JP2020147291A - Aseptic filling machine and aseptic filling method - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide an aseptic filling machine of an inner bag for BIB having a high guaranteed sterility level and excellent productivity, and an aseptic filling method.SOLUTION: Provided is an aseptic filling method of an inner bag for a bag-in-box with the inside thereof sterilized in advance with radiation, formed with a spout and a cap sealing the spout attached to an upper side plastic film of the inner bag for the bag-in-box formed by heat-sealing peripheral edges of at least two sheets of soft plastic films. The aseptic filling method comprises the steps of: transporting the inner bag for the bag-in-box in a shielded chamber for feeding aseptic air; blowing aqua gas to the spout and the cap attached to the transported inner bag for the bag-in-box; and filling a content from the spout by separating the cap from the spout and attaching the cap after filling the content to the spout.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

The present invention is an aseptic filling machine for aseptically filling a bag-in-box inner bag with a spout to liquid foods such as milk, cream, juice, liquor and soft drinks, or liquid foods containing liquid chemicals or solids. And aseptic filling method.

Conventionally, cans such as itto-kan cans have been often used as large liquid containers, but since transportation and processing for container disposal are complicated, plastic films filled with contents that are easy to dispose of are used. The use of bag-in-boxes (BIBs), which are made of corrugated cardboard, is widespread. When the contents are spoiled or spoiled by bacteria or the like, it is difficult to fill the inner bag of the BIB with the contents and then sterilize by heating because of the large capacity. Therefore, for perishable contents that are stored for a long period of time, aseptic filling is adopted in which the inner bag is sterilized and the sterilized inner bag is filled with the sterilized contents in a sterile atmosphere. Therefore, when milk, cream, fruit juice, fruit juice containing pulp, etc. are filled in the BIB and stored for a long period of time, the contents are filled in the inner bag by an aseptic filling machine.

As a method of aseptically filling the inner bag for BIB, the bag having a spout is sealed with a cap, the inside of the bag is sterilized by hydrogen peroxide gas or γ-ray irradiation, and the sterilized bag is supplied to the sterile BIB filling machine. After sterilizing the spout and the outside of the cap with a liquid disinfectant such as sodium hypochlorite solution, peracetic acid solution or hydrogen peroxide solution, remove the cap from the spout in a sterile chamber and remove the spout and filling nozzle. Is fitted, the inner bag is filled with the contents in a specified amount from the filling nozzle, the filling nozzle is removed from the spout, and the spout is sealed with a cap to make a sterile filled product.

Further, a method has been proposed in which a sterilized liquid food, a chemical, or the like is filled in a sterilized inner bag for BIB without using a sterile chamber (Patent Document 1). This is done by attaching the spout to the upper plastic film of the inner bag for BIB, which is made by heat-sealing the periphery of the two plastic films, and attaching the inner plug that fits into the spout from the inside to the lower plastic film. A sterilization process in which the spout and inner plug of a sealed bag fitted to the spout are attached to the tip of the filling nozzle for steam sterilization, the inner plug is removed from the spout, and the contents are filled into the bag from the filling nozzle. It is a sterile filling method consisting of a filling step, a cleaning step of cleaning from the tip of the filling nozzle to the inner plug portion with steam, and a sealing step of fitting the spout and the inner plug after cleaning.

It has also been proposed to attach a cap to the spout in the aseptic filling method of Patent Document 1 (Patent Document 2). Further, it has been proposed to provide a barrier chamber in a part of the sliding portion of the plunger connected to the filling valve for opening and closing the filling port of the filling nozzle, and to introduce steam into the barrier chamber (Patent Document). 3).

Special Table No. 62-503164 JP-A-63-162404 Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2000-142640

In the aseptic filling machine for filling the contents in the inner bag for BIB, the aseptic filling machine described in Patent Document 1 which does not require a sterile chamber is compact and has good workability. In addition, since no disinfectant is used, there is no residual disinfectant or complicated disposal of the disinfectant, and running costs can be suppressed. The spout is attached to the upper plastic film of the inner bag for BIB formed by heat-sealing the peripheral edges of the two plastic films described in Patent Document 1, and the inner plug that fits into the spout from the inside is attached to the lower plastic film. , A sterilization process in which the spout of a sealed bag with the inner plug fitted to the spout and the inner plug are attached to the tip of the filling nozzle for steam sterilization, the inner plug is removed from the spout, and the contents are put in the bag from the filling nozzle. The aseptic filling method, which consists of a filling step of filling the film, a cleaning step of cleaning from the tip of the filling nozzle to the inner plug with steam, and a sealing step of fitting the spout and the inner plug after cleaning, is a sterile filling method of another BIB. It has a high advantage in terms of equipment and materials compared to the method.

In the above-mentioned aseptic filling method, since a series of steps are carried out with the spout fixed, there is no microbial problem and the aseptic guarantee level SAL (sterility assessment level)> 6 is satisfied. However, only the spout is inserted into a small chamber, and the surface of the molded product of the spout is sterilized by spraying high-pressure steam at 135 ° C for several tens of seconds, and then the filling port is opened in the chamber to sterilize the contents. Since the material is filled, and after filling, the surface of the spout is cleaned with steam in the same chamber, the rate-determining capacity of the aseptic filling machine is the time required from sterilization of the spout to cleaning, and the filling amount is several L ~. In the case of 20 L, the production capacity of the aseptic filling machine is such that the sterilization, filling, and cleaning times of the filling port are rate-determining, and 2 bags / min. It becomes as follows. The aseptic filling method of Patent Document 1 has a high level of aseptic guarantee, but has a drawback of being inferior in productivity.

On the other hand, the inside of the bag is sterilized, the sterilized bag is supplied to a sterile BIB filling machine, and the spout and the outside of the cap are sterilized with a liquid sterilizing agent such as sodium hypochlorite solution, peracetic acid solution or hydrogen peroxide solution. After sterilization, remove the cap from the spout in the aseptic chamber, fit the spout and the filling nozzle, fill the inner bag with the specified amount of contents from the filling nozzle, remove the filling nozzle from the spout, and remove the spout. The aseptic filling method of sealing with a cap is excellent in productivity but has a low aseptic guarantee level.

There is a demand for an aseptic filling machine and an aseptic filling method for an inner bag for BIB, which has a high level of aseptic guarantee and excellent productivity, which eliminates the above-mentioned drawbacks of the conventional aseptic filling method for an inner bag for BIB.

An object of the present invention is to provide an aseptic filling machine and an aseptic filling method for filling an inner bag for BIB with contents in an aseptic atmosphere, which can solve such a problem.

The sterile filling machine according to the present invention is formed by attaching a spout and a cap for sealing the spout to the upper plastic film of the inner bag for a bag-in-box formed by heat-sealing the peripheral edges of at least two flexible plastic films. A aseptic filling machine for an inner bag for a bag-in-box whose inside has been sterilized by radiation in advance, and a transport device for transporting the inner bag for the bag-in-box is provided, and the bag-in-box is conveyed by the transport device. A chamber for shielding the spout and the cap of the inner bag is provided, an aqua gas blowing nozzle for blowing aqua gas to the spout and the cap is provided in the chamber, and the cap is placed downstream of the aqua gas blowing nozzle. A filling device is provided that detaches from the spout, fills the contents from the spout, and attaches the cap to the spout after filling the contents, and a sterile air supply device that keeps the inside of the chamber at a positive pressure. It is characterized in that it is provided.

Further, the aseptic filling machine according to the present invention shields the spout and the bag-in-box inner bag so as to sandwich the spout from both directions along the direction in which the bag-in-box inner bag is conveyed. It is preferable that a shielding plate is provided.

Further, in the aseptic filling machine according to the present invention, it is preferable that the end portion of the shielding plate is inserted into the groove provided on the side surface of the spout from both side surfaces orthogonal to the transport direction of the spout. ..

Further, it is preferable that the aseptic filling machine according to the present invention is provided with a suction / exhaust device that sucks and exhausts the space formed between the shielding plate and the inner bag for the bag-in-box.

Further, in the aseptic filling machine according to the present invention, it is preferable that the spout and the pre-heating device for raising the temperature of the cap are provided upstream of the aqua gas blowing nozzle provided in the chamber.

Further, it is preferable that the aseptic filling machine according to the present invention is provided with a heating device for heating the inside of the chamber.

Further, in the aseptic filling machine according to the present invention, it is preferable that a partition plate is provided between the aqua gas blowing nozzle and the filling device.

Further, in the aseptic filling machine according to the present invention, it is preferable that a cooling device for cooling the spout and the cap is provided between the partition plate and the filling device.

Further, in the sterile filling machine according to the present invention, a sterile air supply device that holds the inside of the chamber in which the filling device is shielded at a higher pressure than the inside of the chamber in which the aqua gas blowing nozzle is shielded shields the filling device. It is preferable that it is provided in.

Further, it is preferable that the aseptic filling machine according to the present invention is provided with a plurality of the aqua gas blowing nozzles.

Further, in the aseptic filling machine according to the present invention, it is preferable that the aqua gas blowing nozzle is provided inside a shielding member that moves up and down to shield the spout and the cap.

The sterile filling method according to the present invention comprises attaching a spout and a cap for sealing the spout to the upper plastic film of the inner bag for a bag-in-box formed by heat-sealing the peripheral edges of at least two flexible plastic films. A method of aseptically filling the inner bag for the bag-in-box whose inside has been sterilized by radiation in advance, and the transfer step of transporting the inner bag for the bag-in-box in a shielded chamber to which sterile air is supplied. In the aqua gas spraying step of spraying aqua gas on the spout and the cap attached to the inner bag for the bag-in-box, the cap is detached from the spout in the shielded chamber to which the sterile air is supplied. It is characterized by having a filling step in which the contents are filled from the spout, and the cap is attached to the spout after the contents are filled.

Further, in the aseptic filling method according to the present invention, the spout and the inner bag for the bag-in-box are shielded so as to sandwich the spout from both directions along the direction in which the inner bag for the bag-in-box is conveyed. It is preferable to provide a shielding plate and have a suction / exhaust step of sucking / exhausting the space formed between the shielding plate and the inner bag for the bag-in-box.

Further, it is preferable that the aseptic filling method according to the present invention has a preliminary temperature raising step of raising the temperature of the spout and the cap before spraying the aqua gas onto the spout and the cap.

Further, it is preferable that the aseptic filling method according to the present invention has an in-chamber heating step for heating the inside of the chamber.

Further, in the aseptic filling method according to the present invention, it is preferable to provide a partition plate between the portion where the aqua gas spraying step is performed and the portion where the filling step is performed.

Further, the aseptic filling method according to the present invention preferably has a cooling step of cooling the spout and the cap after the inner bag for the bag-in-box has passed through the partition plate and before the filling step is performed. ..

Further, in the aseptic filling method according to the present invention, it is preferable that the pressure in the chamber in which the filling step is performed is maintained at a higher pressure than in the chamber in which the aqua gas spraying step is performed.

Further, in the aseptic filling method according to the present invention, it is preferable to perform the aqua gas spraying step in a state where the spout and the cap are shielded by a shielding member that shields the spout and the cap.

In the present invention, the spout and the cap that seals the spout are attached to the upper plastic film of the inner bag for the bag-in-box, which is formed by heat-sealing the peripheral edges of at least two flexible plastic films. It is a method of aseptically filling a sterilized inner bag for a bag-in-box, and is attached to the inner bag for a bag-in-box in a shielded chamber to which sterile air is supplied while transporting the inner bag for the bag-in-box. Aqua gas is sprayed on the spout and cap to sterilize the spout and cap, then the cap is removed from the spout, the sterilized contents are filled from the spout, and the cap is put into the spout after filling the contents. A sterile filling machine to be mounted and a sterile filling method are provided.

In the present invention, the spout and cap are sterilized by spraying aqua gas on the spout and cap in a chamber to which sterile air is supplied, and the spout and cap are reliably sterilized by the high sterilization performance due to the latent heat of the aqua gas. be able to. Therefore, the BIB as a product can obtain a high sterility guarantee level.

In addition, a shielding plate is provided between the spout and the cap for sterilization and the inner bag for the bag-in-box, and the outer surface of the inner bag for the bag-in-box is sterilized by sucking and exhausting between the shielding plate and the inner bag for the bag-in-box. A high level of sterilization guarantee can be obtained without this.

Further, by performing sterilization and filling while transporting the inner bag for the bag-in-box, the filling capacity can be increased 3 to 5 times and the production efficiency can be improved.

Since the inner bag for the bag-in-box used in the conventional filling machine has been treated with steam at a high temperature for a long time, a spout made of a material having high heat resistance is required. However, in the present invention, the spout is required. And the spout and cap are sterilized by spraying aqua gas on the cap for a short time, and it does not need the heat resistance of the spout used in the conventional machine, so the cost of the inner bag for the bag-in-box can be reduced. Was also connected.

An inner bag for a bag-in-box before filling according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown, (1-1) shows a perspective view, and (1-2) shows a cross-sectional view. The side view of the aseptic filling machine which concerns on embodiment of this invention and the process of the aseptic filling method are shown. An installation example of the aqua gas spray nozzle of the aseptic filling machine according to the embodiment of the present invention is shown, (3-1) shows a side view, and (3-2) shows a plan view. The side view of the shielding member which has the elevating and lowering aqua gas blowing nozzle which shields the spout and the cap of the aseptic filling machine which concerns on embodiment of this invention is shown. An aqua gas blowing nozzle provided inside an elevating and lowering shielding member that shields the spout and the cap of the aseptic filling machine according to the embodiment of the present invention is shown, (5-1) is a plan view, and (5-2). Shows a side view. A suction / exhaust port for sucking and exhausting the space between the shielding plate formed when the inner bag for the bag-in-box of the sterile filling machine according to the embodiment of the present invention is conveyed and the inner bag for the bag-in-box is shown. 6-1) is an embodiment of the suction / exhaust port, (6-2) is another form of the exhaust port, (6-3) is the shape of the exhaust port, and (6-4) is the range of suction / exhaust. Shown. The operation of the spout fixing plate for fixing the spout in each step in the aseptic filling method according to the embodiment of the present invention is shown, and (7-1) shows a side view showing a state in which the spout is sandwiched by the spout fixing plate. , (7-2) is a side view showing a state in which the spout fixing plate is detached from the spout, and (7-3) is a state in which the spout is sandwiched between the spout fixing plate and the fixing plate is detached from the spout. It is a top view which shows. A side view showing a state in which the spout in the aseptic filling method according to the embodiment of the present invention is fixed by a transport retainer and transported is shown, and (8-1) shows a state in which the transport retainer sandwiches the spout. 8-2) is a plan view showing a state in which the transport retainer is operating.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

The bag-in-box inner bag 1 in which the contents are filled by the aseptic filling machine 6 according to the embodiment of the present invention is a perspective view of the bag-in-box inner bag 1 before filling the contents. As shown in (1-1) and FIG. 1 (1-2) showing a cross section, the peripheral edges of at least two flexible plastic films 2 are heat-sealed. The two flexible plastic films 2 are heat-sealed and adhered by the heat-sealing portion 3 to form a bag shape. The inner bag 1 for a bag-in-box is formed of an upper plastic film 2a and a lower plastic film 2b. When heat-sealing the upper plastic film 2a and the lower plastic film 2b, air between the films is eliminated as much as possible. When the inner bag 1 for the bag-in-box is sterilized by irradiation with γ-rays or electron beams, if oxygen is present inside the inner bag 1 for the bag-in-box, the polyethylene constituting the innermost layer of the inner bag 1 for the bag-in-box is formed. This is because there is a risk of reacting with oxygen to generate an offensive odor.

The flexible plastic film 2 includes stretched films such as biaxially stretched polypropylene film, biaxially stretched nylon film, biaxially stretched polyester film, biaxially stretched ethylene-vinyl alcohol copolymer film, and stretched films such as aluminum and aluminum oxide. A film on which silicon oxide or the like is vapor-deposited, a film in which one or more films having no heat-sealing property such as an aluminum foil are laminated with a polyethylene film, a polyethylene film alone, or a nylon or ethylene-vinyl alcohol copolymer. It is a co-extruded film of a resin having a barrier property and polyethylene, and the upper plastic film 2a and the lower plastic film 2b of the inner bag 1 for a bag-in-box are made of one or more plastic films. Polyethylene is usually used for the adhesive surface by heat sealing. The heat seal includes a heat seal by direct heating with a heating plate, an ultrasonic heat seal, a high frequency heat seal when an aluminum foil is contained as a layer, and the like.

The number of the upper plastic film 2a or the lower plastic film 2b of the inner bag 1 for the bag-in-box may be two or more. For example, a film obtained by sequentially laminating a biaxially stretched nylon film 15 μm, an aluminum foil 7 μm, and a polyethylene 50 μm and a polyethylene film 80 μm are laminated to form an upper plastic film 2a, and a lower plastic film 2b is also laminated in the same manner to form 80 μm polyethylene. A bag is formed by heat sealing with the film inside. Four films are adhered to the heat-sealed portion 3, but the four films are not adhered to each of the non-heat-sealed portions. In this way, the upper plastic film 2a and the lower plastic film 2b can be bonded to each other by heat sealing at the heat sealing portion, and a plurality of sheets of each can be formed. Flexibility due to movement of the contents due to the movement of the contents The risk of leakage of the contents due to pinholes generated by bending of the plastic film 2 can be reduced.

The lower the density of polyethylene, the better the pinhole resistance tends to be, but the slipperiness is inferior. Therefore, the polyethylene film may have a multilayer structure in which high-density polyethylene layers are provided on both sides of the low-density polyethylene.

As shown in FIG. 1 (1-2), a hole is provided in the upper plastic film 2a, the spout 4 is adhered from the inside, and a cap 5 is fitted to seal the spout 4. In order to ensure the sealing property, the cap 5 may be provided with a protrusion that is also in close contact with the outer surface side of the spout 4. The cap 5 may be a screw type instead of a fitting type. The cap 5 may have any shape as long as the spout 4 can be sealed.

The spout 4 and the cap 5 are obtained by injection molding and compression molding of a resin such as polyethylene. Polyethylene is preferable because the flange 4a of the spout 4 is heat-sealed with the inner surface of the flexible plastic film 2. Further, a cap 5 is fitted on the inner surface of the spout 4. Adhesion is required for the fitting surface to the extent that bacteria and the like do not flow into it. Therefore, it is preferable that the density of the polyethylene constituting the cap 5 is higher than the density of the polyethylene constituting the spout 4. High adhesion can be obtained by fitting the spout 4 so as to extend it. On the contrary, the density of the polyethylene constituting the spout 4 may be higher than the density of the polyethylene constituting the cap 5, and the cap 5 may be fitted so as to be compressed to obtain high adhesion.

On the side surface of the spout 4, for example, the end of the shielding plate 19 that serves as a guide rail when the bag-in-box inner bag 1 is conveyed is inserted, and the bag-in-box inner bag 1 is positioned when the bag-in-box inner bag 1 is conveyed. Grooves 4b and 4c for inserting the spout fixing plate 16 or the transport retainer 18 are provided. Three or more grooves are provided as needed.

The inner bag 1 for the bag-in-box has a cap 5 fitted to the spout 4, and the inside of the inner bag 1 for the bag-in-box is sterilized by irradiation with γ-rays, electron beams, or the like in a sealed state. The inner bag 1 for a bag-in-box whose inside is sterilized is supplied to the aseptic filling machine 6. In the bag-in-box inner bag 1 supplied to the aseptic filling machine 6, the outer surfaces of the spout 4 and the cap 5 are sterilized by a sterilization step.

The inner bag 1 for a bag-in-box whose inside has been sterilized by radiation in advance is supplied to the aseptic filling machine 6 shown in FIG. The inner bag 1 for the bag-in-box is not supplied one by one, but is supplied as a continuous bag in which a plurality of bags are connected. After the contents are filled, they are discharged from the aseptic filling machine 6 and then cut into one bag.

The aseptic filling machine 6 is shielded by a chamber 7 so that the spout 4 and the cap 5 are not exposed to the outside air. A sterile air supply device 8 is provided in the chamber 7 so that bacteria and the like do not enter the inside of the chamber 7 from the outside air, and sterile air is supplied into the chamber 7 and maintained at a positive pressure. The aseptic air supply device 8 has at least a blower and a sterile filter, and the sterile air is obtained by passing the air from the blower through the sterile filter. A heating device may be provided between the blower and the aseptic filter to heat the aseptic air and supply it into the chamber 7. The chamber 7 shields at least the injection port 4 and the cap 5 of the inner bag 1 for the bag-in-box to be conveyed. The chamber 7 may shield the entire inner bag 1 for the bag-in-box.

The chamber 7 has a shielding structure, but the chamber 7 is partially shielded by a transparent member such as glass or plastic so that the inside can be visually recognized. In addition, a door structure will be provided so that a part of the door can be opened and closed so that it can be operated in the event of trouble. Further, it is preferable to provide gloves so that troubles can be solved without opening and closing the door.

The inner bag 1 for the bag-in-box is supplied to the chamber 7 and is conveyed by the conveying device to go through each process. The continuous bags of the bag-in-box inner bag 1 are transported in the chamber 7 by sandwiching both end surfaces of the bag-in-box inner bag 1 in the traveling direction with chucks. A plurality of chucks are provided at equal intervals on a horizontally rotating endless belt that is operated at the same speed as the inner bag 1 for a bag-in-box. That is, the transport device for the bag-in-box inner bag 1 includes chucks that sandwich both ends of the bag-in-box inner bag 1 that rotates at the same speed as the bag-in-box inner bag 1 in the traveling direction. It is an endless belt equipped. The endless belts are provided in rows on both sides of the inner bag 1 for the bag-in-box and are operated at the same speed. The transfer device is provided so as to be able to transfer the inner bag 1 for the bag-in-box from the inlet to the outlet of the chamber 7, but the transfer device may be provided outside the chamber 7.

A flat plate is provided on the lower portion of the inner bag 1 for the bag-in-box to be transported, and the lower surface of the lower plastic film 2b of the inner bag 1 for the bag-in-box slides on the flat plate, and the inner bag 1 for the bag-in-box moves. To do. In the filling device 13 filled with the contents, a large number of rolls are provided at the lower part of the inner bag 1 for the bag-in-box so as to be orthogonal to the transport direction, and the inner bag 1 for the bag-in-box filled with the contents is provided. The lower surface of the lower plastic film 2b moves on a number of rotating rolls. The roll may be provided so as to be inclined downward in the downstream direction, and the inner bag 1 for the bag-in-box filled with the contents may be moved by gravity.

Each step is performed on the inner bag 1 for the bag-in-box conveyed by the aseptic filling machine 6. When each process is performed on the inner bag for the bag-in-box, the inner bag 1 for the bag-in-box is stopped, and the transport device is intermittently operated. In order to perform each process, the positions of the spout 4 and the cap 5 of the inner bag 1 for the bag-in-box to be stopped must be regulated. Therefore, when the transport of the bag-in-box inner bag 1 is stopped, as shown in FIG. 7, the spout fixing plate 16 for fixing the spout 4 is in the traveling direction of the bag-in-box inner bag 1. On the other hand, the spout 4 is sandwiched from the orthogonal direction. FIG. 7 (7-1) shows a state in which the spout 4 is fixed by the spout fixing plate 16 by inserting the end portion of the spout fixing plate 16 into the groove 4c of the spout 4. Each step is performed with the spout 4 and the cap 5 fixed. FIG. 7 (7-2) shows a state in which the spout fixing plate 16 is separated from the spout 4 after the process is completed, after which the inner bag 1 for the bag-in-box is conveyed. FIG. 7 (7-3) shows a plan view showing a state in which the spout fixing plate 16 fixes the spout 4 and detaches it. The position of the inner bag 1 for the bag-in-box is restricted with respect to the traveling direction by inserting the end portion of the shielding plate 19 which also functions as a transport guide provided in the traveling direction into the groove 4b of the spout. Be transported.

As a method of transporting the inner bag 1 for the bag-in-box, a method of sandwiching the end of the inner bag 1 for the bag-in-box with a chuck and transporting the bag-in-box has been described, but as another method, the spout 4 is sandwiched by the retainer 18 for transporting. The method of transporting in is shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 8 (8-2), the suction port 4 is sandwiched between the transport retainers 18 divided into four parts for transport. The transport retainer is provided on the endless belt, and a plurality of plates are provided between the transport retainer 18 and the transport retainer 18 to shield the bag-in-box inner bag 1 between the spout 4 and the spout 4. Be done. As shown in FIG. 8 (8-1), the transport retainer 18 fixes the spout 4 by inserting the end portion of the transport retainer 18 into the groove 4c of the spout 4. The transport retainer 18 is provided on two rows of endless belts that rotate as shown in FIG. 8 (8-2) with respect to the traveling direction of the bag-in-box inner bag 1. The chamber 7 shields at least the spout 4 and the cap 5, but it is preferable to shield the chamber 7 including the portion where the transport retainer 18 that does not sandwich the spout 4 is operated. When the transport retainer 18 that does not sandwich the spout 4 is exposed to the outside air of the chamber 7, bacteria or the like may adhere to the transport retainer 18 and the endless belt, and the bacteria or the like may transfer from the transport retainer 18 to the spout 4. Because there is.

As shown in FIG. 2, an aqua gas blowing nozzle 9 is provided in the chamber 7. At least one aqua gas spray nozzle 9 is required to sterilize the outer surfaces of the spout 4 and the cap 5, but a plurality of aqua gas spray nozzles 9 may be provided. The aqua gas blowing nozzle 9 may be provided to raise the temperature inside the chamber 7 as a preliminary heating device for raising the temperature of the spout 4 and the cap 5 before sterilization.

Aqua gas is a gas-liquid two-phase heating medium dispersed by spraying fine water droplets at high temperature and high pressure in superheated steam. The superheated steam is obtained by further heating the saturated steam evaporated at 100 ° C. to 120 ° C. to 450 ° C., and the aqua gas is a superheated steam containing water droplets. The particle size of the water droplet is 20 μm to 100 μm. Since aqua gas contains water droplets, it is not easy to raise the temperature to 110 ° C to 120 ° C, which is optimal. The superheated steam can be heated to a high temperature, but the condensed water of the steam adhering to the surface of the sterilized body is small, and the heat conduction coefficient is low. However, aqua gas contains high-temperature water droplets, and the water droplets adhere to the surface of the object to be sterilized, so that the thermal conductivity is high due to the latent heat of the water droplets, and it is higher than superheated steam for sterilizing bacteria and the like existing on the surface of the object to be sterilized. A bactericidal effect can be obtained. Since aqua gas can sterilize bacteria and the like at a temperature lower than that of superheated steam, it is effective for sterilizing the spout 4 and the cap 5 made of polyethylene, which is a resin having a relatively low melting point. That is, sterilization with aqua gas is a sterilization means suitable for a resin molded product having a low melting point such as polyethylene, and the surface of the spout 4 and the cap 5 can be sterilized in a temperature range that does not deform.

As shown in FIG. 2, the temperature of the inner bag 1 for the bag-in-box supplied to the aseptic filling machine 6 is raised by the preliminary heating step of the spout 4 and the cap 5. The preliminary temperature raising step is performed by blowing aqua gas having a temperature exceeding 100 ° C. from the aqua gas blowing nozzle 9. Further, it may be carried out by blowing aseptic heating air. The pre-heating step is performed by a pre-heating device. For example, the pre-heating device is an aqua gas blowing nozzle 9 and an aqua gas generator 10 for supplying aqua gas. Further, the preliminary heating device may be a sterile air heating supply device. The preliminary temperature raising step is effective for rapidly developing sterilization with aqua gas, and it is preferable to raise the temperature of the surfaces of the spout 4 and the cap 5 to around 120 ° C. The preliminary temperature raising step does not necessarily have to be performed. Since the stop time of the inner bag 1 for the bag-in-box in each step is 5 to 7 seconds, depending on the set temperature in the chamber 7, the surfaces of the spout 4 and the cap 5 may be removed even if there is no preliminary temperature raising step. This is because the temperature can be raised to around 120 ° C.

In the bag-in-box inner bag 1 that has undergone the preliminary temperature raising step, the outer surfaces of the spout 4 and the cap 5 are sterilized by the aqua gas spraying step. The number of aqua gas spray nozzles 9 may be one for the spout 4 and the cap 5, but it is preferable to provide a plurality of aqua gas spray nozzles 9. As shown in FIG. 3 (3-1), by providing the aqua gas blowing nozzle 9 above and on the side surface of the spout 4 and the cap 5, aqua gas can be sprayed evenly on the spout 4 and the cap 5.

Further, as shown in FIG. 3 (3-2), the aqua gas blowing nozzles 9 for blowing aqua gas from the side surface may be provided on four sides. The aqua gas is supplied from the aqua gas generator 10 to each aqua gas blowing nozzle 9 by the aqua gas supply pipe 12.

The aqua gas spraying step may be performed in a state of being shielded by a shielding member 11 that shields the spout 4 and the cap 5 by moving up and down as shown in FIG. The cross section of the shielding member 11 is preferably circular, which matches the shape of the cap 5. As shown in FIGS. 5 (5-1) and 5 (5-2), the inside of the shielding member 11 is sprayed with aqua gas from the upper surface of the cap 5 to blow aqua gas from the nozzle 9 and the side surface of the spout. A nozzle 9 is provided. By spraying aqua gas on the spout 4 and the cap 5 inside the shielding member 11, the heat of the sprayed aqua gas is retained and the bactericidal effect is improved. Aqua gas is supplied to each aqua gas spray nozzle 9 by a circular aqua gas supply pipe 12 that matches the cross-sectional shape of the shielding member 11.

The spout 4 and the cap 5 are sterilized by being sprayed with aqua gas. However, the other parts of the inner bag 1 for the bag-in-box are not positively sterilized. Therefore, it is necessary to shield the parts other than the part where the aqua gas is sprayed from the spout 4 and the cap 5 by the shielding plate 19 so that the bacteria and the like adhering to the inner bag 1 for the bag-in-box do not transfer to the spout 4 and the cap 5. Must be. The shielding plate 19 is provided so as to sandwich the spout 4 along the direction in which the inner bag 1 for the bag-in-box is conveyed.

As shown in FIG. 6 (6-1), the end portion of the shielding plate 19 is inserted into the groove 4b of the spout 4 from both sides with respect to the transport direction of the spout 4, and the spout 4 is the end portion of the shielding plate 19. Is transported as a guide rail. As shown in FIG. 6 (6-4), the spout 4 and the inner bag 1 for the bag-in-box are shielded by a shielding plate 19 provided so as to sandwich the spout 4 except for the portion where the spout 4 and the cap 5 move. Will be done. However, the portion where the spout 4 and the cap 5 move is in an open state. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 6 (6-1), the space formed between the shielding plate 19 and the bag-in-box inner bag 1 is sucked and exhausted to remove bacteria and the like adhering to the bag-in-box inner bag 1. By discharging, it is possible to prevent the spout 4 and the cap 5 from being contaminated by bacteria or the like. That is, a suction / exhaust device for sucking and exhausting the space formed between the shielding plate 19 and the inner bag 1 for the bag-in-box is provided.

FIG. 6 shows a suction / exhaust port 14 that sucks and exhausts the space between the shielding plate 19 formed when the bag-in-box inner bag 1 of the aseptic filling machine is conveyed and the bag-in-box inner bag 1. In FIG. 6 (6-1), the suction / exhaust port 14 is provided perpendicular to the spout 4. In FIG. 6 (6-2), the suction / exhaust port 14 is provided so as to be inclined from the upper part to the lower part with respect to the spout port 4. It is effective to make an angle of 45 ° or more with respect to the inner bag 1 for the bag-in-box, and if the suction / exhaust port 14 is provided at an angle of less than 45 °, the inner bag 1 for the bag-in-box that is the target of suction / exhaust 45 ° or more is appropriate because the area is unnecessarily large. Suction holes 14 are provided at equal intervals in the suction / exhaust ports 14 provided perpendicular to the inner bag 1 for the bag-in-box or at an appropriate angle. The shape of the suction hole may be a circle, an elongated hole, an ellipse, or the like. The position of the hole may be evenly drilled in the upper, middle, and lower parts of the board on which the hole is provided, regardless of whether the hole is only in the lower part or only in the upper part. The size of the perforated portion is preferably in the range of φ1 to 4 mm in the case of a circle, and 2 to 4 mm in both the vertical and horizontal directions in the case of an elongated hole and a rectangular shape. Since the amount of positive pressure air varies depending on the chamber size, the number of holes to be opened and the suction amount are appropriately adjusted within a range in which the positive pressure degree is maintained and the suction force of the holes is not lost. As shown in FIG. 6 (6-3), the shape of the suction / exhaust port 14 may be any shape. The suction / exhaust port 14 is continuously provided from the inlet to the outlet of the chamber 7 of FIG. 6 (6-4). A blower is connected to the suction / exhaust port 14, and the space formed between the shielding plate 19 and the inner bag 1 for the bag-in-box is sucked and exhausted. The suction / exhaust device includes a member that connects the blower and the suction / exhaust port 14 and the blower and the suction / exhaust port 14.

When the bag-in-box inner bag 1 is transported by the transport retainer 18 as shown in FIG. 8, the spout 4 and the bag-in-box inner bag 1 are the transport retainers as shown in FIG. 8 (8-2). Since it is shielded by a plate other than the transport retainer 18 and the transport retainer 18, the space formed between the transport retainer 18 and the bag-in-box inner bag 1 does not have to be sucked and exhausted. However, since there is a possibility that the space between the transport retainers 18 is not sealed, suction and exhaust are preferable.

As shown in FIG. 2, the bag-in-box inner bag 1 that has undergone the aqua gas spraying step may undergo a retention step of stopping in the chamber 7. Sterilization is promoted by a retention step in which the spout 4 and the cap 5 sprayed with aqua gas are held under high temperature and high humidity. If the spout 4 and the cap 5 are sufficiently sterilized by the aqua gas spraying step, the retention step may not be performed.

In addition to the aqua gas blowing nozzle 9 used in the preliminary temperature raising step and the aqua gas blowing step, the aqua gas blowing nozzle 9 may be provided in the chamber 7. It is preferable that the aqua gas spray nozzle 9 continuously sprays aqua gas even when the inner bag 1 for the bag-in-box is not stopped. This is because the temperature in the chamber 7 is always maintained at around 120 ° C. and the bactericidal effect is improved by continuously blowing the aqua gas into the chamber 7.

Further, a heating heater may be provided on the wall surface of the chamber 7, the heating heater may be set to 120 ° C. to 150 ° C., and the inside of the chamber 7 may be maintained at around 120 ° C.

An air exhaust port 17 is provided at the entrance of the chamber 7 and in the chamber 7 after the residence step. The air exhaust port 17 at the inlet of the chamber 7 is for preventing aqua gas and heat in the chamber 7 from leaking from the inlet. The air exhaust port 17 in the chamber 7 after the retention process is for preventing aqua gas and heat from flowing into the cooling process.

After the retention step, it is preferable to perform a cooling step for cooling the spout 4 and the cap 5 which have become hot due to the aqua gas spraying step. This is because the cooling step is for returning the spout 4 and the cap 5 that have expanded to a high temperature to the shape at room temperature. This is because when the inner bag 1 for the bag-in-box is filled with the contents in the expanded state and the spout 4 and the cap 5 are fitted, the fitting may cause insufficient adhesion and impair the sealing property. The cooling step is preferably performed by spraying sterile water, sodium hypochlorite solution or sterile air onto the spout 4 and the cap 5. For this purpose, a nozzle for blowing sterile water, sodium hypochlorite solution or sterile air to the spout 4 and the cap 5 and a cooling device for supplying sterile water, sodium hypochlorite solution or sterile air to the nozzle are provided. Aseptic water, sodium hypochlorite solution or sterile air is preferably cooled rather than at room temperature. In this case, the cooling device also needs to be provided with a device for cooling sterile water, sodium hypochlorite solution or sterile air.

It is preferable to provide a partition plate 15 that partitions a portion other than the range through which the inner bag 1 for the bag-in-box can pass between the portion where the retention step and the cooling step are performed. When the retention step and the cooling step are not performed, it is provided between the aqua gas spraying step and the filling step. That is, a partition plate 15 is provided between the aqua gas blowing nozzle 9 and the filling device 13. By providing the partition plate 15, aqua gas and heat do not flow into the parts where the cooling step and the filling step are performed, and the spout 4 and the cap 5 are efficiently cooled.

When the partition plate 15 is provided, the pressure in the chamber 7 in which the filling process is performed must be maintained at a higher pressure than in the chamber 7 in which the aqua gas spraying process is performed. Therefore, a sterile air supply device 8 that holds the inside of the chamber 7 in which the filling device 13 is shielded at a higher pressure than the inside of the chamber 7 in which the aqua gas blowing nozzle 9 is shielded is provided in the chamber that shields the filling device 13.

After the cooling step, the cap 5 of the inner bag 1 for the bag-in-box is detached from the spout 4, the contents sterilized from the spout 4 are filled in the inner bag 1 for the bag-in-box, and the cap 5 is poured after filling. A filling process is performed to attach to the outlet. A filling device 13 is provided in the chamber 7 to perform the filling step.

The inner bag 1 for the bag-in-box sealed by the cap 5 becomes a sterile product, and after being discharged from the chamber 7, the perforations provided in the continuous bag in advance are cut by a cutter and packed in a cardboard box.

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.

1 ... Inner bag for bag-in-box 4 ... Pouring outlet 5 ... Cap 6 ... Aseptic filling machine 9 ... Aqua gas spray nozzle 13 ... Filling device 14 ... Suction / exhaust port 19 ... Shielding plate

Claims (19)

The inside of the bag-in-box inner bag, which is heat-sealed around the periphery of at least two flexible plastic films, is sterilized by radiation in advance by attaching a spout and a cap that seals the spout to the upper plastic film. It is a sterile filling machine for inner bags for bag-in-box.
A transport device for transporting the inner bag for the bag-in-box is provided.
A chamber for shielding the spout and the cap of the inner bag for the bag-in-box transported by the transport device is provided.
An aqua gas blowing nozzle for blowing aqua gas to the spout and the cap is provided in the chamber.
A filling device is provided downstream of the aqua gas blowing nozzle to remove the cap from the spout, fill the contents from the spout, fill the contents, and then attach the cap to the spout.
A sterile filling machine provided with a sterile air supply device that holds the inside of the chamber at a positive pressure. In the aseptic filling machine according to claim 1,
Aseptic, characterized in that a shielding plate for shielding the spout and the bag-in-box inner bag is provided so as to sandwich the spout from both directions along the direction in which the bag-in-box inner bag is conveyed. Filling machine. In the aseptic filling machine according to claim 2.
A sterile filling machine characterized in that the end portion of the shielding plate is inserted into a groove provided on the side surface of the spout from both side surfaces orthogonal to the transport direction of the spout. In the aseptic filling machine according to claim 2 or 3.
A sterile filling machine provided with a suction / exhaust device for sucking and exhausting a space formed between the shielding plate and the inner bag for a bag-in-box. In the aseptic filling machine according to any one of claims 1 to 4.
A sterile filling machine characterized in that a pre-heating device for raising the temperature of the spout and the cap is provided upstream of the aqua gas blowing nozzle provided in the chamber. In the aseptic filling machine according to any one of claims 1 to 5.
An aseptic filling machine characterized in that a heating device for heating the inside of the chamber is provided. In the aseptic filling machine according to any one of claims 1 to 6.
An aseptic filling machine characterized in that a partition plate is provided between the aqua gas blowing nozzle and the filling device. In the aseptic filling machine according to claim 7.
A sterile filling machine characterized in that a cooling device for cooling the spout and the cap is provided between the partition plate and the filling device. In the aseptic filling machine according to claim 7 or 8.
A sterile filling machine characterized in that a sterile air supply device that holds the inside of the chamber in which the filling device is shielded at a higher pressure than the inside of the chamber in which the aqua gas blowing nozzle is shielded is provided in the chamber that shields the filling device. .. In the aseptic filling machine according to any one of claims 1 to 9.
An aseptic filling machine characterized in that a plurality of the aqua gas blowing nozzles are provided. In the aseptic filling machine according to any one of claims 1 to 10.
An aseptic filling machine characterized in that the aqua gas blowing nozzle is provided inside a shielding member that moves up and down to shield the spout and the cap. The inside of the bag-in-box inner bag, which is heat-sealed around the periphery of at least two flexible plastic films, is sterilized by radiation in advance by attaching a spout and a cap that seals the spout to the upper plastic film. It is a sterile filling method for the inner bag for bag-in-box.
A transport process for transporting the inner bag for the bag-in-box,
An aqua gas spraying step of spraying aqua gas onto the spout and the cap attached to the inner bag for the bag-in-box to be conveyed in a shielded chamber to which sterile air is supplied.
In the shielded chamber to which the sterile air is supplied, the cap is detached from the spout, the contents are filled from the spout, and after the contents are filled, the cap is attached to the spout. A sterile filling method comprising a filling step. In the aseptic filling method according to claim 12,
A shielding plate for shielding the spout and the bag-in-box inner bag is provided so as to sandwich the spout from both directions along the direction in which the bag-in-box inner bag is conveyed, and the shielding plate and the bag are provided. A sterile filling method comprising a suction / exhaust step of sucking / exhausting a space formed between inner bags for an in-box. In the aseptic filling method according to claim 12 or 13.
An aseptic filling method comprising a pre-heating step of raising the temperature of the spout and the cap before spraying the aqua gas onto the spout and the cap. The aseptic filling method according to any one of claims 12 to 14.
An aseptic filling method comprising an in-chamber heating step for heating the inside of the chamber. The aseptic filling method according to any one of claims 12 to 15.
An aseptic filling method comprising providing a partition plate between a portion where the aqua gas spraying step is performed and a portion where the filling step is performed to partition the portion. In the aseptic filling method according to claim 16,
A sterile filling method comprising a cooling step of cooling the spout and the cap after the inner bag for a bag-in-box has passed through the partition plate and before the filling step is performed. In the aseptic filling method according to claim 16 or 17.
A sterile filling method, characterized in that the pressure in the chamber in which the filling step is performed is maintained at a higher pressure than in the chamber in which the aqua gas spraying step is performed. The aseptic filling method according to any one of claims 12 to 18.
A aseptic filling method comprising performing the aqua gas spraying step in a state where the spout and the cap are shielded by a shielding member that shields the spout and the cap.

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