JP2694295B2 - Sterilization method by heating sealed packaging container and container holding device - Google Patents

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to heat sterilization of a hermetically sealed packaging container made of a flexible lid material made of aluminum foil or the like and a rigid container made of glass, ceramics, plastic, metal or the like. The present invention relates to a sterilization method when performing and a container holding device used at that time.

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in the case of hermetically packaging foods and the like, for example, a flexible lid material including a metal foil such as aluminum and a heat sealing agent layer, and a rigid container made of glass, ceramics, plastic, metal, etc. In the state of being hermetically sealed by heat sealing, the hermetically sealed packaging container is subjected to heating or retort sterilization.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION Problems to be Solved by the Invention However, when there is a space in the hermetically sealed packaging container when performing sterilization treatment in hot water in the hermetically sealed state as described above, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4. In addition, only the flexible lid member is largely deformed due to the increase in the internal pressure during heating and the decrease in the internal pressure during cooling, so that the pressure fluctuation can be dealt with. For this reason, there is a risk that the heat-sealed portion will peel off and the content will flow out, so the content must be filled to the full. However, the full filling causes a new problem that the flange portion of the container is contaminated with the contents and it is very difficult to perform a complete heat-sealing.

Also, in the case of retort sterilization of the hermetically sealed packaging container, sterilization is performed while applying an external pressure that is proportional to the internal pressure that rises as the temperature rises. Under the present circumstances, there is a risk that the lid material will peel off without making a difference.

Means for Solving Problems Since the reduction of the peeling rate of the lid material in the heat sterilization step directly leads to the improvement of productivity, the present inventor has conducted diligent research to eliminate or reduce such problems. As a result, while tightening and holding the heat-sealed flange portion of the container, it was found that the occurrence of defects in the heat sterilization process can be significantly reduced by giving the lid material a freely deformable space. The invention has been completed.

That is, the present invention provides the following method and device: A hermetically sealed package in which a rigid container is heat-sealed by a flexible lid material having a heat-resistant resin layer on one surface and a heat-sealant layer on the other surface. When performing heat sterilization of the container,
A method for sterilizing a hermetically sealed packaging container, characterized in that the heat-sealed flange portion of the rigid container is mechanically uniformly tightened, and heating is performed in a state in which a flexible lid member is provided with a freely deformable space, and A device for holding a hermetically sealed packaging container during heat sterilization, comprising a pressing member having a space for pressing a heat-sealed flange portion of the hermetically sealed packaging container and freely deforming a flexible lid member. A hermetically sealed package container holding device comprising a support member for receiving the container bottom portion and fixing and holding the container, and a member for integrally fastening these members.

In the present invention, in the heat sterilization step of the hermetically sealed packaging container,
The flange of the heat-sealed container prevents the peeling of the lid material from occurring even if the force due to the bulging of the lid material due to the increase in pressure inside the container is applied to the heat-sealed part where the adhesive strength has decreased due to the temperature rise. It is essential to mechanically tighten the parts and provide a space in which the lid material is freely deformable.

More specifically, the hermetically sealed packaging container holding device of the present invention,
As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the rigid container (6) is sealed with the flexible lid member (7) by heat sealing, and the flange portion which is the heat seal part of the packaging container is pressed and the lid member (7) is attached. A pressing member (2) having a space (5) that is freely deformable, a support member (3) for receiving the container bottom and fixing and holding it, and a member (1) for integrally tightening these members. Consists of.

The method for mechanically tightening the flange portion of the container in the sterilization method of the present invention is not particularly limited, and the hermetically-sealed packaging container is sandwiched between the members (2) and (3) and fixed by using, for example, bolts and screws. Good. At this time, for the purpose of preventing damage or the like, heat-resistant rubber such as silicon rubber may be used as a cushion at the contact portion between the container and the members (2) and (3). Further, (4) in FIGS. 1 and 2 is a through hole, which is used for sufficiently circulating hot water when sterilizing in hot water.

Advantageous Effects of Invention The sterilization method and container holding device of the present invention can significantly prevent the peeling of the lid material in the heat sterilization process of the hermetically sealed packaging container in which the rigid container is heat-sealed with the flexible lid material, as compared with the prior art. It is possible.

Examples Hereinafter, examples will be described.

Example 1 The container holding device of the present invention shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 was produced from an aluminum plate.

On the other hand, a good 120cc glass container is filled with 105cc of water at 85 to 90 ° C, and 12μm polyethylene terephthalate / urethane adhesive / 50μm aluminum foil / urethane adhesive / 50
Using a lid material composed of a μm heat sealant layer, temperature 240
The sample was heat-sealed at a temperature of 4 ° C. and a pressure of 4 kg / cm ² for 2 seconds, and the hermetically sealed sample was set in the above apparatus.

After that, the entire apparatus was immersed in hot water at 85 to 90 ° C. for 30 minutes for heat sterilization.

 As a result, peeling of the lid material did not occur at all.

Also, using the device and sample manufactured under the same conditions,
Rotation retort sterilization was performed for 30 minutes at rpm, but no peeling occurred.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a hermetically sealed packaging container holding device according to the present invention. FIG. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view of FIG. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of a hermetically sealed packaging container during heating according to the prior art. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of a hermetically sealed packaging container according to the prior art during cooling. (1) ...... Tightening member (2) ...... Holding member (3) ...... Support member (4) ...... Provided in through holes (5) ...... (2) provided in (2) and (3) Through hole (6) …… Rigid container (7) …… Lid material

Claims (2)

(57) [Claims] 1. When heat sterilizing a hermetically sealed packaging container in which a rigid container is heat-sealed with a flexible lid material having a heat-resistant resin layer on one surface of the metal foil and a heat-sealing agent layer on the other surface, the rigidity is improved. A method for sterilizing a hermetically sealed container, characterized in that the heat-sealed flange portion of the container is mechanically tightened uniformly and heating is performed in a state where a space in which the flexible lid member is freely deformable is provided. 2. A device for holding a hermetically-sealed packaging container during heat sterilization, which has a space for holding a heat-sealed flange portion of the hermetically-sealed packaging container and freely deforming a flexible lid member. A pressing member provided,
A hermetically sealed package container holding device comprising a support member for receiving a container bottom and fixing and holding the container, and a member for integrally fastening these members.