JP6807056B2 - Cap sterilizer and content filling system - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a cap sterilizer and a content filling system.

An aseptic filling system (aseptic filling system) is known in which a sterilized container (PET bottle) is filled with sterilized contents in a sterile environment, and then the container is closed with a cap. Specifically, in the aseptic filling system, the molded container is supplied to the aseptic filling system, and the container is sprayed with an aqueous hydrogen peroxide solution as a bactericide in the aseptic filling system. It is then dried to sterilize the container and then aseptically fill the container with the contents. As another method, a small amount of sterilizing agent is dropped on the inner surface of the container at the time of forming the container, and the inner surface of the container is sterilized by the vapor of the sterilizing agent (hydrogenide) vaporized by sealing the mouth, and this sterilization is performed. There is also a method of supplying the container to the aseptic filling system, sterilizing the outer surface of the container in the aseptic filling system, and then opening the mouth to aseptically fill the contents.

When the container is filled with the contents by such an aseptic filling system and the product is manufactured by winding with a cap, it is necessary to sterilize not only the container but also the cap. As a cap sterilizer for sterilizing such a cap, for example, those described in Patent Documents 1 to 3 are known.

However, in the conventional cap sterilizer, there is a problem that it is difficult to increase the transfer speed of the cap. If the transport speed of the cap is increased by the conventional cap sterilizer, the sterilization effect of the outer surface of the cap may be reduced. Further, if an attempt is made to increase the transport speed of the cap, there is a problem that the apparatus becomes large in size, the capital investment cost increases, and the cost of chemicals, thermal energy, or cleaning water required for sterilization increases. Furthermore, in recent years, various caps such as lightweight caps and carbonated caps have been used in aseptic filling systems, and in addition to sterilizing in a short time, the winding angle and torque of the caps should be kept within the specified range. Etc. are required.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 6-293319 Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2011-11811 Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2012-50759

The present invention has been made in consideration of such a point, and a cap sterilizer and a content filling system capable of reliably sterilizing a cap even when the transport speed of the cap is increased. The purpose is to provide.

The present invention is a cap sterilizer, comprising an introduction chamber and a disinfectant spray chamber for spraying a disinfectant onto a cap supplied from the introduction chamber, and the disinfectant in the disinfectant spray chamber. It is a cap sterilizer characterized by being provided with a spray nozzle for spraying water and a cover covering the periphery of the spray nozzle.

The present invention is characterized in that a rotary transport mechanism for transporting the cap while rotating is provided in the disinfectant spray chamber, and the cover has a fan shape or an arc shape when viewed from the front side. It is a sterilizer.

The present invention includes the spray nozzle for the outer surface that supplies the disinfectant to the outer surface side of the cap, and the spray nozzle for the inner surface that supplies the disinfectant to the inner surface side of the cap. The spray nozzle for the outer surface is a cap sterilizer that is located downstream of the spray nozzle for the inner surface in the transport direction of the cap.

The present invention is a cap sterilizer characterized in that a cleaning nozzle for ejecting a cleaning liquid toward the inside of the cover is provided inside the cover.

The present invention is a cap sterilizer characterized in that the transport speed of the cap is 100 cpm or more and 1500 cpm or less.

The present invention is a content filling system including the cap sterilizer.

According to the present invention, the cap can be reliably sterilized even when the transport speed of the cap is increased.

FIG. 1 is a schematic plan view showing a content filling system according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a schematic front view showing a cap sterilizer according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a disinfectant spray chamber of the cap sterilizer according to the first embodiment of the present invention (cross-sectional view taken along line III-III of FIG. 2). FIG. 4 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a modified example of the disinfectant spray chamber. FIG. 5 is a schematic front view showing a modified example of the disinfectant spray chamber. FIG. 6 is a schematic front view showing a cap sterilizer according to a second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 7 is a schematic front view showing a cap sterilizer according to a third embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 8 is a schematic front view showing a cap sterilizer according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

(First Embodiment)
Hereinafter, the first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 5. 1 to 5 are diagrams showing an embodiment of the present invention. In each of the following figures, the same parts are designated by the same reference numerals, and some detailed description may be omitted.

(Content filling system)
First, the content filling system (sterile filling system, aseptic filling system) according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

The content filling system 10 shown in FIG. 1 is a system for filling a bottle (container) 30 with contents such as a beverage. The bottle 30 can be manufactured by biaxially stretching blow molding a preform manufactured by injection molding a synthetic resin material. As the material of the bottle 30, it is preferable to use a thermoplastic resin, particularly PE (polyethylene), PP (polypropylene), PET (polyethylene terephthalate), or PEN (polyethylene naphthalate). In addition, the container may be glass, a can, paper, a pouch, or a composite container thereof. In the present embodiment, a case where a bottle is used as a container will be described as an example.

As shown in FIG. 1, the content filling system 10 includes a bottle supply unit 21, a sterilizer 11, an air rinse device 14, a sterile water rinse device 15, a filling device (filler) 20, and a cap mounting device (capper). , A winding and tapping machine) 16, and a product bottle carry-out unit 22. The bottle supply unit 21, the sterilizer 11, the air rinse device 14, the sterile water rinse device 15, the filling device 20, the cap mounting device 16, and the product bottle carry-out unit 22 are provided from the upstream side along the transport direction of the bottle 30. They are arranged in this order toward the downstream side. Further, between the sterilizer 11, the air rinse device 14, the sterile water rinse device 15, the filling device 20, and the cap mounting device 16, a plurality of transfer wheels 12 for transporting the bottle 30 between these devices are provided. There is.

The bottle supply unit 21 sequentially receives empty bottles 30 from the outside to the content filling system 10 and conveys the received bottles 30 toward the sterilizer 11.

A bottle molding section (not shown) for molding the bottle 30 by biaxially stretching blow molding the preform may be provided on the upstream side of the bottle supply section 21. In this way, the steps from the supply of the preform to the molding of the bottle 30 to the filling and closing of the contents in the bottle 30 may be continuously performed. In this case, since it is possible to transport the contents from the outside to the contents filling system 10 in the form of a preform having a small volume instead of the form of a bottle 30 having a large volume, the equipment constituting the contents filling system 10 should be made compact. Can be done.

The sterilizer 11 sterilizes the inside of the bottle 30 by injecting a sterilizing agent onto the bottle 30. As the disinfectant, for example, an aqueous hydrogen peroxide solution is used. In the sterilizer 11, a condensed mist or gas is generated after once vaporizing an aqueous hydrogen peroxide solution having a concentration of 1% by weight or more, preferably 35% by weight, and the mist or gas is sprayed on the inner and outer surfaces of the bottle 30. Will be done. Since the inside of the bottle 30 is sterilized with the mist or gas of the hydrogen peroxide aqueous solution in this way, the inner surface of the bottle 30 is sterilized evenly.

The air rinsing device 14 supplies the bottle 30 with sterile heated air or normal temperature air to activate hydrogen peroxide and remove foreign substances, hydrogen peroxide, and the like from the inside of the bottle 30.

The sterile water rinsing device 15 cleans the bottle 30 sterilized with hydrogen peroxide, which is a sterilizing agent, with sterile water at 15 ° C. to 85 ° C. As a result, the hydrogen peroxide adhering to the bottle 30 is washed away and the foreign matter is removed.

The filling device 20 fills the bottle 30 from the mouth of the bottle 30 with the contents that have been sterilized in advance. In this filling device 20, the contents are filled into the empty bottle 30. In this filling device 20, the contents are filled inside the bottles 30 while the plurality of bottles 30 are rotated (revolved). This content may be filled in the bottle 30 at room temperature. The contents are sterilized in advance by heating or the like, cooled to room temperature of 3 ° C. or higher and 40 ° C. or lower, and then filled in the bottle 30. Examples of the contents to be filled by the filling device 20 include beverages such as tea-based beverages and milk-based beverages.

The cap mounting device 16 closes the bottle 30 by mounting the cap 33 on the mouth of the bottle 30. In the cap mounting device 16, the mouth of the bottle 30 is closed by the cap 33 and sealed so that outside air and microorganisms do not enter the bottle 30. In the cap mounting device 16, the cap 33 is mounted on the mouth portion of the plurality of bottles 30 filled with the contents while rotating (revolving). By attaching the cap 33 to the mouth of the bottle 30 in this way, the product bottle 35 can be obtained.

The cap 33 is sterilized in advance by the cap sterilizer 50. The cap sterilizer 50 is arranged, for example, outside the sterile chamber 13 (described later) and in the vicinity of the cap mounting device 16. In the cap sterilizer 50, a large number of caps 33 carried in from the outside are collected in advance and transported in a row toward the cap mounting device 16. On the way to the cap mounting device 16, the hydrogen peroxide mist or gas is sprayed toward the inner and outer surfaces of the cap 33, and then dried with hot air and sterilized. The configuration of such a cap sterilizer 50 will be described later.

The product bottle unloading unit 22 continuously unloads the product bottle 35 to which the cap 33 is mounted by the cap mounting device 16 toward the outside of the content filling system 10.

The content filling system 10 has an aseptic chamber 13. The above-mentioned sterilizer 11, air rinsing device 14, sterile water rinsing device 15, filling device 20, and cap mounting device 16 are housed inside the aseptic chamber 13. Such a content filling system 10 may consist of, for example, an aseptic filling system. In this case, the inside of the sterile chamber 13 is kept sterile.

Alternatively, the content filling system 10 may be a high temperature filling system that fills the contents at a high temperature of 85 ° C. or higher and lower than 100 ° C. Further, a medium temperature filling system for filling the contents at a medium temperature of 55 ° C. or higher and lower than 85 ° C. may be used.

(Cap sterilizer)
Next, the configuration of the cap sterilizer 50 described above will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 2 is a schematic front view showing the cap sterilizer 50 according to the present embodiment. In FIG. 2, the upper and lower parts of the paper surface indicate the upper side and the lower side in the vertical direction, respectively.

As shown in FIG. 2, the cap sterilizer 50 includes a first introduction chamber 51, a second introduction chamber 52, a sterilizer spray chamber 53, an air rinse chamber 54, and a cleaning chamber 55. The first introduction chamber 51, the second introduction chamber 52, the disinfectant spray chamber 53, the air rinse chamber 54, and the cleaning chamber 55 are arranged in this order along the transport direction of the cap 33. The chambers 51, 52, 53, 54, 55 are arranged inside the housing 60.

The first introduction chamber 51 and the second introduction chamber 52 are separated by a partition wall 61 provided between them. Similarly, the second introduction chamber 52 and the disinfectant spray chamber 53 are separated by a partition wall 62, the second introduction chamber 52 and the air rinse chamber 54 are separated by a partition wall 63, and the disinfectant spray chamber 53 and the air rinse chamber 53 are separated from each other. It is separated from the chamber 54 by a partition wall 64. Further, the air rinse chamber 54 and the cleaning chamber 55 are separated by a partition wall 65.

These partition walls 61, 62, 63, 64, 65 prevent gas, water, etc. from flowing between the chambers 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, and are inside the chambers 51, 52, 53, 54, 55. It plays a role in stabilizing the pressure. However, the partition walls 61, 62, 63, 64, and 65 are each formed with a gap sufficient for the cap 33 and the like to pass through. This gap is suppressed to a minimum size, for example, about one cap 33 so that the pressure in each chamber 51, 52, 53, 54, 55 does not change.

A hopper 56, a sorter 57, and a cap inspection machine 58 are provided on the front-end process side of the first introduction chamber 51 and outside the housing 60, respectively. Of these, a large number of caps 33 are randomly inserted into the hopper 56 from the outside. The sorter 57 arranges caps 33 randomly placed in the hopper 56 in a single row or multiple rows, and conveys the caps 33 from the lower side to the upper side in the vertical direction. The cap inspection machine 58 inspects the shape and the like of each cap 33, and discharges the cap 33 that has failed the inspection. The caps 33 that have passed the inspection are transported in a line toward the first introduction chamber 51.

The cap 33 is a known one, and a substantially circular cap 33 having an opening on the inner surface side is used. As the cap 33, one made of a thermoplastic resin such as high-density polyethylene (HDPE), polypropylene (PP), or biodegradable plastic can be used. Further, as the cap 33, in addition to a normal bottle cap, a composite cap or a sports cap may be used.

In the first introduction chamber 51 and the second introduction chamber 52, a transfer guide 70 for transporting a plurality of caps 33 in a row is provided. The transport guide 70 may include, for example, a plurality of rails. In this case, a space is formed in the area surrounded by the plurality of rails so that the cap 33 does not fall off, and the cap 33 is accommodated and conveyed in this space. The cap 33 is transferred from the first introduction chamber 51 side toward the second introduction chamber 52 by its own weight. By providing such a transport guide 70, the cap 33 can be transported from the first introduction chamber 51 to the second introduction chamber 52 at high speed.

Inside the second introduction chamber 52, the disinfectant spray chamber 53, the air rinse chamber 54, and the cleaning chamber 55, rotary transport mechanisms 71 to 76 for rotary transporting the cap 33 are provided, respectively. Of these, the first rotary transfer mechanism 71 is provided in the second introduction chamber 52, and the second rotary transfer mechanism 72 is provided in the disinfectant spray chamber 53. Inside the air rinse chamber 54 and the cleaning chamber 55, a total of four rotary transport mechanisms 73 to 76 (third rotary transport mechanism 73, fourth rotary transport mechanism 74, fifth rotary transport mechanism 75, sixth rotary transport mechanism 76). ) Is provided. Of these, the three rotary transport mechanisms 73 to 75 are arranged inside the air rinse chamber 54, and the sixth rotary transport mechanism 76 is arranged so as to straddle the air rinse chamber 54 and the cleaning chamber 55. The rotary transport mechanisms 71 to 76 rotate (rotate) along axes parallel to each other in the horizontal direction, thereby rotating (revolving) transporting the plurality of caps 33. The rotary transport mechanisms 71 to 76 each have a star wheel located at the center and provided with a notch for accommodating the cap 33, and a plurality of rails arranged around the star wheel to prevent the cap 33 from falling off. ing. The cap 33 is conveyed by being driven by a star wheel, guided by a rail, accommodated, and rotated (revolved). By using such a rotary transfer mechanism 71 to 76, the cap 33 can be conveyed at high speed in the cap sterilizer 50.

Further, a drainage pipe 67 is formed on the bottom surface 66 of the housing 60 and inside the second introduction chamber 52. The bottom surface 66 is inclined downward from the cleaning chamber 55 toward the second introduction chamber 52. As a result, the droplets generated inside the housing 60 due to dew condensation or the like can be discharged from the drainage pipe 67 to the outside of the housing 60. The drainage pipe 67 is curved in an S shape in the middle, and drainage is retained in this S-shaped portion, whereby the pressure inside the second introduction chamber 52 is maintained (water). Sealing mechanism).

Next, the configuration of each chamber 51, 52, 53, 54, 55 will be further described.

The cap 33 from the cap inspection machine 58 is introduced into the first introduction chamber 51, and is arranged above the second introduction chamber 52. The inside of the first introduction chamber 51 is held under a negative pressure or a slight positive pressure (for example, −100 Pa or more and 10 Pa or less) so that steam containing a disinfectant does not leak to the outside of the housing 60.

The cap 33 is supplied to the second introduction chamber (introduction chamber) 52 from the first introduction chamber 51 by the transfer guide 70. Aseptic hot air from the first hot air supply machine 79 is sent to the second introduction chamber 52. The temperature of sterile hot air is, for example, 40 ° C. or higher and 120 ° C. or lower. Therefore, the inside of the second introduction chamber 52 is maintained at a temperature of, for example, 30 ° C. or higher and 80 ° C. or lower. As a result, dew condensation of the disinfectant inside the second introduction chamber 52 is suppressed, and the liquid disinfectant remains in the cap 33 to prevent the degree of disinfection from varying among the plurality of caps 33. it can. Further, the inside of the second introduction chamber 52 is maintained at a positive pressure (for example, 0 Pa or more and 200 Pa or less), and as a result, the disinfectant is prevented from excessively flowing into the second introduction chamber 52. Further, in the second introduction chamber 52, the transport guide 70 is provided with a first stopper 77 that can be opened and closed. When the first stopper 77 is opened, the cap 33 is sent to the first rotary transfer mechanism 71, and when the first stopper 77 is closed, the cap 33 stays at this position. The first hot air supply machine 79 may be arranged on the transfer path of the first rotary transfer mechanism 71, and the cap 33 may be preliminarily heated by the hot air from the first hot air supply machine 79.

The disinfectant spray chamber 53 sprays the disinfectant onto the cap 33 supplied from the second introduction chamber 52 by the first rotary transfer mechanism 71. The disinfectant spray chamber 53 is located above the second introduction chamber 52. The second introduction chamber 52 may be located above the disinfectant spray chamber 53 depending on the positional relationship of the first rotary transfer mechanism 71 and the like. Here, the bactericidal agent is, for example, hydrogen peroxide solution. The cap 33 sent from the first rotary transfer mechanism 71 is delivered to the second rotary transfer mechanism 72, and the disinfectant is sprayed by the spray nozzles 81A and 81B while being conveyed by the second rotary transfer mechanism 72. Two disinfectant spraying devices 82A and 82B are arranged above the disinfectant spraying chamber 53. One of the disinfectant spraying devices 82A is connected to an outer surface spraying nozzle 81A that supplies the disinfectant to the outer surface (top surface) side of the cap 33. The other disinfectant spraying device 82B is connected to an inner spray nozzle 81B that supplies the disinfectant to the inner surface (opening) side of the cap 33.

The spray nozzle 81A for the outer surface is preferably located downstream of the spray nozzle 81B for the inner surface in the transport direction of the cap 33 (note that the spray nozzle 81A is upstream of the spray nozzle 81B in the transport direction of the cap 33). May be on the side). That is, it is preferable that the disinfectant is first supplied to the inner surface of the cap 33 by the spray nozzle 81B and then the disinfectant is supplied to the outer surface of the cap 33 by the spray nozzle 81A on the transfer path of the second rotary transfer mechanism 72. As a result, the inner surface of the cap 33, which needs to be sterilized more reliably, can be sterilized before the outer surface of the cap 33. The spray nozzles 81A and 81B have a nozzle inner diameter of φ2 mm or more and φ15 mm or less (preferably φ3 mm or more and φ10 mm or less) in order to attach a disinfectant to every corner of the complicated shape of the inner surface of the cap 33 that is conveyed at high speed. The outer diameter should be 2 mm or more (preferably 4 mm or more) thicker than the inner diameter of the nozzle so that the temperature of the hydrogen peroxide gas decreases and liquid dripping does not occur. If the inner diameter of the nozzle is smaller than φ2 mm, the stabilizer of hydrogen peroxide may accumulate and the nozzle may be clogged after long-term use. The distance between the cap 33 and the tips of the spray nozzles 81A and 81B is preferably 5 mm or more and 100 mm or less.

Further, a fan-shaped or arc-shaped cover 83, for example, when viewed from the front side, is arranged around the spray nozzles 81A and 81B, which is the upper part of the second rotary transport mechanism 72. The cover 83 covers the periphery of the spray nozzles 81A and 81B, prevents the disinfectant from the spray nozzles 81A and 81B from scattering to the periphery, and makes it possible to effectively spray the disinfectant on the cap 33. To do. The inside of the disinfectant spray chamber 53 is maintained at a positive pressure (for example, 0 Pa or more and 50 Pa or less) so that the disinfectant does not excessively flow out to the outside of the disinfectant spray chamber 53. Adhesion amount of hydrogen peroxide required for sterilizing caps 33, 35% by weight is 0.6μL / cm ² or more 4.7μL / cm ² or less (preferably 1.2μL / cm ² or more 2.4MyuL / cm ² or less). Within this range, the cap 33 can be sterilized at high speed, and the drug can be reliably removed by the air rinse described later.

FIG. 3 shows a vertical cross section of the inside of the disinfectant spray chamber 53. As shown in FIG. 3, the cover 83 is arranged inside the disinfectant spray chamber 53. The cover 83 has a front plate 83a, a top plate 83b, a rear surface plate 83c, and a bottom plate 83d, which are connected to each other. Of these, the front plate 83a has a fan shape or an arc shape when viewed from the front side, and is larger than the rear plate 83c. The front plate 83a may be provided with a transparent confirmation window so that the inside of the cover 83 can be visually recognized. The spray nozzle 81B for the inner surface extends from the front plate 83a toward the inside of the cover 83, and the spray nozzle 81A for the outer surface extends from the rear plate 83c toward the inside of the cover 83. In FIG. 3, the spray nozzle 81B is located on the front side (upstream side in the transport direction of the cap 33) with respect to the spray nozzle 81A. In this way, the disinfectant is sprayed from the spray nozzles 81A and 81B onto the cap 33 in the space surrounded by the cover 83. At this time, since the concentration of the bactericidal agent inside the cover 83 can be increased, the cap 33 can be effectively sterilized. Further, since the tips of the spray nozzles 81A and 81B are covered by the cover 83, the amount of the disinfectant leaking to the outside of the cover 83 can be reduced, thereby reducing the amount of the disinfectant leaking to the outside of the disinfectant spray chamber 53. Can be done.

Inside the cover 83, a cleaning nozzle 93 for ejecting a cleaning liquid toward the inside of the cover 83 is provided. In this case, the cleaning nozzle 93 is arranged so as to face upward between the front plate 83a and the second rotary transfer mechanism 72. Examples of the cleaning liquid ejected from the cleaning nozzle 93 include a single preparation or a mixed preparation containing components such as water, alkaline liquid, alcohol, chlorine, peracetic acid, and hydrogen peroxide, and sterile water for washing away the chemicals after washing and sterilization. Can be done. By ejecting the cleaning liquid from the cleaning nozzle 93 in this way, it is possible to clean the equipment inside the cover 83 before sterilizing the cap 33. For example, the inner wall surface of the cover 83, the spray nozzles 81A and 81B, the second rotary transfer mechanism 72, and the like can be cleaned. Thereby, for example, COP (Cleaning out of Place) treatment or SOP (Sterilizing out of Place) treatment can be efficiently performed on the disinfectant spray chamber 53.

FIG. 4 shows a modified example of the disinfectant spray chamber 53. As shown in FIG. 4, the spray nozzles 81A and 81B are arranged at substantially the same position when viewed from the front side (left side of FIG. 4). In this case, the spray nozzles 81A and 81B spray the disinfectant on the inner and outer surfaces of the cap 33 at substantially the same timing. Further, a disinfectant spraying device 82C is provided above the disinfectant spraying chamber 53, and the disinfectant is supplied from the disinfectant spraying device 82C to both the spray nozzles 81A and 81B. In this case, since the positions of the spray nozzles 81A and 81B can be substantially the same with respect to the transport direction of the cap 33, the disinfectant spray chamber 53 can be compactly configured.

FIG. 5 shows another modification of the disinfectant spray chamber 53. In FIG. 5, the cap 33 is configured to spray the disinfectant by three spray nozzles 81B, 81A, 81B. That is, the spray nozzle 81B for the inner surface, the spray nozzle 81A for the outer surface, and the spray nozzle 81B for the inner surface are arranged in this order from the upstream side to the downstream side in the transport direction of the cap 33. This makes it possible to spray a relatively large amount of disinfectant onto the inner surface of the cap 33, which needs to be sterilized more reliably. In this case, the transport speed of the cap 33 can be increased to, for example, 800 cpm or more and 1500 cpm or less.

Referring to FIG. 2 again, the air rinse chamber 54 air rinses the cap 33 sprayed with the disinfectant in the disinfectant spray chamber 53. The cap 33 is sequentially conveyed in the air rinse chamber 54 by the rotary transfer mechanisms 73 to 76, during which aseptic hot air is blown onto the inner and outer surfaces of the cap 33. Aseptic hot air from the second hot air supply machine 80 is sent into the air rinse chamber 54. In this case, sterile hot air is sprayed onto the cap 33 passing through the fourth rotary transfer mechanism 74. The temperature of aseptic hot air is, for example, 80 ° C. or higher and 140 ° C. or lower, preferably 90 ° C. or higher and 120 ° C. or lower. The air volume of sterile hot air is, for example, 5 m ³ / min or more and 20 m ³ / min or less. The blow time of sterile hot air is 1 second or more and 20 seconds or less, preferably 3 seconds or more and 14 seconds or less. By blowing sterile hot air, the temperature of the cap 33 is raised to 40 ° C. or higher, preferably 50 ° C. or higher. As a result, the disinfectant adhering to the cap 33 is removed. The inside of the air rinse chamber 54 is maintained at a positive pressure (for example, 30 Pa or more and 200 Pa or less, preferably 50 Pa or more and 150 Pa or less). The sterile hot air may contain a small amount of a bactericidal component such as hydrogen peroxide.

The cleaning chamber 55 cleans the cap 33 air-rinsed in the air rinse chamber 54. The cap 33 is conveyed in the cleaning chamber 55 by the sixth rotary transfer mechanism 76. During this period, first, the cleaning nozzle 84 sprays sterile water on the inner and outer surfaces of the cap 33. As a result, even if foreign matter adheres to the cap 33, the foreign matter can be reliably removed, and the cap 33 heated with sterile hot air can be cooled. Next, the air blow nozzle 85 blows sterile air onto the inner and outer surfaces of the cap 33 to remove sterile water. Even after the sterile air was blown, a small amount of sterile water remained on the cap 33. As a result, while the cap 33 is conveyed by the chute 59 described later, the lubrication between the cap 33 and the chute 59 can be improved, and the temperature of the cap 33 can be prevented from rising due to the frictional heat with the chute 59. it can. By suppressing the temperature rise of the cap 33 in this way, the winding operation of the cap 33 in the cap mounting device 16 can be stably performed. The inside of the cleaning chamber 55 is maintained at a positive pressure (for example, 50 Pa or more and 200 Pa or less). This prevents the atmosphere containing the disinfectant from flowing out to the cap mounting device 16 side. In this embodiment, the cleaning chamber 55 does not necessarily have to be provided.

A chute 59 that conveys the cap 33 to the cap mounting device 16 side is connected to the cleaning chamber 55. The chute 59 may include, for example, a plurality of rails. In this case, a space is formed in the area surrounded by the plurality of rails so that the cap 33 does not fall off, and the cap 33 is accommodated and conveyed in this space. In the cleaning chamber 55, the chute 59 is provided with a second stopper 78 that can be opened and closed. When the second stopper 78 is opened, the cap 33 is sent to the cap mounting device 16 by the chute 59. On the other hand, when the second stopper 78 is closed, the cap 33 stays at this position. Alternatively, the second stopper 78 may be provided on the chute 59 and in the vicinity of the cap mounting device 16.

In the present embodiment, the exhaust pipes 86A to 86E are connected to the first introduction chamber 51, the second introduction chamber 52, the disinfectant spray chamber 53, the air rinse chamber 54, and the cleaning chamber 55, respectively. The first introduction chamber 51, the second introduction chamber 52, the disinfectant spray chamber 53, the air rinse chamber 54, and the cleaning chamber 55 are exhausted via the exhaust pipes 86A to 86E, respectively. Blowers 68 that draw in the gas in the exhaust pipes 86A to 86E are connected to the exhaust pipes 86A to 86E, and scrubber 69 that treats a bactericide component in the gas is connected to the blower 68.

Throughout the cap sterilizer 50, the transport speed of the cap 33 is 100 cpm or more and 1500 cpm or less, preferably 500 cpm or more and 1000 cpm or less. According to the cap sterilizer 50 according to the present embodiment, the cap 33 can be reliably sterilized even when the cap 33 is conveyed at such a high speed. The cpm (cap per minute) refers to the number of caps 33 that pass through a predetermined position per minute. When the filling speed of the bottle 30 is slow, for example, when the bottle 30 is a large bottle (content capacity of 1 L or more), the transport speed of the cap 33 is set to be slower than the above speed according to the filling speed. Is also good. In this case, the hot air supply conditions (temperature, flow rate, etc.) in the second introduction chamber 52 and the air rinse chamber 54 may be adjusted so that the temperature of the cap 33 does not rise.

In the present embodiment, the case where two chambers, the first introduction chamber 51 and the second introduction chamber 52, are provided as the introduction chamber has been described as an example, but the present invention is not limited to this. A single introduction chamber may be provided by combining the first introduction chamber 51 and the second introduction chamber 52. Further, in the present embodiment, the case where the rotation axes of the rotary transfer mechanisms 71 to 76 are oriented in the horizontal direction and the cap 33 is conveyed within a substantially vertical plane has been described as an example. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the rotation shafts of the rotary transport mechanisms 71 to 76 may be oriented in the vertical direction, and the cap 33 may be transported in a substantially horizontal plane.

(Content filling method)
Next, a content filling method using the content filling system 10 (FIG. 1) described above will be described. In the following, a filling method in a normal state, that is, a content filling method for manufacturing a product bottle 35 by filling a bottle 30 with contents such as a beverage will be described.

First, a plurality of empty bottles 30 are sequentially supplied to the bottle supply unit 21 from the outside of the content filling system 10. The bottle 30 is sent from the bottle supply unit 21 to the sterilizer 11 by the transfer wheel 12 (container supply process).

Next, in the sterilizer 11, the bottle 30 is sterilized using an aqueous hydrogen peroxide solution as a sterilizer (sterilization step). At this time, the hydrogen peroxide aqueous solution is a gas or mist that is condensed after once vaporizing the hydrogen peroxide aqueous solution having a concentration of 1% by weight or more, preferably 35% by weight, and the gas or mist is directed toward the bottle 30. Be supplied.

Subsequently, the bottle 30 is sent to the air rinsing device 14 by the transport wheel 12, and the air rinsing device 14 supplies sterile heated air or normal temperature air to activate hydrogen peroxide while activating foreign matter from the bottle 30. , Hydrogen peroxide, etc. are removed. The bottle 30 is then transported by the transport wheel 12 to the sterile water rinse device 15. In this sterile water rinsing device 15, washing with sterile water at 15 ° C. to 85 ° C. is performed (rinsing step). Specifically, sterile water at 15 ° C. to 85 ° C. is supplied into the bottle 30 at a flow rate of 5 L / min or more and 15 L / min or less. At that time, preferably, the bottle 30 is turned upside down, sterile water is supplied into the bottle 30 from the downward facing mouth portion, and the sterile water flows out from the mouth portion to the outside of the bottle 30. The sterile water is used to wash away hydrogen peroxide adhering to the bottle 30 and remove foreign substances. The step of supplying sterile water into the bottle 30 does not necessarily have to be provided.

Subsequently, the bottle 30 is conveyed to the filling device 20 by the transfer wheel 12. In this filling device 20, the bottle 30 is rotated (revolved) and the contents are filled into the bottle 30 from its mouth (filling step). In the filling device 20, the sterilized bottle 30 is preliminarily prepared with the contents, and the contents that have been heat sterilized and cooled to room temperature are filled at room temperature.

Subsequently, the bottle 30 filled with the contents is conveyed to the cap mounting device 16 by the transfer wheel 12.

On the other hand, the cap 33 is sterilized in advance by the cap sterilizer 50 shown in FIG. 2 (cap sterilization step). During this time, first, a large number of caps 33 are randomly inserted into the hopper 56 from the outside of the cap sterilizer 50. Next, the caps 33 randomly placed in the hopper 56 are aligned by the sorter 57 and then transported to the cap inspection machine 58. Next, the cap inspection machine 58 inspects the shape and the like of each cap 33, and the caps 33 that have passed the inspection are conveyed in a line toward the first introduction chamber 51.

The cap 33 introduced into the first introduction chamber 51 is sent to the second introduction chamber 52 by the transfer guide 70. As described above, the inside of the second introduction chamber 52 is maintained at, for example, 30 ° C. or higher and 80 ° C. or lower by sterile hot air. Next, the cap 33 is conveyed in the second introduction chamber 52 by the first rotary transfer mechanism 71 and sent to the disinfectant spray chamber 53. Next, in the disinfectant spray chamber 53, while the cap 33 is conveyed by the second rotary transfer mechanism 72, a disinfectant such as hydrogen peroxide solution is sprayed from the spray nozzles 81A and 81B, and the inner and outer surfaces thereof are sterilized. To.

Subsequently, the cap 33 sprayed with the disinfectant is sent to the air rinse chamber 54.
In the air rinse chamber 54, the cap 33 is sequentially conveyed by the rotary transfer mechanisms 73 to 76, during which aseptic hot air is blown onto the inner and outer surfaces of the cap 33. As a result, the disinfectant adhering to the cap 33 is air-rinsed.

Next, the cap 33 is sent from the air rinse chamber 54 to the cleaning chamber 55. In the cleaning chamber 55, the cap 33 is sprayed with sterile water by the cleaning nozzle 84 while being conveyed by the sixth rotary transfer mechanism 76, and the adhering foreign matter and the like are removed and cooled. Subsequently, sterile air is blown onto the cap 33 by the air blow nozzle 85, and sterile water is removed.

After that, the cap 33 is carried out from the air rinse chamber 54 and sent to the cap mounting device 16 by the chute 59.

Referring to FIG. 1 again, the cap 33 thus sterilized by the cap sterilizer 50 is attached to the mouth of the bottle 30 conveyed from the filling device 20 in the cap attachment device 16. As a result, a product bottle 35 having the bottle 30 and the cap 33 is obtained (cap mounting step).

After that, the product bottle 35 is transported from the cap mounting device 16 to the product bottle carry-out unit 22, and is carried out to the outside of the content filling system 10.

Each step from the sterilization step to the cap mounting step is performed in a sterile atmosphere surrounded by a sterile chamber 13, that is, in a sterile environment. After the sterilization treatment, positive pressure sterile air is supplied into the sterile chamber 13 so that the sterile air always blows out of the sterile chamber 13.

The production (transportation) speed of the bottle 30 in the content filling system 10 is preferably 100 bpm or more and 1500 bpm or less. Here, bpm (bottle per minute) means the transport speed of the bottle 30 per minute.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, the cover 83 that covers the periphery of the spray nozzles 81A and 81B is provided in the disinfectant spray chamber 53. As a result, the concentration of the disinfectant inside the cover 83 can be increased, and the cap 33 can be efficiently sterilized. As a result, the cap 33 can be reliably sterilized even when the transport speed of the cap 33 is increased. Further, even when the concentration of the disinfectant in the cover 83 is increased, it is possible to prevent the vapor containing the disinfectant from leaking from the disinfectant spray chamber 53 to the outside of the cap sterilizer 50.

Further, according to the present embodiment, the cover 83 has a fan shape or an arc shape when viewed from the front side. That is, the shape of the cover 83 corresponds to the shape of the second rotary transfer mechanism 72. As a result, the volume of wasted space inside the cover 83 can be reduced, and the concentration of the disinfectant inside the cover 83 can be efficiently increased.

Further, according to the present embodiment, the spray nozzle 81A for the outer surface is located on the downstream side of the cap 33 in the transport direction with respect to the spray nozzle 81B for the inner surface. As a result, the time during which the disinfectant adheres to the inner surface of the cap 33, which needs to be sterilized more reliably, can be lengthened, and the inner surface of the cap 33 can be sterilized more effectively. The spray nozzle 81A may be on the upstream side of the cap 33 in the transport direction with respect to the spray nozzle 81B.

Further, according to the present embodiment, since the cleaning nozzle 93 that ejects the cleaning liquid toward the inside of the cover 83 is provided inside the cover 83, the inside of the cover 83 is sterilized before the cap 33 is sterilized. Can clean the equipment.

Furthermore, according to the present embodiment, by exhausting the chambers 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, it is possible to prevent the pressure inside each chamber 51, 52, 53, 54, 55 from becoming too high. ing. As a result, the cap 33 can be reliably introduced into each of the chambers 51, 52, 53, 54 and 55. On the other hand, if the chambers 51, 52, 53, 54, 55 are not sufficiently exhausted, the internal pressure of the chambers 51, 52, 53, 54, 55 becomes too high, and the cap 33 becomes the chamber 51, There is a risk that you will not be able to enter inside 52, 53, 54, 55.

In this way, even when the transport speed of the cap 33 in the cap sterilizer 50 is as high as 100 cpm or more and 1500 cpm, the cap 33 is surely sterilized while preventing the disinfectant from leaking from the housing 60. can do.

(Second Embodiment)
Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 6 is a schematic front view showing a cap sterilizer according to a second embodiment of the present invention. The second embodiment shown in FIG. 6 has a different configuration of the rotary transfer mechanism in the air rinse chamber 54, and the other configurations are substantially the same as those of the first embodiment described above. In FIG. 6, the same parts as those in the first embodiment are designated by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

In the cap sterilizer 50A shown in FIG. 6, a large rotary transfer mechanism 87 larger than the rotary transfer mechanisms 71, 72, and 76 is provided in the air rinse chamber 54. The large rotary transfer mechanism 87 rotates (rotates) along an axis parallel to the horizontal direction, whereby the cap 33 is directly conveyed from the second rotary transfer mechanism 72 to the sixth rotary transfer mechanism 76. Like the rotary transport mechanisms 71, 72, and 76, the large rotary transport mechanism 87 has a star wheel provided with a notch for accommodating the cap 33, and a plurality of rails arranged around the star wheel. Is also good. Alternatively, the large rotary transfer mechanism 87 may include a rotary joint.

According to this embodiment, the cap sterilizer 50A can be compactly configured. Further, according to the present embodiment, aseptic hot air can be supplied in the air rinse chamber 54 while following a large rotary transfer mechanism 87 such as a rotary joint, so that even a large cap 33 can be reliably supplied. The temperature can be raised.

(Third Embodiment)
Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. 7. FIG. 7 is a schematic front view showing a cap sterilizer according to a third embodiment of the present invention. The third embodiment shown in FIG. 7 is different from the first embodiment in that the cap 33 is mainly conveyed by the chute 88. In FIG. 7, the same parts as those in the first embodiment are designated by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

As shown in FIG. 7, the cap sterilizer 50B has a first introduction chamber 51, a second introduction chamber 52, a sterilizer spray chamber 53, an air rinse chamber 54, and a cleaning chamber 55 from above to below. And have. The chambers 51, 52, 53, 54, 55 are arranged inside the tubular body 89.

In the chambers 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, chutes 88 for transporting a plurality of caps 33 in a row are provided. The chute 88 may include, for example, a plurality of rails. In this case, a space is formed in the area surrounded by the plurality of rails so that the cap 33 does not fall off, and the cap 33 is accommodated and conveyed in this space. In FIG. 7, the chute 88 extends substantially linearly, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the chute 88 may extend spirally.

The first introduction chamber 51 and the second introduction chamber 52 are separated by a partition wall 61, and the second introduction chamber 52 and the disinfectant spray chamber 53 are separated by a partition wall 62. Further, the disinfectant spray chamber 53 and the air rinse chamber 54 are separated by a partition wall 64, and the air rinse chamber 54 and the cleaning chamber 55 are separated by a partition wall 65. Further, a partition wall 91 is provided on the downstream side (cap mounting device 16 side) of the cleaning chamber 55.

The cap 33 from the cap inspection machine 58 is introduced into the first introduction chamber 51. The cap 33 from the first introduction chamber 51 is supplied to the second introduction chamber 52. Aseptic hot air from the first hot air supply machine 79 is sent to the second introduction chamber 52.

The disinfectant spray chamber 53 sprays the disinfectant onto the cap 33 supplied from the second introduction chamber 52. In the second introduction chamber 52, the cap 33 is sprayed with the disinfectant while being conveyed by the chute 88. In the disinfectant spray chamber 53, an elongated cover 83 that covers the periphery of the spray nozzles 81A and 81B is provided. The air rinse chamber 54 air rinses the cap 33 sprayed with the disinfectant in the disinfectant spray chamber 53. The cap 33 is conveyed by the chute 88 in the air rinse chamber 54, during which aseptic hot air is blown onto the inner and outer surfaces of the cap 33.

The cleaning chamber 55 cleans the cap 33 air-rinsed in the air rinse chamber 54. In the cleaning chamber 55, the cap 33 is first sprayed with sterile water by the cleaning nozzle 84, and then sterile air is sprayed by the air blow nozzle 85 to remove the sterile water. The cleaning chamber 55 may not be provided.

The cap 33 carried out from the cleaning chamber 55 is sent to the cap mounting device 16 by the chute 88.

According to this embodiment, the cap 33 can be sterilized by using the existing equipment (chute 88 or the like) and modifying the existing equipment, so that the existing equipment can be used efficiently.

(Fourth Embodiment)
Next, a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 8 is a schematic front view showing a cap sterilizer according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention. The fourth embodiment shown in FIG. 8 is different from the first embodiment in that the cap 33 is sterilized by using the sorter 57. In FIG. 8, the same parts as those in the first embodiment are designated by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

As shown in FIG. 8, the cap sterilizer 50C is provided in the sorter 57. Such a cap sterilizer 50C includes a first introduction chamber 51, a second introduction chamber 52, a sterilizer spray chamber 53, and an air rinse chamber 54 from the bottom to the top.

In the chambers 51, 52, 53, 54, a conveyor 92 for transporting a plurality of caps 33 from below to above is provided. The conveyor 92 is, for example, endless, and conveys the cap 33 from the hopper 56 to the chute 59 via the sorter 57 while circulating up and down. The chute 59 is provided with a cleaning chamber 55, and a drainage pipe 67 is connected to the cleaning chamber 55. The cleaning chamber 55 does not necessarily have to be provided.

The cap 33 from the hopper 56 is introduced into the first introduction chamber 51. The cap 33 from the first introduction chamber 51 is supplied to the second introduction chamber 52. Aseptic hot air from the first hot air supply machine 79 is sent to the second introduction chamber 52.

The disinfectant spray chamber 53 sprays the disinfectant onto the cap 33 supplied from the second introduction chamber 52. In the second introduction chamber 52, the disinfectant is sprayed on the cap 33 raised by the conveyor 92. Inside the disinfectant spray chamber 53, a rectangular cover 83 that covers the periphery of the spray nozzles 81A and 81B is provided. The air rinse chamber 54 air rinses the cap 33 sprayed with the disinfectant in the disinfectant spray chamber 53. The cap 33 is conveyed by a conveyor 92 in the air rinse chamber 54, during which aseptic hot air is blown onto the inner and outer surfaces of the cap 33.

The cap 33 carried out from the air rinse chamber 54 is sent to the cap mounting device 16 via the cleaning chamber 55 by the chute 59.

The cleaning chamber 55 cleans the cap 33 air-rinsed in the air rinse chamber 54. In the cleaning chamber 55, the cap 33 is first sprayed with sterile water by the cleaning nozzle 84, and then sterile air is sprayed by the air blow nozzle 85 to remove the sterile water.

According to this embodiment, the cap sterilizer 50C can be compactly configured.

The cap sterilizers (cap transfer / sterilizers) 50A, 50B, and 50C described above are preferably sterilized with hydrogen peroxide or a peracetic acid cleaning agent before actually manufacturing with the cap 33.

10 Contents filling system 30 Bottle 33 Cap 50 Cap sterilizer 51 1st introduction chamber 52 2nd introduction chamber 53 Disinfectant spray chamber 54 Air rinse chamber 55 Cleaning chamber 81A, 81B Spray nozzle 83 cover

Claims (6)

It is a cap sterilizer
The first introduction chamber and
A second introduction chamber located vertically below the first introduction chamber and separated from the first introduction chamber by a first partition wall provided between the first introduction chamber and the first introduction chamber .
A disinfectant spray that is separated from the second introduction chamber by a second partition wall provided between the second introduction chamber and sprays a disinfectant onto a cap supplied from the second introduction chamber. Equipped with a chamber
A cap inspection machine for inspecting the cap is provided on the pre-process side of the first introduction chamber.
A transport guide for transporting a plurality of the caps in a row is provided in the first introduction chamber and the second introduction chamber.
A rotary transport mechanism for rotary transporting the cap is provided in the second introduction chamber.
The cap is transferred from the first introduction chamber side toward the second introduction chamber by its own weight , then is conveyed by the rotary transfer mechanism in the second introduction chamber, and is sent to the disinfectant spray chamber. A cap sterilizer characterized by. The cap sterilizer according to claim 1, wherein a sorter for aligning the caps is provided on the pre-process side of the cap inspection machine. The cap sterilizer according to claim 2, wherein a hopper into which the cap is randomly inserted is provided on the pre-process side of the sorter. The cap sterilizer according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the caps that have passed the inspection in the cap inspection machine are transported in a line toward the first introduction chamber. Any of claims 1 to 4, wherein the first introduction chamber and the disinfectant spray chamber are arranged inside the housing, and the cap inspection machine is arranged outside the housing. The cap sterilizer according to the first paragraph. A content filling system comprising the cap sterilizer according to any one of claims 1 to 5.