JP6191681B2 - 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. After sterilizing the preform with a bactericidal agent, blow molding with high-pressure air is performed. When the bottle is transported to the filling area or to the filling area, bacteria may be mixed in the bottle. Therefore, a package with an insufficient sterilizing effect may be manufactured.

  It is not impossible to sterilize and maintain the high-pressure air circuit, drawing rod, mold, and bottle transport area in the blow molding machine before making the bottle, but in that case, add sterilization equipment. Or many members need to be replaced with chemical-resistant materials, and the initial investment is huge.

  If the preform is made of a material with relatively low heat resistance, such as polyethylene terephthalate, the mouth of the preform will not be affected even if the preform with the sterilizing agent is inserted into a mandrel or spindle and heated. Since the temperature can only be raised to 40 ° C. to 50 ° C., the sterilization effect is low compared to other parts, and it is difficult to obtain a sufficient sterilization effect.

  That is, if the mouth of the preform is heated to a high temperature, the mouth may be deformed or the like and the sealing performance in the bottle may be impaired when the cap is put on. Therefore, heating of the mouth must be limited to the above temperature range. I don't get it. Therefore, a package with an insufficient sterilizing effect may be manufactured.

  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, in the invention according to claim 1, while the preform (1) is continuously run, the preform (1) is preheated to the pre-sterilization temperature, the pre-heated preform (1) is pre-sterilized, and the preform ( 1) is heated to the 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) to the container (2 ) is continuously traveling removed while the sterilizing containers (2), a beverage filling method in a container (2) after the sterilizing and filling the beverage (a) is sealed with a lid (3), said flop preheating of renovation, and presterilizing, in the beverage filling method of performing the heating to forming temperature in a heating furnace, the present sterilization, 10 [mu] L / 500 mL bottle ~50μL / 500mL bottles amount of hydrogen peroxide mist (M) Adhere to the container Or a beverage filling method characterized by performing hydrogen peroxide gas (G) having a concentration of 1 mg / L to 5 mg / L on the container.
Further, according to the present invention, the preform (1) is preheated to the pre-sterilization temperature while the preform (1) is continuously run, and the hydrogen peroxide mist (K) is added to the preheated preform (1). Alternatively, the preform (1) is pre-sterilized by blowing gas, and the preform (1) is further heated to the molding temperature, and the preform (1) that has reached the molding temperature is continuously run in the blow mold (4). The container (2) is molded into a container (2), the container (2) is taken out from the blow mold (4) and continuously run while the container (2) is sterilized, and the beverage (a) is put into the container (2) after the main sterilization. A beverage filling method for filling and sealing with a lid (3), wherein the preform (1) is preheated, pre-sterilized, and heated to a molding temperature in a heating furnace (50). adopt.

  In the beverage filling method of the present invention according to the above embodiment, the sterilization is carried out in a container (2) in which heat from heating in the preform (1) remains in a mist (M) or gas (G) of hydrogen peroxide. ), Followed by air rinsing with sterile air (N).

  In the beverage filling method of the present invention according to the one embodiment, the main sterilization can be performed by hot water rinsing using aseptic hot water (H).

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 (2) A mold (4) for blow molding, a main sterilization means (6, 46) for main sterilization of the blow molded container (2), and a beverage (a) filled in the sterilized container (2) Filler (39) and a capper (40) for sealing the container (2) filled with the beverage (a) are provided along the transport path, and the transport path (19) in the heating furnace (50). substantially in the middle position, provided with means for pre-sterilizing the preheated preform (1) of Re by Rukoto was to preform in the first half of the conveyance path within the oven (50) (1) is pre-sterilized after being preheated, late in the preform (1) is heated to the forming temperature In the beverage filling apparatus, the sterilizing means attaches hydrogen peroxide mist (K) in an amount of 10 μL / 500 mL bottle to 50 μL / 500 mL bottle to the container or hydrogen peroxide having a concentration of 1 mg / L to 5 mg / L. A beverage filling apparatus comprising a sterilizing nozzle that blows gas (G) onto a container is employed.
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 the container (2), the sterilization means (6, 46) for sterilizing the blow-molded container (2), and the sterilized container (2) in the beverage (a ) And a capper (40) for sealing the container (2) filled with the beverage (a) are provided along the transport path, and the preform in the heating furnace (50). A preform (1) is provided at a substantially middle position of the conveyance path (19) of (1). The hydrogen peroxide mist (K) or the hydrogen peroxide supply means (43a) for spraying the gas is provided to the preform (1) in the first half of the conveying path in the heating furnace (50). A beverage filling device is employed which is pre-sterilized and in the latter half the preform (1) is heated to the molding temperature.

  In the beverage filling apparatus of the present invention according to the above embodiment, the sterilizing means is configured such that the hydrogen peroxide condensation mist (M) or gas (in the container (2) in which the heat from the heating in the preform (1) remains. G) sterilizing nozzle (6) for spraying, and air rinsing nozzle (45) for spraying aseptic air (N) to the container (2) sprayed with hydrogen peroxide condensation mist (M) or gas (G) (45) ).

  In the beverage filling apparatus of the present invention according to the above embodiment, the sterilizing means sprays aseptic hot water (H) on the container (2) where heat by heating in the preform (1) remains and rinses with hot water. A hot water rinse nozzle (46) may be included.

  According to the present invention, pre-sterilization is performed after preheating up to the pre-sterilization temperature at the stage of the preform (1), so that the sterilization effect of the preform (1) is improved even by using extremely low concentration of hydrogen peroxide. To do. In this preliminary sterilization, the bactericidal properties of general bacteria, spore-forming bacteria, fungi such as molds and yeasts, etc. at sites other than the mouth (2a) are improved. Moreover, since the sterilization effect in preliminary sterilization is improved by preheating, it is possible to use hydrogen peroxide at an extremely 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.

  Further, after the preform (1) is preliminarily sterilized, it is subsequently formed into a container (2), and the container (2) is subjected to main sterilization while the container (2) is warm. Can be reduced. That is, the amount of use, chemical temperature, and concentration can be reduced when this sterilization is performed with a disinfectant such as hydrogen peroxide, peracetic acid, chlorine water, ozone, etc. In the case of using a UV lamp, the irradiation dose can be reduced. Moreover, since the amount of hydrogen peroxide used in the main sterilization can be reduced, in particular, when the preform (1) and the container (2) are made of PET that easily absorbs hydrogen peroxide, It is possible to prevent excessive adsorption of hydrogen peroxide on 2).

  In the present invention, the main sterilization is performed by spraying condensed mist (M) or gas (G) of hydrogen peroxide on the container (2) in which heat from the heating in the preform (1) remains. Subsequently, when air rinsing is performed with aseptic air (N), bacterial spores can be sterilized, and a low acid beverage having a pH of 4.6 or higher can be filled. Further, in the present invention, when the main sterilization is performed by rinsing with hot water (H) with aseptic water, the container (2) is used to sterilize the preliminary sterilization with extremely low concentration of hydrogen peroxide. This eliminates the problem of remaining hydrogen peroxide, and makes it suitable for filling other than mineral water and low acid beverages.

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 each showing D, E, and F process of the filling method which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is explanatory drawing showing each G1, G2, H, and I 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 D, E, and F process of the filling method which concerns on Embodiment 2 of this invention, respectively. It is explanatory drawing showing each G and H 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 inline system in the first embodiment, the package shown in FIG. 3 (I) 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 having the same structure as the 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 this adhesion amount is less than 0.001 μL / cm ² , a sufficient sterilizing effect as preliminary sterilization cannot be obtained. Moreover, when this adhesion amount is more than 0.05 μL / cm ² ,
When blow molding is performed as shown in FIG. 2D later, whitening, spots, wrinkles, and deformation molding defects are likely to occur in the bottle 2.

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. This also makes it possible to reduce the amount of hydrogen peroxide used for preliminary sterilization, and to reduce the 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 is attached and pre-sterilized is directed to the return path of the endless chain 19 and travels on the return path by an infrared heater 19a. Further, it is heated and is uniformly heated to a temperature suitable for blow molding as it leaves the heating furnace 50. 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.

  As shown in FIG. 2D, the preform 1 is preliminarily sterilized and brought into a heating state suitable for blow molding, and is subjected to blow molding to form a bottle 2 as a container.

  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 bottle 2 is continuously sterilized as shown in FIG. 2 (F) while continuously running after molding. The main sterilization is performed by spraying a mist M of hydrogen peroxide or a gas G, which is a sterilizing agent, with a sterilizing nozzle 6. The sterilizing nozzle 6 is disposed so as to face the mouth portion 2a of the preform 1. The hydrogen peroxide mist M or gas G flows down from the tip of the sterilizing nozzle 6 and enters the bottle 2 through the bottle mouth 2a to sterilize the inner surface of the bottle 2.

  Further, a tunnel 44 is formed at the continuous running location of the bottle 2, and the hydrogen peroxide mist M or gas G discharged from the sterilizing nozzle 6 flows down along the outer surface of the bottle 2 and further stays in the tunnel 44. Therefore, the outer surface of the bottle 2 is also effectively sterilized.

  The hydrogen peroxide mist M or gas G 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 G is ejected as condensation mist M from the discharge nozzle 9 b to the outside of the vaporizing section 9.

  The mist M shown in FIG. 2 (F) is this condensed mist. When the gas G is used instead of the mist M, as shown by a two-dot chain line in FIG. 6, a conduit 42 through which hot air H flows is connected to the tip of the discharge nozzle 9b, and the condensed mist M 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.

  The sterilizing nozzle 6 may be installed at a fixed position on the conveyance path of the bottle 2 or may be moved synchronously with the bottle 2.

  As shown in FIG. 2F, the hydrogen peroxide mist M or gas G blown from the sterilizing nozzle 6 contacts the inner and outer surfaces of the bottle 2. Since the applied heat remains and is maintained at a predetermined temperature, it is sterilized efficiently. When the preform 1 is made of PET, the predetermined temperature is preferably 40 ° C to 120 ° C, and more preferably 50 ° C to 75 ° C. When it is lower than 40 ° C., the bactericidal property is remarkably lowered. When the temperature is higher than 120 ° C., the bottle shrinks after molding.

Even after the hydrogen peroxide mist M or gas G is sprayed, the bottle 2 continuously runs and is subjected to air rinse as shown in FIG. 3 (G1). Air rinsing is performed by blowing sterile air N into the bottle 2 from the nozzle 45, and foreign matter, hydrogen peroxide, and the like are removed from the bottle 2 by the flow of the sterile air N. At that time, the bottle 2 is brought into an upright state.

Note that an air rinsing step as shown in FIG. 3 (G2) may be employed instead of the air rinsing step shown in FIG. 3 (G1). By adopting the process of FIG. 3 (G2), the bottle 2 is turned upside down, and the sterilized air N is blown into the bottle 1 from the mouth part 2a turned downward, so that the foreign matter in the bottle 2 can be removed from the mouth part. 2a can be dropped out of the bottle. Or you may make it perform the process of FIG. 3 (G2), without blowing in aseptic air N following the air rinse process of FIG. 3 (G1).

  As described above, since the bottle 2 is sterilized with hydrogen peroxide after preliminary sterilization at the stage of the preform 1, the amount of hydrogen peroxide used in the main sterilization is small. Therefore, a hot water rinsing process for washing away the hydrogen peroxide adhering to the bottle 2 with water such as hot water after air rinsing becomes unnecessary. However, there is no problem even if sterilized water rinsing is performed if necessary.

The hydrogen peroxide mist M or gas G used in this sterilization is as follows.
1) When using the hydrogen peroxide mist M: In order to sterilize the bottle 2 by performing only the conventional main sterilization, the amount of hydrogen peroxide of 50 μL / 500 mL bottle to 100 μL / 500 mL bottle is attached to the bottle 2. Although it was necessary, when pre-sterilization with pre-heating of the preform 1 was performed as in the present invention, the hydrogen peroxide mist M in an amount of 10 μL / 500 mL bottle to 50 μL / 500 mL bottle was attached to the commercial product. Aseptic filling became possible.
2) When using the hydrogen peroxide gas G: In order to sterilize the bottle 2 by performing only the conventional main sterilization, the hydrogen peroxide gas G having a gas concentration of 5 mg / L to 10 mg / L is sprayed on the bottle 2. Although it was necessary, when pre-sterilization with pre-heating of the preform 1 was performed as in the present invention, commercial sterilization was performed by spraying hydrogen peroxide gas G having a gas concentration of 1 mg / L to 5 mg / L. Filling became possible.

  After air rinsing, as shown in FIG. 3 (H), the beverage a is filled into the bottle 2 from the filling nozzle 10 and sealed with a cap 3 as a lid, as shown in FIG. 3 (I).

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

  A filling apparatus for carrying out the above filling method is configured as shown in FIG. 4, for example.

  As shown in FIG. 4, this filling apparatus includes a preform feeder 11 that sequentially supplies a bottomed cylindrical preform 1 (see FIG. 1A) having a mouth portion 2 a 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 the conduit between the filter 78 and the groove member 52 is similar to the mist generator 7 shown in FIG. A mist generator 79 is connected.

  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. 5, a ball-like 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 condensation film of hydrogen peroxide adheres to the inner surface of the preform 1 and preliminary 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. It was 03 μL / cm ² , and the concentration of the hydrogen peroxide solution adhering to the surface of the cells was increased by heat due to the preheating of the preform 1, and of the bacteria adhering to the surface of the preform 1, it adhered to the mouth 2 a. Most bacteria are sterilized except for the ones.

  As shown in FIG. 5, 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 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 preliminarily sterilized preform 1 enters the return path of the endless chain 19 and is further heated by the infrared heater 19a, and the temperature other than the mouth 2a 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.

  On the outer periphery of the wheel 23, a sterilization nozzle 6 (see FIG. 2F) for performing the main sterilization on the bottle 2 is disposed. The bottle 2 molded by the mold 4 is sprayed with hydrogen peroxide mist M or gas G from the sterilization nozzle 6 to sterilize the bottle 2, and fungi remaining on the surface thereof. Sterilized. At this stage, the bottle 2 retains heat due to heating in the preform 1, and this heat enhances the sterilizing effect of the hydrogen peroxide mist M or gas G.

  As shown in FIGS. 1A to 1C, preheating and preliminary sterilization are performed on the preform 1 at the stage of the preform 1, and most microorganisms are sterilized except those attached to the mouth portion 2a by the preliminary sterilization. Is done. Therefore, the bacteria that survived in the stage of the preform 1 by spraying the hydrogen peroxide mist M or gas G on the bottle 2 and the slight bacteria mixed in the blow molding process and the conveying process are sterilized in the main sterilization. Is done.

  In this sterilization of hydrogen peroxide with the mist M or gas G, as described above, since the preliminary sterilization is performed at the stage of the preform 1, the amount of hydrogen peroxide used can be reduced.

  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.

On the outer periphery of the wheel 27, an air rinse nozzle 45 (see FIG. 3 (G1)) is arranged. Aseptic air N is blown into the bottle 2 from the nozzle 45, and 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, and a cap 3 (see FIG. 3 (I)) is attached to the bottle 2 filled with the beverage a around the wheel 37 and sealed. A capper 40 is provided.

  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 FIG.2, FIG3 and FIG.5.

  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 for preliminary sterilization in the outward path of the endless chain 19.

  As shown in FIGS. 1B and 5, 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, preliminarily sterilized, and heated to the molding temperature is held by the mold 4 as shown in FIG. The bottle 2 expands to the finished product of the bottle 2 in the cavity C by blowing high-pressure air from.

  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 is inspected for the presence of molding defects by the inspection device 47 and then passed through the outer periphery of the wheel 23. 2 (F), the hydrogen peroxide gas G or mist M is sprayed from the sterilizing nozzle 6.

  Since the heat applied in the heating furnace 50 remains in the bottle 2, the bottle 2 is effectively sterilized by the hydrogen peroxide gas G or mist M blown from the sterilization nozzle 6. By this sterilization, the bacteria remaining on the surface of the preform 1 are sterilized.

  This shaped and sterilized bottle 2 flows from the wheel 23 to the downstream wheel 27, and aseptic air N is blown from the nozzle 45 around the wheel 27 as shown in FIG. 3 (G1) or (G2). Attached to air rinse.

  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. 3I) 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 preheating of the preform 1 (see FIG. 1A) is performed in the heating furnace 50. In the second embodiment, the temperature up to the preliminary sterilization temperature of the preform 1 shown in FIG. Preheating and preliminary sterilization shown in FIG. 7B are performed before the preform 1 is introduced into the heating furnace 50.

  That is, as shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B, the preform 1 is preheated to the pre-sterilization temperature by supplying hot air P from the nozzle 80 outside the heating furnace 50, and is then oxidized from the nozzle 81. Preliminary sterilization is performed by blowing hydrogen mist K or gas. 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.

  The pre-sterilized preform 1 enters the heating furnace 50 and is heated to the molding temperature as shown in FIG. 7 (C), and blown into the bottle 2 in the mold 4 as shown in FIG. 8 (D). After being molded, the bottle 2 is taken out from the mold 4 as shown in FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 8F, the bottle 2 taken out from the mold 4 is subjected to main sterilization, which is a hot water rinse with aseptic hot water H. In FIG. 8F, reference numeral 46 denotes a hot water rinsing nozzle that blows sterile hot water H into the bottle 2. The temperature of the hot water H is maintained in a range where the bottle 2 is not deformed.

  The bottle 2 is preheated to the pre-sterilization temperature at the stage of the preform 1 and pre-sterilized by being sprayed with hydrogen peroxide mist K or gas. Therefore, the bacteria that survived after the molding of the bottle 2 are sterilized by this warm water rinse.

  The bottle 2 after the hot water rinsing is filled with the beverage a as shown in FIG. 9 (G) and covered with the cap 3 as shown in FIG. 9 (H).

  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. 10, the filling apparatus for carrying out the filling method of the second embodiment has a wheel 17 in which a nozzle 80 for discharging hot air P is disposed outside the heating furnace 50 as means for preheating the preform 1. It is arranged in the vicinity of As shown in FIG. 7A, 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

  A plurality of nozzles 80 for discharging hot air P may be provided. That is, as shown in FIGS. 11A and 11B, 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 nozzle 80 may be a simple hole drilled in the lower surface of the manifold 82. 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.

  Next, 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 a means for pre-sterilizing the preform 1. As shown in FIG. 7B, a part of the hydrogen peroxide mist K or gas discharged from the nozzle 81 flows into the preform 1 from the mouth 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 preliminarily sterilized.

  Further, in the filling machine 13 of the filling device, a wheel 49 for hot water rinsing is provided instead of the wheel 27 in the first embodiment. Around the wheel 49, nozzles 46 for discharging the hot water H shown in FIG. 8 (F) are provided at predetermined intervals together with a gripper (not shown). The gripper of the wheel 49 can be turned upside down. The gripper grips the bottle 2 shown in FIG. 8E and travels upside down as shown in FIG. The nozzle 46 travels in synchronization with the traveling of the gripper and the bottle 2 and enters the bottle 2 from the mouth portion 2a of the bottle 2 to discharge the hot water H into the bottle 2. The hot water H fills the inside of the bottle 2, sterilizes the inner surface of the bottle 2, and then flows out of the bottle 2 from the mouth 2a.

  After the hot water rinsing, the bottle 2 is filled with the beverage a by the filling nozzle 10 of the filler 39 while traveling around the wheel 35 (FIG. 9G). As shown in FIG. 9 (H), the bottle 2 filled with the beverage a is sealed with the cap 3 applied by the capper 40 and discharged out of the filling device.

  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. Further, in the embodiment, the main sterilization is performed using hydrogen peroxide or warm water. However, the main sterilization is performed by spraying peracetic acid on the bottle instead of hydrogen peroxide or irradiating the bottle with an electron beam. It is also possible to do this.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Preform 2 ... Bottle 3 ... Cap 4 ... Mold 6 ... Nozzle for this sterilization 19 ... Endless chain 39 ... Filler 40 ... Capper 43a ... Spindle through hole 45 ... Nozzle for air rinse 46 ... Nozzle for hot water rinse 50 ... Heating furnace 81 ... Nozzle for preliminary sterilization a ... Beverage G ... Hydrogen peroxide gas H ... Aseptic hot water M ... Hydrogen peroxide mist K ... Hydrogen peroxide mist N ... Aseptic air

Claims (2)

While the preform is continuously running, the preform is preheated to the pre-sterilization temperature, the preheated preform is pre-sterilized, the preform is heated to the molding temperature, and the preform that has reached the molding temperature is continuously blown. A beverage filling method in which a container is molded in a molding die, the container is removed from the blow molding die and continuously sterilized while being continuously run, and the container after the main sterilization is filled with a beverage and sealed with a lid, In a beverage filling method in which pre-heating of the preform, pre-sterilization, and heating to the molding temperature are performed in a heating furnace ,
The main sterilization is performed by attaching a hydrogen peroxide mist in an amount of 10 μL / 500 mL bottle to 50 μL / 500 mL bottle to the container or spraying hydrogen peroxide gas having a concentration of 1 mg / L to 5 mg / L onto the container. A beverage filling method characterized by the above. A preform is formed into a container, a beverage is filled in the container, a conveying path is provided for continuously running the preform and the container until the container is sealed with a lid, a heating furnace for heating the preform to a molding temperature, and molding A mold for blow-molding a preform heated to a temperature, a main sterilization means for main sterilization of the blow-molded container, a filler for filling the sterilized container with a beverage, and a container filled with the beverage a capper for sealing are provided along the conveying path, a substantially middle position of the transport path of the heating furnace, by Rukoto means for pre-sterilizing the preheated preform is provided, of the heating furnace In the beverage filling apparatus in which the preform is preheated in the first half of the conveyance path and preliminarily sterilized, and the preform is heated to the molding temperature in the second half.
The main sterilization means is a sterilizing nozzle that attaches hydrogen peroxide mist in an amount of 10 μL / 500 mL bottle to 50 μL / 500 mL bottle to the container or sprays hydrogen peroxide gas having a concentration of 1 mg / L to 5 mg / L onto the container. A beverage filling device comprising:

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