JP3528971B2 - Aseptic filling device - Google Patents

Description

Description: BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an aseptic filling device,
More specifically, the contents of, for example, margarine, can be sanitized in a sufficiently sterilized container in a sufficiently sterilized chamber, which can sterilize the chamber and the container supplied into the chamber very efficiently. TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to an aseptic filling device capable of filling a container. [0002] For example, as a method of filling contents such as foodstuffs into a paper container, a plastic container or the like, the filled contents and the container are separately sterilized under optimum conditions separately in advance, and the aseptic filling device is used. Attention has been focused on an aseptic filling method for filling and sealing the contents of a container under aseptic conditions. [0003] The aseptic filling apparatus is usually surrounded by a chamber, and sterile air is supplied into the chamber to maintain the chamber at a positive pressure. By the way, if the inside of the chamber is not sterilized, the contents cannot be filled and sealed in a container under aseptic conditions, so that the filling nozzle and the like of the aseptic filling machine are sterilized before starting the aseptic filling, and the chamber is sterilized. It is necessary to sterilize the inside. Further, the container filled with the contents in this chamber also needs to be sufficiently sterilized in the chamber. For this reason, in a conventional aseptic filling device,
For example, means for spraying a liquid germicide such as an aqueous solution of hydrogen peroxide into a chamber by a two-fluid nozzle, means for filling a germicide gas generated by gasifying the liquid germicide in the chamber, and the like are used. I was [0005] However, in an aseptic filling apparatus using means for spraying a liquid germicide such as an aqueous solution of hydrogen peroxide into the chamber by a two-fluid nozzle, the sterilization filling apparatus which adheres to the inside of the chamber is used. Large droplets of the agent,
Since a large-capacity heater and a large amount of energy are required only to completely dry and remove these droplets, there is a problem that efficiency is low in terms of equipment and energy. In addition, when an obstacle is present in front of the two-fluid nozzle, the disinfectant does not spread to a location behind the obstacle, so that a large number of nozzles are required, and the device becomes complicated. there were. On the other hand, in a conventional aseptic filling apparatus of a type in which a chamber is filled with a germicide gas and allowed to stand, a sufficient sterilizing effect is usually obtained unless the chamber is left for 10 hours or more. Not be able to
There is a problem that efficiency is low in terms of processing time. The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to sufficiently sterilize a chamber and a container, and to sufficiently sterilize the inside of a sufficiently sterilized chamber. It is an object of the present invention to provide an aseptic filling device capable of filling contents in a sterilized container in a sanitary and extremely efficient manner. [0008] In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a fungicide mist generating device (7).
After sterilization in the chamber (6), superheated steam sterilization means
(3) and chamber by ultraviolet sterilization means (4)
Sterilize the container (81) in (6) and fill the contents
In the aseptic filling device, the bactericide mist generator
(7) is a disinfectant supply unit (7) for supplying a liquid disinfectant.
2) and the liquid supplied from the disinfectant supply section (72).
Of the disinfectant to a temperature above the boiling point by heating means (73).
The above-mentioned chamber is provided with a vaporizing section (74) for vaporizing by heating.
-(6) checks the germicide vaporized in the vaporizing section (74).
It blows out into the chamber (6) and empties into the chamber (6).
Disinfectant mist (85) condensed in air
Diffusion in strike outlet (71) and chamber (6)
-Empty to form a flow in the filled fungicide mist (85)
The air blowing means (55) and the disinfectant that formed the flow
An aseptic filling device provided with an exhaust port (8b) for discharging the air (85) . In the aseptic filling apparatus of the present invention, a germicide mist outlet of a germicide mist generator is provided in the chamber. A bactericide mist is gently sprayed into the chamber from the bactericide mist outlet, and the container supply device, the container transporting means, the superheated steam sterilizing means, the ultraviolet sterilizing means, and the filling machine are provided at every corner of the chamber. The germicide mist uniformly adheres to, and the inside of the chamber is efficiently sterilized in a short time. Further, since the diameter of the germicide mist is extremely small, a large amount of energy is not required for drying and removing the germicide mist. Moreover, since the disinfectant mist is left for a few minutes, the disinfection in the chamber is completed and filled in a very short time compared to the conventional disinfection method in which the disinfectant gas is filled and left. Is normally sterilized by the superheated steam supplied from the superheated steam sterilizing means, that is, steam having a temperature of more than 100 ° C. reaches about 90 ° C. The container is irradiated with ultraviolet rays by an ultraviolet sterilizer provided in the chamber, and is sterilized by the ultraviolet rays. Therefore, in the aseptic filling apparatus of the present invention, the contents are filled into the sufficiently sterilized container in the sufficiently sterilized chamber. An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a schematic explanatory view showing the aseptic filling device of the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, this aseptic filling device
A container supply device 1, a container transporting device 2, a superheated steam sterilizing device 3, an ultraviolet sterilizing device 4, and a filling machine 5 are provided in a chamber 6, and a sterilizing agent mist generator 7 is provided in the chamber 6. An agent mist outlet is provided. More specifically, as shown in FIG. 1, a portion of the container supply device 1 for supplying an empty container 81 except for a container inlet 10 and a product outlet 11 is a chamber 6.
Covered by Further, the chamber 6 is provided with an air supply port 8a and an exhaust port 8b, and the inside of the chamber 6 is at a positive pressure so that the sterilizing atmosphere is not damaged. In FIG. 1, reference numeral 12 denotes a chamber discharge unit. As shown in FIG. 1, the container supply device 1 includes a container inlet 10 for taking in an empty container 81 and a container supply port 13 for supplying the container 81 into the chamber 6. Further, in the container supply device 1 in the apparatus of the present embodiment, the container 81 is rotated at a predetermined interval by rotating the container 81 in a state where the container 81 is suspended while being in contact with a flange formed on a peripheral edge of the container 81. A flange support screw 14 for supplying the material onto the conveying means 2 is provided. As shown in FIG. 1, the container conveying means 2 is formed by mounting a chain conveyor 23 between a driving sprocket 21 and a guide sprocket 22. As shown in FIG. 2, a pallet 25 provided with a container holder 24 is sequentially arranged between the chain conveyors 23 along the moving direction of the chain conveyor 23. The superheated steam sterilizing means 3 sprays steam having a temperature exceeding 100 ° C., so-called superheated steam (super steam), onto an empty container 81 supplied onto the container transporting means 2 in the chamber 6 to cool the container 81. Sterilize. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 1, superheated steam in which hot-air air and water vapor are mixed is blown from a superheated steam blowing nozzle 31 provided in the chamber 6 to the container 81. Here, a hot-air air generator and a steam suction blower (both not shown) are connected to the superheated steam blowing nozzles 31, and each of the superheated steam blowing nozzles 31 is provided with a steam amount adjusting device. In FIG. 1, reference numeral 90 denotes a preheater for preventing water droplets from adhering to the surface of the container 81 in the chamber 6. As shown in FIG. 1, the ultraviolet sterilizing means 4 comprises an ultraviolet sterilizing lamp 41.
1 irradiates the empty container 81 on the container conveying means 2 with ultraviolet rays, and the surface of the container 81 is sterilized. In the aseptic filling device of the present embodiment, the direction of transport of the container 81 from the container supply device 1 side (FIG. 1).
(Indicated by an arrow in the middle), the superheated steam sterilizer 3 and the ultraviolet sterilizer 4 are arranged in this order, but the order is not limited, and the ultraviolet sterilizer 4 and the superheat steam sterilizer 3 are arranged in this order. Is also good. As shown in FIG. 1, the filling machine 5 has a storage tank 51 for filling contents and a filling nozzle 52, and the filling contents in the storage tank 51 are filled by a predetermined amount in the filling nozzle 52.
From inside the container 81. In FIG. 1, 1
Reference numeral 01 denotes a container lift, and the empty container 81 held by the container holder 24 constituting the container transport means 2 is lifted by the container carrying lift in the direction of the filling nozzle 52 when filling the filling contents. As shown in FIG. 1, the filled container 82 filled with the filling contents by the filling machine 5 is conveyed by the container conveying means 2 directly below the inner lid supply device 9. The inner lid supply device 9 includes an inner lid holder 91 for holding the inner lid by vacuum, releasing the inner lid at a predetermined position, and placing the inner lid at the opening of the filled container 82, and the inner lid holder 91. 9
An inner lid sterilizer 92 for irradiating the inner lid held by 1 with ultraviolet rays to sterilize the inner lid is provided. Here, the inner lid sterilizer 92 is constituted by an ultraviolet irradiator 93. The inner lid holder 91 rotates while holding the inner lid supplied from the inner lid supply port 94, and the inner lid held by the inner lid holder 91 is irradiated with ultraviolet rays from the ultraviolet irradiator 93 to be rotated. Sterilization of the lid is performed. In FIG. 1, 9
Reference numeral 5 denotes an inner lid pressing mechanism for pressing the inner lid placed on the opening of the filled container 82, and reference numerals 102 and 103 respectively denote the filled container 82 with the inner lid supply device 9 and the inner lid pressing mechanism 95.
A container lift that lifts in the direction of. Usually, the inner lid is supplied into the chamber 6 in a state where the inner lid has been previously sterilized by, for example, ethylene oxide gas (EOG). As shown in FIG. 1, the aseptic filling device of this embodiment further includes a sealing mechanism 16 and an outer lid supply device 17. The sealing mechanism 10 has a heating section 16 a, and is placed on the opening of the filled container 82 in the inner lid supply device 9, and closes the peripheral edge of the inner lid brought into close contact with the filling content by the inner lid pressing mechanism 95. The periphery of the filled container 82 is heat-sealed. At this time, the filled container 82 is
04 lifts the container from the container holder 24 of the container transport means 2. The outer lid supply device 17 is used to replace the outer lid supplied from the outer lid supply port 17a with a filled container 82 having a sealed inner lid.
Is provided with an outer lid outlet 17b for covering the
Is attached to the filled container 82 by the outer lid loading mechanism 18. Here, the outer lid is supplied into the chamber 6 in a state where the outer lid has been sterilized by, for example, ethylene oxide gas (EOG), similarly to the inner lid. In FIG. 1, reference numeral 105 denotes a container lift. The filled container 82 with the outer lid attached is carried out of the product outlet 11 by the product conveyor. As shown in FIG. 1, the germicide mist generator 7 is provided in the chamber 6 on the guide sprocket 22 side of the container supply device 1, and the germicide mist outlet 71 is provided in the chamber 6. In addition, the aseptic filling device of the present embodiment has one
Although it is provided, a plurality of germicide mist generators 7 can be provided as needed. As shown in FIG. 1, the germicide mist generator 7 includes a germicide supply section 72 for supplying a liquid germicide.
And a vaporizing section 74 for heating the liquid sterilizing agent supplied from the sterilizing agent supply section 72 to a temperature equal to or higher than the boiling point by the heating means 73 and evaporating the same. FIG. 3 is an explanatory view showing details of an example of the germicide mist generator 7. As shown in FIG. 3, the supply unit main body 72a constituting the disinfectant supply unit 72 is similar to a conventional two-fluid spray. A nozzle 72b is connected to the supply unit main body 72a via an extension pipe 75. This is because the heat from the vaporizing pipe 74a forming the vaporizing section 74 causes the aluminum plug 76 and the nozzle 72b closing the upper part of the vaporizing pipe 74a.
Is transmitted to the supply unit main body 72a through the
This is to prevent a from being heated. Vaporization tube 74a
Are heating means formed by an outer cylinder 77 made of, for example, an asbestos ribbon, an inner cylinder 78 made of a sanitary pipe forming the inner wall of the vaporization pipe 74a, and a ribbon heater provided between the outer cylinder 77 and the inner cylinder 78. 73. The lower end of the vaporization tube 74a is connected to a nozzle 79 from which vapors of a vaporized liquid germicide, for example, an aqueous solution of hydrogen peroxide, an aqueous solution of peracetic acid, and a mixture thereof are injected. In addition,
In FIG. 3, reference numeral 111 denotes a liquid disinfectant inlet, and 112 denotes a spray air inlet for supplying compressed air. In the vaporizing tube 74a, it is important not to create a place where the temperature is low or a place where the temperature is easily lowered in order to average the vaporization. For that purpose, the heating means 73, for example, a ribbon, is provided over the entire length of the vaporizing tube 74a. A heater is provided. Further, the diameter of the vaporizing tube 74a is set so that pressure is not applied to the inside of the supply unit main body 72a such that a liquid sterilant such as an aqueous hydrogen peroxide solution is injected from a nozzle 72b connected to the supply unit main body 72a via an extension pipe 75. The vaporizing tube 74a extends vertically so that the liquid germicide vaporized in the tube is easily removed, and the inner surface of the tube is formed smooth. In this germicide mist generator 7, a liquid germicide such as, for example, an aqueous hydrogen peroxide solution supplied from a germicide supply unit 72 is supplied to a vaporization tube 74 provided with a heating means 73.
When heated to a temperature equal to or higher than the boiling point and completely vaporized, and the vaporized germicide is blown into the chamber 6 from the germicide mist outlet 71, it is condensed in the air in the chamber 6 and becomes a fine germicide. The mist 85 is diffused and filled in the chamber 6. In order to more efficiently diffuse and fill the germicide mist in the chamber 6, it is preferable to provide auxiliary means for diffusion. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 1, in the chamber 6, for example, the compression is performed above the guide sprocket 22, immediately below the inner lid supply device 9, and further above the supply / exhaust port 8 a and above the supply / exhaust port 8 b. By providing the air blowing nozzle 55 and blowing out the compressed air after the germicide mist 85 is generated, the germicide mist 85 can be more efficiently diffused and filled in the chamber 6. It is also possible to provide a fan (not shown) at several places in place of the compressed air blowing nozzle 55 to form a flow of the germicide mist 85 in the chamber 6. However, in this case, if the residence time of the germicide mist 85 in the chamber 6 (time during which the supply and exhaust is stopped) becomes longer, the amount of the germicide mist 85 attached to the fan blades increases, and as a result, the fan The so-called dripping of the fungicide from the blades is likely to occur, and it may be necessary to dry and remove the fungicide. After the bactericide mist 85 has been retained in the chamber 6 for a predetermined time, for example, as shown in FIG.
The sterilizing mist 85 is discharged from the exhaust port 8b by supplying aseptic air from, and the inside of the chamber 6 can be maintained in a positive pressure state. In a series of sterilization processes, an efficient flow of the sterilant mist 85 can be generated by appropriately closing the outlet 8b. Thus, if the disinfectant mist 85 is sufficiently diffused in the chamber 6, a large number of disinfectant mist generators are not required. Therefore, disinfectant mist 85
As an auxiliary means for efficiently diffusing the mist 85 in the chamber 6, a compressed air blowing nozzle 55 is provided at an appropriate location in the chamber 6, and the disinfectant mist 85 is provided in the chamber 6 in consideration of the position of the outlet 8b. It is preferable that the flow is generated. In FIG. 1,
For example, the aseptic filling device for supplying a shallow bottom container such as a margarine container has been shown. However, the aseptic filling device is not limited to the one for supplying such a container. For example, the aseptic filling device for a pouch, the aseptic filling device for a carton, etc. It can be used for all aseptic filling devices equipped with a chamber mechanism, and sterilization in piping is also possible. It can also be used for experimental equipment such as a glove box. ◎ Experiment Next confirmation test bactericidal effect in aseptic filling machine of the present invention will be described. A biological indicator having Bacillus subtilis spores attached thereto at a rate of 10 ⁴ pieces per piece is placed on the container carrying means 2 in the aseptic filling apparatus of this embodiment shown in FIG. It was conveyed intermittently in the direction of the arrow in FIG. 1 at 0.12 m / sec. At this time, superheated steam is sprayed from the superheated steam spray nozzle 31, ultraviolet rays having a sterilizing line illuminance of 27 mW / cm ² are radiated from the ultraviolet sterilizing lamp 41, and the sterilizing agent mist generator 7 set at a vaporizing section temperature of 250 ° C. Hydrogen peroxide mist was blown into the chamber 6 at a temperature of 25 ° C. for 90 seconds by supplying a 35% aqueous hydrogen peroxide solution at a supply liquid pressure of 0.2 kg / cm ² from the disinfectant supply port 72 of No.2. Next, the supply / exhaust was stopped for 90 seconds, and the mixture was kept, and then dried at a blowing temperature of 25 ° C. (room temperature) for 40 minutes. Thereafter, when the biological indicator was collected and cultivated, it was confirmed that all the Bacillus subtilis spores were killed. A sufficient drying state was obtained in the chamber 6 in 15 minutes after the start of the drying, but the drying time can be reduced to 5 minutes by heating the temperature of the blowing into the chamber 6 to about 80 ° C. did it. According to the present invention, a fungicide mist generator is provided.
After sterilizing the chamber more, superheated steam sterilization means
And sterilization of the container in the chamber by UV sterilization means
In the aseptic filling device that fills the contents,
A disinfectant supply unit that supplies a liquid disinfectant by a strike generator
And the liquid disinfectant supplied from this disinfectant supply unit.
Evaporation by heating to a temperature above the boiling point by thermal means
The chamber is equipped with a
Blown into the chamber and condensed in the air inside the chamber.
And a fungicide mist outlet
A flow is formed in the disinfectant mist diffused and filled in the chamber
Air blowing means and the germicide mistake that formed the flow
Since it is equipped with an exhaust port for discharging
Disinfection in the chamber prior to filling
A fine germicidal agent without dropping or uneven adhesion.
Strike all corners of the chamber and then
Can be discharged out of the chamber. Therefore, the chamber
The inside of the chamber can be properly sterilized
To prevent the disinfectant from remaining in the
Does not require much time and energy for drying and removal, and is efficient
The inside of the chamber can be sterilized well. Also, Cha
After removing the disinfectant mist from the inside of the
And sterilization of the container by superheated steam sterilization and UV
Since it is carried out by the line sterilization means, the contamination or residual
Can be prevented.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a schematic explanatory view showing an example of an aseptic filling device of the present invention. FIG. 2 is an explanatory view showing a part of a container conveying means in the aseptic filling device of the present invention. FIG. 3 is an explanatory view showing an example of a germicide mist generator in the aseptic filling device of the present invention. DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Container supply device 2 ... Container transfer means 3 ... Superheated steam sterilization means 4 ... Ultraviolet light sterilization means 5 ... Filling machine 6 ... Chamber 7 ... Fungicide mist generator 71 ... Fungicide mist outlet

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuation of front page (72) Inventor Naohiro Kuroda 1-1-1, Ichigaya-Kaga-cho, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo Inside Dai Nippon Printing Co., Ltd. (56) References JP-A-1-153434 (JP, A) JP-A-63-317424 (JP, A) JP-A-3-212333 (JP, A) (58) Fields investigated (Int. Cl. ⁷ , DB name) B65B 55/04-55/10

Claims (1)

(57) [Claims] [Claim 1] A fungicide mist generator (7) is used
After sterilization in the chamber (6), superheated steam sterilization means
(3) and chamber by ultraviolet sterilization means (4)
Sterilize the container (81) in (6) and fill the contents
In the aseptic filling device, the bactericide mist generator
(7) is a disinfectant supply unit (7) for supplying a liquid disinfectant.
2) and the liquid supplied from the disinfectant supply section (72).
Of the disinfectant to a temperature above the boiling point by heating means (73).
The above-mentioned chamber is provided with a vaporizing section (74) for vaporizing by heating.
-(6) checks the germicide vaporized in the vaporizing section (74).
It blows out into the chamber (6) and empties into the chamber (6).
Disinfectant mist (85) condensed in air
Diffusion in strike outlet (71) and chamber (6)
-Empty to form a flow in the filled fungicide mist (85)
The air blowing means (55) and the disinfectant that formed the flow
And an exhaust port (8b) for discharging the air (85) .