JP6735705B2 - Aseptic filling device and purification method thereof - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to an aseptic filling device and a method for cleaning the aseptic filling device by washing and sterilizing.

The aseptic filling device is provided with a wheel train that transports containers such as bottles in one direction, and along the flow of the container by the rotation of each wheel of the wheel train, the container sterilization station from the upstream side to the downstream side, contents A material filling station and a container sealing station are sequentially provided.

At the container sterilization station, a nozzle that sprays a mist of hydrogen peroxide solution, which is a sterilizer, on a container that moves around a wheel is arranged. The content filling station is configured as a filler in which a content filling nozzle swivels around a wheel. The container sealing station is configured as a capper with a cap screwed onto the mouth of the bottle.

In addition, a chamber is provided to cover the wheel train and the portion from the container sterilization station to the container sealing station (see, for example, Patent Documents 1 and 2).

The contents filling station in the aseptic filling device is provided with a large number of filling nozzles arranged at a constant pitch along the circumference of a predetermined wheel in order to fill a large number of bottles of the contents at high speed. ..

By rotating all the filling nozzles together with the wheels at a high speed, the bottles traveling in synchronization with the traveling of the filling nozzles are filled with a certain amount of the beverage.

Beverage is supplied from the brewing device to the filling nozzle of the content filling station through the beverage supply system pipe. The inside of the beverage supply system pipe is CIP when the type of the beverage is changed or when the type of the beverage is changed. (Cleaning in Place) to remove residues and foreign substances, and further subjected to SIP (Sterilizing in Place) to sterilize (see, for example, Patent Documents 3, 4, and 5).

CIP is, for example, a cleaning liquid in which an alkaline chemical agent such as sodium hydroxide or potassium hydroxide or an acidic chemical agent such as nitric acid is added to water in the flow path from the pipeline of the beverage supply system piping to the filling nozzle of the filling machine. It is done by pouring. As a result, the residue or the like of the previous beverage adhering to the inside of the beverage supply system piping is removed (see, for example, Patent Documents 3, 4, and 5).

SIP is performed, for example, by flowing steam, hot water, or the like into the pipe line washed by the CIP, and the beverage supply system pipe is sterilized by heating with steam, hot water, or the like (for example, Patent Document 1). 5 See paragraph 0003.).

CIP and SIP in the beverage supply system piping are specifically carried out as follows.

Since it is necessary to circulate the liquid in the beverage supply system pipe and to collect the waste liquid, the cups are put on the nozzle openings of the stationary filling nozzles. The cup is arranged so as to be rotatable with the filling nozzle. A manifold that swivels with the filling nozzle and the cup is provided in advance around the swivel axis in the swirling movement of the filling nozzle. The cup is connected to the manifold by a pipe line, and the manifold, the storage tank for the cleaning liquid, and the pump are connected by a pipe line that can be connected and disconnected. The cleaning liquid storage tank and pump are fixed to the machine frame or chamber of the content filling station.

When performing CIP or SIP, the swirling motion of the filling nozzle and the manifold is stopped, and the cup is automatically covered by the nozzle opening, so that the cup communicates with the manifold, and the manifold and the storage tank for the cleaning liquid are piped. Connected by road.

Then, the cleaning liquid flows from the cleaning liquid storage tank into the beverage supply system pipe, further flows into the filling nozzle, the nozzle port, the cup, and the manifold, and is circulated for a predetermined time. As a result, CIP inside the beverage supply system piping and the filling nozzle is performed.

Further, when SIP is performed, hot water or the like is caused to flow into the beverage supply system pipe or the filling nozzle in the same manner as in the case of the CIP, and the beverage supply system pipe or the filling nozzle is sterilized.

On the other hand, in the chamber, COP (Cleaning out of Place) and SOP (Sterilizing out of Place) are performed for cleaning the outer surface of the content filling station and the like and the inner wall surface of the chamber (for example, Patent Documents 6, 7, and 8). 9).

Various injection nozzles are arranged at various places in the chamber for performing COP and SOP, and when performing COP and SOP, a chemical liquid such as an alkali cleaning liquid, a peracetic acid cleaning liquid, and hydrogen peroxide solution is supplied from these nozzles. Aseptic water or the like is sequentially sprayed in the chamber in the form of spray or shower. The chemical solution, water mist, shower, etc. cleans and sterilizes the inner wall surface of the chamber and the surface of equipment such as filler.

As described above, in the aseptic filling device, after the CIP, SIP, COP, and SOP are performed, the filling of the beverage by the aseptic filling device is started, and the beverage that has been sterilized in advance is sterilized in the sterilized bottle. Under the environment, the aseptic bottled beverage is produced.

JP, 2001-39414, A JP, 2006-111295, A JP, 2007-331801, A JP, 2000-153245, A JP-A-2007-22600 Patent No. 3315918 JP, 2004-299723, A JP, 2010-189034, A Japanese Patent No. 5582213

As described above, when performing CIP and SIP in the beverage supply system piping, since the manifold and the supply source of the cleaning liquid are connected by the pipe line, the rotation of the wheel at the content filling station is stopped and the filling nozzle is filled. The swiveling motion of the etc. is stopped. Further, since the conventional wheel train is constantly and dynamically connected between the container sterilization station, the content filling station, and the container sealing station, when the wheels at the content filling station stop, the container sterilization station and the container sealing station are stopped. The wheels at will also stop.

Therefore, as shown in FIG. 8, when CIP or SIP is performed on the beverage supply system piping, the COP or SOP is in a standby state, and the COP or SOP is started after or just before the completion of CIP or SIP. There is.

The reason is that if you try to perform COP or SOP in the chamber at the same time as CIP or SIP, the wheel is stopped, so the cleaning liquid or sterilizing liquid will reach every corner of the container sterilization station, content filling station and container sealing station. This is because it does not spread, and cleaning failure and sterilization failure are likely to occur.

In particular, since the filling nozzle of the contents filling station has a complicated shape and structure, even if COP or SOP is performed on the contents filling station in a stationary state, poor cleaning or sterilization is likely to occur. Since the filling nozzle is a portion for filling the bottle with the beverage, if microorganisms or foreign substances remain on the surface of the filling nozzle, the risk of getting into the bottle increases.

Therefore, conventionally, for COP and SOP in the chamber, after the CIP and SIP for the beverage supply system piping are completed and the pipeline between the manifold and the cleaning liquid storage tank is disconnected, all wheels in the wheel train rotate. Is possible, and the swirling motion of the filling nozzle or the like is possible.

That is, when the contents filling station is driven and various nozzles in the chamber inject the cleaning liquid or the like while the filling nozzle is performing the swirling motion, spraying of the cleaning liquid or the shower is carried out at various places in the contents filling station, especially the filling liquid. The contents will be properly cleaned and sterilized throughout the nozzle. Similarly, when various nozzles in the chamber inject the cleaning liquid, etc. while the wheel of the container sterilization station is rotating, sprays of the cleaning liquid, etc. and showers spread to every corner of the container sterilization station to clean and sterilize the container sterilization station. If the nozzles in the chamber inject the cleaning liquid etc. while the wheel of the container sealing station is rotating, the spraying of the cleaning liquid etc. and the shower will spread to every corner of the container sterilization station to sterilize the container. The station will be properly cleaned and sterilized.

However, if the COP and SOP are performed in the chamber after waiting for the completion of the CIP or SIP for the beverage supply system piping, the downtime (production stop time or inter-production time) of the aseptic filling apparatus becomes long and the bottled beverage Productivity is reduced.

Here, FIG. 8 shows an example of the purification work of CIP and the like which has been conventionally performed on the aseptic filling device.

As shown in FIG. 8, when the production of another bottled beverage is to be started after the production of one bottled beverage is finished, the operation of the content filling station is started at the stage where the production of the previous bottled beverage is finished. Is stopped and CIP is performed on the beverage supply system piping.

After the CIP ends, the operation of the content filling station is started, and SOP (or COP) is performed by sequentially spraying peracetic acid and aseptic water to the filling nozzle or the like that makes a swirling motion.

When the SOP (or COP) for this content filling station is completed, the operation of the content filling station is stopped and SIP is performed on the beverage supply system piping.

In this way, the SOP is interposed between the CIP and the SIP when the cleaning liquid used in the CIP or its waste liquid leaks out from the above-mentioned connection between the cup and the nozzle port, etc. This is because there is a possibility that the waste liquid may adhere to the equipment or the like of the material filling station and eventually the waste liquid may be mixed into the beverage or the container during the subsequent filling operation. By interposing SOP between SIP and CIP, it is possible to wash waste liquid etc. from the equipment etc. of the contents filling station and keep the outside of the equipment etc. of the contents filling station clean and perform sterilization treatment by SIP. it can.

Further, as shown in FIG. 9, water is supplied into the beverage supply system pipe from the end of the CIP until the SIP is performed after the completion of the CIP in the beverage supply system pipe, thereby rinsing the pipe. , The inside of the beverage supply system pipe is cooled while the waste liquid, the cleaning liquid, etc. are removed, the supply of water into the pipe is started, and the temperature of this water reaches the temperature required for sterilization at the next SIP. Gradually increased.

In addition, the same SOP (or COP) as the SOP (or COP) of the content filling station described above is performed for the other stations. At that time, the other stations as well as the content filling station are in a driving state. SOP (or COP) is carried out in stages from the end of the CIP of the content filling station to the start of the SIP for the other driven stations.

This SOP (or COP) is performed stepwise because it is difficult to prepare a large amount of sterilizing agent such as peracetic acid and sterile water to be supplied to all stations at the same time. Therefore, aseptic water is gradually supplied to each station after the peracetic acid is gradually supplied to each station.

Due to the above circumstances, the purification work performed on the aseptic filling device takes about 6 hours in the example of FIG. That is, the downtime of the aseptic filling apparatus becomes extremely long, which causes a decrease in the productivity of bottled beverages.

Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide an aseptic filling device and a purification method therefor capable of solving the above problems.

In order to solve the above problems, the present invention adopts the following configurations.

The reference numerals in the drawings are shown in parentheses to facilitate understanding of the present invention, but the present invention is not limited thereto.

That is, in the invention according to claim 1, various stations including the content filling station (6) are provided in order from the upstream side to the downstream side along the flow of the preform or the container (3), and the various stations are chambers. An aseptic filling device is configured by covering with (20, 21, 56), the swirling motion of the filling nozzle in the content filling station (6) is stopped, and the nozzle opening of the filling nozzle is formed by a cup. , A joint is connected, a circulation path is formed in the content filling station, an alkaline cleaning liquid is first supplied, water is flowed toward the end, and the alkaline cleaning liquid and the water are supplied to the circulation path at 80° C. The SIP, which is kept at a temperature of 95° C. and is discharged after 10 to 30 minutes , also serves as the CIP, and is simultaneously heated to 60° C. or higher by the SIP that also serves as the CIP. Purification of an aseptic filling device that sprays hydrogen peroxide water onto the outer surface of the filling nozzle in the content filling station and performs SOP to make the hydrogen peroxide gas concentration in the chamber covering the content filling station 5 mg/L or more. Adopt the method. In addition, the invention according to the embodiment includes the contents from the upstream side to the downstream side along the flow of the preform or the container (3) by the rotation of each wheel (12, 13, 9, 17, etc.) of the wheel train. Various stations including the material filling station (6) are sequentially provided, and the aseptic filling device is configured by covering the various stations with the chambers (20, 21, 56), and the wheel (9) in the content filling station (6) After stopping the rotation, after circulating the heated cleaning liquid in the content filling station (6) to the content filling station, the SIP also serving as CIP which circulates the water heated to 60° C. or higher to the content filling station ( Step S1) is performed, and immediately after the completion of this SIP (step S1), while rotating the content filling station (6), one or both of COP and SOP (step S2) are predetermined for the content filling station (6). The method of cleaning the aseptic filling device in this order is adopted.

As described in claim 2, in the method for cleaning an aseptic filling device according to claim 1, the SOP for the content filling station (6) is a rotation of a wheel in the content filling station (6). Can be stopped.
Further, the invention according to one embodiment includes the SOP (step S2) for the content filling station (6) and the SOPs (steps S4, S5, S6) for the other stations (5, 7, 53). It can be performed stepwise immediately after the SIP (step S1) for the material filling station (6) is completed.

As claimed in claim 3, in the method for cleaning an aseptic filling device according to claim 1, the power between the wheels between the wheel in the content filling station (6) and the wheel in another station. It is possible to provide a clutch for connecting and disconnecting the transmission, and disengage this clutch when the rotation of the wheel in the content filling station (6) is stopped.
Further, the invention according to one embodiment includes the SOP (step S2) for the content filling station (6) and the SOPs (steps S4, S5, S6) for the other stations (5, 7, 53). It can be performed in parallel immediately after the SIP (step S1) for the material filling station (6) is finished.

As described in claim 4, in the method for cleaning an aseptic filling device according to claim 1 or 2, the wheels of the wheel train are independently rotatable by a rotation servomotor, and the contents are When the rotation of the wheels in the filling station is stopped, the corresponding rotation servomotor can be stopped.
Further, the invention according to one embodiment can be performed by spraying hot water or a germicide and spraying sterile water on the SOP.

Further, in the invention according to one embodiment, while performing the SIP (step S1) for the content filling station (6), the SOP (step S3) is performed for the other stations (5, 7, 53), This SOP (step S3) may be performed by spraying a gas or mist of a germicide containing a hydrogen peroxide component.

Further, the invention according to one embodiment may be one in which aseptic air is constantly blown toward the content filling station (6) in the chamber (21).

Further, the invention according to the embodiment provides a clutch for connecting and disconnecting power transmission between the wheels (9) in the content filling station (6) and the other wheels (12, 13, 17, etc.). This clutch may be provided so that the clutch is disengaged when the rotation of the wheel (9) in the content filling station (6) is stopped.

Further, in the invention according to one embodiment, the wheels (12, 13, 9, 17, etc.) in the wheel train are independently rotatable by the rotation servomotors, and the wheels (in the content filling station (6) ( When the rotation of 9) is stopped, the corresponding servomotor for rotation may be stopped.

Further, in the invention according to the embodiment, other than the contents filling station (6) among various stations, a container molding station, a container sterilization station (5), a container sealing station (7) or a lid sterilization station ( 53).

In the invention according to claim 5, various stations including a content filling station (6) are provided in order from the upstream side to the downstream side along the flow of the preform or container (3), and the various stations are chambers ( In the aseptic filling apparatus covered with 20, 21, 56), the aseptic filling apparatus is a purifying apparatus for carrying out a purifying process consisting of SIP, COP, and SOP also serving as CIP for the various stations in the chamber. The contents filling station, the swirling motion of the filling nozzle in the contents filling station is stopped, the nozzle opening of the filling nozzle is closed with a cup, a joint is connected, and a circulation path is formed in the filling station. First, an alkaline cleaning liquid is supplied, and water is flown toward the final stage, the alkaline cleaning liquid and the water are flown in the circulation path while maintaining a temperature of 80° C. to 95° C. , and after 10 to 30 minutes, the circulation path is cooled. SIP also serving as CIP discharged to the outside is performed, and at the same time as this SIP, hydrogen peroxide solution is applied to the outer surface of the filling nozzle in the content filling station heated to 60° C. or higher by the SIP also serving as CIP. An aseptic filling device equipped with a control unit for spraying and controlling so that SOP is performed so that the hydrogen peroxide gas concentration in the chamber covering the content filling station is 5 mg/L or more is adopted. In addition, the invention according to the embodiment includes the contents from the upstream side to the downstream side along the flow of the preform or the container (3) by the rotation of each wheel (12, 13, 9, 17, etc.) of the wheel train. In an aseptic filling apparatus in which various stations including a material filling station (6) are sequentially provided, and the various stations (5, 6, 7, 53) are covered with chambers (20, 21, 56), the content filling station (6 In the content filling station (6), the heated cleaning liquid is circulated to the content filling station after stopping the rotation of the wheel (9) in ), and then the water heated to 60° C. or more is added to the content filling station. SIP (step S1) which also serves as CIP to be circulated through is carried out. Immediately after this SIP (step S1) is finished, while rotating the wheel (9) in the content filling station (6), the content filling station ( As for 6), an aseptic filling device is adopted in which one or both of COP and SOP (step S2) are performed in a predetermined order.

As described in claim 6, in the aseptic filling apparatus according to claim 5, SOP for the content filling station (6) is performed by stopping rotation of a wheel in the content filling station. be able to.
Further, in the invention according to one embodiment, the SOP (step S2) for the content filling station (6) and the SOP (steps S4, S5, S6) for the other stations (5, 7, 53) are the contents. The step may be performed immediately after the SIP (step S1) of the material filling station (6) is finished.

The aseptic filling apparatus according to claim 5 or 6, as claimed in claim 7, wherein the power between the wheels between the wheel in the content filling station (6) and the wheel in another station. It is possible to provide a clutch for connecting and disconnecting the transmission of the above, and disengage this clutch when the rotation of the wheel in the content filling station (6) is stopped.
Further, in the invention according to one embodiment, the SOP (step S2) for the content filling station (6) and the SOP (steps S4, S5, S6) for the other stations (5, 7, 53) are the contents. It can be configured such that the SIP is performed in parallel immediately after the SIP (step S1) for the material filling station (6) is finished.

As described in claim 8, in the aseptic filling apparatus according to claim 5 or 6, each wheel of the wheel train is independently rotatable by a servomotor for rotation, and the contents filling station (6 When the rotation of the wheel in () is stopped, the corresponding rotation servomotor can be stopped.
Further, the invention according to one embodiment can be performed by spraying hot water or a sterilizing agent and spraying sterile water on the SOP.

Further, in the invention according to the embodiment, the SOP (step S3) is performed for the other stations (5, 7, 53) during the SIP (step S1) for the content filling station (6), and this SOP is performed. (Step S3) may be performed by spraying a gas or mist of a germicide containing a hydrogen peroxide component.

Further, the invention according to one embodiment may be configured such that aseptic air is constantly blown toward the content filling station (6) in the chamber (21).

Further, the invention according to one embodiment includes a wheel (9) in the content filling station (6) and wheels (12, 13, 17, etc.) in the container sterilization station (5) and the container sealing station (7). A clutch for connecting and disconnecting power transmission between the wheels is provided between the two, and when the rotation of the wheel (9) in the content filling station (6) is stopped, the clutch may be disengaged. it can.

Further, in the invention according to one embodiment, the wheels (12, 13, 9, 17, etc.) of the wheel train can be independently rotated by the servomotors for rotation, and the wheels (9 in the content filling station (6) can be rotated. When the rotation of) is stopped, the corresponding servomotor for rotation can be stopped.

Further, in the invention according to one embodiment, among the various stations, other than the content filling station (6), a container molding station, a container sterilization station (5), a container sealing station (7) or a lid sterilization station ( 53).

According to the present invention, various stations including the content filling station (6) are provided in order from the upstream side to the downstream side along the flow of the preform or container (3), and the various stations are provided in the chamber (20, 21). , 56) to form an aseptic filling device and perform SIP that also serves as CIP for the content filling station (6). At the same time as this SIP, one or both of COP and SOP for the content filling station (6) are performed. Since this is a method of cleaning the aseptic filling device in a predetermined order, the time for cleaning and sterilizing the inside of the piping of the content filling station (6) can be shortened.

Therefore, by shortening the cleaning time of the contents filling station (6), the filling work of contents such as beverages can be started early, the production stop time of the aseptic filling device, the production time during the switching of beverages. Time can be shortened and production efficiency can be improved.

It is a schematic plan view of the aseptic filling device according to the present invention. It is the schematic of the vaporizer of the germicide in an aseptic filling device. It is a schematic diagram of the contents filling station in an aseptic filling device, the left half shows the state during drink filling, and the right half shows the state during washing processing or sterilization processing. It is a flow chart which shows the purification method of an aseptic filling device. It is explanatory drawing which shows the process which transfers to CIP from SIP in the drink supply system piping in FIG. It is a flowchart which shows another purification method. It is a flowchart which shows another purification method. It is a flowchart which shows the purification method of the conventional aseptic filling device. It is explanatory drawing which shows the process which transfers to CIP from SIP in the drink supply system piping in FIG. 5 is a graph showing the relationship between the temperature of the filling nozzle and the hydrogen peroxide gas concentration regarding the sterilization property of the outer surface of the filling nozzle.

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

<Embodiment 1>
As shown in FIG. 1, this aseptic filling apparatus includes a preform supply station 2 for sequentially supplying a preform 1 at a predetermined interval, and a container molding for molding the preform 1 into a bottle 3 (see FIG. 3) which is a container. A station 4, a container sterilization station 5 for sterilizing the molded bottle 3, a content filling station 6 for filling the sterilized bottle 3 with a content such as a beverage, and a bottle 3 filled with the content are sealed. And a container sealing station 7.

The preform 1 is a test tube-shaped bottomed tubular body, and is made of, for example, PET (polyethylene terephthalate) by injection molding or the like. The preform 1 is finished by blow molding at the container molding station 4 into a bottle 3 which is a container. The same mouth 3a (see FIG. 3), male screw, etc. as in the bottle 3 is formed from the beginning of the molding of the preform 1. Attached to preform 1.

Between the preform supply station 2 and the container sealing station 7, the preform transport path for transporting the preform 1 in one direction and the molding die 8 for molding the preform 1 into the bottle 3 in one direction. A forming die conveying path for conveying and a bottle conveying path for conveying the bottle 3 formed by the forming die 8 in one direction are provided.

The above-mentioned various transport paths are configured by various transport means, but the preform transport path is configured by a combination of shooters, wheels, etc., and the transport path from the mold transport path to the bottle transport path is a combination of various wheels. It consists of a train of wheels. Further, around a predetermined wheel, a gripper or the like (not shown) for transporting the preform 1 and the bottle 3 by gripping the mouth portion 3a thereof and transferring the preform 1 and the bottle 3 between the wheels. ) Is provided.

The various transfer paths are integrally driven by the transmission of power from a predetermined power source, and the driving of wheels and the like in the transfer paths are interlocked with each other.

However, in the first embodiment, for example, with respect to the wheel 9 corresponding to the content filling station 6, a clutch (not shown) for connecting and disconnecting power transmission is provided in the power transmission system, and by disengaging the clutch, Although the other wheels and the like are driven, the rotation of the wheel 9 of the content filling station 6 can be stopped.

Instead of installing the clutch, each wheel of the wheel train may be independently rotatable by a rotation servomotor. In this case, the rotation of the wheel 9 in the content filling station 6 is stopped by stopping the corresponding rotation servo motor, but other rotation servo motors and other corresponding wheels can be rotated. is there.

The preform supply station 2 is arranged along the flow of the preform 1 traveling on the preform conveying path, and the container forming station 4 is arranged along the outer periphery of a predetermined wheel 10 of the forming die conveying path. The container sterilization station 5, the content filling station 6 and the container sealing station 7 are arranged along the flow of the bottle 3 by the rotation of the wheels 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 9, 16, 17, 18 of the wheel train. And are arranged in order from the upstream side to the downstream side.

The part from the preform supply station 2 to the container molding station 4 is covered with a first chamber 19 which is a protective cover for each transport path of the preform 1 and the container sterilization station 5 is provided with a second chamber 20 for each bottle transport path. The content filling station 6 and the container sealing station 7 are covered with the third chamber 21 together with the bottle conveying path.

The first to third chambers 19, 20, 21 are connected to each other, but are partitioned from each other by a partition wall. An exhaust duct (not shown) is connected to the second chamber 20 so that the air in the second chamber 20 is constantly exhausted to the outside of the second chamber 20 during the operation of the aseptic filling device. ing. Furthermore, the inside of the third chamber 21 is partitioned by a partition wall between the content filling station 6 and the container sealing station 7. The inside of the third chamber 21 is constantly supplied to the contents filling station 6 side in the third chamber 21 from a sterile air supply source (not shown) during the operation of the aseptic filling device. It is designed to be maintained at positive pressure. The aseptic air supplied to the content filling station 6 side flows to the container sealing station 7 side through a gap for passing the bottle on the partition wall.

In the aseptic filling apparatus, the preform conveying path and the preform supplying station 2 will be described. The preform conveying means includes a shooter 22 that sequentially supplies the preforms 1 at predetermined intervals, and the preform 1 from the end of the shooter 22. The wheel 23 receives and conveys the preform 1, and the endless chain 24 that extends in the horizontal direction and receives the preform 1 from the wheel 23 to run the preform 1.

The endless chain 24 is bridged between a pair of pulleys 24 a and 24 b that are arranged to face each other on a horizontal plane, and the shooter 22 is connected to one pulley 24 a via a wheel 23.

A large number of holding members (not shown) for the preform 1 are attached to the endless chain 24 at a constant pitch. Each holding member is capable of rotating while running along with the running of the endless chain 24. The holding member is formed as a spindle, and a plurality of ball-shaped elastic bodies are embedded in the lower outer peripheral surface of the holding member. When the holding member is inserted into the mouth 3a of the preform 1, the preform 1 is held by the holding member due to the elastic deformation of these elastic bodies.

A holding member is inserted into the mouth portion 3a of the preform 1 sent from the wheel 23 side to the endless chain 24 side, whereby the preform 1 is held in the upright state by the holding member.

The endless chain 24 is surrounded by a furnace wall of a heating furnace, and a heater 25 that emits infrared rays is stretched around the inner surface of the furnace wall.

The preform 1 is received by the holding member attached to the endless chain 24 via the shooter 22, is moved by the running of the endless chain 24, and is heated by the heater 25 to a temperature at which blow molding is possible. The preform 1 is desirably heated uniformly while rotating on its own with the rotation of the holding member, and is heated to 90° C. to 130° C. which is a temperature suitable for blow molding except for the mouth portion 3 a. The mouth portion 3a is kept at a temperature of 70° C. or lower at which the cap 51 (see FIG. 1), which is a lid, is not deteriorated so that the sealing performance is not impaired.

A wheel 26 that receives the preform 1 heated by the heater 25 and transfers the preform 1 to the forming die 8 on the second conveyance path is in contact with a portion of one pulley 24a of the endless chain 24 that contacts the return path of the endless chain 24.

Next, the molding die transport path and the container molding station 4 will be described. The molding die transport path includes a wheel row including wheels 26, 10, and 11 connected to the pulley 24a of the preform transport path.

Around the wheel 10, a plurality of sets of molding dies 8 as split dies for receiving the preform 1 heated by the heater 25 and blow molding the bottle 3 are arranged at predetermined intervals. The molding die 8 can rotate around the wheel 10 at a constant speed as the wheel 10 rotates.

When the finished product of the bottle 3 is exposed from the mold 8 that has been opened, the bottle 3 is taken out of the mold 8 by the gripper around the wheel 11 that is in contact with the wheel 10 and passed to the gripper of the wheel 12 on the downstream side.

A camera 55 is installed at a location along the outer circumference of the wheel 11. The top surface of the mouth 3a of the bottle 3 is imaged by the camera 55, and the suitability of the top surface smoothness is determined based on this image.

Next, the bottle transfer path and the container sterilization station 5 will be described. The bottle transfer path is configured by a wheel train including wheels 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 9, 16, 17, and 18.

The container sterilization station 5 includes a sterilizing agent spraying nozzle 27 and an air rinsing nozzle 28 arranged around each of the wheels 12 and 13 in the wheel train.

The disinfectant spraying nozzle 27 is arranged so that the nozzle ejection holes face the opening of the mouth 3a of the bottle 3 running around the wheel 12, and the upstream side of the disinfectant spraying nozzle 27 is shown in FIG. The illustrated bactericide vaporizer 29 is connected.

As the bactericide, it is effective to use one containing a hydrogen peroxide component of 1% by mass or more. Other than that, one containing one or more components of ethanol, peracetic acid, ozone, chlorine dioxide, a chlorine-based bactericide, or a combination thereof may be used.

The vaporizer 29 has a hydrogen peroxide supply unit 30 that is a two-fluid spray that injects an aqueous solution of hydrogen peroxide that is a bactericide, and a spray of hydrogen peroxide supplied from the hydrogen peroxide supply unit 30 that has a boiling point or higher. And a vaporization section 31 for evaporating by heating to a non-decomposition temperature. The hydrogen peroxide supply unit 30 introduces the hydrogen peroxide aqueous solution and the compressed air from the hydrogen peroxide supply passage 30a and the compressed air supply passage 30b, respectively, and sprays the hydrogen peroxide aqueous solution into the vaporization unit 31. ing. The vaporizing section 31 is a pipe having a heater 31a sandwiched between the inner and outer walls, and heats and vaporizes the spray of hydrogen peroxide blown into the pipe. The vaporized hydrogen peroxide becomes mist or gas or a mixture thereof from the sterilizing agent spraying nozzle 27 and jets out of the vaporizer 29, and a part thereof flows into the bottle 3 and the other part thereof Flows along the outer surface of the bottle 3 and thereby adheres to the inner and outer surfaces of the bottle 3 as a uniform film.

The air rinsing nozzle 28 is arranged so that the nozzle ejection hole faces the opening of the mouth 3a of the bottle 3 running around the wheel 13.

For example, one or more air rinse nozzles 28 are arranged around the wheel 13. However, the air rinsing nozzle 28 can be arranged around the wheel 14 or the wheel 15 instead of the wheel 13. It is also possible to arrange it around the wheels 13, 14, 15.

When the bottle 3 sprayed with the sterilizing agent travels around the wheel 13, aseptic air is sprayed from the air rinsing nozzle 28 toward the mouth 3 a of the bottle 3. As a result, hydrogen peroxide remaining on the inner and outer surfaces of the bottle 3 is decomposed and removed. The sterilized bottle 3 reaches the next contents filling station 6 via the wheels 14 and 15.

The sterile air may be heated air. In that case, hydrogen peroxide attached to the inner and outer surfaces of the bottle 3 is activated, so that the sterilizing effect of the bottle 3 is improved.

The container sterilization station 5 can be omitted when the preform sterilization station is provided at the running position of the preform 1 to sterilize the preform 1. Although not shown, in the preform sterilization station, for example, a nozzle for spraying a sterilizing agent such as hydrogen peroxide solution on the preform is provided around the wheel 23, the endless chain 24, or a predetermined location around the wheel 26. It is installed.

The content filling station 6 is configured as a filler integrally with the wheel 9 in the bottle transport path.

The content filling station 6 has a number of filling nozzles 32 around the wheel 9. Each filling nozzle 32 makes a turning motion together with the wheel 9, and the bottle 3 synchronously travels under the filling nozzle 32. Thereby, each bottle 3 is filled with the beverage from each filling nozzle 32.

As shown in FIG. 3, a beverage supply system pipe 34 extending from a beverage preparation tank (not shown) through a surge tank 33 is connected to the content filling station 6. The beverage prepared in the preparation tank is sterilized by a heater (not shown) in the beverage supply system pipe 34 and then supplied to the content filling station 6.

The filler, which is the content filling station 6, is a device that fills a large number of bottles 3 with beverage at high speed, and includes the above-described wheel 9 that constitutes a part of the transport path of the bottles 3, as shown in FIG. The wheel 9 is attached to a portion of the support shaft 35 that stands upright from the floor of the aseptic filling device, which will be the rotation shaft 35a. Around the wheel 9, grippers 36 that hold the neck of the bottle 3 are arranged at a constant pitch. The gripper 36 can rotate in one direction integrally with the wheel 9. Further, around the wheel 9, a large number of filling nozzles 32 arranged at the same pitch as the gripper 36 are attached.

The upper part of the support shaft 35 is fixed to the machine frame of the content filling station 6, and a rotary joint 35b is provided between the fixed upper part and the upper end of the rotary shaft 35a. Further, an upper manifold 37 is provided in the rotary shaft 35a below the rotary joint 35b. The portion from the upper portion of the support shaft 35 to the upper manifold 37 is hollow, and the beverage supply system pipe 34 is connected to the upper portion of the support shaft 35. Further, the beverage supply system pipe 34 extends from the upper manifold 37 to each filling nozzle 32.

The wheel 9 is rotated at a high speed by the operation of the content filling station 6, and the bottle 3 gripped by the gripper 36 is conveyed at a high speed on the bottle conveyance path in synchronization with this rotational movement. A large number of bottles 3 run in a row just below the nozzle port 32a of the filling nozzle 32, so that a certain amount of beverage is filled in each bottle 3 one after another.

The container sealing station 7 is configured as a capper integrally with the wheel 17 in the bottle conveying path, and is covered together with the content filling station 6 by the chamber 21 that covers the content filling station 6.

The bottle 3 filled with the beverage in the content filling station 6 while traveling on the bottle transporting path is traveling around the wheel 17 of the capper and the cap 51 is screwed onto the mouth 3a, whereby the aseptic The bottled beverage is completed.

As shown in FIG. 1, a cap sterilization station 53, which is a station for sterilizing the lid, is attached to the capper.

The cap 51 for closing the mouth 3 a of the bottle 3 is sterilized in advance by the cap sterilization station 53 before being supplied to the container sealing station 7. This cap sterilization station 53 is also covered with a chamber 56 to maintain sterility.

A large number of preformed caps are supplied to the cap sterilization station 53. These caps are sprayed with a spray of a sterilizing agent such as hydrogen peroxide while traveling in the cap sterilization station 53, and sterilized by spraying aseptic hot air. The sterilized cap is supplied from the cap sterilization station 53 to the capper by a shooter or the like.

During the production of the bottled beverage, aseptic air, preferably aseptic hot air, is constantly blown from the above-mentioned aseptic air supply source toward the content filling station 6 in the chamber 21. As a result, the atmosphere in the chamber 21 is positively pressurized, and the outside air containing microorganisms, dust, etc. is prevented from entering the chamber 21. Further, the sterile air also flows to the container sealing station 7 in the same chamber 21 and the container sterilizing station 5 in the chamber 20, so that the outside air is prevented from entering the container sealing station 7 and the like. In addition, aseptic air is always supplied into the chamber 56 of the cap sterilization station 53 from another aseptic air supply source (not shown).

The above-mentioned aseptic filling device is used for the container molding station 4, the container sterilization station 5, the content filling station 6, the container sealing station 7, and the cap sterilization station 53 in the various chambers 20, 21, 56, periodically or according to the type of beverage. At the time of switching, a purifying device for performing a purifying process including SIP, COP, and SOP which also serves as CIP in a state where the beverage filling work is stopped is provided.

It should be noted that the purifying device does not necessarily have to be provided in all stations, and may be omitted in stations that do not require the purifying device in some cases.

First, the purifying device of the content filling station 6 will be described.

As described above, the beverage is supplied from the brewing device to the filling nozzle 32 of the content filling station 6 through the beverage supply system pipe 34, and the inside of the beverage supply system pipe 34 is regularly or When switching the type, it is attached to SIP which also serves as CIP, SOP or COP.

In FIG. 3, reference numeral 38 indicates a storage tank as a supply source of a working fluid such as a cleaning liquid, a sterilizing liquid, and water used for performing SIP also serving as CIP, and a reference numeral 39 indicates a liquid sending pump. Although the number of the storage tanks 38 is provided according to the type of the predetermined working fluid, only one storage tank 38 is shown for convenience of drawing. Illustration of the supply source of the sterilizing working fluid such as steam is omitted.

Further, in FIG. 3, reference numeral 40 denotes a forward pipe from the storage tank 38 to the surge tank 33, and reference numeral 41 denotes a return pipe from each filling nozzle 32 to the storage tank 38. The outward pipe 40 and the return pipe 41 form a circulation passage for the cleaning liquid or the like together with the beverage supply system pipe 34.

A cup 42 is provided at the start end of the return pipe 41 so as to be able to come into contact with and separate from the nozzle opening 32a of each filling nozzle 32. When performing CIP or SIP, each cup 42 is covered with the nozzle opening 32a at the tip of the filling nozzle 32 of the content filling station 6 by an actuator (not shown), so that the starting end of the return pipe 41 is aligned with the nozzle opening 32a of the filling nozzle 32. Connected. Each cup 42 is connected to the lower manifold 43 by a flexible pipe forming a part of the return pipe 41. The lower manifold 43 is attached to the rotary shaft 35a, and can rotate together with the wheel 9, the filling nozzle 32, and the like.

A joint 44 which can be intermittently connected is provided at a portion where the return pipe 41 extends from the lower manifold 43 to the storage tank 38. The joint 44 is connected during the SIP. In that case, the wheel 9, the filling nozzle 32, and the like cannot rotate. When the SIP is completed and the joint 44 is separated, the wheel 9, the filling nozzle 32, etc. can be turned.

In the first embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4, the content filling station 6 is programmed in a control unit (not shown) so that SIP, SOP, or COP is successively executed in order.

First, when the SIP (step S1) is started for the content filling station 6, the clutch in the power transmission system of the aseptic filling device is disengaged and only the wheel 9 of the content filling station 6 is stopped from rotating. 32 stops the pivoting movement.

Next, as shown in the right half of FIG. 3, the nozzle opening 32a of the filling nozzle 32 is closed by the cup 42. Further, the joint 44 is connected. As a result, a circulation path for flowing a predetermined working fluid such as a cleaning liquid, a sterilizing liquid, and water for SIP is formed.

Then, SIP (step S1) is started, and a predetermined working fluid such as an alkaline cleaning liquid and water is sent from the storage tank 38 by the pump 39 in a predetermined order. The cleaning liquid or the like flows from the storage tank 38 to the surge tank 33 through the outward pipe 40, flows into the upper manifold 37 through the beverage supply system pipe 34, and then flows to each filling nozzle 32, and further, the return route. Return to storage tank 38 through pipe 41. As a result, the cleaning liquid or the like flows in the circulation path in a predetermined order for a predetermined time, and the inside of the beverage supply system pipe 34 including the inside of the filling nozzle 32 is cleaned, sterilized, and purified.

As shown in FIG. 5, the working fluid such as the cleaning liquid circulates in the beverage supply system pipe 34 for 20 minutes while being heated to, for example, about 95° C. From the middle of SIP, water is used as a cleaning liquid which is a working fluid. The inside of the beverage supply system pipe 34 is cleaned and sterilized by the circulation of the working fluid.

After the inside of the beverage supply system pipe 34 is sterilized, as shown in FIG. 5, the water passing through this pipe is gradually cooled to room temperature.

In this way, since the inside of the pipe is sterilized and cleaned by SIP (step S1), this SIP (step S1) also serves as CIP. Therefore, the conventional CIP can be omitted to greatly reduce downtime. It can be shortened.

After the completion of the SIP (step S1), the content filling station 6 is immediately subjected to SOP or COP (step S2). The temperature required for SIP may be a temperature and a time at which the sterilization value required for sterilizing the beverage contained in the product is obtained.

In FIG. 3, reference numeral 45 denotes an injection nozzle for SOP or COP (step S2) which is arranged to face each other in the content filling station 6 in the chamber 21. These injection nozzles 45 are fixed at predetermined locations inside the chamber 21.

Further, reference numeral 46 indicates a storage tank which is a supply source of a predetermined working fluid such as an alkaline cleaning solution, a peracetic acid cleaning solution, a chemical solution such as hydrogen peroxide solution, and sterile water. The storage tank 46 is provided for each of chemical liquids such as hydrogen peroxide water and sterile water, but only one is shown for convenience of drawing. Further, reference numerals 47 and 48 denote supply pipes from each storage tank 46 to the injection nozzle 32. A pump 49 is provided in each of the supply pipes 47 and 48.

The pumps 39, 49 and the like may be omitted, and the storage tanks 38, 46 may be placed at a high place to supply the cleaning liquid, the chemical liquid, and the like into the chamber 21 and the like by hydrostatic pressure.

When the SIP (step S1) in the beverage supply system pipe 34 in the content filling station 6 is completed and the joint 44 is disconnected, the above-mentioned clutch is engaged to rotate the other wheels 13, 17 and the like. The wheels 9 can rotate in conjunction with each other. Alternatively, the wheel 9 can be rotated by driving the rotation servomotor for the wheel 9.

Then, at the same time when the wheel 9 starts to rotate, the SOP or COP in the chamber 21 (step S2) is started.

The SOP or COP (step S2) for the content filling station 6 in the chamber 21 is sterilized from the same injection nozzle 45 after a sterilizing agent such as an aqueous solution of peracetic acid is sprayed from the injection nozzle 45 to the outside of the content filling station 6. It is performed by spraying water. By spraying the sterilizing agent toward the content filling station 6, the outer surface of the content filling station 6 is sterilized, and aseptic water is subsequently sprayed on the residue of the beverage related to the previous filling work, peracetic acid, etc. The germicide is flushed from the surface of the content filling station 6.

At the time of this SOP or COP (step S2), the filling nozzle 32 and the like rotate along with the rotation of the wheel 9. By blowing the working fluid onto the content filling station 6 that performs the swirling motion, foreign matters and the like are efficiently washed off from the outer surface of the filling nozzle 32 having a particularly complicated shape and structure. The surface is sterilized efficiently.

In addition, from the beginning of the SIP (step S1) to the end of the final SOP or COP (step S6) described later, the content is supplied from the above-mentioned sterile air supply source toward the content filling station 6 in the chamber 21. Sterile air, preferably aseptic hot air is constantly blown. As a result, the atmosphere in the chamber 21 is positively pressurized, and the outside air containing microorganisms, dust, etc. is prevented from entering the chamber 21. Further, the sterile air also flows to the container sealing station 7 in the same chamber 21 and the container sterilizing station 5 in the chamber 20, so that the outside air is prevented from entering the container sealing station 7 and the like.

Explaining each purification device of the container forming station 4, the container sealing station 7, the container sterilization station 5 and the cap sterilization station 53, one of the SOP and COP (steps S4, S5, S6) for each station 4, 7, 5, 53 Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 1, an injection nozzle 57 having the same structure as the injection nozzle 45 is arranged in various places in the chamber 19 so as to face the container forming station 4 so that both of them can be performed. Injection nozzles 52 having the same structure as the above-mentioned injection nozzles 45 are arranged in various places so as to face the container sealing station 7, and in the chamber 20, the same as the above-mentioned injection nozzles 45 so as to face the container sterilization station 5. An injection nozzle 50 having a different structure is arranged everywhere, and an injection nozzle 54 having the same structure as the injection nozzle 45 is arranged everywhere in the chamber 56 so as to face the cap sterilization station 53.

A supply pipe (not shown) extends from the storage tank 46 to these injection nozzles 57, 52, 50, 54, and a pump (not shown) for pressure-feeding a chemical solution or the like is also provided to these supply pipes. To be

The SOP or COP (steps S3, S4, S5, S6) of the container forming station 4, the container sealing station 7, the container sterilization station 5 and the cap sterilization station 53 is the same as the content filling station 6 as shown in FIG. The controller (not shown) is programmed so as to start from the SIP (step S1). In addition, each station is programmed so that two types of SOPs (steps S3, S4, S5, S6) are performed.

As shown in FIG. 4, the first SOP (step S3) is performed in synchronization with the SIP (step S1) for the content filling station 6, and the container forming station 4, the container sealing station 7, and the container sterilization are performed. All of the station 5 and the cap sterilization station 53 are simultaneously performed.

This SOP or COP (step S3) is a SOP or COP different from the SOP or COP (step S2) for the content filling station 6, and the hydrogen peroxide solution is supplied from the injection nozzles 57, 50, 52, 54. It is performed by spraying toward the outer surfaces of the container forming station 4, the container sterilizing station 5, the container sealing station 7, and the cap sterilizing station 53. In this SOP or COP (step S3), hydrogen peroxide solution may be simultaneously sprayed from the injection nozzle 45 to the content filling station 6, dried with aseptic hot air, and gasified.

At the time of this SOP or COP (step S3), while the wheels 10, 12, 13 other than the wheel 9 are rotated, the hydrogen peroxide solution, which is a working fluid, is sprayed to the stations 4, 5, 7, 53. , The sterilizing effect of each station 4, 5, 7, 53 is improved.

That is, during SIP (step S1), the wheel 9 of the content filling station 6 is stopped by disengaging the clutch as described above, but the other wheels 17 and the like can be rotated. Alternatively, even if the rotation servomotor of the wheel 9 of the content filling station 6 is stopped, the other wheel 17 or the like can be rotated by driving the other rotation servomotor. Therefore, when SIP (step S1) is performed on the content filling station 6, even if the wheel 9 of the content filling station 6 is stopped, the other wheel 17 corresponding to the container sterilization station 5 is rotated. The SOP or COP (steps S3, S4, S5, S6) is more effectively performed on the outer surfaces of the container molding station 4, container sterilization station 5, container sealing station 7 and cap sterilization station 53 other than the content filling station 6.

As the bactericide used in the SOP, it is effective to use one containing a hydrogen peroxide component of 1% by mass or more. Other than that, it may be one containing one or more components of ethanol, peracetic acid, acetic acid, octanoic acid, peroxyoctanoic acid, ozone, chlorine dioxide, alkali chlorite, sodium hypochlorite, or a combination thereof. The germicide may be gas or mist instead of liquid.

When performing the SOP or COP (step S3), if aseptic hot air is blown into the chambers 19, 20, 21, 56 before spraying the hydrogen peroxide solution, the chambers 19, 20, 21, Atmosphere temperature in 56 rises, hydrogen peroxide is activated by this, and the sterilization effect by SOP or COP (step S3) improves. After spraying the hydrogen peroxide solution, the aseptic hot air accelerates the dry removal of the excess hydrogen peroxide solution.

The SOP or COP for the container sealing station 7, the container sterilization station 5 and the cap sterilization station 53 (steps S4, S5, S6) performed after the SIP (step S1) is the SOP or COP for the content filling station 6. It is of the same type as (Step S2) and is carried out step by step with the SOP or COP of the content filling station 6 (Step S2).

In this SOP or COP (steps S4, S5, S6), first, an aqueous solution of peracetic acid is sprayed stepwise from the injection nozzles 52, 50, 54 toward the container sealing station 7, the container sterilization station 5 and the cap sterilization station 53. The outer surface of each station 7, 5, 53 is sterilized.

When the injection of the aqueous solution of peracetic acid is completed, aseptic water is subsequently sprayed on the outer surfaces of the stations 7, 5, 53 in the same manner stepwise. As a result, the residue of the beverage related to the previous filling, the surplus of the aqueous solution of peracetic acid, and the like are washed off from the surfaces of the stations 7, 5, 53.

Thus, by injecting the aqueous solution of peracetic acid or the sterile water in the SOP (or COP) stepwise, it is possible to prevent the supply shortage of the germicide such as peracetic acid or the sterile water.

When the SOP (step S2) is performed on the content filling station 6, the wheel 9 of the content filling station 6 is rotatable, and other wheels corresponding to the container sealing station 7, the container sterilization station 5 and the cap sterilization station 53 are provided. The wheels 12, 13 and the like can also rotate. Therefore, when the SOP or COP for the content filling station 6 (step S2) to the SOP for another station (step S6) is reached, each of the stations 6, 7, by spraying working water with peracetic acid and sterile water is used. The cleaning effect of 5,53 is improved.

Even when this SOP or COP (steps S2, S4, S5, S6) is performed, the aseptic hot air is blown into the chambers 21, 20, 56.

When the SOP or COP (steps S2, S4, S5, S6) is performed, when the sterilizing agent such as peracetic acid or the cleaning liquid comes into contact with the filling valve 32, heat is taken from the filling valve 32. May be sterilized poorly. Therefore, a partition is preferably provided between the content filling station 6 and the other stations to prevent the disinfectant and the cleaning liquid from flowing to the content filling station 6. Alternatively, the SOP or COP in the other chamber preferably uses a germicide gas or mist as the germicide rather than a germicidal solution.

Next, the operation of the aseptic filling device will be described together with the method for cleaning the aseptic filling device.

(1) First, the cleaning operation of the aseptic filling device will be described based on the flowchart of FIG.

When the production of a bottled beverage is completed and the type of beverage that has been filled up is switched to start the production of another bottled beverage, the SIP (step S1) and SOP or COP (also serving as CIP) of the aseptic filling device is started. Steps S2, S3, S4, S5, S6) are performed.

From the beginning of the SIP (step S1) to the end of the final SOP (step S6), preferably the sterile hot air is constantly blown toward the content filling station 6 in the chamber 21. As a result, the atmosphere in the chamber 21 is positively pressurized, and the outside air containing microorganisms, dust, etc. is prevented from entering the chamber 21. Aseptic air also flows to the container sealing station 7 in the same chamber 21 and the container sterilizing station 5 in the chamber 20, so that contamination of the container sealing station 7 and the like is prevented. Sterile air is also supplied into the chamber 56 of the cap sterilization station 53.

(2) When SIP (step S1) is started for the content filling station 6, the clutch in the power transmission system of the aseptic filling device is disengaged to stop only the wheel 9 of the content filling station 6 from rotating. Thereby, the filling nozzle 32 stops the turning motion. Moreover, the inside of the surge tank 33 is emptied.

(3) As shown in the right half of FIG. 3, the nozzle opening 32a of the filling nozzle 32 is closed by the cup 42. Further, the joint 44 is connected. As a result, a circulation path for flowing a predetermined working fluid such as a cleaning liquid and a sterilizing liquid for SIP (step S1) is formed.

(4) SIP (step S1) is started, and a predetermined working fluid such as an alkaline cleaning liquid and water is sent from the storage tank 38 by the pump 39 in a predetermined order. The cleaning liquid or the like flows from the storage tank 38 to the surge tank 33 through the outward pipe 40, flows into the upper manifold 37 through the beverage supply system pipe 34, and then flows to each filling nozzle 32, and further, the return route. Return to storage tank 38 through pipe 41. As a result, the cleaning liquid or the like flows in the circulation path in a predetermined order for a predetermined time, and the inside of the beverage supply system pipe 34 including the inside of the filling nozzle 32 is cleaned.

As shown in FIG. 5, the SIP (step S1) is performed by first supplying an alkaline cleaning liquid and flowing water toward the end, and these working fluids flow in the circulation path at, for example, 80 to 95° C. It flows while maintaining the temperature, and is discharged to the outside of the circulation path after, for example, 10 to 30 minutes have passed. As a result, the residual cleaning liquid and the waste liquid are removed from the inside of the beverage supply system pipe 34, and the SIP (step S1) ends. Since the inside of the beverage supply system pipe 34 is sterilized and washed at the same time, the conventional CIP is also achieved at the same time. Therefore, as is clear from the comparison between FIG. 5 and FIG. 9, the inter-production time from the end of the filling of one beverage to the start of the filling of the next beverage is shortened. However, it is desirable that the contents to be sterilized here are those which are operated in hot packs such as acidic drinks having a pH of less than 4.6, mineral water, and green tea having a bacteriostatic effect.

The waste liquid or the like is removed from the beverage supply system pipe 34 by, for example, collecting it in the storage tank 38 and then extracting it from the storage tank 38.

The conditions of the temperature and time of hot water at the time of performing SIP (step S1) are determined according to the conditions required for sterilization of the contents of the product. For example, a product with a pH of less than 4 has a temperature of at least 60°C for 10 minutes, a product with a pH of 4.0 to 4.6 has a temperature of 85°C for 30 minutes, and a product having a pH of 4.6 or higher has a temperature of 120°C for 4 minutes. It is above (generally 30 minutes or more at 130° C.). When a temperature condition of 100° C. or higher is required in SIP (step S1), steam may be used instead of hot water.

(5) When the SIP (step S1) is performed on the beverage supply system piping 34 of the content filling station 6, in parallel with this, (i) the outer surface of various devices of the container molding station 4 in the chamber 19, (ii) ) Regarding the outer surfaces of various devices in the container sterilization station 5 in the chamber 20, (iii) the outer surfaces of various devices in the container sealing station 7 in the chamber 21, and (iv) the outer surfaces of various devices in the chamber 56 in the cap sterilization station 53, SOP or COP (step S3) is performed.

At that time, the wheel 9 of the content filling station 6 is stopped, but the wheels 10, 12, 13, 17, 18 and the like in the container forming station 4, container sterilization station 5, container sealing station 7, cap sterilization station 53, etc. The equipment is running.

This SOP or COP (step S3) is a SOP or COP different from the SOP or COP (steps S2, S4, S5, S6) for the content filling station 6 and other stations, and the injection nozzles 57, 50, Hydrogen peroxide water is sprayed from 52 and 54 toward the outer surfaces of the container molding station 4, the container sterilization station 5, the container sealing station 7, and the cap sterilization station 53.

At that time, since the container molding station 4, the container sterilization station 5, the container sealing station 7, and the cap sterilization station 53 are being driven, the hydrogen peroxide solution, which is a working fluid, spreads to every corner of these devices, and the cleaning effect, The bactericidal effect is improved.

(6) At the time of SOP or COP (step S3) for other stations such as the container molding station 4, hydrogen peroxide is simultaneously sprayed from the injection nozzle 45 toward the content filling station 6 in a stationary state, and SIP (step When S1) is performed, SOP or COP (step S2) may be performed in parallel for the content filling station 6.

By spraying hydrogen peroxide at the same time as SIP (step S1), the outer surface of the filling nozzle 32 having a complicated shape can be efficiently sterilized. Specifically, even if the filling nozzle 32 is at 130° C., if the inside of the chamber 21 is in a dry state, the heat-resistant spore bacterium is difficult to sterilize because dry heat sterilization is performed. However, as is clear from FIG. 10 showing the experimental results of the inventors, the hydrogen peroxide gas concentration in the chamber 21 is set to 5 mg/L or more during the SIP (step S1), and the temperature of the filling valve is 60° C. Under the above conditions, the outer surface of the filling valve can be easily sterilized.

When this SOP or COP (step 3) is carried out, the atmosphere in the chamber 20 is heated by the aseptic hot air blown into the chamber 21 as described above, whereby hydrogen peroxide is activated, and the SOP or COP (step The sterilizing effect of S3) is enhanced, and after spraying the hydrogen peroxide solution, the excess hydrogen peroxide solution is dried and removed by aseptic hot air.

(7) When the SIP (step S1) in the beverage supply system pipe 34 at the content filling station 6 is completed and the joint 44 is disconnected, the above-mentioned clutch is engaged, so that the other wheels 13, 17, etc. The wheel 9 can be rotated in association with the rotation. Alternatively, the wheel 9 can be rotated by driving the rotation servomotor for the wheel 9.

Therefore, at the same time when the wheel 9 and the like start to rotate, the contents filling station 6, the container sterilization station 5, the container sealing station 7, the cap sterilization station 53, and the container molding station 4 are the same kind of SOP or COP (steps S2 and S4). , S5, S6) are performed stepwise. The order of performing steps S2, S4, S5 and S6 is arbitrary.

(8) If starting from step S2, the peracetic acid aqueous solution is sprayed from the injection nozzle 45 toward the content filling station 6 during the spraying of sterile water in step S2.

At the start of step S2, the wheel 9 of the content filling station 6 rotates together with the other wheels, and accordingly, the filling nozzle 32 also starts the turning motion.

When step S2 is started for the content filling station 6, a predetermined working fluid such as a chemical solution or sterile water is jetted from the jet nozzle 45 to the outside of the content filling station 6 in a predetermined order. Since the working fluid is sprayed to the filling nozzle 32 or the like that makes a swirling motion, the outer surface of the filling nozzle 32 or the like is efficiently cleaned and sterilized.

The SOP or COP in step S2 may be a treatment for inactivating the bacteria by using warm water at 60° C. or higher and lower than 100° C. instead of the bactericide.

In step S2 of the first embodiment, an aqueous solution of peracetic acid is first sprayed from the injection nozzle 45 toward the content filling station 6 as a sterilizing agent to sterilize the outer surface of the content filling station 6, and then sterile water. Is sprayed on the surface of the content filling station 6 to wash away excess sterilizing agent such as peracetic acid and dirt.

(9) Next, assuming that Steps S4 to S6 are sequentially performed, the injection of the aqueous solution of peracetic acid in Steps S4 to 6 starts stepwise after the injection of the aqueous solution of peracetic acid in Step 2 and proceeds stepwise. To be done. As a result, the aqueous solution of peracetic acid is sprayed onto each of the content filling station 6, the container sterilization station 5, the container sealing station 7, and the cap sterilization station 53 in an appropriate amount without causing a supply shortage.

(10) When the injection of the aqueous solution of peracetic acid in steps S2, S4, S5 and S6 is completed, aseptic water is subsequently supplied in the order of steps S2, S4, S5 and S6 to the content filling station 6, container sealing station 7, container sterilization. It is sprayed on the station 5 and the cap sterilization station 53. As a result, aseptic water is supplied to each of the content filling station 6, the container sterilization station 5, the container sealing station 7, and the cap sterilization station 53 in an appropriate amount without causing a supply shortage.

(11) Thus, the aseptic filling device is purified by performing SIP (step S1), SOP or COP (steps S2, S3, S4, S5, S6) on a portion of the aseptic filling device where contamination is particularly disliked. It

In addition, aseptic air is subsequently blown into the chamber 21, so that the pressure around the content filling station 7 is increased. Further, this sterile air flows to the container forming station 4, the container sterilizing station 5, and the container sealing station 7. As a result, the sterility inside the chambers 19, 20, 21 is maintained.

Regarding the cap sterilization station 53, aseptic air is blown into the chamber 56 from another system to maintain the sterility of the atmosphere in the chamber 56.

The time required for cleaning the aseptic filling device by the SIP (step S1) and SOP or COP (steps S2, S3, S4, S5, S6) described in (1) to (10) above is as shown in FIG. , About 4 hours. Although the time required for cleaning the conventional aseptic filling apparatus was about 6 hours as shown in FIG. 8, it can be seen that the present invention reduces downtime.

(12) After completion of the SIP (step S1) and the SOP or COP (steps S2, S3, S4, S5, S6), production of a new bottled beverage is started.

Explaining the production of a new bottled beverage, first, in FIG. 1, the preform 1 is introduced into the heating furnace by the shooter 22 and the wheel 23, and is transported in the heating furnace by the endless chain 24.

The preform 1 is conveyed in the heating furnace by the endless chain 24 and is heated by the heater 25 to a temperature range suitable for molding.

(13) The heated preform 1 is put into the forming die 8 which is rotated around the wheel 10, and the forming die 8 is closed. A stretch rod (not shown) descends into the preform 1 and contacts the bottom of the preform 1 to start stretching the preform 1. Further, the preform 1 expands into the bottle 3 in the molding die 8 by blowing the blow molding air. When the molding of the bottle 3 in the molding die 8 is completed, the molding die 8 is opened and the finished product of the bottle 3 is taken out of the molding die 8 by a gripper (not shown) around the wheel 11.

(14) The bottle 3 sent from the wheel 11 side travels around the wheel 12 in the chamber 20 in which the SOP or COP (step S6) is completed, while the bottle 3 is discharged from the germicide spray nozzle 27 of the container sterilization station 5. Can be sprayed with mist. As a result, a film of a bactericide is formed on the inner and outer surfaces of the bottle 3, and the inner and outer surfaces of the bottle 3 are sterilized.

Subsequently, while traveling around the wheel 13, heated sterile air is sprayed from the air rinsing nozzle 28 of the container sterilization station 5. As a result, the germicide attached to the inner and outer surfaces of the bottle 3 is activated to enhance the germicidal effect, and the surplus germicide is removed.

(15) The sterilized bottle 3 travels in the chamber 21 while being transferred to the wheels 14, 15, 9, 16, 17, and 18 in the bottle transport path. The SOP or COP (step S2) in the chamber 21 has already been completed, and sterile air is constantly blown into the chamber 21.

(16) When the bottle 3 travels around the wheel 9, contents such as a beverage are filled in the bottle 3 through the beverage supply system pipe 34.

The inside of the beverage supply system pipe 34 has been cleaned and sterilized by SIP (step S1).

The content such as a beverage is filled into the bottle 3 from the filling nozzle 32 through the purified beverage supply system pipe 34 of the content filling station 6.

The contents are stored in the surge tank 33 after being prepared in advance by a preparation device and sterilized.

(17) The bottle 3 filled with the beverage is sequentially transferred from the gripper 36 on the wheel 9 side to the grippers on the wheels 16 and 17 on the downstream side, and the mouth portion 3a with the sterilized cap 51 at the container sealing station 7. After being closed, it is discharged to the outside of the chamber 21.

The cap 51 is sterilized in advance in the cap sterilization station 53 and then supplied to the container sealing station 7. The inside of the cap sterilization station 53 has already been cleaned and sterilized by the COP or COP (step S6).

Thus, the production of aseptic bottled beverages takes place for new beverages.

<Second Embodiment>
As shown in FIG. 6, in the second embodiment, SIP (step S1) and SOP or COP by spraying hydrogen peroxide solution (step S3) are performed in the same manner as in the first embodiment, and the aqueous solution of peracetic acid is obtained. And SOP or COP by spraying sterile water (steps S2, S4, S5, S6) is also carried out step by step for the content filling station 6, the container sealing station 7, the container sterilization station 5, and the cap sterilization station 53.

However, steps S2, S4, S5 and S6 are different from the case of the first embodiment as follows.

That is, as shown in FIG. 6, first, an aqueous solution of peracetic acid is ejected from the injection nozzles 45, 52, 50, 54 toward the content filling station 6, the container sealing station 7, the container sterilization station 5 and the cap sterilization station 53. The outer surface of each of the stations 7, 5, 53 is sterilized by sterilizing the outer surface of each of the stations 7, 5, 53, and then sterilized water is blasted in stages, so that the residue of the beverage related to the previous filling, the excess amount of the peracetic acid aqueous solution, etc. It is washed off from the surface of the stations 7, 5, 53, and at that time, the preceding cleaning of the SOP or COP with sterile water and the subsequent sterilization of the SOP or COP with peracetic acid are performed so as to overlap with each other in a timely manner. Be seen. This prevents the peracetic acid supplied in the next SOP or COP from adhering to the portion where the peracetic acid is being washed and removed in the preceding SOP or COP.

As described above, the SOP or COP (steps S2, S4, S5, S6) of the content filling station 6, the container sterilization station 5, the container sealing station 7, and the cap sterilization station 53 is performed by cleaning with sterile water and cleaning with peracetic acid. Since the steps are performed in an overlapping manner, the downtime of the aseptic filling apparatus is further reduced, and the productivity of bottled beverages is further improved.

<Third Embodiment>
As shown in FIG. 7, in the third embodiment, SIP (step S1) and SOP or COP (step S3) by spraying hydrogen peroxide solution are carried out in the same manner as in the first embodiment. The SOP or COP (steps S2, S4, S5, S6) by spraying the acetic acid aqueous solution and sterile water is simultaneously performed on the content filling station 6, the container sealing station 7, the container sterilization station 5 and the cap sterilization station 53.

Thus, the SOP or COP (steps S4, S5, S6) is performed for the container sterilization station 5, the container sealing station 7, and the cap sterilization station 53 in parallel with the SOP or COP for the content filling station 6 (step S2). Therefore, the downtime of the aseptic filling device is further shortened, and the productivity of bottled beverages is further improved.

Further, when SIP (step S1) is performed on the content filling station 6, SOP or COP using hydrogen peroxide (step S3) is performed in parallel on other stations such as the container sealing station 7. At that time, since the wheels 17 and the like of the other stations such as the container sealing station 7 rotate, the sterilization effect of the other stations such as the container sealing station 7 is improved.

Although the present invention is configured as described above, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications can be made within the scope of the gist of the present invention. For example, in FIGS. 4, 6 and 7, the cleaning/sterilization (S4, S5, S6) of the chambers other than the content filling station may be performed at the same timing as the SIP or CIP (S1) of the content filling station. good.

Further, the container is not limited to a bottle and may be a paper container. The contents are not limited to beverages and may be liquid foods or the like.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, the container (bottle, cap, etc.) sterilization method may be chemical rinsing such as peracetic acid or electron beam sterilization, instead of hydrogen peroxide sterilization. Instead of sterilizing the bottle, the preform may be sterilized.

3... Container (bottle)
5... Container sterilization station 6... Contents filling station 7... Container sealing station 9, 12, 13, 17... Wheel 20, 21, 56... Chamber 32... Filling nozzle 51... Lid (cap)
53... Lid Sterilization Station (Cap Sterilization Station)

Claims (8)

Along with the flow of the preform or container, various stations including the content filling station are provided in order from the upstream side to the downstream side, and the aseptic filling device is configured by covering the various stations with the chamber. about,
Stop the swirling motion of the filling nozzle in the content filling station,
Closing the nozzle opening of the filling nozzle with a cup, connecting a joint, forming a circulation path in the content filling station,
First, the alkaline cleaning liquid is supplied, and water is flown to the final stage, the alkaline cleaning liquid and the water are flown in the circulation path while maintaining a temperature of 80° C. to 95° C. , and after 10 to 30 minutes, the outside of the circulation path. performs SIP which also serves as a CIP discharged to, simultaneously with the SIP, peroxide for the outer surface of the filling nozzle of the content filling station in a stationary state of being heated temperature under 60 ℃ by SIP, which serves as the CIP A method for purifying an aseptic filling apparatus, which comprises spraying hydrogen water and performing SOP for setting a hydrogen peroxide gas concentration in a chamber covering the content filling station to 5 mg/L or more. The method for cleaning an aseptic filling device according to claim 1,
The SOP for the content filling station is performed by stopping the rotation of a wheel in the content filling station, thereby purifying the aseptic filling device. The method for purifying an aseptic filling apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein a clutch is provided between the wheel in the content filling station and the wheel in another station to connect and disconnect power between the wheels. A method for cleaning an aseptic filling device, characterized in that the clutch is disengaged when the rotation of the wheel in the content filling station is stopped. The method for cleaning an aseptic filling apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein each wheel of the wheel train is independently rotatable by a servomotor for rotation, and when the rotation of the wheels in the content filling station is stopped, A method for cleaning an aseptic filling device, characterized in that the corresponding servomotor for rotation is stopped. Along with the flow of the preform or container, various stations including the content filling station are provided in order from the upstream side to the downstream side, and in the aseptic filling device in which the various stations are covered with a chamber,
The aseptic filling device is provided with a purifying device for performing a purifying process consisting of SIP, COP, and SOP which doubles as CIP, with respect to the various stations in the chamber,
Regarding the content filling station, the swirling motion of the filling nozzle in the content filling station is stopped, the nozzle opening of the filling nozzle is closed with a cup, a joint is connected, and a circulation path is formed in the filling station. Alkaline cleaning liquid is supplied to the end, water is flowed to the final stage, the alkaline cleaning liquid and the water are flown in the circulation path while maintaining a temperature of 80° C. to 95° C. , and after 10 to 30 minutes, to the outside of the circulation path. The SIP that also serves as the discharged CIP is performed, and at the same time as this SIP, the hydrogen peroxide is applied to the outer surface of the filling nozzle in the contents filling station that is statically heated to 60° C. or higher by the SIP that also serves as the CIP. An aseptic filling device, comprising: a control unit that sprays water and controls so that SOP is performed so that the hydrogen peroxide gas concentration in the chamber covering the content filling station is 5 mg/L or more. The aseptic filling apparatus according to claim 5,
The SOP for the content filling station is performed by stopping rotation of a wheel in the content filling station. The aseptic filling apparatus according to claim 5 or 6, further comprising: a clutch that connects and disconnects power transmission between the wheels in the content filling station and a wheel in another station, the content filling station. The aseptic filling device characterized in that the clutch is disengaged when the rotation of the inner wheel is stopped. The aseptic filling apparatus according to claim 5 or 6, wherein each wheel of the wheel train is independently rotatable by a rotation servomotor, and when the rotation of the wheel in the content filling station is stopped, An aseptic filling device characterized in that a diversion servomotor is stopped.

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