JP6167905B2 - Beverage filling method and apparatus - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for preparing a beverage while filling a container such as a PET bottle.

  Conventionally, when filling beverages such as tea beverages, fruit juice beverages, and sports drinks in bottles, the beverages are prepared in a tank with a very large capacity, sterilized, and then filled with fillers in the traveling bottles ( For example, see Patent Document 1).

  Also, fillers for carbonated beverages and fillers for non-carbonated beverages are arranged in series or in parallel in the bottle conveyance path, and filling of carbonated beverages and non-carbonated beverages is selected by selecting either filler. It has been proposed to freely switch between them (for example, see Patent Document 2).

  Moreover, in the aseptic filling system for beverages, when the type of beverage to be filled in a container such as a bottle is switched to, for example, a beverage that has been a tea beverage until now, the fluid food filling route in this system is first changed to CIP. (Cleaning in Place) processing and then SIP (Sterilization in Place) processing (for example, refer to paragraph 0003 of Patent Document 3).

  The CIP is performed, for example, by adding an alkaline agent such as caustic soda to tap water and circulating the fluid food filling route, and then adding an acidic agent to tap water and circulating the fluid food filling route. Thereby, dirt, such as a residue adhering to the fluid food filling path, is removed (see, for example, Patent Documents 3 and 4).

  The SIP is performed, for example, by circulating steam, hot water, or the like in the fluid food filling path washed with the CIP. As a result, the inside of the fluid food filling path is sterilized and made sterile (see, for example, paragraph 0003 of Patent Document 3).

JP-A-7-327593 JP 2011-121622 A Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2007-22600 JP 2007-331801 A

  In the method of filling a bottle with a prepared beverage, it is necessary to perform the CIP process on the entire filling route when switching the beverage type, and if necessary, further the SIP process, so that the production efficiency is lowered.

  That is, in the beverage filling path in the aseptic beverage filling system, various devices such as a sterilizer, a tank, a filter, a filler, etc. connected to each other are provided. When switching the type of beverage to be filled, A long time is spent on CIP and SIP, which causes the production efficiency to deteriorate. In particular, in a factory that produces small lots and many varieties and frequently changes the type of beverage, the production efficiency is very poor.

  In addition, this is not limited to aseptic filling, and even in the case of normal filling, the situation is the same because at least CIP is required when switching beverage types. In particular, when the beverage filled in the previous production is highly fragrant, it takes a longer time for CIP.

  In the filling system described in Patent Document 4, air is supplied to the CIP liquid in order to increase production efficiency and the CIP time is shortened, but the CIP time itself has not been reduced.

  An object of this invention is to provide the drink filling method and apparatus which can eliminate such a problem.

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

  In addition, although the code | symbol of drawing is attached | subjected with a parenthesis in order to make this invention easy to understand, this invention is not limited to this.

That is, in the invention according to claim 1, while the sterilized bottle (p) is conveyed by the gripper, the first sterilized water of the concentrated liquid and the water in the beverage is added by the water filler (2a). Supply into the sterilized bottle (p), and then supply the sterilized concentrated liquid (A or B) into the sterilized bottle (p) with the filler for concentrated liquid (4a or 6a). Or the first sterilized concentrate (A or B) is supplied into the sterilized bottle (p) by the concentrate filler (4a or 6a) and then sterilized. Water (2a) is fed into the sterilized bottle (p) to prepare the beverage (a or b) in the sterilized bottle (p). Sterilized In the beverage filling method so as to seal the torr (p), disposed concentrate filler (4a, 6a) in parallel to the transport path for transporting the gripper of the sterilization treated bottles (p), these concentrates The desired beverage (a or b) is prepared in the sterilized bottle (p) by selectively using any one of the fillers (4a, 6a) for use. Adopt the filling method.

As described in claim 2, in the beverage filling method according to claim 1, the first sterilized concentrated liquid (A or B) is sterilized by the concentrated liquid filler (4a or 6a). When supplying into the bottle (p) having the petaloid bottom, and then supplying the sterilized water into the bottle (p) having the sterilized petaloid bottom by the water filler (2a), In the beverage filling method using the sterilized water as carbonated water, the carbonated water can be supplied to the bottle (p) without tilting the bottle (p).

As described in claim 3 , in the beverage filling method according to claim 1 or 2 , sterilization is performed by one of the concentrate fillers (4a or 6a) selected from the concentrate fillers (4a or 6a). While the treated concentrated liquid (A or B) is supplied into the sterilized bottle (p), the other concentrated liquid filler (4a or 6a) is used for the other concentrated liquid filler (6a or 4a ). It is also possible to perform at least CIP in a state where the nozzle (12) is blocked by the cup-shaped opening / closing body (16) .

The invention according to claim 4 is provided with a transport path for transporting the sterilized bottle by the gripper, and the water filler (2a), the concentrate filler (4a) from the upstream side to the downstream side in the transport path. Or 6a) and the sealing means (8a) are arranged in order, and the sterilized bottle (p) conveyed by the gripper on the conveyance path is sterilized by the water filler (2a) and the concentrate filler (4a or 6a). Water and the sterilized concentrate (A or B) are sequentially supplied to prepare the beverage (a or b) in the sterilized bottle (p), or the concentrate filler (4a or 6a) ), A filler for water (2a) and a sealing means (8a) are arranged in this order, and the sterilized bottle (p) conveyed by the gripper on the conveyance path is filled with the filler for concentrate (4a or 6a) and the filler for water. The concentrated solution (A or B) sterilized by 2a) and the sterilized water are sequentially supplied to prepare the beverage (a or b) in the sterilized bottle (p), and the sealing means (8a) In the beverage filling device in which the bottle (p) that has been sterilized is sealed by) , the concentrate fillers (4a, 6a) are parallel to the conveyance path for conveying the bottle (p) that has been sterilized by the gripper. The concentrated liquid (A or B) sterilized from the selected concentrated liquid filler (4a or 6a) by being arranged and selecting any one of these concentrated liquid fillers (4a, 6a) The beverage filling device is characterized in that the beverage (a or b) is prepared in the bottle (p) that has been sterilized with water and sterilized water from the water filler (2a). .

As described in claim 5 , in the beverage filling device according to claim 4 , at least a CIP means is provided among the CIP means and the SIP means, and one selected from the fillers for concentrate (4a or 6a). While the concentrated liquid (A or B) sterilized by one concentrated liquid filler (4a or 6a) is supplied into the sterilized bottle (p), another concentrated liquid filler (6a or 4a) It is also possible for CIP to be performed at least by the CIP means in a state where the nozzle (12) of the other concentrated filler (6a or 4a) is blocked by the cup-shaped opening / closing body (16). .

  According to the first or fifth aspect of the present invention, when the type of beverage (a or b) to be filled is switched, the time required for CIP is obtained by alternately operating the filler for concentrated liquid (4a or 6a). Even if it does not apply, it can transfer to the next manufacture rapidly and can shorten switching preparation time notably. For example, even when a beverage is filled with a large variety of small lots, the production efficiency can be dramatically increased.

  As described in claim 2, in the beverage filling method according to claim 1, first, the concentrate (A or B) is supplied into the container (p) by the filler for concentrate (4a or 6a). Next, when water is supplied into the container (p) by the water filler (2a) and carbonated water is used as the water, the carbonated water has irregularities such as a petaloid bottom of the container. Since it will collide with the concentrated liquid that accumulates at the bottom and forms a smooth surface, the large amount of foaming phenomenon in the container due to the collision of the carbonated water directly with the petaloid bottom of the container is prevented. The In addition, the container is inclined so that the carbonated water does not directly collide with the petaloid bottom of the container, but the carbonated water can be filled in the container without tilting the container.

  When configured as described in claim 3 or claim 6, the type of beverage (a or b) to be filled is immediately switched by switching between a plurality of concentrate fillers (4a or 6a). Can do. Therefore, production efficiency can be further increased.

  When configured as described in claim 4 or claim 7, while the filling operation is performed using one of the concentrate fillers (4 a or 6 a), the other concentrate filler (6 a or 6 a or 6 a or 6 a or 6 a is used. Since the SIP can be performed if further required for CIP with respect to 4a), the type of beverage (a or b) to be filled can be switched more rapidly.

It is a schematic plan view which shows 1st embodiment of the drink filling method which concerns on this invention. It is a schematic plan view which shows 2nd embodiment of the drink filling method which concerns on this invention. It is a schematic plan view which shows 3rd embodiment of the drink filling method which concerns on this invention. It is a schematic vertical sectional view of various fillers. It is a schematic plan view of an intermediate wheel. FIG. 6 is a partial vertical sectional view of a cam device portion in FIG. 5. It is a schematic plan view which shows 4th embodiment of the drink filling method which concerns on this invention. It is a schematic plan view which shows 5th embodiment of the drink filling method which concerns on this invention. It is a schematic plan view which shows 6th embodiment of the drink filling method which concerns on this invention.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

<Embodiment 1>
As shown in FIG. 1, this beverage filling apparatus has a transport path for transporting bottles, which are sterilized containers, in one line in one direction.

  This conveyance path is formed as a row of various wheels. That is, the various wheels are arranged in series, and from the upstream side to the downstream side when viewed in the conveyance direction of the bottle p, the introduction wheel 1, the water filler wheel 2, the intermediate wheel 3, the concentrate A filler wheel 4, the intermediate wheel. 5, the filler wheel 6 for the concentrate B, the intermediate wheel 7, the capper wheel 8, and the discharge wheel 9 are arranged in this order. These wheels 1 to 9 are driven so as to rotate at substantially the same peripheral speed.

  The filler wheel 2 for water, the filler wheel 4 for the concentrate A, and the filler wheel 6 for the concentrate B are respectively integrated with the filler 2a for water, the filler 4a for concentrate A, and the filler 6a for concentrate B, as will be described later. First, water is supplied from the filler 4a for water into each bottle p that travels on the conveyance path, and then the concentrate is supplied from any one of the filler 4a for the concentrate A and the filler 6a for the concentrate B. A or concentrate B is supplied.

  If the beverage to be filled in the bottle p is, for example, a tea beverage a, the water supplied from the water filler 2a is the water contained in the concentrate from the amount of water contained in the tea beverage a to be filled in one bottle p. The concentrated liquid A supplied from the concentrated liquid A filler 4a is a concentrated liquid in which the remaining amount of water contained in the tea beverage a to be filled in one bottle p and the tea component are mixed. Thus, when the bottle p traveling on the transport path passes through the water filler 2a and the concentrate A filler 4a, the tea beverage a is filled in the bottle p while being blended.

  In addition, if the beverage to be filled in the bottle p is, for example, the fruit juice beverage b, the water supplied from the water filler 2a is included in the concentrated liquid from the amount of water contained in the fruit juice beverage b to be filled in one bottle p. The concentrated liquid B supplied from the concentrated liquid B filler 6a is a concentrated liquid of fruit juice in which the remaining amount of water contained in the fruit juice beverage b to be filled in one bottle p and the fruit juice component are mixed. is there. For example, sugar or the like is included in the concentrate B as necessary. Thereby, if the bottle p which drive | works the conveyance path passes the filler 2a for water and the filler 6a for concentrate B, it will be prepared, being filled with the fruit juice b in the bottle p.

  Around the wheels 1 to 9, hook-like grippers for clamping and unclamping the neck of the bottle p as illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5 are arranged at a predetermined pitch. The gripper can turn around the central axis of each wheel 1-9 together with each wheel 1-9.

  Since the gripper has a known structure, it will not be described in detail, but the bottle is transferred from the gripper of the upstream wheel to the gripper of the downstream wheel by opening and closing by an action of a cam or the like at an adjacent position between the wheels. It has become. Thereby, the bottle p passes through the filler wheel 2 for water, the intermediate wheel 3, the filler wheel 4 for the concentrate A, the intermediate wheel 5, the filler wheel 6 for the concentrate B, the intermediate wheel 7, and the capper wheel 8 from the introduction wheel 1. Continuously run in a row to the discharge wheel 9.

  A sterilization device (not shown) for sterilizing the inner and outer surfaces of the bottle p is arranged upstream of the introduction wheel 1. Although the sterilization apparatus is covered with an aseptic chamber, the transport path shown in FIG. 1 is also covered with the aseptic chamber (not shown) so as to be connected to the aseptic chamber of the sterilization apparatus. The downstream side of the discharge wheel 9 is an outlet of the sterilization chamber, and the bottle p sealed with a cap is discharged from the outlet to the outside of the sterilization chamber as a bottled product.

  The filler 2a for water, the filler 4a for the concentrate A, and the filler 6a for the concentrate B are different in size from each other, but each has a configuration as shown in FIG.

  When the water filler 2a is described with reference to FIG. 4, the water filler wheel 2a has the water filler wheel 2 that is horizontally attached to the vertical shaft 11 installed on the base 10, and the water filler wheel 2 is arranged around the water filler wheel 2 described above. It has a gripper 13.

  In addition, pipe-shaped nozzles 12 are provided around the water filler wheel 2 a so as to correspond to the grippers 13. Each nozzle 12 is arranged vertically so that the lower end of the nozzle 12 faces the mouth of the bottle p held by the gripper 13. The nozzle 12 may be fixed with respect to the water filler wheel 2, but may be capable of reciprocating in the vertical direction. If reciprocation is possible in the vertical direction, the nozzle 12 can be inserted into the bottle p to supply water into the bottle p.

  After being sterilized, the water is stored in a storage tank (not shown), from there through the pipe to the nozzle 12, and in order to distribute the water from the tank to the nozzles 12 that swirl, the vertical The shaft 12 is provided with an upper rotary joint 14 and an upper manifold 15. Water in the storage tank enters the empty chamber of the vertical shaft 11 and is discharged from the nozzle 12 into the bottle p through the upper rotary joint 14 and the upper manifold 15.

  Although not shown, the nozzle 12 is provided with a valve for supplying a desired amount of water into the bottle p.

  Further, around the water filler wheel 2, a cup-shaped opening / closing body 16 for opening / closing the mouth of the lower end of the nozzle 12 is disposed so as to correspond to the gripper 13 and the nozzle 12. The opening / closing body 16 can be moved in the radial direction and the vertical direction of the water filler wheel 2 by a cam device, an air cylinder device or the like (not shown). When water is supplied from the nozzle 12 into the bottle p, the opening / closing body 16 is moved radially inward. When the nozzle 12 is shielded, the nozzle 12 moves to the outside in the radial direction directly below the nozzle 12 and then rises to close the mouth of the nozzle 12.

  A CIP device is attached to the water filler 2a. The CIP device includes the opening / closing body 16, a lower manifold 17, a lower rotary joint 20, a cleaning liquid tank 18, and a pump 19. The lower rotary joint 20 is attached to the vertical shaft 11. The lower manifold 17 is fixed to the base 10 side. The opening / closing body 16 and the like are connected by a pipeline indicated by a broken line. After all of the nozzles 12 are shielded by the opening / closing body 16 after the water supply from the nozzles 12 is cut off, the cleaning liquid in the cleaning liquid tank 18 is activated in the vertical shaft 11, the upper rotary joint 14, The inside of the water filler 2a is subjected to CIP processing while circulating through the pipe line formed in a loop shape such as the manifold 15, the nozzle 12, the lower manifold 17, and the lower rotary joint 20.

  In addition, in this water filler 2a, since the water is passed, the CIP device can be omitted. Although the CIP device is not shown, it may or may not be provided.

  Concentrated liquid A filler 4a is also configured as shown in FIG. 4 in the same manner as water filler 2a. In this case, the sterilized concentrated liquid A enters the vertical shaft 11 from a storage tank (not shown), and passes from the nozzle 12 into the bottle p through a pipeline indicated by a one-dot chain line such as the upper rotary joint 14 and the upper manifold 15. A predetermined amount is discharged.

  Concentrate B filler 6a is also configured as shown in FIG. 4 in the same manner as water filler 2a. In this case, the sterilized concentrate B enters the vertical shaft 11 from a storage tank (not shown), and is discharged from the nozzle 12 into the bottle p through the upper rotary joint 14 and the upper manifold 15.

  The capper 8a serving as a sealing means includes a stopper portion around the capper wheel 8 for screwing the cap into the mouth of the bottle p. The stopper part is adapted to screw the sterilized cap onto the mouth of the bottle p while rotating with the capper wheel 8.

  Next, the operation of the beverage filling apparatus will be described.

  (1) It is assumed that the production of the fruit juice beverage b is completed, and then the tea beverage a is produced.

  In FIG. 1, when all the wheels 1 to 9 are rotated at substantially the same peripheral speed, and the bottle p for the sterilized tea beverage a comes into contact with the water filler wheel 2 through the introduction wheel 1 of the conveyance path, the bottle p Is transferred between the grippers 13 and 13 of both wheels 1 and 2, and moves to the water filler wheel 2.

  (2) As shown in FIG. 4, the nozzle 12 faces the mouth of the bottle p, and further falls into the bottle p as necessary to supply water into the bottle p. The amount of water supplied is equal to the amount of water contained in the tea beverage a to be filled in one bottle p minus the amount of water contained in the concentrate.

  (3) In FIG. 1, the bottle p into which a predetermined amount of water has been added reaches the filler wheel 4 for the concentrate A via the intermediate wheel 3.

  (4) The bottle p turns around the filler wheel 4 for the concentrate A, during which the nozzle 12 faces the mouth of the bottle p, and further falls into the bottle p as necessary. Concentrate A is supplied into bottle p. The amount of the concentrate A supplied is equal to the amount of the remaining water and tea components contained in the tea beverage a to be filled in the bottle p.

  Accordingly, the bottle p is filled with the tea beverage a being prepared.

  (5) In FIG. 1, the bottle p into which a predetermined amount of the concentrate A has been put reaches the filler wheel 6 for the concentrate B via the intermediate wheel 5.

  However, in the concentrated liquid B filler 6a, the concentrated liquid B filler wheel 6 rotates while holding the bottle p with the gripper 13. However, as shown in the right half of FIG. Rotating motion while shielding the mouth.

  For this reason, the bottle p passes around the filler wheel 6 for the liquid B without being filled with the concentrated liquid B, and reaches the capper wheel 8 through the intermediate wheel 7.

  (6) In FIG. 1, the bottle p filled with the tea beverage a is capted at the mouth by the capper 8a and plugged. Thereby, the bottle p is sealed and made into a tea beverage bottling product and discharged from the discharge wheel 9 to the outside of the sterile chamber.

  (7) At the time of filling the bottle of the concentrate A described in the above (4), the CIP treatment is performed on the filler 6a for the concentrate B.

  That is, in the concentrate B filler 6a, as shown in the right half of FIG. During this time, the cleaning liquid in the cleaning liquid tank 18 is activated in the pipe formed in a loop shape by the vertical shaft 11, the upper and lower rotary joints 14, 20, the upper and lower manifolds 15, 17, the nozzle 12, etc. Circulated. Thereby, the inside of the filler 6a for the concentrate B is washed, and the concentrate B is removed.

  If necessary, SIP processing is performed following CIP processing.

  (8) When the production of the tea beverage a containing the concentrated liquid A by the beverage filling device is completed, the nozzle 12 of the concentrated liquid A filler 4a is closed by the opening / closing body 16 as shown in the right half of FIG. 4, the opening / closing body 16 is removed from the lower end of the nozzle 12 of the concentrate B filler 6a.

  Thus, after the bottle p is filled with water with the water filler 2a, the bottle p is passed through the concentrate A filler 4a, and the concentrate B is filled with the concentrate B filler 6a. Formulation filling of b is performed.

  Further, during the production of the fruit juice beverage b, the CIP process is performed on the concentrate A filler 4a in the same manner as described in (7) above.

  (9) In FIG. 1, the bottle p filled with the fruit juice beverage b is capted at the mouth by the cap 8 a. As a result, the bottle p is sealed and made into a bottled product of the fruit juice drink b and discharged from the discharge wheel 9 to the outside of the aseptic chamber.

<Embodiment 2>
As shown in FIG. 2, the transport path of the beverage filling device in the second embodiment is also formed as a row of various wheels as in the first embodiment, but the concentrate A filler wheel 4 and the concentrate B filler. The wheels 6 are arranged in parallel.

  That is, from the upstream side to the downstream side in the bottle conveying direction, the introduction wheel 1, the water filler wheel 2, the three intermediate wheels 3, 5a, 5b, the concentrate A filler wheel 4, the intermediate wheel 7b, The capper wheel 8 and the discharge wheel 9 are arranged in this order, and are in direct contact with the middle intermediate wheel 5a among the three intermediate wheels 3, 5a, 5b, and between the concentrate A filler wheel 4 and the capper wheel 8. The filler wheel 6 for the concentrate B is disposed so as to contact the intermediate wheel 7b via the other intermediate wheel 7a. These wheels 1 to 9 are driven so as to rotate at substantially the same peripheral speed.

  Also in this case, the filler wheel for water 2, the filler wheel for concentrate A, and the filler wheel for concentrate B are configured integrally with the filler for water 2a, the filler for concentrate A 4a, and the filler for concentrate B 6a, respectively. In each bottle p traveling on the conveyance path, water is first supplied from the water filler 2a, and then concentrated through one of the concentrate A filler 4a and the concentrate B filler 6a. Liquid A or concentrated liquid B is supplied.

  As in the case of the first embodiment, grippers for clamping and unclamping the neck portion of the bottle p are arranged around the wheels 1 to 9 at a predetermined pitch. The gripper is capable of swiveling with each wheel about the central axis of each wheel.

  As described above, the gripper opens and closes by an action of a cam or the like at an adjacent position between the wheels, so that the bottle p is delivered from the gripper of the upstream wheel to the gripper of the downstream wheel.

  Further, in FIG. 2, the two filler wheels 6 for the concentrate B are in contact with the filler wheel 4 for the concentrate A and the filler wheel 6 for the concentrate B from the upstream side and in contact with each other. The intermediate wheel 5a in contact with the side is provided with a cam device for switching the opening / closing operation of the gripper at a position in contact with the other intermediate wheel 5b.

  That is, as shown in FIG. 5, each gripper 13 in one intermediate wheel 5a has a pair of pinching pieces, and the fulcrum pins at the base of the pinching piece are connected to each other via a gear 21 so as to be able to rotate synchronously. The fulcrum pin is always urged in the opening direction of the gripper 13 by a spring 22, and the other fulcrum pin has a cam follower 24 that can come into contact with a fixed cam 23 fixed to the base side (not shown) in the one intermediate wheel 3a. It is attached.

  The fixed cam 23 has a cam curve that opens the gripper 13 via the cam follower 24 when the gripper 13 comes to a position in contact with the filler wheel 6 for the concentrate B. Further, as shown in FIGS. 6 (A) and 6 (B), the portion of the fixed cam 23 corresponding to the place where the two intermediate wheels 5a and 5b are in contact with each other is separated and moved. The movable cam portion 23a is configured. The movable cam portion 23a is slidably inserted in a radial direction in a trace where a part of the stationary cam 23 is cut off. And it is connected with the piston rod of the piston and cylinder apparatus 25 connected with the base side which is not illustrated inside the intermediate wheel 5a. In addition, this portion has a cam curve that causes the gripper 13 to be closed via the cam follower 24.

  Below the cam follower 24, an auxiliary cam follower 24a having the same shape as the cam follower 24 is attached to the same pin 26, and an auxiliary cam 27 in contact with the auxiliary cam follower 24a is fixed below the cam 23a. The auxiliary cam 27 has a cam surface 27a that opens the gripper 13 via the auxiliary cam follower 24a.

  In FIG. 2, two intermediate wheels 7 a and 7 b that are in contact with the concentrate A filler wheel 4 and the concentrate B filler wheel 6 from the downstream side and in contact with each other, respectively, are connected to the concentrate A filler wheel 4 side. A cam device similar to the above is also provided on the contacting intermediate wheel 7b.

  As a result, when a signal indicating the production of the tea beverage a is issued, the piston / cylinder device 25 that was initially in the extended state in the intermediate wheel 5a as shown in FIG. 6 (A) is shown in FIG. As shown, the contraction operation is performed, and the movable cam portion 23a on the one intermediate wheel 5a side is retracted inward in the radial direction of the cam 23. For this reason, the auxiliary cam follower 24a comes into contact with the cam surface 27a that is the concave portion of the auxiliary cam 27, and the pair of sandwiching pieces of the gripper 13 changes from the closed state indicated by the two-dot chain line to the open state indicated by the solid line, for the tea beverage a. Release 1 bottle. The bottle 1 is delivered to the gripper 13 on the other intermediate wheel 5b side and sent to the concentrate A filler. Further, on the intermediate wheel 7 b side, the cam device operates in the reverse direction to the above, and the gripper 13 passes while closing the portion in contact with the intermediate wheel 7 a and transports the bottle p to the capper 8.

  When the production of the tea beverage a is finished and a signal to the effect of shifting to the production of the fruit juice beverage b is issued, the piston / cylinder device extends in the intermediate wheel 5a as shown in FIG. The movable cam portion 23a on the intermediate wheel 5a side is advanced to the outside in the radial direction of the cam 23. For this reason, the cam follower 24 contacts the cam surface of the movable cam portion 23a, and the gripper 13 passes through the contact point with the intermediate wheel 5b while maintaining the closed state, and sends the bottle p to the concentrate B filler 6a. Further, on the intermediate wheel 7b side, the cam device operates in the reverse direction to the above, and the gripper 13 opens the portion in contact with the intermediate wheel 7a, receives the bottle p, and conveys it to the capper 8a.

  The water filler 2a, the concentrate A filler 4a, and the concentrate B filler 6a are configured in the same manner as in the first embodiment.

  Further, the CIP device is attached to the concentrate A filler 4a and the concentrate B filler 6a in the same manner as in the first embodiment.

  Next, the operation of the beverage filling apparatus will be described.

  (1) In FIG. 2, when all the wheels 1 to 9 rotate at substantially the same peripheral speed and the sterilized bottle p comes into contact with the water filler wheel 2 through the introduction wheel 1 of the conveyance path, the bottles p are both Passed between the grippers 13 and 13 of the wheels 1 and 2, and moves to the water filler wheel 2.

  (2) As shown in FIG. 4, the nozzle 12 faces the mouth of the bottle p, and further falls into the bottle p as necessary to supply water into the bottle p. The amount of water supplied is equal to the amount of water contained in the tea beverage a to be filled in the bottle p minus the amount of water contained in the concentrate.

  (3) In FIG. 2, the bottle p into which a predetermined amount of water has entered reaches the filler wheel 4 for the concentrate A through the intermediate wheels 3, 5 a, 5 b. The concentrate A is, for example, a concentrate of tea beverage a.

  At this time, in the intermediate wheel 5a, the cam device operates as shown in FIG. 6B. As a result, the gripper 13 on the side of the intermediate wheel 5a opens and the bottle p filled with water enters the gripper 13 on the side of the intermediate wheel 5b. To hand.

  (4) The bottle p reaches the filler wheel 4 for the concentrate A, and the concentrate A is supplied from the nozzle 12 while turning around the bottle. The supply amount of the concentrate A is equal to the amount of the remaining water contained in the tea beverage a to be filled in the bottle p and the tea component.

  Accordingly, the bottle p is filled with the tea beverage a being prepared.

  (5) In FIG. 2, the bottle p into which a predetermined amount of the concentrate A has been put reaches the capper wheel 8 through the intermediate wheel 7b.

  At this time, in the intermediate wheel 7b, the cam device operates as shown in FIG. 6A. As a result, the bottle p filled with water while the gripper 13 on the intermediate wheel 7b side is closed is received by the gripper 13 on the capper 8a side. hand over.

  (6) The bottle p filled with the tea beverage a is capped with a cap applied to the mouth by the capper 8a. Thereby, the bottle p is sealed and made into a bottling product and discharged from the discharge wheel 9 to the outside of the aseptic chamber.

  (7) When the tea beverage a is filled in the bottle p, the CIP process is performed on the filler B for the concentrate B.

  That is, in the concentrate B filler 6a, as shown in the right half of FIG. In the meantime, the cleaning liquid in the cleaning liquid tank 18 circulates in a pipe line formed in a loop shape by the vertical shaft 11, the upper and lower rotary joints 14, 20, the upper and lower manifolds 15, 17, the nozzle 12 and the like by the activation of the pump 19. Be made. Thereby, the inside of the filler 6a for the concentrate B is washed, and the concentrate B is removed.

  If necessary, SIP processing is performed following CIP processing.

  (8) When the production of the tea beverage a by the beverage filling device is completed, the nozzle 12 of the concentrate A filler 4a is closed by the opening / closing body 16 as shown in the right half of FIG. As shown, the opening / closing body 16 is removed from the mouth of the nozzle 12 of the filler B for the concentrate B.

  (9) The cam device in the intermediate wheel 5a operates as shown in FIG. 6A, whereby the gripper 13 on the intermediate wheel 5a side passes through the contact point with the intermediate wheel 5b while holding the bottle p, and is used for the concentrate B The filler wheel 6 is reached, and the concentrate B is filled with the concentrate B filler 6a. Thereby, preparation filling of the fruit juice drink b is performed in the bottle p.

  Further, during the production of this beverage, the CIP process is performed on the concentrate A filler 4a in the same manner as described in (7) above.

  (10) In FIG. 1, the bottle p filled with the fruit juice beverage b is capted at the mouth portion by the capper 8a.

  When the bottle p moves toward the capper 8a, the cam device operates in the intermediate wheel 7b as shown in FIG. 6B. As a result, the gripper 13 on the intermediate wheel 7b side opens, and the bottle p moves from the gripper 13 on the intermediate wheel 7a side. Receive.

  The bottle p that has reached the capper 8a is sealed at the mouth by a cap, is made into a bottled product of the beverage b, and is discharged from the discharge wheel 9 to the outside of the sterile chamber.

<Embodiment 3>
As shown in FIG. 3, the transport path of this beverage filling device is formed as a row of various wheels as in the first embodiment, but the concentrated liquid B filler 6a, filler wheel 6 and The intermediate wheel 7 is omitted.

  For this reason, in Embodiment 3, only the filling of the tea beverage a is possible. However, CIP can be omitted for the filler 2a for water, and there is an advantage that it is sufficient to perform only for the filler 4a for the concentrate A.

<Embodiment 4>
As shown in FIG. 7, this beverage filling apparatus has a conveyance path in which the position of the wheel is partially exchanged with the case of the first embodiment.

  That is, the various wheels of this transport path are arranged in series, but from the upstream side to the downstream side as viewed in the transport direction of the bottle p, the introduction wheel 1, the filler wheel 4 for the concentrate A, the intermediate wheel 5, the concentrate B filler wheel 6, intermediate wheel 7, water filler wheel 2, intermediate wheel 3, capper wheel 8, and discharge wheel 9 are arranged in this order. These wheels 1 to 9 are driven so as to rotate at substantially the same peripheral speed.

  The filler wheel 2 for water, the filler wheel 4 for the concentrate A, and the filler wheel 6 for the concentrate B are each configured integrally with the filler 2a for water, the filler 4a for the concentrate A, and the filler 6a for the concentrate B, respectively. In each bottle p traveling on the road, first, concentrate A or concentrate B is supplied from either one of concentrate A filler 4a or concentrate B filler 6a, and then water from water filler 4a. To supply.

  If the beverage to be filled in the bottle p is, for example, a tea beverage a, the concentrated solution A supplied from the filler 4a for the concentrated solution A is the amount of tea components and water contained in the tea beverage a to be filled in one bottle p. The water supplied from the water filler 2a is an amount obtained by subtracting the amount of water contained in the concentrate from the amount contained in the tea beverage a to be filled in one bottle p. Thus, when the bottle p traveling on the transport path passes through the concentrate A filler 4a and the water filler 2a, the tea beverage a is filled in the bottle p while being mixed.

  Further, if the beverage to be filled in the bottle p is, for example, a fruit juice beverage b, the concentrated liquid B supplied from the filler 6a for the concentrated liquid B is obtained from the fruit juice component and water contained in the fruit juice beverage b to be filled in one bottle p. The water supplied from the water filler 2a is the amount of water contained in the fruit juice beverage b to be filled in one bottle p. For example, sugar or the like is included in the concentrate B as necessary. Thereby, if the bottle p which drive | works the conveyance path passes the filler 6a for concentrate B and the filler 2a for water, it will be prepared, being filled with the fruit juice b in the bottle p.

  Around the wheels 1 to 9, like the first embodiment, bowl-shaped grippers that clamp and unclamp the neck of the bottle p are arranged at a predetermined pitch.

  By passing between the grippers of the bottle p, the bottle p is transferred from the introduction wheel 1 to the filler wheel 4 for the concentrate A, the intermediate wheel 5, the filler wheel 6 for the concentrate B, the intermediate wheel 7, the filler wheel 2 for water, and the intermediate wheel. 3. Run continuously in a row to the discharge wheel 9 via the capper wheel 8.

  Next, the operation of the beverage filling apparatus will be described.

(1) It is assumed that the production of the fruit juice beverage b is completed, and then the tea beverage a is produced.

  In FIG. 7, all the wheels 1 to 9 rotate at substantially the same peripheral speed, and the sterilized tea beverage a bottle p reaches the concentrate A filler wheel 4 through the introduction wheel 1 of the conveyance path.

  (2) The bottle p turns around the filler wheel 4 for the concentrate A, during which the nozzle 12 faces the mouth of the bottle p, and further falls into the bottle p as necessary. Concentrate A is supplied into bottle p. The supply amount of the concentrate A is equal to the amount of the tea component a contained in the tea beverage a to be filled in the bottle p and the amount of the concentrate A composed of water.

  (3) In FIG. 7, the bottle p into which a predetermined amount of the concentrate A has been put reaches the filler wheel 6 for the concentrate B via the intermediate wheel 5.

  However, in the concentrated liquid B filler 6a, the concentrated liquid B filler wheel 6 rotates while holding the bottle p with the gripper 13. However, as shown in the right half of FIG. Rotating motion while shielding the mouth.

  For this reason, the bottle p passes around the filler wheel 6 for liquid B without being filled with the concentrate B, and reaches the filler wheel 2 for water through the intermediate wheel 7. When the bottle p comes into contact with the water filler wheel 2, the bottle p is transferred between the grippers 13 and 13 of the both wheels 1 and 2, and moves to the water filler wheel 2.

  (4) As shown in FIG. 4, the nozzle 12 faces the mouth of the bottle p, and further falls into the bottle p as necessary to supply water into the bottle p. The amount of water supplied is equal to the amount of water contained in the tea beverage a to be filled in one bottle p minus the amount of water contained in the concentrate.

  Accordingly, the bottle p is filled with the tea beverage a being prepared.

  (5) In FIG. 7, the bottle p into which a predetermined amount of water has entered reaches the capper wheel 8 through the intermediate wheel 3.

  (6) In FIG. 7, the bottle p filled with the tea beverage a is capted on the mouth by the capper 8a and plugged. Thereby, the bottle p is sealed and made into a tea beverage bottling product and discharged from the discharge wheel 9 to the outside of the sterile chamber.

  (7) At the time of filling the bottle of the concentrate A described in (2) above, the CIP treatment is performed on the filler 6a for the concentrate B.

  That is, in the concentrate B filler 6a, as shown in the right half of FIG. During this time, the cleaning liquid in the cleaning liquid tank 18 is activated in the pipe formed in a loop shape by the vertical shaft 11, the upper and lower rotary joints 14, 20, the upper and lower manifolds 15, 17, the nozzle 12, etc. Circulated. Thereby, the inside of the filler 6a for the concentrate B is washed, and the concentrate B is removed.

  If necessary, SIP processing is performed following CIP processing.

  (8) When the production of the tea beverage a containing the concentrated liquid A by the beverage filling device is completed, the nozzle 12 of the concentrated liquid A filler 4a is closed by the opening / closing body 16 as shown in the right half of FIG. 4, the opening / closing body 16 is removed from the lower end of the nozzle 12 of the concentrate B filler 6a.

  As a result, the bottle p passes through the filler 4a for the concentrate A, and after the concentrate B is added with the filler 6a for the concentrate B, water is added with the filler 2a for water, and the fruit juice beverage b is prepared and filled. Done.

  In addition, during the production of the fruit juice beverage b, the CIP process is performed on the concentrate A filler 4a in the same manner as described in (8) above.

  (9) In FIG. 7, the bottle p filled with the fruit juice beverage b is capted at the mouth portion by the capper 8a. As a result, the bottle p is sealed and made into a bottled product of the fruit juice drink b and discharged from the discharge wheel 9 to the outside of the aseptic chamber.

  (10) In the beverage filling method, first, the concentrate A or the concentrate B is supplied into the bottle p by the concentrate filler 4a or the concentrate filler 6a, and then the water is supplied by the water filler 2a to the bottle p. When supplying the inside, the water may be carbonated water.

  When injecting carbonated water into the bottle p, the carbonated water does not directly collide with the petaloid bottom (not shown) of the bottle p, but collides with the liquid surface of the flat concentrated liquid A or B already accumulated on the petaloid bottom. Therefore, mass foaming in the bottle p due to the conventional carbonated water directly colliding with the petaloid bottom of the bottle p is prevented.

  In addition, by tilting the bottle p, the carbonated water is prevented from directly colliding with the petaloid bottom of the bottle p. However, as described above, the bottle p is filled with the concentrate A or B first. Even if the carbonated water is filled in the bottle p without inclining, it is possible to prevent foaming.

<Embodiment 5>
As shown in FIG. 8, the transport path of the beverage filling apparatus in the fifth embodiment is also formed as a row of various wheels as in the fourth embodiment, but the concentrate wheel 4 for the concentrate A and the filler for the concentrate B The wheels 6 are arranged in parallel.

  That is, from the upstream side to the downstream side in the bottle conveying direction, the introduction wheel 1, the two intermediate wheels 5a and 5b, the concentrate A filler wheel 4, the intermediate wheel 7b, the water filler wheel 2, and the intermediate wheel 3, the capper wheel 8 and the discharge wheel 9 are arranged in this order. And the concentrate wheel B filler wheel 6 is arrange | positioned so that the intermediate | middle wheel 5a of an upstream side of the said two intermediate wheels 5a and 5b may be contacted, and between this concentrate solution B filler wheel 6 and the said intermediate | middle wheel 7b. The other intermediate wheel 7a is provided. These wheels 1 to 9 are driven so as to rotate at substantially the same peripheral speed.

  Also in this case, the filler wheel for water 2, the filler wheel for concentrate A, and the filler wheel for concentrate B are configured integrally with the filler for water 2a, the filler for concentrate A 4a, and the filler for concentrate B 6a, respectively. In each bottle p traveling on the transport path, first, the concentrated liquid A or the concentrated liquid B is supplied via one of the concentrated liquid A filler 4a and the concentrated liquid B filler 6a. Water is supplied from the water filler 2a.

  As in the case of the first embodiment, grippers for clamping and unclamping the neck portion of the bottle p are arranged around the wheels 1 to 9 at a predetermined pitch. The gripper is capable of swiveling with each wheel about the central axis of each wheel.

  As described above, the gripper opens and closes by an action of a cam or the like at an adjacent position between the wheels, so that the bottle p is delivered from the gripper of the upstream wheel to the gripper of the downstream wheel.

  Similarly to the fourth embodiment, in FIG. 8, two intermediate wheels 5a and 5b that are in contact with the filler wheel 4 for the concentrate A and the filler wheel 6 for the concentrate B from the upstream side and in contact with each other, respectively. The intermediate wheel 5a in contact with the concentrate B filler wheel 6 side is provided with a cam device for switching the opening / closing operation of the gripper at a position in contact with the other intermediate wheel 5b.

  In FIG. 8, two intermediate wheels 7 a and 7 b that are in contact with the concentrate A filler wheel 4 and the concentrate B filler wheel 6 from the downstream side and in contact with each other, respectively, on the concentrate A filler wheel 4 side. A cam device similar to the above is also provided on the contacting intermediate wheel 7b.

  In addition, the water filler 2a, the concentrate A filler 4a, and the concentrate B filler 6a are configured in the same manner as in the fourth embodiment.

  Further, the CIP device is attached to the concentrate A filler 4a and the concentrate B filler 6a in the same manner as in the fourth embodiment.

  Next, the operation of the beverage filling apparatus will be described.

  (1) In FIG. 8, all the wheels 1 to 9 rotate at substantially the same peripheral speed, and the sterilized bottle p passes through the introduction wheel 1 of the conveyance path, passes through the intermediate wheels 3, 5a, 5b, and is used for the concentrate A. The filler wheel 4 is reached. The concentrate A is, for example, a concentrate of tea beverage a.

  At this time, in the intermediate wheel 5a, the cam device operates as shown in FIG. 6B. As a result, the gripper 13 on the side of the intermediate wheel 5a opens and the bottle p filled with water enters the gripper 13 on the side of the intermediate wheel 5b. To hand.

  (2) The bottle p reaches the filler wheel 4 for the concentrate A, and the concentrate A is supplied from the nozzle 12 while turning around the bottle. The supply amount of the concentrate A is equal to the amount of the concentrate A composed of the amount of tea components and water contained in the tea beverage a to be filled in the bottle p.

  (3) In FIG. 8, the bottle p into which a predetermined amount of the concentrate A has been placed moves to the water filler wheel 2 through the intermediate wheel 7b.

  At this time, in the intermediate wheel 7b, the cam device operates as shown in FIG. 6A. As a result, the bottle p in which the concentrate A is put with the gripper 13 on the intermediate wheel 7b side closed is removed from the gripper 13 on the capper 8a side. Pass to.

  (4) As shown in FIG. 4, the nozzle 12 faces the mouth of the bottle p, and further falls into the bottle p as necessary to supply water into the bottle p. The amount of water supplied is equal to the amount of water contained in the tea beverage a to be filled in the bottle p minus the amount of water contained in the concentrate.

  Accordingly, the bottle p is filled with the tea beverage a being prepared.

  (5) In FIG. 2, the bottle p in which a predetermined amount of the tea beverage a is put reaches the capper wheel 8 through the intermediate wheel 3.

  (6) The bottle p filled with the tea beverage a is capped with a cap applied to the mouth by the capper 8a. Thereby, the bottle p is sealed and made into a bottling product and discharged from the discharge wheel 9 to the outside of the aseptic chamber.

(7) When the tea beverage a is filled in the bottle p, the CIP process is performed on the filler B for the concentrate B.

  That is, in the concentrate B filler 6a, as shown in the right half of FIG. In the meantime, the cleaning liquid in the cleaning liquid tank 18 circulates in a pipe line formed in a loop shape by the vertical shaft 11, the upper and lower rotary joints 14, 20, the upper and lower manifolds 15, 17, the nozzle 12 and the like by the activation of the pump 19. Be made. Thereby, the inside of the filler 6a for the concentrate B is washed, and the concentrate B is removed.

  If necessary, SIP processing is performed following CIP processing.

(8) When the production of the tea beverage a by the beverage filling device is completed, the nozzle 12 of the concentrate A filler 4a is closed by the opening / closing body 16 as shown in the right half of FIG. As shown, the opening / closing body 16 is removed from the mouth of the nozzle 12 of the filler B for the concentrate B.

(9) The cam device in the intermediate wheel 5a operates as shown in FIG. 6A, whereby the gripper 13 on the intermediate wheel 5a side passes through the contact point with the intermediate wheel 5b while holding the bottle p, and is used for the concentrate B The filler wheel 6 is reached, and the concentrate B is filled with the concentrate B filler 6a. Thereby, preparation filling of the fruit juice drink b is performed in the bottle p.

  Further, during the production of this beverage, the CIP process is performed on the concentrate A filler 4a in the same manner as described in (7) above.

(10) In FIG. 8, the bottle p filled with the fruit juice drink b is capted at the mouth by the cap 8a.

  When the bottle p moves toward the capper 8a, the cam device operates in the intermediate wheel 7b as shown in FIG. 6B. As a result, the gripper 13 on the intermediate wheel 7b side opens, and the bottle p moves from the gripper 13 on the intermediate wheel 7a side. Receive.

  The bottle p that has reached the capper 8a is sealed at the mouth by a cap, is made into a bottled product of the beverage b, and is discharged from the discharge wheel 9 to the outside of the sterile chamber.

  (11) In the beverage filling method, first, the concentrate A or the concentrate B is supplied into the bottle p by the concentrate filler 4a or the concentrate filler 6a, and then water is bottled by the water filler 2a. When supplying the inside, the water may be carbonated water.

<Embodiment 6>
As shown in FIG. 9, the transport path of this beverage filling device is formed as a row of various wheels as in the case of the fourth embodiment. However, the concentrate B filler 6a, filler wheel 6 and The intermediate wheel 7 is omitted.

  For this reason, in Embodiment 6, only the filling of the tea beverage a is possible. However, CIP can be omitted for the filler 2a for water, and there is an advantage that it is sufficient to perform only for the filler 4a for the concentrate A.

  Also in the sixth embodiment, when the concentrate A is first supplied into the bottle p by the concentrate filler 4a and then the water is supplied into the bottle p by the water filler 2a, the water is carbonated. It may be water.

Although the present invention is configured as described above, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications can be made within the scope of the gist of the present invention.
For example, the beverage is not limited to the above two types, and it is also possible to fill three or more types of beverages by adding fillers. The beverage to be filled is not limited to the tea beverage or the fruit juice beverage, but can be other types of beverages.
Further, the present invention is not limited to aseptic filling in which a sterilized container is filled with a sterilized beverage. For example, after filling a normal container with water, filling is performed while switching concentrated juice beverages, milk beverages, alcoholic beverages, carbonated beverages, and the like. It is also possible. Of course, it is also possible to fill the container with water alone without filling the concentrate.

  It is also possible to use one of the plurality of concentrate fillers exclusively for a high flavor beverage containing a fragrance. If it does in this way, CIP time of the filler for concentrates which is not exclusive for other high flavor drinks can be shortened.

a, b ... Beverages A, B ... Concentrate p ... Bottle 2a ... Water filler 4a, 6a ... Concentrate filler 8a ... Capper

Claims (5)

While the sterilized bottle is transported by the gripper, the first sterilized water of the concentrated liquid and water in the beverage is supplied into the sterilized bottle by the water filler, and then the sterilized bottle. By supplying the concentrated liquid into the sterilized bottle with the concentrate filler, or supplying the concentrated liquid first sterilized with the concentrate filler into the sterilized bottle. In addition, by supplying the sterilized water into the sterilized bottle with a water filler, the beverage is prepared in the sterilized bottle, and then the sterilized bottle is sealed. In the beverage filling method,
A concentrated filler is arranged in parallel on a conveyance path for transporting the sterilized bottle by a gripper, and any one of these concentrated liquid fillers is selected and used in the sterilized bottle. A beverage filling method characterized in that a beverage is prepared . 2. The beverage filling method according to claim 1, wherein the first sterilized concentrated liquid is supplied into the bottle having the sterilized petaloid bottom by the concentrated liquid filler, and then the sterilized water is supplied to the water. When supplying into a bottle having a petaloid bottom that has been sterilized by the filler for use, a beverage filling method in which the sterilized water is carbonated water ,
A beverage filling method comprising supplying carbonated water to a bottle without tilting the bottle . 3. The beverage filling method according to claim 1 , wherein while the concentrated liquid sterilized by one of the concentrated fillers selected from the concentrated fillers is supplied into the sterilized bottle, A beverage filling method characterized in that at least CIP is performed on a concentrate filler in a state where the nozzle of another concentrate filler is blocked by a cup-shaped opening and closing body. A transport path for transporting the sterilized bottles by the gripper is provided, and the water filler, the concentrate filler and the sealing means are sequentially arranged on the transport path from the upstream side to the downstream side. Bacteria that have been sterilized by the filler for water and the filler for concentrated liquid and the concentrated liquid that has been sterilized are sequentially supplied to the bottle that has been sterilized, and the beverage is prepared or concentrated in the sterilized bottle. A liquid filler, a water filler, and a sealing means are arranged in this order, and the sterilized water and the concentrated liquid sterilized by the water filler and the sterilized bottle transported by the gripper on the transport path. There beverage formulated with sterilizing treated in the bottle is supplied in sequence, the beverage filling apparatus sterilizing the treated bottles will be sealed by the sealing means Oite,
Sterilization from the selected concentrate filler is performed by arranging the concentrate filler in parallel with the conveyance path for transporting the sterilized bottle by the gripper, and selecting one of these concentrate fillers. A beverage filling device characterized in that a beverage is prepared in a bottle that has been sterilized with the treated concentrated liquid and sterilized water from a water filler . 5. The beverage filling apparatus according to claim 4 , wherein at least CIP means is provided among CIP means and SIP means, and the concentrated liquid sterilized by one of the concentrated liquid fillers is sterilized. CIP is performed by at least the CIP means with respect to the other concentrate filler while the nozzle of the other concentrate filler is blocked by the cup-shaped opening / closing body while being supplied into the already-filled bottle. A beverage filling device characterized by being made.

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