JP7371719B2 - Aseptic filling method and aseptic filling machine - Google Patents

Description

The present disclosure involves molding a bottle from a preform, sterilizing the bottle by spraying a sterilizing agent onto the molded bottle, filling the sterilized bottle with sterilized contents in an aseptic atmosphere, and filling the bottle with the contents. The present invention relates to an aseptic filling method and an aseptic filling machine that can increase the sterilization effect on the outer surface of the mouth of a bottle in an aseptic filling machine that seals a bottle with a sterilized lid.

As a conventional aseptic filling machine, there is a molding section that molds bottles from preforms by blow molding, a sterilization section that sterilizes the bottles formed in the molding section with a sterilizer, and an air rinse section that air-rinses the sterilized bottles in the sterilization section. and a filling section that fills and seals the contents of the bottle that has been air-rinsed in the air-rinsing section, and is provided with a traveling means that continuously travels the bottle from the forming section to the filling section via the sterilization section and the air-rinsing section. It is known that the area from the section to the filling section is covered with a chamber. Bottles to be transported must be sterilized on the inside and outside, including the mouth.

Sterilization of the inner surface of the bottle is carried out by spraying sterilizing agent gas or mist, or a mixture thereof, toward the opening of the bottle from a nozzle fixed at the top directly facing the opening of the bottle. (see Patent Document 1), or by inserting a nozzle into the opening of the bottle and blowing a disinfectant gas or mist, or a mixture thereof into the bottle (see Patent Document 2).

In Patent Document 1, sterilization of the outer surface including the mouth of a bottle is performed by spraying a sterilizing agent gas or mist, or a mixture thereof from a nozzle fixedly provided at the top of the bottle directly opposite to the opening of the bottle. It is said that the sterilizing agent that is sprayed toward the mouth of the bottle and does not flow into the interior of the bottle from the mouth of the bottle flows along the outer surface of the mouth of the bottle, thereby sterilizing the outer surface including the mouth of the bottle.

Patent Document 2 proposes a method of spraying a disinfectant toward the outer surface of the bottle from both opposing sides of the bottle. Spray the disinfectant directly onto the body of the bottle, but spraying the mouth is not suggested. In addition, a guide member is installed in the nozzle that blows the disinfectant inserted into the inside of the bottle, and the guide member reverses the disinfectant that overflows from the inside of the bottle, allowing it to flow from the outer surface of the mouth of the bottle to the outer surface of the body. It has been proposed to allow the disinfectant to flow through the bottle to sterilize the exterior surfaces of the bottle, including the mouth.

In Patent Document 2, a guide member is provided on a nozzle inserted into the bottle, but a guide member is provided on a nozzle that sprays a disinfectant from the tip of the nozzle away from the opening of the bottle toward the opening of the bottle. It has been disclosed that the outer surface including the mouth of the bottle can be sterilized by flowing the sterilizing agent overflowing from the inside of the bottle from the outer surface of the mouth of the bottle to the outer surface of the body (see Patent Document 3).

While transporting the bottle inside the shielded tunnel, sterilizer is sprayed onto the inner surface of the bottle and inside the tunnel from a nozzle installed at the top of the opening of the bottle, thereby preventing the sterilizer overflowing from inside the bottle and the sterilizer remaining inside the tunnel. It has been proposed to sterilize the outer surface of the bottle, including its mouth (see Patent Documents 4 and 5).

It has been proposed to provide a nozzle having a spray port for spraying a disinfectant onto the opposite sides of the mouth of the bottle being transported, both sides of the body, and the bottom surface (see Patent Document 6). Further, by providing the nozzle with a sterilizing agent spraying port directed toward the opening of the bottle, the sterilizing agent can be sprayed onto the inside, mouth, side surfaces, and bottom of the bottle necessary for sterilizing the bottle.

Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2006-111295 International Publication No. 03/022689 International Publication No. 2016/047609 Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2010-155631 Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2015-116814 International Publication No. 2015/137480

According to an aseptic filling machine that molds a bottle from a preform, sterilizes the molded bottle, and fills the contents into the sterilized bottle, the process starts from molding the bottle, sterilizes the bottle with a disinfectant, and then fills the beverage. can be performed continuously. In order to sterilize a molded bottle, all internal and external surfaces forming the bottle must be sterilized. Sterilization is usually done by heating the disinfectant, gasifying it, and partially condensing the gasified disinfectant, so the disinfectant that is sprayed onto the bottle is sprayed onto the surface of the bottle as a disinfectant gas or mist, or a mixture thereof. .

Sterilization of the inside of the bottle is done by injecting a disinfectant into the inside of the bottle. Inject the disinfectant into the bottle from the nozzle toward the opening of the bottle. The disinfectant sprayed from the opening of the bottle and into the inside of the bottle can efficiently sterilize the inner surface of the bottle, which is sealed except for the opening. However, since the outer surface of the bottle is not sealed, it is difficult to sterilize the outer surface of the bottle efficiently using the supplied disinfectant. In particular, the sterilizer does not penetrate sufficiently into the recessed part of the threaded part formed at the mouth of the bottle. In order to seal the outer surface of the bottle and allow the disinfectant to act efficiently, the above-mentioned Patent Documents 4 and 5 propose spraying the disinfectant while transporting the bottle in a tunnel. By being shielded by the tunnel, the disinfectant is able to circulate around the body and bottom of the bottle. However, even if the tunnel is provided, the penetration of the disinfectant into the recessed portion of the threaded portion is insufficient.

Furthermore, as in Patent Document 6, it is proposed to provide a nozzle that directly sprays a sterilizer on the outer surface of the mouth, body, and bottom of the bottle, and spray the sterilizer on the outer surface of the bottle, including the nozzle, inside the tunnel. has been done. All external surfaces of the bottle can be sprayed with disinfectant. However, the direct spraying of the disinfectant into the mouth by a nozzle is from one direction, and is insufficient to cause the disinfectant to enter all the recesses of the threaded part. Even if multiple nozzles are used to spray from two directions, it is insufficient.

Various improvements have been made to improve the efficiency of spraying disinfectants onto the exterior surfaces of bottles, including their mouths. However, in the method of Patent Document 6, the disinfectant is sprayed onto the mouth of the bottle from one side of the bottle. The amount of disinfectant sprayed differs between the side of the bottle mouth that is closest to the disinfectant outlet and the side of the bottle mouth that is furthest away, ensuring that the disinfectant is sprayed over all sides of the bottle mouth. It is difficult to say that it is sprayed evenly. The amount of disinfectant sprayed onto the bottle is set based on the location where the least amount of disinfectant is sprayed. Therefore, the amount of disinfectant sprayed at the location closest to the disinfectant outlet becomes excessive.

In an aseptic filling machine that molds a bottle from a preform, sterilizes the molded bottle, and fills the sterilized bottle with contents, the mouth of the bottle is used to sterilize the outer surface of the molded bottle, including the mouth. Disinfectants are sprayed on the exterior surfaces, including the parts. However, the current spraying of disinfectant onto the outer surface of the mouth of a bottle is not uniformly performed over the entire outer surface of the mouth of the bottle. There is a need for an aseptic filling method and an aseptic filling machine that can efficiently sterilize the outer surface of the mouth of a bottle by uniformly spraying a sterilizing agent onto the outer surface of the mouth of the bottle. In particular, it is necessary to reliably sterilize even the concave part of the threaded part formed at the mouth of the bottle.

The present disclosure aims to provide an aseptic filling method and an aseptic filling machine that can solve the above problems.

The aseptic filling method according to the present disclosure includes heating a preform, blow-molding the heated preform into a bottle, and at least two locations on the upstream left and right sides and downstream on the right and left of a conveyance path through which the molded bottle is conveyed. The direction in which gas is blown to the mouth of the bottle from two places that are simultaneously in contact with the external surface of the mouth of the bottle and are opposite to each other: the upstream left side and the downstream right side, and the upstream right side and the downstream left side. are parallel in opposite directions,
Spraying the gas on the outer surface of the mouth of the bottle so as to rotate the outer periphery of the mouth of the bottle in a fixed direction;
Before, at the same time, or after spraying the gas on the outer surface of the mouth of the bottle, a disinfectant is supplied to the gas, and the gas sprayed on the outer surface of the mouth of the bottle causes the gas to be sprayed on the outer surface of the mouth of the bottle. A sterilizing agent is brought into contact with the bottle, and the sterilized contents are filled in the bottle with the sterilizing agent in contact with the outer surface of the mouth of the bottle in an aseptic atmosphere.

Further, in the aseptic filling method according to the present disclosure, it is preferable that the gas or mist of the sterilizing agent or a mixture thereof be contained in the gas before the gas is sprayed onto the outer surface of the mouth of the bottle.

Further, in the aseptic filling method according to the present disclosure, at the same time or after blowing the gas onto the outer surface of the mouth of the bottle, the sterilizing agent gas or mist, or a mixture thereof is applied to the bottle from above the bottle being transported. Preferably, the disinfectant is supplied to the gas by spraying it onto the gas.

Further, in the aseptic filling method according to the present disclosure, it is preferable that the gas is sprayed at two or more locations on the conveyance path.

Further, in the aseptic filling method according to the present disclosure, it is preferable that the gas is sprayed onto the outer surface of the mouth of the bottle in a shielded tunnel.

The aseptic filling machine according to the present disclosure includes a heating device that heats a preform, a blow molding device that blow molds the heated preform into a bottle, and at least two upstream left and right sides of a conveyance path through which the molded bottle is conveyed. to the mouth of the bottle from two places on the left and right downstream, simultaneously contacting the external surface of the mouth of the bottle, and facing the upstream left side and the downstream right side, and the upstream right side and the downstream left side. a bottle mouth outer surface gas blowing nozzle that sprays the gas onto the outer surface of the bottle mouth so that the gas is blown in opposite directions and parallel to each other, and the gas is sprayed onto the outer surface of the bottle mouth such that the outer periphery of the bottle mouth rotates in a constant direction; A bottle mouth outer surface sterilizer supply device that supplies a sterilizer to the gas before, simultaneously or after spraying the gas onto the outer surface of the mouth of the bottle, and a sterilized content of the bottle to which the gas has been blown. Equipped with a filling device that performs filling in a sterile atmosphere.

Further, in the aseptic filling machine according to the present disclosure, the bottle mouth external surface sterilizing agent supplying device injects a sterilizing agent gas or mist, or a mixture thereof into the gas before spraying the gas onto the outer surface of the bottle mouth. Preferably, it is configured to mix.

Further, in the aseptic filling machine according to the present disclosure, the bottle mouth external surface sterilizing agent supplying device sprays the sterilizing agent from above the bottle being conveyed at the same time or after spraying the gas onto the outer surface of the mouth of the bottle. Preferably, the bottle is provided with a disinfectant supply nozzle on the outside of the bottle mouth for spraying gas or mist or a mixture thereof.

Further, in the aseptic filling machine according to the present disclosure, it is preferable that the bottle mouth outer surface gas blowing nozzles are provided at two or more locations on the conveyance path.

Further, in the aseptic filling machine according to the present disclosure, it is preferable to provide a tunnel that shields the conveyance path of the bottle in which the bottle mouth outer surface gas blowing nozzle is provided.

A bottle obtained by blow molding a heated preform is in contact with the outer shape of the mouth of the bottle from at least two upstream left and right places and two downstream left and right places of the conveyance path through which the molded bottle is conveyed, Gas is blown onto the mouth of the bottle so that the outer periphery of the mouth of the bottle rotates in a fixed direction. By supplying a disinfectant gas or mist, or a mixture thereof, to the gas before, at the same time, or after blowing the gas to the mouth of the bottle, the disinfectant gas or mist or a mixture thereof is applied to the mouth of the bottle. The outer surface is rotated to wrap around the outer surface of the mouth of the bottle, allowing the disinfectant to come into uniform contact with the outer surface of the mouth of the bottle. By uniformly contacting the outer surface of the bottle mouth with a disinfectant, the outer surface of the bottle mouth, including the recessed part of the threaded part of the bottle mouth, is reliably sterilized and the amount of disinfectant used is reduced. I can do it.

1 is a plan view schematically showing an aseptic filling machine according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. 1 shows a preform supply process of an aseptic filling machine according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. 3 shows a preform heating process of an aseptic filling machine according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. 2 shows a preform blow molding process of an aseptic filling machine according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. 5 shows a bottle unloading process of the aseptic filling machine according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. 2 shows a process of spraying a disinfectant onto the inner surface of a bottle of the aseptic filling machine according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, which is performed by shielding the bottle with a tunnel. 2 shows a process of spraying a disinfectant onto the inner surface of a bottle, which is performed by inserting a disinfectant spraying nozzle of the aseptic filling machine according to an embodiment of the present disclosure into a bottle. 2 shows an air-rinsing step of air-rinsing a bottle in an upright state of the aseptic filling machine according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. 2 shows an air-rinsing step of air-rinsing a bottle in an inverted state in an aseptic filling machine according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. 1 shows a filling process of an aseptic filling machine according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. 3 shows a sealing process of the aseptic filling machine according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. 1 illustrates a sterilizing gas generator incorporated into an aseptic filling machine according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. 3 shows a step of blowing gas onto the outer surface of the mouth of the bottle in the aseptic filling method according to the embodiment of the present disclosure. 1 shows a gas blowing nozzle on the outer surface of a bottle mouth provided in an aseptic filling machine according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. 2 shows a bottle mouth outer surface gas blowing nozzle and a bottle mouth outer surface sterilizer supply nozzle that supplies a sterilizer from the top of the bottle, which are included in the aseptic filling machine according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Embodiments for carrying out the present disclosure will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 shows an aseptic filling machine according to the present disclosure. An overview of the aseptic filling machine, which consists of a preform supply, a heating device, a blow molding device, a bottle inner and outer surface sterilizer, a bottle mouth outer surface sterilizer, a filling device, and a sealing device, is explained using Fig. 1, and the details of the processes in each device are explained. will be explained with reference to FIGS. 2A to 6. According to this embodiment, the outer surface of the mouth of the bottle molded from the preform is contacted with the outer shape of the mouth of the bottle from two places on the left and right upstream of the bottle conveyance path and two places on the left and right downstream of the bottle. By blowing gas onto the mouth of the bottle so as to rotate the outer periphery of the mouth in a fixed direction and supplying the sterilizing agent to the gas, the sterilization effect on the outer surface of the mouth of the bottle can be enhanced.

As shown in FIG. 1, the aseptic filling machine according to the embodiment includes a preform supply device 4 that supplies a preform 1, a heating device 6 that heats the preform 1 to a temperature at which it is molded into a bottle 2, and a heated plastic filling device 4 that supplies a preform 1. A blow molding device 16 that molds the reform 1 into a bottle 2, a bottle inspection device 24 that inspects the appearance of the blow molded bottle 2, a bottle removal device 17 that removes bottles whose appearance is found to be defective, and a bottle removal device 17 that inspects the inner and outer surfaces of the bottle 2. Bottle inner and outer surface sterilizer 30 to sterilize, bottle mouth outer surface sterilizer 54 to sterilize the outer surface of bottle mouth 1a, air rinse device 34 to air rinse the sterilized bottle 2, and sterilized contents in the air-rinsed bottle 2. a filling device 39 for filling the bottle, a lid sterilizer 52 for sterilizing the lid 3, which is a sealing member, a sealing device 44 for sealing the filled bottle 2 with the sterilized lid 3, and a sealed bottle 2. A discharge device 47 is provided for discharging the aseptic filling machine to the outside of the aseptic filling machine.

The aseptic filling machine includes a conveying device that conveys the preform 1 or the bottle 2 from the heating device 6 to the sealing device 44.

The heating device 6 that heats the preform 1, the blow molding device 16, and the bottle inspection device 24 are connected to the molding section chamber 12, the bottle inner and outer surfaces sterilizer 30 and the bottle mouth outer surface sterilizer 54 are connected to the sterilizer chamber 33, and the air rinse device 34 are shielded by the air rinse chamber 36, the filling device 39 by the filling chamber 41, the sealing device 44 by the sealing chamber 46, and the discharge device 47 and the discharge conveyor 50 by the discharge chamber 49.

The bottle inspection device 24 may not be provided in the molding section chamber 12, but may be provided in a chamber separate from the molding section chamber 12.

An atmosphere isolation chamber 27 is provided between the blow molding device 16 and the bottle inner and outer surface sterilizing device 30 so that the sterilizing agent gas, mist, or a mixture thereof generated in the sterilizing chamber 33 does not flow into the blow molding device 16. I don't mind. The sterilizing agent gas or mist or a mixture thereof generated in the sterilizing chamber 33 does not flow into the molding chamber 12 that shields the blow molding device 16 because the atmosphere isolation chamber 27 is evacuated. An exhaust device may be provided in the sterilizing chamber 33 to exhaust excess sterilizing agent gas or mist, or a mixture thereof, generated within the sterilizing chamber 33.

In FIG. 1, the bottle mouth external surface sterilizing device 54 is provided downstream of the bottle internal and external surface sterilizing device 30, but it may be provided upstream of the bottle internal and external surface sterilizing device 30. The bottle inner and outer surface sterilizer 30 and the bottle mouth outer surface sterilizer 54 may be provided on separate wheels or may be provided on the same wheel.

Here, the filling device 39 and the sealing device 44 may be shielded by a single chamber. Moreover, the lid material sterilizing device 52 and the sealing device 44 may be shielded by a single chamber. Furthermore, the sealing device 44 and the evacuation device 47 may also be shielded by a single chamber.

When the aseptic filling machine is producing products, the sterilizing section chamber 33, the air rinsing section chamber 36, the filling section chamber 41, the sealing section chamber 46, and the discharging section chamber 49 are supplied with sterile air sterilized by a sterilizing filter. The sterility of the aseptic filling machine is maintained by making the pressure inside each chamber positive by supplying sterile air. The positive pressure is highest in the filling section chamber 41 and is set lower as it goes upstream to the air rinse section chamber 36 and the sterilization section chamber 33. Moreover, it is set lower as it goes downstream from the sealing part chamber 46 to the discharge part chamber 49. By evacuating the atmosphere isolation chamber 27, the pressure within the atmosphere isolation chamber 27 is maintained at approximately the same level as atmospheric pressure or below atmospheric pressure. For example, if the pressure in the filling part chamber 41 is 20 Pa to 40 Pa, the pressures in other chambers are lower than the illustrated pressure value in the filling part chamber 41.

The preform 1 is heated by the heating device 6 of the aseptic filling machine, and the heated preform 1 is enclosed in a mold 20 consisting of two body molds 20a and a bottom mold 20b included in the blow molding device 16, A preform 1 enclosed in a mold 20 is blow-molded into a bottle 2. The appearance of the molded bottle 2 is inspected by the bottle inspection device 24. Bottles 2 whose appearance inspection results are within the allowable range are transported to the sterilization chamber 33. Bottles 2 whose visual inspection results exceed the allowable range are removed from the aseptic filling machine by the bottle removal device 17.

Although the bottle removal device 17 is provided in the atmosphere isolation chamber 27 in FIG. 1, it may be provided at any location before the bottle 2 is sterilized. Bottles 2 with no apparent appearance defects are transported to the sterilizing chamber 33, where a sterilizing agent gas or mist, or a mixture thereof is sprayed onto the inner and outer surfaces of the bottles 2, thereby sterilizing the bottles 2.

The inner and outer surfaces of the bottle 2 are sterilized by spraying a sterilizing agent gas or mist, or a mixture thereof, onto the inner surface of the bottle 2 transported to the sterilizing chamber 33 by the bottle inner and outer surface sterilizer 30 . The outer surface of the mouth portion 1a of the bottle 2, whose inner and outer surfaces have been sterilized, is brought into contact with a sterilizing agent gas or mist, or a mixture thereof, by the bottle mouth outer surface sterilizer 54, to sterilize the outer surface of the mouth portion 1a of the bottle 2. . Aseptic filling method and aseptic filling in which a sterilized bottle 2 is filled with sterilized contents by a filling device 39, and the bottle 2 filled with the contents is sealed by a sealing device 44 using a sterilized lid member 3 as a sealing member. The machine will be explained below.

The preform 1 shown in FIG. 2A is continuously conveyed from the preform supply device 4 shown in FIG. 1 to the heating device 6 by a preform supply conveyor 5 at a desired speed.

The preform 1 is a cylindrical body with a bottom in the shape of a test tube, and a mouth portion 1a similar to that of the bottle 2 shown in FIG. 2D is provided at the beginning of its molding. A male thread is formed in the mouth portion 1a at the same time as the preform 1 is molded. Furthermore, a support ring 1b for conveyance is formed in the preform 1 below the mouth portion 1a. The preform 1 or the bottle 2 is gripped by the gripper 22 via the support ring 1b and travels inside the aseptic filling machine.

The preform 1 is molded by injection molding, compression molding, or the like. The material of the preform 1 is made of thermoplastic resin such as polyethylene terephthalate, polyethylene naphthalate, polyethylene furanoenate, polypropylene, polyethylene, etc., and it may be a single resin or a mixture of these resins, and may include recycled thermoplastic resin. But it doesn't matter. Further, in order to impart barrier properties, a thermoplastic resin such as an ethylene-vinyl alcohol copolymer or a polyamide containing an aromatic amine such as metaxylylene diamine as a monomer may be included as a layer or as a mixture.

The preform 1 supplied to the heating device 6 is conveyed by wheels 7 and 8 provided with a large number of grippers 22 at a constant pitch, and reaches the heating device conveyance wheel 9 . Here, as shown in FIG. 2B, the preform 1 is released from the gripper 22, and the spindle 19 is inserted into the mouth portion 1a of the preform 1, and the preform 1 is transported.

The preform 1 is heated by an infrared heater 14 or other heating means to a temperature suitable for subsequent blow molding, as shown in FIG. 2B. Preferably, this temperature is between 90°C and 130°C.

Note that the temperature of the mouth portion 1a of the preform 1 is suppressed to 70° C. or lower to prevent deformation and the like.

As shown in FIG. 2B, the preform 1 has a spindle 19 inserted into its opening 1a, is heated by an infrared heater 14, and is conveyed by an endless chain 13 while rotating. The spindles 19 are provided on the endless chain 13 at regular intervals. Endless chain 13 is rotated by pulleys 10 and 11. By inserting a mandrel into the preform 1 instead of the spindle 19, it is also possible to transport the preform 1 while rotating it in an inverted state.

The heated preform 1 is released from the spindle 19, gripped by the gripper 22, and conveyed via the wheel 15 to the molding wheel 18 of the blow molding device 16. As shown in FIG. 2C, the preform 1 is blow-molded into a bottle 2 using a mold 20 provided on the molding wheel 18. The mold 20 has a body mold 20a and a bottom mold 20b. The body part mold 20a is a split mold, and forms a pair, usually two pieces. The bottom mold 20b is usually single. A plurality of molds 20 and blow nozzles 21 are arranged around the molding wheel 18, and rotate around the molding wheel 18 at a constant speed as the molding wheel 18 rotates.

When the heated preform 1 arrives, the mold 20 sandwiches and encloses the preform 1. Subsequently, the blow nozzle 21 is joined to the mouth portion 1a of the preform 1, and a stretching rod (not shown) is guided into the hole provided in the blow nozzle 21 and inserted into the preform 1. 1 is longitudinally stretched, and at the same time, a gas such as high-pressure air is blown into the preform 1 from a blow nozzle 21 and horizontally stretched, thereby forming a bottle 2 in a mold 20. As shown in FIG. 2D, the molded bottle 2 is taken out from the mold 20 when the mold 20 is opened, the support ring 1b is gripped by the gripper 22 provided on the inspection wheel 23, and the bottle 2 is delivered to the inspection wheel 23. It will be done.

The appearance of the bottle 2 transferred to the inspection wheel 23 is inspected by a bottle inspection device 24. The body of the molded bottle 2, the support ring 1b, the top surface of the mouth 1a of the bottle 2, the bottom of the bottle 2, etc. are inspected, and if it is determined that there is an abnormality, the bottle removal device 17 removes the Removed to the outside of the aseptic filling machine.

The body of the bottle 2, the support ring 1b, the top surface of the mouth 1a of the bottle 2, and the bottom of the bottle 2 are imaged by a camera, and the condition of each location is inspected. The captured image is processed by an image processing device to determine the presence or absence of abnormalities such as scratches, foreign objects, deformation, and discoloration. Bottle 2 exceeding the allowable range is determined to be abnormal.

Bottles 2 that are not determined to be abnormal by the visual inspection by the bottle inspection device 24 are inspected by the blow molding device 16 so that the sterilizing agent gas or mist, or a mixture thereof generated in the sterilizing chamber 33 does not flow into the blow molding device 16. The bottle is conveyed to the sterilization section chamber 33 through the wheels 25 and 26 in the atmosphere isolation chamber 27 provided between the bottle and the bottle inner and outer surface sterilizer 30.

The bottle 2 transported to the sterilizing chamber 33 is sterilized on its inner and outer surfaces by the wheel 28. The bottle inner and outer surface sterilizer 30 sprays a sterilizer gas or mist or a mixture thereof onto the inner surface of the bottle 2 . FIG. 2E shows a process of spraying a disinfectant onto the inner surface of the bottle 2 to sterilize the inner surface of the bottle 2. In order to spray the disinfectant onto the inner surface of the bottle 2, a bottle inner surface disinfectant spraying nozzle 31 is provided.

The bottle inner surface disinfectant spraying nozzle 31 is fixed so that the nozzle hole at its tip can directly face the opening of the mouth portion 1a of the bottle 2 running directly below. Moreover, as shown in FIG. 2E, a bottle inner and outer surface disinfectant spraying tunnel 32 is provided below the bottle inner surface disinfectant spraying nozzle 31 along the travel path of the bottle 2, as shown in FIG. 2E. The number of nozzles 31 for spraying disinfectant on the inside of the bottle may be one or more. The disinfectant sprayed onto the inner surface of the bottle 2 flows into the bottle 2 and sterilizes the inner surface of the bottle 2. Further, the sterilizing agent that does not flow into the inside of the bottle 2 is sprayed onto the shoulder of the bottle 2, flows from the shoulder along the outer surface of the bottle 2, reaches the bottom, and sterilizes the outer surface of the bottle 2.

In addition, as shown in FIG. 2F, the bottle inner surface disinfectant gas spray nozzle 31 is made to follow the conveyance of the bottle 2, and the bottle inner surface disinfectant gas spray nozzle 31 is inserted into the bottle 2 to spray disinfectant gas or mist or These mixtures may be directly sprayed onto the inner surface of the bottle 2. The sterilizing agent gas or mist, or a mixture thereof, overflowing from the bottle 2 collides with the guide member 31a provided surrounding the bottle inner sterilizing agent gas spray nozzle 31, flows to the outer surface of the bottle 2, and the bottle 2 is Contact with the outer surface and sterilize the outer surface and bottom surface of the bottle 2. The guide member 31a is provided with a flange portion coaxial with the nozzle 31 and an annular wall portion protruding outward from the flange portion.

The sterilizing agent gas or mist, or a mixture thereof, which sterilizes the inner and outer surfaces of the bottle 2 may be a sterilizing agent gasified by the sterilizing agent gas generator 57 shown in FIG. It is a mixture of these. In order to sterilize the outer surface of the mouth 1a of the bottle 2, the sterilant gas or mist or mixture thereof supplied to the gas blown onto the outer surface of the mouth 1a of the bottle 2 may also be used to generate a sterilant gas as shown in FIG. is generated by the device 57.

The bottle inner and outer surface sterilizer 30 sprays a sterilizer gas generated by a sterilizer gas generator 57 onto the inner and outer surfaces of the bottle 2, and is composed of a sterilizer gas generator 57 and a bottle inner sterilizer spray nozzle 31. . When the disinfectant gas generator 57 and the bottle inner surface disinfectant spray nozzle 31 are connected by a conduit, the conduit is also included. Furthermore, if a tunnel 32 for spraying sterilizing agent gas on the inner and outer surfaces of the bottle is provided, this is included. A heated air supply device may be provided in the conduit, and the sterilizing agent gas and heated air may be mixed and the sterilizing agent gas mixed with the heated air may be supplied to the bottle inner sterilizing agent spray nozzle 31.

A nozzle may be provided for directly spraying a disinfectant gas or mist or a mixture thereof onto the outer surface of the bottle 2. At this time, the bottle inner and outer surface sterilizer 30 includes a nozzle that sprays a sterilizer onto the outer surface of the bottle 2 and a device that supplies the sterilizer to the nozzle.

The sterilizer gas generator 57 includes a sterilizer supply section 58, which is a two-fluid spray nozzle that supplies the sterilizer in the form of droplets, and a sterilizer supplied from the sterilizer supply section 58, which is heated to a temperature below the decomposition temperature. A vaporizing section 59 for vaporizing is provided. The sterilizing agent supply section 58 introduces a sterilizing agent and compressed air from a sterilizing agent supply path 58a and a compressed air supply path 58b, respectively, and sprays the sterilizing agent into the vaporizing section 59. The vaporizer 59 is a pipe with a heater 59a sandwiched between the inner and outer walls, and heats and vaporizes the disinfectant blown into the pipe. The vaporized sterilizing agent gas is ejected from the sterilizing agent spray nozzle 31 to the outside of the vaporizing section 59. The vaporizing section 59 may be heated by induction heating instead of the heater 59a.

As for the operating conditions of the disinfectant supply unit 58, for example, the pressure of compressed air is adjusted within a range of 0.05 MPa to 0.6 MPa. In addition, the sterilizer may be dropped by gravity or by applying pressure, and the supply rate can be set freely. Supplied in a range. Further, the inner surface of the vaporizing section 59 is heated from 140° C. to 450° C., thereby vaporizing the sprayed disinfectant.

The sterilizing agent gas is sprayed onto the inner and outer surfaces of the bottle 2 from the bottle inner sterilizing agent spraying nozzle 31 as shown in FIG. 2E or 2F. The spraying amount of the disinfectant gas, mist, or mixture thereof is arbitrary, but the spraying amount is determined by the amount of disinfectant supplied to the disinfectant gas generator 57 and the spraying time. A plurality of sterilizing agent gas generators 57 may be provided. The amount of spraying also varies depending on the size of the bottle 2.

Preferably, the disinfectant contains at least hydrogen peroxide. The content thereof is suitably in the range of 0.5% by mass to 65% by mass. If it is less than 0.5% by mass, the sterilizing power may be insufficient, and if it exceeds 65% by mass, it will be difficult to handle from a safety standpoint. Further, a more preferable range is 0.5% by mass to 40% by mass, and 40% by mass or less is easier to handle and has a low concentration, so the amount of disinfectant remaining on the inner surface of the bottle 2 after sterilization can be reduced. Can be reduced.

When hydrogen peroxide is used as the disinfectant, the amount of hydrogen peroxide gas to be sprayed is as follows. The amount of hydrogen peroxide that adheres to the inner surface of the bottle 2 due to the hydrogen peroxide solution sprayed from the bottle inner surface disinfectant spraying nozzle 31 to the inner surface of the bottle 2 is the amount of hydrogen peroxide solution containing 35% by mass of hydrogen peroxide. , 30 μL/bottle to 150 μL/bottle is preferable, and more preferably 50 μL/bottle to 100 μL/bottle. Further, the hydrogen peroxide concentration of the hydrogen peroxide gas sprayed into the bottle 2 is preferably 2 mg/L to 20 mg/L, more preferably 5 mg/L to 10 mg/L.

In addition, the disinfectant contains water, and one or more of alcohols such as methyl alcohol, ethyl alcohol, isopropyl alcohol, normal propyl alcohol, and butyl alcohol, ketones such as acetone, methyl ethyl ketone, and acetylacetone, and glycol ethers. Two or more types may be included.

Furthermore, disinfectants include organic acids such as peracetic acid and acetic acid, chlorine compounds such as sodium hypochlorite, compounds with disinfectant effects such as ozone, cationic surfactants, nonionic surfactants, phosphoric acid compounds, etc. may contain additives.

The inner surface of the bottle 2 is sterilized by the bottle inner surface sterilizer spray nozzle 31. Furthermore, the sterilizer sprayed from the bottle inner surface sterilizer spray nozzle 31 flows along the shoulder, body, and bottom of the bottle 2, thereby sterilizing the shoulder, body, and bottom of the bottle 2. Although the sterilizer flows along the mouth portion 1a, it does not penetrate into the recess of the threaded portion formed in the mouth portion 1a, resulting in insufficient sterilization of the recess.

In the bottle 2 whose inner and outer surfaces are sterilized, the outer surface of the mouth portion 1a is sterilized. A sterilizer is brought into contact with the outer surface of the mouth portion 1a of the bottle 2 by the bottle mouth outer surface sterilizer 54. The disinfectant that is brought into contact is the same as the disinfectant that is sprayed onto the inner surface of the bottle 2. The disinfectant gas generated by the disinfectant gas generator 57 is a disinfectant gas or a mist, or a mixture thereof.

The bottle mouth external surface sterilizing device 54 is provided with a bottle mouth external surface gas spraying nozzle 60, which sprays gas onto the external surface of the mouth portion 1a of the bottle 2. As shown in FIG. 4, from at least two upstream left and right places and two downstream right and left places of the bottle 2 conveyance path located at the center line 55 of the conveyance path along which the bottle 2 is conveyed, the mouth portion 1a of the bottle 2 is simultaneously Gas is blown onto the mouth part 1a of the bottle 2 so as to touch the outer shape and rotate the outer periphery of the mouth part 1a of the bottle 2 in a fixed direction. By supplying the sterilizing agent to the sprayed gas, the gas enters the recessed portion of the threaded portion formed in the mouth portion 1a of the bottle 2, and the recessed portion can be reliably sterilized.

Before, at the same time, or after the gas is blown onto the outer surface of the mouth portion 1a of the bottle 2, a sterilizing agent is supplied to the gas, and the sterilizing agent supplied to the gas is supplied to the gas by the gas blown onto the outer surface of the mouth portion 1a of the bottle 2. 2 to sterilize the outer surface of the mouth 1a of the bottle 2.

As described above, a plurality of sets of four nozzles 60 for blowing gas on the outer surface of the bottle mouth may be provided. That is, a set of nozzles 60 for blowing gas on the outer surface of the bottle mouth may be provided at two or more locations on the conveyance path of the bottle 2.

The bottle mouth outer surface sterilizer 54 is provided with a bottle mouth outer surface sterilizer supply device 62 that supplies a sterilizer to sterilize the outer surface of the bottle 2 to which gas is blown by the bottle mouth outer surface gas spray nozzle 60. .

As shown in FIG. 5, the bottle mouth outer surface sterilizer supply device 62 passes air from a blower 63 through a sterilization filter 64, heats the sterilized sterile air with a heating device 65, and combines it with the heated sterile air. The sterilizing agent gas generated by the sterilizing agent gas generator 57 is mixed and supplied to the bottle mouth outer surface gas spray nozzle 60. A gas containing a sterilizer is sprayed from the gas spray nozzle 60 onto the outer surface of the mouth 1a of the bottle 2, and the sterilizer comes into contact with the outer surface of the mouth 1a of the bottle 2. External surfaces are sterilized. In this case, the disinfectant is supplied to the gas before it is blown onto the outer surface of the mouth 1a of the bottle 2.

The bottle mouth external sterilizer supply device 62 includes a sterilizer gas generator 57, a blower 63, a sterilizing filter 64, a heating device 65, a conduit connecting these, a mixing section that mixes sterilizer gas and heated sterile air, and Consists of necessary valves, etc. The gas containing the disinfectant supplied from the bottle mouth exterior disinfectant supply device 62 is delivered to the bottle mouth exterior gas spray nozzle 60 through the gas supply conduit 56 .

Conventionally, in order to sterilize the outer surface of the mouth portion 1a of the bottle 2, a sterilizer is applied to the outer surface of the mouth portion 1a of the bottle 2 by a nozzle from one direction on a straight line passing through the center of the circular wheel on which the bottle 2 is conveyed. A disinfectant gas generated by a gas generator 57 was being sprayed. The amount of the sterilizer that comes into contact with the outer surface of the mouth portion 1a of the bottle 2 facing the nozzle and in the conveying direction where the sterilizer is not sprayed is relatively small, so the amount of spraying had to be excessive. By spraying the gas containing the sterilizer onto the outer surface of the mouth 1a of the bottle 2 from the gas spray nozzle 60 on the outer surface of the bottle mouth, it becomes possible to uniformly contact the sterilizer with the outer surface of the mouth 1a of the bottle 2, and the bottle The amount of disinfectant sprayed onto the outer surface of the mouth portion 1a of 2 can be reduced.

Since the entire outer surface of the mouth 1a of the bottle 2 can be uniformly brought into contact with the sterilizer, the sterilizer also comes into contact with the concave part of the threaded part of the mouth 1a of the bottle 2, ensuring that the concave part of the threaded part is also sterilized. be able to.

In FIG. 5, the sterile air is heated by the heating device 65, but the heating temperature is preferably 40°C or higher and 70°C or lower. There is no need to heat it. Alternatively, the mixture may be heated after mixing the sterile air and the sterilizing agent.

When the sterilizing agent generated by the sterilizing agent gas generator 57 is supplied to the bottle mouth external gas spray nozzle 60, it may be condensed into a mist, and is a gas, a mist, or a mixture thereof.

When the disinfectant is hydrogen peroxide, the amount of hydrogen peroxide gas that contacts the outer surface of the mouth portion 1a of the bottle 2 is as follows. The amount of hydrogen peroxide that adheres to the outer surface of the mouth portion 1a of the bottle 2 is 35 mass by mass of hydrogen peroxide that is brought into contact with the outer surface of the mouth portion 1a of the bottle 2 from the gas spray nozzle 60 on the outer surface of the bottle mouth portion. % of the hydrogen peroxide solution is preferably 0.1 μL/bottle to 30 μL/bottle, more preferably 0.5 μL/bottle to 10 μL/bottle. Further, the hydrogen peroxide concentration of the hydrogen peroxide gas that is brought into contact with the outer surface of the mouth portion 1a of the bottle 2 is preferably 2 mg/L to 20 mg/L, more preferably 5 mg/L to 10 mg/L.

As shown in FIG. 6, a disinfectant gas or mist, or a mixture thereof may be supplied to the outer surface of the mouth portion 1a of the bottle 2 from above the bottle 2 being transported. At this time, as shown in FIG. 6, the bottle mouth outer surface sterilizer supply device 62 passes the air from the blower 63 through the sterilization filter 64, heats the sterilized sterile air with the heating device 65, and heats the sterilized air. Sterile air and sterilizing gas generated by the sterilizing gas generator 57 are mixed, and sterilizing gas or mist or a mixture thereof is supplied from above the bottle 2 . The sterilizing agent gas or mist, or a mixture thereof, is supplied from above the opening 1a of the bottle 2 by a sterilizing agent supply nozzle 66 on the outer surface of the bottle opening, as shown in FIG. Gas is blown onto the outer surface of the mouth portion 1a of the bottle 2 from the bottle mouth outer surface gas spray nozzle 60.

Gas is blown onto the outer surface of the mouth portion 1a of the bottle 2 from the gas spray nozzle 60 on the outer surface of the bottle mouth portion, and at the same time, a sterilizing agent gas or mist, or a mixture thereof is sprayed from above the bottle 2 onto the outer surface of the mouth portion 1a of the bottle 2. supply the gas to be used. The supplied disinfectant is mixed with the gas blown onto the outer surface of the mouth portion 1a of the bottle 2, contacts the outer surface of the mouth portion 1a of the bottle 2, and sterilizes the outer surface of the mouth portion 1a of the bottle 2. The disinfectant is supplied at the same time as the gas is sprayed onto the outer surface of the mouth portion 1a of the bottle 2. Gas is supplied by a gas supply conduit 56 to a bottle mouth external gas spray nozzle 60 .

Gas is blown onto the outer surface of the mouth portion 1a of the bottle 2, and the disinfectant is supplied while the gas blown onto the outer surface of the mouth portion 1a of the bottle 2 is rotating on the outer surface of the mouth portion 1a of the bottle 2. I don't mind. That is, the disinfectant may be supplied after blowing the gas onto the outer surface of the mouth portion 1a of the bottle 2. The disinfectant may be supplied at the same time as the gas is sprayed onto the outer surface of the mouth portion 1a of the bottle 2, or the disinfectant may be supplied after the gas is sprayed.

The bottle mouth external sterilizer supply device 62 includes a sterilizer gas generator 57, a blower 63, a sterilizing filter 64, a heating device 65, a conduit connecting these, a mixing section that mixes sterilizer gas and heated sterile air, and Consists of necessary valves, etc.

In FIG. 6, the sterile air supplied to the outer surface sterilizer supply nozzle 66 of the bottle mouth is heated by the heating device 65, but the heating temperature is preferably 40° C. or higher and 70° C. or lower. There is no need to heat it. Alternatively, the mixture may be heated after mixing the sterile air and the sterilizing agent. Sterile air is blown as a gas onto the outer surface of the mouth portion 1a of the bottle 2 from the bottle mouth outer surface gas blowing nozzle 60, but it may be heated. The appropriate heating temperature is 40°C or higher and 70°C or lower.

As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, a bottle mouth outer surface gas blowing tunnel 61 may be provided to shield the conveyance path in which the bottle mouth outer surface gas blowing nozzle 60 is provided. The bottle mouth outer surface gas blowing tunnel 61 shields the transported bottle 2 and the bottle mouth outer surface gas blowing nozzle 60 so as not to obstruct the running of the gripper 22 which holds the bottle 2 and rotates. By providing the gas spraying tunnel 61 on the outer surface of the bottle mouth, the sterilizing agent supplied to the gas fills the gas spraying tunnel 61 on the outer surface of the bottle mouth, and even after passing through the gas spraying point, the disinfectant is kept at the mouth 1a of the bottle 2. Disinfectant adheres to external surfaces. The blown gas can efficiently contribute to sterilization of the outer surface of the mouth portion 1a of the bottle 2.

The bottle mouth external surface sterilizing device 54 includes a bottle mouth external surface gas spraying nozzle 60 and a bottle mouth external surface sterilizing agent supply device 62. Furthermore, the gas blowing tunnel 61 on the outer surface of the bottle mouth may be provided as described above.

The bottle 2 is gripped by the support ring 1b by grippers 22 provided at regular intervals around the wheel, and rotates around the wheel. The center line 55 of the conveyance path along which the bottle 2 is conveyed is a trajectory along which the center point of the circular mouth portion 1a of the bottle 2 being gripped moves. The bottle 2 moves along the center line 55 of the conveyance path. As shown in FIG. 4, at least four nozzles 60 for blowing gas on the outer surface of the bottle mouth are provided at two locations on the upstream side and two locations on the downstream side of the conveyance path of the bottle 2.

Gas is simultaneously blown onto the outer surface of the mouth portion 1a of the bottle 2 from at least four bottle mouth outer surface gas spray nozzles 60 so as to be in contact with the external surface of the mouth portion 1a of the bottle 2. Before the blown gas comes into contact with the external surface of the mouth 1a of the bottle 2, it is blown so as not to intersect with the gas blown from other bottle mouth outer surface gas spray nozzles 60. Therefore, the gas is blown so as to contact the outer shape of the mouth portion 1a of the bottle 2 and rotate around the outer periphery of the mouth portion 1a of the bottle 2 in a fixed direction. Gas is blown such that the directions of the gas blown from adjacent bottle mouth outer surface gas blowing nozzles 60 are perpendicular to each other. The gas blowing directions of the opposing bottle mouth outer surface gas blowing nozzles 60 are opposite and parallel to each other.

FIG. 4 shows the direction in which gas is blown when the bottle 2 is stopped. In reality, the bottles 2 are transported at high speed. However, by blowing gas onto the outer surface of the mouth 1a of the bottle 2 as shown in FIG. It revolves around the mouth part 1a of the bottle 2 as shown in FIG. Gas can be uniformly sprayed over the entire outer surface of the mouth part 1a of the bottle 2 without rotating the bottle 2. The distances between the tip of the outer gas blowing nozzle 60 of the bottle mouth and the center point of the mouth 1a of the bottle 2 are all equidistant.

Since the gas swirling around the outer surface of the mouth portion 1a of the bottle 2 contains a sterilizing agent, the outer surface of the mouth portion 1a of the bottle 2 can be uniformly sterilized. In addition, by supplying the sterilizer from above the mouth 1a of the bottle 2, the gas swirling around the outer surface of the mouth 1a of the bottle 2 entrains the sterilizer, thereby uniformly sterilizing the outer surface of the mouth 1a of the bottle 2. can do.

By blowing the gas in the direction shown in FIG. 4, it is possible to uniformly contact the outer surface of the mouth portion 1a of the bottle 2 with a relatively small amount of the sterilizer. Therefore, the entire outer surface of the mouth portion 1a of the bottle 2, especially the recessed portion of the threaded portion, can be reliably sterilized.

In FIG. 4, the bottle mouth outer surface gas blowing nozzles 60 are provided at two locations on the left and right upstream of the conveyance path and at two locations on the left and right downstream, but they may be provided at three or more locations on the left and right. When three locations are provided on the left and right, gas is sprayed onto the mouth 1a of the bottle 2 so as to contact the outer shape of the mouth 1a of the bottle 2 and rotate the outer periphery of the mouth 1a of the bottle 2 in a fixed direction. Gas is blown such that the directions of the gas blown from the mouth outer surface gas blowing nozzle 60 intersect at 60°. The gas blowing directions of the opposing bottle mouth outer surface gas blowing nozzles 60 are opposite and parallel to each other.

It is preferable that the bottle mouth outer surface gas blowing nozzle 60 blows gas in a direction of 90 degrees with respect to the vertical axis of the bottle 2.

As shown in FIG. 5, the gas supplied to the bottle mouth outer surface disinfectant spraying nozzle 60 is spread to a width to be sprayed by the bottle mouth outer surface gas spraying nozzle 60. The gas is blown onto at least the entire mouth portion 1a of the bottle 2 in the vertical axis direction. As shown in FIG. 5, the bottle 2 is conveyed by gripping the support ring 1b by the gripper 22. The bottle mouth outer surface gas blowing nozzle 60 is provided so as not to obstruct the rotation area of the gripper 22.

A slit is provided at the tip of the bottle mouth outer surface gas blowing nozzle 60 in parallel to the vertical axis of the bottle 2, and gas is blown from the slit. The width of the slit is preferably 0.5 mm to 5 mm. If it is less than 0.5 mm, gas will not be sufficiently blown onto the outer surface of the mouth portion 1a of the bottle 2. If it exceeds 5 mm, the spray width will become wider and gas flow will become difficult to occur.

The bottle 2 sterilized in the sterilizer chamber 33 is conveyed to an air rinse device 34 via a wheel 29, as shown in FIG. In the air rinse wheel 35 shown in FIG. 1, the bottle 2 is blown with sterile air by an air rinse nozzle 38 as shown in FIG. 2G. The sterile air may be at room temperature, but is preferably heated. The sterile air discharges the sterilizing agent remaining inside the bottle 2 and decomposes the remaining sterilizing agent to further enhance the sterilizing effect, and also has the effect of eliminating foreign matter if it exists inside the bottle 2. Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 2H, the bottle 2 may be held upside down and sterile air may be blown into the bottle 2. In this case, foreign matter is more effectively removed than in the upright position. Furthermore, similarly to the bottle inner surface disinfectant spraying nozzle 31 shown in FIG. collides with the guide member, and the outer periphery of the mouth 1a is also rinsed, the temperature of the outer periphery of the mouth 1a rises, and the sterilization effect of the outer periphery of the mouth 1a increases.

The air rinse nozzle 38 may be movable up and down to blow sterile air into the bottle 2. Alternatively, instead of sterile air, sterile water may be introduced into the bottle 2 to rinse the inside of the bottle 2. Furthermore, the bottle 2 may be rinsed using a combination of sterile air and sterile water.

The bottle 2 air-rinsed by the air-rinsing device 34 is conveyed to a filling device 39 via a wheel 37, as shown in FIG. In the filling device 39, the bottle 2 is filled with the contents by the filling wheel 40 shown in FIG. 1 and the filling nozzle 42, as in the filling process shown in FIG. 2I. The contents are sterilized in advance, and a predetermined amount of the contents, such as a drink, is filled into the bottle 2 by a filling nozzle 42 that runs synchronously with the bottle 2.

The bottle 2 filled with contents is conveyed to a sealing device 44 via a wheel 43 shown in FIG. In the sealing wheel 45 provided in the sealing device 44, as in the sealing process shown in FIG. It is supplied to the sealing wheel 45 via the wheel 53a and the lid receiving wheel 53b, and is wrapped around the mouth portion 1a of the bottle 2 by a capper (not shown), thereby sealing the bottle 2.

The sealed bottle 2 is transferred from the gripper 22 of the sealing wheel 45 to the gripper 22 of the discharge wheel 48 of the discharge device 47 . The bottle 2 delivered to the discharge wheel 48 is placed on the discharge conveyor 50. The bottles 2 placed on the discharge conveyor 50 are discharged to the outside of the aseptic filling machine.

The insides of the sterilizing section chamber 33, the air rinsing section chamber 36, the filling section chamber 41, the sealing section chamber 46, and the discharging section chamber 49 are sterilized before the aseptic filling machine manufactures the product.

Disinfectant is sprayed into each chamber so that the disinfectant covers the entire area within each chamber that requires disinfection. The sprayed disinfectant sterilizes the inside of each chamber. As the sterilizing agent, the same sterilizing agent as that used to sterilize the bottle 2 can be used, and it is preferable to use a sterilizing agent containing peracetic acid or hydrogen peroxide. When spraying the disinfectant, different disinfectants may be sprayed multiple times.

Although the present disclosure is configured as described above, it is not limited to the embodiments described above, and various changes can be made within the gist of the present disclosure.

1... Preform 1a... Mouth 2... Bottle 6... Heating device 16... Blow molding device 17... Bottle removing device 20... Mold 24... Bottle inspection device 30... Bottle inner and outer surface sterilizer 39... Filling device 44... Sealing device 49 ...Discharge chamber 54...Bottle mouth external surface sterilizer 60...Bottle mouth external surface gas spraying nozzle 61...Bottle mouth external surface gas spraying tunnel 62...Bottle mouth external surface sterilizer supply device

Claims (10)

heat the preform,
blow molding the heated preform into a bottle;
From at least two upstream left and right places and two downstream left and right places of the conveyance path through which the molded bottle is conveyed, contacting the external surface of the mouth of the bottle at the same time, the upstream left side, the downstream right side, and the upstream right side. The direction in which gas is blown toward the mouth of the bottle from the opposite locations , ie, the downstream left side, is opposite and parallel;
Spraying the gas on the outer surface of the mouth of the bottle so as to rotate the outer periphery of the mouth of the bottle in a fixed direction;
Before, at the same time, or after spraying the gas on the outer surface of the mouth of the bottle, a disinfectant is supplied to the gas, and the gas sprayed on the outer surface of the mouth of the bottle causes the gas to be sprayed on the outer surface of the mouth of the bottle. contact with disinfectant,
An aseptic filling method comprising filling the bottle with sterilized contents in an aseptic atmosphere, the outer surface of the mouth of the bottle being brought into contact with the sterilizing agent. In the aseptic filling method according to claim 1,
An aseptic filling method, wherein the gas contains a sterilizing agent gas or mist, or a mixture thereof, before the gas is sprayed onto the outer surface of the mouth of the bottle. In the aseptic filling method according to claim 1,
Simultaneously or after spraying the gas onto the outer surface of the mouth of the bottle, spraying the gas or mist of the disinfectant, or a mixture thereof, onto the bottle from above the bottle being conveyed, thereby infusing the gas with the disinfectant. Aseptic filling method to supply. In the aseptic filling method according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
An aseptic filling method in which the gas is sprayed at two or more locations on the conveyance path. In the aseptic filling method according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
An aseptic filling method in which the gas is sprayed onto the outer surface of the mouth of the bottle in a shielded tunnel. a heating device that heats the preform;
a blow molding device that blow molds the heated preform into a bottle;
From at least two upstream left and right places and two downstream left and right places of the conveyance path through which the molded bottle is conveyed, contacting the external surface of the mouth of the bottle at the same time, the upstream left side, the downstream right side, and the upstream right side. The direction in which the gas is blown toward the mouth of the bottle from the opposing points on the downstream left side are opposite and parallel, and the mouth of the bottle is rotated in a constant direction around the outer circumference of the mouth of the bottle. a bottle mouth outer surface gas blowing nozzle that sprays the gas onto the outer surface of the bottle mouth;
a bottle mouth outer surface sterilizer supply device that supplies a sterilizer to the gas before, simultaneously, or after spraying the gas onto the outer surface of the mouth of the bottle; and sterilized contents of the bottle to which the gas has been sprayed. Aseptic filling machine equipped with a filling device that fills in an aseptic atmosphere. The aseptic filling machine according to claim 6,
The aseptic filling machine is configured such that the bottle mouth external disinfectant supply device mixes the disinfectant gas or mist or a mixture thereof with the gas before spraying the gas onto the external surface of the bottle mouth. . The aseptic filling machine according to claim 6,
At the same time or after the bottle mouth external surface sterilizer supply device sprays the gas onto the outer surface of the mouth of the bottle, the sterilizer gas or mist, or a mixture thereof is sprayed from above the bottle being transported. Aseptic filling machine with external disinfectant supply nozzle. The aseptic filling machine according to any one of claims 6 to 8,
An aseptic filling machine, wherein the bottle mouth outer surface gas blowing nozzles are provided at two or more locations on the conveyance path. The aseptic filling machine according to any one of claims 6 to 9,
An aseptic filling machine that is provided with a tunnel that shields the conveyance path of the bottle in which the bottle mouth outer surface gas blowing nozzle is provided.

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