JP4765315B2 - Sterilization method for sterile two-chamber retort pouch - Google Patents

Description

The present invention provides, for example, a main container for storing liquid contents in an administration container for enteral nutrients, liquid food, etc., a pouch with a content outlet such as a so-called liquid food pouch, and a liquid chamber that is liquid-tight with the main room. A retort pouch in which both closed subchambers are completely sterilized , particularly as a suitable example, a method for sterilizing a retort pouch with a zipper with a plastic zipper attached to the opening, and more particularly, retort sterilization The present invention relates to a method for sterilizing a retort pouch that can completely sterilize the entire pouch including a subchamber without moisture, which may not be completely sterilized.

JP 2001-299875 A Japanese Patent Application No. 2004-12159 JP 2002-136571 A JP 2003-237742 A

In Patent Document 1, as shown in FIG. 5, the inner space of the bag body in which the upper part is closed by a closing means a that can be opened and closed and the liquid outlet c is provided in the lower part is close to the closing means a. The bag is configured to be fluid-tightly partitioned vertically by a partition b that can be easily peeled, and a liquid is contained in the partitioned lower space d. The partition b has a chevron b1 at the center. A liquid storage bag is described which is formed and has both end portions widened b2.
This liquid storage bag uses a chuck seal (zipper) as a closing means a, and a partition b
Is to separate the space d for containing the liquid from the space e of the chuck seal part. If the width of the partition wall is increased, the partition wall will not peel off, and if the partition wall width is decreased, the partition wall b will be damaged due to a fall accident or the like. Therefore, the shape of the partition is devised as described above.

Patent Document 2 relates to a pouch with a spout filed by the present applicant, and in the same manner as the pouch in Patent Document 1, a plastic linear fastener is provided in a separated portion of the spout, Between the space in which the contents are accommodated and the linear fastener, the film-like base material of the linear fastener is extended to form the tip portion at the weakened portion, and is liquid-tightly blocked. As in Patent Document 1, the content accommodation space and the space of the linear fastener portion are liquid-tightly blocked without providing a partition wall in consideration of the width.

The above Patent Documents 3 and 4 show prior arts in which a technique for sterilizing the inside of a pouch is disclosed.
In Patent Document 3, for example, a first chamber and a second chamber each filled with two different components used for storage of infusion therapy or parenteral nutrition that are used after being mixed with each other for the first time just before administration.
A technique related to a packaging body composed of a chamber is described, and it is described that the second chamber is sterilized by radiation.

In Patent Document 4, a pouch with a spout in which the pouch container is preliminarily sterilized in a sealed state is subjected to an external surface sterilization treatment in a filling machine, the sealing is released and the contents are filled, and then sterilized in a separate process. A method for aseptic filling of a pouch with a spout is described in which the pouch container is sealed using a treated cap.

However, as in Patent Documents 1 and 2, since the content storage space and the space formed by the closing means are liquid-tightly blocked, moisture is present when subjected to retort sterilization after content storage. Although the content storage space can be sufficiently sterilized, the space formed by the closing means without moisture is not necessarily sufficiently sterilized. Pumilus and B.
The possibility of the presence of subtilis and other fungal species cannot be denied.

In view of the current state of the prior art, the present inventors have developed a subchamber in which no moisture exists in a retort pouch comprising a main chamber that contains contents containing water and a subchamber that is liquid-tightly blocked from the main chamber. We searched for a method to effectively sterilize the space including
As shown in Patent Documents 3 and 4 described above, there are known methods for sterilizing a pouch itself that does not have a zipper closing means by irradiation. However, these methods simply sterilize a normal pouch by radiation. It is only going to be done.

Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a completely retort pouch that can be easily refilled and re-sealed with drinking water, etc., in a sufficiently sterilized state by preventing foreign substances and germs from entering as much as possible. Another object of the present invention is to provide a method for sterilizing a retort pouch and a zippered retort pouch.

The present invention has been proposed in order to achieve the above object, and is characterized by having the following configuration.
That is, according to the present invention, a peripheral portion of a body made of a plastic film is sealed, and a main chamber for storing contents containing moisture, and the main chamber and a plastic zipper are liquid-tightly cut off. A retort pouch comprising a subchamber having a portion to be opened is a method for sterilizing a retort pouch with a zipper characterized by irradiating at least the subchamber with γ rays having an irradiation amount of 1 to 15 kGy and then sterilizing the retort. Provided.

In addition, according to the present invention, there is provided a method for sterilizing a retort pouch with a zipper, wherein the γ-ray irradiation is performed before filling the contents into the main chamber .

Further, according to the present invention, the plastic zipper has a linear convex portion formed on one surface of the film-like base material bent through the weakened portion on the inner side of the pouch , and is opposed to the base. recess to be engaged with the convex portion is formed on wood surfaces, sterilization method of the zipper retort pouch being freely engaged is provided by pressing from the outer surface of the pouch.

In addition, according to the present invention, there is provided a method for sterilizing a retort pouch with a zipper, wherein the weakened portion can be broken after the engagement of the plastic zipper is cut off between the main chamber and the sub chamber.

Further, according to the present invention, blocking of the main chamber and the auxiliary chamber, a method of sterilizing retort pouch with the zipper is performed by breaking the weakening of extended from uneven surfaces of the plastic zipper film-form substrate Is provided.

According to the present invention, in a retort pouch with a zipper that is to be sterilized , the contents are diluted in the main chamber filled with the contents, hydrated after the contents are administered, and further, the indwelling line is cleaned after the pouch is used. As an inlet for water to perform, in the subchamber at a location away from the content outlet, as a subchamber, by providing a subchamber with a plastic zipper in a shut off state from the main chamber, It is possible to provide a retort pouch with a zipper that can sufficiently achieve the object with a simple configuration without attaching a hard separate filler to the pouch, and the retort pouch with a zipper has at least the sub chamber. by the irradiation γ-rays, and then used to sterilize the entire pouch after filling the contents into the main chamber, only retort sterilization, it may be unable to sterilize Auxiliary chamber portion can also be of a sufficient sterilization state, it is possible to provide a sanitary and safe retort pouch with a zipper to the user.

The best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.
As shown in FIG. 1, the basic configuration of the retort pouch used in the present invention is a two-chamber room including a main chamber A for storing contents containing moisture and a sub chamber B in which the main chamber is liquid-tightly blocked. The retort pouch has a feature that it can be provided to consumers in a completely sterilized state, and the main room A in which the liquid contents are contained is water, so that the retort can be provided. By sterilizing the subchamber B, which is completely sterilized only by sterilization and does not have moisture blocked from the main chamber, separately from the main chamber under conditions suitable for the subchamber , and then retort sterilizing the entire pouch Thus, a retort pouch in which the entire pouch is completely sterilized can be obtained. B1 of FIG. 1 has shown the interruption | blocking part.

In addition, the present invention is characterized in that a zipper is provided with a main chamber having a space for filling contents, and a sub chamber including a plastic zipper portion adjacent to the main chamber in a cut-off state. the sterilization of retort pouch, pre least antechamber after performing sterilization by γ-ray irradiation, after filling the contents containing water in the main chamber, but the entire pouch is to retort sterilization, for sterilization method Before describing, the configuration of the container to which the sterilization method is applied will be described.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory view showing an embodiment of a retort pouch 1 with a zipper having a main chamber A and a sub chamber B to which the sterilization method of the present invention is applied. The retort pouch with zipper of the present invention is shown in FIG.
As long as it has the basic configuration including the main chamber A and the sub chamber B shown in FIG. FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of a cross-sectional structure of an embodiment of a plastic zipper that constitutes the sub chamber B in the retort pouch with a zipper of the present invention, in which the film-like base material of the zipper itself extends to weaken the tip. In the state of 23, the main room A is cut off. FIG. 4 is a plan view thereof.

The retort pouch 1 with a zipper to which the sterilization method of the present invention is applied is generally roughly sealed with a peripheral portion 13 of a body made of a plurality of polygonal plastic films, and poured into a part of the peripheral portion. A plastic zipper 2 is fused to the inside of the main chamber A in which the content pouring tool 11 having the outlet 10 is mounted, and the vicinity of the peripheral edge of the pouch separated from the content pouring tool 11. And the sealing portion 13 is composed of a sub chamber B in which a scheduled opening portion 15 is provided. A means 14 for suspending a normal pouch is formed above the peripheral portion 13, and the scheduled opening portion 15 is opened using a cutting tool such as scissors or a knife after the stage of using the zipper 2. The portion may be formed as a weakened portion provided with a score or the like so that it can be opened with fingers without using a cutting tool, or a notch or the like may be cut in the opening start portion. In addition, although the heat seal is preferable for the sealing of the pouch periphery, it may be performed by ultrasonic sealing.

The shape of the zippered retort pouch is not particularly limited, but is usually formed in an irregular polygonal shape based on a quadrangle. In addition, the corner | angular part of polygonal shape does not need to have a corner | angular part exactly | strictly, The shape which tied the straight line and the straight line with the curve may be sufficient. It may be generally polygonal when viewed as a whole. The plastic film constituting the body of the zippered retort pouch 1 is preferably transparent so that the administration status of the contents can be confirmed from the outside. The composite film is used.

Since this plastic film seals the periphery, when this is done by heat sealing, the inner layer must be made of heat-sealable plastic, even in the case of a composite film. Yes, usually heat seal layer (inner layer) / barrier layer (intermediate layer) / surface layer (outer layer), heat seal layer (inner layer) / base material layer (intermediate layer) / barrier layer (intermediate layer) / surface layer ( It is preferable to use a laminated film comprising an outer layer). Among them, a laminated film comprising polyethylene terephthalate in which an inner layer is polypropylene, an intermediate layer is nylon, and an outer layer is a thin film such as aluminum oxide or inorganic silicon as a barrier layer on the inner layer side. It is preferable to use it because it is excellent in gas barrier properties, puncture resistance and transparency. Moreover, when importance is attached to gas barrier properties, a laminated film using an aluminum foil can also be used.

In this case, the intermediate layer has a function as a barrier layer for preventing deterioration or decay of the contents. In addition to nylon and a vapor deposition layer, an ethylene-vinyl alcohol copolymer resin film (EVOH), etc. Is used. In addition to polypropylene, polyethylene or the like is used as the inner layer, and nylon or the like is used as the outer layer in addition to polyethylene terephthalate.

The content pouring tool 11 attached to the main chamber A of the zippered retort pouch 1 is generally referred to as a spout molded from plastic having retort resistance, such as polypropylene resin, and is also described in each of the aforementioned patent documents. Any known dispensing tool can be used. Since the pouring tool 11 is attached in a state of being fused between the inner layers of the plastic film at the peripheral portion 13 of the plastic film constituting the body of the zippered retort pouch, the material of the pouring tool is a pouch. It must be able to be fused with the film inner layer to be configured, but the shape of its tip may be tapered so that it can be easily inserted into the pipe. It may be arbitrarily arbitrarily devised such as forming a concavo-convex shape.

The plastic zipper 2 can be used in any shape as long as the main chamber A and the sub chamber B are liquid-tightly cut off. However, as shown in FIGS. The base material 22 is attached to the base material 22 and has a configuration in which a convex portion 21b is formed linearly in the longitudinal direction on one surface, and is engaged with the convex portion 21b and the concave portion 21a on a surface facing the convex portion 21b. It is particularly preferable that the convex portion 21b and the concave portion 21a are liquid-tightly blocked from the pouch inner space 24 where the contents pouring port 10 is located by a film having the weakened portion 23.

From the viewpoint of the structure of the retort pouch with zipper, a pouch having a weakened part formed in the zipper itself shown in FIGS. It is preferable in that it is structurally stable as compared with those provided with a partition wall (weak seal) having a specific shape as shown in FIG. The shut-off portion between the main chamber A and the sub chamber B is not broken when the contents are contained in the pouch, and is broken continuously after the zipper is opened.

The feature of the sterilization method of the present invention is that in the configuration of the retort pouch with the zipper, at least the sub chamber B is sterilized by γ-ray irradiation in advance, and then the main chamber A is filled with contents containing moisture. It is to subject the whole retort pouch with a zipper to retort sterilization.
Conventionally, the sterilization of retort pouch with zipper has been applied with a single sterilization method . Subchamber B containing plastic zipper is sterilized in advance by γ-ray irradiation, and after filling the contents containing moisture The technical idea of retort sterilizing the whole was first conceived by the present invention. sterilization by γ-ray irradiation, there must be made for at least preliminarily auxiliary chamber B, this time, but may any also be made sterilization as well to the main chamber A, the main chamber A is moisture Since the contents are sufficiently sterilized by retort sterilization after filling the contents, the purpose of sterilization can be sufficiently achieved without using sterilization means by γ-ray irradiation .

The sterilization method including the pouch making process includes, for example, (1) a film material constituting the pouch is previously sterilized by γ-rays and the bag is made in a sterile environment, and then the main room contains moisture . (2) The film substrate is made without sterilization in advance, and at least the subchamber is sterilized with gamma rays, and then the main chamber is filled with water-containing contents. , A method of subjecting to retort sterilization, (3) bagging after sterilizing the film substrate with γ-rays , then irradiating at least the subchamber part with γ-rays, and filling the main chamber with contents containing moisture , A method of subjecting to retort sterilization, (4) a method of irradiating at least the subchamber part with γ-rays after filling the main chamber with water-containing contents, and further subjecting to retort sterilization, and (5) subchamber After adding water to the part, the method of subjecting to retort sterilization, etc. It is done.

The adoption of γ-rays as radiation is based on the result of comprehensive consideration of the bactericidal effect, the degree of pouch degradation, the method of use, and the like .
Hereinafter, a method for sterilization using γ rays will be described.
The γ-ray irradiation may be performed by accurately overlapping at least the sub chamber B of the retort pouch with a zipper and irradiating it from above. Since the amount of transmission of γ rays is extremely large, many retort pouches can be sterilized at one time.
Needless to say, the dose of γ-rays is sufficient to allow sufficient sterilization, but when irradiated in large quantities, there is a problem that the plastic material that composes the retort pouch with zipper deteriorates. In this context, an amount must be selected that is sufficiently sterilized and does not degrade the pouch. In the present invention, based on the experimental results to be described later, γ rays with an irradiation dose of 1 to 15 kGy are irradiated from the viewpoint that a sufficient bactericidal effect can be obtained without causing deterioration of the pouch .

The present inventors have changed the γ-ray irradiation conditions in various ways for the case of using the optimum polypropylene as the material for the retort pouch with a zipper, and the relationship between the γ-ray irradiation amount and the deterioration of the film and the D of each bacterial species. The effect of dose on the value was investigated.

(1) Seal strength The seal strength is measured a) before retorting the side seal portion of the γ-irradiated sample, b) after retorting the side seal portion of the γ-irradiated sample, and c) before sealing the unsealed portion and before retorting. did. Gamma rays were irradiated at five levels of 5, 10, 15, 20, and 25 kGy.
The results are shown in Table 1.

(2) Weakened part breaking strength Using the same sample as that used for measuring the seal strength, the breaking strength of the weakened part of the retort pouch with zipper was examined.
The results are shown in Table 2.

(3) Effect of irradiation dose on D value of each bacterial species B. which is a bacterial species with high radiation resistance. Pumilis ATCC 2714 and B.I. subti
The relationship between the radiation dose and the bactericidal value was examined for lis ATCC6051. The 3D value and the 6D value refer to the radiation dose that makes the number of bacteria before irradiation 1 of 10 ³ and 1 of 10 ⁶ , respectively.
The results are shown in Table 3.

The following conclusions were obtained from the above evaluation results.
As can be seen from the results in Table 1, the seal strength slightly decreases as the dose is increased for each condition, but there is no problem with the seal strength even at 25 kGy.
However, from the results in Table 2, it can be seen that after 15 kGy after retorting, the breaking strength of the weakened portion decreases.
Moreover, from the result of Table 3, B. which is a bacterial species having higher radiation resistance. pumilus ATC
For C2714, in order to achieve 6D, which is a standard for complete sterilization, by γ-ray sterilization, 11
. It was found that an irradiation dose of 28 kGy or more is necessary.

As described above in detail, in the present invention, in a retort pouch with a zipper in which a sub chamber including a zipper part and a main chamber for storing contents are shut in a liquid-tight manner, complete sterilization cannot be performed only by retort sterilization. Even the sub-chamber with no water at all has been sterilized sufficiently, and it is useful in that it can appeal to consumers with a sense of hygiene and stability of quality. .

It is a front view of the retort pouch prescribed | regulated to Claim 1 of this invention. It is a front view which shows a preferable example of the retort pouch with a zipper to which the sterilization method of this invention is applied. It is an expanded sectional view which shows the structure of the preferable zipper of the retort pouch with a zipper to which the sterilization method of this invention is applied. It is a top view in the state where the zipper of FIG. 3 was opened. It is a perspective view of the conventional liquid food pouch shown by patent document 1. FIG.

Explanation of symbols

1 Pouch with spout 10 Spout 11 Contents pouring tool 13 Pouch peripheral part (seal part)
14 Suspension means 15 Opening scheduled portion 2 Zipper 21 Zipper engagement portion 21a Zipper recess
21b Convex part of zipper
22 Zipper film-like substrate 23 Weakened part
A Pouch interior space filled with contents (main room)
B Subchamber B1 Main room and subchamber shut-off part a Closing means (zip)
b Bulkhead (weak seal)
c Liquid outlet
d Liquid storage chamber
e Zipper space

Claims (5)

A main chamber for sealing the peripheral portion of the body made of a plastic film and containing moisture-containing contents; a main chamber for storing the content containing water; and a secondary chamber having a planned opening portion that is liquid-tightly blocked by the main chamber and a plastic zipper in retort pouch made of the chamber, at least a sub chamber, to no dose 1 were irradiated with γ-rays of 15 kGy, followed zipper retort pouch method sterilization, characterized by retort sterilization. The irradiation of γ-rays, sterilization method of claim 1 zipper retort pouch according performed before content filling of the main chamber. The plastic zipper has a linear convex portion formed on one surface of the film-like base material bent through the weakened portion on the inner side of the pouch, and the convex surface is engaged with the convex portion on the surface of the base material facing it. The method for sterilizing a retort pouch with a zipper according to claim 1 or 2 , wherein a concave portion to be joined is formed and can be engaged by pressing from an outer surface of the pouch. The method for sterilizing a retort pouch with a zipper according to any one of claims 1 to 3 , wherein the weakened portion is made breakable after the engagement of the plastic zipper is disengaged between the main chamber and the sub chamber. The retort pouch with a zipper according to any one of claims 1 to 4 , wherein the main chamber and the sub chamber are blocked by breakage of a weakened portion of a film-like substrate extended from both sides of a plastic zipper. Sterilization method.

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