JP7336088B1 - Content filling system - Google Patents

Abstract

[Problem] To provide a content filling system in which the content does not undergo thermal decomposition, metal corrosion occurs in system equipment, or precipitation due to heating. [Solution] The content filling system 10 includes a mixing line 51A that mixes target raw materials and water, a mixing target raw material sterilization line 50 that non-heat sterilizes the mixed target raw materials, and another raw material sterilization line that heat-sterilizes other raw materials. 70. The raw material sterilization line 50 to be mixed and the other raw material sterilization line 70 are connected to a filling device 21 that fills the container 100 with contents.

Description

The present disclosure relates to content filling systems.

An aseptic filling system (aseptic filling system) that fills a sterilized container (PET bottle) with sterilized contents in an aseptic environment and then closes the container with a cap is known (see, for example, Patent Document 1). ).

Specifically, in an aseptic filling system, molded containers are fed into the aseptic filling system, and within the aseptic filling system, the containers are sprayed with an aqueous hydrogen peroxide solution as a sterilant. The container is then sterilized by drying the aqueous hydrogen peroxide solution. Then, the heat-sterilized contents are aseptically filled into the container at room temperature.

In recent years, it is required to reduce the amount of emitted carbon dioxide for the purpose of reducing the environmental load. The contents are sterilized and then filled into the container. Some of the contents, when sterilized at high temperatures, decompose, cause metal corrosion to system equipment, or precipitate upon heating, degrading the performance of system equipment.

Japanese Patent No. 4526820

The present disclosure has been made in consideration of such points, and the content is thermally decomposed during heat sterilization, causes metal corrosion to the device, and precipitates to deteriorate the performance of the device of the system. To provide a contents filling system which does not deteriorate.

The present disclosure includes a mixing line that mixes a target raw material and water to produce a mixed target raw material, a mixed target raw material sterilization line that non-heat sterilizes the mixed target raw material, and heat sterilizes other raw materials other than the target raw material. A content filling system comprising: another raw material sterilization line; and a filling device connected to the mixing target raw material sterilization line and the other raw material sterilization line and filling the container with the mixing target raw material and the other raw material. be.

The present disclosure includes a mixing line that mixes a target raw material and water to produce a mixed raw material, a mixed raw material sterilization line that non-heat sterilizes the mixed raw material, and supplies other raw materials other than the target raw material. a raw material supply line, the raw material sterilization line to be mixed, and a filling device connected to the other raw material supply line and filling the container with the raw material to be mixed and the other raw material. be.

The present disclosure includes a water sterilization line for non-heat sterilization of water, a target raw material sterilization line for non-heat sterilization of a target raw material, another raw material sterilization line for heat sterilizing other raw materials other than the target raw material, and the water sterilization. line, the target raw material sterilization line, and the other raw material sterilization line, and a filling device for filling a container with the water, the target raw material, and the other raw material. be.

The present disclosure includes a water sterilization line for non-heat sterilization of water, a target raw material sterilization line for non-heat sterilization of a target raw material, another raw material supply line for supplying raw materials other than the target raw material, and the water sterilization line. and a filling device connected to the target raw material sterilization line and the other raw material supply line, and filling the container with the water, the target raw material, and the other raw material. .

The present disclosure is a content filling system in which the target raw material includes a material that thermally decomposes or deteriorates in function at high temperatures, a material that causes metal corrosion at high temperatures, or a material that precipitates at high temperatures.

The present disclosure is a content-filling system, wherein the target ingredients include vitamins.

The present disclosure is a content filling system, wherein said vitamins are contained in drinking water and said other ingredients consist of other ingredients of drinking water.

The present disclosure is a content-filling system, wherein the target raw material contains calcium.

The present disclosure is a content filling system in which the calcium is contained in milky drinking water or functional drinking water containing milk components, and the other raw materials are made of other raw materials of milky drinking water or functional drinking water. be.

The present disclosure is a content filling system, wherein the target raw material includes a chloride compound that produces chloride ions.

In the present disclosure, the chloride ion is contained in a functional drinking water or the like to which a chloride compound is added, and the other raw material is made of another raw material such as the functional drinking water or the like to which the chloride compound is added. System.

The present disclosure is a content filling system, wherein said chloride ions are contained in a liquid food product with added chloride compounds, and said other ingredients comprise other ingredients of said liquid food product with added chloride compounds.

The present disclosure is a content-filling system, wherein the target raw material includes perfume.

The present disclosure is a fill-and-fill system, wherein the flavor is included in the flavored drinking water and the other ingredients comprise other ingredients of the flavored drinking water.

The present disclosure is a content-filling system, wherein the target ingredients include sweeteners.

The present disclosure is a fill-and-fill system, wherein the sweetener is included in the sweetened beverage and the other ingredients comprise other ingredients of the sweetened beverage.

The present disclosure is a content filling system, wherein the target ingredient includes an acidulant.

The present disclosure is a content filling system, wherein the acidulant is contained in the acidulant drinking water, and the other ingredients comprise other ingredients of the acidulant drinking water.

The present disclosure is a content-filling system, wherein the target raw material includes a colorant.

The present disclosure is a content-filling system, wherein the colorant is contained in the colored drinking water and the other ingredients comprise other ingredients of the colored drinking water.

The present disclosure is a filling system, wherein the target raw material contains at least one or a mixture of two selected from amino acids and electrolytes.

The present disclosure is a filling system, wherein at least one or a mixture of two selected from the amino acids and electrolytes is contained in an infusion solution, and the other ingredients are other ingredients of the infusion solution.

In the present disclosure, the filling device includes a first filling device connected to the water sterilization line, a second filling device connected to the target raw material sterilization line, and a third filling device connected to the other raw material sterilization line. and a filling device.

According to the present disclosure, the water sterilization line is further connected to a second filling device and a third filling device, respectively; the target raw material sterilization line is further connected to the first filling device and a third filling device, respectively; is a content filling system further connected to the first filling device and the second filling device, respectively.

In the present disclosure, a first mixing tank is interposed between the water sterilization line and the first filling device, a second mixing tank is interposed between the target raw material sterilization line and the second filling device, and the A content filling system in which a third mixing tank is interposed between another raw material sterilization line and the third filling device.

In the present disclosure, the water sterilization line is further connected to the second mixing tank and the third mixing tank, respectively, and the target raw material sterilization line is further connected to the first mixing tank and the third mixing tank, respectively. and the other raw material sterilization line is a content filling system further connected to the first mixing tank and the second mixing tank, respectively.

The present disclosure further provides that the first mixing tank is further connected to the second filling device and the third filling device, respectively, and the second mixing tank is further connected to the first filling device and the third filling device, respectively. and the third mixing tank is a contents filling system further connected to the first filling device and the second filling device respectively.

The present disclosure includes a non-sterile zone under a non-sterile atmosphere, a first gray zone and a second gray zone that isolate the non-sterile atmosphere and the aseptic atmosphere, and a sterile zone under a sterile atmosphere. The non-aseptic zone, the first gray zone, the second gray zone and the aseptic zone are arranged in this order from the upstream side to the downstream side along the conveying direction of the raw material to be mixed. The contents filling system is provided to sterilize bacteria that have passed through the sterilization filter in the first gray zone and maintain a state in which no bacteria that have passed through the sterilization filter exist in the second gray zone.

According to the present disclosure, the contents do not pyrolyze, corrode the equipment of the system, or deposit the contents to degrade the performance of the equipment of the system.

FIG. 1A is a schematic system diagram showing a content filling system according to the first embodiment. FIG. 1B is a schematic plan view showing the content filling system according to the first embodiment; FIG. FIG. 1C is a schematic diagram showing a filling device. FIG. 2A1 is a schematic diagram showing a mixed raw material sterilization line according to the first embodiment. FIG. 2A2 is a schematic diagram showing another example of the raw material sterilization line to be mixed. FIG. 2A3 is a schematic diagram showing another example of the raw material sterilization line to be mixed. FIG. 2A4 is a schematic diagram showing another example of the raw material sterilization line to be mixed. FIG. 2A5 is a schematic diagram showing another example of the raw material sterilization line to be mixed. FIG. 2A6 is a schematic diagram showing another example of the raw material sterilization line to be mixed. FIG. 2A7 is a schematic diagram showing another example of the raw material sterilization line to be mixed. FIG. 2B is a schematic diagram showing another example of the raw material sterilization line to be mixed. FIG. 2C is a schematic diagram showing another example of the raw material sterilization line to be mixed. FIG. 2D is a schematic diagram showing another example of a raw material sterilization line to be mixed. FIG. 2E is a schematic diagram showing another example of a mixed target raw material sterilization line. FIG. 2F is a schematic diagram showing another example of a raw material sterilization line to be mixed. FIG. 2G is a schematic diagram showing another example of a raw material sterilization line to be mixed. FIG. 2H is a schematic diagram showing another example of a raw material sterilization line to be mixed. FIG. 2I is a schematic diagram showing another example of a mixed target raw material sterilization line. FIG. 2J is a schematic diagram showing another example of a mixed target raw material sterilization line. FIG. 2K is a schematic diagram showing another cleaning process of the sterilizer, similar to FIG. 2A1. FIG. 3 is a plan view showing the first sterilizer of the sterilizer for the material line to be mixed according to the first embodiment. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view (cross-sectional view taken along line IV-IV in FIG. 3) showing the first sterilizer of the sterilizer according to the first embodiment. 5A is a plan view showing another example of the first sterilizer of the sterilizer according to the first embodiment; FIG. 5B is a cross-sectional view (cross-sectional view taken along line VB-VB in FIG. 5A) showing another example of the first sterilizer of the sterilizer according to the first embodiment; FIG. 6A is a front view showing another example of the first sterilizer of the sterilizer according to the first embodiment; FIG. 6B is a cross-sectional view (cross-sectional view taken along line VIB-VIB in FIG. 6A) showing another example of the first sterilizer of the sterilizer according to the first embodiment; FIG. FIG. 6C is a cross-sectional view (enlarged view of the VIC part in FIG. 6B) showing another example of the first sterilizer of the water sterilizer according to one embodiment. FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram showing a raw material sterilization line according to the first embodiment. FIG. 8 is a flow chart showing a content filling method using the content filling system according to the first embodiment. FIG. 9A is a flow chart showing a sterilization method for a content filling system according to the first embodiment, which is a sterilization method for a sterilizer. FIG. 9B is a flow chart showing another example of the sterilization method of the sterilizer, which is the content filling system sterilization method according to the first embodiment. FIG. 9C is a flow chart showing still another example of the sterilization method of the sterilizer, which is the method of sterilizing the content filling system according to the first embodiment. FIG. 9D is a flow chart showing still another example of the sterilization method of the sterilizer, which is the content filling system sterilization method according to the first embodiment. FIG. 9E is a flow chart showing still another example of the sterilization method of the sterilizer, which is the content filling system sterilization method according to the first embodiment. FIG. 10 is a schematic system diagram showing a content filling system according to the second embodiment. FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an arrangement configuration of a first filling device and a second filling device according to a second embodiment; FIG. 12 is a diagram showing an arrangement configuration of a first filling device, a second filling device, and a third filling device according to the second embodiment; FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an arrangement configuration of a first filling device, a second filling device, and a third filling device according to the second embodiment; FIG. 14 is a diagram showing an arrangement configuration of a first filling device, a second filling device, and a third filling device according to the second embodiment; FIG. 15 is a diagram showing an arrangement configuration of a first filling device, a second filling device, and a third filling device according to the second embodiment; FIG. 16 is a diagram showing an arrangement configuration of a first filling device, a second filling device, and a third filling device according to the second embodiment; FIG. 17 is a diagram showing an arrangement configuration of a first filling device, a second filling device, and a third filling device according to the second embodiment; FIG. 18A is a schematic diagram showing a mixing target raw material sterilization line in a modification of the content filling system. FIG. 18B is a schematic diagram showing a mixed raw material sterilization line in another modification of the content filling system. FIG. 18C is a schematic diagram showing a mixing target raw material sterilization line in a modification of the content filling system. FIG. 18D is a schematic plan view showing a modification of the content filling system. FIG. 18E is a schematic diagram showing a mixed raw material sterilization line in a modification of the content filling system.

<First Embodiment>
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. 1 to 10B are diagrams showing the first embodiment of the present disclosure.

(content filling system)
First, a content filling system (aseptic filling system) according to an embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 1A and 1B.

A content filling system 10 shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B is a system for filling a bottle (container) 100 with content such as a beverage. The content is produced by diluting the product stock solution with water. In this case, the undiluted product solution may be diluted with water by a factor of 1.1 to 100, preferably by a factor of 2 to 10. In addition, the undiluted product solution may be diluted with water by 10 to 80 times, may be diluted by 20 to 70 times, or may be diluted by 30 to 50 times. The bottle 100 can be produced by biaxially stretching blow molding a preform 100a produced by injection molding a synthetic resin material. Note that the bottle 100 may be produced by direct blow molding. As the material of the bottle 100, it is preferable to use a thermoplastic resin, particularly PE (polyethylene), PP (polypropylene), PET (polyethylene terephthalate), or PEN (polyethylene naphthalate). In addition, the container may be glass, can, paper, pouch, cup, or composite container thereof. In this embodiment, a case where a synthetic resin bottle is used as a container will be described as an example.

As shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B, the content filling system 10 includes a mixing line 51A that mixes the target raw material and water to produce the mixed raw material, and a mixed raw material sterilization line 50 that non-heat sterilizes the mixed raw material. is connected to another raw material sterilization line 70 for heat sterilizing other raw materials other than the target raw material, the mixing target raw material sterilization line 50 and the other raw material sterilization line 70, and the mixing target raw material and the other raw material are mixed. It comprises a mixing tank 55 for producing the content and a filling device 21 for filling the bottle 100 with the content produced in the mixing tank 55 . In FIG. 1B, one filling device 21 is shown, but as shown in FIG. 10, a plurality of, preferably two or three, filling fillers may be provided as the filling device 21 . The filling device 21 may be a rotary filler or a linear filler. Here, "non-heat sterilization" is a method other than heat sterilization, and includes all sterilization methods that inactivate bacteria. Examples thereof include ultraviolet rays, radiation, pulsed microwaves, ultrahigh pressure, ozone, high voltage ultrashort pulse discharge, electrolytic acid water, light pulses, and shock waves.

Of these, the mixing line 51A includes a water tank 50a that stores water (pure water) supplied from the pure water production device 50c, a target raw material tank 50b that stores target raw materials among the raw materials of the contents, and a It has a mixing tank 51 for mixing water and the target material in the target material tank 50b.

In the mixing tank 51, water and the target raw material are mixed to produce the mixed target raw material, and the mixed target raw material is non-heat sterilized in the mixed target raw material sterilization line 50 as described above.

On the other hand, among the raw materials of the content, raw materials other than the target raw material are stored in the other raw material tank 71, and the other raw materials stored in the other raw material tank 71 are stored in the other raw material sterilization line as described above. It is heat sterilized at 70.

Then, the raw materials to be mixed which have been non-heat sterilized in the raw material to be mixed sterilization line 50 and the other raw materials which have been heat sterilized in the other raw material sterilization line are mixed in a mixing tank 55 to produce the contents.

In the present embodiment, the target raw material of the raw material of the content is thermally decomposed by being heated, or is heated to heat sterilize the content filling system 10. In contrast to the other raw material sterilization line 70, It causes corrosion of the metal, and deteriorates the function of the detection device etc. by precipitation. Therefore, in the present embodiment, non-heat sterilization is performed in sterilizing the target raw material.

On the other hand, other raw materials refer to raw materials other than the target raw materials among the raw materials of the contents. It is also possible to perform non-heat sterilization on other raw materials, but since the non-heat sterilization line has a filter as described later, considering that the throughput will decrease due to filter clogging, In the present embodiment, the other raw materials are heat sterilized so that clogging does not occur.

Next, the target raw materials will be described. In the present embodiment, when the content is drinking water, the target raw material is vitamins.

Vitamins contained in drinking water include vitamin A, vitamin D, vitamin E, vitamin K, vitamin B1, vitamin B2, vitamin B6, vitamin B12, vitamin C, niacin, pantothenic acid, folic acid, biotin, pantothenic acid and folic acid. There is at least one or a mixture of two or more selected from these derivatives.

Among them, vitamin A and vitamin D are fat-soluble vitamins with high thermal decomposition.

Fat-soluble vitamins are not particularly limited as long as they are fat-soluble vitamins other than vitamin A palmitate, α-tocopherol and vitamin E acetate. Specifically, for example, retinol, 3-hydroretinol, retinal, 3-hydroretinal, retinoic acid, 3-dehydroretinoic acid, vitamin A compounds such as vitamin A acetate; α, β, γ-carotene, β-cryptoxanthin , carotenoids such as echinenone, and provitamin A compounds such as xanthophyll.

As fat-soluble vitamins, vitamin Ds such as vitamins D2 to D7; esters such as β,γ,δ-tocopherol, α,β,γ,δ-tocotrienol and vitamin E nicotinate; It has vitamin K. Moreover, although these fat-soluble vitamins can be added individually, it is also possible to add them in combination of two or more.

Vitamins contained in drinking water are thermally decomposed when heated, so that their properties change and the amount of vitamins themselves decreases. Therefore, when the vitamin is heated, it is necessary to add a large amount of the vitamin in advance in anticipation of the amount of reduction.

According to the present embodiment, the deterioration or reduction of vitamins can be suppressed by distinguishing vitamins from other raw materials and subjecting them to non-heat sterilization.

In addition, when vitamins are contained in drinking water, raw materials other than vitamins in drinking water, such as sugars and coloring agents, are other raw materials.

Alternatively, when the content is, for example, milky drinking water or calcium-added functional drinking water, the target raw material is calcium.

The calcium component contained in the milky drinking water and the functional drinking water to which calcium is added is preferably a water-soluble calcium salt, and either a water-soluble organic acid salt or an inorganic acid salt can be used. Specifically, for example, organic acid salts such as calcium lactate, calcium gluconate, calcium citrate, calcium fumarate, calcium succinate; and inorganic acid salts such as calcium chloride are preferred. The calcium component is preferably used in an amount such that 200 to 1000 mg, more preferably 300 to 600 mg of calcium is contained per 100 g of the resulting concentrated beverage. If the calcium content is less than 200 mg per 100 g, the concentration of calcium at the time of drinking will be low when the concentrated beverage is usually diluted 3 to 6 times, and the intended effect of fortifying calcium will be weak. On the other hand, if it exceeds 1000 mg per 100 g, it is not preferable because there is a possibility that a good flavor cannot be obtained.

Alternatively, the calcium component used as the target raw material is preferably a water-soluble calcium salt, and either a water-soluble organic acid salt or an inorganic acid salt can be used. For example, organic acid salts such as calcium lactate, calcium citrate, calcium fumarate, calcium succinate; and inorganic acid salts such as calcium chloride are preferred. These can be used singly or as a mixture.

Since calcium contained in milky drinking water precipitates at high temperatures (for example, 40° C. or higher), the amount of calcium precipitated on the surface of the device decreases from the components of the drinking water. For this reason, when calcium is heated, it is necessary to add a large amount of calcium in advance in anticipation of the amount of decrease.

In addition, calcium is precipitated by heating, and deteriorates the function of the measuring device that controls the device.

According to the present embodiment, by distinguishing calcium as a target raw material from other raw materials and performing non-heat sterilization, it is possible to suppress the decrease due to precipitation of calcium or the functional deterioration of the measuring device.

When calcium is contained in the milk-based drinking water, other raw materials other than calcium in the milk-based drinking water, such as fermented milk with lactic acid bacteria, sugar, pectin aqueous solution, and the like, are used as other raw materials.

Alternatively, if the content is, for example, a functional drinking water to which a chloride compound is added, the target raw material includes chloride compounds that generate chloride ions.

In addition, ingredients contained in functional drinking water intended to supplement electrolytes such as sodium and water lost due to exercise, etc. include sodium chloride (salt), sodium citrate, potassium chloride, sodium phosphate, and magnesium chloride. , sugars, flavors, etc.

In addition, as an example of the chloride ion concentration of electrolytes in functional drinking water for the purpose of electrolytes such as sodium lost due to exercise and water, 3 to 30,000 mEq / l (functional drinking water to be drunk directly without dilution is preferably 4 to 1,000 mEq/l).

Chloride compounds that generate chloride ions may also be contained in liquid foods such as noodle soup. In this case, a chloride compound that generates chloride ions is the target raw material, and another raw material that does not generate chloride ions is the other raw material. Examples of such mentsuyu include mentsuyu (straight) and mentsuyu (three times concentrated). Further, specific examples of the above-mentioned liquid foods include dark soy sauce and pot soup.

The functional drinking water and liquid food are not limited to those described above. For example, functional drinking water or liquid food with a chlorine concentration of 12 mg/100 ml or more and a Cl concentration of 3 mEq/l or more may cause metal corrosion over time depending on the heating temperature, heating time, and metal stress damage. . Therefore, it is included in the functional drinking water or liquid food according to this embodiment.

Chloride ions contained in functional drinking water to which a chloride compound is added, when heated, cause metal corrosion in the various lines 50A, 50, 70 of the content filling system 10, or the filling device 21, especially the raw material sterilization line 70. give rise to

That is, SUS316L material, SUS317L, SUS329J1 material, SUS890L material, super stainless steel material, and titanium material, which are generally excellent in corrosion resistance, are used as the parts of the content filling system 10, but chloride ions become more corrosive when heated. , SUS316L material, SUS317L, SUS329J1 material, SUS890L material, super stainless steel material, and titanium material are subjected to metal corrosion.

In addition, chloride ions are precipitated by heating and precipitated in various lines 70 of the content filling system 10, thereby degrading the functions of measuring devices and the like.

According to the present embodiment, chloride ions are selected as the target raw material, and are sterilized without heat treatment while distinguishing them from other raw materials.

Alternatively, in the case of drinking water containing, for example, flavors, sweeteners, acidulants, colorants, preservatives, etc., the target raw materials may include flavors, sweeteners, acidulants, colorants, and preservatives.

Drinking water containing flavorings, sweeteners, acidulants, coloring agents, preservatives, etc., is thermally decomposed when heated, and its characteristics change, and the amount and function of the added substances themselves decrease or deteriorate. . (This includes a decrease in stability.) For this reason, when the additive is heated, it is necessary to add a large amount in advance in anticipation of the amount of decrease.

According to the present embodiment, flavorings, sweeteners, acidulants, coloring agents, and preservatives are used as target raw materials, and are sterilized without heating separately from other raw materials to obtain flavorings, sweeteners, acidulants, coloring agents, and preservatives. It is possible to suppress the deterioration or decrease of the material.

In the present embodiment, perfumes include aromatic alcohol-based aromatic aldehydes, aliphatic higher alcohol-based aliphatic higher aldehydes, ester-based ketones, and phenol ether-based phenols. Specific examples include citrus essential oils such as orange oil, lemon oil, grapefruit oil, lime oil, tangerine oil, mandarin oil and bergamot oil; essential oils such as peppermint oil, spearmint oil and cinnamon oil; allspice, anise Spice essential oils or oleoresins such as seed, basil, laurel, cardamom, celery, cloves, cumin, dale, garlic, ginger, mace, mustard, onion, paprika, parsley, black pepper, nutmeg, saffron, rosemary; also limonene. , linalool, nerol, citronellol, geraniol, citral, l-menthol, eugenol, cinnamic aldehyde, anethole, perillaldehyde, vanillin, γ-undecalactone, l-carvone, maltol, furfuryl mercaptan, ethyl propionate, caproic acid Known fragrance compounds such as allyl, methyl-n-amyl ketone, diacetyl, acetic acid and butyric acid; fragrance oils (reactive flavors); There are, but not limited to, these.

In the present embodiment, sweeteners include natural sweeteners such as stevia extract (stevioside, etc.), monk fruit extract, and thaumatin; and artificial sweeteners such as aspartame, acesulfame potassium, sucralose, saccharin, neotame, and advantame. .

In the present embodiment, the acidulants include carboxylic acids, amino acids, brewed vinegars, fermented milk foods, and plant-derived acidulants. Examples of the carboxylic acids include acetic acid, lactic acid, malic acid, succinic acid, methylenesuccinic acid, citric acid, ascorbic acid, glutaric acid and α-ketoglutaric acid. Examples of the above amino acids include glutamic acid and aspartic acid. Examples of the brewed vinegar include rice vinegar, grain vinegar, malt vinegar, black vinegar, grape vinegar, plum vinegar, and apple vinegar. Examples of the fermented milk foods include yogurt and whey. Examples of the plant-derived acidulant include citrus fruits such as unshiu mandarin orange, summer mandarin orange, yuzu, daidai, sudachi, lemon, grapefruit, juices such as apples, strawberries, grapes, pineapples, peaches, acerola, tomatoes, and plums, rice bran, soybeans, Grain extracts containing inositol hexaphosphate and the like from wheat and corn, refined products thereof, petals of hibiscus and roses, pulverized products of perilla leaves, lettuce, celery and the like, and extracts thereof.

In the present embodiment, the colorants include carotene-based pigments (carotenoid pigments), cochineal pigments, anthocyanin-based pigments, gardenia pigments, red koji pigments, and the like.

In the present embodiment, preservatives include benzoic acid, sodium benzoate, sorbic acid, potassium sorbate, isobutyl parahydroxybenzoate, isopropyl parahydroxybenzoate, ethyl parahydroxybenzoate, butyl parahydroxybenzoate, propyl parahydroxybenzoate, and the like. There is

Flavors, sweeteners, acidulants, coloring agents, flavoring agents in preservative-containing drinking water, sweeteners, acidulants, coloring agents, and other raw materials other than preservatives, such as acidulants, fruit juices, caffeine, sugars, etc. raw material for

Alternatively, the content may be an infusion containing at least one or a mixture of two selected from amino acids and electrolytes. Amino acids in infusions are thermally decomposed when heated, resulting in changes in their properties and reduction in the amount of the amino acids themselves. Therefore, when the amino acid is heated, it is necessary to preliminarily add a large amount of the amino acid in anticipation of the decrease. Electrolytes in infusion solutions also contain chloride compounds that produce chloride ions.

Chloride ions contained in the infusion solution, when heated, cause metal corrosion in the various lines 50A, 50, 70 of the content filling system 10 or the filling device 21, especially other raw material sterilization lines 70.

That is, SUS316L material, SUS317L, SUS329J1 material, SUS890L material, super stainless steel material, and titanium material, which are generally excellent in corrosion resistance, are used as the parts of the content filling system 10, but chloride ions become more corrosive when heated. , SUS316L material, SUS317L, SUS329J1 material, SUS890L material, super stainless steel material, and titanium material also cause metal corrosion.

In addition, chloride ions are precipitated by heating and precipitated in various lines 70 of the content filling system 10, thereby degrading the functions of measuring devices and the like.

According to the present embodiment, a mixture of at least one or two selected from amino acids and electrolytes is used as a target raw material, and is sterilized without heating in a manner that distinguishes it from other raw materials in the infusion solution. metal corrosion or functional deterioration can be suppressed.

Here, other ingredients than the amino acids and electrolytes in the infusion are other ingredients in the infusion. Other ingredients in such infusions include sugars, fat emulsions, or trace elements.

Next, each component in the infusion will be described.

As the amino acid, various amino acids (essential amino acids and non-essential amino acids) conventionally used in amino acid infusions for the purpose of supplying nutrients to living bodies can be used. Specifically, for example, L-isoleucine, L-leucine, L-valine, L-lysine, L-methionine, L-phenylalanine, L-threonine, L-tryptophan, L-arginine, L-histidine, glycine, L- Alanine, L-proline, L-aspartic acid, L-serine, L-tyrosine, L-glutamic acid, L-cysteine and the like are exemplified. These amino acids do not necessarily have to be used in the form of free amino acids, and inorganic acid salts (e.g., L-lysine hydrochloride, etc.), organic acid salts (e.g., L-lysine acetate, L-lysine malate, etc.). , in vivo hydrolyzable esters (e.g., L-tyrosine methyl ester, L-methionine methyl ester, L-methionine ethyl ester, etc.), N-substituted forms (e.g., N-acetyl-L-tryptophan, N- Acetyl-L-cysteine, N-acetyl-L-proline, etc.), dipeptides in which homologous or heterologous amino acids are peptide-bonded (e.g., L-tyrosyl-L-tyrosine, L-alanyl-L-tyrosine, L-arginyl -L-tyrosine, L-tyrosyl-L-arginine, etc.).

As the electrolyte, various water-soluble salts conventionally used for infusions such as physiological saline can be used. The water-soluble salts include, for example, various inorganic components (e.g., sodium, potassium, calcium, magnesium, zinc, iron, copper, manganese, iodine, , phosphorus, etc.). Specific examples include chlorides, sulfates, acetates, gluconates, lactates, and the like. These water-soluble salts may be hydrates.

For example, various sugars can be used as sugar in infusion solutions such as 5% glucose injection. Among them, reducing sugars are preferably used. Examples of reducing sugar include glucose, fructose and maltose. One type of these reducing sugars can be used alone, and two or more types can also be used in combination. Furthermore, these reducing sugars can be used in combination with sorbitol, xylitol, and the like.

A trace element is an element that improves various symptoms of deficiency that may occur when a high-calorie infusion therapy is administered to humans. Specific examples include iron, copper, zinc, manganese, iodine, selenium, molybdenum, chromium, and fluorine. Only one type of these trace elements may be used, or two or more types may be used depending on the condition of the target patient. In the present invention, the trace elements are packed in different compartments than the components that can undergo chemical changes in coexistence with the trace elements.

As the fat emulsion, it is preferable to use an oil-in-water emulsion produced by dispersing fats and oils in water using an emulsifier. A fat emulsion can be produced by a known method. In the present invention, the lipid emulsion is packed in a separate compartment from the electrolyte. Moreover, fat-soluble vitamins such as vitamin A, vitamin D, vitamin E, and vitamin K may be filled together with the fat emulsion depending on the purpose.

Next, the content filling system 10 according to this embodiment will be further described with reference to FIGS. 1A and 1B.

As shown in FIG. 1B , the content filling system 10 includes a controller 90 that controls the content filling system 10 . The content filling system 10 includes a bottle molding unit 30, a sterilization device (container sterilization device) 11, an air rinse device 14, the filling device 21 described above, and a cap attaching device (capper, seaming and capping machine) 16. , and a product bottle unloading section 25 . The bottle forming section 30, the sterilizing device 11, the air rinsing device 14, the filling device 21, the cap attaching device 16, and the product bottle unloading section 25 are arranged in this order from the upstream side to the downstream side along the bottle 100 conveying direction. It is Between the air rinsing device 14, the filling device 21, the capping device 16, and the like, there are provided a plurality of conveying wheels 12 for conveying the bottles 100 between these devices. Here, the bottle forming section 30, the sterilizing device 11, the air rinsing device 14, the filling device 21, the cap attaching device 16 and the product bottle unloading section 25 will be described.

The bottle molding section 30 is configured to receive the preform 100 a from the outside and to mold the bottle 100 . The bottle molding section 30 is configured to convey the molded bottle 100 toward the sterilization device 11 . As a result, in the content filling system 10, the steps from supplying the preform 100a to molding the bottle 100, filling the bottle 100 with the content, and closing the bottle can be performed continuously. In this case, a preform 100a with a small volume is transported from outside to the filling system 10 instead of a bottle 100 with a large volume. Therefore, transportation costs can be reduced.

The bottle molding section 30 includes a preform conveying section 31 that conveys the preform 100a, and a blow molding section (container molding section) that molds the bottle 100 from the preform 100a by subjecting the preform 100a to blow molding. device) 32 and a bottle conveying unit 33 for conveying the molded bottle 100 .

Among them, the preform conveying section 31 includes a receiving section 34 , a heating section 35 and a delivery section 36 . Of these, the receiving section 34 is configured to receive the preforms 100 a supplied from the preform supply device 1 via the preform supply conveyor 2 . The receiving section 34 is provided with a preform sterilizing device 34a for sterilizing the preform 100a and a preform air rinsing device 34b for air rinsing the preform 100a. In the illustrated example, the receiving section 34 is provided with one preform sterilization device 34a and one preform air rinse device 34b. The number of preform sterilization devices 34a and preform air rinse devices 34b is not limited to this.

In the receiving section 34, the preform sterilizer 34a sprays the gas or mist of the aqueous hydrogen peroxide solution onto the preform 100a to sterilize the preform 100a (preliminary sterilization).

The sterilizing agent for sterilizing the preform 100a may have 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 100a in advance (preliminary sterilization) by the preform sterilizing device 34a in this way, the bacteria adhering to the bottle 100 produced from the preform 100a can be reduced. Therefore, the amount of hydrogen peroxide used in the sterilizer 11 for sterilizing the bottles 100 can be reduced, and the sterilization time can be shortened. Here, in general, the amount of sterilant used to sterilize the small-volume preform 100 a may be less than the amount of sterilant used to sterilize the bottle 100 . Therefore, by pre-sterilizing the preform 100a, the total amount of disinfectant used can be reduced.

In addition, since the amount of hydrogen peroxide used in the sterilization device 11 can be reduced and the sterilization time can be shortened, the size of the sterilization device 11 can be reduced. Moreover, since the sterilization time for sterilizing the bottle 100 can be shortened, the thermal load on the bottle 100 can be reduced. Therefore, deformation of the bottle 100 due to the heat of the sterilizing agent can be suppressed even if the bottle 100 is made of lightweight or recycled PET.

Furthermore, since pre-sterilization of the preform 100a can reduce bacteria adhering to the bottle 100, the sterilization conditions in the sterilization device 11 may be weakened. Here, in general, in order to improve the sterilization effect in the sterilization device 11, the body of the bottle 100 is cooled by supplying hot water from a mold temperature controller (not shown) to the mold in the blow molding unit 32. It's heat set. As a result, the sterilization effect of the sterilization device 11 can be improved, and shrinkage of the bottles 100 in the sterilization device 11 can be reduced. However, in the present embodiment, as described above, by pre-sterilizing the preform 100a, the amount of bacteria adhering to the bottle 100 can be reduced. Therefore, the blow molding section (container molding device) 32 may mold the bottle 100 without adjusting the temperature of the bottle 100 with hot water. That is, in the blow molding section 32, the hot water that has been supplied to the mold for improving the sterilization effect does not have to be supplied to the mold. As a result, the amount of carbon dioxide emitted by the content filling system 10 can be reduced. Moreover, since hot water need not be supplied to the mold of the blow molding section 32, the blow molding section 32 can be simplified. Moreover, since the blow molding part 32 can be simplified, the amount of heat applied to the bottle 100 can be reduced. Therefore, shrinkage of the bottle 100 in the sterilization device 11 can be reduced even when the hot water described above is not supplied to the mold.

Note that such a sterilization process may be performed not only in the receiving section 34 but also in the heating section 35 or the delivery section 36 . Also, the sterilization process may be performed between the bottle conveying section 33 and the filling device 20 after the bottle 100 is molded. Furthermore, sterilization may be performed at multiple locations. In the sterilization treatment, bacteria may be inactivated by ultraviolet irradiation, electron beam irradiation, or the like without using a sterilizing agent.

Referring to FIG. 1B, the preform air rinse device 34b described above is provided downstream of the preform sterilizer 34a. The preform 100a sprayed with the disinfectant is dried with hot air in the preform air rinsing device 34b. At this time, the hot air is preferably supplied to the preform 100a with the mouth of the preform 100a facing downward. As a result, foreign matter can be effectively removed from inside the preform 100a. Therefore, the step of washing the preform 100a with sterile water can be omitted, and the amount of carbon dioxide emitted by the content filling system 10 can be reduced. Note that the preform air-rinsing device 34b may not be provided in the receiving section 34 . Further, in the receiving section 34, a foreign matter removing device (not shown) for removing foreign matter adhering to the preform 100a may be provided on the upstream side of the preform sterilizing device 34a.

The heating unit 35 is configured to receive the preform 100a from the receiving unit 34 and heat the preform 100a while conveying it. The heating unit 35 is provided with a heater 35a for heating the preform 100a. This heater 35a may be, for example, an infrared heater. The heater 35a heats the preform 100a to, for example, about 90° C. or higher and 130° C. or lower. In addition, the temperature of the mouth portion of the preform 100a is suppressed to 70° C. or less in order to prevent deformation or the like.

The delivery section 36 is configured to receive the preform 100 a heated by the heating section 35 and deliver it to the blow molding section 32 .

The blow molding section 32 includes a mold (not shown). The bottle 100 is formed by subjecting the preform 100a to blow molding using this mold. Then, the molded bottle 100 is conveyed downstream by the bottle conveying section 33 .

Here, between the bottle molding section 30 and the sterilization device 11, an adjustment conveying section 5 that receives the bottles 100 from the bottle conveying section 33 and transfers the bottles 100 to the sterilization device 11 is provided. At least a portion of the adjustment transport section 5 is housed inside an atmosphere shielding chamber 70c (described later) provided upstream of a sterilant spray chamber 70d (described later). In the illustrated example, the adjustment transport section 5 is arranged so as to straddle a molding section chamber 70b (described later) that houses the bottle molding section 30 and an atmosphere shielding chamber 70c. Since at least a portion of the adjustment conveying unit 5 is housed inside the atmosphere shielding chamber 70c in this way, the sterilant gas or mist generated in the sterilant spray chamber 70d or a mixture thereof is formed. It is possible to suppress the flow into the partial chamber 70b.

In the example shown, a single transport wheel 12 is provided between the conditioning transport 5 and the bottle transport 33 of the bottle forming station 30 . That is, between the blow molding section 32 of the bottle molding section 30 and the sterilization device 11, the bottle conveying section 33 of the bottle molding section 30, the single conveying wheel 12 and the adjustment conveying section 5 are provided. As a result, the content filling system 10 can be made more compact than when a plurality of conveying wheels 12 are provided between the adjusting conveying section 5 and the bottle conveying section 33 of the bottle molding section 30 . Although not shown, only the adjusting/conveying section 5 may be provided between the blow molding section 32 of the bottle molding section 30 and the sterilization device 11 . In this case, the content filling system 10 can be made more compact.

The sterilization device 11 is a device that sterilizes the bottles 100 by injecting a sterilizing agent onto the bottles 100 . This sterilizes the bottle 100 with a sterilizing agent before filling with contents. As the disinfectant, for example, an aqueous hydrogen peroxide solution is used. In the sterilization device 11 , 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 bottle 100 . Since the bottle 100 is sterilized by the gas or mist of the aqueous hydrogen peroxide solution in this manner, the inner and outer surfaces of the bottle 100 are sterilized evenly.

The air rinsing device 14 is a device that removes foreign substances, hydrogen peroxide, etc. from the inside of the bottle 100 while activating the hydrogen peroxide by supplying sterile heated air or normal temperature air to the bottle 100 . At this time, it is preferable that aseptic air is supplied to the bottle 100 with the mouth portion of the bottle 100 facing downward. As a result, foreign matter can be effectively removed from inside the bottle 100 . Therefore, the step of washing the bottle 100 with sterile water can be omitted, and the amount of carbon dioxide emitted by the content filling system 10 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 bottle 100 .

The filling device 21 is a device that fills the bottle 100 with water and product concentrate. That is, the filling device 21 fills the bottle 100 from the mouth portion of the bottle 100 into the bottle 100 with a content liquid composed of a mixed target raw material which is obtained by mixing a target raw material and water and which has been non-heat sterilized in advance, and another raw material which has been heat sterilized in advance. is filled. As a result, in the filling device 21, the empty bottle 100 is filled with the content produced by mixing the mixture target raw material consisting of water and the target raw material with other raw materials. In this filling device 21, contents are filled into the bottles 100 while the plurality of bottles 100 are rotationally conveyed.

The filling device 21 is arranged inside a sterile chamber 70f, which will be described later. The filling device 21 may be a so-called rotary filler having a plurality of rotatable filling nozzles 21a (see FIG. 1C).

The filling device 21 fills the bottles 100 with sterilized contents. In this case, the filling device 21 fills the empty bottle 100 with the sterilized contents.

The capping device 16 is a device that caps the bottle 100 by attaching a cap 88 to the bottle 100 . In the capping device 16, the bottle 100 filled with water, target ingredients and other ingredients (contents) is closed by a cap 88 to seal the inside of the bottle 100 against outside air and microorganisms. In the cap attaching device 16, caps 88 are attached to the mouths of the plurality of bottles 100 filled with contents while they are being rotated (revolved). By attaching the cap 88 to the bottle 100 in this manner, the product bottle 101 is obtained.

The cap 88 is sterilized in advance by the cap sterilizer 18 . The cap sterilizer 18 is located, for example, outside the sterile chamber 70f and near the capping device 16. As shown in FIG. In the cap sterilizing device 18 , a large number of caps 88 brought in from outside the contents filling system 10 are collected in advance and conveyed in a line toward the cap attaching device 16 . On its way to the capping device 16, the cap 88 is blown with hydrogen peroxide gas or mist against the inner and outer surfaces of the cap 88, then dried with hot air and sterilized.

The product bottle unloading section 25 continuously unloads the product bottles 101 attached with the caps 88 by the cap attaching device 16 to the outside of the content filling system 10 .

The content filling system 10 includes a preform sterilization chamber 70a, a molding section chamber 70b, an atmosphere isolation chamber 70c, a sterilant spray chamber 70d, an air rinse chamber 70e, an aseptic chamber 70f, and an exit chamber 70g. have. Among these chambers, an air rinse chamber 70e is provided on the upstream side of the aseptic chamber 70f. That is, the preform sterilization chamber 70a, molding section chamber 70b, atmosphere isolation chamber 70c, sterilant spray chamber 70d, air rinse chamber 70e, sterilization chamber 70f, and exit chamber 70g are arranged along the conveying direction of the preform 100a and bottle 100. are arranged in this order from the upstream side to the downstream side.

Each chamber 70a-70g is separated by a partition wall. The partition prevents the sterilant or the like from flowing in an unintended direction between the chambers 70a to 70g, and serves to stabilize the pressure in each chamber 70a to 70g. In addition, the partition wall is formed with a gap through which the preform 100a or the bottle 100 can pass. This gap is formed to a minimum size, for example, about the size of one preform 100a or bottle 100, so that the pressure in each of the chambers 70a to 70g 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 90, for example.

Among the chambers 70a to 70g, the preform sterilization chamber 70a accommodates the preform sterilizer 34a and the like.

The blow molding section 32 of the bottle molding section 30 and the like are housed inside the molding section chamber 70b.

At least a portion of the adjustment transfer section 5 is accommodated inside the atmosphere cutoff chamber 70c. Also, a camera may be provided inside the atmosphere cutoff chamber 70c. Then, by using a camera, it may be inspected whether or not the bottle 100 has any problem in molding. Furthermore, a thermometer may be provided inside the atmosphere shielded chamber 70c. Then, the temperature of the bottle 100 before sterilization may be measured by this thermometer. Here, the temperature of the bottle 100 is one of the important factors that affect the sterilization efficiency of the bottle 100 . That is, by keeping the temperature of the bottle 100 at an appropriate temperature, the sterilization efficiency of the bottle 100 can be improved. Therefore, by measuring the temperature of the bottle 100 before sterilization with a thermometer, the temperature of the bottle 100 during sterilization can be maintained at an appropriate temperature, and the sterilization efficiency of the bottle 100 can be improved. Further, the pitch between the bottles 100 on the bottle molding section 30 side may be changed to the pitch between the bottles 100 on the filling device 21 inside the atmosphere shielding chamber 70c. Alternatively, an adjustment wheel may be provided inside the atmosphere shut-off chamber 70c to match the phases of the bottle forming section 30 and the filling device 21 and synchronize the rotational speeds of the wheels.

The sterilizer 11 is housed inside the sterilant spray chamber 70d. Further, the air rinse device 14 is housed inside the air rinse chamber 70e.

A filling device 21, a transport wheel 12 and a capping device 16 are housed inside the sterile chamber 70f. Furthermore, the product bottle unloading section 25 is accommodated inside the outlet chamber 70g.

Inside the preform sterilization chamber 70a, the sterilant spray chamber 70d, the air rinse chamber 70e, the sterilization chamber 70f, and the exit chamber 70g, pressure gauges (not shown) are attached to measure the pressure in each chamber. ing. A pressure gauge for measuring the pressure in each chamber may also be attached to the molding section chamber 70b and/or the atmosphere shielding chamber 70c.

Here, as described above, the contents filling system 10 includes the controller 90 that controls the contents filling system 10 . This controller 90 is electrically connected to the filling device 21 and controls the filling device 21 . The control unit 90 controls the mixing target raw material sterilization line 50, the other raw material sterilization line 70, the bottle molding unit 30, the sterilization device 11, the air rinse device 14, the cap mounting device 16, the product bottle delivery unit 25, and the cap sterilization device 18. It may be electrically connected, and the control unit 90 may control the mixed raw material sterilization line 50 and the like.

The control unit 90 may clean and sterilize the interior of each chamber, and may clean and sterilize a sterilizer 60 and the like of the raw material sterilization line 50 to be mixed, which will be described later. In the present embodiment, the controller 90 cleans the inside of the aseptic chamber 70f (hereinafter, cleaning inside each chamber is also referred to as COP). Further, the control unit 90 cleans the filling device 21 (hereinafter, cleaning inside the filling device 21 is also referred to as CIP (Cleaning in Place)).

In addition, when producing the product bottle 101, the pressure in the aseptic chamber 70f is preferably 30 Pa or more and 60 Pa or less.

Also, the pressure in the air rinse chamber 70e is preferably lower than the pressure in the sterile chamber 70f. This can prevent the air in the air rinse chamber 70e from entering the sterile chamber 70f. Therefore, the sterile condition inside the sterile chamber 70f can be favorably maintained.

When cleaning and sterilizing the inside of the aseptic chamber 70f, the pressure inside the air rinse chamber 70e is preferably 10 Pa or more and 40 Pa or less. Moreover, when cleaning and sterilizing the filling device 21, the pressure in the air rinse chamber 70e is preferably 10 Pa or more and 40 Pa or less. As a result, the air in the air rinse chamber 70e can be prevented from entering the aseptic chamber 70f, and the aseptic state inside the aseptic chamber 70f can be maintained even better. In addition, when producing the product bottle 101, the pressure in the air rinse chamber 70e is preferably 10 Pa or more and 30 Pa or less.

Also, the pressure in the sterilant spray chamber 70d is preferably less than or equal to the pressure in the atmosphere isolation chamber 70c. As a result, the air inside the sterilant spraying chamber 70d can be prevented from entering the atmosphere shielding chamber 70c and the forming section chamber 70b. Here, by being able to suppress the air in the sterilant spraying chamber 70d from entering the molding section chamber 70b, it is possible to suppress an increase in humidity in the molding section chamber 70b. As described above, the blow molding section 32 of the bottle molding section 30 is housed inside the molding section chamber 70b. Therefore, by suppressing an increase in humidity in the molding section chamber 70b, it is possible to suppress corrosion of the machine that constitutes the blow molding section 32. FIG.

When cleaning and sterilizing the inside of the aseptic chamber 70f, the pressure inside the sterilant spraying chamber 70d is preferably 0 Pa or more and 20 Pa or less. Moreover, when cleaning and sterilizing the filling device 21, the pressure in the sterilant spray chamber 70d is preferably 0 Pa or more and 20 Pa or less. As a result, the air in the sterilant spraying chamber 70d can be prevented from entering the atmosphere shut-off chamber 70c and the molding section chamber 70b, and an increase in humidity within the molding section chamber 70b can be suppressed. When producing the product bottle 101, the pressure inside the sterilant spraying chamber 70d is preferably -10 Pa or more and 10 Pa or less.

When cleaning and sterilizing the inside of the aseptic chamber 70f, the pressure inside the outlet chamber 70g is preferably 0 Pa or more and 20 Pa or less. Moreover, when cleaning and sterilizing the filling device 21, the pressure in the outlet chamber 70g is preferably 0 Pa or more and 20 Pa or less. As a result, the air in the outlet chamber 70g can be prevented from entering the aseptic chamber 70f, and the aseptic state inside the aseptic chamber 70f can be maintained even better. In addition, when producing the product bottle 101, the pressure in the outlet chamber 70g is preferably 10 Pa or more and 20 Pa or less.

Such a content filling system 10 may comprise, for example, an aseptic filling system. In this case, the interiors of the disinfectant spray chamber 70d, the air rinse chamber 70e, the sterile chamber 70f, and the exit chamber 70g are kept sterile. A chamber (not shown) may be provided downstream of the outlet chamber 70g to connect the sterile zone in the sterile state and the non-sterile zone in the non-sterile state.

Next, the mixing line 51A, the raw material sterilization line 50 to be mixed, and the other raw material sterilization line 70 of the contents filling system 10 will be described.

First, the mixing line 51A will be described with reference to FIG. 2A1. The mixing line 51A mixes the target raw material and water to produce the mixed target raw material. Such a mixing line 51A includes a water tank 50a that stores water (pure water) supplied from the pure water production device 50c, a target raw material tank 50b that stores target raw materials among the raw materials of the content, and the water tank 50a. and a mixing tank 51 for mixing the water in the tank 50b with the target raw material in the target raw material tank 50b to generate the mixed target raw material.

The water tank 50a is a tank that stores water (pure water) supplied from a water supply source (for example, the above-described pure water production device 50c). For example, when the content is drinking water, it is obligatory to use water for food manufacturing as stipulated by the Food Sanitation Law. The food manufacturing water is pure water (RO water, ion-exchanged water, or distilled water) produced by a pure water production device 50c equipped with activated carbon, reverse osmosis membrane, ion exchange resin (including EDI), or the like. Pure water is water from which impurities such as calcium, magnesium, chlorine, iron or minerals have been removed. In this case, the evaporation residue of pure water is 20 mg/L or less. Furthermore, pure water has an electric conductivity of 0.1 μS/cm or more and 20 μS/cm or less. As will be described later, in this embodiment, water is sterilized by ultraviolet light. Therefore, by setting the electric conductivity of the water to be sterilized to be 20 μS/cm or less, it is possible to prevent inorganic substances (oxides such as calcium) from adhering to the surfaces of the first ultraviolet lamp 67a and the like, which will be described later. Therefore, it is possible to prevent deterioration of the ultraviolet transmittance. Moreover, the water supplied from the pure water production device 50c is not limited to pure water, and may be ultrapure water. Purified water used as pharmaceutical water or water for injection may be used.

The water tank 50a plays a role of facilitating the flow of water by storing water. The volume of the water tank 50a may be 30 m ³ or more and 100 m ³ or less, and may be 50 m ³ as an example.

Moreover, it is desirable that the number of bacteria in the water tank 50a is 0.01 CFU/mL or more and 10 CFU/mL or less. When the number of bacteria in the water tank 50a exceeds 10 CFU/mL, it is preferable to sterilize the water tank 50a with chlorine, hot water, steam, or the like. The number of bacteria in the water tank 50a may be constantly monitored and controlled to be within the above range. As a result, sterilized water can be produced without providing additional equipment. Therefore, the amount of carbon dioxide emitted by the sterilizer 60 can be reduced without increasing the cost of the sterilizer 60 of the raw material sterilization line 50 to be mixed, which will be described later. A pre-stage sterilizer 62A having the same configuration as the first sterilizer 62 may be provided upstream or downstream of the water tank 50a.

The target raw material tank 50b stores the target raw material among the contents described above. generated.

A pump P1 for conveying water and a flow meter F for measuring the flow rate of water may be provided downstream of the mixing line 51A having such a configuration. The pump P1 and the flowmeter F may be provided in this order from the upstream side toward the downstream side along the water transport direction. Further, on the downstream side of the flow meter F, a mixing target raw material sterilization line 50 composed of the sterilizer 60 described above is provided.

The mixed raw material sterilization line 50 composed of the sterilizer 60 is a sterilizer that sterilizes the mixed raw material obtained by mixing water and the target raw material in the mixing tank 51 without heating. Details of the sterilizer 60 will be described later.

A tank 52 is provided on the downstream side of the sterilizer 60 , and the tank 52 is a tank (so-called aseptic tank) that stores the raw materials to be mixed that have been sterilized by the sterilizer 60 . This tank 52 plays a role of facilitating the flow of the raw materials to be mixed by storing the sterilized raw materials to be mixed. The volume of the tank 52 may be 5 m ³ or more and 50 m ³ or less, and may be 10 m ³ as an example.

Further, a mixing tank 55 is provided downstream of the tank 52, and the mixing tank 55 mixes the raw materials to be mixed with other raw materials sterilized by the other raw material sterilization line 70 to produce the contents. be.

Furthermore, a circulation line 59 may be connected to the upstream side of the tank 52, as shown in FIG. 2A2. This circulation line 59 may be connected to the mixing tank 51 . As a result, water is circulated through the foreign matter removal filter 61, the first sterilizer 62, the first sterilization filter 63, the second sterilizer 64, the second sterilization filter 65, the circulation line 59, and the mixing tank 51 of the sterilizer 60. A circulatory system 59A may be configured.

(Material sterilization line and sterilizer to be mixed)
Next, the sterilizer 60 of the mixed raw material sterilization line 50 will be described. This sterilizer 60 is a sterilizer that sterilizes the raw materials to be mixed used in the content filling system 10 . In the present embodiment, the sterilizer 60 non-heat sterilizes the raw materials to be mixed. As described above, the sterilizer 60 sterilizes the raw materials to be mixed stored in the mixing tank 51 . Therefore, the sterilizer 60 sterilizes the raw materials to be mixed whose electric conductivity is 0.1 μS/cm or more and 20 μS/cm or less.

As shown in FIGS. 2A1 and 2A2, the sterilizer 60 includes at least one sterilization filter (first sterilization filter 63 and second sterilization filter 65). Also, the sterilizer 60 includes at least one sterilizer (first sterilizer 62 and second sterilizer 64). Since the sterilizer 60 includes at least one sterilization filter and at least one sterilizer, even if one of the sterilization filter and the sterilizer stops, the sterilization filter and the sterilizer can be used. By the other, the sterility of the water can be guaranteed. Further, as shown in FIG. 2A2, the sterilizer 60 has a circulation system 95A, which will be described later.

2A1 and 2A2, the sterilizer 60 includes a foreign matter removal filter 61, a first sterilizer 62, a first sterilization filter 63, a second sterilizer 64, and a second sterilization filter 65. and The foreign substance removal filter 61, the first sterilizer 62, the first sterilization filter 63, the second sterilizer 64, and the second sterilization filter 65 are arranged from the upstream side to the downstream side along the conveying direction of the contents. are arranged in order. In this way, the sterilizer (in this case, the second sterilizer 64) is arranged downstream of the sterilization filter (in this case, the first sterilization filter 63). Even if it passes through, the bacteria can be sterilized by the sterilizer. At this time, as shown in FIG. 2A3, the foreign matter removal filter 61, the first sterilizer 62, the second sterilizer 64, the first sterilization filter 63, and the second sterilization filter 65 move along the conveying direction of the contents. , may be arranged in this order from the upstream side to the downstream side. As shown in FIGS. 2A1 to 2A3, when the sterilizer 60 includes a plurality of sterilization filters (the first sterilization filter 63 and the second sterilization filter 65), one of the sterilization filters is stopped. However, the sterilization of the water can be guaranteed by the other sterilizing filter. In addition, since the sterilizer 60 includes a plurality of sterilizers (the first sterilizer 62 and the second sterilizer 64), even if one sterilizer stops, the other sterilizer can It can guarantee the sterility of things. The foreign matter removal filter 61 and the first sterilization filter 63 are provided with a drain line 95c.

Further, as shown in FIG. 2A4, the sterilizer 60 may include a foreign matter removal filter 61, a first sterilizer 62, a first sterilization filter 63, and a second sterilization filter 65. The foreign substance removal filter 61, the first sterilizer 62, the first sterilization filter 63, and the second sterilization filter 65 are arranged in this order from the upstream side to the downstream side along the conveying direction of the contents. Also good. In this case, the sterilizer 60 may further include a second sterilizer 64 provided between the first sterilization filter 63 and the second sterilization filter 65 .

The sterilizer 60 may also include a first sterilizer 62, a first sterilization filter 63, and a second sterilization filter 65, as shown in FIG. 2A5. The first sterilizer 62, the first sterilization filter 63, and the second sterilization filter 65 may be arranged in this order from the upstream side to the downstream side along the water conveying direction. In this case, the sterilizer 60 may further include a second sterilizer 64 provided between the first sterilization filter 63 and the second sterilization filter 65 . Further, as shown in FIG. 2A6, the first sterilization filter 63, the first sterilizer 62, the second sterilization filter 65, and the second sterilizer 64 move from the upstream side to the downstream side along the conveying direction of the contents. , may be arranged in this order. Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 2A7, the first sterilizer 62, the first sterilization filter 63, the second sterilization filter 65, and the second sterilizer 64 move from the upstream side to the downstream side along the conveying direction of the contents. , may be arranged in this order.

In addition, as shown in FIG. 2B, the sterilizer 60 may include a first sterilizer 62 and a first sterilization filter 63 . The first sterilizer 62 and the first sterilization filter 63 may be arranged in this order from the upstream side toward the downstream side along the direction of conveying the contents. Further, as shown in FIG. 2C, the first sterilization filter 63 and the first sterilizer 62 may be arranged in this order from the upstream side to the downstream side along the conveying direction of the contents. In these cases, the sterilizer 60 may further include a second sterilizer 64 provided between the first sterilization filter 63 and a valve V1, which will be described later.

Further, as shown in FIG. 2D, the sterilizer 60 may include a first sterilizer 62, a second sterilizer 64, and a first sterilization filter 63. The first sterilizer 62, the second sterilizer 64, and the first sterilization filter 63 may be arranged in this order from the upstream side to the downstream side along the conveying direction of the contents. In this case, the sterilizer 60 may further include a second sterilization filter 65 provided downstream of the first sterilization filter 63 . A pre-stage sterilizer 62A is provided on the upstream side of the first sterilizer 62 .

The sterilizer 60 may also include a first sterilization filter 63, a second sterilization filter 65, and a first sterilizer 62, as shown in FIG. 2E. The first sterilizing filter 63, the second sterilizing filter 65, and the first sterilizer 62 may be arranged in this order from the upstream side to the downstream side along the conveying direction of the contents. In this case, the sterilizer 60 may further include a second sterilizer 64 provided downstream of the first sterilizer 62 .

Moreover, the sterilizer 60 does not have to be equipped with a sterilization filter. In other words, the sterilizer 60 may not be equipped with a sterilization filter depending on the sterilization quality level of the content produced by diluting the product stock solution with water and/or the growth characteristics of bacteria in the content. . In this case, for example, the sterilizer 60 may include only the first sterilizer 62, as shown in FIG. 2F. The sterilizer 60 may also include a first sterilizer 62 and a second sterilizer 64, as shown in FIG. 2G. Thus, when the sterilizer 60 does not have a sterile filter, the manufacturing cost of the sterilizer 60 can be reduced.

Furthermore, the sterilizer 60 does not have to be equipped with a sterilizer. That is, the sterilizer 60 may not be equipped with a sterilizer depending on the aseptic quality level of the content produced by diluting the product stock solution with water and/or the growth characteristics of bacteria in the content. In this case, for example, as shown in FIG. 2H, the sterilizer 60 may include only the first sterilization filter 63. In addition, as shown in FIG. 2I, the sterilizer 60 may include a first sterilization filter 63 and a second sterilization filter 65 . Thus, even when the sterilizer 60 does not have a sterilizer, the manufacturing cost of the sterilizer 60 can be reduced.

Next, the foreign substance removal filter 61, the first sterilizer 62, the first sterilization filter 63, the second sterilizer 64, and the second sterilization filter 65 will be described. In the following description, taking the sterilizer 60 shown in FIG. explain. First, the foreign matter removing filter 61 will be described.

The foreign matter removing filter 61 is a filter that removes foreign matter in water. In the illustrated example, the sterilizer 60 is equipped with a single foreign matter removal filter 61 . However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the sterilizer 60 may have a plurality of foreign matter removal filters 61 . The mesh size (filtering accuracy) of the foreign matter removing filter 61 may be, for example, 0.20 μm or more and 10 μm or less, or may be 0.45 μm or more and 10 μm or less. Moreover, it is preferable that the mesh size of the foreign matter removing filter 61 is large enough to remove fungi (mold, yeast, etc.). As will be described later, in the first sterilizer 62 and the like provided downstream of the foreign matter removing filter 61, water is irradiated with ultraviolet rays. For this reason, the mesh size of the foreign matter removing filter 61 is preferably large enough to remove molds that are resistant to ultraviolet rays, and is preferably 0.45 μm or more and 1.0 μm or less. In order to improve the sterility of the water that has passed through the foreign matter removing filter 61, the mesh size of the foreign matter removing filter 61 may be 0.2 μm or more and 1.0 μm or less. As a result, almost all bacteria remaining in the water can be collected. Moreover, in order to improve the sterility of the water that has passed through the foreign matter removing filter 61, a sterile grade filter having an opening of 0.1 μm or more and 0.22 μm or less may be used as the foreign matter removing filter 61.

The first sterilizer 62 is provided downstream of the foreign matter removing filter 61 . Also, the first sterilizer 62 is provided upstream of the first sterilization filter 63 . The first sterilizer 62 is a sterilizer that sterilizes the raw materials to be mixed with ultraviolet light. As a result, bacteria (bacteria other than mold and yeast) that have passed through the foreign matter removal filter 61 can be sterilized. In addition, since the first sterilizer 62 sterilizes the raw materials to be mixed with ultraviolet rays, the amount of carbon dioxide emitted by the content filling system is reduced compared to the case where the raw materials to be mixed are sterilized by heating the raw materials to be mixed. can be reduced. In particular, as described above, when producing the content, the product raw material can be diluted with water by a factor of 1.1 to 100, preferably by a factor of 2 to 10. When the product raw material is diluted with water to 2 to 10 times, 50 to 90% of the content is water. Therefore, by sterilizing the raw material to be mixed, which contains water, without heating, the amount of carbon dioxide emitted when the contents are produced can be greatly reduced.

By the way, when the bacteria count concentration supplied from the pure water production device 50c is high (for example, 1 CFU/ml or more), and when the foreign matter removal filter 61 has the pore size of the bacteria removal filter (0.1 to 1 μm), The foreign matter removing filter 61 is contaminated with bacteria in a short period of time. If a large amount of bacteria are captured by the foreign matter removing filter 61 and the bacteria grow, the quality of water may be affected. Therefore, it is preferable to install the first sterilizer 62 also on the upstream side of the foreign matter removing filter 61 (see 62A in FIG. 2B). It is possible to produce sterile water of good quality for a long period of time.

As described above, in the present embodiment, the first sterilizer 62 sterilizes water with ultraviolet rays. In this case, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the first sterilizer 62 may have a body portion 66 and an ultraviolet irradiation portion 67 provided inside the body portion 66 .

Among them, the body portion 66 is formed in a hollow shape. Moreover, the shape of the main-body part 66 is a truncated cone shape. Specifically, the main body portion 66 has a truncated cone-shaped inner surface, and the end on the small diameter side is oriented so as to be positioned higher than the end on the large diameter side. An introduction portion 68 for introducing raw materials to be mixed into the interior of the main body portion 66 is formed at the lower portion of the main body portion 66, and a discharge portion 69 for discharging the sterilized raw materials to be mixed from the main body portion 66 is formed at the upper portion of the main body portion 66. may be formed. An introduction pipe 68a may be connected to the introduction portion 68 formed in the main body portion 66, and the introduction pipe 68a may be provided so as to extend in the tangential direction of the inner surface of the main body portion 66 in plan view. good. In this case, the tangential direction of the inner surface is the portion of the tangent line of the circle formed by the inner surface of the main body 66 in the horizontal cross section including the introduction part 68 where the raw material to be mixed to be introduced collides with the inner surface of the main body 66. is the tangential direction at

The raw material to be mixed introduced into the main body 66 through the introduction part 68 is guided along the inner surface of the main body 66 and swirls in the circumferential direction. Then, the raw materials to be mixed move upward while swirling and are discharged from the discharging section 69 . As a result, unevenness in the flow of the raw material to be mixed introduced into the body portion 66 can be suppressed. Therefore, it is possible to prevent part of the raw material to be mixed introduced into the body portion 66 from being discharged from the discharge portion 69 in a short time (so-called short pass).

Further, as shown in FIG. 4, a baffle plate 66a may be provided in the body portion 66 to regulate the flow of the raw materials to be mixed. The baffle plate 66a may radially protrude from the inner surface of the body portion 66 so as to spirally go around. By providing such a baffle plate 66a inside the body portion 66, the material to be mixed introduced into the body portion 66 through the introduction portion 68 is prevented from moving upward without turning in the circumferential direction. can be suppressed. Therefore, so-called short pass can be prevented more reliably. Although not shown, the baffle plate 66a does not have to be helically wound inside the main body 66. As shown in FIG. In this case, for example, a plurality of baffle plates 66a each having an annular shape in plan view may be provided in the main body 66, and are configured so that water passes through the central opening. Also good.

Furthermore, a fixing member 66b for fixing a first ultraviolet lamp 67a and a second ultraviolet lamp 67b, which will be described later, of the ultraviolet irradiation portion 67 may be provided in the main body portion 66 . The shape of the fixing member 66b may be, for example, a cross shape in plan view. Accordingly, it is possible to prevent the upward movement of water from being hindered by the fixing member 66b. Alternatively, the shape of the fixing member 66b may be, for example, a disc shape, or a circular shape in plan view. In this case, a through hole (not shown) may be formed in the fixing member 66b, and the material to be mixed may pass through the through hole.

An illuminometer for measuring the illuminance of the ultraviolet rays irradiated from the ultraviolet irradiation section 67 may be installed in the main body section 66 . Further, an output meter for measuring outputs of a first ultraviolet lamp 67a and a second ultraviolet lamp 67b, which will be described later, of the ultraviolet irradiation section 67 may be installed. Further, the flow meter F described above may be used to constantly monitor the time (residence time) during which the raw materials to be mixed pass through the interior of the main body 66 . Further, the temperature, turbidity and/or chromaticity of the raw materials to be mixed passing through the main body 66 may be measured constantly or as appropriate to confirm that there is no abnormality in the irradiation amount and/or transmittance of ultraviolet rays.

The sterilization assurance of the raw materials to be mixed is performed by constantly monitoring the indicated value of the illuminometer. When the illuminance rises or falls from the set value, it is preferable to automatically adjust the output of the ultraviolet rays to bring it closer to the set value. Further, the frequency of the pump P1 may be varied to vary the flow rate of the liquid to be sent, and the illuminance may be brought closer to the set value. Regarding the illuminance, only the lower limit may be set without setting the upper limit. In addition, if the illuminance at the time of solution transfer falls below the lower limit, the flow of the raw material to be mixed is immediately switched to the circulation line 59 to maintain the sterility of the tank (aseptic tank) 52 and subsequent ones. After that, the sterilizer 60 may be washed and sterilized, or only sterilized, and the production may be resumed.

Next, the ultraviolet irradiation section 67 will be described. The ultraviolet irradiation section 67 may include a first ultraviolet lamp 67a provided in the radial center of the body portion 66 and a plurality of second ultraviolet lamps 67b provided around the first ultraviolet lamp 67a. In the illustrated example, four second ultraviolet lamps 67b are provided around one first ultraviolet lamp 67a.

Each second ultraviolet lamp 67 b is arranged along the inner surface of the body portion 66 . That is, each second ultraviolet lamp 67b is provided so as to be inclined radially inward as it goes upward. In this case, the second ultraviolet lamps 67b are preferably arranged at regular intervals along the circumferential direction. Thereby, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of variations in the cumulative irradiation dose (mJ/cm ² ) of ultraviolet rays. Each of the first ultraviolet lamp 67a and the second ultraviolet lamp 67b may be an ultraviolet lamp that emits ultraviolet rays having a wavelength of 200 nm or more and 450 nm or less.

Such first ultraviolet lamp 67a and second ultraviolet lamp 67b may be low-pressure mercury lamps, medium-pressure mercury lamps, or UV-LEDs, respectively. In this case, the first ultraviolet lamp 67a and the second ultraviolet lamp 67b are preferably low-pressure mercury lamps or medium-pressure mercury lamps, respectively. A low-pressure mercury lamp is a mercury lamp with a mercury vapor pressure of less than 10 Pa during lighting. This low-pressure mercury lamp can efficiently irradiate ultraviolet rays with a wavelength (253.7 nm) having a high sterilizing effect. Therefore, when the first ultraviolet lamp 67a and the second ultraviolet lamp 67b are low-pressure mercury lamps, respectively, the sterilization effect in the first sterilizer 62 and the second sterilizer 64 can be improved. The low-pressure mercury lamp may be an amalgam lamp (low-pressure high-power amalgam lamp) in which an amalgam, which is an alloy of mercury and other metals, is sealed in the arc tube.

A medium-pressure mercury lamp is a mercury lamp with a mercury vapor pressure of 40 kPa or higher during lighting. In general, medium pressure mercury lamps are high output mercury lamps compared to low pressure mercury lamps. Therefore, when the first ultraviolet lamp 67a and the second ultraviolet lamp 67b are medium-pressure mercury lamps, respectively, the first sterilizer 62 and the second sterilizer 64 can sterilize a large amount of water. In addition, since the medium-pressure mercury lamp is a high-output mercury lamp, when the first ultraviolet lamp 67a and the second ultraviolet lamp 67b are medium-pressure mercury lamps, respectively, the first sterilizer 62 and the second sterilizer 64 Miniaturization can be achieved.

Here, the effect of sterilizing bacteria by ultraviolet rays varies depending on the cumulative irradiation dose (mJ/cm ² ) of ultraviolet rays. That is, the greater the cumulative irradiation dose of ultraviolet rays, the higher the bactericidal effect of ultraviolet rays. This cumulative irradiation amount is obtained by multiplying the illuminance (mW/cm ² ) and the irradiation time (sec). Therefore, in order to enhance the sterilization effect of ultraviolet rays, the distance between the light source (the first ultraviolet lamp 67a and the second ultraviolet lamp 67b) and the material to be mixed is shortened, and the irradiation time of ultraviolet rays is lengthened. is required. Among other things, the illuminance is inversely proportional to the square of the distance from the light source that emits ultraviolet light. For example, if the distance from the light source is doubled, the illuminance will be 1/4, and if the distance from the light source is tripled, the illuminance will be 1/9. Therefore, by passing water near the light source, the sterilization effect of ultraviolet rays can be enhanced.

As described above, in the present embodiment, the introduction portion 68 for introducing the raw materials to be mixed into the interior of the main body portion 66 is formed in the lower portion of the main body portion 66, and the sterilized raw materials to be mixed are formed in the upper portion of the main body portion 66. A discharge portion 69 for discharging from the main body portion 66 is formed. As a result, a short pass can be prevented, and the residence time of the raw materials to be mixed inside the body portion 66 can be lengthened. For this reason, it is possible to lengthen the irradiation time of the ultraviolet rays to the raw material to be mixed, and increase the cumulative irradiation amount of the ultraviolet rays. In addition, by introducing the raw material to be mixed from the lower part of the main body 66, even if the raw material to be mixed is introduced into the main body 66 in an empty state, even if the water in the initial stage of operation of the first sterilizer 62, that is, the raw material to be mixed is mixed. A sufficient time for the target raw material to stay inside the body portion 66 can be ensured. For this reason, it is possible to lengthen the irradiation time of the ultraviolet rays to the water.

Moreover, the shape of the main-body part 66 is a truncated cone shape. Thereby, in the upper portion of the body portion 66, the distance between the first ultraviolet lamp 67a and the second ultraviolet lamp 67b and the material to be mixed can be shortened. Therefore, the effect of sterilizing bacteria by ultraviolet rays can be enhanced. Further, the ultraviolet irradiation section 67 includes a first ultraviolet lamp 67a provided in the radial center of the body portion 66 and a plurality of second ultraviolet lamps 67b provided around the first ultraviolet lamp 67a. As a result, the raw material to be mixed, which moves upward while rotating in the circumferential direction, can be evenly irradiated with ultraviolet rays. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of variations in the cumulative irradiation amount of ultraviolet rays.

Here, the cumulative irradiation dose of ultraviolet rays to water is preferably 10 mJ/cm ² or more and 10000 mJ/cm ² or less, more preferably 100 mJ/cm ² or more and 1000 mJ/cm ^{2 or} less. That is, when passing through the body portion 66, the cumulative irradiation dose of ultraviolet rays to the contents is preferably 10 mJ/cm ² or more and 10000 mJ/cm ² or less, more preferably 100 mJ/cm ² or more and 1000 mJ/cm ^{2 or more} at a wavelength of 254 nm. The following are more preferable. More preferably, it is 130 mJ/cm ² or more and 500 mJ/cm ² or less. Aquatic bacteria that may pass through the second sterilization filter 65 (such as Pseudomonas genus or Methylobacterium genus that can proliferate in oligotrophic water) can pass through the second sterilization filter 65 due to the cumulative ultraviolet irradiation dose of 10 mJ/cm ² or more. negative bacteria) can be effectively sterilized. Moreover, bacterial spores can also be sterilized by setting the cumulative irradiation dose of ultraviolet rays to be 100 mJ/cm ² or more. Further, by setting the cumulative irradiation amount of ultraviolet rays to 10000 mJ/cm ² or less, the amount of electricity consumption can be reduced, and the amount of carbon dioxide emitted by the content filling system 10 can be reduced. Here, the wavelength of the ultraviolet rays may be 250 nm or more and 260 nm or less, and may be 253.7 nm (254 nm) as an example. When the wavelength of the ultraviolet rays is 250 nm or more and 260 nm or less, particularly 253.7 nm, the effect of sterilizing bacteria by ultraviolet rays can be enhanced. As used herein, the term "aquatic bacteria" means bacteria that can pass through a sterilization filter with an opening of 0.2 μm, and hereinafter can also be referred to as "bacteria that pass through the sterilization filter". Moreover, the irradiation dose of ultraviolet rays irradiated by the ultraviolet irradiation unit 67 may be set based on RED (Reduction Equivalent UV Dose) obtained by an actual chemical dosimeter or biological dosimeter. For more information, see ULTRAVIOLET DISINFECTION GUIDANCE MANUAL FOR THE FINAL LONG TERM 2 ENHANCED SURFACE WATER TREATMENT RULE, United States Environmental Protection Agency, EPA 815-R-06-007, November 2006.

Such a first sterilizer 62 is preferably capable of sterilization (SIP). Thereby, the first sterilizer 62 can be sterilized periodically. When sterilizing the first sterilizer 62, the control section 90 described above may sterilize the first sterilizer 62 with steam or hot water. Alternatively, if the first sterilizer 62 is vulnerable to heat, the control unit 90 circulates a sterilant containing, for example, peracetic acid in the circulation system 59A including the sterilizer 60, thereby sterilizing the first sterilizer 62. You can In this case, the controller 90 may circulate the disinfectant in the circulation system 59A for at least 10 seconds to 60 minutes.

In addition, as shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B, the shape of the main body 66 of the first sterilizer 62 may be cylindrical. In this case, a discharge pipe 69a may be connected to the discharge portion 69 formed in the main body portion 66, and the discharge pipe 69a is provided so as to extend in the tangential direction of the inner surface of the main body portion 66 in plan view. It's okay to be there. In this case, the tangential direction of the inner surface means that the raw material to be mixed, which has circulated while contacting the inner surface of the inner surface of the main body 66, is tangential to the circle formed by the inner surface of the main body 66 in the horizontal cross section including the discharge part 69. is the tangential direction away from When the main body portion 66 has a cylindrical shape, it is possible to lengthen the time for which the raw materials to be mixed stay in the main body portion 66 . For this reason, it is possible to lengthen the irradiation time of the ultraviolet rays to the raw material to be mixed, and increase the cumulative irradiation amount of the ultraviolet rays. In this case, although not shown, the plurality of second ultraviolet lamps 67b may be provided so as to be inclined radially inward as they go upward.

Further, as shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B, the body portion 66 has a cylindrical shape, and at one end of the body portion 66, an introduction portion 68 for introducing the raw materials to be mixed into the interior of the body portion 66 is provided. It may be formed. Further, a discharge portion 69 for discharging the sterilized raw materials to be mixed from the body portion 66 may be formed at the other end portion of the body portion 66 . In this case, the main body portion 66 may be arranged so that the longitudinal direction of the main body portion 66 (the traveling direction of the water) is the horizontal direction, and the longitudinal direction of the main body portion 66 (the traveling direction of the water) is the vertical direction. , the body portion 66 may be arranged.

In this modification, the ultraviolet irradiation section 67 may include a plurality of third ultraviolet lamps 67c arranged along the traveling direction of the raw materials to be mixed. This makes it possible to evenly irradiate water with UV rays. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of variations in the cumulative irradiation amount of ultraviolet rays.

Further, the third ultraviolet lamps 67c adjacent to each other in the traveling direction of the raw materials to be mixed may extend in different directions when viewed from the traveling direction of the raw materials to be mixed. As a result, it is possible to more effectively suppress variations in the cumulative irradiation amount of ultraviolet rays. In the illustrated example, each third ultraviolet lamp 67c is regularly arranged. That is, when viewed from the upstream side (left side in FIG. 6B) in the direction of movement of the raw materials to be mixed, each of the third ultraviolet lamps 67c moves toward the downstream side in the direction of movement of the raw materials to be mixed (right side in FIG. 6B). It rotates clockwise by 45° around the central axis X of the body portion 66 . In addition, each 3rd ultraviolet lamp 67c may be arranged irregularly.

The third ultraviolet lamp 67c may be an ultraviolet lamp similar to the first ultraviolet lamp 67a and the second ultraviolet lamp 67b. That is, the third ultraviolet lamp 67c may be an ultraviolet lamp that emits ultraviolet rays having a wavelength of 200 nm or more and 450 nm or less. Also, the third ultraviolet lamp 67c may be a low pressure mercury lamp (including a low pressure high output amalgam lamp) or a medium pressure mercury lamp. Although not shown, a baffle plate 66a may be provided inside the main body 66 to regulate the flow of water.

In addition, in the first sterilizer 62 shown in FIGS. 3 to 6B, ultraviolet light may be reflected inside the main body 66 in order to increase the sterilization efficiency of the first sterilizer 62 . For example, taking the first sterilizer 62 shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B as an example, as shown in FIG. may contain Outer member 660 may comprise, for example, a polished stainless steel tube. The inner member 661 may be constructed from a glass tube. Also, an air layer 662 may be interposed between the outer member 660 and the inner member 661 . In this case, when glass with high ultraviolet transmittance (for example, quartz glass or fluoride glass) is used as the glass of the glass tube of the inner member 661, the inner member 661 and the air layer 662 are separated from each other as shown in FIG. Ultraviolet UV can be reflected at the interface. As the material of the inner member 661, a material having a high transmittance of ultraviolet rays may be appropriately selected according to the wavelength of the ultraviolet rays irradiated by the third ultraviolet lamp 67c or the like. Also, as the material of the inner member 661, a material other than glass may be used, and for example, a plastic having properties similar to those of glass may be used. Furthermore, the inner surface of the outer member 660 and/or the outer surface of the inner member 661 may be coated with a highly reflective material. In particular, when the main body 66 is elongated as in the first sterilizer 62 shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B, the attenuation of the ultraviolet rays UV is suppressed by coating the inner surface of the outer member 660 with a highly reflective material. while the ultraviolet rays UV can be reflected repeatedly. Therefore, water can be sterilized efficiently. In addition, it is preferable that the ultraviolet rays UV are reflected once or more inside the body portion 66 . In this case, it is more preferable to shorten the distance between the outer member 660 or the like and the third ultraviolet lamp 67c or the like so that the ultraviolet rays UV are reflected twice or more. Here, the ultraviolet rays emitted from the medium-pressure mercury lamp can maintain the illuminance over a longer distance than the ultraviolet rays emitted from the low-pressure mercury lamp. Therefore, if the third ultraviolet lamp 67c or the like is a medium-pressure mercury lamp, even if the ultraviolet rays UV are reflected multiple times inside the main body 66, the sterilization effect of the ultraviolet rays UV is reduced. can be effectively suppressed.

Also, the passage time for the water to pass through the first sterilizer 62 may be 0.1 seconds or more and less than 10 seconds, preferably 0.5 seconds or more and less than 5 seconds. It should be noted that the passage time is the time it takes for the water introduced from the introduction portion 68 into the inside of the main body portion 66 to be discharged from the discharge portion 69 . When the passage time is 0.1 seconds or longer, it is possible to suppress variations in the sterilizing effect of water. Therefore, a sufficient bactericidal effect can be obtained. Since the transit time is less than 10 seconds, the size of the first sterilizer 62 can be reduced. The passage time for water to pass through the first sterilizer 62 may be appropriately changed based on the flow rate of water to be treated (sterilized) by the first sterilizer 62 .

Referring to FIG. 2A1 again, the first sterilization filter 63 is provided downstream of the first sterilizer 62 . The first sterilization filter 63 is a microfiltration filter (MF (Micro-Filtration)) that sterilizes the raw material to be mixed by collecting bacteria remaining in the raw material to be mixed. The opening of the first sterilization filter 63 may be 0.1 μm or more and 0.45 μm or less, and preferably 0.1 μm or more and 0.22 μm or less. In addition, since the mesh size of the first sterilization filter 63 is 0.45 μm or less, the first sterilization filter 63 effectively removes bacteria remaining in the raw material to be mixed. A filter with an opening of 0.02 μm or more and 0.1 μm or less, which can also remove some viruses, may be used as the sterile filter 63. The filtration membrane of the first sterile filter 63 may also be used. Good materials for (membrane) are polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF), polyethersulfone (PES), mixed cellulose (SCWP), polycarbonate (PC), polypropylene (PP), polyamide, etc. Depending on the suitability of the contents For example, it may be a reverse osmosis membrane (RO (Reverse Osmosis) membrane) or an ultrafiltration membrane (UF (Ultra-Filtration) membrane).

This first sterilizing filter 63 is preferably sterilizable (SIP). As a result, the first sterilizing filter 63 can be sterilized periodically. Here, as described above, the first sterilization filter 63 passes through the first sterilizer 62 and collects the bacterium remaining in the raw material to be mixed. Therefore, if water sterilization is continued in the sterilizer 60 for a long period of time, the trapped bacteria may grow inside the first sterilization filter 63 . In addition, when the corpses of bacteria, which are organic matter, adhere to the first sterilization filter 63 or the like, the corpses of bacteria can become the substrate. In this case, bacteria may further grow inside the first sterilizing filter 63 . In this way, when they propagate within the first sterilization filter 63 , they may enter the raw material to be mixed that passes through the first sterilization filter 63 . On the other hand, since the first sterilizing filter 63 can be sterilized, it is possible to suppress the bacteria adhering to the first sterilizing filter 63 from entering the raw materials to be mixed that pass through the first sterilizing filter 63. . As a result, deterioration in filtering performance of the first sterilization filter 63 can be suppressed. When sterilizing the first sterilizing filter 63, sterilizing steam or the like may be supplied to the first sterilizing filter 63 from a sterile air supply port 60a, which will be described later.

Here, the degree of sterilization of the first sterilization filter 63 may be managed by the F value. In other words, when the sterilizer 60 having the first sterilization filter 63 is sterilized, the degree of sterilization by the sterilizer 60 may be managed by the F value. At this time, for example, the control unit 90 measures the temperature of the heated steam (fluid) or hot water (fluid) that has flowed through the flow path of the first sterilizing filter 63, and determines the F value based on the measured temperature. can be calculated. Then, the control unit 90 may terminate the sterilization of the first sterilization filter 63 when the F value becomes equal to or greater than the target value. When measuring the temperature of heated steam or hot water, the control unit 90 is arranged at various locations in the flow path where the temperature does not easily rise while flowing the heated steam or hot water in the flow path of the first sterilizing filter 63. A temperature sensor may be used to measure the temperature. Then, the control unit 90 may terminate the heating of the flow path by the heating steam or the like when the temperature from each temperature sensor reaches a predetermined temperature for a predetermined time or longer. As a result, the first sterilization filter 63 can be sterilized without applying excessive heat to the first sterilization filter 63 . Here, the F value is the heating time required to kill all the bacteria when the bacteria are heated for a certain period of time. .

(However, T is an arbitrary sterilization temperature (° C.), 10^{(T−Tr)/Z} is the lethality rate at an arbitrary sterilization temperature T, Tr is the reference temperature (° C.), Z is the Z value (° C.) represents.)
Moreover, it is preferable that the first sterilization filter 63 is capable of performing an integrity test, which will be described later, on the opening of the first sterilization filter 63 . Here, the integrity test can be performed as follows. For example, first, the housing (not shown) inside the first sterilizing filter 63 is filled with water. Next, aseptic air is injected into the first sterilization filter 63 filled with water from, for example, the aseptic air supply port 60a. Next, the pressure of sterile air is increased until the sterile air escapes from the first sterilizing filter 63 . Then, based on the pressure (bubble point) of sterile air when sterile air escapes from the first sterile filter 63, the opening size of the first sterile filter 63 is determined. Since the first sterilization filter 63 can perform an integrity test on the opening of the first sterilization filter 63 in this manner, the degree of deterioration of the first sterilization filter 63 can be easily determined. In order to measure the pressure inside the first sterilization filter 63, a pressure gauge P2 may be provided near the sterile air supply port 60a. The integrity test may be performed by a diffusion flow test, a pressure hold test, or the like, in addition to the bubble point test described above.

The second sterilizer 64 is provided downstream of the first sterilization filter 63 . The configuration of the second sterilizer 64 may be substantially the same as that of the first sterilizer 62 shown in FIGS. 3 to 6B. That is, the second sterilizer 64 may be a sterilizer that sterilizes water with ultraviolet light.

The second sterilization filter 65 is provided downstream of the second sterilizer 64 . This second sterilization filter 65 is a filter that sterilizes the raw material to be mixed by collecting the bacteria remaining in the raw material to be mixed after passing through the second sterilizer 64 . The mesh size of the second sterilization filter 65 is preferably equal to or smaller than that of the first sterilization filter 63 . As a result, even if bacteria in the raw materials to be mixed pass through the first bacteria elimination filter 63 , the bacteria can be captured by the second bacteria elimination filter 65 . Therefore, the sterility of the raw materials to be mixed can be sufficiently ensured. Further, when the mesh size of the second sterilization filter 65 is the same as the mesh size of the first sterilization filter 63, the sterilization set configured by the sterilizer and the sterilization filter is arranged in the conveying direction of the raw material to be mixed. 2 sets can be placed along the That is, a first sterilization set composed of the first sterilizer 62 and the first sterilization filter 63, and a second sterilization set composed of the second sterilizer 64 and the second sterilization filter 65 , can be arranged in series along the conveying direction of the material to be mixed. Therefore, even if one of the sterilization sets has some kind of abnormality, the sterility of the raw materials to be mixed can be guaranteed. In addition, a plurality of sterilization sets may be provided according to the sterility assurance level (SAL (Sterility Assurance Level)) of the raw material to be mixed or the final product (contents) (Fig. 2A1, Fig. 2A2, Fig. 2A4 to See Figure A7). Also, as shown in FIG. 2B and the like, the number of sterilization sets may be one, and although not shown, the number of sterilization sets may be three or more.

The mesh size of the second sterilization filter 65 may be 0.1 μm or more and 0.45 μm or less, preferably 0.1 μm or more and 0.22 μm or less. Since the mesh size of the second sterilization filter 65 is 0.1 μm or more, it is possible to suppress a decrease in sterilization efficiency of the raw materials to be mixed. In addition, since the mesh size of the second sterilizing filter 65 is 0.45 μm or less, the second sterilizing filter 65 can more effectively collect the germs remaining in the raw materials to be mixed. The filtration membrane of the second sterilization filter 65 may be, for example, a reverse osmosis membrane (RO (Reverse Osmosis) membrane) or an ultrafiltration membrane (UF (Ultra-Filtration) membrane).

Other configurations of the second sterilizing filter 65 may be substantially the same as those of the first sterilizing filter 63 . That is, the second sterilization filter 65 may be sterilizable (SIP). Further, the second sterilization filter 65 may be able to perform an integrity test on the opening of the second sterilization filter 65 .

Here, in the sterilizer 60, the water sterilization strength may be adjusted based on the target value of the bacteria count level (FSO (Food Safety Objective/ISO13409-1996) (=log N)).

In this case, for example, let H ₀ (=logN ₀ ) be the level of the number of initially occurring bacteria in the raw material to be mixed before entering the filter (for example, the first sterilization filter 63). In this case, the initial bacteria count level H ₀ of the filter is the sterilization effect of the filter (for example, the first sterilization filter 63) (bacteria reduction level in water: ΣR ₁ (=log(N ₀ /NR ₁ )> 0), where “N ₀ ” means the initial number of germs in the water, and “NR ₁ ” is the object to be mixed after being sterilized by a filter (for example, the first sterilization filter 63). It means the number of bacteria in the raw material.

On the other hand, it is conceivable that the number of bacteria in the raw material to be mixed increases at a certain rate while passing through the filter (increased number of bacteria in the raw material to be mixed: ΣI (=log(N _I )≧0) ). “N _I ” means the number of bacteria increased while passing through the filter.

In addition, the bacteria in the raw material to be mixed are sterilized by the sterilizer (for example, the second sterilizer 64) (the level of the number of bacteria decreased in the raw material to be mixed: ΣR ₂ (=log (N _I /NR ₂ )>0) ). If the number of bacteria in the raw material to be mixed after passing through the sterilizer 60 is below the target value (FSO (Food Safety Objective / ISO13409-1996) (= log N)), the raw material to be mixed is sterilized by the raw material sterilization line 50. It can be assumed that there is no problem with the sterility of the ingredients to be mixed. In addition, “NR ₂ ” means the number of bacteria in the raw material to be mixed after being sterilized by the sterilizer (e.g., the second sterilizer 64), and “N” is the sterilizer (e.g., the second sterilizer 64) means the target number of bacteria in the raw material to be mixed after being sterilized by

The relationships among H ₀ , ΣR ₁ , ΣI, ΣR ₂ and FSO described above are expressed as formulas as follows.

H ₀ −ΣR ₁ +ΣI−ΣR ₂ ≦FSO (Formula ₁ ) Therefore, _the sterilizer (for example, the second _{sterilization} By setting the sterilization capacity of the machine 64), it is possible to keep the sterility of the raw materials to be mixed below the target value (FSO).

Sampling points SP1 to SP6 ( SP) may be provided. A sampling line SL may be connected to at least some of the sampling points SP1 to SP6 via valves (not shown). Accordingly, the number of bacteria in water can be easily measured by aseptically sampling water from the sampling points SP1 to SP6 or the sampling line SL. A thermometer T may be provided in the sampling line SL, and the temperature of the steam is monitored by the thermometer T when the first sterilization filter 63 and the second sterilization filter 65 are sterilized with steam. You can In addition, when measuring the number of bacteria in the raw material to be mixed and/or when confirming a change in state such as breeding of bacteria, for example, the liquid may be sampled and the number of bacteria may be counted using a plate medium. In addition, for example, the number of bacteria and/or changes in the state of bacteria in the raw material to be mixed can be measured by a microorganism measuring instrument (for example, real-time microorganism detector, IMD-W (registered trademark) manufactured by Azbil Corporation) or a particle measuring instrument (liquid It may be measured and/or confirmed using a particle counter) or the like.

The processing capacity of such a sterilizer 60 is preferably 105% or more of the maximum processing capacity required during production of the product bottles 101, and 110% of the maximum processing capacity required during production of the product bottles 101. It is more preferable to be above. For example, the processing capacity of the sterilizer 60 may be 5 m ³ /h or more and 50 m ³ /h or less, and may be 24 m ³ /h as an example. Further, when the processing capacity of the sterilizer 60 is 105% or more of the maximum processing capacity required during production of the product bottles 101, a predetermined amount of water is stored in the tank 52 during production of the product bottles 101. can also In this case, by appropriately designing the volume of the tank 52, even during the sterilization (SIP) or integrity test of the above-described first sterilization filter 63, etc., the product bottle 101 can be supplied without running out of the raw materials to be mixed. and sterilization (SIP) or integrity testing of the first sterilizing filter 63 and the like. The time required for sterilization (SIP) of the first sterilization filter 63 and the like and the time required for the integrity test are approximately 30 minutes or more and approximately 1 hour or less. Therefore, the volume of the tank 52 may be equal to or greater than the amount of the raw materials to be mixed used in the content filling system 10 when the product bottle 101 is produced for one hour.

Also, the processing capacity of the sterilizer 60 may be controlled by the controller 90 . For example, the control unit 90 determines the amount of water to be used for cleaning and sterilizing the contents filling system 10, and based on the determined amount of the mixing target raw materials, the sterilizer of the mixing target raw material sterilization line 50 60 may determine the amount of mixed ingredients to be sterilized during production of product bottle 101 . Here, the amount of sterilized water required for cleaning and/or sterilizing the inside of each chamber or the like after production of the product bottle 101 can be grasped for each chamber or the like. Therefore, the processing capacity of the sterilizer 60 may be controlled by the control unit 90 so that aseptic water to be used after production of the product bottles 101 is stored while one lot of the product bottles 101 is produced. As a result, the inside of each chamber or the like can be cleaned and/or sterilized immediately after the product bottle 101 is produced. Therefore, downtime can be shortened.

Such a sterilizer 60 fills the contents into the bottles 100 in the contents filling system 10, thereby filling the raw materials to be mixed without stopping the sterilization of the raw materials to be mixed while the product bottles 101 are being produced. It is preferable to keep sterilizing. As a result, it is possible to suppress the propagation of bacteria inside the first bacteria elimination filter 63 and the second bacteria elimination filter 65 . That is, when the flow of the raw materials to be mixed is stopped in the sterilizer 60 , bacteria may grow inside the first sterilizing filter 63 and the second sterilizing filter 65 . On the other hand, while the product bottle 101 is being produced in the contents filling system 10, by continuing to sterilize the raw materials to be mixed without stopping the pump P1, Propagation of bacteria in the bacteria filter 65 can be suppressed. If the tank 52 becomes full while the product bottle 101 is being produced in the content filling system 10, the sterilized raw materials to be mixed are circulated in the circulation system 59A (see FIG. 2A, etc.). can be As a result, even when the tank 52 is filled with water, it is possible to prevent the raw materials to be mixed from stopping in the sterilizer 60 . Therefore, it is possible to suppress the propagation of bacteria inside the first bacteria elimination filter 63 and the second bacteria elimination filter 65 . When the circulation time of the sterilized raw materials to be mixed becomes long, the temperature of the sterilized raw materials to be mixed may rise due to the irradiation energy of the ultraviolet rays emitted from the ultraviolet irradiation unit 67 . In this case, the material to be mixed flowing through the circulation line 59 may be discharged from the circulation line 59 without being returned to the mixing tank 51 . Then, by supplying new pure water from the pure water production device 50c to the mixing tank 51 through the water tank 50a, the temperature rise of the circulating raw materials to be mixed may be suppressed.

Here, as shown in FIG. 2J, the mixed raw material sterilization line 50 is divided into a non-aseptic zone Z1, a first gray zone Z2, a second gray zone Z3, and an aseptic zone Z4. The non-sterile zone Z1, the first gray zone Z2, the second gray zone Z3, and the sterile zone Z4 are provided in this order from the upstream side to the downstream side along the conveying direction of the contents.

Of these, the non-sterile zone Z1 is a zone under a non-sterile atmosphere, and is a zone in which germs may exist. In the illustrated example, the non-aseptic zone Z1 is an area upstream of the pre-stage sterilizer 62A. In the non-aseptic zone Z1, before manufacturing the product bottle 101, the mixing tank 51 and the channel downstream of the mixing tank 51 are sterilized. On the other hand, after the production of the product bottle 101 is started, the mixing tank 51 and the like may be contaminated by bacteria brought in from the upstream side of the mixing tank 51 .

The first gray zone Z2 and the second gray zone Z3 are zones for isolating the non-sterile atmosphere and the sterile atmosphere, respectively. Among these, the first gray zone Z2 is a zone for sterilizing bacteria passing through the sterilization filter. The second gray zone Z3 is a zone that maintains a state in which no bacteria that have passed through the sterilization filter exist when the product bottle 101 is manufactured. In the illustrated example, the first gray zone Z2 is the area from the pre-sterilizer 62A to the outlet of the second sterilizer 64. A second gray zone Z3 is a region from the outlet of the second sterilizer 64 to the inlet of the first sterile filter 63. As shown in FIG. Here, the water purifier 50c that supplies water to the raw material sterilization line 50 to be mixed is sterilized (SIP) before sterilizing the water in the raw material sterilization line 50 to be mixed. At this time, the sterilization is performed under the condition that at least bacteria passing through the sterilization filter can be sterilized. The temperature and sterilization time of steam or hot water used for sterilization are at least 60° C. or higher and may be 5 minutes or longer, preferably 85° C. and 30 minutes or longer. The temperature of the steam or hot water used for sterilization and the sterilization time may be 90°C and 3 minutes, which are conditions equivalent to the sterilization value Z = 5°C. Further, the sterilization conditions may be a high-temperature short-time condition in which the temperature of steam or hot water used for sterilization is 95° C. and the sterilization time is 0.3 minutes. On the other hand, the sterilization value under these sterilization conditions generally cannot sterilize bacterial spores. Therefore, bacterial spores may exist in the area up to the front of the first sterile filter 63 . Therefore, the area from the pre-stage sterilizer 62A to the front of the first sterile filter 63 is called a gray zone. After sterilizing the pure water production device 50c, the second gray zone Z3 is maintained in a positive pressure state by continuously supplying water to the second gray zone Z3. As a result, in the second gray zone Z3, a state in which no bacteria that have passed through the sterilization filter are present is maintained. The positive pressure state of the second gray zone Z3 is controlled by a pressure gauge (not shown). The method of sterilizing bacteria passing through the sterilization filter is not limited to steam or hot water. A drug or the like that inactivates bacteria that have passed through the sterilization filter may also be used.

The sterile zone Z4 is a zone under a sterile atmosphere. That is, the sterile zone Z4 is a zone maintained in a sterile state. In the illustrated example, the sterile zone Z4 is an area downstream of the first sterile filter 63 . In the aseptic zone Z4, after sterilizing all bacteria including bacterial spores by sterilizing each device with steam or hot water (SIP/F ₀ ≥ 3, Z = 10 ° C.), sterile air or sterile water is supplied. The SIP of the sterile zone Z4 is carried out at least up to the interface with the second gray zone Z3. When sterilizing the aseptic zone Z4, the piping of the second gray zone Z3 may also be SIPd together with the aseptic zone Z4. As a result, the sterile zone Z4 is maintained in a positive pressure state, and the sterile zone Z4 is kept in a sterile state.

Among these non-aseptic zone Z1, first gray zone Z2, second gray zone Z3 and aseptic zone Z4, contents can be irradiated with ultraviolet rays in the first gray zone Z2. In the first gray zone Z2, the cumulative irradiation amount of ultraviolet rays to water from the pre-stage sterilizer 62A may be at least 10 mJ/cm ² or more, preferably 100 mJ/cm ² or more. In this case, the pre-stage sterilizer 62A may include a low-pressure mercury lamp. Further, in the first gray zone Z2, the total cumulative irradiation amount of ultraviolet rays to water by the first sterilizer 62 and the second sterilizer 64 may be 100 mJ/cm ² or more. In this way, by setting the total cumulative irradiation amount of ultraviolet rays to water by the first sterilizer 62 and the second sterilizer 64 to be 100 mJ/cm ² or more, bacteria that have passed through the sterilization filter can be sterilized in the first gray zone Z2. . Therefore, the sterility of the water in the second gray zone Z3 can be guaranteed. In this case, the first sterilizer 62 and the second sterilizer 64 may each include medium pressure mercury lamps.

In the first gray zone Z2, when the total cumulative irradiation amount of ultraviolet rays to the contents by the first sterilizer 62 and the second sterilizer 64 is less than 100 mJ/cm2, the contents before being supplied to the first removal filter 63 may be circulated by a circulation line 95. As a result, it is possible to prevent the contents in which bacteria that have passed through the sterilization filter from being supplied to the first sterilization filter 63 . Therefore, the sterility of the contents in the sterile zone Z4 can be guaranteed. In this case, before supplying the contents to the aseptic zone Z4 (first sterilization filter 63), the pre-stage sterilizer 62A, the foreign matter removal filter 61, the first sterilizer 62, and the second sterilizer 64 are sterilized (SIP ).

In addition, at least one of the first sterilization filter 63 and the second sterilization filter 65 passes the test result of the integrity test (first integrity test and second integrity test) before and after production, which will be described later. is preferred. As a result, at least one of the first sterilization filter 63 and the second sterilization filter 65 can filter and sterilize bacteria other than those that have passed through the sterilization filter. Therefore, the sterility of the contents in the sterile zone Z4 can be guaranteed. If the results of the integrity test before and after production of the first sterilizing filter 63 and the second sterilizing filter 65 are unacceptable, the foreign matter removing filter 61 should have a mesh opening of 0.1 μm or more and 0.22 μm or less, for example. Certain sterile grade filters may be used. In this case, it is preferable that the foreign matter removing filter 61 pass the integrity test before and after production. As a result, bacteria other than bacteria that have passed through the sterilization filter can be filtered and sterilized by the foreign matter removal filter 61, and the sterility of the contents in the sterilization zone Z4 can be guaranteed.

Thus, in the sterilizer 60 of the raw material sterilization line 50 to be mixed according to the present embodiment, during production, the irradiation amount of ultraviolet rays was a predetermined value or more or within a predetermined range, and before and after the start of production A passing integrity test result ensures the sterility of the water.

(Other raw material sterilization line 70)
Next, another raw material sterilization line 70 will be described. The other raw material sterilization line 70 is a sterilization line that thermally sterilizes raw materials other than the target raw material among the raw materials of the contents.

As shown in FIG. 7, another raw material sterilization line 70 has a raw material sterilizer 80 for heat sterilizing another raw material from another raw material tank 71, and a raw material tank 72 is installed downstream of the raw material sterilizer 80. It is The other raw material tank 71, the raw material sterilizer 80, and the raw material tank 72 are arranged in this order from the upstream side toward the downstream side along the conveying direction of the other raw material. A circulation line 89 may be connected to return the other raw material to the other raw material tank 71 without sending the liquid from the third stage cooling section 86 to the raw material tank 72 .

The other raw material tank 71 is a tank that stores other raw materials supplied from a supply source (not shown). This other raw material tank 71 plays a role of facilitating the flow of the other raw material by storing the other raw material. The volume of the other raw material tank 71 may be 0.3 m ³ or more and 3 m ³ or less, and may be 1 m ³ as an example.

A pump P3 for conveying other raw materials may be provided on the downstream side of the other raw material tank 71 . Further, a raw material sterilizer 80 that constitutes the other raw material sterilization line 70 described above is provided downstream of the pump P3.

The raw material sterilizer 80 is a sterilizer that thermally sterilizes other raw materials stored in the other raw material tank 71 . In the present embodiment, the raw material sterilizer 80 may be a sterilizer (Ultra High-temperature, hereinafter simply referred to as UHT) that sterilizes other raw materials by an ultra-high temperature heat treatment method. The UHT 80 has a first stage heating section 81, a second stage heating section 82, a holding tube 83, a first stage cooling section 84, a second stage cooling section 85, and a third stage cooling section 86. ing. Other raw materials supplied to the UHT 80 are gradually heated by the first stage heating section 81 and the second stage heating section 82 and heated to the target temperature within the holding tube 83 . In this case, for example, the other raw material may be heated to 60° C. or higher and 80° C. or lower by the first stage heating section 81 and heated to 80° C. or higher and 150° C. or lower by the second stage heating section 82 . Further, the temperature of other raw materials is maintained for a certain period of time within the holding tube 83 . Other raw materials that have passed through the holding tube 83 are gradually cooled by the first stage cooling section 84 , the second stage cooling section 85 and the third stage cooling section 86 . Note that the number of stages of the heating section and the cooling section may be increased or decreased as necessary. In addition, the pressure loss of other raw materials may increase between the first stage heating section 81 and the second stage heating section 82 . Therefore, an additional pump (not shown) may be provided between the first stage heating section 81 and the second stage heating section 82 . Further, a homogenizer for homogenizing other raw materials is provided between the first-stage heating section 81 and the second-stage heating section 82 or between the first-stage cooling section 84 and the second-stage cooling section 85. may be provided.

The throughput of such UHT 80 may be 3 m ³ /h or more and 30 m ³ /h or less, and may be 6 m ³ /h as an example.

Also, by monitoring the temperature of a portion of the UHT 80 where the temperature is the highest (for example, the second stage heating section 82), scale (deposits such as calcium) adhering to the UHT 80 may be monitored. Then, when cleaning (CIP) the UHT 80, the scale removal state may be monitored. As a result, the cleaning process for cleaning the UHT 80 can be optimized. Therefore, the cleaning time can be shortened, and the amount of water, steam, and cleaning agent used for cleaning can be reduced. As a result, the amount of carbon dioxide emitted by the content filling system 10 can be reduced.

Note that the UHT 80 may be of the injection type or the infusion type. Also, the heat exchanger used for heat exchange in the filling system 10, such as the heat exchanger of the UHT 80, may be of the plate type or the shell-and-tube type. Also, when using a shell and tube type heat exchanger, it is possible to use a type that raises and cools the temperature while circulating water or hot water in the medium side of the shell. A type of heat exchange (liquid-liquid exchange) may be used.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, an example in which the raw material sterilizer 80 for heat sterilizing other raw materials is UHT has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the raw material sterilizer 80 may be an ohmic (Joule type) heat sterilizer that directly energizes another raw material to generate heat by itself. Also, the raw material sterilizer 80 may be a sterilizer that sterilizes other raw materials using microwaves (915 MHz, 2450 MHz). In this case, microwaves may be applied from the outside of the piping through which the undiluted liquids or solids in the other raw materials pass. As a result, the temperature of the stock solution or solid in the other raw material can be raised, and the stock solution or solid in the other raw material can be sterilized. Even in these cases, the amount of carbon dioxide emitted by the content filling system 10 can be reduced.

The raw material tank 72 is a tank (so-called aseptic tank) that stores other raw materials sterilized by the raw material sterilizer 80 . This raw material tank 72 plays a role of facilitating the flow of other raw materials by storing other raw materials that have been sterilized. The volume of the raw material tank 72 may be 1 m ³ or more and 20 m ³ or less, and may be 2 m ³ as an example.

Alternatively, the raw material tank 72 may not be provided, and only the mixing tank 55 may be used. Also, one more tank 52 and one more raw material tank 72 may be provided.

Furthermore, on the downstream side of the mixing tank 55, an auxiliary filter 53 for filtering foreign matter and a filling machine tank 57 for storing the final product liquid that has passed through the auxiliary filter 53 may be provided. The auxiliary filter 53 may be provided at the tip of the filling device 21 (not shown). The filling machine tank 57 serves as a so-called cushion tank that ensures the filling amount and filling accuracy without causing shortage of the liquid even if the capacity of the filling device 21 is changed. The volume of the filling machine tank 57 may be 0.1 m ³ or more and 1 m ³ or less, and may be 0.3 m ³ as an example.

An addition unit 75 for adding solids to other raw materials may be connected. As a result, the content filling system 10 can fill the bottle 100 with the solid content. In this case, the solid matter added by the addition unit 75 to the other raw material may be, for example, sandalwood, nata de coco, tapioca, aloe, or the like. Alternatively, the solid may be a previously sterilized aseptic solid. Furthermore, in addition to solids, aseptic or non-sterile flavors, acidulants, and colorants may be quantitatively added from the addition unit 75 to other raw materials.

<Content filling method>
Next, FIG. 8 demonstrates the content filling method using the content filling system 10 (FIG. 1A and FIG. 1B) mentioned above.

First, the preform supply device 1 sequentially supplies a plurality of preforms 100a to the receiving section 34 of the preform transport section 31 via the preform supply conveyor 2 (preform supply step, symbol S1 in FIG. 8). ). At this time, the preform 100a is sterilized by spraying hydrogen peroxide gas or mist onto the preform 100a in the preform sterilizer 34a, and then dried with hot air.

Next, the preform 100a is sent to the heating unit 35 and heated to, for example, about 90° C. or higher and 130° C. or lower by the heater 35a. Then, the preform 100a heated by the heating section 35 is sent to the transfer section 36. As shown in FIG. Then, the preform 100 a is sent from the delivery section 36 to the blow molding section 32 .

Next, the preform 100a sent to the blow molding section 32 is subjected to blow molding using a mold (not shown), thereby blow molding the bottle 100 (bottle molding step, symbol S2 in FIG. 8). Then, the blow-molded bottle 100 is sent to the bottle conveying section 33 .

Next, in the sterilization device 11, the bottle 100 is sterilized using an aqueous hydrogen peroxide solution as a sterilant (container sterilization step, symbol S3 in FIG. 8). 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 gas or mist of the aqueous hydrogen peroxide solution adheres to the inner and outer surfaces of the bottle 100 and sterilizes the inner and outer surfaces of the bottle 100 .

The bottle 100 is then sent to the air rinse device 14 . In the air rinsing device 14, aseptic heated air or normal temperature air is supplied to the bottle 100 to activate the hydrogen peroxide and remove foreign substances, hydrogen peroxide, etc. from the bottle 100 ( Air rinse step, symbol S4 in FIG. 8). 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 bottle 100 in the air rinse step.

The bottle 100 is then transported to the filling device 21 .

During this time, the raw materials to be mixed that have been non-heat sterilized by the raw material sterilization line 50 to be mixed and the other raw materials that have been heat sterilized by the other raw material sterilization line 70 are mixed in the mixing tank 55 to produce the contents (contents product production step, symbol S5 in FIG. 8). A method of mixing non-heat-sterilized raw materials to be mixed with other raw materials in the mixing tank 55 will be described. First, non-heat-sterilized raw materials to be mixed are received in the mixing tank 55 , and then other heat-sterilized raw materials are received in the mixing tank 55 . As for the order in which the liquid is received in the mixing tank 55, the non-heat sterilized raw material to be mixed may come first, or the heat sterilized other raw material may come first. Alternatively, by using the indicated values of the flowmeters of the raw material sterilization line 50 to be mixed and the other raw material sterilization line 70, the respective liquids may be simultaneously received in the mixing tank 55 at a constant rate (appropriate flow rate ratio). good. When receiving the liquid, it is preferable to stir it with an agitator (not shown) in the mixing tank 55 . In addition, it is preferable to monitor whether the mixing ratio of the mixing tank 55 is within a predetermined range by using a saccharimeter, a hydrometer, etc., and to reflect the flow rate of each liquid and the tank receiving amount. By installing a plurality of mixing tanks 55, the liquids sterilized by heating and the liquids not sterilized by heating can be sent to the mixing tanks 55 one after another without waiting in the circulation line 59. Yield is improved (see the second embodiment shown in FIG. 10). In addition, even when a plurality of filling machines are installed downstream of the mixing tank 55 or when the capacity of the filling machine is variable, the plurality of mixing tanks serve as a buffer to avoid lowering the operating rate.
Next, in the filling device 21, while the bottle 100 is being rotated (revolved), the content produced in the mixing tank 55 is filled into the bottle 100 from the mouth of the bottle 100 (content filling step, symbol S6 in FIG. 8). .

In addition, the heating temperature for heating other raw materials by the other raw material sterilization line 70 may generally be about 60 ° C. or higher and 120 ° C. or lower when the acidity of the contents is less than pH 4.5. may be about 30 seconds or more and 120 seconds or less. Moreover, when the acidity of the content is pH 4.5 or higher, the heating temperature for heating other raw materials may be about 115° C. or higher and 150° C. or lower. Also, the heating time may be about 30 seconds or more and 120 seconds or less. As a result, among the microorganisms in the content before filling, all microorganisms that can grow in the product bottle 101 are sterilized. Other heat-sterilized raw materials are cooled to a temperature of about 3° C. or higher and 40° C. or lower.

In the filling device 21, the bottle 100 is filled with the content sterilized and cooled to room temperature in the mixing tank 55 at room temperature. The temperature of the contents during filling is, for example, about 3° C. or higher and 40° C. or lower. In the filling device 21, the content filling speed may be 30 mL/sec or more and 400 mL/sec or less.

Subsequently, the bottle 100 filled with contents is transported to the capping device 16 by the transport wheel 12 .

On the other hand, the cap 88 is previously sterilized by the cap sterilizer 18 (cap sterilization step, symbol S7 in FIG. 8). During this time, the cap 88 is first carried into the cap sterilizer 18 from the outside of the contents filling system 10 . Subsequently, the cap 88 is sprayed with hydrogen peroxide gas or mist in the cap sterilizer 18 to sterilize its inner and outer surfaces, dried with hot air, and sent to the cap attaching device 16 .

Next, in the cap attaching device 16, a sterilized cap 88 is attached to the mouth of the bottle 100 conveyed from the filling device 20, so that the bottle 100 is capped and the product bottle 101 is obtained (cap attaching step, FIG. 8 sign S8).

After that, the product bottle 101 is conveyed from the cap attaching device 16 to the product bottle unloading section 25, and is unloaded to the outside of the content filling system 10 (bottle ejection step, symbol S9 in FIG. 8). The product bottle 101 is then transported to a packaging line (not shown) and packaged.

The container sterilization process, air rinse process, content filling process, cap attaching process, and bottle discharge process are carried out in a sterile atmosphere surrounded by the disinfectant spray chamber 70d, the air rinse chamber 70e, the sterile chamber 70f, and the outlet chamber 70g. performed indoors, i.e. in a sterile environment. Also, the cap sterilization step is performed by the cap sterilizer 18 . In this case, the sterilant spray chamber 70d, the air rinse chamber 70e, the aseptic chamber 70f, the outlet chamber 70g, and the cap sterilizer 18 are previously sterilized by spraying hydrogen peroxide or peracetic acid, spraying hot water, or the like. .

After the sterilization of each chamber, the sterilant spray chamber 70d, air Positive pressure sterile air is supplied into rinse chamber 70e, sterile chamber 70f and exit chamber 70g. In addition, positive pressure aseptic air is supplied into the cap sterilizer 18 so that the aseptic air is always blown out of the cap sterilizer 18 .

Thus, when positive pressure sterile air is supplied in each chamber 70d-70g, the atmosphere isolation chamber 70c, the sterilant spray chamber 70d and the exit chamber 70g use sterile air in each chamber and bottle sterilization. Vent the sterilant used. At that time, the pressure in each chamber may be adjusted so that the pressure in the sterilant spray chamber 70d, the air rinse chamber 70e, the sterile chamber 70f, and the outlet chamber 70g becomes positive pressure. In this case, as described above, the pressure in the sterilant spray chamber 70d may be -10 Pa or more and 10 Pa or less. The pressure in the air rinse chamber 70e may be 10 Pa or more and 30 Pa or less. The pressure inside the sterile chamber 70f may be 30 Pa or more and 60 Pa or less. The pressure in the exit chamber 70g may be 10 Pa or more and 20 Pa or less.

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

Next, the sterilization method of the sterilizer 60 will be described with reference to FIG. 9A.

(Sterilization method of sterilizer)
First, after the filling of the beverage in the contents filling system 10 is completed, for example, the operation button of the control section 90 is operated. As a result, sterilization (SIP) of the sterilizer 60 is started. Note that the sterilization by the sterilizer 60 may be performed during production of the product bottles 101 .

Specifically, first, the content filling (production) by the content filling system is completed (“production end” in FIG. 9A). After that, as shown in FIG. 2A, the post-production integrity test of the first sterilizing filter 63 and the second sterilizing filter 65 of the sterilizer 60 is performed (S20A in FIG. 9A). If the foreign matter removal filter 61 is also a sterile filter, at least two of the three filters are tested for integrity. Through this post-production integrity test, the results of the integrity test before and after the start of production were passed (no leaks were observed), and the amount of UV irradiation during production was above the specified value or within the specified value range. This ensures the sterility of the raw materials to be mixed. Next, the first sterilizer 62 and/or the second sterilizer 64 (hereinafter also simply referred to as the first sterilizer 62, etc.) are subjected to CIP processing (sterilizer cleaning and sterilization step, symbol S20 in FIG. 9A). CIP treatment is an alkaline treatment with alkaline chemicals such as caustic soda (sodium hydroxide), potassium hydroxide, sodium carbonate, sodium silicate, sodium phosphate, sodium hypochlorite, surfactants and chelating agents mixed with water. After flowing the cleaning liquid into the flow path or before flowing the alkaline cleaning liquid into the flow path, an acidic cleaning liquid obtained by adding a nitric acid-based or phosphoric acid-based acidic agent to water is flowed into the flow path. The alkaline cleaning process using an alkaline cleaning liquid and the acid cleaning process using an acidic cleaning liquid may be freely combined and carried out. As a result, the residue of the previous mixing target material adhering to the inside of the flow path through which the drinking water passes is removed. In addition, when the amount of raw materials to be mixed is small, or when the raw materials to be mixed contain components with high detergency, the CIP treatment may be performed using only warm water or hot water without adding a detergent. Alternatively, CIP processing may be omitted.

Next, the process shifts to the SIP process. In the SIP step, for example, steam or hot water is supplied to the circulation system 59A including the sterilizer 60 (sterilizer cleaning and sterilization step, symbol S20 in FIG. 9A). As a result, the first ultraviolet lamp 67a, the second ultraviolet lamp 67b, and the third ultraviolet lamp 67c of the first sterilizer 62 (hereinafter simply referred to as the first ultraviolet lamp 67a, etc.), the first sterilizer 62, and the second sterilizer Each nook and cranny of the pipework of machine 64 is heat sterilized with steam or hot water. The first sterilizer 62, the second sterilizer 64, the foreign matter removal filter 61, the sterilization filter 63, and the sterilization filter 65 may be sterilized at the same time. Also, by adjusting the temperature, concentration, and time of the cleaning agent used in the CIP treatment, bacteria can be inactivated (SIP treatment) at the same time, and the subsequent SIP treatment can be skipped (CSIP treatment). After the CIP process, SIP process, or CSIP process is finished, the cleaning agent is discharged. After that, a rinsing process is performed to completely remove the cleaning agent. Pure water is supplied from a pure water tank at 50a for rinsing.

Also, if the first sterilizer 62 or the like is weak against heat, the first sterilizer 62 or the like may be sterilized with a sterilizing agent or a cleaning agent (see FIG. 2K). At this time, first, a sterilant is supplied to the sterilizer 60 (sterilant supply step, symbol S201 in FIG. 9B). The sterilant or cleaning agent is fed from a sterilant supply unit 96 including a tank, pump, heater, densitometer, etc. (not shown), and supplied to the pre-sterilizer 62A, the first sterilizer 62, and the first sterilizer 62 provided in the sterilizer 60. 2 The liquid is sent to the sterilizer 64 and the like. It may be supplied from sampling point SP2 or sampling point SP4. The disinfectant may contain peracetic acid. Moreover, when the disinfectant contains peracetic acid, the concentration of the disinfectant may be 1000 ppm or more and 3000 ppm or less. When the concentration of the sterilant is 1000 ppm or more, the sterilization effect of the first sterilizer 62 and the like by the sterilant can be enhanced. Moreover, since the concentration of the sterilizing agent is 3000 ppm or less, the amount of peracetic acid used can be reduced, and the cost for sterilizing the sterilizing machine 60 can be reduced.

Further, the temperature of the disinfectant or cleaning agent supplied to the circulation system 59A may be 50°C or higher and 150°C or lower. When the temperature of the sterilant or cleaning agent is 50° C. or higher, the sterilizing effect and cleaning effect of the first sterilizer 62 and the like by the sterilizing agent can be enhanced. In addition, since the temperature of the sterilizing agent or cleaning agent is 150° C. or less, the first sterilizing device 62 and the like can be manufactured at low cost without using special materials.

Next, as shown by the thick line in FIG. 2K, in a circulation system 95A including a pre-stage sterilizer 62A, a first sterilizer 62, a second sterilizer 64 and a circulation line 95 provided in the sterilizer 60 (mixing tank 51, A circulation system 59A including a pump P1 may be used), and the sterilant or cleaning agent is circulated (sterilant circulation step, symbol S202 in FIG. 9B). In this case, in the circulation system 95A including the pre-sterilizer 62A, the first sterilizer 62, and the second sterilizer 64, the sterilant is circulated for at least 10 seconds or more and 60 minutes or less. Machine 62A, first sterilizer 62, and second sterilizer 64 may be sterilized. When the circulation time is 10 seconds or more, the sterilization effect of the first sterilizer 62 and the like by the sterilant can be enhanced. Moreover, since the circulation time is 60 minutes or less, the sterilization time of the first sterilizer 62 and the like can be shortened. This reduces downtime

In addition, when the raw material to be mixed to be produced next is a raw material having a pH of less than 4.5, hot water of 70°C or higher, preferably 85°C or higher and lower than 100°C is added in the circulation system 95A for at least 3 minutes for 60 minutes. The solution is sent while circulating for less than a minute, and the SIP of the raw material sterilization line 50 to be mixed is performed in this way. If the first sterilizer 62 or the like has an ultraviolet lamp, the ultraviolet lamp may be turned on. If the ultraviolet lamp does not have heat resistance, it is recommended that after SIP, the material be cooled to a temperature at which the ultraviolet lamp can be turned on while being circulated. Further, it is preferable to provide a heat exchanger 97 and a pump (not shown) in the circulation line 95 of the circulation system 95A.

After that, the disinfectant is discharged from sampling point SP3 or sampling point SP5 (symbol S203 in FIG. 9B), and then enters the rinsing process (symbol S204 in FIG. 9B). At the time of discharge, sterile air (not shown) may be supplied to prevent contamination of bacteria in the sterilized pipes, and the pipes may be discharged in a short period of time. The rinsing process may be performed without performing the discharging process from the sampling point SP3 or SP5. In the rinsing step, first, the pre-stage sterilizer 62A is sufficiently rinsed with a rinse liquid so that the sterilant does not adhere to the foreign matter removal filter 61, and then the rinse liquid is passed through the foreign matter removal filter 61. Next, after thoroughly rinsing the sterilizing agent remaining in the first sterilizer 62 with the rinsing liquid, the rinsing liquid is passed through the first sterilization filter 63 . After that, similar operations are performed in order toward the downstream side.

Next, the first sterilizing filter 63 and/or the second sterilizing filter 65 (hereinafter also simply referred to as the first sterilizing filter 63, etc.) are sterilized (filter sterilization step, symbol S21 in FIG. 9A). At this time, first, heated steam (fluid) or hot water (fluid) is supplied to the flow path of the first sterilization filter 63 and the like (fluid supply step, symbol S211 in FIG. 9A). At this time, for example, sterilizing steam is supplied from the sterile air supply port 60a to the first sterilizing filter 63 and the like.

Next, the temperature of the heated steam or hot water supplied to the flow path of the first sterilization filter 63 or the like is measured, and the F value is calculated based on the measured temperature (F value calculation step, symbol S212).

After that, when the F value becomes equal to or greater than the target value, sterilization of the first sterilization filter 63 and the like is terminated. In this manner, the first sterilizing filter 63 and the like are sterilized. In this way, by performing heat sterilization of the first sterilization filter 63 and the like using the F value, the first sterilization filter 63 and the like are not heated more than necessary. can be sterilized. Therefore, the amount of carbon dioxide emitted by the content filling system 10 can be reduced. In addition, since the first sterilization filter 63 and the like can be sterilized without applying excessive heat to the first sterilization filter 63 and the like, damage to the membrane of the first sterilization filter 63 and the like can be suppressed. Therefore, the life of the first sterilization filter 63 and the like can be lengthened, and the first sterilization filter 63 and the like can be used for a long period of time without being replaced.

When sterilizing the first sterilizing filter 63 and the like, the area to be sterilized by steam may be defined by opening and closing valves (not shown) provided at the sampling points SP1 to SP6. For example, the steam that sterilizes the first sterilizing filter 63 may be supplied to the region between the sampling points SP3 and SP4 to sterilize the region. Also, the steam for sterilizing the second sterilizing filter 65 may be supplied to the area between the sampling points SP5 and SP6 to sterilize the area. Note that the foreign substance removing filter 61 (or the sterilizing filter) may be sterilized together with the first sterilizing filter 63 and the second sterilizing filter 65 .

In this way, the SIP process is performed on the first sterilizing filter 63 and the second sterilizing filter 65, after which the first sterilizing filter 63 and the second sterilizing filter 65 are cooled (S213 in FIG. 9A). , the integrity test of the first sterilizing filter 63 and the second sterilizing filter 65 of the sterilizer 60 is performed (22 in FIG. 9A). After that, filling (production) of contents by the contents filling system is started again.

Also, the order of the sterilizer cleaning/sterilizing step (S20 in FIG. 9A) and the filter cleaning/sterilizing step (S21 in FIG. 9A) may be reversed (see FIG. 9D). Furthermore, it is preferable to perform the washing and sterilizing steps of the first sterilizer 62 and the second sterilizer 64 in parallel during the SIP cooling steps of the filters 61, 63, and 65 (see FIG. 9E). In this case, since the pipes and valves connected before and after the filters 61, 63, 65 are in contact with the disinfectant, the cooling time can be shortened. Specifically, it is preferable to feed the sterilizing agent from the time when the filters 61, 63, 65 are cooled to below 110°C. As a result, the sterilizer washing and sterilizing process can be completed during the cooling process of the filters 61, 63, and 65.

In addition, in the first sterilizer 62 and the like, ultraviolet rays are irradiated by the first ultraviolet lamp 67a and the like during production of the product bottles 101 . As a result, the first sterilizer 62 and the like are less likely to be contaminated with bacteria. Therefore, when the sterilizer 60 is sterilized, the first sterilizer 62 and the like do not have to be sterilized.

As another embodiment, as shown in FIG. 9C, the first sterilization filter 63 and the second sterilization filter 65 of the sterilizer 60 and the first sterilizer 62 and the second sterilizer 64 are washed at the same time.・Can be sterilized. As shown in FIG. 9C, filling (production) ends first. Thereafter, a post-production integrity test is performed on the first sterilization filter 63 and the second sterilization filter 65 (reference S30 in FIG. 9C). Next, a cleaning agent and a sterilizing agent are supplied from before the foreign substance removing filter 61, and cleaning (CIP) processing is performed for a predetermined time while being circulated using the circulation line 59 (reference S31 in FIG. 9). After performing the CIP process, the sterilization (SIP) process may be performed (reference S32 in FIG. 9C). Alternatively, instead of CIP processing and SIP processing, cleaning and sterilization may be performed simultaneously (CSIP processing) (reference S33 in FIG. 9C).

Cleaning agents and disinfectants used for CIP treatment, SIP treatment, or CSIP treatment include acidic agents such as peracetic acid, acetic acid, hydrogen peroxide, pernitric acid, nitric acid, and phosphoric acid, and alkaline agents such as sodium hydroxide and potassium hydroxide. Chemical agents, chlorine-based agents such as sodium hypochlorite and chlorine dioxide, alcohols such as ethyl alcohol and isopropyl alcohol, ozone water, acidic water, and surfactants may be used alone, and two or more of these may be used. may be used in combination. The temperature of the cleaning agent and the sterilizing agent is raised by a heater (not shown), and the values of the thermometer 59b and the densitometer 59c installed in the sterilizer 60 and the circulation line 59 are used for cleaning or disinfection under predetermined conditions (temperature, concentration, time). Sterilize or wash and sterilize.

The cleaning agent and disinfectant may be discharged while supplying pure water from the water tank 50a and replacing the disinfectant with pure water from the pump P1. Water may be supplied (not shown) and disinfectant discharged from other devices. The discharge of the sterilant is preferably performed by monitoring the value of the concentration meter 59c provided downstream of the circulation line 59 and rinsing until this value becomes the same value as the pure water production device 50c. The rinsing time may be specified by a timer, and the rinsing process may be completed when a predetermined value is reached. The first ultraviolet lamp 67a and the second ultraviolet lamp 67b may or may not be lit during the cleaning process, the sterilization process, or the cleaning and sterilization process. Moreover, only the rinsing process may be illuminated. After the cleaning and sterilization are completed, the first sterilization filter 63 and the second sterilization filter 65 are subjected to an integrity test before production (reference S34 in FIG. 9C).

Next, if no leakage of the filter is found in the integrity test, the process proceeds to the first production preparation step of replacing the product liquid (reference S35 in FIG. 9C). In the first production preparation step, while pure water is circulated in the circulation line 59, it is confirmed that the first ultraviolet lamp 67a and the second ultraviolet lamp 67b have a prescribed illuminance or higher. When there are a plurality of ultraviolet lamps 67a and 67b, for example, the total irradiation dose should be 10 mJ/cm ² or more, preferably 100 mJ/cm ² or more. Next, a non-heat sterilized target raw material (product liquid) is supplied from the target raw material sterilization line 50B to replace pure water with the product liquid. After the sterilizer 60 is sufficiently replaced with the product liquid (measured with a flow meter and a timer, after a predetermined time has elapsed), the pipeline is switched from the circulation line 59 to the tank 52 side, and the product liquid is stored in the tank 52, The process proceeds to the second production preparation step for blending the product solution (reference S36 in FIG. 9C).

As described above, according to the present embodiment, the other raw material sterilization line 70 that thermally decomposes the raw material of the content by being heated, or performs heat sterilization of the content filling system 10 by being heated. Raw materials that corrode metals against or deteriorate the functions of detection devices due to precipitation are distinguished from other raw materials as target raw materials and are sterilized without heat together with water. As a result, the target raw material can be prevented from thermally decomposing or deteriorating and decreasing, and metal corrosion due to heating within the content filling system 10 and precipitation due to heating do not occur. For this reason, it is possible to supply the target raw material more than necessary, suppress material deterioration of the target raw material, and extend the period of repair or replacement of the contents filling system 10 . Furthermore, functional deterioration of the content filling system 10 can be prevented.

Further, according to the present embodiment, since the mixed target raw material composed of water and the target raw material and the other raw materials are not subjected to non-heat sterilization, when the other raw materials are passed through the non-heat sterilization line, Filter clogging of the non-heat sterilization line that occurs can be obviated.

<Second Embodiment>
A second embodiment of the present disclosure will be described below with reference to the drawings.

Here, FIG. 10 is a schematic system diagram showing the contents filling system according to the second embodiment, and is a diagram corresponding to FIG. 1A showing the first embodiment.

The second embodiment shown in FIG. 10 is different in that a water sterilization line 50A for non-heat sterilization of water and a target raw material sterilization line 50B for non-heat sterilization of target raw materials are provided independently, but there are other configurations. are substantially the same as the first embodiment shown in FIGS. 1A to 9B. In the second embodiment shown in FIG. 10, the same parts as those in the first embodiment shown in FIGS. 1A to 9B are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

As shown in FIG. 10, the content filling system 10 includes a water sterilization line (first sterilization line) 50A for non-heat sterilization of water (first content liquid) and non-heat sterilization for the target raw material (second content liquid). Target raw material sterilization line (second sterilization line) 50B, other raw material sterilization line (third sterilization line) 70 for heat sterilizing other raw materials (third content liquid) other than the target raw material (third content liquid), water sterilization line 50A, target The first mixing tank 55A, the second mixing tank 55B and the third mixing tank 55C connected to the raw material sterilization line 50B and the other raw material sterilization line 70, respectively, the first mixing tank 55A, the second mixing tank 55B and the third It has a first filling device 21A, a second filling device 21B and a third filling device 21C connected to each of the mixing tanks 55C.

Of these, the water sterilization line 50A for non-heat sterilization of water, the target raw material sterilization line 50B for non-heat sterilization of target raw materials, and the other raw material sterilization line 70 for heat sterilization of other raw materials are installed in parallel and independently of each other. It is

In FIG. 10, water (pure water) supplied from a pure water production device 50c is stored in a water tank 50a, and the water supplied from the water tank 50a is non-heat sterilized by a water sterilization line 50A.

Among the raw materials of the content, the above-described target raw material is stored in the target raw material tank 50b, and the target raw material supplied from the target raw material tank 50b is non-heat sterilized by the target raw material sterilization line 50B.

On the other hand, among the raw materials of the content, raw materials other than the target raw materials are stored in the other raw material tank 71, and the other raw materials stored in the other raw material tank 71 are sterilized in the other raw material sterilization line 70 as described above. Heat sterilized.

Then, the water that has been non-heat sterilized by the water sterilization line 50A, the target raw material that has been non-heat sterilized by the target raw material sterilization line 50B, and the other raw material that has been heat sterilized by the other raw material sterilization line 70 are each stored in a first mixing tank. 55A, second mixing tank 55B and third mixing tank 55C. In this case, for example, the water that has been non-heat sterilized by the water sterilization line 50A may be uniformly sent to the first mixing tank 55A, the second mixing tank 55B, and the third mixing tank 55C. A large amount of water may be sent, or a small amount of water may be sent to the second mixing tank 55B and the third mixing tank 55C. Similarly, the target raw material that has been non-heat sterilized by the target raw material sterilization line 50B may be uniformly sent to the first mixing tank 55A, the second mixing tank 55B, and the third mixing tank 55C. A large amount of the target material may be sent, or a small amount of the target material may be sent to the second mixing tank 55B and the third mixing tank 55C. Similarly, other raw materials heat-sterilized in the other raw material sterilization line 70 may be uniformly sent to the first mixing tank 55A, the second mixing tank 55B, and the third mixing tank 55C. A large amount of other raw materials may be sent to , and a small amount of other raw materials may be sent to the second mixing tank 55B and the third mixing tank 55C.

In the first mixing tank 55A, the second mixing tank 55B, and the third mixing tank 55C, non-heat sterilized water, non-heat sterilized target raw materials, and heat sterilized other raw materials are mixed to form the contents. generated.

The contents produced in the first mixing tank 55A, the second mixing tank 55B, and the third mixing tank 55C are supplied to any one of the first filling device 21A, the second filling device 21B, and the third filling device 21C, Contents are filled into the empty bottle 100 from the first filling device 21A, the second filling device 21B and the third filling device 21C. By installing a plurality of mixing tanks 55A to 55C, the cleaning and sterilization of the first filling device 21A, the second filling device 21B, and the third filling device 21C are completed, and as soon as the preparation for production is completed, the first It is possible to quickly transfer the produced content to any one of the filling device 21A, the second filling device 21B, and the third filling device 21C. By installing two or more of the mixing tanks 55A to 55C, a buffer for the generated contents can be created, and filling can be performed without waiting for the generation of the contents. Further, when the concentrations of the first mixing tank 55A, the second mixing tank 55B, and the third mixing tank 55C do not fall within the specified range, the water tank 50a, the target raw material tank 50b, and the other raw material tank 71 are appropriately supplied, Concentration can be adjusted. In order to remix the first mixing tank 55A, the second mixing tank 55B and the third mixing tank 55C, the first mixing tank 55A, the second mixing tank 55B and the third mixing tank 55C are maintained in a sterile state. , has the ability to blow aseptically. Specifically, blow pipes for drainage that are sterilized with steam are provided below the first mixing tank 55A, the second mixing tank 55B, and the third mixing tank 55C, and the inside of the pipes is sterilized with steam immediately before the liquid is drained. , the liquids in the first mixing tank 55A, the second mixing tank 55B and the third mixing tank 55C are blown while maintaining the tank positive pressure, and after blowing, the above pipes are re-sterilized with steam (not shown). Aseptic valves equipped with vapor barriers, sterile water barriers, or sterile air barriers are preferably used for piping through which the respective liquids flow so that the respective liquids do not intersect.

In addition, the water sterilized by the water sterilization line 50A is sent to the first mixing tank 55A, stored in the first mixing tank s55A without being mixed with the target raw material or other raw materials, and directly sent to the first filling device 21A. The bottle 100 may be filled with the first filling device 21A by feeding the liquid. Similarly, only the target raw material that has been non-heat sterilized by the target raw material sterilization line 50B is sent to the second tank 55B, and is sent to the second filling device 21B without being mixed with other raw materials or water. The bottle 100 may be filled with the filling device 21B. Similarly, only other raw materials that have been heat sterilized in the other raw material sterilization line 70 are sent to the third mixing tank 55C, and are not mixed with the target raw materials or water, and are sent to the third filling device 21C and heat sterilized. Alternatively, only other raw materials may be filled into the bottle 100 by the third filling device 21C. In addition, in FIG. 10, the mode in which the liquids of the three systems are fed so as to be mixed with each other has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the liquids of the three systems may be fed independently of each other. Alternatively, each of the three systems of liquids may be sterilized, and then the three systems of liquids may be aseptically mixed in a single mixing tank, for example, the first mixing tank 55 . Alternatively, each of the three systems of liquids may be sterilized and then aseptically mixed by a single filling device, for example, the first filling device 21A, without passing through the mixing tank. Instead of performing aseptic mixing, the liquids of the three systems may be sterilized by heating or non-heating, and then aseptically filled independently by the first filling device 21A to the third filling device 21C. Alternatively, only other raw materials and target raw materials with a large number of bacteria are sterilized by heating or non-heating, and water is mixed with other raw materials and target raw materials without sterilizing water with a low number of bacteria or sterile water. good. It should be noted that water, target raw materials, or other raw materials may be sent directly to the first filling device 21A to the third filling device 21C instead of the first mixing tank 55A to the third mixing tank and mixed.

Here, as the target raw material among the raw materials of the content, as described in the first embodiment, it is thermally decomposed by heating, causes metal corrosion, precipitates and functions as a detection device etc. It degrades. Therefore, in the present embodiment, non-heat sterilization is performed in sterilizing the target raw material.

On the other hand, other raw materials refer to raw materials other than the target raw material among the raw materials of the content, as explained in the first embodiment. Other raw materials can also be sterilized without heat, but since the non-heat sterilization line has a filter, considering that the throughput is reduced due to filter clogging, in the present embodiment, other Heat sterilization is applied to the raw material of

In the present embodiment, the water sterilization line 50A is for non-heat sterilization of water, the target material sterilization line 50B is for non-heat sterilization of the target material, and the water sterilization line 50A and the target material sterilization line 50B are Both have the sterilizer 60 described in the first embodiment.

That is, the sterilizer 60 can use the configuration shown in FIGS. 2 to 6B described in the first embodiment.

The other raw material sterilization line 70 heats and sterilizes other raw materials, and the other raw material sterilization line 70 has the raw material sterilizer 80 described in the first embodiment.

That is, as the raw material sterilizer 80, one having the configuration shown in FIG. 7 described in the first embodiment can be used.

7, the raw material tank 72 may be provided downstream of the raw material sterilizer 80, and the auxiliary filter 73 and the raw material tank 74 may be provided downstream of the raw material tank 72. good. Furthermore, an addition unit 75 may be provided downstream of the raw material tank 72. In this case, the addition unit 75 can add solids such as sugarcane, nata de coco, tapioca, or aloe into other raw materials. The solids may also be previously sterilized aseptic solids. In addition to solids, aseptic or non-sterile flavors, acidulants, and colorants may be quantitatively added from the addition unit 75 to other raw materials.

In addition, the first filling device 21A, the second filling device 21B and the third filling device 21C add water, the target raw material and other , and the content is filled into the bottle 100 through the mouth of the bottle 100. As shown in FIG.

The first filling device 21A, the second filling device 21B, and the third filling device 21C, like the filling device 21 in the first embodiment, are all arranged in an aseptic chamber, for example, a rotary filler. Linear fillers may be used as the first filling device 21A, the second filling device 21B and the third filling device 21C. As the bottles 100 filled in the first filling device 21A, the second filling device 21B and the third filling device 21C, plastic bottles and cups, paper containers and pouches may be used. A composite container of these may also be used.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, among the raw materials of the content, it is thermally decomposed by heating, causes metal corrosion by heating, or precipitates to function as a detection device or the like. Raw materials to be deteriorated are treated as target raw materials, and are sterilized without heating separately from other raw materials. As a result, the target raw material can be prevented from thermally decomposing and deteriorating or decreasing, and metal corrosion due to heating within the content filling system 10 and precipitation due to heating do not occur. For this reason, it is possible to supply the target raw material more than necessary, suppress material deterioration of the target raw material, and extend the period of repair or replacement of the contents filling system 10 . Furthermore, functional deterioration of the content filling system 10 can be prevented.

Further, according to the present embodiment, since the mixed target raw material composed of water and the target raw material and the other raw materials are not subjected to non-heat sterilization, when the other raw materials are passed through the non-heat sterilization line, Filter clogging of the non-heat sterilization line that occurs can be obviated.

In addition, in the second embodiment shown in FIG. 10, without sending the non-heat sterilized water by the water sterilization line 50A to the first mixing tank 55A, the second mixing tank 55B or the third mixing tank 55C, the contents are It may be sent to chambers 70a-70g containing various components of filling system 10, and these chambers 70a-70g may be washed with non-heat sterilized water through water sterilization line 50A. In addition, the water that has been non-heat sterilized by the water sterilization line 50A is transferred to another raw material sterilization line 70, the target raw material sterilization line 50B, the first mixing tank 55A to the third mixing tank 55C, or the first filling device 21A to the third filling. It may be supplied as rinsing water after the CIP treatment for the device 21C, the SIP treatment, or the CSIP treatment in which CIP and SIP are performed simultaneously.

Furthermore, in the second embodiment shown in FIG. 10, part of the water (pure water) supplied from the pure water production device 50c and stored in the water tank 50a is supplied to the target raw material tank 50b, and this target raw material tank The subject material in 50b may be diluted with water.

Alternatively, part of the water (pure water) stored in the water tank 50a may be supplied to another raw material tank 71 to dilute the other raw material in the other raw material tank 71 with water.

By supplying water from the water tank 50a to the target raw material tank 50b and diluting the target raw material in the target raw material tank 50b with water in this manner, the target raw material can be smoothly passed through the target raw material sterilization line 50B. can.

Further, the water from the water tank 50a is supplied to the other raw material tank 71, and the other raw material in the other raw material tank 71 is diluted with water, so that the other raw material smoothly passes through the other raw material sterilization line 70. be able to.

Next, an application example of the second embodiment shown in FIG. 10 will be described with reference to FIGS. 11 to 17. FIG.

11 to 17, in the embodiment shown in FIG. 10, non-heat sterilized water is sent to the first mixing tank 55A by the water sterilization line 50A and mixed with the target raw material or other raw materials. The first mixing tank 55A is fed to the first filling device 21A without the first mixing tank 55A, and the bottle 100 is filled with water by the first filling device 21A. Similarly, the non-heat sterilized target raw material is sent to the second mixing tank 55B by the target raw material sterilization line 50B, and is sent from the second mixing tank 55B to the second filling device 21B without being mixed with other raw materials or water. Then, the target raw material is filled into the bottle 100 by the second filling device 21B.

In the application example shown in FIGS. 12 to 17, only the other raw material heat-sterilized in the other raw material sterilization line 70 is sent to the third mixing tank 55C, and the third mixing is performed without mixing with the target raw material or water. The liquid is sent from the tank 55C to the third filling device 21C, and other raw materials are filled into the bottle 100 by the third filling device 21C.

Among them, in the example shown in FIG. 11, the first filling device 21A is arranged in the aseptic chamber 70f. Water is fed from the first mixing tank 55A to the first filling device 21A. An aseptic chamber 70h is provided on the downstream side of the aseptic chamber 70f in the bottle 100 conveying direction via the conveying wheel 12, and the second filling device 21B is arranged in the aseptic chamber 70h. Then, the target material is sent from the second mixing tank 55B to the second filling device 21B.

Further, an aseptic chamber 70j is provided downstream of the aseptic chamber 70h in the bottle 100 conveying direction, and the capping device 16 is arranged in this aseptic chamber 70j. An outlet chamber 70g is also provided downstream of the sterile chamber 70j.
Both the first filling device 21A and the second filling device 21B are rotary fillers having a plurality of rotatable filling nozzles 21a.

In FIG. 11, a bottle 100 previously sterilized on the upstream side is transported via the transport wheel 12 to the first filling device 21A in the aseptic chamber 70f. In the first filling device 21A, the empty bottle 100 is filled with water sent from the first mixing tank 55A. In the first filling device 21A, water is filled into the bottles 100 while the bottles 100 are rotationally conveyed.

Bottle 100 is then transported via transport wheel 12 to second filling device 21B in aseptic chamber 70h.

In the second filling device 21B, the target material sent from the second mixing tank 55B is filled into the bottle 100 previously filled with water by the first filling device 21A. In this second filling device 21B, the inside of the bottles 100 is filled with the target raw material while the plurality of bottles 100 are rotationally conveyed.

Bottle 100 is then conveyed via transport wheel 12 to capping device 16 in aseptic chamber 70j.

The capping device 16 is a device that caps the bottle 100 by attaching a cap 88 to the bottle 100 . In the capping device 16, the bottle 100 filled with water and the target raw material (content) is closed with a cap 88, and the inside of the bottle 100 is sealed so that the outside air and microorganisms do not enter. In the cap attaching device 16, caps 88 are attached to the mouths of the plurality of bottles 100 filled with contents while they are being rotated (revolved). By attaching the cap 88 to the bottle 100 in this manner, the product bottle 101 is obtained (see FIG. 1B).

The cap 88 is sterilized in advance by the cap sterilizer 18 . The cap sterilizer 18 is located, for example, outside the sterile chamber 70j and near the capping device 16. As shown in FIG. In the cap sterilizing device 18 , a large number of caps 88 brought in from outside the contents filling system 10 are collected in advance and conveyed in a line toward the cap attaching device 16 . While the cap 88 is on its way to the cap applicator 16, hydrogen peroxide gas or mist is blown against the inner and outer surfaces of the cap 88, then dried with hot air and sterilized (see FIG. 1B).

The product bottle unloading section 25 continuously unloads the product bottles 101 attached with the caps 88 by the cap attaching device 16 to the outside of the content filling system 10 .

Next, in the example shown in FIG. 12, the first filling device 21A is placed inside the sterile chamber 70f. Water is fed from the first mixing tank 55A to the first filling device 21A. An aseptic chamber 70h is provided on the downstream side of the aseptic chamber 70f in the bottle 100 conveying direction via the conveying wheel 12, and the second filling device 21B is arranged in the aseptic chamber 70h. Then, the target material is sent from the second mixing tank 55B to the second filling device 21B.

Furthermore, an aseptic chamber 70i is provided adjacent to the aseptic chamber 70h, and the third filling device 21C is arranged in this aseptic chamber 70i. Another raw material is sent from the third mixing tank 55C to the third filling device 21C. The aseptic chamber 70i is arranged downstream of the aseptic chamber 70f in the direction of transport of the bottle 100, so that the aseptic chamber 70h and the aseptic chamber 70i are arranged in parallel on the downstream side of the aseptic chamber 70f in the direction of transport of the bottle 100. It can be said that it is.

Further, an aseptic chamber 70j is provided downstream of the aseptic chambers 70h and 70i in the conveying direction of the bottle 100, and the capping device 16 is arranged in this aseptic chamber 70j. Furthermore, an exit chamber 70g is provided downstream of the sterile chamber 70j.

The first filling device 21A, the second filling device 21B, and the third filling device 21C are all composed of rotary fillers having a plurality of rotatable filling nozzles 21a.
In FIG. 12, a bottle 100 previously sterilized on the upstream side is transported via the transport wheel 12 to the first filling device 21A inside the aseptic chamber 70f.

In the first filling device 21A, the empty bottle 100 is filled with water sent from the first mixing tank 55A. In the first filling device 21A, water is filled into the bottles 100 while the plurality of bottles 100 are rotationally conveyed.

Next, the bottle 100 in the aseptic chamber 70f is conveyed via the conveying wheel 12 to the second filling device 21B in the aseptic chamber 70h. In the second filling device 21B, the target material sent from the second mixing tank 55B is filled into the bottle 100 previously filled with water by the first filling device 21A. In the second filling device 21B, the inside of the bottles 100 is filled with the target raw material while the bottles 100 are rotationally conveyed.

On the other hand, bottles 100 in aseptic chamber 70f may be transported via transport wheel 12 to third filling device 21C in aseptic chamber 70i. In this case, the bottle 100 inside the aseptic chamber 70f is not sent to the second filling device 21B side inside the aseptic chamber 70h.
When the bottle 100 is transported to the third filling device 21C, the other raw material sent from the third mixing tank 55C in the third filling device 21C is added to the bottle 100 previously filled with water by the first filling device 21A. is filled to In this third filling device 21C, the insides of the bottles 100 are filled with other raw materials while the bottles 100 are rotationally conveyed.

Bottles 100 in aseptic chamber 70h and bottles 100 in aseptic chamber 70i are then both transported via transport wheel 12 to capping device 16 in aseptic chamber 70j. The capping device 16 is a device that caps the bottle 100 by attaching a cap 88 to the bottle 100 . In the capping device 16, a bottle 100 filled with water, target ingredient or other ingredient (contents) is closed by a cap 88 to seal the bottle 100 against outside air and microorganisms. In the cap attaching device 16, caps 88 are attached to the mouths of the plurality of bottles 100 filled with contents while they are being rotated (revolved). By attaching the cap 88 to the bottle 100 in this manner, the product bottle 101 is obtained (see FIG. 1B).

The cap 88 is sterilized in advance by the cap sterilizer 18 . The cap sterilizer 18 is located, for example, outside the sterile chamber 70j and near the capping device 16. As shown in FIG. In the cap sterilizing device 18 , a large number of caps 88 brought in from outside the contents filling system 10 are collected in advance and conveyed in a line toward the cap attaching device 16 . While the cap 88 is on its way to the cap applicator 16, hydrogen peroxide gas or mist is blown against the inner and outer surfaces of the cap 88, then dried with hot air and sterilized (see FIG. 1B).

The product bottle unloading section 25 continuously unloads the product bottles 101 attached with the caps 88 by the cap attaching device 16 to the outside of the content filling system 10 .
Next, in the example shown in FIG. 13, the first filling device 21A is placed inside the sterile chamber 70f. Water is fed from the first mixing tank 55A to the first filling device 21A. An aseptic chamber 70h is provided downstream of the aseptic chamber 70f in the bottle 100 conveying direction, and the second filling device 21B is arranged in the aseptic chamber 70h. Then, the target material is sent from the second mixing tank 55B to the second filling device 21B.

Further, an aseptic chamber 70i is provided downstream of the aseptic chamber 70h in the bottle 100 conveying direction, and the third filling device 21C is arranged in the aseptic chamber 70i. Another raw material is sent from the third mixing tank 55C to the third filling device 21C. Further, an aseptic chamber 70j is provided on the downstream side of the aseptic chamber 70i in the conveying direction of the bottle 100, and the capping device 16 is arranged in this aseptic chamber 70j.

In FIG. 13, aseptic chamber 70f, aseptic chamber 70h, aseptic chamber 70i, and aseptic chamber 70j are arranged side by side on the outer periphery of circular conveying body 110 that rotationally conveys bottle 100. As shown in FIG. A sterile chamber 70k containing the transport wheel 12 is arranged upstream of the sterile chamber 70f on the outer periphery of the circular carrier 110. As shown in FIG. Furthermore, an outlet chamber 70g is provided downstream of the aseptic chamber 70j in the bottle 100 conveying direction.

The first filling device 21A, the second filling device 21B, and the third filling device 21C are all composed of rotary fillers having a plurality of rotatable filling nozzles 21a.
In FIG. 13, a bottle 100 previously sterilized on the upstream side is conveyed to aseptic chamber 70f via conveying wheel 12 and circular conveying body 110 arranged in aseptic chamber 70k, and conveying wheel 12 is conveyed in aseptic chamber 70f. It is transported to the first filling device 21A through the.

In the first filling device 21A, the empty bottle 100 is filled with water sent from the first mixing tank 55A. In the first filling device 21A, water is filled into the bottles 100 while the plurality of bottles 100 are rotationally conveyed.

Bottle 100 in aseptic chamber 70f is then conveyed to second filling device 21B via carrier wheel 12 in aseptic chamber 70f, circular carrier 110, and carrier wheel 12 in aseptic chamber 70h. In the second filling device 21B, the target material sent from the second mixing tank 55B is filled into the bottle 100 previously filled with water by the first filling device 21A. In the second filling device 21B, the inside of the bottles 100 is filled with the target raw material while the bottles 100 are rotationally conveyed.

After that, the bottle 100 in the aseptic chamber 70h is conveyed to the third filling device 21C via the conveying wheel 12 in the aseptic chamber 70h, the circular conveying body 110 and the conveying wheel 12 in the aseptic chamber 70i. When the bottle 100 is conveyed to the third filling device 21C, the bottle 100 previously filled with water and the target raw material is filled with another raw material sent from the third mixing tank 55C in the third filling device 21C. be. In this third filling device 21C, the insides of the bottles 100 are filled with other raw materials while the bottles 100 are rotationally conveyed.

Bottles 100 in aseptic chamber 70i are then conveyed to capper 16 via carrier wheel 12 in aseptic chamber 70i, circular carrier 110, and carrier wheel 12 in aseptic chamber 70j. The capping device 16 is a device that caps the bottle 100 by attaching a cap 88 to the bottle 100 . In the capping device 16, the bottle 100 filled with water, target ingredients and other ingredients (contents) is closed by a cap 88 to seal the inside of the bottle 100 against outside air and microorganisms. In the cap attaching device 16, caps 88 are attached to the mouths of the plurality of bottles 100 filled with contents while they are being rotated (revolved). By attaching the cap 88 to the bottle 100 in this manner, the product bottle 101 is obtained (see FIG. 1B).

The cap 88 is sterilized in advance by the cap sterilizer 18 . The cap sterilizer 18 is located, for example, outside the sterile chamber 70j and near the capping device 16. As shown in FIG. In the cap sterilizer 18, a large number of caps 88 carried in from the outside of the content filling system 10 are collected in advance and conveyed in a line toward the cap mounting device 16 by the cap conveying path 18A. After the cap 88 is sprayed with hydrogen peroxide gas or mist toward the inner and outer surfaces of the cap 88 on the cap conveying path 18A toward the cap attaching device 16, the cap 88 is dried with hot air and sterilized.

The product bottle unloading section 25 continuously unloads the product bottles 101 attached with the caps 88 by the cap attaching device 16 to the outside of the content filling system 10 .

Next, in the example shown in FIG. 14, the first filling device 21A is placed inside the sterile chamber 70f. Water is fed from the first mixing tank 55A to the first filling device 21A. An aseptic chamber 70h is provided downstream of the aseptic chamber 70f in the bottle 100 conveying direction, and the second filling device 21B is arranged in the aseptic chamber 70h. Then, the target material is sent from the second mixing tank 55B to the second filling device 21B.

Furthermore, an aseptic chamber 70i is provided adjacent to the aseptic chamber 70h, and the third filling device 21C is arranged in this aseptic chamber 70i. Another raw material is sent from the third mixing tank 55C to the third filling device 21C. In FIG. 14, the aseptic chamber 70h and the aseptic chamber 70i are arranged in parallel on the downstream side of the aseptic chamber 70f in the bottle 100 conveying direction.

Further, an aseptic chamber 70j is provided downstream of the aseptic chambers 70h and 70i in the conveying direction of the bottle 100, and the capping device 16 is arranged in this aseptic chamber 70j. Furthermore, an outlet chamber 70g is provided downstream of the aseptic chamber 70j in the bottle 100 conveying direction.

The first filling device 21A, the second filling device 21B, and the third filling device 21C are all composed of rotary fillers having a plurality of rotatable filling nozzles 21a. Further, of the aseptic chamber 70h for accommodating the second filling device 21B, the area on the side of the aseptic chamber 70i for accommodating the third filling device 21C is partitioned to form the aseptic chamber 70l. are placed.

In FIG. 14, the bottle 100 previously sterilized on the upstream side is transported via the transport wheel 12 to the first filling device 21A in the aseptic chamber 70f. In the first filling device 21A, the empty bottle 100 is filled with water sent from the first mixing tank 55A. In the first filling device 21A, water is filled into the bottles 100 while the plurality of bottles 100 are rotationally conveyed.

Next, the bottle 100 in the aseptic chamber 70f is conveyed via the conveying wheel 12 to the second filling device 21B in the aseptic chamber 70h. In the second filling device 21B, the target material sent from the second mixing tank 55B is filled into the bottle 100 previously filled with water by the first filling device 21A. In the second filling device 21B, the inside of the bottles 100 is filled with the target raw material while the bottles 100 are rotationally conveyed.

On the other hand, the bottle 100 in the aseptic chamber 70f may be transported to the third filling device 21C in the aseptic chamber 70i via the transport wheels 12 in the aseptic chamber 70h and the transport wheels 12 in the aseptic chamber 70i. In this case, the bottles in the aseptic chamber 70f are not sent to the second filling device 21B side in the aseptic chamber 70h.

When the bottle 100 is transported to the third filling device 21C, the other raw material sent from the third mixing tank 55C in the third filling device 21C is added to the bottle 100 previously filled with water by the first filling device 21A. is filled to In this third filling device 21C, the insides of the bottles 100 are filled with other raw materials while the bottles 100 are rotationally conveyed.

Thereafter, bottles 100 in aseptic chamber 70h and bottles 100 in aseptic chamber 70i pass through conveying wheels 12 in aseptic chamber 70h and conveying wheels 12 in aseptic chamber 70i, respectively, through conveying wheels 12 in aseptic chamber 70j. It is sent to the capping device 16 . The capping device 16 is a device that caps the bottle 100 by attaching a cap 88 to the bottle 100 . In the capping device 16, a bottle 100 filled with water, a target ingredient or other ingredients (contents) is closed by a cap 88 to seal the bottle 100 against outside air and microorganisms. In the cap attaching device 16, caps 88 are attached to the mouths of the plurality of bottles 100 filled with contents while they are being rotated (revolved). By attaching the cap 88 to the bottle 100 in this manner, the product bottle 101 is obtained (see FIG. 1B).

The cap 88 is sterilized in advance by the cap sterilizer 18 . The cap sterilizer 18 is located, for example, outside the sterile chamber 70j and near the capping device 16. As shown in FIG. In the cap sterilizer 18, a large number of caps 88 carried in from the outside of the content filling system 10 are collected in advance and conveyed in a line toward the cap mounting device 16 by the cap conveying path 18A. After the cap 88 is sprayed with hydrogen peroxide gas or mist toward the inner and outer surfaces of the cap 88 on the cap conveying path 18A toward the cap attaching device 16, the cap 88 is dried with hot air and sterilized.

The product bottle unloading section 25 continuously unloads the product bottles 101 attached with the caps 88 by the cap attaching device 16 to the outside of the content filling system 10 .

In the example shown in FIG. 14, the bottle 100 filled with water by the first filling device 21A in the aseptic chamber 70f is transferred to the second filling device 21B in the aseptic chamber 70h or the third filling device 21C in the aseptic chamber 70i. It may also be sent directly to aseptic chamber 70j via transfer wheel 12 in aseptic chamber 70l. In this case, the product bottle 101 is obtained by attaching the cap 88 to the bottle 100 filled only with water.

Next, in the example shown in FIG. 15, the first filling device 21A is placed inside the sterile chamber 70f. Water is fed from the first mixing tank 55A to the first filling device 21A. An aseptic chamber 70i is provided on the downstream side of the aseptic chamber 70f in the bottle 100 conveying direction via the conveying wheel 12, and the third filling device 21C is arranged in the aseptic chamber 70i. Another raw material is sent from the third mixing tank 55C to the third filling device 21C.

Furthermore, an aseptic chamber 70h is provided adjacent to the aseptic chambers 70f and 70i, and the second filling device 21B is arranged in this aseptic chamber 70h. Then, the target material is sent from the second mixing tank 55B to the second filling device 21B. In FIG. 15, the aseptic chamber 70h and the aseptic chamber 70i are arranged in parallel on the downstream side of the aseptic chamber 70f in the bottle 100 conveying direction. Further, an aseptic chamber 70j is provided downstream of the aseptic chambers 70h and 70i in the conveying direction of the bottle 100, and the capping device 16 is arranged in this aseptic chamber 70j. Furthermore, an outlet chamber 70g is provided downstream of the aseptic chamber 70j in the bottle 100 conveying direction.

The first filling device 21A, the second filling device 21B, and the third filling device 21C are all composed of rotary fillers having a plurality of rotatable filling nozzles 21a. In addition, of the aseptic chamber 70i for accommodating the third filling device 21C, the area on the side of the aseptic chamber 70h for accommodating the second filling device 21B is partitioned to form the aseptic chamber 70l. are placed.

In FIG. 15, a bottle 100 previously sterilized on the upstream side is transported via the transport wheel 12 to the first filling device 21A in the aseptic chamber 70f. In the first filling device 21A, the empty bottle 100 is filled with water sent from the first mixing tank 55A. In the first filling device 21A, water is filled into the bottles 100 while the plurality of bottles 100 are rotationally conveyed.

Next, the bottle 100 in the aseptic chamber 70f is conveyed to the second filling device 21B via the conveying wheel 12 in the aseptic chamber 70f and the conveying wheel 12 in the aseptic chamber 70h. In the second filling device 21B, the target material sent from the second mixing tank 55B is filled into the bottle 100 previously filled with water by the first filling device 21A. In the second filling device 21B, the inside of the bottles 100 is filled with the target raw material while the bottles 100 are rotationally conveyed.

On the other hand, bottles 100 in aseptic chamber 70f may be transported via transport wheels 12 in aseptic chamber 70f and transport wheels 12 in aseptic chamber 70l to third filling device 21C in aseptic chamber 70i.

When the bottle 100 is transported to the third filling device 21C, the other raw material sent from the third mixing tank 55C in the third filling device 21C is added to the bottle 100 previously filled with water by the first filling device 21A. is filled to In this third filling device 21C, the insides of the bottles 100 are filled with other raw materials while the bottles 100 are rotationally conveyed.

Bottles 100 in aseptic chamber 70h and bottles 100 in aseptic chamber 70i are then transported to capping device 16 via transport wheel 12 in aseptic chamber 70l and via transport wheel 12 in aseptic chamber 70j. The capping device 16 is a device that caps the bottle 100 by attaching a cap 88 to the bottle 100 . In the capping device 16, a bottle 100 filled with water, a target ingredient or other ingredients (contents) is closed by a cap 88 to seal the bottle 100 against outside air and microorganisms. In the cap attaching device 16, caps 88 are attached to the mouths of the plurality of bottles 100 filled with contents while they are being rotated (revolved). By attaching the cap 88 to the bottle 100 in this manner, the product bottle 101 is obtained (see FIG. 1B).

The cap 88 is sterilized in advance by the cap sterilizer 18 . The cap sterilizer 18 is located, for example, outside the sterile chamber 70j and near the capping device 16. As shown in FIG. In the cap sterilizer 18, a large number of caps 88 carried in from the outside of the content filling system 10 are collected in advance and conveyed in a line toward the cap mounting device 16 by the cap conveying path 18A. After the cap 88 is sprayed with hydrogen peroxide gas or mist toward the inner and outer surfaces of the cap 88 on the cap conveying path 18A toward the cap attaching device 16, the cap 88 is dried with hot air and sterilized.

The product bottle unloading section 25 continuously unloads the product bottles 101 attached with the caps 88 by the cap attaching device 16 to the outside of the content filling system 10 .

Next, in the example shown in FIG. 16, the first filling device 21A is placed inside the sterile chamber 70f. Water is fed from the first mixing tank 55A to the first filling device 21A. An aseptic chamber 70h is provided downstream of the aseptic chamber 70f in the bottle 100 conveying direction, and the second filling device 21B is arranged in the aseptic chamber 70h. Then, the target material is sent from the second mixing tank 55B to the second filling device 21B.

Further, an aseptic chamber 70i is provided downstream of the aseptic chamber 70h in the bottle 100 conveying direction, and the third filling device 21C is arranged in the aseptic chamber 70i. Another raw material is sent from the third mixing tank 55C to the third filling device 21C. Further, an aseptic chamber 70j is provided on the downstream side of the aseptic chamber 70i in the conveying direction of the bottle 100, and the capping device 16 is arranged in this aseptic chamber 70j. Furthermore, an outlet chamber 70g is provided downstream of the aseptic chamber 70j in the bottle 100 conveying direction.

The first filling device 21A, the second filling device 21B, and the third filling device 21C are all composed of rotary fillers having a plurality of rotatable filling nozzles 21a. Adjacent to sterile chambers 70f, 70h and 70i is also provided sterile chamber 70m in which transport wheel 12 is arranged.

In FIG. 16, a bottle 100 previously sterilized on the upstream side is transported via the transport wheel 12 to the first filling device 21A in the aseptic chamber 70f. In the first filling device 21A, the empty bottle 100 is filled with water sent from the first mixing tank 55A. In the first filling device 21A, water is filled into the bottles 100 while the plurality of bottles 100 are rotationally conveyed.

The bottle 100 in the aseptic chamber 70f is then sent to the aseptic chamber 70h via the conveying wheel 12 in the aseptic chamber 70f and the conveying wheel 12 in the aseptic chamber 70m, and through the conveying wheel 12 in the aseptic chamber 70h to the second filling device. 21B. In the second filling device 21B, the target material sent from the second mixing tank 55B is filled into the bottle 100 previously filled with water by the first filling device 21A. In the second filling device 21B, the inside of the bottles 100 is filled with the target raw material while the bottles 100 are rotationally conveyed.

Next, the bottle 100 in the aseptic chamber 70h is conveyed into the aseptic chamber 70i through the conveying wheel 12 in the aseptic chamber 70h and the conveying wheel 12 in the aseptic chamber 70m, and then conveyed to the third filling device 21C. When the bottle 100 is conveyed to the third filling device 21C, the bottle 100 previously filled with water and the target raw material is filled with another raw material sent from the third mixing tank 55C in the third filling device 21C. be. In this third filling device 21C, the insides of the bottles 100 are filled with other raw materials while the bottles 100 are rotationally conveyed.

Bottles 100 in aseptic chamber 70i are then transported via transport wheels 12 in aseptic chamber 70i and transport wheels 12 in aseptic chamber 70m to capping device 16 in aseptic chamber 70j. The capping device 16 is a device that caps the bottle 100 by attaching a cap 88 to the bottle 100 . In the capping device 16, the bottle 100 filled with water, target ingredients and other ingredients (contents) is closed by a cap 88 to seal the inside of the bottle 100 against outside air and microorganisms. In the cap attaching device 16, caps 88 are attached to the mouths of the plurality of bottles 100 filled with contents while they are being rotated (revolved). By attaching the cap 88 to the bottle 100 in this manner, the product bottle 101 is obtained (see FIG. 1B).

The cap 88 is sterilized in advance by the cap sterilizer 18 . The cap sterilizer 18 is located, for example, outside the sterile chamber 70j and near the capping device 16. As shown in FIG. In the cap sterilizer 18, a large number of caps 88 carried in from the outside of the content filling system 10 are collected in advance and conveyed in a line toward the cap mounting device 16 by the cap conveying path 18A. After the cap 88 is sprayed with hydrogen peroxide gas or mist toward the inner and outer surfaces of the cap 88 on the cap conveying path 18A toward the cap attaching device 16, the cap 88 is dried with hot air and sterilized.

The product bottle unloading section 25 continuously unloads the product bottles 101 attached with the caps 88 by the cap attaching device 16 to the outside of the content filling system 10 .

Next, in the example shown in FIG. 17, the first filling device 21A is placed inside the sterile chamber 70f. Water is fed from the first mixing tank 55A to the first filling device 21A. A small aseptic chamber 70h is provided downstream of the aseptic chamber 70f in the bottle 100 conveying direction, and the second filling device 21B is arranged in this aseptic chamber 70h. Then, the target material is sent from the second mixing tank 55B to the second filling device 21B.

Further, an aseptic chamber 70n for housing the conveying wheel 12 is provided downstream of the aseptic chamber 70h in the bottle 100 conveying direction. A small aseptic chamber 70i is provided downstream of the aseptic chamber 70n in the bottle 100 conveying direction, and the third filling device 21C is arranged in this aseptic chamber 70i. Another raw material is sent from the third mixing tank 55C to the third filling device 21C. Further, an aseptic chamber 70j is provided on the downstream side of the aseptic chamber 70i in the conveying direction of the bottle 100, and the capping device 16 is arranged in this aseptic chamber 70j. Furthermore, an outlet chamber 70g is provided downstream of the aseptic chamber 70j in the bottle 100 conveying direction.

The first filling device 21A is composed of a rotary filler having a plurality of rotatable filling nozzles 21a. The second filling device 21B and the third filling device 21C are filling devices for filling contents with a small filling amount, and are fixed to the mouth of the bottle 100 and used. Includes nozzle 21c.

Then, when the bottle 100 reaches the filling nozzle 21b, the bottle 100 is detected by near-infrared rays, and only while the mouth of the bottle 100 is passing under the filling nozzle 21b, the bottle 100 is injected from the filling nozzle 21b. Contents are intermittently filled one by one. The second filling device 21B and the third filling device 21C may have a filling nozzle 21b and a filling nozzle 21c for continuous filling instead of intermittent filling. The filling nozzle 21a and the filling nozzle 21b may be installed on the upstream side of the filling nozzle 21a made of the rotary filler, or one or more may be installed upstream and downstream. The same liquid may be filled from the second filling device 21B and the third filling device 21C.

In FIG. 17, a bottle 100 previously sterilized on the upstream side is transported via the transport wheel 12 to the first filling device 21A in the aseptic chamber 70f. In the first filling device 21A, the empty bottle 100 is filled with water sent from the first mixing tank 55A. In the first filling device 21A, water is filled into the bottles 100 while the plurality of bottles 100 are rotationally conveyed.

Next, the bottle 100 in the aseptic chamber 70f is conveyed via the conveying wheel 12 to the second filling device 21B in the aseptic chamber 70h. In the second filling device 21B, the target material sent from the second mixing tank 55B is filled into the bottle 100 previously filled with water by the first filling device 21A. In this second filling device 21B, the bottle 100 is intermittently filled with the target raw material.

Bottle 100 in aseptic chamber 70h is then conveyed to third filling device 21C in aseptic chamber 70i via conveying wheel 12 in aseptic chamber 70n. When the bottle 100 is conveyed to the third filling device 21C, the bottle 100 previously filled with water and the target raw material is filled with another raw material sent from the third mixing tank 55C in the third filling device 21C. be. In this third filling device 21C, bottles 100 are intermittently filled with other raw materials.
Bottles 100 in aseptic chamber 70i are then conveyed into aseptic chamber 70j and through transport wheel 12 to capping device 16. As shown in FIG.

The capping device 16 is a device that caps the bottle 100 by attaching a cap 88 to the bottle 100 . In the capping device 16, the bottle 100 filled with water, target ingredients and other ingredients (contents) is closed by a cap 88 to seal the inside of the bottle 100 against outside air and microorganisms. In the cap attaching device 16, caps 88 are attached to the mouths of the plurality of bottles 100 filled with contents while they are being rotated (revolved). By attaching the cap 88 to the bottle 100 in this manner, the product bottle 101 is obtained (see FIG. 1B).

The cap 88 is sterilized in advance by the cap sterilizer 18 . The cap sterilizer 18 is located, for example, outside the sterile chamber 70j and near the capping device 16. As shown in FIG. In the cap sterilizing device 18 , a large number of caps 88 brought in from outside the contents filling system 10 are collected in advance and conveyed in a line toward the cap attaching device 16 . While the cap 88 is on its way to the cap applicator 16, hydrogen peroxide gas or mist is blown against the inner and outer surfaces of the cap 88, then dried with hot air and sterilized (see FIG. 1B).

The product bottle unloading section 25 continuously unloads the product bottles 101 attached with the caps 88 by the cap attaching device 16 to the outside of the content filling system 10 .

11 to 17, the first mixing tank 55A is water, and the second mixing tank 55B and the third mixing tank 55C are described as target raw materials or other raw materials, but the present invention is not limited to this. Considering the ease of mixing the contents and the spillage of the liquid, the order should be changed as appropriate.

In addition, in the first embodiment shown in FIGS. 1A to 9B and the second embodiment shown in FIG. , the other raw materials stored in the other raw material tank 71 may be sterilized in advance by a desired method. In this case, the other raw material stored in the other raw material tank 71 does not need to be heat sterilized again using the other raw material sterilization line 70 . Alternatively, another sterilized raw material may be aseptically connected to the product liquid line from 75 in FIG. 1B using a bag-in-box, an aseptic container, an aseptic tank, or the like.

(Other modifications)
In the above-described embodiment, the circulation system (second circulation system) 95A is composed of the pre-stage sterilizer 62A, the third bypass line 95a, the first sterilizer 62, the second sterilizer 64, and the circulation line 95. An example (see FIG. 2A3, etc.) has been described. In this case, bacteria collected in the foreign matter removal filter 61 may be periodically sterilized by circulating water in the circulation system 95A while the first ultraviolet lamp 67a and the like are turned on. The sterilization of bacteria caught by the foreign matter removal filter 61 may be performed, for example, while the production of the product bottles 101 is stopped. At this time, for example, as shown in FIG. 18A, one end of the circulation line 95 may be connected between the second sterilizer 64 and the first sterilization filter 63, and the other end of the circulation line 95 may be It may be connected to the mixing tank 51 . Further, the pressure difference (differential pressure) between the pressure on the upstream side and the pressure on the downstream side of the foreign matter removal filter 61 may be changed by changing the frequency of the pump P1. By changing the pressure difference (differential pressure) between the pressure on the upstream side and the pressure on the downstream side of the foreign matter removing filter 61, the bacteria trapped in the foreign matter removing filter 61 are actively removed. It may be pushed out downstream of the filter 61 . Specifically, when bacteria are sterilized by circulating water in the circulation system 95A, even if the pressure on the upstream side of the foreign matter removal filter 61 is increased by 0.05 MPa or more than the pressure at the time of manufacturing the product bottle 101, It is good, and preferably 0.1 MPa or higher. Further, as shown in FIG. 18B, if there is no problem with the structure of the filter, the bacteria collected in the foreign matter removal filter 61 may be circulated in the circulation system 95A by causing the contents to flow back. At this time, the difference between the primary side pressure and the secondary side pressure of the foreign matter removing filter 61 should not exceed the allowable maximum pressure for both the positive pressure and the reverse pressure of the foreign matter removing filter 61 .
In this way, by periodically sterilizing the bacteria caught in the foreign matter removal filter 61, even if the contents are continuously sterilized for a long time by the mixing target raw material sterilization line 50, the mixing target raw materials The sterilization of the contents sterilized by the sterilization line 50 can be ensured.

(Further variations)
Further, as shown in FIG. 18C , the mixing target raw material sterilization line 50 may have a plurality of (for example, two) sterilizers 60 . As a result, even if one sterilizer 60 is stopped or the amount of UV irradiation in one sterilizer 60 is reduced, the other sterilizer 60 can ensure the sterility of the contents. Also, when one sterilizer 60 is cleaning (CIP) or sterilizing (SIP), the other sterilizer 60 can be used to sterilize the contents. Therefore, the product bottles 101 can be manufactured continuously. In the example shown in FIG. 18C, the configuration of the sterilizer 60 is the same as the configuration of the sterilizer 60 shown in FIG. 2A1, but is not limited to this. Although not shown, the sterilizer 60 may be, for example, the sterilizer 60 shown in FIGS. 2A2 to 2J. Further, when the mixing target raw material sterilization line 50 has a plurality of sterilizers 60, the mixing target raw material sterilization line 50 may have different sterilizers 60 from each other. As an example, the mixed target raw material sterilization line 50 may have a sterilizer 60 shown in FIG. 2A1 and a sterilizer 60 shown in FIG. 2A3.

(Further variations)
In addition, in the above-described embodiment, the content filling system 10 has been described as a system that fills the bottle 100 with content, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the content filling system 10 forms the bottle 100 from the preform 100a by filling the content into the preform 100a (so-called Blow-Fill-Seal (BFS)). can be

In this case, the filling device 21 may be incorporated in the bottle forming section 30 as shown in FIG. 18D. Although not shown, for example, when the preform 100a is filled with contents to form the bottle 100 from the preform 100a, the filling device 21 is incorporated in the bottle forming section 30. can be

Further, as shown in FIG. 18D , in the preform conveying section 31 of the bottle molding section 30, the preform sterilizing device 34a may be provided downstream of the heating section 35. As shown in FIG. The preform sterilizer 34a may be configured to sterilize the preform 100a heated by the heating section 35. FIG. The preform sterilizer 34a may be located within the chamber 70s.

In this modification, the filling device 21 can fill the sterilized preform 100a with the pressurized contents. Thereby, the molding of the bottle 100 and the filling of the bottle 100 with the contents can be performed at the same time.

(Other modifications)
Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, an example in which the sterilizer 60 sterilizes contents having an electric conductivity of 0.1 μS/cm or more and 20 μS/cm or less has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the content to be sterilized by the sterilizer 60 may be water of more than 20 μS/cm. In this case, the water may be tap water or well water.

In this case, as shown in FIG. 18E, the mixing target raw material sterilization line 50 is provided upstream of the mixing tank 51, and includes a front stage water tank 50d that stores water (tap water, well water, etc.), and a first sterilizer. A pre-stage sterilizer 62A having the same configuration as 62 may be provided. When the sterilizer 60 sterilizes tap water or the like, inorganic substances (oxides such as calcium) and the like may adhere to the surfaces of the first ultraviolet lamp 67a and the like (for example, surfaces made of quartz glass). In addition, when an inorganic substance or the like adheres to the surface of the first ultraviolet lamp 67a or the like, the irradiation amount of ultraviolet rays in the sterilizer 60 may decrease. Therefore, when the irradiation amount of ultraviolet rays in the sterilizer 60 is reduced, the sterilizer 60 is cleaned (CIP) and sterilized (SIP) to remove inorganic matter adhering to the surface of the first ultraviolet lamp 67a and the like. preferably. In this case, the mixing target raw material sterilization line 50 may have a plurality of (for example, two) sterilizers 60 as described with reference to FIG. 18C. Thereby, when one sterilizer 60 is cleaning (CIP) or sterilizing (SIP), the other sterilizer 60 can be used to sterilize water. Therefore, the product bottles 101 can be manufactured continuously.

In the above embodiment, an example of inactivating or reducing bacteria by the first sterilizer 62 and the second sterilizer 64 was described, but the first sterilizer 62 and the second sterilizer 64, for example By irradiating the raw material to be mixed with ultraviolet rays of 500 mJ/cm2 or more, not only bacteria but also endotoxin can be inactivated or reduced. As described above, according to the present embodiment, not only bacteria in raw materials to be mixed but also endotoxins can be inactivated or reduced, so that a content filling system suitable for pharmaceutical manufacturing can be provided.

10 content filling system 11 sterilization device 18 cap sterilization device 21 filling device 21A first filling device 21B second filling device 21C third filling device 21a filling nozzle 32 blow molding section 34a preform sterilization device 50 raw material sterilization line to be mixed 50A water Sterilization line 50B Target raw material sterilization line 50a Water tank 50b Target raw material tank 50c Pure water production device 51 Mixing tank 51A Mixing line 52 Tank 53 Auxiliary filter 54 Tank 55 Mixing tank 55A First mixing tank 55B Second mixing tank 55C Third mixing tank 60 sterilizer 70 other raw material sterilization line 71 other raw material tank 72 raw material tank 73 auxiliary filter 74 raw material tank 75 addition unit 80 raw material sterilizer 88 cap 100 bottle 100a preform

Claims (22)

a water sterilization line for non-heat sterilization of water;
a target raw material sterilization line for non-heat sterilization of the target raw material;
Another raw material sterilization line for heat sterilizing other raw materials other than the target raw material,
A filling device connected to the water sterilization line, the target raw material sterilization line, and the other raw material sterilization line and filling a container with the water, the target raw material, and the other raw material ,
The filling devices include a first filling device connected to the water sterilization line, a second filling device connected to the target raw material sterilization line, and a third filling device connected to the other raw material sterilization line; has
The water sterilization line is further connected to a second filling device and a third filling device, respectively, the target raw material sterilization line is further connected to the first filling device and a third filling device, respectively, and the other raw material sterilization line is further connected to said first filling device and said second filling device respectively . a water sterilization line for non-heat sterilization of water;
a target raw material sterilization line for non-heat sterilization of the target raw material;
Another raw material sterilization line for heat sterilizing other raw materials other than the target raw material,
A filling device connected to the water sterilization line, the target raw material sterilization line, and the other raw material sterilization line and filling a container with the water, the target raw material, and the other raw material,
The filling devices include a first filling device connected to the water sterilization line, a second filling device connected to the target raw material sterilization line, and a third filling device connected to the other raw material sterilization line; has
A first mixing tank is interposed between the water sterilization line and the first filling device, a second mixing tank is interposed between the target raw material sterilization line and the second filling device, and the other raw material sterilization A content filling system in which a third mixing tank is interposed between the line and the third filling device. 3. The content filling system according to claim 1 , wherein the target raw material includes a material that thermally decomposes or deteriorates in function at high temperatures, a material that causes metal corrosion at high temperatures, or a material that precipitates at high temperatures. 4. The content filling system of claim 3 , wherein the target ingredients include vitamins. 5. The filling system of claim 4 , wherein said vitamin is contained in drinking water and said other ingredients comprise other ingredients of drinking water. 4. The content filling system of claim 3 , wherein the target material comprises calcium. 7. The content filling system according to claim 6 , wherein said calcium is contained in milky drinking water or functional drinking water containing milk components, and said other raw materials are other raw materials of milky drinking water or functional drinking water. . 4. The content filling system of claim 3 , wherein the target material comprises a chloride compound that produces chloride ions. 9. The content filling system according to claim 8 , wherein the chloride ions are contained in the functional drinking water to which the chloride compound is added, and the other ingredients are other ingredients of the functional drinking water to which the chloride compound is added. . 9. The filling system of claim 8 , wherein said chloride ions are contained in a liquid food product to which chloride compounds are added, and said other ingredients comprise other ingredients of said liquid food product to which said chloride compounds are added. 4. The content filling system of claim 3 , wherein the target ingredients include perfumes. 12. The filling system of claim 11 , wherein the flavor is contained in a flavored water, and the other ingredients comprise other ingredients of the flavored water. 4. The content filling system of claim 3 , wherein the target ingredients include sweeteners. 14. The filling system of claim 13 , wherein said sweetener is included in a sweetened beverage and said other ingredients comprise other ingredients of a sweetened beverage. 4. The filling system of claim 3 , wherein the target ingredient comprises an acidulant. 16. The filling system of claim 15 , wherein the acidulant is included in the acidulant drinking water and the other ingredients comprise other ingredients of the acidulant drinking water. 4. The content filling system of claim 3 , wherein the target ingredients include colorants. 18. The filling system of claim 17 , wherein the colorant is contained in the colored drinking water and the other ingredients comprise other ingredients of the colored drinking water. 4. The contents filling system according to claim 3 , wherein the target raw material contains at least one or a mixture of two selected from amino acids and electrolytes. 20. The filling system according to claim 19 , wherein the mixture of at least one or two selected from amino acids and electrolytes is contained in an infusion solution, and the other ingredients are other ingredients of the infusion solution. The water sterilization line is further connected to the second mixing tank and the third mixing tank, respectively, the target raw material sterilization line is further connected to the first mixing tank and the third mixing tank, and the other 3. The contents filling system according to claim 2 , wherein said raw material sterilization lines are further connected to said first mixing tank and said second mixing tank, respectively. The first mixing tank is further connected to the second filling device and the third filling device, respectively; the second mixing tank is further connected to the first filling device and the third filling device, respectively; 22. Content filling system according to claim 2 or 21 , wherein three mixing tanks are further connected to said first filling device and said second filling device respectively.

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