JP6540740B2 - Method for cleaning and sterilizing beverage filling equipment - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for cleaning and sterilizing a beverage filling apparatus for filling a container such as a PET bottle with a beverage as a product.

  When a product such as a beverage is to be filled into a container such as a bottle by a beverage filling apparatus, it is needless to say that the product must be subjected to sterilization treatment to sterilize the product itself and make it sterile. The inside of the beverage supply system piping equipped with a liquid feed pipe, a filling nozzle, etc. must also be cleaned in advance, sterilized and sterilized.

  Conventionally, for the beverage itself passing through the inside of the beverage supply system piping, the F value which is the sterilization value of the product is measured, and based on the history information, it is confirmed whether or not the sterilization is possible to the extent that the product quality can be guaranteed. (See, for example, Patent Document 1).

  In addition, with regard to the beverage supply system piping of the beverage filling device, CIP (Cleaning in Place) processing is performed periodically or when switching the type of product to be manufactured, and SIP (Sterilizing in Place) processing is further performed. (See, for example, Patent Document 2).

  In the CIP process, for example, after flowing a cleaning solution in which an alkaline agent such as caustic soda is added to water, an acidic agent is added to the flow path from the inside of the pipeline of the beverage supply system piping to the filling nozzle of the filling machine. It is carried out by flowing a cleaning solution. In the CIP process, the heat sterilization section holds the cleaning solution at, for example, 80 ° C. and circulates the solution through the beverage supply system piping. As a result, the residue or the like of the previous product adhering to the inside of the beverage supply system piping is removed (see, for example, Patent Document 2).

  The SIP treatment is a treatment for sterilizing the inside of the above-mentioned beverage supply system piping before entering the product filling operation, and for example, a heated steam or hot water is allowed to flow in the beverage supply system piping cleaned by the above-mentioned CIP process. In some cases, high temperature sterilization is performed. At this time, the heating steam or hot water is maintained at, for example, 130 ° C. As a result, the inside of the beverage supply system piping is sterilized and made sterile (see, for example, Patent Document 2).

  In the product sterilization process, after the CIP process and the SIP process are performed, when flowing the product to the beverage supply system piping, the product is heated by the heat sterilization unit (UHT: Ultra High-temperature) disposed in the beverage supply system piping It is done by being sterilized. Thereby, the sterilized product can be filled into a container such as a bottle (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

JP 2007-215893 A Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2007-22600

  By performing washing and sterilization of the beverage filling apparatus and sterilization treatment of the product by the method described above, the quality of the product can be accurately and quickly guaranteed.

  However, according to the sterilizing method in which the beverage supply system piping of the beverage filling apparatus continues to be subjected to treatment different from CIP treatment, SIP treatment and product sterilization treatment, it is used in CIP treatment when transitioning from CIP treatment to SIP treatment. In order to rinse the cleaning solution with sterile water at normal temperature, as shown in FIG. 16, the temperature of the heat sterilization unit is lowered, and the temperature of the heat sterilization unit is subjected to the SIP treatment again when starting the SIP treatment. It is necessary to raise the temperature to a high temperature, and there is a problem that the CIP processing, the SIP processing, and the transition time of these processing are very long. Also, between CIP processing and SIP processing, and between manufacturing processes and CIP processing, switching operations such as switching UHT holding tubes (swing vent), replacing and checking filters at various locations, and disassembling and cleaning the homogenizer are performed. There is a problem that these switching operations take a very long time.

  As described above, according to the conventional washing and sterilizing method, since the product can not be manufactured while performing the CIP treatment or the SIP treatment, the operation rate of the beverage filling apparatus is lowered, and the product is efficiently manufactured. There was a strong demand to improve this, not being able to

  The present invention has been made to solve such problems, and a method and apparatus for cleaning and sterilizing a beverage filling apparatus capable of efficiently producing a product by raising the operation rate of the beverage filling apparatus. Intended to be provided.

The method for cleaning and sterilizing a beverage filling apparatus according to the present invention is a method for the product attached to the inside of the beverage supply system piping in a beverage filling apparatus provided with a beverage supply system piping which delivers the product into the filling machine through the heat sterilization section. In a CIP process for removing residual foreign matter, and a method for cleaning and sterilizing a beverage filling apparatus for performing an SIP process for sterilizing the inside of the beverage supply system pipe, the CIP process without stopping between the CIP process and the SIP process. The temperature is raised to the temperature at which the SIP treatment is performed without lowering the set temperature of the heat sterilization unit (UHT) raised when the treatment is performed, and the rinse water of the cleaning agent used in the CIP treatment is the heat sterilization unit The treatment is performed using the sterilization temperature obtained from the sterilization temperature of the above and the flow rate in the heat sterilization unit, and the CIP treatment and the SIP treatment are continuously performed.

Further, in the method for cleaning and sterilizing a beverage filling apparatus according to the present invention, the inside of a beverage filling apparatus provided with a beverage supply system piping for feeding a product into the filling machine through a heating sterilization section adheres to the inside of the beverage supply system piping. In a CIP process for removing residual foreign matter of a product, and a cleaning and sterilizing method of a beverage filling apparatus for performing an SIP process for sterilizing the inside of the beverage supply system piping, without stopping between the CIP process and the SIP process. The temperature at which the SIP processing is performed without raising the set temperature of the heating and sterilizing unit (UHT) raised when the CIP processing is performed, or the temperature at which the SIP processing is performed in the rinsing step in the CIP processing until warmed, wherein a CIP treatment a washing and sterilizing method of the beverage filling apparatus for performing SIP processing continuously, after the SIP processing, product sterilization treatment A second manufacturing process including the CIP process and the SIP process for manufacturing a product different from the first manufacturing process, the first manufacturing process performing the filling process of filling the product into the container while performing includes a step, the first manufacturing step and the second manufacturing process, it is preferable that the temperature of the heating sterilization section Ru done without lowering below the set temperature in the CIP process.

Further, in the method for cleaning and sterilizing a beverage filling apparatus according to the present invention, in the SIP processing, when the value obtained from the thermometer in the beverage supply system piping is substituted into the above equation, the value becomes a predetermined value. We exit the process if it is suitable.

In addition, in the method for cleaning and sterilizing a beverage filling apparatus according to the present invention, a first manufacturing process for performing a filling step of filling a product with a container while performing product sterilization treatment after the SIP treatment; And a second manufacturing process including the CIP process and the SIP process to manufacture a product different from the manufacturing process, wherein the first manufacturing process and the second manufacturing process are performed in the heat sterilization section. It is preferable to carry out without lowering the temperature below the set temperature in the CIP process.

  Further, in the method for cleaning and sterilizing a beverage filling device according to the present invention, the beverage supply system piping includes a filtration means for filtering the product, and the filtration means is at least used in the first manufacturing process. It is preferable to include a switching step of switching the second filtering means used in the second manufacturing process, and the second filtering process.

  In the washing and sterilizing method of the beverage filling apparatus according to the present invention, it is preferable that the method further comprises a cleaning step of removing residual foreign matter attached to the second filtering means in the first manufacturing step.

  Further, in the cleaning and sterilizing method of the beverage filling apparatus according to the present invention, the rinse water of the cleaning agent used in the CIP process is heated via a heat exchanger using exhaust heat of the rinse water used in the CIP process. Is preferred.

  According to the present invention, with regard to sterilization of the beverage filling apparatus, after performing CIP processing using the cleaning liquid, the process proceeds to SIP processing without stopping the liquid transfer pump, and the beverage is supplied by the aseptic water used in SIP processing Since the system piping is rinsed, the transition time for transitioning from CIP processing to SIP processing can be shortened. At the same time, significant water saving is possible because it is used for the next SIP treatment without draining the water after CIP treatment. In addition, since the temperature for raising the temperature required for SIP processing is small (or unnecessary), steam energy can also be significantly reduced.

  Further, according to the present invention, since the SIP treatment performs sterilization guarantee using the actual sterilization strength (F value) obtained from the sterilization temperature and flow rate, compared to the conventional sterilization method for controlling temperature and time. SIP processing can be performed accurately and quickly, and by quickly starting the filling operation of the product, the time required for switching the product can be shortened and the product can be manufactured efficiently.

  Further, according to the present invention, the first manufacturing process including the CIP process, the SIP process, and the product sterilization process and the product different from the first manufacturing process continuously from the first manufacturing process. Since the second manufacturing process of performing CIP treatment, SIP treatment and product sterilization treatment is performed, the operation of the beverage filling device is performed even when the product is manufactured using the beverage filling device while switching the products to be manufactured. The rate can be increased to efficiently produce the product.

  Further, according to the present invention, since the beverage supply system piping includes the first filtration means and the second filtration means, while performing the first manufacturing process using the first filtration means In addition, by washing the second filtration means, it is possible to efficiently wash these filtration means (see FIG. 1 (a)).

It is a block diagram of the drink filling apparatus which performs the washing | cleaning / sterilization method which concerns on this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the modification of the drink filling apparatus which performs the washing | cleaning / sterilization method which concerns on this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the state which is performing the CIP process or the SIP process with respect to the upstream side piping part from a heat sterilization part to a front of an aseptic surge tank by a drink supply system piping in the washing | cleaning / sterilization method concerning this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the state which is performing the CIP process or SIP process with respect to the downstream side piping part from an aseptic surge tank to a filling nozzle by a drink supply system piping in the washing | cleaning / sterilization method which concerns on this invention. In the washing | cleaning / sterilization method which concerns on this invention, it is a block diagram which shows the state in the case of performing a CIP process to the whole drink supply system piping. It is a block diagram which shows the state which is producing the bottled product of a product. It is a graph for demonstrating the temperature change in the CIP process, SIP process, and manufacturing process with respect to upstream piping in the washing | cleaning / sterilization method which concerns on this invention. It is a graph for demonstrating the other temperature change in the CIP process, SIP process, and manufacturing process with respect to upstream piping in the washing | cleaning / sterilization method which concerns on this invention. It is a graph for demonstrating the other temperature change in the CIP process, SIP process, and manufacturing process with respect to upstream piping in the washing | cleaning / sterilization method which concerns on this invention. In the washing | cleaning / sterilization method which concerns on this invention, it is a graph for demonstrating the temperature change in the manufacturing process at the time of performing a CIP process and a SIP process simultaneously with respect to upstream piping. It is a graph for demonstrating the temperature change in the CIP process, SIP process, and manufacturing process with respect to the downstream piping in the washing | cleaning / sterilization method which concerns on this invention. It is a graph for demonstrating the other temperature change in the CIP process, SIP process, and manufacturing process with respect to the downstream piping in the washing | cleaning / sterilization method which concerns on this invention. It is a graph for demonstrating the other temperature change in the CIP process, SIP process, and manufacturing process with respect to the downstream piping in the washing | cleaning / sterilization method which concerns on this invention. It is a graph for demonstrating the other temperature change in the CIP process, SIP process, and manufacturing process with respect to the downstream piping in the washing | cleaning / sterilization method which concerns on this invention. In the washing | cleaning / sterilization method which concerns on this invention, it is a graph for demonstrating the temperature change in a CIP process, a SIP process, and a manufacturing process in the case of manufacturing a different product continuously. The figure for demonstrating the detail of a holding tube. It is a graph for demonstrating the temperature change in the CIP process in the conventional washing | cleaning / sterilization method, SIP process, and a manufacturing process.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  First, the structure of the beverage filling apparatus will be described, and then, the method of cleaning and sterilizing the apparatus and the method of filling the product will be described.

  As shown in FIG. 1A, the beverage filling apparatus includes a beverage preparation device 1 which is a product, and a filling machine 2 for filling the beverage in a bottle 4. The beverage supply system piping 7 connects between the preparation device 1 and the filling nozzle 2 a in the filling machine 2. Also, the filling machine 2 is surrounded by a sterile chamber 3.

  The blending device 1 is for blending beverages such as, for example, tea beverages, fruit beverages and the like at desired blending ratios, and is a known device, and therefore the detailed description thereof is omitted.

  The filling machine 2 is configured by arranging a large number of filling nozzles 2a around a wheel (not shown) rotating at high speed in a horizontal plane, and while rotating the filling nozzles 2a with the rotation of the wheels, It is a machine for quantitatively filling the beverage from the filling nozzle 2a into the respective bottles 4 traveling in synchronization with the peripheral velocity of the wheel at the bottom. Since this filling machine 2 is also a known device, the detailed description thereof will be omitted.

  The beverage supply system piping 7 of the beverage filling apparatus includes a balance tank 5 and a heating sterilization section (in the order from the upstream side to the downstream side) in the pipe line extending from the preparation device 1 to the filling machine 2 UHT: Ultra High-temperature (18), a manifold valve 8, an aseptic surge tank 19, and a head tank 11.

The UHT 18 is internally provided with a first stage heating unit 12, a second stage heating unit 13, a holding tube 14, a first stage cooling unit 15, a second stage cooling unit 16 etc. The water is gradually heated while being sent from the first-stage heating unit 12 to the second-stage heating unit 13,
The target temperature is reached at the outlet of the second stage heating unit 13, and the sterilizing temperature is maintained for a certain time in the holding tube 14, and then sent to the first stage cooling unit 15 and the second stage cooling unit 16 to be gradually cooled It is a thing. The number of stages of the heating unit and the cooling unit may be increased or decreased as necessary. The UHT 18 may have a configuration in which an automatically cleanable homogenizer is installed. It is preferable to install the installation location between the first stage heating unit and the second stage heating unit where the temperature of the product content is about 50 to 70 ° C. or between the first stage cooling unit and the second stage cooling unit . In the former case, there is no problem with general homogenizers, but in the latter case, it is necessary to set up a sterile specification homogenizer.

  Besides, since the balance tank 5, the manifold valve 8, the aseptic surge tank 19, and the head tank 11 are both known devices, the detailed description thereof is omitted.

  Next, a processing path for performing CIP processing and SIP processing will be described. As indicated by thick lines in FIG. 2, the CIP process or SIP is performed by providing the return path 6 to the upstream side piping portion 7 a that reaches the manifold valve 8 through the balance tank 5 and the UHT 18 in the beverage supply system piping 7. An upstream processing path, which is a circulation path for processing, is formed, and is circulated to the manifold valve 8 through the manifold valve 8, the aseptic surge tank 19, the head tank 11 and the filling machine 2 as shown by thick lines in FIG. By providing the return path 6a to the downstream side piping portion 7b, the downstream side processing path which is a circulation path for performing the CIP processing or the SIP processing is formed.

  Further, in the upstream side piping portion 7a, the temperature sensor 10 is disposed at each portion including a portion where the temperature is unlikely to rise when hot water or the like is supplied thereto. As a location where this temperature sensor 10 is disposed, for example, among the pipelines from the first-stage heating unit 12 in the UHT 18 to the manifold valve 8, between the respective sections in the UHT 18 and the second-stage cooling unit 16 There can be mentioned a location, a location in front of the manifold valve 8, and the temperature sensors 10 are respectively arranged at these locations. Information on the temperature measured by each of these temperature sensors 10 is sent to the controller 17.

  The balance tank 5 may be any tank such as an open tank having a filling temperature of less than 100 ° C. or a tank corresponding to a type 1 pressure vessel capable of transferring a fluid of 100 ° C. or more. When using an open tank, it is preferable to provide a cooling device between the manifold valve 8 and the balance tank 5.

  Further, as indicated by the thick line in FIG. 3, filling is performed via the aseptic surge tank 19 and the head tank 11 from the manifold valve 8 on the downstream side of the upstream pipe portion 7 a in the beverage supply system pipe 7. With respect to the downstream side piping portion 7b leading to the inside of the machine 2, the temperature sensor 10 is disposed at each portion including the portion where the temperature does not easily rise when the heating steam or the like is supplied thereto. As a portion where the temperature sensor 10 is disposed, for example, in the pipe line from the aseptic surge tank 19 to the filling nozzle 2, the vicinity of the outlet of the aseptic surge tank 19, the bending part in the middle, the inlet vicinity of the head tank 11 and the vicinity of the outlet , Between the manifold 2b in the filling machine 2 and the filling nozzle 2a, and temperature sensors 10 are respectively arranged in these lines. Information on the temperature measured by each of these temperature sensors 10 is sent to the controller 17.

  Further, on the downstream side piping portion 7b, cups 9 which can be separated and attached to the openings of the filling nozzles 2a of the filling machine 2 for CIP processing or SIP processing are arranged. When the CIP process or the SIP process is performed, each cup 9 is put on the opening of the tip of the filling nozzle 2a of the filling machine 2 by an actuator (not shown), whereby the starting end of the drain pipe 20 is connected to the opening of the filling nozzle 2a .

  In addition to the manifold valve 8 and the actuator (not shown), the beverage supply system pipe 7 is provided with various switching valves, a liquid feed pump and the like, and these are also controlled by the output from the controller 17.

  The CIP process or the SIP process is not divided into the upstream side piping unit 7a and the downstream side piping unit 7b and is not performed, and as indicated by a thick line in FIG. The processing path may be formed by the manifold valve 8, the aseptic surge tank 19, the head tank 11, the filling machine 2, and the circulation path from the filling machine 2 to the balance tank 5.

  Next, a method of cleaning and sterilizing the beverage filling apparatus and a method of transition from CIP processing to SIP processing will be described based on FIGS. 2 to 14.

(CIP processing)
When an operation button on a panel (not shown) of the controller 17 is operated, CIP processing is performed on each of the upstream side piping portion 7a and the downstream side piping portion 7b of the beverage supply system piping 7 in a predetermined procedure. In CIP treatment, caustic soda (sodium hydroxide), potassium hydroxide, sodium carbonate, sodium silicate, sodium phosphate, sodium hypochlorite, surfactant or the like is mixed with water supplied from a washing solution source not shown. After flowing an alkaline cleaning solution to which an alkaline agent has been added, it is carried out by flowing an acid cleaning solution to which nitric acid or phosphoric acid type acid agent has been added to water supplied from a cleaning solution supply source (not shown).

  The cleaning liquid supplied from the cleaning liquid supply source (not shown) has a predetermined flow rate (for example, 1.) by the UHT 18 provided in the upstream side piping unit 7 a and the heating device 21 provided in the downstream side piping unit 7 b to activate the cleaning liquid. The temperature is raised to a predetermined temperature (for example, 80 ° C.) for 5 m / sec or more. Further, a constant amount of cleaning fluid is constantly or intermittently supplied from a cleaning fluid supply source (not shown), and the residue such as the previous beverage adhering to the inside of the beverage supply system piping 7 is removed while circulating. Also, it may be discharged out of the apparatus as appropriate. Then, after the cleaning liquid is allowed to flow for a predetermined time, water is injected to rinse the cleaning liquid, and the upstream side piping portion 7a and the downstream side piping portion 7b are rinsed by the rinsing step, and the CIP processing is completed. The end of this CIP process is managed by the controller 17 and then it shifts to the SIP process.

(SIP processing)
Next, when the CIP processing is completed, SIP processing is executed for each of the upstream processing path and the downstream processing path according to a predetermined procedure. At the start of the SIP process, the manifold valve 8 shuts off between the upstream piping 7 a and the downstream piping 7 b.

  The SIP processing of the upstream processing path and the SIP processing of the downstream processing path can be performed sequentially or in parallel with each other.

  First, the case where SIP processing is performed for the upstream processing path will be described. Water is sent from the water supply source (not shown) through the balance tank 5 into the circulation path without stopping the liquid feed pump which has been operated when performing the CIP treatment, and the water is heated and disinfected by the UHT 18 while circulating It circulates in the inside. Thus, the inside of the upstream treatment path is sterilized. At this time, since the liquid transfer pump is not stopped, the temperature is raised to the temperature at which the SIP processing is performed without lowering the set temperature of the UHT 18 raised when performing the CIP processing, so that between the CIP processing and the SIP processing Temperature drop can be minimized (see FIG. 6).

  When hot water flows in the upstream processing path, temperature information is sent to the controller 17 from the temperature sensor 10 disposed at each location of the upstream piping portion 7a at a constant time interval. In this embodiment, the pH of the beverage which is the product liquid to be filled in the bottle 4 is 4.6 or more, the reference temperature Tr is 121.1 ° C., and the Z value is 10 ° C.

  When the temperature of each part heated up by the heating with the hot water reaches 121.1 ° C., the F value of each part is calculated by the controller 17 from that point. The equation is as follows.

Among the respective F values calculated based on the above-mentioned calculation formula, when the minimum F value reaches the target value, the upstream side piping unit 7a becomes sterilization complete, and the first stage cooling unit 15 and the second stage cooling unit 16 Then, cooling water is supplied and the hot water is cooled. The water supplied to rinse the cleaner needs to be sterilized in the second stage heating section and the holding tube at least equal to the germicidal value required for the next product content. This is also constantly calculated by the above-described F-number calculation formula, and the F-value is controlled so that the germicidal value does not decrease. Alternatively, in order to make the cleaning effect constant, as the rinse water for cleaning, sterile water sterilized at a constant temperature and time may be used (for example, F ₀ value 4 or more, preferably 30 or more). Finally, the absence of the cleaning agent in the piping is monitored by a device such as a conductivity meter (not shown), and when it is replaced with water, the water supply is stopped and circulated, and the circulation continues until the beverage sterilization starts. It will be on standby.

  Next, after completion of the SIP processing, the temperature and flow rate of the beverage supply system piping are set in a state where product sterilization processing of the beverage is performed in the temperature stabilization step. At this time, according to the sterilization temperature of the product to be manufactured, the temperature of the UHT 18 heated by the SIP treatment is adjusted to adjust the temperature (see a to c in FIG. 6) to the set temperature in the case of performing the product sterilization treatment. .

  In the temperature stabilization step, the sterilization temperature of each part of the UHT 18 and the time of passing through the holding tube 14 are recorded one by one. The temperature data and the flow rate data are sent to the controller 17 and accumulated. These temperature data and flow rate data calculate how much the bactericidal value of the contents actually passed through the holding tube 14 could be recorded if the time for 3 to 4 times the passing time of the holding tube 14 (for example, 60 seconds) can be recorded. It is preferable because it can be (for example, 200 seconds).

  At this time, if the pressure of the beverage passing through the UHT 18 is smaller than the pressure of the heat source or refrigerant which heats or cools the UHT 18, there is a possibility of sterilization failure, and the UHT 18 is passed in consideration of such a safe back pressure. The pressure of the beverage is adjusted and set to be larger than the pressure of the heat source or refrigerant which heats or cools the UHT 18.

  In the above equation for calculating the F value, the reference temperature Tr and the Z value can be changed according to the type of the beverage which is the product liquid.

  For example, when the pH of the product liquid is less than 4 to 4.6, the reference temperature Tr can be 85 ° C., the Z value can be 7.8 ° C., and when the pH of the product liquid is less than 4, the reference temperature Tr = It can be 65 ° C., Z value = 5 ° C.

  Moreover, it is also possible to change the value substituted to the said computing equation suitably according to the microbial growth characteristic of product liquid, such as a green tea drink, mineral water, a chilled drink, distribution temperature, etc.

On the other hand, changing the F value according to the type of beverage and changing the length of the holding tube other than the method of changing the sterilization conditions of the beverage and adjusting the time for circulating the holding tube The sterilization conditions may be switched depending on the holding time. In this case, if the length of the holding tube is two or more (for example, 30 seconds and 60 seconds, etc.), various beverage sterilization conditions can be created. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 15, there are provided a first conduit 14a, a second conduit 14b, a third conduit 14c and a fourth conduit 14d, and these conduits are switched by a valve. Can be combined to adjust the total length of the holding tube. Further, in order to perform the CIP process and the SIP process simultaneously or continuously, it is preferable to switch the length of the holding tube while paying attention to the safety back pressure by the automatic valve. Furthermore, since CIP treatment and SIP treatment are performed simultaneously or sequentially, the pipelines of all the holding tubes are cleaned and sterilized at the time of CIP treatment and SIP treatment, and thereafter, the holding tube of the next production. You may switch to the pattern. The unused holding tube may be supplied with aseptic air after SIP treatment, and positive pressure may be held in an aseptic holding state, and the end valve of the unused holding tube may be provided with a blowout valve for drainage to be held. The inside of the tube may be pressureless. In addition, a vapor barrier may be provided on the valves before and after the holding tube so that bacteria do not contaminate from the outside.

  In addition, as shown in FIG. 7, the rinse process of the cleaning agent used in the CIP process performed at the time of the transition from the CIP process to the SIP process is heated from the temperature at which the CIP process is performed to the temperature at which the SIP process is performed. You may do while you let me go. At this time, the rinse water used in the rinse step is performed by heating with UHT 18, but as shown in FIG. 1 (b), the balance tanks 5, 8 are maintained to maintain the sterility in the rinse step. The heat exchanger 30 is installed before entering the heat sink, and cooling is reduced by the first stage cooling unit 15 and the second stage cooling unit 16 (for example, cooling to 70.degree. C. or more and less than 100.degree. C., preferably 80.degree. ) To raise the temperature of the rinse water entering the balance tanks 5 and 8 using the exhaust heat of the drained rinse water (eg, when heat exchanged with water at 10 ° C., it is supplied to the balance tank at 40-80 ° C.) Suitable). With such a configuration, even if the flow rate of the rinse water is increased, the temperature can be reliably increased by the UHT 18, so that the rinse process can be effectively performed in a short time. Also, the rinse step may be performed in the temperature stabilization step performed during SIP processing as shown in FIG. 8 or after SIP processing as shown in FIG. 9 as shown in FIG. Good, as long as the cleaning agent can be removed before the start of the next production. Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 9, the CIP treatment is carried out with an alkali or acid that satisfies the sterilization temperature and the SIP treatment is carried out at the same time, and the inside of the pipe can be cleaned with sterile water higher than the specified germicidal value of the next product. You may move to the next production at the same time.

  Simultaneously with or before the start of the SIP processing on the upstream side piping portion 7a, the SIP processing of the downstream side processing path including the aseptic surge tank 19 is started.

  Next, SIP processing for the downstream processing path will be described. First, after the cup 9 is applied to the opening of the filling nozzle 2a and the drain pipe 20 is connected to the filling nozzle 2a, the heating steam is supplied from the heating steam supply source (not shown) into the aseptic surge tank 19 and the head tank 11. Be done.

  The heating steam flows from the aseptic surge tank 19 to the filling nozzle 2 a side in the downstream side piping 7 b and heats each part, and then is discharged from the drain pipe 20 to the outside of the filling machine 2. When the SIP processing is performed with water as in the upstream piping section 7a, water is sent from the water supply source (not shown) through the aseptic surge tank 19 into the circulation path, and this water is heated by the heating device 21. The inside of the circulation path is circulated through the return path 6a while being sterilized. Thereby, the inside of downstream piping part 7b is disinfected with warm water or hot water. In addition, about the sterilization method using F value, in order to carry out by the method similar to the upstream piping part 7a, detailed description is abbreviate | omitted.

  When the heating steam flows in the downstream side piping portion 7b, temperature information is sent to the controller 17 from the temperature sensors 10 arranged at each place of the downstream side piping portion 7b at constant time intervals.

  When the temperature of each portion raised by heating by the heating steam reaches 121.1 ° C., the F value of each portion is calculated by the controller 17 from the time point by the above-mentioned equation.

  Among the calculated F values, when the minimum F value reaches the target value, the supply of the heating steam to the aseptic surge tank 19 and the downstream piping portion 7b is stopped. The SIP time in the downstream side piping unit 7b is also significantly shortened compared to the conventional SIP time.

  Thereafter, aseptic air or aseptic water or a product is fed into the downstream side piping portion 7b, and as shown in FIG. 10, the inside of the downstream side piping portion 7b is cooled, for example, to room temperature. Then, the drain pipe 20 is shut off. Furthermore, the cup 9 is removed from the opening of each filling nozzle 2a by an actuator (not shown). Sterile water may be sent from the product sterilizer waiting for water operation after completion of SIP processing on the downstream treatment path, but aseptic water (not shown) may be received from the manifold valve 8 and used for cooling. I do not care. The timing for starting the cooling with sterile water may be performed with sterile air until the tank temperature after SIP treatment falls below 110 ° C. (preferably to 100 ° C. or less), and thereafter. The operation of supplying sterile water is performed using an intermittent timer under pressure while supplying sterile air into the tank so that the tank is not depressurized by quenching. After the temperature of the tank is cooled to about 30 to 90 ° C. and the cooling is completed, the sterile air accumulated in the tank and the piping is blown with sterile air while maintaining the positive pressure, and the product is received. Also, the product may be received directly without receiving sterile water. In this way, cooling with added sterile water or product can be cooled in a short time compared to air. Also, the tank may be quenched by supplying water or chiller water to the tank jacket simultaneously with the above cooling process. In the process of cooling with aseptic air in SIP processing, the blow valve may be sequentially closed from the point where the cooling completion temperature is reached, and the aseptic air for cooling may be efficiently turned to the point where it is difficult to cool.

  When the beverage to be manufactured next is a carbonated beverage, the above-mentioned sterile water is sent from the front and rear of the aseptic surge tank 19 to the head tank 11 and the filling nozzle 2a via a not-shown carbonate line. In the carbonation line, the above-mentioned sterile water is further cooled with chiller water (1 to 5 ° C.), whereby the preheating after the SIP treatment can be completely removed and the forming by carbon dioxide gas at the time of filling can be suppressed.

  As in the case of the upstream piping, the CIP process was performed as shown in FIG. 11 in the rinse process of the cleaning agent used in the CIP process performed at the transition from the CIP process to the SIP process. It may be performed while raising the temperature from the temperature to the temperature at which the SIP processing is performed. In addition, the rinsing process may be performed in a cooling process performed during the SIP process as shown in FIG. 12 or after the SIP process as shown in FIG. It is sufficient if the cleaning agent can be removed before the start of the next production. Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 13, the CIP treatment is performed with an alkali or acid that satisfies the sterilization temperature and the SIP treatment is performed at the same time, and the inside of the pipe can be cleaned with sterile water of the next product or more You may move to the next production at the same time.

  Furthermore, if one of the upstream and downstream processing paths performs SIP processing while the other processing path is CIP processing, a valve through which steam flows between the intersection points of both paths in the manifold valve 8 It is preferable to provide a unit (vapor barrier). This reduces the risk of contaminating the opposite path if one of the valves fails. Alternatively, instead of using steam, sterile water may be used, and by providing a plurality of valves at intersections, the risk at the time of valve breakage can also be reduced.

(Manufacturing process)
After the aseptic surge tank 19 and after the SIP processing of the downstream side treatment path is completed, the beverage is stored in the aseptic surge tank 19 from the UHT 18 through the upstream side piping portion 7a, and the beverage passes through the downstream side piping portion 7b from there. , The manufacturing process which performs the filling operation | work of the drink in the bottle 4 is started.

  As indicated by the thick line in FIG. 5, in the manufacturing process, the inside of the filling machine 2 passes through the upstream side piping portion 7a and the downstream side piping portion 7b of the beverage supply system piping 7 in which the beverage prepared by the dispensing device 1 is sterilized. Then, it is filled from the filling nozzle 2a of the filling machine 2 into the bottle 4 which is a container. The bottle 4 filled with the beverage is fed out of the filling machine 2 after being capped by a capper (not shown).

  In addition, after the manufacturing process is completed, it is possible to continuously carry out a second manufacturing process for manufacturing a product of a type different from the product manufactured last time. In this case, it is necessary to wash and sterilize the beverage supply system piping 7 in the same manner as the CIP process and the SIP process described above, but when starting the CIP process of the second manufacturing process, the inside of the beverage supply system piping 7 It is preferable to shift to CIP processing by shifting from the set temperature of UHT 18 in the first manufacturing step to the set temperature of CIP processing while performing rinse processing in which water or sterile water and the like are flowed to (see FIG. 14).

  Further, it is preferable that the beverage supply system piping 7 be provided with a filtering means for filtering foreign matter mixed in the product. As the filtration means, a first filtration means and a second filtration means provided with a filtration member comprising a metal filter such as stainless steel are arranged in parallel, and a first filtration means 22a and a second filtration means 22b And switching means 23 for switching automatically or manually.

  The first filtration means 22a and the second filtration means 22b are preferably metal filters such as stainless steel, and the first filtration means 22a and the second filtration means 22b have a mesh roughness (size) Are preferably different. In this case, for example, a metal filter of 100 to 400 mesh is used as the first filtering means 22a so as to remove finer foreign substances, and the second filtering means 22b includes pulp and pulp contained in the product. It is preferred to use a coarse metal filter of 10 to 100 mesh to allow proper passage of As described above, by using different filtration means in the first filtration means 22a and the second filtration means 22b, it is possible to perform appropriate foreign substance removal according to the product to be manufactured.

  The first filtration means 22a and the second filtration means 22b are configured to be able to switch which filtration means is used by the switching means 23 and 23. By thus providing the switching means 23 and 23, as shown in FIG. 5, for example, while the product is being filled using the first filtration means 22a, foreign matter adhering to the second filtration means 22b is removed By performing the cleaning process, it is possible to effectively clean and inspect the filtering means during the manufacture of the product. In addition, after cleaning and inspection of the filter, CIP processing or SIP processing may be performed independently. The switching means 23 can also switch so as to send liquid to both the first filtration means 22a and the second filtration means 22b. In this case, the first filtration means 22a and the second filtration means 22b can be switched. It is also possible to perform CIP processing and SIP processing simultaneously on both of the means 22b. The switching means 23 may be provided with the above-mentioned vapor barrier in order to reduce the contamination risk of drugs and fungi on the product side.

  As shown in FIG. 1A, the filtering means is provided between the aseptic surge tank 19 and the head tank 11 and, for example, between the second stage cooling unit (final cooling unit) 16 and the manifold valve 8 It may be provided in Also, a plurality of filtration means may be installed in parallel. Furthermore, the installation place of the filtration means may be provided on the upstream side of the balance tank 5 or at the tip of the filling nozzle, in addition to the place described above.

As described above, since the first filtration means and the second filtration means are arranged in parallel in the filtration means, for example, when the product is manufactured in the first manufacturing process, the first filtration means When the product is filtered by the second production step and the product is produced in the second production step, the product can be filtered by the second filtration means. At this time, the other filtration means that does not filter the product is checked whether it includes a cleaning process that removes residual foreign matter attached in the manufacturing process in parallel with the manufacture of the product, and rubber or metallic foreign matter such as packing. It is preferable that the inspection work to be performed is performed. As described above, by performing the cleaning operation and the inspection operation during manufacturing, the filtration means cleaned continuously can be used when switching from the first manufacturing process to the second manufacturing process, and the product filling apparatus Contribute to the improvement of the operation rate of

  Also, as described above, the F value can create sterilization conditions according to various beverages by changing the flow rate and temperature of the fluid, but since the flow rate in the CIP treatment is usually larger than that at the time of product manufacture, In order to maintain the F value, it is necessary to lower the temperature, and it is difficult to achieve a high temperature. For this reason, in the case of using the existing equipment, the flow rate may be lowered to a washable flow rate to perform the CIP process. Alternatively, the existing facility may be improved to increase the temperature so as to increase the temperature by increasing the number of stages of the heating unit or extending the length of the heating unit. Furthermore, by adjusting the setting of the cooling unit and lowering the cooling capacity during the CIP process, even if the flow rate is increased, the heating unit may be configured to be able to be raised to the required sterilization temperature.

  Although the present invention is configured as described above, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and various modifications can be made within the scope of the present invention. Alternatively, the manifold valve 8 may not be provided, and the sterilizer to the filler may be simultaneously subjected to CIP treatment and SIP treatment to control the above-described temperature stabilization step. Although the downstream side piping unit 7b performs the CIP process and the SIP process simultaneously on the aseptic surge tank and the head tank, the CIP process and the SIP process may be separately performed. As a result, the amount of retained liquid in the pipe decreases, and the CIP processing and the SIP processing end in a short time. Furthermore, in the present specification, the present invention describes the example of the shell-and-tube type heat exchanger in the form of the UHT (heat sterilization section), but the form of the UHT is not limited thereto. For example, a plate type heat exchanger You may use. Moreover, you may apply not only these indirect heating methods but a direct heating method. Furthermore, although the present invention has described a beverage filling apparatus for filling a beverage as a product, the product is not limited to a beverage, and it is also possible to fill, for example, pharmaceuticals, foods, liquid foods and beverages containing solids. is there. Furthermore, regarding the transition from CIP processing to SIP processing, although the case where the temperature of SIP processing is higher than the set temperature of CIP processing has been described, for example, CIP processing and SIP processing may be performed at the same temperature, The CIP process may be performed at a higher temperature than the SIP process. Furthermore, general water is used as water used in CIP treatment, but when treatment is performed at over 90 ° C. in combination with SIP treatment, not pure water but pure water is used to suppress precipitation of calcium. It is suitable to use.

  The time interval for measuring and integrating the F value may be 1 to 5 seconds in addition to 1 minute, and the interval may be variously changed according to the capability of the measuring instrument.

2 ... Filling machine 6 ... Upstream side return path 7 ... Beverage supply system piping 7a ... Upstream side piping section 7b ... Downstream side piping section 18 ... Heat sterilization section

Claims (7)

CIP processing for removing residual foreign matter of the product adhering to the inside of the beverage supply system piping in a beverage filling apparatus provided with a beverage supply system piping which sends the product into the filling machine through the heat sterilization section; the beverage supply system In a method for cleaning and sterilizing a beverage filling apparatus that performs SIP processing to sterilize the inside of piping,
The temperature is raised to the temperature at which the SIP processing is performed without lowering the set temperature of the heating and sterilizing unit (UHT) heated when performing the CIP processing without stopping between the CIP processing and the SIP processing Or, the temperature is raised to the temperature at which the SIP process is performed in the rinse step in the CIP process, and the rinse water of the cleaning agent used in the CIP process is the sterilization determined from the sterilization temperature of the heat sterilization unit and the flow rate in the heat sterilization unit A method of cleaning and sterilizing a beverage filling apparatus , wherein processing is performed using strength, and the CIP processing and the SIP processing are continuously performed. CIP processing for removing residual foreign matter of the product adhering to the inside of the beverage supply system piping in a beverage filling apparatus provided with a beverage supply system piping which sends the product into the filling machine through the heat sterilization section; the beverage supply system In a method for cleaning and sterilizing a beverage filling apparatus that performs SIP processing to sterilize the inside of piping,
The temperature is raised to the temperature at which the SIP processing is performed without lowering the set temperature of the heating and sterilizing unit (UHT) heated when performing the CIP processing without stopping between the CIP processing and the SIP processing or wherein the rinsing step in the CIP process to a temperature for performing the SIP processing warmed, the a washing and sterilizing method of the beverage filling apparatus for performing SIP processing continuously with the CIP process,
A first manufacturing step of performing a filling step of filling the product into a container while performing product sterilization treatment after the SIP treatment;
And a second manufacturing process including the CIP process and the SIP process to manufacture a product different from the first manufacturing process,
A method of cleaning and sterilizing a beverage filling apparatus, wherein the first manufacturing process and the second manufacturing process are performed without lowering the temperature of the heat sterilization section below the set temperature in the CIP process. In the cleaning and sterilizing method of a beverage filling apparatus according to claim 2, in the SIP processing, when a value obtained from a thermometer in the beverage supply system piping is substituted into the following equation, and the predetermined value is obtained. A method of washing and sterilizing a beverage filling apparatus, characterized in that the treatment is finished.

In the method for cleaning and sterilizing a beverage filling apparatus according to claim 1 ,
A first manufacturing step of performing a filling step of filling the product into a container while performing product sterilization treatment after the SIP treatment;
And a second manufacturing process including the CIP process and the SIP process to manufacture a product different from the first manufacturing process,
A method of cleaning and sterilizing a beverage filling apparatus, wherein the first manufacturing process and the second manufacturing process are performed without lowering the temperature of the heat sterilization section below the set temperature in the CIP process. In the washing and sterilizing method of a beverage filling apparatus according to any one of claims 2 to 4 ,
The beverage supply system piping comprises filtration means for filtering the product,
A beverage filling apparatus characterized in that the filtration means includes a switching step of switching at least a first filtration means used in the first production process and a second filtration means used in the second production process Cleaning and sterilization method. In the washing and sterilizing method of the beverage filling apparatus according to claim 5,
A method for cleaning and sterilizing a beverage filling apparatus, comprising a cleaning step of removing residual foreign matter attached to the second filtering means in the first production step. In the washing and sterilizing method of the beverage filling apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6,
A method of cleaning and sterilizing a beverage filling apparatus, wherein the rinse water of the cleaning agent used in the CIP process is heated via a heat exchanger utilizing the exhaust heat of the rinse water used in the CIP process.

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