat can be reduced. Therefore, it is possible to provide a plastic bottle having heat resistance applicable to medium temperature filling, and a filling body manufacturing method in which a filling material filled with medium temperature is produced in-line.

  Furthermore, the present invention is a plastic bottle molded by the above-described method for producing a filling body, and the crystallinity of the body of the plastic bottle is 20 to 39%. A plastic bottle can be provided.

  Furthermore, since the material which comprises a plastic bottle is a polyethylene terephthalate, the plastic bottle which has the heat resistance applicable to medium temperature filling can be provided.

Furthermore, since the density of the body part of the plastic bottle is 1.350 to 1.380 g / cm ^3, it is possible to provide a plastic bottle having heat resistance applicable to medium temperature filling.

  The body of the plastic bottle is cut into 10 mm x 50 mm cut pieces, and the cut pieces have a tensile fracture strain of 40% to 75% at 300 mm / min at 85 ° C. A plastic bottle can be provided.

  Furthermore, since at least one of a germanium compound, a titanium compound, and an aluminum compound is used as a polymerization catalyst for polyethylene terephthalate, a plastic bottle having heat resistance applicable to medium temperature filling can be provided.

  Furthermore, the present invention is a packing body manufactured by the method for manufacturing a packing body, and since the pressure reduction amount of the packing body is 1 to 15 kPa, the contents are contained in a plastic bottle having heat resistance applicable to medium temperature filling. An intermediate-filled filling can be provided.

  Furthermore, since the cap is non-sterile before filling, no sterilization process is required, thereby reducing the cost. Therefore, it is possible to provide a filling body in which the content is filled in a plastic bottle having heat resistance applicable to medium temperature filling.

  Furthermore, the present invention is an apparatus for manufacturing a filling body in which a plastic bottle molded from a preform having a non-crystalline mouth is filled with a liquid, the heating unit for heating the body of the preform, and the preform A molding part that blow-molds a plastic bottle using a metal mold, a filling part that fills the plastic bottle with a medium-temperature liquid, a mounting part that attaches a cap to the mouth part of the plastic bottle, and a mouth part and a cap of the plastic bottle And a cooling unit for cooling the plastic bottle, the heating unit is configured to heat the preform body to 110 ° C. or more and 135 ° C. or less, and the molding unit is Since the temperature of the die body is set to 70 ° C or higher and 115 ° C or lower, and all devices are configured in an in-line manner, they have heat resistance applicable to medium temperature filling. Plastic bottles, and the contents can be provided an apparatus for manufacturing packing bodies mesophilic loaded packing is made in-line.

  The molding unit further includes a cooling air spraying unit that sprays cooling air onto the plastic bottle, and the molding unit is applicable to medium temperature filling according to a configuration in which the temperature of the body die is set to 70 ° C. or more and 125 ° C. or less. It is possible to provide a plastic bottle having heat resistance and a filling body manufacturing apparatus in which a filling body filled with a medium temperature content is produced in-line.

  According to the structure in which the temperature of the body part of the preform is higher than the temperature of the body mold, a plastic bottle having heat resistance applicable to medium temperature filling and a filling body filled with the contents at medium temperature are produced in-line. An apparatus for manufacturing a filler can be provided.

It is the front view in which an example of the preform concerning this embodiment was shown. It is the front view by which the PET bottle as an example of the plastic bottle which concerns on this embodiment was shown. It is the schematic by which the manufacturing apparatus of the filler which concerns on this embodiment was shown typically. It is sectional drawing by which an example of the heating apparatus of preform was shown. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing a preform and a PET bottle after blow molding. It is the flowchart by which the outline | summary of the manufacturing process of the filler which concerns on this embodiment was shown. It is the schematic by which an example of spraying of the cooling air to a PET bottle was shown. It is the schematic which illustrated typically the relationship between the cross section of the thickness direction in the wall part of the trunk | drum of a PET bottle, and crystallinity. It is the flowchart by which the outline | summary of the manufacturing process of the filler which concerns on another embodiment was shown.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. First, the structure of the preform 1 (preliminary molded body) used in the method for manufacturing a filler according to the present embodiment will be described in detail. FIG. 1 is a front view showing an example of a preform 1 according to this embodiment. In the following, for convenience of explanation, the mouth portion 10 of the preform 1 in the state of FIG. 1 in which the open side of one end side of the preform 1 faces upward is referred to as “up”.

  The preform 1 according to the present embodiment has a bottomed cylindrical shape that is open at one end side, and includes a mouth portion 10 on the open side and a body portion 15 on the bottom side. The mouth portion 10 has a circular opening 11 at its upper end and an annular support ring 12 protruding outward at its lower end.

  On the outer periphery of the mouth portion 10, there is provided a screw portion 13 for attaching a lid (not shown) after the preform 1 is formed into a bottle shape by a blow molding machine (not shown). Further, the mouth portion 10 has an annular cabra 14 projecting outward between the support ring 12 and the screw portion 13 on the outer periphery thereof. The support ring 12 protrudes outward from the turnip 14. In the preform 1 used in the method for manufacturing a filler according to this embodiment, the mouth portion 10 is amorphous. That is, in the method for manufacturing a filler according to the present embodiment, the step of crystallizing the mouth portion 10 can be omitted.

  The shape of the mouth portion 10 does not change even after being molded by the blow molding machine. Accordingly, the outer diameter (corresponding to the thread valley diameter D2), the inner diameter, the thread diameter D3, and the height of the mouth portion 10 of the preform 1 according to the present embodiment are typically used in, for example, PET beverage bottles. Preferably, the dimensions are

  For example, the mouth portion 10 may have dimensions corresponding to the PCO (Plastic Closure Only) 1810 standard or the PCO 1881 standard. More specifically, the inner diameter of the mouth portion 10 is preferably 21.74 mm ± 0.13 mm. Furthermore, the outer diameter of the mouth portion 10 is preferably 24.94 mm ± 0.13 mm. Further, the height of the mouth portion 10 is preferably either 21.00 mm ± 0.25 mm (PCO1810 standard) or 17.00 mm ± 0.25 mm (PCO1881 standard). The height of the mouth 10 is a distance from the lower surface of the support ring 12 to the upper end of the mouth 10. In order to improve heat resistance, the thread valley diameter D2 is preferably 24.60 mm to 27.20 mm.

  The trunk | drum 15 is a cylindrical shape, Comprising: It is a part which swells so that it may become a bottle shape in the case of blow molding. The body portion 15 includes a neck portion 16 connected to the mouth portion 10 (the lower surface of the support ring 12), a body middle portion 17 connected to the neck portion 16, and a bottom portion 18 connected to the body middle portion 17.

  For example, the neck portion 16 is formed in an inverted truncated cone shape that decreases in diameter from the mouth portion 10 side toward the body middle portion 17 side. That is, the barrel diameter at the lower end of the neck portion 16 is smaller than the barrel diameter at the upper end of the neck portion 16 (just below the support ring 12). Further, the neck portion 16 may be configured to increase in thickness from the mouth portion 10 side toward the body middle portion 17 side from the viewpoint of improving the blow moldability. That is, the thickness at the lower end of the neck 16 may be greater than the thickness at the upper end of the neck 16.

  The body diameter and thickness of the body middle portion 17 are substantially true cylindrical shapes that hardly change in the vertical direction. However, the cylinder middle part 17 may be provided with a draft angle that is an inclination for facilitating removal from the mold used when the preform 1 is produced by injection molding. The wall thickness may be slightly changed in the vertical direction.

  The bottom portion 18 is formed in a substantially hemispherical shape curved outward. The bottom portion 18 may have a conical shape, a cylindrical shape with rounded corners, or other shapes. The bottom portion 18 adheres to a solidified portion formed incidentally at the molten resin inlet (gate) when the preform 1 is produced by injection molding. FIG. 1 shows a form after the portion has been cut off.

  The distance from the lower surface of the support ring 12 to the lower end of the bottom portion 18 is the height H1 of the body portion 15. Furthermore, the diameter on the outer peripheral surface side of the trunk middle portion 17 is the outer diameter D1 of the trunk portion 15. The height H1 of the body portion 15 is preferably 50 mm to 90 mm. Furthermore, it is preferable that the outer diameter D1 of the trunk | drum 15 is 16-25 mm.

  As a material for the preform 1, blow molding of polyolefin such as high density polyethylene, low density polyethylene, linear low density polyethylene, polypropylene, or polylactic acid using ethylene-vinyl alcohol copolymer or plant as a raw material is possible. Various plastics can be used. However, the preform 1 is preferably composed mainly of polyester such as polyethylene naphthalate, particularly polyethylene terephthalate. The above-mentioned resin has various additives such as a colorant, an ultraviolet absorber, a release agent, a lubricant, a nucleating agent, an antioxidant, an antistatic agent, etc., as long as the quality of the molded product is not impaired. Can be blended.

  As the ethylene terephthalate thermoplastic resin constituting the preform 1, an ethylene terephthalate unit occupies most of the ester repeating portion, generally 70 mol% or more, and has a glass transition point (Tg) of 50 to 90 ° C. Those having a melting point (Tm) in the range of 200 to 275 ° C. are preferred. As the ethylene terephthalate thermoplastic polyester, polyethylene terephthalate is particularly excellent in terms of pressure resistance, but in addition to the ethylene terephthalate unit, it consists of dibasic acids such as isophthalic acid and naphthalenedicarboxylic acid, and diols such as propylene glycol. Copolyesters containing a small amount of ester units can also be used.

  Polyethylene terephthalate has the highest production volume among thermoplastic synthetic resins. The polyethylene terephthalate resin has various characteristics such as excellent heat resistance, cold resistance, chemical resistance, and wear resistance. Furthermore, polyethylene terephthalate resin has a lower proportion of petroleum in its raw materials than other plastics, and can be recycled. Thus, according to the structure which has a polyethylene terephthalate as a main component, a material with much production amount can be used and the outstanding various characteristic can be utilized.

  Polyethylene terephthalate is obtained by condensation polymerization of ethylene glycol (ethane-1,2-diol) and purified terephthalic acid. As a polymerization catalyst for polyethylene terephthalate, at least one of a germanium compound, a titanium compound, and an aluminum compound is preferably used. By using these catalysts, it is possible to form a container having higher transparency and excellent heat resistance than using an antimony compound.

  The preform 1 is formed by injection-molding pellet-shaped polyethylene terephthalate as a main raw material. For injection molding, an injection molding apparatus including a hopper dryer, a hopper, a heating cylinder, a screw, a mold, a cooler, and the like is used. The pellet-shaped polyethylene terephthalate is subjected to drying, plasticization, injection, pressurization, and cooling steps to form the preform 1.

  Note that the preform 1 may be composed of multiple layers. At least one of the multilayers may have a barrier layer or an oxygen absorption layer. For the barrier layer, for example, polyamide or ethylene-vinyl alcohol copolymer is used. For the oxygen absorbing layer, a layer containing a combination of an oxidizable organic component and a transition metal catalyst, or a gas barrier resin that does not substantially oxidize is used. Such a barrier layer or an oxygen absorbing layer can provide an oxygen permeation preventing function.

  Even when the preform 1 is composed of a single layer, for example, polyamide as an oxygen removing compound may be mixed with polyethylene terephthalate. With such a configuration, an oxygen permeation preventing function can be imparted even with a single layer. The same applies to other characteristics such as ultraviolet shielding properties.

  Next, the structure of the plastic bottle formed in the manufacturing method of the filling body which concerns on this embodiment is demonstrated in detail. FIG. 2 is a front view showing a PET bottle 2 as an example of a plastic bottle according to the present embodiment. That is, the material constituting the plastic bottle is polyethylene terephthalate. The PET bottle 2 illustrated in FIG. 2 is a square bottle having a substantially square cross-sectional view in the horizontal direction. The PET bottle 2 has a mouth portion 10, a shoulder portion 20, a trunk portion 30, and a bottom portion 40. As described above, the configuration of the mouth 10 of the PET bottle 2 is the same as the configuration of the mouth 10 of the preform 1. The mouth portion 10 of the PET bottle 2 is amorphous.

  The upper side of the shoulder portion 20 is continuous with the lower surface of the support ring 12 of the mouth portion 10, while the lower side is continuous with the trunk portion 30. The shoulder portion 20 has a substantially quadrangular pyramid shape that expands from the upper side to the lower side.

  The body portion 30 has a substantially regular rectangular tube shape as a whole, with four wall portions 31 having the same shape connected to each other in the circumferential (horizontal) direction. Each of the wall portions 31 includes a pressure absorbing panel 32, a plurality of horizontal grooves 33, vertical grooves 34, and the like. The uneven pressure absorbing panel 32 absorbs the pressure change by deforming itself when the internal pressure of the PET bottle 2 is changed to the decompression side, and the horizontal load of the PET bottle 2 in particular. Has the function of maintaining the strength of the side wall, which is the strength to withstand. The lateral groove 33 also has a function of maintaining the side wall strength of the trunk portion 30. On the other hand, the longitudinal groove 34 has a function of improving the buckling strength, which is the strength that can withstand the load in the vertical direction of the body portion 30.

  The bottom portion 40 is continuous with the bottom portion of the trunk portion 30 at the top. The bottom 40 has a bottom wall 41, a dome 42, and the like. The substantially flat annular bottom wall 41 extends in a direction perpendicular to the body portion 30 and serves as a ground contact surface of the PET bottle 2. The dome 42 is configured to protrude from the bottom wall 41 to the inside (upward) of the PET bottle 2 on the inner periphery of the bottom wall 41, and has a function of improving the strength of the bottom portion 40. The configuration of the bottom portion 40 is not limited to the example shown in FIG. 2, and may be a shape corresponding to the contents, for example, a shape in which ribs are provided radially, or a so-called petaloid shape.

  The distance from the lower surface of the support ring 12 to the bottom wall 41 at the lower end of the bottom portion 40 is the height H <b> 2 of the trunk portion 30. Further, the diameter on the outer peripheral surface side of the trunk portion 30 is set to the outer diameter D4 of the trunk portion 30 of the PET bottle 2.

  The shape below the support ring 12 of the PET bottle 2 is not limited to the example shown in FIG. 2 and may be any shape as long as the preform 1 is formed by blow molding. For example, in this embodiment, the square bottle shown in FIG. 2 is suitable in terms of suitability for decompression. However, the plastic bottle formed in the present embodiment is not limited to a square bottle, and may be a round bottle. Furthermore, the shape of the width | variety of the trunk | drum 30 expanding toward the downward direction may be sufficient. And the shape of the pressure absorption panel 32, the horizontal groove 33, and the vertical groove 34 formed in the trunk | drum 30 can also be designed freely.

  The PET bottle 2 according to this embodiment is not limited by size, and can be applied to various sizes. For example, the volume of the PET bottle 2 may be 100 ml to 2000 ml. The overall height of the PET bottle 2 may be 100 mm to 300 mm, and the outer diameter D4 of the body 30 may be 30 mm to 80 mm.

  The PET bottle 2 having the mouth portion 10 and the body portion 30 formed in this way, the contents filled in the PET bottle 2, and a cap for sealing the PET bottle 2 filled with the contents, The filling body which concerns on this embodiment is comprised by. In addition, the filling body according to the present embodiment is filled with a liquid that does not contain substances that serve as nutrient sources such as mold, yeast, bacteria, or the like, and a liquid that has bactericidal power, such as water or a seasoning. It is preferred that The water may be non-carbonated or carbonated water. Further, the content may be flavor water obtained by adding a small amount of fruit juice, fragrance or the like to water. The seasoning may be soy sauce having a salt concentration of 10% or more, vinegar having an acidity of 4% or more, and the like. In addition, what is necessary is just to measure acidity by the method as described in the Japanese agricultural and forestry standard of brewing vinegar. In addition to this, the content may be a liquid having a low pH, a liquid having a low water activity, or the like.

  Next, the filling body manufacturing apparatus according to this embodiment will be described in detail. FIG. 3 is a schematic view schematically showing the manufacturing apparatus 100 for the filling body 70 according to the present embodiment. The manufacturing apparatus 100 for the filling body 70 according to the present embodiment includes a heating unit that heats the body 15 of the preform 1, a molding unit that blow-molds the PET bottle 2 from the preform 1 using a mold, and a PET bottle. 2, a filling portion for filling a medium temperature liquid, a mounting portion for attaching a cap to the mouth portion 10 of the PET bottle 2, a tip sterilizing portion for tipping and sterilizing the mouth portion 10 and the cap of the PET bottle 2, and a PET bottle 2 And a cooling unit for cooling. And the manufacturing apparatus 100 of the filling body 70 which concerns on this embodiment is an in-line system as for the apparatus which shape | molds the PET bottle 2 from the preform 1 which is a preformed body, the apparatus which fills the PET bottle 2 with a medium temperature liquid, etc. It is characterized by comprising.

  The in-line method here may be a (synchronized) method in which the molding part and the filling part are connected, or a separate type in which the PET bottle 2 is air-conveyed by separating the molding part and the filling part. good. Furthermore, in the manufacturing apparatus 100 of the filling body 70 according to the present embodiment, the various apparatuses configured in an in-line method may include an injection molding apparatus that forms the preform 1.

  The bottle molding machine 110 includes a heating device 111 as a heating unit and a biaxial stretch blow molding device 112 as a molding unit. When the preform 1 is formed into a bottle shape, the preform 1 is first heated.

  FIG. 4 is a sectional view showing an example of the heating device 111 of the preform 1. FIG. 4 shows a cross section perpendicular to the conveying direction of the preform 1.

  The heating device 111 includes a transport device 113 and a heater 114. The transport device 113 is configured to transport the preform 15 while rotating around the axis of the preform 1 in order to uniformly heat the body portion 15 of the preform 1 in the circumferential direction. The heater 114 includes a plurality of halogen lamps, for example, and is configured to heat the body portion 15 of the preform 1 to a temperature suitable for blow molding, for example, 110 ° C. to 135 ° C. Furthermore, the heating device 111 is used for reflecting the heat from the heater 114 to the body portion 15 of the preform 1 and for preventing the heat from the heater 114 from escaping to the outside of the heating device 111. A shielding member 116 or the like may be provided. In addition, in the heating apparatus 111 of FIG. 4, the preform 1 is conveyed and heated in a state where the mouth portion 10 faces downward.

  FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing the preform 1 and the PET bottle 2 after blow molding. The biaxial stretch blow molding device 112 includes a mold 117, a stretch rod 118, an air supply device (not shown), and a control device that controls them. In addition, although the biaxial stretch blow molding apparatus 112 of the downward blow molding method is illustrated in FIG. 5, the upward blow molding method in which the material is hardly affected by gravity may be used.

  The mold 117 has a shape corresponding to the PET bottle 2 to be formed and, for example, a body mold 117 a configured in half corresponding to the body section 30, and a bottom mold 117 b corresponding to the bottom section 40. Have The temperature of the surface of the body die 117a is controlled to be, for example, 70 ° C to 125 ° C, preferably 70 ° C to 120 ° C, more preferably 70 ° C to 115 ° C. On the other hand, the surface temperature of the bottom mold 117b is configured to be controlled to 5 ° C to 30 ° C. The surface temperature of the body die 117a exceeds the glass transition point (Tg) of polyethylene terephthalate.

  By setting the surface temperature of the mold 117 to 120 ° C. or less, the material of the mold 117 is, for example, stainless hardened and tempered steel having a large weight and a large work load for handling, or a steel for molds. Instead, aluminum can be used. By using aluminum, the metal mold 117 can be easily processed, the degree of design freedom is increased, and the manufacturing cost can be reduced. In addition, since the weight of the mold is reduced, the mold replacement work is facilitated.

  The stretching rod 118 is configured to be extendable and contractible inside the mold 117. And the extending | stretching rod 118 is comprised so that the trunk | drum 15 of the preform 1 in which the opening | mouth part 10 was attached to the metal mold | die 117 may be extended | stretched in a vertical (axial) direction. The air supply device is configured to blow out air P whose pressure and temperature are adjusted. The air P may be supplied to the inside of the preform 1 attached to the mold 117, may be blown from the stretching rod 118, or may be blown from a member different from the stretching rod 118. The air P is configured to extend the body portion 15 of the preform 1 in the transverse (diameter) direction. The air P blown out from the stretching rod 118 lowers the surface temperature of the body portion 15 and rapidly cools it, and improves the heat resistance.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the intermediate temperature filling machine 120 includes a filler 121 as a filling portion and a capper 122 as a mounting portion. The filler 121 is configured to inject the contents of the medium-temperature liquid that has been sterilized by heating, such as the beverage 50, into the PET bottle 2 as it is at an intermediate temperature, for example, 45 ° C to 70 ° C. The capper 122 as the mounting portion is configured to mount the cap 60 on the mouth portion 10 of the PET bottle 2 filled with the beverage 50. The PET bottle 2 is hermetically sealed by a cap 60 that is attached, and constitutes a filling body 70.

  The overturning sterilizer 130 as the overturning sterilization unit inclines the filling body 70 for a predetermined time, for example, 90 degrees or more for 30 seconds, and heats the medium temperature beverage 50, so that the inside of the filling body 70, particularly the mouth of the PET bottle 2 It is comprised so that the part 10 and the cap 60 may be disinfected. The sterilization time is appropriately designed according to the type of beverage 50 and the temperature.

  The path riser 140 as a cooling unit includes, for example, four thermostats for storing water at a plurality of temperatures as a heat exchange liquid, and a jet outlet such as a nozzle. The pasterizer 140 sprays medium-temperature water, for example, 70 ° C. water, heats and sterilizes the filling body 70 from the outside, and then gradually lowers the temperature of the sprayed water. The filler 70 (PET bottle 2) is cooled by spraying water. The cooling by the path riser 140 has an effect of preventing a change in the flavor of the beverage 50 filled in the filling body 70. The temperature of the liquid stored in the first tank of the path riser 140 is preferably 70 ° C. or lower. By rapidly cooling the filler 70 at 70 ° C. or less, damage to the body 30 of the PET bottle 2 due to heat can be reduced.

  The manufacturing apparatus 100 of the filling body 70 includes a labeler, a caser 150, a printing apparatus, an inspection apparatus, and the like as a subsequent stage of these apparatuses. The labeler attaches a label to the filler 70 (PET bottle 2). The caser packs the filling body 70 in a cardboard every predetermined number, for example, 24 pieces. The filling body 70 according to the present embodiment is manufactured using the above-described apparatuses and the like.

  Next, the manufacturing method of the filler 70 according to the present embodiment will be described in detail. FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing an outline of the manufacturing process of the filling body 70 according to the present embodiment. In the present embodiment, at least the step of heating the body portion 15 of the preform 1, the step of blow-molding the PET bottle 2 from the preform 1 using the mold 117, and filling the PET bottle 2 with the medium-temperature beverage 50. A step, a step of attaching the cap 60 to the mouth portion 10 of the PET bottle 2, a step of sterilizing the mouth portion 10 of the PET bottle 2 and the cap 60, and a step of cooling the PET bottle 2. The present embodiment is characterized in that all processes such as molding of the PET bottle 2 from the preform 1 and filling of the medium temperature beverage 50 into the PET bottle 2 are performed in an in-line manner. Below, each process is demonstrated in detail.

  First, the preform 1 is supplied to the bottle molding machine 110 (step S1). As described above, the manufacturing apparatus 100 for the filling body 70 according to the present embodiment may include an injection molding apparatus, a compression molding apparatus, a compression injection molding apparatus, and the like that form the preform 1 configured in an inline manner. good. In this case, the preform 1 supplied to the bottle molding machine 110 is formed by an in-line method using an injection molding apparatus. The preform 1 is supplied to the bottle molding machine 110 by a hot parison system, a cold parison system, or an inline system. In the manufacturing method of the filling body 70 according to the present embodiment, the preform 1 having an amorphous mouth portion 10 may be used. The supplied preform 1 is conveyed after being aligned.

  Next, the preform 1 is heated (step S2). The body 15 of the preform 1 conveyed to the heating device 111 of the bottle molding machine 110 is heated to a temperature of, for example, 110 ° C. to 135 ° C. by a plurality of heaters 114.

  When the temperature of the preform 1 to be heated is less than 110 ° C., the heat resistance is insufficient, and the PET bottle 2 molded after that cannot cope with the medium temperature filling in which the medium temperature contents are filled. , Transforms into an irregular shape. On the other hand, when the temperature of the preform 1 to be heated exceeds 135 ° C., the preform 1 before bottle molding is excessively crystallized and blow molding cannot be performed. In that respect, if the temperature of the preform 1 to be heated is 135 ° C. or lower, crystallization proceeds somewhat, but blow molding is possible.

  Next, blow molding of the PET bottle 2 is performed by stretching the preform 1 (step S3). The heated preform 1 is mounted on the mold 117 of the biaxial stretch blow molding apparatus 112. In the manufacturing method of the filling body 70 according to the present embodiment, the surface temperature of the body die 117a is set to 70 ° C to 125 ° C, preferably 70 ° C to 120 ° C, more preferably 70 ° C to 115 ° C. By setting the temperature within this range, the outer surface of the PET bottle 2, in particular, the body portion 30 is crystallized, and the structure has heat resistance. Therefore, the PET bottle 2 that can be filled with the medium-temperature beverage 50 in the subsequent process can be produced. When the temperature of the surface of the body mold 117a is less than 70 ° C., the heat resistance is low. On the other hand, when the temperature of the surface of the body mold 117a exceeds 125 ° C., the PET bottle 2 is connected to the body mold 117a. The initial shrinkage upon contact with the surface becomes large, and deformation (so-called sink marks) is likely to occur.

  Here, in this embodiment, the effect is embodied when both the temperature of the preform 1 to be heated and the temperature of the surface of the body die 117a exceed a certain level. The temperature of the body portion 15 of the preform 1 is more preferably higher than the temperature of the surface of the body mold 117a. If the temperature of the body portion 15 is higher than the temperature of the surface of the body mold 117a, the above-described initial shrinkage hardly occurs.

  First, the body portion 15 of the preform 1 attached to the mold 117 is stretched in the longitudinal direction by the stretching rod 118. In this case, the longitudinal stretching ratio from the preform 1 to the PET bottle 2 is preferably 1.8 to 4.0. Here, the longitudinal stretch ratio is the ratio of the height H2 (see FIG. 2) of the trunk 30 of the PET bottle 2 to the height H1 (see FIG. 1) of the trunk 15 of the preform 1. The molecules of the preform 1 having an amorphous structure that is an aggregate of an amorphous part and a crystal part undergo oriented crystallization by stretching, and as a result, the strength, rigidity, and heat resistance of the PET bottle 2 are increased. Therefore, the PET bottle 2 that can be filled with the medium-temperature beverage 50 in the subsequent process can be produced. When the longitudinal stretching ratio is less than 1.8, the molecular orientation of the preform 1 does not increase, whereas when the longitudinal stretching ratio exceeds 4.0, the PET bottle 2 becomes difficult to mold.

  Further, the air P adjusted in pressure and temperature is blown out from the air supply device and supplied into the preform 1. First, the body portion 15 of the preform 1 is stretched (pre-blow) to the extent that it does not hit the body mold 117a by the low pressure air P1 of 5 to 16 bar supplied together with the stretching of the preform 1 in the longitudinal direction. The Thereafter, the body portion 15 of the preform 1 is stretched in the lateral direction by high pressure air P2 of 20 to 38 bar, for example, in about 0.5 to 1.5 seconds until it hits the body mold 117a.

  In this case, the transverse stretch ratio from the preform 1 to the PET bottle 2 is preferably 1.8 to 3.0. Here, the longitudinal draw ratio is the ratio of the outer diameter D4 (see FIG. 2) of the trunk 30 of the PET bottle 2 to the outer diameter D1 (see FIG. 1) of the trunk 15 of the preform 1. The molecules of the preform 1 are similarly oriented and crystallized by stretching in the transverse direction. As a result, the strength, rigidity, and heat resistance of the PET bottle 2 are increased. Therefore, the PET bottle 2 that can be filled with the medium-temperature beverage 50 in the subsequent process can be produced. When the transverse draw ratio is less than 1.8, the molecular orientation of the preform 1 does not increase. On the other hand, when the transverse draw ratio exceeds 3.0, the PET bottle 2 becomes difficult to mold.

  In order to prevent the body portion 30 of the PET bottle 2 from being crystallized excessively and becoming difficult to be stretched, it is determined in advance until the preform 1 is stretched to the shape of the PET bottle 2 after being mounted on the mold 117. It is controlled to fit in time.

  In the manufacturing method of the filling body 70 according to the present embodiment, cooling air may be further sprayed onto the PET bottle 2 during the blow molding process (step S4). FIG. 7 is a schematic view illustrating an example of spraying the cooling air C <b> 1 onto the PET bottle 2.

  The PET bottle 2 biaxially stretched and blow-molded sticks to the mold 117 of the biaxially stretched blow molding device 112. Then, the stretching rod 118 is disposed inside the mold 117 and the PET bottle 2. The stretching rod 118 is provided with a cooling air blowing portion 119. The cooling air blowing unit 119 communicates with the air supply device, and is configured to blow out high-pressure cooling air C1 whose pressure and temperature are adjusted. By providing the cooling spray unit 119, it is possible to improve deformation due to initial contraction when the PET bottle 2 comes into contact with the body die 117a. The pressure of the cooling air C1 may be the same as that of the high pressure air P2, and the time for blowing the cooling air C1 may be about 1/10 of that of the high pressure air P2. More specifically, the cooling air C1 spraying time is preferably 0.1 second to 1.5 seconds and 1% to 10% of the time of the high pressure air P2.

  A vent hole is formed in the stretching rod 118 in the radial (lateral) direction, and the cooling air C <b> 1 is blown in a direction substantially perpendicular to the inner surface of the body portion 30 of the PET bottle 2. As soon as the barrel 30 of the PET bottle 2 touches the barrel die 117a, the shrinkage starts. When the cooling air C1 is blown there, the body part 30 is pressed in the direction of the body mold 117a to suppress deformation thereof, and heat resistance is imparted to the body part 30. Therefore, the body 30 of the PET bottle 2 that is blow-molded and in a high-temperature state is further accelerated in crystallization by being sprayed with the cooling air C1. The temperature of the cooling air C1 is preferably 1 to 30 ° C. When the temperature of the cooling air C1 is less than 1 ° C., a temperature distribution is generated in the body part 30 and distortion is likely to occur. On the other hand, when the temperature of the cooling air C1 exceeds 30 ° C., the body part 30 Becomes difficult to cool, and its heat resistance decreases.

  As another method, the high pressure air P2 blown from the stretching rod 118 may be switched to the cooling air C1 step by step. This method also promotes crystallization of the body portion 30 of the PET bottle 2. Of the step of blowing the high-pressure air P2 in blow molding, the ratio of the cooling air C1 may be gradually increased in the time of, for example, 1 to 10% from the end stage. In addition, when the time is less than 1%, the effect of this method is hardly exhibited, and when the time exceeds 10%, the crystallization of the body portion 30 is hardly promoted.

  In addition, it is preferable to spray the cooling air C1 also on the outer surface side of the trunk portion 30 of the PET bottle 2. By doing so, crystallization is also promoted on the outer surface side of the body portion 30 of the PET bottle 2. The cooling air C1 may be sprayed onto the outer surface of the body 30 after the mold 117 is opened, or may be continued until the next process is started.

  As described above, the cooling air C1 is blown onto the body part 30 of the PET bottle 2, so that heat resistance can be imparted to the body part 30 while effectively suppressing the shrinkage of the body part 30. The surface temperature of the PET bottle 2 can be quickly lowered to reduce the speed required for producing the PET bottle 2. Furthermore, when the cooling air C1 is sprayed onto the body 30 of the PET bottle 2, the shrinkage of the body 30 can be effectively suppressed, so that the surface temperature of the body mold 117a is, for example, 125 ° C. Can be set higher. Therefore, by spraying the cooling air C1, crystallization can be further promoted, and a PET bottle 2 having higher temperature heat resistance can be produced.

  Here, FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram schematically illustrating the relationship between the cross section in the thickness direction of the wall portion 31 of the body portion 30 of the PET bottle 2 and the crystallinity. Here, the degree of crystallinity is defined as the crystal region portion relative to the sum of the crystal region portion and the amorphous region portion. In FIG. 8, the outer side 31o of the wall part 31 is shown on the left side, the inner side 31i of the wall part 31 is shown on the right side, and the inner part 31m of the wall part 31 is shown therebetween.

  The degree of crystallinity of the outer side 31o of the wall portion 31 is increased by contact with the body die 117a. On the other hand, the inside 31i of the wall 31 is rapidly cooled to increase its crystallinity. The medium temperature beverage 50 filled in the PET bottle 2 is in contact with the inside 31 i of the wall portion 31. Therefore, it is important to increase the crystallinity of the inner side 31i of the wall 31.

  In FIG. 8, the crystallinity of the body part 30 is a distribution of the outer side 31o of the wall part 31> the inner side 31i of the wall part 31> the inner part 31m of the wall part 31, as indicated by the crystallinity distribution curve c1. preferable. Further, as shown by the crystallinity distribution curve c <b> 2, the crystallinity of the body 30 is more preferably a distribution of the outside 31 o of the wall 31 = the inside 31 i of the wall 31> the inside 31 m of the wall 31. preferable. In the present embodiment, it is realized that the filling body 70 filled with the intermediate temperature is produced in-line by producing the PET bottle 2 in-line so as to have such a distribution.

  The crystallinity of the body 30 of the PET bottle 2 is preferably 20 to 39%. If the degree of crystallinity is within this range, the PET bottle 2 having heat resistance can be molded from the preform 1 with good formability. In addition, the crystallinity degree of the trunk | drum 30 of PET bottle 2 can be derived | led-out from a density.

The density of the trunk portion 30 of the PET bottle 2 produced by the method for producing the filler 70 according to the present embodiment is 1.350 to 1.380 g / cm ³ . The density of the body part 30 of the PET bottle 2 can be measured by a specific gravity method, for example, a density gradient tube method, using a cut piece obtained by cutting a part of the body part 30 in, for example, 1 cm square as a sample. Whether or not the method for manufacturing the filling body 70 according to the present embodiment has been used by measuring the density of the body portion 30 of the PET bottle 2 in the filling body 70 manufactured by the manufacturing apparatus 100 configured in an in-line manner. Can be determined.

  Furthermore, the tensile fracture strain of the trunk portion 30 of the PET bottle 2 produced by the method for producing the filler 70 according to the present embodiment is 40% to 75%. As a method of measuring the tensile fracture strain of the barrel 30 of the PET bottle 2, a sample obtained by cutting a part of the barrel 30 into, for example, a short side of 10 mm and a long side of 50 mm is used as a sample. One side is fixed and then pulled in the long-side direction at 85 ° C. and 300 mm / min. And the tensile fracture distortion of the trunk | drum 30 of PET bottle 2 can be investigated by measuring what percentage cut | disconnects when it pulls. Whether or not the method for manufacturing the filler 70 according to the present embodiment has been used by measuring the tensile fracture strain of the barrel 30 of the PET bottle 2 in the filler 70 manufactured by the manufacturing apparatus 100 configured in an in-line method. Can be determined. Here, the maximum load shown when the sample is cut is the tensile strength, and the value divided by the cross-sectional area is the tensile stress.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 6, the PET bottle 2 is supplied to the intermediate temperature filling machine 120 (step S5). Since the manufacturing apparatus 100 for the filling body 70 according to this embodiment is configured in an in-line manner, the molded PET bottle 2 is promptly supplied to the intermediate temperature filling machine 120. The supplied PET bottle 2 is sequentially delivered by, for example, grippers attached to the outer peripheral portions of a plurality of rotating disc-shaped transport wheels, and is carried to the filler 121. In addition, it is preferable that it is less than 10 second after shaping | molding of the PET bottle 2 until it supplies to the intermediate temperature filling machine 120. Thus, since the manufacturing method of the filling body 70 which concerns on this embodiment is an in-line system, the PET bottle 2 is used for filling of the drink 50 in the state with little heat resistance fall by humidification.

  On the other hand, in the intermediate temperature filling machine 120, the warming sterilization of the beverage 50 filled in the PET bottle 2 is performed (step S6). Warm sterilization is appropriately set at a predetermined temperature and holding time such as 10 minutes at 65 ° C. according to the characteristics of the beverage 50, for example, acidity and water activity.

  Then, the beverage 50 is filled into the PET bottle 2 in the filler 121 of the intermediate temperature filling machine 120 (step S7). The filler 121 injects the contents of the medium-temperature liquid sterilized by heating, for example, the beverage 50 into the PET bottle 2 as it is at an intermediate temperature, for example, 45 ° C to 70 ° C. Similarly, the PET bottle 2 filled with the beverage 50 is sequentially delivered by the gripper and is carried to the capper 122.

  The PET bottle 2 produced by the method according to the present embodiment does not have heat resistance as much as when the temperature of the body die 117a widely used as hot filling is molded at 160 ° C. or higher. . However, the PET bottle 2 is manufactured so as to have sufficient heat resistance to be filled with the above-described temperature range, for example, a medium-temperature beverage 50 of 45 ° C to 70 ° C. And in the manufacturing method of the filling body 70 which concerns on this embodiment, the method of filling the drink 50 at the time of maintaining the most heat resistance immediately after the PET bottle 2 was shape | molded is used. Therefore, according to the method for manufacturing the filling body 70 according to this embodiment, the PET bottle 2 can be filled with the medium-temperature beverage 50 without any problem.

  Thus, the PET bottle 2 can be filled with the medium-temperature beverage 50. For this reason, for example, the inner surface of the PET bottle 2 can be sufficiently sterilized with a medium-temperature beverage 50 of 45 ° C to 70 ° C. And since the risk of breeding aerobic bacteria is extremely low even if oxygen is enclosed in the filling body 70 together with the beverage 50 by performing sufficient sterilization, the beverage 50 is not always fully filled in the PET bottle 2. It doesn't matter. Therefore, according to the method according to the present embodiment, the proliferation of bacteria on the outer surface of the PET bottle 2 that is more likely to occur as the filling is full, and the thermal deformation of the mouth portion 10 that is more likely to occur as the beverage 50 is hot. Can be effectively prevented.

  Note that, as described above, in the method for manufacturing the filling body 70 according to the present embodiment, the blow molding of the PET bottle 2 and the filling of the beverage 50 into the PET bottle 2 are performed in an inline manner. No. 2 is maintained in a high heat resistance state. However, from the viewpoint of further maintaining the heat resistance of the PET bottle 2, at least the PET bottle 2 is blow-molded in the manufacturing apparatus 100 of the filling body 70 and then the beverage 50 is filled into the PET bottle 2. It is even better if the PET bottle 2 is held in an environment of a predetermined humidity or less, preferably 40% or less in a region until it is opened.

  Next, the cap 60 is supplied to the capper 122 of the intermediate temperature filling machine 120 (step S8). In addition, although the cap 60 may be sterilized by, for example, ultraviolet irradiation, in the method for manufacturing the filling body 70 according to the present embodiment, the cap 60 is not sterilized before the beverage 50 is filled. There may be. In addition, by sterilizing the cap 60, the filling temperature of the beverage 50 and the temperature of the path riser 140 can be lowered, and the heat resistance of the PET bottle 2 required for manufacturing the filling body 70 can be lowered. it can.

  In the capper 122, the cap 60 is attached to the PET bottle 2 (step S9). Thereby, the filler 70 according to the present embodiment is formed. In addition, it is preferable to perform the process so far, for example in the space where management is performed about clean conditions like an aseptic area | region, and environmental conditions, such as temperature and humidity. The formed filling body 70 is carried to the overturning sterilizer 130 by a transport belt such as a conveyor.

  Next, the filling body 70 is overturned and sterilized by the overturning sterilizer 130 (step S10). The overturning sterilizer 130 conveys the filler 70 while lying down, for example. When the filling body 70 is overturned, the cap 60 and the inner surface of the PET bottle 2, particularly near the mouth 10, are sterilized by coming into contact with the medium temperature beverage 50.

  Subsequently, the filling body 70 is cooled by the path riser 140 (step S11). As described above, the temperature of the liquid stored in the first tank of the path riser 140 is preferably 70 ° C. or lower. By rapidly cooling the filler 70 at 70 ° C. or less, damage to the mouth 10 of the PET bottle 2 due to heat can be reduced. The liquid temperature of the beverage 50 inside the filling body 70 is lowered stepwise by the path riser 140, and finally cooled until it reaches room temperature.

  After that, the label is attached to the filling body 70 by the labeler and the caser 150, and then the cardboard is boxed. The filler 70 according to this embodiment is manufactured by the above method.

  The amount of pressure reduction of the filling body 70 produced by the manufacturing method of the filling body 70 according to the present embodiment is 1 to 15 kPa. The amount of pressure reduction of the filler 70 can be measured by a pressure gauge, for example, a diaphragm type pressure gauge. The amount of reduced pressure is measured by inserting a piercing needle communicating with a detector provided in the pressure gauge into the head space of the filling body 70. It is possible to determine whether or not the method for manufacturing the filling body 70 according to the present embodiment has been used by measuring the reduced pressure amount of the filling body 70 manufactured by the manufacturing apparatus 100 configured in an in-line method. In addition, the value according to the content is suitably set to the pressure reduction amount of the filling body 70 in this case.

  By providing each process described above, manufacturing of the filling body 70 in which the PET bottle 2 having heat resistance applicable to medium temperature filling and the filling body 70 filled with the beverage 50 at medium temperature are produced in-line. A method can be provided.

  According to the manufacturing method of the filling body 70 according to the present embodiment, unlike the method in which a pre-molded plastic bottle is supplied to the content filling device, the medium temperature can be maintained without taking time from the PET bottle 2 being molded. The process of filling the beverage 50 can proceed. For this reason, filling is started before the crystallinity degree of the trunk | drum 30 of PET bottle 2 falls, and it can fill the drink 50 of medium temperature, without reducing the heat resistance. In addition, these machines are combined as one apparatus rather than simply connecting the transport path of the PET bottle 2 between the bottle molding machine 110 (biaxial stretch blow molding apparatus 112) and the intermediate temperature filling machine 120 (filler 121). By doing so, the effect is further enhanced.

  When a widely used heat-resistant bottle is molded, the temperature of the body die 117a is set high, for example, 150 ° C. to 165 ° C. When the temperature of the body die 117a rises, the initial shrinkage increases and deformation occurs, the material of the die 117 is limited and the cost increases, and the temperature difference with the external environment, particularly the temperature, increases and heat resistance. Variations in quality such as heat resistance and shape of bottles will increase. Furthermore, when the temperature of the body die 117a rises, it is necessary to increase the time during which the high-pressure air P2 is blown, and the production capacity is reduced. On the other hand, according to the manufacturing method of the filling body 70 according to the present embodiment, it is possible to fill the medium temperature beverage 50 even if the heat resistance of the PET bottle 2 is lower than that of the widely used heat resistant bottle. Thus, the temperature of the body die 117a can be lowered. For this reason, according to the manufacturing method of the filler 70 which concerns on this embodiment, it can prevent that the problem mentioned above arises.

  Furthermore, according to the manufacturing method of the filling body 70 according to the present embodiment, an in-line method is used in which the PET bottle 2 can be molded at a higher speed than a method in which a pre-molded plastic bottle is supplied to the content filling device. Therefore, the manufacturing cost of the filler 70 can be reduced.

  Furthermore, according to the manufacturing method of the filling body 70 according to the present embodiment, since the method in which the preform 1 is supplied instead of the PET bottle 2 is used, the cost of transporting the material can be reduced. That is, when the PET bottle 2 is molded in-line, the shape of the container supplied to the manufacturing apparatus 100 for the filling body 70 can be changed to the preform 1 having a smaller volume than the PET bottle 2. The number of transports from the manufacturer can be greatly increased, for example, six times or more. Therefore, the manufacturing apparatus 100 and the manufacturing method of the filling body 70 according to the present embodiment in which the bottle molding machine 110 of the PET bottle 2 is in-line contributes to the reduction of the transportation cost of the container and the reduction of the environmental load. Become.

  Next, a method for manufacturing the filler 70 according to another embodiment will be described in detail. FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing an outline of the manufacturing process of the filling body 70 according to another embodiment. The manufacturing method of the filling body 70 according to another embodiment is characterized in that the step (step S4) of blowing the cooling air C1 to the PET bottle 2 is omitted with respect to the manufacturing method shown in FIG. Here, in the manufacturing method according to another embodiment, the description of the same part as the manufacturing method shown in FIG. 6 is omitted as appropriate.

  In the manufacturing method according to another embodiment, the PET bottle 2 is blow-molded by stretching the preform 1 as in the manufacturing method shown in FIG. 6 (step S3). However, in the manufacturing method of the filling body 70 according to another embodiment, the surface temperature of the body die 117a is set to 70 ° C to 115 ° C.

  Also here, it is preferable that the temperature of the body portion 15 of the preform 1 heated in step S2 is higher than the temperature of the surface of the body mold 117a. If the temperature of the body portion 15 is higher than the temperature of the surface of the body die 117a, initial shrinkage is difficult to occur.

  Then, similarly to the manufacturing method shown in FIG. 6, the body portion 15 of the preform 1 attached to the mold 117 is stretched in the longitudinal direction by the stretching rod 118. Further, the body portion 15 of the preform 1 stretched in the longitudinal direction is stretched in the lateral direction by the high-pressure air P2 until it hits the body mold 117a.

  In the method for manufacturing the filling body 70 according to another embodiment, the blowing of the cooling air C1 (step S4) to the PET bottle 2 is omitted during the blow molding process. However, in the manufacturing method of the filling body 70 according to another embodiment, the temperature of the surface of the body die 117a is set to 70 ° C. to 115 ° C., and the temperature of the body portion 15 of the preform 1 to be heated is The temperature is higher than the surface temperature of the mold 117a. Thereby, the initial shrinkage when the body portion 15 of the preform 1 is stretched and hits the body mold 117a is effectively suppressed. Therefore, in the manufacturing method of the filling body 70 according to another embodiment, even if the step (step S4) of blowing the cooling air C1 to the PET bottle 2 is omitted, the PET bottle 2 having heat resistance applicable to medium temperature filling, And the filling body 70 by which the drink 50 was filled with intermediate temperature can be produced.

  The blown PET bottle 2 is supplied to the intermediate temperature filling machine 120 (step S5), and thereafter, the filling body 70 is manufactured through the same process as the manufacturing method shown in FIG. .

  The manufacturing method of the filling body 70 according to another embodiment has the same effect as the manufacturing method shown in FIG.

  In addition, in the method for manufacturing the filling body 70 according to another embodiment, the temperature of the surface of the body mold 117a can be set lower, so that the material of the mold 117 can be, for example, stainless quenching and tempering steel, Aluminum can be used instead of the mold steel. By using aluminum, the metal mold 117 can be easily processed, the degree of design freedom is increased, and the manufacturing cost can be reduced. Furthermore, in the method for manufacturing the filling body 70 according to another embodiment, an apparatus for spraying the cooling air C1 can be eliminated. Therefore, the biaxial stretch blow molding apparatus 112 that does not include the cooling air blowing unit 119 can be used, and versatility can be improved. Furthermore, in the manufacturing method of the filling body 70 according to another embodiment, the step of blowing the cooling air C1 (step S4) is unnecessary, and therefore, the filling body 70 in which the PET bottle 2 and the beverage 50 are filled at a medium temperature is produced. Speed can be improved.

  As described above, the method of manufacturing the filling body 70 according to this embodiment includes the step of heating the body portion 15 of the preform 1 and the PET bottle 2 from the preform 1 using the mold 117. The step of molding, the step of filling the PET bottle 2 with the medium-temperature beverage 50, the step of attaching the cap 60 to the mouth portion 10 of the PET bottle 2, and the mouth portion 10 and the cap 60 of the PET bottle 2 are sterilized by overturning. A step of cooling the PET bottle 2 and further comprising a step of blowing cooling air C1 onto the PET bottle 2 in the step of blow molding, and the body portion 15 of the preform 1 is 110 ° C. or higher and 135 ° C. Heating is performed below, and the temperature of the body die 117a of the die 117 is set to 70 ° C. or higher and 125 ° C. or lower, and all the steps are performed in an inline manner.

  And according to this embodiment, the manufacturing method and manufacturing apparatus of the filling body 70 in which the PET bottle 2 which has heat resistance applicable to medium temperature filling, and the filling body 70 in which the drink 50 was filled with medium temperature are produced in-line. 100 can be provided.

  Hereinafter, the present disclosure will be described in more detail and specifically with reference to examples. However, the present disclosure is not limited to the following examples.

<Materials and methods>
[Example 1]
The filling body 70 was manufactured by the manufacturing method of the filling body 70 which concerns on this embodiment shown by FIG. That is, there is a feature that the step of blow-molding the PET bottle 2 (step S3) and the step of filling the PET bottle 2 with the medium-temperature beverage 50 (step S7) are performed in an in-line manner. Preform 1 was made of polyethylene terephthalate. For the beverage 50, water at 65 ° C. was used. The body portion 15 of the preform 1 was heated to 115 ° C., and the temperature of the surface of the body mold 117a was set to 115 ° C. The blow molding step (step S3) included a step (step S4) of blowing the cooling air C1 onto the PET bottle 2.

[Comparative Example 1]
Example 1 was the same as Example 1 except that the surface temperature of the body die 117a was 50 ° C.

[Comparative Example 2]
The same procedure as in Example 1 was performed except that the body portion 15 of the preform 1 was heated to 100 ° C.

[Example 2]
The filling body 70 was produced by the manufacturing method of the filling body 70 according to this embodiment shown in FIG. That is, there is a feature that the step of blow-molding the PET bottle 2 (step S3) and the step of filling the PET bottle 2 with the medium-temperature beverage 50 (step S7) are performed in an in-line manner. Preform 1 was made of polyethylene terephthalate. For the beverage 50, water at 65 ° C. was used. The body portion 15 of the preform 1 was heated to 135 ° C., and the temperature of the surface of the body die 117a was set to 100 ° C. The step (step S4) of blowing the cooling air C1 to the PET bottle 2 in the blow molding step (step S3) was omitted.

<Method>
(Blow molding evaluation)
Each of the PET bottles 2 of Example 1, Comparative Example 1, Comparative Example 2, and Example 2 was evaluated for blow moldability. Table 1 shows the result of visual evaluation of each PET bottle 2 produced by blow molding, and is indicated by ◯: no shaping failure and x: occurrence of shaping failure.

(Filling test)
Whether or not each of the PET bottles 2 of Example 1, Comparative Example 1 and Example 2 had been deformed or damaged was visually confirmed. Table 1 shows that ○: no deformation or damage, x: deformation or It is indicated by the occurrence of damage.

(Comprehensive evaluation)
Based on the above-described blow molding evaluation and filling test, comprehensive evaluation was made on each of Example 1, Comparative Example 1, Comparative Example 2, and PET bottle 2 of Example 2. Table 1 shows the results of comprehensive evaluation. Comprehensive evaluation is described by (circle): favorable and x: no aptitude.

  The following points were derived from the examples described above. As shown in Table 1, in Example 1, since the blow moldability was good and the heat resistance was sufficiently high, the PET bottle 2 was not deformed or damaged even when the medium temperature beverage 50 was filled. It was. In Comparative Example 1, although it had blow moldability, it did not have heat resistance, and when filled with a medium-temperature beverage 50, the container softened and expanded overall, and in particular, the bottom 40 was downward. The container was inverted and protruded, and the container after cooling was deformed or damaged in an elliptical shape. On the other hand, in Comparative Example 2, the initial shrinkage when blow-molded and contacted with the body die 117a was increased, and the shape of the bottle was not maintained, resulting in poor shaping. In Example 2, since the blow moldability was good and the heat resistance was sufficiently high, the PET bottle 2 was not deformed or damaged even when the medium temperature beverage 50 was filled.

[Example 3]
(Physical property test)
The packing material 70 of Example 1 was used, and physical properties were measured. First, the amount of reduced pressure of the filler 70 was measured. A diaphragm pressure gauge (manufactured by Keyence Corporation) was used to measure the amount of reduced pressure. The piercing needle of the pressure gauge was inserted from the upper side of the cap 60 of the PET bottle 2, and the amount of reduced pressure was measured for the head space portion of the filler 70. Furthermore, the density of the body part 30 of the PET bottle 2 was measured. The density was measured by a density gradient tube method (manufactured by Shimadzu Corporation) using a cut piece obtained by cutting a part of the body 30 in 1 cm square as a sample. Furthermore, the tensile fracture strain of the trunk portion 30 of the PET bottle 2 was measured. The tensile fracture strain was measured by a tensile tester (manufactured by Orientec Co., Ltd.) using a cut piece obtained by cutting a part of the body portion 30 to 10 mm × 50 mm as a sample.

  In addition, the thickness of the trunk | drum 30 in about 500 ml PET bottle 2 was 0.2 mm-0.3 mm normally, and the thickness of the sample here was 0.2 mm. The thickness was measured with a micrometer. The thickness can also be converted from the density after measuring the mass.

As a result of each measurement, the amount of reduced pressure of the filler 70 is 10 kPa, the density of the body part 30 is 1.365 g / cm ³ , the body part 30 has a tensile fracture strain of 52%, a tensile strength of 380 N, and a tensile stress. Was 190 MPa.

[Example 4]
(Blow molding test)
The heating temperature in the step of heating the body portion 15 of the preform 1 is set in six ways, the temperature of the body die 117a in the step of blow molding the PET bottle 2 is set in six ways, and the cooling air C1 is blown. The PET bottle 2 was produced under each condition of presence or absence. That is, the temperature conditions of Example 1 and Example 2 were variously changed, and the PET bottle 2 was produced.

  First, the PET bottle 2 was immersed in water at 65 ° C. for 10 seconds in an empty state, and the total shrinkage of the PET bottle 2 was measured. A PET bottle 2 having a total shrinkage of 10% or more was determined to be shrinkage NG. When the heating temperature was 140 ° C., crystallization occurred at the stage of the preform 1 and molding was impossible. Table 2 shows the results of the blow molding test. In Table 2, “●” indicates a case where no problem occurred by using the cooling air C1, and “◯” indicates a case where no problem occurred regardless of whether the cooling air C1 was used. .

  When the heating temperature of the preform 1 was 105 ° C., and when the temperature of the body mold 117a was 60 ° C. and 140 ° C., shrinkage occurred. When the heating temperature of the preform 1 was in the range of 110 ° C. to 135 ° C. and the temperature of the body die 117a was in the range of 70 ° C. to 125 ° C., no problem occurred by using the cooling air C1. Furthermore, in the above-described range, when the temperature of the body portion 15 of the preform 1 is higher than the temperature of the body mold 117a, there is no problem whether or not the cooling air C1 is used.

  From the results of the above examples, the PET bottle 2 according to the present embodiment can be manufactured with good blow moldability and has sufficient heat resistance, and therefore the filling body 70 according to the present embodiment. According to this manufacturing method, it was shown that the PET bottle 2 having heat resistance applicable to medium temperature filling and the filling body 70 filled with the beverage 50 at medium temperature can be produced in-line.

  The present disclosure can be suitably used for manufacturing various filling bodies 70 filled with liquid as contents. However, the present disclosure is not limited to the above-described embodiments and examples. The filling body 70 of the present disclosure includes, for example, various soft waters such as natural water, mineral water, and bottled water, and various non-carbonated beverages such as hard water and flavored water, and carbonated beverages, or soy sauce, sauce, and vinegar. It is useful for any filling material 70 containing a seasoning such as mirin, edible oil, foods including alcoholic beverages, detergents, shampoos, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, etc., and the container has heat resistance. It is also suitable for heated sales at stores.

1 Preform 2 PET bottle (plastic bottle)
10 mouth part 15 body part of preform 1 30 body part of PET bottle 2 50 beverage (liquid)
60 Cap 70 Filler 100 Manufacturing Device 110 Bottle Molding Machine 111 Heating Device (Heating Unit)
112 Biaxial stretch blow molding equipment (molding part)
117a Body mold 120 Medium temperature filling machine 121 Filler (filling part)
122 Capper (Mounting part)
130 Tumble Sterilizer (Tumble Sterilizer)
140 Path riser (cooling part)
C1 Cooling air D1 Outer diameter of preform 1 D4 Outer diameter of PET bottle 2 H1 Height of trunk 15 of preform 1 H2 Height of trunk 30 of PET bottle 2

Claims (18)

A manufacturing method of a filling body in which a liquid is filled in a plastic bottle molded from a preform whose mouth is amorphous,
Heating the body of the preform;
Blow molding the plastic bottle using a mold from the preform;
Filling the plastic bottle with the medium-temperature liquid;
Attaching a cap to the mouth of the plastic bottle;
Sterilizing the mouth and the cap of the plastic bottle by overturning;
Cooling the plastic bottle,
In the blow molding step, further comprising a step of blowing cooling air to the plastic bottle,
The body portion of the preform is heated to 110 ° C. or more and 135 ° C. or less, and the temperature of the mold body die is set to 70 ° C. or more and 125 ° C. or less.
A method for producing a filler, characterized in that all processes are performed in an in-line manner. The step of blowing cooling air to the plastic bottle is omitted,
The method for manufacturing a filler according to claim 1, wherein the temperature of the body die is set to 70 ° C or higher and 115 ° C or lower. The method for manufacturing a filler according to any one of claims 1 to 2, wherein the temperature of the body portion of the preform is higher than the temperature of the body mold. The method for producing a filler according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the temperature of the medium temperature liquid is set to 45C to 70C. The method for producing a filling body according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein a longitudinal draw ratio from the preform to the plastic bottle is 1.8 to 4.0. The method for producing a filling body according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein a transverse draw ratio from the preform to the plastic bottle is 1.8 to 3.0. The temperature of the cooling air is 1 to 30 ° C., the time for blowing the cooling air is 0.1 to 1.5 seconds, and 1% to 10% of the time for blowing high-pressure air in the blow molding step It is either, The manufacturing method of the filling body of Claim 1. The temperature of the heat exchange liquid in the process of cooling the plastic bottle is 70 ° C or less, The method for producing a filler according to any one of claims 1 to 7. A plastic bottle molded in the method for producing a filler according to any one of claims 1 to 8,
A plastic bottle characterized by having a crystallinity of 20 to 39% in the body of the plastic bottle. A plastic bottle molded in the method for producing a filler according to any one of claims 1 to 8,
The plastic bottle is characterized in that the material constituting the plastic bottle is polyethylene terephthalate. The density of the trunk | drum of the said plastic bottle is 1.350-1.380g / cm < ³ >, The plastic bottle of any one of Claim 9 thru | or 10 characterized by the above-mentioned. The body portion of the plastic bottle is cut into a cut piece of 10 mm x 50 mm, and the cut piece has a tensile fracture strain of 40% to 75% at 85 ° C and 300 mm / min. The plastic bottle of any one of thru | or 11. The plastic bottle according to claim 10, wherein at least one of a germanium compound, a titanium compound, and an aluminum compound is used as the polymerization catalyst for the polyethylene terephthalate. A filler manufactured by the method for manufacturing a filler according to any one of claims 1 to 8,
A reduced pressure amount of the filler is 1 to 15 kPa. A filler manufactured by the method for manufacturing a filler according to any one of claims 1 to 8,
The cap is non-sterile before filling. An apparatus for manufacturing a filling body in which a plastic bottle molded from a preform having a non-crystalline mouth is filled with a liquid,
A heating unit for heating the body of the preform;
A molding part that blow-molds the plastic bottle using a mold from the preform;
A filling section for filling the plastic bottle with the medium-temperature liquid;
A mounting part for mounting a cap on the mouth of the plastic bottle;
An overturning sterilization unit for overturning and sterilizing the cap and the cap of the plastic bottle;
A cooling unit for cooling the plastic bottle,
The heating unit is configured to heat the body portion of the preform to 110 ° C. or more and 135 ° C. or less,
In the molding part, the temperature of the body die of the mold is 70 ° C. or more and 115 ° C. or less,
A device for producing a filling body, wherein all the devices are configured in an in-line manner. The molding part further comprises a cooling air blowing part for blowing cooling air to the plastic bottle,
17. The filling body manufacturing apparatus according to claim 16, wherein the molding part has a temperature of the body die of 70 ° C. or more and 125 ° C. or less. 18. The filling body manufacturing apparatus according to claim 16, wherein a temperature of the body portion of the preform is higher than a temperature of the body mold.

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