JP3080347B2 - Sterilization method and apparatus for PET bottle - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a method and an apparatus for sterilizing PET bottles filled with various foods and drinks such as drinking water, juice, oolong tea and milk coffee. The present invention relates to a method for sterilizing a PET bottle, which can sterilize a PET bottle in a short time without increasing the water content, and a sterilizing apparatus for the same.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, when a PET bottle is sterilized using a peracetic acid-based disinfectant, the PET bottle is disinfected by filling the PET bottle with a disinfectant. After this sterilization, the filled sterilizing agent is discharged from the PET bottle, and the inside of the PET bottle is washed with sterile water (washing step) to remove the sterilizing agent in the PET bottle.

[0003] In order to prevent hydrogen peroxide and peracetic acid from remaining after the above-mentioned washing step, there is a demand to reduce the concentration of hydrogen peroxide and peracetic acid to be used. However, if the concentration of hydrogen peroxide or peracetic acid used is kept low, the disinfectant cannot exert a strong disinfecting effect, so if sufficient disinfection is to be performed, the disinfecting time will be long. The problem of time uneconomics is a problem.

[0004]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a method for disinfecting a PET bottle and an apparatus for disinfecting a PET bottle, which can sterilize a PET bottle in a short time without increasing the concentration of a disinfectant.

[0005]

Means for Solving the Problems The present invention has been proposed to achieve the above object, and has the following structure. That is, according to the present invention, a peracetic acid-based disinfectant containing hydrogen peroxide and having a peracetic acid concentration of 1000 ppm to 1500 ppm is heated to 60 ° C. or higher, and is sprayed onto at least the inner surface of the PET bottle by a nozzle. A method for sterilizing PET bottles is provided.

Further, according to the present invention, hydrogen peroxide is blended and the concentration of peracetic acid is more than 1500 ppm.
Peracetic acid-based disinfectant reduced to less than 00 ppm
As described above, there is provided a method for disinfecting a PET bottle, wherein the PET bottle is heated and injected by a nozzle onto at least the inner surface of the PET bottle.

Further, according to the present invention, hydrogen peroxide is blended and the concentration of
Peracetic acid-based germicide reduced to less than 00 ppm
As described above, there is provided a method for sterilizing a PET bottle, characterized in that the PET bottle is heated and injected by a nozzle onto at least the inner surface of the PET bottle.

Further, according to the present invention, a peracetic acid-based disinfectant containing hydrogen peroxide and having a peracetic acid concentration of 3000 ppm or more is heated to 45 ° C. or more, and at least the inner surface of the PET bottle is heated by a nozzle. And a method for sterilizing PET bottles, characterized by injecting into PET bottles.

Further, according to the present invention, a temperature control means for controlling the temperature of a peracetic acid-based disinfectant containing hydrogen peroxide to 45 ° C. or higher, and a peracetic acid-based disinfectant controlled by the temperature control means To P
A sterilization apparatus for a PET bottle, comprising: a plurality of nozzles for supplying at least an inner surface of the ET bottle.

[0010]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION According to the present invention, a peracetic acid-based disinfectant containing hydrogen peroxide (hereinafter may be simply referred to as a peracetic acid-based disinfectant) is heated to a temperature higher than a predetermined temperature or peracetic acid. It is characterized in that it is heated to a predetermined temperature or higher corresponding to the concentration of the system-based disinfectant, and the heated peracetic acid-based disinfectant is sterilized by contacting at least the inner surface of the PET bottle. Accordingly, the PET bottle can be sterilized in a very short time without increasing the concentration of the peracetic acid-based germicide.

In the present invention, P ₃ -oxoniaaktiv and P ₃ -oxo manufactured by Henkel Hakusui Co., Ltd.
nia aktiv 90, etc., and it is preferable that the mixing ratio of peracetic acid and hydrogen peroxide is 1 to 4 hydrogen peroxide to 1 peracetic acid in terms of weight ratio from the viewpoint of drug stability. .

The temperature of the peracetic acid-based disinfectant is set to 60 ° C. or higher in consideration of the fact that the concentration of peracetic acid in the peracetic acid-based disinfectant used for disinfecting PET bottles is usually 1000 to 1500 ppm. Is preferred. Further, the temperature is preferably 95 ° C. or less from the viewpoint of practical use, the viewpoint that peracetic acid remains without being decomposed to the extent that the bactericidal effect can be sufficiently exhibited, and the heat resistance of the PET bottle.

When a peracetic acid fungicide having a peracetic acid concentration of 1500 ppm or more and less than 2000 ppm is used, it is preferable to heat the peracetic acid fungicide to 55 ° C. or more. If the temperature of the peracetic acid-based disinfectant is lower than 55 ° C., the disinfection time tends to be long.

When a peracetic acid bactericide having a peracetic acid concentration of 2,000 ppm or more and less than 3000 ppm is used, it is preferable to heat the peracetic acid bactericide to 50 ° C. or more. If the temperature of the peracetic acid-based disinfectant is lower than 50 ° C., the disinfection time tends to be long. Further, in the present invention, the peracetic acid-based disinfectant is sterilized by contacting at least the inner surface of the PET bottle. As this method, a method of ejecting the peracetic acid-based disinfectant into the PET bottle by a nozzle can be adopted. Further, it is also possible to sterilize the peracetic acid-based disinfectant by flowing the peracetic acid-based disinfectant into the PET bottle and filling the PET bottle without filling the PET bottle with the peracetic acid-based disinfectant.

When the PET bottle is sterilized by the above-described ejection method, the ejection may be performed in a plurality of times, or the injection may be performed continuously at one time. When the ejection is performed by dividing the ejection into a plurality of times, there is an advantage that contamination of the medicine ejected after the first time can be suppressed, and the medicine can be collected and reused. Further, when the ejection is performed once, there are advantages such as shortening of the sterilization time and simple control of the ejection of the sterilizing agent. In the method of sterilization by jetting a sterilizing agent, the flow rate of the peracetic acid-based sterilizing agent varies depending on the volume of the bottle to be sterilized and the like, but is preferably 100 to 300 ml / sec. This is preferable in that the entire surface is sterilized.

In the case of sterilization by a method of filling a bottle with a bactericide, the amount of the peracetic acid bactericide varies depending on the volume of the bottle to be sterilized, etc. However, it is preferable in that the entire inner surface of the bottle is sterilized. Further, the PET bottle sterilizing apparatus according to the present invention is characterized by comprising a plurality of disinfectant supply means for supplying a peracetic acid-based disinfectant temperature-controlled by the temperature control means to at least the inner surface of the PET bottle. . That is, the PET bottle sterilizer according to the present invention is configured to sterilize by another sterilant supply unit before sterilization by a specific sterilant supply unit. Therefore, the sterilizing step by another disinfectant supply means also serves as a pre-cleaning step before the sterilization step by the specific disinfectant supply means, so that no pre-cleaning means is required, and the apparatus can be downsized.

An apparatus for carrying out the peracetic acid-based disinfectant method according to the present invention will be described below with reference to FIG. In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 denotes a bottle conveying device including a belt conveyor and the like, and reference numeral 2 denotes a bottle sterilizing unit. The bottle sterilizing section 2 is maintained at a sterile level of Class 10000, and has a first sterilizing nozzle (not shown) and a second sterilizing nozzle.
A nozzle for sterilization (not shown) is provided.
Temperature control means for heating and maintaining the peracetic acid-based germicide at a desired temperature is provided. From each of the first sterilizing nozzle and the second sterilizing nozzle, a peracetic acid-based germicide whose temperature has been adjusted by the temperature adjusting means is jetted. The first sterilization nozzle and the second sterilization nozzle are arranged at positions facing the filling port of the contents of the bottle transported in an inverted state by the bottle transport device 1.

A sterile air transport section 3 is provided downstream of the bottle sterilizing section 2 in the bottle transport direction (right direction in FIG. 1). The aseptic air transport unit 3 is provided with aseptic air blowing means (not shown) for blowing aseptic air to the bottle. Further, a bottle washing / filling / sealing unit 4 is disposed downstream of the aseptic air conveyance unit 3 in the bottle conveyance direction. The bottle washing / filling / sealing section 4 is maintained at a sterile level of class 100. The bottle washing / filling / sealing section 4 is provided with a washing machine 5 having a sterile water jet nozzle (not shown) for jetting sterile water. Further, the bottle washing / filling / sealing section 4 includes a washing machine 5
A filling section 6 is provided on the downstream side in the bottle conveyance direction. The filling section 6 is provided with food and drink supply means (not shown) for supplying food and drink such as milk coffee into the bottle.

The bottle washing / filling / sealing section 4 has a capper 7 downstream of the filling section 6 in the bottle conveying direction. Further, the sterilizing apparatus according to the present invention includes a cap sterilizing apparatus 8 for sterilizing a cap for closing a food filling opening of a bottle. This cap sterilizer 8
It is maintained at a sterile level of class 1000.

The bottle before sterilization is conveyed by the bottle conveying device 1 to the bottle sterilizing section 2 in an inverted state. In the bottle sterilizing section 2, first, a peracetic acid-based germicide whose temperature has been adjusted to a predetermined temperature by the temperature adjusting means is jetted from the first sterilizing nozzle to only the inner surface and the outer surface, or only the inner surface of the bottle. Thus, foreign substances such as dust adhered to the inner and outer surfaces of the bottle or the inner surface are washed away, and the inner and outer surfaces or the inner surface of the bottle are sterilized. Then
When the bottle reaches the position facing the second disinfecting nozzle by the bottle transport device 1, the peracetic acid-based disinfection temperature controlled to a predetermined temperature from the second disinfecting nozzle on the inner surface and the outer surface or the inner surface of the bottle. The agent is ejected. Thereby, bacteria that have not been sterilized by the first sterilization nozzle are sterilized.

In the sterilization in the bottle sterilizing section 2, since the peracetic acid-based disinfectant is heated to a predetermined temperature, that is, the peracetic acid-based disinfectant is jetted into the bottle while the disinfecting power is increased. , Sterilization time is reduced.

The bottle sterilized by the bottle sterilizing section 2 is conveyed to the bottle washing / filling / sealing section 4 by the bottle conveying device 1. In this transporting process, aseptic air is blown to the inner and outer surfaces of the bottle by the aseptic air blowing means of the aseptic air transport unit 3.

The bottle conveyed as described above is supplied to the washing machine 5
The sterile water jet nozzle jets sterile water into and out of the bottle to remove peracetic acid-based germicide remaining in the bottle. In this case, in the present invention, the bottle is sterilized using the peracetic acid-based disinfectant heated as described above, that is, using the peracetic acid-based disinfectant having a high sterilizing power. Since the concentration of peracetic acid in the acetic acid-based germicide can be kept low, there is no fear that the peracetic acid-based germicide remains after washing.

The washed bottle is filled with food and drink such as milk coffee by the food and drink supply means in the filling section 6, and a cap sterilized by a cap sterilizer 8 is attached by a capper 7. You. After the cap is attached, the bottle is inspected for a product, thereby completing the entire process. In the above description, in the bottle sterilization section 2, sterilization is performed twice by the first sterilization nozzle and the second sterilization nozzle. However, the sterilization nozzle is made a single piece, and the sterilization time is further reduced. It is possible to adopt a configuration in which sterilization is performed once by applying two sterilization times using the first sterilization nozzle and the second sterilization nozzle.
Further, in the present invention, since the peracetic acid-based disinfectant is heated and disinfected, it is expected that a bad smell will be generated. However, by providing a suction / discharge means in the disinfection device, a clean environment can be obtained. Can be maintained.

[0025]

EXAMPLE 1 Bacillus a subutilis spores, PET bottles having an inner volume is 1500ml (JUC-1500) uniformly on the inner surface ¹⁰⁶
Cfu / bottle was attached to obtain a test bottle. Sterilization conditions were as follows. Disinfectant used: Peracetic acid disinfectant (trade name: P3-ox)
onia aktiv) Peracetic acid concentration in the disinfectant; 1000 ppm Temperature of the peracetic acid disinfectant; 60 ° C. Supply method of the disinfectant to the bottle; 1sec, 3sec, 5sec, 8sec, 10se
c, each time of 15 sec Under the above conditions, the inner surface of the bottle was sterilized, and the sterilization results are shown in Table 1.

Example 2 A test bottle was sterilized under the same conditions as in Example 1 except that the temperature of the sterilizing agent was changed to 65 ° C., and the sterilizing effect was shown in Table 1.

Example 3 A test bottle was sterilized under the same conditions as in Example 1 except that the concentration of peracetic acid in the disinfectant was 1500 ppm and the temperature of the peracetic acid disinfectant was 55 ° C. The results are shown in Table 2.

Example 4 A test bottle was sterilized under the same conditions as in Example 3 except that the temperature of the sterilizing agent was set to 60 ° C., and the sterilizing effect is shown in Table 2.

Example 5 A test bottle was sterilized under the same conditions as in Example 3 except that the temperature of the sterilizing agent was changed to 65 ° C., and the sterilizing effect was shown in Table 2.

Example 6 A test bottle was sterilized under the same conditions as in Example 1 except that the concentration of peracetic acid in the disinfectant was 2000 ppm and the temperature of the peracetic acid disinfectant was 50 ° C. The results are shown in Table 3.

Example 7 A test bottle was sterilized under the same conditions as in Example 6 except that the temperature of the germicide was 55 ° C., and the germicidal effects are shown in Table 3.

Example 8 A test bottle was sterilized under the same conditions as in Example 6 except that the temperature of the sterilizing agent was set to 60 ° C., and the sterilizing effect was shown in Table 3.

Example 9 A test bottle was sterilized under the same conditions as in Example 6 except that the temperature of the sterilizing agent was changed to 65 ° C., and the sterilizing effect was shown in Table 3.

Example 10 A test bottle was sterilized under the same conditions as in Example 1 except that the concentration of peracetic acid in the disinfectant was 3000 ppm and the temperature of the peracetic acid disinfectant was 45 ° C. The results are shown in Table 4.

Example 11 A test bottle was sterilized under the same conditions as in Example 10 except that the temperature of the sterilizing agent was set to 50 ° C., and the sterilizing effect is shown in Table 4.

Example 12 A test bottle was sterilized under the same conditions as in Example 10 except that the temperature of the disinfectant was 55 ° C., and the disinfection effect was shown in Table 4.

Example 13 A test bottle was sterilized under the same conditions as in Example 10 except that the temperature of the germicide was 60 ° C., and the germicidal effects are shown in Table 4.

Example 14 A test bottle was sterilized under the same conditions as in Example 10 except that the temperature of the sterilizing agent was changed to 65 ° C., and the sterilizing effect is shown in Table 4.

Comparative Example 1 A test bottle was sterilized under the same conditions as in Example 1 except that the temperature of the sterilizing agent was set to 45 ° C., and the sterilizing effect is shown in Table 1.

Comparative Example 2 A test bottle was sterilized under the same conditions as in Example 1 except that the temperature of the sterilizing agent was set at 50 ° C., and the sterilizing effect was shown in Table 1.

Comparative Example 3 A test bottle was sterilized under the same conditions as in Example 1 except that the temperature of the sterilizing agent was set to 55 ° C., and the sterilizing effect is shown in Table 1.

Comparative Example 4 A test bottle was sterilized under the same conditions as in Example 3 except that the temperature of the sterilizing agent was set to 45 ° C., and the sterilizing effect is shown in Table 2.

Comparative Example 5 A test bottle was sterilized under the same conditions as in Example 3 except that the temperature of the sterilizing agent was set at 50 ° C., and the sterilizing effect was shown in Table 2.

Comparative Example 6 A test bottle was sterilized under the same conditions as in Example 6 except that the temperature of the sterilizing agent was set to 45 ° C., and the sterilizing effect was shown in Table 3.

[0045]

In Table 1, “◎” indicates that the number of surviving bacteria is 1.
0 ⁰ it cfu is less than or equal to, "○" is the survival number of bacteria 10 ⁰
and the indicated that in cfu or more and 10 ¹ cfu or less, indicating that any surviving bacteria count is low than survival bacterial count of statutory (as appropriate sterilization is performed). Further, “△” indicates that the number of surviving bacteria is 10 ¹ cfu or more.
³ cfu or less, “x” indicates that the number of surviving bacteria is 10 ³ c
fu or more, indicating that the number of surviving bacteria is greater than the legally surviving number of bacteria (insufficient sterilization). From the above Table 1, in Example 1, 15 seconds
In this short time, a sufficient bactericidal effect was obtained, and in Example 2, it was clarified that a sufficient bactericidal effect could be obtained in a shorter 8 seconds. On the other hand, in Comparative Examples 1 to 3, no sufficient sterilizing effect was obtained in a short time of 15 seconds or less.

[0047]

In Table 2, "◎", "○", "△",
“×” indicates the same content as in Table 1. In each of Examples 3 to 5, a sufficient sterilizing effect was obtained in a short time of 15 seconds or less, and particularly in Example 5, a sufficient sterilizing effect was obtained in an extremely short time of 5 seconds. On the other hand, in Comparative Examples 4 and 5, a sufficient bactericidal effect was not obtained in a short time of 15 seconds or less.

[0049]

In Table 3, “◎”, “○”, “△”,
“×” indicates the same content as in Table 1. In Examples 6 to 9, a sufficient sterilizing effect was obtained in a short time of 15 seconds or less, and particularly in Example 9, a very effective sterilizing effect was obtained in a very short time of 5 seconds. On the other hand, in Comparative Example 6, a sufficient sterilizing effect was not obtained in a short time of 15 seconds or less.

[0051]

In Table 4, “◎”, “○”, “△”,
“×” indicates the same content as in Table 1. Example 10
In Examples 14 to 14, a sufficient sterilizing effect was obtained in a short time of 15 seconds or less.
In a very short time, a sufficient sterilizing effect was obtained.

[0053]

As described above, according to the present invention, there is provided a PET bottle sterilizing method and a PET bottle sterilizing apparatus capable of sterilizing a PET bottle in a short time without increasing the concentration of a sterilizing agent. Can be provided.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a process diagram of a method for sterilizing a PET bottle according to the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 2 Bottle sterilization section 4 Bottle washing and filling sealing section

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuation of the front page (56) References JP-A-4-311435 (JP, A) JP-A-4-189728 (JP, A) JP-A-2-242721 (JP, A) JP-A-56- 68456 (JP, A) JP-A-5-65148 (JP, A) (58) Fields investigated (Int. Cl. ⁷ , DB name) B65B 55/00-55/24

Claims (5)

(57) [Claims] 1. A peracetic acid-based disinfectant containing hydrogen peroxide and having a peracetic acid concentration of 1000 ppm to 1500 ppm is heated to 60 ° C. or higher, and PET is injected through a nozzle.
P which is sprayed on at least the inner surface of the bottle
How to sterilize ET bottles. 2. A peracetic acid-based disinfectant mixed with hydrogen peroxide and having a concentration of peracetic acid of 1500 ppm or more and less than 2000 ppm is heated to 55 ° C. or more, and sprayed onto at least the inner surface of the PET bottle by a nozzle. A method for sterilizing PET bottles. 3. A peracetic acid-based disinfectant mixed with hydrogen peroxide and having a concentration of peracetic acid of 2,000 ppm or more and less than 3000 ppm is heated to 50 ° C. or more, and sprayed onto at least the inner surface of the PET bottle by a nozzle. A method for sterilizing PET bottles, characterized by soaking. 4. A peracetic acid-based disinfectant containing hydrogen peroxide and having a peracetic acid concentration of 3000 ppm or more.
A method for sterilizing a PET bottle, wherein the PET bottle is heated to 5 ° C. or higher, and sprayed onto at least the inner surface of the PET bottle by a nozzle. 5. A temperature control means for controlling a temperature of a peracetic acid-based disinfectant containing hydrogen peroxide to 45 ° C. or higher, and at least an inner surface of a PET bottle containing the peracetic acid-based disinfectant controlled by the temperature control means. And a plurality of nozzles for supplying to a PET bottle.