JP4046516B2 - Air conveyor type container sterilizer - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to PET bottles filled with beverages, foods, pharmaceuticals and other contents, other plastic bottles, milk bottles, beer bottles, pharmaceuticals Bottles, etc. Suitable for use to sterilize containers Air conveyor type Concerning container sterilizers, in particular, prevents containers and filling machines from being contaminated due to the cleaning device installed in the previous stage of filling the container with the contents. Air conveyor type The present invention relates to a container sterilizer.
[0002]
[Prior art]
In general, for example, natural water, coffee beverages, milk, fruit beverages, other beverages, jams, boiled foods, other processed foods, liquid, powdery or granular cold medicines, other pharmaceuticals, etc. are made of plastic bottles ( For example, containers filled with various materials such as PET bottles, glass bottles, steel cans and the like are filled and supplied to the market as beverages in containers, foods in containers, pharmaceuticals, and the like. In such beverages in containers, etc., from the viewpoint of hygiene, etc., the containers are in a sanitary state by sterilizing the inside or the container mouth with a sterilizing liquid before filling the contents, and then rinsing with fresh water. in use.
[0003]
As a manufacturing apparatus for such a beverage in a container, for example, an apparatus having a combination of a rotary cleaning device (rinser), a rotary filling machine (filler), and a lid mounting machine (cap seamer) is known. The rotary cleaning device is for washing and sanitizing the container before the contents are filled, for example, washing the container with hot water or low-concentration chlorine water to wash away fungi attached to the surface, It is cleaned by blowing clean sterilized air after hepa filter treatment. The container after being cleaned by the rotary cleaning device is supplied to the rotary filling machine. The rotary filling machine is for filling the contents inside the container. For example, after aligning the opening of the container with the filling nozzle, the container is filled with a predetermined amount of the contents from the filling nozzle.
[0004]
The container filled with the contents is supplied to a lid mounting machine (cap seamer). The lid mounting machine is for mounting and sealing the lid on the mouth of the container. For example, the inner periphery of the lid is brought into close contact with the outer peripheral surface of the mouth to seal the container mouth. In this way, by filling a container with a predetermined amount of contents, a container-containing beverage, a container-containing food, a container-containing medicine, or the like corresponding to each content is manufactured.
[0005]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in such a conventional apparatus for manufacturing a container-containing beverage or the like, the cleaning device for cleaning the container is contaminated by fungi that are attached to the container to be cleaned and supplied, or fungi floating in the air. Sometimes. This is because the top and sides of the mouth of the container are easily contaminated by fungi, and the fungus adheres to the mouth of the container by air blown during transfer or by electrostatic charge, This is because the contamination spreads.
[0006]
As a result, when the cleaning device is contaminated with fungi such as sputum, the contamination is transmitted to the filling machine of the next process through the container that should have been cleaned, and the fungus is washed through the cleaning device or the filling machine. Attached to the container. When the container to which the fungus is attached is filled with the contents, there is a problem that a beverage or the like in a container contaminated with the fungus may be manufactured.
[0007]
In general, in a production line for a beverage containing a container in which juices, teas and other beverages are filled in a container, the container is first supplied to a cleaning device and washed. In the cleaning device, for example, hot water or chlorine water is applied to the container to wash away fungi attached to the surface of the container, and the container is heated with a heating device to remove moisture attached to the surface. Next, the cleaned container is transferred to a filling machine, and the container is filled with a predetermined content by the filling machine. Thereafter, the container filled with the contents is transferred to a lid mounting machine, and the lid is mounted on the mouth of the container and sealed with this lid mounting machine.
[0008]
Thereby, a container-containing beverage, a container-containing food, a container-containing medicine, etc., in which a container is filled with predetermined contents are manufactured. Therefore, in general, since the container before filling the contents is cleaned by the cleaning device, it is likely that the container supplied to the filling machine is in a sanitary state.
[0009]
However, depending on the cleaning method used by the cleaning device and the cleaning power of the cleaning agent, depending on the type of bacteria attached to the container, the cleaning operation using the cleaning device survives without being sterilized or cleaned, and the mouth of the container. In some cases, it adheres to the cleaning line, is brought into the washing line, and the contamination spreads by the bacteria and is transferred to the filling machine in the next process. In particular, when a container is cleaned using a strong sterilizing agent, an attempt is made to wash away as much of the sterilizing agent as possible by adding a rinsing step so that the residual concentration of the sterilizing agent is as low as possible.
[0010]
In addition, for example, fungi adhere to the cleaning device from a container that is transferred without sterilizing the mouth, or air entrainment at the time of transfer, or the brought-in fungus floats in the air in the cleaning device, These fungi may adhere to every corner of the cleaning device, and the cleaning device itself may be contaminated with the fungus. As a result, when the cleaning apparatus itself is contaminated with fungi, the fungus again adheres to the container due to the contamination, and the container contaminated with the fungus is supplied to the filling machine. As a result, when a container contaminated with fungi is filled with the contents, a beverage or the like containing the container contaminated with the fungi is manufactured. Even if the inside of the cleaning device is sterilized once with chemicals or alcohol (heated steam), the fungi cannot be completely killed. Become.
[0011]
The present invention has been made in view of such a conventional problem, and is provided with a sterilizing means for irradiating a sterilizing beam at the front stage or the same position of the cleaning apparatus, and is sterilized by the sterilizing means at the front stage or the vicinity thereof. By adopting a structure that irradiates light to the mouth of the container, the container is maintained in a sanitary manner, and the cleaning nozzle and the inside of the cleaning device are contaminated with fungi by the fungi that are attached to the mouth of the container and brought in An object of the present invention is to provide a container sterilization apparatus capable of producing a beverage or the like in a container.
[0012]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to solve the above-described problems and the like and achieve the above object, an air conveyor type container sterilization apparatus according to claim 1 of the present application is a pre-stage where a container of a filling machine for filling a container with contents is supplied. A transfer means for transferring the container to the cleaning device provided in the sterilization means, and a sterilization means provided along the transfer means and irradiating the mouth filled with the contents of the container with a sterilization beam, The transfer means includes a guide rail that slidably supports the container, and is fixed to the guide rail and blows air from the side to the mouth of the container to press the mouth with the pressure of the air to An air conveyor having a transporting duct, the sterilizing means being a guide rail in front of or in the vicinity of the cleaning device The guide rail is formed on the opposite side of the support portion supporting the container of the container, or the guide rail and the frame plate or the guide rail and the frame plate and the lamp cover. Formed by The It is characterized in that it is disposed in the room so as to extend in substantially the same direction as the container transport direction and the air flow direction so as to be disposed above the container and face the mouth.
[0015]
Claims of this application 2 Described Air conveyor type The container sterilization device is a member that transmits sterilization light, and forms a partition that partitions between the sterilization means and the air conveyor, and the air of the air conveyor is used as the sterilization means. Directly It is characterized by having a structure that does not contact.
[0016]
In the air conveyor type container sterilization device according to claim 3 of the present application, the container is a bottle with a neck in which a neck part is provided in the vicinity of the mouth part, and the body part has a larger diameter than the neck part. The guide rail is composed of a pair of guide rails installed facing each other with a predetermined interval through which the container can pass, The lower surface of the neck portion is supported from both sides by a pair of guide rails.
[0017]
The air conveyor type container sterilization apparatus according to claim 4 of the present application is arranged in the transfer means so as to face the mouth of the container and prevents the container from jumping up more than a predetermined amount. Do It is characterized by providing a jump prevention means.
[0018]
Claims of this application 5 Described Air conveyor type The container sterilization apparatus is characterized in that the jump-up preventing means is configured to be able to adjust the interval between the mouth portion.
[0019]
Claims of this application 6 Described Air conveyor type The container sterilizer is characterized in that the jump-up preventing means is formed of an ultraviolet transmissive fluororesin having high durability against ultraviolet rays.
[0020]
Due to the configuration as described above, the first aspect of the present application Air conveyor type In the container sterilizer, the container is transferred to the cleaning device in front of the filling machine by the transfer means. That Since sterilization light is irradiated from the sterilization means provided along the transfer means toward the mouth of the container, the container before cleaning can be maintained in a sanitary state, and the mouth of the container The washing apparatus is not contaminated by the attached fungi, and the beverage, the food in the container, the medicine in the container, etc., in which the contents are not contaminated by the fungus, can be produced.
[0023]
Claims of this application 2 Described Air conveyor type In the container sterilizer, the sterilizing means is separated by air from the air conveyor by partitioning between the sterilizing means and the air conveyor with a member that transmits the sterilizing light beam. Directly It is possible to prevent cooling, prevent the radiation amount of the sterilizing light beam from being suppressed, and prevent the sterilization efficiency from decreasing.
[0024]
Claims of this application 3 Described Air conveyor type In the container sterilization apparatus, a bottle with a neck is applied as a container, and the neck portion of the bottle with a neck is supported from both sides by a pair of guide rails of a transfer means, whereby the bottle with a neck can be reliably and smoothly transferred. .
[0025]
Claims of this application 4 Described Air conveyor type In the container sterilization apparatus, the transfer means is provided with a jump prevention means, and when the upward force acts on the container at the time of transfer, the mouth part abuts against the jump prevention means when it is raised to some extent, The container jumping operation can be surely prevented, and a failure of the production line due to the container jumping can be prevented.
[0026]
Claims of this application 5 Described Air conveyor type In the container sterilizer, the distance between the mouth of the container can be freely adjusted by adjusting the height of the jump prevention means, and the bottle with neck can be prevented from jumping up and smoothly transferred. be able to.
[0027]
Claims of this application 6 Described Air conveyor type In the container sterilizer, the jumping prevention means is made of an ultraviolet transmissive fluororesin, so that the jumping prevention means is not deteriorated by the ultraviolet rays irradiated by the sterilization means, and the jumping prevention means is prevented from being damaged. can do.
[0028]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. 1 to 6 show an embodiment of the present invention. That is, FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration explanatory view showing an embodiment of the container sterilization apparatus of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a sectional view showing a first embodiment of the transfer means, FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of FIG. Is a cross-sectional view showing a second embodiment of the transfer means, FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view showing a third embodiment of the transfer means, and FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view showing a fourth embodiment of the transfer means.
[0029]
As shown in FIG. 1, a beverage production apparatus 1 to which a container sterilization apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention is applied is a rotary cleaning apparatus that shows a specific example of a cleaning apparatus that cleans a container 2 filled with contents. (Rincer) 3, a rotary filling machine (filler) 4 showing a specific example of a filling machine for filling the washed container 2 with the contents, and a lid (on the mouth 2 a of the container 2 filled with the contents) (Not shown). A lid mounting machine (cap seamer) 5 for mounting and sealing, a supply side transfer means 6 for transferring the container 2 before cleaning to the rotary cleaning device 3, the rotary cleaning device 3 and the rotary filling machine 4, a filling machine transfer means 7 for transferring the container 2 between the container 4, a loading machine transfer means 8 for transferring the container 2 between the rotary filling machine 4 and the lid mounting machine 5, and the lid mounting machine 5. Discharge-side transfer means 9 for discharging the container 2 from the container, and sterilization means 10 provided in connection with the transfer means 6-8 It is configured to include a ~10F like.
[0030]
The rotary cleaning device 3 is disposed in a sealable cleaning chamber 11 configured by partitioning the periphery thereof. Moreover, the rotary filling machine 4 and the lid mounting machine 5 are disposed in a sealable filling chamber 12 configured by partitioning the periphery thereof. The washing chamber 11 and the filling chamber 12 are so-called aseptic air purge so as to constitute an aseptic chamber. Further, the cleaning chamber 11 is provided with two communication chambers 13 and 14 having a tunnel structure. One side of the supply side transfer means 6 is inserted into the first communication chamber 13, and the cleaning chamber 11 is communicated with the outside through the supply side transfer means 6. Further, the cleaning chamber 11 is communicated with the filling chamber 12 by the second communication chamber 14, and the transfer means 7 for the filling machine is inserted into the second communication chamber 14.
[0031]
A PET bottle with a neck is applied to the container 2 shown in the present embodiment. However, the container 2 is not limited to this embodiment, and it is possible to apply resin bottles other than PETE (polyethylene terephthalate), for example, glass bottles such as milk bottles and beer bottles, and steel cans. Various containers made of various materials such as paper packs and plastic packs can be applied.
[0032]
As shown in FIG. 2 and the like, the PET bottle 2 includes a mouth portion 2a having a male screw on the outer peripheral surface, a conical cylindrical shoulder portion 2b continuous to the lower end of the mouth portion 2a, and a lower end of the shoulder portion 2b. And a bottom 2d that closes the lower end of the barrel 2c. Further, a flange portion 2e developed outward is formed between the mouth portion 2a and the shoulder portion 2b, and a neck portion is formed by the flange portion 2e. The PET bottle 2 is integrally formed, for example, by molding means such as injection molding.
[0033]
The container 2A is a small-capacity small-sized PET bottle in which the body 2c is formed thin and the height is set low. The container 2B is a large capacity in which the body 2c is formed thick and the height is set high. It is a large PET bottle for use. In these containers 2A and 2B, the mouth portion 2a and the flange portion 2e have the same configuration and size as each other.
[0034]
The rotary cleaning device 3 is a device that grips and rotates and feeds the supplied PET bottle 2 and cleans the PET bottle 2 during the rotational transfer. That is, the rotary cleaning device 3 cleans the PET bottle 2 after being sterilized by ultraviolet irradiation or the like using warm water, low-concentration chlorine water, peracetic acid water, hydrogen peroxide water, electrolytic water, or the like. By washing away dirt and chemicals adhering to the PET bottle 2 and finally rinsing with clean water, the bactericide is washed out as much as possible.
[0035]
A plurality of the rotary cleaning devices 3 are provided at equal intervals at predetermined intervals in the circumferential direction at a rotating portion 3a that is driven to rotate continuously or intermittently at an appropriate speed, and at the outer peripheral edge of the rotating portion 3a. Bottle holding part 3b. The supplied PET bottles 2 are detachably gripped one by one by the bottle gripping portions 3b and transferred in the circumferential direction. The cleaning by the cleaning device may be performed by blowing clean air sterilized by a hepa filter into the inside of the container.
[0036]
The rotary filling machine 4 is a device that grips and rotates and feeds the supplied PET bottle 2 and fills the gripped PET bottle 2 with a predetermined amount at the time of the rotational transfer. The rotary filling machine 4 is provided with a plurality of rotating parts 4a that are continuously or intermittently driven at an appropriate speed and equidistantly spaced from each other on the outer peripheral edge of the rotating part 4a in the circumferential direction. Bottle holding portion 4b. The supplied PET bottles 2 are each detachably gripped by the bottle gripping portions 4b and transferred in the circumferential direction. Each bottle gripping part 4b is provided with a filling nozzle (not shown) for filling the PET bottle 2 with the contents.
[0037]
In this rotary filling machine 4, for example, beverages such as mineral water, black tea, green tea, fruit juice, coffee beverages, liquid seasonings such as soy sauce, sauces, liquid pharmaceuticals and other liquid contents are fed from the filling nozzle to the mouth. It injects into 2a and fills the PET bottle 2. Of course, the contents are not limited to liquid. The PET bottle 2 filled with a predetermined amount of contents by the rotary filling machine 4 is supplied to the lid mounting machine 5 and the lid is mounted on the mouth portion 2a.
[0038]
The lid mounting machine 5 grips and rotates and transfers the supplied PET bottle 2 and also mounts and seals the lid on the mouth portion 2a of the gripping PET bottle 2 during the rotational transfer. It is. The lid mounting machine 5 is provided with a plurality of rotating parts 5a that are continuously or intermittently rotated at an appropriate speed, and a predetermined interval in the circumferential direction on the outer peripheral edge of the rotating part 5a. The bottle holding part 5b thus formed, and a tightening part for tightening the lid placed on the mouth part 2a. The supplied PET bottles 2 are detachably gripped one by one by the bottle gripping portions 5b and transferred in the circumferential direction.
[0039]
The lid mounting machine 5 is provided with a lid chute for supplying a lid for mounting on the mouth 2a of the PET bottle 2, although not shown. The lid supplied from the lid chute is automatically put on the mouth 2 a by the movement of the PET bottle 2. When the lid portion is put on the mouth portion 2a, the lid body is wound by the tightening portion, and thereby the mouth portion 2a is sealed in a liquid-tight (or air-tight) manner by the lid body. The lid mounting machine 5 is a cap-in-head seamer when the lid is a resin cap, and is a cap seamer when the lid is an aluminum cap.
[0040]
The rotary cleaning device 3, the rotary filling machine 4 and the lid mounting machine 5 respectively receive bottles 15A, PET bottles 2 from the transfer means 6, 7 and 8 and deliver them to the bottle gripping parts 3b, 4b and 5b. 16A and 17A, and bottle discharging means 15B, 16B and 17B for receiving the PET bottle 2 from the bottle gripping portions 3b, 4b and 5b and transferring them to the transfer means 7, 8 and 9 are provided. The bottle supply means 15A to 17A and the bottle discharge means 15B to 17B have substantially the same configuration, and each have a rotating plate 18.
[0041]
The rotating plate 18 is provided with a plurality of bottle gripping portions 18 a that can detachably hold the PET bottle 2 at equal intervals on the outer peripheral surface. Each of the bottle supply means 15A to 17A and the bottle discharge means 15B to 17B has a drop prevention bar 19 for preventing the PET bottle 2 held by each bottle holding portion 18a of the rotating plate 18 from dropping sideways. Is provided. The drop-off prevention bar 19 is formed in an arc shape with an appropriate gap so as to surround the PET bottle 2 along the movement trajectory.
[0042]
The supply side transfer means 6 is constituted by an air conveyor 20 in the first half part that transfers the PET bottle 2 by air pressure, a screw conveyor 21 in the second half part that transfers the PET bottle 2 by means of a spiral unevenness provided on the shaft, and the like. Yes. For the supply side transfer means 6, it is desirable to use ultraviolet transmissive fluororesin resistant to ultraviolet rays, stainless steel, and other various materials having stable properties against ultraviolet rays.
[0043]
Further, sterilization means 10A, 10B, and 10C are provided on the transfer locus of the PET bottle 2 in association with the air conveyor 20 and the screw conveyor 21. At least one of these sterilizing means 10A to 10C may be provided. As shown in FIG. 1, the sterilizing means 10A is provided at the initial portion of the air conveyor 20 on the side where the PET bottle 2 is fed, and the PET bottle. It is good also as a structure which arrange | positions the sterilization means 10B in the middle part by which 2 is moved to the screw conveyor 21, and also arrange | positions the sterilization means 10C in the screw conveyor 21. FIG.
[0044]
As these sterilizing means 10A to 10C, for example, an ultraviolet lamp 23 that emits ultraviolet rays, which is a specific example of sterilizing light, can be applied. The ultraviolet lamp 23 is a germicidal lamp that emits an electromagnetic wave having a strong line spectrum in the vicinity of a wavelength of 254 nm among ultraviolet rays having a wavelength range of 180 nm (nanometers) to 400 nm. An ultraviolet sterilizer is constituted by a pair of connecting devices that hold the ultraviolet lamp 23, a reflector 24 that reflects the ultraviolet rays and collects them on the PET bottle 2 that is an object to be sterilized.
[0045]
The ultraviolet sterilization means for irradiating such ultraviolet rays is not limited to the ultraviolet lamp 23 of this embodiment. For example, the ultraviolet light emission method using a semiconductor laser, the laser beam is transmitted using an optical fiber and irradiated. Various light-emitting methods capable of emitting ultraviolet light, such as a method for performing the above, can be applied. Furthermore, a plurality of light emitting diodes (LEDs) and photocouplers that emit ultraviolet light may be provided to constitute an ultraviolet ray generation source. Further, the sterilizing means for irradiating the sterilizing light is not limited to the ultraviolet sterilizing means, and for example, an infrared sterilizing means or a far infrared ray emitting other sterilizing light having a sterilizing action such as infrared rays or far infrared rays. A sterilizing means or the like can also be applied.
[0046]
2 and 3 show a first embodiment of the air conveyor 20. This air conveyor 20 blows air toward a pair of guide rails 25L and 25R that slidably support a flange portion 2e, which is a neck portion of the PET bottle 2, and a mouth portion 2a of the PET bottle 2, and thereby the PET bottle 2 A pair of ducts 26L and 26R, a reflector 24 that reflects the ultraviolet rays of the ultraviolet lamp 23, a mounting bracket 27 that supports the pair of guide rails 25L and 25R, and the PET bottle 2 jumping up by a predetermined amount or more. Is provided with a bottle restricting bar 28 or the like showing a specific example of the flip-up preventing means.
[0047]
The pair of guide rails 25L and 25R are symmetrical to each other. The support portion 25a is formed in a crank shape, the side wall portion 25b is connected to the side end of the support portion 25a, and the side wall portion. And a fixed portion 25c continuous to the upper end of 25b. A pair of guide rails 25 </ b> L and 25 </ b> R is attached to the mounting bracket 27 by fixing the fixing portion 25 c to the mounting bracket 27 with the mounting screw 29 with a predetermined gap between the support portions 25 a. The lower surface of the flange portion 2e of the PET bottle 2 to be transferred is placed on the upper surfaces of the inner end portions of the left and right support portions 25a, 25a.
[0048]
When installing the pair of guide rails 25L and 25R, it is preferable to set a gradient in the longitudinal direction to provide a forward and downward inclination and to set the screw conveyor 21 side low. In such a case, the sliding operation of the PET bottle 2 supported in a suspended state by the pair of support portions 25a, 25a can be facilitated, and the PET bottle 2 is transferred to the rotary cleaning device 3 side by a relatively low air pressure. can do.
[0049]
Ducts 26L and 26R are fixed to the upper surfaces of the support portions 25a of the pair of guide rails 25L and 25R, respectively. Each of the ducts 26L and 26R is formed in a rectangular cylindrical shape so that air of an appropriate pressure can flow inside, and a plurality of outlets 30 are provided on the inner side surface portion at appropriate intervals in the longitudinal direction. Is provided. The jet outlet 30 is for jetting high-pressure air flowing in the ducts 26L and 26R onto the movement trajectory of the PET bottle 2. High-pressure air is blown from the jet nozzle 30 to the mouth portion 2a of the PET bottle 2, and the mouth portion 2a is pressed by the air pressure to move the PET bottle 2 to one side in the longitudinal direction of the guide rails 25L and 25R. Can do.
[0050]
Therefore, each ejection port 30 is provided in each duct 26L, 26R so as to open obliquely in the direction in which the PET bottle 2 is transferred. As shown in FIG. 3, the jet port 30 shown in this embodiment has a high pressure by causing a midway portion in the height direction to bulge inward in a triangular pyramid shape on the inner side surface portion 26 a of each duct 26 </ b> L, 26 </ b> R. The air is configured to flow out from the ejection port 30 as indicated by an arrow S.
[0051]
Furthermore, a plurality of fixing screws 31 projecting downward are respectively fixed to the bottom surfaces of the ducts 26L and 26R. Corresponding to these fixing screws 31, the same number of insertion holes 32 as the fixing screws 31 are provided in the support portions 25 a of the guide rails 25 </ b> L and 25 </ b> R. After the fixing screws 31 are inserted into the insertion holes 32, nuts 33 are screwed into the screw portions and tightened. Thereby, each duct 26L, 26R is attached to the upper surface of the support part 25a of each guide rail 25L, 25R, and is comprised integrally.
[0052]
Further, the reflection plate 24 is screwed to the lower surface of the mounting bracket 27 with a mounting screw 35 via a plurality of blocks 34. The plurality of blocks 34 are fixed to each other on one surface side of the reflecting plate 24 by fixing means such as welding, and an attachment screw 35 is screwed to each block 34. The surface of the reflecting plate 24 opposite to the block 34 is a reflecting surface such as a mirror surface so that the ultraviolet rays can be well reflected. A predetermined number of lamp supports 36 for supporting the ultraviolet lamp 23 are screwed 37 to the reflecting surface of the reflecting plate 24.
[0053]
The lamp support 36 is used as a pair of two to support one ultraviolet lamp 23. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 2, when two ultraviolet lamps 23 are arranged side by side, the four lamp supports 36 are fixed to the reflecting plate 24. Of course, a plurality of ultraviolet lamps 23 can be used in the longitudinal direction.
[0054]
The two ultraviolet lamps 23 and 23 are parallel to each other, and a bottle regulating bar 28 is disposed between them. The bottle restricting bar 28 is composed of a rod-like member arranged so as to be substantially parallel to the ultraviolet lamp 23, and a plurality of screw shaft portions 28a protruding in a direction intersecting the longitudinal direction are provided at a plurality of locations in the longitudinal direction. Is provided. These screw shaft portions 28a are inserted into the reflecting plate 24, and the bottle regulating bar 28 is supported on the reflecting plate 24 by nuts 38 screwed into the screw shaft portions 28a. Then, by changing the mounting position of the two nuts 38 arranged above and below the reflecting plate 24, the protruding amount of the bottle regulating bar 28 is adjusted, and the gap T between the mouth portion 2a of the PET bottle 2 is freely set. Can be adjusted.
[0055]
As the material of the guide rails 25L and 25R described above, an engineering plastic having an appropriate strength can be used. In particular, a synthetic resin resistant to ultraviolet rays, for example, an ultraviolet transmissive fluororesin is more preferable. Or general structural carbon steel and other metals can also be used. The material of the mounting bracket 27 is preferably a metal such as general structural carbon steel or stainless steel, but engineering plastics can also be used. Furthermore, as a material of the ducts 26L and 26R, for example, a copper alloy is suitable, but it is possible to use other metals as well as engineering plastics.
[0056]
In the air conveyor 20 of the first embodiment, a pair of guide rails 25L and 25R and the mounting bracket 27 constitute one chamber that forms a tunnel structure, and the mouth 2a of the PET bottle 2 is pressed into this chamber. It is structured to flow high-pressure air used in Therefore, since the air flow for pressing the PET bottle 2 also acts on the ultraviolet lamp 23 as it is, the heat generated when the ultraviolet lamp 23 emits ultraviolet rays is caused by the air flow for moving the PET bottle 2. Can be absorbed. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the temperature of the ultraviolet lamp 23 from rising and increase the radiation efficiency of the ultraviolet light.
[0057]
FIG. 4 shows a second embodiment of the air conveyor 20. The air conveyor 20A includes a pair of guide rails 40L and 40R that slidably support the neck portion of the PET bottle 2, a pair of frame plates 41L and 41R that support the guide rails 40L and 40R, and each frame plate 41L. , 41R, a pair of duct plates 42L, 42R that form a duct, a bottle restricting plate 43 that prevents the PET bottle 2 from jumping more than a predetermined amount, a lamp cover 44 that covers the ultraviolet lamp 23, and a bottle restricting plate 43 and so on.
[0058]
The pair of guide rails 40L and 40R are symmetrical to each other, and a support portion 40a on which the flange portion 2e of the PET bottle 2 is placed, and a fixing portion 40b provided integrally with the support portion 40a. Respectively. The pair of frame plates 41L and 41R is formed of an L-shaped long member including a side surface portion 41a and an upper surface portion 41b, and a claw portion 41c protruding in the same direction as the upper surface portion 41b is formed at the tip of each side surface portion 41a. Is provided. The claw portion 41c can be engaged with the fixed portion 40b, and the guide rails 40L and 40R can be connected to each other by tightening a plurality of mounting screws 46 that pass through the side surface portion 41a and are screwed to the fixed portion 40b. It is attached to the frame plates 41L and 41R.
[0059]
The pair of duct plates 42L and 42R is formed of an L-shaped long member having an inner side surface portion 42a and a bottom surface portion 42b. A large number of jet outlets 30 for jetting high-pressure air onto the movement trajectory of the PET bottle 2 are provided at appropriate intervals in the longitudinal direction on the inner side surface portions 42a of the duct plates 42L and 42R. A combination of the duct plates 42L and 42R and the frame plates 41L and 41R to which the duct plates 42L and 42R are attached constitutes a duct that forms an air flow path that applies air pressure to the mouth portion 2a of the PET bottle 2. The outer edges of the inner side surface portions 42a of the duct plates 42L and 42R are fastened and fixed to the lower surface of the upper surface portion 41b by a set screw 48. And the outer edge of the bottom face part 42b of the duct plates 42L and 42R is sandwiched and fixed between the fixing part 40b and the side part 41a.
[0060]
The pair of frame plates 41L and 41R are respectively attached by attachment screws 47 to the opening-side end portions of the lamp cover 44 formed in a U-shaped cross section. At this time, a gap 50 having a size corresponding to the neck portion of the PET bottle 2 is set between the support portions 40a and 40a of the left and right guide rails 40L and 40R. A gap 51 having the same size is also set between the upper surface portions 41b and 41b of the left and right frame plates 41L and 41R. The gap 51 between the upper surface portions 41b and 41b is for irradiating the mouth portion 2a of the PET bottle 2 with ultraviolet rays emitted from the ultraviolet lamp 23 disposed above the upper surface portions 41b and 41b.
[0061]
A bottle restricting plate 43 is disposed in the gap 51. The bottle restricting plate 43 is fixed to the lower surface of the support body 45 having a rail-shaped cross section by an adhesive or other fixing means. Furthermore, it is preferable that the bottle regulating plate 43 is formed of an ultraviolet transmissive fluororesin that can transmit ultraviolet rays well. The bottle restricting plate 43 has a function of suppressing the escape of air injected from the duct and suppressing air leakage for pushing the PET bottle 2 to the front as much as possible. It is also possible to eliminate the bottle regulating plate 43 and prevent the PET bottle 2 from jumping up directly with the support 45.
[0062]
The support body 45 is fixed to a substantially central portion of the inner surface of the lamp cover 44 by welding or other fixing means. A lamp support 36 for supporting the ultraviolet lamp 23 is fixed to the support 45 by welding or other fixing means. The lamp cover 44 also serves as the reflector 24 in the above-described embodiment, and its inner surface is a reflective surface such as a mirror so that it can reflect ultraviolet rays well.
[0063]
As the material of the guide rails 40L and 40R described above, a synthetic resin resistant to ultraviolet rays such as an ultraviolet transmissive fluororesin is suitable, but stainless steel, general structural carbon steel, and other metals can also be used. Moreover, as materials for the frame plates 41L and 41R and the lamp cover 44, metals such as general structural carbon steel and stainless steel are suitable, but engineering plastics resistant to ultraviolet rays can also be used. Further, as the material of the duct plates 42L and 42R, for example, a copper alloy is suitable, but other metals can be used, and engineering plastics resistant to ultraviolet rays can also be used.
[0064]
In the air conveyor 20A of the second embodiment, a chamber having a tunnel structure constituted by a pair of guide rails 40L, 40R, a pair of frame plates 41L, 41R, and a lamp cover 44 is formed by an upper chamber 52A by a bottle regulating plate 43. And the lower chamber 52B are partitioned with a slight gap. Therefore, most of the airflow used to press the mouth 2a of the PET bottle 2 is introduced into the lower chamber 52B, and most of the airflow can be used for the movement of the PET bottle 2, and the airflow A part thereof can be introduced into the upper chamber 52A and used for cooling the ultraviolet lamp 23. Therefore, in the second embodiment, the PET bottle 2 can be moved reliably, and the temperature of the ultraviolet lamp 23 can be prevented from increasing, and the ultraviolet radiation efficiency can be increased.
[0065]
FIG. 5 shows a third embodiment of the air conveyor 20. This air conveyor 20B is a modification of the air conveyor 20A shown in the second embodiment described above. A room having a tunnel structure constituted by a pair of guide rails 40L, 40R and the like is moved up and down by a bottle regulating plate 54. It is structured so as to be secretly partitioned in the direction and completely partitioned into the upper chamber 55A and the lower chamber 55B.
[0066]
Since the basic configuration of the air conveyor 20B shown in the third embodiment is substantially the same as that of the air conveyor 20A shown in the second embodiment, the same portions are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant description is omitted. . The bottle restricting plate 54 is made of a long sheet member having a width wider than the distance between the pair of frame plates 41L and 41R, and both end portions in the width direction are fixed to each frame plate 41L and 41R by a fixing means such as an adhesive. It is fixed to the upper surface of the. Therefore, in this embodiment, since the support body 45 is unnecessary, one ultraviolet lamp 23 is arranged in the space, and a total of three ultraviolet lamps 23 are arranged side by side in the upper chamber 55A. Yes. The bottle restricting plate 54 is made of a material that transmits UV light well, for example, UV transparent fluororesin.
[0067]
Further, the pair of ducts 56L and 56R is a rectangular cylinder surrounded by four planes. The inner surfaces of the ducts 56L and 56R are flush with the inner surfaces of the guide rails 40L and 40R and the frame plates 41L and 41R, thereby forming a lower chamber 55B. Each duct 56L, 56R is provided with a clamping portion 56a that is clamped between the guide rails 40L, 40R and the frame plates 41L, 41R, and an attachment screw 46 is inserted through the clamping portion 56a.
[0068]
In the air conveyor 20B of the third embodiment, a chamber having a tunnel structure constituted by a pair of guide rails 40L, 40R, a pair of frame plates 41L, 41R, and a lamp cover 44 is a bottle regulating plate. 54 Thus, the upper chamber 55A and the lower chamber 55B are completely partitioned. Therefore, it is possible to introduce all of the air flow used to press the mouth portion 2a of the PET bottle 2 into the lower chamber 55B and use all of the air flow for the movement of the PET bottle 2. Therefore, in the third embodiment, the PET bottle 2 can be reliably moved with a relatively small amount of air.
[0069]
In the third embodiment, since the upper chamber 55A is sealed, when the amount of heat generated by the ultraviolet lamp 23 is large, an air flow from another route is flowed or the air that has passed through the lower chamber 55B once. A means for cooling the inside of the upper chamber 55A is provided by returning the flow. Thereby, the temperature rise of the ultraviolet lamp 23 can be prevented, and the radiation efficiency of ultraviolet rays by the ultraviolet lamp 23 can be increased.
[0070]
FIG. 6 shows a fourth embodiment of the air conveyor 20. This air conveyor 20C shows a modification of the air conveyor 20 shown in the first embodiment described above, and is a pair of guide rails. 60L, 60R And a pair of frame plates 61L, 61R And mounting bracket 62 The inside of the chamber having a tunnel structure constituted by the above is provided with an ultraviolet sterilization means having a sealed structure.
[0071]
The basic configuration of the air conveyor 20C shown in the fourth embodiment is substantially the same as that of the air conveyor 20 shown in the first embodiment. That is, the air conveyor 20C includes a pair of guide rails 60L and 60R that slidably support the flange portion 2e of the PET bottle 2, a pair of frame plates 61L and 61R that support the guide rails 60L and 60R, and a pair of A mounting bracket 62 that supports the frame plates 61L and 61R, an ultraviolet lamp unit 63, and the like are provided.
[0072]
The pair of guide rails 60L and 60R are each formed in a crank shape and are symmetrical with each other. Duct portions 64 are integrally formed on the inner surfaces of the frame plates 61L and 61R to form a flow path for high-pressure air sprayed toward the mouth portion 2a of the PET bottle 2. Each duct portion 64 has a cylindrical shape with a quadrangular cross section including an upper surface portion 64a, a side surface portion 64b, and a lower surface portion 64c. A plurality of fixing screws 65 are attached to each lower surface portion 64c so as to project the respective screw portions downward.
[0073]
A plurality of insertion holes corresponding to the fixing screws 65 are provided in the outer horizontal portions 60a of the guide rails 60L and 60R, respectively. The guide rails 60L and 60R are respectively fixed to the lower portions of the frame plates 61L and 61R by inserting the fixing screws 65 through these insertion holes and tightening the nuts 66 screwed into the screw portions.
[0074]
The flange portion 2e of the PET bottle 2 is placed on the inner horizontal portion 60a of the pair of guide rails 60L and 60R assembled in this way. In order to facilitate the sliding operation of the PET bottle 2, it is preferable to use a synthetic resin having a low surface frictional resistance as the material of the guide rails 60L and 60R. Further, if necessary, the surface of the guide rails 60L and 60R may be coated with a fluororesin or the like having a low frictional resistance.
[0075]
In addition, a large number of air flow outlets 30 having the above-described configuration are provided on the side surface portion 64b of each duct portion 64 at appropriate intervals in the longitudinal direction. A fixing portion 61a is provided at each end of the frame plates 61L and 61R on the opposite side to the duct portion 64. The pair of frame plates 61L and 61R are fixed to the mounting bracket 62 by tightening these fixing portions 61a with mounting screws 67a and nuts 67b. The pair of frame plates 61L and 61R, the mounting bracket 62, and the pair of frame plates 61L and 61R constitute a tunnel structure chamber 68.
[0076]
The ultraviolet lamp unit 63 is accommodated in the chamber 68 configured as described above. The ultraviolet lamp unit 63 includes a frame member 70, a large number of lamp supports 36, a plurality of ultraviolet lamps 23 supported by the lamp supports 36, a sealing sheet 71, a bottle restriction bar 72, and the like. ing.
[0077]
The frame member 70 has an H-shaped cross section, and a large number of lamp supports 36 are attached to the lower surface of the central portion 70a by being screwed at predetermined intervals. The concave portion of the frame member 70 on the side of the ultraviolet lamp 23 is sealed with a sealing sheet 71 formed of an ultraviolet transmissive fluororesin resistant to ultraviolet rays, thereby forming a lamp chamber 77. The length in the width direction of the sealing sheet 71 is set to be appropriately larger than the width of the concave portion of the frame member 70. The sealing sheet 71 is attached to the side surface portion 70 b of the frame member 70 by tightening the protruding portions on both sides of the sealing sheet 71 with mounting screws 73.
[0078]
Further, on the outside of the sealing sheet 71, a bottle regulating bar 72 for preventing the PET bottle 2 from jumping more than a predetermined amount is disposed. Fixing portions 70c are provided at the end portions of the side surface portions 70b of the frame member 70 on the side opposite to the sealing sheet 71, respectively. The frame member 70 is fixed to the mounting bracket 62 by tightening these fixing portions 70 c with mounting screws 74. Furthermore, a plurality of connection ports 70d projecting toward the fixed portion 70c are provided in the central portion 70a of the frame member 70.
[0079]
Of these connection ports 70d, an air supply pipe 75 is connected to a connection port 70d provided on one side in the longitudinal direction of the frame member 70, and an exhaust pipe 76 is connected to a connection port 70d provided on the other side in the longitudinal direction. Is connected. The air supply pipe 75 and the exhaust pipe 76 are connected to a cooling device (not shown). Cooling air delivered from the cooling device enters the lamp chamber 77 through the supply pipe 75, takes heat generated from the ultraviolet lamp 23 when flowing toward the exhaust pipe 76, and exits the exhaust pipe 76 to cool the cooling device. Returned to Thereby, the temperature rise of the ultraviolet lamp 23 can be prevented and ultraviolet rays can be radiated effectively.
[0080]
In the air conveyor 20C according to the fourth embodiment, a lamp chamber sealed inside a chamber 68 formed of a pair of guide rails 60L and 60R, a pair of frame plates 61L and 61R, and a mounting bracket 62. An ultraviolet lamp unit 63 having 77 is accommodated. Therefore, the air flow used to press the mouth portion 2a of the PET bottle 2 does not contact the ultraviolet lamp 23 and forcibly remove heat. Therefore, in the fourth embodiment, the possibility that the ultraviolet lamp 23 is cooled more than necessary can be eliminated, and the output control of the ultraviolet lamp 23 can be easily performed.
[0081]
The screw conveyor 21 continuously installed in the air conveyors 20 to 20c to which such various structures can be applied is set sideways with the axial center line being substantially horizontal. As shown in FIG. 1, a guide bar 80 for preventing the PET bottle 2 from moving (escape) from the screw conveyor 21 and a PET bottle 2 are placed on the screw conveyor 21 in an upright state. A conveyor (for example, a slat conveyor, a belt conveyor, etc.) 81 that can be transported is also provided.
[0082]
The screw conveyor 21 and the conveyor 81 are configured to be driven in synchronization with each other. In this way, both the conveyors 21 and 81 are driven synchronously, and the PET bottle 2 is prevented from escaping by the guide bar 80, so that the PET bottle with relatively poor stability when it is stood and moved laterally in an empty state. Even if it is 2, it can be moved sideways smoothly in a standing state. In relation to the screw conveyor 21, the sterilizing means 10C described above is provided.
[0083]
As described above, the sterilizing unit 10C is not necessarily required in the supply-side transfer unit 6, and it is sufficient if there is at least one of the sterilizing units 10A to 10C. The sterilizing means 10A sterilizes the PET bottle 2 at the initial stage when the bottle is fed to supply the PET bottle 2 to the rotary cleaning device 3. Further, the sterilizing means 10B is a PET bottle 2 at the middle stage when the bottle is transferred. Is sterilized.
[0084]
Further, the sterilizing means 10C is for sterilizing the PET bottle 2 at the final stage of the bottle transfer for supplying the PET bottle 2 to the rotary cleaning device 3. According to the sterilizing means 10C, the sterilizing means 10C immediately after being sterilized by ultraviolet rays. The PET bottle 2 is supplied to the rotary cleaning device 3. In FIG. 1, the PET bottle 2 can be sterilized at a place where the PET bottle 2 is delivered to the rotary cleaning device 3, as in the sterilization means 10 </ b> D indicated by a two-dot chain line.
[0085]
The filling machine transfer means 7 and the mounting machine transfer means 8 have the same configuration as the screw conveyor 21 and the like constituting the latter half of the supply side transfer means 6 described above. That is, each transfer means 7, 8 has a screw conveyor 82, a guide bar 83, and a conveyor (slat conveyor, belt conveyor, etc. that can be placed and transferred while the PET bottle 2 is standing) 84. Yes. Therefore, these transfer means 7 and 8 can also be moved smoothly in the horizontal direction with the empty PET bottle 2 standing.
[0086]
In relation to these transfer means 7 and 8, sterilization means 10E and 10F having the same configuration as the sterilization means 10A to 10C described above are provided. That is, as the sterilization means 10E, 10F, for example, an ultraviolet lamp 23 that emits ultraviolet rays, a pair of connectors that hold the ultraviolet lamp 23, and an ultraviolet ray emitted from the ultraviolet lamp 23 are reflected to be sterilized. It can be configured by a reflector 24 or the like that irradiates a certain PET bottle 2.
[0087]
Further, the discharging transfer means 9 is constituted by a conveyor (for example, a slat conveyor, a belt conveyor, etc.) that can be placed and transferred in a state where the PET bottle 2 is erected.
[0088]
Supply side transfer means 6, bottle supply means 15A, rotary cleaning device 3, bottle discharge means 15B, transfer means for filling machine 7, bottle supply means 16A, rotary filling machine 4, bottle discharge means 16B, transfer means for mounting machine 8. The bottle supply means 17A, the lid mounting machine 5, the bottle discharge means 17B, and the discharge side transfer means 9 are driven in synchronism with each other, and are configured to continuously transfer the PET bottle 2 at regular intervals. ing.
[0089]
According to the beverage production apparatus 1 having such a configuration, for example, a large amount of beverages in containers can be produced in the following manner. In this beverage production apparatus 1, first, before transferring to the rotary cleaning device (rinser) 3, fungi adhering to the PET bottle 2 (especially, the mouth 2a or the inside of the bottle) by the sterilizing means 10A to 10C are sterilized. It is processed. Therefore, before washing the PET bottle 2 with fresh water or chlorinated water, the fungi adhering to the surface or inner surface of the PET bottle 2 should be sterilized in advance, and the fungi should be killed in the previous stage of the washing process. Can do.
[0090]
Next, the PET bottle 2 that has been sterilized by the sterilization means 10A to 10C and transferred to the tip of the supply side transfer means 6 is gripped by the bottle gripping portion 18a of the rotating plate 18 of the bottle supply means 15A. To the bottle gripping portion 3b of the rotating portion 3a. The PET bottle 2 gripped by the bottle gripping portion 3b of the rotating portion 3a is cleaned with a cleaning medium such as fresh water or chlorine water while being rotated and transferred by the rotating portion 3a. The cleaned PET bottle 2 is rotated and transferred by the rotating part 3a for almost one round, and is held by the bottle holding part 18a of the rotating plate 18 of the bottle discharging means 15B and transferred to the filling machine transferring means 7.
[0091]
In this cleaning process, since the PET bottle 2 is sterilized in advance by the sterilization means 10A to 10C installed in the previous stage, when the PET bottle 2 comes into contact with the cleaning port of the rotary cleaning device 3 and other parts, Fungi are not transferred from the PET bottle 2 to the cleaning port of the rotating plate 18 or the like. Therefore, the possibility that the rotary cleaning device 3 is contaminated by the PET bottle 2 before cleaning can be eliminated.
[0092]
Next, the PET bottle 2 transferred by the filling machine transfer means 7 is sterilized again by the sterilization means 10E provided therewith. Therefore, even when fungi that could not be cleaned by the rotary cleaning device 3 or fungi floating in the air adhered to the PET bottle 2 during transfer, these fungi should be sterilized again by ultraviolet rays and killed. Can do. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the PET bottle 2 cleaned by the rotary cleaning device 3 from being contaminated by fungi before being transferred to the rotary filling machine 4.
[0093]
The PET bottle 2 transferred to the tip of the filling machine transfer means 7 is held by the bottle holding part 18a of the rotating plate 18 of the bottle supply means 16A, and the bottle holding part 4b of the rotating part 4a of the rotary filling machine (filler) 4. Is passed on. The PET bottle 2 delivered to the bottle gripping portion 4b of the rotating portion 4a is rotated and transferred by the rotating portion 4a while the filling port of the rotary filling machine 4 is aligned with the mouth portion 2a, and the contents discharged from the filling port are The PET bottle 2 is filled. The PET bottle 2 filled with the contents is rotated and transferred by the rotating part 4a for almost one turn, and is held by the bottle holding part 18a of the rotating plate 18 of the bottle discharging means 16B and transferred to the mounting machine transferring means 8. The
[0094]
In this filling step, the PET bottle 2 is not only sterilized by the sterilization means 10E installed in the previous stage, but also sterilized by the sterilization means 10A to 10C installed in the previous stage. , And supplied to the rotary filling machine 4 in an extremely hygienic state. Therefore, it is possible to fill the sanitary PET bottle 2 to which no live fungus is attached with the contents. Moreover, even when the PET bottle 2 comes into contact with the filling port of the rotating unit 4a or other parts, the fungi are not transferred from the PET bottle 2 to the filling port of the rotating unit 4a. Therefore, the possibility that the rotary filling machine 4 is contaminated by the fungi attached to the PET bottle 2 for filling the contents can be eliminated.
[0095]
Next, the PET bottle 2 transferred by the mounting machine transfer means 8 is sterilized again by the sterilization means 10F provided therewith. Therefore, even when, for example, fungi floating in the air adhere to the mouth 2a of the PET bottle 2 after the contents are filled with the rotary filling machine 4, these fungi are sterilized with ultraviolet rays. Can be killed. Therefore, the PET bottle 2 after the contents are filled can be transferred to the next step in a sanitary state.
[0096]
The PET bottle 2 transferred to the tip of the mounting machine transfer means 8 is gripped by the bottle gripping part 18a of the rotating plate 18 of the bottle supply means 17A, and the bottle gripping part of the rotating part 5a of the lid mounting machine (seamer) 5. Passed to 5b. The PET bottle 2 delivered to the bottle gripping part 5b of the rotating part 5a is attached to the mouth part 2a while being rotated and transferred by the rotating part 5a. The lid body is brought into close contact with the mouth portion 2a and sealed to complete the production of the beverage containing the container.
[0097]
The beverage in a container with the lid closely attached is rotated and transferred by the rotating portion 5a for almost one turn, held by the bottle holding portion 18a of the rotating plate 18 of the bottle discharging means 17B, and transferred to the discharging side transferring means 9. The container-containing beverage transferred by the discharge side transfer means 9 is packed in a predetermined amount in a packaging box or the like and packed.
[0098]
As described above, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment. For example, in any of the cleaning device 3, the filling machine 4, and the lid mounting machine 5 in the above-described embodiment, the rotating units 3a, 4a , 5a, and an example in which the PET bottle 2 is gripped and rotated and transferred has been described. However, it is a matter of course that an apparatus that linearly transfers the PET bottle 2 may be used. In addition, the bottle supply means 15A to 17A and the bottle discharge means 15B to 17B have been described with respect to an example in which a rotation-type delivery mechanism having a rotating plate 18 is applied. 2 may be configured to be transferred.
[0099]
Furthermore, in the above embodiment, an example in which an air conveyor and a screw conveyor are applied as the transfer means has been described. However, as long as it is a means that can transfer containers such as PET bottles 2, other types of transfer means can be applied. is there. The direction in which the container is moved by the transfer means is generally horizontal or substantially horizontal, but may be diagonally upward or diagonally downward, vertically upward or vertically downward, or may move linearly. Needless to say, it may be moved in a curved line with an appropriate radius of curvature. As described above, the present invention can be variously modified without departing from the spirit of the present invention.
[0100]
【The invention's effect】
As explained above, according to the air conveyor type container sterilization apparatus of claim 1 of the present application, the transfer means for transferring the container to the cleaning device in the preceding stage of the filling machine, and the transfer means are provided along the transfer means. Disinfection means for irradiating the container mouth with sterilizing light is provided, and the transport means is fixed to the guide rail for slidably supporting the container and air from the side to the mouth of the container. And a duct for transferring the container by pressing the mouth portion with the pressure of the air by blowing the air, and the sterilizing means is a guide rail in the front stage or the vicinity of the cleaning device. The guide rail is formed on the opposite side of the support portion supporting the container of the container, or the guide rail and the frame plate or the guide rail and the frame plate and the lamp cover. Formed by The Since the container is arranged so as to extend in the same direction as the container transport direction and the air flow direction in the room and is disposed above the container and is opposed to the mouth portion, the container mouth is disposed at the front stage of the cleaning device. By sterilizing the part, it is possible to prevent the inside of the cleaning device from being contaminated by the fungi adhering to the container, and it is possible to prevent the container from being cleaned by the cleaning device contaminated with the fungus. Therefore, the container can always be maintained in a sanitary state, the contents are filled in a container to which live fungi are not attached, and the contents are not contaminated with the fungi. The effect that an air conveyor type container sterilization apparatus which can manufacture a chemical | medical agent with a container, etc. can be provided can be acquired.
[0103]
Claims of this application 2 Described Air conveyor type According to the container sterilization apparatus, the sterilization means is separated by the air of the air conveyor because the sterilization means and the air conveyor are separated by the member that transmits the sterilization light. Directly Cooling can be prevented, so that it is possible to prevent the radiation amount of the sterilizing light from being suppressed and to prevent the sterilization efficiency from being lowered.
[0104]
Claims of this application 3 Described Air conveyor type According to the container sterilization apparatus, the bottle with a neck is applied as a container, and the neck portion of the bottle with the neck is configured to be supported from both sides by a pair of guide rails of the transfer means, so that the bottle with the neck is surely and smoothly. The effect that it can be transferred can be obtained.
[0105]
Claims of this application 4 Described Air conveyor type According to the container sterilization apparatus, since the transfer means is provided with the jump prevention means, when an upward force is applied to the container at the time of transfer, the mouth portion of the container comes into contact with the jump prevention means. Further, it is possible to surely prevent the container jumping operation and to obtain an effect that the production line failure due to the container jumping can be prevented.
[0106]
Claims of this application 5 Described Air conveyor type According to the container sterilization apparatus, since the interval between the jumping prevention means and the mouth is adjustable, the distance between the mouth of the container can be freely set by adjusting the height of the jumping prevention means. Thus, it is possible to prevent the bottle with a neck from jumping up, and to obtain an effect that the container can be smoothly transported.
[0107]
Claims of this application 6 Described Air conveyor type According to the container sterilization apparatus, the jumping prevention means is formed of an ultraviolet transmissive fluororesin, so that the jumping prevention means is not deteriorated by the ultraviolet rays irradiated by the sterilization means, and the jumping prevention means is damaged. The effect that can be prevented can be obtained.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing a schematic configuration of an embodiment of a beverage production apparatus to which a container sterilization apparatus of the present invention is applied.
FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing a first embodiment of the transfer means and the sterilization means shown in FIG.
3 is an exploded perspective view showing the transfer means and the sterilization means shown in FIG. 2; FIG.
4 is a cross-sectional view showing a second embodiment of the transfer means and the sterilization means shown in FIG.
FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view showing a third embodiment of the transfer means and the sterilization means shown in FIG.
6 is a cross-sectional view showing a fourth embodiment of the transfer means and the sterilization means shown in FIG. 1. FIG.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Beverage production apparatus, 2 PET bottle (container), 2a mouth part, 3 rotation washing apparatus (rinser), 4 rotation filling machine (filler), 5 lid mounting machine (seamer), 6 supply side transfer means, 7 filling machine Transfer means, 8 transfer means for mounting machine, 10A, 10B, 10C, 10D, 10E, 10F sterilization means, 11 cleaning chamber, 12 filling chamber, 13, 14 communication chamber, 15A, 16A, 17A bottle supply means, 15B, 16B, 17B Bottle discharging means, 20, 20A, 20B, 20C Air conveyor, 21, 82 Screw conveyor, 23 UV lamp, 25L, 25R, 40L, 40R, 58L, 58R, 60L, 60R Guide rail, 26L, 26R, 56L , 56R duct, 27, 62 mounting bracket, 28, 72 Bottle restriction bar (lifting prevention means), 0 jet nozzle, 41L, 41R, 59L, 59R, 61L, 61R frame plate, 42L, 42R duct plate, 43, 54 bottle restricting plate (lifting prevention means), 63 ultraviolet lamp unit, 64 duct portion, 70 frame member, 71 Sealed sheet, 80, 83 guide bar, 81, 84 conveyor

Claims (6)

Transfer means for transferring the container to a cleaning device provided in a stage before the container of the filling machine for filling the container with the contents is supplied;
Sterilizing means provided along the transfer means and irradiating germicidal light to the mouth filled with the contents of the container; and
The transfer means is configured to slidably support the container, and is fixed to the guide rail and presses the mouth with the air pressure by blowing air from the side to the mouth of the container. And an air conveyor having a duct for transferring containers,
The sterilizing means is formed by the guide rail on the opposite side of the guide rail from the support portion for supporting the container, or the guide rail and the frame plate or the guide rail in the front stage or the vicinity of the cleaning device. In the room formed by the frame plate and the lamp cover, the container is disposed so as to extend in substantially the same direction as the container transport direction and the air flow direction, and is disposed above the container so as to face the mouth. An air conveyor type container sterilizer characterized by the above. Form a partition partitioning the sterilizing means and the air conveyor with a member that transmits the sterilizing light beam,
The air conveyor type container sterilizer according to claim 1, wherein the air of the air conveyor does not directly contact the sterilizing means. The container is a bottle with a neck provided with a neck part in the vicinity of the mouth part, and the body part having a larger diameter than the neck part,
The guide rail is composed of a pair of guide rails installed facing each other with a predetermined interval through which the container can pass,
The lower surface of the neck portion, the air conveyor type container sterilization apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that as supported from both sides by the pair of guide rails. 4. The air conveyor type container according to claim 3, wherein the transfer means is provided with a lifting prevention means arranged to face the mouth portion of the container and preventing the container from jumping more than a predetermined amount. Sterilizer. The air conveyor type container sterilization apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the jumping prevention means is configured to be able to adjust an interval between the mouth portion. The air conveyor type container sterilizer according to claim 4, wherein the jump-up preventing means is formed of an ultraviolet transmissive fluororesin having high durability against ultraviolet rays.

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