JP7193700B2 - Filling system and filling method - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a filling system and filling method for filling a sterilized container with a content liquid, and more particularly to an in-line blow type filling system and filling method for consistently performing from container molding to filling and sealing of the content liquid.

Conventionally, an in-line blow-type filling system that consistently performs from container molding by blow molding to filling and sealing of the content liquid in the same factory is known (see, for example, Patent Document 1). Filling systems require that the containers be thoroughly sterilized prior to transporting the containers to a filling unit maintained in an aseptic environment.

Various methods are known for sterilizing containers. is applied to the inside of the container to sterilize the container, or in the stage before blow molding the container, a sterilizing agent such as hydrogen peroxide is applied to the preform, which is a preform of the container, to sterilize the preform. It is known to

JP 2014-231356 A

However, when the sterilizing agent is applied to the container on the container transport path between the blow molding turret and the filling section, the concentration of the sterilizing agent in the container is reduced to a specified value or less by the time the content liquid is filled into the container. Since it is necessary to take measures, there is a problem that it is necessary to secure a long container conveying path between the blow molding turret and the filling section.

In addition, when a sterilant such as hydrogen peroxide is applied to the preform before the container is blow molded, the sterilant is blown off by the air blown into the preform in the subsequent blow molding, and the concentration of the sterilant in the container is reduced. can be lowered, there is a concern that dust and the like will contaminate the container during blow molding.

Therefore, the present invention solves these problems, and makes it possible to shorten the container conveying path between the blow molding turret and the filling section while performing reliable sterilization treatment on the containers. The object is to provide a filling system and a filling method.

A filling system according to the present invention is a filling system for filling a sterilized container with a content liquid, comprising a container forming unit having a blow molding turret, and a container forming unit arranged downstream of the container forming unit and filling the container with the content liquid. a filling unit having a filling section for filling, a container transport path installed between the blow molding turret and the filling section, and a sterilization mechanism, wherein the sterilization mechanism includes a container release point of the blow molding turret. A main sterilizer that performs main sterilization treatment on the preform or the container on the upstream side of the preform , and a complementary sterilizer that performs the complementary sterilization treatment on the container in the container conveying path. By blowing air into the heated preform placed in the mold with the part outside the mold, the container is blow molded, and the sterilizer is configured to blow mold the preform or The complementary sterilizer is configured to perform the main sterilization treatment on the inner surface of the container, or the inner and outer surfaces of the preform or the container, and the complementary sterilizer heats the container from the mouth of the container to a temperature higher than the inner surface of the mouth of the container. A sterilizing fluid ejector having a sterilizing fluid nozzle for ejecting a sterilizing fluid, and a sterilizing fluid ejector installed downstream of the sterilizing fluid nozzle, and blowing hot air having a temperature higher than the inner surface side of the container mouth toward the container from the mouth of the container. The above problem is solved by providing a hot air ejector having a hot air nozzle for ejecting hot air .
Further, the filling method of the present invention is a filling method for filling a sterilized container with a content liquid, and the preform or container is subjected to the main sterilization treatment upstream of the container release point of the blow molding turret of the container molding unit. Complementary sterilization treatment is applied to the container in the container conveying path between the blow molding turret and the filling section, and the container molding unit inserts the metal mold with the container mouth portion of the preform exposed to the outside of the mold. By blowing air into the heated preform placed in the mold, the container is blow-molded, and in the complementary sterilization treatment, from the container mouth side toward the container, the inner surface side of the container mouth After jetting out the sterilizing fluid having a temperature higher than that, hot air having a temperature higher than the inside temperature of the mouth of the container is jetted toward the container from the mouth of the container to solve the above-mentioned problems.

According to the inventions of claims 1 and 8 , the preform or the container is subjected to the main sterilization treatment upstream of the container release point of the blow molding turret, and in the container conveying path between the blow molding turret and the filling section, , configured to subject the container to a complementary sterilization treatment. As a result, even if there is a risk of contamination of the container with dust or the like during blow molding, the container can be sterilized by the subsequent complementary sterilization treatment, and the container can be reliably sterilized before the content liquid is filled. , By dividing the container into main sterilization treatment and complementary sterilization treatment and sterilizing the container, it is possible to reduce the amount of sterilizing agent such as hydrogen peroxide applied to the container in the complementary sterilization treatment. It is easy to reduce the concentration of the sterilant to below the specified value, and the container conveying path between the blow molding turret and the filling section can be designed to be short.

According to the inventions according to Claims 1 and 8 of the present application, in the complementary sterilization treatment, after the sterilizing fluid having a temperature higher than the inner surface side temperature of the container mouth is jetted from the container mouth toward the container, the container from the container mouth By blowing hot air at a temperature higher than the inner surface of the container mouth toward the container, not only can the excess sterilant inside the container be blown off by the jet of hot air, but the container mouth generated by blow molding can be removed. It is possible to reduce the temperature difference between the inner surfaces of each part of the container such as the bottom and the bottom of the container, and to make the sterilization effect of the disinfectant applied to the inner surface of each part of the container uniform. To reduce the amount of sterilant in the container, facilitate the reduction of the concentration of the sterilant in the container to below the specified value, and design the container conveying path between the blow molding turret and the filling section to be short. can be done.
That is, the sterilizing agent such as hydrogen peroxide exhibits a sterilizing effect by being applied to the surface of the container and then drying to activate and exert a sterilizing effect. The temperature of the inner surface of the bottom side of the container (about 90 ° C.) is higher than the temperature of the inner surface of the side (about 50 ° C.), and due to the temperature difference between the inner surfaces of each part of the container, the subsequent complementary sterilization There is also a problem that the degree of drying of the sterilant applied to the inner surface of the container during treatment differs between the inner surfaces of each part of the container, resulting in uneven sterilization effects among the inner surfaces of each part of the container. . When the sterilization effect is uneven among the inner surfaces of the respective parts of the container in this way, it is necessary to increase the amount of the sterilant in order to sterilize the entire inner surface of the container at a desired sterilization level or higher. In order to reduce the concentration of the sterilizing agent on the entire inner surface of the container to below the specified value after applying the agent, it becomes necessary to ensure a long container conveying path.
Therefore, in the inventions according to claims 1 and 8 of the present application, after the sterilizing fluid having a temperature higher than the inner surface temperature of the container mouth is jetted from the container mouth toward the container, the container is sprayed from the container mouth toward the container. It is possible to reduce the temperature difference between the inner surfaces of each part of the container, such as the inner surface of the mouth of the container and the inner surface of the bottom of the container, caused by blow molding by blowing hot air having a temperature higher than the inner surface of the mouth into the container. Therefore, it is possible to achieve a uniform sterilization effect between the inner surfaces of the container parts, a reduction in the amount of the sterilant, and a shortened container transport path.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, the sterilizing fluid nozzle and the hot air nozzle eject the sterilizing fluid or hot air from a position spaced apart in the longitudinal direction of the nozzle from the container opening of the container conveyed on the container conveying path. By being installed in the container, not only can the device configuration be simplified compared to the case where each nozzle is inserted into the container, but the temperature of the inner surface of each part of the container immediately after blow molding can be increased. Since it is possible to efficiently heat the inner surface of the lower mouth of the container, the temperature difference between the inner surfaces of the respective parts of the container can be efficiently reduced.
According to the invention of claim 3 of the present application, the inner diameters of the sterilizing fluid nozzle and the hot air nozzle are set smaller than the inner diameter of the mouth of the container. can be improved, and the sterilizing fluid and hot air can be reliably fed into the interior of the container to effectively reduce the temperature difference between the inner surfaces of the various parts of the container.
According to the invention of claim 4 of the present application, the inside of the container is sterilized by blowing out the sterilizing fluid from the sterilizing fluid nozzle at a flow rate of 70 m/s or more and blowing hot air from the hot air nozzle at a flow rate of 80 m/s or more. Since it is possible to reliably send fluid and hot air, it is possible to reliably reduce the temperature difference between the inner surfaces of the respective parts of the container.
According to the invention of claim 5 of the present application, the conveying machine installed in the container conveying path is configured to convey the container in an upright state in the section where the sterilizing fluid nozzle and the hot air nozzle are installed. This makes it easier for excess gas in the container to escape from the mouth of the container.
According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, the sterilizing fluid ejector has a sterilizing fluid nozzle moving means for moving the sterilizing fluid nozzle along the container transport direction on the container transport path, and the hot air ejector moves the container transport. A hot air nozzle moving means is provided for moving the hot air nozzle along the container transport direction on the path. As a result, it is possible to keep the sterilizing fluid nozzle and the hot air nozzle opposed to the mouth of the container for a long time. Since the inner surface of the mouth of the container can be efficiently warmed by the sterilizing fluid or hot air, the temperature difference between the inner surfaces of the respective parts of the container can be efficiently reduced.
According to the invention of claim 7 of the present application, the container molding unit is provided with a blower for blowing sterile air into the preform. Contamination of the container during molding can be suppressed, and the sterilization level required in the complementary sterilization process can be kept low, so it is possible to reduce the amount of sterilant and shorten the container transportation path can.

1 is an explanatory diagram showing a filling system according to one embodiment of the present invention; FIG. FIG. 4 is an explanatory view schematically showing the installation state of the sterilizing fluid nozzle and the hot air nozzle as viewed from above; FIG. 4 is an explanatory view schematically showing the installed state of the sterilizing fluid nozzle and the hot air nozzle as viewed from the side; FIG. 4 is an explanatory view schematically showing the positional relationship between the sterilizing fluid nozzle and hot air nozzle and the container; Explanatory drawing which shows the conditions and result of an experimental example.

A filling system 10 according to one embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

First, the filling system 10 aseptically fills a sterilized container C with a sterilized content liquid. As shown in FIG. The filling unit 30 arranged downstream of the container transport path 80 installed between the blow molding turret 23 and the filling section 33 of the filling unit 30, and the container molding unit 20 and the filling unit 30. and a sterilization processing mechanism 50 having a main sterilizer 60 and a complementary sterilizer 70 .

Each component of the filling system 10 will be described below with reference to FIGS. 1 to 3. FIG.

First, as shown in FIG. 1, the container molding unit 20 includes an inlet section 21 into which a preform is introduced, a heating section 22 arranged downstream of the inlet section 21 to heat the preform, and a heating section 22 downstream of the heating section 22. and a blow molding turret 23 equipped with a blow machine (not shown) for blow molding the container C by blowing aseptic air into the preform, and a blow molding turret 23 arranged downstream of the blow molding turret 23 to transport the container C. a conveying section 24 consisting of a plurality of turrets, an outlet section 25 arranged downstream of the conveying section 24, and a box 26 covering the entire container forming unit 20.
The inside of the box 26 of the container molding unit 20 is maintained at a positive pressure by blowing sterile air through a HEPA filter from above by an FFU (Fan Filter Unit).

As shown in FIG. 1, the filling unit 30 includes an inlet section 31 into which the containers C are introduced, a transfer section 32 arranged downstream of the inlet section 31 and configured of a plurality of turrets for transferring the containers C, a transfer section A filling unit 33 that is arranged downstream of 32 and fills the container C with the content liquid, a capping unit 34 that is arranged downstream of the filling unit 33 and attaches a sterilized cap to the mouth of the container C, and a capping unit. It is provided with an outlet section 35 which is arranged downstream of 34 and carries out capped containers C, and a box 36 which covers the entire filling unit 30 .

Each step in the filling unit 30 is performed in a box 36 whose interior is kept sterile. In this box 36, aseptic air is introduced from the outside in the vicinity of the filling section 33, and aseptic air is collected (exhausted) in the vicinity of the inlet section 31 and the outlet section 35, so that the inside of the box 36 is kept at a positive pressure.

The container transfer unit 40, as shown in FIG. 31 and a box 44 covering the entire container transfer unit 40 .

Each turret 41 is equipped with a plurality of grippers (not shown) for gripping the neck of the container C. As shown in FIG. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the container transfer unit 40 holds the container C in an upright state (that is, with the container opening C1 side facing upward) in a section where a sterilizing fluid nozzle 72 and a hot air nozzle 74, which will be described later, are installed. facing upwards), the container C is configured to be gripper-conveyed.

The inside of the box 44 of the container transfer unit 40 is kept at a positive pressure. maintained below atmospheric pressure.

Further, as shown in FIG. 1, the sterilization processing mechanism 50 includes a main sterilizer 60 that performs the main sterilization processing on the preform or the container C on the upstream side of the container release point RP of the blow molding turret 23, and a container transport path 80. and a complementary sterilizer 70 for subjecting the container C to complementary sterilization treatment.

In this embodiment, the sterilizer 60 is installed between the inlet section 21 and the heating section 22 of the container forming unit 20, as shown in FIG. In the embodiment, the preform is sterilized by blowing out hydrogen peroxide (hydrogen peroxide), also utilizing the heating of the preform in the heating unit 22 .

Further, as shown in FIG. 1, the complementary sterilizer 70 is installed in the container transfer unit 40 and configured to subject mainly the inner surface of the container C to complementary sterilization treatment.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the complementary sterilizer 70 includes a sterilizing fluid ejector 71 having a plurality of sterilizing fluid nozzles 72 and a plurality of hot air nozzles 74 installed downstream of the sterilizing fluid nozzles 72. and a hot air ejector 73 having a

The plurality of sterilizing fluid nozzles 72 of the sterilizing fluid ejector 71 are installed along the container conveying direction by the turret 41. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 41 are arranged side by side along the vicinity of the outer peripheral edge of the upstream turret 41A.
As shown in FIG. 3, each sterilizing fluid nozzle 72 is installed in a fixed state above the container C conveyed in an upright state by the turret 41A, and extends from the container opening C1 in the longitudinal direction of the nozzle (vertical direction in this embodiment). ), the sterilizing fluid is jetted toward the container C (downward) from the container mouth portion C1 side.
The inner diameter of the sterilizing fluid nozzle 72 is set smaller than the inner diameter of the container mouth portion C1.
In this embodiment, hot air mixed with hydrogen peroxide (sterilizing agent) is used as the sterilizing fluid ejected from the sterilizing fluid nozzle 72 . However, the specific embodiment of the sterilizing fluid ejected from the sterilizing fluid nozzle 72 may be any one having a sterilizing agent component such as hydrogen peroxide.

A plurality of hot air nozzles 74 of the hot air ejector 73 are installed along the direction in which the container is conveyed by the turret 41. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. Among the two turrets 41, the turrets 41B are arranged side by side along the vicinity of the outer peripheral edge of the downstream turret 41B.
As shown in FIG. 3, each hot air nozzle 74 is installed in a fixed state above the container C which is conveyed in an upright state by the turret 41, and extends from the container opening C1 in the longitudinal direction of the nozzle (vertical direction in this embodiment). ), hot air is jetted toward the container C (downward) from the container mouth portion C1 side.
The inner diameter of the hot air nozzle 74 is set smaller than the inner diameter of the container C.

In the present embodiment, the sterilization effect (sterilization ability) of the sterilizer 60 is set higher than the sterilization effect (sterilization ability) of the complementary sterilizer 70. Specifically, the sterilization effect of the sterilizer 60 is set larger than 3D, the sterilization effect of the complementary sterilizer 70 is set to 3D or less, and the sterilization effect of the main sterilizer 60 and the complementary sterilizer 70 is set to 6D or more.
In addition, the bactericidal effect (D) is represented by the formula of bactericidal effect (D) = LOG ((number of initial bacteria) / (number of surviving bacteria)), for example, when the number of bacteria of 100 is reduced to 10 , LOG(100/10)=1D.

[Experimental example]
Next, the temperature change of the inner surface of each part of the container C (the inner surface of the container mouth portion C1, the inner surface of the container body portion C2, the inner surface of the container bottom portion C3) when the sterilizing fluid and hot air are jetted toward the container C is measured. Experimental examples for confirmation will be described with reference to FIGS. 4 and 5. FIG.

First, in the container molding unit 20, after a heated preform is placed in a mold, the container C is blow-molded by stretching the preform in the longitudinal direction and expanding it in the circumferential direction by blowing air into it. At this time, the inner surface of each part of the container C immediately after the blow molding is affected by placing the preform in the mold with the container opening C1 (neck) of the preform exposed to the outside of the mold. As for the temperature, the temperature of the inner surface of the container mouth portion C1 is the lowest, and the temperature of the inner surface of the container bottom portion C3 is the highest. Specifically, immediately after blow molding, the temperature of the inner surface of the container mouth portion C1 is about 50°C, the temperature of the inner surface of the container body portion C2 is about 70°C, and the temperature of the inner surface of the container bottom portion C3 is about 90°C. become.

Therefore, in this experimental example, the temperature of the container C was adjusted so that the temperature of the inner surface of the container mouth portion C1 was the lowest and the temperature of the inner surface of the container bottom portion C3 was the highest, as under the experimental conditions shown below. A sterilizing fluid and hot air are jetted to such a container C while changing their flow rates and flow velocities, and the inner surface of the container mouth portion C1, the inner surface of the container body portion C2, and the inner surface of the container bottom portion C3. Temperature change was measured.
In this experimental example, as shown in FIG. 4, a sterilizing fluid and hot air were jetted from above the container C while the container C was held in an upright state.

The experimental conditions for the container C used in this experimental example are as follows.
Inner diameter of container opening C1: 28 mm
Container C: PET (polyethylene terephthalate) bottle with a capacity of 200 ml

Also, the experimental conditions for ejecting the sterilizing fluid are as follows.
Sterilization fluid: A fluid in which hydrogen peroxide (sterilizer) with a concentration of 35.2% is mixed with hot air Temperature of hot air: about 80°C
Hot air flow rate: 30L/min to 50L/min
Inner diameter of sterilizing fluid nozzle 72: 2 mm to 4 mm
Distance D between sterilizing fluid nozzle 72 and container C: 2 mm to 30 mm
Ejection time of sterilizing fluid (hot air): 2.5 seconds

Also, the experimental conditions for jetting hot air are as follows.
Hot air temperature: about 80°C
Hot air flow rate: 150 L/min to 250 L/min
Inner diameter of hot air nozzle 74: 5 mm to 10 mm
Distance D between hot air nozzle 74 and container C: 2 mm to 30 mm
Hot air ejection time: 2.5 seconds

From the results of the above experimental examples, it can be seen that the injection of the sterilizing fluid and hot air onto the container C can reduce the temperature difference among the inner surface of the container mouth portion C1, the container body portion C2, and the container bottom portion C3. I found it possible.

Specifically, first, it was confirmed that the temperature of the inner surface of the container mouth portion C1 generally gradually increased as the ejection of the sterilizing fluid and hot air progressed.

Further, it was confirmed that the temperature of the inner surface of the container body portion C2 and the inner surface of the container bottom portion C3 generally gradually decreased when the sterilizing fluid and hot air were jetted.

Then, as shown in FIG. 5, the temperature difference between the inner surface of the container mouth portion C1 having the lowest initial temperature and the inner surface of the container bottom portion C3 having the highest initial temperature is was found to shrink to 4.2° C. at the lowest value. Incidentally, empirically, if the temperature difference in the container is within 15°C, the sterilization effect of each part of the container C can be made uniform.

Further, in order to reduce the temperature difference between the inner surfaces of each part of the container C (container mouth part C1, container body part C2, container bottom part C3) and to make the sterilizing effect of the disinfectant uniform on the inner surfaces of each part of the container, various It is preferable to set the conditions as follows. The following conditions are suitable when the container C is a PET bottle with a capacity of 100 ml to 2000 ml.
Temperature of the sterilizing fluid: above the inner surface temperature of the container mouth C1 and below the heat-resistant temperature of the container mouth C1 (for example, 50 ° C. or higher and 150 ° C. or lower (more preferably 70 ° C. or higher and 130 ° C. or lower)), where is the inner surface temperature of the container opening C1 immediately before the sterilizing fluid is ejected.
Hot air temperature: equal to or higher than the inner surface temperature of the container opening C1 and equal to or lower than the heat resistant temperature of the container opening C1 (for example, 50° C. or higher and 150° C. or lower (more preferably 70° C. or higher and 130° C. or lower)), where The inner surface temperature of the container mouth portion C1 is the inner surface temperature of the container mouth portion C1 immediately before the hot air is jetted.
Distance D between sterilizing fluid nozzle 72 and container C: 2 to 40 mm (more preferably 10 to 30 mm)
Distance D between hot air nozzle 74 and container C: 2 to 40 mm (more preferably 10 to 30 mm)
Blowing speed of sterilizing fluid from sterilizing fluid nozzle 72: 70 to 1000 m/s (more preferably 150 to 300 m/s)
Blowing speed of hot air from hot air nozzle 74: 80 to 1000 m/s (more preferably 150 to 300 m/s)
Sterilization fluid flow rate: 20 to 60 L/min (more preferably 30 to 50 L/min)
Hot air flow rate: 100 to 400 L/min (more preferably 150 to 300 L/min)
Total time for jetting (applying) hot air to each container C (total time): 0.5 to 2.5 seconds (more preferably 1.0 to 2.0 seconds)
Total time (total time) for spraying (applying) the sterilizing fluid to each container C: 0.5 to 2.5 seconds (more preferably 1.0 to 2.0 seconds)

Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail above, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and various design changes can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention described in the claims. It is possible.

For example, in the above-described embodiment, the sterilizing fluid ejector 71 and the hot air ejector 73 are described as ejecting the sterilizing fluid or hot air from above the container C that is conveyed in an upright state. The sterilizing fluid and hot air may be ejected in any manner as long as the sterilizing fluid and hot air are ejected toward the container C from the container mouth portion C1 side. For example, the sterilizing fluid and hot air may be ejected from below the container C conveyed in an inverted state (i.e., downward with the container opening C1 side facing downward), or in a sideways state (i.e., the container opening The sterilizing fluid and hot air may be jetted from the side of the container C which is conveyed in the sideways state in which the part C1 side faces the side.
In addition, when the sterilizing fluid and hot air are blown downward or upward, it is not necessary to blow them along the vertical direction. When blowing toward the direction, it is not necessary to blow along the horizontal direction, and it may be blown diagonally with respect to the horizontal direction.
In addition, the sterilizing fluid and hot air are ejected onto the container C, such as by ejecting the sterilizing fluid from above the container C conveyed in an upright state and hot air from below the container C conveyed in an inverted state. You can change the direction.
Further, on the upstream side of the position where the sterilizing fluid is ejected by the sterilizing fluid ejector 71, a second hot air ejection for ejecting hot air having a temperature higher than the inner surface side temperature of the container mouth portion C1 toward the container from the container mouth portion C1 side. A device may also be provided.

In the above-described embodiment, the complementary sterilizer 70 is installed in the container transfer unit 40, but the specific installation position of the complementary sterilizer 70 is between the blow molding turret 23 and the filling section 33. For example, at least one of the sterilizing fluid ejector 71 and the hot air ejector 73 may be installed in the transport section 24 of the container forming unit 20 .
Further, when the complementary sterilizer 70 is installed in the transport section 24 of the container molding unit 20, the turret constituting the transport section 24 is installed in the container transport path 80 and the section where the sterilizing fluid nozzle 72 and the hot air nozzle 74 are installed. It functions as a conveying machine that conveys the container C in .
Further, the specific mode of the above-mentioned conveying machine is not limited to conveying the container C using a turret, and any machine capable of conveying the container C may be used, for example, conveying the container C linearly. The conveying machine may be configured from a conveyor or the like that carries the material.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, the sterilizing fluid nozzle 72 and the hot air nozzle 74 are installed in a fixed state. Not limited. For example, the sterilizing fluid ejector 71 is provided with a sterilizing fluid nozzle moving means for moving the sterilizing fluid nozzle 72 along the container conveying direction, and the hot air ejector 73 is provided with a hot air nozzle 74 moving along the container conveying direction. The sterilizing fluid nozzle 72 and the hot air nozzle 74 may be moved to follow the container C conveyed on the container conveying path 80 by providing a hot air nozzle moving means that allows the sterilizing fluid nozzle 72 and the hot air nozzle 74 to move. In this case, the sterilizing fluid nozzle 72 and the hot air nozzle 74 can be maintained facing the container mouth portion C1 for a long time, and a large amount of sterilizing fluid and hot air can be sent into the container C.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, the main sterilizer 60 is configured to sterilize the preform between the inlet section 21 and the heating section 22 of the container forming unit 20. The specific configuration of the machine 60 is not limited to the above, and it may be installed so as to apply a disinfectant on the upstream side of the container release point RP of the blow molding turret 23 for sterilization. For example, the container C may be sterilized by blow molding with gas containing a sterilant.
Further, in the conveying unit 24, the blow-molded container C is passed through the air blown from the container mouth portion C1 side toward the container bottom portion C3 side for the purpose of keeping the inside of the container C aseptic. may be transported to

Further, in the above-described embodiment, each part (the filling part 33, the capping part 34, etc.) of the filling unit 30 is collectively covered with one aseptic box, but the filling part 33 and the capping part 34 are separated aseptically. It may be configured to be covered with a box.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, the complementary sterilizer 70 is configured to perform complementary sterilization mainly on the inner surface of the container C, but the specific aspect of the complementary sterilizer 70 is as described above. For example, it may be configured such that only the outer surface of the container C is subjected to the complementary sterilization treatment, or the outer surface and the inner surface of the container C may be configured to be subjected to the complementary sterilization treatment. .
Further, when complementary sterilization is performed on the outer surface of the container C by the complementary sterilizer 70, instead of the sterilizing fluid ejector 71 and the hot air ejector 73 for performing the complementary sterilization mainly on the inner surface of the container C ( Alternatively, in addition to the sterilizing fluid ejector 71 and the hot air ejector 73), as a treatment device for performing a complementary sterilizing treatment on the outer surface of the container C, an ejector for ejecting a sterilizing fluid on the outer surface of the container C, or an outer surface of the container C An irradiator for irradiating electron beams (EB) on the container C, an irradiator for irradiating ultraviolet rays (UV) on the outer surface of the container C, or the like may be provided (or provided in combination).

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10... Filling system 20... Container molding unit 21... Inlet part 22... Heating part 23... Blow molding turret 24... Conveying part 25... Outlet part 26... Box 30 ... Filling unit 31 ... Entrance section 32 ... Conveying section 33 ... Filling section 34 ... Capping section 35 ... Outlet section 36 ... Box 40 ... Container transfer unit 41 ...・ Turret (Conveyor)
42 ... inlet section 43 ... outlet section 44 ... box 50 ... sterilization treatment mechanism 60 ... main sterilizer 70 ... complementary sterilizer 71 ... sterilization fluid ejector 72 ... Sterilizing fluid nozzle 73 Hot air ejector 74 Hot air nozzle 80 Container transport path C Container C1 Container opening C2 Container body C3 Container bottom RP ・・・ Container release point of blow molding turret

Claims (8)

A filling system for filling a sterilized container with a content liquid,
a container molding unit having a blow molding turret; a filling unit having a filling section arranged downstream of the container molding unit and filling the container with a content liquid; and installed between the blow molding turret and the filling section. Equipped with a container transport path and a sterilization mechanism,
The sterilization mechanism includes a main sterilizer that performs a main sterilization treatment on the preform or the container on the upstream side of the container release point of the blow molding turret, and a complementary sterilizer that performs a complementary sterilization treatment on the container on the container conveying path. with
The container molding unit is configured to blow-mold the container by blowing air into the heated preform placed in the mold with the container opening of the preform exposed to the outside of the mold. is,
The main sterilizer is configured to perform the main sterilization treatment on the inner surface of the preform or the container, or the inner and outer surfaces of the preform or the container,
The complementary sterilizer includes a sterilizing fluid ejector having a sterilizing fluid nozzle that ejects a sterilizing fluid having a temperature higher than the inner surface temperature of the container mouth toward the container from the container mouth, and a sterilizing fluid ejector having a sterilizing fluid nozzle downstream of the sterilizing fluid nozzle. and a hot air ejector having a hot air nozzle that is installed and has a hot air nozzle that ejects hot air having a temperature higher than the inner surface side of the container opening toward the container from the container opening side . The sterilizing fluid nozzle and the hot air nozzle are installed so as to eject the sterilizing fluid or hot air from a position separated in the longitudinal direction of the nozzle from the mouth of the container conveyed on the container conveying path. The filling system according to claim 1 , wherein 3. The filling system according to claim 1 , wherein the inner diameters of the sterilizing fluid nozzle and the hot air nozzle are set smaller than the inner diameter of the container mouth. The sterilizing fluid ejector is configured to eject the sterilizing fluid from the sterilizing fluid nozzle at a flow rate of 70 m/s or more,
4. The filling system according to any one of claims 1 to 3 , wherein the hot air ejector is configured to eject hot air from the hot air nozzle at a flow velocity of 80 m/s or more. further comprising a transporter installed on the container transport path,
5. The conveying machine is configured to convey the container in an upright state in the section where the sterilizing fluid nozzle and the hot air nozzle are installed. Filling system as described. The sterilizing fluid ejector has sterilizing fluid nozzle moving means for moving the sterilizing fluid nozzle along the container transport direction on the container transport path,
6. The hot air ejector has hot air nozzle moving means for moving the hot air nozzle along the container conveying direction on the container conveying path. Filling system as described. 7. The filling system according to any one of claims 1 to 6 , wherein the container molding unit comprises a blower for blowing aseptic air into the preform. A filling method for filling a sterilized container with a content liquid,
subjecting the preform or container to the main sterilization treatment upstream of the container release point of the blow molding turret of the container molding unit ,
subjecting the container to a complementary sterilization treatment in the container conveying path between the blow molding turret and the filling section ;
The container molding unit is configured to blow-mold the container by blowing air into the heated preform placed in the mold with the container opening of the preform exposed to the outside of the mold. is,
In the complementary sterilization process, after the sterilizing fluid having a temperature higher than the inner surface temperature of the container opening is jetted from the container opening side toward the container, A filling method characterized by jetting hot air from the container into the container .

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