JP5286929B2 - Container sterilization method and apparatus - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for sterilizing a container such as a bottle with a sterilizing agent such as hydrogen peroxide.

  Regarding the sterilization of bottles made of PET (polyethylene terephthalate), etc., while running the bottle, spray hydrogen peroxide mist from a nozzle placed in a fixed position toward the mouth of the bottle, and then follow the air nozzle to the bottle. A method is known in which hot air is blown into a bottle while performing air rinsing, and then hot water is injected into the bottle to perform hot water rinsing (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

  It is also known to enhance the sterilizing effect of a bottle by hydrogen peroxide mist by utilizing residual heat at the time of forming the bottle (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

  The bottle sterilized in this way is filled with contents such as a beverage by a filling machine and covered with a cap or the like. And it is sent out to the market as an aseptic package.

JP 2006-111295 A

  However, according to the conventional sterilization method, the bottle travels beyond the nozzle that discharges the hydrogen peroxide mist, so that it is difficult for the mist to reach every corner of the bottle. In particular, since mist hardly adheres to the bottom of the bottle, sterilization defects are likely to occur. In order to prevent this, conventionally, a large amount of mist is discharged by arranging a plurality of nozzles along the bottle conveyance path. However, this has a problem that the consumption of hydrogen peroxide is increased. Further, when the bottle traveling speed is increased in order to increase the production efficiency of the aseptic package, the flow rate of mist must be further increased, resulting in a further increase in the consumption of hydrogen peroxide. This problem seems to be solved by blowing the mist into the bottle while keeping the nozzle following the bottle. There is a problem that condensation tends to occur and the condensed hydrogen peroxide tends to fall off toward the container. If the concentration of hydrogen peroxide is lowered, it becomes difficult to condense, but in this case, there is a problem that the bactericidal effect is reduced.

  In order to enhance the sterilizing effect of the bottle by hydrogen peroxide mist, it is desirable to heat the bottle in advance, but the bottom of the bottle may be excessively cooled depending on the mold of the bottle. In such a case, a bottle with insufficient sterilization may occur. This is not limited to the case of using the residual heat at the time of molding, but may occur even when the bottle is preheated by blowing hot air on a preformed bottle or by bringing a heater close to the bottle.

  Therefore, the present invention achieves a certain sterilizing effect without increasing the amount of hydrogen peroxide mist used or increasing the amount of hydrogen peroxide mist even when the bottle traveling speed is increased. It is another object of the present invention to provide a sterilization method and apparatus that can eliminate bottles that can cause sterilization defects even when sprayed with hydrogen peroxide mist.

  In order to solve the above problems, the present invention employs the following configuration.

That is, the invention according to claim 1 performs a temperature inspection of a portion where a cold spot is easily generated during blow molding of the container (2) while running the container (2) having residual heat during blow molding , The container (2) that did not reach the temperature was removed, and while the container (2) that reached the predetermined temperature was continuously run, the condensation mist (M) of hydrogen peroxide toward the mouth (2a) was fixed. The hydrogen peroxide gas (G) is blown from the nozzle (6) to the container (2) while the nozzle (6) follows the mouth (2a) of the container (2). 2) Adopt the sterilization method of the container to be blown into.

As described in claim 2 , in the container sterilization method according to claim 1 , the hydrogen peroxide gas (G) is obtained by heating the hydrogen peroxide condensation mist (M) with hot air (H). It can be made.

In the container sterilization method according to claim 1 or 2 , the hydrogen peroxide gas (G) is blown into the container (2) and then the container (2) is filled. May be washed with sterile water (W).

In addition, the invention according to claim 4 includes a blow molding device that includes a transport unit (20, etc.) for transporting the container (2) along a predetermined transport path, and molds the container (2) traveling on the transport path. (13, 4, 96, 97) and inspect whether or not the portion that is likely to generate a cold spot at the time of blow molding of the container (2) that travels with remaining heat at the time of blow molding has reached a predetermined temperature. Temperature sensor (37a, 37b) for removing, removing means (95) for removing the container (2) that does not reach the predetermined temperature from the conveying path, and the mouth of the container (2) that has reached the predetermined temperature traveling on the conveying path A nozzle (3) for spraying hydrogen peroxide condensation mist (M) from a fixed position toward the part (2a) and a nozzle for spraying into the container (2) while following the container (2) traveling on the conveyance path (6) is arranged along the conveyance path To adopt the sterilization apparatus of the container.

As described in claim 5 , in the container sterilization apparatus according to claim 4 , the preheating device (96, 97) of the container (2) is provided upstream of the spray pipe (3). Can be.

As described in claim 6 , in the container sterilization apparatus according to claim 4 or 5 , the hydrogen peroxide gas (G) is obtained by converting condensed hydrogen mist (M) into hot air (H). Can be generated by heating.

As described in claim 7 , in the container sterilization apparatus according to any one of claims 4 to 6, the container (on the downstream side of the nozzle (6) for blowing the hydrogen peroxide gas (G) ( 2) A cleaning means (40) for cleaning the inside with aseptic water (W) may be provided.

According to the first aspect of the present invention, a temperature inspection is performed on a portion where a cold spot is easily generated during blow molding of the container (2) while running the container (2) having residual heat during blow molding. The container (2) that did not reach the temperature was removed, and while the container (2) that reached the predetermined temperature was continuously run, the condensation mist (M) of hydrogen peroxide toward the mouth (2a) was fixed. The hydrogen peroxide gas (G) is blown from the nozzle (6) to the container (2) while the nozzle (6) follows the mouth (2a) of the container (2). 2) Since the container is blown into the container, only the container (2) having reached a predetermined temperature can be moved to the sterilization section (10) and properly sterilized with hydrogen peroxide. Prevent filling of defective container (2) with contents It is possible. In addition, since the hydrogen peroxide gas (G) is supplied after the hydrogen peroxide condensation mist (M) is supplied, even if the traveling speed of the container (2) is increased, it may be excessive. The container can be properly sterilized without increasing the flow rate and consumption of hydrogen peroxide condensation mist (M) or hydrogen peroxide.

According to the container sterilization method according to claim 1, since the residual heat at the time of blow molding of the container (2) is used instead of the preheating , the container (2 without preparing a heat source for preheating separately. ) Can be preheated, thus allowing efficient use of thermal energy.

As described in claim 2 , in the container sterilization method according to claim 1 , the hydrogen peroxide gas (G) is obtained by heating the hydrogen peroxide condensation mist (M) with hot air (H). In the case of the gasification, a gas having an appropriate concentration of hydrogen peroxide can be supplied to the container (2) without causing condensation. Therefore, the container (2) can be properly sterilized while preventing the hydrogen peroxide from dropping into the container (2).

As described in claim 3 , in the container sterilization method according to claim 1 or 2, after the hydrogen peroxide gas (G) is blown into the container (2), the container (2) When the inside is cleaned with aseptic water (W), hydrogen peroxide used for sterilization can be efficiently removed from the container (2).

According to the invention which concerns on Claim 4 , it has a conveyance means (20 grade | etc.,) Which conveys a container (2) along a predetermined conveyance path, and the blow molding apparatus which shape | molds the container (2) which drive | works this conveyance path (13, 4, 96, 97) and inspect whether or not the portion that is likely to generate a cold spot at the time of blow molding of the container (2) that travels with remaining heat at the time of blow molding has reached a predetermined temperature. Temperature sensor (37a, 37b) for removing, removing means (95) for removing the container (2) that does not reach the predetermined temperature from the conveying path, and the mouth of the container (2) that has reached the predetermined temperature traveling on the conveying path A nozzle (3) for spraying hydrogen peroxide condensation mist (M) from a fixed position toward the part (2a) and a nozzle for spraying into the container (2) while following the container (2) traveling on the conveyance path (6) is arranged along the conveyance path Since it is a container sterilization apparatus, only the container (2) having reached a predetermined temperature can be run to the sterilization section (10) and properly sterilized with hydrogen peroxide. ) Can be prevented from being filled with the contents. In addition, since the hydrogen peroxide gas (G) is supplied after the hydrogen peroxide condensation mist (M) is supplied, even if the traveling speed of the container (2) is increased, it may be excessive. The container can be properly sterilized without increasing the flow rate and consumption of hydrogen peroxide condensation mist (M) or hydrogen peroxide.

Further, as described in claim 4, in the case where the molding machine (9) of the container (2) provided on the upstream side of the spray pipe (3) of the conveyance path is used as the preheating means , preheating is performed. This can be due to the residual heat at the time of molding the container (2), and thus it is possible to use energy efficiently without preparing a separate heat source for preheating.

As described in claim 6 , in the container sterilization apparatus according to claim 4 , a preheating device (96, 97) for the container (2) is provided upstream of the spray pipe (3). When it is assumed, the preheating of the container (2) can be performed more accurately.

As described in claim 6 , in the container sterilization apparatus according to claim 4 or claim 5 , hydrogen peroxide gas (G), hydrogen peroxide condensation mist (M), hot air (H) In the case where the gas is generated by heating, the gas having an appropriate concentration of hydrogen peroxide can be supplied to the container (2) without causing condensation. Therefore, the container (2) can be properly sterilized while preventing the hydrogen peroxide from dropping into the container (2).

As described in claim 7 , in the container sterilization apparatus according to any one of claims 4 to 6, the container (on the downstream side of the nozzle (6) for blowing the hydrogen peroxide gas (G) ( 2) When the cleaning means (40) for cleaning the inside with aseptic water (W) is provided, hydrogen peroxide used for sterilization can be efficiently removed from the container (2).

  The form for implementing this invention is demonstrated below.

<Embodiment 1>
In this embodiment, the container to be sterilized is a bottle 2 as shown in FIG. 1B obtained by blow molding a preform 1 as shown in FIG. 1A made of PET. . The preform 1 is a bottomed cylindrical body having the same mouth portion 2 a as the bottle 2.

  This container sterilization method is performed according to the procedure shown in FIG.

  First, a preform 1 as shown in FIG. 1 (A) is prepared. The preform 1 is heated so that its entire temperature rises to a temperature range suitable for molding almost uniformly, and then sent to a mold 4 of a blow molding machine as shown in FIG. Molded.

  The blow molding machine has a mold 4 surrounding the preform 1 and a blow nozzle 5 for ejecting gas. A gas 2 such as air is blown from the blow nozzle 5 into the preform 1 that has been heated to the preferred temperature range in the mold 4, whereby the bottle 2 is molded in the mold 4. Thereafter, the mold 4 is opened and the bottle 2 is taken out of the mold 4.

  In this blow molding, the mold 4 is maintained at a substantially constant temperature. This temperature is appropriately set according to, for example, the temperature of the bottle 2 when supplying the condensed mist M of hydrogen peroxide into the bottle 2 and the material and shape of the bottle 2 as described later. This temperature is, for example, 60 ° C to 80 ° C.

  As shown in FIG. 1A, the mold 4 corresponds to a mold upper part 4a corresponding to the mouth part 2a of the bottle 2, a mold center part 4b corresponding to the body part 2b of the bottle 2, and a bottom part 2c of the bottle 2. It is possible to divide the mold into the mold bottom 4c and set different temperatures. For example, the mold upper part 4a corresponding to the mouth part 2a of the bottle 2 may be set at a lower temperature than the mold center part 4b and the mold bottom part 4c. Since the mouth 2a of the bottle 2 has already been formed in the preform 1, if the heat is excessively supplied to the mouth 2a, the mouth 2a may be deformed. Therefore, the deformation of the mouth portion 2a can be prevented by keeping the temperature of the mold upper portion 4a in contact with the mouth portion 2a low.

  The molding process of the bottle 2 in FIG. 1 (A) is performed while the die 4 or the blow nozzle 5 of the blow molding machine and the preform 1 are run synchronously, but the blow molding machine is installed at a fixed position. It is also possible to mold the bottle 2 from the preform 1 in position.

  The molded bottle 2 is maintained at a predetermined temperature by the residual heat at the time of molding by the mold 4 and continuously travels at a predetermined speed, as shown in FIG. 1B, by temperature sensors 37a and 37b. The surface temperature is detected. This temperature is a preheating temperature for properly sterilizing the bottle 2, and is desirably 50 ° C. or higher in order to obtain a desired sterilization effect by hydrogen peroxide later.

  For example, an infrared radiation thermometer can be used as the temperature sensors 37a and 37b, but other thermometers can also be used. As shown in FIG. 1B, the temperature sensors 37a and 37b are installed so as to face the support ring in the mouth portion 2a of the bottle 2, the lower portion of the body portion 2b, and the bottom portion 2c, respectively.

  If any of the three temperatures of the bottle 2 detected by the three temperature sensors 37a and 37b does not reach the predetermined temperature, the bottle 2 is removed as a defective product. The bottle 2 that has not reached the predetermined temperature may be insufficiently sterilized even when sterilized with hydrogen peroxide in the next step. The bottle 2 in which the temperatures at the three locations all reach the predetermined temperature can obtain a sufficient sterilizing effect by sterilization with hydrogen peroxide in the next step. While such a bottle 2 continues to run as a non-defective product, it proceeds to the next sterilization step shown in FIG.

  The two locations of the bottle 2 facing the temperature sensors 37a and 37b are portions where a cold spot is likely to occur. However, the temperature sensors 37a and 37b are not limited to the two locations, and the shape and size of the bottle 2 are not limited. The number can be appropriately increased or decreased depending on the type of mold. For example, it is also possible to install only the temperature sensor 37b on the bottom 2c of the bottle 2 that is particularly likely to generate a cold spot among the two locations.

  The bottle 2 maintained at the preheating temperature after molding is sterilized by spraying a condensed mist M of hydrogen peroxide, which is a sterilizing agent, as shown in FIG. The Since the bottle 2 that does not reach the predetermined preheating temperature is removed before reaching the sterilization step in FIG. 1C, only the bottle 2 that has reached the predetermined preheating temperature is sterilized.

  Note that the bottle 2 formed in advance may be prepared and supplied to the sterilization process of FIG. 1C without connecting the molding process of the bottle 2 to the sterilization process. In this case, it is necessary to transport the bottle 2 to the sterilization step after heating the bottle 2 to the preheating temperature by blowing hot air on the bottle 2 while running the bottle 2. The surface temperature of the bottle 2 is also measured in the same manner as shown in FIG. 1B, and the bottle 2 that has not reached the predetermined temperature is removed.

  The condensed mist M of hydrogen peroxide is generated by condensing hydrogen peroxide after gasifying it.

  The condensed mist M of hydrogen peroxide is generated by, for example, a mist generating device 44 shown in FIG. The generating device 44 includes a hydrogen peroxide supply unit 45 that is a two-fluid spray that supplies an aqueous solution of hydrogen peroxide that is a sterilizing agent in a drop form, and a hydrogen peroxide supply unit 45 that supplies hydrogen peroxide. A vaporizing section 46 that vaporizes the spray by heating it to a boiling point or higher and a non-decomposition temperature or lower. The hydrogen peroxide supply unit 45 introduces an aqueous solution of hydrogen peroxide and compressed air from the hydrogen peroxide supply channel 45a and the compressed air supply channel 45b, respectively, and sprays the aqueous solution of hydrogen peroxide into the vaporization unit 46. ing. The vaporizing section 46 is a pipe having a heater 46a sandwiched between inner and outer walls, and heats and vaporizes the spray of hydrogen peroxide blown into the pipe. The vaporized hydrogen peroxide gas is ejected as a condensed mist from the spray tube 3 toward the mouth 2a of the bottle 2.

  The bottle 2 travels with the mouth portion 2a facing upward, and the spray tube 3 that opens toward the mouth portion 2a of the bottle 2 is disposed at a fixed position above the traveling path. The condensed mist M of hydrogen peroxide is continuously blown out from the opening of the spray tube 3 toward the mouth 2a of the bottle 2. The hydrogen peroxide condensation mist M blown out flows into the bottle 2 from the mouth 2a of the traveling bottle 2 to sterilize the inner surface of the bottle 2, and the other hydrogen peroxide condensation mist M moves out of the bottle 2. And the outer surface of the bottle 2 is sterilized.

  The amount of hydrogen peroxide mist M discharged from the spray tube 3 adheres to the inner surface of the bottle 2 is preferably 30 μL / bottle to 150 μL / bottle, more preferably 50 μL / bottle to 100 μL / bottle.

  As described above, the surface temperature of the bottle 2 when supplying the condensed mist M of hydrogen peroxide is desirably 50 ° C. or more, which is the preheating temperature. Therefore, the spray tube 3 is arranged at a position where the surface temperature of the bottle 2 is maintained at 50 ° C. or higher in the traveling path of the bottle 2. The surface temperature of the bottle 2 at this time is determined according to the heat capacity of the bottle 2, the atmosphere around the bottle 2, the amount of heat applied from the mold 4, and the like. In the first embodiment, the running speed of the bottle 2 from the blow molding machine to the spray tube 3 and the bottle 2 so that the surface temperature of the bottle 2 at the time of supplying the condensed mist M of hydrogen peroxide is 50 ° C. or higher. The temperature of the mold 4 at the time of molding is set.

  The surface temperature of the bottle 2 at the time of supplying the hydrogen peroxide condensation mist M is appropriately set so that the bottle 2 is appropriately sterilized according to, for example, the material and shape of the bottle 2 and the type of sterilizing agent. The As for the surface temperature of the bottle 2, the whole bottle 2 may not be 50 degreeC or more. For example, if the temperature of the upper part 4a of the mold 4 is lower than that of the central part 4b and the lower part 4c when the bottle 2 is molded, the temperature of the mouth part 2a of the bottle 2 may be less than 50 ° C. Even in this case, as shown in FIG. 1C, the mouth portion 2a is supplied with the condensed mist M of high-concentration hydrogen peroxide, so that the mouth portion 2a can be properly sterilized.

  In the sterilization process shown in FIG. 1C, it is desirable to surround the path of the bottle 2 with a tunnel 75. By surrounding with the tunnel 75, the condensed mist M of hydrogen peroxide is likely to adhere to the outer surface of the bottle 2, and the sterilizing effect of the outer surface of the bottle 2 is improved.

  The bottle 2 whose inner and outer surfaces are sterilized by the hydrogen peroxide condensation mist M is sent to the air rinsing process as shown in FIG.

In this air rinsing step, a nozzle 6 that follows the traveling of the bottle 2 is provided. The nozzle 6 is inserted into the bottle 2 from the mouth 2a while traveling at the same speed as the bottle 2. of course,
The nozzle 6 may be merely opposed to the mouth 2a from the outside of the bottle 2 without being inserted into the bottle 2.

  From this nozzle 6, hydrogen peroxide gas G conveyed by sterilized and heated hot air is blown into the bottle 2.

  The hydrogen peroxide gas G can be generated by the air rinse apparatus shown in FIG. 4 and supplied into the bottle 2.

  As shown in FIG. 4, a wheel 29 (see Embodiment 2) that rotates with power from a predetermined drive source is horizontally attached to a turning shaft 61 that stands on a machine base 60. A column 61a extends upward from the surface of the wheel 29, and a manifold 62 into which the hydrogen peroxide gas G flows is fixed to the upper end of the column 61a. From the upper center of the manifold 62, a conduit 63 extends upward on an extension line of the axis of the pivot shaft 61, and the conduit 63 is connected to the machine base 60 as a frame member of the aseptic chamber 43 (see Embodiment 2). It is held via a bearing 65. As a result, the manifold 62 can rotate around the pivot shaft 61 integrally with the wheel 29.

  Further, another column 66 extends upward from the surface of the wheel 29, and the gripper 68 of the bottle 2 is attached to the upper portion of the column 66. A number of posts 66 and grippers 68 are arranged around the wheel 29 at a predetermined pitch. A number of grippers 68 are coupled to the wheel 29 via the support 66 and thus rotate with the rotation of the wheel 29.

  From around the manifold 62, hydrogen peroxide gas G supply pipes 67 extend toward the grippers 68, and the nozzles 6 are attached to the tips of the supply pipes 67. The nozzle 6 is fixed to the column 66, and the opening at the tip of the nozzle 6 faces the mouth 2 a of the bottle 2 held by the gripper 68. Thus, when the wheel 29 rotates, the nozzle 6 turns around the turning shaft 61 together with the bottle 2 held by the gripper 68 and blows the hydrogen peroxide gas G into the bottle 2.

  A tunnel 69 is provided around the wheel 29 so as to surround the path of the bottle 2 held by the gripper 68. The gas G discharged from the nozzle 6 also flows to the outside of the bottle 2 and stays in the tunnel 69 as a condensed mist of high-concentration hydrogen peroxide, and adheres to the outer surface of the bottle 2 or in the tunnel 69. Sterilize vegetative cells, molds and yeast of floating bacteria.

  A heating tube 70 is connected to the upper end of the conduit 63 of the manifold 62 via a seal member 71. The conduit 63 is integrated with the manifold 62 and rotates with respect to the heating pipe 70, and the seal member 71 prevents the gas G from leaking from the connection portion between both the pipes 63 and 70. A plurality of mist generating devices 44 shown in FIG. 3 are attached to the heating tube 70, and a condensed mist M of hydrogen peroxide is supplied from each mist generating device 44 into the heating tube 70. The number of operating mist generating devices 44 is determined according to the amount of gas G required for sterilizing the bottle 2 and the like.

  A hot air supply device including a blower 72, a ULPA (Ultra Low Penetration Air Filter) filter 73, and an electric heater 74 is provided on the upstream side of the heating pipe 70. The air drawn from the blower 72 is purified by the ULPA filter 73, heated to a predetermined temperature by the electric heater 74, and sent as hot air H into the heating tube 70. The hot air H is aseptic air heated to a temperature equal to or higher than the dew point of hydrogen peroxide, for example, 100 ° C. or higher. The hot air H gasifies the condensed mist M of hydrogen peroxide sent from the mist generator 44 and conveys it to the manifold 62. This hydrogen peroxide gas G blows out from the nozzle 6 into the bottle 2 through each supply pipe 67 or flows out of the bottle 2.

  A pipe line extending from the heating pipe 70 to the nozzle 6 through the manifold 62 is formed as short as possible, so that the hydrogen peroxide gas G reaches the bottle 2 on the hot air H without condensation.

  When the hydrogen peroxide gas G is blown into the bottle 2 from the nozzle 6, the hydrogen peroxide gas G uniformly contacts the entire inner surface of the bottle 2, and the inner surface of the bottle 2 is quickly sterilized. Similarly, the outer surface of the bottle 2 is also sterilized by coming into contact with the outer surface of the bottle 2.

  The concentration of the hydrogen peroxide gas G mixed in the hot air H is preferably 1 mg / L (L is the volume of the hot air H) to 10 mg / L, more preferably 2 mg / L to 8 mg / L.

  In this way, the bottle 2 is heated from the inner surface by supplying the sterilized hot air H and the hydrogen peroxide gas G into the bottle 2, so that the bottle 2 is heated by the condensed mist M and the gas G of hydrogen peroxide. The bactericidal effect is increased. Further, the hydrogen peroxide gas G contained in the hot air H sterilizes, for example, the bottom portion 2c in the bottle 2 which has been insufficiently sterilized by the hydrogen peroxide condensation mist M.

  The blowing time of the hot air H and the hydrogen peroxide gas G can discharge all the hydrogen peroxide condensation mist M drifting inside the bottle 2 and compensate for the sterilization failure caused by the hydrogen peroxide condensation mist M. What is necessary is just to perform in the range which can do. If the temperature of the hot air H and the hydrogen peroxide gas G is equal to or higher than the heat resistance temperature of the bottle 2, if the blowing time is too long, the bottle 2 will be heated above the heat resistance temperature and may be deformed. Cost. The blowing time of the hot air H and the hydrogen peroxide gas G is set to 2 to 5 seconds, for example.

  If necessary, instead of hot air H, sterilized air at normal temperature is mixed with a condensed mist of low-concentration hydrogen peroxide to gasify the hydrogen peroxide and supply it to the nozzle 6 to prevent condensation. You may make it do.

  The bottle 2 subjected to the air rinse travels to the cleaning step shown in FIG. This washing step is provided as necessary.

  In this cleaning process, the bottle 2 is turned upside down and travels. And the nozzle 7 for washing | cleaning is inserted from the opening part 2a of the bottle 2 turned downward, and the aseptic water W heated from this nozzle 7 is sent in in the bottle 2. As shown in FIG. Thereby, the hydrogen peroxide remaining inside the bottle 2 is washed away.

  In addition, although the aseptic water W is heated to about 60 ° C. to 75 ° C. and used for washing, it is sometimes supplied at room temperature. The supply time of the aseptic water W is appropriately set according to the capacity and shape of the bottle 2, and is set to, for example, 1 second to 10 seconds.

  The bottle 2 after being washed with the aseptic water W is returned to the original state in which the mouth portion 2a faces upward.

  Thereafter, the washed bottle 2 is filled with contents such as a beverage. The bottle 2 filled with the contents is sealed with a cap (not shown) at its mouth 2a to form an aseptic package.

  Here, the effect that can be obtained by the sterilization method of the container will be described in comparison with the effect of the conventional sterilization method.

  In the “No.” column of Table 1, A1, A2, A3, B1, and B2 indicate bottle sample numbers. Among these, A1, A2, and A3 correspond to the conventional sterilization method, and B1 and B2 correspond to the case of the first embodiment of the present invention.

The column “H ₂ O ₂ mist adhesion” indicates the amount of hydrogen peroxide mist adhering to the inner surface of the bottle.

The column of “amount of H ₂ O ₂ added in the air” indicates the gas concentration of hydrogen peroxide added to the hot air of the air rinse.

  The column of “sterilization effect” shows LRV (Logarithmic reduction value) for B. subtilis spores (spores).

  The column “Bacteria on the inner surface of preform” indicates the number of bacteria attached to the inner surface of each preform A1, A2, A3, B1, B2 before molding. “●” indicates poor sterilization.

In the “Judgment” column, the “H ₂ O ₂ usage amount” column shows the usage amount of hydrogen peroxide and whether or not this usage amount is an appropriate amount, and “○” is an appropriate consumption amount. "X" indicates that the amount of consumption is too large.

  In the “sterilization” column, the sterilization effect (LRV) greater than “6” is represented by “「 ”,“ 6 ”is represented by“ ◯ ”, and“ less than 6 ”is represented by“ × ”. In the “total” column, a case where both the amount of hydrogen peroxide used and sterilization are good is indicated as “◯”, and a case where any one is defective “×” is indicated as Δ.

  As is apparent from Table 1, according to the conventional method, the sterilization effect LRV = 6 cannot be obtained unless the amount of hydrogen peroxide used is a large volume of 340 μL / bottle to 510 μL / bottle. According to the above, even if the amount of hydrogen peroxide used is as small as about 230 μL / bottle to 260 μL / bottle, the sterilization effect LRV = 6, which is the same level as the conventional method, can be obtained. That is, even if the amount of conventional hydrogen peroxide used is reduced to about 1/2 to 1/3, a sterilization effect similar to the conventional one can be obtained.

<Embodiment 2>
The container sterilization apparatus according to the second embodiment is for carrying out the container sterilization method according to the first embodiment, and is configured as shown in FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 2, this sterilizer includes a preform feeder 8 that sequentially feeds a bottomed cylindrical preform 1 having a mouth 2a (see FIG. 1A) at predetermined intervals, and blow molding. Machine 9, bottle sterilizer 10 as a sterilizing means for bringing hydrogen peroxide mist M into contact with molded bottle 2 and sterilizing bottle 2, sterilized bottle 2 is washed, and then contents such as beverages are washed And a filling machine 11 as a filling unit for filling and sealing the bottle 2.

  Between the preform feeder 8 and the filling machine 11, a conveyance path is formed by a predetermined conveyance means, and a gripper 68 (see FIG. 4) that conveys the preform 1 and the bottle 2 while holding the preform 1 and the bottle 2 on the conveyance path. Is provided.

  The preform feeder 8 includes a preform conveyor 12 that sequentially feeds the preform 1 to the blow molding machine 9 at predetermined intervals. The preform 1 is sent into the blow molding machine 9 through the preform conveyor 12.

  The blow molding machine 9 includes a heating unit 13 for heating the preform 1 conveyed by the preform conveyor 12 and a molding unit 14 for thermoforming the heated preform 1 into the bottle 2.

  The blow molding machine 9 is provided with a conveying means for receiving the preform 1 at the end of the preform conveyor 12 and forming it into a bottle 2 and conveying the bottle 2 to the next bottle sterilizer 10. A heating unit 13, a molding unit 14, and the like are disposed on the conveyance path.

  The conveying means includes a row of first wheels 15, 16, 17, and 18 that convey the preform 1 from the end of the preform conveyor 12 to the heating unit 13, and a conveyor 19 that travels the preform 1 in the heating unit 13. Of the second wheels 20, 21, 22, 17 that receive the heated preform 1 from the conveyor 19, send it to the molding unit 14, and send the bottle 2 molded there to the next bottle sterilizer 10. Column. The wheel 17 is shared between the rows of the first wheels 15, 16, 17, 18 and the rows of the second wheels 20, 21, 22, 17 as necessary.

  The preform 1 is fed into the blow molding machine 9 by the preform conveyor 12 and then received by the conveyor 19 through the rows of the first wheels 15, 16, 17, 18. Move back and forth. A heater (not shown) is provided on the wall surface of the heating unit 13, and the preform 1 conveyed by the conveyor 19 is heated by this heater. The preform 1 heated by the heating unit 13 is received by the second wheels 20, 21, 22, and 17 and reaches the forming unit 14.

  The molding unit 14 blows gas around the wheel 21 into the mold 4 (see FIG. 1A) for molding the heated preform 1 into the bottle 2 and the interior of the heated preform 1. And a blow nozzle 5 (see FIG. 1A).

  As shown in FIG. 1, the mold 4 includes a mold upper part 4a for forming the mouth part 2a of the bottle 2, a mold center part 4b for forming the body part 2b, and a mold bottom part 4c for forming the bottom part 2c. With. These parts 4 a, 4 b, 4 c of the mold 4 are combined, and a gas such as air is blown into the preform 1 from the blow nozzle 5, whereby the bottle 2 is molded inside the mold 4. The mold 4 is configured to mold the bottle 2 from the preform 1 while moving in the circumferential direction of the wheel 21 integrally with the preform 1.

  The preform 1 is heated by the heating unit 13 of the preform supply machine 8 and cooled when being molded into the bottle 2 by the mold 4 of the blow molding machine 9, but the bottle 2 discharged from the mold 4 is It travels around the wheels 22 and 17 while maintaining the above pre-forming temperature due to the residual heat during molding.

  A temperature inspection unit 38 is provided at a location where the bottle 2 reaches the next bottle sterilizer 10 from the molding unit 14 of the blow molding machine 9, and a row of wheels 23, 24, 25 is provided in the temperature inspection unit 38. Provided.

  Among these, the temperature sensors 37a and 37b are arranged on the outer periphery of the wheel 23 in contact with the wheel 17 as shown in FIG. A discharge conveyor 95 such as an air conveyance device is connected to the downstream wheel 25 that is in contact with the wheel 23 via the intermediate wheel 24. The bottle 2 determined not to reach the preforming temperature by the temperature sensors 37a and 37b is discharged from the discharge conveyor 95 to the outside of the conveyance path. The bottle 2 determined to have reached the preforming temperature by the temperature sensors 37a and 37b continues to travel in the conveyance path and reaches the next bottle sterilizer 10.

  The bottle sterilizer 10 includes a row of third wheels 26 and 27 as means for conveying the temperature-inspected bottle 2 and a condensed mist supply means for supplying the bottle 2 with a condensed mist M of hydrogen peroxide as a sterilizing agent. As a spray tube 3.

  There may be one or a plurality of spray tubes 3, and they are fixed in place along the circumference of a predetermined wheel in the row of the third wheels 26 and 27. In the illustrated example, it is installed around the terminal wheel 27, but it can also be installed around other wheels.

  The hydrogen peroxide condensing mist M is generated by condensing hydrogen peroxide sprayed and heated by the mist generating device 44 shown in FIG. The bottle 2 is transported around the wheel 27 with its mouth 2a facing upward, and the lower end of the spray tube 3 opens toward the mouth 2a of the bottle 2 above the transport path. The hydrogen peroxide condensation mist M sent into the spray tube 3 continuously blows out from the lower end opening of the spray tube 3 toward the mouth 2a of the bottle 2. The hydrogen peroxide condensation mist M blown out flows into the bottle 2 from the mouth 2a of the traveling bottle 2 to sterilize the inner surface of the bottle 2, and the other hydrogen peroxide condensation mist M moves out of the bottle 2. And the outer surface of the bottle 2 is sterilized.

  The amount of hydrogen peroxide condensed mist M discharged from the spray tube 3 adheres to the bottle 2 is as described in the description of the first embodiment.

  The bottle 2 to which the condensed mist M of hydrogen peroxide is supplied from the spray tube 3 is appropriately sterilized and then conveyed to the next filling machine 11.

  The filling machine 11 has a row of fourth wheels 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36 as means for conveying the bottle 2 sterilized in the bottle sterilizer 10. An air rinse section 39 that performs an air rinse treatment on the bottle 2 supplied with the condensed mist M of hydrogen peroxide along the rows of the fourth wheels 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, and 36, and an air rinse In order to attach a cap (not shown) to the bottle 2 filled with the contents, and to seal the washing section 40 for washing the subsequent bottle 2, the filler 41 for filling the contents into the washed bottle 2 The caps 42 are sequentially provided.

  The air rinse section 39 includes the nozzle 6 (see FIG. 1D) around the wheel 29. Hydrogen peroxide gas G is blown into the bottle 2 from the nozzle 21 together with the sterilized hot air H (see FIG. 1D).

  The nozzles 6 are provided so as to correspond to the bottle 2 conveyed around the wheel 29 in a ratio of 1: 1. As shown in FIG. 4, each nozzle 6 is attached around the wheel 29 to be bottle 2. And move in the circumferential direction of the wheel 29 integrally.

  In the second embodiment, each nozzle 6 is configured to blow hot air H and hydrogen peroxide gas G into the bottle 2 in a state of coming out of the bottle 2, but each nozzle 6 is provided to be movable up and down, When the hot air H and the hydrogen peroxide gas G are blown into the bottle 2, as shown in FIG.

  The hot air H and the hydrogen peroxide gas G blown from the nozzle 6 are generated in the same manner as described in the description of the first embodiment.

  In this way, as the sterilized hot air H and the hydrogen peroxide gas G are supplied into the bottle 2 and the air rinsing process is performed, the bottle 2 is heated from the inner surface, and the condensed mist M of hydrogen peroxide and the hydrogen peroxide The sterilization effect by the gas G increases. Further, the hydrogen peroxide gas G contained in the hot air H ensures that, for example, the bottom 2c in the bottle 2 has been more reliably sterilized by the condensed mist M of hydrogen peroxide supplied from the spray tube 3. Sterilized.

  The blowing time of the hot air H and the hydrogen peroxide gas G can discharge all of the hydrogen peroxide condensation mist M drifting inside the bottle 2 and can compensate for the sterilization failure caused by the hydrogen peroxide condensation mist M. It suffices to do as much as possible. The blowing time of the hot air H and the hydrogen peroxide gas G is, for example, 20 seconds.

  The cleaning unit 40 includes a reversing mechanism (not shown) for reversing the top and bottom of the bottle 2 provided around the wheel 31, and a nozzle 7 (see FIG. 1E) for supplying sterile water heated to the bottle 2. The nozzle 7 is provided around the wheel 31 so as to correspond to the bottle 2 conveyed by the wheel 31, and each nozzle 7 moves integrally with the bottle 2 in the circumferential direction of the wheel 31. The cleaning unit 40 is provided as necessary and may be omitted.

  In addition, since the filler 41 and the capper 42 may be the same as a known apparatus, description is abbreviate | omitted.

  The sterilizer is surrounded by a chamber 43, and the chamber 43 is partitioned into a sterilization zone, a non-sterile zone, and a gray zone located between the sterilization zone and the non-sterile zone. The preform feeder 8, the molding machine 9, and the temperature inspection unit 38 are disposed in the non-sterile zone, the bottle sterilizer 10 is disposed in the gray zone, and the filling machine 11 is disposed in the sterile zone.

  Next, the operation of the sterilizer will be described with reference to FIGS.

  First, the preform 1 is supplied into the blow molding machine 9 by the preform conveyor 12. The preform 1 supplied into the blow molding machine 9 is conveyed to the heating unit 13 through the rows of the first wheels 15, 16, 17, and 18.

  In the heating unit 13, the preform 1 is conveyed by the conveyor 19 and is heated so that the entire temperature of the preform 1 rises to a temperature range suitable for molding during conveyance.

  The preform 1 heated by the heating unit 13 is conveyed to the molding unit 14 by the row of the second wheels 20 and 21. Then, the preform 1 is molded into the bottle 2 by the mold 4 and the blow nozzle 12 that move integrally with the preform 1 in the molding unit 14 while being conveyed (see FIG. 1A).

  The molding part 14 of the sterilizer is molded by the mold 4 maintained at a substantially predetermined temperature. This predetermined temperature is appropriately set according to, for example, the temperature of the bottle 2 when supplying the condensed mist M of hydrogen peroxide to the bottle 2 described later, the material and shape of the bottle 2, and the like. The predetermined temperature is, for example, 60 ° C to 80 ° C.

  The molded bottle 2 is transferred from the row of the second wheels 21, 22, and 17 to the wheels 23, 24, and 25 of the temperature inspection unit 38. Then, when traveling around the wheel 23, it is determined whether or not the surface temperature of the bottle 2 has reached a predetermined preheating temperature, and the bottle 2 that has not reached the predetermined preheating temperature is regarded as a defective product from the wheel 25. The paper is discharged out of the conveyance path by the discharge conveyor 95. The bottle 2 that has reached the predetermined preheating temperature continues to travel around the wheel 26 as a non-defective product.

  The non-defective bottle 2 is transferred to the third wheel 26, 27 row, and travels in the bottle sterilizer 10 by the third wheel 26, 27 row.

  In the bottle sterilizer 10, the hydrogen peroxide condensation mist M described above is supplied from the spray tube 3 to the bottle 2 at a predetermined flow rate (see FIG. 1B). During the conveyance of the bottle 2, the condensed mist M of hydrogen peroxide is continuously supplied from the spray tube 3. Therefore, when the bottle 2 passes under the spray tube 3 by the wheel 27, the condensed mist M of hydrogen peroxide is sprayed on the inner and outer surfaces of the bottle 2 for several seconds. Since the bottle that has reached the bottle sterilizer 10 has a surface temperature of 50 ° C. or higher, it is appropriately sterilized by the condensed mist M of hydrogen peroxide.

  The sterilized bottle 2 is transferred from the third wheel 26, 27 row to the fourth wheel 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36 row, the fourth wheel 29, It travels in the filling machine 11 by a row of 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36.

  In the filling machine 11, the bottle 2 is first transported to the air rinse section 39. In the air rinse section 39, the nozzle 6 is inserted into the bottle 2 around the wheel 29, and hot air H and hydrogen peroxide gas G are supplied into the bottle 2 to perform an air rinse process (see FIG. 1D).

  The bottle 2 is conveyed to the washing | cleaning part 40 after air rinsing. In the washing unit 40, the bottle 2 is turned upside down around the wheel 31 by a reversing mechanism (not shown), the nozzle 7 is inserted into the bottle 2 from the mouth 2 a facing downward, and the aseptic water W heated from the nozzle 7 Is supplied into the bottle 2 (see FIG. 1E). Thereby, the hydrogen peroxide remaining inside the bottle 2 is washed away. Note that. The temperature of the sterile water W is about 60 ° C. to 70 ° C., but it may be normal temperature.

  After washing with sterile water W, the bottle 2 is returned to a state in which the mouth portion 2a faces upward by an inversion mechanism.

  The cleaning unit 40 can be omitted.

  Thereafter, the bottle 2 is filled with a sterilized content such as a beverage by the filler 41. The bottle 2 filled with the contents is sealed with a cap (not shown) attached by the capper 42 and discharged from the outlet of the chamber 43. As described above, since the filler 41 and the capper 42 are known devices, description of the filling method of the contents into the bottle 2 and the sealing method of the bottle 2 is omitted.

<Embodiment 3>
As shown in FIG. 5, in the container sterilization apparatus according to the third embodiment, the preform feeder 8 and the blow molding machine 9 of the container sterilization apparatus according to the second embodiment are omitted, and preheating is performed instead. A device 96 is provided.

  A row of wheels 76, 77, 78 serving as a conveyance path for the bottle 2 is provided at a location corresponding to the preheating device 96.

  For example, an air conveyance device 79 is connected to the most upstream side wheel 76 in the row of these wheels 76, 77, 78, and the formed bottles 2 are sequentially supplied. The bottle 2 is conveyed around the wheels 76, 77 and 78 by a gripper similar to the gripper 68 shown in FIG.

  Around these wheels 76, 77, 78, a tunnel-like box 80 through which the bottle 2 passes is installed. Hot air is supplied to each box 80 from a hot air supply device similar to that shown in FIG. The hot air blown into each box 80 flows toward the bottle 2 passing through the box 80 and preheats the bottle 2. The bottle 2 is heated to 50 ° C. or more by this preheating.

  Thereafter, the bottle 2 goes to the bottle sterilizer 10 for sterilization, but before that, the temperature inspection unit 38 inspects whether or not the surface temperature has reached a predetermined preliminary sterilization temperature.

  The temperature inspection unit 38 has the same configuration as that in the second embodiment, and is a row of wheels 23, 24, 25, 26 interposed between the wheel 78 in the preheating device 96 and the wheel 27 of the bottle sterilizer 10. It comprises. When the bottle 2 preheated by the preheating device 96 travels around the wheel 23, it is determined whether or not the surface temperature has reached a predetermined preheating temperature. The bottle 2 that has not reached the predetermined preheating temperature is discharged out of the conveyance path from the wheel 25 by the discharge conveyor 95 as a defective product. The bottle 2 that has reached the predetermined preheating temperature continues to travel around the wheel 26 as a non-defective product.

  The bottle 2 that has undergone the temperature inspection goes to the bottle sterilizer 10. Since the bottle 2 is preheated, the sterilization effect by the condensed mist of hydrogen peroxide supplied by the bottle sterilizer 10 is improved.

  Since the bottle sterilizer 10 and subsequent parts have the same configuration as the sterilization apparatus of the second embodiment, a detailed description thereof will be omitted.

<Embodiment 4>
As shown in FIG. 6, the container sterilization apparatus according to the fourth embodiment is provided with a preheating apparatus 97 having a configuration different from that of the preheating apparatus 96 according to the third embodiment.

  That is, another wheel 81 is provided instead of the wheel 77 in the third embodiment, and the hot air supply device shown in FIG. 7 is provided around this wheel.

  As shown in FIG. 7, a wheel 81 that rotates with power from a predetermined drive source is horizontally attached to a turning shaft 82 that stands on a machine base 60. A column 82a extends upward from the surface of the wheel 81, and a manifold 83 into which hot air H flows is fixed to the upper end of the column 82a. From the upper center of the manifold 83, a conduit 84 extends upward on an extension line of the axis of the pivot shaft 82, and this conduit 84 is a frame member of the sterilization chamber 43 (see Embodiment 2) connected to the machine base 60. It is held via a bearing 85. Thereby, the manifold 83 can rotate around the turning shaft 82 integrally with the wheel 81.

  Further, another support column 86 extends upward from the surface of the wheel 81, and the gripper 68 of the bottle 2 is attached to the upper portion of the support column 86. A number of pillars 86 and grippers 68 are arranged around the wheel 81 at a predetermined pitch. A number of grippers 68 are connected to the wheel 81 via the support column 86 and rotate with the rotation of the wheel 81.

  A supply pipe 87 for hot air H extends from around the manifold 83 toward each gripper 68, and a nozzle 88 is attached to the tip of each supply pipe 87. The nozzle 88 is fixed to the support column 86, and the opening at the tip of the nozzle 88 faces the mouth 2 a of the bottle 2 held by the gripper 68. Accordingly, when the wheel 81 rotates, the nozzle 88 turns around the turning shaft 82 together with the bottle 2 held by the gripper 68, and blows hot air H onto the bottle 2.

  A tunnel 89 is provided around the wheel 81 so as to surround the path of the bottle 2 held by the gripper 68. The hot air H discharged from the nozzle 88 also flows to the outside of the bottle 2, stays in the tunnel 89, and heats the bottle 2 to an appropriate temperature.

  A conduit 90 is connected to the upper end of the conduit 84 of the manifold 83 via a seal member 91. The conduit 84 integrally rotates with the manifold 83 and rotates with respect to the conduit 90, and the seal member 91 prevents the hot air H from leaking from the connection portion of both the tubes 84 and 90.

  A hot air supply device including a blower 92, a ULPA (Ultra Low Penetration Air Filter) filter 93, and an electric heater 94 is provided on the upstream side of the conduit 90. The air drawn from the blower 92 is purified by the ULPA filter 93, heated to a predetermined temperature by the electric heater 94, and sent as hot air H into the conduit 90.

  The hot air H is blown out from the nozzle 88 to the bottle 2 through each supply pipe 87 and comes into contact with the surface of the bottle 2 to preheat the bottle 2. The bottle 2 is heated to 50 ° C. or more by this preheating.

  Thereafter, the bottle 2 goes to the bottle sterilizer 10 for sterilization, but before that, the temperature inspection unit 38 inspects whether or not the surface temperature has reached a predetermined preliminary sterilization temperature.

  The temperature inspection unit 38 has the same configuration as that in the second embodiment, and is a row of wheels 23, 24, 25, 26 interposed between the wheel 78 in the preheating device 97 and the wheel 27 of the bottle sterilizer 10. It comprises. When the bottle 2 preheated by the preheating device 97 travels around the wheel 23, it is determined whether or not the surface temperature has reached a predetermined preheating temperature. The bottle 2 that has not reached the predetermined preheating temperature is discharged out of the conveyance path from the wheel 25 by the discharge conveyor 95 as a defective product. The bottle 2 that has reached the predetermined preheating temperature continues to travel around the wheel 26 as a non-defective product.

  The bottle 2 that has undergone the temperature inspection goes to the bottle sterilizer 10. Since the bottle 2 is preheated, the sterilization effect by the condensed mist of hydrogen peroxide supplied by the bottle sterilizer 10 is improved.

  Since the bottle sterilizer 10 and subsequent parts have the same configuration as the sterilization apparatus of the second embodiment, a detailed description thereof will be omitted.

  The present invention can be implemented in various forms without being limited to the above-described embodiments. For example, containers to which the sterilization method and sterilization apparatus of the present invention are applied are not limited to PET bottles, and can be applied to various resin containers. Washing of the container with sterile water is not limited to that performed while flowing sterile water. The molding of the container is not limited to injection blow, and can be molded by various molding methods such as direct blow and injection molding. Moreover, the conveyance means which conveys a preform and a container is not limited to the wheel conveyance apparatus shown in FIG. Various conveying devices that can be conveyed at a predetermined conveying speed in the order in which the containers are formed, for example, an air conveying device, a belt conveying device, and a bucket conveying device can be used.

It is explanatory drawing showing each process of the sterilization method of the container which concerns on this invention. It is a schematic plan view showing the container sterilizer according to the present invention. It is a partial notch front view which shows a mist production | generation apparatus. It is a partial notch front view which shows an air rinse apparatus. It is a schematic plan view showing the other aspect of the container sterilizer based on this invention. It is a schematic plan view showing the further another aspect of the container sterilizer which concerns on this invention. It is a partial notch front view which shows a hot air supply apparatus.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 2 ... Bottle 2a ... Mouth part 3 ... Spray pipe 4 ... Mold 6 ... Nozzle 9 ... Blow molding machine 13 ... Preform heating part 37a, 37b ... Temperature sensor 96, 97 ... Preheating apparatus G ... Hydrogen peroxide Gas H ... hot air M ... hydrogen peroxide condensation mist W ... sterile water

Claims (7)

While running a container having residual heat at the time of blow molding, a temperature inspection was performed on a portion where a cold spot is likely to occur at the time of blow molding of the container, and the container that did not reach the predetermined temperature was removed, and the predetermined temperature was reached While continuing to run the container, spray the condensed hydrogen mist of hydrogen peroxide from the spray tube placed at a fixed position toward the mouth, and then follow the nozzle to the mouth of the container while supplying the hydrogen peroxide gas. A method of sterilizing a container, wherein the container is blown into a container. 2. The container sterilizing method according to claim 1 , wherein the hydrogen peroxide gas is gasified by heating condensed mist of hydrogen peroxide with hot air. 3. The container sterilization method according to claim 1 , wherein after the hydrogen peroxide gas is blown into the container, the container is cleaned with aseptic water. A blow molding device that has a transport means for transporting a container along a predetermined transport path, and forms a container that travels along the transport path, and a blow molding of a container that travels with residual heat during blow molding. A temperature sensor that inspects whether or not a portion that is likely to generate a cold spot has reached a predetermined temperature, a removal means that removes a container that does not reach the predetermined temperature from the conveyance path, and a predetermined temperature that travels along the conveyance path. The spray tube for blowing hydrogen peroxide condensation mist from a fixed position toward the mouth of the container and the nozzle for blowing the hydrogen peroxide gas into the container while following the container traveling on the conveyance path A container sterilizing apparatus, characterized by being disposed along a path. 5. The container sterilization apparatus according to claim 4 , wherein a container pre-heating device is provided upstream of the spray pipe. 6. The container sterilization apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the hydrogen peroxide gas is generated by heating a condensed mist of hydrogen peroxide with hot air. 7. The container sterilization apparatus according to claim 4, wherein a cleaning means for cleaning the inside of the container with aseptic water is provided downstream of a nozzle for spraying hydrogen peroxide gas. The container sterilizer.

Images