JP6361114B2 - Packaging film sterilizer - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an apparatus for sterilizing the surface with superheated steam while continuously running a packaging film.

  Conventionally, when sterilizing a packaging film while continuously running, a sterilizing agent such as hydrogen peroxide is sprayed on both sides of the packaging film, and the mist is adhered to the surface of the packaging film. Thereafter, warm air is blown from the nozzle toward both sides of the packaging film to dry the disinfectant adhering to both sides of the packaging film (see, for example, FIG. 2 of Patent Document 1).

JP 2008-265664 A

  In the conventional packaging film sterilizer, since the sterilizing agent is used, the sterilizing agent may remain on the packaging film. Moreover, since the disinfectant adhering to the packaging film is dried by blowing warm air, there is a problem that spots (unevenness) are likely to occur in the dried state. Moreover, since the heat transfer medium for drying is air, there is also a problem that heat transfer is poor.

  An object of the present invention is to eliminate such problems.

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

That is, the invention according to claim 1 is a superheated steam supply means for spraying superheated steam (S) at 200 ° C. to 500 ° C. on both sides of the packaging film (1) and the traveling means of the packaging film (1). (2) and a cooling roller (3 ) that cools the packaging film (1) sterilized by spraying the superheated steam (S) in a sterile atmosphere in a sterile room provided downstream of the superheated steam supply means (2). ) Is used.

  As described in claim 2, in the packaging film sterilization apparatus according to claim 1, the superheated steam supply means can be a dielectric heater (11).

  According to the present invention, since the packaging film (1) travel means and the superheated steam supply means (2) for spraying superheated steam (S) on both sides of the packaging film (1) are provided, The packaging film (1) can be sterilized without causing the problem of residual agent. Moreover, the packaging film (1) can be efficiently sterilized while heating the entire width of the packaging film (1) without unevenness and preventing deformation of the packaging film (1).

It is a schematic front view of the film sterilization apparatus for packaging which concerns on this invention. It is an II-II line arrow directional view in FIG.

  The form for implementing this invention is demonstrated below.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the packaging film sterilization apparatus includes a traveling means for the packaging film 1 and a nozzle 2 that is a superheated steam supply means for spraying and sterilizing superheated steam on both surfaces of the packaging film 1. .

  The traveling means of the packaging film 1 is a driving device for continuously traveling the packaging film 1 from the feed roll 1a of the packaging film 1 to the take-up roll 1b. The infeed roller 4, the outfeed roller 5, Various guide rollers 6 disposed on the traveling path of the packaging film 1, a guide roller 10 for sandwiching the packaging film 1 from both sides, and the like are included.

  Further, a path along which the packaging film 1 travels from the feed roll 1 a to the take-up roll 1 b is covered with the chamber 7. The inside of the chamber 7 is partitioned by partition walls 8 and 9 each having an opening through which the packaging film 1 passes. The openings of the partition walls 8 and 9 can be opened and closed by a shutter (not shown).

  In the storage chamber 7a on the upstream side of the partition wall 8 when viewed in the traveling direction of the packaging film 1, the feeding roll 1a, the infeed roller 4, and various guide rollers 6 are stored.

  In the storage chamber 7b between the partition walls 8 and 9, a guide roller 10 that guides the packaging film 1 fed from the feed roll 1a between the nozzles 2 and 2 is stored.

  Moreover, the nozzle 2 which is a superheated steam supply means which sprays the superheated steam for sterilization on both surfaces of the packaging film 1 is provided so as to be adjacent to the guide roller 10. As shown in FIG. 2, these nozzles 2, 2 each have a slit port 2 a that ejects superheated steam S, and the slit ports 2 a are arranged so as to face each other with the packaging film 1 interposed therebetween.

  The superheated steam S having a pressure higher than the atmospheric pressure of 200 ° C. to 500 ° C. made from water is discharged from the slit port 2 a of the nozzle 2.

  The temperature of the superheated steam S sprayed on the packaging film 1 is desirably 200 ° C. to 500 ° C., and more desirably 250 ° C. to 400 ° C. If it is a temperature range of 200 degreeC-500 degreeC, the microbe adhering to the surface of the film 1 for packaging can be disinfected in a short time by exposing only the surface of the film 1 for packaging to high temperature. When the temperature of the superheated steam S is less than 200 ° C., it is necessary to spray for a long time for sterilization, the resin itself constituting the packaging film 1 becomes high temperature, and the deformation of the packaging film 1 increases. Moreover, when it exceeds 500 degreeC, the temperature of resin itself which comprises the film 1 for packaging will rise even for a short time, and it will become easy to produce a deformation | transformation in the film 1 for packaging.

  The pressure of the superheated steam S sprayed on the packaging film 1 is higher than atmospheric pressure, desirably higher than 0.1 MPa and lower than 0.3 MPa. If it is in the vicinity of 0.1 MPa, even if the superheated steam S comes into contact with the packaging film 1 and the temperature decreases, the possibility of condensation is low. If the pressure is higher than 0.3 MPa, the packaging film 1 is When steam S is sprayed, condensation may occur on the surface of the packaging film 1. If dew condensation occurs, there is a risk of inconvenience when processing the packaging film 1 later.

  The superheated steam S can be obtained by using a commercially available dielectric heater 11. Specifically, a dielectric heater having a trade name UPSS manufactured by Tokuden Corporation can be used. Although this is not shown in the figure, an induction heating coil is inserted in the center of the spiral of a water passage pipe made of a spirally wound conductor. An alternating voltage is applied. It is also possible to energize the AC voltage by converting the frequency with an inverter. By applying the AC voltage, the induction heating coil generates an alternating magnetic flux, an induction current flows through the water pipe, and the water pipe generates heat. The water flowing inside is heated by this heat generation of the water passage pipe to become saturated steam, further becomes superheated steam S, and is taken out of the water passage pipe.

  In addition, it is also possible to make a heating effect further by making an induction heating coil into a conductive tube and letting water flow through this.

  As the superheated steam S, one having a pressure of about 0.1 MPa and a temperature of 200 ° C. to 500 ° C. can be obtained. By adopting the dielectric heating method, water can be turned into superheated steam at 200 ° C. or more in a short time from the start of energization.

  The nozzles 2 and 2 are connected to the ends of branch pipes 12 a and 12 a that branch from the end of the water flow pipe 12 of the dielectric heater 11, and the slit ports 2 a face the front and back surfaces of the packaging film 1, respectively. Are arranged as follows.

  In the illustrated example, the nozzle 2 is a slit-like nozzle. However, circular nozzles such as cylindrical nozzles may be arranged in a line and opposed to the front and back surfaces of the packaging film 1.

  When the packaging film 1 is sterilized, the superheated steam S is constantly supplied from the dielectric heater 11 to the nozzle 2 and is jetted toward the packaging film 1 from the slit port 2a.

  When the superheated steam S ejected from the slit port 2a comes into contact with the front and back surfaces of the packaging film 1, general bacteria, molds, and yeasts attached to the front and back surfaces of the packaging film 1 are sterilized.

  Moreover, since this sterilization can be achieved by spraying the superheated steam S toward the packaging film 1 for a short time, excessive heating of the packaging film 1 is prevented, and therefore deformation of the packaging film 1 is surely avoided. Is done.

  The storage chamber 7c on the downstream side of the partition wall 9 is a sterile chamber. In the storage chamber 7c, a cooling roller 3 as a cooling means for the packaging film 1 is provided, and subsequently, an outfeed roller 5, a take-up roll 1b, and the like are provided downstream.

  The cooling roller 3 rotates while being in contact with the packaging film 1. Although not shown, cooling water flows through the cooling roller 3.

  Next, the operation of the packaging film sterilization apparatus having the above configuration will be described.

  The packaging film 1 continuously travels in the chamber 7 from the feed roll 1a to the take-up roll 1b by driving the infeed roller 4, the outfeed roller 5, and the like.

  Since the feeding roll 1a and the like are shielded from the outside by the chamber 7, they are protected from dust and the like.

  The packaging film 1 fed out from the feed roll 1a enters the next storage chamber 7b, is guided between the nozzles 2 and 2 by the guide roller 10, and is sprayed with superheated steam S on both sides from the slit port 2a of the nozzle 2. .

  The superheated steam S is sprayed on both the front and back surfaces and the sterilized packaging film 1 enters the next storage chamber 7c, contacts the cooling roller 3, and the heat applied by the superheated steam S is removed.

  The cooled packaging film 1 is taken up as a take-up roll 1b.

  Since the storage chamber 7c is sterilized in advance as a sterile chamber and is maintained in a sterile state by positive pressure, the take-up roll 1b is maintained in a sterile state.

  The cooled packaging film 1 can be sent as it is to a bag making machine (not shown) or the like without making up as a take-up roll 1b, and further filled with contents to form a package. is there.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Packaging film 2 ... Nozzle 11 ... Dielectric heater S ... Superheated steam

Claims (2)

Superheated steam is provided in a traveling means of the packaging film, superheated steam supply means for spraying and sterilizing superheated steam at 200 ° C. to 500 ° C. on both sides of the packaging film, and in a sterile chamber provided downstream of the superheated steam supply means. A packaging film sterilization apparatus comprising a cooling roller for cooling a packaging film sterilized by spraying in a sterile atmosphere.   2. The packaging film sterilizer according to claim 1, wherein the superheated steam supply means is a dielectric heater.

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