JP4590805B2 - Aseptic filling method for pouch with spout - Google Patents
Aseptic filling method for pouch with spout Download PDFInfo
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- JP4590805B2 JP4590805B2 JP2001257683A JP2001257683A JP4590805B2 JP 4590805 B2 JP4590805 B2 JP 4590805B2 JP 2001257683 A JP2001257683 A JP 2001257683A JP 2001257683 A JP2001257683 A JP 2001257683A JP 4590805 B2 JP4590805 B2 JP 4590805B2
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【０００１】
【発明の属する技術分野】
本発明は、清涼飲料や栄養剤などの液状食品を無菌状態のスパウト付パウチへ充填する無菌充填方法に関するものであり、特に清涼飲料や栄養剤などの液状食品に熱を与えないで味覚の変化や栄養分の減少を防止するスパウト付パウチへの無菌充填方法に関する。
【０００２】
【従来の技術】
従来、ゼリー飲料や清涼飲料水などの液体包装袋として、プラスチックフィルムを主体とした軟包装材製のスパウト（飲み口）付パウチ（袋）が知られ、その袋（一般的には胴部がガゼット（ヒダ）状になっていて平坦な左右側面を有するもの）の胴部を手指で押しながら、スパウトから飲料等内容物を口に注ぐもので、特に流動性の無いゼリー状飲料（径腸栄養剤などを含めた）には好都合の飲料包装容器として好評を博しているスパウト付パウチである。
【０００３】
例えばリンゴジュース等果汁やミネラルウォーター等の真菌類（カビ、酵母）が制御の対象となるＰＨの低い酸性食品や飲料を収納するこのスパウト付パウチでの殺菌は、熱間充填、いわゆるホットパックとキャップ密封後の温水シャワーによるパストラーザーによる方法が一般的である。
【０００４】
しかし、このホットパックと温水シャワーによるスパウト付パウチの殺菌方法では、酸性食品等内容液が過加熱状態となり、風味の変化をはじめ、味覚の官能的劣化や栄養成分の減少などが問題となるものであった。また、スパウト付パウチに熱い内容液を充填するため、パウチ（プラスチック）由来の臭気が内容液に移行する場合があるという問題点もあった。
【０００５】
また、上記熱間充填法では殺菌できない高い耐熱性をもつ細菌類までを制御の対象とするＰＨの高い中性飲料や食品、例えば流動食や径腸栄養剤あるいはコーヒー等には、内容液の充填後にレトルト殺菌をするのが一般的である。
【０００６】
しかし、スパウト付パウチにこのＰＨの高い中性飲料や食品を充填する場合のレトルト殺菌処理では、高温で長時間の殺菌処理を必要とし、内容液の過加熱が品質劣化に著しい影響を与え、内容液によっては、味覚の官能的劣化や栄養成分の減少があるという問題があった。さらにレトルト殺菌によるパウチ（プラスチック）由来の臭気が内容液に移行する場合があるという問題点もあった。
【０００７】
このような熱間充填法やレトルト殺菌法での過加熱による問題点の解決法として、容器の殺菌に過酢酸や過酸化水素などの薬剤処理法やバッチ式のγ線照射による無菌充填方法があるが、容器がプラスチックボトルや紙製液体容器の場合に適用されるもので、このスパウト付パウチ対しての薬剤処理法では、薬剤がパウチの胴部であるガゼット状の狭い折り目部分まで薬剤が届かなかったり、逆にこの狭い折り目部分から薬剤が抜けきらず、製品の品質管理や健康管理に係わる作業環境上の問題となったりする。また、γ線による殺菌は、バッチ式で充填効率が悪いことと、装置が大規模なものとなるなどコスト上の問題があり、これらいずれの方法もこのスパウト付パウチへの無菌充填方法としては困難な方法であった。
【０００８】
さらにまた、スパウト付パウチへの無菌充填方法として考えられる方法に、電子線によるスパウト付パウチの殺菌方法があるが、この場合上方のスパウト部の殺菌の他に、偏平な胴部の表裏面への照射装置を備えるか、あるいは１台の照射装置で表面側から強力な線量の電子線を照射するかで所望の殺菌を行う必要があるり、前者の表裏両面用の装置では、スペースを含めた装置コストが多大となり、後者の片側（表面）からのみの強力な照射では、高い線量のため、容器（プラスチック製のスパウト付パウチ）からの臭気発生があり、食品等内容液の風味等に影響するという問題があり、スパウト付パウチへの無菌充填方法としては採用されていなかった。
【０００９】
【発明が解決しようとする課題】
本発明は、かかる従来技術の問題点を解決するものであり、その課題とするところは、清涼飲料や栄養剤などの液状食品を電子線照射による無菌状態のスパウト付パウチへ充填する無菌充填方法であって、充填される液状食品の風味の変化や栄養成分の減少がなく、薬剤を使用せず品質管理や作業環境管理に費用を要せず、かつ設備コストが嵩まず、充填と殺菌がインラインで可能なスパウト付パウチへの無菌充填方法を提供することにある。
【００１０】
【課題を解決するための手段】
本発明に於いて上記課題を達成するために、まず請求項１の発明では、スパウト付パウチを電子線照射にて無菌状態にし、それに既に殺菌された液状食品や飲料を充填するスパウト付パウチへの無菌充填方法であって、連結している搬送用チェーンに前記スパウト付パウチのスパウト部を挿入し、該スパウト付パウチを電子線照射室内へ搬送し、搬送されたスパウト付パウチの上面と一方の側面を、その面側に備えられた電子線照射装置で照射し、電子線が照射されたスパウト付パウチは、この電子線照射室内から次の反転部に搬送用チェーンとともに搬送され、この反転部でスパウト付パウチへの左右側面が反転されて、再度前記電子線照射室内へ搬送され、搬送された該スパウト付パウチの上面と一方の他の側面とを前記と同じ位置に備えられた電子線照射装置で照射し、該照射されたスパウト付パウチのスパウト部から液状食品や飲料を充填し、キャップで止栓して密封することを特徴とするスパウト付パウチへの無菌充填方法としたものである。
【００１１】
上記請求項１の発明によれば、スパウト付パウチに対し電子線照射による殺菌と内容液の充填とを（バッチ式ではなく）連続して行う無菌充填方法なので、過加熱による風味の劣化（変化）や栄養成分の減少がなく、薬剤を使用していないので、製品の品質管理や健康管理に係わる作業環境の管理等に費用を要せず、かつγ線の如くバッチ式でなく設備コストも嵩まず、高効率の殺菌処理が可能なスパウト付パウチへの無菌充填方法とすることができる。また一方の面を照射後、スパウト付パウチが反転されて、一方の面の他の面を１台の電子線照射装置で照射して殺菌するので、その装置スペースと装置コストの削減に寄与するスパウト付パウチへの無菌充填方法とすることができる。
【００１２】
また、請求項２の発明では、前記電子線照射装置による一方の側面に対する照射エネルギーが、スパウト付パウチと電子線照射装置の距離が２００ｍｍの場合で、２００〜３００ｋＶの範囲の加速電圧であることを特徴とする請求項１記載のスパウト付パウチへの無菌充填方法としたものである。
【００１３】
上記請求項２の発明によれば、電子線照射装置による一方の側面に対する照射エネルギーを、スパウト付パウチと電子線照射装置の距離が２００ｍｍの場合で、２００〜３００ｋＶの範囲の比較的低い加速電圧とすることによって、スパウト付パウチの他の側面までは殺菌出来ないが、内面までは十分に可能で、かつ比較的低い加速電圧なのでスパウト付パウチからの臭気発生の問題のないスパウト付パウチへの無菌充填方法とすることがきる。この照射エネルギーの加速電圧が２００ｋＶに満たないとパウチの内面まで殺菌ができず、また、その加速電圧が３００ｋＶを越えるとパウチ（プラスチック）由来の臭気が発生し、液状食品の風味や味覚の劣化となるので好ましくない。また、スパウト部を殺菌する上面側の電子線照射装置についても同様に比較的低い加速電圧で往復２回の照射によって、スパウト（プラスチック）由来の臭気の発生がなく、スパウトの内部まで十分な殺菌を可能とするものである。
【００１４】
【発明の実施の形態】
以下本発明の実施の形態を図面を用いて詳細に説明する。
本発明は、例えば図１の斜視図に示すような、天面にスパウトキャップ（４ａ）が止栓されたスパウト（４）が挿入され、その胴部が、略矩形の表面板（２０）と裏面板（２２）と、縦折り目（１２）より内側に折り込まれた略矩形の左右側面板（２６，２４）とでなり、お互いの端縁がシールされてガゼット状でなるスパウト付パウチ（１０）に、液状食品を充填する無菌充填方法に関するものであり、本発明では、このようなスパウト付パウチ（１０）に電子線（ＥＢ）を照射してパウチ（１０）の内面まで殺菌し、殺菌されたスパウト付パウチ（１０）に、既に殺菌されている液状食品（飲料を含む）をインラインで充填するスパウト付パウチへの無菌充填方法である。
【００１５】
上記本発明のスパウト付パウチへの無菌充填方法は、図２の正面図および図３の上面図に示すように、まず無菌チャンバー（３０）内のパウチ搬入部（３２）で、搬送用チェーン（４１）にスパウト付パウチ（１０）のスパウト（４）を連続して挿入する。次いでこのスパウト付パウチ（１０）を電子線照射室（３４）内へ搬送する。図２に示す搬送されたスパウト付パウチの上面を、その上面側に備えられた上面側電子線照射装置（４２）で照射し、図３に示す搬送されたスパウト付パウチ（１０）の胴部表面板（２０）の面を、その胴部表面板（２０）側に備えられた側面側電子線照射装置（４４）で照射する。
【００１６】
続いて電子線が照射されたスパウト付パウチ（１０）は、この電子線照射室（３４）内から次の反転部（３６）に連結している搬送用チェーン（４１）とともに搬送され、図３に示すようにこの反転部（３６）でスパウト付パウチ（１０）の表裏面が反転されて、裏面板（２２）が手前にくるようになり、この状態で再度電子線照射室（３４）内へ前記の電子線が照射されたスパウト付パウチ（１０）の進行方向と平行に逆行するように搬送される。
【００１７】
ここで図２に示すように搬送されてきたスパウト付パウチ（１０）のスパウト部（４）を、再度上面側電子線照射装置（４２）で照射し、それと同時に、図３に示すように、搬送されてきたスパウト付パウチ（１０）の裏面板（２２）側を側面側電子線照射装置（４４）で照射する。
【００１８】
上記のようにスパウト付パウチ（１０）のスパウト（４）には２回の照射が、スパウト付パウチ（１０）の表裏面板（２０、２２）面にはそれぞれ１回の照射がなされて殺菌されたスパウト付パウチ（１０）は、図４の正面図に示すように、陽圧保持用無菌エアー（Ａ）が吹き付けられた後、内容液充填部（３８）へ搬送され、スパウト付パウチ（１０）のスパウト（４）へ液状食品の充填タンク（４６）から充填ノズル（４７）を介して液状食品を充填し、次いで既に殺菌されたスパウトキャップ（４ａ）をスパウト（４）に乗せ、キャップ巻き締め部（３９）で止栓して密封し、搬送用チェーン（４１）から外して充填製品（５）とするスパウト付パウチへの無菌充填方法である。
【００１９】
ここで上記搬送用チェーン（４１）は、図３に示すパウチ挿入部（３２）から電子線照射室（３４）内、反転部（３６）、再度電子線照射室（３４）内を経て、図４に示すように陽圧保持用無菌エアー（Ａ）が吹き付けられた後の内容液充填部（３８）、スパウトキャップ（４ａ）乗せ、キャップ巻き締め部（３９）を経た後、巻き締めが完了し密封されたスパウト付パウチ（１０）を外して充填製品（５）とする部署まで連続（連結）していて、さらに取り外された搬送用チェーン（４１）は、前述のパウチ挿入部（３２）へ戻り、この搬送用チェーン（４１）のその部分に再度スパウト付パウチ（１０）のスパウト（４）を挿入するようになっている。従ってこのスパウト付パウチ（１０）の殺菌と内容液の充填がこの連結されて周回している搬送用チェーン（４１）により、充填製品（５）をインラインで効率よく製造することができるスパウト付パウチへの無菌充填方法である。
【００２０】
本発明では、図２に示す上面側電子線照射装置（４２）による１回の照射エネルギーと、図３に示す側面側電子線照射装置（４４）による１回の照射エネルギーが、スパウト付パウチ（１０）とそれぞれの電子線照射装置（４２、４４）の距離（Ｈ、Ｗ）が２００ｍｍの場合で、２００〜３００ｋＶの範囲の比較的低い加速電圧とするもので、それぞれの距離（Ｈ、Ｗ）に応じて、その加速電圧を勘案して照射すればよい。
【００２１】
また、図４に示すスパウトキャップ（４ａ）の殺菌は、種々の方法で可能であり特に限定されるものではないが、その一例として、図示しないが過酸化水素ガスを用いた殺菌方法があり、これは過酸化水素を加熱してガス化する発生装置より送られたガスをスパウトキャップ殺菌室にあるガスノズルからこのキャップに噴出させて殺菌し、それに乾燥用の無菌ホットエアーを吹き付け、過酸化水素の活性化と除去を行ってスパウト付パウチ（１０）へ載せるものである。
【００２２】
このスパウトキャップ（４ａ）の殺菌に、上記の電子線の照射でも可能であり、これらの他スパウトキャップ（４ａ）の場合の殺菌法として、過酢酸等の薬剤殺菌、スチーム殺菌等も可能である。
【００２３】
上記スパウト付パウチ（１０）としては、図１に示すように、天面にスパウト（４）が、胴部を構成する表面板（２０）と裏面板（２２）の間に挟まれるように挿入されていて、その胴部がガゼット状のプラスチックフィルムでなる袋からなっているのが一般的で、これに用いられる材料としては、例えばポリエチレン、ポリプロピレン、ポリエチレンテレフタレート、ナイロン、エチレン−酢酸ビニル共重合体、エチレン−ビニルアルコール共重合体など、あるいはこれらの複合（積層）材料などが挙げられる。さらに例えば充填される内容物がビタミン剤のように外部の光やガス等によってビタミンが破壊されるのを防ぐため、スパウト付パウチ（１０）の材料として、アルミニウム箔を上記プラスチックフィルムでサンドした積層フィルムを使用する場合もある。また、パウチに透明性が要求され、かつ酸素や水蒸気に対するガスバリア性を要求される場合は、アルミニウム箔の代わりに無機酸化物（Ａｌ2 Ｏ3 、ＳｉＯ2 、ＭｇＯなど）からなる蒸着薄膜が使用される。また、各胴部形成シート（板）を袋（容器）状とするため、熱圧着シール法が一般的であって、そのためには、胴部を形成する各面板（２０，２２，２４，２６）のシール面にはヒートシール性に優れた直鎖低密度ポリエチレン、低密度ポリエチレン、無延伸ポリプロピレン、あるいはエチレン−酢酸ビニル共重合体などが用いられ、以上各フィルム等をドライラミネーション用接着剤等を介して積層される。
【００２４】
また、スパウト付パウチ（１０）のスパウト（４）としては、厚さ１ｍｍ程度のポリエチレン、ポリプロピレンが一般的で、射出成形で得られる。さらにスパウトキャップ（４ａ）もこのスパウト（４）と同様の樹脂と成形方法で得られる。
【００２５】
また上記スパウト付パウチ（１０）の用途としては、本発明に係わる食品業界での清涼飲料水、ビタミン等栄養剤、ミネラルウォーター、ミルク、食料油類、コーヒーや酒等嗜好品、お粥等流動食類が挙げられ、その他化学品業界での各種薬品、液状洗剤、入浴剤など、あるいは自動車関連業界でのモーターオイル、ウオッシャー液、バッテリー液などの液状またはゼリー状内容物の充填および注出用として有用なものであり、特にゼリー状または液状の飲食料品用途においては、スパウトのキャップをとり、スパウトに口を付け、袋を片手で押しながら飲食することができる非常に便利なものとして有用である。
【００２６】
以上のように、本発明の電子線照射によるスパウト付パウチの殺菌を、スパウト付パウチの上面と一方の面に設置した電子線照射装置で比較的低い線量の電子線を照射し、かつスパウト付パウチを反転部で反転することによって、これまで困難とされていた装置スペースをとらずに安価な装置コストで、かつスパウト付パウチ由来の臭気発生のないスパウト付パウチへの無菌充填方法を提供することができる。
【００２７】
【発明の効果】
本発明は以上の構成であるから、下記に示す如き効果がある。
即ち、スパウト付パウチに対し電子線照射による殺菌と内容液の充填とを（バッチ式ではなく）インラインで連続して行う無菌充填方法なので、過加熱による風味の劣化（変化）や栄養成分の減少がなく、薬剤を使用していないので、製品の品質管理や健康管理に係わる作業環境の管理等に費用を要せず、かつγ線の如くバッチ式でなく設備コストも嵩まず、高効率の殺菌処理が可能なスパウト付パウチへの無菌充填方法とすることができる。また一方の面を照射後、スパウト付パウチが反転されて、一方の面の他の面をも１台の電子線照射装置で照射して殺菌するので、その装置スペースと装置コストの削減に寄与するスパウト付パウチへの無菌充填方法とすることができる。
【００２８】
また、前記電子線照射装置による一方の側面に対する照射エネルギーを、スパウト付パウチと電子線照射装置の距離が２００ｍｍの場合で、２００〜３００ｋＶの範囲の比較的低いエネルギーの加速電圧とすることによって、スパウト付パウチの内面までは十分に殺菌が可能で、かつ比較的低いエネルギーの加速電圧なのでスパウト付パウチを構成する樹脂由来の臭気発生の問題のないスパウト付パウチへの無菌充填方法とすることがきる。
【００２９】
従って本発明は、清涼飲料や栄養剤などの液状食品を収納するスパウト付パウチを無菌状態にして液状食品を充填するスパウト付パウチへの無菌充填方法として、優れた実用上の効果を発揮する。
【図面の簡単な説明】
【図１】本発明のスパウト付パウチへの無菌充填方法にかかわるスパウト付パウチの一事例を説明する斜視図である。
【図２】本発明のスパウト付パウチへの無菌充填方法の一部の一実施の形態を正面で表した説明図である。
【図３】本発明のスパウト付パウチへの無菌充填方法の一部の一実施の形態を上面で表した説明図である。
【図４】本発明のスパウト付パウチへの無菌充填方法の他の一部の一実施の形態を正面で表した説明図である。
【符号の説明】
４‥‥スパウト
４ａ‥‥スパウトキャップ
５‥‥充填製品
１０‥‥スパウト付パウチ
１２‥‥縦折り目
２０‥‥表面板
２２‥‥裏面板
２４‥‥右側面板
２６‥‥左側面板
３０‥‥無菌チャンバー
３２‥‥パウチ挿入部
３４‥‥電子線照射室
３６‥‥反転部
３８‥‥内容液充填部
３９‥‥キャップ巻き締め部
４１‥‥搬送用チェーン
４２‥‥上面電子線照射装置
４４‥‥側面電子線照射装置
４６‥‥充填タンク
４７‥‥充填ノズル
Ａ‥‥陽圧保持用無菌エアー
Ｈ‥‥上面電子線照射装置とスパウト付パウチとの距離
Ｗ‥‥側面電子線照射装置とスパウト付パウチとの距離[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an aseptic filling method for filling liquid foods such as soft drinks and nutrients into aseptic pouches with spouts, and particularly changes in taste without applying heat to liquid foods such as soft drinks and nutrients. And a method for aseptic filling into a pouch with a spout that prevents a decrease in nutrients.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Conventionally, as a packaging bag for liquids such as jelly drinks and soft drinks, a pouch with a spout made from a soft packaging material mainly made of plastic film is known. A jelly-like beverage (diameter intestine) with no fluidity, which is poured into the mouth from the spout while pushing the torso of the gusset (please with flat left and right sides) with fingers. It is a pouch with a spout that has gained popularity as a convenient beverage packaging container.
[0003]
For example, sterilization in this pouch with spout that stores acidic foods and beverages with low pH, which are controlled by fungi (mold, yeast) such as fruit juice and mineral water such as apple juice, is hot filling, so-called hot pack A method using a pastrazer with a hot water shower after sealing the cap is common.
[0004]
However, in this method of sterilizing a pouch with a spout using a hot pack and hot water shower, the content liquid such as acidic food is overheated, causing a change in flavor, sensory deterioration of taste and reduction of nutritional components. Met. Moreover, since the hot content liquid is filled in the pouch with a spout, there is a problem that an odor derived from the pouch (plastic) may be transferred to the content liquid.
[0005]
In addition, high-pH neutral drinks and foods that are subject to control even high heat-resistant bacteria that cannot be sterilized by the above hot filling method, such as liquid foods, diatometic nutrients, coffee, etc. It is common to perform retort sterilization after filling.
[0006]
However, the retort sterilization process when filling a pouch with a spout with this high pH neutral beverage or food requires a long time sterilization process at a high temperature, and overheating of the content liquid has a significant effect on the quality degradation, Depending on the content liquid, there is a problem that there is a sensory deterioration of taste and a decrease in nutritional components. Furthermore, there was a problem that the odor derived from the pouch (plastic) due to retort sterilization may be transferred to the content liquid.
[0007]
As a solution to the problems caused by overheating in such hot filling method and retort sterilization method, chemical treatment methods such as peracetic acid and hydrogen peroxide and aseptic filling method by batch type γ irradiation are used for sterilization of containers. However, this method is applied when the container is a plastic bottle or a paper liquid container, and in this chemical treatment method for a pouch with a spout, the chemical is applied to the narrow crease part of the gusset shape, which is the trunk of the pouch. The medicine may not reach or, on the contrary, the medicine cannot be completely removed from the narrow crease, which may cause problems in the work environment related to product quality control and health management. In addition, sterilization by γ rays has a problem of cost such as batch type and poor filling efficiency and large-scale equipment, and any of these methods are aseptic filling methods for this pouch with spout. It was a difficult method.
[0008]
Furthermore, there is a method of sterilizing a pouch with a spout by an electron beam as a method of aseptic filling into a pouch with a spout. In this case, in addition to the sterilization of the upper spout part, to the front and back surfaces of the flat body part It is necessary to perform desired sterilization by irradiating a strong dose of electron beam from the surface side with one irradiation device, or in the former device for both front and back surfaces, including space The cost of the equipment becomes large, and the intense irradiation from only one side (surface) of the latter causes high odor, and odor is generated from the container (plastic pouch with spout). There has been a problem of affecting it, and it has not been adopted as a method for aseptic filling a pouch with a spout.
[0009]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
The present invention solves such problems of the prior art, and the problem is that an aseptic filling method of filling liquid foods such as soft drinks and nutrients into aseptic spout pouches by electron beam irradiation. However, there is no change in the flavor of the liquid food to be filled and no decrease in nutritional components, no use of chemicals, no cost for quality control and work environment management, low equipment costs, and filling and sterilization. It is an object of the present invention to provide a method for aseptic filling a pouch with a spout that can be done in-line.
[0010]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the above object in the present invention, first of all, in the invention of claim 1, the spout pouch is made aseptic by electron beam irradiation and is then filled with a liquid food or beverage already sterilized. The spout part of the spout with a spout is inserted into a connected transport chain, the pouch with a spout is transported into the electron beam irradiation chamber, and the upper surface of the transported pouch with the spout is The side surface of the spout is irradiated with an electron beam irradiation device provided on the surface side, and the spout pouch irradiated with the electron beam is transported from the electron beam irradiation chamber to the next reversing unit together with a transport chain, and this reversal is performed. The left and right side surfaces of the pouch with a spout are reversed at the section and transported again into the electron beam irradiation chamber, and the transported pouch with spout and one other side surface are provided at the same position as described above. An aseptic filling method for a pouch with a spout, characterized by irradiating with a irradiated electron beam irradiation device, filling a liquid food or beverage from the spout portion of the irradiated pouch with a spout, sealing with a cap and sealing It is what.
[0011]
According to the first aspect of the present invention, since it is an aseptic filling method in which the pouch with spout is sterilized by electron beam irradiation and filled with the content liquid continuously (not batch type), flavor deterioration (change) due to overheating ) And nutritional components are not reduced, and no chemicals are used, so there is no cost for the management of the work environment related to product quality control and health management, etc. It is possible to provide an aseptic filling method for a pouch with a spout that is not bulky and can be sterilized with high efficiency. Moreover, after irradiating one surface, the pouch with a spout is inverted, and the other surface of one surface is irradiated and sterilized by one electron beam irradiation device, which contributes to the reduction of the device space and the device cost. Aseptic filling into a pouch with a spout can be made.
[0012]
In the invention of claim 2, the irradiation energy to one side by the electron beam irradiation device is an acceleration voltage in the range of 200 to 300 kV when the distance between the pouch with a spout and the electron beam irradiation device is 200 mm. A method for aseptic filling into a pouch with a spout according to claim 1.
[0013]
According to the second aspect of the present invention, the irradiation energy for one side surface by the electron beam irradiation device is a relatively low acceleration voltage in the range of 200 to 300 kV when the distance between the spout pouch and the electron beam irradiation device is 200 mm. Therefore, the other side of the pouch with a spout cannot be sterilized, but the inner surface is sufficiently possible, and since the acceleration voltage is relatively low, the spout pouch with a spout has no problem of odor generation. It can be aseptic filling method. If the acceleration voltage of the irradiation energy is less than 200 kV, the inner surface of the pouch cannot be sterilized. If the acceleration voltage exceeds 300 kV, an odor derived from the pouch (plastic) is generated, and the flavor and taste of liquid food are deteriorated. Therefore, it is not preferable. Similarly, the electron beam irradiation device on the upper surface side for sterilizing the spout part is similarly sterilized by the reciprocating irradiation twice at a relatively low acceleration voltage without generating spout (plastic) -derived odor. Is possible.
[0014]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.
In the present invention, for example, as shown in the perspective view of FIG. 1, a spout (4) with a spout cap (4a) stoppered on the top surface is inserted, and its body portion is formed with a substantially rectangular surface plate (20). A pouch with a spout (10) which is composed of a back plate (22) and left and right side plates (26, 24) of a substantially rectangular shape folded inward from the vertical fold (12) and whose edges are sealed to form a gusset. ) And aseptic filling method for filling a liquid food. In the present invention, such a spout with a spout (10) is irradiated with an electron beam (EB) to sterilize the inner surface of the pouch (10). This is a method for aseptic filling a pouch with a spout, in which the sterilized liquid food (including beverages) is filled in-line into the pouch with a spout (10).
[0015]
As shown in the front view of FIG. 2 and the top view of FIG. 3, the aseptic filling method for the spout with pouch according to the present invention starts with a transport chain (32) in the pouch carrying part (32) in the aseptic chamber (30). 41) Insert the spout (4) of the pouch with spout (10) continuously. Subsequently, this pouch with a spout (10) is conveyed into the electron beam irradiation chamber (34). The upper surface of the transported pouch with spout shown in FIG. 2 is irradiated by the upper surface side electron beam irradiation device (42) provided on the upper surface side, and the trunk of the transported pouch with spout (10) shown in FIG. The surface of the surface plate (20) is irradiated by the side surface side electron beam irradiation device (44) provided on the body surface plate (20) side.
[0016]
Subsequently, the pouch with a spout (10) irradiated with the electron beam is transferred from the electron beam irradiation chamber (34) together with the transfer chain (41) connected to the next reversing part (36), and FIG. As shown in FIG. 5, the front and back surfaces of the spout pouch (10) are reversed by the reversing portion (36) so that the back plate (22) comes to the front, and in this state, the inside of the electron beam irradiation chamber (34) is again formed. The spout pouch (10) irradiated with the electron beam is transported so as to run in reverse to the traveling direction of the pouch (10).
[0017]
Here, the spout part (4) of the pouch with spout (10) conveyed as shown in FIG. 2 is irradiated again with the upper surface side electron beam irradiation device (42), and at the same time, as shown in FIG. The back plate (22) side of the pouch with spout (10) that has been conveyed is irradiated with a side electron beam irradiation device (44).
[0018]
As described above, the spout (4) of the pouch with spout (10) is irradiated twice, and the front and back plates (20, 22) of the pouch with spout (10) are irradiated once and sterilized. As shown in the front view of FIG. 4, the spout with pouch (10) is sprayed with positive pressure maintaining aseptic air (A) and then transferred to the content liquid filling unit (38), where the pouch with spout (10 ) Of the liquid food from the liquid food filling tank (46) through the filling nozzle (47), and then the already sterilized spout cap (4a) is placed on the spout (4) and wrapped with a cap. It is a sterile filling method for a pouch with a spout, which is stoppered and sealed at a fastening part (39), removed from the conveying chain (41) and used as a filled product (5).
[0019]
Here, the transfer chain (41) passes through the pouch insertion portion (32) shown in FIG. 3 in the electron beam irradiation chamber (34), the reversing portion (36), and again in the electron beam irradiation chamber (34). As shown in Fig. 4, after the positive pressure holding aseptic air (A) is blown, the content liquid filling part (38) and the spout cap (4a) are placed, and after passing the cap tightening part (39), the tightening is completed. Then, the sealed pouch with spout (10) is removed and connected (connected) to the section to be the filled product (5). Further, the removed transport chain (41) has the above-described pouch insertion portion (32). The spout (4) of the pouch with a spout (10) is again inserted into that part of the transport chain (41). Accordingly, the spout with pouch (10) can be efficiently produced in-line with the chain for transportation (41) in which the pouch with spout (10) is sterilized and filled with the content liquid. Aseptic filling method.
[0020]
In the present invention, a single irradiation energy by the upper surface side electron beam irradiation apparatus (42) shown in FIG. 2 and a single irradiation energy by the side surface side electron beam irradiation apparatus (44) shown in FIG. 10) and the distance (H, W) between the electron beam irradiation devices (42, 44) is 200 mm, and the acceleration voltage is relatively low in the range of 200 to 300 kV. ) In consideration of the acceleration voltage.
[0021]
In addition, although the spout cap (4a) shown in FIG. 4 can be sterilized by various methods and is not particularly limited, as an example, there is a sterilization method using hydrogen peroxide gas (not shown), This is because the gas sent from the generator that heats and gasifies hydrogen peroxide is sprayed from the gas nozzle in the spout cap sterilization chamber to this cap to sterilize, and aseptic hot air for drying is sprayed on it. Are activated and removed and placed on a pouch with a spout (10).
[0022]
The spout cap (4a) can be sterilized by irradiation with the above-mentioned electron beam, and as a sterilization method in the case of these other spout caps (4a), chemical sterilization such as peracetic acid, steam sterilization, etc. are also possible. .
[0023]
As shown in FIG. 1, the spout with pouch (10) is inserted so that the spout (4) is sandwiched between the front plate (20) and the back plate (22) constituting the trunk portion as shown in FIG. In general, the body is made of a bag made of a gusset-like plastic film. Examples of materials used for this are polyethylene, polypropylene, polyethylene terephthalate, nylon, and ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer. Examples thereof include a composite, an ethylene-vinyl alcohol copolymer, and a composite (laminated) material thereof. Furthermore, for example, in order to prevent the contents to be filled from being destroyed by external light or gas, such as a vitamin preparation, as a material for the pouch with spout (10), a laminate in which an aluminum foil is sandwiched with the above plastic film Sometimes a film is used. If the pouch requires transparency and gas barrier properties against oxygen and water vapor, a vapor-deposited thin film made of inorganic oxide (Al 2 O 3 , SiO 2 , MgO, etc.) is used instead of aluminum foil. Is done. Moreover, in order to make each trunk | drum formation sheet (plate) into a bag (container) shape, the thermocompression-bonding sealing method is common, For that purpose, each faceplate (20, 22, 24, 26 which forms a trunk | drum) is used. ) Linear low density polyethylene, low density polyethylene, unstretched polypropylene, or ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer with excellent heat sealability is used for the sealing surface. It is laminated through.
[0024]
Moreover, as a spout (4) of the pouch with a spout (10), polyethylene and polypropylene having a thickness of about 1 mm are generally obtained by injection molding. Further, the spout cap (4a) is obtained by the same resin and molding method as the spout (4).
[0025]
In addition, the pouch with spout (10) can be used for soft drinks in the food industry according to the present invention, nutrients such as vitamins, mineral water, milk, food oils, coffee and liquor and other fluids such as porridge For filling and dispensing liquid or jelly-like contents such as various chemicals, liquid detergents, bathing agents, etc. in the chemical industry, or motor oil, washer fluid, battery fluid, etc. in the automotive industry. Especially useful for jelly-like or liquid foods and drinks, it is useful as a very convenient item that allows you to eat and drink while taking a spout cap, attaching a mouth to the spout, and pressing the bag with one hand. is there.
[0026]
As described above, sterilization of a pouch with a spout by electron beam irradiation according to the present invention is performed by irradiating a relatively low dose of an electron beam with an electron beam irradiation device installed on the upper surface and one surface of the pouch with a spout, and with a spout. By reversing the pouch at the reversing section, a method for aseptic filling a pouch with a spout at a low device cost without taking up a device space, which has been considered difficult until now, and without generating odors derived from the pouch with a spout is provided. be able to.
[0027]
【The invention's effect】
Since this invention is the above structure, there exist the following effects.
In other words, it is an aseptic filling method in which sterilization by electron beam irradiation and filling of the contents liquid are continuously performed in-line (not a batch type) for a pouch with a spout, so that flavor deterioration (change) due to overheating and reduction of nutrient components are reduced. Because no chemicals are used, there is no cost for the management of the work environment related to product quality control and health management, etc., and it is not a batch type such as γ-rays, and the equipment cost is not high and highly efficient. A method for aseptic filling into a pouch with a spout that can be sterilized is provided. Also, after irradiating one surface, the pouch with spout is inverted, and the other surface of one surface is also sterilized by irradiating with one electron beam irradiation device, contributing to the reduction of the device space and device cost Aseptic filling into a pouch with a spout is possible.
[0028]
Further, by setting the irradiation energy for one side surface by the electron beam irradiation device to a relatively low energy acceleration voltage in the range of 200 to 300 kV when the distance between the spout pouch and the electron beam irradiation device is 200 mm, The inner surface of the pouch with a spout can be sterilized sufficiently, and since it is a relatively low energy acceleration voltage, it should be an aseptic filling method for a pouch with a spout that does not have the problem of odor generation from the resin that constitutes the pouch with a spout. wear.
[0029]
Therefore, the present invention exhibits an excellent practical effect as an aseptic filling method for a spout with a spout that fills the liquid food by making the pouch with a spout for storing liquid food such as soft drinks and nutrients aseptic.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a perspective view for explaining an example of a pouch with a spout according to a method for aseptic filling into a pouch with a spout of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is an explanatory view showing one embodiment of a part of the method for aseptic filling the spout pouch of the present invention in front.
FIG. 3 is an explanatory view showing an embodiment of a part of the aseptic filling method for a pouch with a spout according to the present invention on the top surface.
FIG. 4 is an explanatory view showing one embodiment of another part of the method for aseptic filling a spout with a spout of the present invention in front.
[Explanation of symbols]
4.
Claims (2)
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| JP2001257683A JP4590805B2 (en) | 2001-08-28 | 2001-08-28 | Aseptic filling method for pouch with spout |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| JP2001257683A JP4590805B2 (en) | 2001-08-28 | 2001-08-28 | Aseptic filling method for pouch with spout |
Publications (2)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| JP2003072717A JP2003072717A (en) | 2003-03-12 |
| JP4590805B2 true JP4590805B2 (en) | 2010-12-01 |
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| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
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| JP2001257683A Expired - Fee Related JP4590805B2 (en) | 2001-08-28 | 2001-08-28 | Aseptic filling method for pouch with spout |
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Families Citing this family (12)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GB0412695D0 (en) * | 2004-06-08 | 2004-07-07 | Elopak Systems | Apparatus and method |
| JP4975650B2 (en) * | 2008-01-16 | 2012-07-11 | 株式会社日本Ａｅパワーシステムズ | Electron beam irradiation device for stand pouch sterilization |
| JP5336949B2 (en) * | 2009-06-30 | 2013-11-06 | サントリーホールディングス株式会社 | Resin container charge removal method, resin container sterilization filling method, resin container filling capping method, resin container charge removal device and resin container sterilization filling system |
| EP3041748B1 (en) * | 2013-09-02 | 2018-07-18 | B. Braun Medical, Inc. | System and method of manufacture of a flexible container |
| JP6404612B2 (en) * | 2014-06-23 | 2018-10-10 | 株式会社細川洋行 | Production method and accumulation of pouch with spout in which contents are aseptically filled |
| US10189591B2 (en) | 2015-09-21 | 2019-01-29 | Scholle Ipn Corporation | Rotary filling device for aseptic filling of pouches |
| US9751677B2 (en) | 2015-09-21 | 2017-09-05 | Scholle Ipn Corporation | Pouch assembly having a plug |
| US10035614B2 (en) | 2015-09-21 | 2018-07-31 | Scholle Ipn Corporation | Method for aseptic filling of pouches |
| JP6663962B2 (en) * | 2018-09-12 | 2020-03-13 | 株式会社細川洋行 | Filling machine |
| CN109368577A (en) * | 2018-10-12 | 2019-02-22 | 江苏新美星包装机械股份有限公司 | A kind of electron beam bottle cap sterilization device |
| KR102192673B1 (en) * | 2018-11-02 | 2020-12-17 | 한영자동포장기계 주식회사 | Spout pouch type liquid filling apparatus having cap sterilizing structur |
| KR102126023B1 (en) * | 2018-11-02 | 2020-06-23 | 한영자동포장기계 주식회사 | Spout pouch type liquid filling apparatus having spout sterilizing structur |
Citations (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| JP2001048342A (en) * | 1999-08-09 | 2001-02-20 | Fuji Seal Inc | Accumulating device for spouted pouch container, and form-fill line using same accumulating device |
-
2001
- 2001-08-28 JP JP2001257683A patent/JP4590805B2/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
Patent Citations (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| JP2001048342A (en) * | 1999-08-09 | 2001-02-20 | Fuji Seal Inc | Accumulating device for spouted pouch container, and form-fill line using same accumulating device |
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| JP2003072717A (en) | 2003-03-12 |
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