JP7283605B1 - Blow molding system, contents filling system, blow molding method and contents filling method - Google Patents

Abstract

A blow molding system, a content filling system, a blow molding method, and a content filling method are provided that are capable of reducing the environmental load of the blow molding system while maintaining a high sterilization effect on containers. A blow molding system (10) includes an injection molding section (11) for producing a preform (51) by injection molding, a temperature adjustment section (12) for adjusting the temperature of the preform (51) produced by the injection molding section (11), and a temperature adjustment section (12). A blow molding section 16 that manufactures a container 52 by blow molding a preform 51 temperature-controlled by 12 , and a first sterilization section 17 that sterilizes the container 52 manufactured by the blow molding section 16 . From the injection molding section 11 to the first sterilization section 17, the surface temperature of at least a part of the preform 51 and the container 52 is maintained at 40° C. or higher. [Selection drawing] Fig. 1

Description

The present disclosure relates to a blow molding system, a content filling system, a blow molding method, and a content filling method.

A contents filling system is known in which a sterilized container is filled with sterilized contents in an aseptic environment, and then the container is capped with a cap. Specifically, in the content-filling system, the molded container is supplied to the content-filling system, and in the content-filling system, the container is sprayed with an aqueous hydrogen peroxide solution as a sterilant. After that, the container is filled with the contents.

By the way, in recent years, there has been a demand for reducing the environmental load of content filling systems.

JP 2018-500199 A

The present disclosure provides a blow molding system, a content filling system, a blow molding method, and a content filling method that can reduce the environmental load of the blow molding system while maintaining a high sterilization effect on the container.

The blow molding system according to the present embodiment includes an injection molding section that produces a preform by injection molding, a temperature adjustment section that adjusts the temperature of the preform produced by the injection molding section, and a temperature adjustment section that adjusts the temperature of the preform. A blow molding unit that manufactures a container by blow molding the adjusted preform; and a first sterilization unit that sterilizes the container manufactured by the blow molding unit, The surface temperature of at least part of the preform and the container is maintained at 40° C. or higher up to 1 sterilization section.

In the blow molding system according to this embodiment, the temperature adjustment unit includes a cooling unit that cools the preform and a heating unit that heats the preform cooled by the cooling unit. A second sterilization section for sterilizing the preform may be provided between the heating section and the heating section.

In the blow molding system according to this embodiment, the temperature adjustment section may have a cooling section for cooling the preform and may not have a heating section for heating the preform.

In the blow molding system according to this embodiment, the injection molding section, the temperature adjustment section, the blow molding section and the first sterilization section may be controlled by the same control section.

A content filling system according to this embodiment includes the blow molding system according to this embodiment and a filling device that fills the container with the content.

The blow molding method according to the present embodiment includes steps of producing a preform by injection molding, adjusting the temperature of the preform, and producing a container by blow molding the temperature-controlled preform. and a step of sterilizing the container, wherein after the preform is produced by the injection molding, the surface temperature of at least a part of the preform and the container is 40 ° C. until the container is sterilized. Maintain the above condition.

In the blow molding method according to the present embodiment, the step of adjusting the temperature of the preform includes a step of cooling the preform and a step of heating the cooled preform. and the heating step, a step of sterilizing the preform may be provided.

In the blow molding method according to this embodiment, the step of adjusting the temperature of the preform may include the step of cooling the preform and may not include the step of heating the preform.

A content filling method according to the present embodiment includes a step of obtaining a container by the blow molding method of the present embodiment, and a step of filling the container with a content.

According to the present disclosure, it is possible to reduce the environmental load of the blow molding system while maintaining a high sterilization effect on the container.

FIG. 1 is a schematic plan view showing a blow molding system and a content filling system according to the first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a flow chart showing the blow molding method and content filling method according to the first embodiment. FIG. 3 is a graph showing changes in surface temperature of the preform and container from the injection molding section to the first sterilization section in the first embodiment. FIG. 4 is a schematic plan view showing a blow molding system and a contents filling system according to a second embodiment. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a blow molding method and a content filling method according to the second embodiment. FIG. 6 is a graph showing changes in surface temperature of the preform and container from the injection molding section to the first sterilization section in the second embodiment.

(First embodiment)
A first embodiment will be described below with reference to the drawings. 1 to 3 are diagrams showing the first embodiment.

(Blow molding system and contents filling system)
First, a blow molding system and a content filling system according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. In the following, a case where the content filling system is an aseptic filling system will be described as an example.

A content filling system 30 shown in FIG. 1 is a system for filling a container 52 with content such as a beverage. Content filling system 30 includes blow molding system 10 and filling device 20 . Blow molding system 10 creates container 52 by blow molding preform 51 . The blow molding system 10 includes an injection molding section 11 , a temperature adjustment section 12 , a blow molding section 16 , a first sterilization section 17 and an air rinse section 18 . The filling device 20 fills the contents into the container 52 . In this embodiment, from the injection molding section 11 to the first sterilization section 17, the surface temperature of at least a part of the preform 51 and the container 52 is maintained at 40° C. or higher, preferably 50° C. or higher. As used herein, the “surface temperature” of the preform 51 and container 52 refers to the temperature measured at one point on the outer surface of the preform 51 and container 52 located at the center in the longitudinal direction. This measurement position may be located at the body of the preform 51 and the body of the container 52 .

The injection molding part 11 produces a preform 51 by injection molding. The temperature adjustment section 12 adjusts the temperature of the preform 51 produced by the injection molding section 11 . The blow molding section 16 manufactures the container 52 by blow molding the preform 51 whose temperature has been adjusted by the temperature adjustment section 12 . The first sterilization section 17 sterilizes the container 52 produced by the blow molding section 16 . In the first sterilization section 17, the container 52 is sterilized while the heat applied by the injection molding section 11 remains.

The container 52 is made by biaxially stretch blow molding the preform 51 in the blow molding section 16 . The preform 51 is manufactured by injection molding a synthetic resin material in the injection molding section 11 . As materials for the container 52 and the preform 51, it is preferable to use a thermoplastic resin, particularly PE (polyethylene), PP (polypropylene), PET (polyethylene terephthalate), or PEN (polyethylene naphthalate). In this embodiment, a case where a synthetic resin bottle is used as the container 52 will be described as an example.

As shown in FIG. 1, content filling system 30 includes blow molding system 10 and filling device 20, as described above. The blow molding system 10 includes an injection molding section 11 , a temperature adjustment section 12 , a blow molding section 16 , a first sterilization section 17 and an air rinse section 18 . The injection molding section 11, the temperature adjustment section 12, the blow molding section 16, the first sterilization section 17, and the air rinse section 18 are arranged in this order from the upstream side to the downstream side along the conveying direction of the preform 51 or the container 52. are arranged. As used herein, "upstream" and "downstream" refer to the position of the preform 51 or container 52 in the transport direction.

The content filling system 30 includes a control section 40 that controls the entire blow molding system 10 . The contents filling system 30 further includes a cap attaching device (capper, seaming and capping machine) 21 and a product bottle delivery section 22 . The blow molding system 10 , the filling device 20 , the cap attaching device 21 , and the product bottle unloading section 22 are arranged in this order from the upstream side to the downstream side along the conveying direction of the container 52 . The contents filling system 30 is also provided with a plurality of transport wheels 23 for transporting the containers 52 between the devices. Here, first, the blow molding system 10 will be described.

Blow molding system 10 is configured to receive resin pellets from the outside and to produce sterilized containers 52 . The blow molding system 10 is then configured to convey the molded container 52 towards the filling device 20 . As a result, in the content filling system 30, the steps from supplying the resin pellets, molding and sterilizing the preform 51 and the container 52 to filling the container 52 with the content and closing the cap can be performed continuously. In this case, not the container 52 with a large volume, but resin pellets with a small volume are put into the content filling system 30 from the outside. Therefore, transportation costs can be reduced.

The blow molding system 10 includes the injection molding section 11, the temperature adjustment section 12, the blow molding section 16, and the first sterilization section 17, as described above. The blow molding system 10 further includes a preform conveying section 37 for conveying the preform 51, a bottle conveying section 38 for conveying the molded container 52, and an air rinse section 18 for air rinsing the sterilized container 52. ing.

The injection molding section 11 is located on the most upstream side of the blow molding system 10 . The injection molding part 11 produces a preform 51 by injection molding. The injection molding section 11 may be an injection molding machine. The injection molding section 11 has a fixed frame 31 , an injection device 32 and a mold clamping device 33 . The injection device 32 and the mold clamping device 33 are provided on the frame 31 . The injection device 32 has a hopper 34 and a nozzle 35 . Resin pellets are fed from a hopper 34 and then injected from a nozzle 35 while being melted and kneaded. Resin injected from the nozzle 35 is filled into the injection mold 36 . The injection mold 36 is attached to the mold clamping device 33 . The injection mold 36 has a cavity corresponding to the shape of the preform 51 . The mold clamping device 33 may have, for example, a stationary platen, a movable platen, and a pressure receiving platen (not shown). The injected resin is formed into the shape of the preform 51 within the injection mold 36 . The preform 51 is taken out by opening the injection molding die 36 after being pressure-retained and cooled as necessary.

The temperature adjustment section 12 is located downstream of the injection molding section 11 . The temperature adjustment section 12 has a cooling section 13 and a heating section 15 . A second sterilization section 14 is provided between the cooling section 13 and the heating section 15 .

The cooling part 13 cools the preform 51 . In the cooling unit 13 , a cooling medium such as air is sprayed from a cooling nozzle to the preform 51 . As a result, the temperature of the preform 51 heated by the heat applied during the injection molding in the injection molding section 11 is lowered. When air is used as the cooling medium, it is preferable to use sterile air that has passed through a sterilizing filter. Also, as this air, high-pressure air that has been used in the blow molding section 16, which will be described later, may be reused.

The second sterilization section 14 is provided downstream of the cooling section 13 . The second sterilization section 14 sterilizes the preform 51 . In the second sterilization section 14, for example, gas or mist of a sterilant is sprayed onto the preform 51 to sterilize the preform 51. As shown in FIG. The disinfectant may be an aqueous hydrogen peroxide solution. The second sterilization section 14 may pre-sterilize the preform 51 .

As the sterilizing agent for sterilizing the preform 51, it suffices if it has the property of inactivating microorganisms. Alcohols such as sodium oxide, potassium hydroxide, ethyl alcohol and isopropyl alcohol, chlorine dioxide, ozone water, acidic water, and surfactants may be used alone, or two or more of these may be used in combination. .

By sterilizing the preform 51 in advance by the second sterilization unit 14 in this way, bacteria adhering to the container 52 produced from the preform 51 can be reduced. Therefore, the amount of the sterilizing agent used in the first sterilizing section 17 for sterilizing the container 52 can be reduced, and the sterilization time can be shortened. Here, generally, the amount of sterilant used to sterilize the preform 51 having a small volume tends to be less than the amount of sterilant used to sterilize the container 52 . Therefore, by sterilizing the preforms 51 in the second sterilization unit 14, the total usage of the sterilant can be reduced.

In addition, the amount of sterilizing agent used in the first sterilizing section 17 can be reduced, and the sterilization time can be shortened. Therefore, the size of the first sterilization unit 17 can be reduced. Moreover, since the sterilization time for sterilizing the container 52 can be shortened, the heat load on the container 52 can be reduced. Therefore, deformation of the container 52 due to the heat of the sterilant can be suppressed even if the container 52 is lightened or made of recycled PET.

Furthermore, by sterilizing the preform 51, bacteria adhering to the container 52 can be reduced. Therefore, in the first sterilization section 17, the sterilization conditions may be weakened. Here, in general, in order to improve the sterilization effect in the first sterilization unit 17, in the blow molding unit 16, hot water from a mold temperature controller (not shown) is supplied to the blow molding mold to cool the body of the container 52. is heating. As a result, the sterilization effect in the first sterilization section 17 can be improved, and shrinkage of the container 52 in the first sterilization section 17 can be reduced. Furthermore, in the present embodiment, as described above, by sterilizing the preform 51 in the second sterilization section 14, bacteria adhering to the container 52 can be reduced. Therefore, in the blow molding section 16, the container 52 may be molded without adjusting the temperature of the container 52 with hot water. That is, in the blow molding section 16, it is not necessary to supply hot water to the blow molding mold in order to improve the sterilization effect. As a result, the amount of carbon dioxide emitted by the content filling system 30 can be reduced. Moreover, since it is not necessary to supply hot water to the blow molding die, the blow molding section 16 can be simplified. Moreover, since the blow molding part 16 can be simplified, the amount of heat applied to the container 52 can be reduced. Therefore, shrinkage of the container 52 in the first sterilization section 17 can be reduced even when the hot water described above is not supplied to the blow molding die. Also, by not heating the body of the container 52 with the mold temperature controller, the adhesion amount of hydrogen peroxide in the first sterilization section 17 can be increased.

Note that such sterilization treatment may be performed at a plurality of locations. In the sterilization treatment, bacteria may be inactivated by ultraviolet irradiation, electron beam irradiation, or the like without using a sterilizing agent.

A preform air rinse section (not shown) may be provided downstream of the second sterilization section 14 . The preform air rinsing section may use hot air to dry the preform 51 sprayed with the disinfectant. In this case, foreign matter can be effectively removed from inside the preform 51 .

The heating unit 15 reheats the preform 51 cooled by the cooling unit 13 to the blow molding temperature. The heating unit 15 receives the sterilized preform 51 from the second sterilization unit 14 and heats the preform 51 while conveying it. A heater 39 for heating the preform 51 is provided in the heating unit 15 . This heater 39 may be, for example, an infrared heater. The heater 39 heats the preform 51 to, for example, about 90° C. or higher and 130° C. or lower. In addition, the temperature of the mouth portion of the preform 51 may be suppressed to a temperature of 70° C. or less in order to prevent deformation or the like. Also, the heating unit 15 may heat using hot air. When hot air is used, the sterilant gas used in the second sterilization section 14 may be added to the hot air to heat and sterilize the preform 51 at the same time.

In this embodiment, the cooling section 13, the second sterilizing section 14 and the heating section 15 are provided on different wheels. In addition, not only this but a part or all of the cooling part 13, the 2nd sterilization part 14, and the heating part 15 may be provided in the same wheel. Also, the preform 51 may be transported by a transport device that transports the preform 51 along one straight line or curve instead of the wheel. In this case, part or all of the cooling section 13, the second sterilization section 14 and the heating section 15 may be provided along the conveying device. As a method of transporting the preform 51, the preform 51 may be transported by inserting it into a mandrel. Alternatively, the preform 51 may be transported while alternately gripping the upper and lower support rings of the preform 51 with a gripper. That is, the first gripper that grips the upper part of the support ring of the preform 51 and the second gripper that grips the lower part of the support ring are alternately arranged, and the first gripper and the second gripper alternately grip the support ring. , the preform 51 may be conveyed. This avoids interference between adjacent grippers. In addition, you may use another system without restricting to these.

The blow molding unit 16 blow molds the preform 51 heated by the heating unit 15 . The blow molding section 16 includes a blow molding die (not shown). The container 52 is formed by blow-molding the preform 51 using this blow-molding mold. Then, the molded container 52 is conveyed downstream by the bottle conveying section 38 . A camera may be installed in the bottle conveying section 38 to inspect the top surface of the container 52 and the opening of the container 52, which affect the sealing performance of the container 52. FIG. A visual inspection of the support ring, body and/or bottom of the container 52 may also be performed. The surface temperature of the container 52, which affects the sterilization effect of the first sterilization unit 17, may be measured with a non-contact infrared radiation camera.

The first sterilization unit 17 is a device that sterilizes the container 52 by injecting a sterilant onto the container 52 . This sterilizes the container 52 with the sterilizing agent prior to filling with the contents. As the disinfectant, for example, an aqueous hydrogen peroxide solution is used. In the first sterilization section 17 , gas or mist of the aqueous hydrogen peroxide solution is generated, and the gas or mist is sprayed on the inner and outer surfaces of the container 52 . Since the container 52 is sterilized by the gas or mist of the aqueous hydrogen peroxide solution in this manner, the inner and outer surfaces of the container 52 are uniformly sterilized.

As a sterilizing agent for sterilizing the container 52, it suffices if it has the property of inactivating microorganisms. Alcohols such as sodium, potassium hydroxide, ethyl alcohol and isopropyl alcohol, chlorine dioxide, ozone water, acid water, and surfactants may be used alone, or two or more of these may be used in combination. In the sterilization treatment, bacteria may be inactivated by ultraviolet irradiation, electron beam irradiation, or the like without using a sterilizing agent.

The air rinsing unit 18 is a device that supplies the container 52 with sterile heated air or normal temperature air. The air rinse unit 18 removes foreign substances, hydrogen peroxide, etc. from the container 52 while activating the hydrogen peroxide contained in the sterilizing agent sterilized by the first sterilization unit 17 . At this time, it is preferable that aseptic air is supplied to the container 52 with the opening of the container 52 facing downward. As a result, foreign matter can be effectively removed from inside the container 52 . Therefore, the step of washing the container 52 with sterile water can be omitted, and the amount of carbon dioxide emitted by the content filling system 30 can be reduced. If necessary, sterilized air at room temperature may be mixed with condensed mist of low-concentration hydrogen peroxide to gasify the hydrogen peroxide and supply it to the container 52 .

The filling device 20 is a device that fills the container 52 with contents such as beverages. That is, the filling device 20 fills the container 52 with contents that have been sterilized in advance through the opening of the container 52 . As a result, the empty container 52 is filled with the content in the filling device 20 . In this filling device 20, contents are filled into the interiors of the containers 52 while the containers 52 are rotationally conveyed.

The cap attaching device 21 is a device for closing the container 52 by attaching a pre-sterilized cap 53 to the container 52 . In the cap fitting device 21, the container 52 filled with the content is closed with a cap 53, and the inside of the container 52 is sealed so that the outside air and microorganisms do not enter. In the cap attaching device 21, the caps 53 are attached to the openings of the plurality of containers 52 filled with contents while they are being rotated (revolved). By attaching the cap 53 to the container 52 in this way, the product bottle 54 is obtained.

The product bottle unloading section 22 continuously unloads the product bottles 54 attached with the caps 53 by the cap attaching device 21 toward the outside of the content filling system 30 .

The content filling system 30 also includes an injection molding chamber 61, a preform sterilization chamber 62, a blow molding chamber 63, a sterilant blocking chamber 68, a sterilant spray chamber 64, an air rinse chamber 65, and a filling chamber. 66 and an exit chamber 67 . Injection molding chamber 61 , preform sterilization chamber 62 , blow molding chamber 63 , sterilant shut-off chamber 68 , sterilant spray chamber 64 , air rinse chamber 65 , fill chamber 66 and exit chamber 67 are used for conveying preform 51 and container 52 . Along the direction, they are arranged in this order from the upstream side toward the downstream side.

Each chamber 61 to 68 is separated by a partition wall. The partition prevents the sterilant or the like from flowing in an unintended direction between the chambers 61 to 68 and serves to stabilize the pressure in each chamber 61 to 68 . In addition, gaps are formed in the partition walls to the extent that the preforms 51 or the containers 52 can pass therethrough. This gap is formed to be at least as large as, for example, one preform 51 or container 52 so that the pressure in each of the chambers 61 to 68 does not change. Moreover, the partition wall may be provided with a shutter that closes the gap described above. This shutter may be configured to automatically open and close in response to a signal from the control section 40, for example. A pressure gauge (not shown) for measuring the pressure inside each chamber 61 to 68 may be attached inside each chamber 61 to 68 .

The injection molding part 11 is housed inside the injection molding chamber 61 . The cooling section 13 and the second sterilization section 14 are housed inside the preform sterilization chamber 62 . A heating section 15 and a blow molding section 16 are housed inside the blow molding chamber 63 . The first sterilizing section 17 is housed inside the sterilant spraying chamber 64 . Further, the air rinse section 18 is housed inside the air rinse chamber 65 . A filling device 20 and a capping device 21 are housed inside the filling chamber 66 . Inside the outlet chamber 67, the product bottle unloading section 22 is accommodated. The sterilant shut-off chamber 68 is a chamber that exhausts the sterilant from the first sterilizer 17 so that the positive pressure atmosphere in the filling chamber 66 prevents the sterilant from flowing toward the blow molding section 16 .

Here, as described above, the content filling system 30 includes the control section 40 that controls the blow molding system 10 . The control section 40 is electrically connected to the blow molding system 10 and controls the injection molding section 11 , the temperature adjustment section 12 , the blow molding section 16 and the first sterilization section 17 of the blow molding system 10 . Note that the control section 40 may control the air rinse section 18, the filling device 20, the cap attaching device 21, the product bottle unloading section 22, and the like. In this embodiment, the injection molding section 11 , the temperature adjustment section 12 , the blow molding section 16 and the first sterilization section 17 of the blow molding system 10 are controlled by the same control section 40 . Thereby, the injection molding section 11, the temperature adjustment section 12, the blow molding section 16, and the first sterilization section 17 can be efficiently controlled. Further, for example, the transport speed of the preform 51 and the container 52 in the injection molding section 11, the temperature adjustment section 12, the blow molding section 16, and the first sterilization section 17 can be easily adjusted.

Such a content filling system 30 may comprise, for example, an aseptic filling system. In this case, the interior of each chamber 61-68 is kept sterile. A chamber (not shown) may be provided downstream of the outlet chamber 67 to connect the sterile zone in a sterile state and the non-sterile zone in a non-sterile state.

(Blow molding method and content filling method)
Next, a blow molding method using the blow molding system 10 (FIG. 1) and a content filling method using the content filling system 30 (FIG. 1) according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

First, in the injection molding section 11 of the blow molding system 10, a preform 51 is produced by injection molding (injection molding step, step S1 in FIG. 2). During this time, resin pellets are first introduced into the hopper 34 of the injection molding section 11 . The resin pellets are injected from the nozzle 35 while being melted and kneaded at a temperature of 200° C. or higher and 250° C. or lower. Resin injected from the nozzle 35 is filled into the injection mold 36 . The resin is shaped into the shape of the preform 51 within the injection mold 36 . The preform 51 is taken out by opening the injection molding die 36 after being pressure-retained and cooled as necessary. The surface temperature T1 of the preform 51 taken out from the injection molding part 11 may be 100° C. or more and 150° C. or less.

Next, the preform 51 is supplied to the temperature adjustment section 12 via the preform conveying section 37 . The temperature of the preform 51 is adjusted in the temperature adjusting section 12 (temperature adjusting step). In the present embodiment, the temperature adjustment process includes a preform cooling process and a preform heating process, which will be described later.

During this time, the preform 51 is first cooled in the cooling unit 13 (preform cooling step, step S2 in FIG. 2). In the cooling unit 13 , a cooling medium such as sterile air is blown from a cooling nozzle onto the preform 51 to forcefully cool the preform 51 . The surface temperature T2 of the preform 51 cooled in the cooling section 13 is lower than the surface temperature T1 described above. Specifically, the surface temperature T2 of the preform 51 after cooling in the cooling unit 13 may be 50° C. or more and 100° C. or less. Thus, by setting the surface temperature T2 of the preform 51 to 100° C. or less, when the preform 51 is sprayed with a sterilant such as hydrogen peroxide in the second sterilization section 14, the gas of the sterilant is released into the preform. condensed on the surface of 51. As a result, the preform 51 can be sterilized with high sterilization power by using only a small amount of sterilant. The cooling air may also contain a sterilant (eg, hydrogen peroxide) gas or mist. When hydrogen peroxide is used, the gas concentration may be 0.1 mg/L to 300 mg/L, more preferably 1 mg/L to 10 mg/L.

Subsequently, the preform 51 cooled in the cooling section 13 is sent to the second sterilization section 14 (preform sterilization step, step S3 in FIG. 2). At this time, in the second sterilization unit 14, the preform 51 is sterilized by spraying gas or mist of a sterilizing agent such as hydrogen peroxide. At this time, both the inner surface and the outer surface of the preform 51 are preferably sterilized. The gas concentration of hydrogen peroxide may be 0.1 mg/L to 300 mg/L, more preferably 1 mg/L to 10 mg/L. The surface temperature T3 of the preform 51 in the second sterilization section 14 may be equal to or less than the surface temperature T2 described above. Specifically, the surface temperature T3 of the preform 51 in the second sterilization section 14 may be 50°C or higher and 100°C or lower.

Next, the preform 51 sterilized in the second sterilization section 14 is sent to the heating section 15 and heated to a temperature suitable for blow molding by the heater 39 (preform heating step, step S4 in FIG. 2). The surface temperature T4 of the preform 51 heated in the heating unit 15 is higher than the surface temperature T3 described above. Specifically, the surface temperature T4 of the preform 51 may be 90° C. or higher and 130° C. or lower. The preform 51 heated by the heating section 15 is then sent to the blow molding section 16 .

In the present embodiment, the preform 51 manufactured in the injection molding section 11 is sent to the blow molding section 16 in a state where the surface temperature of the preform 51 is less than 40° C., especially normal temperature (15° C. or higher and 25° C. or lower). be done. In other words, it is conveyed from the injection molding section 11 to the blow molding section 16 while the heat generated during the injection molding remains. Thereby, the transportation process of the preform 51 and the aging process of the preform 51 can be omitted. As a result, the energy required for manufacturing the container 52 can be saved, and the amount of carbon dioxide emissions can be reduced. Also, the space for storing the preform 51 can be reduced.

Next, the preform 51 sent to the blow molding unit 16 is subjected to blow molding using a blow molding mold (not shown), thereby producing a container 52 (blow molding step, step S5 in FIG. 2). . The surface temperature T5 of the container 52 after blow molding in the blow molding section 16 is lower than the surface temperature T4 described above. Specifically, the surface temperature T5 of the container 52 may be 40° C. or higher and 100° C. or lower. The container 52 thus blow-molded is sent to the first sterilization section 17 via the bottle conveying section 38 .

Next, in the first sterilization section 17, the container 52 is sterilized using a sterilizing agent such as an aqueous hydrogen peroxide solution (container sterilization step, step S6 in FIG. 2). At this time, the sterilizing agent may be gas or mist obtained by once vaporizing an aqueous hydrogen peroxide solution at a boiling point or higher. The aqueous hydrogen peroxide gas or mist adheres to the inner and outer surfaces of container 52 and sterilizes the inner and outer surfaces of container 52 . The surface temperature T6 of the container 52 in the first sterilization section 17 may be equal to or less than the surface temperature T5 described above. Specifically, the surface temperature T6 of the preform 51 in the first sterilization section 17 may be 40°C or higher and 100°C or lower. Thus, by setting the surface temperature T6 of the preform 51 to 100° C. or lower, when the sterilizing agent such as hydrogen peroxide is sprayed onto the container 52 in the first sterilizing section 17, the gas of the sterilizing agent evaporates from the container 52. condensed on the surface. As a result, the container 52 can be sterilized with high sterilization power using only a small amount of sterilant.

Thus, after the preform 51 is produced by injection molding in the injection molding section 11, the surface temperature of the preform 51 and the container 52 is 40° C. or higher until the container 52 is sterilized in the first sterilization section 17. maintain a state of In other words, the container 52 is sterilized in the first sterilization section 17 while the heat from the injection molding remains. As a result, the container 52 can be sterilized with a high sterilization power in the first sterilization section 17 using the heat generated during injection molding. Further, by directly conveying the preform 51 and the container 52 from the injection molding section 11 to the first sterilization section 17, the number of bacteria adhering to the preform 51 and the container 52 can be brought close to zero. A HEPA filter (High Efficiency Particulate Air Filter) may be used to supply aseptic air to the chambers 62 to 68 where the preform 51 or the container 52 is in contact with the outside air, and the chambers 62 to 68 may be positively pressurized. This makes it possible to further improve the hygiene of the container 52 . Also, the chambers 62-68 may be sterilized with a sterilizing agent such as hydrogen peroxide or peracetic acid prior to production of the product bottle 54. FIG.

FIG. 3 is a graph showing changes in surface temperature of the preform 51 and the container 52 from the injection molding section 11 to the first sterilization section 17 in this embodiment. As shown in FIG. 3, the surface temperature T1 of the preform 51 immediately after injection molding in the injection molding section 11 is cooled in the cooling section 13 and lowered to T2. In the second sterilization section 14, the surface temperature of the preform 51 is T3, and the preform 51 is sterilized in this state. After that, the surface temperature of the preform 51 is heated by the heating section 15 and rises to T4. The container 52 is manufactured by blow-molding the preform 51 in the blow molding section 16 . The surface temperature of the container 52 after blow molding is lowered to T5. In the first sterilization section 17, the surface temperature of the preform 51 is T6, and the preform 51 is sterilized in this state. It should be noted that the size relationship between T6 and T3 does not matter. As shown in FIG. 3, the surface temperatures of the preform 51 and the container 52 never drop below 40° C. from the injection molding section 11 to the first sterilization section 17 .

Subsequently, the container 52 is sent from the first sterilization section 17 to the air rinse section 18 . In the air rinsing section 18, the container 52 is air rinsed by supplying sterile heated air or normal temperature air to the container 52 (air rinsing step, step S7 in FIG. 2). As a result, hydrogen peroxide is activated, and foreign matter, hydrogen peroxide, and the like are removed from the container 52 . In the air rinsing step, if necessary, sterilized heated air or room temperature sterilized air may be mixed with low-concentration condensed mist of hydrogen peroxide. In this case hydrogen peroxide is gasified by sterile air. Then, gasified hydrogen peroxide may be supplied to the container 52 in the air rinse step.

The container 52 is then transported from the blow molding system 10 to the filling device 20 . In the filling device 20, contents such as beverages are filled into the container 52 (filling step, step S8 in FIG. 2). In the filling device 20, the container 52 is rotated (revolved) while the contents are filled into the container 52 from its mouth.

The filled container 52 is then transported to the capping device 21 by the transport wheel 23 . In this cap fitting device 21, a sterilized cap 53 is fitted to the mouth of the container 52 transported from the filling device 20 (cap fitting step, step S9 in FIG. 2). As a result, the container 52 is capped and a product bottle 54 is obtained.

After that, the product bottle 54 is conveyed from the cap attaching device 21 to the product bottle unloading section 22 and unloaded toward the outside of the content filling system 30 (unloading step, step S10 in FIG. 2). The product bottle 54 is transported to a packaging line (not shown) and packaged.

The injection molding process, preform cooling process, preform sterilization process, preform heating process, blow molding process, container sterilization process, air rinsing process, filling process, cap mounting process and unloading process are carried out in the chambers 61 to 68. , may be performed in a sterile atmosphere, ie under a sterile environment. In this case, the chambers 61 to 68 may be sterilized in advance by spraying hydrogen peroxide or peracetic acid, or by spraying alkaline detergent, hot water, or the like. Only the injection molding chamber 61 in which the injection molding process is performed may be the non-sterile area. Alternatively, the injection molding chamber 61, the preform sterilization chamber 62 and the blow molding chamber 63 may be non-sterile areas.

The production (conveyance) speed of the preforms 51 and the containers 52 in the contents filling system 30 is preferably 100 bpm or more and 1000 bpm or less. Here, bpm (bottle per minute) refers to the transport speed of the container 52 per minute.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, from the injection molding section 11 to the first sterilization section 17, the surface temperatures of the preform 51 and the container 52 are maintained at 40° C. or higher. That is, the preform 51 and the container 52 are conveyed to the first sterilization section 17 and sterilized while the heat from the injection molding in the injection molding section 11 remains. Since the surface temperature of the container 52 is 40° C. or higher during sterilization in the first sterilization section 17, the sterilization effect of the container 52 is enhanced. Also, compared to the case where the temperature of the preform 51 or the container 52 is once normal temperature, the energy for raising the temperature of the preform 51 in the blow molding section 16 or the temperature of the container 52 in the first sterilization section 17 is reduced. can. As a result, the amount of carbon dioxide emitted when manufacturing the product bottle 54 can be reduced. Furthermore, since the heating area for raising the preform 51 to the blow molding temperature can be narrowed, the installation space of the blow molding system 10 can be reduced.

Further, according to the present embodiment, temperature adjustment unit 12 has cooling unit 13 that cools preform 51 and heating unit 15 that heats preform 51 cooled by cooling unit 13 . A second sterilization section 14 for sterilizing the preform 51 is provided between the cooling section 13 and the heating section 15 . By sterilizing the preform 51 in advance by the second sterilization unit 14 in this manner, bacteria adhering to the container 52 can be reduced. Therefore, the amount of the sterilizing agent used in the first sterilizing section 17 for sterilizing the container 52 can be reduced, and the sterilization time can be shortened. As a result, the amount of carbon dioxide emitted when producing the product bottle 54 can be reduced.

Moreover, according to the present embodiment, the injection molding section 11 , the temperature adjustment section 12 , the blow molding section 16 and the first sterilization section 17 are controlled by the same control section 40 . That is, the injection molding section 11 to the first sterilization section 17 are integrated into the same system. This reduces the installation space for the blow molding system 10 and the space for storing and housing the injection molded preforms 51 . In addition, since the injection-molded preform 51 is not transported to the blow molding unit 16 by vehicle or the like, the amount of carbon dioxide emitted when transporting the preform 51 can be reduced.

(Second embodiment)
Next, a second embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 4 to 6. FIG. 4 to 6 are diagrams showing a second embodiment. The second embodiment shown in FIGS. 4 to 6 is mainly different in the configuration of the temperature adjustment section 12, and the rest of the configuration is substantially the same as the above-described first embodiment. In FIGS. 4 to 6, the same parts as those in the first embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 to 3 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

(Blow molding system and contents filling system)
First, a blow molding system and a contents filling system according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

As shown in FIG. 4 , a content filling system 30 according to this embodiment includes a blow molding system 10 and a filling device 20 . Blow molding system 10 creates container 52 by blow molding preform 51 . The filling device 20 fills the contents into the container 52 .

A blow molding system 10 according to the present embodiment includes an injection molding section 11 , a temperature adjustment section 12 , a blow molding section 16 , a first sterilization section 17 and an air rinse section 18 . The temperature adjustment section 12 has a cooling section 13 . In this case, unlike the blow molding system 10 according to the first embodiment, the temperature adjustment section 12 does not have the heating section 15 for heating the preform 51 . Moreover, in the present embodiment, the blow molding system 10 does not have the second sterilization section 14 that sterilizes the preform 51 . Alternatively, the second sterilization section 14 that sterilizes the preform 51 may be provided between the injection molding section 11 and the blow molding section 16 .

The cooling unit 13 cools the preform 51 to the blow molding temperature. The cooling unit 13 receives the preform 51 from the injection molding unit 11 and cools the preform 51 while conveying it. In the cooling unit 13 , a cooling medium such as air is blown from a cooling nozzle to the preform 51 . As a result, the temperature of the preform 51 heated by the heat applied during the injection molding in the injection molding section 11 is lowered. The cooling unit 13 reduces the surface temperature of the preform 51 to, for example, approximately 90° C. or higher and 130° C. or lower.

In this embodiment, the cooling part 13 is provided on the wheel. Also, the preform 51 may be transported by a transport device that transports the preform 51 along one straight line or curve instead of the wheel. In this case, the cooling unit 13 may be provided along the conveying device.

The blow molding unit 16 blow molds the preform 51 whose temperature has been adjusted to the blow molding temperature in the cooling unit 13 . By subjecting the preform 51 to blow molding in the blow molding section 16, the container 52 is molded.

In this embodiment, no preform sterilization chamber 62 is provided. The cooling section 13 may be located within the blow molding chamber 63 .

Further, in the blow molding section 16, gas such as a sterilizing agent (for example, hydrogen peroxide) may be added to the air blown out from the stretching rod during blow molding. When hydrogen peroxide is used as the sterilant, the gas concentration may be 0.1 mg/L to 300 mg/L, more preferably 1 mg/L to 10 mg/L. Thereby, the preform 51 can be sterilized during blow molding. Also, the sterilization and molding of the container 52 can proceed simultaneously. Such sterilization in the blow molding section 16 may be performed instead of sterilization of the preform 51 in the second sterilization section 14 . Alternatively, it may be performed together with the sterilization of the preform 51 in the second sterilization section 14 .

In addition, the elements constituting the blow molding system 10 and the content filling system 30 are substantially the same as those in the first embodiment.

(Blow molding method and content filling method)
Next, a blow molding method using the blow molding system 10 (FIG. 4) according to the present embodiment and a content filling method using the content filling system 30 (FIG. 4) will be described with reference to FIG.

First, as in the case of the first embodiment, the injection molding section 11 of the blow molding system 10 manufactures a preform 51 by injection molding (injection molding step, step S1 in FIG. 5). The surface temperature T1 of the preform 51 taken out from the injection molding part 11 may be 100° C. or more and 150° C. or less.

Next, the preform 51 is supplied to the temperature adjustment section 12 via the preform conveying section 37 . The temperature of the preform 51 is adjusted in the temperature adjusting section 12 (temperature adjusting step). In the present embodiment, the temperature adjustment process includes a preform cooling process, which will be described later.

During this time, the preform 51 is cooled in the cooling unit 13 (preform cooling step, step S2 in FIG. 5). In the cooling unit 13 , a cooling medium such as air is blown from a cooling nozzle to the preform 51 to forcibly cool the preform 51 . In the cooling section 13, the preform 51 is cooled to a temperature suitable for blow molding. The surface temperature T7 of the preform 51 cooled in the cooling section 13 is lower than the surface temperature T1 described above. Specifically, the surface temperature T7 of the preform 51 after cooling in the cooling unit 13 may be 90° C. or higher and 130° C. or lower. The preform 51 cooled in the cooling section 13 is then sent to the blow molding section 16 .

Next, as in the case of the first embodiment, the preform 51 sent to the blow molding section 16 is subjected to blow molding using a blow molding mold (not shown), whereby the container 52 is blow molded. (blow molding step, step S5 in FIG. 5). The surface temperature T5 of the container 52 blow-molded in the blow molding section 16 is lower than the surface temperature T7 described above. Specifically, the surface temperature T5 of the container 52 may be 40° C. or higher and 100° C. or lower.

Next, as in the case of the first embodiment, in the first sterilization unit 17, the container 52 is sterilized using a sterilizing agent such as an aqueous hydrogen peroxide solution (container sterilization step, FIG. 5 step S6). The surface temperature T6 of the container 52 in the first sterilization section 17 may be equal to or less than the surface temperature T5 described above. Specifically, the surface temperature T6 of the preform 51 in the first sterilization section 17 may be 40°C or higher and 100°C or lower. Thus, by setting the surface temperature T6 of the preform 51 to 100° C. or lower, when the sterilizing agent such as hydrogen peroxide is sprayed onto the container 52 in the first sterilizing section 17, the gas of the sterilizing agent evaporates from the container 52. condensed on the surface. As a result, the container 52 can be sterilized with high sterilization power using only a small amount of sterilant.

Thus, after the preform 51 is produced by injection molding in the injection molding section 11, the surface temperature of the preform 51 and the container 52 is 40° C. or higher until the container 52 is sterilized in the first sterilization section 17. maintain a state of In other words, the container 52 is sterilized in the first sterilization section 17 while the heat from the injection molding remains. As a result, the container 52 can be sterilized with a high sterilization power in the first sterilization section 17 using the heat generated during injection molding. Further, by directly conveying the preform 51 and the container 52 from the injection molding section 11 to the first sterilization section 17, the number of bacteria adhering to the preform 51 and the container 52 can be brought close to zero. Aseptic air may be supplied to the chambers 63 to 68 where the preform 51 or container 52 is in contact with the outside air using HEPA filters, and the chambers 63 to 68 may be positively pressurized. This makes it possible to further improve the hygiene of the container 52 . Also, the chambers 63 to 68 may be sterilized with a sterilizing agent such as hydrogen peroxide or peracetic acid before production of the product bottle 54 .

FIG. 6 is a graph showing changes in surface temperature of the preform 51 and the container 52 from the injection molding section 11 to the first sterilization section 17 in this embodiment. As shown in FIG. 6, the surface temperature T1 of the preform 51 immediately after injection molding in the injection molding section 11 is cooled in the cooling section 13 and lowered to T7. After that, the preform 51 is blow-molded in the blow molding section 16 to produce the container 52 . The surface temperature of the container 52 after blow molding is lowered to T5. In the first sterilization section 17, the surface temperature of the preform 51 is T6, and the preform 51 is sterilized in this state. As shown in FIG. 6, the surface temperatures of the preform 51 and the container 52 never drop below 40° C. from the injection molding section 11 to the first sterilization section 17 .

Subsequently, as in the case of the first embodiment, the container 52 is air-rinsed by supplying sterile heated air or normal temperature air to the container 52 in the air-rinsing section 18 (air-rinsing step, step S7 in FIG. 5). ).

Next, as in the case of the first embodiment, the container 52 is filled with a content such as a beverage in the filling device 20 (filling step, step S8 in FIG. 5).

Next, as in the case of the first embodiment, the cap attaching device 21 attaches a sterilized cap 53 to the mouth of the container 52 conveyed from the filling device 20 (cap attaching step, FIG. 5). step S9). As a result, the container 52 is capped and a product bottle 54 is obtained.

After that, as in the case of the first embodiment, the product bottle 54 is conveyed from the cap attaching device 21 to the product bottle unloading section 22 and unloaded toward the outside of the content filling system 30 (unloading step, Step S10 in FIG. 5).

As described above, according to the present embodiment, from the injection molding section 11 to the first sterilization section 17, the surface temperatures of the preform 51 and the container 52 are maintained at 40° C. or higher. That is, the preform 51 and the container 52 are conveyed to the first sterilization section 17 and sterilized while the heat from the injection molding in the injection molding section 11 remains. Since the surface temperature of the container 52 is 40° C. or higher during sterilization in the first sterilization section 17, the sterilization effect of the container 52 is enhanced. Moreover, the energy required to raise the temperature of the container 52 in the first sterilization section 17 can be reduced compared to the case where the temperature of the preform 51 or the container 52 once reaches normal temperature. As a result, the amount of carbon dioxide emitted when producing the product bottle 54 can be reduced. Furthermore, since the heating area for raising the preform 51 to the blow molding temperature can be narrowed, the installation space of the blow molding system 10 can be reduced.

Further, according to the present embodiment, temperature adjustment section 12 has cooling section 13 that cools preform 51 and does not have heating section 15 that heats preform 51 . Thereby, the energy for heating the temperature of the preform 51 to the blow molding temperature can be reduced. As a result, the amount of carbon dioxide emitted when manufacturing the product bottle 54 can be reduced. Furthermore, since the installation area of the temperature control section can be narrowed, the installation space of the blow molding system 10 can be reduced.

It is also possible to appropriately combine a plurality of constituent elements disclosed in the above embodiments and modifications as necessary. Alternatively, some components may be deleted from all the components shown in the above embodiments and modifications.

10 Blow Molding System 11 Injection Molding Section 12 Temperature Control Section 13 Cooling Section 14 Second Sterilization Section 15 Heating Section 16 Blow Molding Section 17 First Sterilization Section 18 Air Rinse Section 20 Filling Device 21 Cap Mounting Device 22 Product Bottle Unloading Section 30 Contents Filling system 40 control unit 51 preform 52 container 53 cap 54 product bottle

Claims (7)

an injection molding section that produces a preform by injection molding;
a temperature adjustment unit that adjusts the temperature of the preform produced by the injection molding unit;
a blow molding unit that manufactures a container by blow molding the preform temperature-controlled by the temperature control unit;
A first sterilization unit that sterilizes the container manufactured by the blow molding unit,
Maintaining a state where the surface temperature of at least a part of the preform and the container is 40° C. or higher from the injection molding section to the first sterilization section ,
The temperature adjustment unit has a cooling unit that cools the preform and a heating unit that heats the preform cooled by the cooling unit,
A blow molding system , wherein a second sterilization section for sterilizing the preform is provided between the cooling section and the heating section . an injection molding section that produces a preform by injection molding;
a temperature adjustment unit that adjusts the temperature of the preform produced by the injection molding unit;
a blow molding unit that manufactures a container by blow molding the preform temperature-controlled by the temperature control unit;
A first sterilization unit that sterilizes the container manufactured by the blow molding unit,
Maintaining a state where the surface temperature of at least a part of the preform and the container is 40° C. or higher from the injection molding section to the first sterilization section,
The blow molding system, wherein the temperature control unit has a cooling unit that cools the preform and does not have a heating unit that heats the preform. The blow molding system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the injection molding section, the temperature adjustment section, the blow molding section and the first sterilization section are controlled by the same control section. A blow molding system according to any one of claims 1 to 3 ;
and a filling device that fills the container with a content. a step of producing a preform by injection molding;
adjusting the temperature of the preform;
A step of making a container by blow molding the temperature-controlled preform; and a step of sterilizing the container,
After the preform is produced by the injection molding, the surface temperature of at least a part of the preform and the container is maintained at 40 ° C. or higher until the container is sterilized ,
The step of adjusting the temperature of the preform includes:
a step of cooling the preform; and a step of heating the cooled preform,
A blow molding method, wherein a step of sterilizing the preform is provided between the cooling step and the heating step . a step of producing a preform by injection molding;
adjusting the temperature of the preform;
A step of making a container by blow molding the temperature-controlled preform; and a step of sterilizing the container,
After the preform is produced by the injection molding, the surface temperature of at least a part of the preform and the container is maintained at 40 ° C. or higher until the container is sterilized,
The blow molding method, wherein the step of adjusting the temperature of the preform includes a step of cooling the preform and does not include a step of heating the preform. obtaining a container by the blow molding method according to claim 5 or 6 ;
and filling the container with a content.

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