JP4601773B2 - Sterilization method, sterilization system and aseptic filling system for pouch with spout - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
  The present invention relates to a method of sterilizing a pouch with a spigot before filling the contents.
[0002]
[Prior art]
  In recent years, as a container for beverages, enteral nutrients, baby food, nursing foods, medicines, etc., a pouch with a stopper in which a resin spout is attached to a bag formed by bonding film materials has been used. As a sterilization method for a pouch with a stopper, for example, a method of sterilizing the contents by retort sterilization is used. Retort sterilization means that after filling a container (in this case, a pouch) with the contents, it is sealed and accommodated in a retort kettle, and the interior is heated to a high temperature of about 120 to 130 ° C. while being pressurized. And sterilizing the contents of the container.
[0003]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
  However, the retort sterilization method has a large number of steps, and the equipment cost and labor cost increase. It is necessary to manage the suspended matter in the retort kettle so that it does not adhere to the drinking mouth, which takes time and effort. Another disadvantage is that the cooling water remaining in the cap must be removed after retort sterilization. Since the heat history of the contents is larger than that of the aseptic filling method, deterioration of trace components, flavor, and discoloration that are easily affected by thermal transformation may be unavoidable.
[0004]
  In view of the above circumstances, for pouches with plugs, it is desired to sterilize the pouch before filling the contents, and to achieve aseptic filling that fills the contents and seals the pouch while maintaining the sterilized state. Yes.
[0005]
  As one form for realizing aseptic filling, attempts have been made to continuously carry out from the production of pouches to filling in an aseptic environment. In this case, since many processes from bag making to filling continue, bottlenecks occur in any process and production efficiency does not increase, or trouble occurs in some processes and the system operation rate Is likely to decline. If debris is generated due to cutting or punching of the pouch, it may be mixed into the pouch in the filling process, so that the process of rounding the corner of the pouch (R processing) cannot be performed, and the manufacturing process of the pouch is limited. In addition, the production of the pouch and the filling of the contents on the same line are subject to various restrictions.
[0006]
  Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a sterilization method and system suitable for aseptic filling intended for a pouch with a stopper.To do.
[0007]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
  The present invention will be described below. In order to facilitate understanding of the present invention, reference numerals in the accompanying drawings are appended in parentheses, but the present invention is not limited to the illustrated embodiment.
[0008]
  In the sterilization method of the present invention, water vapor is introduced into a pressure vessel (15) containing a plurality of pouches (1) with an open stopper (1) to sterilize the pouch, and then the water vapor in the pressure vessel is discharged. To dry the pouchA sterilization method, wherein the cap has a removable cap, and the opened pouch from which the cap has been removed and the removed cap are simultaneously sterilized in the pressure-resistant container.This solves the above-described problem.
[0009]
  Thus, when sterilizing a pouch using water vapor, sufficient sterilization can be performed by bringing the pouch into contact with water vapor to every corner. Even when a pouch having a complicated shape is sterilized, there is no fear that a drug such as hydrogen peroxide remains in the sterilized pouch, and it is safe. Sterilizes the pouch with a spout before filling the contents, so aseptic after the pressure vesselChamberIs installed, the processing can proceed to filling the contents without breaking the aseptic condition of the pouch, and an aseptic filling system can be easily constructed. Since the pouch is accommodated in the pressure vessel, a high sterilization effect can be obtained by increasing the water vapor temperature by pressurization. Since this method sterilizes the manufactured pouch, there is no need to perform pouch manufacturing, sterilization and filling continuously in the same line, which may reduce the efficiency and operating rate of the sterilization and filling line due to manufacturing reasons. There is no. Since the manufacturing process and the filling process of the pouch can be separated, there is no possibility that debris generated when cutting or punching the film as the material of the pouch is mixed into the filling line, and there are no restrictions on the manufacturing of the pouch.
[0010]
  In the sterilization method of the present invention, after discharging the water vapor in the pressure vessel, the pressure vessel may be evacuated to dry the pouch. The drying time of the pouch can be shortened by evacuation. After drying the pouch, it was sterilized in the pressure vessel.airMay be introduced. In this way, the inside of the pressure vessel is asepticChamberSet in the same environment as sterileChamberThe inside of the pressure vessel is aseptic without breaking the sterility of the inside.ChamberCan be communicated with.
[0011]
  The plug has, for example, a removable cap, and the opened pouch from which the cap has been removed and the removed cap are simultaneously sterilized in the pressure-resistant container.To do.In this case, it is not necessary to provide a facility for sterilizing the cap separately, and the burden on the facility is reduced.
[0012]
  When sterilizing the pouch, water vapor may be blown from the opening of the pouch toward the inside of the pouch. If it does in this way, water vapor will wrap around every corner of the inside of a pouch, and the sterilization effect will increase. In the case where the pouch has a folded portion, the folded portion is widened by the blowing of water vapor, and is easily brought into contact with the water vapor.
[0013]
  Before sterilizing the pouch with the water vapor, a liquid may be introduced into the pouch from the opening of the pouch. In this case, the liquid is heated by the water vapor in the pressure resistant container to exert a sterilizing action, and the sterilizing effect inside the pouch is enhanced. As the liquid, water or a medicine having a bactericidal effect (for example, hydrogen peroxide solution) can be used.
[0014]
  The sterilization system of the present invention includes a pressure vessel (15), a pouch storage device (20) for storing a plurality of open pouches (1) in the pressure vessel, and water vapor in the pressure vessel. A water vapor supply device (16) for supplyingIn addition, the cap includes a cap that can be removed, and a cap storage device that stores a plurality of the removed caps in the pressure-resistant container.
[0015]
  According to this sterilization system, a plurality of pouches are accommodated in a pouch storage device, confined in a pressure vessel, and water vapor is introduced into the pressure vessel in that state so that the inside and outside of each pouch is brought into contact with water vapor. Can be sterilized. Even when a pouch having a complicated shape is sterilized, there is no fear that a drug such as hydrogen peroxide remains in the sterilized pouch, and it is safe. Sterilizes the pouch with a spout before filling the contents, so aseptic after the pressure vesselChamberIs installed, the processing can proceed to filling the contents without breaking the aseptic condition of the pouch, and an aseptic filling system can be easily constructed. Since the pouch is accommodated in the pressure vessel, a high sterilization effect can be obtained by increasing the water vapor temperature by pressurization. Since the manufactured pouch is sterilized, it is not necessary to continuously perform the manufacture, sterilization and filling of the pouch on the same line, and there is no possibility that the efficiency and operating rate of the sterilization and the filling line will be lowered due to manufacturing convenience. Since the manufacturing process and the filling process of the pouch can be separated, there is no possibility that debris generated when cutting or punching the film as the material of the pouch is mixed into the filling line, and there are no restrictions on the manufacturing of the pouch.
[0016]
  The sterilization system of the present invention may include a suction device (18) for evacuating the pressure vessel. Thereby, the inside of a pressure-resistant container after sterilizing with water vapor | steam can be evacuated, and the drying of a pouch can be accelerated | stimulated.
[0017]
  The sterilization system of the present invention is sterilized in the pressure vessel.airSupply asepticairA supply device (17) may be provided. In this case, the inside of the pressure vessel is aseptic.ChamberSet to the same environment as (11) and asepticChamberThe inside of the pressure vessel is aseptic without breaking the sterility of the inside.ChamberCan be communicated with.
[0018]
  When the cap of the pouch has a removable cap (7), the sterilization system of the present invention includes a cap storage device (30) for storing a plurality of the removed caps in the pressure resistant container.Prepare. In this case, it is not necessary to provide a facility for separately sterilizing the removed cap, and the burden on the facility is reduced. If the pouch storage device and the cap storage device are housed in a pressure-resistant container and sterilized at the same time, the efficiency of the sterilization process is improved.
[0019]
  The sterilization system of the present invention may comprise means (16, 50) for blowing water vapor into the inside of the pouch from the opening of the pouch accommodated in the pressure vessel. In this case, when the pouch is sterilized in the pressure resistant container, the sterilization effect can be enhanced by spreading water vapor to every corner inside the pouch. In the case where the pouch has a folded portion, there is also an advantage that the folded portion is widened by blowing water vapor and easily comes into contact with the water vapor.
[0020]
  The sterilization system of the present invention may include means (50, 51) for introducing a liquid into the pouch. In this case, the liquid is heated by water vapor in the pressure vessel.BeenThe sterilization effect is exhibited, and the sterilization effect inside the pouch is enhanced. As the liquid, water or a medicine having a bactericidal effect (for example, hydrogen peroxide solution) can be used.
[0021]
  The present invention relates to the sterilization system of the present invention described above and the sterility connected to the outlet side of the pressure vessel (15) provided in the sterilization system.Chamber(11) and the asepticChamberIt may be configured as an aseptic filling system (10) including a filling machine (13) for filling the contents in the pouch (1). In this way, multiple pouches sterilized by the sterilization systemChamberIt is possible to fill the contents by introducing it. In the aseptic filling system (10) of the present invention, a plug attachment device (40) for attaching the plug to the pouch may be disposed on the inlet side of the pressure vessel (15).
[0022]
  In the sterilization method and system described above, the spout holding portions (24, 24) that engage with the spout (6) of the plugged pouch (1) are arranged vertically and horizontally, and a plurality of spout holding portions are arranged along each spout holding portion. A pouch storage device (20) with a cap that can be accommodated by aligning the pouches in the same direction can be used. According to this storage device, a plurality of pouches can be sterilized efficiently. The storage device (20) may be capable of accommodating the pouch (1) in a posture in which the plug is downward. In this case, the condensed water generated in the pouch by sterilization using steam can be discharged naturally from the plug to the outside of the pouch.
[0023]
  The pouch with a plug according to the present invention has an indefinite shape pouch body made of a film material and the like, and a fixed shape plug that is joined to the pouch body. The spigot has a cylindrical portion generally called a spout, and one end of the spout is sealed with a cap. The spout is constituted by both the spout and the cap. There are caps that can be removed from the spout before filling the contents and so-called one-piece type caps integrated with the spout. When the former plug is used, the cap may be removed to provide an opening, or the cap may be attached to the spout and the opening may be provided at another location. When the latter one-piece type plug is provided, an opening is provided at a location different from the plug. In other words, the “opened pouch with a plug” in the present invention does not necessarily require that the plug is open, and may be one in which the plug is closed and other portions are opened. In the present specification, even a pouch with the cap removed and only the spout attached may be referred to as a pouch with a plug for convenience.
[0024]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
  FIG. 1 shows an example of a pouch with a stopper sterilized according to the present invention. The pouch 1 includes a pouch body 2 and a plug 3 attached to the pouch body 2. As shown also in FIG. 2, the pouch body 2 is formed by bonding the main films 4 and 4 forming the pouch surfaces 2a and 2a and the bottom film 5 forming the bottom 2b. In addition, the bonding part (seal part) of the films 4, 4 and 5 is indicated by a hatched area.
[0025]
  As shown in FIG. 2A, the bottom film 5 is joined to the inner surfaces of the main films 4 and 4 in a folded state. When the contents are accommodated in the pouch main body 2, the bottom film 5 spreads as shown in FIG. 2B, and the internal volume of the pouch main body 2 increases. Such a pouch 1 is sometimes called a standing pouch because it can stand on its own with its widened bottom 2b down.
[0026]
  The plug 3 includes a spout 6 and a cap 7. The spout 6 is made of resin, and has a cylindrical spout body 6a, three flanges 6b, 6c, and 6d provided on the spout body 6a, and a cross-shaped rib 6e that is continuous to the lower end of the spout body 6a. It has. A through hole (not shown) serving as a flow path for the contents is formed on the center line of the spout body 6a. The lower end of the spout body 6a is inserted into the pouch body 2 from between the films 4 and 4, and is in close contact with the inner surfaces of the upper edges 4a and 4a of the films 4 and 4. A screw thread 6f is formed on the upper part of the spout body 6a, and a cap 7 is screwed into the thread 6f to seal the pouch 1. The pouch 1 as described above is supplied to the filling machine with the bottom film 5 folded as shown in FIG. Therefore, if an attempt is made to achieve aseptic filling by sterilizing the pouch 1 before filling, an effective sterilization method for the inner surface of the pouch 1 must be studied. Such a sterilization method can be realized by a filling system shown in FIG.
[0027]
  FIG. 3 is a plan view of the aseptic filling system of the pouch 1. This aseptic filling system 10 is aseptic.Chamber11 is included. AsepticChamber11 is sterilized by an appropriate method (for example, spraying of a drug such as hydrogen peroxide) before the operation of the filling system 10 is started.airSterilized supplied from the supply deviceair(Hereinafter referred to as sterileair) To maintain a predetermined positive pressure. AsepticChamber11 includes an accumulator 12 that temporarily stores a large number of pouches 1, a filling machine 13 that fills the inside of the pouch body 2 with contents (for example, a neutral beverage) from the spout 6 of the pouch 1, and contents A capping machine 14 for attaching the cap 7 to the filled pouch 1 and sealing the pouch 1 is provided. The filling machine 13 and the capping machine 14 may be the same as those used in the conventional filling system, and the details are omitted. The pouch 1 to which the cap 7 is attached by the capping machine 14 is aseptic by an appropriate discharging means.Chamber11 is discharged from the outlet.
[0028]
  AsepticChamber11 is provided with a pair of pressure-resistant containers 15 and 15 on the inlet side (lower side in FIG. 3). The pressure vessel 15 is configured in a cylindrical shape, for example, and doors 15a and 15b that can be opened and closed are attached to both ends thereof. One end door 15a is sterileChamber11, the door 15b on the other end side is asepticChamber11 is opened. That is, when the door 15a is opened, the inside of the pressure vessel 15 is aseptic.Chamber11 and the inside of the pressure vessel 15 is sterile when the door 15b is opened.Chamber11 communicates with the inside. Each pressure vessel 15 has a pressurized water vapor supply device 16, asepticairA supply device 17 and a vacuum pump 18 are connected to each other.
[0029]
  The inside of the pressure vessel 15 can be sterilized by evacuating the inside of the pressure vessel 15 with the vacuum pump 18 and supplying saturated water vapor pressurized from the pressurized water vapor supply device 16 to the inside of the pressure vessel 15. . Thereafter, water vapor is discharged, and the inside of the pressure vessel 15 is aseptic.airAseptic supplied from the supply device 17airAs soon as the door 15b is opened, the inside of the pressure vessel 15 and the sterility are filled.Chamber11 can be communicated with each other while maintaining an aseptic environment. Thus, the pressure vessels 15 and 15 are sterile.Chamber11 functions as a buffer room for realizing internal and external logistics.
[0030]
  Aseptic via the pressure vessel 15ChamberIn the system 10, a plurality of pouch racks 20 and cap trays 30 are used as means for carrying the pouch 1 and the cap 7 into the system 11. The pouch rack 20 accommodates a large number of pouches 1 (with the caps 7 removed) in an aligned state, and the cap tray 30 accommodates a large number of caps 7 in an aligned state. AsepticChamberThree pouch racks 20 and a cap tray 30 are arranged inside and outside of 11 respectively. Each rack 20 and tray 30 is sterilized via pressure-resistant containers 15 and 15 by a conveying means (not shown).Chamber11 is reciprocally conveyed inside and outside. The conveyance path is as shown by the arrow in FIG. The cap tray 30 may be mounted on the pouch rack 20 and circulated, or may be transported separately from the pouch rack 20.
[0031]
  As shown in FIG. 4, the pouch rack 20 has a rectangular parallelepiped frame structure in which a plurality of columns 21 and beams 22 are combined, and inside thereof, there are two rows of storage compartments 23. Is provided. Each storage compartment 23 is provided with a pair of rails 24, 24. Each rail 24 extends straight in the longitudinal direction of the rack 20. As shown in detail in FIG. 5A, a predetermined gap is provided between the rails 24 and 24. The gap is narrower than the width of the flange 6c of the spout 6 of the pouch 1 and wider than the width of the neck 6g continuous with the lower portion of the flange 6c. Therefore, the pouch 1 can be suspended from the rails 24, 24 by passing the neck 6g of the spout 6 between the rails 24, 24 and engaging the lower surface of the flange 6c with the upper surfaces of the rails 24, 24. The rack 20 can be accommodated. Since the rail 24 extends in the longitudinal direction of the rack 20, by pushing the pouch 1 along the rail 24 into the back of the rack 20, as shown in FIG. It can be accommodated in a direction (direction in which the surfaces 2a face each other). Thus, in this embodiment, one spout holding part is comprised by a pair of rails 24 and 24. FIG. Instead of the rails 24, 24, the spout holding part may be configured using a channel material having a substantially C-shaped cross section.
[0032]
  The number of pouches 1 accommodated in one pouch rack 20 may be appropriately determined according to the processing capacity of the system 10. However, the number of pouches 1 accommodated in the rack 20 is set so that the processing in the filling machine 13 is not delayed by a shortage of pouches 1. That is, the filling machine 13 has the capability of filling A pouch 1 with the contents per minute, and the sterilization process of the pouch 1 in the pressure vessel 15 requires B minutes including the loading / unloading time of the rack 20 and the tray 30. In this case, the number of pouches 1 accommodated in the rack 20 is set to A × B. For example, when A = 60 sheets and B = 15 minutes, the number of pouches 1 accommodated in the rack 20 is 60 × 15 = 900 sheets. Since the size of the rack 20 is determined based on the number of accommodated pouches 1, the size of the pressure resistant container 15 can be determined based on the size. What is necessary is just to make the accommodation number of the cap 7 in the cap tray 30 correspond with the accommodation number of the pouch 1 in the pouch rack 20. The tray 30 is configured to accommodate a plurality of caps 7 arranged in a matrix or a staggered pattern, for example.
[0033]
  In the example of FIG. 4, the pouch 1 is accommodated in the rack 20 with the spout 6 facing up. However, as shown in FIG. 5B, the pouch 1 is placed in the rack 20 in an upside down posture with the spout 6 facing down. It may be accommodated. If it does in this way, there exists an advantage which can discharge | emit the water | moisture content in the pouch 1 to the exterior from the spout 6 using gravity.
[0034]
  As shown in FIG. 3, a spout attachment device 40 and a cap alignment supply device 41 are provided on the inlet side of the pressure-resistant containers 15 and 15. The spout attachment device 40 is a device that attaches the spout 6 to the pouch body 2 and seals the joint portion. The pouch 1 to which the spout 6 is attached by the spout attachment device 40 is temporarily stored in the accumulator 42 and is transferred from the accumulator 42 to the rack 20 by a transfer means (not shown). On the other hand, the cap alignment supply device 41 carries the cap 7 into the tray 30 in an aligned state.
[0035]
  In the aseptic filling system 10 described above, a rack 20 that accommodates a large number of pouches 1 (not including the cap 7) and a tray 30 that accommodates the same number of caps 7 are carried into the right pressure-resistant container 15, A predetermined sterilization process is performed on the pouch 1 and the cap 7 in the pressure vessel 15. Details of the sterilization process will be described later. When the sterilization process is completed, the rack 20 and the tray 30 are aseptic.Chamber11 is carried in. AsepticChamber11, the pouch 1 is transferred from the rack 20 to the accumulator 12 by unillustrated unloading means, and the cap 30 is transferred from the tray 30 to the capping machine 14. Empty rack 20 and tray 30 are sterileChamber11 is transferred to the pressure vessel 15 on the left side, and is further sterilized from the pressure vessel 15Chamber11 to the outside. Then, a new pouch 1 and cap 7 are mounted on the empty rack 20 and tray 30, and the same processing is repeated thereafter.
[0036]
  FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the procedure of the sterilization process executed in the pressure vessel 15. When the rack 20 containing the pouch 1 and the tray 30 containing the cap 7 are accommodated in the pressure resistant container 15 and the door 15a is closed, first, the vacuum pump 18 is activated to evacuate the pressure resistant container 15 (step S1). ). When the pressure in the pressure vessel 15 falls to a predetermined range, the vacuum pump 18 is stopped and the saturated water vapor pressurized from the pressurized water vapor supply device 16 is blown into the pressure vessel 15 (step S2). Thereby, the temperature inside the pressure vessel 15 rises to, for example, 125 ° C. When the pressure vessel 15 rises to a predetermined temperature, the state is maintained for a predetermined sterilization time (step S3). The sterilization time is set according to the temperature of the water vapor and the number of pouches 1 processed at one time, but is about 1 minute as an example.
[0037]
  When the sterilization time elapses, water vapor is discharged from the pressure vessel 15 (step S4), and then the vacuum pump 18 is operated to evacuate the inside of the pressure vessel 15 again (step S5). As a result, the inside of the pressure-resistant container 15 is dried, and moisture attached to the pouch 1 and the cap 7 is evaporated. Then sterileairAseptic from the supply device 17 to the inside of the pressure vessel 15airIs introduced (step S6). Thus, the sterilization process is completed. AsepticairThe inside of the pressure vessel 15 is aseptic by the introduction ofChamber11 is a sterilized environment, the door 15b is opened and the pressure vessel 15 is aseptic.Chamber11 and the rack 20 and the tray 30 are aseptic.Chamber11 can be carried in.
[0038]
  In the above processing, the door 15b needs to be closed when the door 15a of the pressure vessel 15 is opened, and the door 15a needs to be closed when the door 15b is opened. Further, when opening the door 15b of the left pressure vessel 15, the inside of the left pressure vessel 15 is sterilized in advance by the same procedure as described above, and asepticairIt is necessary to satisfy with.
[0039]
  According to the filling method in the aseptic filling system 10 described above, the pouch 1 before being filled with the contents is sterilized, so that there is no possibility that the contents are altered by heat during sterilization unlike the retort sterilization method. Since the manufacturing process of the pouch 1 and the sterilization of the pouch 1 and the filling process of the contents are separated, there is no restriction on the manufacturing method of the pouch 1, and for example, it is possible to perform R processing on the four corners of the pouch 1 without any problem. Yes. Since the manufacturing process is separated from the sterilization process and the filling process, there is no possibility that the efficiency of sterilization or filling will be reduced or the operating rate of the system 10 will be reduced due to the convenience of manufacturing the pouch 1. Since the pouch 1 and the cap 7 are sterilized with water vapor, there is no concern that the drug remains even if the pouch 1 or the cap 7 has a complicated shape, and the safety is high. Since the pouch 1 before the cap 7 is mounted and the cap 7 are sterilized at the same time inside the pressure-resistant container 15, it is not necessary to sterilize the cap 7 with another facility, and the burden on the facility is reduced.
[0040]
  This invention is not limited to the above embodiment, You may implement with a various form. For example, as shown in FIG. 7, a nozzle 50 is installed facing the spout 6 of the pouch 1 housed in the pressure vessel 15, and the nozzle 50 and the pressurized steam supply device 16 are connected to each other inside the pouch 1. Saturated water vapor may be blown toward it. In this way, the pouch 1 swells and saturated water vapor reaches the inside, particularly the bottom 2b, so that the sterilization effect is more reliably exhibited. The amount of water vapor supplied to the inside of the pouch 1 may be sufficient to allow the bottom 2b to swell.
[0041]
  As shown in FIG. 8, instead of the pressurized water vapor supply device 16, a liquid supply device 51 may be connected to the nozzle 50 and a predetermined liquid 52 may be dropped inside the pouch 1. As the liquid 52, a medicine having a bactericidal effect such as hydrogen peroxide can be used. Instead of the medicine, water may be dropped as the liquid 52. When water is added, the water in the pressure vessel 15 boils in the pouch 1 and sterilizes. The liquid 52 dropped into the pouch 1 can be efficiently evaporated by evacuation after sterilization. The liquid 52 may be dropped outside the pressure vessel 15. The dripping amount may be a minute amount of less than 1 cc, for example.
[0042]
  The present invention is not limited to the sterilization of the illustrated pouch 1 but can be applied to various pouches such as a standing pouch, a gusset pouch, and a flat pouch. The attachment position of the plug may be on the side of the pouch. Two or more plugs may be provided. An accessory such as a tube may be attached to the plug. The pouch is not limited to food packaging, and may be used for pharmaceutical products. You may provide the opening part of a pouch in parts other than a stopper. FIGS. 9A to 9K show various examples of openings. In addition, in each figure, the sealing location (bonding part) of the pouch main body 2 is shown by hatching.
[0043]
  In the pouch 1A of FIG. 9A, the pouch main body 2 is sealed over the entire circumference, the plug 3 is attached to the center of the upper end of the pouch main body 2, and the cap 7 of the plug 3 is removed from the spout 6. An opening is formed. In the pouch 1B of FIG. 9 (b), the cap 7 is screwed into the spout 6 attached to the center of the upper end of the pouch main body 2 to close the plug 3. The lower end of the pouch main body 2 is not sealed and the opening is formed. It is formed. In the pouch 1 </ b> C of FIG. 9C, a one-piece type plug 3 </ b> A is attached to the center of the upper end of the pouch body 2, and the opening is formed without sealing the lower end of the pouch body 2. In the pouch 1D of FIG. 9D, the pouch main body 2 is sealed over the entire periphery, and the plug 3 is attached to the upper left corner (or the upper right) of the pouch main body 2, and the cap 7 of the plug 3 Is removed from the spout 6 to form an opening. In the pouch 1E of FIG. 9 (e), the cap 7 is screwed into the spout 6 attached to the upper left corner (or the upper right corner) of the pouch body 2 to close the plug 3, and the upper end of the pouch body 2 is sealed. The opening is formed without being done. In the pouch 1F of FIG. 9 (f), a one-piece type plug 3A is attached to the upper left (or upper right) corner of the pouch body 2, and an opening is formed without sealing the upper end of the pouch body 2. ing. In the pouch 1G of FIG. 9 (g), the pouch body 2 is sealed over the entire circumference, the plug 3 is attached to the center of the upper end, and the cap 7 is removed from the spout 6 to form an opening. . A one-piece type plug 3 </ b> A is attached to the center of the lower end of the pouch body 2. In the pouch 1H of FIG. 9 (h), a one-piece type plug 3A is attached to the upper left corner (may be the upper right) of the pouch body 2, and the spout 6 is closed by a cap 7 at the center of the lower end of the pouch body 2. A plug 3 is attached. The opening is formed without sealing the upper end of the pouch body 2. In the pouch main body 1I of FIG. 9 (i), the pouch main body 2 is sealed over the entire periphery, and the plug 3 and the one-piece type plug 3A are mounted side by side at the upper end. Then, the cap 7 of the plug 3 is removed from the spout 6 to form an opening. In the pouch main body 1J of FIG. 9 (j), the pouch main body 2 is sealed over the entire circumference, the plug 3 is attached to the center of the upper end, and the cap 7 is removed from the spout 6 to form an opening. The A tube 8 is attached to the lower end of the pouch body 2. The tube 8 is used for taking out the contents, for example. In the pouch 1 </ b> K of FIG. 9K, the pouch body 2 is sealed over the entire circumference, and the plug 3 is attached to the trunk portion of the pouch body 2. The cap 7 of the plug 3 is removed from the spout 6 to form an opening. In the pouch 1k of FIG. 9 (k), the spout 6 of the plug 3 is closed with the cap 7, or a one-piece type plug 3A is attached to seal a part of the periphery of the pouch body 2. Alternatively, an opening may be formed.
[0044]
  In short, the pouch to which the present invention is applied only needs to be equipped with at least one plug and having an opening before the contents are filled. The opening may be provided using a plug, or may be provided at a place other than the plug.
[0045]
  The present invention is not limited to the example using saturated steam, and superheated steam may be used as long as a sterilization effect is obtained.
[0046]
【The invention's effect】
  As described above, according to the sterilization method and system of the present invention, the pouch is sterilized using water vapor, so that a pouch having a complicated shape can be sterilized safely and reliably. Sterilizes the pouch with a spout before filling the contents, so aseptic after the pressure vesselChamberBy installing, the processing can proceed to filling the contents without breaking the aseptic condition of the pouch, and an aseptic filling system can be easily constructed. Since the pouch is accommodated in the pressure vessel, a high sterilization effect can be obtained by increasing the water vapor temperature by pressurization. Since this method sterilizes the manufactured pouch, there is no need to perform pouch manufacturing, sterilization and filling continuously in the same line, which may reduce the efficiency and operating rate of the sterilization and filling line due to manufacturing reasons. There is no. Since the manufacturing process and the filling process of the pouch can be separated, there is no possibility that debris generated when cutting or punching the film as the material of the pouch is mixed into the filling line, and there are no restrictions on the manufacturing of the pouch.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of a pouch with a spigot targeted by the present invention.
2 is a sectional view taken along line II-II in FIG.
FIG. 3 is a plan view showing an outline of an aseptic filling system to which the present invention is applied.
4A and 4B are diagrams showing a pressure vessel used in the system of FIG. 3, wherein FIG. 4A is a cross-sectional view, and FIG.
5 is a view showing a relationship between a pouch rack and a pouch accommodated in the pressure vessel of FIG. 4. FIG.
6 is a flowchart showing the procedure of a sterilization process executed in the system shown in FIG. 3;
FIG. 7 is a view showing a state in which saturated water vapor is blown into a pouch.
FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a state in which a liquid is dropped into a pouch.
FIG. 9 is a view showing an example of a pouch with a spigot.
[Explanation of symbols]
  1 Mouthed pouch
  2 Pouch body
  3 plugs
  6 Spout
  6a Spout body
  6b, 6c, 6d flange
  6e rib
  6f thread
  6g neck
  7 Cap
  10 Aseptic filling system
  11 AsepticChamber
  12 Accumulator
  13 Filling machine
  14 Capping machine
  15 Pressure vessel
  15a, 15b door
  16 Pressurized steam supply device
  17 AsepticairSupply device
  18 Vacuum pump (suction device)
  20 Pouch rack (pouch storage device)
  24 rails
  30 Cap tray (cap storage device)
  40 Spout mounting device (plug mounting device)
  41 Cap alignment supply device
  42 Accumulator
  50 nozzles
  51 Liquid supply device
  52 liquid

Claims (16)

A sterilization method for sterilizing the pouch by introducing water vapor into a pressure-resistant container containing a plurality of pouches with a stopper in an open state, and then discharging the water vapor in the pressure-resistant container to dry the pouch , A sterilization method , wherein the cap has a removable cap, and the opened pouch from which the cap has been removed and the removed cap are sterilized simultaneously in the pressure-resistant container .   The sterilization method according to claim 1, wherein after the water vapor in the pressure vessel is discharged, the pressure vessel is evacuated to dry the pouch. The sterilization method according to claim 2, wherein sterilized air is introduced into the pressure-resistant container after the pouch is dried.   2. The sterilization method according to claim 1, wherein when sterilizing the pouch, water vapor is blown from the opening of the pouch toward the inside of the pouch.   The sterilization method according to claim 1, wherein a liquid is introduced into the pouch from the opening of the pouch before the pouch is sterilized with the water vapor. The sterilization method according to claim 5 , wherein the liquid is water. 6. The sterilization method according to claim 5 , wherein the liquid is a drug having a bactericidal effect. Sterilization system for a pouch with a stopper, comprising a pressure container, a pouch storage device for storing a plurality of pouches with a stopper in an open state in the pressure container, and a steam supply device for supplying water vapor into the pressure container The sterilization system is characterized in that the cap includes a removable cap, and a cap storage device for storing a plurality of the removed caps in the pressure-resistant container. The sterilization system according to claim 8 , further comprising a suction device that evacuates the pressure vessel. Sterilization system according to claim 9, characterized in that it comprises a sterile air supply device for supplying a sterilized has been air in the pressure vessel. 9. The sterilization system according to claim 8 , further comprising means for blowing water vapor into the inside of the pouch from an opening of the pouch accommodated in the pressure vessel. The sterilization system according to claim 9 , further comprising means for introducing a liquid into the pouch. The sterilization system according to claim 12 , wherein the liquid is water. The sterilization system according to claim 12 , wherein the liquid is a medicine having a bactericidal effect. The sterilization system according to any one of claims 8 to 14 , a sterilization chamber connected to an outlet side of the pressure-resistant container provided in the sterilization system, and housed in the sterilization chamber , and filling the contents in the pouch. aseptic filling system, characterized in that a filling machine. The aseptic filling system according to claim 15 , wherein a plug attachment device for attaching the plug to the pouch is disposed on an inlet side of the pressure vessel.

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