JP3427723B2 - Cutoff device for clean room opening - Google Patents

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a device for shutting off an opening of a clean room when the device is not operating in an aseptic filling system in which various drinks such as drinking water, juice, oolong tea and milk coffee are filled in the clean room. More specifically, even if the container transport path is configured continuously inside and outside the clean room or the container transport path that can be divided at the boundary between the inside and outside of the clean room, the shutter plate is provided at the opening when the apparatus is not operating. The present invention relates to a shutoff device for a clean room opening, which is shut off by means such as.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, when filling various kinds of beverages into containers such as bottles and cans, the steps of cleaning and sterilizing the container, finishing rinser, filling contents and closing the lid have been performed. Are known. Usually, in these steps, first, an untreated container is transferred into a first clean room, and sterilization and cleaning with a chemical is performed in a booth partitioned in the first clean room, followed by a finish rinser.・ Filling and closing of the contents are done in the booth divided into the second clean room.

At this time, all of the clean rooms are maintained at level 10,000, and the booths of the first clean room and the second clean room are both maintained at class 100. In this process, in order to convey the container to the inside or outside of the clean room where the class is maintained at 10,000, a conveying device such as a belt conveyor is usually used, and the container placed on the conveying device from inside and outside the clean room remains as it is. It is designed to be transported.

Unprocessed containers sent into the first clean room are
For example, it is subjected to a washing and sterilization process using a peracetic acid-based agent or the like. In the sterilization method using such a drug, since the inside of the sterilizer is filled with the drug or the air containing the drug, the worker cannot enter here, and the work is performed by remote control by computer control. .

In this cleaning and sterilizing booth, a portion for carrying in a container before cleaning and a container discharging portion for sending the container after cleaning and sterilizing to the next filling step are respectively provided in the first clean room in the lower part of the booth. It is configured to be open inside.

The container cleaned and sterilized by the chemical heated in the first clean room is passed through a finishing rinser chamber for finishing cleaning, and finally filled with contents in a filling chamber provided in another clean room. Then, the final product is processed through the steps of closing, inspecting, and packaging. In this series of processes, the pressure in the booth set to class 100 that controls the filling process is set to the maximum positive pressure, and the booth is set so that no inflow of air from the other is brought. Has become.

[0007]

By the way, as described above, during the operation of the aseptic filling system, the flow of aseptic air is supplied based on the set pressure of each chamber, and the air and floating substances from outside the clean room are supplied. Is completely prevented from entering the system, but supplying sterile air under the same conditions even at night or on holidays when the device does not operate,
It must be avoided both economically and in terms of energy saving. However, when the supply of aseptic air into the clean room is reduced, outside air and small animals such as insects may enter the clean room through the opening of the container transport path formed below the clean room. However, in this case, the maintenance of the aseptic condition in the clean room at the time of non-operation will not be achieved.

[0008]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Therefore, an object of the present invention is to reduce the supply of aseptic air when the equipment in the clean room is not operating.
An object is to provide a device that shuts off an opening of a clean room so that air and insects cannot enter the clean room.

[0009]

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been proposed in order to achieve the above object, and is configured so that the opening of a clean room is blocked by a shutter having a specific structure when the apparatus is not in operation. The point is characteristic.

That is, according to the present invention,
In an aseptic filling system in which a cleaning process, a finish rinsing process, and a content filling process are performed in a clean room, the first and second transfer devices in which the container transfer into and out of the clean room is divided between the clean room and the clean room. The bottom surface of the container is supported on one side, one side surface of the container is brought into contact with the conveyance guide that is divided into the inside of the clean room and the outside of the clean room, and the other side surface of the container is spirally arranged continuously inside and outside the clean room. Is carried out by abutting on a screw type transporter having a guide groove formed therein, and the screw type transporter is formed on the side surface of the shutter plate with an arcuate concave portion formed on the side surface of the opening of the clean room. The first transport device-the second transport device, which is housed in the substantially circular opening formed when the formed arcuate recesses are in sliding contact with each other and is divided. By inserting a shutter plate of a size that can block the opening of the clean room between the device and the transfer guide-the transfer guide, it is possible to block the opening of the clean room including the transfer path of containers to and from the clean room with the shutter plate. A device for shutting off a clean room opening when the device is not in operation is provided.

Also, according to the present invention, there is provided a shutoff device for the opening of the clean room, in which the shutter plate is configured to be movable back and forth from above or below.

Further, according to the present invention, there is provided the shutoff device for the clean room opening, wherein the shutter plate is moved forward and backward while being supported by the groove of the shutter support fixed to the wall surface of the clean room.

Further, according to the present invention, in the aseptic filling system in which the container sterilization / cleaning step, the finish rinsing step, and the content filling step are carried out in the clean room, the container is transported between the inside and outside of the clean room within the clean room. The bottom surface of the container is supported by the first and second transfer devices separated from the outside of the clean room, and one side surface of the container is
It comes into contact with the conveyance guide that is divided into the inside of the clean room and the outside of the clean room, and the other side of the container comes into contact with the screw type conveyance machine in which spiral guide grooves are continuously arranged inside and outside the clean room. And, the screw type transporter is configured to be separable inside and outside a clean room, and an arc-shaped recess formed on the side surface of the opening of the clean room and an arc-shaped recess formed on the side surface of the shutter plate. The first transfer device is housed in a substantially circular opening formed when the sliding contact is made and is divided.
By inserting a shutter plate having a size capable of blocking the opening of the clean room between the second transfer device and the transfer guide-the transfer guide, the opening of the clean room including the transfer path of the container to and from the clean room is formed by the shutter plate. There is provided a shutoff device for a clean room opening when the device is not in operation, which is configured to be shut off.

Further, according to the present invention, there is provided the above-mentioned device for shutting off the clean room opening, which is performed by separating the screw type carrier by retracting the screw type carrier and the part outside the clean room of the guide to the outside of the clean room. Provided.

[0015]

[0016]

[0017]

[0018]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a perspective view for explaining a positional relationship between a clean room and a container carrying device and an arrangement state of a blocking device for explaining a preferred example of the device of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a partial cross-sectional view for explaining the relationship between the blocking device and the transport device in the above example. Also, FIG.
[Fig. 4] is a partial top sectional view for explaining the relationship between the blocking device and the transport device in the above example.

[0019] Figures 4 and 5 are intended to illustrate the invention according to claim 5 of the present invention, FIG. 4 is a state at the time of operation of the apparatus, FIG. 5, when non-operation of the apparatus, For example, the outside of the clean room of the screw type transporter and the transport guide is retracted to the outside of the clean room by, for example, a cylinder, and a shutter plate enters between the divided transport paths to block the opening of the clean room. 6 and 7 are top views of FIGS. 4 and 5 .

(A), (b) and (c) of FIG.
The shutter plate described in 2 is for explaining the invention in which the shutter plate enters from above or below, and (a)
Shows a perspective view of the positional relationship when the apparatus is in operation, in which the shutter plate enters from above, (b) is a partial cross-sectional view seen from the traveling direction of the transport path, (c) shows the shutter plate entering from below. It is the same partial cross-sectional view of the form.

In the figure, 11 is a first transfer device such as an endless conveyor, the end of which in the transfer direction is formed at a point reaching the entrance of the clean room. Reference numeral 12 denotes a second transfer device having an end portion in the container delivery direction near the outer wall of the clean room, which is also formed by an endless conveyor like the first transfer device. The second transfer device 12 receives the container from the first transfer device near the entrance of the clean room and transfers the container into the clean room. The first transfer device and the second transfer device are reversed in the drive unit 13, and a space is formed between ends of the first transfer device and a shutter for blocking the clean room entrance.

The container 17 from the inside of the clean room is supported at the bottom by the above-mentioned transfer device, and one side surface of the container is brought into contact with the transfer guide 15 divided between the inside of the clean room and the outside of the clean room, and The other side surface was brought into contact with the groove portion of the screw-type carrier 16 that was rotated by forming spiral guide grooves continuously arranged inside and outside the clean room, and was lightly sandwiched between the carrier guide 15 and the screw carrier 16. In a form, it is delivered from the first transport device to the second transport device.

The container carrying guide 15 is fed into the container while being brought into contact with the groove of the rotating screw type carrying machine 16.
Since it is intended to support 7 from one side and does not particularly require strength, a material such as ultra high molecular weight polyethylene or stainless steel can be used. The container transfer guides 15 and 15 'are divided into a clean room and a clean room, like the first transfer device and the second transfer device, and a space 1 through which a shutter for blocking the clean room entrance enters between them.
4 is formed, but when the diameters of the transport guides 15 and 15 ′ and the transport device driving portions on both sides are small and the container 17 is large, a space exists between the first transport device and the second transport device. In the meantime, the delivery of containers during that time will be carried out smoothly.

If the container 17 is small, a container drop prevention plate (not shown) may be provided between the first transfer device and the second transfer device so as to be substantially flush with the transfer device. Can be delivered smoothly. The screw type transporter 16 is provided with a spiral guide groove corresponding to the outer diameter of the container, and the side surface of the container comes into contact with the guide groove as the screw rotates, and the side surface of the opposite container is The container 17 is transported in cooperation with the container transport guides 15 and 15 'for guiding.

The screw type carrier 16 may be formed in a continuous state without being divided into the inside and outside of the clean room, but may be configured to be separable inside and outside the clean room like the conveying device. When the screw type transporter 16 is formed in a continuous state, the shutter plate cannot enter this part, so the section of the screw type transporter 16 is cut off in an arc shape formed on the side surface of the opening of the clean room. The recess 18 and the arc-shaped recess 25 formed on the side surface of the shutter plate 22 are housed in a substantially circular opening formed when the slide contact is made. Therefore, although a slight gap is formed between the outer periphery of the screw type carrier 16 and the arcuate recesses 18, 25, the gap is small.
In addition, since a small amount of sterile air is supplied to the clean room to maintain a positive pressure, invasion of air, insects and the like through the gap can be avoided.

In addition, in a mode in which the screw type carrier is separated inside and outside the clean room, FIG. 4, FIG. 5 and FIG.
As shown in FIG. 7 and FIG. 7 , the cylinder is configured such that the screw type transporter can be separated inside and outside the clean room where the shutter plate enters, and the screw type transporter placed outside the clean room is connected to the outside of the clean room. Drive freely back and forth. Figure 4 and
6 and 6 show the operation in which the screw type transporter connected to the cylinder 23 'moves in the direction of the arrow and merges with the screw type transporter in the clean room .
On the contrary, 7 indicates a state in which the screw type carrier outside the clean room is separated by moving the cylinder 23 'in the direction of the arrow. The drive of the screw type transporter is not limited to the cylinder, and can be appropriately applied as needed, such as manual driving or motor driving.

In the embodiment in which the screw type transporter is separated inside and outside the clean room, it is not necessary to form arcuate recesses in the shutter plate as when the screw type transporter is formed in the continuous state described above, and the shutter plate is not necessary. Since it is formed as a single plate-like body, the clean room can be shut off in a state where the degree of sealing is higher. Further, although it is possible to drive the screw type transporter arranged inside the clean room so as to be able to move back and forth, it is preferable to install the driving portion outside the clean room from the viewpoint of keeping the inside of the clean room in a sterile state.

As shown in FIGS. 4 and 6 , the transport guides 15 and 15 'are separated from each other in the adjoining state at almost the same portion as the screw type transport machine, and the guide 15' disposed outside the clean room is It is connected to the cylinder 23 ', and its drive synchronizes with the screw type conveyor,
The guide 15 in the clean room may be separated from and adjacent to the guide 15.

The basic technical idea of the present invention is to block the opening of a clean room with a shutter plate when the apparatus is not operating. As shown in FIG. 1, the shutter plate 22 is not limited to a mode in which it is attached to the inner wall surface of the clean room so as to be able to move back and forth in the lateral direction .
As shown in FIG. 10 , it may be configured to be able to move back and forth in the vertical direction, or may be attached to the outer wall surface of the clean room.

In the example shown in FIGS. 8 to 10 , the shutter plate is provided with a notch for accommodating the screw type transporter portion, but the above-mentioned screw type transporter divides inside and outside the clean room. Needless to say, this notch is not necessary in
In this case, it is sufficient to use a shutter plate that is large enough to cover the storage recess of the screw type transporter formed on the side surface of the opening of the clean room and has no notch.

In the case of the example shown in FIG. 1, the shutter plate 22 is supported by the groove portions of the shutter support 21 fixed to the clean room wall surface 24 on both side surfaces in the approach direction, that is, the upper and lower ends thereof. The operation of the shutter plate can be performed manually by a changeover switch (not shown) or automatically by using a drive device 23 such as an air cylinder.

The operation of the shutter plate 22 is not performed unless the transport device is stopped. On the contrary, while the shutter plate 22 is operating, the transfer device is locked so as not to be activated, and the transfer device cannot be operated until the shutter plate completely releases the cutoff of the clean room opening. The association of these operations can be done by self-evident automatic control.

The transfer device does not necessarily have to be separated inside and outside the clean room, and may be one that drives inside and outside the clean room in a continuous state. When the transfer device is configured in a continuous state, the lower surface of the transfer path of the transfer device is put into a slit-like opening (not shown) formed below the opening of the clean room, and the lower end of the shutter plate is set to the transfer path of the transfer device. It may be formed so as to approach the upper surface of the. At this time, a brush-like shield is provided upright from above and below the slit-like opening to prevent foreign matter from entering the clean room.

In the above, the case where the container is conveyed from the outside of the clean room to the inside of the clean room has been described as an example, but when the container is conveyed from the inside of the clean room to the outside of the clean room, the conveying direction of the conveying device is simply reversed. You can do the same.

[0035]

According to the present invention, even when the apparatus in the aseptic filling system is not in operation, it is possible to prevent the invasion of outside air and small animals only by blocking the opening of the clean room with the shutter plate. At the time of re-operation, it is not necessary to recreate the aseptic condition in the clean room, so that an excellent aseptic filling system can be maintained economically and efficiently.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view for explaining an embodiment of the device of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a partial cross-sectional view for explaining the relationship between the blocking device and the transport device in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a partial cross-sectional top view for explaining the relationship between the blocking device and the transport device.

[Fig. 4] The transport mechanism is divided inside and outside the clean room .
It is a perspective view of a state without .

FIG. 5: A state where the transfer mechanism is divided inside and outside the clean room
It is a perspective view of a state .

6 is a partial cross-sectional view seen from the upper surface of FIG .

FIG. 7 is a partial cross-sectional view seen from the upper surface of FIG .

FIG. 8 illustrates an attached state of a shutter plate of the present invention .
It is a perspective view for doing .

FIG. 9 illustrates a state in which a shutter plate of the present invention is attached.
It is a side sectional view for doing .

FIG. 10 illustrates an attached state of a shutter plate of the present invention .
It is a sectional side view for clarity .

[Explanation of symbols]

11: first transfer device 12: second transfer device 13: transfer device drive unit 14: container transfer guide dividing unit 15: container transfer guide 15 ': container transfer guide 16 outside clean room 16: screw type transfer device 17: container 18: Clean room opening arcuate recess 21: Shutter support 22: Shutter plate 23: Shutter drive device 23 ': Screw type conveyor and drive for separating guides 24: Clean room outer wall 25: Shutter plate arcuate recess

─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (58) Fields surveyed (Int.Cl. ⁷ , DB name) B67C 7/00

Claims (5)

(57) [Claims] 1. In an aseptic filling system in which a container sterilization / cleaning process, a finish rinsing process, and a content filling process are performed in a clean room, transfer of the container into and out of the clean room is divided between the clean room and the outside of the clean room. The bottom surface of the container is supported by the first and second transfer devices, one side surface of the container is brought into contact with a transfer guide that is divided between inside and outside the clean room, and the other side surface of the container is connected inside and outside the clean room. Is carried out by abutting on a screw type transporter having a spiral guide groove formed continuously, and the screw type transporter is an arc-shaped recess formed on the side surface of the opening of the clean room. And the arcuate recess formed on the side surface of the shutter plate is housed in a substantially circular opening formed when the slide contact is made, and The first was 1
By inserting a shutter plate having a size capable of blocking the opening of the clean room between the transfer device-the second transfer device and the transfer guide-the transfer guide, the opening of the clean room including the transfer path of the container to and from the clean room is opened. A device for blocking the opening of a clean room when the device is not operating, which is configured so that it can be blocked by a shutter plate. 2. The shutoff device for the opening of a clean room according to claim 1, wherein the shutter plate is configured to be movable back and forth from above or below. 3. A device for shutting off an opening of a clean room according to claim 1, wherein the shutter plate is moved forward and backward while being supported by a groove of a shutter support fixed to a wall surface of the clean room. 4. In an aseptic filling system in which a container sterilization / cleaning process, a finish rinsing process, and a content filling process are performed in a clean room, transfer of the container into and out of the clean room is divided between the inside and outside of the clean room. The bottom surface of the container is supported by the first and second transfer devices, one side surface of the container is brought into contact with a transfer guide that is divided between inside and outside the clean room, and the other side surface of the container is connected inside and outside the clean room. Is carried out by abutting on a screw type transporter having a spiral guide groove continuously arranged, and the screw type transporter is configured to be separable inside and outside a clean room, When the arcuate recess formed on the side surface of the opening of the slide contact the arcuate recess formed on the side surface of the shutter plate By accommodating a shutter plate having a size capable of blocking the opening of the clean room between the divided first transport device-second transport device and transport guide-transport guide, which are housed in the formed substantially circular opening. A device for shutting off a clean room opening when the device is not in operation, wherein the opening of the clean room including a transport path of the container to and from the clean room can be blocked by a shutter plate. 5. The device for shutting off the opening of a clean room according to claim 4, wherein the dividing of the screw type transporter is performed by retracting a portion of the screw type transporter and the transport guide outside the clean room to the outside of the clean room.