JP3928093B2 - Method for draining aseptic chamber in aseptic filling system - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a drainage method for an aseptic chamber, and more particularly to a drainage method for discharging a cleaning solution or the like for performing cleaning and sterilization in an aseptic chamber to the outside of the aseptic chamber.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Conventionally known is an aseptic filling system in which a processing device such as a filler (filling machine) is accommodated in a sealed aseptic chamber, the inside is made aseptic, and filling and capping are performed in an aseptic environment. Yes. In such an aseptic filling system, after the production is completed and before the next production is started, the cleaning liquid is sprayed to clean and sterilize the inside of the chamber, particularly the rotating part of the filler. Further, during production operation, a sterilizing liquid such as oxonia is sprayed on the top chain of the conveyor for sterilization and lubrication of the conveyor carrying the containers from the outside.
[0003]
In order to discharge the cleaning / sterilizing liquid before the start of production as described above and the sterilizing liquid during production operation to the outside of the aseptic chamber, a drainage pipe is connected to the sterilization chamber. Then, when discharging the cleaning liquid from the aseptic chamber through this drainage pipe, a check valve is provided in the pipe so that the outside of the aseptic chamber can be shut off so that the external atmosphere does not enter the aseptic chamber. Yes.
[0004]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
As described above, in the conventional sterilization chamber drainage device, a check valve is provided in the pipe for discharging the cleaning liquid and the like from the sterilization chamber so that the external atmosphere does not enter the sterilization chamber. Opening could cause outside air to enter. In particular, during cleaning and sterilization, a large amount of cleaning liquid is sprayed, so drainage is carried out at a large flow rate. On the other hand, during production operation, it is used for sterilization and lubrication of the conveyor. The amount discharged from the aseptic chamber is small and the flow rate is small. Therefore, if the drainage capacity of the drain pipe and valve is made to correspond to a large flow rate during cleaning and sterilization, the external atmosphere may enter during drainage at a small flow rate during production operation, and the inside of the aseptic chamber is likely to be contaminated. was there. Moreover, although the inside of the aseptic chamber is set to a positive pressure in order to maintain a sterilized state, this positive pressure air may escape to the drainage side and the pressure balance may be lost.
[0005]
The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a method for draining an aseptic chamber capable of preventing the inside of the aseptic chamber from being contaminated by an external atmosphere entering from the drain pipe. It is what.
[0006]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
A method for draining an aseptic chamber in an aseptic filling system according to the present invention comprises an aseptic chamber containing a container processing device, a drain pipe connected to the aseptic chamber, and a valve for opening and closing a passage in the drain pipe, Production operation of the aseptic filling system is started with the valve closed, and after a predetermined time has elapsed, the valve is opened at a preset opening based on the amount of wastewater generated, and the open valve channel is placed in a water-sealed state with drainage. It is what you do.
[0007]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
The present invention will be described below with reference to embodiments shown in the drawings. FIG. 1 is a longitudinal sectional view showing a configuration of a drainage apparatus for carrying out a drainage method for an aseptic chamber according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 shows an entire aseptic filling system including the drainage apparatus for the sterile chamber. It is a top view. In FIG. 2, reference numeral 2 denotes a first aseptic chamber, and a first container processing-device 4 such as a filler is accommodated in the aseptic chamber 2. In this container processing device 4, a container (not shown) carried in from the outside of the sterilization chamber 2 by the transport conveyor 6 is supplied via the inlet star wheel 8, and processing such as filling is performed while rotating and transporting. Thereafter, it is discharged onto the conveyor 12 via the exit star wheel 10. The discharged container is sent to a second container processing device 16 provided in the adjacent second aseptic chamber 14.
[0008]
On the bottom surface of the first sterilization chamber 2, a part 18 along the surrounding wall surface is provided with a scissor 18 that receives the cleaning liquid. Further, a drain pipe 20 for discharging the cleaning liquid in the sterilization chamber 2 to the outside is connected to one place of the tub 18. The drain pipe 20 extends substantially horizontally and is connected to a cleaning liquid recovery tank 22 installed outside the aseptic chamber 2. A liquid passage in the drain pipe 20 is connected to an upright connection to the recovery tank 22. A valve 24 that opens and closes is provided. The cleaning liquid recovery tank 22 is provided with an exhaust pipe 26, and the inside thereof is almost at atmospheric pressure.
[0009]
The valve 24 includes a valve body 30 that moves up and down by an actuator 28 such as an air cylinder, and a valve seat 32 that is provided in the drain pipe 20 and on which the valve body 30 is seated. The valve 24 is a three-position valve having a closed position and two large and small open positions by the operation of the actuator 28. When the valve 24 is opened at a large opening, the passage in the drain pipe 20 is fully opened to drain water at a large flow rate. When it is opened at a small opening, it can be drained at a small flow rate as shown in FIG. In addition, although illustration and description are omitted, the second aseptic chamber 14 is also provided with a gutter at the outer edge of the bottom as in the first aseptic chamber 2, and this gutter is connected to an external drain pipe. Yes.
[0010]
The operation of the drainage device for the sterile chamber according to the above configuration will be described. First, after production by the container processing device 4 such as filler in the aseptic chamber 2 is completed, cleaning is started. A cleaning liquid is sprayed from a cleaning liquid spray nozzle (not shown) installed in the sterilization chamber 2 to clean and sterilize each part including a rotating part such as a filler. During the cleaning, the valve 24 is opened with a large opening in order to discharge the cleaning liquid sprayed in large quantities. At this time, the sterilized chamber 2 is released from the sterilized state.
[0011]
Washing is performed with the valve 24 opened widely, and the valve 24 is closed after the washing. Next, the container processing apparatus 4 is operated to start production. At this time, the aseptic condition is maintained in the aseptic chamber 2 with the valve 24 closed. After a predetermined time has elapsed from the start of production, the closed valve 24 is opened with a small opening. During the production operation, in order to sterilize and lubricate the conveyor 6 carrying the containers into the sterilization chamber 2 from the outside, a sterilization liquid such as oxonia is sprayed on the top plate of the conveyor 6. And flows into the drain pipe 20 through the drainage basin 18.
[0012]
Since the valve 24 is closed at the start of the production operation, the sterilizing liquid is accumulated in the substantially horizontal drain pipe 20. Then, after a predetermined time has elapsed, the valve 24 is opened with a small opening. The opening degree of the valve 24 is set in advance according to the amount of waste water generated during production operation, and the sterilizing liquid newly flowing into the drain pipe 20 and the liquid flowing out from the valve 24 are substantially balanced. As shown in FIG. 1, a constant amount of sterilizing liquid is always accumulated in the drain pipe 20, and the valve body 30 and the valve seat 32 are water-sealed. Therefore, there is no possibility that an external atmosphere will enter the sterilization chamber 2, and a highly sterile environment can be maintained. In addition, since air hardly flows from the cleaning liquid recovery tank 22 side, a positive pressure balance in the aseptic chamber 2 can be ensured. In the above-described embodiment, the opening degree of the valve 24 is set to two stages of large and small, but it is not limited to two stages, and may be three or more stages.
[0013]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, in an aseptic filling system including an aseptic chamber containing a container processing apparatus, a drain pipe connected to the aseptic chamber, and a valve for opening and closing a passage in the drain pipe, Production operation of the aseptic filling system is started with the valve closed, and after a predetermined time has elapsed, the valve is opened at a preset opening based on the amount of wastewater generated, and the open valve flow path is water-sealed with drainage. By doing so, the inside of the sterile chamber can be prevented from being contaminated through the drain pipe.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing a configuration of a drainage apparatus for performing a sterile chamber drainage method according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a plan view showing the entirety of an aseptic filling system provided with a drainage device for the aseptic chamber.
[Explanation of symbols]
2 Aseptic chamber 20 Drain pipe 24 Valve

Claims (1)

Aseptic chamber housing a container processing device, and connected to the drain pipe in the sterile chamber, the aseptic filling system comprising a valve for opening and closing the passage of the drainage tube, the aseptic filling system in a closed state the valve In an aseptic filling system, wherein a production operation is started and a valve is opened at a preset opening degree based on the amount of generated waste water after a predetermined time has elapsed, and the opened valve passage is water-sealed with waste water . How to drain the aseptic chamber.

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