JP2019218120A - Carbonic acid beverage aseptic filling system - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a carbonic acid beverage aseptic filling system capable of reducing a number of rotary joints and of realizing a simple configuration of an overall system.SOLUTION: A carbonic acid beverage aseptic filling system 10 comprises a filling nozzle 72 for filling carbonic acid beverage, a carbonic acid beverage filing tank 75 coupled to the filling nozzle 72 via a carbonic acid beverage supply line 73 and a counter gas line 74, a snifting line 78 coupled to the filling nozzle and an aseptic chamber 13 enclosing the filling nozzle 72, at least a part of the carbonic acid beverage supply line 73 and at least a part of the counter gas line 74. The carbonic acid beverage supply line 73 and the counter gas line 74 are mounted to the aseptic chamber 13 by the rotary joint 77. An exhaust valve 79 is arranged in the snifting line 78 in the aseptic chamber 13 and gas from the snifting line 78 is exhausted into the aseptic chamber.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

  The present disclosure relates to a carbonated beverage aseptic filling system.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, using a filling machine such as a filler provided in a carbonated beverage aseptic filling apparatus, a large number of plastic bottles being conveyed at a high speed have been continuously and aseptically filled with contents such as a carbonated beverage. ing.

  In such a carbonated beverage aseptic filling device, a filling nozzle for filling a carbonated beverage into a plastic bottle is rotatably arranged in a sterile chamber. For this reason, a carbonated beverage supply line connected to the filling nozzle, a line for counter gas, a line for snift, and the like are each attached to a sterile chamber by a rotary joint (for example, see Patent Document 1).

  However, since the structure of the rotary joint is complicated, the structure of the aseptic filling apparatus for carbonated beverages may be complicated. Further, since the rotary joint is expensive, if a large number of rotary joints are provided, the carbonated beverage aseptic filling apparatus may be expensive.

JP 2007-302325 A JP 2008-105699A JP 2005-14918 A

  The present disclosure has been made in view of such a point, and provides a carbonated beverage aseptic filling system that can simplify the configuration of the entire system by reducing the number of rotary joints.

  An aseptic carbonated beverage filling system according to one embodiment includes a filling nozzle for filling a carbonated beverage, a carbonated beverage filling tank connected to the filling nozzle via a carbonated beverage supply line and a counter gas line, and a connection to the filling nozzle. And a sterile chamber surrounding at least a part of the carbonated beverage supply line and at least a part of the counter gas line, wherein the carbonated beverage supply line and the counter gas line are provided. Is attached to the aseptic chamber by a rotary joint, and a discharge valve is provided at the snift line in the aseptic chamber to discharge gas from the snift line into the aseptic chamber.

  In one embodiment of the carbonated beverage aseptic filling system, the snift line is located within the aseptic chamber and rotates with the filling nozzle and rotates with the inner snift line, and extends outwardly from the aseptic chamber. A non-rotating outer snift line may be provided, and the discharge valve may be located between the inner snift line and the outer snift line.

  In an aseptic carbonated beverage filling system according to one embodiment, the outer snift line may be telescopic.

  In an aseptic carbonated beverage filling system according to one embodiment, a carbonated gas supply line and a carbon dioxide release line are connected to the carbonated beverage fill tank, and valves are provided for the carbon dioxide supply line and the carbon dioxide release line, respectively. The controller may control each of the valves to control the pressure in the carbonated beverage filling tank.

  In the aseptic carbonated beverage filling system according to one embodiment, a relationship of P1> P2 may be established between the pressure P1 in the carbonated beverage filling tank and the pressure P2 in the carbon dioxide gas discharge line.

  In the carbonated beverage aseptic filling system according to one embodiment, the valve provided in the carbon dioxide gas supply line and the carbon dioxide gas discharge line is provided so that the pressure P1 in the carbonated beverage filling tank does not become 0.01 MPa or less. Each may be controlled.

  According to the present disclosure, by reducing the number of rotary joints, the configuration of the entire carbonated beverage aseptic filling system can be simplified.

FIG. 1 is a schematic plan view illustrating a carbonated beverage aseptic filling system according to an embodiment. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing the flow of fluid in the carbonated beverage filling section and its surroundings of the aseptic carbonated beverage filling system according to one embodiment. FIG. 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating a filling nozzle of a carbonated beverage filling section of the carbonated beverage aseptic filling system according to one embodiment.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 3 show an embodiment. In the following drawings, the same portions are denoted by the same reference numerals, and a detailed description thereof may be partially omitted.

(Carbonated beverage aseptic filling system)
First, the entire carbonated beverage aseptic filling system according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

  The carbonated beverage aseptic filling system 10 shown in FIG. 1 is a system that fills a bottle (container) 30 with contents made of a sterilized carbonated beverage. The bottle 30 can be manufactured by subjecting a preform manufactured by injection molding of a synthetic resin material to biaxial stretching blow molding. As a material of the bottle 30, it is preferable to use a thermoplastic resin, in particular, PE (polyethylene), PP (polypropylene), PET (polyethylene terephthalate), or PEN (polyethylene naphthalate). In addition, the container may be a glass bottle, can, or the like that can be filled with a carbonated beverage. In the present embodiment, a case where a plastic bottle is used as a container will be described as an example.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the carbonated beverage aseptic filling system 10 includes a bottle supply unit 21, a bottle sterilizing unit 11, an air rinsing unit 14, a sterile water rinsing unit 15, a carbonated beverage filling unit (filler) 20, and a cap. A mounting section (capper, winding and tapping machine) 16 and a product bottle unloading section 22 are provided. These bottle supply unit 21, bottle sterilizing unit 11, air rinsing unit 14, sterile water rinsing unit 15, carbonated beverage filling unit 20, cap mounting unit 16, and product bottle unloading unit 22 are arranged along the transport direction of bottle 30, They are arranged in this order from upstream to downstream. In addition, between the bottle sterilizing section 11, the air rinsing section 14, the aseptic water rinsing section 15, the carbonated beverage filling section 20, and the cap mounting section 16, a plurality of transport wheels 12 for transporting the bottle 30 between these devices are provided. Is provided.

  The bottle supply unit 21 sequentially receives empty bottles 30 from the outside into the carbonated beverage aseptic filling system 10, and transports the received bottles 30 to the bottle sterilization unit 11.

  A bottle forming unit (not shown) for forming the bottle 30 by biaxially stretch-blowing the preform may be provided upstream of the bottle supply unit 21. As described above, the steps from the supply of the preform to the filling of the bottle 30 with the aseptic carbonated beverage and the closing of the bottle 30 through the molding of the bottle 30 may be continuously performed. In this case, since it is possible to transport from the outside to the aseptic carbonated beverage filling system 10 in the form of a small volume preform instead of the large volume bottle 30, the equipment constituting the carbonated beverage aseptic filling system 10 can be made compact. can do.

  The bottle sterilizing section 11 sterilizes the inside of the bottle 30 by injecting a sterilizing agent into the bottle 30. As the disinfectant, for example, an aqueous solution of hydrogen peroxide is used. In the bottle sterilizing section 11, a mist or gas condensed after once evaporating an aqueous solution of hydrogen peroxide having a concentration of 1% by weight or more, preferably 35% by weight is generated. Sprayed. Since the inside of the bottle 30 is sterilized by the mist or gas of the aqueous hydrogen peroxide solution, the inner surface of the bottle 30 is evenly sterilized.

  The air rinsing unit 14 removes foreign substances, hydrogen peroxide, and the like from the inside of the bottle 30 while activating hydrogen peroxide by supplying sterile heated air or room temperature air to the bottle 30.

  The aseptic water rinsing unit 15 is for washing the bottle 30 sterilized with hydrogen peroxide as a sterilizing agent with sterile water of 15 ° C. or more and 85 ° C. or less. As a result, the hydrogen peroxide attached to the bottle 30 is washed away, and foreign matters are removed. Note that the sterile water rinsing unit 15 does not always need to be provided.

  The carbonated drink filling unit 20 fills the bottle 30 with a sterilized carbonated drink that has been sterilized in advance from the mouth of the bottle 30. In the carbonated beverage filling section 20, an empty bottle 30 is filled with a sterile carbonated beverage. In the carbonated beverage filling section 20, the inside of the bottle 30 is filled with a sterilized carbonated beverage while the plurality of bottles 30 are rotated (revolved). The aseptic carbonated beverage is filled into the bottle 30 at a filling temperature of 1 ° C or more and 40 ° C or less, preferably 5 ° C or more and 10 ° C or less. The reason why the filling temperature of the aseptic carbonated beverage is set to, for example, 1 ° C. or more and 10 ° C. or less is that when the liquid temperature of the aseptic carbonated beverage exceeds 10 ° C., carbon dioxide gas is easily removed from the aseptic carbonated beverage. Examples of aseptic carbonated drinks include various drinks containing carbon dioxide, for example, carbonated soft drinks such as cider and cola, and alcoholic drinks such as beer.

  The cap mounting section 16 closes the bottle 30 by mounting the cap 33 on the mouth of the bottle 30. In the cap mounting portion 16, the mouth of the bottle 30 is closed by a cap 33, and the bottle 30 is sealed so that outside air and microorganisms do not enter the bottle 30. In the cap mounting portion 16, the plurality of bottles 30 filled with the sterile carbonated beverage are rotated (revolved) and the caps 33 are mounted on their mouths. By attaching the cap 33 to the mouth of the bottle 30 in this manner, a product bottle 35 is obtained.

  The cap 33 is sterilized in the cap sterilizing section 25 in advance. The cap sterilizing unit 25 is arranged, for example, outside the sterile chamber 13 (described later) and near the cap mounting unit 16. In the cap sterilizing section 25, a large number of the caps 33 carried in from the outside are collected in advance and conveyed in a line toward the cap mounting section 16. A mist or gas of hydrogen peroxide is blown toward the inner and outer surfaces of the cap 33 on the way of the cap 33 toward the cap mounting portion 16, and is then dried with hot air and sterilized.

  The product bottle unloading unit 22 continuously unloads the product bottle 35 with the cap 33 attached by the cap attachment unit 16 to the outside of the carbonated beverage aseptic filling system 10.

  Further, the carbonated beverage aseptic filling system 10 has a sterile chamber 13. Inside the sterile chamber 13, the above-mentioned bottle sterilizing section 11, air rinsing section 14, sterile water rinsing section 15, carbonated beverage filling section 20, and cap mounting section 16 are accommodated. The inside of the sterile chamber 13 is maintained in a sterile state.

  Further, the aseptic chamber 13 is divided into a bottle sterilization chamber 13a and a filling / tightening chamber 13b. A chamber wall 13c is provided between the bottle sterilizing chamber 13a and the filling / tightening chamber 13b, and the bottle sterilizing chamber 13a and the filling / tightening chamber 13b are separated from each other via the chamber wall 13c. Inside the bottle sterilization chamber 13a, a bottle sterilization section 11, an air rinse section 14, and a sterile water rinse section 15 are arranged. On the other hand, inside the filling / tightening chamber 13b, a carbonated beverage filling section 20 and a cap mounting section 16 are arranged.

  Next, the configuration of the carbonated beverage filling section 20 of the carbonated beverage aseptic filling system 10 and its surroundings will be described with reference to FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the carbonated beverage filling section 20 is provided in the sterile chamber 13. A carbonated beverage filling tank (filling head tank, buffer tank) 75 is arranged outside the aseptic chamber 13 and above the carbonated beverage filling section 20. The inside of the carbonated beverage filling tank 75 is filled with a carbonated beverage. The carbonated beverage filling tank 75 is connected to the aseptic carbonic acid supply unit 63 via the carbon dioxide gas supply line 61. The carbon dioxide gas supply line 61 is provided with a first valve 62. By opening the first valve 62, aseptic carbon dioxide gas is supplied from the sterile carbon dioxide supply unit 63 to the carbonated beverage filling tank 75. By pressurizing the aseptic carbonated beverage in the carbonated beverage filling tank 75 with the aseptic carbon dioxide, the carbon dioxide dissolved in the aseptic carbonated beverage is prevented from being released into the gas phase. Preferably, the pressure is increased at a pressure higher than the production standard carbon dioxide gas pressure. Thus, the concentration of carbon dioxide in the carbonated beverage in the carbonated beverage filling tank 75 is kept constant. The pressure P1 in the carbonated beverage filling tank 75 is measured by a first pressure gauge 64 provided in the carbonated beverage filling tank 75.

  A carbonated beverage introduction line 65 is connected to the carbonated beverage filling tank 75. The carbonated beverage introduction line 65 is connected to a carbonated beverage production device (not shown). The carbonated beverage introduction line 65 is provided with a second valve 66. By opening the second valve 66, the aseptic carbonated beverage (product liquid) from the carbonated beverage production device passes through the carbonated beverage introduction line 65 and is filled in the carbonated beverage filling tank 75. Further, the carbonated beverage introduction line 65 is connected to a CIP circulation line 81 described later. A part of the carbonated beverage introduction line 65 on the carbonated beverage filling tank 75 side is also supplied with a cleaning liquid for CIP processing and heated steam or hot water for SIP processing.

  A carbonated gas discharge line 86 is connected to the carbonated beverage filling tank 75. This carbon dioxide gas discharge line 86 is connected to a discharge tank 85 described later. Further, a third valve 87 is provided in the carbon dioxide gas discharge line 86. When the third valve 87 is opened, the carbon dioxide in the carbonated beverage filling tank 75 can be discharged toward the discharge tank 85. The pressure P <b> 2 in the carbon dioxide gas discharge line 86 is measured by a second pressure gauge 88 provided in the carbon dioxide gas discharge line 86. This pressure P2 is equal to the pressure in the discharge tank 85.

  In this case, the first valve 62 and the third valve 87 are controlled by the control unit 60, whereby the pressure in the carbonated beverage filling tank 75 is controlled. Specifically, between the pressure P1 in the carbonated beverage filling tank 75 measured by the first pressure gauge 64 and the pressure P2 in the carbon dioxide gas discharge line 86 measured by the second pressure gauge 88, P1> The relationship of P2 is established. In addition, the pressure P1 in the carbonated beverage filling tank 75 may be controlled to be, for example, 0.01 MPa or more and 1.0 MPa or less. Further, the pressure P2 in the carbon dioxide gas discharge line 86 may be controlled so as to be slightly higher than 0 MPa, for example, 0.0001 MPa or more and 0.01 MPa or less. Accordingly, it is possible to prevent non-sterile gas from entering the carbonated beverage filling tank 75 from outside the sterile chamber 13. Therefore, a non-sterile tank that is not controlled to be in a sterile state can be used as the discharge tank 85. In this case, there is no need to connect the carbon dioxide gas discharge line 86 to a sterile tank that is in a sterile state, and such a sterile tank can be removed from the carbonated beverage aseptic filling system 10. As a result, the manufacturing cost of the aseptic carbonated beverage filling system 10 can be reduced. The control unit 60 is a control unit that controls the entire carbonated beverage aseptic filling system 10, but is not limited thereto, and controls the first valve 62 and the third valve 87 independently. Is also good. Further, it is also possible to perform control using only the first pressure gauge 64 without providing the second pressure gauge 88. Specifically, the opening of each of the first valve 62 and the third valve 87 is adjusted based on the indicated value of the first pressure gauge 64, and the value of the first pressure gauge 64 is produced during the equipment sterilization (SIP) process. The control may be performed by only the two valves 62 and 87 so that the pressure is 0.01 MPa or more and 1.0 MPa or less until the end.

  A carbonated beverage supply line 73 is connected to the carbonated beverage filling tank 75. The carbonated beverage supply line 73 is a line that supplies the sterilized carbonated beverage filled in the carbonated beverage filling tank 75 to a filling nozzle 72 described later. The carbonated beverage filling tank 75 is connected to a filling nozzle 72 via a carbonated beverage supply line 73.

  Further, a counter gas line 74 is connected to the carbonated beverage filling tank 75. The counter gas line 74 is a line that supplies the aseptic carbon dioxide gas filled in the carbonated beverage filling tank 75 to a filling nozzle 72 described later. The carbonated beverage filling tank 75 is connected to a filling nozzle 72 via a counter gas line 74.

  In the carbonated beverage filling section 20, the aseptic carbonated beverage filled in the carbonated beverage filling tank 75 is filled in the empty bottle 30. The carbonated beverage filling section 20 has a transport wheel 71 that rotates around an axis parallel to the vertical direction. As the plurality of bottles 30 are rotated (revolved) by the transport wheel 71, the inside of the bottles 30 is filled with the aseptic carbonated beverage. A plurality of filling nozzles 72 are arranged along the outer periphery of the transfer wheel 71. One bottle 30 is attached to each filling nozzle 72, and a sterile carbonated beverage is injected into the bottle 30 from the filling nozzle 72. The configuration of the filling nozzle 72 will be described later.

  The transfer wheel 71, the filling nozzle 72, at least a part of the carbonated beverage supply line 73, and at least a part of the counter gas line 74 are surrounded by a cover 76 forming a part of the sterile chamber 13. A rotary joint 77 is attached to an upper portion of the cover 76. The carbonated beverage supply line 73 and the counter gas line 74 are attached to the cover 76 of the sterile chamber 13 by a rotary joint 77. The rotary joint 77 includes a rotating body (the transport wheel 71, the filling nozzle 72, and a rotating pipe of the carbonated beverage supply line 73 and the counter gas line 74, etc.) and a non-rotating body (the cover 76, the carbonated beverage supply line 73, and the counter gas). (Fixed piping of the line 74) is sealed under aseptic conditions.

  Each filling nozzle 72 is connected to a carbonated beverage supply line 73 and a counter gas line 74. One end of the carbonated beverage supply line 73 is connected to a carbonated beverage filling tank 75 filled with a sterile carbonated beverage, and the other end thereof communicates with the inside of the bottle 30. Then, the aseptic carbonated beverage supplied from the carbonated beverage filling tank 75 passes through the carbonated beverage supply line 73 and is injected into the bottle 30.

  As described in JP-A-2008-105699, the counter gas line 74 has one end connected to the carbonated beverage filling tank 75 and the other end communicating with the inside of the bottle 30. The gas for counter pressure consisting of aseptic carbon dioxide gas supplied from the carbonated beverage filling tank 75 passes through the counter gas line 74 and fills the inside of the bottle 30. A counter gas branch portion 53 is provided in the middle of the counter gas line 74, and the counter gas line 74 from the carbonated beverage filling tank 75 is branched into a plurality of pieces at the counter gas branch portion 53 to the respective filling nozzles 72. Extend.

  Further, a snift line 78 is connected to each filling nozzle 72. The snift line 78 has one end connected to the counter gas line 74 and the other end extending out of the sterile chamber 13. The gas inside the bottle 30 can be discharged through the snift line 78. A snift line branch portion 56 is provided in the middle of the snift line 78, and carbon dioxide from the snift line 78 is collected at the snift line branch portion 56 and discharged into the aseptic chamber 13. . A discharge valve 79 is provided in the snift line 78 in the sterile chamber 13. By this discharge valve 79, carbon dioxide gas from the snift line 78 is discharged into the sterile chamber 13. The sniff line branch 56 and the counter gas branch 53 are connected by a first bypass line 54. The first bypass line 54 is provided with a fourth valve 55, and the fourth valve 55 is normally closed.

  In this case, the snift line 78 has an inner snift line 78a and an outer snift line 78b. The inner snift line 78a has one end connected to the filling nozzle 72 and the other end connected to the discharge valve 79. The entire inner snift line 78a is located in the sterile chamber 13, and the above-described snift line branch portion 56 is located in the middle of the inner snift line 78a. The inner snift line 78a is of a rotary type that rotates together with the filling nozzle 72.

  One end of the outer snift line 78b is connected to the discharge valve 79, and the other end is open to the outside of the sterile chamber 13. A part of the outer snift line 78 b is located inside the sterile chamber 13, and the other part is located outside the sterile chamber 13. The outer snift line 78b is a non-rotating type that does not rotate with the filling nozzle 72.

  The above-described discharge valve 79 is located between the inner snift line 78a and the outer snift line 78b. The inner snift line 78a and the outer snift line 78b are detachable at a discharge valve 79. The discharge valve 79 can be opened and closed, and is normally opened. When the discharge valve 79 is opened, the inner snift line 78a is physically separated from the outer snift line 78b, and the inner snift line 78a communicates with the inside of the aseptic chamber 13 at the discharge valve 79. When the discharge valve 79 is closed, the inner snift line 78a is connected to the outer snift line 78b, and the inner snift line 78a communicates with the outer snift line 78b. At this time, the inner snift line 78a does not communicate with the inside of the sterile chamber 13. Conventionally, as described in, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2005-14918, the snift line is opened to the atmosphere via a rotary joint and a snift pipe.

  The outer snift line 78b is extendable and contractible at the bellows portion 78c. When the discharge valve 79 is open, the bellows portion 78c of the outer snift line 78b is contracted, and the outer snift line 78b is separated from the inner snift line 78a. At this time, the inner snift line 78 a becomes rotatable and communicates with the inside of the aseptic chamber 13 at the discharge valve 79. On the other hand, when closing the discharge valve 79, the rotation of the inner snift line 78a is stopped, and the inner snift line 78a and the outer snift line 78b are positioned in the rotation direction. In this state, the bellows portion 78c of the outer snift line 78b is extended, and the outer snift line 78b is connected to the inner snift line 78a at the discharge valve 79. At this time, the inner snift line 78a is integrated with the outer snift line 78b and communicates with the outer snift line 78b.

  By discharging the carbon dioxide gas from the snift line 78 into the sterile chamber 13 using the discharge valve 79, the carbon dioxide gas in the bottle 30 is discharged into the sterile chamber 13, which is a sterile space, without contaminating bacteria. can do. Further, there is no need to provide a rotary joint for connecting the rotating snift line 78 to the outside of the sterile chamber 13. Such a rotary joint generally has a complicated mechanism and is expensive. For this reason, by omitting the rotary joint for the snift line 78, the mechanism of the aseptic carbonated beverage filling system 10 can be simplified and the manufacturing cost can be reduced.

  Meanwhile, in the aseptic carbonated beverage filling system 10, the flow path through which the beverage (raw material liquid, sterilized beverage or aseptic carbonated beverage) passes is periodically or when the type of beverage is switched, and is subjected to CIP (Cleaning in Place). It is preferable to perform the processing and further perform the SIP (Sterilizing in Place) processing. In the CIP process, for example, after a washing liquid obtained by adding an alkaline agent such as caustic soda to water is flown in a flow path from the inside of the pipe for supplying the raw material liquid to the filling nozzle 72 of the carbonated beverage filling section 20, water is added. The washing is performed by flowing a washing solution to which an acidic agent is added. As a result, the residue of the previous beverage or the like attached to the flow path through which the beverage passes is removed. In addition, the SIP process is a process for sterilizing the inside of the flow passage through which the beverage passes before starting the filling operation of the beverage. For example, flowing heated steam or hot water into the flow passage washed with the CIP is performed. Done by Thereby, the inside of the flow path through which the beverage passes is sterilized and brought into a sterile state.

  In order to perform the above-described CIP processing, a CIP cup 82 that receives the cleaning liquid from the filling nozzle 72 is provided near the filling nozzle 72. A CIP line 83 is connected to the CIP cup 82. The CIP line 83 has one end connected to the CIP cup 82 and the other end connected to a discharge tank 85 disposed outside the sterile chamber 13. The cleaning liquid from the filling nozzle 72 can be discharged to the discharge tank 85 via the CIP line 83. A CIP line branching section 59 is provided in the middle of the CIP line 83, and the cleaning liquid from the CIP line 83 is collectively collected at the CIP line branching section 59 and discharged to the discharge tank 85. . The CIP line branch 59 and the snift line branch 56 are connected by a second bypass line 57. A fifth valve 58 is provided in the second bypass line 57. Usually, the fifth valve 58 is closed.

  In this case, the CIP line 83 has an inner CIP line 83a and an outer CIP line 83b. The inner CIP line 83a has one end connected to the CIP cup 82 and the other end connected to the connection valve 84. The entire inner CIP line 83a is located in the sterile chamber 13, and the above-described CIP line branching section 59 is located in the middle of the inner CIP line 83a. The inner CIP line 83a is of a rotary type that rotates together with the filling nozzle 72.

  The outer CIP line 83b has one end connected to the connection valve 84 and the other end connected to the discharge tank 85. A part of the outer CIP line 83b is located inside the sterile chamber 13, and the other part is located outside the sterile chamber 13. The outer CIP line 83b does not rotate with the filling nozzle 72, and is of a non-rotating type.

  The connection valve 84 is located between the inner CIP line 83a and the outer CIP line 83b. The inner CIP line 83a and the outer CIP line 83b are detachable at the connection valve 84. The connection valve 84 can be opened and closed, and is normally opened. When the connection valve 84 is open, the inner CIP line 83a is physically separated from the outer CIP line 83b, and the inner CIP line 83a communicates with the inside of the sterile chamber 13 at the connection valve 84. When the connection valve 84 is closed, the inner CIP line 83a is connected to the outer CIP line 83b, and the inner CIP line 83a communicates with the discharge tank 85 via the outer CIP line 83b. The configuration of the connection valve 84 may be substantially the same as the configuration of the discharge valve 79 described above. By opening the fifth valve 58, the gas inside the bottle 30 sent from the snift line 78 may be discharged from the connection valve 84 into the aseptic chamber 13.

  Further, the outer CIP line 83b is freely expandable and contractable at the bellows portion 83c. When the connection valve 84 is open, the bellows portion 83c of the outer CIP line 83b is contracted, and the outer CIP line 83b of the connection valve 84 is separated from the inner CIP line 83a. At this time, the inner CIP line 83a becomes rotatable and communicates with the inside of the sterile chamber 13. On the other hand, when closing the connection valve 84, the inner CIP line 83a and the outer CIP line 83b are positioned in the rotation direction. In this state, the bellows portion 83c of the outer CIP line 83b is extended, and the outer CIP line 83b is connected to the inner CIP line 83a at the connection valve 84. At this time, the inner CIP line 83a is integrated with the outer CIP line 83b, and communicates with the outer CIP line 83b.

  An exhaust line 89 for discharging gas inside the discharge tank 85 is provided above the discharge tank 85. A scrubber (not shown) for processing gas is connected to the exhaust line 89. The above-described CIP circulation line 81 is connected to a lower portion of the discharge tank 85. The CIP circulation line 81 is a line for sending and circulating the cleaning liquid stored in the discharge tank 85 toward the carbonated beverage filling tank 75 side. The CIP circulation line 81 connects the discharge tank 85 and the middle of the carbonated beverage introduction line 65. The CIP circulation line 81 is provided with a cleaning liquid supply unit 94, a pump 91, a sixth valve 92, a heater 93, and a seventh valve 95 in this order from the discharge tank 85 side. A drain line 96 is connected between the pump 91 and the sixth valve 92, and the drain line 96 is provided with an eighth valve 97. The drain line 96 may be provided between the heater 93 and the seventh valve 95, and may be appropriately added as long as the remaining water in each pipe can be quickly removed.

The cover 76 of the sterile chamber 13 is provided with a sterile air supply device 70 for feeding a large volume of sterile air into the sterile chamber 13. The aseptic air supply device 70 introduces aseptic air into the aseptic chamber 13 so that the inside of the aseptic chamber 13 is maintained at a positive pressure, thereby preventing outside air from entering the aseptic chamber 13. Further, since a large volume of sterile air is sent into the sterile chamber 13 by the sterile air supply device 70, even when carbon dioxide gas is discharged from the discharge valve 79 into the sterile chamber 13 as described above, even if carbon dioxide is discharged into the sterile chamber 13, There is no possibility that the concentration of carbon dioxide gas excessively increases. The supply amount of the sterile air for satisfying the above purpose is 5 m ³ / min or more and 100 m ³ / min or less, preferably 10 m ³ / min or more and 50 m ³ / min or less.

(Filling nozzle)
Next, the configuration of the filling nozzle 72 of the above-described carbonated beverage filling section 20 will be described with reference to FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the filling nozzle 72 has a main body 72a. A carbonated beverage supply line 73 and a counter gas line 74 are connected to the main body 72a. The carbonated beverage supply line 73 has an upper end connected to the carbonated beverage filling tank 75 and a lower end communicating with the inside of the bottle 30. Then, the aseptic carbonated beverage supplied from the carbonated beverage filling tank 75 passes through the carbonated beverage supply line 73 and is injected into the bottle 30.

  As described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2008-105699, the upper end of the counter gas line 74 is connected to the carbonated beverage filling tank 75, and the lower end communicates with the inside of the bottle 30 at the lower end. The gas for counter pressure, such as carbon dioxide gas, supplied from the carbonated beverage filling tank 75 passes through the counter gas line 74 and fills the inside of the bottle 30. A snift line 78 is connected in the middle of the counter gas line 74 so that carbon dioxide and the like inside the bottle 30 can be discharged through the snift line 78.

  The carbonated beverage supply line 73 and the counter gas line 74 pass through a rotary joint 77 provided on a cover 76. On the other hand, the snift line 78 discharges carbon dioxide from the snift line 78 into the sterile chamber 13 without interposing a rotary joint as described above.

(Sterile carbonated beverage filling method)
Next, a method for filling a sterile carbonated beverage using the above-described aseptic carbonated beverage filling system 10 (FIG. 1) will be described. In the following, a filling method at a normal time, that is, a method for filling a bottle 30 with a sterile carbonated beverage to produce a product bottle 35 by aseptic carbonated beverage will be described.

  First, a plurality of empty bottles 30 are sequentially supplied to the bottle supply unit 21 from outside the carbonated beverage aseptic filling system 10. The bottle 30 is sent from the bottle supply unit 21 to the bottle sterilization unit 11 by the transport wheel 12 (container supply step).

  Next, in the bottle sterilizing section 11, the bottle 30 is sterilized using an aqueous solution of hydrogen peroxide as a sterilizing agent (sterilizing step). At this time, the aqueous hydrogen peroxide solution is a gas or mist that is condensed after once evaporating an aqueous solution of hydrogen peroxide having a concentration of 1% by weight or more, preferably 35% by weight. Supplied.

  Subsequently, the bottle 30 is sent to the air rinsing unit 14 by the transfer wheel 12, and the sterilizing heating air or the room temperature air is supplied to the air rinsing unit 14 to activate the hydrogen peroxide while the foreign matter is removed from the bottle 30. , Hydrogen peroxide and the like are removed. Next, the bottle 30 is transported to the sterile water rinsing unit 15 by the transport wheel 12. The aseptic water rinsing section 15 is washed with aseptic water at a temperature of 15 ° C to 85 ° C (rinsing step). Specifically, aseptic water having a temperature of 15 ° C. or more and 85 ° C. or less is supplied into the bottle 30 at a flow rate of 5 L / min or more and 15 L / min or less. At this time, the bottle 30 is preferably turned upside down, and sterile water is supplied into the bottle 30 from the downwardly directed mouth, and the sterile water flows out of the bottle 30 from the mouth. With this sterile water, the hydrogen peroxide adhering to the bottle 30 is washed away and foreign substances are removed. It should be noted that the step of supplying sterile water into the bottle 30 is not necessarily provided.

  Subsequently, the bottle 30 is transported to the carbonated beverage filling section 20 by the transport wheel 12. In the carbonated beverage filling section 20, the bottle 30 is filled with a sterile carbonated beverage from its mouth into the bottle 30 while being rotated (revolved) (filling step). In the carbonated beverage filling unit 20, the sterilized bottle 30 is filled with the sterilized carbonated beverage sent from the carbonated beverage filling tank 75 at a filling temperature of 1 ° C or more and 40 ° C or less, preferably 5 ° C or more and 10 ° C or less. .

  During this time, as shown in FIG. 3, in the carbonated beverage filling section 20, the filling nozzle 72 is in close contact with the mouth of the bottle 30, and the counter gas line 74 and the bottle 30 communicate with each other. At this time, the snift line 78 is closed. Next, aseptic carbon dioxide for counter pressure is supplied from the carbonated beverage filling tank 75 to the inside of the bottle 30 via the counter gas line 74. Thereby, the internal pressure of the bottle 30 becomes higher than the atmospheric pressure, and the internal pressure of the bottle 30 becomes the same pressure as the internal pressure of the carbonated beverage filling tank 75.

  Next, a sterile carbonated beverage is filled into the bottle 30 from the carbonated beverage supply line 73. In this case, the aseptic carbonated beverage passes through the carbonated beverage supply line 73 from the carbonated beverage filling tank 75 and is injected into the bottle 30.

  Subsequently, the supply of the aseptic carbonated beverage from the carbonated beverage supply line 73 is stopped. Next, the carbonated beverage supply line 73 and the counter gas line 74 are closed, the snift line 78 is opened, and the gas inside the bottle 30 is discharged from the snift line 78. Thereby, the pressure inside the bottle 30 becomes equal to the atmospheric pressure, and the filling of the bottle 30 with the sterile carbonated beverage is completed. At this time, the gas from the bottle 30 is discharged from the discharge valve 79 into the aseptic chamber 13 after passing through the snift line 78.

  Referring again to FIG. 1, the bottle 30 filled with the aseptic carbonated beverage in the carbonated beverage filling unit 20 is transported to the cap mounting unit 16 by the transport wheel 12.

  On the other hand, the cap 33 is previously sterilized by the cap sterilizing section 25 (cap sterilizing step). The cap 33 sterilized by the cap sterilizing unit 25 is attached to the mouth of the bottle 30 transported from the carbonated beverage filling unit 20 in the cap attaching unit 16. Thus, a product bottle 35 having the bottle 30 and the cap 33 is obtained (cap attaching step).

  Thereafter, the product bottle 35 is transported from the cap mounting unit 16 to the product bottle unloading unit 22, and is unloaded to the outside of the carbonated beverage aseptic filling system 10.

  The steps from the sterilization step to the cap mounting step are performed in a sterile atmosphere surrounded by a sterile chamber 13, that is, in a sterile environment. A positive pressure sterile air is supplied from the sterile air supply device 70 into the sterile chamber 13 so that the sterile air always blows out of the sterile chamber 13.

  The production (transport) speed of the bottle 30 in the carbonated beverage aseptic filling system 10 is preferably 100 bpm or more and 1500 bpm or less. Here, bpm (bottle per minute) refers to the transport speed of the bottle 30 per minute.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, the discharge valve 79 is provided in the snift line 78 in the sterile chamber 13, and the gas from the snift line 78 is discharged into the sterile chamber 13 from the discharge valve 79. Accordingly, there is no need to provide a rotary joint for connecting the snift line 78 between a rotating body (for example, the filling nozzle 72) and a non-rotating body (for example, outside the sterile chamber 13). As a result, the rotary joint for the snift line 78 can be omitted, so that the number of rotary joints in the entire system can be reduced, and the entire configuration of the aseptic carbonated beverage filling system 10 can be simplified. In addition, the manufacturing cost of the carbonated beverage aseptic filling system 10 can be reduced.

  Further, according to the present embodiment, the discharge valve 79 is located between the rotating inner snift line 78a and the non-rotating outer snift line 78b. As a result, at normal times, the inner snift line 78a and the outer snift line 78b are separated, and the gas from the snift line 78 can be discharged from the discharge valve 79 into the aseptic chamber 13. On the other hand, by stopping the rotation of the inner snift line 78a, the inner snift line 78a and the outer snift line 78b are connected to close the discharge valve 79, and the snift line 78 can be communicated with the outside of the sterile chamber 13. .

  Further, according to the present embodiment, outer snift line 78b is extendable and contractible. Thus, in normal times, the inner snift line 78a and the outer snift line 78b can be separated from each other so that the outer snift line 78b and the rotating inner snift line 78a do not interfere with each other. Further, when closing the discharge valve 79, the bellows portion 78c of the outer sniff line 78b can be extended, and the outer sniff line 78b can be connected to the inner sniff line 78a at the discharge valve 79.

  According to the present embodiment, the carbon dioxide supply line 61 and the carbon dioxide release line 86 are connected to the carbonated beverage filling tank 75. A first valve 62 and a third valve 87 are provided in the carbon dioxide gas supply line 61 and the carbon dioxide gas discharge line 86, respectively, and the control unit 60 controls the first valve 62 and the third valve 87, respectively, to control the carbonated beverage. The pressure in the filling tank 75 is controlled. In particular, control is performed so that the relationship of P1> P2 is established between the pressure P1 in the carbonated beverage filling tank 75 and the pressure P2 in the carbon dioxide gas discharge line 86. Accordingly, it is possible to prevent non-sterile gas from entering the carbonated beverage filling tank 75 from outside the sterile chamber 13. Therefore, a non-sterile tank that is not controlled to be in a sterile state can be used as the discharge tank 85. In this case, there is no need to connect the carbon dioxide release line 86 to a sterile aseptic tank, so there is no need to provide such a sterile tank in the carbonated beverage aseptic filling system 10, and the manufacturing cost of the carbonated beverage aseptic filling system 10 is reduced. Can be reduced.

  Further, it is also possible to perform control using only the first pressure gauge 64 without providing the second pressure gauge 88. Specifically, the opening of each of the first valve 62 and the third valve 87 is adjusted based on the indicated value of the first pressure gauge 64, and the value of the first pressure gauge 64 is produced during the equipment sterilization (SIP) process. Only the two valves 62 and 87 are controlled so that the pressure becomes 0.01 MPa or more and 1.0 MPa or less until the end. This can prevent non-sterile gas from entering the carbonated beverage filling tank 75 from the outside of the sterile chamber 13 and achieve the same effect as described above.

  In the above description, the sterilization of containers such as the bottle 30, the preform, and the cap 33 has been described by taking as an example the case where the sterilization is performed using a disinfectant composed of hydrogen peroxide. Sterilization may be performed using an electron beam.

  A plurality of constituent elements disclosed in the above-described embodiments and modifications can be appropriately combined as needed. Alternatively, some components may be deleted from all the components shown in the above-described embodiment and the modified examples.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Aseptic carbonated beverage filling system 20 Carbonated beverage filling unit 30 Bottle 60 Control unit 72 Filling nozzle 73 Carbonated beverage supply line 74 Counter gas line 75 Carbonated beverage filling tank 77 Rotary joint 78 Snift line 79 Discharge valve

Claims (6)

A filling nozzle for filling carbonated beverages,
A carbonated beverage filling tank connected to the filling nozzle via a carbonated beverage supply line and a counter gas line,
A snift line connected to the filling nozzle,
The filling nozzle, and a sterile chamber surrounding at least a part of the carbonated beverage supply line and at least a part of the counter gas line,
The carbonated beverage supply line and the counter gas line are attached to the sterile chamber by a rotary joint,
An aseptic filling system for carbonated beverages, wherein a discharge valve is provided in the snift line in the aseptic chamber, and gas from the snift line is discharged into the aseptic chamber. The sniff line has a rotating inner snift line located in the sterile chamber and rotating with the filling nozzle, and a non-rotating outer snift line extending outward from the sterile chamber.
The carbonated beverage aseptic filling system according to claim 1, wherein the discharge valve is located between the inner sniff line and the outer snif line.   The aseptic filling system for carbonated beverages according to claim 2, wherein the outer snift line is stretchable.   The carbonated beverage filling tank is connected to a carbon dioxide gas supply line and a carbon dioxide gas discharge line, and a valve is provided for each of the carbon dioxide gas supply line and the carbon dioxide gas discharge line. The aseptic filling system for carbonated beverages according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the pressure in the carbonated beverage filling tank is controlled.   The carbonated beverage aseptic filling system according to claim 4, wherein a relationship of P1> P2 is established between the pressure P1 in the carbonated beverage filling tank and the pressure P2 in the carbon dioxide gas discharge line.   The carbonated beverage aseptic according to claim 4, wherein the valves provided in the carbon dioxide gas supply line and the carbon dioxide gas discharge line are controlled such that the pressure P1 in the carbonated beverage filling tank does not become 0.01 MPa or less. Filling system.

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