JP3915945B2 - Aseptic filling method and apparatus - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an aseptic filling method and an apparatus therefor, and more particularly, to an aseptic filling method and an apparatus therefor in which aseptic filling is performed by filling a sterilized content in a soft packaging container.
[0002]
[Prior art]
When filling a soft packaging container made of paper or plastic with a liquid such as a beverage, aseptic filling is performed so that the contents do not decay. In aseptic filling, hydrogen peroxide is sprayed on the container main body and the lid material in advance, and sterilization is performed by the oxidizing power. The sprayed hydrogen peroxide is dried to sterilize the container and the lid. Then, the sterilized container is aseptically filled with the contents in the sterilized filling chamber, and then sealed with the lid material.
[0003]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
A disadvantage of the conventional aseptic filling method for soft containers such as paper and plastic as described above is that hydrogen peroxide used for sterilization may remain in the container. Since hydrogen peroxide is a harmful substance, it is not preferable to remain in the container. In order to prevent the remaining of hydrogen peroxide, conventionally, a drying process for evaporating after hydrogen peroxide is sprayed is added, which causes a problem that the number of processes increases. In addition, since the hydrogen peroxide must be evaporated after being sprayed and sterilized in this way, there is a problem that it takes time for the hydrogen peroxide, and the filling speed becomes slow and the mass production effect becomes low. .
[0004]
In addition, when the contents are filled into the soft container made of paper or plastic as described above, hot packing is performed for aseptic filling. In the hot pack, the contents are heated to a predetermined temperature or higher, and are filled while being sterilized. However, when hot-packing is performed, there is a problem that the container is deformed due to shrinkage after the filled contents are cooled, and irregular depressions are formed in the body portion of the container, which impairs the commercial value.
[0005]
The present invention has been made in view of such problems, and does not require sterilization of containers and lids with hydrogen peroxide, has a high filling speed, high mass production effect, and after filling. It is an object of the present invention to provide an aseptic filling method and apparatus for preventing the container from being partially deformed.
[0006]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The present invention sterilizes flexible packaging containers,
Aseptically filling the contents into the sterilized soft packaging container,
Sealed with a sterilized lid,
In the aseptic filling method, the soft packaging container is sterilized by a cylindrical high-pressure steam kettle in which a conveyor travels from an inlet toward an outlet so as to cover a steam discharger mounted on the conveyor. it relates aseptic filling method, wherein the flexible packaging container is placed one by one mounted et the vapor emission device on the conveyor.
[0007]
The flexible packaging container may be a paper container, and a polymer film may be bonded to the inner surface thereof, or a synthetic resin container may be combined inside. Further, the polymer film bonded to the inner surface of the paper container or the synthetic resin container composited inside may have an oxygen barrier property and a heat resistance of 130 ° C. or higher .
[0008]
The sterilization of the flexible packaging container may be sterilization within a range of 90 to 150 ° C. by dry steam. The contents filled in the flexible packaging container may be sterilized in advance by heat exchange. Furthermore, the lid material for sealing the flexible packaging container may be sterilized by ultraviolet rays in advance.
[0009]
The invention relating to the apparatus includes a container sterilization apparatus for sterilizing a soft packaging container,
An aseptic filling machine for aseptically filling the contents in the sterilized soft packaging container;
A sealing machine that seals the soft packaging container filled with the contents with a lid;
The container sterilizer is composed of a cylindrical high-pressure steam kettle in which a conveyor travels from the inlet toward the outlet, and a plurality of steam dischargers are provided on the conveyor along the length thereof. It mounted, to an aseptic filling apparatus, wherein the flexible packaging container is one at placed has been mounted et the vapor emission device on the conveyor so as to cover the steam ejector.
[0010]
The sterilization apparatus for the flexible packaging container is composed of a cylindrical high-pressure steam kettle that is curved and continuous from the inlet to the outlet of the container, and a conveyor is provided in the container to convey the container from the inlet to the outlet. You may make it sterilize continuously. Further, the aseptic filling machine may include a heat exchange type sterilization device, and the contents to be filled by the device may be sterilized in advance. Further, the sealing machine may include a pair of ultraviolet sterilizers facing each other, and after sterilizing by passing a lid material between them, the flexible packaging container filled with the contents aseptically may be sealed.
[0011]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
FIG. 1 shows a soft packaging container in which aseptic filling is performed by an aseptic filling method and apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. This packaging container consists of a paper cup-shaped container 10, and the peripheral edge of the upper opening 11 is wound outward to form a curled portion 12. The container includes an inverted frustoconical barrel, and includes a folded portion 13 in which a lower end of the barrel portion is folded inward, and a peripheral wall portion 15 of the bottom plate 14 that closes the bottom opening is the folded portion. 13 and the lower end of the trunk.
[0012]
The soft packaging container having such a cup shape is made of paper 18 as a main material as shown in FIG. 2, and is formed of a material having a laminate film 19 bonded to a portion on the inner surface side thereof. As the laminate film 19, a film having oxygen barrier properties, low oxygen permeability, and heat resistance may be used. The heat resistant film may be a heat resistant resin such as a cyclohexadiene polymer.
[0013]
FIG. 3 shows a sterilization apparatus for sterilizing such a flexible packaging container 10 at a high temperature for a short time. This sterilizer is provided with a high-pressure steam pot 23 that is cylindrical and bent. The high-pressure steam pot 23 has a bent pipe structure that allows the inlet 24 and the outlet 25 to communicate with each other, and a chain conveyor 26 travels through the bent pipe structure.
[0014]
FIG. 5 particularly shows a partial cross-sectional structure of the high-pressure steam pot 23. A steam pipe 30 is mounted on the chain conveyor 26, and intermittently on the chain conveyor 26 via the steam pipe 30. A steam discharger 31 having a reverse cup shape is attached. The steam discharger 31 has a large number of small holes 32 and discharges steam from these small holes 32. The high-pressure steam pot 23 is provided with steam outlets 33 at a plurality of positions on the outer peripheral side thereof.
[0015]
Next, an aseptic filling machine disposed downstream of the high-temperature and short-time sterilizer as shown in FIGS. 3 and 5 will be described. This aseptic filling machine is provided with a steam chamber 38 having a container inlet 37 at the upper end of one end. A steam pipe 39 is provided in the steam chamber 38 so as to extend in the length direction. A transport conveyor 40 is attached to the steam chamber 38 so as to extend in the length direction. A first filling machine 41 and a second filling machine 42 are arranged on the vapor chamber 38, respectively.
[0016]
A sealing machine 44 is provided on the upper portion of the steam chamber 38 so as to be located downstream of the second filling machine 42. The sealing machine 44 seals the opening of the flexible packaging container 10 filled with the contents by the lid material 45, and the lid material 45 is supplied through the lid material roll 46.
[0017]
A pair of upper and lower UV sterilizers 49 and 50 are provided on the upper side of the sealing machine 44, and the lid 45 passes between the sterilizers 49 and 50. Sterilization treatment is performed while the lid member 45 is guided.
[0018]
In order to seal the opening 11 of the soft packaging container 10 filled with the contents using the lid member 45, stampers 53, 54, 55 are provided on the bottom side of the sealing machine 45 and above the transport conveyor 40. They are arranged sequentially. A surplus sheet take-up roll 57 that winds the surplus portion after punching out into a circular shape, which is the lid member 45 coming out of the stamper 55, is attached obliquely below the lid member roll 46.
[0019]
Next, the operation of sterilizing the soft packaging container 10 at a high temperature for a short time using these devices and further aseptically filling the contents will be described. As shown in FIG. 3, the paper cups 10 are arranged in an inverted manner and arranged at the inlet 24 in a stacked state. Are fed one by one onto the chain conveyor 26 to be transported into the interior of the machine. At this time, the paper cups 10 are sequentially supplied to the steam discharger 31 on the chain conveyor 26.
[0020]
The paper cup 10 attached so as to cover the steam discharger 31 on the chain conveyor 26 of the high-pressure steam pot 23 is subjected to high-temperature dry steam discharged from the small holes 32 of the steam discharger 31 as shown in FIG. The entire surface inside and outside is sterilized in a short time.
[0021]
The sterilization of the soft packaging container 10 with dry steam is preferably performed with dry steam in the range of 90 to 150 ° C. In particular, short time sterilization is achieved by exposure to dry steam at 100-130 ° C.
[0022]
The sterilization time of the soft packaging container 10 in the high-pressure steam kettle 23 by such dry steam is the time until the container 10 enters the high-pressure steam kettle 23 from the inlet 24 and exits to the outlet 25. It is determined by the length of the steam pot 23 and the speed of the chain conveyor 26. Usually, the time for the flexible packaging container 10 to pass from the entrance 24 to the exit 25 by the chain conveyor 26 is set to about 1 to 3 minutes.
[0023]
The soft packaging container 10 sterilized at a high temperature for a short time in the high-pressure steam kettle 23 exits from the outlet 25 and is fed into the steam chamber 38 of the filling machine through the container loading port 37 of the filling machine. A transport conveyor 40 is disposed in the vapor chamber 38 of the filling machine, and the flexible packaging container 10 fed from the container loading port 37 is transported by the transport conveyor 40.
[0024]
The flexible packaging container 10 is first filled with contents under the first filling machine 41. The first filling machine 41 is composed of a heat exchange type liquid sterilization device, in which the liquid as the contents is sterilized by heat exchange and immediately filled into the flexible packaging container 10.
[0025]
The second filling machine 42 is used as necessary. The second filling machine 42 is also composed of a liquid sterilization apparatus by heat exchange, and the contents are sterilized by heat exchange.
[0026]
Note that the steam chamber 38 in which the container charging port 37 is continuous and in which the first filling machine 41 and the second filling machine 42 are respectively provided is maintained in a sterile state by the steam pipe 39.
[0027]
When the contents are aseptically filled in this way, the flexible packaging container 10 is supplied to the sealing machine 44 by the transport conveyor 40. Here, the sealing machine 44 includes a pair of upper and lower ultraviolet sterilizers 49 and 50 through which the lid member 45 passes. The sterilizers 49 and 50 sterilize both surfaces of the lid member 45. Sealing is performed so as to close the upper opening 11 of the container 10 using the sterilized lid member 45. Such sealing is performed by the stampers 53, 54, and 55, and the excess lid member 45 is trimmed. Accordingly, the cover material 45 remaining after the trimming is taken up by the excess take-up roll 57. The soft packaging container 10 in which the contents are aseptically filled and the upper opening 11 is closed by the lid 45 as shown in FIG. 6 is taken out from the left end portion of the steam chamber 38 in FIG. Completes aseptic filling.
[0028]
As shown in FIG. 2, filling the liquid into the cup-shaped soft packaging container 10 having a joining structure of the paper 18 and the laminate film 19, including the sterilization of heat-resistant bacteria, was very difficult. That is, since the container 10 itself is soft, when the contents are sterilized by hot pack filling to heat sterilize the contents, the vacuum of the soft packaging container 10 is caused by the vacuum phenomenon associated with the decrease in the volume of the liquid when the liquid is cooled. The part will be irregularly deformed, thereby impairing the commercial value of the container. For this reason, high-speed filling was impossible, and it was impossible to fill coffee and tea that react sensitively to heat-resistant bacteria.
[0029]
3 and FIG. 4, the soft packaging container 10 is sterilized at 90 to 150 ° C., more preferably at 100 to 130 ° C., for a short time using the apparatus shown in FIG. 3. Thus, even the soft packaging container 10 can be made into a sterile container in a short time. The sterilized container 10 is supplied to the aseptic filling machine shown in FIG. 4, and the contents are sterilized by the first filling machine 41 and the second filling machine 42 equipped with a heat exchange type liquid sterilization apparatus. Then, in a state where both the container 10 and the contents are sterilized, filling packs are made by the filling machines 41 and 42, and sealing is performed with the lid member 45 by the sealing machine 44, thereby completing the aseptic packing product using the paper cup 10.
[0030]
As described above, the soft packaging container 10 constituting the paper cup is a container having a laminated structure of the paper 18 and the laminate film 19, and the laminate film 19 is made of a film having low oxygen permeability and heat resistance. Such a film is bonded to the paper 18 for use. That is, the weakness of the laminate film 19 is reinforced by the paper 18. Since the outer surface side is composed of the paper 18, a commercial design that makes use of its printability is also possible. Moreover, according to such filling, since it has a high degree of storability, the contents can be distributed and stored at room temperature after filling.
[0031]
Thus, according to the aseptic filling method and apparatus therefor according to the present embodiment, a sterilization system that does not use hydrogen peroxide is constructed for both the container body 10 and the lid member 45. Therefore, hydrogen peroxide does not remain in the container body 10 or the lid 45, and the container body 10 is sterilized at high temperature and short time by the apparatus shown in FIG. 3, and the lid 43 is paired as shown in FIG. Since the sterilization is performed by the ultraviolet sterilizers 49 and 50, safe filling of food is performed under aseptic conditions. Also, since there is no residual hydrogen peroxide, no odor remains in the contents.
[0032]
Since the sterilization of the soft packaging container 10 is performed at a high temperature and short time in a time of 1 to 3 minutes by the apparatus shown in FIG. 3, a significant increase in the filling capacity is realized. This achieves aseptic filling with high productivity.
[0033]
Moreover, although both the 1st filling machine 41 and the 2nd filling machine 42 which are shown in FIG. 4 are equipped with the heat exchange type liquid sterilization apparatus, since the contents are filled only to normal temperature, they are like a hot pack. There is no possibility of deformation of the container 10 due to the temperature drop of the contents. That is, the problem that the container 10 is deformed after cooling and the commercial value is lowered is surely solved.
[0034]
The aseptic filling method and apparatus may be filled with various liquid drinks, various seasonings such as soy sauce, sauce, ketchup, alcoholic beverages, or fruit juices containing fruits. It can be widely applied to aseptic filling of various foods and beverages.
[0035]
Next, another embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. The above embodiment uses a soft packaging container 10 formed in a cup shape as shown in FIG. 1 using a material obtained by bonding a laminate film 19 to paper 18 as shown in FIG. Instead of the configuration, a soft packaging container configured as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8 may be used.
[0036]
This container is composed of an outer cup 61 formed of an outer paper container and an inner cup 62 made of synthetic resin formed by inner pressure forming or vacuum forming. The shape of the outer cup 61 made of a paper container forms a flange portion 64 by winding the periphery of the upper opening 62 outward and crushing it. The inner cup 62 superposed on the flange portion 64 is compressed or vacuum formed to be combined in the outer cup 61. The inner cup 62 is integrally formed with a bottom plate portion, whereas the outer cup 61 is closed with a bottom plate 66 made of a separate member.
[0037]
In such an embodiment, it is preferable that the inner cup 62 is composed of a composite container of an outer cup 61 and an inner cup 62, and the inner cup 62 has a low oxygen permeability and uses a heat-resistant ramicon container. On the other hand, the outer cup 61 may use paper or a material in which a polyethylene film or the like is bonded to the surface of the paper. According to such a configuration, the weak strength of the inner cup 62 can be reinforced by the outer paper-made outer cup 61, and the printability of the paper constituting the outer cup 61 is utilized, thereby commercials. Design is also possible. Further, since the inner cup 62 has a high degree of storage stability, according to such a container, it becomes possible to circulate at normal temperature after filling the contents.
[0038]
【The invention's effect】
The present invention relates to an aseptic filling method in which a soft packaging container is sterilized, the contents are aseptically filled in a sterilized soft packaging container, and sealed with a sterilized lid material. It is carried out by a cylindrical high-pressure steam kettle in which the conveyor runs from the inlet to the outlet, and one flexible packaging container is placed on each of the steam dischargers on the conveyor so as to cover the steam dischargeers mounted on the conveyor. is placed relates aseptic filling process, characterized in that the mounting et al.
[0039]
Therefore, according to the present invention, it becomes possible to sterilize and fill a flexible packaging container without using hydrogen peroxide, and therefore hydrogen peroxide does not remain in the contents, The odor will not adhere to the contents. In addition, since the soft packaging container is sterilized by high-temperature and short-time sterilization, it is possible to fill the contents with high efficiency.
[0040]
According to the configuration in which the flexible packaging container is made of a paper container and a polymer film is bonded to the inner surface thereof, or a synthetic resin container is combined inside, the polymer film or the synthetic resin container It becomes possible to make the flexible packaging container highly functional.
[0041]
According to the constitution in which the polymer film bonded to the inner surface of the paper container or the synthetic resin container composited inside has an oxygen barrier property and a heat resistance of 130 ° C. or higher , the oxygen permeability Aseptic packaging into a flexible packaging container having a small amount of heat resistance is possible.
[0042]
According to the configuration in which the high temperature short time sterilization of the soft packaging container is sterilization at a temperature in the range of 90 to 150 ° C. by dry steam, the high temperature short time sterilization of the soft paper container at a temperature in the range of 90 to 150 ° C. Will be carried out effectively.
[0043]
According to the configuration in which the contents filled in the flexible packaging container are sterilized in advance by heat exchange, the contents are aseptically filled at a low temperature.
[0044]
According to the configuration in which the lid material for sealing the flexible packaging container is previously sterilized by ultraviolet rays, sealing is performed with the lid material sterilized by ultraviolet rays.
[0045]
The invention relating to the apparatus includes a sterilization apparatus for a container for sterilizing a soft packaging container, an aseptic filling machine for aseptically filling the contents in the sterilized soft packaging container, and a soft packaging container filled with the contents sealed with a lid. And a container sterilizing device comprising a cylindrical high-pressure steam kettle in which the conveyor runs from the inlet toward the outlet, and a plurality of steam discharges along the length of the conveyor. vessel is attached, it relates to aseptic filling and wherein the flexible packaging container is mounted et the one at placed in the vapor emission device on the conveyor so as to cover the steam ejector.
[0046]
Therefore, according to such an apparatus, it becomes possible to sterilize the soft packaging container for a short time at a high temperature, aseptically fill the contents therein, and to seal it with a lid.
[0047]
The sterilizer for soft packaging containers is composed of a cylindrical high-pressure steam kettle that is curved and continuous from the inlet to the outlet of the container, and a conveyor is provided inside the container to convey the container from the inlet to the outlet, and the container is continuously According to the configuration in which the sterilization is performed, the high temperature steam sterilization is performed by conveying the soft packaging container through the high pressure steam kettle by the conveying means.
[0048]
According to the configuration in which the aseptic filling machine includes a heat exchange type sterilization device and the contents to be filled by the device are sterilized in advance, the soft packaging container is aseptically filled.
[0049]
According to the configuration, the sealing machine includes a pair of ultraviolet sterilization devices that face each other, and a sterilization is performed by passing a lid between the sealing devices, and then the soft packaging container that is aseptically filled with the contents is sealed. The container can be sealed by the sealing material sterilized by the sterilization apparatus.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a longitudinal sectional view of a flexible packaging container.
FIG. 2 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a sheet-like material constituting a flexible packaging container.
FIG. 3 is a longitudinal sectional view showing a high temperature short time sterilization apparatus for a soft packaging container.
FIG. 4 is a longitudinal sectional view of an aseptic filling apparatus for contents.
FIG. 5 is a longitudinal sectional view showing an internal structure of a high-pressure steam kettle of the high-temperature short-time sterilization apparatus.
FIG. 6 is a longitudinal sectional view of a soft packaging container subjected to aseptic filling.
FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view of a composite container according to another embodiment.
FIG. 8 is a longitudinal sectional view of the composite container.
[Explanation of symbols]
10 Soft packaging container (paper cup)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 11 Upper opening 12 Curled part 13 Folding part 14 Bottom plate 15 Circumference 18 Paper 19 Laminating film 23 High-pressure steam pot 24 Inlet 25 Outlet 26 Chain conveyor 30 Steam piping 31 Steam discharger 32 Small hole 33 Steam outlet 37 Container inlet 38 Steam chamber 39 Steam piping 40 Conveyor 41 First filling machine 42 Second filling machine 44 Sealing machine 45 Lid material 46 Lid material roll 49 Ultraviolet sterilizer (upper)
50 UV sterilizer (bottom)
51 Guide rollers 53, 54, 55 Stamper 57 Excess sheet winding roll 61 Outer cup (paper container)
62 Inner cup (molded container)
63 Top opening 64 Flange portion 65 Flange 66 Bottom plate

Claims (10)

Sterilize soft packaging containers,
Aseptically filling the contents into the sterilized soft packaging container,
Sealed with a sterilized lid,
In the aseptic filling method, the soft packaging container is sterilized by a cylindrical high-pressure steam kettle in which a conveyor travels from an inlet toward an outlet so as to cover a steam discharger mounted on the conveyor. aseptic filling method, wherein the flexible packaging container is mounted, et al are being placed one on the vapor emission device on the conveyor.   The aseptic filling method according to claim 1, wherein the flexible packaging container is a paper container, and a polymer film is bonded to the inner surface of the flexible packaging container, or a synthetic resin container is combined inside.   The polymer film bonded to the inner surface of the paper container or the synthetic resin container composited inside has an oxygen barrier property and a heat resistance of 130 ° C or higher. Aseptic filling method.   The aseptic filling method according to claim 1, wherein the sterilization of the flexible packaging container is sterilization within a range of 90 to 150 ° C by dry steam.   The aseptic filling method according to claim 1, wherein the contents filled in the flexible packaging container are sterilized in advance by heat exchange.   2. The aseptic filling method according to claim 1, wherein the lid for sealing the flexible packaging container is previously sterilized by ultraviolet rays. A container sterilization device for sterilizing soft packaging containers;
An aseptic filling machine for aseptically filling the contents in the sterilized soft packaging container;
A sealing machine that seals the soft packaging container filled with the contents with a lid;
The container sterilizer is composed of a cylindrical high-pressure steam kettle in which a conveyor travels from the inlet toward the outlet, and a plurality of steam dischargers are provided on the conveyor along the length thereof. mounted, aseptic filling apparatus wherein the flexible packaging container is one at placed has been mounted et the vapor emission device on the conveyor so as to cover the steam ejector.   The sterilization apparatus for the flexible packaging container is composed of a cylindrical high-pressure steam kettle that is curved and continuous from the inlet to the outlet of the container, and a conveyor is provided in the container to convey the container from the inlet to the outlet. The aseptic filling device according to claim 7, wherein the sterilization is performed continuously.   The aseptic filling apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the aseptic filling machine includes a heat exchange type sterilization apparatus, and contents to be filled by the apparatus are sterilized in advance.   The sealing machine includes a pair of ultraviolet sterilizers facing each other, and a lid material is passed between them to sterilize, and then the flexible packaging container filled with the contents aseptically is sealed. Item 8. The aseptic filling device according to Item 7.

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