JP6780756B2 - Manufacturing method of filler - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a preform, a method for producing a preform, a preform crystallizer, a plastic bottle, and a method for producing a filler. More specifically, the molded plastic bottle is filled with a liquid while being sterilized at a high temperature. method for producing a charge Hamakarada corresponding to so-called hot fill which relates.

Plastic bottles are often used as containers filled with liquids such as beverages as contents. In the production of plastic bottles, a method of molding a test tubular preform from a resin with an injection molding machine or the like and molding the preform into a bottle shape with a blow molding machine is often used. Then, as a method of filling the contents in the plastic bottle, so-called hot filling in which the liquid in the high temperature (for example, 85 ° C.) state is filled in the plastic bottle and aseptic filling in which the liquid in the normal temperature (for example, 30 ° C.) state is filled. There is.

Aseptic filling does not require heat resistance of the plastic bottle, so its molding is relatively easy. For this reason, in the aseptic filling method, there are many cases where a aseptic filling system in which a plastic bottle blow molding machine is in-lined with a filling machine is formed. Then, when the plastic bottle is molded in-line, the form of the container supplied to the sterile filling system can be changed to a preform which is smaller than the plastic bottle, and the transportation efficiency from the container manufacturer is greatly improved. For example, it can be increased 6 times or more. Therefore, an aseptic filling system with an in-line aseptic filling of a plastic bottle blow molding machine contributes to reduction of container transportation cost and reduction of environmental load.

On the other hand, since the bottle supply method does not require a blow molding machine, a hot filling system that can reduce the initial cost as compared with the aseptic filling system by aseptic filling is often used. However, in the hot filling method, measures to impart heat resistance to the plastic bottle so that the plastic bottle is not deformed by a high-temperature liquid, for example, crystallization of the mouth and body is required, which reduces the manufacturing capacity and makes each bottle The cost of

In Patent Document 1, after the container is molded, the molded container is directly transferred to the content filling step, the content is filled in the mouth non-crystalline polyester container, and the temperature of the container mouth at the time of sterilization after sealing is set. Disclosed is a method for producing a packaged content in which the container is sterilized within a range of 61 ° C. or higher and lower than the glass transition temperature (80 ° C. or lower) determined by the water content of the container.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2004-331205

According to the method for manufacturing a container-filled content of Patent Document 1, the time from container molding to content filling is shortened by directly transferring the molded container to the content filling step, so that the container is placed in an external environment. It is said that the amount of moisture absorbed from the container is reduced, and the water content of the container can be kept low accordingly. Sufficient commercial sterility can be obtained by filling the container with the contents at a filling temperature (61 to 80 ° C.) within a temperature range below the glass transition temperature determined by the water content of the container at 61 ° C. or higher. Therefore, it is possible to use a mouth non-crystalline polyester container in which the glass transition temperature of the container is within this temperature range.

However, Patent Document 1 does not describe at all about in-linening a plastic bottle blow molding machine and a filling machine. That is, Patent Document 1 does not describe at all that a plastic bottle can be obtained in a state where the heat resistance is less deteriorated due to humidification by in-line.

Further, in Patent Document 1, since the method for producing a PET (PolyEthylene Terephthalate) bottled beverage generally fills a PET bottle with the content liquid at a high filling temperature of 85 to 95 ° C., the PET bottle has this filling temperature. It is stated that a mouth crystallized PET bottle having sufficient heat resistance must be used, and a mouth non-crystallized PET bottle in which the mouth is not crystallized cannot be used. In Patent Document 1, a filling temperature exceeding 80 ° C. is unnecessary for sterilizing the bottle, which is a waste of energy, and when the filling temperature exceeds 80 ° C., the mouth non-crystalline PET bottle has sufficient heat resistance. It is said that it will be difficult to obtain the above, and no study has been made on how to deal with a general method for producing PET bottled beverages. In such a method of Patent Document 1, sterilization may be insufficient depending on the type of contents.

When a PET bottle formed from a preform having a non-crystalline mouth is filled with high-temperature contents and sterilized, the top surface of the mouth, particularly the top surface, is deformed under the influence of heat. To avoid this, it is necessary to crystallize the mouth. However, since the mouth part shrinks when it is crystallized, if the finished dimensions are aligned with those that do not crystallize, it is not possible to utilize the preform mold whose mouth part is non-crystallized, and a new mold is used. It takes time and money to make a mold. On the other hand, if a preform mold having a non-crystalline mouth is used, the finished size will change, and a cap that is widely used as a standard cannot be used.

It is an object of the present invention, the mouth portion is, be a standard widely shapes used in normal temperature filling, charge reduction of the sealing property due to shrinkage or deformation due to high temperature of the liquid to be filled is suppressed Hamakarada To provide a manufacturing method for.

In order to solve the above problems, the present invention includes a mouth portion to which a cap is attached from the side of the opening end and a body portion connected to a support ring of the mouth portion, and the mouth portion is a non-crystalline preform. molded from a temperature of 81 ° C. or higher, a method for producing a filler which the liquid of the high-temperature plastic bottles filled with a heat-resistant to prevent thermal deformation when filled with 90 ° C. or less of the liquid, the The cap has a closing ring, and the side of the opening end including the contact portion with the closing ring is heat-treated discontinuously in the circumferential direction so that the density is higher than that of the support ring side. A step of heating the body of the preform, a step of blow-molding the plastic bottle from the preform using a mold, a step of filling the plastic bottle with the high-temperature liquid, and the plastic bottle. a step of mounting the cap on the mouth portion of the steps of overturning sterilized and the cap and the mouth portion of the plastic bottle, characterized in that it comprises a step of cooling the plastic bottle.

Further, a step of heating the body portion, a step of blow molding the plastic bottle, a step of filling the liquid, a step of attaching the cap, and a step of overturning and sterilizing the mouth portion and the cap. The process of cooling the plastic bottle is performed in an in-line manner.

Further, it is characterized in that heat treatment is performed at eight locations in the circumferential direction.

Further, it is characterized in that heat is insulated between the side of the opening end and the side of the support ring.

Further, it is characterized in that the side of the support ring is cooled.

According to the present invention, a mouth portion to which a cap is attached from the side of the opening end and a body portion connected to a support ring of the mouth portion are provided, and the mouth portion is molded from a non-crystalline preform and has a temperature of 81 ° C. The above is a method for manufacturing a filler in which a high-temperature liquid is filled in a heat-resistant plastic bottle that prevents thermal deformation when filled with a liquid of 90 ° C. or lower . The cap has a closing ring and the closing ring. A step of heating the body of the preform so that the side of the opening end including the contact portion with the plastic is discontinuously heat-treated in the circumferential direction and the density is higher than that of the support ring side, and the preform. The process of blow molding a plastic bottle using a mold, the process of filling a plastic bottle with a high-temperature liquid, the process of attaching a cap to the mouth of a plastic bottle, and the process of tipping over the mouth and cap of a plastic bottle. Since it includes a step of sterilizing and a step of cooling the plastic bottle, even if the mouth has a shape that is widely used as a standard for normal temperature filling, the sealing property due to shrinkage and deformation due to the high temperature liquid to be filled. It is possible to provide a method for producing a filler in which the decrease in the amount of the filler is suppressed.

Further, a process of heating the body, a process of blow molding a plastic bottle, a process of filling a liquid, a process of attaching a cap, a process of overturning and sterilizing the mouth and the cap, and a process of cooling the plastic bottle. Since all the processes are performed in-line, even if the mouth has a shape that is widely used for normal temperature filling, deterioration of sealing performance due to shrinkage and deformation due to the high temperature liquid to be filled is suppressed. A method for producing a filler can be provided.

Furthermore, since heat treatment is performed at eight locations in the circumferential direction, even if the mouth has a shape that is widely used as a standard for room temperature filling, the sealing performance due to shrinkage and deformation due to the high-temperature liquid to be filled is reduced. It is possible to provide a method for producing a more suppressed filler .

Furthermore, since heat is insulated between the side of the opening end and the side of the support ring, even if the mouth has a shape that is widely used as standard for room temperature filling, it will not shrink or deform due to the high temperature liquid to be filled. It is possible to provide a method for producing a filler in which a decrease in sealing property due to the suppression is suppressed.

Furthermore, since the side of the support ring is cooled, even if the mouth portion has a shape that is widely used as a standard for room temperature filling, deterioration of sealing property due to shrinkage or deformation due to the high temperature liquid to be filled is suppressed. A method for producing a packed material can be provided.

It is a front view which showed an example of the preform which concerns on this embodiment. It is a partial cross-sectional view which showed the state which the screw-in type cap was attached to the mouth part. It is a vertical cross-sectional view of a main part which illustrates the crystallizing apparatus of a preform. FIG. 3 is a sectional view (cross-sectional view) taken along the line IV-IV of FIG. It is a front view which showed the PET bottle as an example of the plastic bottle which concerns on this embodiment. It is the schematic which showed typically the manufacturing apparatus of the filler which concerns on this embodiment. It is sectional drawing which showed an example of the heating device of a preform. It is sectional drawing which shows typically the preform and the PET bottle after blow molding. It is a flow chart which showed the outline of the manufacturing process of the filler which concerns on this embodiment. It is the schematic which showed an example of blowing cooling air to a PET bottle. It is a flow chart which showed the outline of the manufacturing process of the filler which concerns on another embodiment.

The details of the embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. First, the configuration of the preform 1 (preformed body) according to the present embodiment for molding a plastic bottle that has heat resistance to a high-temperature liquid to be filled and is sealed by a closing ring of a cap to be mounted is detailed. Explain to. FIG. 1 is a front view showing an example of the preform 1 according to the present embodiment. In the following, for convenience of explanation, the mouth portion 10 of the preform 1 in the state of FIG. 1 in which the open side of one end side of the preform 1 faces upward is referred to as the top.

The preform 1 according to the present embodiment has a bottomed tubular shape with one end open, and includes a mouth 10 on the open side and a body 15 on the bottom side. The mouth portion 10 has an annular opening end 11 at its upper end and an annular support ring 12 at its lower end that projects outward.

On the outer periphery of the mouth portion 10, a screw 13 (screw) is provided for attaching a cap (not shown here) after the preform 1 is molded into a bottle shape by a blow molding machine (not shown here). Further, the mouth portion 10 has an annular turnip 14 protruding outward between the support ring 12 on the outer circumference thereof and the male screw 13. The support ring 12 protrudes outward from the turnip 14.

The shape of the mouth portion 10 does not change even after molding by a blow molding machine. On the other hand, the body portion 15 has a cylindrical shape and is a portion that swells in the shape of a bottle during blow molding. The body portion 15 has a neck portion 16 connected to the mouth portion 10 (lower surface of the support ring 12), a body middle portion 17 connected to the neck portion 16, and a bottom portion 18 connected to the body middle portion 17.

The neck portion 16 is formed in an inverted truncated cone shape, for example, in which the diameter is reduced from the side of the mouth portion 10 toward the side of the central portion 17 of the body. That is, the body diameter at the lower end of the neck 16 is smaller than the body diameter at the upper end of the neck 16 (immediately below the support ring 12). Further, the neck portion 16 may be configured to increase in thickness from the side of the mouth portion 10 to the side of the middle portion 17 of the body from the viewpoint of improving the blow moldability. That is, the wall thickness at the lower end of the neck 16 may be larger than the wall thickness at the upper end of the neck 16.

The body diameter and wall thickness of the central part 17 of the body have a substantially true cylindrical shape that hardly changes in the vertical direction. However, the central portion 17 of the body may be provided with a draft which is an inclination for facilitating removal from the mold used when producing the preform 1 by injection molding, and the body diameter and the body diameter thereof. The wall thickness may change slightly in the vertical direction.

The bottom 18 is formed in a substantially hemispherical shape curved outward. The bottom portion 18 may have a conical shape, a cylindrical shape with rounded corners, or any other shape. A solidified portion incidentally formed at the inflow port (gate) of the molten resin when the preform 1 is produced by injection molding is attached to the bottom portion 18. FIG. 1 shows the form after the portion is cut off.

The distance from the lower surface of the support ring 12 to the lower end of the bottom 18 is the height H1 of the body 15. Further, the outer diameter of the middle portion 17 of the body is defined as the outer diameter D1 of the body 15. The height H1 of the body portion 15 is preferably 50 mm or more and 90 mm or less. Further, the outer diameter D1 of the body portion 15 is preferably 16 mm or more and 25 mm or less.

Examples of the material of Preform 1 include polyolefins such as high-density polyethylene, medium-density polyethylene, low-density polyethylene, linear low-density polyethylene, and polypropylene, ethylene-vinyl alcohol copolymers, and polylactic acid made from plants and the like. Various plastics that can be blow-formed can be used. However, it is preferable that the preform 1 is mainly composed of polyester such as polyethylene naphthalate, particularly polyethylene terephthalate. In the resin described above, various additives such as colorants, ultraviolet absorbers, mold release agents, lubricants, nucleating agents, antioxidants, and antistatic agents are used as long as the quality of the molded product is not impaired. Can be blended.

As the ethylene terephthalate-based thermoplastic resin constituting the preform 1, the ethylene terephthalate unit occupies most of the ester repeating portion, generally 70 mol% or more, and the glass transition point (Tg) is 50 ° C. or higher and 90 ° C. or lower. The melting point (Tm) is preferably in the range of 200 ° C. or higher and 275 ° C. or lower. As an ethylene terephthalate-based thermoplastic polyester, polyethylene terephthalate is particularly excellent in terms of pressure resistance, etc., but in addition to the ethylene terephthalate unit, it is composed of isophthalic acid, dibasic acids such as naphthalenedicarboxylic acid, and diols such as propylene glycol. Copolymerized polyesters containing a small amount of ester units can also be used.

Polyethylene terephthalate has the highest production volume among thermoplastic synthetic resins. The polyethylene terephthalate resin has various properties such as excellent heat resistance, cold resistance, chemical resistance, and abrasion resistance. Furthermore, polyethylene terephthalate resin has a lower proportion of petroleum in its raw material than other plastics, and can be recycled. As described above, according to the structure containing polyethylene terephthalate as a main component, a material having a large production amount can be used, and various excellent properties thereof can be utilized.

Polyethylene terephthalate is obtained by condensation polymerization of ethylene glycol (ethane-1,2-diol) and purified terephthalic acid. It is preferable that at least one of a germanium compound, a titanium compound, and an aluminum compound is used as the polymerization catalyst of polyethylene terephthalate. By using these catalysts, it is possible to form a container having higher transparency and excellent heat resistance than the antimony compound is used.

The preform 1 is formed by, for example, injection molding a pellet-shaped polyethylene terephthalate as a main raw material. For injection molding, an injection molding apparatus including a hopper dryer, a hopper, a heating cylinder, a screw, a mold, a cooler and the like is used. Pellet-shaped polyethylene terephthalate undergoes drying, plasticizing, injection, pressurization, and cooling to form preform 1.

The preform 1 may be composed of multiple layers. At least one of the layers may be configured to have a barrier layer and an oxygen absorbing layer. For the barrier layer, for example, polyamide or an ethylene-vinyl alcohol copolymer is used. As the oxygen absorbing layer, a layer containing a combination of an oxidizable organic component and a transition metal catalyst, a gas barrier resin that does not substantially oxidize, or the like is used. An oxygen permeation prevention function can be imparted by such a barrier layer or an oxygen absorbing layer.

Even when the preform 1 is composed of a single layer, for example, polyamide as an oxygen removing compound may be mixed with polyethylene terephthalate. With such a configuration, it is possible to impart an oxygen permeation prevention function even if it is a single layer. The same applies to other characteristics such as ultraviolet shielding property.

A cap is attached to the plastic bottle formed into a bottle shape from the preform 1 according to the present embodiment. Therefore, next, the configuration of the cap attached to the mouth portion 10 will be described in detail. FIG. 2 is a partial cross-sectional view showing a state in which a screw-in type cap 60 is attached to the mouth portion 10. A plastic bottle, for example, a PET bottle 2, is sealed by the cap 60 being wound and attached to the mouth portion 10. As the material of the cap 60, polypropylene, high-density polyethylene or the like is used.

The cap 60 includes a cap body 61 located on the upper side when attached to the mouth portion 10, and a release ring 70 located on the lower side thereof. The peeling ring 70 has a ring shape. The peeling ring 70 includes a plurality of flaps 71 that project inwardly and upwardly from the surface on the inner peripheral side thereof. The flap 71 falls to the inner peripheral side of the release ring 70 when the cap 60 is wound around the mouth 10 until the PET bottle 2 is in the initial sealed state, and after overcoming the turnip 14, the release ring It is configured to be away from the inner circumference of 70. The cap body 61 and the release ring 70 are connected via a connecting member 72 that is ruptibly configured when the cap 60 is initially opened.

The flap 71 at the time of initial sealing is arranged between the turnip 14 and the support ring 12. When the cap 60 is turned in the opening direction, the upper end of the flap 71 hits the turnip 14 to prevent the release ring 70 from moving upward. Further, when the cap 60 is turned, the connecting member 72 is broken, and the cap body 61 and the release ring 70 are separated from each other. Then, the cap body 61 is removed from the mouth portion 10 with the release ring 70 remaining between the turnip 14 and the support ring 12. As described above, the cap 60 has a so-called tamper evidence property, which is an unauthorized opening prevention function that allows at a glance whether or not the initial opening has been performed.

The cap body 61 has a disk-shaped upper portion 62 and a cylindrical body portion 63 hanging from the peripheral edge of the upper portion 62. The body portion 63 has a female screw 64 that meshes with the screw 13 of the mouth portion 10 on the inner peripheral side surface thereof. The cap 60 has a closing ring that is in close contact with the mouth portion 10 and seals the PET bottle 2. FIG. 2 shows an example in which the closing ring is composed of an inner ring 65, a contact ring 66, and an outer ring 67 that are annularly hung from the inner surface of the upper portion 62 in order from the inside in the radial direction of the cap 60. There is.

The inner ring 65 has a protruding portion protruding outward from the cap 60 on the outer peripheral surface thereof, and the protruding portion of the inner ring 65 comes into contact with the inner peripheral surface 10a of the mouth portion 10. The lower tip of the contact ring 66 comes into contact with the open end 11 of the mouth 10. The outer ring 67 has a protruding portion protruding inward of the cap 60 on the inner peripheral surface thereof, and the protruding portion of the outer ring 67 comes into contact with the outer peripheral surface 10b of the mouth portion 10. The PET bottle 2 is kept sealed by the contact of these three points. The PET bottle 2 can be sealed if the blocking ring is at least one of the three locations described above. However, as illustrated in FIG. 2, by providing the inner ring 65, the contact ring 66, and the outer ring 67, more reliable sealing performance can be realized.

The main raw material polyethylene terephthalate constituting the preform 1 contains a mixture of a crystalline region portion (crystal portion) in which the molecular chain is crystallized and an amorphous region portion (amorphous portion) in which the molecular chain is not crystallized. When polyethylene terephthalate is heat-treated at a glass transition temperature of about 70 ° C. or higher in which the amorphous portion has fluidity and a melting point of about 260 ° C. or lower in which the crystalline portion also flows, particularly 140 ° C. or higher and 160 ° C. or lower, It has the property that the orientation of the molecular chain occurs and the proportion of the crystal part increases. Such a crystalline portion with respect to the sum of the crystalline portion and the amorphous portion is referred to as crystallinity. The higher the crystallinity, the stronger the intermolecular force, so that the heat resistance is improved.

Since the crystalline portion has a higher density than the amorphous portion, the higher the crystallinity, the higher the density. That is, polyethylene terephthalate has a property that the higher the density, the higher the heat resistance. Furthermore, since scattering occurs at these boundaries due to the difference in refractive index between the amorphous part and the crystalline part, light is more likely to be scattered as the number of crystal parts increases, and haze (of the transmitted light in the visible light region). (Percentage of scattered light) increases. That is, polyethylene terephthalate has a property that the higher the haze, the higher the heat resistance.

On the other hand, polyethylene terephthalate undergoes shrinkage and deformation due to heat treatment, and this becomes more remarkable as the degree of crystallinity decreases. Therefore, from the viewpoint of maintaining the shape and dimensions of the preform 1, it is preferable that the portion where the heat treatment is performed is narrowed down as much as possible.

The mouth portion 10 keeps the PET bottle 2 sealed by contact with the inner ring 65, the contact ring 66, and the outer ring 67. If the contact portion of the mouth portion 10 with the inner ring 65 or the like is deformed, the PET bottle 2 cannot be kept sealed depending on the degree of deformation. Therefore, the mouth portion 10 is particularly required not to be deformed by the heat of the high-temperature liquid filled in the contact portion with the inner ring 65 or the like. On the other hand, the mouth portion 10 does not require so high heat resistance at a portion away from the contact portion with the inner ring 65 or the like, and further, shrinkage or deformation due to heat treatment does not occur as much as possible. Is desired. For example, when the male screw 13 shrinks due to heat, the cap 60 does not easily engage with the female screw 64 and becomes easy to loosen. Further, since the side of the support ring 12 is thicker than the side of the opening end 11, the resistance to heat is originally stronger.

From the above, the density of the preform 1 according to the present embodiment differs between the side of the opening end 11 including the contact portion with the inner ring 65, the contact ring 66, and the outer ring 67 and the side of the support ring 12. The side of the opening end 11 is configured to have a higher density than the side of the support ring 12. Thereby, the heat resistance of the PET bottle 2 formed from the preform 1 can be particularly enhanced on the side of the opening end 11. It is more preferable that the difference in density between the side of the opening end 11 and the side of the support ring 12 is 0.004 g / cm ³ or more and 0.045 g / cm ³ or less. By providing such a difference in density, it is possible to make the heat resistance more reliable even though the heat treatment has a very small level of change in dimensions on the side of the opening end 11.

The density can be measured by a specific gravity method, for example, a density gradient tube method, using a cut piece obtained by cutting a part of the side of the opening end 11 and a part of the side of the support ring 12 into, for example, 1 mm square as a sample. By measuring the densities on the side of the opening end 11 and the density on the side of the support ring 12, it can be determined whether or not the preform 1 is the one according to the present embodiment.

The side of the opening end 11 here may include a contact portion of the mouth portion 10 with the inner ring 65 or the like. In particular, it is important that the side wall portion of the mouth portion 10 is included. FIG. 1 shows a length a in the vertical direction on the side of the opening end 11 and a length b in the vertical direction on the side of the support ring 12. More specifically, the side of the opening end 11 may be a region having a length a up to 5 mm from the opening end 11 toward the support ring 12. In many cases, the contact position between the mouth portion 10 and the inner ring 65 is about 2 mm to 3 mm from the side of the opening end 11. Therefore, if the heat resistance of the region having a length a up to 5 mm from the opening end 11 to the support ring 12 is increased, the heat of the high-temperature liquid to be filled causes contact with the inner ring 65 or the like of the mouth portion 10. The portion is not deformed, and the PET bottle 2 is kept sealed.

In the preform 1 according to the present embodiment, the mouth portion 10 at the stage of being formed by injection molding or the like is non-crystalline. Therefore, the mouth portion 10 may be partially crystallized on the side of the opening end 11 and non-crystallized on the side of the support ring 12. According to the preform 1 according to the present embodiment configured as described above, it is possible to reduce the range in which measures against shrinkage and deformation are required during the heat treatment.

At the stage of preform 1, the shape of the mouth portion 10 having the opening end 11 side having a higher density than the support ring 12 side does not change even after being molded into the PET bottle 2. The shape of the mouth portion 10 has the fitability with the cap 60, which is widely used as a standard, the suitability for transporting the PET bottle 2 by a molding device, a filling device, etc., and the strength required for transporting or filling. Designed with consideration.

Therefore, the outer diameter (corresponding to the valley diameter D2 of the male screw 13 (see FIG. 1)), the inner diameter, the ridge diameter D3 of the male screw 13 and the height of the mouth portion 10 of the preform 1 according to the present embodiment are, for example, It is preferably the size that is standard for beverage bottles. At this time, it is particularly preferable that the mouth portion 10 is formed without being changed from the dimensions widely used as standard for normal temperature filling. As a result, the mold for filling at room temperature can be utilized to share the mold for molding the preform 1 according to the present embodiment having heat resistance, so that the efficiency can be improved and a new mold can be used. Since no mold is required, the cost can be reduced.

For example, the mouth portion 10 may have dimensions corresponding to the PCO (Plastic Closure Only) 1810 standard and the PCO1881 standard. More specifically, the outer diameter of the mouth portion 10 (the valley diameter D2 of the male screw 13) is preferably 24.94 mm ± 0.13 mm. Further, the inner diameter of the mouth portion 10 is preferably 21.74 mm ± 0.13 mm. Further, the thread diameter D3 of the male screw 13 is preferably 27.43 mm ± 0.13 mm. Further, the height of the mouth portion 10 is preferably either 21.00 mm ± 0.25 mm (PCO1810 standard) or 17.00 mm ± 0.25 mm (PCO1881 standard). The height of the mouth portion 10 is the distance from the lower surface of the support ring 12 to the upper end of the mouth portion 10. Further, considering the fitability with the cap 60 for filling at room temperature, the valley diameter D2 of the male screw 13 is preferably 26 mm or less.

Next, the configuration of the preform 1 crystallization apparatus according to the present embodiment will be described in detail. FIG. 3 is a vertical sectional view of a main part illustrating the crystallization device 90 of Preform 1, and FIG. 4 is a sectional view (cross-sectional view) of FIG. 3 taken along the line IV-IV. The crystallization apparatus 90 includes at least a holder 91 for holding the mouth portion 10 of the preform 1 and a heat treatment unit 92 for heat-treating the mouth portion 10. Then, the crystallization apparatus 90 heat-treats the side of the opening end 11 in the mouth portion 10 of the preform 1 in order to partially crystallize it.

In the holder 91 exemplified in FIGS. 3 and 4, for example, an annular groove 91a corresponding to the outer diameter and the inner diameter of the mouth portion 10 according to the PCO1810 standard is formed. The groove 91a is configured so that the side of the opening end 11 of the preform 1 enters. The groove 91a has a depth at which at least the entire contact area between the mouth portion 10 and the inner ring 65 (see FIG. 2) enters, preferably 5 mm (length on the side of the opening end 11) from the side of the opening end 11. (Corresponding to a) It has a depth of penetration. The holder 91 has a male screw 13 and a groove 91a formed in a shape corresponding to the side of the opening end 11 with respect to the male screw 13, that is, in the finished size of the preform 1.

The heat treatment unit 92 is configured to heat-treat the side of the opening end 11 of the mouth portion 10. The heat treatment unit 92 is configured by, for example, embedding a heater in the holder 91. As the heater, for example, a silicon rubber heater may be used. The heat treatment unit 92 illustrated in FIG. 3 is provided at a position along the outer peripheral surface 10b of the mouth portion 10.

As shown in FIG. 4, the heat treatment unit 92 is more preferably arranged discontinuously in the circumferential direction of the opening end 11. By arranging the heat treatment portions 92 discontinuously, it is possible to prevent the side of the opening end 11 from being deformed all at once in the circumferential direction when the heat treatment is performed. As a result, the deformation due to the heat treatment is effective. Can be suppressed. Further, when the heat treatment portions 92 are arranged discontinuously in the circumferential direction, the number of the heat treatment portions 92 is particularly preferably eight. By having eight heat treatment units 92, it is possible to perform a symmetrical and well-proportioned heat treatment, and it is possible to more effectively suppress deformation due to the heat treatment.

In the crystallization apparatus 90, the region on the side of the opening end 11 is heated by the heat treatment unit 92 when the heater heated to, for example, about 160 ° C. to 180 ° C. comes into contact with the opening end 11, and partially crystallizes. It is configured to be crystallized.

On the other hand, the groove 91a of the holder 91 expands when the region on the side of the opening end 11 is heated on both the outer peripheral side and the inner peripheral side of the preform 1, and then contracts and deforms. It is configured so that it can be suppressed.

In this way, the crystallization device 90 heats the region on the side of the opening end 11 by the heat treatment unit 92 to partially crystallize it, and the holder 91 shrinks the region on the side of the opening end 11 by heating. It is configured so that changes in dimensions are within the permissible range by suppressing deformation and deformation. Therefore, according to the present embodiment, even if the mouth portion 10 has a shape that is widely used as a standard for normal temperature filling, deterioration of sealing property due to shrinkage or deformation due to the high temperature liquid to be filled is suppressed. A crystallizing device 90 for preform 1 for tailoring to preform 1 can be provided.

The crystallization apparatus 90 may be further provided with a heat insulating material 93 in order to locally limit the heated portion of the preform 1 on the side of the opening end 11. The heat insulating material 93 may be provided, for example, so as to be laminated on the holder 91, and is arranged between the side of the opening end 11 and the side of the support ring 12, particularly in the vicinity of the male screw 13. Is good. Further, as illustrated in FIG. 3, when the heat treatment portion 92 is provided along the outer peripheral surface 10b of the mouth portion 10, the heat insulating material 93 is provided on the inner peripheral surface 10a of the mouth portion 10 or the open end. It may be provided along the line 11. For the heat insulating material 93, a material having excellent heat resistance and compressive strength is selected. As the heat insulating material 93, for example, a material obtained by impregnating glass fiber with a thermosetting resin and then heating and pressurizing it into a plate shape may be used.

The crystallization device 90 may be further provided with a cooling device 94 in order to limit the heating range of the preform 1. The cooling device 94 is configured to cool the periphery of the heated mouth portion 10 particularly on the side of the support ring 12. The cooling device 94 exemplified in FIGS. 3 and 4 includes, for example, a cold air generator 94a for cooling the heat transfer medium, a blower (not shown) for sending out the cold air ac cooled by the cold air generator 94a, and a mouth portion 10. It is composed of a cold air introduction flow path 94b through which the cold air ac guided to the inner peripheral side passes.

The cold air introduction flow path 94b is formed in the center of the holder 91 in a plan view. The cold air introduction flow path 94b is formed so as to extend along the axial direction of the preform 1 at a position corresponding to the inner circumference of the opening end 11 when the preform 1 is installed on the holder 91.

That is, in the crystallization device 90, the cold air ac cooled to, for example, about 0 ° C. by the cooling device 94 passes through the cold air introduction flow path 94b and comes into contact with the inner peripheral side of the mouth portion 10. Twelve sides are configured to be cooled. It should be noted that the cold air ac passing through the cold air introduction flow path 94b is configured to prevent the holder 91 from being heated particularly at the center. Then, the region on the side of the opening end 11 is configured not to be overheated through the holder 91. Therefore, the cooling device 94 has a function of preventing the preform 1 from shrinking and deforming due to heating by the heat treatment unit 92.

The heat treatment unit 92 is provided on the inner peripheral side of the preform 1, the cooling device 94 is provided on the outer peripheral side of the preform 1, and the arrangement of the heat treatment unit 92 and the cooling device 94 is reversed. It does not matter if it is said. Further, the cooling device 94 may be configured by a so-called chiller so that the heat transfer medium circulates in the center of the holder 91. The heat transfer medium of the cooling device 94 may be configured to circulate on the side of the support ring 12 rather than the heat insulating material 93.

The crystallization device 90 may be configured in an in-line manner between the molding device of the preform 1 and the molding device of the PET bottle 2, and in particular, the crystallization device 90 is in-line with the molding device of the preform 1. It is preferably configured by the method. The crystallization device 90 may be incorporated in the molding device of the preform 1.

Next, the method for producing the preform 1 according to the present embodiment will be described in detail. First, the preform 1 is formed with the mouth portion 10 in a non-crystalline state by, for example, injection molding. Then, from this state, the preform 1 is heat-treated by the crystallization device 90 so that the side of the opening end 11 has a higher density than the side of the support ring 12. More specifically, the preform 1 is attached to the holder 91 by being pushed into the groove 91a of the crystallization device 90. The side of the opening end 11 of the preform 1 attached to the crystallization device 90 is in a state of being fixed to the holder 91 having the groove 91a formed in the finished size of the preform 1.

In this state, the heater applied from the outer peripheral side on the side of the opening end 11 is heated to, for example, 180 ° C. Then, the crystallization device 90 has a density higher than that of the support ring 12 on the side of the opening end 11 including the contact portion with the inner ring 65, the contact ring 66, and the outer ring 67 (see FIG. 2). Heat treatment. Crystallization proceeds on the side of the opening end 11 heated by the heater. At that time, although shrinkage or deformation occurs on the side of the opening end 11, the change in dimension from the side of the opening end 11 to the periphery of the male screw 13 is within an allowable range because it is fitted in the groove 91a. On the other hand, since the side of the support ring 12 is not heated, it does not shrink or deform, and it is not crystallized.

As shown in FIG. 4, it is more preferable to heat-treat the side of the opening end 11 discontinuously in the circumferential direction. By heat-treating the side of the opening end 11 discontinuously in the circumferential direction, it is possible to prevent simultaneous deformation in the entire circumferential direction, and as a result, deformation due to heat treatment can be effectively suppressed. .. Further, it is particularly preferable to perform heat treatment at eight locations in the circumferential direction. By heat-treating at eight locations, it is possible to carry out a symmetrical and well-proportioned heat treatment, and it is possible to more effectively suppress deformation due to the heat treatment.

In this way, a preform for molding a PET bottle 2 which has heat resistance to a high temperature liquid to be filled and is sealed by an inner ring 65, a contact ring 66, and an outer ring 67 of a cap 60 to be mounted. 1 can be manufactured.

Here, in the crystallization port often used for hot filling, the mold is often manufactured with a design that includes a shrinkage amount at the time of crystallization in advance. On the other hand, the non-crystallization port, which is often used for normal temperature filling, can be made to have heat resistance to some extent by increasing its thickness, but there is a limit to it. Deformation toward the inner peripheral side or the outer peripheral side near the surface, that is, leakage from this portion becomes a particular problem. Further, the larger the thickness of the non-crystallization port, the more difficult it is to engage with the cap 60. On the other hand, in the preform 1 according to the present embodiment, it is efficient that the non-crystallized mouth and the mold can be made common by crystallizing the mouth portion 10 from the non-crystal state. Further, in the preform 1 according to the present embodiment, the cap 60 for the non-crystallized mouth, which is widely used by suppressing the dimensional change of the mouth portion 10 to a certain level or less, can be used for high temperature filling.

When the side of the opening end 11 of the preform 1 is heated by the crystallization apparatus 90, it is more preferable that the side of the opening end 11 and the side of the support ring 12 are insulated from each other. For example, in the heat insulating material 93 provided between the side of the opening end 11 and the side of the support ring 12, the heat applied from the heat treatment unit 92 to the side of the opening end 11 is transferred to the side of the support ring 12. To prevent that. Therefore, by providing the heat insulating material 93, the heated portion of the preform 1 can be locally limited on the side of the opening end 11.

Further, it is more preferable that the vicinity of the support ring 12 side is cooled when the side of the opening end 11 of the preform 1 is heated by the crystallization device 90. For example, the cooling device 94 provided in the center of the holder 91 cools the side of the support ring 12. Then, it is prevented that the heat treatment unit 92 overheats the side of the opening end 11 through the holder 91. Therefore, by providing the cooling device 94, the heating range of the preform 1 can be locally limited on the side of the opening end 11. It is more preferable that the vicinity of the support ring 12 side is cooled in advance before the side of the opening end 11 is heated in order to locally limit the heating range to the side of the opening end 11.

Although a method of directly heat-treating the side of the opening end 11 of the preform 1 with a heater has been exemplified here, it is sufficient that the side of the opening end 11 is partially heat-treated. Is not limited. For example, a method of supplying hot air, a method of radiant heat of an infrared lamp, or a method of immersing in an oil bath may be used. Further, a method using high frequency dielectric heating may be used.

Next, the configuration of the plastic bottle formed in the method for producing the filler according to the present embodiment will be described in detail. FIG. 5 is a front view showing a PET bottle 2 as an example of the plastic bottle according to the present embodiment. The PET bottle 2 illustrated in FIG. 5 is a square bottle having a substantially square cross-sectional view in the horizontal direction. The PET bottle 2 has a mouth portion 10, a shoulder portion 20, a body portion 30, and a bottom portion 40. As described above, the configuration of the mouth portion 10 of the PET bottle 2 is the same as the configuration of the mouth portion 10 of the preform 1. The mouth 10 of the PET bottle 2 is in a partially crystallized state. That is, the mouth portion 10 of the PET bottle 2 is configured so that the side of the opening end 11 has a higher density than the side of the support ring 12.

The upper side of the shoulder portion 20 is connected to the lower surface of the support ring 12 of the mouth portion 10, while the lower side thereof is connected to the body portion 30. The shoulder portion 20 has the shape of a substantially quadrangular pyramid whose diameter increases from the upper side to the lower side. The shoulder portion 20 preferably has a straight portion 21 having a length L extending in the vertical direction from the connection end with the body portion 30. The shoulder portion 20 has a structure having a straight portion 21 so that the shapeability can be improved.

The body portion 30 has a substantially regular square cylinder shape as a whole, with four wall portions 31 having the same shape connected to each other in the circumferential (horizontal) direction. Each of the wall portions 31 is provided with a pressure absorbing panel 32 recessed inward by one step. The pressure absorbing panel 32 has a function of absorbing the pressure change inside the PET bottle 2, particularly the decompression change, and maintaining the strength of the PET bottle 2, particularly the side wall strength which is the strength to withstand the horizontal load of the body portion 30. Has.

The pressure absorbing panel 32 is linear between the step wall surface 33, which is recessed inward from the surface of the surrounding wall portion 31, and the opposite side of the step wall 33, which is further recessed inward from the step wall 33, for example, in the horizontal direction. It has a plurality of concave ribs 34 (ribs) extending in. Further, an inclined surface that surrounds the step wall surface 33 and is inclined with respect to the step wall surface 33 is formed. The wall portion 31 and the step wall surface 33 are connected by an inclined surface.

The step wall surface 33 constituting the pressure absorbing panel 32 is curved inward of the PET bottle 2 in the horizontal direction from the left and right ends toward the center. On the other hand, even in the vertical direction, the PET bottle 2 may be curved inward from the upper and lower ends of the step wall surface 33 toward the center. With this configuration, even if the PET bottle 2 becomes positive pressure, the step wall 33 of the pressure absorbing panel 32 does not deform until it becomes vertical, and then, when the PET bottle 2 becomes negative pressure, it becomes inward. It can be made to show the behavior of bending. As described above, it is preferable that the step wall surface 33 is configured so as to be sealed after being filled with the high-temperature liquid and to maintain the inward curvature until it is cooled to room temperature.

The surface of the step wall 33 has a concave rib 34 that continuously extends from the left end to the right end of the step wall 33. The concave ribs 34 are preferably designed so that the number and dimensions thereof are appropriate. In the example of FIG. 5, nine concave ribs 34 are arranged at equal intervals over the entire area in the vertical direction from the upper end to the lower end of the step wall surface 33. When the concave rib 34 is appropriately arranged, the decompression absorption function can be sufficiently exerted, and further, the effect of dispersing the stress applied to the PET bottle 2 and sufficiently reinforcing the PET bottle 2 can be obtained. ..

Although the concave rib 34 may be formed to have a constant depth, it is preferable that the concave rib 34 is formed so as to be deeper from the left and right ends toward the center. According to the configuration in which the concave rib 34 is the deepest in the center, it is possible to prevent the concave rib 34 from easily protruding to the outside of the PET bottle 2 due to positive pressure.

The PET bottle 2 has a slight oxygen permeability. Then, when the storage in the PET bottle 2 is continued for a long period of time, oxidation occurs depending on the contents, whereby the pressure in the PET bottle 2 is reduced. In addition, the pressure inside the PET bottle 2 changes depending on the temperature difference between the filling of the contents and the storage. The PET bottle 2 in which decompression is generated inside is pulled inward and deformed. At this time, the pressure absorbing panel 32 is easily deformed inward by extending the uneven surface of the step wall surface 33 and the concave rib 34. The pressure absorbing panel 32 plays a role of preventing deformation of the entire PET bottle 2 by denting inward of the PET bottle 2 when the inside of the PET bottle 2 is depressurized. That is, the pressure absorbing panel 32 is configured so as not to protrude outward from the wall portion 31 of the PET bottle 2 but to be recessed inward to some extent.

The pressure absorbing panel 32 plays a role of preventing deformation of the entire PET bottle 2 even when the pressure inside the PET bottle 2 is increased. The pressure absorbing panel 32 having such a configuration can prevent the wall of the PET bottle 2 from being pushed inward and the contents being pushed out from the mouth portion 10 and spilling when the PET bottle 2 is opened. .. The pressure absorbing panel 32 can increase the rigidity of the body portion 30.

The wall portion 31 of the PET bottle 2 is a portion to which the label is attached. The label is attached by, for example, a shrink label that heats and shrinks a heat-shrinkable film such as polystyrene (PS: PolyStyrene) or polyethylene terephthalate covered with PET bottle 2. Since the dimensions of the tubular heat-shrinkable film are determined to be predetermined values, if the wall portion 31 is swollen, the heat-shrinkable film may or may not be clogged.

However, by providing the pressure absorbing panel 32, the protrusion of the wall portion 31 to the outside is prevented, the label can be attached smoothly, and the productivity can be improved. Further, by providing the pressure absorbing panel 32, it is possible to maintain a good appearance of the product in which the PET bottle 2 is filled with the contents and prevent a decrease in the product value.

As described above, although it is more preferable that the pressure absorbing panel 32 is provided with a plurality of concave ribs 34 extending in the horizontal direction in that pressure is dispersed, the concave or convex shape extending in an arbitrary direction cannot be shown. It may have ribs.

Further, in the case of a convex rib, it is preferable that the convex portion of the rib is designed so as not to protrude outward from the surface of the wall portion 31 when the PET bottle 2 is subjected to positive pressure. Therefore, when the PET bottle 2 is under positive pressure, the convex ribs cannot be seen when the PET bottle 2 is viewed from the side of the protruding direction of the convex ribs. The ribs configured in this way do not affect the facing dimensions of the PET bottle 2. Therefore, the PET bottle 2 according to the present embodiment has excellent loading efficiency in boxing on corrugated cardboard or the like. Further, the PET bottle 2 according to the present embodiment also has an effect of not affecting the attachment of the shrink label.

The PET bottle 2 preferably has an annular lateral groove 35 that crosses the wall portion 31 above and below the pressure absorbing panel 32. The lateral groove 35 has a function of improving the side wall strength. The lateral groove 35 can also be used for positioning when the label is attached.

On the other hand, if there is even one reinforcing rib in the horizontal direction such as the lateral groove 35, it serves as a cushion, and although it does not buckle, the displacement becomes large with respect to the load in the vertical direction. Then, the buckling strength, which is the strength to withstand the load in the vertical direction in the range where the displacement is small, is lowered. Therefore, when the horizontal groove 35 is formed, it is preferable that the PET bottle 2 has a vertical groove 36 extending in the vertical direction between the adjacent wall portions 31. The vertical groove 36 improves the buckling strength of the body portion 30. At least one vertical groove 36 is formed at the same location. In some cases, two to three vertical grooves 36 may be formed at the same location. However, if the number of flutes 36 is too large, the unevenness becomes large and the shapeability deteriorates. When the PET bottle 2 has a lateral groove 35, it is preferable that the straight portion 21 of the shoulder portion 20 described above is formed longer from the viewpoint of formability.

The lowermost region of the body portion 30 is the heel portion 37. When the PET bottle 2 is molded from the preform 1, the heel portion 37 has a long distance from the bottom 18 (see FIG. 1) of the preform 1, and the stretching ratio is increased by that amount, so that the heel portion 37 is thinned and sometimes thinned. It is a place that tends to whiten.

The upper part of the bottom 40 is connected to the lower part of the body 30. The bottom portion 40 has a bottom wall 41 and a dome 42. The substantially flat plate annular bottom wall 41 extends in the direction perpendicular to the body portion 30 and serves as a ground plane for the PET bottle 2. The dome 42 is configured to project inward (upward) from the PET bottle 2 from the bottom wall 41 on the inner circumference of the bottom wall 41, and has a function of improving the strength of the bottom portion 40. It is preferable that the dome 42 is provided with a plurality of ribs (not shown) having a function of reinforcing the dome 42 radially in a bottom view.

The height h from the bottom wall 41 to the central portion 42c of the dome 42 may be designed so as to be maintained higher than the ground contact surface of the PET bottle 2 even if the dome 42 is deformed by heat. As a result, even if the PET bottle is deformed, it can be prevented from protruding outward from the bottom wall 41, and the PET bottle 2 can be prevented from rattling or tipping over. Therefore, the filler can be produced in-line in a good appearance, and it is possible to prevent the filler from being lowered in transportability and loading efficiency. The structure of the bottom portion 40 is not limited to the example shown in FIG. 5, and may be configured so that it does not easily protrude outward even when positive pressure is applied in a state where it is easily deformed by heat.

The distance from the lower surface of the support ring 12 to the bottom wall 41 at the lower end of the bottom 40 is the height H2 of the body 30. Further, the distance between the opposite sides of the body portion 30 is defined as the outer diameter D4 of the body portion 30 of the PET bottle 2.

The shape of the PET bottle 2 below the support ring 12 is not limited to the examples shown in FIG. 5, and is formed by blow molding the preform 1, and is not excessively deformed by heat and positive pressure, and has a negative pressure. Any shape may be used as long as the bottle can absorb and maintain its shape, for example, a round bottle. The shape of the pressure absorbing panel 32, the horizontal groove 35, and the vertical groove 36 formed on the body portion 30 can also be freely designed within a range in which the effects fully function.

The PET bottle 2 according to the present embodiment is not limited by size and can be applied to various sizes. For example, the volume of the PET bottle 2 may be 100 ml or more and 2000 ml or less. The total height of the PET bottle 2 may be 100 mm or more and 300 mm or less, and the outer diameter D4 of the body portion 30 may be 30 mm or more and 80 mm or less. Further, the PET bottle 2 according to the present embodiment can be suitably used for a lightweight bottle. The mass of the PET bottle 2 is, for example, 20 g or more and 40 g or less for 1000 ml, and 15 g or more and 25 g or less for 500 ml.

With the above configuration, even if the mouth portion 10 has a shape widely used as a standard for room temperature filling, a PET bottle in which deterioration of sealing property due to shrinkage and deformation due to the high temperature liquid to be filled is suppressed. 2 can be provided.

The PET bottle 2 having the mouth portion 10, the shoulder portion 20, the body portion 30, and the bottom portion 40 formed in this manner, the contents to be filled in the PET bottle 2, and the PET filled with the contents. The filler according to the present embodiment is configured by the cap 60 that seals the bottle 2.

Next, the packing material manufacturing apparatus according to the present embodiment will be described in detail. FIG. 6 is a schematic view schematically showing the manufacturing apparatus 100 of the filler 80 according to the present embodiment. The manufacturing apparatus 100 of the filler 80 according to the present embodiment includes a heating portion that heats the body portion 15 of the preform 1 that has been heat-treated so that the side of the opening end 11 has a higher density than the side of the support ring 12. , A molding part that blow-molds the PET bottle 2 from the preform 1 using a mold, a filling part that fills the PET bottle 2 with a high-temperature liquid, and a mounting part that attaches a cap 60 to the mouth 10 of the PET bottle 2. A tip sterilization section for overturning sterilizing the mouth portion 10 and the cap 60 of the PET bottle 2 and a cooling section for cooling the PET bottle 2 are provided. In the manufacturing apparatus 100 of the filler 80 according to the present embodiment, an apparatus for molding the PET bottle 2 from the preform 1 which is a preformed article, an apparatus for filling the PET bottle 2 with a high-temperature liquid, and the like are all in-line methods. It is characterized by being composed of.

The in-line method here may be a method in which the molding portion and the filling portion are connected (synchronized), or a separate method in which the molding portion and the filling portion are separated from each other and the PET bottle 2 is air-conveyed. good. Further, in the manufacturing apparatus 100 of the filler 80 according to the present embodiment, the injection molding apparatus for forming the preform 1 and the side of the opening end 11 of the preform 1 are crystallized among various apparatus configured by the in-line method. A crystallizing device 90 or the like of the preform 1 to be converted may be included.

The bottle molding machine 110 includes a heating device 111 as a heating section and a biaxial stretching blow molding device 112 as a molding section. When the preform 1 is formed into a bottle shape, the preform 1 is first heated.

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view showing an example of the heating device 111 of the preform 1. Note that FIG. 7 shows a cross section in the direction perpendicular to the transport direction of the preform 1.

The heating device 111 includes a transfer device 113 and a heater 114. The transport device 113 is configured to transport the preform 1 while rotating it around the axis of the preform 1 in order to uniformly heat the body portion 15 of the preform 1 in the circumferential direction. The heater 114 is composed of a plurality of, for example, halogen lamps, and is configured to heat the body portion 15 of the preform 1 to a temperature suitable for blow molding, for example, 115 ° C. or higher and 135 ° C. or lower. Further, the heating device 111 is for preventing the heat from the heater 114 from being released to the outside of the heating device 111 and the reflector 115 for reflecting the heat from the heater 114 to the body portion 15 of the preform 1. A shielding member 116 or the like may be provided. In the heating device 111 of FIG. 7, the preform 1 is conveyed and heated with the mouth portion 10 facing downward.

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing the preform 1 and the PET bottle 2 after blow molding. The biaxial stretching blow molding device 112 includes a mold 117, a stretching rod 118, an air supply device (not shown), and a control device for controlling these. Although FIG. 8 illustrates the biaxial stretch blow molding apparatus 112 of the downward blow molding method, an upward blow molding method in which the material is not easily affected by gravity may be used.

The mold 117 has a shape corresponding to the PET bottle 2 to be formed, and for example, a body mold 117a corresponding to the body portion 30 and being formed in half, and a bottom mold 117b corresponding to the bottom portion 40. Has. The surface temperature of the body mold 117a is controlled to be controlled, for example, 90 ° C. or higher and 125 ° C. or lower, preferably 90 ° C. or higher and 120 ° C. or lower, more preferably 90 ° C. or higher and 115 ° C. or lower. On the other hand, the surface temperature of the bottom mold 117b is configured to be controlled to 5 ° C. or higher and 30 ° C. or lower. The temperature of the surface of the body mold 117a exceeds the glass transition point (Tg) of polyethylene terephthalate.

By setting the surface temperature of the mold 117 to 120 ° C. or lower, for example, the material of the mold 117 is a hardened and tempered steel of stainless steel, which has a large weight and a heavy workload for handling, and a steel material for a mold. Aluminum can be used instead. By using aluminum, the mold 117 can be easily processed, the degree of freedom in design is increased, and the manufacturing cost can be suppressed. Further, since the weight of the mold 117 is reduced, the mold replacement work becomes easy.

It is preferable that the body die 117a has a rough surface portion 117R in which at least a part of the surface, more specifically, a portion in contact with the heel portion 37 of the PET bottle 2 is roughened (roughened). The method for forming the rough surface portion 117R is not particularly limited, and may be a physical treatment method such as sandblasting or polishing treatment, or a chemical treatment method such as etching. The heel portion 37 is a portion that is generally difficult to mold. This is particularly remarkable at the heating temperature of the preform 1 set in the manufacturing apparatus 100 of the filler 80 according to the present embodiment and the temperature of the surface of the body mold 117a. However, by providing the rough surface portion 117R at the portion in contact with the heel portion 37, the mold release is improved, local excessive shrinkage is prevented, and as a result, the shapeability of the PET bottle 2 is improved. ..

The extension rod 118 is configured to expand and contract inside the mold 117. Then, the stretching rod 118 is configured to stretch the body portion 15 of the preform 1 having the mouth portion 10 attached to the mold 117 in the vertical (axial) direction. The air supply device is configured to blow out air P whose pressure and temperature are regulated. The air P may be supplied to the inside of the preform 1 attached to the mold 117, may be blown out from the extension rod 118, or may be blown out from a member different from the extension rod 118. The air P is configured to extend the body portion 15 of the preform 1 in the lateral (diameter) direction. The air P blown out from the stretching rod 118 lowers the surface temperature of the body portion 15 to quench it, and improves heat resistance.

As shown in FIG. 6, the hot filling machine 120 has a filler 121 as a filling portion and a capper 122 as a mounting portion. The filler 121 is such that the contents of a hot liquid that has been sterilized by heating, for example, a beverage 50, is injected into the PET bottle 2 as it is at a high temperature, for example, 71 ° C. or higher and 95 ° C. or lower, more preferably 81 ° C. or higher and 90 ° C. or lower. It is configured in. The capper 122 as a mounting portion is configured to mount the cap 60 on the mouth portion 10 of the PET bottle 2 filled with the beverage 50. The PET bottle 2 is sealed by the attached cap 60 to form the filler 80.

The overturn sterilizer 130 as an overturn sterilizer tilts the filler 80 at a predetermined time, for example, 30 seconds 90 degrees or more, and heats the high-temperature beverage 50 to heat the inside of the filler 80, especially the mouth of the PET bottle 2. It is configured to sterilize the portion 10 and the cap 60. The sterilization time is appropriately designed according to the type of the beverage 50 and the temperature.

The pastorizer 140 as a cooling unit has, for example, four constant temperature baths for storing water having a plurality of temperatures as a heat exchange liquid, and a spout such as a nozzle. In the pastryzer 140, hot water such as 70 ° C. is sprayed to heat and sterilize the filler 80 from the outside, and then the temperature of the water to be sprayed is gradually lowered. At the final stage, low temperature water such as 30 ° C. is sprayed. Water is sprayed to cool the filler 80 (PET bottle 2). Cooling by the pastorizer 140 has an effect of preventing a change in the flavor of the beverage 50 filled in the filler 80. The temperature of the liquid contained in the first tank of the pastryzer 140 is preferably 70 ° C. or lower. By rapidly cooling the filler 80 at 70 ° C. or lower, damage to the body 30 of the PET bottle 2 due to heat can be reduced.

The manufacturing device 100 of the filler 80 has a labeler, a caser 150, a printing device, an inspection device, and the like as a subsequent stage of these devices. The labeler is for attaching a label to the filler 80 (PET bottle 2). The caser packs the filler 80 into a cardboard box in a predetermined number, for example, every 24 pieces. The filler 80 according to the present embodiment is manufactured by using the devices and the like described above.

Next, a method for producing the filler 80 according to the present embodiment will be described in detail. FIG. 9 is a flow chart showing an outline of the manufacturing process of the filler 80 according to the present embodiment. In the present embodiment, at least, a step of heating the body portion 15 of the preform 1 which has been heat-treated so that the side of the opening end 11 has a higher density than the side of the support ring 12, and a step of heating the mold 117 from the preform 1. A step of blow molding a PET bottle 2 using the PET bottle 2, a step of filling the PET bottle 2 with a high-temperature beverage 50, a step of attaching a cap 60 to the mouth 10 of the PET bottle 2, and a step of attaching the cap 60 to the mouth 10 of the PET bottle 2. A step of overturning and sterilizing the cap 60 and a step of cooling the PET bottle 2 are provided. The present embodiment is characterized in that all the steps such as molding the PET bottle 2 from the preform 1 and filling the PET bottle 2 with the high-temperature beverage 50 are performed by an in-line method. In the following, each step will be described in more detail.

First, the preform 1 is supplied to the bottle molding machine 110 (step S1). As described above, even if the injection molding apparatus, the compression molding apparatus, the compression injection molding apparatus, etc. for forming the preform 1 are configured in the manufacturing apparatus 100 of the filler 80 according to the present embodiment in an in-line manner. good. Then, in this case, the preform 1 supplied to the bottle molding machine 110 is formed by the injection molding apparatus in an in-line manner. Then, the preform 1 is supplied to the bottle molding machine 110 by a cold parison method, a hot parison method, and an in-line method.

Further, as described above, the manufacturing apparatus 100 of the filler 80 according to the present embodiment includes a crystallization apparatus 90 that heat-treats the side of the opening end 11 so that the density is higher than that of the support ring 12. It may be configured by an in-line method. The crystallization device 90 and the packing device 80 manufacturing device 100 do not have to be configured by an in-line method, and even in that case, the crystallization device 90 and the injection molding device forming the preform 1 are used. It is preferably configured by an in-line method. In the method for producing the filler 80 according to the present embodiment, the preform 1 in which the side of the opening end 11 is heat-treated by the crystallization device 90 from the non-crystal state of the mouth portion 10 is used. The supplied preform 1 is delivered after being aligned.

Next, the preform 1 is heated (step S2). The body 15 of the preform 1 conveyed to the heating device 111 of the bottle molding machine 110 is heated by a plurality of heaters 114 to, for example, a temperature of 115 ° C. or higher and 135 ° C. or lower.

When the temperature of the preform 1 to be heated is less than 115 ° C., the heat resistance is insufficient, and the PET bottle 2 formed after that cannot cope with hot filling for filling the high temperature contents. , Transforms into a distorted shape. On the other hand, when the temperature of the preform 1 to be heated exceeds 135 ° C., the preform 1 before bottle molding becomes too crystallized and blow molding cannot be performed. In that respect, if the temperature of the preform 1 to be heated is 135 ° C. or lower, crystallization proceeds to some extent, but blow molding is possible.

Next, blow molding of the PET bottle 2 is performed by stretching the preform 1 (step S3). The heated preform 1 is mounted on the mold 117 of the biaxial stretching blow molding apparatus 112. In the method for producing the filler 80 according to the present embodiment, the temperature of the surface of the body mold 117a is 90 ° C. or higher and 125 ° C. or lower, preferably 90 ° C. or higher and 120 ° C. or lower, more preferably 90 ° C. or higher and 115 ° C. or lower. It is said that. By setting the temperature within this range, the outer surface of the PET bottle 2, particularly the body portion 30, is crystallized, and the PET bottle 2 has a heat resistant structure. Therefore, in a later step, a PET bottle 2 that can be filled with the high-temperature beverage 50 can be produced. When the surface temperature of the body mold 117a is less than 90 ° C., the heat resistance becomes low, while when the surface temperature of the body mold 117a exceeds 125 ° C., the PET bottle 2 is used for the body mold 117a. The initial contraction when it comes into contact with the mold becomes large, and deformation, that is, sink marks, easily occur.

Here, in the present embodiment, the effect is realized when both the temperature of the preform 1 to be heated and the temperature of the surface of the body mold 117a exceed a certain level. The temperature of the body portion 15 of the preform 1 is more preferably higher than the temperature of the surface of the body mold 117a. If the temperature of the body portion 15 is higher than the temperature of the surface of the body mold 117a, the above-mentioned initial shrinkage is less likely to occur.

First, the body portion 15 of the preform 1 mounted on the mold 117 is stretched in the vertical direction by the stretching rod 118. At this time, the longitudinal stretching ratio from the preform 1 to the PET bottle 2 is preferably 1.8 or more and 4.0 or less. Here, the longitudinal stretching ratio is the height H2 of the body 30 of the PET bottle 2 (see FIGS. 5 and 8) with respect to the height H1 of the body 15 of the preform 1 (see FIGS. 1 and 8). Ratio (H2 / H1). The molecules of the preform 1 having an amorphous structure, which is an aggregate of the amorphous portion and the crystalline portion, undergo orientation crystallization by stretching, and as a result, the strength, rigidity, and heat resistance of the PET bottle 2 are increased. Therefore, in a later step, a PET bottle 2 that can be filled with the high-temperature beverage 50 can be produced. When the longitudinal stretching ratio is less than 1.8, the orientation of the molecules of the preform 1 does not increase, while when the longitudinal stretching ratio exceeds 4.0, the PET bottle 2 becomes difficult to mold.

Further, air P whose pressure and temperature are regulated is blown out from the air supply device and supplied to the inside of the preform 1. First, the body portion 15 of the preform 1 is stretched laterally by the low-pressure air P1 of 5 bar or more and 16 bar or less supplied together with the stretching of the preform 1 in the vertical direction (pre-blow) to the extent that the body portion 15 does not hit the body mold 117a. ). After that, the body portion 15 of the preform 1 is stretched laterally by high-pressure air P2 having a body portion 15 of 20 bar or more and 38 bar or less in about 0.5 to 1.5 seconds until it hits the body mold 117a.

At this time, the lateral stretching ratio from the preform 1 to the PET bottle 2 is preferably 1.8 or more and 3.0 or less. Here, the lateral stretching ratio is the outer diameter D4 of the body portion 30 of the PET bottle 2 (see FIGS. 5 and 8) with respect to the outer diameter D1 of the body portion 15 of the preform 1 (see FIGS. 1 and 8). Ratio (D4 / D1). The molecules of the preform 1 are similarly oriented and crystallized by stretching in the lateral direction, and as a result, the strength, rigidity, and heat resistance of the PET bottle 2 are increased. Therefore, in a later step, a PET bottle 2 that can be filled with the high-temperature beverage 50 can be produced. When the transverse stretching ratio is less than 1.8, the orientation of the molecules of the preform 1 does not increase, while when the transverse stretching ratio exceeds 3.0, the PET bottle 2 becomes difficult to mold.

In addition, in order to prevent the body 30 of the PET bottle 2 from being crystallized too much and becoming difficult to stretch, it is predetermined from the time when the preform 1 is attached to the mold 117 until it is stretched into the shape of the PET bottle 2. It is controlled to fit in time.

In the method for producing the filler 80 according to the present embodiment, cooling air may be further blown onto the PET bottle 2 in the blow molding step (step S4). FIG. 10 is a schematic view showing an example of blowing cooling air C1 onto the PET bottle 2.

The PET bottle 2 formed by biaxial stretching blow molding sticks to the mold 117 of the biaxial stretching blow molding apparatus 112. Then, the stretching rod 118 is arranged inside the mold 117 and the PET bottle 2. The extension rod 118 is provided with a cooling air blowing portion 119. The cooling air blowing unit 119 communicates with the air supply device, and is configured to blow out high-pressure cooling air C1 whose pressure and temperature are controlled. By providing the cooling air blowing portion 119, it is possible to improve the deformation due to the initial shrinkage when the PET bottle 2 comes into contact with the body mold 117a. The pressure of the cooling air C1 may be the same as that of the high pressure air P2, and the blowing time of the cooling air C1 may be about 1/10 to 4/5 of the high pressure air P2. More specifically, the blowing time of the cooling air C1 is either 0.1 to 1.5 seconds and 1% to 90%, more preferably 60% to 80% of the time of the high pressure air P2. Is preferable.

Vents are formed in the extension rod 118 in the radial (lateral) direction, and the cooling air C1 is blown substantially perpendicular to the inner surface of the body 30 of the PET bottle 2. The body 30 of the PET bottle 2 begins to shrink as soon as it touches the body mold 117a. By blowing the cooling air C1 there, the body portion 30 is pressed in the direction of the body mold 117a to suppress its deformation and impart heat resistance to the body portion 30. Therefore, the body 30 of the PET bottle 2 that has been blow-molded and is in a high temperature state is further promoted to crystallize by blowing the cooling air C1. The temperature of the cooling air C1 is preferably 1 ° C. or higher and 30 ° C. or lower. When the temperature of the cooling air C1 is less than 1 ° C., a temperature distribution is generated in the body portion 30 and strain is likely to occur. On the other hand, when the temperature of the cooling air C1 exceeds 30 ° C., the body portion 30 Is less likely to be cooled and its heat resistance is reduced.

As another method, the high pressure air P2 blown from the extension rod 118 may be gradually switched to the cooling air C1. This method also promotes crystallization of the body 30 of the PET bottle 2. It is preferable that the ratio of the cooling air C1 is gradually increased from the end stage of the step of blowing the high pressure air P2 in the blow molding, for example, from 1% to 90%, more preferably 60% to 80%. If the time is too short, the effect of this method is less likely to appear, and if the time is too long, the crystallization of the body portion 30 is less likely to be promoted.

It is preferable to blow the cooling air C1 also on the outer surface side of the body 30 of the PET bottle 2. By doing so, crystallization is also promoted on the outer surface side of the body 30 of the PET bottle 2. The cooling air C1 may be sprayed on the outer surface of the body portion 30 after the mold 117 is opened, or the spraying may be continued until the next step is started.

By blowing the cooling air C1 onto the body 30 of the PET bottle 2 in this way, it is possible to impart heat resistance to the body 30 while effectively suppressing the shrinkage of the body 30, and further, the body 30 can be provided with heat resistance. The surface temperature of the PET bottle 2 can be rapidly lowered to shorten the speed required for producing the PET bottle 2. Further, when the cooling air C1 is sprayed on the body 30 of the PET bottle 2, the shrinkage of the body 30 can be effectively suppressed, so that the surface temperature of the body mold 117a is set to, for example, 125 ° C. Can be set higher. Therefore, by spraying the cooling air C1, crystallization can be further promoted, and a PET bottle 2 having heat resistance at a higher temperature can be produced.

The crystallinity of the body 30 of the PET bottle 2 is preferably 25% or more and 39% or less. If the crystallinity is within this range, the heat-resistant PET bottle 2 can be molded from the preform 1 with good shapeability. The crystallinity of the body 30 of the PET bottle 2 can be derived from the density. In addition, the crystallinity of the body 30 of the PET bottle 2 can also be evaluated by Raman spectroscopic analysis.

The density of the body 30 of the PET bottle 2 produced by the method for producing the filler 80 according to the present embodiment is 1.376 g / cm ³ or more and 1.380 g / cm ³ or less. The density of the body 30 of the PET bottle 2 is the same as the density of the opening end 11 side and the support ring 12 side described above, using a cut piece obtained by cutting a part of the body 30 into, for example, 1 cm square as a sample. It can be measured by the specific gravity method, for example, the density gradient tube method. By measuring the density of the body 30 of the PET bottle 2 in the filling material 80 manufactured by the manufacturing apparatus 100 configured by the in-line method, it can be determined whether or not the manufacturing method of the filling material 80 according to the present embodiment is used. Can be determined.

Further, the tensile fracture strain of the body 30 of the PET bottle 2 produced by the method for producing the filler 80 according to the present embodiment is 40% or more and 68% or less.

As a method for measuring the tensile fracture strain of the body 30 of the PET bottle 2, a cut piece obtained by cutting a part of the body 30 into, for example, a short side of 10 mm and a long side of 50 mm is used as a sample, and a sample extending in the long side direction is used as a sample. One is fixed and then pulled in the long side direction at 85 ° C. and 300 mm / min. Then, the tensile fracture strain of the body 30 of the PET bottle 2 can be examined by measuring by what percentage the pulling force causes the PET bottle 2 to break. Whether or not the method for manufacturing the filler 80 according to the present embodiment was used by measuring the tensile fracture strain of the body 30 of the PET bottle 2 in the filler 80 manufactured by the manufacturing apparatus 100 configured by the in-line method. Can be determined. Here, the maximum load shown when the sample is cut is the tensile strength, and the value divided by the cross-sectional area is the tensile stress.

The blow-molded PET bottle 2 separates from the mold 117. In the method for producing the filler 80 according to the present embodiment, since the in-line method is used, the blow molding time is shortened as much as possible, and the PET bottle 2 is liable to shrink. However, since the rough surface portion 117R of the body mold 117a is squeezed, the rough surface portion 117R and the heel portion 37 are in contact with each other at points rather than at a solid surface, and the heel portion 37 contracts inward. There is no waviness or waviness, and sink marks are unlikely to occur. Therefore, the formability of the PET bottle 2 can be improved. Further, in the method for producing the filler 80 according to the present embodiment, the production time can be shortened as compared with the heat-resistant bottle, the production efficiency can be increased, and the production cost can be reduced.

The surface roughness (Ra) of the heel portion 37 of the PET bottle 2 produced by the method for producing the filler 80 according to the present embodiment is 0.3 μm or more and 3 μm or less. With a surface roughness of this degree, it is possible to maintain the characteristic of being transparent while having heat resistance. As an index of the surface roughness of the heel portion 37, for example, the arithmetic mean roughness Ra can be used. As a method for measuring the arithmetic mean roughness Ra, it can be examined by image analysis of three-dimensional data obtained by a laser microscope. The method for manufacturing the filler 80 according to the present embodiment by measuring the surface roughness of the body portion 30, particularly the heel portion 37 of the PET bottle 2 in the filler 80 manufactured by the manufacturing apparatus 100 configured by the in-line method. Can be determined whether or not was used.

Next, as shown in FIG. 9, the PET bottle 2 is supplied to the hot filling machine 120 (step S5). Since the manufacturing apparatus 100 of the filler 80 according to the present embodiment is configured by the in-line method, the molded PET bottle 2 is promptly supplied to the hot filling machine 120. The supplied PET bottle 2 is sequentially delivered by, for example, grippers attached to the outer peripheral portions of each of the plurality of rotating disk-shaped transfer wheels, and is carried to the filler 121. The time from the molding of the PET bottle 2 to the supply to the hot filling machine 120 is preferably within 10 seconds. As described above, since the method for producing the filler 80 according to the present embodiment is an in-line method, the PET bottle 2 is used for filling the beverage 50 with little decrease in heat resistance due to humidification.

On the other hand, in the hot filling machine 120, the beverage 50 filled in the PET bottle 2 is sterilized by heating (step S6). The heating sterilization is performed by appropriately setting a predetermined temperature and holding time such as 120 ° C. for 4 minutes, 85 ° C. for 30 minutes, etc., depending on the characteristics of the beverage 50, for example, acidity and water activity. ..

Then, the PET bottle 2 is filled with the beverage 50 in the filler 121 of the hot filling machine 120 (step S7). The filler 121 injects the contents of a hot liquid that has been sterilized by heating, for example, a beverage 50, into the PET bottle 2 as it is at a high temperature, for example, 71 ° C. or higher and 95 ° C. or lower, more preferably 81 ° C. or higher and 90 ° C. or lower. Similarly, the PET bottle 2 filled with the beverage 50 is sequentially delivered by the gripper and carried to the capper 122.

The PET bottle 2 produced by the method according to the present embodiment does not have as much heat resistance as that formed by molding the body mold 117a widely used for hot filling at a temperature of 160 ° C. or higher. .. However, the PET bottle 2 has sufficient heat resistance to be filled with the above-mentioned temperature range, for example, a high temperature beverage 50 of 71 ° C. or higher and 95 ° C. or lower, more preferably 81 ° C. or higher and 90 ° C. or lower. Made in. Then, in the method for producing the filler 80 according to the present embodiment, a method is used in which the beverage 50 is filled at the time when the heat resistance is maintained most immediately after the PET bottle 2 is molded. Therefore, according to the method for producing the filler 80 according to the present embodiment, the PET bottle 2 can be filled with the high-temperature beverage 50 without any problem.

In this way, the PET bottle 2 can be filled with the hot beverage 50. Therefore, for example, the inner surface of the PET bottle 2 can be sufficiently sterilized with a high-temperature beverage 50 having a temperature of 71 ° C. or higher and 95 ° C. or lower, more preferably 81 ° C. or higher and 90 ° C. or lower. Then, when sufficient sterilization is performed, even if oxygen is sealed together with the beverage 50 in the filler 80, the risk of aerobic germs growing is extremely low, so that the PET bottle 2 is not necessarily fully filled with the beverage 50. It doesn't have to be. Therefore, according to the method according to the present embodiment, the more the filling is full, the more likely it is to grow bacteria on the outer surface of the PET bottle 2, and the higher the temperature of the beverage 50, the more likely it is to occur, especially at the open end of the mouth 10. Thermal deformation on the side of 11 can be effectively prevented.

As described above, in the method for manufacturing the filler 80 according to the present embodiment, the PET bottle 2 is blow-molded and the PET bottle 2 is filled with the beverage 50 in an in-line manner. Therefore, the PET bottle is used. The heat resistance of 2 is maintained in a high state. However, from the viewpoint of further maintaining the heat resistance of the PET bottle 2, the PET bottle 2 is filled with the beverage 50 after at least the PET bottle 2 is blow-molded in the manufacturing apparatus 100 of the filler 80. It is even more preferable that the PET bottle 2 is held in an environment of a predetermined humidity or less, preferably 40% or less in the region until the drink is made.

Next, the cap 60 is supplied to the capper 122 of the hot filling machine 120 (step S8). Although the cap 60 may be sterilized by, for example, ultraviolet irradiation, in the method for producing the filler 80 according to the present embodiment, the cap 60 is not sterilized before the beverage 50 is filled. There may be. By sterilizing the cap 60, the filling temperature of the beverage 50 and the temperature of the pastorizer 140 can be lowered, and the heat resistance of the PET bottle 2 required for manufacturing the filler 80 can be lowered. it can.

Then, in the capper 122, the cap 60 is attached to the PET bottle 2 (step S9). As a result, the filler 80 according to the present embodiment is formed. In the present embodiment, the side of the opening end 11 is heat-treated so as to have a higher density than the side of the support ring 12 and has heat resistance, so that deformation does not occur when the cap 60 is attached. The PET bottle 2 can be securely sealed. It is preferable that the steps up to this point be performed in a space where the cleanliness, temperature, humidity, and other environmental conditions such as a sterile area are controlled. The formed filler 80 is carried to the overturn sterilizer 130 by a transport band such as a conveyor.

Next, the overturning sterilizer 130 performs overturning sterilization of the filler 80 (step S10). The tipping sterilizer 130 conveys the filler 80 while lying down, for example. When the filler 80 is overturned, the cap 60 and the inner surface of the PET bottle 2 in particular near the mouth 10 are sterilized by coming into contact with the hot beverage 50. In the present embodiment, the side of the opening end 11 is heat-treated so as to have a higher density than the side of the support ring 12 and has heat resistance, so that deformation does not occur even during overturn sterilization and PET. The state in which the bottle 2 is sealed can be reliably maintained.

Subsequently, the pastorizer 140 cools the filler 80 (step S11). As described above, the temperature of the liquid contained in the first tank of the pastryzer 140 is preferably 70 ° C. or lower. By rapidly cooling the filler 80 at 70 ° C. or lower, damage to the mouth 10 of the PET bottle 2 due to heat can be reduced. After that, the liquid temperature of the beverage 50 inside the filler 80 is gradually lowered by the second and subsequent tanks of the pastorizer 140, and finally cooled to room temperature.

After that, the filler 80 is labeled with a labeler and a caser 150, and then boxed in a cardboard box. The filler 80 according to the present embodiment is manufactured by the above method.

The depressurized amount of the filler 80 produced by the method for producing the filler 80 according to the present embodiment is 1 kPa or more and 15 kPa or less. The amount of decompression of the filler 80 can be measured by a pressure gauge, for example, a diaphragm type pressure gauge. The amount of decompression is measured by inserting a perforation needle communicating with a detector included in the pressure gauge into the headspace of the filler 80. By measuring the amount of reduced pressure of the filler 80 produced by the manufacturing apparatus 100 configured by the in-line method, it can be determined whether or not the method for producing the filler 80 according to the present embodiment has been used. At this time, a value corresponding to the contents is appropriately set for the depressurized amount of the filler 80.

Production of a PET bottle 2 having heat resistance applicable to hot filling and a filler 80 in which a filler 80 hot-filled with a beverage 50 is produced in-line by providing each of the steps described above. A method can be provided. Since the preform 1 and the PET bottle 2 according to the present embodiment have sufficient heat resistance on the side of the opening end 11, if the side of the body 30 of the PET bottle 2 has sufficient heat resistance, It can also be applied to non-in-line manufacturing methods.

According to the method for manufacturing the filler 80 according to the present embodiment, unlike the method in which the preformed plastic bottle is supplied to the filling device for the contents, the temperature is high within a short time after the PET bottle 2 is molded. You can proceed to the step of filling the beverage 50. Therefore, filling is started before the crystallinity of the body 30 of the PET bottle 2 is lowered, and the high-temperature beverage 50 can be filled without lowering the heat resistance thereof. It should be noted that these machines are combined as one device rather than simply connecting the transport path of the PET bottle 2 between the bottle molding machine 110 (biaxial stretching blow molding device 112) and the hot filling machine 120 (filler 121). By doing so, the effect is further enhanced.

When the widely used heat-resistant bottle is molded, the temperature of the body mold 117a is set high, for example, 150 ° C. or higher and 165 ° C. or lower. When the temperature of the body mold 117a rises, the initial shrinkage becomes large and deformation occurs, the material of the mold 117 is limited and the cost increases, and the temperature difference from the external environment, especially the air temperature, becomes large and heat resistance There will be large variations in quality such as the heat resistance and shape of the bottle. Further, when the temperature of the body mold 117a rises, it is necessary to increase the time for which the high-pressure air P2 is blown, and the manufacturing capacity drops. On the other hand, according to the method for producing the filler 80 according to the present embodiment, it is possible to fill the high-temperature beverage 50 even if the heat resistance of the PET bottle 2 is lower than that of the widely used heat-resistant bottle. The temperature of the body mold 117a can be lowered. Therefore, according to the method for manufacturing the filler 80 according to the present embodiment, it is possible to prevent the above-mentioned problems from occurring.

Further, according to the method for manufacturing the filler 80 according to the present embodiment, an in-line method capable of molding the PET bottle 2 at a higher speed than the method in which the preformed plastic bottle is supplied to the filling device for the contents is used. Therefore, the cost of manufacturing the filler 80 can be reduced.

Further, according to the method for producing the filler 80 according to the present embodiment, since the method in which the preform 1 is supplied instead of the PET bottle 2, the cost of transporting the material can be reduced. That is, when the PET bottle 2 is molded in-line, the form of the container supplied to the manufacturing apparatus 100 of the filler 80 can be changed to the preform 1 which is smaller than the PET bottle 2 and the container can be changed. It is possible to significantly increase the number of shipments from the manufacturer, for example, 6 times or more. Therefore, the manufacturing apparatus 100 and the manufacturing method of the filler 80 according to the present embodiment in which the bottle molding machine 110 of the PET bottle 2 is in-lined contributes to the reduction of the transportation cost of the container and the reduction of the environmental load. Become.

Next, a method for producing the filler 80 according to another embodiment will be described in detail. FIG. 11 is a flow chart showing an outline of the manufacturing process of the filler 80 according to another embodiment. The method for producing the filler 80 according to another embodiment is characterized in that the step (step S4) of blowing the cooling air C1 onto the PET bottle 2 is omitted from the production method shown in FIG. Here, in the manufacturing method according to another embodiment, the description of the same part as the manufacturing method shown in FIG. 9 will be omitted as appropriate.

In the manufacturing method according to another embodiment, the PET bottle 2 is blow-molded by stretching the preform 1 in the same manner as the manufacturing method shown in FIG. 9 (step S3). However, in the method for producing the filler 80 according to another embodiment, the temperature of the surface of the body mold 117a is 90 ° C. or higher and 115 ° C. or lower.

Again, the temperature of the body 15 of the preform 1 heated in step S2 is preferably higher than the temperature of the surface of the body mold 117a. If the temperature of the body portion 15 is higher than the temperature of the surface of the body mold 117a, initial shrinkage is less likely to occur.

Then, similarly to the manufacturing method shown in FIG. 9, the body portion 15 of the preform 1 mounted on the mold 117 is vertically stretched by the stretching rod 118. Further, the body portion 15 of the preform 1 stretched in the vertical direction is stretched in the horizontal direction by the high-pressure air P2 until it hits the body mold 117a.

In the method for manufacturing the filler 80 according to another embodiment, the blowing of the cooling air C1 (step S4) to the PET bottle 2 is omitted in the blow molding step. However, in the method for producing the filler 80 according to another embodiment, the temperature of the surface of the body mold 117a is 90 ° C. or higher and 115 ° C. or lower, and the temperature of the body portion 15 of the preform 1 to be heated is , The temperature is raised above the surface temperature of the body mold 117a. As a result, the initial shrinkage when the body portion 15 of the preform 1 is stretched and hits the body mold 117a is effectively suppressed. Therefore, in the method for manufacturing the filler 80 according to another embodiment, even if the step of blowing the cooling air C1 onto the PET bottle 2 (step S4) is omitted, the PET bottle 2 has heat resistance applicable to hot filling. And the beverage 50 can be hot-filled to make a filler 80.

The blow-molded PET bottle 2 is supplied to the hot filling machine 120 (step S5), and thereafter, the filling body 80 is manufactured through the same steps as the manufacturing method shown in FIG. ..

The method for producing the filler 80 according to another embodiment has the same effect as the production method shown in FIG.

In addition to this, in the method for manufacturing the filler 80 according to another embodiment, the temperature of the surface of the body mold 117a can be set lower, so that the material of the mold 117 is, for example, stainless hardened tempered steel or Aluminum can be used instead of mold steel. By using aluminum, the mold 117 can be easily processed, the degree of freedom in design is increased, and the manufacturing cost can be suppressed. Further, in the method for manufacturing the filler 80 according to another embodiment, it is possible to eliminate the need for a device for blowing the cooling air C1. Therefore, it is possible to use the biaxial stretch blow molding apparatus 112 that does not have the cooling air blowing portion 119, and the versatility can be enhanced. Further, in the method for producing the filler 80 according to another embodiment, since the step of blowing the cooling air C1 (step S4) is unnecessary, the PET bottle 2 and the beverage 50 are hot-filled to prepare the filler 80. The speed can be improved.

As described above, in the method for manufacturing the filler 80 according to the present embodiment, the body of the preform 1 is heat-treated so that the side of the opening end 11 has a higher density than the side of the support ring 12. A step of heating the part 15, a step of blow molding the PET bottle 2 from the preform 1 using the mold 117, a step of filling the PET bottle 2 with the high temperature beverage 50, and a step of filling the mouth 10 of the PET bottle 2 It includes a step of attaching the cap 60, a step of overturning and sterilizing the mouth portion 10 of the PET bottle 2 and the cap 60, and a step of cooling the PET bottle 2, and all the steps are performed in an in-line manner. ..

Further, according to the method for producing the filler 80 according to the present embodiment, the PET bottle 2 has heat resistance to the high-temperature beverage 50 to be filled, and the inner ring 65, the contact ring 66, and the outer ring of the cap 60 to be attached have heat resistance. A mouth portion 10 sealed by 67 and to which a cap 60 is attached from the side of the opening end 11, a shoulder portion 20 connected to the support ring 12 of the mouth portion 10, a body portion 30 connected to the shoulder portion 20, and a body portion. The side of the opening end 11 including the inner ring 65, the contact ring 66, and the contact portion with the outer ring 67 is provided with the bottom portion 40 connected to the 30 and is characterized in that the density is higher than that of the support ring 12. ..

Further, according to the present embodiment, even if the mouth portion 10 has a shape that is widely used as a standard for normal temperature filling, deterioration of sealing property due to shrinkage or deformation due to the high temperature beverage 50 to be filled is suppressed. It is possible to provide the preform 1, the method for producing the preform 1, the crystallization device 90 for the preform 1, the PET bottle 2, and the method for producing the filler 80.

Hereinafter, the present disclosure will be described in more detail and concretely with reference to Examples. However, the present disclosure is not limited to the following examples.

<Material and manufacturing method>
[Example 1]
A preform 1 made of polyethylene terephthalate and having a non-crystalline mouth 10 was prepared in advance. The preform 1 is attached to the holder 91 of the crystallizer 90 of the preform 1 having a shape that suppresses deformation on the side of the opening end 11, and the side of the opening end 11 of the mouth portion 10 is subjected to a heat treatment unit 92. It was heated and crystallized. In this way, the side of the opening end 11 including the contact portion with the inner ring 65, the contact ring 66, and the outer ring 67 has a higher density than the side of the support ring 12, and has features according to the present embodiment. Reform 1 was formed. That is, the density of the side of the opening end 11 is 1.375 g / cm ^3, the density of the side of the support ring 12 preform 1 to 1.361g / cm ³ was formed.

Then, the filler 80 was produced by the method for producing the filler 80 according to the present embodiment shown in FIG. At that time, the body portion 15 of the preform 1 was heated to 125 ° C., and the surface temperature of the body mold 117a was set to 125 ° C. The blow molding step (step S3) included a step of blowing cooling air C1 onto the PET bottle 2 (step S4). The temperature of the hot beverage 50 to be filled was 90 ° C. For the cap 60 to be attached, an M cap manufactured by Nihon Closure Co., Ltd., which is widely used for filling at room temperature, was used.

[Comparative Example 1]
A preform made of polyethylene terephthalate and widely used as a crystallization port was used. The preform was made into a crystallization mouth by a mouth crystallization device (manufactured by Osaka Cold Research Co., Ltd.). Then, similarly to Example 1, the filler was produced by the method for producing the filler 80 according to the present embodiment shown in FIG.

[Comparative Example 2]
A preform made of polyethylene terephthalate and widely used as a non-crystallization port was used. Then, similarly to Example 1, the filler was produced by the method for producing the filler 80 according to the present embodiment shown in FIG.

<Evaluation method>
(Dimension inspection)
The mouth inner diameter, mouth outer diameter, and mouth height were measured for each of the preforms of Example 1, Comparative Example 1, and Comparative Example 2. In addition, each of Example 1 and Comparative Example 1 was measured before and after crystallization. It was evaluated whether or not it was within the range of dimensions corresponding to the PCO1810 standard. Table 1 shows the evaluation results of the dimensional inspection of each preform, and is indicated by ◯: within the standard and ×: non-standard.

(Sealability inspection)
Whether or not bubbles were generated in the water when each of the fillers of Example 1, Comparative Example 1 and Comparative Example 2 was immersed in water and 0.5 MPa of air was injected from the upper 62 of the cap 60 for 1 minute. confirmed. ○: No leakage, ×: Leakage, indicated by.

(Comprehensive evaluation)
Based on the above-mentioned dimensional inspection and hermeticity inspection, each preform (each filler) of Example 1, Comparative Example 1, and Comparative Example 2 was comprehensively evaluated. Table 1 shows the results of the comprehensive evaluation. The overall evaluation is indicated by ◯: good, ×: not suitable.

The following points were derived from the above-mentioned examples. As shown in Table 1, in Example 1, the change in size before and after crystallization was suppressed, and the deformation of the mouth portion 10 due to heating, particularly the side of the opening end 11, was suppressed. Then, in Example 1, there was no leakage between the mouth portion 10 and the cap 60, and the sealing property was good. In Comparative Example 1, since the deformation of the opening end side due to heating was not suppressed when the mouth crystallized device was used as the crystallization port, the size did not fall within the size range corresponding to the PCO1810 standard after crystallization. There was something. In Comparative Example 2, the opening end was deformed, liquid leakage occurred, and the sealability was not obtained.

From the results of the above examples, in the method for producing the preform 1 according to the present embodiment, the dimensions change even if the preform 1 in which the mouth portion 10 is non-crystalline is heat-treated to impart heat resistance. It was shown that the sealing property was good even when the high temperature beverage 50 was filled. Then, according to the method for producing the filler 80 according to the present embodiment, it was shown that the PET bottle 2 can be filled with the high-temperature beverage 50 without any problem. Therefore, in the present embodiment, even if the mouth portion 10 has a shape that is widely used as a standard for normal temperature filling, the deterioration of the sealing property due to shrinkage and deformation due to the high temperature beverage 50 to be filled is suppressed. It has been shown that the reform 1, the method for producing the preform 1, the crystallization device 90 for the preform 1, the PET bottle 2, and the method for producing the filler 80 can be provided.

The present disclosure can be suitably used for producing various fillers 80 to be filled with a liquid as a content. However, the present disclosure is not limited to the embodiments and examples described above. The filler 80 of the present disclosure contains, for example, various non-sparkling beverages such as water, green tea, oolong tea, black tea, coffee, fruit juice, soft drinks, and sparkling beverages, or seasonings such as soy sauce, sauce, and mirin. It is useful for all fillers 80 that contain cooking oil, foods containing alcoholic beverages, detergents, shampoos, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, etc., and since the container has heat resistance, it is sold by heating at vending machines and stores. Also suitable for.

1 Preform 2 PET bottle (plastic bottle)
10 Mouth 11 Open end 12 Support ring 13 Male screw (screw)
15 Body of preform 1 20 Shoulder 30 Body of PET bottle 2 40 Bottom 50 Beverage (liquid)
60 Cap 64 Female thread (screw)
65 Inner ring (blocking ring)
66 Contact ring (blocking ring)
67 Outer ring (blocking ring)
80 Filler 90 Crystallizer 91 Holder 92 Heat treatment unit 100 Filler 80 manufacturing equipment 110 Bottle molding machine 111 Heating equipment (heating unit)
112 Biaxial stretch blow molding equipment (molding part)
117 Mold 120 Hot filling machine 121 Filler (filling part)
122 Capper (mounting part)
130 Fall sterilizer (Tumble sterilizer)
140 Pastorizer (cooling part)
a Vertical length on the opening end 11 side b Vertical length on the support ring 12 side D2 Cavity diameter of male thread 13

Claims (5)

It is provided with a mouth part to which a cap is attached from the side of the opening end and a body part connected to the support ring of the mouth part, and the mouth part is molded from a non-crystalline preform, and the temperature is 81 ° C. or higher and 90 ° C. A method for producing a filler in which the high-temperature liquid is filled in a heat-resistant plastic bottle that prevents thermal deformation when the following liquid is filled.
The cap has an obstruction ring
The body of the preform is heat-treated so that the side of the opening end including the contact portion with the closing ring is discontinuously heat-treated in the circumferential direction and has a higher density than the side of the support ring. The heating process and
The process of blow molding the plastic bottle from the preform using a mold, and
The step of filling the plastic bottle with the high temperature liquid and
A step of mounting the cap on the mouth portion of the plastic bottle,
A step of overturning and sterilizing the mouth of the plastic bottle and the cap,
A method for producing a filler, which comprises a step of cooling the plastic bottle. A step of heating the body portion, a step of blow molding the plastic bottle, a step of filling the liquid, a step of attaching the cap, a step of overturning and sterilizing the mouth portion and the cap, and the above-mentioned The method for producing a filler according to claim 1 , wherein the steps of cooling the plastic bottle are all performed in-line. The method for producing a filler according to any one of claims 1 and 2, wherein the heat treatment is performed at eight locations in the circumferential direction. The method for producing a filler according to any one of claims 1 to 3 , wherein heat is insulated between the side of the opening end and the side of the support ring. The method for producing a filler according to any one of claims 1 to 4 , wherein the side of the support ring is cooled.

Images