JP3083107B2 - Method for producing bottled beverage and apparatus used therefor - 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 for producing a bottled beverage and an apparatus used for the same, and more particularly, to a method for efficiently converting air in a hollow portion of a bottled beverage container, that is, a so-called head space, into an inert gas. And a device used therefor.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In general, beverages in sealed containers are manufactured by filling contents such as fruit juice into containers such as cans and bottles, and then sterilizing and sealing them. At this time, a head space is provided above the containers. Occurs. If air (especially oxygen) remains in this head space, the contents react with oxygen over time, causing deterioration in flavor, decay, color change and the like. For example, in the case of a bottled juice beverage using a transparent bottle, the color tone of the contents is important in product design, not only the flavor, but if oxygen remains in the headspace, the color tone of the juice beverage changes. However, there is a problem that the commercial value is impaired.

Therefore, as a method for solving the above problem,
For example, a method described in JP-A-62-135184 has been proposed. This method, as shown in FIG.
In the injection position (1), an inert gas injection nozzle () is installed below the cap shooter (19) in parallel with the longitudinal direction toward the bottle opening (17a) of the bottle (17) filled with the contents (40). After injecting the inert gas (15) from 16), at the position of Q, the cap shooter (1)
From 9), the cap (18) is supplied to the bottle mouth (17a), and then the cap is tightened.

However, in this method, the inert gas injection nozzle (16) is installed at a distance from the cap shooter (19) so as not to hinder the supply of the cap (18) onto the bottle mouth (17a). I have to do it. Therefore, a certain interval is required between the time when the inert gas is injected into the bottle (17) and the time when the inert gas is sealed with the cap (18), during which ambient air is introduced into the bottle (17). The headspace (4
The air of 1) cannot be completely replaced with an inert gas.

[0005] Further, since the inert gas is directly injected toward the liquid level of the contents (40) in the bottle (17), the residual air on the back surface of the cap cannot be replaced. Further, there is a disadvantage that the contents (40) are easily scattered by the pressure at the time of injection, and contaminate around the bottle mouth (17a) and around the injection nozzle opening (16a).

Therefore, as another method, there has been proposed a method of not injecting the inert gas directly toward the liquid surface of the contents (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2-296624). This method uses a cap shooter (19) as shown in FIG.
Inert gas injection nozzles (21) and (22) are installed toward the bottle mouth (17a) from two directions different from the longitudinal direction of the bottle. Then, as shown in FIG. 7 (b), an inert gas (15) is simultaneously jetted from each nozzle, and the inert gases (15) collide with each other over the bottle mouth (17a), and The inert gas is caused to flow down into the head space (41) of the bottle (17) by causing the inert gas to flow down.

In this method, the cap shooter (1)
9) Without contacting the gas injection nozzles (21),
Since (22) is installed, the nozzle injection port can be installed near the cap transfer position as shown in FIG. Therefore, since the interval from the injection of the inert gas to the tightening of the cap can be shortened, the surrounding air does not mix again, and the rate of replacement with the inert gas in the headspace can be increased. it can.

However, in this method, the bottle (17)
Although the replacement ratio of the inert gas in the head space (41) increases, the air remaining on the back surface of the cap cannot be replaced. Therefore, when the cap is supplied to the bottle opening and tightened, the remaining space on the back surface of the cap remains. The air eventually gets mixed in,
The rate of replacement with an inert gas is deteriorated.

Therefore, as a method for replacing the air remaining in the space inside the cap on the back surface of the cap, Japanese Utility Model Application Laid-Open No.
It has been proposed to use the device described in US Pat. In this method, as shown in FIG. 8, an inert gas injection nozzle (27) is inserted into the cap shooter (26) from the cap shooter bottom plate (26a) to inject the inert gas, and as shown in FIG. Before the cap transfer position, the inert gas is also injected from the inert gas injection nozzle (28) to the back surface of the cap and the bottle opening (17a), thereby increasing the replacement ratio to the inert gas.

[0010] However, in this method, it is necessary to fill the cap shooter (26) with an inert gas and to remodel the cap shooter (26) into a highly hermetically sealed structure in order to prevent the gas from flowing out. The injection of the inert gas to the back surface of the cap and the bottle mouth (17a) is performed by the same nozzle (28). In this case, the inert gas is injected between the injection holes (31) and (32). Since the ejection amount is not constant, the replacement ratio of the inert gas tends to vary.

Further, since the injection nozzle (28) needs to be installed so as not to abut on the cap delivery position of the cap shooter (26), the interval from the inert gas injection to the cap tightening becomes large. In the meantime, the surrounding air is mixed again. Further, in this method, since the inert gas is ejected at a total of three places, a large amount of the inert gas is required, which leads to an increase in cost.

As described above, the conventional technology for replacing air in the headspace with an inert gas has problems such as poor replacement efficiency, necessity of modification of the apparatus, and variation in the replacement rate. Was.

[0013]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and in order to replace the air in the head space of a bottle with an inert gas, the inert gas is simply provided by a nozzle. When the cap is obliquely half-covered on the bottle mouth when it is supplied to the bottle mouth instead of injecting it, the inert gas or the inert gas and steam are directed toward the inner space of the cap. The mixed gas is injected, the air in the head space is replaced by the reflected jet, and the cap is supplied to the bottle mouth in a state where the gas is accumulated in the inner space of the cap,
The present inventors have found that a sealed bottled beverage having a high inert gas replacement ratio can be obtained, and have reached the present invention.

That is, the object of the present invention is as follows.
An object of the present invention is to provide a method for producing a bottled beverage and an apparatus used for the method, which can efficiently replace the air in the headspace of the bottled beverage with an inert gas by a very simple operation.

[0015]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The object of the present invention is to provide a method for producing a bottled beverage in which a bottle is filled with the contents, and then a cap is supplied to the bottle mouth of the bottle to seal the bottle. In the step of supplying the cap, when the cap is obliquely half-covered on the bottle mouth, an inert gas or a mixed gas of an inert gas and steam is injected toward the inside of the cap, and the inside of the cap is injected. A method for producing a bottled beverage, which comprises replacing the air in the empty space with this gas and replacing the air in the head space of the bottle with this gas reflected on the inner wall surface of the cap, and the contents. Cap supply means for supplying a cap to the bottle mouth of the filled bottle, and when the cap supplied from the cap supply means is obliquely half-covered on the bottle mouth, the cap is not directed toward the inner space of the cap. Activated gas or Further comprising a gas injection means for injecting a mixed gas of inert gas and steam is achieved by a device for use in the production of bottled beverages and wherein.

[0016]

According to the method of the present invention, a bottle made of glass, plastic or the like is filled with a drink such as fruit juice, coffee, milk drink, etc., and then the air in the head space of the bottle mouth is replaced with an inert gas. When supplying various caps to the bottle mouth, when the cap is just half-covered obliquely to the bottle mouth, an inert gas or inert gas and steam are directed from the nozzle toward the inside of the cap. And the gas in the cap space is replaced by this gas, and the gas reflected on the wall surface of the cap inner space enters the head space of the bottle, and the air in the head space also becomes the gas. Is replaced by

As the inert gas, nitrogen gas, carbon dioxide gas or the like is used. It is preferable to use a mixed gas obtained by mixing steam with these inert gases. That is, when a mixed gas of an inert gas and steam is used, the degree of vacuum in the bottle is increased, so that the total gas volume that can be retained in the head space of the bottle is reduced. Therefore, the residual amount of oxygen is also reduced, and the rate of replacement with an inert gas is further increased. In particular,
Good results are obtained with a mixture of nitrogen gas and steam.

Next, the present invention will be described in detail based on embodiments.

[0019]

FIG. 1 is an explanatory view showing an embodiment of the apparatus according to the present invention. FIG. 2 is a view showing the apparatus shown in FIG. 1 viewed from the direction a. It is an enlarged explanatory view showing a cut surface. In the figure, (7) is a nozzle for injecting gas, (12) is a gas injection port thereof,
(6) is a gas supply pipe for supplying gas to the nozzle (7). (8) is a cap shooter, and (9) is a cap shooter bottom plate. (10) is the content (40)
And (11) is a cap supplied to the bottle mouth (10a).

This device is first installed such that the cap supply means is located above the bottle mouth of the bottle (10) which has been filled and transported with the contents (40). That is, the cap (11) is the cap shooter bottom plate (9)
So that the lower part of the cap shooter (8) is located close to the upper part of the bottle mouth so as to be supplied along the bottle mouth.

[0021] In addition, this device is used as gas injection means.
The nozzle (7) is installed at the following position with respect to the cap supply means. That is, the nozzle (7) is provided with the cap (1) sent from the cap shooter (8).
When 1) is caught on one end of the bottle mouth (10a) and becomes in a state of oblique half-cover, gas is injected from the gas injection port (12) toward the inner space of the cap (11). , Cap shooter (8).

This nozzle (7) is, as shown in FIG.
The shape is substantially horseshoe-shaped slightly larger than the bottle diameter so as to completely cover a half circumference of the bottle mouth, and this nozzle is provided with a gas supply pipe (6) and an injection port (12) for injecting gas into the inner space of the cap. ) Is preferably used.

Further, one or a plurality of tubular nozzles may be used instead of the above nozzle. In addition, the gas injection angle from the injection port of the nozzle is such that the injected gas reflects on the inner wall surface of the cap and becomes a reflected jet,
The angle is set so as to enter the head space (41) of the bottle.
The cap shooter (8) may be a commonly used cap shooter.

Using the above apparatus, for example, a full volume of 110 ml
Using a bottle (10) of the following size and a roll-on cap (pill fur proof cap) (11) of φ28 mm,
The manufacturing method of the present invention is performed, for example, as follows. That is, first, the contents (40) are filled by a normal filling method.
Bottle (10) filled with 100 ml
/ Min, and conveys into the cap supply section. Then
When the cap (11) is supplied from the cap shooter (8) to the bottle mouth (10a), when the cap (11) is caught on one end of the bottle mouth (10a) and becomes obliquely half-covered, Inert gas or a mixed gas of inert gas and steam is injected from the gas injection port (12) of the nozzle (7) toward the inner space of the cap (11). At this time, the gas supply pressure to the nozzle (7) is 0.1 to 0.5.
The range of kg / cm ² is preferred.

FIG. 4C shows the flow of gas and air around the bottle mouth and the nozzle at this time. That is, as indicated by the solid arrow, the gas injection port (12) of the nozzle (7)
The gas injected toward the inner space of the cap (11) is reflected by the wall surface of the inner space of the cap (11), becomes a reflected jet, and enters the head space (41) of the bottle (10).

As described above, by flowing the gas, the air in the inner space of the cap (11) and the air in the head space (41) of the bottle (10) are exhausted and can be efficiently replaced with the gas. . Immediately after being replaced with the gas, the cap (11) is attached to the bottle mouth, the bottle (10) is conveyed to the winder and sealed, and a bottled beverage is obtained.

Further, the nozzle (7) has a gas injection port (1).
More favorable results can be obtained by providing 3a) and (13b) so as to inject gas into the inner space of the cap and at the same time to inject gas in a direction opposite to the air around the bottle mouth entrained by the injection. That is, as shown in FIG. 4C, in order to cut off air entrapped from the direction of the dotted arrow on the nozzle side of the bottle mouth, gas is injected in opposition to this air.

Further, prior to the replacement with the inert gas and the supply of the cap according to the present invention, the air in the head space of the bottle is purged with the inert gas or the inert gas along the transport route from the content filling end point to the cap supply section. It is preferable to provide a preliminary replacement step in which replacement is performed to some extent with a mixed gas of active gas and steam.

As an apparatus for performing the preliminary replacement, for example, an apparatus as shown in FIG. 3 is suitable. In FIG.
(3) is a preliminary replacement nozzle, (2) is a gas supply pipe, (4)
Is a gas injection port, (1) is a suction pipe, and (5) is an air suction port. The pre-replacement nozzle (3) is
It is installed at a position before the cap supply unit and close to the upper part of the bottle mouth.

By using such a device, gas is injected from the gas injection port (4) toward the head space of the bottle (10) conveyed, and at the same time, the air discharged by the gas is converted into air. By performing suction from the suction port (5), replacement can be performed efficiently. in this way,
By providing the preliminary replacement step, the replacement ratio of the inert gas can be further increased.

[0031]

As described above, according to the present invention, the air (oxygen) in the head space of the bottle can be replaced with the inert gas at a replacement ratio of 90 to 95%. That is, since the method of replacing the air by gas injection into the cap interior space and its reflected jet is used, both the air in the head space of the bottle and the air remaining in the cap interior space are almost simultaneously
Immediately before the bottle mouth is sealed, the gas can be replaced with an inert gas very efficiently, so that air is prevented from being mixed into the bottle again and gas is prevented from flowing out. Therefore, almost no oxygen remains in the bottled beverage obtained by this method, and the beverage can be stable in quality for a long period of time.

Further, since the gas is once injected into the inner space of the cap and then caused to flow down into the bottle, the contents of the bottle are not scattered. Further, according to this injection method, it is possible to perform gas replacement when the bottle mouth is half-covered with the cap, so that the interval from gas injection to sealing the bottle mouth with the cap can be reduced. As a result, gas replacement is performed with a minimum gas injection amount, and manufacturing costs can be reduced.

Also, since the apparatus is simple, there is no need to modify the conventional equipment, and it is easy to switch the bottle according to the shape and height of the bottle and to maintain it during production.
In the production of bottled beverages, it is extremely valuable.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an explanatory view showing one embodiment of an apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing a state when the apparatus shown in FIG. 1 is viewed from a direction a.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory view showing one embodiment of the device according to the present invention.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing a flow of air by a manufacturing method according to the present invention.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory view showing a conventional technique.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory view showing a conventional technique.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory view showing a conventional technique.

FIG. 8 is an explanatory view showing a conventional technique.

FIG. 9 is an explanatory view showing a conventional technique.

[Explanation of symbols]

 REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 suction pipe 2 gas supply pipe 3 preliminary replacement nozzle 4 gas injection port 5 air suction port 6 gas supply pipe 7 main replacement nozzle 8 cap shooter 9 cap shooter bottom plate 10 bottle 11 cap 12 gas injection port 13 gas injection port (prevention of air entrapment 16) Inert gas injection nozzle 17 Bottle 18 Cap 19 Cap shooter 21, 22 Inactive gas injection nozzle 26 Cap shooter 26a Cap shooter bottom plate 27 Inert gas injection nozzle 28 Inert gas injection nozzle 31 Injection hole 32 Injection hole 40 Object 41 Headspace

Claims (3)

(57) [Claims] 1. A method for producing a bottled beverage in which a bottle is filled with contents, and a cap is supplied to a bottle mouth of the bottle to seal the bottle. When the mouth is obliquely covered halfway, an inert gas or a mixed gas of inert gas and steam is injected toward the inner space of the cap, and the air in the inner space of the cap is replaced with this gas. A method for producing a bottled beverage, wherein the gas reflected from the inner wall surface of the cap replaces the air in the head space of the bottle. 2. Prior to the above step, an inert gas or a mixed gas of an inert gas and steam is injected toward a head space of a bottle filled with contents to discharge air in the head space of the bottle. 2. The method for producing a bottled beverage according to claim 1, further comprising a preliminary replacement step for sucking the discharged air. 3. A cap supply means for supplying a cap to a bottle mouth of a bottle filled with contents, and when the cap supplied from the cap supply means is obliquely half-covered on the bottle mouth, An apparatus for producing bottled beverages, comprising: gas injection means for injecting an inert gas or a mixed gas of an inert gas and steam toward the inner space of the cap.