JP7008530B2 - Filling equipment equipped with container sterilizer and container sterilizer - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a container sterilizer that uses a sterilizing fluid and ultraviolet rays, and a filling facility provided with the container sterilizer.

There is a device for sterilizing the inner surface of a container by guiding ultraviolet rays radiated from an ultraviolet light source into the container by a light guide means on the container before filling the contents liquid or the preform body before forming the container. Further, a small LED light emitting element is commercially available as an ultraviolet light source, and a sterilizing device using the LED light emitting element is proposed in Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2.

Japanese Patent No. 6166441 Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2017-143971 Japanese Patent Publication No. 2015-504824

By the way, Patent Document 3 injects evaporated hydrogen peroxide solution into a container from a spray tube inserted in the container, and is a combination of hydrogen peroxide solution and ultraviolet radiation in order to enhance the bactericidal activity of microorganisms. Is proposing. In Patent Document 3, after the container is sterilized with hydrogen peroxide solution in step II, ultraviolet rays are radiated in step III so that hydroxyl radicals (.OH) are generated by acidic conditions and ultraviolet rays.

When the sterilization work is performed over two steps as in Patent Document 3, the size of the device is increased and the sterilization process is complicated, the sterilization effect of hydrogen peroxide solution is lowered, and the sterilization effect is lowered by ultraviolet irradiation. There was a risk.

The present invention provides a container sterilizer capable of solving the above problems, making the device compact, simplifying the sterilization process, and improving sterilization efficiency, and a filling facility equipped with the container sterilizer. The purpose is to do.

The container sterilizer according to the present invention sequentially includes an insert that can be inserted into a container, a sterilizing fluid supply means that supplies a sterilizing fluid into the container, and a sterilizing fluid that is installed in the insert and is supplied in sequence. Alternatively , the sterilizing fluid supply means is formed in the insertion body, comprising an ultraviolet light source that irradiates the ultraviolet light for sterilization and a shielding cover that covers the ultraviolet light source and shields the ultraviolet light source from the sterilizing fluid. A fluid passage is provided at the tip of the insert, and the sterilizing fluid is flowed between the fluid passage and the sterilization passage formed between the inner surface of the container and the insert. And.

According to the above configuration, since the inner surface of the container is sterilized sequentially or simultaneously by using two sterilizing means, that is, a sterilizing fluid supply means and an ultraviolet light source, the container sterilizing device can be compactly configured. Further, the ultraviolet rays and the sterilizing fluid generate hydroxyl radicals having high reactivity and strong oxidizing power, and sterilization in the container and removal of harmful substances (decomposition of the residual sterilizing fluid) can be effectively performed. Further, the shielding cover can protect the ultraviolet light source from the sterilizing fluid and extend the life of the ultraviolet light source. Further, the sterilizing fluid supply means includes a fluid passage formed in the insertion body and opened at the tip of the insertion body, and is between the fluid passage and the sterilization passage formed between the inner surface of the container and the insertion body. The sterilizing fluid is sent in. According to the above configuration, the container sterilizer can be compactly configured by supplying or discharging the sterilizing fluid to the sterilizing passage by using the fluid passage formed in the insert.

Further, in the above configuration, it is preferable that the insert body is provided with a light source temperature control unit that keeps the ultraviolet light source in a predetermined temperature range. By controlling the temperature of the ultraviolet light source in this way, the output of ultraviolet rays can be stably maintained.

Furthermore, in the above configuration, the sterilizing fluid is preferably an acidic gas or an acidic mist having corrosive properties.

The filling equipment according to the present invention is provided with the container sterilizer according to any one of the above configurations.

According to the present invention, two sterilizing means, that is, supply of a sterilizing fluid and irradiation with ultraviolet rays, can be used sequentially or simultaneously for sterilizing the inner surface of the container. Therefore, the sterilizer can be made compact, the process of sterilizing the container can be simplified, and the sterilization efficiency can be improved. Further, the fluid passage formed in the insert can be used to supply or discharge the sterilizing fluid to the sterilizing passage. Therefore, the sterilizer can be compactly configured.

It is a block diagram which shows the Example of the container sterilization apparatus which concerns on this invention. It is a side partial cross-sectional view which shows the insert body. FIG. 2 is an end view taken along the line AA shown in FIG. It is a timing chart which shows operation 1 of the insertion / removal of an insert body, the irradiation of ultraviolet rays, and the supply of a sterilizing fluid in a container sterilizing apparatus. It is a timing chart which shows operation 2 of the insertion / removal of an insert body, the irradiation of ultraviolet rays, and the supply of a sterilizing fluid in a container sterilizing apparatus. 3 is a timing chart showing operation 3 of insertion / removal of an insert, irradiation with ultraviolet rays, and supply of a sterilizing fluid in a container sterilizer. It is a block diagram which shows the paper carton container filling equipment equipped with the container sterilizing apparatus which concerns on this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the molding filling equipment which provided with the container sterilizing apparatus which concerns on this invention. It is a side view which shows the other container sterilizer.

[Example 1]
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 3.

As shown in FIG. 1, the container transport section 12 that intermittently transports the container P to the sterilization section 11 and the insertion that is inserted / detached from the container P that is transported to the sterilization section 11 through the opening on the upper surface. The body 10, the sterilization insertion unit 13 for inserting and removing the insert 10 into and out of the container P, the ultraviolet light source 14 provided on the insert 10, and the ultraviolet light source 14 for irradiating the ultraviolet light with the output required for sterilization. A power source 15 for a light source that supplies power, a fluid supply unit (fluid supply means for sterilization) 16 that flows a sterilization fluid G into a container P, and a light source temperature control unit that controls the temperature of an ultraviolet light source 14 within a predetermined range. A sterilization controller 18 for controlling the container transport unit 12, the sterilization insertion unit 13, the light source power supply 15, and the fluid supply unit 16 and the light source temperature control unit 17, respectively, is provided.

(Container transport section)
As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the container P is, for example, a paper carton container having a rectangular shape in a plan view and an open plane. The container transport section 12 is based on a conveyor device 21 that sequentially and intermittently transports the container P to the sterilization section 11, a container sensor 22 that detects the container P transported to the sterilization section 11, and a detection signal of the container sensor 22. The container transfer control unit 23 controlled by the sterilization controller 18 is provided, and the container transfer control unit 23 controls the conveyor drive motor 24 of the conveyor device 21. If the processing speed of the container P is high (the amount of processing is large), the inserter 10 and the sterilization insertion unit 13 may be configured to be continuously moved following the container P that is continuously conveyed. good. Of course, it is also possible to construct a rotary type in which the container P and the insertion body 10, the sterilization insertion portion 13, and the like are moved along a circular path, and the insertion body 10 is inserted into the container P and sterilized while being conveyed along the circular path.

Instead of the paper pack container, the container P is a resin container such as a PET bottle, a glass container, a steel container, an aluminum container, a composite material container of paper and aluminum foil, and a preform body before blow molding. There may be.

(Insert)
As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the insert body 10 includes a main body portion 30, a plurality of ultraviolet light sources 14 installed at predetermined intervals on the four outer surfaces and lower end surfaces of the main body portion 30, and a main body portion. A plurality of fluid nozzles 32 arranged on the outer periphery of the upper end portion of the 30 and blowing the sterilizing fluid G into the sterilization passage 31 between the insert body 10 and the container P, and a lower end surface formed on the axial center portion of the main body portion 30. A fluid passage 33 that is opened at the tip) to flow and recover the sterilizing fluid G, a shielding cover 34 that covers all the ultraviolet light sources 14 and shields them from the sterilizing fluid G, and a light source that supplies a cooling medium to the main body 30. It is provided with a cooling passage 35 of the temperature control unit 17.

The main body 30 is formed in a small quadrangular prism having a cross section similar to that in the container P in a plan view. As a result, a substantially constant sterilization passage 31 is formed between the inner surface of the container P and the insert body 10, and the insert body 10 can be inserted into and removed from the container P. The main body 30 is made of a metal such as stainless steel having high corrosion resistance or ceramics. Here, the main body portion 30 can be formed into a cylindrical shape or a polygonal pillar shape corresponding to the cross-sectional shape of the container main body.

As the ultraviolet light source 14, an LED light source is used here. The ultraviolet light source 14 may be a small light source that can be miniaturized and can be inserted into the container P, and may be a gas discharge device or the like. Further, the adjacent ultraviolet light source 14 is installed on the surface of the main body 30 with a predetermined gap. An exterior material 36 is attached to the surface of the main body 30 between the ultraviolet light source 14 and the ultraviolet light source 14 in order to avoid exposure of the surface of the main body 30 and prevent corrosion due to dew condensation or the like. The exterior material 36 is selected from a heating member having a heat insulating material, a heater, and the like, and a combination of the heat insulating material and the heating member, according to the usage situation.

The sterilizing fluid G is a corrosive acid gas or an oxidizing agent such as an acidic mist, and is a gas, mist, or liquid such as a peroxide, a chlorine compound, or an alkylating agent. Further, as an example of the gas, a single gas such as ozone, hydrogen peroxide, peracetic acid, ethylene oxide, formaldehyde, propylene oxide or a mixed gas of two or more kinds is used.

Further, an interior material 37 is provided on the inner peripheral surface of the fluid passage 33 over the entire surface. The interior material 37 is composed of a heat insulating material and a coating layer of a food resistant material, and can prevent corrosion of the recovered sterilizing fluid G due to dew condensation. In addition, in order to prevent dew condensation, a heating member having a heater or the like built therein may be provided in the interior material 37.

Although one fluid passage 33 is formed in the axial center portion here, a plurality of fluid passages 33 having a small diameter cross section may be formed along the axial center direction.

A material is selected for the shielding cover 34, which allows the transmission of ultraviolet rays having a high bactericidal effect at a wavelength of around 260 nm and has high corrosion resistance (acid resistance) to the bactericidal fluid G. For example, quartz glass, fluororesin, sapphire glass, calcium fluoride (fluorite), etc. The shielding cover 34 covers the lower end surface and the peripheral side surface excluding the opening of the fluid passage 33, respectively. Further, voids are formed between the shielding cover 34 and the ultraviolet light source 14 and between the exterior material 36 and the shielding cover 34, respectively, and the heat insulating effect of the voids prevents dew condensation on the surface of the shielding cover 34. Further, the shielding cover 34 has a rubber sealing material (rubber flange) interposed in the attachment portion with the main body portion 30 to ensure the sealing property of the gap portion of the shielding cover 34.

It is also possible to enclose the drying air in the voids in the shielding cover 34 or to circulate the drying air, whereby dew condensation on the surface of the shielding cover 34 is effectively prevented.

Further, a photocatalyst layer such as titanium oxide can be formed on the surface of the shielding cover 34. For example, when the sterilizing fluid G is hydrogen peroxide gas, it is hydroxyl radicalized by ultraviolet rays, but the amount of hydroxyl radicals generated can be increased by a photocatalyst, and the sterilizing effect can be increased. Further, the photocatalyst can decompose acidic water droplets that absorb ultraviolet rays to prevent the ultraviolet rays of the ultraviolet light source 14 from being attenuated.

In the embodiment of the container sterilizing device, in order to prevent corrosion of other devices and devices due to leakage of the sterilizing fluid G, the insert body 10 and the sterilizing insertion section 13 are included as shown by a virtual line in FIG. An anticorrosion cover 61 is provided to cover the container sterilizer. Atmospheric gas in the arrangement area of the anticorrosion cover 61 is sucked, discharged or sucked, purified, and circulated. The atmosphere inside the anticorrosion cover 61 is maintained at a negative pressure, so that the leakage of the sterilizing fluid G is prevented. Further, as shown by a virtual line, a leakage prevention lid 62 covering the opening of the container P can be provided to prevent the sterilizing fluid G from leaking out of the container P, and when the sterilizing fluid G is a liquid. It is especially effective.

(Light source temperature control unit)
When the ultraviolet light source 14 is an LED light source, the cooling passage 35 needs to cool the LED light source because the temperature rises and the output decreases due to the heat generation of the LED light source when the ultraviolet light source is irradiated for a long time. On the other hand, if the LED light source is excessively cooled, dew condensation occurs on the peripheral members of the LED light source, which causes corrosion or the ultraviolet rays are absorbed by moisture to reduce the amount of ultraviolet rays. Therefore, a light source temperature control unit 17 that keeps the temperature of the ultraviolet light source 14 within a certain range is provided. That is, as shown in FIG. 1, the light source temperature control unit 17 is provided with a temperature sensor 41 for a light source such as a thermocouple in the vicinity of the ultraviolet light source 14 of the main body unit 30. Then, based on the detection value of the light source temperature sensor 41, the light source temperature controller 40 drives and controls the refrigerant circulation pump 42 and operates the refrigerant cooling device 43. Further, a temperature-controlled cooling medium is supplied from the refrigerant tank 44 to the return hole 35b from the outward hole 35a of the cooling passage 35 and circulated.

As a cooling method using a cooling medium, for example, there are air cooling using cooling air and water cooling using cooling water or the like. Each can be used alone, but air cooling and water cooling can also be used together. It can also be used in combination with a Pelche element that can be cooled / heated by energization.

Here, when the ultraviolet light source 14 is an LED light source, it is controlled to be, for example, 20 ° C. ± 5 ° C. As a result, the output of the ultraviolet light source 14 does not decrease due to long-term ultraviolet irradiation, and stable ultraviolet output can be obtained even during long-term operation.

Further, the light source temperature control unit 17 measures the temperature of the LED light source by the light source temperature sensor 41, and the light source temperature control unit 17 calculates the illuminance of the LED light source so that the illuminance does not fall below the specified value. The cooling function may be adjusted by the 15 and the light source circulation pump 42. In this adjustment of the cooling function, for example, when the temperature of the LED light source is low, the amount of current of the LED light source is temporarily increased to raise the temperature. When the temperature of the LED light source is high, it is adjusted by increasing the cooling capacity of the cooling medium. Further, when the sterilizing fluid G is warm, the surface of the shielding cover 34 may cause dew condensation. Even in that case, dew condensation can be prevented by controlling the temperature by the light source temperature control unit 17.

(Sterilization insertion part)
As shown in FIG. 1, in the sterilization insertion portion 13, a pair of elevating rails 52 are laid along the support member 51, and the elevating body 53 is guided to the elevating rail 52 so as to be able to move up and down. Further, the support member 51 is provided with an elevating motor 54 for rotationally driving a screw shaft 55 parallel to the elevating rail 52, and the elevating body 53 is provided with a female screw member 56 screwed to the screw shaft 55. The elevating body 53 and the insertion body 10 are connected by a connecting member 57. Further, the elevating motor 54 is provided with an insertion sensor (rotary encoder or non-contact detector) 58 that detects the insertion position of the insertion body 10. Therefore, based on the detection signal of the insertion sensor 58, the elevating motor 54 is driven and controlled via the insertion control unit 50 by the control signal of the sterilization controller 18, and the insertion body 10 is placed in the container via the screw shaft 55 and the female screw member 56. Inserted in and out of P.

(Sterilization operation)
Next, the operation of the container sterilizer of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. 4A.

This container sterilization method includes an insertion step in which the insert 10 is inserted into the container P, a stop step in which the insert 10 is stopped at the limit position of insertion, and a detachment in which the insert 10 is detached from the container P. In at least one of the steps, A. Supplying a sterilizing fluid into the container, B. Irradiating the inside of the container with ultraviolet rays for sterilization from an ultraviolet light source provided in the insert is sequentially performed from A to B, sequentially from B to A, or A and B at the same time. In the following container sterilization method, a sterilization operation in which A and B are performed at the same time in the insertion step, the stop step, and the detachment step is adopted.

(1) When the container P is stopped by the sterilizing unit 11, the insertion control unit 50 is operated by the control signal of the sterilizing controller 18 based on the detection signal of the container sensor 22, and the insertion body 10 is lowered to lower the container P. It is inserted inside (insertion process).

(2) When the insert 10 is inserted into the container P, the power source for the light source is supplied by the control signal of the sterilization controller 18 based on the detection signal of the insertion sensor 58 until the insertion limit position (lowering end). 15 is turned on and ultraviolet rays are emitted from the ultraviolet light source 14 to the inner surface of the container P, and the fluid supply unit 16 is turned on to supply the sterilizing fluid G from the fluid nozzle 32 to the sterilization passage 31.

(3) The sterilizing fluid G is sent from the sterilization passage 31 to the bottom portion in the container P, and is further collected in the fluid passage 33 through the opening of the main body portion 30. At this time, in the sterilization passage 31, hydroxyl radicals (.OH) having high reactivity and strong oxidizing power are generated by the acidic conditions of the sterilization fluid G and irradiation with ultraviolet rays. As a result, the inner surface of the container P is effectively sterilized.

(4) In the stop step in which the insert body 10 reaches the insertion limit position by the sterilization insertion unit 13, the insert body 10 is stopped for a predetermined time required for sterilization, and the container is supplied with the sterilization fluid G and irradiated with ultraviolet rays. Sterilization in P is continued (stop step). After that, the insert 10 is raised and detached from the container P (disengagement step). During the ascent of the insert body 10, the control signal of the sterilization controller 18 based on the detection signal of the insert sensor 58 turns off the power source for the light source 15 to stop the irradiation of ultraviolet rays, and the fluid supply unit 16 is turned off. The supply of the sterilizing fluid G is stopped.

(Other sterilization operation)
In FIG. 4A, ultraviolet irradiation and sterilization fluid G were simultaneously supplied in the insertion step, the stop step, and the detachment step, respectively, but as shown in FIG. 4B, the sterilization was first performed in the insertion step, the stop step, and the detachment step. It is also possible to supply the fluid G for sterilization and irradiate the ultraviolet rays after a predetermined time, and to supply the sterilizing fluid G and irradiate the ultraviolet rays partially overlap. Further, as shown in FIG. 4C, the sterilizing fluid G may be supplied first, the supply of the sterilizing fluid G may be stopped after a predetermined time, and then the irradiation with ultraviolet rays may be started. This is because even if the irradiation of ultraviolet rays and the supply of the sterilizing fluid G do not overlap, the sterilizing fluid G remains sufficiently in the sterilization passage 31, and hydroxyl radicals (.OH) are generated by the irradiation of ultraviolet rays. This is because it can be done. Further, the irradiation of ultraviolet rays and the supply of the sterilizing fluid G can be alternately repeated a plurality of times. Furthermore, even if the ultraviolet rays are first irradiated and then the sterilizing fluid G is supplied, a bactericidal effect can be expected.

In FIGS. 4A to 4C, ultraviolet rays were irradiated and the sterilizing fluid G was supplied during the insertion step to the detachment step. However, if a sufficient sterilization effect can be obtained, the insertion step, the stop step, the detachment step, The irradiation of ultraviolet rays and the supply of the sterilizing fluid G may be performed in any of the insertion step and the stop step, the stop step and the detachment step, and the insertion step and the detachment step. That is, in at least one of the insertion step in which the insert body 10 is inserted into the container P and the detachment step in which the insert body 10 is detached from the container P. Supplying the sterilizing fluid G into the container P, B. Irradiating the container with ultraviolet rays for sterilization from an ultraviolet light source provided in the insert 10 can be sequentially performed from A to B, sequentially from B to A, or A and B at the same time.

Further, in FIGS. 4A to 4C, the insertion body 10 is inserted into the container P (insertion start) and the irradiation of ultraviolet rays is started at the same time, but at the start of the insertion process, that is, in the container P of the insertion body 10. The supply of the sterilizing fluid G and the irradiation of ultraviolet rays may be started at the same time as the insertion (descending) operation is started before the insertion into the body. Further, the supply of the sterilizing fluid G and the irradiation with ultraviolet rays may be continued until the detachment step is completed, that is, after the insertion body 10 is detached from the container P and the detachment (rising) operation is completed.

Further, although the stop step is set as the limit position for inserting the insert body 10, it can be set to one or both of the middle of the insertion step and the middle of the withdrawal step. In this case, it is effective when a large amount of time is required for sterilization during insertion or withdrawal of the insert 10 in a container having a shoulder, for example.

(Effect of Examples)
In the above configuration, the sterilizing means for supplying the sterilizing fluid G into the container P by the fluid supply unit 16 and the sterilizing means for irradiating the inside of the container P with ultraviolet rays by the ultraviolet light source 14 are sequentially (alternately) or simultaneously performed. Therefore, the container sterilizer of the present invention can be compactly configured, and the ultraviolet rays and the sterilizing fluid G can generate hydroxyl radicals having high reactivity and strong oxidizing power, and sterilize the inside of the container. And effectively decompose the residual sterilization fluid . Further, by providing the shielding cover 34, the sterilizing fluid G can be shielded to prevent corrosion of the ultraviolet light source 14, and the life of the ultraviolet light source 14 can be extended. Furthermore, by forming the photocatalyst layer on the surface of the shielding cover 34, it is possible to prevent the absorption of ultraviolet rays by the condensate of the sterilizing fluid G, promote hydroxyl radicalization, and increase the sterilizing effect. Further, according to the above embodiment, since the amount of the sterilizing fluid G used can be reduced, the amount of the sterilizing fluid G discarded can be reduced and the environmental load can be reduced, and the disposal cost can be reduced and the cost of the sterilizing fluid G can be reduced. It is possible to reduce the risk that the sterilizing fluid G remains in the container P and to simplify the process of removing the sterilizing fluid G.

Further, since the light source temperature control unit 17 controls the temperature of the ultraviolet light source 14 within a predetermined range, the output of ultraviolet rays can be stably maintained. Further, by providing the interior material 37 made of the heat insulating material and the coating layer of the food resistant material on the inner surface of the fluid passage 33 of the main body portion 30, corrosion by the sterilizing fluid G can be effectively prevented. Further, by providing the heating member in the interior material 37, it is possible to prevent dew point corrosion due to condensation of the sterilizing fluid G.

Further, the insert body 10 is made compact by flowing the sterilizing fluid G between the fluid passage 33 formed in the main body 30 and the sterilization passage 31 formed between the container P and the insert body 10. Can be configured in.

(Filling equipment 1)
A paper carton container filling facility 1 provided with the container sterilizer 72 according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. 5A. This filling facility cleans the paper pack molding device 71, the container sterilizer 72, and the inner surface of the paper pack container P, which form a paper pack container P by bending and gluing the paper sheet to form a pack shape with an open opening. The inner surface cleaning device 73, the filling device 74 for filling the paper pack container P with the content liquid, and the opening closing device 75 for closing the opening of the paper pack container P are sequentially arranged, and the contents are arranged in the paper pack container P. The liquid is filled. When the sterilizing fluid G is hydrogen peroxide gas, the inner surface cleaning device 73 blows heating air to remove the residual gas. The paper carton container P sent out from the opening closing device 75 is labeled and printed by the label coating device 76, inspected by the inspection device 77 for foreign matter and leaks, and then packed in a box and shipped.

(Filling equipment 2)
The molding filling equipment 2 provided with the container sterilizer 81 according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. 5B. Here, the container P is a preform body P for blow molding the product container. This molding and filling equipment cleans the container sterilizing device 81 according to the present invention that sterilizes the inner surface of the preform body P, the blow molding machine 82 that blow-molds the preform body P to form the product container, and the product container. A container cleaning machine 83, a filling device 84 for filling the product container with the content liquid, and a capping device 85 for attaching a cap to the opening of the product container are sequentially arranged in the product container in which the preform body P is molded. The content liquid can be filled. The product container sent out from the capping device 85 is labeled and printed by the label coating device 86, inspected for foreign matter and leaks by the inspection device 87, and then packed in a box and shipped.

[Other Examples]
In the first embodiment, the supply of the sterilizing fluid G was flowed from the sterilizing passage 31 to the fluid passage 33, but as shown in FIG. 6, the sterilizing fluid G was supplied from the fluid passage 33 into the container P, and the sterilizing passage was used. It can also be configured to be sterilized through 31 and then recovered. As described above, the flow order of the sterilizing fluid G can be appropriately selected according to the properties of the sterilizing fluid G. In the configuration of FIG. 6, the diffusion member 91 is installed at the opening of the fluid passage 33. As the diffusion member 91, for example, a diffusion film formed of ceramic fibers in a film shape or a diffusion fin in which a large number of small fins are combined is used. With this diffusion member 91, the sterilizing fluid G can be uniformly sprayed into the container P to perform effective sterilization.

P Container / Paper pack container / Preform body G Sterilization fluid 10 Insertion body 11 Sterilization unit 12 Container transport unit 13 Sterilization insertion unit 14 Ultraviolet light source 15 Light source power supply 16 Fluid supply unit (fluid supply means for sterilization)
17 Light source temperature control unit 18 Sterilization controller 30 Main body 31 Sterilization passage 32 Fluid nozzle 33 Fluid passage 34 Shielding cover 35 Cooling passage 36 Exterior material 37 Interior material 72 Container sterilizer 81 Container sterilizer

Claims (4)

An insert that can be inserted into the container and
A sterilizing fluid supply means for supplying the sterilizing fluid into the container,
An ultraviolet light source installed in the insert and irradiating ultraviolet rays for sterilization sequentially or simultaneously with the supply of the sterilizing fluid.
A shielding cover that covers the ultraviolet light source and shields the ultraviolet light source from the sterilizing fluid is provided.
The sterilizing fluid supply means includes a fluid passage formed in the insertion body and opened at the tip of the insertion body.
A container sterilizing apparatus characterized in that a sterilizing fluid is flowed between the fluid passage and a sterilizing passage formed between the inner surface of the container and the insert. The container sterilizer according to claim 1 , wherein the insert body is provided with a light source temperature control unit that holds the ultraviolet light source in a predetermined temperature range. The container sterilizer according to claim 1 or 2 , wherein the sterilizing fluid is an acid gas or an acidic mist. A filling facility provided with the container sterilizer according to any one of claims 1 to 3 .

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