JP2019147628A - Cleaning/sterilizing method of beverage filling device and apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a cleaning/sterilizing method of a beverage filling device which increases an operation rate of a beverage filling device, and can efficiently manufacture a product.SOLUTION: A cleaning/sterilizing method of a beverage filling device which subjects inside of a beverage filling device including a beverage supply system piping that feeds a product through a heat sterilization part to a filling device to CIP treatment that removes a residual foreign matter of a product attached to the inside of the beverage supply system piping and SIP treatment that sterilizes the inside of the beverage supply system piping, and simultaneously or continuously performs the CIP treatment and the SIP treatment without stopping between the CIP treatment and the SIP treatment, in which pure water that reduces precipitation of calcium is used as rinsing water of a cleaning agent used in a rinsing step in the CIP treatment or SIP treatment.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1(a)

Description

  The present invention relates to a washing and sterilizing method and apparatus for a beverage filling apparatus for filling a beverage such as a product in a container such as a PET bottle.

  When a beverage or other product is filled into a container such as a bottle using a beverage filling device, the product itself must be sterilized to sterilize the product itself, and of course, a surge tank in the beverage filling device Also, the inside of the beverage supply system pipe provided with a liquid feeding pipe, a filling nozzle, etc. must be washed, sterilized and made sterile.

  Conventionally, for a beverage itself that passes through a beverage supply system pipe, an F value that is a sterilization value of the product is measured, and whether or not the product is sterilized to the extent that the quality of the product can be guaranteed is confirmed based on the history information. (For example, refer to Patent Document 1).

  In addition, the beverage supply system piping of the beverage filling device is subjected to CIP (Cleaning in Place) processing and SIP (Sterilizing in Place) processing periodically or when switching the type of product to be manufactured. (For example, refer to Patent Document 2).

  In the CIP process, an acidic agent is added to water after flowing a cleaning solution in which an alkaline agent such as caustic soda is added to water in a flow path from the inside of the beverage supply system pipe to the filling nozzle of the filling machine. This is done by flowing a cleaning solution. In the CIP process, the cleaning liquid is maintained at, for example, 80 ° C. in the heat sterilization unit and is circulated through the beverage supply system piping. Thereby, the residue of the last product adhering in drink supply system piping, etc. are removed (for example, refer to patent documents 2).

  The SIP process is a process for sterilizing the inside of the beverage supply system pipe in advance before entering a product filling operation. For example, heated steam or hot water is allowed to flow into the beverage supply system pipe cleaned by the CIP process. Thus, sterilization at a high temperature is performed. At this time, the heating steam or hot water is maintained at 130 ° C., for example. Thereby, the inside of a drink supply system piping is sterilized and made into an aseptic state (for example, refer patent document 2).

  In product sterilization, the product is heated by a heat sterilization unit (UHT: Ultra High-temperature) placed in the beverage supply system pipe when the product is passed through the beverage supply system pipe after the CIP process and the SIP process are performed. This is done by sterilization. Thereby, a sterilized product can be filled into a container such as a bottle (for example, see Patent Document 1).

JP 2007-215893 A Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2007-22600

  By washing and sterilizing the beverage filling device and sterilizing the product by the method described above, the quality of the product can be guaranteed accurately and quickly.

  However, according to the sterilization method in which the CIP process, the SIP process and the product sterilization process are continuously performed on the beverage supply system piping of the beverage filling device, when the CIP process is shifted to the SIP process, the CIP process is used. Since the rinsing process in which the cleaning liquid is washed away with sterile water at room temperature is performed, the temperature of the heat sterilization unit decreases as shown in FIG. 16, and the temperature of the heat sterilization unit is again subjected to the SIP process when starting the SIP process. It has been necessary to raise the temperature to CIP processing, SIP processing, and the transition time of these processing, which has a very long time. In addition, during the CIP process and the SIP process and between the manufacturing process and the CIP process, switching operations such as switching of the UHT holding tube (swing vent), replacement and inspection of filters at various places, and disassembly and cleaning of the homogenizer are performed. Therefore, there is a problem that these switching operations require a very long time.

  As described above, according to the conventional cleaning / sterilization method, since the product cannot be manufactured while the CIP process or the SIP process is performed, the operation rate of the beverage filling device is reduced, and the product is efficiently manufactured. There was a strong demand for improvement.

  The present invention has been made to solve such a problem, and provides a beverage filling apparatus cleaning and sterilizing method and apparatus capable of increasing the operating rate of a beverage filling apparatus and efficiently producing a product. The purpose is to provide.

  The method for cleaning and sterilizing a beverage filling apparatus according to the present invention includes a beverage filling apparatus provided with a beverage supply system pipe for sending a product into a filling machine through a heat sterilization unit. In a CIP process for removing residual foreign matter and a washing / sterilizing method for a beverage filling apparatus for performing a SIP process for sterilizing the inside of the beverage supply system pipe, the CIP is performed without stopping between the CIP process and the SIP process. A method for washing and sterilizing a beverage filling apparatus that performs treatment and SIP treatment simultaneously or continuously, wherein the rinse water used in the rinse step in the CIP treatment or SIP treatment is pure water that suppresses calcium precipitation. It is characterized by using. The beverage filling apparatus cleaning and sterilizing method according to another embodiment of the present invention includes a beverage filling system pipe having a beverage feeding system pipe that sends a product to a filling machine through a heat sterilization unit. Stops between the CIP process and the SIP process in the CIP process for removing residual foreign substances from the product adhering to the inside and the washing and sterilizing method for the beverage filling apparatus for performing the SIP process for sterilizing the inside of the beverage supply system pipe Without reducing the temperature of the heat sterilization unit (UHT) that has been heated when the CIP process is performed, the temperature is increased to the temperature for performing the SIP process and rinse water for the cleaning agent used in the CIP process. Is characterized in that processing is performed using the sterilization strength obtained from the sterilization temperature of the heat sterilization unit and the flow rate in the heat sterilization unit, and the CIP process and the SIP process are continuously performed.

  Further, in the method for cleaning and sterilizing a beverage filling apparatus according to another embodiment of the present invention, the beverage supply apparatus is provided with a beverage supply system pipe having a beverage supply system pipe for sending a product to the filling machine through the heat sterilization unit. In the CIP process for removing the residual foreign matter of the product adhering to the system pipe and the beverage filling apparatus cleaning / sterilizing method for performing the SIP process for sterilizing the inside of the beverage supply system pipe, between the CIP process and the SIP process In the rinsing step in the CIP process, the temperature is increased to the temperature for performing the SIP process without lowering the set temperature of the heat sterilization unit (UHT) that has been heated when the CIP process is performed. A beverage filling apparatus cleaning and sterilizing method for continuously performing the CIP process and the SIP process by raising the temperature to a temperature for performing the SIP process, the SIP process Then, in order to manufacture a product different from the first manufacturing process and the first manufacturing process in which a filling process of filling the product into a container while performing product sterilization processing is performed, the CIP processing and the SIP processing are performed. It is preferable that the first manufacturing process and the second manufacturing process are performed without lowering the temperature of the heat sterilization unit to a temperature lower than or equal to a set temperature in the CIP process. .

  Moreover, in the washing and sterilizing method for a beverage filling apparatus according to another embodiment of the present invention, the SIP processing substitutes a value obtained from a thermometer in the beverage supply system pipe into the previous formula, It is preferable to end the process when the value is reached.

  Moreover, in the washing and sterilizing method for a beverage filling apparatus according to another embodiment of the present invention, a first manufacturing process is performed in which a filling process for filling a container with a product while performing a product sterilization process is performed after the SIP process. And a second manufacturing process including the CIP process and the SIP process in order to manufacture a product different from the first manufacturing process, and the first manufacturing process and the second manufacturing process include: It is preferable that the heat sterilization unit is carried out without lowering the temperature of the heat sterilization unit to a temperature lower than the set temperature in the CIP process.

  Moreover, in the washing and sterilizing method for a beverage filling apparatus according to another embodiment of the present invention, the beverage supply system pipe includes a filtering means for filtering the product, and the filtering means is at least the first production. It is preferable to provide a switching step for switching between the first filtering means used in the process and the second filtering means used in the second manufacturing process.

  Moreover, in the washing and sterilizing method for a beverage filling apparatus according to another embodiment of the present invention, a cleaning process for removing residual foreign matters attached to the second filtering means at the time of the first manufacturing process is provided. It is preferable.

  Moreover, in the washing and sterilizing method for a beverage filling apparatus according to another embodiment of the present invention, the rinse water of the cleaning agent used in the CIP process is heat exchange using the exhaust heat of the rinse water used in the CIP process. It is preferred that the temperature is raised through a vessel.

  According to the present invention, for sterilization of a beverage filling device, after performing a CIP process using a cleaning liquid, the liquid feed pump is not stopped and the process proceeds to the SIP process, and the beverage is supplied by aseptic water used in the SIP process. Since the system piping is rinsed, the transition time for shifting from the CIP process to the SIP process can be shortened. At the same time, since the water after CIP treatment is used for the next SIP treatment without draining water, significant water saving becomes possible. In addition, since the temperature for raising the temperature to the temperature necessary for the SIP processing is small (or unnecessary), the steam energy can be greatly reduced.

  In addition, according to the present invention, the SIP treatment guarantees the sterilization using the actual sterilization strength (F value) obtained from the sterilization temperature and flow rate, so that it is compared with the conventional sterilization method for managing the temperature and time. SIP processing can be performed accurately and quickly, and the time required for product switching can be shortened by starting the product filling operation at an early stage, and the product can be manufactured efficiently.

  Moreover, according to this invention, in order to fill with the 1st manufacturing process including a CIP process, a SIP process, and a product sterilization process, and a product different from a 1st manufacturing process continuously with this 1st manufacturing process. Since the CIP process, the SIP process, and the second manufacturing process for performing the product sterilization process are performed, the operation of the beverage filling apparatus is performed even when the product is manufactured using the beverage filling apparatus while switching the product to be manufactured. The product can be efficiently manufactured at a higher rate.

  Moreover, according to this invention, since the drink supply system piping has the 1st filtration means and the 2nd filtration means, it is performing the 1st manufacturing process using the 1st filtration means. In addition, by washing the second filtration means, these filtration means can be efficiently washed (see FIG. 1A).

It is a block diagram of the drink filling apparatus which performs the washing / sterilization method according to the present invention. It is a block diagram which shows the modification of the drink filling apparatus which performs the washing | cleaning and disinfection method which concerns on this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the state which is performing the CIP process or the SIP process with respect to the upstream piping part from a heat sterilization part to the front of an aseptic surge tank by the drink supply system piping in the washing | cleaning and sterilization method which concerns on this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the state which is performing the CIP process or the SIP process with respect to the downstream piping part from an after aseptic surge tank to a filling nozzle by the drink supply system piping in the washing | cleaning and disinfection method which concerns on this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the state in the case of performing a CIP process to the whole drink supply system piping in the washing | cleaning and disinfection method which concerns on this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the state which is producing the bottled product of a product. It is a graph for demonstrating the temperature change in the CIP process, SIP process, and manufacturing process with respect to the upstream piping in the washing | cleaning and disinfection method which concerns on this invention. It is a graph for demonstrating the other temperature change by the CIP process, SIP process, and manufacturing process with respect to the upstream piping in the washing | cleaning and disinfection method which concerns on this invention. It is a graph for demonstrating the other temperature change by the CIP process, SIP process, and manufacturing process with respect to the upstream piping in the washing | cleaning and disinfection method which concerns on this invention. It is a graph for demonstrating the temperature change in a manufacturing process at the time of performing simultaneously the CIP process and SIP process with respect to upstream piping in the washing | cleaning and sterilization method which concerns on this invention. It is a graph for demonstrating the temperature change in the CIP process, SIP process, and manufacturing process with respect to downstream piping in the washing | cleaning and disinfection method which concerns on this invention. It is a graph for demonstrating the other temperature change in the CIP process, SIP process, and manufacturing process with respect to the downstream piping in the washing | cleaning and disinfection method which concerns on this invention. It is a graph for demonstrating the other temperature change in the CIP process, SIP process, and manufacturing process with respect to the downstream piping in the washing | cleaning and disinfection method which concerns on this invention. It is a graph for demonstrating the other temperature change in the CIP process, SIP process, and manufacturing process with respect to the downstream piping in the washing | cleaning and disinfection method which concerns on this invention. It is a graph for demonstrating the temperature change in a CIP process, a SIP process, and a manufacturing process in the case of manufacturing continuously different products in the washing | cleaning and sterilization method which concerns on this invention. The figure for demonstrating the detail of a holding tube. It is a graph for demonstrating the temperature change in the CIP process in the conventional washing | cleaning and sterilization method, a SIP process, and a manufacturing process.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

  First, the structure of the beverage filling apparatus will be described, and then the cleaning / sterilizing method of the apparatus and the product filling method will be described.

  As shown to Fig.1 (a), a drink filling apparatus is provided with the preparation apparatus 1 of the drink which is a product, and the filling machine 2 which fills the bottle 4 with a drink. A beverage supply system pipe 7 is connected between the blending device 1 and the filling nozzle 2 a in the filling machine 2. The filling machine 2 is surrounded by a sterilization chamber 3.

  The blending apparatus 1 is for blending beverages such as tea drinks and fruit drinks at a desired blending ratio, for example, and is a well-known apparatus and will not be described in detail.

  The filling machine 2 is formed by arranging a large number of filling nozzles 2a around a wheel (not shown) that rotates at high speed in a horizontal plane. It is a machine for quantitatively filling a beverage from the filling nozzle 2a into each bottle 4 that travels in synchronization with the peripheral speed of the wheel. Since the filling machine 2 is also a known device, its detailed description is omitted.

  The beverage supply system piping 7 of this beverage filling device is provided with a balance tank 5 and a heat sterilization section (in order from the upstream side to the downstream side as viewed from the flow of the beverage in the pipeline from the blending device 1 to the filling machine 2. A UHT (Ultra High-temperature) 18, a manifold valve 8, an aseptic surge tank 19, and a head tank 11 are provided.

  The UHT 18 includes a first stage heating unit 12, a second stage heating unit 13, a holding tube 14, a first stage cooling unit 15, a second stage cooling unit 16, and the like inside the beverage or drink supplied from the balance tank 5 Water is gradually heated while being sent from the first stage heating unit 12 to the second stage heating unit 13, reaches the target temperature at the outlet of the second stage heating unit 13, and maintains the sterilization temperature in the holding tube 14 for a certain period of time. Then, it sends to the 1st stage cooling part 15 and the 2nd stage cooling part 16, and cools gradually. The number of stages of the heating unit and the cooling unit is increased or decreased as necessary. The UHT 18 may have a configuration in which a homogenizer capable of automatic cleaning is installed. It is preferable that the installation location is installed between the first stage heating unit and the second stage heating unit where the temperature of the product content is about 50 to 70 ° C. or between the first stage cooling unit and the second stage cooling unit. . In the former case, there is no problem with a general homogenizer, but in the latter case, it is necessary to install a sterile homogenizer.

  In addition, since the balance tank 5, the manifold valve 8, the aseptic surge tank 19, and the head tank 11 are all known devices, detailed descriptions thereof are omitted.

  Next, processing paths for performing CIP processing and SIP processing will be described. As shown by a thick line in FIG. 2, a CIP process or SIP is provided by providing a return path 6 to the upstream piping section 7a that reaches the manifold valve 8 through the balance tank 5 and UHT 18 in the beverage supply system piping 7. An upstream processing path, which is a circulation path for performing processing, is formed, and circulates to the manifold valve 8 through the manifold valve 8, the aseptic surge tank 19, the head tank 11, and the filling machine 2 as shown by a thick line in FIG. By providing the return path 6a with respect to the downstream side piping section 7b, a downstream side processing path which is a circulation path for performing CIP processing or SIP processing is formed.

  Moreover, the temperature sensor 10 is arrange | positioned in the upstream piping part 7a in each location including the location where temperature does not rise easily when hot water etc. are supplied in it. As the locations where the temperature sensor 10 is disposed, for example, among the pipe lines from the first stage heating unit 12 in the UHT 18 to the manifold valve 8, between the respective parts in the UHT 18 and the second stage cooling unit 16 are exited. Examples of the location are those in front of the manifold valve 8, and the temperature sensors 10 are respectively disposed at these locations. Information on the temperatures measured by these temperature sensors 10 is transmitted to the controller 17.

  The balance tank 5 may be any tank such as an open tank having a filling temperature of less than 100 ° C. or a tank corresponding to a first type pressure vessel capable of feeding a fluid having a temperature of 100 ° C. or higher. When using an open tank, it is preferable to provide a cooling device between the manifold valve 8 and the balance tank 5.

  Further, as shown by a thick line in FIG. 3, the beverage supply system pipe 7 is filled from the manifold valve 8 downstream of the upstream pipe section 7 a through the aseptic surge tank 19 and the head tank 11. Also for the downstream side piping part 7b reaching the inside of the machine 2, the temperature sensor 10 is arranged at each location including a location where the temperature is difficult to rise when heated steam or the like is supplied therein. The location where the temperature sensor 10 is disposed is, for example, in the vicinity of the outlet of the aseptic surge tank 19 in the conduit from the aseptic surge tank 19 to the filling nozzle 2a, a bent portion in the middle, the vicinity of the inlet and the outlet of the head tank 11 The space between the manifold 2b in the filling machine 2 and the filling nozzle 2a can be mentioned, and the temperature sensors 10 are respectively arranged in these pipe lines. Information on the temperatures measured by these temperature sensors 10 is transmitted to the controller 17.

  Moreover, the cup 9 which can be contacted / separated with respect to the opening of each filling nozzle 2a of the filling machine 2 for CIP processing or SIP processing is arrange | positioned with respect to the downstream piping part 7b. When performing the CIP process or the SIP process, each cup 9 is put on the opening at the tip of the filling nozzle 2a of the filling machine 2 by an actuator (not shown), so that the starting end of the drain pipe 20 is connected to the opening of the filling nozzle 2a. .

  In addition to the manifold valve 8 and an actuator (not shown), the beverage supply system pipe 7 is provided with various switching valves, a liquid feed pump, and the like, which are also controlled by the output from the controller 17.

  In addition, the CIP process or the SIP process is not divided into the upstream pipe part 7a and the downstream pipe part 7b, and the process is not performed. As shown by the bold line in FIG. 4, the balance tank 5, UHT 18, The processing path may be formed by the manifold valve 8, the aseptic surge tank 19, the head tank 11, the filling machine 2, and the circulation path from the filling machine 2 to the balance tank 5.

  Next, a method for cleaning and sterilizing the beverage filling apparatus and a method for shifting from the CIP process to the SIP process will be described with reference to FIGS.

(CIP processing)
When an operation button on a panel (not shown) of the controller 17 is operated, the CIP process is executed for each of the upstream piping portion 7a and the downstream piping portion 7b of the beverage supply system piping 7 in a predetermined procedure. In the CIP process, caustic soda (sodium hydroxide), potassium hydroxide, sodium carbonate, sodium silicate, sodium phosphate, sodium hypochlorite, or a surfactant is mixed in water supplied from a cleaning liquid supply source (not shown). After flowing an alkaline cleaning liquid to which an alkaline chemical is added, an acidic cleaning liquid to which a nitric acid-based or phosphoric acid-based acidic chemical is added is supplied to water supplied from a cleaning liquid supply source (not shown).

  The cleaning liquid supplied from a cleaning liquid supply source (not shown) is supplied at a predetermined flow rate (for example, 1....) By the UHT 18 provided in the upstream piping part 7a and the heating device 21 provided in the downstream piping part 7b to activate the cleaning liquid. 5 m / second or more) and the temperature is raised to a predetermined temperature (for example, 80 ° C.). In addition, a constant amount of cleaning liquid is supplied from a cleaning liquid supply source (not shown) constantly or intermittently, and the residue such as the previous beverage adhering in the beverage supply system pipe 7 is removed while circulating. Moreover, you may discharge | emit out of an apparatus suitably. Then, after flowing the cleaning solution for a predetermined time, water is injected to rinse the cleaning solution, and the upstream piping unit 7a and the downstream piping unit 7b are rinsed, and then the CIP process is completed. The end of the CIP process is managed by the controller 17, and then the process proceeds to the SIP process.

(SIP processing)
Next, when the CIP process ends, the SIP process is executed in a predetermined procedure for each of the upstream process path and the downstream process path. At the start of the SIP processing, the manifold valve 8 blocks the upstream side piping part 7a and the downstream side piping part 7b.

  The SIP processing of the upstream processing path and the SIP processing of the downstream processing path can be performed sequentially or in parallel.

  First, a case where SIP processing is performed on the upstream processing path will be described. Water is sent from a water supply source (not shown) to the circulation path through the balance tank 5 without stopping the liquid feeding pump that was operating when performing the CIP process, and this water is heated and sterilized by the UHT 18 while being sterilized. Circulate inside. Thereby, the inside of the upstream processing path is sterilized. At this time, since the liquid feed pump is not stopped, the temperature is raised to the temperature at which the SIP processing is performed without lowering the set temperature of the UHT 18 that has been heated when the CIP processing is performed. Can be minimized (see FIG. 6).

  When hot water flows through the upstream processing path, temperature information is sent to the controller 17 from the temperature sensors 10 arranged at various locations in the upstream piping section 7a at regular time intervals. In this embodiment, the pH of the beverage that is the product liquid filled in the bottle 4 is 4.6 or more, the reference temperature Tr is 121.1 ° C., and the Z value is 10 ° C.

  When the temperature at each location raised by heating with hot water reaches 121.1 ° C., the F value at each location is calculated by the controller 17 from that point. The arithmetic expression is as follows.

Among the F values calculated based on the above calculation formula, when the minimum F value reaches the target value, the upstream side piping section 7a is sterilized, and the first stage cooling section 15 and the second stage cooling section 16 are completed. The cooling water is supplied to the hot water. The water supplied for rinsing the cleaning agent needs to be sterilized at a level equal to or higher than the sterilization value necessary for the contents of the next product by the second stage heating unit and the holding tube. This is also always calculated by the previous F value arithmetic expression, and the F value is controlled so that the sterilization value does not decrease. Alternatively, in order to make the cleaning effect constant, the rinsing water for cleaning may be aseptic water sterilized at a constant temperature and time (for example, F ₀ value of 4 or more, preferably 30 or more). Finally, the equipment is monitored with a conductivity meter (not shown) to check that there is no cleaning agent remaining in the pipe. When it is replaced with water, the supply of water is stopped, circulated, and continuously circulated until the start of beverage sterilization. It becomes standby.

  Next, after completion of the SIP process, the temperature and flow rate of the beverage supply system pipe are set so that the beverage product sterilization process is performed by the temperature stabilization process. At this time, the temperature (see a to c in FIG. 6) is adjusted to the set temperature when the product sterilization treatment is performed by adjusting the temperature of the UHT 18 heated by the SIP treatment according to the sterilization temperature of the product to be manufactured. .

  In the temperature stabilization process, the sterilization temperature of each part of the UHT 18 and the time passing through the holding tube 14 are recorded one second at a time. The temperature data and flow rate data are sent to the controller 17 and stored. These temperature data and flow rate data calculate how the sterilization value of the contents that actually passed through the holding tube 14 was when 3 to 4 times the passing time (for example, 60 seconds) of the holding tube 14 could be recorded. This is preferable because it can be performed (for example, for 200 seconds).

  At this time, if the pressure of the beverage passing through the UHT 18 is smaller than the pressure of the heat source or refrigerant that heats or cools the UHT 18, there is a possibility of sterilization failure. The pressure of the beverage to be adjusted is adjusted and set to be larger than the pressure of the heat source or the refrigerant that heats or cools the UHT 18.

  In the F value calculation formula, the reference temperatures Tr and Z values can be changed according to the type of beverage that is the product liquid.

  For example, when the pH of the product liquid is 4 to less than 4.6, the reference temperature Tr = 85 ° C. and the Z value = 7.8 ° C., and when the pH of the product liquid is less than 4, the reference temperature Tr = 65 ° C. and Z value = 5 ° C.

  Moreover, it is also possible to appropriately change the value to be substituted into the above arithmetic expression in accordance with the microbial growth characteristics, the distribution temperature, etc. of the product liquid such as green tea beverage, mineral water, chilled beverage and the like.

On the other hand, by changing the F value in accordance with the type of beverage and changing the length of the holding tube in addition to the method of changing the sterilization conditions of the beverage, adjusting the time for circulating the holding tube, the sterilization heating temperature and The sterilization conditions may be switched depending on the holding time. In this case, when the length of the holding tube is two or more patterns (for example, holding time of 30 seconds and 60 seconds), various sterilization conditions for beverages can be created. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 15, it has the 1st pipeline 14a, the 2nd pipeline 14b, the 3rd pipeline 14c, and the 4th pipeline 14d, and these pipelines are switched with a valve. In combination, the total length of the holding tube can be adjusted. In addition, since the CIP process and the SIP process are performed simultaneously or continuously, it is preferable to switch the length of the holding tube while paying attention to the safe back pressure by an automatic valve. Further, since the CIP process and the SIP process are performed simultaneously or continuously, the pipes of all the holding tubes are cleaned and sterilized at the time of the CIP process and the SIP process, and then the holding tube used for the next production is manufactured. You may switch to a pattern. The unused holding tube may be supplied with aseptic air after SIP treatment and maintained at a positive pressure in a sterilized holding state. A drain valve is provided at the end valve of the unused holding tube to hold the holding tube. There may be no pressure inside the tube. In addition, a vapor barrier may be provided on the valves before and after the holding tube so that bacteria are not contaminated from the outside.

  In addition, the rinse process of the cleaning agent used in the CIP process performed at the time of the transition from the CIP process to the SIP process is performed by increasing the temperature from the temperature at which the CIP process is performed to the temperature at which the SIP process is performed as shown in FIG. You can go there. At this time, the rinsing water used in the rinsing step is heated by the UHT 18, and in order to secure a flow rate while maintaining sterility in the rinsing step, as shown in FIG. The heat exchanger 30 is installed before entering, and cooling is reduced by the first stage cooling unit 15 and the second stage cooling unit 16 (for example, cooling to 70 ° C. or more and less than 100 ° C., preferably 80 to 90 ° C. ), The temperature of the rinse water entering the balance tanks 5 and 8 is raised using the exhaust heat of the rinse water to be drained (for example, when heat exchange with 10 ° C. water is performed, the balance tank is supplied to the balance tank at 40 to 80 ° C.) Is preferable. By comprising in this way, even if it increases the flow volume of rinse water, since it can heat up reliably by UHT18, a rinse process can be implemented effectively in a short time. Further, the rinsing step may be performed during the SIP treatment as shown in FIG. 8 or in the temperature stabilization step performed after the SIP treatment as shown in FIG. 9 if water capable of obtaining the bactericidal value of the next product is used. It is sufficient that the cleaning agent can be removed before the next production is started. Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 9, the SIP treatment is performed simultaneously with the CIP treatment with an alkali or acid that satisfies the sterilization temperature, and the inside of the pipe is washed with aseptic water having a sterilization value higher than the prescribed sterilization value of the next product, so that the cleaning agent can be removed. At this point, the next production may be started.

  Simultaneously with the start of the SIP processing for the upstream piping portion 7a or prior to the SIP processing of the downstream processing path including the aseptic surge tank 19, the SIP processing is started.

  Next, SIP processing for the downstream processing path will be described. First, after the cup 9 is applied to the opening of the filling nozzle 2a and the drain pipe 20 is connected to the filling nozzle 2a, heating steam is supplied into the aseptic surge tank 19 and the head tank 11 from a heating steam supply source (not shown). Is done.

  The heated steam flows from the aseptic surge tank 19 to the filling nozzle 2a side in the downstream side piping part 7b, and is discharged from the drain pipe 20 to the outside of the filling machine 2 after heating each part. In addition, when the SIP treatment is performed with water in the same manner as the upstream side piping section 7a, water is sent from the water supply source (not shown) through the aseptic surge tank 19 into the circulation path, and this water is heated by the heating device 21. It circulates in the circulation path through the return path 6a while being sterilized. Thereby, the inside of the downstream side piping part 7b is sterilized with warm water or hot water. In addition, about the sterilization method using F value, since it performs by the method similar to the upstream piping part 7a, detailed description is abbreviate | omitted.

  When heating steam flows through the downstream side piping part 7b, temperature information is sent to the controller 17 from the temperature sensors 10 arranged at various locations on the downstream side piping part 7b at regular time intervals.

  When the temperature at each location raised by heating with the heated steam reaches 121.1 ° C., the F value at each location is calculated by the controller 17 from the above-described calculation formula.

  When the minimum F value among the calculated F values reaches the target value, the supply of the heated steam into the aseptic surge tank 19 and the downstream side piping section 7b is stopped. Also about the SIP time in the downstream piping part 7b, compared with the conventional SIP time, it is shortened significantly.

  Thereafter, aseptic air, aseptic water, or a product is sent into the downstream piping portion 7b, and the downstream piping portion 7b is cooled to, for example, room temperature as shown in FIG. And the drain pipe 20 is interrupted | blocked. Further, the cup 9 is removed from the opening of each filling nozzle 2a by an actuator (not shown). Sterile water may be sent from a product sterilizer that is waiting in the water operation after the SIP processing of the downstream processing path is completed. However, aseptic water (not shown) may be received from the manifold valve 8 and used for cooling. I do not care. The timing of starting the cooling with aseptic water may be performed with aseptic air until the tank temperature after SIP processing falls below 110 ° C. (preferably up to 100 ° C. or less), and thereafter. The operation of supplying sterile water is performed using an intermittent timer under pressure while supplying sterile air into the tank so that the tank is not depressurized by rapid cooling. After the temperature of the tank is cooled to about 30 to 90 ° C. and the cooling is completed, aseptic water accumulated in the tank and the piping is blown with aseptic air while maintaining the positive pressure, and the product is received. Moreover, you may accept a product directly, without accepting aseptic water. In this way, cooling with the addition of sterile water or product can be performed in a shorter time than air. Further, the tank may be rapidly cooled by supplying water or chiller water to the tank jacket simultaneously with the cooling process. In the cooling process using aseptic air for SIP processing, the aseptic cooling air may be efficiently turned to a place where the blow valve is closed in order from the place where the cooling completion temperature is reached, and the cooling is difficult.

  When the beverage to be produced next is a carbonated beverage, the sterile water is fed from the front and back of the aseptic surge tank 19 to the head tank 11 and the filling nozzle 2a through a carbonate line (not shown). In the carbonic acid line, the sterilized water is further cooled with chiller water (1 to 5 ° C.), whereby the preheating after the SIP treatment can be completely removed and the formation of carbon dioxide gas during filling can be suppressed.

  As in the case of the upstream piping, the cleaning agent rinsing process used in the CIP process performed during the transition from the CIP process to the SIP process was performed as shown in FIG. The temperature may be increased from the temperature to the temperature at which the SIP processing is performed. In addition, the rinsing process may be performed during the SIP process as shown in FIG. 12 or in the cooling process performed after the SIP process as shown in FIG. It is sufficient that the cleaning agent can be removed before the next production is started. Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 13, the SIP treatment is performed simultaneously with the CIP treatment with an alkali or acid that satisfies the sterilization temperature, and the inside of the pipe is washed with aseptic water having a sterilization value higher than the prescribed sterilization value of the next product, so that the cleaning agent can be removed. At this point, the next production may be started.

  Further, in order to perform SIP processing while one of the upstream processing path and the downstream processing path is performing CIP processing, a valve through which steam flows between the points in the manifold valve 8 where both paths intersect. It is preferable to provide a unit (steam barrier). This reduces the risk of contaminating the opposite path if one of the valves breaks. Alternatively, aseptic water may be used instead of steam, and the risk when the valve is broken can be reduced by providing a plurality of valves at the intersections.

(Manufacturing process)
After the aseptic surge tank 19, after the SIP processing of the downstream processing path is finished, the beverage is stored in the aseptic surge tank 19 from the UHT 18 through the upstream piping portion 7a, and then the beverage passes through the downstream piping portion 7b. Then, a manufacturing process for filling the bottle 4 with a beverage is started.

  As shown by the thick line in FIG. 5, in the manufacturing process, in the filling machine 2 through the upstream piping portion 7 a and the downstream piping portion 7 b of the beverage supply system piping 7 in which the beverage prepared by the preparation device 1 is sterilized. The bottle 4 as a container is filled from the filling nozzle 2a of the filling machine 2. The bottle 4 filled with the beverage is capped by a capper (not shown) and then sent out of the filling machine 2.

  In addition, after a manufacturing process is complete | finished, the 2nd manufacturing process which manufactures a product of a different kind from the product manufactured last time can also be continued. In this case, it is necessary to clean and sterilize the beverage supply system pipe 7 in the same manner as the CIP process and SIP process described above, but when starting the CIP process of the second manufacturing process, the inside of the beverage supply system pipe 7 It is preferable to shift to the CIP process by shifting from the set temperature of the UHT 18 in the first manufacturing process to the set temperature of the CIP process while performing a rinsing process in which water, sterile water, or the like is passed through (see FIG. 14).

  In addition, it is preferable that the beverage supply system pipe 7 is provided with a filtering means for filtering foreign matter mixed in the product. The filtration means includes a first filtration means and a second filtration means provided with a filtration member made of a metal filter such as stainless steel, and the first filtration means 22a and the second filtration means 22b. Are provided with switching means 23, 23 for switching between and automatically or manually.

  As the first filtration means 22a and the second filtration means 22b, metal filters such as stainless steel are preferably used, and the first filtration means 22a and the second filtration means 22b have a mesh roughness (size). Are preferably different. In this case, for example, a 100-400 mesh metal filter is used for the first filtration means 22a so that finer foreign substances can be removed, and the second filtration means 22b includes pulp and pulp contained in the product. It is preferable to use a coarse metal filter of 10 to 100 mesh so that can pass through properly. In this way, by using different filtration means for the first filtration means 22a and the second filtration means 22b, it is possible to remove foreign matters appropriate for the product to be manufactured.

  Further, the first filtering means 22a and the second filtering means 22b are configured to be able to switch which filtering means is used by the switching means 23, 23. By providing the switching means 23 and 23 in this way, as shown in FIG. 5, for example, the foreign matter adhering to the second filtration means 22b is removed while the product is filled using the first filtration means 22a. By performing the cleaning in the cleaning process, it is possible to effectively clean and inspect the filtering means during the manufacture of the product. In addition, after cleaning and checking the filter, the CIP process or the SIP process may be performed independently. The switching means 23 can also be switched so as to send liquid to both the first filtration means 22a and the second filtration means 22b. In this case, the first filtration means 22a and the second filtration means It is also possible to perform CIP processing and SIP processing on both means 22b at the same time. The switching means 23 may be provided with the above-described vapor barrier in order to reduce contamination risk of drugs and fungi on the product side.

  As shown in FIG. 1 (a), the filtering means is provided between the aseptic surge tank 19 and the head tank 11, and, for example, between the second stage cooling section (final cooling section) 16 and the manifold valve 8. May be provided. Moreover, you may install two or more filtration means in parallel. Furthermore, the installation place of the filtering means may be provided on the upstream side of the balance tank 5 or the tip of the filling nozzle in addition to the place described above.

  Thus, since the 1st filtration means and the 2nd filtration means are arrange | positioned in parallel in the filtration means, for example, when manufacturing a product in the 1st manufacturing process, the 1st filtration means When the product is filtered by the second manufacturing step and the product is manufactured in the second manufacturing step, the product can be filtered by the second filtering means. At this time, the other filtration means that is not filtering the product confirms that there is no rubber or metal foreign matter such as packing and a cleaning process that removes residual foreign matter adhering to the production process in parallel with the production of the product. It is preferable that inspection work to be performed is performed. In this way, by performing the cleaning operation and the inspection operation during manufacturing, when switching from the first manufacturing process to the second manufacturing process, the continuously cleaned filtering means can be used, and the product filling device This contributes to an improvement in the operating rate.

  In addition, as described above, the F value can create sterilization conditions according to various beverages by changing the flow rate and temperature of the fluid, but since the flow rate in CIP processing is usually larger than that during product manufacture, In order to maintain the F value, it is necessary to lower the temperature, and it is difficult to increase the temperature. For this reason, when using existing equipment, the CIP process may be performed with the flow rate lowered to a washable flow rate. Alternatively, the existing equipment may be improved to increase the capacity so that the temperature can be increased by increasing the number of stages of the heating unit or extending the length of the heating unit. Further, by adjusting the setting of the cooling unit to reduce the cooling capacity during the CIP process, the heating unit may be configured to increase the necessary sterilization temperature even if the flow rate is increased.

  Although the present invention is configured as described above, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications can be made within the scope of the gist of the present invention. Alternatively, the manifold valve 8 may not be provided, and the CIP process and the SIP process may be simultaneously performed from the sterilizer to the filler, and the above-described temperature stabilization process may be controlled. Moreover, although the downstream side piping part 7b demonstrated the case where an aseptic surge tank and a head tank performed CIP processing and SIP processing simultaneously, you may perform CIP processing and SIP processing separately, respectively. Thereby, the amount of liquid in the pipe is reduced, and the CIP process and the SIP process are completed in a short time. Furthermore, in the present specification, the present invention has described the example of the shell and tube type heat exchanger as the form of the UHT (heat sterilization unit), but the form of the UHT is not limited to this, for example, a plate type heat exchanger. May be used. Further, not limited to these indirect heating methods, a direct heating method may be applied. Furthermore, although this invention demonstrated the drink filling apparatus filled with a drink as a product, a product is not restricted to a drink, For example, it is also possible to fill the drink containing a pharmaceutical, a foodstuff, a liquid food, and a solid substance. is there. Furthermore, the transition from the CIP process to the SIP process has been described in the case where the temperature of the SIP process is higher than the set temperature of the CIP process. For example, the CIP process and the SIP process may be performed at the same temperature. The CIP process may be performed at a higher temperature than the SIP process. Furthermore, the water used in the CIP treatment is general water. However, when the treatment is performed at a temperature exceeding 90 ° C. also serving as the SIP treatment, pure water is used instead of ordinary water in order to suppress calcium precipitation. It is preferable to use it.

  In addition to the 1 minute interval, the time interval for measuring and integrating the F value may be an interval of 1 to 5 seconds, and the interval can be variously changed according to the capability of the measuring instrument.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 2 ... Filling machine 6 ... Upstream return path 7 ... Beverage supply system piping 7a ... Upstream side piping part 7b ... Downstream side piping part 18 ... Heat sterilization part

Claims (1)

A CIP process for removing residual foreign substances from the product adhering to the beverage supply system pipe, and the beverage supply system for a beverage filling apparatus provided with a beverage supply system pipe for sending the product into the filling machine through the heat sterilization unit In the method for cleaning and sterilizing beverage filling devices that perform SIP processing to sterilize the inside of piping,
A beverage filling apparatus cleaning / sterilizing method for performing the CIP process and the SIP process simultaneously or continuously without stopping between the CIP process and the SIP process, and a rinsing step in the CIP process or SIP process A method for cleaning and sterilizing a beverage filling apparatus, wherein the rinse water used in the method is pure water that suppresses calcium precipitation.

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