JP6191678B2 - Beverage filling method and apparatus - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a beverage filling method and apparatus.

  Conventionally, while transporting the preform, sprayed with a disinfectant such as hydrogen peroxide on the preform, and then heated the preform to activate the disinfectant adhering to the surface and raise the preform to the molding temperature Then, an aseptic filling method is proposed as an in-line system in which the preform is formed into a bottle by a blow molding machine, the bottle is filled with a beverage, and capped to form an aseptic package (for example, a patent) References 1 and 2).

Special table 2008-546605 gazette Japanese Patent No. 3903411

  In the above prior art, instead of sterilization after bottle molding, sterilization is performed at the preform stage before bottle molding, but the preform is simply heated after spraying a mist of hydrogen peroxide. Therefore, sterilization failure may occur. In order to prevent sterilization defects, if a large amount of hydrogen peroxide mist is sprayed at the preform stage, molding defects such as whitening, distortion, molding irregularities, etc. will occur on the bottle until the preform is heated and blow molded. Is likely to occur.

  It is an object of the present invention to solve the above problems.

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

  In order to facilitate understanding of the present invention, reference numerals are given in parentheses, but the present invention is not limited to this.

That is, the invention according to claim 1 preheats the preform (1) while continuously running the preform (1), sprays hydrogen peroxide mist (K) or gas on the preheated preform (1), Further, the preform (1) is heated to a molding temperature, and the preform (1) that has reached the molding temperature is molded into a container (2) in a blow mold (4) that continuously travels, and the blow mold (4) In the beverage filling method of taking out the container (2) from the container and continuously running it, filling the container (2) with the beverage (a) and sealing it with the lid (3), the preheated preform (1) is filled with hydrogen peroxide mist. When (K) or gas is sprayed, hydrogen peroxide mist (K) or gas is allowed to flow into the preform (1) so that the hydrogen peroxide mist is released from the mouth (2a) of the preform (1). (K) or gas The preform (1) is guided by flowing out and flowing hydrogen peroxide mist (K) or gas by the guide member (43c) so as to flow along the male screw of the mouth (2a) of the preform (1). The beverage filling method is adopted, in which the outer surface of the mouth portion (2a) is also sterilized.
Further, the present invention according to one embodiment preheats the preform (1) while continuously running the preform (1), and sprays hydrogen peroxide mist (K) or gas on the preheated preform (1). Further, the preform (1) is heated to a molding temperature, and the preform (1) that has reached the molding temperature is molded into a container (2) in a blow mold (4) that continuously travels, and the blow mold (4 ) Is a beverage filling method in which the container (2) is taken out from the container (2) and is continuously run while being filled with the beverage (a) and sealed with the lid (3). A beverage filling method in which the process leading to heating up to the temperature is performed in the heating furnace (50) is adopted.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, the preform (1) is molded into the container (2), the container (2) is filled with the beverage (a), and the container (2) is sealed with the lid (3). A conveyance path for continuously running the reform (1) and the container (2) is provided, and a heating furnace (50) for heating the preform (1) to a molding temperature and a preform (1) heated to the molding temperature in a container The mold (4) for blow molding into (2), the filler (39) for filling the beverage (a) into the blow molded container (2), and the container (2) filled with the beverage (a) are sealed. A capper (40) that is provided along the conveying path, preheating means (80) for preheating the preform (1) upstream of the heating furnace (50) in the conveying path, and a preheated preform (1). Spray hydrogen peroxide mist (K) or gas on the reform (1) Hydrogen peroxide supply means (81) is provided, and hydrogen peroxide mist (K) or gas sprayed by the hydrogen peroxide supply means (81) is discharged from the mouth (2a) of the preform (1). The hydrogen peroxide mist (K) or gas that has flowed out is guided by the guide member (43c) so as to flow along the external thread of the mouth (2a) of the preform (1). A beverage filling device characterized in that the outer surface of the mouth (2a) of (1) is also sterilized.
In addition, the present invention according to an embodiment includes a preform (1) molded into a container (2), a container (2) filled with a beverage (a), and the container (2) sealed with a lid (3). A heating path (50) for heating the preform (1) to the molding temperature, and a preform (1) heated to the molding temperature are provided. ) In a container (2), a filler (39) for filling a beverage (a) in a blow-molded container (2), and a container (2) filled with a beverage (a) And a capper (40) that seals the preform (1) in the heating furnace (50) at a substantially intermediate position of the preform (1) transport path (19). Hydrogen peroxide supplied by spraying hydrogen peroxide mist (K) or gas on By providing the means (43a), the preform (1) is preheated in the first half of the conveying path in the heating furnace (50), and then the hydrogen peroxide mist (K) or gas is sprayed thereon. A beverage filling device is adopted in which the reform (1) is heated to the molding temperature.

  According to the present invention, since the hydrogen peroxide mist (K) or gas is sprayed on the preform (1) after preheating at the stage of the preform (1), the preform can be obtained even by using a low concentration of hydrogen peroxide. The sterilizing effect of (1) is improved. This sterilization improves the bactericidal properties of general bacteria, spore-forming bacteria, fungi such as molds and yeasts, etc., at sites other than the mouth (2a). In addition, since the sterilization effect is improved by preheating, it is possible to use hydrogen peroxide at a very low concentration. Further, since the amount of hydrogen peroxide adhering to the preform (1) is small, molding defects such as whitening, distortion, and molding unevenness that are likely to occur during the molding of the container (2) can be accurately prevented.

It is explanatory drawing showing A, B, and C process of the filling method which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention, respectively. It is explanatory drawing showing each D, E, F, G process of the filling method which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a top view which shows the outline of an example of the filling apparatus which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a vertical sectional view showing an apparatus for supplying hydrogen peroxide mist or gas into a preform. It is a vertical sectional view showing an example of a mist generator for generating hydrogen peroxide mist or gas. It is explanatory drawing showing each of A, B, and C process of the filling method which concerns on Embodiment 2 of this invention. It is explanatory drawing showing each D, E, F, G process of the filling method which concerns on Embodiment 2 of this invention. It is a top view which shows the outline of an example of the filling apparatus which concerns on Embodiment 2 of this invention. The modification of the preheating apparatus in Embodiment 2 of this invention is shown, (A) is the top view, (B) is a side view.

  The form for implementing this invention is demonstrated below.

<Embodiment 1>
According to the in-line system in the first embodiment, the package shown in FIG. 2G can be manufactured as the final product.

  This package includes a bottle 2 as a container and a cap 3 as a lid.

  The bottle 2 is made of PET in this embodiment. However, the bottle 2 is not limited to PET, but can be made using other resins such as polypropylene and polyethylene. A male screw is formed in the mouth 2a of the bottle 2.

  The cap 3 is formed by injection molding or the like using a resin such as polypropylene, and a female screw is also formed simultaneously with the molding of the cap 3.

  The bottle 2 is filled with the sterilized beverage a in a state in which the inside has been previously sterilized. After the beverage a is filled, the cap 3 is put on the mouth 2a of the bottle 2, and the mouth 2a of the bottle 2 is sealed by screwing the male and female screws, thereby completing the package.

  The bottle 2 is formed as a container in the following procedure, and is made into a package after filling and sealing with a beverage.

  First, the preform 1 is continuously conveyed at a desired speed.

  The preform 1 is formed as a bottomed tubular body having a test tube shape by PET injection molding or the like. The preform 1 is provided with a mouth 2a similar to that in the bottle 2 shown in FIG. A male screw is formed at the mouth 2a simultaneously with the molding of the preform 1.

  When the conveyance of the preform 1 is started, the preform 1 is preheated as shown in FIG. Specifically, the preform 1 is preheated by being carried into the heating furnace 50 shown in FIG.

  The heating furnace 50 has a furnace chamber that extends long in one direction. In the furnace chamber, an endless chain 19 is bridged between a pair of pulleys 51a and 51b arranged to face each other on a horizontal plane. The endless chain 19 or the like constitutes an endless conveyor that conveys a large number of preforms 1 in a suspended state. An infrared heater 19a is attached to the inner wall surface of the furnace chamber along the forward path and the return path of the endless chain 19.

  When the preform 1 is carried into the heating furnace 50, it is heated by the infrared heater 19 a while traveling on the forward path of the endless chain 19. The preform 1 is preheated to approximately 40 ° C. to 80 ° C. while traveling on this forward path.

  However, the mouth portion 2a of the preform 1 is suppressed to a temperature of 50 ° C. or less without causing deformation or the like so as not to impair the sealing performance when the cap 3 is put on.

  As shown in FIG. 1A, the preform 1 is suspended in an upright state (or an inverted state) by inserting a spindle (or mandrel) 43 into its mouth 2a. (Or mandrel) 43 and running while rotating. Thereby, the preform 1 is preheated uniformly by the infrared heater 19a.

  Note that the preform 1 may run while rotating with the mandrel in an inverted state by inserting a mandrel instead of the spindle 43.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 1 (B), the hydrogen peroxide mist K or gas is supplied into the traveling preform 1, and the preform 1 is preliminarily sterilized. The hydrogen peroxide mist K or gas is supplied when the preheating of the preform 1 is completed. For example, it is performed when the preform 1 turns from the forward path of the endless chain 19 to the return path.

  Specifically, the hydrogen peroxide mist K or gas is supplied by forming a through hole 43a on the axis of the spindle 43, and the spindle 43 serves as a nozzle for blowing the hydrogen peroxide mist K or gas into the preform 1. Done by being used.

Here, the hydrogen peroxide mist K or gas blown into the preform 1 is generated by a mist generator 7 described later. This hydrogen peroxide mist K or gas flows into the preform 1 from the spindle 43 and comes into contact with the inner surface thereof, thereby forming a condensed film of hydrogen peroxide in terms of 35% by weight, preferably 0.001 μL / It adheres in the range of cm ^{2 to} 0.05 μL / cm ² .

When the adhesion amount is less than 0.001 μL / cm ² , a sufficient sterilizing effect cannot be obtained. Further, if the adhesion amount is more than 0.05 μL / cm ² , defective molding of whitening, spots, wrinkles, and deformation is likely to occur in the bottle 2 when blow molding is performed as shown in FIG. Become.

The adhesion amount of the hydrogen peroxide condensation film in terms of 35% by weight to the preform 1 is more preferably 0.002 μL / cm ^{2 to} 0.03 μL / cm ² .

  Thus, since the hydrogen peroxide condensation film is adhered to the preheated preform 1, the hydrogen peroxide is activated on the surface of the preform 1, and the sterilizing effect on the surface of the preform 1 is improved. In addition, this makes it possible to reduce the amount of hydrogen peroxide used for sterilization, and to reduce residual hydrogen peroxide in the preform 1 and the bottle 2.

  As shown in FIG. 1 (B), a nozzle 24 is arranged below the preform 1, and the hydrogen peroxide mist K supplied to the inner surface of the preform from the nozzle 24 toward the outer surface of the preform 1 or You may make it spray the hydrogen peroxide mist K or gas similar to gas.

  As shown in FIG. 1 (C), the preform 1 to which the hydrogen peroxide condensation film has adhered is directed to the return path of the endless chain 19 and further heated by the infrared heater 19a while traveling on the return path, When leaving the heating furnace 50, it is heated uniformly to a temperature suitable for blow molding. This temperature is about 90 ° C to 130 ° C.

  Note that the mouth portion 2a of the preform 1 is suppressed to a temperature of 50 ° C. or lower in order to prevent deformation or the like for the reason described above.

  The preform 1 in a heated state suitable for blow molding is subjected to blow molding and formed into a bottle 2 as a container, as shown in FIG.

  The mold 4, which is a mold for blow molding, is continuously clamped while continuously running at the same speed as the preform 1, and blow molding is performed on the preform 1 in the mold 4. After that, the mold is opened.

  The preform 1 is uniformly heated to a temperature range suitable for molding in the heating process shown in FIGS. 1 (A) to 1 (C), and the figure remains in its heated state. 2 (D), the entire spindle 43 is mounted in the mold 4. Further, the blow nozzle 5 is inserted into the preform 1 through the through hole 43 a of the spindle 43.

  While the mold 4 is traveling, for example, primary blow air or secondary blow air is sequentially blown into the preform 1 from the blow nozzle 5, so that the preform 1 is finally molded in the cavity C of the mold 4. Expands to bottle 2 of the product.

  When the bottle 2 is molded in the mold 4 in this way, the mold 4 is opened while continuing to run, and the finished product of the bottle 2 is taken out of the mold 4 as shown in FIG. It is.

  The hydrogen peroxide mist K or gas can be generated by, for example, a mist generator 7 shown in FIG.

  The mist generator 7 includes a hydrogen peroxide supply unit 8 that is a two-fluid spray that supplies an aqueous solution of hydrogen peroxide that is a sterilizing agent in the form of drops, and hydrogen peroxide supplied from the hydrogen peroxide supply unit 8. And a vaporizing section 9 for heating and vaporizing the spray to a non-decomposition temperature equal to or higher than its boiling point. The hydrogen peroxide supply unit 8 introduces an aqueous solution of hydrogen peroxide and compressed air from the hydrogen peroxide supply channel 8a and the compressed air supply channel 8b, respectively, and sprays the aqueous solution of hydrogen peroxide into the vaporization unit 9. ing. The vaporizing section 9 is a pipe having a heater 9a sandwiched between inner and outer walls, and the hydrogen peroxide spray blown into the pipe is heated and vaporized. The vaporized hydrogen peroxide gas is ejected as condensed mist K from the discharge nozzle 9b to the outside of the vaporizing section 9.

  The mist K shown in FIG. 1 (B) is this condensation mist. When the gas G is used in place of the mist K, as shown by a two-dot chain line in FIG. 5, a conduit 42 through which hot air H flows is connected to the tip of the discharge nozzle 9b, and the condensed mist K discharged from the discharge nozzle 9b is What is necessary is just to gasify with this hot air H and to make this gas G flow to the said sterilization nozzle 6 with a flexible hose or the like.

  After the bottle 2 is formed, the beverage a is filled into the bottle 2 from the filling nozzle 10 as shown in FIG. 2 (F), and sealed with a cap 3 as a lid, as shown in FIG. 2 (G).

  Thus, the bottle 2 made into a package is collected and carried out to the market.

  A filling apparatus for carrying out the filling method is configured as shown in FIG. 3, for example.

  As shown in FIG. 3, this filling apparatus includes a preform feeder 11 that sequentially supplies a bottomed cylindrical preform 1 having a mouth portion 2a (see FIG. 1A) at a predetermined interval, and blow molding. A machine 12 and a filling machine 13 for filling and sealing the beverage a in the molded bottle 2.

  Between the preform feeder 11 and the filling machine 13, a mold 4 having a preform conveying means for conveying the preform 1 on the first conveying path and a cavity C of the finished product shape of the bottle 2 (see FIG. 2 (D)) is transported on the second transport path connected to the first transport path, and the mold transport means and the bottle 2 molded by the mold 4 are connected to the second transport path. And a bottle transport means for transporting on the third transport path.

  The first conveying path of the preform conveying means, the second conveying path of the mold conveying means, and the third conveying path of the bottle conveying means communicate with each other, and the preform 1 is placed on these conveying paths. And a gripper (not shown) that conveys the bottle 2 while holding it.

  The preform conveying means includes a preform conveyor 14 that sequentially supplies the preform 1 at a predetermined interval on the first conveying path. In addition, it includes a row of wheels 15, 16, 17, and 18 that receives and conveys the preform 1 from the end of the preform conveyor 14, and an endless chain 19 that receives the preform 1 from the wheel 18 and travels.

  The endless chain 19 is arranged in the heating furnace 50 as a conveyance path for the preform 1 as described above. A large number of spindles 43 shown in FIG. 1A are attached to the endless chain 19 at a constant pitch. Each spindle 43 can rotate while traveling along with the traveling of the endless chain. A spindle 43 is inserted into the mouth portion 2a of the preform 1 sent from the wheel 18 side to the endless chain 19 side, as shown in FIG. Retained.

  When the preform 1 is received by the spindle 43 via the preform conveyor 14 and the rows of wheels 15, 16, 17, 18, it runs while rotating along the inner wall surface of the heating furnace 50. An infrared heater 19a is stretched around the inner wall surface of the heating furnace 50, and the preform 1 conveyed by the spindle 43 is heated by the infrared heater 19a. The preform 1 rotates with the rotation of the spindle 43 while traveling in the heating furnace 50, and is uniformly heated by the infrared heater 19a. The preform 1 is preheated (FIG. 1A) for preliminary sterilization while traveling on the forward path of the endless chain 19 in the heating furnace 50.

  In the vicinity of one pulley 51a which is a substantially intermediate position of the preform 1 conveyance path by the endless chain 19, hydrogen peroxide mist K or gas is sprayed onto the preform 1 as shown in FIG. Supply means are provided.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the hydrogen peroxide supply means includes a groove member 52 that extends so as to cover the upper end of the spindle 43 along the traveling path of the spindle 43 that supports the preform 1. As shown in FIG. 4, a blower 77 and a filter 78 are connected to the groove member 52 via a conduit, and a mist generator 79 shown in FIG. 5 is connected to the conduit between the filter 78 and the groove member 52. Is done.

  The hydrogen peroxide mist K or gas generated by the mist generator 79 is sent from the blower 77, rides on the airflow sterilized by the filter 78, enters the groove member 52, and from there through the through hole 43a of the spindle 43. And flows into the preform 1. As shown in FIG. 4, a ball-shaped elastic body 43b made of a plurality of rubbers or the like is embedded in the lower portion of the spindle 43, and the preform 1 is supported on the spindle 43 by elastic deformation of these elastic bodies 43b. . The hydrogen peroxide mist K or gas flowing into the preform 1 is moved out of the preform 1 through a gap between the inner peripheral surface of the mouth portion 2a of the preform 1 and the outer peripheral surface of the spindle 43 formed by the elastic body 43b. leak.

Thereby, the condensed film of hydrogen peroxide adheres to the inner surface of the preform 1 and sterilization is performed. As described above, the adhesion amount of hydrogen peroxide converted to 35% by weight of the film is desirably 0.001 μL / cm ^{2 to} 0.05 μL / cm ² , more desirably 0.002 μL / cm ^{2 to} 0.00. 3 μL / cm ² , the concentration of the hydrogen peroxide solution adhering to the cell surface increased by heat due to the preheating of the preform 1, and the one adhering to the mouth 2 a among the bacteria adhering to the surface of the preform 1 Most of the bacteria are sterilized.

  As shown in FIG. 4, a guide member 43c for guiding the hydrogen peroxide mist K or gas flowing out of the preform 1 through the gap to flow along the male screw of the mouth portion 2a of the preform 1 is provided with a spindle. 43 is attached in an umbrella shape. By the guidance of the guide member 43c, the hydrogen peroxide mist K or gas easily comes into contact with the male screw of the mouth portion 2a of the preform 1, and as a result, the outer surface of the mouth portion 2a of the preform 1 is also properly sterilized. Become.

  The preform 1 enters the return path of the endless chain 19 and is further heated by the infrared heater 19a. The temperature of the preform 1 is raised to 90 ° C. to 130 ° C., which is a temperature suitable for blow molding.

  The blow molding machine 12 receives a preform 1 heated by the infrared heater 19a of the preform supply machine 11 and sets a plurality of molds 4 and blow nozzles 5 (see FIG. 2D) for thermoforming the bottle 2 into the bottle 2. Prepare.

  In the blow molding machine 12, the second conveying path of the mold conveying means passes. This second transport path is constituted by a row of wheels 20, 21, 22, 17, and 23. The wheel 17 is shared between the rows of the wheels 20, 21, 22, 17, 23 and the rows of the wheels 15, 16, 17, 18 of the preform conveying means.

  A plurality of molds 4 and blow nozzles 5 are arranged around the wheel 21, and turn around the wheel 21 at a constant speed as the wheel 21 rotates.

  When the gripper (not shown) of the wheel 20 receives the preform 1 heated in the heating furnace of the preform feeder 11 together with the spindle 43 and transfers it to the mold 4 around the wheel 21, the split mold 4 is closed. The preform 1 is gripped as shown in FIG. The preform 1 in the mold 4 is formed into a finished product of the bottle 2 by being blown with the high pressure air for blow molding from the blow nozzle 5 while turning around the wheel 21 together with the mold 4 and the blow nozzle 5. The Since the preform 1 is uniformly heated to a predetermined temperature in the heating furnace 50 as shown in FIG. 1C, it is smoothly blow-molded.

  Further, as described above, the amount of the 35 wt% hydrogen peroxide condensation film adhered to each preform 1 is desirably 0.001 μL / cm 2 to 0.05 μL / cm 2. While the preform 1 travels on the return path, it evaporates from the surface of the preform 1, and thus the bottle 2 is appropriately blow-molded without causing whitening, spots, deformation or the like.

  When the preform 1 comes into close contact with the cavity C of the mold 4 and the bottle 2 is formed, the mold 4 is opened when it comes into contact with the wheel 22, and the bottle 2 and the spindle 43 are released. Then, the bottle 2 is received from the spindle 43 by a gripper (not shown) of the wheel 22.

  On the other hand, the spindle 43 which has released the bottle 2 returns to the conveyor 19 via the wheel 20 and continues to hold and carry another preform 1.

  The bottle 2 that has left the blow molding machine 12 and reaches the wheel 22 is inspected for molding defects and the like by an inspection device 47 disposed on the outer periphery of the wheel 22.

  Although not shown, the inspection device 47 includes a bottle body inspection unit that determines the quality of the body of the bottle 2, and a support ring inspection unit that determines the quality of the support ring 2b of the bottle 2 (see FIG. 1A). The bottle neck top surface inspection means for determining the quality of the neck top surface of the bottle 2, the bottle bottom inspection means for determining the quality of the bottom portion of the bottle 2, and the temperature of the bottle 2 is detected to determine the quality of the bottle 2. Temperature inspection means.

  The bottle body inspection means, the support ring inspection means, the bottle neck top surface inspection means, and the temperature inspection means are arranged along the outer periphery of the wheel 22.

  The bottle body inspection means, the support ring inspection means, and the bottle neck top surface inspection means are not shown in the figure, but each of the bottles 2 is imaged with a lamp and a camera, processed by an image processing device, and shaped, scratched, foreign matter, It is determined whether there is an abnormality in discoloration or the like.

  Although not shown, the temperature inspection means detects the temperature of the surface of the bottle 2 with a temperature sensor, and determines that the product is defective if it does not reach the predetermined temperature. That is, the bottle 2 that has not reached the predetermined temperature may be insufficiently sterilized even if it is sterilized with hydrogen peroxide later. On the contrary, when the temperature of the bottle 2 reaches a predetermined temperature, it can be sufficiently sterilized by the subsequent sterilization with hydrogen peroxide.

  The inspection device 47 is installed as necessary. Further, the bottle body inspection means, the support ring inspection means, the bottle neck top surface inspection means, and the temperature inspection means are selected as necessary.

  When the bottle 2 is inspected, the bottle 2 is removed from the conveyance path by a rejecting device (not shown), and only the acceptable product is conveyed from the wheel 22 through the wheel 17 to the wheel 23.

  The filling machine 13 has a third conveyance path of the bottle conveyance means inside. This third transport path has a row of wheels 27, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38.

  A nozzle for air rinsing is disposed on the outer periphery of the wheel 27 as necessary. Aseptic air N is blown into the bottle 2 from this nozzle, foreign matter and residual hydrogen peroxide are removed from the bottle 2.

  Further, a filler 39 for filling the aseptic bottle 2 with the beverage a is provided on the outer periphery of the wheel 35, and a cap 3 (FIG. 2G) is provided around the wheel 37 around the bottle 2 filled with the beverage a. A capper 40 is provided for mounting and sealing).

  In addition, since the filler 39 and the capper 40 may be the same as a well-known apparatus, description is abbreviate | omitted.

  The filling device is surrounded by a chamber 41, and the inside of the chamber 41 is divided into a sterilization zone and a gray zone. The preform feeder 11 and the blow molding machine 12 are arranged in the gray zone, and the filling machine 13 is arranged in the aseptic zone.

  Air sterilized with HEPA is constantly blown into the gray zone, whereby the bottle 2 sterilized at the time of molding is conveyed to the sterilization zone without being contaminated with microorganisms.

  Next, operation | movement of a filling apparatus is demonstrated with reference to FIGS.

  First, the preform 1 is conveyed to the heating furnace 50 by the row of the preform conveyor 14 and the wheels 15, 16, 17, and 18.

  When the preform 1 enters the heating furnace 50, it is preheated in the forward path of the endless chain 19.

  As shown in FIGS. 1B and 4, the preheated preform 1 is blown with hydrogen peroxide mist K or gas at the end of the forward path of the endless chain 19. As a result, a thin condensed film of hydrogen peroxide is formed on the inner surface of the preform 1. Since the preform 1 is preheated to the preliminary sterilization temperature, the hydrogen peroxide adhering to the preform 1 is activated and the sterilizing effect is enhanced.

  The preform 1 is further heated in the heating furnace 50, and the entire temperature excluding the mouth portion 2a is uniformly heated to a temperature range suitable for blow molding.

  The preform 1 preheated in the heating furnace 50, sterilized, and heated to the molding temperature is held by the mold 4 as shown in FIG. The high-pressure air is blown in the cavity C to expand to the finished product of the bottle 2.

  The molded bottle 2 is taken out of the mold 4 by the gripper of the wheel 22 after the mold 4 is opened, and inspected by the inspection device 47 for molding defects or the like.

  Thereafter, the vehicle travels in the filling machine 13 while being transferred to a row of wheels 34, 35, 36, 37 and 38.

  In the filling machine 13, the bottle 2 is filled with the sterilized beverage a by the filling nozzle 10 of the filler 39 as shown in FIG. The bottle 2 filled with the beverage a is sealed with the cap 3 applied by the capper 40 (see FIG. 2G) and discharged from the outlet of the chamber 41.

  As described above, since the filler 39 and the capper 40 are known devices, description of the method for filling the bottle 2 with the beverage and the method for sealing the bottle 2 is omitted.

<Embodiment 2>
In the first embodiment, the preform 1 is preheated (see FIG. 1A) in the heating furnace 50. In the second embodiment, the preform 1 shown in FIG. The sterilization shown in B) is performed before the preform 1 is introduced into the heating furnace 50.

  That is, as shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B, the preform 1 is preheated to a temperature suitable for sterilization by supplying hot air P from the nozzle 80 outside the heating furnace 50.

  A plurality of nozzles 80 for discharging hot air P may be provided. That is, as shown in FIGS. 9A and 9B, a manifold 82 is provided so as to extend along the arc of the wheel 17, and a large number of nozzles 80 are attached to the lower surface of the manifold 82 along the arc of the wheel 17. It may be. The hot air P supplied into the manifold 82 is ejected from the nozzles 80, and the rows of the preforms 1 run under the nozzles 80 with the mouth portion 2a facing up. Thereby, the hot air P discharged from each nozzle 80 is blown into the preform 1 from the mouth portion 2a of the preform 1, and the inner surface of the preform 1 is preheated.

  The preheated preform 1 is sterilized by being sprayed with hydrogen peroxide mist K or gas from a nozzle 81. As a result, most microorganisms attached to the surface of the preform 1 are sterilized except those attached to the inner surface of the mouth portion 2a.

  As shown in FIG. 6C, the preform 1 to which the hydrogen peroxide mist K or gas is attached enters the heating furnace 50 and is heated to the molding temperature. As shown in FIG. The bottle 2 is blow-molded therein, and the bottle 2 is taken out from the mold 4 as shown in FIG.

  The bottle 2 taken out from the mold 4 is filled with the beverage a as shown in FIG. 7 (F) and covered with the cap 3 as shown in FIG. 7 (G).

  The filling method according to the second embodiment is suitable for producing beverages that do not require sterilization of spore-forming bacteria such as acidic beverages other than low-acid beverages, carbonated beverages, and mineral water.

  As shown in FIG. 8, the filling apparatus for carrying out the filling method of the second embodiment is a wheel in which a nozzle 80 that discharges hot air P as a means for preheating the preform 1 is disposed outside the heating furnace 50. In the vicinity of 17. As shown in FIG. 6 (A), hot air P discharged from the nozzle 80 is blown into the preform 1 from the mouth portion 2a of the preform 1, whereby the inner surface of the preform 1 is preheated. The

  Further, as a means for sterilizing the preform 1, a nozzle 81 for discharging hydrogen peroxide mist K or gas is disposed in the vicinity of the wheel 18 disposed outside the heating furnace 50.

  As shown in FIG. 6B, a part of the hydrogen peroxide mist K or gas discharged from the nozzle 81 flows into the preform 1 from the mouth portion 2a of the preform 1, and the other part is While flowing into contact with the outer surface of the preform 1, the inner and outer surfaces of the preform 1 are sterilized.

  Since the apparatus configuration for performing the process from the sterilization process of the preform to the filling of the beverage a into the bottle 2 is the same as that of the first embodiment, the description thereof is omitted.

  In addition, in the second embodiment, the same parts as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant description is omitted.

  The present invention can be implemented in various forms without being limited to the above-described embodiments. For example, the container to which the present invention is applied is not limited to a PET bottle, and can be applied to various resin containers. Molding of the container is not limited to injection blow, and can be molded by various blow molding such as direct blow. Moreover, the conveyance means which conveys a preform and a container is not limited to the wheel conveyance apparatus shown in FIG.4 and FIG.10. Various conveying devices that can be conveyed at a predetermined conveying speed in the order in which the containers are formed, for example, a belt conveying device, a bucket conveying device, and an air conveying device can also be used.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Preform 2 ... Bottle 3 ... Cap 4 ... Mold 19 ... Endless chain 39 ... Filler 40 ... Capper 43a ... Spindle through-hole 50 ... Heating furnace 81 ... Sterilization nozzle a ... Beverage G ... Hydrogen peroxide gas K ... Mist of hydrogen peroxide

Claims (2)

While the preform is continuously running, the preform is preheated, hydrogen peroxide mist or gas is sprayed onto the preheated preform, the preform is heated to the molding temperature, and the preform that has reached the molding temperature is continuously run in the same manner. In a beverage filling method in which a container is molded in a blow mold, the container is taken out from the blow mold and continuously run while being filled with a beverage and sealed with a lid.
Performing the process from preheating the preform to the molding temperature in a heating furnace,
When spraying hydrogen peroxide mist or gas onto the preheated preform, hydrogen peroxide mist or gas is allowed to flow out from the mouth of the preform by flowing hydrogen peroxide mist or gas into the preform. A beverage filling method characterized in that the outer surface of the mouth of the preform is also sterilized by guiding the effluent hydrogen peroxide mist or gas to flow along the male screw of the mouth of the preform by the guide member. . A heating furnace for heating the preform from preheating to a molding temperature, wherein the preform is molded into a container, the container is filled with a beverage, and the preform and the container are continuously run until the container is sealed with a lid; A mold that blow-molds the preform heated to the molding temperature into a container, a filler that fills the blow-molded container with a beverage, and a capper that seals the container filled with the beverage along the conveyance path. provided it is and,
The heating furnace is provided with hydrogen peroxide supply means for spraying hydrogen peroxide mist or gas on a preheated preform,
The hydrogen peroxide mist or gas sprayed by the hydrogen peroxide supply means is caused to flow out from the mouth of the preform, and the discharged hydrogen peroxide mist or gas is externally threaded to the mouth of the preform by the guide member. A beverage filling device characterized in that the outer surface of the mouth portion of the preform is also sterilized by being guided so as to flow along.

Images