JP7482405B2 - Content filling system and sterilization method - Google Patents

Description

This disclosure relates to a content filling system and a sterilization method.

There is a known aseptic filling system in which sterilized contents are filled into a sterilized container (PET bottle) in a sterile environment and then the container is closed with a cap (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

Specifically, in an aseptic filling system, the molded container is fed into the aseptic filling system, where an aqueous hydrogen peroxide solution is sprayed onto the container as a sterilant. The aqueous hydrogen peroxide solution is then dried to sterilize the container. The contents are then aseptically filled into the container.

In recent years, there has been a demand to reduce the amount of carbon dioxide emitted in order to reduce the environmental impact.

Japanese Patent No. 4526820

This disclosure has been made in consideration of these points, and aims to provide a content filling system and sterilization method that can reduce carbon dioxide emissions.

The first aspect of the present disclosure is a content filling system that includes a water sterilization line that sterilizes water without heating, a concentrate sterilization line that sterilizes a concentrate product by heating, and a filling device that is connected to the water sterilization line and the concentrate sterilization line, respectively, and fills the water and the concentrate product into a container.

In a second aspect of the present disclosure, in the content filling system according to the first aspect described above, the water sterilization line may sterilize the water by ultraviolet light.

A third aspect of the present disclosure is a content filling system according to the first aspect or the second aspect described above, in which the water in the water sterilization line may be sterilized by ultraviolet light from at least one of a low-pressure mercury lamp and a medium-pressure mercury lamp.

A fourth aspect of the present disclosure is a content filling system according to the second aspect or the third aspect described above, which may further include a control unit that controls the water sterilization line, and the control unit may discharge the water outside the water sterilization line when the amount of irradiation or illuminance of the ultraviolet light falls below a predetermined value.

（ただし、Ｔは任意の殺菌温度（℃）、１０＾｛（Ｔ－Ｔｒ）／Ｚ｝は任意の殺菌温度Ｔでの致死率、Ｔｒは基準温度（℃）、ＺはＺ値（１０℃）を表す。） A fifth aspect of the present disclosure is a content filling system including a water sterilization line for sterilizing water, a concentrate sterilization line for heat sterilizing a product concentrate, and a filling device connected to the water sterilization line and the concentrate sterilization line, respectively, and filling the water and the product concentrate into a container, wherein when the pH of a content produced by diluting the product concentrate with the water is less than 4.5, the water sterilization line sterilizes the water so that the _F0 value is 0.00029 or more and less than 3.1, and when the pH of the content is 4.5 or more, the water sterilization line sterilizes the water so that the _F0 value is 3.1 or more and 100 or less, and the _F0 value is an F value calculated by the following formula:

(where 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), and Z is the Z value (10°C).)

（ただし、Ｔは任意の殺菌温度（℃）、１０＾｛（Ｔ－Ｔｒ）／Ｚ｝は任意の殺菌温度Ｔでの致死率、Ｔｒは基準温度（℃）、ＺはＺ値（１０℃）を表す。） A sixth aspect of the present disclosure is a content filling system comprising a water sterilization line for sterilizing water, a concentrate sterilization line for heat sterilizing a product concentrate, and a filling device connected to the water sterilization line and the concentrate sterilization line, respectively, and filling the water and the concentrate product into containers, wherein the water sterilization line sterilizes the water so that the _F0 value is 3.1 or more and 100 or less, and the _F0 value is an F value calculated by the following formula:

(where 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), and Z is the Z value (10°C).)

In a seventh aspect of the present disclosure, in a content filling system according to each of the first to sixth aspects described above, the water sterilization line may sterilize the water by filtering the water with a sterile filter.

The eighth aspect of the present disclosure is a content filling system according to each of the first to seventh aspects described above, wherein the content filling system may further include a control unit that controls the water sterilization line, the water sterilization line may have at least a water sterilizer that sterilizes the water, the water sterilizer may include at least a sterile filter, and the control unit may discharge the water outside the water sterilization line when the pressure difference between the pressure upstream and the pressure downstream of the sterile filter becomes equal to or greater than a predetermined value.

A ninth aspect of the present disclosure is a content filling system according to each of the first to eighth aspects described above, wherein the content filling system may further include a control unit that controls the water sterilization line, and the control unit may discharge the water outside the water sterilization line when at least one of the number of bacteria and the number of particles in the water sampled from the water sterilization line reaches or exceeds a predetermined value.

In a tenth aspect of the present disclosure, in the content filling system according to each of the first to ninth aspects described above, the product concentrate may be diluted with the water by 1.1 to 100 times.

An eleventh aspect of the present disclosure is a content filling system according to each of the first to tenth aspects described above, wherein the filling device may have a water filling device connected to the water sterilization line and a concentrate filling device connected to the concentrate sterilization line, the water filling device may fill the container with sterilized water, and the concentrate filling device may fill the container with sterilized product concentrate.

A twelfth aspect of the present disclosure is a content filling system according to the eleventh aspect described above, wherein the water filling device may fill the empty container with water, and the filling speed at which the water filling device fills the container with water may be faster than the filling speed at which the concentrate filling device fills the container with the product concentrate.

In a thirteenth aspect of the present disclosure, in the content filling system according to each of the first to ninth aspects described above, the filling device may have a water filling device connected to the water sterilization line and a concentrate filling device connected to the concentrate sterilization line, and the container may be filled with the water or the concentrate product using only one of the water filling device and the concentrate filling device.

In a fourteenth aspect of the present disclosure, in the content filling system according to each of the eleventh to thirteenth aspects described above, the water filling device may include a plurality of water filling nozzles for filling the water, and each of the water filling nozzles may be connected to a sniff line for discharging gas inside the container, and the water filling device may pressurize and fill the water in a state in which gas inside the container can be discharged via the sniff line.

In a fifteenth aspect of the present disclosure, in the content filling system according to the fourteenth aspect described above, a sealing member may be provided at the tip of the water filling nozzle to prevent leakage of gas inside the container by being in close contact with the container, and the water filling device may pressurize and fill the water with the sealing member in close contact with the container.

A sixteenth aspect of the present disclosure is a content filling system according to the fourteenth or fifteenth aspect described above, wherein the concentrate filling device may include a plurality of concentrate filling nozzles for filling the product concentrate, and the diameter of the water filling nozzle may be larger than the diameter of the concentrate filling nozzle.

A seventeenth aspect of the present disclosure is that in the content filling system according to the sixteenth aspect described above, the diameter of the water filling nozzle may be 1.2 times or more and 1.5 times or less than the diameter of the concentrate filling nozzle.

In an 18th aspect of the present disclosure, in a content filling system according to each of the 11th aspect to the 17th aspect described above, the filling device may have a plurality of the concentrate filling devices.

A 19th aspect of the present disclosure is a content filling system according to the 18th aspect described above, in which the content filling system may include a plurality of the concentrate sterilization lines, and the plurality of concentrate filling devices may be connected to each of the concentrate sterilization lines.

A twentieth aspect of the present disclosure is a content filling system according to the nineteenth aspect described above, wherein the filling device may have a first concentrate filling device that fills the product concentrate that does not contain a flavor, and a second concentrate filling device that fills the product concentrate that contains a flavor.

In a 21st aspect of the present disclosure, in the content filling system according to the 20th aspect described above, the first concentrate filling device may be housed in a space partitioned by a chamber wall, a gap through which the container passes may be formed in the chamber wall, a first wheel that is provided so as to be freely opened and closed and includes a first gripper that transports the container may be disposed outside the space, a second wheel that is provided so as to be freely opened and closed and includes a second gripper that transports the container may be disposed inside the space, when the product concentrate is filled into the container by the first concentrate filling device, the second gripper may receive the container from the first gripper, and when the product concentrate is not filled into the container by the first concentrate filling device, the second gripper may take an open position so as not to interfere with the first gripper.

In a 22nd aspect of the present disclosure, in the content filling system according to the 21st aspect described above, the chamber wall may be provided with a shutter for opening and closing the gap, and when the first concentrate filling device does not fill the container with the product concentrate, the gap may be closed by the shutter, and the second gripper may be in an open position so as not to interfere with the shutter that closes the gap.

In a twenty-third aspect of the present disclosure, in the content filling system according to each of the first to tenth aspects described above, a mixing tank for mixing the water and the product concentrate may be interposed between the water sterilization line and the concentrate sterilization line and the filling device.

A twenty-fourth aspect of the present disclosure is a content filling system according to each of the first to tenth aspects described above, wherein the filling device may include a plurality of filling nozzles for filling the water and the product concentrate, and the water sterilization line and the concentrate sterilization line may be connected to each of the filling nozzles.

In the twenty-fifth aspect of the present disclosure, in the content filling system according to each of the first to twenty-fourth aspects described above, the water sterilization line may have a first water tank for storing the water, a water sterilizer for sterilizing the water stored in the first water tank, and a second water tank for storing the water sterilized by the water sterilizer, and the concentrate sterilization line may have a first concentrate tank for storing the product concentrate, a product concentrate sterilizer for heat sterilizing the product concentrate stored in the first concentrate tank, and a second concentrate tank for storing the product concentrate sterilized by the product concentrate sterilizer.

In a 26th aspect of the present disclosure, in the content filling system according to the 25th aspect described above, the water sterilization line may have a plurality of the water sterilizers.

A 27th aspect of the present disclosure is a content filling system according to the 25th aspect or the 26th aspect described above, which may further include a cap sterilizer that sterilizes a cap attached to the container filled with the water and the concentrate, and may include a bypass line downstream of the second water tank that connects the water sterilization line and the cap sterilizer to each other.

A 28th aspect of the present disclosure is a content filling system according to any one of the 25th to 27th aspects described above, in which an addition unit that adds solids to the product concentrate may be connected downstream of the second concentrate tank.

In a 29th aspect of the present disclosure, the content filling system according to each of the first aspect to the 28th aspect described above may further include a preform sterilization device that sterilizes a preform, a container molding device that molds the container from the preform, and a container sterilization device that sterilizes the container, and the container molding device may mold the container without adjusting the temperature of the container with hot water.

In a 30th aspect of the present disclosure, in the content filling system according to each of the first to 29th aspects described above, the water sterilization line may be partitioned into a non-sterile zone under a non-sterile atmosphere, a first gray zone and a second gray zone that separate the non-sterile atmosphere from the sterile atmosphere, and a sterile zone under a sterile atmosphere, and the non-sterile zone, the first gray zone, the second gray zone, and the sterile zone may be provided in this order from the upstream side to the downstream side along the water conveying direction, and bacteria in the water may be sterilized in the first gray zone, and a state in which no bacteria is present in the water may be maintained in the second gray zone.

A thirty-first aspect of the present disclosure is a sterilization method for sterilizing a content filling system according to each of the first to thirtieth aspects described above, wherein the water sterilization line includes at least a water sterilizer, the water sterilizer includes at least one sterile filter and at least one sterilizer, and the sterilization method includes a step of performing a first integrity test on at least one of the sterile filters, a step of sterilizing the sterile filter, and a step of performing a second integrity test on at least one of the sterile filters.

A thirty-second aspect of the present disclosure is the sterilization method according to the thirty-first aspect described above, which may further include a step of sterilizing the sterilizer.

In a 33rd aspect of the present disclosure, in the sterilization method according to the 31st aspect or the 32nd aspect described above, the step of sterilizing the sterilizer may include a step of supplying hot water to the water sterilizer, a step of circulating the hot water in a circulation system including the sterilizer, and a step of cooling the circulation system.

In a 34th aspect of the present disclosure, in the sterilization method according to each of the 31st to 33rd aspects described above, the step of sterilizing the sterilizer may include a step of supplying a chemical to the water sterilizer, a step of circulating the chemical in a circulation system including the sterilizer, and a step of rinsing the circulation system.

A thirty-fifth aspect of the present disclosure relates to a sterilization method according to any one of the thirty-first to thirty-fourth aspects described above, in which the step of sterilizing the sterile filter may be performed while the step of sterilizing the sterilizer is being performed.

This disclosure makes it possible to reduce the amount of carbon dioxide emitted by content filling systems.

FIG. 1 is a schematic plan view showing a content filling system according to one embodiment. FIG. 2A is a schematic diagram illustrating a water disinfection line according to one embodiment. FIG. 2B is a schematic diagram illustrating another example of a water disinfection line according to one embodiment. FIG. 2C is a schematic diagram illustrating another example of a water disinfection line according to one embodiment. FIG. 2D is a schematic diagram illustrating another example of a water disinfection line according to one embodiment. FIG. 2E1 is a schematic diagram illustrating another example of a water disinfection line according to one embodiment. FIG. 2E2 is a schematic diagram illustrating another example of a water disinfection line according to an embodiment. FIG. 2E3 is a schematic diagram illustrating another example of a water disinfection line according to one embodiment. FIG. 2F is a schematic diagram illustrating another example of a water disinfection line according to one embodiment. FIG. 2G is a schematic diagram illustrating another example of a water disinfection line according to one embodiment. FIG. 2H is a schematic diagram illustrating another example of a water disinfection line according to one embodiment. FIG. 2I is a schematic diagram illustrating another example of a water disinfection line according to one embodiment. FIG. 2J is a schematic diagram illustrating another example of a water disinfection line according to one embodiment. FIG. 2K is a schematic diagram illustrating another example of a water disinfection line according to one embodiment. FIG. 2L is a schematic diagram illustrating another example of a water disinfection line according to one embodiment. FIG. 2M is a schematic diagram illustrating another example of a water disinfection line according to one embodiment. FIG. 2N is a schematic diagram illustrating another example of a water disinfection line according to one embodiment. FIG. 3 is a plan view showing a first sterilizer of a water sterilizer according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view (cross-sectional view taken along line IV-IV in FIG. 3) showing a first sterilizer of the water sterilizer according to one embodiment. FIG. 5A is a plan view illustrating another example of a first sterilizer of a water sterilizer according to an embodiment. FIG. 5B is a cross-sectional view (cross-sectional view taken along line VB-VB in FIG. 5A) illustrating another example of a first sterilizer of a water sterilizer according to an embodiment. FIG. 6A is a front view showing another example of a first sterilizer of a water sterilizer according to an embodiment. FIG. 6B is a cross-sectional view (cross-sectional view taken along line VIB-VIB in FIG. 6A) illustrating another example of a first sterilizer of a water sterilizer according to an embodiment. FIG. 6C is a cross-sectional view (enlarged view of portion VIC in FIG. 6B) showing another example of a first sterilizer of a water sterilizer according to an embodiment. FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram showing a concentrate sterilization line according to one embodiment. FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a content filling method using a content filling system according to one embodiment. FIG. 9 is a flow chart showing a method for sterilizing a chamber of a content filling system according to one embodiment. FIG. 10A is a flow chart showing a sterilization method of a content filling system according to one embodiment, which is a sterilization method of a water sterilizer. FIG. 10B1 is a flowchart showing a sterilization method of a content filling system according to one embodiment, which is a sterilization method of a water sterilizer. FIG. 10B2 is a flowchart illustrating another example of a sterilization method for a water sterilizer, which is a sterilization method for a content filling system according to an embodiment. FIG. 10C is a flow chart illustrating yet another example of a sterilization method for a water sterilizer, which is a sterilization method for a content filling system according to an embodiment. FIG. 10D is a flow chart illustrating yet another example of a sterilization method for a water sterilizer, which is a sterilization method for a content filling system according to an embodiment. FIG. 10E is a flow chart illustrating yet another example of a sterilization method for a water sterilizer, which is a sterilization method for a content filling system according to an embodiment. FIG. 11 is a schematic plan view showing a second modified example of the contents filling system according to one embodiment. FIG. 12A is a schematic plan view showing a fourth modified example of a content filling system according to one embodiment. FIG. 12B is a schematic plan view showing an enlarged view of the second sterile chamber and the outlet chamber of the fourth modified example of the content filling system according to one embodiment. FIG. 12C is a schematic plan view showing a content filling method using a fourth modified example of the content filling system according to one embodiment. FIG. 12D is a schematic plan view showing a content filling method using a fourth modified example of the content filling system according to one embodiment. FIG. 12E is a schematic plan view showing another example (first example) of the fourth modified example of the content filling system according to one embodiment. FIG. 12F is a schematic plan view showing another example (second example) of the fourth modified example of the content filling system according to one embodiment. FIG. 12G is a schematic plan view showing another example (third example) of the fourth modified example of the content filling system according to one embodiment. FIG. 12H is a schematic plan view showing another example (fourth example) of the fourth modified example of the content filling system according to one embodiment. FIG. 12I is a schematic plan view showing another example (fifth example) of the fourth modified example of the content filling system according to one embodiment. FIG. 13 is a schematic plan view showing a fifth modified example of the contents filling system according to one embodiment. FIG. 14 is a schematic plan view showing another example of the fifth modified example of the content filling system according to one embodiment. FIG. 15 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a filling nozzle of a filling device in another example of the fifth modified example of the content filling system according to one embodiment. FIG. 16A is a schematic plan view showing a sixth modified example of a content filling system according to one embodiment. FIG. 16B is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a water filling nozzle of a water filling device in a sixth modified example of a content filling system according to one embodiment. FIG. 16C is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a concentrate filling nozzle of a concentrate filling device in a sixth modified example of a content filling system according to one embodiment. FIG. 17A is a schematic diagram showing a water sterilization line in a seventh modified example of a content filling system according to one embodiment. FIG. 17B is a schematic diagram showing a water sterilization line in another example of the seventh modified example of the content filling system according to one embodiment. FIG. 17C is a schematic diagram showing a water sterilization line in an eighth modified example of a content filling system according to one embodiment. FIG. 18A is a schematic diagram showing a concentrate sterilization line in a tenth variant of a content filling system according to one embodiment. FIG. 18B is a schematic plan view showing a twelfth modified example of a content filling system according to one embodiment. FIG. 18C is a schematic perspective view showing another example of the twelfth modified example of the content filling system according to one embodiment. FIG. 18D1 is a schematic plan view showing a sixteenth modified example of a content filling system according to one embodiment. Figure 18D2 is a schematic plan view showing another example of the 16th modified example of the content filling system according to one embodiment. FIG. 18E is a schematic diagram showing a water sterilization line in a 17th variant of a content filling system according to one embodiment. FIG. 19 is a flowchart showing a first modified example of a sterilization method for a content filling system according to one embodiment. FIG. 20 is a flowchart showing another example of the first modified example of the sterilization method of the content filling system according to one embodiment. FIG. 21 is a flowchart showing a second modified example of the sterilization method for the content filling system according to one embodiment.

The following describes an embodiment of the present disclosure with reference to the drawings. Figures 1 to 10E show one embodiment.

(Contents filling system)
First, a content filling system (aseptic filling system) according to an embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

The content filling system 10 shown in FIG. 1 is a system for filling a bottle (container) 100 with a content such as a beverage. The content can be produced by diluting the product stock solution with water. In this case, the product stock solution may be diluted with water by 1.1 times or more and 100 times or less, preferably by 2 times or more and 10 times or less. The product stock solution may be diluted with water by 10 times or more and 80 times or less, by 20 times or more and 70 times or less, or by 30 times or more and 50 times or less. The bottle 100 can be produced by biaxially stretching and blow molding a preform 100a produced by injection molding a synthetic resin material. 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, a can, paper, a pouch, a cup, or a composite container of these. In this embodiment, we will use a synthetic resin bottle as an example of the container.

As shown in FIG. 1, the content filling system 10 includes a water sterilization line 50 for sterilizing water, a concentrate sterilization line 70 for sterilizing the product concentrate, and a filling device (filler) 20 connected to the water sterilization line 50 and the concentrate sterilization line 70. The content filling system 10 also includes a control unit 90 for controlling the filling device 20. The content filling system 10 also includes a bottle molding unit 30, a sterilization device (container sterilization device) 11, an air rinse device 14, the above-mentioned filling device 20, a capping device (capper, seaming and corking machine) 16, and a product bottle conveying unit 25. The bottle molding unit 30, the sterilization device 11, the air rinse device 14, the filling device 20, the capping device 16, and the product bottle conveying unit 25 are arranged in this order from the upstream side to the downstream side along the conveying direction of the bottle 100. In addition, between the air-rinsing device 14, the filling device 20, the capping device 16, etc., a plurality of conveying wheels 12 are provided to convey the bottles 100 between these devices. Here, we will first explain the bottle molding section 30, the sterilizing device 11, the air-rinsing device 14, the filling device 20, the capping device 16, and the product bottle conveying section 25.

The bottle molding section 30 is configured to receive preforms 100a from the outside and mold the bottles 100. The bottle molding section 30 is also configured to transport the molded bottles 100 toward the sterilizer 11. This allows the contents filling system 10 to perform a continuous process from supplying the preforms 100a through molding the bottles 100, to filling the bottles 100 with contents and closing the bottles. In this case, small-volume preforms 100a are transported from the outside to the contents filling system 10, rather than large-volume bottles 100. This allows transportation costs to be reduced.

The bottle molding section 30 has a preform conveying section 31 that conveys the preform 100a, a blow molding section (container molding device) 32 that molds the preform 100a into a bottle 100 by blow molding the preform 100a, and a bottle conveying section 33 that conveys the molded bottle 100.

Of these, the preform transport 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 100a supplied from the preform supplying device 1 via the preform supplying conveyor 2. This receiving section 34 is provided with a preform sterilizing device 34a for sterilizing the preforms 100a, and a preform air rinsing device 34b for air rinsing the preforms 100a. In the illustrated example, the receiving section 34 is provided with one preform sterilizing device 34a and one preform air rinsing device 34b. Note that the number of preform sterilizing devices 34a and preform air rinsing devices 34b is not limited to this.

In the receiving section 34, the preform sterilization device 34a sprays gas or mist of hydrogen peroxide aqueous solution onto the preform 100a, sterilizing the preform 100a (pre-sterilization).

The disinfectant for sterilizing the preform 100a may be any disinfectant that has the property of inactivating microorganisms. For example, in addition to hydrogen peroxide, peracetic acid, acetic acid, pernitric acid, nitric acid, chlorine-based chemicals, sodium hydroxide, potassium hydroxide, alcohols such as ethyl alcohol and isopropyl alcohol, chlorine dioxide, ozone water, acidic water, and surfactants may be used alone or in combination of two or more of these.

In this way, by sterilizing the preform 100a in advance (pre-sterilization) using the preform sterilization device 34a, the amount of bacteria adhering to the bottle 100 produced from the preform 100a can be reduced. This makes it possible to reduce the amount of hydrogen peroxide used in the sterilization device 11 that sterilizes the bottle 100, and shorten the sterilization time. Generally, the amount of sterilant used to sterilize the small-volume preform 100a can be less than the amount of sterilant used to sterilize the bottle 100. Therefore, by pre-sterilizing the preform 100a, the overall amount of sterilant used can be reduced.

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

Furthermore, since the bacteria adhering to the bottle 100 can be reduced by pre-sterilizing the preform 100a, the sterilization conditions may be weakened in the sterilization device 11. Here, generally, in order to improve the sterilization effect in the sterilization device 11, the body of the bottle 100 is heat-set by supplying hot water from a mold temperature regulator (not shown) to the mold in the blow molding section 32. This improves the sterilization effect in the sterilization device 11 and reduces the shrinkage of the bottle 100 in the sterilization device 11. However, in this embodiment, as described above, the bacteria adhering to the bottle 100 can be reduced by pre-sterilizing the preform 100a. For this reason, 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, it is not necessary to supply the hot water that was supplied to the mold to improve the sterilization effect to the mold. As a result, the amount of carbon dioxide discharged by the content filling system 10 can be reduced. In addition, since there is no need to supply hot water to the mold of the blow molding section 32, the blow molding section 32 can be simplified. In addition, since the blow molding section 32 can be simplified, the amount of heat applied to the bottle 100 can be reduced. Therefore, even if the above-mentioned hot water is not supplied to the mold, the shrinkage of the bottle 100 in the sterilization device 11 can be reduced.

The sterilization process may be performed not only in the receiving section 34, but also in the heating section 35 or the delivery section 36. The sterilization process may be performed after the bottle 100 is formed, between the bottle conveying section 33 and the filling device 20. The sterilization process may be performed at multiple locations. In the sterilization process, bacteria may be inactivated by ultraviolet irradiation or electron beam irradiation, etc., without using a disinfectant.

Referring to FIG. 1, the preform air rinse device 34b described above is provided downstream of the preform sterilizer 34a. The preform 100a sprayed with the sterilizing agent is dried with hot air in the preform air rinse device 34b. At this time, it is preferable to supply hot air to the preform 100a with the mouth of the preform 100a facing downward. This makes it possible to effectively remove foreign matter from within the preform 100a. Therefore, the process of washing the preform 100a with sterile water can be omitted, and the amount of carbon dioxide discharged by the content filling system 10 can be reduced. Note that the preform air rinse device 34b does not have to be provided in the receiving section 34. Also, in the receiving section 34, a foreign matter removal device (not shown) for removing foreign matter attached to the preform 100a may be provided upstream of the preform sterilizer 34a.

The heating section 35 is configured to receive the preform 100a from the receiving section 34 and heat the preform 100a while transporting it. The heating section 35 is provided with a heater 35a that heats the preform 100a. The 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. The temperature of the mouth of the preform 100a is kept below 70°C to prevent deformation, etc.

The delivery section 36 is configured to receive the preform 100a 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 preform 100a is blow molded using this mold to form the bottle 100. The molded bottle 100 is then transported downstream by the bottle transport section 33.

Here, between the bottle molding section 30 and the sterilization device 11, there is provided an adjustment conveying section 5 that receives the bottle 100 from the bottle conveying section 33 and transfers the bottle 100 to the sterilization device 11. At least a part of this adjustment conveying section 5 is accommodated inside an atmosphere blocking chamber 70c (described later) provided upstream of the sterilizer spray chamber 70d (described later). In the illustrated example, the adjustment conveying section 5 is arranged to straddle the molding section chamber 70b (described later) that accommodates the bottle molding section 30 and the atmosphere blocking chamber 70c. In this way, by having at least a part of the adjustment conveying section 5 accommodated inside the atmosphere blocking chamber 70c, it is possible to prevent the sterilizer gas or mist, or a mixture thereof, generated in the sterilizer spray chamber 70d from flowing into the molding section chamber 70b.

In the illustrated example, a single conveying wheel 12 is provided between the adjustment conveying unit 5 and the bottle conveying unit 33 of the bottle molding unit 30. That is, between the blow molding unit 32 of the bottle molding unit 30 and the sterilization device 11, the bottle conveying unit 33 of the bottle molding unit 30, a single conveying wheel 12, and an adjustment conveying unit 5 are provided. This allows the content filling system 10 to be more compact than when multiple conveying wheels 12 are provided between the adjustment conveying unit 5 and the bottle conveying unit 33 of the bottle molding unit 30. Although not shown, only the adjustment conveying unit 5 may be provided between the blow molding unit 32 of the bottle molding unit 30 and the sterilization device 11. In this case, the content filling system 10 can be made even more compact.

The sterilizer 11 is a device that sterilizes the bottle 100 by spraying a sterilizing agent onto the bottle 100. In this way, the bottle 100 is sterilized by the sterilizing agent before the contents are filled. For example, an aqueous hydrogen peroxide solution is used as the sterilizing agent. In the sterilizer 11, gas or mist of the aqueous hydrogen peroxide solution is generated, and the gas or mist is sprayed onto the inner and outer surfaces of the bottle 100. In this way, the bottle 100 is sterilized with gas or mist of the aqueous hydrogen peroxide solution, so that the inner and outer surfaces of the bottle 100 are sterilized evenly.

The air rinse device 14 is a device that supplies sterile heated air or room temperature air to the bottle 100 to activate the hydrogen peroxide while removing foreign matter, hydrogen peroxide, etc. from inside the bottle 100. At this time, it is preferable to supply sterile air to the bottle 100 with the mouth of the bottle 100 facing downward. This makes it possible to effectively remove foreign matter from inside the bottle 100. This makes it possible to omit the process of washing the bottle 100 with sterile water, thereby reducing the amount of carbon dioxide emitted by the content filling system 10. If necessary, sterilized room temperature air may be mixed with a condensed mist of low concentration hydrogen peroxide to gasify the hydrogen peroxide and supply it to the bottle 100.

The filling device 20 is a device that fills the bottles 100 with water and the concentrate product. That is, the filling device 20 fills the bottles 100 from the mouths of the bottles 100 with pre-sterilized water and the concentrate product. In this way, the contents created by diluting the concentrate product in the filling device 20 are filled into the empty bottles 100. In this filling device 20, the contents are filled into the bottles 100 while multiple bottles 100 are rotated and transported.

The filling device 20 may have a water filling device 21 connected to the water sterilization line 50, and a concentrate filling device 22 connected to the concentrate sterilization line 70. The water filling device 21 and the concentrate filling device 22 are arranged in this order from the upstream side to the downstream side along the conveying direction of the bottles 100. The water filling device 21 is arranged inside a first sterile chamber 70f described later. The concentrate filling device 22 is arranged inside a second sterile chamber 70h described later. The water filling device 21 and the concentrate filling device 22 may each be a so-called rotary filler.

The water filling device 21 fills the bottle 100 with sterilized water. In this case, the water filling device 21 fills the empty bottle 100 with sterilized water. Meanwhile, the concentrate filling device 22 fills the bottle filled with water with sterilized product concentrate. In this way, since the filling device 20 has the water filling device 21 and the concentrate filling device 22, the size of the filling device that comes into contact with the product concentrate or the contents (i.e., the concentrate filling device 22) can be made smaller than when the contents are filled by a single filling device. Therefore, as described below, the area in which the filling device 20 is cleaned and sterilized can be made smaller.

The filling speed at which the water filling device 21 fills the bottle 100 with water may be faster than the filling speed at which the concentrate filling device 22 fills the bottle 100 with the concentrate product. That is, the water filling device 21 fills the empty bottle 100 with water, thereby increasing the water filling speed. Here, when the contents are filled into the bottle 100 vigorously, for example, due to foaming in the bottle 100, some of the contents may splash out from the mouth of the bottle 100 to the outside. The splashed contents may cause dirt to adhere to the periphery of the bottle 100. In contrast, when filling an empty bottle 100 with water, even if the water splashes out from the mouth of the bottle 100, dirt will not adhere to the periphery of the bottle 100. Therefore, the water filling speed can be increased. As a result, the number of water filling nozzles (for example, see FIG. 16B described later) of the water filling device 21 can be reduced. Therefore, the size of the water filling device 21 can be reduced.

In the water filling device 21, the water filling speed may be 100 mL/sec or more and 500 mL/sec or less, and preferably 200 mL/sec or more and 400 mL/sec or less. By having a water filling speed of 100 mL/sec or more, the number of water filling nozzles of the water filling device 21 can be reduced. Therefore, the size of the water filling device 21 can be made smaller. In addition, by having a water filling speed of 500 mL/sec or less, when filling the bottle 100 with water, it is possible to prevent water from splashing out from the mouth of the bottle 100. Therefore, it is possible to prevent variations in the volume of the contents and the dilution ratio of the product concentrate between the product bottles 101. In addition, in the concentrate filling device 22, the filling speed of the product concentrate may be 30 mL/sec or more and 200 mL/sec or less.

The capping device 16 is a device that closes the bottles 100 by attaching caps 88 to the bottles 100. In the capping device 16, the bottles 100 filled with water and undiluted product liquid (contents) are closed with caps 88, and the bottles 100 are sealed to prevent outside air and microorganisms from entering the bottles 100. In the capping device 16, the caps 88 are attached to the mouths of multiple bottles 100 filled with contents while they are rotated (revolved). In this way, the caps 88 are attached to the bottles 100, and product bottles 101 are obtained.

The caps 88 are sterilized in advance by the cap sterilizer 18. The cap sterilizer 18 is disposed, for example, outside the second aseptic chamber 70h (described below) and in the vicinity of the cap fitting device 16. In the cap sterilizer 18, a large number of caps 88 brought in from outside the content filling system 10 are collected in advance and transported in a line toward the cap fitting device 16. On the way to the cap fitting device 16, hydrogen peroxide gas or mist is sprayed against the inner and outer surfaces of the caps 88, and then the caps are dried and sterilized with hot air.

The product bottle unloading section 25 continuously unloads the product bottles 101, which have caps 88 attached by the capping device 16, to the outside of the content filling system 10.

The content filling system 10 includes a preform sterilization chamber 70a, a molding chamber 70b, an atmosphere blocking chamber 70c, a sterilant spray chamber 70d, an air rinse chamber (fourth sterile chamber) 70e, a first sterile chamber 70f, an intermediate area chamber (third sterile chamber) 70g, a second sterile chamber 70h, and an exit chamber 70i. Between the first sterile chamber 70f and the second sterile chamber 70h, an intermediate area chamber (third sterile chamber) 70g is provided to connect the first sterile chamber 70f and the second sterile chamber 70h to each other. An air rinse chamber (fourth sterile chamber) 70e is provided upstream of the first sterile chamber 70f. That is, the preform sterilization chamber 70a, the molding section chamber 70b, the atmosphere blocking chamber 70c, the sterilant spray chamber 70d, the air rinse chamber 70e, the first sterile chamber 70f, the intermediate area chamber 70g, the second sterile chamber 70h, and the exit chamber 70i are arranged in this order from the upstream side to the downstream side along the conveying direction of the preforms 100a and the bottles 100.

Each of the chambers 70a to 70i is separated by a partition wall. The partition wall prevents the sterilant or the like from flowing in an unintended direction between the chambers 70a to 70i, and serves to stabilize the pressure within each of the chambers 70a to 70i. The partition wall has a gap large enough for the preform 100a or the bottle 100 to pass through. This gap is formed to a minimum size, for example, the size of one preform 100a or bottle 100, so that the pressure within each of the chambers 70a to 70i does not change. The partition wall may also be provided with a shutter that closes the above-mentioned gap. This shutter may be configured to open and close automatically, for example, in response to a signal from the control unit 90.

Of the chambers 70a to 70i, the preform sterilization chamber 70a houses a preform sterilization device 34a and other components.

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

At least a part of the adjustment conveying unit 5 is housed inside the atmosphere blocking chamber 70c. A camera may be provided inside the atmosphere blocking chamber 70c. The camera may be used to inspect whether the bottle 100 has any molding problems. A thermometer may be provided inside the atmosphere blocking chamber 70c. 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. In other words, by maintaining 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.

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

The first sterile chamber 70f contains the water filling device 21 of the filling device 20. The second sterile chamber 70h contains the concentrate filling device 22 and capping device 16 of the filling device 20. The outlet chamber 70i contains the product bottle discharge section 25. The intermediate area chamber 70g may contain only the transport wheel 12.

The above-mentioned preform sterilization chamber 70a, sterilant spray chamber 70d, air rinse chamber 70e, first sterile chamber 70f, intermediate area chamber 70g, second sterile chamber 70h and exit chamber 70i are fitted with pressure gauges (not shown) for measuring the pressure within each chamber. Note that a pressure gauge for measuring the pressure within each chamber may also be fitted to the molding section chamber 70b and/or atmosphere cut-off chamber 70c.

As described above, the content filling system 10 includes a control unit 90 that controls the filling device 20. This control unit 90 is electrically connected to the filling device 20, and controls the water filling device 21 and concentrate filling device 22 of the filling device 20. The control unit 90 may also be electrically connected to the water sterilization line 50, concentrate sterilization line 70, bottle molding section 30, sterilization device 11, air rinse device 14, cap attachment device 16, product bottle conveying section 25, and cap sterilization device 18, and the control unit 90 may control the water sterilization line 50, etc.

The control unit 90 may clean and sterilize the inside of each chamber, or may clean and sterilize the water sterilizer 60 of the water sterilization line 50, which will be described later. In this embodiment, the control unit 90 cleans the inside of the second sterile chamber 70h while maintaining the inside of the first sterile chamber 70f in a sterile state (hereinafter, cleaning of each chamber is also referred to as COP). The control unit 90 also cleans the concentrate filling device 22 while maintaining the inside of the first sterile chamber 70f in a sterile state (hereinafter, cleaning of the inside of the filling device 20, such as the concentrate filling device 22, is also referred to as CIP (Cleaning in Place)). That is, when cleaning the inside of the second sterile chamber 70h and the concentrate filling device 22, the control unit 90 maintains the inside of the first sterile chamber 70f in a sterile state without cleaning (COP) the inside of the first sterile chamber 70f. In addition, when cleaning the second sterile chamber 70h and the concentrate filling device 22, the control unit 90 maintains the inside of the first sterile chamber 70f in a sterile state without cleaning (CIP) the water filling device 21.

As described above, the first sterile chamber 70f contains the water filling device 21 that fills the sterilized water. The water filling device 21 and the water flow path in the water filling device 21 are not contaminated by the contents. Therefore, even if cleaning (COP) or sterilization (hereinafter, sterilization in each chamber is also referred to as SOP) in the first sterile chamber 70f is not performed when switching the type of contents, the hygiene in the first sterile chamber 70f can be maintained. In addition, even if cleaning (CIP) or sterilization (SIP (Sterilization in Place)) of the water filling device 21 contained in the first sterile chamber 70f is not performed at this time, the hygiene of the water filling device 21 can be maintained and the mixing of the previous contents with the next contents can be suppressed. In this way, if the first sterile chamber 70f is not washed when the second sterile chamber 70h is washed, the number of times the first sterile chamber 70f is washed can be reduced, and the area to be washed in the content filling system 10 can be narrowed. This reduces the amount of water, steam, electricity, and cleaning agent used. In addition, because the area to be washed can be narrowed, the cleaning time can be shortened. This reduces the amount of carbon dioxide emitted by the content filling system 10.

The control unit 90 also sterilizes (SOP) the second sterile chamber 70h while maintaining the inside of the first sterile chamber 70f in a sterile state. The control unit 90 also sterilizes (SIP) the concentrate filling device 22 while maintaining the inside of the first sterile chamber 70f in a sterile state. That is, when sterilizing the second sterile chamber 70h and the concentrate filling device 22, the control unit 90 maintains the inside of the first sterile chamber 70f in a sterile state without sterilizing (SOP) the first sterile chamber 70f. Also, when sterilizing the second sterile chamber 70h and the concentrate filling device 22, the control unit 90 maintains the inside of the first sterile chamber 70f in a sterile state without sterilizing (SIP) the water filling device 21. This makes it possible to narrow the sterilization area. This makes it possible to reduce the amount of steam used. Also, this makes it possible to shorten the sterilization time. This makes it possible to reduce the amount of carbon dioxide discharged by the content filling system 10.

The pressure in the first sterile chamber 70f is preferably higher than the pressure in the second sterile chamber 70h. This prevents air in the second sterile chamber 70h from entering the first sterile chamber 70f. This allows the sterility inside the first sterile chamber 70f to be well maintained.

When cleaning and sterilizing the second sterile chamber 70h, the pressure in the first sterile chamber 70f is preferably 40 Pa or more and 100 Pa or less, and the pressure in the second sterile chamber 70h is preferably 0 Pa or more and 20 Pa or less. When cleaning and sterilizing the concentrate filling device 22, the pressure in the first sterile chamber 70f is preferably 40 Pa or more and 100 Pa or less, and the pressure in the second sterile chamber 70h is preferably 0 Pa or more and 20 Pa or less. This effectively prevents the air in the second sterile chamber 70h from entering the first sterile chamber 70f, and the sterility inside the first sterile chamber 70f can be further maintained. When producing the product bottle 101, the pressure in the first sterile chamber 70f is preferably 30 Pa or more and 60 Pa or less, and the pressure in the second sterile chamber 70h is preferably 10 Pa or more and 40 Pa or less.

It is also preferable that the pressure in the intermediate area chamber (third sterile chamber) 70g is lower than the pressure in the first sterile chamber 70f and equal to or higher than the pressure in the second sterile chamber 70h. By making the pressure in the intermediate area chamber 70g lower than the pressure in the first sterile chamber 70f, the air in the intermediate area chamber 70g can be prevented from entering the first sterile chamber 70f. By making the pressure in the intermediate area chamber 70g equal to or higher than the pressure in the second sterile chamber 70h, the air in the second sterile chamber 70h can be prevented from entering the intermediate area chamber 70g. Therefore, the air in the second sterile chamber 70h can be prevented from entering the first sterile chamber 70f via the intermediate area chamber 70g. As a result, the sterility inside the first sterile chamber 70f can be maintained well.

When cleaning and sterilizing the second sterile chamber 70h, the pressure in the intermediate area chamber 70g is preferably 10 Pa or more and 40 Pa or less. Also, when cleaning and sterilizing the concentrate filling device 22, the pressure in the intermediate area chamber 70g is preferably 10 Pa or more and 40 Pa or less. This makes it possible to prevent air in the second sterile chamber 70h from entering the intermediate area chamber 70g, and further maintain the sterility inside the first sterile chamber 70f. Furthermore, when producing the product bottles 101, the pressure in the intermediate area chamber 70g is preferably 20 Pa or more and 50 Pa or less.

In addition, it is preferable that the pressure in the air rinse chamber (fourth sterile chamber) 70e is equal to or lower than the pressure in the first sterile chamber 70f. This prevents the air in the air rinse chamber 70e from entering the first sterile chamber 70f. This allows the sterility inside the first sterile chamber 70f to be well maintained.

When cleaning and sterilizing the second sterile chamber 70h, the pressure in the air rinse chamber 70e is preferably 10 Pa or more and 40 Pa or less. Also, when cleaning and sterilizing the concentrate filling device 22, the pressure in the air rinse chamber 70e is preferably 10 Pa or more and 40 Pa or less. This makes it possible to prevent air in the air rinse chamber 70e from entering the first sterile chamber 70f, and the sterility inside the first sterile chamber 70f can be further maintained. Note that, when producing the product bottles 101, the pressure in the air rinse chamber 70e is preferably 10 Pa or more and 30 Pa or less.

In addition, it is preferable that the pressure in the disinfectant spray chamber 70d is equal to or lower than the pressure in the atmosphere blocking chamber 70c. This prevents the air in the disinfectant spray chamber 70d from entering the atmosphere blocking chamber 70c and the molding section chamber 70b. By preventing the air in the disinfectant spray chamber 70d from entering the molding section chamber 70b, the increase in humidity in the molding section chamber 70b can be prevented. As described above, the blow molding section 32 of the bottle molding section 30 is housed inside the molding section chamber 70b. Therefore, by preventing the increase in humidity in the molding section chamber 70b, corrosion of the machinery that constitutes the blow molding section 32 can be prevented.

When cleaning and sterilizing the second aseptic chamber 70h, the pressure in the sterilant spray chamber 70d is preferably 0 Pa or more and 20 Pa or less. Also, when cleaning and sterilizing the concentrate filling device 22, the pressure in the sterilant spray chamber 70d is preferably 0 Pa or more and 20 Pa or less. This prevents air in the sterilant spray chamber 70d from entering the atmosphere blocking chamber 70c and the molding section chamber 70b, and prevents an increase in humidity in the molding section chamber 70b. When producing the product bottles 101, the pressure in the sterilant spray chamber 70d is preferably -10 Pa or more and 10 Pa or less.

When cleaning and sterilizing the second sterile chamber 70h, the pressure in the outlet chamber 70i is preferably 0 Pa or more and 20 Pa or less. Also, when cleaning and sterilizing the concentrate filling device 22, the pressure in the outlet chamber 70i is preferably 0 Pa or more and 20 Pa or less. This makes it possible to prevent air in the outlet chamber 70i from entering the first sterile chamber 70f via the second sterile chamber 70h, etc., and further maintains the sterility inside the first sterile chamber 70f. Note that when producing the product bottles 101, the pressure in the outlet chamber 70i is preferably 10 Pa or more and 20 Pa or less.

In summary, the pressure in the disinfectant spray chamber 70d through the outlet chamber 70i may be as shown in Table 1 below.

In this case, the pressure in the preform sterilization chamber 70a through the atmospheric isolation chamber 70c may be as shown in Table 2 below.

Such a content filling system 10 may be, for example, a sterile filling system. In this case, the insides of the sterilant spray chamber 70d, the air rinse chamber 70e, the first sterile chamber 70f, the intermediate area chamber 70g, the second sterile chamber 70h, and the exit chamber 70i are kept in a sterile state. In addition, a chamber (not shown) may be provided downstream of the exit chamber 70i to connect the sterile zone in a sterile state with the non-sterile zone in a non-sterile state.

Next, we will explain the water sterilization line 50 and the concentrate sterilization line 70 of the content filling system 10. First, we will explain the water sterilization line 50.

The water sterilization line 50 is a sterilization line that sterilizes water without heating. This water sterilization line 50 may sterilize water by ultraviolet light. In this case, in the water sterilization line 50, the water may be sterilized by ultraviolet light from at least one of a low pressure mercury lamp and a medium pressure mercury lamp. In addition, the water sterilization line 50 may sterilize water by filtering the water with a sterile filter (such as a first sterile filter 63 described later). In this specification, "non-thermal sterilization" refers to sterilizing water without using thermal energy from an electric heater or steam.

As shown in FIG. 2A, the water sterilization line 50 has at least a water sterilizer 60 that sterilizes water. In the example shown in FIG. 2A, the water sterilization line 50 has a first water tank 51, a water sterilizer 60, and a second water tank 52. The water sterilization line 50 may further have a pure water production device 50a that is provided upstream of the first water tank 51 and produces water (pure water), and a pure water tank 50c that stores the water (pure water) supplied from the pure water production device 50a. The pure water production device 50a, the pure water tank 50c, the first water tank 51, the water sterilizer 60, and the second water tank 52 are arranged in this order from the upstream side to the downstream side along the water transport direction.

The pure water tank 50c is a tank for storing water (pure water) supplied from the pure water production device 50a, which is a water supply source. Here, it is mandatory to use food production water specified by the Food Sanitation Act as the raw water for soft drinks. The food production water is pure water (RO water, ion-exchanged water, distilled water, etc.) produced by the pure water production device 50a equipped with activated carbon, reverse osmosis membrane, ion exchange resin (including EDI), etc. 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 the pure water is 20 mg/L or less. Furthermore, the electrical conductivity of the pure water is 0.1 μS/cm or more and 20 μS/cm or less. As will be described later, in this embodiment, the water is sterilized by ultraviolet rays. Therefore, since the electrical conductivity of the sterilized water is 20 μS/cm or less, it is possible to suppress the adhesion of inorganic substances (oxides such as calcium) to the surface of the first ultraviolet lamp 67a, etc., which will be described later. Therefore, it is possible to prevent a decrease in ultraviolet transmittance. Furthermore, the water supplied from the pure water production system 50a is not limited to pure water, but may be ultrapure water.

The pure water tank 50c serves to smooth the flow of water by storing water. The volume of the pure water tank 50c may be ⁵⁰ m3 or more and ¹⁰⁰ m3 or less, and may be ⁵⁰ m3, for example.

The number of bacteria in the pure water tank 50c is preferably 0.001 CFU/mL or more and 20 CFU/mL or less. The pure water supplied to the pure water tank 50c is produced by removing chlorine in tap water with activated carbon or the like. As a result, bacteria are likely to grow in the pure water supplied to the pure water tank 50c. For this reason, it is advisable to install a UV lamp in the pure water tank 50c to suppress the growth of bacteria. Note that, if the number of bacteria in the pure water tank 50c is greater than 20 CFU/mL, it is preferable to sterilize the pure water tank 50c with chlorine, hot water, steam, or the like. The number of bacteria in the pure water tank 50c may be constantly monitored and controlled to be within the above range. This allows water that maintains sterility to be produced without providing additional equipment. Therefore, the amount of carbon dioxide emitted by the water sterilizer 60 can be reduced without making the water sterilizer 60 a high-cost specification.

Downstream of this pure water tank 50c, a pre-stage sterilizer 62A and a first water tank 51 are provided.

Here, when the concentration of bacteria supplied from the pure water production device 50a is high (for example, 1 CFU/ml or more) and the foreign matter removal filter 61 described later has a pore size of a sterilization filter (0.1 μm or more and 10 μm or less), the foreign matter removal filter 61 may be contaminated with bacteria in a short period of time. If a large amount of bacteria is captured in the foreign matter removal filter 61 and the bacteria multiply, the quality of the water may be affected. For this reason, as shown in FIG. 2A, it is preferable that a pre-stage sterilizer 62A is installed upstream of the foreign matter removal filter 61. This makes it possible to produce high-quality sterile water for a long period of time. In the example shown in FIG. 2A, two pre-stage sterilizers 62A are installed upstream of the foreign matter removal filter 61. Specifically, the pre-stage sterilizers 62A are installed upstream of the foreign matter removal filter 61, one each on the upstream and downstream sides of the first water tank 51. The number of pre-stage sterilizers 62A may be one, or may be installed only on one of the upstream and downstream sides of the first water tank 51. In this case, the cost of sterilizing water can be reduced. Note that the configuration of the pre-stage sterilizer 62A may be substantially the same as the first sterilizer 62 shown in Figures 3 to 6B described below.

The first water tank 51 is a so-called balance tank, and serves to smooth the flow of water by storing water. The volume of the first water tank 51 may be 30 ^m3 or more and ¹⁰⁰ m3 or less, and may be ⁵⁰ m3, for example.

A pump P1 for transporting water and a flowmeter F for measuring the flow rate of water may be provided downstream of the first water tank 51. The pump P1 and the flowmeter F may be provided in this order from upstream to downstream along the water transport direction. The location of the flowmeter F may be changed as appropriate as long as it is downstream of the pump P1 and upstream of the valve V1 described below. In addition, the water sterilizer 60 described above is provided downstream of the flowmeter F.

The water sterilizer 60 is a sterilizer that sterilizes the water stored in the first water tank 51. Details of the water sterilizer 60 will be described later.

The second water tank 52 is a tank (so-called aseptic tank) that stores the water sterilized by the water sterilizer 60. The second water tank 52 serves to smooth the flow of water by storing the sterilized water. The volume of the second water tank 52 may be 5 ^m3 or more and 50 ^m3 or less, and may be ¹⁰ m3, for example.

Further, an auxiliary filter 53 for filtering the sterilized water and a third water tank 54 for storing the water that has passed through the auxiliary filter 53 may be provided downstream of the second water tank 52. In this case, the third water tank 54 may be a so-called filling machine tank, and may be installed vertically above the water filling device 21 in order to improve the filling accuracy of the water filling device 21. The third water tank 54 may serve as a so-called cushion tank that ensures a smooth flow of water even when the amount of water used downstream of the third water tank 54 changes. The volume of the third water tank 54 may be 0.1 ^m3 or more and 1 ^m3 or less, and may be ^0.3 m3, for example.

In addition, a first bypass line (bypass line) 55 (see Figures 1 and 2A, etc.) that connects the water sterilization line 50 and the cap sterilizer 18 to each other may be provided downstream of the second water tank 52. This allows the water sterilized by the water sterilizer 60 to be used to wash the cap 88. Here, the cap 88 can be washed with sterile water after being sterilized with a sterilizing agent. This allows the cap 88 to be cooled and foreign matter attached to the cap 88 to be removed. In addition, by washing the cap 88 with sterile water, the sterile water attached to the cap 88 can reduce friction between the cap 88 and a conveying chute (not shown) that conveys the cap 88. This prevents the cap 88 from being scraped by the conveying chute when the cap 88 is conveyed.

As described above, by providing the first bypass line 55 downstream of the second water tank 52, water sterilized by the water sterilizer 60 can be used to wash the cap 88. This can further reduce the amount of carbon dioxide emitted by the content filling system 10 compared to washing the cap 88 with sterile water produced using a sterilizer that heats and sterilizes water. By appropriately setting the sterilization conditions, conveying speed and/or material of the cap 88, the cap 88 can be conveyed without being scraped. In this way, if the cap 88 is not scraped, the cap 88 does not need to be washed with sterile water.

Furthermore, a second bypass line 56 may be provided downstream of the second water tank 52 to connect the water sterilization line 50 and the second sterile chamber 70h to each other. When cleaning the second sterile chamber 70h, the control unit 90 may supply water sterilized in the water sterilization line 50 to the second sterile chamber 70h via the second bypass line 56. When cleaning the concentrate filling device 22, the control unit 90 may supply water sterilized in the water sterilization line 50 to the second sterile chamber 70h via the second bypass line 56. This further reduces the amount of carbon dioxide emitted by the content filling system 10 compared to cleaning the second sterile chamber 70h with sterile water produced using a sterilizer that heats and sterilizes water.

In the second sterile chamber 70h, the concentrate filling device 22 fills the bottle 100 with the concentrate product. Here, after the concentrate product (contents) is filled into the bottle 100, the mouth of the bottle 100 can be washed. When washing the mouth of the bottle 100 in this manner, water supplied to the second sterile chamber 70h via the second bypass line 56 may be used. This can further reduce the amount of carbon dioxide emitted by the content filling system 10 compared to washing the mouth of the bottle 100 with sterile water produced using a sterilizer that heats and sterilizes water. Note that if the concentrate product (contents) does not adhere to the mouth of the bottle 100, the mouth of the bottle 100 does not need to be washed. Even if the concentrate product adheres to the mouth of the bottle 100, if there is no possibility of bacteria growing, the mouth of the bottle 100 does not need to be washed.

The second bypass line 56 may connect the water sterilization line 50 to each of the chambers 70a to 70i. When cleaning each of the chambers 70a to 70i, water sterilized in the water sterilization line 50 may be supplied to each of the chambers 70a to 70i via the second bypass line 56. When cleaning a machine placed in each of the chambers 70a to 70i, water sterilized in the water sterilization line 50 may be supplied to each of the chambers 70a to 70i via the second bypass line 56.

2A, a circulation line (first circulation line) 59 may be connected upstream of the second water tank 52 of the water sterilization line 50. One end of the circulation line 59 may be connected to the water sterilization line 50 via a valve V1 provided in the water sterilization line 50. The other end of the circulation line 59 may be connected to the first water tank 51 of the water sterilization line 50. As a result, a circulation system (first circulation system) 59A for circulating water may be configured by the foreign matter removal filter 61, the first sterilizer 62, the first sterile filter 63, the second sterilizer 64, the second sterile filter 65, the circulation line 59, and the first water tank 51, which will be described later. A thermometer T may be provided in the circulation line 59. A concentration meter 59c for measuring the concentration of the sterilizing agent or cleaning agent when sterilizing the water sterilizer 60 may be provided in the circulation line 59. Furthermore, the circulation line 59 may be provided with a heating device (heat exchanger or heater, etc.) for heating a disinfectant or the like when cleaning and/or sterilizing the circulation line 59. The heating device may be used to adjust the water supplied to the first sterile filter 63, etc., to a constant temperature (e.g., 25°C) during the integrity test described below. In this case, the water adjusted to a constant temperature may be used to wet the membrane of the first sterile filter 63, etc. described below. This allows data to be obtained in the integrity test that is not affected by water temperature throughout the year. The heating device may be installed anywhere between the first water tank 51 and the valve V1, other than the circulation line 59. The number of heating devices installed may be one or more. The valve V1 may be electrically connected to the control unit 90 and may be controlled by the control unit 90.

2B, a circulation line (second circulation line) 95 may be connected between the first water tank 51 and the water sterilizer 60 of the water sterilization line 50. One end of the circulation line 95 may be connected to a sampling line SL connected to a sampling point SP5 described later. The other end of the circulation line 95 may be connected, for example, between a pump P1 provided downstream of the first water tank 51 and the pre-stage sterilizer 62A. The other end of the circulation line 95 may be connected, for example, to the upstream side of the pump P1 (for example, between the first water tank 51 and the pump P1). As a result, a circulation system (second circulation system) 95A for circulating water, etc. may be configured by the pre-stage sterilizer 62A, the third bypass line 95a described later, the first sterilizer 62, the fourth bypass line 95b described later, the second sterilizer 64, and the circulation line 95. The circulation line 95 may also be provided with a sterilant supply unit 96 including a tank, a pump, a heater, a concentration meter, etc. (not shown). The circulation line 95 may also be provided with a heat exchanger 97. Furthermore, the circulation line 95 may also be provided with a pump (not shown). The circulation system 95A including such a circulation line 95 may be used to circulate a disinfectant or a cleaning agent when sterilizing the water sterilizer 60, as described below.

Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 2C, one end of the circulation line 95 may be connected, for example, between the second sterilizer 64 and the first sterile filter 63. As a result, the circulation system (second circulation system) 95A may be composed of the pre-stage sterilizer 62A, the third bypass line 95a described below, the first sterilizer 62, the second sterilizer 64, and the circulation line 95.

<Water sterilizer>
Next, the water sterilizer 60 will be described. This water sterilizer 60 is a sterilizer that sterilizes water used in the content filling system 10. In the present embodiment, the water sterilizer 60 sterilizes water without heating. As described above, the water sterilizer 60 sterilizes the water (pure water) stored in the first water tank 51. For this reason, the water sterilizer 60 sterilizes water having an electrical conductivity of 0.1 μS/cm or more and 20 μS/cm or less.

As shown in Figures 2A and 2B, the water sterilizer 60 includes at least one sterile filter (first sterile filter 63 and second sterile filter 65). The water sterilizer 60 also includes at least one sterilizer (first sterilizer 62 and second sterilizer 64). Since the water sterilizer 60 includes at least one sterile filter and at least one sterilizer, even if one of the sterile filter and the sterilizer stops, the sterility of the water can be guaranteed by the other of the sterile filter and the sterilizer.

In the example shown in Figures 2A and 2B, the water sterilizer 60 includes a foreign matter removal filter 61, a first sterilizer 62, a first sterile filter 63, a second sterilizer 64, and a second sterile filter 65. The foreign matter removal filter 61, the first sterilizer 62, the first sterile filter 63, the second sterilizer 64, and the second sterile filter 65 are arranged in this order from the upstream side to the downstream side along the water transport direction. In this way, by arranging the sterilizer (in this case, the second sterilizer 64) downstream of the sterile filter (in this case, the first sterile filter 63), even if the bacteria pass through the sterile filter, the bacteria can be sterilized by the sterilizer. At this time, as shown in Figure 2C, the foreign matter removal filter 61, the first sterilizer 62, the second sterilizer 64, the first sterile filter 63, and the second sterile filter 65 may be arranged in this order from the upstream side to the downstream side along the water transport direction. As shown in Figures 2A to 2C, the water sterilizer 60 includes multiple sterile filters (first sterile filter 63 and second sterile filter 65), so that even if one of the sterile filters stops working, the other sterile filter can ensure the sterility of the water. Also, because the water sterilizer 60 includes multiple sterilizers (first sterilizer 62 and second sterilizer 64), even if one of the sterilizers stops working, the other sterilizer can ensure the sterility of the water.

As shown in FIG. 2D, the water sterilizer 60 may include a foreign matter removal filter 61, a first sterilizer 62, a first sterile filter 63, and a second sterile filter 65. The foreign matter removal filter 61, the first sterilizer 62, the first sterile filter 63, and the second sterile filter 65 may be arranged in this order from the upstream side to the downstream side along the water transport direction. In this case, the water sterilizer 60 may further include a second sterilizer 64 provided between the first sterile filter 63 and the second sterile filter 65.

As shown in FIG. 2E1, the water sterilizer 60 may include a first sterilizer 62, a first sterile filter 63, and a second sterile filter 65. The first sterilizer 62, the first sterile filter 63, and the second sterile filter 65 may be arranged in this order from the upstream side to the downstream side along the water transport direction. In this case, the water sterilizer 60 may further include a second sterilizer 64 provided between the first sterile filter 63 and the second sterile filter 65. As shown in FIG. 2E2, the first sterile filter 63, the first sterilizer 62, the second sterile filter 65, and the second sterilizer 64 may be arranged in this order from the upstream side to the downstream side along the water transport direction. Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 2E3, the first sterilizer 62, the first sterile filter 63, the second sterile filter 65, and the second sterilizer 64 may be arranged in this order from the upstream side to the downstream side along the water transport direction.

As shown in FIG. 2F, the water sterilizer 60 may include a first sterilizer 62 and a first sterile filter 63. The first sterilizer 62 and the first sterile filter 63 may be arranged in this order from upstream to downstream along the water transport direction. As shown in FIG. 2G, the first sterile filter 63 and the first sterilizer 62 may be arranged in this order from upstream to downstream along the water transport direction. In these cases, the water sterilizer 60 may further include a second sterilizer 64 provided between the first sterile filter 63 and a valve V1 described later.

Also, as shown in FIG. 2H, the water sterilizer 60 may include a first sterilizer 62, a second sterilizer 64, and a first sterile filter 63. The first sterilizer 62, the second sterilizer 64, and the first sterile filter 63 may be arranged in this order from the upstream side to the downstream side along the water transport direction. In this case, the water sterilizer 60 may further include a second sterile filter 65 provided downstream of the first sterile filter 63.

Also, as shown in FIG. 2I, the water sterilizer 60 may include a first sterile filter 63, a second sterile filter 65, and a first sterilizer 62. The first sterile filter 63, the second sterile filter 65, and the first sterilizer 62 may be arranged in this order from the upstream side to the downstream side along the water transport direction. In this case, the water sterilizer 60 may further include a second sterilizer 64 provided downstream of the first sterilizer 62.

The water sterilizer 60 may not have a sterile filter. That is, depending on the sterility quality level of the contents produced by diluting the product stock solution with water and/or the growth characteristics of bacteria in the contents, the water sterilizer 60 may not have a sterile filter. When the sterilized water is used for cleaning (COP) and/or sterilization (SOP) in each chamber, the water does not directly contact the contents. Even in such a case, the water sterilizer 60 may not have a sterile filter. In these cases, for example, as shown in FIG. 2J, the water sterilizer 60 may have only the first sterilizer 62. Also, as shown in FIG. 2K, the water sterilizer 60 may have the first sterilizer 62 and the second sterilizer 64. In this way, when the water sterilizer 60 does not have a sterile filter, the manufacturing cost of the water sterilizer 60 can be reduced.

Furthermore, the water sterilizer 60 may not have a sterilizer. That is, depending on the sterilization quality level of the contents produced by diluting the product concentrate with water and/or the growth characteristics of bacteria in the contents, the water sterilizer 60 may not have a sterilizer. In this case, for example, as shown in FIG. 2L, the water sterilizer 60 may have only the first sterile filter 63. Also, as shown in FIG. 2M, the water sterilizer 60 may have the first sterile filter 63 and the second sterile filter 65. In this way, even if the water sterilizer 60 does not have a sterilizer, the manufacturing cost of the water sterilizer 60 can be reduced.

Next, the foreign matter removal filter 61, the first sterilizer 62, the first sterile filter 63, the second sterilizer 64 and the second sterile filter 65 will be described. In the following explanation, the foreign matter removal filter 61, the first sterilizer 62, the first sterile filter 63, the second sterilizer 64 and the second sterile filter 65 will be described mainly using the water sterilizer 60 shown in FIG. 2A as an example. Here, the foreign matter removal filter 61 will be described first.

The foreign matter removal filter 61 is a filter that removes foreign matter from water. In the illustrated example, the water sterilizer 60 is equipped with a single foreign matter removal filter 61. However, this is not limited to this, and the water sterilizer 60 may be equipped with multiple foreign matter removal filters 61. The mesh size (filtration accuracy) of the foreign matter removal filter 61 may be, for example, 0.20 μm or more and 10 μm or less, or 0.45 μm or more and 10 μm or less. In addition, the mesh size of the foreign matter removal filter 61 is preferably large enough to remove fungi (mold, yeast, etc.). As will be described later, in the first sterilizer 62 etc. provided downstream of the foreign matter removal filter 61, ultraviolet light is irradiated onto the water. For this reason, the mesh size of the foreign matter removal filter 61 is preferably large enough to remove molds that are resistant to ultraviolet light, and is preferably 0.45 μm or more and 1.2 μm or less. In order to increase the sterility of the water that has passed through the foreign matter removal filter 61, the mesh size of the foreign matter removal filter 61 may be 0.2 μm or more and 1.2 μm or less. This makes it possible to capture almost all bacteria remaining in the water. In addition, in order to increase the sterility of the water that has passed through the foreign matter removal filter 61, a sterile grade filter with a mesh size of 0.1 μm or more and 0.22 μm or less may be used as the foreign matter removal filter 61.

The first sterilizer 62 is provided downstream of the foreign matter removal filter 61. The first sterilizer 62 is also provided upstream of the first sterile filter 63. The first sterilizer 62 is a sterilizer that sterilizes water using ultraviolet light. This allows bacteria (bacteria other than mold and yeast) that have passed through the foreign matter removal filter 61 to be sterilized. In addition, the first sterilizer 62 sterilizes water using ultraviolet light, which reduces the amount of carbon dioxide emitted by the content filling system compared to when water is sterilized by heating it. In particular, as described above, when preparing the content, the product stock solution can be diluted with water by 1.1 times to 100 times, preferably 2 times to 10 times. When the product stock solution is diluted with water by 2 times to 10 times, 50% to 90% of the content is water. Therefore, by sterilizing water without heating it, the amount of carbon dioxide emitted when preparing the content can be significantly reduced.

As described above, in this embodiment, the first sterilizer 62 sterilizes water using ultraviolet light. In this case, as shown in Figures 3 and 4, the first sterilizer 62 may have a main body 66 and an ultraviolet light irradiation unit 67 provided within the main body 66.

The main body 66 is hollow. The shape of the main body 66 is a truncated cone. Specifically, the main body 66 has an inner surface in a truncated cone shape, and the small diameter end is oriented so as to be located above the large diameter end. An inlet 68 for introducing water into the main body 66 may be formed at the bottom of the main body 66, and an outlet 69 for discharging sterilized water from the main body 66 may be formed at the top of the main body 66. An inlet pipe 68a may be connected to the inlet 68 formed in the main body 66, and the inlet pipe 68a may be provided so as to extend in a tangent direction to the inner surface of the main body 66 in a plan view. In this case, the tangent direction of the inner surface is the tangent direction of the tangent of the circle formed by the inner surface of the main body 66 in a horizontal cross section including the inlet 68, at the portion where the introduced water collides with the inner surface of the main body 66.

The water introduced into the main body 66 through the introduction section 68 is guided along the inner surface of the main body 66, causing it to swirl in the circumferential direction. The water then moves upward while swirling, and is discharged from the discharge section 69. This makes it possible to suppress bias in the flow of the water introduced into the main body 66. This makes it possible to prevent a portion of the water introduced into the main body 66 from being discharged from the discharge section 69 in a short time (so-called short pass).

As shown in FIG. 4, a baffle plate 66a that regulates the flow of water may be provided in the main body 66. This baffle plate 66a may protrude radially from the inner surface of the main body 66 so as to spirally circulate. By providing such a baffle plate 66a in the main body 66, the water introduced into the inside of the main body 66 through the introduction portion 68 can be prevented from moving upward without circulating in the circumferential direction. Therefore, so-called short pass can be more reliably prevented. Although not shown, the baffle plate 66a does not have to spirally circulate in the main body 66. In this case, for example, a plurality of baffles 66a each having a circular shape in a plan view may be provided in the main body 66, and may be configured so that water passes through a central opening.

A fixing member 66b for fixing a first ultraviolet lamp 67a and a second ultraviolet lamp 67b (described later) of the ultraviolet irradiation unit 67 may be provided within the main body 66. The shape of the fixing member 66b may be, for example, a cross shape in a plan view. This can prevent the fixing member 66b from hindering the upward movement of the water. Alternatively, the shape of the fixing member 66b may be, for example, a disk shape, or may be a circle in a plan view. In this case, the fixing member 66b may be formed with a through hole (not shown) and may be configured to allow water to pass through the through hole.

Furthermore, the main body 66 may be provided with an illuminance meter (intensity meter) 66c for measuring the illuminance of the ultraviolet light irradiated from the ultraviolet light irradiation unit 67. It is desirable to provide at least one illuminance meter 66c in the vicinity of the ultraviolet light irradiation unit 67. An output meter for measuring the output of the first ultraviolet lamp 67a and the second ultraviolet lamp 67b of the ultraviolet light irradiation unit 67, which will be described later, may also be provided. In addition, the above-mentioned flow meter F may be used to constantly monitor the time (retention time) that the water takes to pass through the inside of the main body 66. Furthermore, the temperature, transmittance (turbidity) and/or chromaticity of the water passing through the main body 66 may be constantly or appropriately measured to constantly check that there is no abnormality in the amount of ultraviolet light irradiated.

Next, the ultraviolet irradiation unit 67 will be described. The ultraviolet irradiation unit 67 may include a first ultraviolet lamp 67a provided in the radial center of the main body 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 of the second ultraviolet lamps 67b is disposed along the inner surface of the main body 66. That is, each of the second ultraviolet lamps 67b is disposed so as to be inclined radially inward as it goes upward. In this case, it is preferable that the second ultraviolet lamps 67b are disposed at equal intervals along the circumferential direction. This can suppress the occurrence of variations in the integrated irradiation amount (mJ/cm ² ) of ultraviolet light. The first ultraviolet lamp 67a and the second ultraviolet lamp 67b may each be an ultraviolet lamp that irradiates ultraviolet light having a wavelength of 200 nm or more and 450 nm or less.

The first ultraviolet lamp 67a and the second ultraviolet lamp 67b may each be a low pressure mercury lamp, a medium pressure mercury lamp, or a UV-LED. In this case, it is preferable that the first ultraviolet lamp 67a and the second ultraviolet lamp 67b are each a low pressure mercury lamp or a medium pressure mercury lamp.

The first ultraviolet lamp 67a and the second ultraviolet lamp 67b may have different wavelengths and/or outputs of the ultraviolet light they irradiate. That is, the first ultraviolet lamp 67a and the second ultraviolet lamp 67b may be different ultraviolet lamps. As an example, when the first ultraviolet lamp 67a is a low-pressure mercury lamp, the second ultraviolet lamp 67b may be a medium-pressure mercury lamp (or UV-LED). Furthermore, the multiple second ultraviolet lamps 67b may have different wavelengths and/or outputs of the ultraviolet light they irradiate. That is, the multiple second ultraviolet lamps 67b may be different ultraviolet lamps. For example, when one second ultraviolet lamp 67b is a low-pressure mercury lamp, the other second ultraviolet lamp 67b may be a medium-pressure mercury lamp (or UV-LED). As described later, the low-pressure mercury lamp can efficiently irradiate ultraviolet light with a wavelength (253.7 nm) that has a high bactericidal effect. Also, as described later, the medium-pressure mercury lamp is a mercury lamp with a higher output than the low-pressure mercury lamp. Therefore, when the first ultraviolet lamp 67a and the second ultraviolet lamp 67b are different ultraviolet lamps, the sterilization effect of the first sterilizer 62 can be improved and the first sterilizer 62 can sterilize a large amount of water. Also, as described above, even when the multiple second ultraviolet lamps 67b are different ultraviolet lamps, the sterilization effect of the first sterilizer 62 can be improved and the first sterilizer 62 can sterilize a large amount of water.

The low-pressure mercury lamp is a mercury lamp with a mercury vapor pressure of less than 10 Pa when lit. This low-pressure mercury lamp can efficiently irradiate ultraviolet light with a wavelength (253.7 nm) that has a high sterilizing effect. Therefore, when the first ultraviolet lamp 67a and the second ultraviolet lamp 67b are each low-pressure mercury lamps, the sterilizing 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-output amalgam lamp) in which amalgam, an alloy of mercury and other metals, is enclosed in the light emitting tube.

A medium pressure mercury lamp is a mercury lamp with a mercury vapor pressure of 40 kPa or more during lighting. The wavelength of the ultraviolet light emitted by a medium pressure mercury lamp is a wavelength with a main wavelength of 365 nm, and also has peaks at 254 nm, 302 nm, 313 nm, 405 nm, 436 nm, etc. In general, a medium pressure mercury lamp is a high output mercury lamp compared to a low pressure mercury lamp. Therefore, when the first ultraviolet lamp 67a and the second ultraviolet lamp 67b are medium pressure mercury lamps, 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, the first sterilizer 62 (and the second sterilizer 64) can be made smaller.

The ultraviolet irradiation section 67 of the first sterilizer 62 may be composed of only a low-pressure mercury lamp (including a low-pressure high-output amalgam lamp), and the ultraviolet irradiation section 67 of the second sterilizer 64 may be composed of only a medium-pressure mercury lamp. In this way, when the water sterilization line 50 has multiple sterilizers (for example, the first sterilizer 62 and the second sterilizer 64), it is preferable to use a low-pressure mercury lamp (including a low-pressure high-output amalgam lamp) and a medium-pressure mercury lamp in combination. The low-pressure mercury lamp (including a low-pressure high-output amalgam lamp) and the medium-pressure mercury lamp have different sterilization wavelengths. Therefore, a high sterilization effect can be obtained by using a low-pressure mercury lamp (including a low-pressure high-output amalgam lamp) and a medium-pressure mercury lamp in combination.

Furthermore, since the medium pressure mercury lamp has higher heat resistance than the low pressure mercury lamp, it can be turned on at high temperatures. Therefore, as described below, when sterilizing the first sterilizer 62 and the second sterilizer 64 by circulating hot water or a sterilizing agent in the circulation system 95A (see Figures 2B and 2C), the first sterilizer 62, etc. can be sterilized with the first ultraviolet lamp 67a, etc. turned on. When a low pressure mercury lamp (including a low pressure high output amalgam lamp) and an ultraviolet lamp that irradiates ultraviolet rays with a different wavelength from the low pressure mercury lamp are installed in series, the low pressure mercury lamp may be used in the pre-stage sterilizer 62A between the pure water tank 50c, which does not perform sterilization, and the first water tank 51.

Here, the germicidal effect of ultraviolet light varies depending on the cumulative dose of ultraviolet light (mJ/cm ² ). That is, the greater the cumulative dose of ultraviolet light, the greater the germicidal effect of ultraviolet light. This cumulative dose is calculated by the product of illuminance (mW/cm ² ) and irradiation time (s). Therefore, in order to enhance the germicidal effect of ultraviolet light, it is necessary to shorten the distance between the light source (the first ultraviolet lamp 67a and the second ultraviolet lamp 67b) and the water, and to lengthen the irradiation time of ultraviolet light. In particular, the illuminance is inversely proportional to the square of the distance from the light source that irradiates ultraviolet light. For example, if the distance from the light source is doubled, the illuminance becomes 1/4, and if the distance from the light source is tripled, the illuminance becomes 1/9. Therefore, the germicidal effect of ultraviolet light can be enhanced by passing water near the light source.

As described above, in this embodiment, an inlet 68 for introducing water into the main body 66 is formed at the bottom of the main body 66, and an outlet 69 for discharging sterilized water from the main body 66 is formed at the top of the main body 66. This makes it possible to prevent short-pass and lengthen the time that water remains inside the main body 66. This allows the time that the water is irradiated with ultraviolet rays to be longer, and the cumulative amount of ultraviolet irradiation can be increased. In addition, by introducing water from the bottom of the main body 66, even when the water is introduced into the main body 66 when the first sterilizer 62 is in the early stages of operation, that is, when the water is introduced into the main body 66 while it is empty, a sufficient time can be ensured for the water to remain inside the main body 66. This allows the time that the water is irradiated with ultraviolet rays to be longer.

The main body 66 is shaped like a truncated cone. This shortens the distance between the water and the first and second ultraviolet lamps 67a and 67b at the top of the main body 66. This enhances the sterilization effect of the ultraviolet rays on bacteria. The ultraviolet irradiation unit 67 includes a first ultraviolet lamp 67a provided at the radial center of the main body 66 and a plurality of second ultraviolet lamps 67b provided around the first ultraviolet lamp 67a. This allows the ultraviolet rays to be irradiated evenly onto the water that moves upward while rotating in the circumferential direction. This makes it possible to suppress variations in the cumulative amount of ultraviolet irradiation.

Here, the cumulative dose of ultraviolet light irradiated to water is preferably 10 mJ/cm ² or more and 10,000 mJ/cm ² or less, and more preferably 100 mJ/cm ² or more and 1,000 mJ/cm ² or less. That is, when passing through the main body 66, the cumulative dose of ultraviolet light irradiated to water is preferably 10 mJ/cm ² or more and 10,000 mJ/cm ² or less, and more preferably 100 mJ/cm ² or more and 1,000 mJ/cm ² or less. In this case, the cumulative dose of ultraviolet light irradiated to water is preferably 10 mJ/cm ² or more and 10,000 mJ/cm ² or less at a wavelength of 254 nm, and more preferably 100 mJ/cm ² or more and 1,000 mJ/cm ² or less. By setting the cumulative dose of ultraviolet light to 10 mJ/cm ² or more, aquatic bacteria (gram-negative bacteria such as Pseudomonas or Methylobacterium that can grow in water in a poor nutrition environment) that may pass through the second sterile filter 65 can be effectively sterilized. Furthermore, by setting the cumulative dose of ultraviolet light to 100 mJ/cm ² or more, bacterial spores can also be sterilized. Furthermore, by setting the cumulative dose of ultraviolet light to 10,000 mJ/cm ² or less, the amount of electricity consumed can be reduced, and the amount of carbon dioxide discharged by the content filling system 10 can be reduced. Here, the wavelength of the ultraviolet light may be 250 nm or more and 260 nm or less, and may be 253.7 nm (254 nm) as an example. By setting the wavelength of the ultraviolet light to 250 nm or more and 260 nm or less, particularly 253.7 nm, the sterilization effect of the ultraviolet light on bacteria can be enhanced. Here, in this specification, "aquatic bacteria" means bacteria that can pass through a sterile filter with an opening of 0.2 μm.

Such a first sterilizer 62 is preferably capable of sterilization (SIP). This allows the first sterilizer 62 to be sterilized periodically. When sterilizing the first sterilizer 62, the above-mentioned control unit 90 may sterilize the first sterilizer 62 with steam or hot water. Alternatively, if the first sterilizer 62 is heat-sensitive, the control unit 90 may sterilize the first sterilizer 62 by circulating a sterilizing agent containing, for example, peracetic acid in the circulation system 59A including the water sterilizer 60. In this case, the control unit 90 may circulate the sterilizing agent in the circulation system 59A for at least 10 seconds to no more than 60 minutes.

As shown in Figs. 5A and 5B, the main body 66 of the first sterilizer 62 may have a cylindrical shape. In this case, the discharge pipe 69a may be connected to the discharge part 69 formed in the main body 66, and the discharge pipe 69a may be provided so as to extend in a tangential direction of the inner surface of the main body 66 in a plan view. In this case, the tangential direction of the inner surface is the tangential direction of the part of the tangent of the circle formed by the inner surface of the main body 66 in a horizontal cross section including the discharge part 69, where the water that has circulated while contacting the inner surface leaves the inner surface of the main body 66. When the main body 66 has a cylindrical shape, the time that the water remains inside the main body 66 can be extended. Therefore, the irradiation time of the ultraviolet light on the water can be extended, and the cumulative irradiation amount of the ultraviolet light can be increased. In this case, although not shown, the multiple second ultraviolet lamps 67b may be provided so as to be inclined radially inward as they move upward.

As shown in Figs. 6A and 6B, the shape of the main body 66 may be an elongated, generally cylindrical shape. In this case, an inlet 68 for introducing water into the main body 66 may be formed at one end of the main body 66. In addition, an outlet 69 for discharging sterilized water from the main body 66 may be formed at the other end of the main body 66. In this case, the main body 66 may be arranged so that the longitudinal direction (direction of water flow) of the main body 66 is parallel to the horizontal direction, or the main body 66 may be arranged so that the longitudinal direction (direction of water flow) of the main body 66 is parallel to the vertical direction. In the illustrated example, the shape of the main body 66 is a so-called reducer shape in which the diameter decreases toward one end and the diameter decreases toward the other end. However, the shape is not limited to this, and the shape of the main body 66 may be a cylinder having a generally uniform diameter from the inlet 68 to the outlet 69.

In this modified example, the ultraviolet ray irradiation unit 67 may include multiple third ultraviolet ray lamps 67c arranged along the direction in which the water travels. This allows the water to be irradiated with ultraviolet ray evenly. This makes it possible to suppress variations in the cumulative amount of ultraviolet ray irradiation. In the illustrated example, the ultraviolet ray irradiation unit 67 includes eight third ultraviolet ray lamps 67c.

In addition, the third ultraviolet lamps 67c adjacent to each other in the water flow direction may extend in different directions when viewed from the water flow direction. This makes it possible to more effectively suppress variations in the cumulative amount of ultraviolet radiation. In the illustrated example, each of the third ultraviolet lamps 67c is regularly arranged. That is, when viewed from the upstream side of the water flow direction (left side of FIG. 6B), each of the third ultraviolet lamps 67c rotates clockwise by 45° around the central axis X of the main body 66 as it moves toward the downstream side of the water flow direction (right side of FIG. 6B). The rotation angle of each of the third ultraviolet lamps 67c may be changed as appropriate. For example, each of the third ultraviolet lamps 67c may rotate clockwise by 90° around the central axis X as it moves toward the downstream side of the water flow direction when viewed from the upstream side of the water flow direction. Furthermore, when the ultraviolet irradiation unit 67 includes three or more third ultraviolet lamps 67c, each of the third ultraviolet lamps 67c may rotate clockwise by 60° around the central axis X as it moves downstream in the direction of water flow when viewed from the upstream side in the direction of water flow. Note that each of the third ultraviolet lamps 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 irradiates ultraviolet light having a wavelength of 200 nm or more and 450 nm or less. The third ultraviolet lamp 67c may also be a low-pressure mercury lamp (including a low-pressure high-output amalgam lamp), a medium-pressure mercury lamp, or a UV-LED. The multiple third ultraviolet lamps 67c may have different wavelengths and/or outputs of the ultraviolet light they irradiate. That is, the multiple third ultraviolet lamps 67c may be different ultraviolet lamps. For example, when one third ultraviolet lamp 67c is a low-pressure mercury lamp, the other third ultraviolet lamps 67c may be medium-pressure mercury lamps (or UV-LEDs). Even in this case, the sterilization effect in the first sterilizer 62 can be improved, and the first sterilizer 62 can sterilize a large amount of water. Although not shown, a baffle plate 66a that regulates the flow of water may be provided inside the main body 66.

In addition, in the first sterilizer 62 shown in Figures 3 to 6B, ultraviolet rays may be reflected within the main body 66 to improve the sterilization efficiency of the first sterilizer 62. For example, taking the first sterilizer 62 shown in Figures 6A and 6B as an example, as shown in Figure 6C, the main body 66 may include an outer member 660 and an inner member 661 provided inside the outer member 660. The outer member 660 may be made of a stainless steel tube that has been mirror-finished by electrolytic polishing or the like. The inner member 661 may be made of a glass tube. In addition, 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 (e.g., quartz glass or fluoride glass) is used as the glass of the glass tube of the inner member 661, ultraviolet rays UV can be reflected at the interface between the inner member 661 and the air layer 662 as shown in Figure 6C. In addition, as the material of the inner member 661, a material having a high transmittance of ultraviolet light may be appropriately selected according to the wavelength of the ultraviolet light irradiated by the third ultraviolet lamp 67c, etc. In addition, as the material of the inner member 661, a material other than glass may be used, for example, a plastic having the same properties as 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 material having a high reflectivity. In particular, when the main body 66 is elongated as in the first sterilizer 62 shown in FIG. 6A and FIG. 6B, by coating the inner surface of the outer member 660, etc. with a material having a high reflectivity, the ultraviolet light UV can be repeatedly reflected while suppressing the attenuation of the ultraviolet light UV. Therefore, water can be efficiently sterilized. In addition, it is preferable that the ultraviolet light UV is reflected at least once inside the main body 66. In this case, it is more preferable to shorten the distance between the outer member 660, etc. and the third ultraviolet lamp 67c, etc., so that the number of reflections of the ultraviolet light UV is two or more times. Here, the ultraviolet light emitted from the medium pressure mercury lamp can maintain its illuminance for a longer distance compared to the ultraviolet light emitted from the low pressure mercury lamp. Therefore, when the third ultraviolet lamp 67c etc. is a medium pressure mercury lamp, even if the ultraviolet light UV is reflected multiple times inside the main body 66, the sterilization effect of the ultraviolet light UV can be effectively prevented from decreasing.

The time it takes for the water to pass through the first sterilizer 62 may be 0.1 seconds or more and less than 10 seconds, and is preferably 0.5 seconds or more and less than 5 seconds. The time it takes for the water introduced into the main body 66 from the introduction section 68 to be discharged from the discharge section 69. By making the time it takes for the water to pass through the first sterilizer 62, it is possible to suppress variations in the sterilization effect of the water. Therefore, a sufficient sterilization effect can be obtained. By making the time it takes for the water to pass through the first sterilizer 62, it is possible to reduce the size of the first sterilizer 62. The time it takes for the water to pass through the first sterilizer 62 may be changed as appropriate based on the flow rate of the water to be treated (sterilized) by the first sterilizer 62.

Referring again to FIG. 2A, the first sterile filter 63 is provided downstream of the first sterilizer 62. This first sterile filter 63 is a micro-filtration filter (MF) that sterilizes the water by collecting bacteria remaining in the water. The mesh size of the first sterile filter 63 may be 0.1 μm or more and 0.45 μm or less, and is preferably 0.1 μm or more and 0.22 μm or less. By having the mesh size of the first sterile filter 63 be 0.1 μm or more, a decrease in the sterilization efficiency of the water can be suppressed. Furthermore, by having the mesh size of the first sterile filter 63 be 0.45 μm or less, bacteria remaining in the water can be easily collected by the first sterile filter 63. Therefore, it can be effectively captured. A filter with a mesh size of 0.02 μm or more and 0.1 μm or less, which can also remove some viruses, may be used as the first sterile filter 63. The material of the filtration membrane of the first sterile filter 63 may be polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF), polyethersulfone (PES), mixed cellulose (SCWP), polycarbonate (PC), polypropylene (PP), polyamide, or the like. The filtration membrane of the first sterile filter 63 may be, for example, a reverse osmosis membrane (RO (Reverse Osmosis) membrane) or an ultrafiltration membrane (UF (Ultra-Filtration) membrane) depending on the suitability of the contents.

It is preferable that the first sterile filter 63 is capable of sterilization (SIP). This allows the first sterile filter 63 to be sterilized periodically. Here, as described above, the first sterile filter 63 passes through the first sterilizer 62 and captures bacteria remaining in the water. For this reason, if water sterilization is continued for a long period of time in the water sterilizer 60, the captured bacteria may grow in the first sterile filter 63. In addition, if the corpses of bacteria, which are organic matter, are attached to the first sterile filter 63, etc., the corpses of the bacteria may become a substrate. In this case, the bacteria may further grow in the first sterile filter 63. In this way, if the bacteria grow in the first sterile filter 63, there is a possibility that they will enter the water passing through the first sterile filter 63. In contrast, since the first sterile filter 63 is capable of sterilization, it is possible to suppress the bacteria attached to the first sterile filter 63 from entering the water passing through the first sterile filter 63. As a result, it is possible to suppress the deterioration of the filtration performance of the first sterile filter 63. When sterilizing the first sterile filter 63, sterilizing steam or the like may be supplied to the first sterile filter 63 from the sterile air supply port 60a, which will be described later.

Here, the degree of sterilization of the first sterile filter 63 may be managed by the F value. In other words, when sterilizing the water sterilizer 60 having the first sterile filter 63, the degree of sterilization of the water sterilizer 60 may be managed by the F value. At this time, for example, the control unit 90 may measure the temperature of the heated steam (fluid) or hot water (fluid) flowing through the flow path of the first sterile filter 63 and calculate the F value based on the measured temperature. Then, when the F value becomes equal to or greater than the target value, the control unit 90 may end the sterilization of the first sterile filter 63. When measuring the temperature of the heated steam or hot water, the control unit 90 may measure the temperature with temperature sensors arranged at various locations in the flow path where the temperature is unlikely to rise while flowing the heated steam or hot water through the flow path of the first sterile filter 63. Then, the control unit 90 may end the heating of the flow path with the heated steam or the like when the time during which the temperature from each temperature sensor reaches a predetermined temperature becomes equal to or greater than a predetermined time. This allows the first sterile filter 63 to be sterilized without applying more heat than necessary to the first sterile filter 63. Here, the F value is the heating time required to kill all bacteria when the bacteria are heated for a certain period of time, and is expressed as the lethal time of bacteria at 121.1°C and is calculated using the following formula.

（ただし、Ｔは任意の殺菌温度（℃）、１０＾｛（Ｔ－Ｔｒ）／Ｚ｝は任意の殺菌温度Ｔでの致死率、Ｔｒは基準温度（℃）、ＺはＺ値（℃）を表す。）

(where 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), and Z is the Z value (°C).)

It is also preferable that the first sterile filter 63 is capable of carrying out an integrity test on the mesh size of the first sterile filter 63. Here, the integrity test may be carried out, for example, by a bubble point test. The bubble point test can be carried out as follows. For example, first, water is supplied to a housing (not shown) in the first sterile filter 63 to cover the filter (not shown) of the first sterile filter 63 with water. Next, the supply of water is stopped, and the water in the first sterile filter 63 is drained. Then, sterile air is injected, for example, from the sterile air supply port 60a into the first sterile filter 63 whose filter is covered with water. Next, the pressure of the sterile air is increased until the sterile air escapes from the first sterile filter 63. Then, the size of the mesh size of the first sterile filter 63 is determined based on the pressure of the sterile air when the sterile air escapes from the first sterile filter 63 (bubble point). In this way, since it is possible to perform an integrity test on the mesh size of the first sterile filter 63, the deterioration level of the first sterile filter 63 can be easily determined. A pressure gauge P2 may be provided near the sterile air supply port 60a to measure the pressure inside the first sterile filter 63. In addition to the bubble point test described above, the integrity test may be performed by a diffusion flow test, a pressure hold test, or the like.

The second sterilizer 64 is provided downstream of the first sterile filter 63. The configuration of the second sterilizer 64 may be substantially the same as the first sterilizer 62 shown in Figures 3 to 6B. In other words, the second sterilizer 64 may be a sterilizer that sterilizes water by ultraviolet light.

The second sterile filter 65 is provided downstream of the second sterilizer 64. This second sterile filter 65 is a filter that sterilizes water by passing through the second sterilizer 64 and collecting bacteria remaining in the water. The mesh size of the second sterile filter 65 is preferably equal to or smaller than that of the first sterile filter 63. As a result, even if bacteria in the water pass through the first sterile filter 63, the bacteria can be collected by the second sterile filter 65. Therefore, the sterility of the water can be sufficiently ensured. In addition, if the mesh size of the second sterile filter 65 is equal to that of the first sterile filter 63, two sterilization sets consisting of a sterilizer and a sterile filter can be arranged along the water conveying direction. That is, the first sterilization set consisting of the first sterilizer 62 and the first sterile filter 63 and the second sterilization set consisting of the second sterilizer 64 and the second sterile filter 65 can be arranged in series along the water conveying direction. Therefore, even if some abnormality occurs in one of the sterilization sets, the sterility of the water can be guaranteed. Note that multiple sterilization sets may be provided according to the sterility assurance level (SAL) of the water or the final product (contents) (see Figures 2A, 2B, 2D to 2E3). Also, as shown in Figure 2F etc., the number of sterilization sets may be one, or, although not shown, the number of sterilization sets may be three or more.

The mesh size of the second sterile filter 65 may be 0.1 μm or more and 0.45 μm or less, and is preferably 0.1 μm or more and 0.22 μm or less. By having the mesh size of the second sterile filter 65 be 0.1 μm or more, it is possible to suppress a decrease in the sterilization efficiency of the water. Furthermore, by having the mesh size of the second sterile filter 65 be 0.45 μm or less, bacteria remaining in the water can be more effectively captured by the second sterile filter 65. The filtration membrane of the second sterile 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 sterile filter 65 may be substantially the same as those of the first sterile filter 63. That is, the second sterile filter 65 may be capable of being sterilized (SIP). Also, the second sterile filter 65 may be capable of undergoing an integrity test on the mesh size of the second sterile filter 65.

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

In this case, for example, the initial bacteria count level in the water before it enters a filter (e.g., the first sterile filter 63) is taken as _H0 (= _logN0 ). In this case, the initial bacteria count level _H0 of the filter is reduced by the sterilization effect of the filter (e.g., the first sterile filter 63) (the level of bacteria reduction in the water: _ΣR1 (=log( _N0 / _NR1 )>0). Note that " _N0 " refers to the initial bacteria count in the water, and " _NR1 " refers to the number of bacteria in the water after it has been sterilized by the filter (e.g., the first sterile filter 63).

On the other hand, it is also possible that the number of bacteria in the water increases at a certain rate while passing through the filter (level of increase in the number of bacteria in the water: ΣI (=log(N _I )≧0)). Note that "N _I " means the number of bacteria that increases while passing through the filter.

Furthermore, the bacteria in the water are reduced again by the sterilization effect of the sterilizer (e.g., the second sterilizer 64) (reduction level of bacteria in the water: _ΣR2 (=log(N _I / _NR2 )>0)). If the bacteria count level in the water after passing through the water sterilizer 60 is equal to or lower than the target value (FSO (Food Safety Objective/ISO13409-1996) (=logN)), it can be considered that there is no problem with the sterility of the water sterilized by the water sterilization line 50. Note that " _NR2 " means the number of bacteria in the water after sterilization by the sterilizer (e.g., the second sterilizer 64), and "N" means the target value of the number of bacteria in the water after sterilization by the sterilizer (e.g., the second sterilizer 64).

The above-mentioned relationship between H ₀ , ΣR ₁ , ΣI, ΣR ₂ and FSO can be expressed as the following equation.
H ₀ −ΣR ₁ +ΣI −ΣR ₂ ≦FSO (Equation 1)
Therefore, by setting the sterilization capacity of the sterilizer (e.g., the second sterilizer 64) so that the value of _ΣR2 is equal to or greater than ( _H0 - _ΣR1 +ΣI)-FSO, it is possible to keep the sterility of the water below the target value (FSO).

As shown in Figures 2A to 2M, sampling points SP1 to SP6 (SP) for aseptically sampling water may be provided at the inlet of the water sterilizer 60, the outlet of the water sterilizer 60, and between the foreign matter removal filter 61 and the first sterilizer 62. A sampling line SL may be connected to at least some of the sampling points SP1 to SP6 via a valve (not shown). As a result, by aseptically sampling water from the sampling points SP1 to SP6 or the sampling line SL, the number of bacteria or the number of particles in the water can be easily measured, and changes in the state of the water, such as bacterial proliferation, can be easily confirmed. When measuring the number of bacteria in the water and/or confirming changes in the state, such as bacterial proliferation, the number of bacteria may be counted using, for example, a plate medium. Also, for example, the number of bacteria in the water and/or changes in the state of bacteria may be measured and/or confirmed using a microorganism measuring device or a particle measuring device (liquid particle counter). Here, the microorganism measuring instrument is an instrument that counts microorganisms by detecting the fluorescence emitted when a laser beam is applied to the particles and distinguishing whether the particles are non-living or microorganisms based on the MIE scattering theory. Examples of such microorganism measuring instruments include the biological particle measuring instrument manufactured by Rion Co., Ltd., the Microorganism Detection Analyzer 7000RMS manufactured by Mettler Toledo Co., Ltd., and the Real-Time Microorganism Detector, IMD-W (registered trademark) manufactured by Azbil Corporation. When sampling water from the sampling line SL in a sterile manner, it is preferable that the sampling line SL is sterilized in advance. In this case, the sampling line SL may be sterilized with a disinfectant such as peracetic acid or hot water. The sampling line SL sterilized with a disinfectant may also be rinsed with pure water that has been sterilized by the first and second sterile filters 63 and 65.

A thermometer T may be provided in the sampling line SL, and the temperature of the steam may be monitored using the thermometer T when the first sterile filter 63 and the second sterile filter 65 are sterilized with steam.

Also, as shown in Figures 2B and 2C, a third bypass line 95a may be provided between the front-stage sterilizer 62A and the first sterilizer 62. This makes it possible to prevent the sterilizer or cleaner from passing through the foreign matter removal filter 61 when the water sterilization line 50 is sterilized with a sterilizer or cleaner. Also, a first drain pipe 95c may be connected upstream of the foreign matter removal filter 61, and rinsing water, etc., described below, may be discharged from the first drain pipe 95c. The first drain pipe 95c may be connected to the third bypass line 95a.

Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 2B, a fourth bypass line 95b may be provided between the first sterilizer 62 and the second sterilizer 64. This makes it possible to prevent the sterilizer or cleaner from passing through the first sterile filter 63 when the water sterilization line 50 is sterilized with a sterilizer or cleaner. Also, as shown in FIG. 2B and FIG. 2C, a second drain pipe 95d may be connected upstream of the first sterile filter 63, and rinsing water, etc., described below, may be discharged from the second drain pipe 95d. The second drain pipe 95d may be connected to the fourth bypass line 95b.

The processing capacity of the water sterilizer 60 is preferably 105% or more of the maximum processing capacity required for the production of the product bottles 101, and more preferably 110% or more of the maximum processing capacity required for the production of the product bottles 101. For example, the processing capacity of the water sterilizer 60 may be 5 m ³ /h or more and 50 m ³ /h or less, and may be 24 m ³ /h, for example. In addition, when the processing capacity of the water sterilizer 60 is 105% or more of the maximum processing capacity required for the production of the product bottles 101, a predetermined amount of water can be stored in the second water tank 52 during the production of the product bottles 101. In this case, by appropriately designing the volume of the second water tank 52, it is possible to produce the product bottles 101 and sterilize (SIP) or test the integrity of the first sterile filter 63, etc., without running out of water, even during the sterilization (SIP) or integrity test of the first sterile filter 63, etc. described above. The time required for sterilization (SIP) of the first sterile filter 63 etc. and the time required for the integrity test are about 30 minutes or more and about 1 hour or less, respectively. Therefore, the volume of the second water tank 52 may be equal to or greater than the amount of water used in the content filling system 10 when the product bottles 101 are produced for 1 hour.

The processing capacity of the water sterilizer 60 may also be controlled by the control unit 90. For example, the control unit 90 may determine the amount of water to be used to clean and sterilize the content filling system 10, and may determine the amount of water to be sterilized by the water sterilizer 60 of the water sterilization line 50 during the production of the product bottles 101 based on the determined amount of water. Here, the amount of sterile water required to clean and/or sterilize the inside of each chamber after the production of the product bottles 101 can be grasped for each chamber. For this reason, the processing capacity of the water sterilizer 60 may be controlled by the control unit 90 so that the sterile water to be used after the production of the product bottles 101 can be stored during the production of one lot of the product bottles 101. This allows the inside of each chamber to be cleaned and/or sterilized immediately after the production of the product bottles 101. This reduces downtime.

In addition, the control unit 90 may discharge the water to the outside of the water sterilization line 50 when the irradiation amount or illuminance of the ultraviolet light becomes equal to or less than a predetermined value. Here, the predetermined value is a reference value (threshold value) for determining whether or not the water should be discharged to the outside of the water sterilization line 50. Such a predetermined value can be set arbitrarily according to the volume of the main body 66 or the flow rate of the water. For example, the predetermined value may be an irradiation amount or illuminance that does not fall below the sterility assurance level of the water or the final product (contents). The predetermined value may be, for example, 10 mJ/cm ² or more and 10,000 mJ/cm ² or less, depending on the volume of the main body 66, and may be 100 mJ/cm ² as an example. The irradiation amount of the ultraviolet light irradiated by the ultraviolet light irradiating unit 67 may be set based on RED (Reduction Equivalent UV Dose) obtained by an actual chemical dosimeter or biological dosimeter. For details, please refer to "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".

When the control unit 90 discharges water to the outside of the water sterilization line 50, the control unit 90 may discharge water to the outside of the water sterilization line 50 via the circulation line 59. In this case, the control unit 90 may switch the valve V1 when the value of the illuminometer 66c becomes equal to or less than a predetermined value while the water sterilizer 60 is sterilizing water with ultraviolet light. Then, the control unit 90 may switch the valve V1 to supply water to the circulation line 59. This allows sterility downstream of the valve V1 to be maintained. Note that the water supplied to the circulation line 59 may be discharged from the circulation line 59 without being supplied to the first water tank 51. Alternatively, the water supplied to the circulation line 59 may be supplied to the first water tank 51. In this case, the water may be circulated in the circulation system 59A until the value of the illuminometer 66c becomes a sufficient value. Then, after the value of the illuminometer 66c becomes a sufficient value, the control unit 90 may switch the valve V1 to supply the water in the circulation system 59A to the second water tank 52.

The control unit 90 may also discharge water outside the water sterilization line 50 when the pressure difference (differential pressure) between the pressure upstream and downstream of the sterile filter (first sterile filter 63 or second sterile filter 65) is equal to or greater than a predetermined value. That is, the control unit 90 may also discharge water outside the water sterilization line 50 when an abnormality is found in the pressure difference (differential pressure) between the pressure upstream and downstream of the first sterile filter 63 (or second sterile filter 65). Even in this case, sterility can be maintained downstream of, for example, valve V1.

Furthermore, the control unit 90 may discharge the water outside the water sterilization line 50 when at least one of the number of bacteria and the number of particles in the water sampled from the water sterilization line 50 reaches or exceeds a predetermined value. That is, the control unit 90 may also discharge the water outside the water sterilization line 50 when there is an abnormality in the number of bacteria and/or the number of particles in the water sampled from the sampling line SL. Even in this case, sterility can be maintained, for example, downstream of the valve V1.

In these cases, after the malfunction of the water sterilizer 60 is corrected, the water sterilizer 60 is sterilized with a sterilizing agent such as peracetic acid, or with hot water or steam, as described below. Then, water sterilization by the water sterilizer 60 is resumed.

The water sterilizer 60 of such a water sterilization line 50 preferably continues to sterilize water without stopping the sterilization of water while the product bottle 101 is being produced by filling the bottle 100 with the contents in the content filling system 10. This can suppress the proliferation of bacteria in the first sterile filter 63 and the second sterile filter 65. In other words, if the flow of water stops in the water sterilizer 60, bacteria may grow in the first sterile filter 63 and the second sterile filter 65. In contrast, by continuing to sterilize water without stopping the pump P1 while the product bottle 101 is being produced in the content filling system 10, the proliferation of bacteria in the first sterile filter 63 and the second sterile filter 65 can be suppressed. In addition, if the second water tank 52 becomes full while the product bottle 101 is being produced in the content filling system 10, the sterilized water may be circulated in the circulation system 59A (see FIG. 2A, etc.). This can prevent the water flow from stopping in the water sterilizer 60 even when the second water tank 52 is full. This can prevent bacteria from multiplying in the first sterilizing filter 63 and the second sterilizing filter 65. If the circulation time of the sterilized water is long, the temperature of the sterilized water may increase due to the irradiation energy of the ultraviolet light irradiated from the ultraviolet irradiating unit 67. In this case, the water flowing through the circulation line 59 may be discharged from the circulation line 59 without being supplied to the first water tank 51. Then, the pure water production device 50a may supply new pure water to the first water tank 51 to prevent the temperature of the circulating water from increasing. For example, when the sterilized water is circulated in the circulation system 59A, about 3% to 30% of the water remaining inside the circulation line 59 may be discharged once an hour, and new pure water may be supplied from the pure water production device 50a to the first water tank 51. This makes it possible to constantly supply water at a constant temperature to the second water tank 52. The proportion of water discharged may be changed as appropriate depending on the radiation dose or number of the first ultraviolet lamps 67a, etc.

As shown in FIG. 2N, the water sterilization line 50 is divided into a non-sterile zone Z1, a first gray zone Z2, a second gray zone Z3, and a sterile zone Z4. The non-sterile zone Z1, the first gray zone Z2, the second gray zone Z3, and the sterile zone Z4 are arranged in this order from the upstream side to the downstream side along the water transport direction.

Of these, the non-sterile zone Z1 is a zone in a non-sterile atmosphere, where bacteria may be present. In the illustrated example, the non-sterile zone Z1 is an area upstream of the front-stage sterilizer 62A. In the non-sterile zone Z1, the first water tank 51 and the flow path downstream of the first water tank 51 are sterilized before the production of the product bottles 101. On the other hand, in the non-sterile zone Z1, after the start of production of the product bottles 101, bacteria may be brought in from the upstream side of the first water tank 51, causing the first water tank 51 and the like to become contaminated by bacteria.

The first gray zone Z2 and the second gray zone Z3 are zones for isolating a non-sterile atmosphere from a sterile atmosphere. The first gray zone Z2 is a zone for sterilizing bacteria in water. The second gray zone Z3 is a zone for maintaining a state in which bacteria are not present in water during the manufacture of the product bottle 101. In the illustrated example, the first gray zone Z2 is the area from the pre-stage sterilizer 62A to the outlet of the second sterilizer 64. The second gray zone Z3 is the area from the outlet of the second sterilizer 64 to the inlet of the first sterile filter 63. Here, the pure water production device 50a that supplies water to the water sterilization line 50 is sterilized (SIP) before sterilizing the water to the water sterilization line 50. At this time, sterilization is performed under conditions that can sterilize at least aquatic bacteria. The temperature and sterilization time of the steam or hot water used for sterilization may be at least 60°C or higher and 5 minutes or more, and preferably 85°C and 30 minutes or more. 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 a sterilization value of Z value = 5°C. The sterilization conditions may also be high temperature and short time conditions of the temperature of the steam or hot water used for sterilization and the sterilization time of 95°C and 0.3 minutes. On the other hand, the sterilization value under these sterilization conditions generally cannot sterilize bacterial spores. Therefore, bacterial spores may be present in the area up to the first sterile filter 63. For this reason, the area from the front-stage sterilizer 62A to the first sterile filter 63 is called the gray zone. After sterilization of the pure water production device 50a, 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, a state in which no aquatic bacteria exist in the second gray zone Z3 is maintained. The positive pressure state of the second gray zone Z3 is managed by a pressure gauge (not shown). Sterilization (SIP) of the pure water production system 50a may be performed using chemicals that inactivate aquatic bacteria instead of steam or hot water.

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. The sterile zone Z4 is supplied with sterile air or sterile water after sterilizing all bacteria including bacterial spores by sterilizing each device with steam or hot water (SIP ( _F0 value 3 or more, Z value = 10 ° C.)). This maintains the sterile zone Z4 in a positive pressure state and maintains the sterile zone Z4 in a sterile state. When sterilizing the sterile zone Z4 (SIP), it is preferable to sterilize at least up to the boundary with the second gray zone Z3. When sterilizing the sterile zone Z4, the piping in the second gray zone Z3 may be sterilized together with the sterile zone Z4.

Of the non-sterile zone Z1, the first gray zone Z2, the second gray zone Z3, and the sterile zone Z4, in the first gray zone Z2, ultraviolet rays may be irradiated onto the water. In the first gray zone Z2, the cumulative dose of ultraviolet rays irradiated onto the water by the pre-stage sterilizer 62A may be at least 10 mJ/cm ² or more at a wavelength of 254 nm, and may preferably be 100 mJ/cm ² or more. In this case, the pre-stage sterilizer 62A may include a low-pressure mercury lamp. In addition, in the first gray zone Z2, the total cumulative dose of ultraviolet rays irradiated onto the water by the first sterilizer 62 and the second sterilizer 64 may be 100 mJ/cm ² or more at a wavelength of 254 nm. In this way, by having the total cumulative dose of ultraviolet rays irradiated onto the water by the first sterilizer 62 and the second sterilizer 64 be 100 mJ/cm ² or more, aquatic bacteria 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 a medium pressure mercury lamp.

In the first gray zone Z2, when the total cumulative irradiation amount of ultraviolet light on the water by the first sterilizer 62 and the second sterilizer ⁶⁴ is less than 100 mJ/cm2 at a wavelength of 254 nm, the water before being supplied to the first sterile filter 63 may be circulated by the circulation line 95. This makes it possible to prevent water in which aquatic bacteria may exist from being supplied to the first sterile filter 63. This ensures the sterility of the water in the sterile zone Z4. In this case, the pre-stage sterilizer 62A, the foreign matter removal filter 61, the first sterilizer 62 and the second sterilizer 64 may be sterilized (SIP) before the water is supplied to the sterile zone Z4 (first sterile filter 63).

In addition, it is preferable that at least one of the first sterile filter 63 and the second sterile filter 65 pass the test results of the integrity test (first integrity test and second integrity test) before and after production described below. As a result, at least one of the first sterile filter 63 and the second sterile filter 65 can filter sterilize bacteria other than aquatic bacteria. Therefore, the sterility of the water in the sterile zone Z4 can be guaranteed. Note that, if the integrity test results before and after production of the first sterile filter 63 and the second sterile filter 65 are unsuccessful, a sterile grade filter with a mesh size of 0.1 μm or more and 0.22 μm or less may be used as the foreign matter removal filter 61. In this case, it is preferable that the integrity test results before and after production of the foreign matter removal filter 61 pass. As a result, the foreign matter removal filter 61 can filter sterilize bacteria other than aquatic bacteria, and the sterility of the water in the sterile zone Z4 can be guaranteed.

In this way, in the water sterilizer 60 of the water sterilization line 50 according to this embodiment, the sterility of the water is guaranteed by ensuring that the amount of ultraviolet radiation is equal to or greater than a specified value or within a specified range during production, and by passing the integrity test results before and after the start of production.

Next, we will explain the concentrate sterilization line 70. The concentrate sterilization line 70 is a sterilization line that heat-sterilizes the concentrate product.

As shown in FIG. 7, the concentrate sterilization line 70 has a first concentrate tank 71, a product concentrate sterilizer 80, and a second concentrate tank 72. The first concentrate tank 71, the product concentrate sterilizer 80, and the second concentrate tank 72 are arranged in this order from upstream to downstream along the conveying direction of the product concentrate. The concentrate sterilization line 70 may be connected to a circulation line (third circulation line) 89 between a third-stage cooling section 86 (described later) and the second concentrate tank 72. The concentrate sterilization line 70 may be configured so that the product concentrate that has passed through the third-stage cooling section 86 can be returned to the first concentrate tank 71 via the circulation line 89.

The first concentrate tank 71 is a tank for storing the product concentrate supplied from a supply source (not shown). The first concentrate tank 71 serves to smooth the flow of the product concentrate by storing the product concentrate. The volume of the first concentrate tank 71 may be 0.3 ^m3 or more and ³ m3 or less, and may be 1 ^m3 , for example.

A pump P3 for transporting the product concentrate may be provided downstream of the first concentrate tank 71. In addition, the above-mentioned product concentrate sterilizer 80 is provided downstream of the pump P3.

The product stock solution sterilizer 80 is a sterilizer that heats and sterilizes the product stock solution stored in the first stock solution tank 71. In this embodiment, the product stock solution sterilizer 80 may be a sterilizer (Ultra High-temperature, hereinafter simply referred to as UHT) that sterilizes the product stock solution by an ultra-high temperature heat treatment method. This 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. The product stock solution supplied to the UHT 80 is gradually heated by the first-stage heating section 81 and the second-stage heating section 82, and is heated to a target temperature in the holding tube 83. In this case, for example, the product stock solution may be heated to 60°C or more and 80°C or less by the first-stage heating section 81, and 80°C or more and 150°C or less by the second-stage heating section 82. In addition, the temperature of the product stock solution is maintained for a certain period of time in the holding tube 83. The product stock solution that has passed through the holding tube 83 is gradually cooled by the first stage cooling section 84, the second stage cooling section 85, and the third stage cooling section 86. The number of heating sections and cooling sections can be increased or decreased as necessary. In addition, the pressure loss of the product stock solution may be high between the first stage heating section 81 and the second stage heating section 82. For this reason, an additional pump (not shown) may be provided between the first stage heating section 81 and the second stage heating section 82. In addition, a homogenizer for homogenizing the product stock solution may be 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, etc.

The processing capacity 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, for example.

In addition, the temperature of the hottest part of the UHT 80 (e.g., the second stage heating section 82) may be monitored to monitor the scale (calcium deposits, etc.) adhering to the UHT 80. Then, when cleaning the UHT 80 (CIP), the state of scale removal may be monitored. This allows the cleaning process for cleaning the UHT 80 to be optimized. This allows the cleaning time to be shortened, and the amounts of water, steam, and cleaning agent used for cleaning to be reduced. As a result, the amount of carbon dioxide emitted by the content filling system 10 can be reduced.

The UHT80 may be of the injection type or the infusion type. The heat exchanger used to perform heat exchange in the content filling system 10, such as the heat exchanger of the UHT80, may be a plate type, a shell and tube type, or a scraping type heat exchanger.

The second stock solution tank 72 is a tank (so-called aseptic tank) that stores the stock solution sterilized by the stock solution sterilizer 80. The second stock solution tank 72 serves to smooth the flow of the stock solution by storing the sterilized stock solution. The volume of the second stock solution tank 72 may be 1 ^m3 or more and 20 ^m3 or less, and may be ² m3, for example.

Further, an auxiliary filter 73 for filtering the sterilized product stock solution and a third stock solution tank 74 for storing the product stock solution that has passed through the auxiliary filter 73 may be provided downstream of the second stock solution tank 72. In this case, the third stock solution tank 74 may be a so-called filling machine tank, and may be installed vertically above the stock solution filling device 22 in order to improve the filling accuracy of the stock solution filling device 22. The third stock solution tank 74 may play the role of a so-called cushion tank that ensures a smooth flow of the product stock solution even when the amount of product stock solution used downstream of the third stock solution tank 74 changes. The volume of the third stock solution tank 74 may be 0.1 m ³ or more and 1 m ³ or less, and may be 0.3 m ³ as an example. The auxiliary filter 73 may be provided inside or at the tip of the full stock solution filling nozzle (for example, see FIG. 16C described later) of the stock solution filling device 22.

Furthermore, an addition unit 75 that adds solids to the product concentrate may be connected downstream of the second concentrate tank 72. This allows the content filling system 10 to fill the bottle 100 with contents containing solids. In this case, the solids that the addition unit 75 adds to the product concentrate may be, for example, sansho, nata de coco, tapioca, aloe, etc. The solids may also be sterile solids that have been sterilized in advance.

(Contents filling method)
Next, a content filling method using the above-mentioned content filling system 10 (FIG. 1) will be described with reference to FIG.

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

Next, the preform 100a is sent to the heating section 35, where it is heated by the heater 35a, for example, to a temperature of 90°C or higher and 130°C or lower. Next, the preform 100a heated by the heating section 35 is sent to the delivery section 36. The preform 100a is then sent from the delivery section 36 to the blow molding section 32.

Then, the preform 100a sent to the blow molding section 32 is blow molded using a mold (not shown) to form a bottle 100 (bottle molding process, reference symbol S2 in FIG. 8). The blow molded bottle 100 is then sent to the bottle conveying section 33.

Next, in the sterilization device 11, the bottle 100 is sterilized using a hydrogen peroxide solution as a sterilizing agent (container sterilization process, reference symbol S3 in FIG. 8). At this time, the sterilizing agent may be a gas or mist obtained by vaporizing a hydrogen peroxide solution at or above its boiling point. The hydrogen peroxide solution gas or mist adheres to the inner and outer surfaces of the bottle 100, sterilizing the inner and outer surfaces of the bottle 100.

The bottle 100 is then sent to the air rinse device 14. In the air rinse device 14, sterile heated air or room temperature air is supplied to the bottle 100 to activate the hydrogen peroxide and remove foreign matter and hydrogen peroxide from the bottle 100 (air rinse process, reference symbol S4 in FIG. 8). In the air rinse process, if necessary, the sterile heated air or the sterilized room temperature air may be mixed with a condensed mist of low concentration hydrogen peroxide. In this case, the hydrogen peroxide is gasified by the sterile air. Then, in the air rinse process, the gasified hydrogen peroxide may be supplied to the bottle 100.

The bottle 100 is then transported to the filling device 20. First, the bottle 100 is filled with water in the water filling device 21 of the filling device 20 (water filling process, reference symbol S5 in FIG. 8). In this water filling device 21, water is filled into the bottle 100 from its mouth while the bottle 100 is rotated (revolved). The water is sterilized in the water sterilization line 50 before it is filled into the bottle 100 by the water filling device 21.

In the water filling device 21, the sterilized bottles 100 are filled with sterilized water at room temperature. The temperature of the water during filling is, for example, about 3°C or higher and 40°C or lower. The filling speed at which the water filling device 21 fills the bottles 100 with water may be faster than the filling speed at which the concentrate filling device 22 fills the bottles 100 with the product concentrate. In the water filling device 21, the filling speed of the water may be 100 mL/sec or higher and 500 mL/sec or lower.

Next, in the concentrate filling device 22 of the filling device 20, the product concentrate is filled into the bottle 100 filled with water (product concentrate filling process, reference symbol S6 in FIG. 8). In this concentrate filling device 22, the bottle 100 is rotated (revolved) while the product concentrate is filled into the bottle 100 from its mouth. The product concentrate is heat sterilized in the concentrate sterilization line 70 before being filled into the bottle 100 by the concentrate filling device 22. The heating temperature for heating the product concentrate 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, and the heating time may be about 30 seconds or higher and 120 seconds or lower. In addition, when the acidity of the contents is pH 4.5 or higher, the heating temperature for heating the product concentrate may be about 115°C or higher and 150°C or lower. In addition, the heating time may be about 30 seconds or higher and 120 seconds or lower. This sterilizes all microorganisms in the product concentrate before filling that may grow in the product bottle 101. The product concentrate that has been heat sterilized is cooled to a temperature of 3°C or higher and 40°C or lower.

In the concentrate filling device 22, the product concentrate that has been sterilized and cooled to room temperature is filled into the bottle 100 filled with water at room temperature. The temperature of the product concentrate during filling is, for example, 3°C or higher and 40°C or lower. In the concentrate filling device 22, the filling speed of the product concentrate may be 30 mL/sec or higher and 200 mL/sec or lower.

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

Meanwhile, the cap 88 is sterilized in advance by the cap sterilizer 18 (cap sterilization process, reference symbol S7 in Figure 8). During this process, the cap 88 is first transported from outside the content filling system 10 into the cap sterilizer 18. Next, the cap 88 is sprayed with hydrogen peroxide gas or mist in the cap sterilizer 18 to sterilize its inner and outer surfaces, after which it is dried with hot air and sent to the cap mounting device 16.

Next, in the capping device 16, a sterilized cap 88 is attached to the mouth of the bottle 100 transported from the filling device 20, thereby closing the bottle 100 and obtaining a product bottle 101 (capping process, reference symbol S8 in Figure 8).

Then, the product bottle 101 is transported from the capping device 16 to the product bottle discharge section 25 and discharged to the outside of the content filling system 10 (bottle discharge process, reference 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, water filling process, product concentrate filling process, capping process, and bottle discharging process are performed in a sterile atmosphere surrounded by the sterilant spray chamber 70d, air rinse chamber 70e, first sterile chamber 70f, intermediate area chamber 70g, second sterile chamber 70h, and outlet chamber 70i, i.e., in a sterile environment. The cap sterilization process is performed by the cap sterilizer 18. In this case, the sterilant spray chamber 70d, air rinse chamber 70e, first sterile chamber 70f, intermediate area chamber 70g, second sterile chamber 70h, outlet chamber 70i, and cap sterilizer 18 have been sterilized in advance by spraying hydrogen peroxide or peracetic acid, or by emitting hot water, etc.

After the sterilization process of each chamber, sterile air at positive pressure is supplied to the sterilant spray chamber 70d, the air rinse chamber 70e, the first sterile chamber 70f, the intermediate area chamber 70g, the second sterile chamber 70h and the exit chamber 70i so that the sterile air is constantly blown out of the sterilant spray chamber 70d, the air rinse chamber 70e, the first sterile chamber 70f, the intermediate area chamber 70g, the second sterile chamber 70h and the exit chamber 70i. In addition, sterile air at positive pressure is constantly supplied to the cap sterilizer 18 so that the sterile air is constantly blown out of the cap sterilizer 18.

In this way, when positive pressure sterile air is supplied to each of the chambers 70d to 70i, the sterile air in each chamber and the sterilant used in bottle sterilization are exhausted in the atmosphere blocking chamber 70c, the sterilant spray chamber 70d, and the exit chamber 70i. 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 first sterilant chamber 70f, the intermediate area chamber 70g, the second sterilant chamber 70h, and the exit chamber 70i is positive. 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 in the first sterilant chamber 70f may be 30 Pa or more and 60 Pa or less. The pressure in the intermediate area chamber 70g may be 20 Pa or more and 50 Pa or less. The pressure in the second sterile chamber 70h may be greater than or equal to 10 Pa and less than or equal to 40 Pa. The pressure in the outlet chamber 70i may be greater than or equal to 10 Pa and less than or equal to 20 Pa.

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

(Method of sterilizing the content filling system)
Next, a sterilization method for the above-mentioned content filling system 10 (FIG. 1) will be described. First, the sterilization method for the first sterile chamber 70f, the intermediate area chamber 70g, and the second sterile chamber 70h (hereinafter simply referred to as the chamber sterilization method) will be described with reference to FIG.

Chamber Sterilization Method First, after the beverage filling in the content filling system 10 is completed, for example, an operation button of the control unit 90 is operated. As a result, a CIP cup (not shown) is placed over the water filling nozzle of the water filling device 21. In this manner, a sterile state in the water filling device 21 is maintained by placing a CIP cup (not shown) over the water filling nozzle of the water filling device 21. That is, the water filling device 21 is physically protected so that bacteria do not enter the water filling device 21 from the tip of the water filling nozzle. In addition, by operating the operation button of the control unit 90, the gaps formed in the partition walls separating the sterilant spray chamber 70d, the air rinse chamber 70e, the first sterile chamber 70f, the intermediate area chamber 70g, and the second sterile chamber 70h are closed by shutters (not shown).

Next, the pressure in the first sterile chamber 70f is increased. At this time, the pressure in the first sterile chamber 70f is increased by supplying sterile air from a sterile air supply device (not shown) into the first sterile chamber 70f. Also, at this time, the amount of air supplied and/or exhausted in each chamber is adjusted so that the pressure in the first sterile chamber 70f becomes a predetermined pressure. At this time, the pressure in the first sterile chamber 70f, which was, for example, 30 Pa, is increased to, for example, 40 Pa. This prevents the air in the sterilant spray chamber 70d and the air in the intermediate area chamber 70g from flowing into the first sterile chamber 70f.

In this case, as described above, the pressure in the sterilant spray chamber 70d may be 0 Pa or more and 20 Pa or less. The pressure in the air rinse chamber 70e may be 10 Pa or more and 40 Pa or less. The pressure in the first sterile chamber 70f may be 40 Pa or more and 100 Pa or less. The pressure in the intermediate area chamber 70g may be 10 Pa or more and 40 Pa or less. The pressure in the second sterile chamber 70h may be 0 Pa or more and 20 Pa or less. The pressure in the exit chamber 70i may be 0 Pa or more and 20 Pa or less.

Next, sterile water is supplied into the intermediate area chamber 70g and the second sterile chamber 70h (rinsing process, symbol S11 in FIG. 9). As a result, the contents adhering to the intermediate area chamber 70g and the second sterile chamber 70h are washed away by the sterile water. At this time, the sterile water may be water sterilized by the water sterilizer 60. Note that the contents may flow from the second sterile chamber 70h into the first sterile chamber 70f through the intermediate area chamber 70g. For this reason, the contents adhering to the first sterile chamber 70f may be washed away by supplying sterile water into the first sterile chamber 70f. In addition, if there are caps 88 or bottles 100 that have fallen into the second sterile chamber 70h, they are collected. In addition, the conveying wheel 12 provided downstream of the cap mounting device 16 may be changed in accordance with the shape of the bottle 100 to be used next. Furthermore, the capper head chuck (not shown) may be replaced in the cap mounting device 16 depending on the size of the cap 88 to be used next.

Next, while the inside of the first sterile chamber 70f is maintained in a sterile state, the inside of the second sterile chamber 70h is washed. At this time, the inside of the intermediate area chamber 70g and the inside of the second sterile chamber 70h are first washed (COP) (COP process, reference symbol S12 in FIG. 9). At this time, a cleaning agent such as an alkaline agent, and water, etc. are sprayed into the intermediate area chamber 70g and the second sterile chamber 70h from spray nozzles (not shown) arranged in the intermediate area chamber 70g and the second sterile chamber 70h. This purifies the inner wall surfaces of the intermediate area chamber 70g, etc., and the surfaces of equipment such as the filling device 20. At this time, the water may be sterile water sterilized by the water sterilizer 60.

Here, when cleaning (COP) the inside of the second sterile chamber 70h, it is preferable that at least the second bypass line 56 of the first bypass line 55 and the second bypass line 56 is cleaned (CIP) and sterilized (SIP). When cleaning (CIP) or sterilizing (SIP) the second bypass line 56, for example, a cleaning agent or a disinfectant may be supplied to the second bypass line 56 from a connection point CP1 (see Figures 1 and 2A, etc.) that connects the second bypass line 56 to the water disinfection line 50. The cleaning agent and the disinfectant may be, for example, peracetic acid, hydrogen peroxide, an alkaline agent, an acidic agent, sodium hypochlorite, etc. After that, the second bypass line 56 may be rinsed with sterile water by supplying sterile water to the second bypass line 56 from the second water tank 52 in which sterile water is stored in advance. When cleaning (CIP) or sterilizing (SIP) the first bypass line 55, for example, a cleaning agent or sterilizing agent may be supplied to the first bypass line 55 from a connection point CP2 (see Figures 1 and 2A, etc.) that connects the first bypass line 55 to the water sterilization line 50.

Next, while the inside of the first sterile chamber 70f is maintained in a sterile state, the concentrate filling device 22 is cleaned (CIP) (CIP process, reference symbol S13 in FIG. 9). At this time, first, a CIP cup (not shown) is placed over the concentrate filling nozzle of the concentrate filling device 22. Next, the flow path of the contents in the concentrate filling device 22 is rinsed with water, and a cleaning agent, for example, water to which an alkaline agent such as caustic soda or an acidic agent such as nitric acid has been added, is supplied to the flow path. This removes residues from the previous beverage that are attached to the flow path of the contents in the concentrate filling device 22. At this time, the water may be sterile water that has been sterilized by a water sterilizer 60.

Next, while the inside of the first sterile chamber 70f is maintained in a sterile state, the inside of the second sterile chamber 70h is sterilized. At this time, the concentrate filling device 22 is first sterilized (SIP) (SIP process, reference symbol S14 in FIG. 9). At this time, heated steam or hot water is supplied to the flow path of the contents in the concentrate filling device 22. This sterilizes the flow path of the contents in the concentrate filling device 22. At this time, the water may be sterile water sterilized by the water sterilizer 60.

Next, the intermediate area chamber 70g and the second sterile chamber 70h are sterilized (SOP) (SOP process, reference symbol S15 in FIG. 9). At this time, a sterilizing agent such as peracetic acid or hydrogen peroxide solution is sprayed into the intermediate area chamber 70g and the second sterile chamber 70h from a spray nozzle (not shown) arranged in the intermediate area chamber 70g and the second sterile chamber 70h. Then, sterile water is sprayed into the intermediate area chamber 70g and the second sterile chamber 70h from the spray nozzle (not shown). As a result, the inner wall surface of the intermediate area chamber 70g and the surface of the equipment such as the filling device 20 are sterilized. At this time, the sterile water may be sterile water sterilized by the water sterilizer 60. As a result, the amount of carbon dioxide emitted by the content filling system 10 can be reduced. In addition, before, after, or at the same time as sterilizing the second sterile chamber 70h with a germicide, at least the inside of the first sterile chamber 70f, the inside of the air rinse chamber 70e, and the inside of the germicide spray chamber 70d may also be cleaned with a peracetic acid cleaner and rinsed with germ-free water sterilized by the water sterilizer 60. This makes it possible to maintain stable sterility for a long period of time and to increase the sterility level.

Also, while the second sterile chamber 70h is being sterilized, the corners of the first sterile chamber 70f may be re-sterilized. In this case, for example, a sterilizing agent such as hydrogen peroxide solution may be sprayed into the first sterile chamber 70f, and then the first sterile chamber 70f may be dried with hot air, thereby re-sterilizing the corners of the first sterile chamber 70f.

In this manner, the content filling system 10 is sterilized.

Next, the CIP cup (not shown) covering the water filling nozzle of the water filling device 21 is removed. Then, the water kept sterile in the water filling nozzle of the water filling device 21 is discharged into the first sterile chamber 70f. This prevents the sterilant from being filled into the bottle 100 in the unlikely event that a sterilant or the like is mixed into the water filling nozzle from outside the CIP cup. Also, as described above, when the first sterile chamber 70f is re-sterilized, even if the sterilant is not completely removed from the CIP cup covering the water filling nozzle and the sterilant is attached to the CIP cup, the sterilant or the like can be prevented from being filled into the bottle 100. Note that the amount of water discharged into the first sterile chamber 70f is preferably equal to or more than the amount of one bottle 100 to be used in the next production. After that, the gap closed by the shutter is opened, and the next filling of the contents is started.

Next, the sterilization method of the water sterilizer 60 will be explained with reference to Figures 10A to 10E.

Sterilization method of the water sterilizer First, after the filling of beverage in the content filling system 10 is completed, for example, the operation button of the control unit 90 is operated. This starts sterilization (SIP) of the water sterilizer 60. Sterilization by the water sterilizer 60 may be performed during production of the product bottles 101. In this case, even if the sterilization of water by the water sterilizer 60 is stopped, the product bottles 101 can be produced by using the sterile water stored in the second water tank 52.

When sterilizing with the water sterilizer 60, first the filling (production) of the contents by the contents filling system 10 is completed ("End of production" in Figure 10A).

After that, a post-production integrity test (first integrity test) is performed on at least one of the sterile filters (first sterile filter 63 and second sterile filter 65) of the water sterilizer 60 (reference symbol S20A in FIG. 10A). That is, a post-production integrity test is performed on at least one of the first sterile filter 63 and second sterile filter 65 of the water sterilizer 60. If the foreign body removal filter 61 is also a sterile filter, an integrity test is performed on at least one of the three filters. The sterility of the water is guaranteed if the integrity test results before and after the start of production are pass (no leaks are observed) and if the amount of ultraviolet light irradiation during production is equal to or greater than a specified value or within a specified range.

Next, the sterilizer (first sterilizer 62 and/or second sterilizer 64 (hereinafter, also simply referred to as first sterilizer 62, etc.)) is washed and/or sterilized (sterilizer washing and sterilization process, reference symbol S20 in FIG. 10A). At this time, first, the first sterilizer 62, etc. are washed (CIP treatment). The CIP treatment is performed by flowing an acidic cleaning solution, in which a nitric acid-based or phosphoric acid-based acidic agent is added to water, into the flow path after flowing an alkaline cleaning solution into the flow path, or before flowing the alkaline cleaning solution into the flow path. The alkaline cleaning solution is a cleaning solution in which an alkaline agent, in which caustic soda (sodium hydroxide), potassium hydroxide, sodium carbonate, sodium silicate, sodium phosphate, sodium hypochlorite, a surfactant, a chelating agent, etc., is added to water. The alkaline cleaning process using the alkaline cleaning solution and the acid cleaning process using the acid cleaning solution may be freely combined and performed. This removes residues, etc., attached to the flow path through which the water passes. In addition, CIP treatment using only warm water or hot water without adding a cleaning agent may be performed. The contents do not adhere to the water sterilization line 50. In addition, in the first sterilizer 62 of the water sterilization line 50, ultraviolet light is irradiated by the first ultraviolet lamp 67a when the product bottles 101 are produced. This makes it unlikely that the water sterilization line 50 will be contaminated by bacteria. For this reason, the CIP process of the water sterilization line 50 may be omitted.

Next, the first sterilizer 62 and the like are sterilized (SIP process). In the SIP process, first, steam or hot water is supplied to the water sterilizer 60 (hot water supply process, reference symbol S201a in FIG. 10B1). In this case, for example, steam or hot water is supplied to the circulation system 59A including the water sterilizer 60. As a result, the first ultraviolet lamp 67a, the second ultraviolet lamp 67b, and the third ultraviolet lamp 67c (hereinafter also simply referred to as the first ultraviolet lamp 67a, etc.) of the first sterilizer 62 and the like are each heated and sterilized with steam or hot water. In addition, every corner of the inside of the piping of the first sterilizer 62 and the inside of the piping of the second sterilizer 64 are each heated and sterilized with steam or hot water. In addition, when the first sterilizer 62 and the second sterilizer 64 are sterilized, the foreign matter removal filter 61, the first sterile filter 63, and the second sterile filter 65 may be sterilized simultaneously. In addition, by adjusting the temperature, concentration and/or time of the cleaning agent used in the CIP process, bacteria can be inactivated (SIP process) at the same time, without the need to perform the subsequent SIP process (CSIP process). After the CIP process and SIP process or CSIP process are completed, the cleaning agent is discharged from the circulation system 59A. Then, the process moves to the rinsing process to completely remove the cleaning agent. The rinsing water is supplied with pure water from the pure water tank 50a. In the rinsing process, it is advisable to turn on the first ultraviolet lamp 67a, etc., to confirm that the ultraviolet irradiation amount or illuminance is above a predetermined value.

In addition, when the first sterilizer 62, etc. are sensitive to heat, the first sterilizer 62, etc. may be sterilized with a sterilizing agent (chemical) or a cleaning agent (chemical). In this case, the sterilizing agent is first supplied to the water sterilizer 60 (sterilizing agent supply process, reference symbol S201b in FIG. 10B2). In this case, for example, the sterilizing agent is supplied to the circulation system 59A including the water sterilizer 60. The sterilizing agent or cleaning agent may be supplied from the sterilizing agent supply unit 96 (see FIG. 2B and FIG. 2C) to the pre-stage sterilizer 62A, the first sterilizer 62, the second sterilizer 64, etc. provided in the water sterilization line 50. In this case, it is preferable that the sterilizing agent or cleaning agent does not pass through the foreign matter removal filter 61 and the first sterilizing filter 63. In other words, it is preferable that the sterilizing agent or cleaning agent is circulated in the circulation system 95A. Specifically, for example, as shown by the bold lines in Figures 2B and 2C, the germicide or cleaner preferably passes through a third bypass line 95a provided between the front-stage sterilizer 62A and the first sterilizer 62. Also, as shown by the bold lines in Figure 2B, the germicide or cleaner preferably passes through a fourth bypass line 95b provided between the first sterilizer 62 and the second sterilizer 64. This prevents the germicide or cleaner from passing through the foreign matter removal filter 61 and the first sterilizing filter 63 when the water sterilization line 50 is sterilized with the germicide or cleaner. The germicide or cleaner may be supplied from sampling points SP2 to SP4.

The disinfectant may contain peracetic acid. In addition, when the disinfectant contains peracetic acid, the concentration of the disinfectant may be 1000 ppm or more and 3000 ppm or less. By having a disinfectant concentration of 1000 ppm or more, the disinfection effect of the disinfectant on the first sterilizer 62, etc. can be improved. In addition, by having a disinfectant concentration of 3000 ppm or less, the amount of peracetic acid used can be reduced, and the cost of sterilizing the water sterilizer 60 can be reduced.

The temperature of the hot water, disinfectant, or cleaning agent supplied to the circulation system 59A may be 50°C or higher and 150°C or lower. By having the temperature of the hot water, disinfectant, or cleaning agent be 50°C or higher, the disinfection effect and cleaning effect of the first sterilizer 62, etc., by the disinfectant can be improved. Furthermore, by having the temperature of the hot water, disinfectant, or cleaning agent be 150°C or lower, the first sterilizer 62, etc. can be manufactured at low cost without using special heat-resistant materials.

Next, hot water, a disinfectant or a cleaning agent is circulated in the circulation system 95A including the disinfection machines (first disinfection machine 62 and/or second disinfection machine 64) (hot water circulation process, reference symbol S202a in FIG. 10B1; disinfectant circulation process, reference symbol S202b in FIG. 10B2). For example, hot water, a disinfectant or a cleaning agent is circulated in the circulation system 95A including the front-stage disinfection machine 62A, the first disinfection machine 62 and the second disinfection machine 64 provided in the water disinfection line 50. In this case, the front-stage disinfection machine 62A, the first disinfection machine 62 and the second disinfection machine 64 may be disinfected by circulating the disinfectant or the like for at least 10 seconds to 60 minutes in the circulation system 95A including the front-stage disinfection machine 62A, the first disinfection machine 62 and the second disinfection machine 64. By setting the circulation time to 10 seconds or more, the disinfection effect of the first disinfection machine 62 and the like by the disinfectant or the like can be enhanced. In addition, by setting the circulation time to 60 minutes or less, the disinfection time of the first disinfection machine 62 and the like can be shortened. This reduces downtime. In the disinfectant circulation process, hot water, disinfectant, or cleaning agent may be circulated in circulation system 59A instead of circulation system 95A.

The circulation of hot water, disinfectant or cleaning agent may be performed with the first ultraviolet lamp 67a etc. turned on. If the first ultraviolet lamp 67a etc. is not heat resistant, it is preferable to cool the first ultraviolet lamp 67a etc. to a temperature at which the first ultraviolet lamp 67a etc. can be turned on while circulating the hot water, disinfectant or cleaning agent. At this time, it is preferable that heat exchange is performed between the first ultraviolet lamp 67a etc. and the disinfectant or cleaning agent by a heat exchanger 97 provided in the circulation system 95A.

Then, the disinfectant, etc. is discharged from one of the sampling points SP2 to SP5 (hot water discharge step, S203a in FIG. 10B1; disinfectant discharge step, S203b in FIG. 10B2), and then the circulation system 95A is cooled or rinsed (cooling step, S204a in FIG. 10B1; rinsing step, S204b in FIG. 10B2). That is, when hot water is supplied to the circulation system 59A including the water sterilizer 60 (hot water supply step described above, S201a in FIG. 10B1), the circulation system 59A is cooled (cooling step, S204a in FIG. 10B1). On the other hand, when the disinfectant, etc. is supplied to the circulation system 59A including the water sterilizer 60 (disinfectant supply step described above, S201b in FIG. 10B2), the circulation system 95A is rinsed (rinsing step, S204b in FIG. 10B2). When discharging the disinfectant, etc., in order to prevent bacterial contamination in the sterilized piping, the disinfectant may be discharged in a short time while supplying sterile air into the piping. Note that the process may proceed to the rinsing process without performing the disinfectant discharge process.

In the rinsing process, first, the front-stage sterilizer 62A is thoroughly rinsed with rinsing water so that the sterilizing agent does not adhere to the foreign matter removal filter 61. At this time, the rinsing water may be discharged from the first drain pipe 95c provided upstream of the foreign matter removal filter 61. At this time, it is preferable to discharge water from the first drain pipe 95c while maintaining a positive pressure in the pipe that supplies water to the foreign matter removal filter 61. In this case, it is good to confirm that the inside of the first drain pipe 95c is under positive pressure while the water is being discharged from the first drain pipe 95c. After that, the rinsing water is passed through the foreign matter removal filter 61.

Next, the sterilizing agent remaining in the first sterilizer 62 is thoroughly rinsed with rinsing water. At this time, the rinsing water may be discharged from the second drain pipe 95d provided upstream of the first sterile filter 63. In this case, it is preferable to discharge water from the second drain pipe 95d while maintaining a positive pressure in the pipe supplying water to the first sterile filter 63. In this case, it is preferable to confirm that the pressure in the second drain pipe 95d is positive while discharging water from the second drain pipe 95d. Then, the rinsing water is passed through the first sterile filter 63. Thereafter, the same operation is performed in order toward the downstream side. Before discharging water from the first drain pipe 95c or the second drain pipe 95d, the first drain pipe 95c, etc. may be sterilized in advance with steam or hot water.

Next, the sterile filters (first sterile filter 63 and second sterile filter 65 (hereinafter also simply referred to as first sterile filter 63, etc.)) are sterilized (filter cleaning and sterilization process, reference symbol S21 in FIG. 10A). At this time, heated steam (fluid) or hot water (fluid) is first supplied to the flow path of the first sterile filter 63, etc. (fluid supply process, reference symbol S211 in FIG. 10A). At this time, for example, sterilizing steam is supplied to the first sterile filter 63, etc. from the sterile air supply port 60a.

Next, the temperature of the heated steam or hot water supplied to the flow path of the first sterile filter 63, etc. is measured, and the F value is calculated based on the measured temperature (F value calculation process, symbol S212 in Figure 10A).

After that, when the F value becomes equal to or greater than the target value, the sterilization of the first sterile filter 63, etc. is terminated. In this way, the first sterile filter 63, etc. is sterilized. In this way, by performing heat sterilization of the first sterile filter 63, etc. using the F value, the first sterile filter 63, etc. can be sterilized without applying more heat than necessary to the first sterile filter 63, etc. For this reason, the amount of carbon dioxide discharged from the content filling system 10 can be reduced. In addition, since the first sterile filter 63, etc. can be sterilized without applying more heat than necessary to the first sterile filter 63, etc., damage to the membrane of the first sterile filter 63, etc. can be suppressed. For this reason, the life of the first sterile filter 63, etc. can be extended, and the first sterile filter 63, etc. can be used for a long period of time without replacement. The first sterile filter 63, etc. may be sterilized, for example, at 121°C or higher for 20 minutes (timer method) without calculating the F value.

When sterilizing the first sterile filter 63, etc., the area to be sterilized by steam may be partitioned by opening and closing valves (not shown) provided at sampling points SP1 to SP6. For example, the steam for sterilizing the first sterile filter 63 may be supplied to the area between sampling points SP3 and SP4 to sterilize that area. The steam for sterilizing the second sterile filter 65 may be supplied to the area between sampling points SP5 and SP6 to sterilize that area. The foreign matter removal filter 61 may be sterilized together with the first sterile filter 63 and the second sterile filter 65.

In this manner, the SIP process is performed on the first sterile filter 63 and the second sterile filter 65. After that, the first sterile filter 63 and the second sterile filter 65 are cooled (reference symbol S213 in FIG. 10A).

Next, an integrity test (second integrity test) is performed on at least one of the sterile filters (first sterile filter 63 and second sterile filter 65) of the water sterilizer 60 (reference S22 in FIG. 10A). That is, a pre-production integrity test is performed on at least one of the first sterile filter 63 and the second sterile filter 65 of the water sterilizer 60 (reference S22 in FIG. 10A). In the integrity test, first, water is supplied to the housing (not shown) in the first sterile filter 63, etc. (wetting process (not shown)). The wetting process is performed with the first ultraviolet lamp 67a, etc. turned on. As a result, the water irradiated with ultraviolet light passes through the first sterile filter. Next, a valve (not shown) near the first sterile filter 63, etc. is closed, the water in the first sterile filter 63, etc. is discharged, and then sterile air is supplied to the first sterile filter 63, etc. At this time, sterile air is injected into the first sterile filter 63, etc. filled with water, for example, from the sterile air supply port 60a. Then, the sterile air supplied to the first sterile filter 63, etc. is gradually pressurized, and the bubble point value of the first sterile filter 63, etc. is measured. After that, based on the results of the bubble point values measured multiple times (e.g., three times), it is confirmed whether the first sterile filter 63, etc. is intact (whether sterile air is leaking at a specified pressure).

Here, for example, while an integrity test is being performed on the first sterile filter 63, water cannot be supplied to the first sterile filter 63. On the other hand, if water is allowed to remain in the main body 66 (see Figures 3 to 6B) of the first sterilizer 62, etc., the temperature of the water in the main body 66 will rise due to the heat of the first ultraviolet lamp 67a, etc. In particular, if the first ultraviolet lamp 67a, etc. is a medium pressure mercury lamp, the operating temperature of the medium pressure mercury lamp is high (approximately 600°C or higher and 900°C or lower), so the temperature of the water in the main body 66 can easily rise. For this reason, for example, while an integrity test is being performed on the first sterile filter 63, it is preferable to circulate water irradiated with ultraviolet light by the first ultraviolet lamp 67a, etc., in the circulation system 95A, as shown by the thick line in Figure 2C. This makes it possible to prevent overheating of the first ultraviolet lamp 67a, etc., and to prevent damage to the first ultraviolet lamp 67a, etc.

Then, the filling (production) of the contents by the contents filling system 10 is started again. The water used in the integrity test should be sterilized by the first sterilizer 62. The air used in the integrity test should be sterile air.

As shown in FIG. 10C, the order of the sterilizer cleaning and sterilizing process (S20 in FIG. 10A) and the filter cleaning and sterilizing process (S21 in FIG. 10A) may be reversed. Also, as shown in FIG. 10D, during SIP of the foreign matter removal filter 61, the first sterile filter 63, and the second sterile filter 65 (for example, while the first sterile filter 63, etc. is cooling), the cleaning and sterilizing process of the first sterilizer 62 and the second sterilizer 64 may be performed in parallel. In this case, the piping or valve located upstream or downstream of the first sterile filter 63, etc. comes into contact with the sterilizing agent. Therefore, the cooling time can be shortened. Specifically, the sterilizing agent may be supplied to the first sterilizer 62 and the second sterilizer 64 from the point when the foreign matter removal filter 61, the first sterile filter 63, and the second sterile filter 65 are cooled to less than 110°C, respectively. This makes it possible to end the sterilizer cleaning and sterilization process while the foreign matter removal filter 61, the first sterilized filter 63, and the second sterilized filter 65 are cooling.

In addition, in the first sterilizer 62, etc., ultraviolet light is irradiated by the first ultraviolet lamp 67a, etc., when the product bottles 101 are produced. This reduces the possibility that the first sterilizer 62, etc. will be contaminated by bacteria. Therefore, when sterilizing the water sterilizer 60, the first sterilizer 62, etc. do not need to be sterilized.

As another embodiment, as shown in FIG. 10E, the process of sterilizing the sterile filters (first sterile filter 63 and second sterile filter 65) of the water sterilizer 60 may be performed while the process of cleaning the sterilizers (first sterilizer 62 and second sterilizer 64) or the process of sterilizing the sterilizers (first sterilizer 62 and second sterilizer 64) is being performed. In other words, the first sterile filter 63 and second sterile filter 65 of the water sterilizer 60 and the first sterilizer 62 and second sterilizer 64 may be washed and sterilized at the same time.

In this case, as shown in FIG. 10E, first, filling (production) is completed. Then, a post-production integrity test (first integrity test) is performed on at least one of the first sterile filter 63 and the second sterile filter 65 (reference symbol S30 in FIG. 10E).

Next, the first sterilizing filter 63, the second sterilizing filter 65, the first sterilizer 62 and the second sterilizer 64 are cleaned (CIP) (reference S31 in FIG. 10E). At this time, a cleaning agent and a disinfectant are supplied from before (upstream of) the foreign matter removal filter 61, and the cleaning agent and the disinfectant are circulated for a predetermined time in the circulation system 59A using the circulation line 59.

After the CIP process, the first sterile filter 63, the second sterile filter 65, the first sterilizer 62 and the second sterilizer 64 may be sterilized (SIP) (reference number S32 in FIG. 10E). Alternatively, instead of the CIP process and the SIP process, the first sterile filter 63, the second sterile filter 65, the first sterilizer 62 and the second sterilizer 64 may be washed and sterilized simultaneously (CSIP process) (reference number S33 in FIG. 10E).

The cleaning agents and disinfectants used in the CIP and SIP treatments or CSIP treatments may be acidic agents such as peracetic acid, acetic acid, hydrogen peroxide, pernitric acid, nitric acid, phosphoric acid, etc., alkaline agents such as sodium hydroxide and potassium hydroxide, chlorine-based agents such as sodium hypochlorite and chlorine dioxide, alcohols such as ethyl alcohol and isopropyl alcohol, or ozone water, acidic water, and surfactants, which may be used alone or in combination of two or more of them. The temperature of the cleaning agents and disinfectants may be raised by a heater (not shown). The CIP and SIP treatments or CSIP treatments may be performed under predetermined conditions (temperature, concentration, time) based on the values of the thermometer T and the concentration meter 59c installed in the water sterilizer 60 and the circulation line 59.

The cleaning agent and the disinfectant may be discharged from the circulation system 59A by supplying pure water from the pure water tank 50c to the circulation system 59A and transporting the pure water from the pump P1, while replacing the disinfectant with pure water. Also, water may be supplied to the circulation system 59A from another device (not shown) and the disinfectant may be discharged. The disinfectant may be discharged while monitoring the value of the concentration meter 59c provided downstream of the circulation line 59. In this case, it is preferable to rinse the circulation system 59A with rinsing water until the value of the concentration meter 59c becomes the same as the value of the concentration meter (not shown) provided in the pure water production device 50a, for example. In the rinsing process, the rinsing time may be managed by a timer. Also, the rinsing process may be set to be completed when a predetermined time has elapsed. During the CIP process, the SIP process, or the CSIP process, the first ultraviolet lamp 67a, etc. may be turned on or off. Also, the first ultraviolet lamp 67a, etc. may be turned on only during the rinsing process. After the CIP and SIP or CSIP processes are completed, a pre-production integrity test (second integrity test) is performed on at least one of the first sterile filter 63 and the second sterile filter 65 (reference number S34 in FIG. 10E). That is, a pre-production integrity test is performed on one or both of the first sterile filter 63 and the second sterile filter 65.

Next, if the result of the integrity test before the start of production is a pass (if no leak is found), the process proceeds to the production preparation process (reference S35 in FIG. 10E). In the production preparation process, while circulating pure water in the circulation system 59A, it is confirmed that the illuminance of the ultraviolet light emitted from the first ultraviolet lamp 67a, etc. is a predetermined value or more. In this case, in each sterilizer (first sterilizer 62 or second sterilizer 64), the total irradiation amount of the first ultraviolet lamp 67a, etc. may be, for example, 10 mJ/ ^cm2 or more, and is preferably 100 mJ/ ^cm2 or more.

Then production will begin.

The contents do not adhere to the water sterilizer 60. In addition, the first sterilizer 62 etc. is irradiated with ultraviolet light by the first ultraviolet lamp 67a etc. when the product bottles 101 are produced. This makes it unlikely that the first sterilizer 62 etc. will be contaminated by bacteria. Therefore, when sterilizing the water sterilizer 60, the first sterilizer 62 etc. does not need to be sterilized.

As described above, according to this embodiment, the content filling system 10 includes a water sterilization line 50 that sterilizes water without heating, a concentrate sterilization line 70 that sterilizes the product concentrate with heat, and a filling device 20 that is connected to the water sterilization line 50 and the concentrate sterilization line 70, respectively, and fills the bottles 100 with water and the product concentrate. This reduces the amount of carbon dioxide emitted when preparing the content, compared to diluting the product concentrate with sterile water produced using a sterilizer that sterilizes water by heating. This reduces the amount of carbon dioxide emitted by the content filling system 10.

In addition, according to this embodiment, the content filling system 10 further includes a control unit 90 that controls the water sterilization line 50. When the amount of ultraviolet light irradiation or illuminance falls below a predetermined value, the control unit 90 discharges water to the outside of the water sterilization line 50. This makes it possible to maintain the sterility of the second water tank 52, etc.

In addition, according to this embodiment, the filling device 20 has a water filling device 21 connected to the water sterilization line 50, and a concentrate filling device 22 connected to the concentrate sterilization line 70. The water filling device 21 fills the bottle 100 with sterilized water, and the concentrate filling device 22 fills the bottle 100 with sterilized product concentrate. This makes it possible to narrow the area where dirt from the contents adheres. Therefore, the area to be cleaned and sterilized can be narrowed. As a result, the amount of steam, etc. used can be reduced. Also, the cleaning time and sterilization time can be shortened. Therefore, the amount of carbon dioxide emitted by the content filling system 10 can be reduced.

Furthermore, according to this embodiment, the water filling device 21 fills the empty bottle 100 with water. Furthermore, the filling speed at which the water filling device 21 fills the bottle 100 with water is faster than the filling speed at which the concentrate filling device 22 fills the bottle 100 with the product concentrate. This allows the number of water filling nozzles of the water filling device 21 to be reduced without causing dirt to adhere to the periphery of the bottle 100. Therefore, the size of the water filling device 21 can be reduced without causing dirt to adhere to the periphery of the bottle 100.

In addition, according to this embodiment, the water sterilization line 50 has a first water tank 51 that stores water, a water sterilizer 60 that non-heat sterilizes the water stored in the first water tank 51, and a second water tank 52 that stores the water sterilized by the water sterilizer 60. In addition, the concentrate sterilization line 70 has a first concentrate tank 71 that stores the product concentrate, a product concentrate sterilizer 80 that heat sterilizes the product concentrate stored in the first concentrate tank 71, and a second concentrate tank 72 that stores the product concentrate sterilized by the product concentrate sterilizer 80. This allows the water and the product concentrate to flow smoothly.

In addition, according to this embodiment, a first bypass line 55 is provided downstream of the second water tank 52 to connect the water sterilization line 50 and the cap sterilizer 18 to each other. This allows the water sterilized by the water sterilizer 60 to be used to wash the caps 88. This further reduces the amount of carbon dioxide emitted by the content filling system 10.

In addition, according to this embodiment, an addition unit 75 that adds solids to the product concentrate is connected downstream of the second concentrate tank 72. This allows the content filling system 10 to fill the bottle 100 with the content containing solids.

In addition, according to this embodiment, the content filling system 10 further includes a preform sterilizer 34a that sterilizes the preform 100a, a blow molding section (container molding device) 32 that molds the bottle 100 from the preform 100a, and a sterilizer (container sterilizer) 11 that sterilizes the bottle 100. The blow molding section (container molding device) 32 molds the bottle 100 without adjusting the temperature of the bottle 100 with hot water from a mold temperature regulator. This reduces the number of bacteria adhering to the bottle 100 and reduces the amount of carbon dioxide emitted by the content filling system 10. In addition, since there is no need to supply hot water to the mold of the blow molding section 32, the blow molding section 32 can be simplified.

(Modification of Content Filling System)
Next, a modified example of the content filling system will be described.

（ただし、Ｔは任意の殺菌温度（℃）、１０＾｛（Ｔ－Ｔｒ）／Ｚ｝は任意の殺菌温度Ｔでの致死率、Ｔｒは基準温度（℃）、ＺはＺ値（℃）を表す。）
において、基準温度Ｔｒが１２１．１℃、Ｚ値が１０℃の場合に算出されるＦ値である。 (First Modification)
In the above-mentioned embodiment, the water sterilization line 50 (water sterilizer 60) sterilizes water without heating, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the water sterilization line 50 (water sterilizer 60) may sterilize water by heating the water to a predetermined temperature. The number of bacteria in the pure water produced by the pure water production device 50a is generally smaller than that in the product stock solution, if the pure water production device 50a is properly managed. Therefore, when the pH of the contents after filling or after the cap 88 is attached to the bottle 100 is less than 4.5, the water sterilization line 50 (first sterilizer 62 and second sterilizer 64) may sterilize the water so that the _F0 value is 0.00029 or more and less than 3.1. Furthermore, when the pH of the contents is 4.5 or more, the water sterilization line 50 (first sterilizer 62 and second sterilizer 64) may sterilize the water so that the _F0 value is 3.1 or more and 100 or less. When filling the water with different pH contents, the water sterilization line 50 (the first sterilizer 62 and the second sterilizer 64) may sterilize water so that the _F0 value is uniformly set to 3.1 or more and 100 or less in order to reduce the number of times the water sterilization line 50 is cleaned and/or sterilized when switching between different pH contents. Here, the _F0 value is calculated by the following formula:

(where 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), and Z is the Z value (°C).)
This is the F value calculated when the reference temperature Tr is 121.1° C. and the Z value is 10° C.

According to this modification, the amount of carbon dioxide discharged during water sterilization can be reduced compared to the case of using a sterilizer that heats water to a high temperature at the same sterilization strength as the product concentrate and sterilizes it at the same time (usually with an _F0 value of about 30 to 80). Therefore, the amount of carbon dioxide discharged from the content filling system 10 can be reduced. In addition, when the water sterilization line 50 (the first sterilizer 62 and the second sterilizer 64) changes the sterilization conditions based on the pH of the contents, the amount of carbon dioxide discharged during water sterilization can be further reduced, and the amount of carbon dioxide discharged from the content filling system 10 can be further reduced.

(Second Modification)
In the above-described embodiment, an example has been described in which the water filling device 21 fills the bottles 100 with sterilized water, and the concentrate filling device 22 fills the bottles 100 filled with water with sterilized concentrate product, but this is not limiting. For example, the concentrate filling device 22 may fill the bottles 100 with sterilized concentrate product, and the water filling device 21 may fill the bottles 100 filled with concentrate product with sterilized water.

In this case, as shown in FIG. 11, the concentrate filling device 22 may be disposed upstream of the water filling device 21 in the transport direction of the bottles 100. The concentrate filling device 22 may be housed inside the first sterile chamber 70f, and the water filling device 21 may be housed inside the second sterile chamber 70h.

(Third Modification)
In the above-described embodiment, the example in which the product concentrate is diluted with water has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the bottle 100 may be filled with water or the product concentrate by using only one of the water filling device 21 and the concentrate filling device 22. Specifically, the bottle 100 may be filled with only water by using only the water filling device 21. That is, in the content filling system 10, mineral water may be produced by using only the water filling device 21. Alternatively, the bottle 100 may be filled with only the product concentrate by using only the concentrate filling device 22. That is, in the content filling system 10, a so-called concentrated product may be produced by using only the concentrate filling device 22. In addition, when only the product concentrate that does not require sterilization is filled into the bottle 100, the bottle 100 may be supplied to the conveying wheel 12 housed inside the intermediate area chamber 70g.

According to this modified example, the bottles 100 are filled with water or concentrate using only one of the water filling device 21 and concentrate filling device 22. This allows the contents filling system 10 to produce mineral water and so-called concentrated products. This allows the variety of product bottles 101 produced in the contents filling system 10 to be increased.

(Fourth Modification)
In the above-described embodiment, an example has been described in which the filling device 20 has a water filling device 21 connected to the water sterilization line 50 and a concentrate filling device 22 connected to the concentrate sterilization line 70. In this case, the filling device 20 may have a plurality of concentrate filling devices 22. Also, for example, as shown in FIG. 12A, the content filling system 10 may have a plurality (e.g., two) concentrate sterilization lines 70. And, the filling device 20 may have a plurality (e.g., two) concentrate filling devices 22 connected to each concentrate sterilization line 70.

In this case, the filling device 20 may have a first concentrate filling device 22a that fills a product concentrate that does not contain a flavor, and a second concentrate filling device 22b that fills a product concentrate that contains a flavor. In other words, of the two concentrate filling devices 22, one concentrate filling device 22 may be a filling device (first concentrate filling device 22a) that fills a product concentrate that does not contain a flavor, such as a tea-based beverage. The other concentrate filling device 22 may be a filling device (second concentrate filling device 22b) that fills a product concentrate that contains a flavor, such as a fruit-based beverage, a milk beverage, or a sports drink. The second concentrate filling device 22b may be a filling device that fills a solid.

In this way, since the filling device 20 has the first concentrate filling device 22a and the second concentrate filling device 22b, when the bottle 100 is filled with a flavorless content such as a tea-based beverage, the aroma of the previous content can be prevented from adhering to the content. In addition, if one concentrate filling device 22 is a filling device (first concentrate filling device 22a) that fills a flavorless product concentrate, the flavor will not adhere to the flow path of the product concentrate in the first concentrate filling device 22a. For example, the flavor will not adhere to sealing elements such as packings provided at the connection points of each pipe or each device. Therefore, when switching the type of content, the area to be cleaned (CIP) can be narrowed. This shortens the cleaning time. This reduces the amount of carbon dioxide emitted by the content filling system 10.

In the illustrated example, the first concentrate filling device 22a, the second concentrate filling device 22b, and the cap mounting device 16 are housed inside the second sterile chamber 70h. Also, as shown in FIG. 12B, a chamber wall 710 is provided inside the second sterile chamber 70h. This chamber wall 710 separates a first space (space) 701 in which the first concentrate filling device 22a is housed, a second space 702 in which the second concentrate filling device 22b is housed, and a third space 703 in which the cap mounting device 16 is housed. In other words, the first concentrate filling device 22a is housed in the first space 701 partitioned by the chamber wall 710. Also, the second concentrate filling device 22b is housed in the second space 702 partitioned by the chamber wall 710, and the cap mounting device 16 is housed in the third space 703 partitioned by the chamber wall 710.

The chamber wall 710 prevents the disinfectant in each space from circulating to an unintended space and stabilizes the pressure in each space. The chamber wall 710 has gaps G1 to G6 (see FIG. 12C described later) through which the bottle 100 can pass. The gaps G1 to G6 are formed to a minimum size, for example, the size of one bottle 100, so that the pressure in each space does not change. The chamber wall 710 may also be provided with shutters sh1 to sh6 (see FIG. 12C described later) that open and close the above-mentioned gaps G1 to G6. The shutters sh1 to sh6 may be configured to open and close automatically, for example, in response to a signal from the control unit 90.

In addition, by providing the chamber wall 710 inside the second sterile chamber 70h in this way, for example, the second space 702 can be cleaned (COP) and sterilized (SOP) while the first concentrate filling device 22a is operating, and the second concentrate filling device 22b can be cleaned (CIP) and sterilized (SIP). This allows the downtime to be significantly reduced and the productivity of the product bottles 101 to be improved. Here, for example, when the second concentrate filling device 22b is cleaned (CIP) and sterilized (SIP) while the first concentrate filling device 22a is operating, the shutter sh1 or the like provided on the chamber wall 710 may be closed. This may prevent the intrusion of a disinfectant or the like from the space (non-sterile space) housing the second concentrate filling device 22b to the space (sterile space) housing the first concentrate filling device 22a.

Of the transport wheels 12 housed in the second sterile chamber 70h, the first transport wheel (first wheel) 12a that delivers the bottle 100 to the first concentrate filling device 22a and the second transport wheel 12b that receives the bottle 100 from the first concentrate filling device 22a are each located outside the first space 701. Also, of the transport wheels 12 housed in the second sterile chamber 70h, the third transport wheel 12c that delivers the bottle 100 to the second concentrate filling device 22b and the fourth transport wheel 12d that receives the bottle 100 from the second concentrate filling device 22b are each located outside the second space 702.

As shown in FIG. 12C, the first transport wheel 12a includes a gripper (first gripper) 121 that transports the bottle 100. This gripper 121 is provided so as to be freely opened and closed.

Similarly, the second transport wheel 12b to the fourth transport wheel 12d each include grippers 122, 123, and 124 that transport the bottle 100. The grippers 122, 123, and 124 are each provided so as to be able to open and close freely.

The first concentrate filling device 22a also includes a wheel 221 (second wheel), which is disposed inside the first space 701. This wheel 221 includes a gripper (second gripper) 222 that transports the bottle 100. This gripper 222 is provided so as to be freely opened and closed.

Similarly, the second concentrate filling device 22b includes a wheel 223, which is disposed inside the second space 702. The wheel 223 includes a gripper 224 that transports the bottle 100. The gripper 224 is provided so as to be freely opened and closed.

Next, a case where the second space 702 (and/or the second concentrate filling device 22b) is cleaned and sterilized while the first concentrate filling device 22a housed in the first space 701 is in operation will be described with reference to FIG. 12C. That is, a case where the second space 702 and/or the second concentrate filling device 22b (hereinafter also simply referred to as the second space 702, etc.) is cleaned and sterilized while the product concentrate is being filled into the bottle 100 by the first concentrate filling device 22a will be described.

First, after the second concentrate filling device 22b has finished filling the concentrate product, for example, the operation button of the control unit 90 is operated. As a result, for example, of the gaps G1 to G6 formed in the chamber wall 710, gaps G1 and G4 are closed by the shutters sh1 and sh4, respectively.

Next, the bottle 100 is transported from the first transport wheel 12a to the first concentrate filling device 22a. At this time, the gripper 123 of the third transport wheel 12c takes the open position so as not to interfere with the gripper 121 of the first transport wheel 12a. In this embodiment, the gripper 123 takes the open position by rotating a pair of claws of the gripper 123 horizontally by 90 degrees each from the closed position. The rotation angle of each claw may be 60 degrees or more and 130 degrees or less.

In this open position, the gripper 123 does not interfere with the shutter sh1 that closes the gap G1. This allows the bottle 100 to be transported to the first concentrate filling device 22a while maintaining the inside of the first space 701 in a sterile state when cleaning and sterilizing the second space 702, etc.

When the first concentrate filling device 22a fills the bottle 100 with the concentrate product, the gripper (second gripper) 222 of the wheel 221 of the first concentrate filling device 22a receives the bottle 100 from the gripper (first gripper) 121 of the first transport wheel 12a. That is, the bottle 100 is handed over from the first transport wheel (first wheel) 12a, which is disposed outside the first space 701, to the wheel 221 (second wheel) which is disposed inside the first space 701.

Next, the first concentrate filling device 22a fills the bottle 100 with the concentrate product. At this time, the bottle 100 transported by the gripper 222 is filled with the concentrate product.

The bottle 100 filled with the contents is then transported to the capping device 16 by the second transport wheel 12b. At this time, the gripper 124 of the fourth transport wheel 12d takes the open position so as not to interfere with the gripper 122 of the second transport wheel 12b. In this embodiment, the gripper 124 takes the open position by rotating a pair of claws of the gripper 124 horizontally by 90 degrees each from the closed position. The rotation angle of each claw may be between 60 degrees and 130 degrees.

In this open position, the gripper 124 does not interfere with the shutter sh4 that closes the gap G4. This allows the bottle 100 to be transported to the capping device 16 while maintaining the insides of the first space 701 and the third space 703 in a sterile state when cleaning and sterilizing the second space 702, etc.

In this way, the product bottle 101 filled with the product concentrate by the first concentrate filling device 22a is obtained. During this time, the second space 702 etc. are cleaned and sterilized.

In this way, when the second space 702 is cleaned during operation of the first concentrate filling device 22a housed in the first space 701, the pressure in the first space 701 is preferably 10 Pa or more and 40 Pa or less, the pressure in the second space 702 is preferably -10 Pa or more and 10 Pa or less, and the pressure in the third space 703 is preferably 5 Pa or more and 30 Pa or less. This effectively prevents the air in the second space 702 and the air in the third space 703 from entering the first space 701, and the sterility in the first space 701 can be further maintained.

When the second space 702 is sterilized during operation of the first concentrate filling device 22a housed in the first space 701, the pressure in the second space 702 may be higher than the pressure in the second space 702 when the second space 702 is washed during operation of the first concentrate filling device 22a housed in the first space 701. When the second space 702 is sterilized, the pressure in the first space 701 is preferably 10 Pa or more and 40 Pa or less, the pressure in the second space 702 is preferably 0 Pa or more and 20 Pa or less, and the pressure in the third space 703 is preferably 5 Pa or more and 30 Pa or less. This effectively prevents the air in the second space 702 and the air in the third space 703 from entering the first space 701, and the sterility in the first space 701 can be well maintained.

Next, a case where the product concentrate is not filled into the bottle 100 by the first concentrate filling device 22a will be described. Here, a case where the first space 701 and/or the first concentrate filling device 22a (hereinafter also simply referred to as the first space 701, etc.) is cleaned and sterilized during operation of the second concentrate filling device 22b housed in the second space 702 will be described with reference to FIG. 12D. That is, a case where the first space 701, etc. is cleaned and sterilized while the product concentrate is filled into the bottle 100 by the second concentrate filling device 22b will be described.

First, after the filling of the product concentrate in the first concentrate filling device 22a is completed, for example, the operation button of the control unit 90 is operated. As a result, for example, of the gaps G1 to G6 formed in the chamber wall 710, gaps G5 and G6 are closed by the shutters sh5 and sh6, respectively.

Next, the bottle 100 is transported from the first transport wheel 12a to the second concentrate filling device 22b. At this time, the gripper (second gripper) 222 of the wheel 221 (second wheel) of the first concentrate filling device 22a takes the open position so as not to interfere with the gripper (first gripper) 121 of the first transport wheel 12a. In this embodiment, the gripper 222 takes the open position by rotating a pair of claws of the gripper 222 horizontally by 90 degrees each from the closed position. The rotation angle of each claw may be 60 degrees or more and 130 degrees or less.

In this open position, the gripper 222 does not interfere with the shutter sh6 that closes the gap G6. This allows the bottle 100 to be transported to the second concentrate filling device 22b while maintaining the inside of the second space 702 in a sterile state when cleaning and sterilizing the first space 701, etc.

When the second concentrate filling device 22b fills the bottle 100 with the concentrate product, the gripper 123 of the third transport wheel 12c receives the bottle 100 from the gripper 121 of the first transport wheel 12a.

When the second concentrate filling device 22b fills the bottle 100 with the concentrate product, the gripper 224 of the wheel 223 of the second concentrate filling device 22b receives the bottle 100 from the gripper 123 of the third transport wheel 12c. That is, the bottle 100 is transferred from the third transport wheel 12c, which is disposed outside the second space 702, to the wheel 223, which is disposed inside the second space 702.

Next, the second concentrate filling device 22b fills the bottles 100 with the concentrate product. At this time, the bottles 100 transported by the gripper 224 are filled with the concentrate product.

The bottle 100 filled with the contents is then transported by the fourth transport wheel 12d to the second transport wheel 12b.

The bottle 100 is then transported to the capping device 16 by the second transport wheel 12b. At this time, the gripper 222 of the wheel 221 of the first concentrate filling device 22a is in the open position so as not to interfere with the gripper 122 of the second transport wheel 12b. In addition, in this open position, the gripper 222 does not interfere with the shutter sh5 that closes the gap G5. This allows the bottle 100 to be transported to the capping device 16 while maintaining the insides of the second space 702 and the third space 703 in a sterile state when cleaning and sterilizing the first space 701 etc.

In this way, the product bottle 101 filled with the product concentrate by the second concentrate filling device 22b is obtained. During this time, the first space 701 etc. are cleaned and sterilized.

When the first space 701 is cleaned during operation of the second concentrate filling device 22b housed in the second space 702, the pressure in the first space 701 is preferably -10 Pa or more and 10 Pa or less, the pressure in the second space 702 is preferably 10 Pa or more and 40 Pa or less, and the pressure in the third space 703 is preferably 5 Pa or more and 30 Pa or less. This effectively prevents the air in the first space 701 and the air in the third space 703 from entering the second space 702, and the sterility in the second space 702 can be further maintained.

When the first space 701 is sterilized during the operation of the second concentrate filling device 22b housed in the second space 702, the pressure in the first space 701 may be higher than the pressure in the first space 701 when the first space 701 is washed during the operation of the second concentrate filling device 22b housed in the second space 702. When the first space 701 is sterilized, the pressure in the first space 701 is preferably 0 Pa or more and 20 Pa or less, the pressure in the second space 702 is preferably 10 Pa or more and 40 Pa or less, and the pressure in the third space 703 is preferably 5 Pa or more and 30 Pa or less. This effectively prevents the air in the first space 701 and the air in the third space 703 from entering the second space 702, and the sterility in the second space 702 can be well maintained.

To summarize the above, the pressure in each space may be as shown in Tables 3 and 4 below.

According to this modified example, the filling device 20 has multiple concentrate filling devices 22. This allows, for example, the second concentrate filling device 22b to be cleaned (CIP) and sterilized (SIP) while the first concentrate filling device 22a is in operation. This allows downtime to be significantly reduced and productivity of the product bottles 101 to be improved.

Furthermore, according to this modified example, the content filling system 10 is equipped with multiple concentrate sterilization lines 70. Then, multiple concentrate filling devices 22 are connected to each concentrate sterilization line 70. This makes it possible to increase the variety of product bottles 101 produced in the content filling system 10.

In addition, according to this modified example, the filling device 20 has a first concentrate filling device 22a that fills a product concentrate that does not contain a flavor, and a second concentrate filling device 22b that fills a product concentrate that contains a flavor. This makes it possible to suppress the adhesion of the scent of the previous contents when the contents that do not contain flavor are filled into the bottle 100. In addition, since the first concentrate filling device 22a fills the product concentrate that does not contain a flavor, the flavor does not adhere to the flow path of the product concentrate in the first concentrate filling device 22a. Therefore, when switching the type of contents, the area to be cleaned (CIP) can be narrowed. This allows the cleaning time to be shortened. Therefore, the amount of carbon dioxide discharged by the content filling system 10 can be reduced. In addition, at this time, since the first concentrate filling device 22a and the second concentrate filling device 22b are each connected to a different concentrate sterilization line 70, for example, cleaning (so-called deodorization CIP) for removing flavors is not required in the concentrate sterilization line 70 to which the first concentrate filling device 22a is connected. Here, deodorizing CIP requires more time and energy than regular CIP. Therefore, when deodorizing CIP is not performed, downtime can be reduced and energy can be saved compared to when deodorizing CIP is performed.

In addition, according to this modified example, when the first concentrate filling device 22a fills the bottle 100 with the product concentrate, the gripper (second gripper) 222 of the wheel 221 of the first concentrate filling device 22a receives the bottle 100 from the gripper (first gripper) 121 of the first transport wheel 12a. When the first concentrate filling device 22a does not fill the bottle 100 with the product concentrate, the gripper (second gripper) 222 of the wheel 221 (second wheel) of the first concentrate filling device 22a takes an open position so as not to interfere with the gripper (first gripper) 121 of the first transport wheel 12a. This allows the bottle 100 to be transported to the first concentrate filling device 22a when the second space 702, etc. are cleaned and sterilized.

Furthermore, according to this modified example, when the bottle 100 is not filled with the product concentrate by the first concentrate filling device 22a, the gaps G5 and G6 are closed by the shutters sh5 and sh6. Then, the gripper (second gripper) 222 of the wheel 221 of the first concentrate filling device 22a takes the open position so as not to interfere with the shutters sh5 and sh6 that close the gaps G5 and G6. This allows the bottle 100 to be transported to the first concentrate filling device 22a while maintaining the insides of the second space 702 and the third space 703 in a sterile state when cleaning and sterilizing the second space 702, etc.

Note that, although an example has been described in which the pair of claws of the gripper 222 etc. rotates horizontally from the closed position to cause the gripper 222 etc. to assume the open position, this is not limiting. The gripper 222 etc. may assume the open position by any configuration. For example, the gripper 222 etc. may assume the open position by bending the pair of claws upward or downward. In addition, the gripper 222 etc. may be configured to be freely openable and closable by configuring the pair of claws to be freely expandable and contractible.

(Another Example of the Fourth Modification)
Next, another example of the fourth modified example will be described.

<First Example>
In the first example shown in Fig. 12E, the content filling system further includes a fifth sterile chamber 70j, a sixth sterile chamber 70k, and a seventh sterile chamber 70m. The fifth sterile chamber 70j is provided upstream of the first sterile chamber 70f. The sixth sterile chamber 70k is provided downstream of the second sterile chamber 70h. The seventh sterile chamber 70m is provided downstream of the sixth sterile chamber 70k. That is, in the illustrated example, the fifth sterile chamber 70j, the first sterile chamber 70f, the second sterile chamber 70h, the sixth sterile chamber 70k, the seventh sterile chamber 70m, and the outlet chamber 70i are arranged in this order from the upstream side to the downstream side along the conveying direction of the bottle 100 (see Fig. 12A, etc.). The fifth sterile chamber 70j, the first sterile chamber 70f, the second sterile chamber 70h, the sixth sterile chamber 70k and the seventh sterile chamber 70m are arranged in a line on the outer periphery of a circular conveyor 110 which rotates and conveys the bottles 100.

Of these, the fifth sterile chamber 70j may house a transport wheel 12 for transporting the air-rinsed bottles 100. The sixth sterile chamber 70k houses a second concentrate filling device 22b. The seventh sterile chamber 70m houses a capping device 16. That is, in the example shown in FIG. 12E, the second concentrate filling device 22b and the capping device 16 are housed in a sterile chamber (the sixth sterile chamber 70k or the seventh sterile chamber 70m) different from the second sterile chamber 70h housing the first concentrate filling device 22a.

In FIG. 12E, the bottle 100, which has been sterilized in advance upstream, is transported to the first sterile chamber 70f via the transport wheel 12 and the circular transport body 110 arranged in the fifth sterile chamber 70j. The bottle 100 is then transported to the water filling device 21 via the transport wheel 12 arranged in the first sterile chamber 70f.

Next, in the water filling device 21, the empty bottles 100 are filled with water that has been sterilized by the water sterilization line 50. In this water filling device 21, the water is filled into the insides of the bottles 100 while the multiple bottles 100 are rotated and transported.

The bottle 100 in the first sterile chamber 70f is then transported to the first concentrate filling device 22a via the transport wheel 12 arranged in the first sterile chamber 70f, the circular transport body 110, and the transport wheel 12 arranged in the second sterile chamber 70h.

Next, in the first concentrate filling device 22a, the product concentrate sterilized by the concentrate sterilization line 70 is filled into the bottles 100 that have been filled with water in advance by the water filling device 21. In this first concentrate filling device 22a, the product concentrate is filled into the bottles 100 while the multiple bottles 100 are rotated and transported.

The bottle 100 in the second sterile chamber 70h is then transported to the second concentrate filling device 22b via the transport wheel 12 arranged in the second sterile chamber 70h, the circular transport body 110, and the transport wheel 12 arranged in the sixth sterile chamber 70k.

Next, in the second concentrate filling device 22b, the other product concentrate sterilized by the concentrate sterilization line 70 is filled into the bottles 100 that are filled with water and the product concentrate in advance. In this second concentrate filling device 22b, the bottles 100 are filled with the other product concentrate while the multiple bottles 100 are rotated and transported.

The bottle 100 in the sixth sterile chamber 70k is then transported to the capping device 16 via the transport wheel 12 arranged in the sixth sterile chamber 70k, the circular transport body 110, and the transport wheel 12 arranged in the seventh sterile chamber 70m.

Next, in the capping device 16, the bottles 100 filled with water and undiluted product are closed with caps 88 (see FIG. 12A, etc.). In this way, the bottles 100 are sealed to prevent outside air and/or microorganisms from entering the bottles 100. In this capping device 16, the caps 88 are attached to the mouths of the bottles 100 while multiple bottles 100 filled with water and undiluted product are rotated and transported. In this way, product bottles 101 (see FIG. 12A, etc.) are obtained.

<Second Example>
Next, a second example will be described with reference to FIG. 12F. In the second example shown in FIG. 12F, the content filling system further includes a sixth sterile chamber 70k, a seventh sterile chamber 70m, and an eighth sterile chamber 70n. The sixth sterile chamber 70k is provided downstream of the first sterile chamber 70f. The seventh sterile chamber 70m is provided downstream of the second sterile chamber 70h and the sixth sterile chamber 70k. The eighth sterile chamber 70n is provided between the second sterile chamber 70h and the sixth sterile chamber 70k. Here, in FIG. 12F, the second sterile chamber 70h and the sixth sterile chamber 70k are arranged in parallel downstream of the first sterile chamber 70f along the conveying direction of the bottle 100 (see FIG. 12A, etc.). That is, in the illustrated example, the first sterile chamber 70f, the second sterile chamber 70h or the sixth sterile chamber 70k, the seventh sterile chamber 70m and the outlet chamber 70i are arranged in this order from the upstream side to the downstream side along the transport direction of the bottle 100 (see Figure 12A, etc.).

The sixth sterile chamber 70k contains a second concentrate filling device 22b. The seventh sterile chamber 70m contains a capping device 16. The eighth sterile chamber 70n may contain a transport wheel 12 for transporting the bottles 100 filled with water by the water filling device 21.

In FIG. 12F, the bottles 100, which have been sterilized upstream, are transported to the water filling device 21 via the transport wheel 12 arranged in the first sterile chamber 70f.

Next, in the water filling device 21, the empty bottles 100 are filled with water that has been sterilized by the water sterilization line 50. In this water filling device 21, the water is filled into the insides of the bottles 100 while the multiple bottles 100 are rotated and transported.

The bottle 100 in the first sterile chamber 70f is then transported to the first concentrate filling device 22a, for example, via a transport wheel 12 arranged in the first sterile chamber 70f, a transport wheel 12 arranged in the eighth sterile chamber 70n, and a transport wheel 12 arranged in the second sterile chamber 70h.

Next, in the first concentrate filling device 22a, the product concentrate sterilized by the concentrate sterilization line 70 is filled into the bottles 100 that have been filled with water in advance by the water filling device 21. In this first concentrate filling device 22a, the product concentrate is filled into the bottles 100 while the multiple bottles 100 are rotated and transported.

The bottle 100 in the second sterile chamber 70h is then transported to the capping device 16 via the transport wheel 12 arranged in the second sterile chamber 70h, the transport wheel 12 arranged in the eighth sterile chamber 70n, and the transport wheel 12 arranged in the seventh sterile chamber 70m.

Next, in the capping device 16, the bottle 100 filled with water and the product concentrate is closed with the cap 88 (see FIG. 12A, etc.). In this way, the product bottle 101 (see FIG. 12A, etc.) is obtained.

Here, the bottle 100 in the first sterile chamber 70f may be transported to the second concentrate filling device 22b without being transported to the first concentrate filling device 22a. For example, the bottle 100 in the first sterile chamber 70f may be transported to the second concentrate filling device 22b via the transport wheel 12 arranged in the first sterile chamber 70f, the transport wheel 12 arranged in the eighth sterile chamber 70n, and the transport wheel 12 arranged in the sixth sterile chamber 70k. In this case, the bottle 100 in the first sterile chamber 70f is not transported to the first concentrate filling device 22a arranged in the second sterile chamber 70h.

When the bottles 100 are transported to the second concentrate filling device 22b, the second concentrate filling device 22b fills the bottles 100, which have already been filled with water, with other product concentrates that have been sterilized by the concentrate sterilization line 70. In this second concentrate filling device 22b, the bottles 100 are filled with other product concentrates while the multiple bottles 100 are rotated and transported.

The bottle 100 in the sixth sterile chamber 70k is then transported to the capping device 16 via the transport wheel 12 arranged in the sixth sterile chamber 70k and the transport wheel 12 arranged in the seventh sterile chamber 70m.

Thus, in the second example shown in FIG. 12F, when the second concentrate filling device 22b fills the bottle 100 with the concentrate product, the bottle 100 passes through each of the sterile chambers in the order of the first sterile chamber 70f, the eighth sterile chamber 70n, the sixth sterile chamber 70k, and the seventh sterile chamber 70m.

In the example shown in FIG. 12F, when mineral water is produced in the content filling system 10, the bottle 100 filled with water by the water filling device 21 in the first sterile chamber 70f may be directly transported to the capping device 16 arranged in the seventh sterile chamber 70m. That is, the bottle 100 filled with water may be directly transported to the capping device 16 only via the conveying wheel 12 arranged in the eighth sterile chamber 70n without being transported to the first concentrate filling device 22a or the second concentrate filling device 22b. In this case, the cap 88 is attached to the mouth of the bottle 100 filled with only water, thereby obtaining the product bottle 101. In this case, as described using FIG. 12C and FIG. 12D, it is preferable that the gripper of the conveying wheel 12 adjacent to the first concentrate filling device 22a or the second concentrate filling device 22b is in the open position. This can suppress interference between the grippers.

<Third Example>
Next, a third example will be described with reference to Fig. 12G. In the third example shown in Fig. 12G, unlike the second example shown in Fig. 12F, when the second concentrate filling device 22b fills the bottle 100 with the product concentrate, the bottle 100 passes through each sterile chamber in the order of the first sterile chamber 70f, the sixth sterile chamber 70k, the eighth sterile chamber 70n, and the seventh sterile chamber 70m. The other configurations of the content filling system 10 according to the third example are the same as those of the second example shown in Fig. 12F, and therefore will not be described in detail here.

<Fourth Example>
Next, a fourth example will be described with reference to Fig. 12H. In the fourth example shown in Fig. 12H, the content filling system further includes a sixth sterile chamber 70k, a seventh sterile chamber 70m, and a ninth sterile chamber 70p. The sixth sterile chamber 70k is provided downstream of the first sterile chamber 70f and the second sterile chamber 70h. The seventh sterile chamber 70m is provided downstream of the sixth sterile chamber 70k. The ninth sterile chamber 70p is provided between the first sterile chamber 70f, the second sterile chamber 70h, and the sixth sterile chamber 70k and the seventh sterile chamber 70m.

The sixth sterile chamber 70k contains a second stock solution filling device 22b. The seventh sterile chamber 70m contains a capping device 16. The ninth sterile chamber 70p may contain a transport wheel 12.

In FIG. 12H, the bottles 100 that have been sterilized in advance upstream are transported to the water filling device 21 via the transport wheel 12 arranged in the ninth sterile chamber 70p and the transport wheel 12 arranged in the first sterile chamber 70f.

Next, in the water filling device 21, the empty bottles 100 are filled with water that has been sterilized by the water sterilization line 50. In this water filling device 21, the water is filled into the insides of the bottles 100 while the multiple bottles 100 are rotated and transported.

The bottle 100 in the first sterile chamber 70f is then transported to the first concentrate filling device 22a via the transport wheel 12 arranged in the first sterile chamber 70f, the transport wheel 12 arranged in the ninth sterile chamber 70p, and the transport wheel 12 arranged in the second sterile chamber 70h.

Next, in the first concentrate filling device 22a, the product concentrate sterilized by the concentrate sterilization line 70 is filled into the bottles 100 that have been filled with water in advance by the water filling device 21. In this first concentrate filling device 22a, the product concentrate is filled into the bottles 100 while the multiple bottles 100 are rotated and transported.

The bottle 100 in the second sterile chamber 70h is then transported to the second concentrate filling device 22b via the transport wheel 12 arranged in the second sterile chamber 70h, the transport wheel 12 arranged in the ninth sterile chamber 70p, and the transport wheel 12 arranged in the sixth sterile chamber 70k.

Next, in the second concentrate filling device 22b, the other product concentrate sterilized by the concentrate sterilization line 70 is filled into the bottles 100 that have already been filled with water. In this second concentrate filling device 22b, the bottles 100 are rotated and transported while the other product concentrate is filled into the bottles 100.

The bottle 100 in the sixth sterile chamber 70k is then transported to the capping device 16 via the transport wheel 12 arranged in the sixth sterile chamber 70k, the transport wheel 12 arranged in the ninth sterile chamber 70p, and the transport wheel 12 arranged in the seventh sterile chamber 70m.

Thus, in the fourth example shown in FIG. 12H, when the product concentrate is filled into the bottle 100 by the first concentrate filling device 22a and the second concentrate filling device 22b, the bottle 100 passes through each sterile chamber in the order of the first sterile chamber 70f, the ninth sterile chamber 70p, the second sterile chamber 70h, the ninth sterile chamber 70p, the sixth sterile chamber 70k, the ninth sterile chamber 70p, and the seventh sterile chamber 70m.

<Fifth Example>
Next, a fifth example will be described with reference to Fig. 12I. In the fifth example shown in Fig. 12I, the content filling system further includes a sixth sterile chamber 70k, a seventh sterile chamber 70m, and a tenth sterile chamber 70q. The sixth sterile chamber 70k is provided downstream of the first sterile chamber 70f and the second sterile chamber 70h. The seventh sterile chamber 70m is provided downstream of the sixth sterile chamber 70k. The tenth sterile chamber 70q is provided between the second sterile chamber 70h and the sixth sterile chamber 70k.

The sixth sterile chamber 70k contains a second stock solution filling device 22b. The seventh sterile chamber 70m contains a capping device 16. The ninth sterile chamber 70p may contain a transport wheel 12.

In the fifth example shown in FIG. 12I, the first concentrate filling device 22a and the second concentrate filling device 22b are filling devices used when the amount of concentrate product to be filled is small. In this case, the first concentrate filling device 22a and the second concentrate filling device 22b each include a fixed amount type filling nozzle 22e and a filling nozzle 22f that are fixed onto the mouth of the bottle 100. Note that the first concentrate filling device 22a and the second concentrate filling device 22b may each include multiple filling nozzles 22e and 22f.

When the bottle 100 reaches the filling nozzles 22e, 22f, the bottle 100 is detected by near-infrared light. As a result, the product concentrate is intermittently filled into each bottle 100 from the filling nozzles 22e, 22f only while the mouth of the bottle 100 passes under the filling nozzles 22e, 22f. Note that the filling nozzles 22e, 22f do not have to be the type that fills the product concentrate intermittently, and may be the type that fills the product concentrate continuously.

In FIG. 12I, the bottles 100 that have been sterilized in advance upstream are transported to the water filling device 21 via the transport wheel 12 arranged in the first sterile chamber 70f.

Next, in the water filling device 21, the empty bottles 100 are filled with water that has been sterilized by the water sterilization line 50. In this water filling device 21, the water is filled into the insides of the bottles 100 while the multiple bottles 100 are rotated and transported.

The bottle 100 in the first sterile chamber 70f is then transported to the first concentrate filling device 22a via the transport wheel 12 arranged in the first sterile chamber 70f.

Next, in the first concentrate filling device 22a, the product concentrate sterilized by the concentrate sterilization line 70 is filled into the bottle 100 that has been filled with water in advance by the water filling device 21. In this first concentrate filling device 22a, the product concentrate is intermittently filled into the bottle 100.

The bottle 100 in the second sterile chamber 70h is then transported to the second concentrate filling device 22b via the transport wheel 12 arranged in the tenth sterile chamber 70q.

Next, in the second concentrate filling device 22b, the other product concentrate sterilized by the concentrate sterilization line 70 is filled into the bottle 100 that is filled with water in advance. In this second concentrate filling device 22b, the bottle 100 is intermittently filled with the other product concentrate.

The bottle 100 in the sixth sterile chamber 70k is then transported to the capping device 16 via the transport wheel 12 located in the seventh sterile chamber 70m.

(Fifth Modification)
In the above-described embodiment, the filling device 20 includes the water filling device 21 connected to the water sterilization line 50 and the concentrate filling device 22 connected to the concentrate sterilization line 70. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, as shown in FIG. 13, the content filling system 10 may include a single filling device 20.

In this case, the content filling system 10 may have a preform sterilization chamber 70a, a molding chamber 70b, an atmosphere blocking chamber 70c, a sterilant spray chamber 70d, an air rinse chamber 70e, a first sterile chamber 70f, and an exit chamber 70i. That is, the content filling system 10 does not have to have the intermediate area chamber 70g and the second sterile chamber 70h. Also, the filling device 20 and the capping device 16 may be housed inside the first sterile chamber 70f.

In this modified example, a mixing tank 57 for mixing water and the product concentrate may be interposed between the water sterilization line 50 and the concentrate sterilization line 70 and the filling device 20. This allows the contents to be mixed by diluting the product concentrate with water before filling. In this case, the mixing tank 57 may be a so-called filling machine tank, and may be installed vertically above the filling device 20 to improve the filling accuracy of the filling device 20. Furthermore, the mixing tank 57 may serve as a so-called cushion tank that ensures a smooth flow of the contents even if the amount of contents used downstream of the mixing tank 57 changes.

Such a mixing tank 57 may be provided with a concentration meter for measuring the concentration of the compounded contents. In addition, in order to ensure the concentration of the contents compounded in the mixing tank 57, at least one tank such as a filling tank may be provided downstream of the mixing tank 57 in which the concentration meter is provided. The volume of the mixing tank 57 may be 0.1 ^m3 or more and ³⁰ m3 or less, and may be ^0.3 m3, for example. In this modification, the above-mentioned addition unit 75 may be connected downstream of the mixing tank 57.

In this modified example, when cleaning (COP) and sterilizing (SOP) the inside of the first sterile chamber 70f, for example, the downstream side of the connection point CP3 of the water sterilization line 50 that connects the water sterilization line 50 and the concentrate sterilization line 70 may be cleaned (CIP) and sterilized (SIP) while the upstream side of the connection point CP3 of the water sterilization line 50 is maintained in a sterile state. Similarly, when cleaning (CIP) and sterilizing (SIP) the filling device 20 housed inside the first sterile chamber 70f, for example, the downstream side of the connection point CP3 may be cleaned (CIP) and sterilized (SIP) while the upstream side of the connection point CP3 is maintained in a sterile state. In this case, too, the area to be cleaned and sterilized can be narrowed. Therefore, the amount of steam used can be reduced. In addition, since the area to be cleaned and sterilized can be narrowed, the cleaning time and sterilization time can be shortened. Therefore, the amount of carbon dioxide discharged by the content filling system 10 can be reduced.

In addition, in this modified example, the amount of carbon dioxide emitted when preparing the contents can be reduced compared to diluting the product concentrate with sterile water prepared using a sterilizer that heats and sterilizes water. This reduces the amount of carbon dioxide emitted by the content filling system 10.

As shown in FIG. 14, a mixing tank 57 for mixing water and the product concentrate does not have to be interposed between the water sterilization line 50 and the concentrate sterilization line 70 and the filling device 20. In this case, the filling device 20 may include multiple filling nozzles 20a (see FIG. 15) for filling water and the product concentrate, and the water sterilization line 50 and the concentrate sterilization line 70 may be connected to each filling nozzle 20a. Water and the product concentrate may be filled using a single filling nozzle 20a.

Specifically, as shown in FIG. 15, the filling nozzle 20a may include a nozzle body 20b. A water sterilization line 50 and a stock solution sterilization line 70 may be connected to the nozzle body 20b. The water sterilization line 50 and the stock solution sterilization line 70 may each be provided with a flowmeter F for measuring the flow rate of the water or the stock solution, and a valve V2. The actual weight of the filled water or stock solution may be detected by a load cell to measure the amount of water or stock solution. In this case, the order in which the water and stock solution are filled into the bottle 100 may be changed as appropriate, taking into consideration the foaming in the bottle 100, the ease of mixing of the water and the stock solution, etc. For example, the stock solution may be filled after the water is filled, or the stock solution may be filled after the stock solution is filled. When the stock solution is filled with water and then the water is filled, the risk of dirt due to the contents adhering to the tip of the filling nozzle 20a can be reduced. Alternatively, the tank may be filled with water, followed by the product concentrate, and then with more water. Alternatively, the tank may be filled with water and the product concentrate at the same time.

In the example shown in FIG. 14, when cleaning (COP) and sterilizing (SOP) the inside of the first sterile chamber 70f, for example, the downstream side of the third water tank 54 may be cleaned (CIP) and sterilized (SIP) in the water sterilization line 50 while maintaining the sterile state up to the third water tank 54. Similarly, when cleaning (CIP) and sterilizing (SIP) the filling device 20 housed inside the first sterile chamber 70f, for example, the downstream side of the third water tank 54 may be cleaned (CIP) and sterilized (SIP) in the water sterilization line 50 while maintaining the sterile state up to the third water tank 54. In this case, too, the area to be cleaned and sterilized can be narrowed. Therefore, the amount of steam used can be reduced. In addition, since the area to be cleaned and sterilized can be narrowed, the cleaning time and sterilization time can be shortened. Therefore, the amount of carbon dioxide discharged by the content filling system 10 can be reduced.

Even in this modified example, the amount of carbon dioxide emitted when preparing the contents can be reduced compared to diluting the product concentrate with sterile water produced using a sterilizer that heats and sterilizes water. This reduces the amount of carbon dioxide emitted by the content filling system 10.

(Sixth Modification)
In the above-described embodiment, an example has been described in which the third water tank 54 is provided downstream of the second water tank 52. In this case, as shown in Fig. 16A, a carbonation device 58 that adds carbon dioxide to water may be connected upstream of the third water tank 54.

Here, the water filling device 21 includes a plurality of water filling nozzles 21a (see FIG. 16B) for filling water. In this modified example, the water filling nozzles 21a of the water filling device 21 fill carbonated water. As shown in FIG. 16B, a water sterilization line 50 and a counter gas line 58a are connected to each water filling nozzle 21a. Specifically, the water filling nozzle 21a includes a nozzle body 21b. The water sterilization line 50 and the counter gas line 58a are connected to the nozzle body 21b. One end of the water sterilization line 50 is connected to a third water tank 54 filled with sterile carbonated water, and the other end is connected to the inside of the bottle 100. The sterile carbonated water supplied from the third water tank 54 passes through the water sterilization line 50 and is injected into the inside of the bottle 100.

The counter gas line 58a is a line that supplies the sterile carbon dioxide gas filled in the third water tank 54 toward the water filling nozzle 21a. One end of the counter gas line 58a is connected to the third water tank 54, and the other end is connected to the inside of the bottle 100. The counter pressure gas consisting of the sterile carbon dioxide gas supplied from the third water tank 54 passes through the counter gas line 58a and is filled into the inside of the bottle 100.

In addition, each water filling nozzle 21a is connected to a snift line 58b for discharging gas from inside the bottle 100. One end of the snift line 58b is connected to a counter gas line 58a. The snift line 58b is configured so that the gas from inside the bottle 100 is discharged from the other end of the snift line 58b into the first sterile chamber 70f.

Furthermore, a packing P (sealing member) is provided at the tip of each water filling nozzle 21a, which is in close contact with the bottle 100 to prevent gas leakage from inside the bottle 100. When filling the bottle 100 with carbonated beverage, the water filling device 21 fills the bottle 100 with carbonated beverage while the packing P is in close contact with the mouth of the bottle 100 (close filling). This is configured to prevent the counterpressure sterile carbon dioxide gas from leaking out from inside the bottle 100. Therefore, the internal pressure of the bottle 100 can be made higher than atmospheric pressure so that the internal pressure of the bottle 100 is the same as the internal pressure of the third water tank 54. Although not shown, the water sterilization line 50, etc. may be provided with a flow meter and a valve, etc. for measuring the flow rate of water, etc.

According to this modification, a carbonation device 58 that adds carbon dioxide to water is connected upstream of the third water tank 54. This allows the content filling system 10 to fill the bottles 100 with carbonated beverages. In addition, by connecting the carbonation device 58 to the water sterilization line 50 in this way, when filling carbonated water as the content, it is possible to prevent the flavor of the previous content from adhering to the carbonated water. Note that only when filling the bottles 100 with carbonated beverages, water from the second water tank 52 may be supplied to the carbonation device 58, and after cooling, carbon dioxide gas may be aseptically added using a sterile carbonator, and the carbonated water may be supplied to the third water tank 54. In addition, when producing carbonated water as the content, the concentrate filling device 22 may or may not be used.

Even if the water filling device 21 includes a water filling nozzle 21a capable of filling carbonated water, the water filling device 21 may fill water to which no carbon dioxide gas has been added. In this case, mineral water may be produced by using only the water filling device 21 in the content filling system 10. Even in this case, the water filling device 21 may fill water with the packing P in close contact with the mouth of the bottle 100. This makes it possible to minimize the overflow of water from inside the bottle 100. In this case, the water filling device 21 may pressurize and fill the water. This makes it possible to fill the water in a short time. Here, when the pressure resistance of the bottle 100 is low, it is preferable that the water filling device 21 pressurize and fill the water in a state in which the gas inside the bottle 100 can be discharged through the sniff line 58b. For example, it is preferable that the water filling device 21 pressurize and fill the water with the sniff line 58b open after the packing P is in close contact with the mouth of the bottle 100. This makes it possible to prevent deformation and/or damage to the bottle 100 due to pressure, even when the bottle is filled with water under pressure. This allows the bottle 100 to be filled with water in a short time, while preventing deformation and/or damage to the bottle 100.

When the concentrate filling device 22 is used together with the water filling device 21, the liquid level of the water filled by the water filling device 21 is lower than when only the water filling device 21 is used. Therefore, there is less risk of the filled water spilling over. For this reason, the water filling speed may be 100 mL/sec or more, and preferably 200 mL/sec or more. This makes it possible to further reduce the number of water filling nozzles 21a. In this case, water can be filled into the bottle 100 with the internal pressure of the third water tank 54 being higher than the internal pressure of the third concentrate tank 74. During tight filling, the internal pressure of the third concentrate tank 74 may be 0.02 MPa or more and 0.1 MPa or less, and the internal pressure of the third water tank 54 may be 0.03 MPa or more and 0.9 MPa or less.

The water filling device 21 may also fill the bottle 100 with water without sealing the packing P against the mouth of the bottle 100, with a gap formed between the water filling nozzle 21a (packing P) and the bottle 100 (top-of-mouth filling). Even in this case, water may be filled into the bottle 100 with the internal pressure of the third water tank 54 being higher than the internal pressure of the third concentrate tank 74. Specifically, during top-of-mouth filling, the internal pressure of the third concentrate tank 74 may be 0.02 MPa or more and 0.1 MPa or less, and the internal pressure of the third water tank 54 may be 0.03 MPa or more and 0.07 MPa or less.

Furthermore, when the concentrate filling device 22 is used together with the water filling device 21, as described above, the water filling device 21 may fill the empty bottle 100 with water. In this case, since foaming in the bottle 100 can be suppressed, there is little risk that a part of the filled liquid will splash out from the mouth of the bottle 100 to the outside. Here, the concentrate filling device 22 includes a plurality of concentrate filling nozzles 22c (see FIG. 16C) that fill the product concentrate. As shown in FIG. 16C, a concentrate sterilization line 70 is connected to each concentrate filling nozzle 22c. Specifically, the concentrate filling nozzle 22c includes a nozzle main body 22d. The concentrate sterilization line 70 is connected to the nozzle main body 22d. Although not shown, the concentrate sterilization line 70 may be provided with a flow meter and a valve for measuring the flow rate of the product concentrate.

As described above, when the water filling device 21 fills the empty bottle 100 with water, foaming in the bottle 100 can be suppressed, so there is little risk that part of the filled liquid will splash out from the mouth of the bottle 100 to the outside. For this reason, the diameter of the water filling nozzle 21a of the water filling device 21 may be larger than the diameter of the concentrate filling nozzle 22c of the concentrate filling device 22. This can shorten the filling time for filling water. For example, the diameter of the water filling nozzle 21a of the water filling device 21 may be 1.2 times or more and 1.5 times or less than the diameter of the concentrate filling nozzle 22c of the concentrate filling device 22. By having the diameter of the water filling nozzle 21a be 1.2 times or more than the diameter of the concentrate filling nozzle 22c, the filling time for filling water can be further shortened. In addition, by having the diameter of the water filling nozzle 21a be 1.5 times or less than the diameter of the concentrate filling nozzle 22c, the risk that part of the filled liquid will splash out from the mouth of the bottle 100 to the outside can be further reduced. In addition, in order to reduce the number of water filling nozzles 21a in the water filling device 21 and make the water filling device 21 compact, the filling method (close filling, top filling), filling pressure, and/or the diameter of the water filling nozzle 21a may be changed as appropriate.

(Seventh Modification)
In the above-mentioned embodiment, an example (see FIG. 2C, etc.) has been described in which the circulation system (second circulation system) 95A is composed of the front-stage sterilizer 62A, the third bypass line 95a, the first sterilizer 62, the second sterilizer 64, and the circulation line 95. In this case, the bacteria trapped in the foreign matter removal filter 61 may be periodically sterilized by circulating water in the circulation system 95A with the first ultraviolet lamp 67a, etc., turned on. The sterilization of the bacteria trapped in the foreign matter removal filter 61 may be performed, for example, while the production of the product bottle 101 is stopped. In this case, for example, as shown in FIG. 17A, one end of the circulation line 95 may be connected between the second sterilizer 64 and the first sterile filter 63, and the other end of the circulation line 95 may be connected to the first water tank 51. In addition, 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. The bacteria trapped in the foreign matter removal filter 61 may be actively pushed out to the downstream side of the foreign matter removal filter 61 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 removal filter 61. Specifically, when bacteria are sterilized by circulating water in the circulation system 95A, the pressure on the upstream side of the foreign matter removal filter 61 may be made 0.05 MPa or more higher than the pressure at the time of manufacturing the product bottle 101, and may be made 0.1 MPa or more higher. Furthermore, if there is no problem with the structure of the foreign matter removal filter 61, the bacteria trapped in the foreign matter removal filter 61 may be circulated in the circulation system 95A by making the water flow backward as shown in FIG. 17B. In these cases, the pressure difference between the pressure on the upstream side and the pressure on the downstream side of the foreign matter removal filter 61 is set so that both the positive pressure and the reverse pressure of the foreign matter removal filter 61 do not exceed the maximum allowable pressure. In this way, by periodically sterilizing the bacteria captured in the foreign matter removal filter 61, the sterility of the water sterilized by the water sterilization line 50 can be guaranteed even if the water is sterilized continuously for a long period of time by the water sterilization line 50.

(Eighth Modification)
In the above-mentioned embodiment, an example in which the water sterilization line 50 has the first water tank 51, the water sterilizer 60, and the second water tank 52 has been described. In this case, as shown in FIG. 17C, the water sterilization line 50 may have a plurality of (for example, two) water sterilizers 60. As a result, even if one water sterilizer 60 stops or the amount of ultraviolet light irradiation in one water sterilizer 60 decreases, the other water sterilizer 60 can ensure the sterility of the water. In addition, when one water sterilizer 60 is being cleaned (CIP) or sterilized (SIP), the other water sterilizer 60 can be used to sterilize the water. Therefore, the product bottles 101 can be manufactured continuously. In addition, for example, when one water sterilizer 60 is being cleaned (CIP) or sterilized (SIP) while the other water sterilizer 60 is being used to clean the second sterile chamber 70h, etc., it is possible to prevent a shortage of water supplied to the second sterile chamber 70h, etc. In addition, for example, when the first sterile filter 63 of one water sterilizer 60 is sterilized (SIP) or integrity tested while the other water sterilizer 60 is used to clean the inside of the second sterile chamber 70h, etc., it is possible to prevent a shortage of water supplied to the second sterile chamber 70h, etc. In the example shown in FIG. 17C, the configuration of the water sterilizer 60 is the same as the configuration of the water sterilizer 60 shown in FIG. 2A, but this is not limited to this. Although not shown, for example, the water sterilizer 60 may be the water sterilizer 60 shown in FIGS. 2B to 2M. In addition, when the water sterilization line 50 has a plurality of water sterilizers 60, the water sterilizers 60 of the water sterilization line 50 may be different from each other. As an example, the water sterilization line 50 may have the water sterilizer 60 shown in FIG. 2A and the water sterilizer 60 shown in FIG. 2C.

(Ninth Modification)
In the above-mentioned embodiment, the water sterilizer 60 includes the foreign matter removal filter 61, the first sterilizer 62, the first sterile filter 63, the second sterilizer 64, and the second sterile filter 65. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, if the pure water produced by the pure water production apparatus 50a has a high hygiene level and mold is not detected in the first water tank 51, the water sterilizer 60 does not need to include the foreign matter removal filter 61. If the number of bacteria in the first water tank 51 is large, the water sterilizer 60 may further include a third sterilizer (not shown) provided upstream of the foreign matter removal filter 61. In this case, the configuration of the third sterilizer may be substantially the same as that of the first sterilizer 62 shown in FIG. 3 to FIG. 6B. That is, the third sterilizer may be a sterilizer that sterilizes water by ultraviolet light.

(Tenth Modification)
In the above-mentioned embodiment, an example was described in which 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. In this case, as shown in FIG. 18A, the UHT 80 may have a plurality (e.g., two) of second-stage heating sections 82, a plurality (e.g., two) of holding tubes 83, and a plurality (e.g., two) of first-stage cooling sections 84. As a result, even if one of the second-stage heating sections 82, the holding tube 83, or the first-stage cooling section 84 is burnt, the product stock solution can be sterilized using the other holding tube 83. That is, when one of the holding tubes 83 is being cleaned (CIP), sterilized (SIP), or cleaned and sterilized (CSIP), the product stock solution can be sterilized using the other holding tube 83. For this reason, the production of the product bottles 101 can be performed continuously.

(Eleventh Modification)
In the above-mentioned embodiment, the product stock solution sterilizer 80 is described as an example of UHT, but is not limited thereto. For example, the product stock solution sterilizer 80 may be an ohmic (Joule type) heating sterilizer that directly applies electricity to the product stock solution to generate heat by itself. The product stock solution sterilizer 80 may also be a sterilizer that sterilizes the product stock solution using microwaves (915 MHz, 2450 MHz). In this case, the microwaves may be irradiated from the outside of the pipe through which the product stock solution or solid matter passes. This can increase the temperature of the product stock solution or solid matter, and sterilize the product stock solution or solid matter. Even in these cases, the amount of carbon dioxide emitted by the content filling system 10 can be reduced.

(Twelfth Modification)
In the above-described embodiment, the filling device 20 (water filling device 21 and concentrate filling device 22) is a so-called rotary filler, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the filling device 20 may be a so-called linear type aseptic filling machine that fills water or the like into a container (such as a cup or a paper container) transported by a conveyer. In this case, for example, the container may be filled with sterile water first, and then with the product concentrate. Furthermore, a concentrate filling device 22 that fills the product concentrate or solid matter containing a flavor may be provided downstream of the concentrate filling device 22 that fills the product concentrate. The order in which the sterile water and the product concentrate are filled is not limited to this. For example, the product concentrate may be filled first, and then the sterile water may be filled. As described with reference to FIG. 15, the sterile water and the product concentrate may be filled by one filling nozzle 20a.

Here, when the filling device 20 is a so-called linear type aseptic filling machine, as shown in FIG. 18B, the content filling system 10 may include a container forming section 150 that forms a container 140 (paper container, carton) from the packaging material 130 (sleeve). This container forming section 150 may be disposed in the eleventh aseptic chamber 70r. A conveyor 125 for transporting the container 140 may be provided in this eleventh aseptic chamber 70r. The content filling system 10 may also include a sterilant spray nozzle 11A, an air rinse nozzle 160, a creasing section 170, a heating section 180, and a sealing section 190. Of these, the sterilant spray nozzle 11A is a nozzle that sprays a sterilant on the inner and outer surfaces of the container 140. The air rinse nozzle 160 is a nozzle for blowing aseptic air onto the inner surface of the container 140. The creasing section 170 is a section for folding the container 140. The heating section 180 is a section that heats the container 140. The sealing section 190 is a section that seals the container 140. The disinfectant spray nozzle 11A, the air rinse nozzle 160, the water filling device 21, the concentrate filling device 22, the folding section 170, the heating section 180, and the sealing section 190 may be arranged in this order from the upstream side to the downstream side, or from the upstream side to the downstream side along the conveying direction of the container 140. In such a content filling system 10, water and the product concentrate may be simultaneously filled into one container 140 from the water filling nozzle 21a and the concentrate filling nozzle 22c. The order in which the water and the product concentrate are filled into the bottle 100 may be appropriately changed in consideration of foaming in the bottle 100, the ease of mixing of the water and the product concentrate, production capacity, etc. Also, as described using FIG. 15, the sterile water and the product concentrate may be filled by one filling nozzle 20a.

The content filling system 10 may be a so-called roll-supplied type aseptic filling system, instead of an aseptic filling system that forms a container 140 from a packaging material 130 (sleeve). The roll-supplied type aseptic filling system is, for example, a filling system that forms a container (paper container or pouch) from a packaging material supplied in a roll form and fills the formed container with the content. In this case, as shown in FIG. 18C, the packaging material 200 supplied in a roll form is first sterilized by immersing it in a sterilizing liquid (e.g., hydrogen peroxide) in a sterilization tank 201. Note that both sides of the packaging material may be sterilized by spraying a sterilizing gas or mist onto both sides of the packaging material, and then drying and removing the sterilizing agent with hot air. In addition, both sides of the packaging material may be sterilized by irradiating both sides of the packaging material with an electron beam. Next, in the forming section 202, a predetermined process is performed on the packaging material, and a container (paper container or pouch) 203 is formed. In the illustrated example, the paper container 203 is formed in the forming section 202 by processing the packaging material such as heat sealing. At this time, water and the product concentrate may be filled simultaneously from the water filling nozzle 21a and the concentrate filling nozzle 22c. Although not shown, as explained with reference to FIG. 15, sterile water and the product concentrate may be filled from one filling nozzle 20a. Thereafter, the paper container 203 is cut into a predetermined shape in the forming section 202 to obtain a product containing the contents.

(Thirteenth Modification)
In the above-mentioned embodiment, the sterilization device for hydrogen peroxide sterilization has been described as a sterilization device for preforms and a sterilization device for containers, but the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, the sterilization device for hydrogen peroxide sterilization may be either a sterilization device for preforms or a sterilization device for containers. In addition, the sterilization device for preforms and the sterilization device for containers may be a sterilization device that performs a peracetic acid sterilization method in which the inner and outer surfaces of a bottle are sterilized with a peracetic acid solution (or gas, mist, or a mixture thereof) and then the inner and outer surfaces are rinsed with sterile water. Alternatively, the sterilization device for preforms and the sterilization device for containers may be a sterilization device that uses peracetic acid, acetic acid, pernitric acid, nitric acid, sodium hypochlorite, chlorine, caustic soda, etc. alone as a sterilizing agent other than hydrogen peroxide or ethanol, or may be a sterilization device that uses a sterilizing agent that is a combination of two or more of these. In addition, the sterilization device may be used not only to sterilize bottles but also to sterilize cups, pouches, paper containers, or a composite of these. Furthermore, the preform sterilization device may sterilize the preform with a chemical spray, a chemical rinse, steam, sterile water, sterile air, electron beams, X-rays, or ultraviolet light. Similarly, the container sterilization device may sterilize the container with a chemical spray, a chemical rinse, steam, sterile water, sterile air, electron beams, X-rays, or ultraviolet light.

(Fourteenth Modification)
In the above-described embodiment, the content filling system 10 is described as including the bottle molding unit 30, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the content filling system may be configured to sequentially receive molded empty bottles 100 from the outside by air conveyance or the like, and convey the received bottles 100 toward the sterilization device 11. In this case as well, the above-described effects can be obtained.

(Fifteenth Modification)
In the above-described embodiment, the content filling system 10 is described as a system for filling the bottle 100 with the content, but the present invention is not limited to this. The content filling system 10 according to the present embodiment can also be applied to a filling system for filling a container such as a cup with a so-called chilled beverage such as a milk beverage. Even in this case, the amount of carbon dioxide discharged when preparing the content can be reduced compared to the case where the product concentrate is diluted with sterile water prepared using a sterilizer that heats and sterilizes water. Therefore, the amount of carbon dioxide discharged by the content filling system 10 can be reduced. In addition, when the content is a milk beverage or the like, the number of bacteria in the product concentrate may increase. In this way, even if the number of bacteria in the product concentrate increases, the product concentrate is heat sterilized. Therefore, even if the content is a milk beverage or the like, the sterility of the content can be sufficiently ensured. In addition, in the content filling system 10 according to the present embodiment, any liquid that requires sterilization (for example, a seasoning, an alcoholic beverage, a milk beverage, etc.) may be filled into the container.

(16th Modification)
In the above-described embodiment, the content filling system 10 is described as a system for filling the bottle 100 with the content, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the content filling system 10 may be a filling system (so-called Blow-Fill-Seal (BFS)) that molds the bottle 100 from the preform 100a by filling the preform 100a with water (or a product concentrate or content).

In this case, as shown in FIG. 18D1, a part of the filling device 20 (in the illustrated example, the water filling device 21) may be incorporated in the bottle molding section 30. Although not illustrated, for example, when molding a bottle 100 from a preform 100a by filling the preform 100a with a product concentrate, a concentrate filling device 22 may be incorporated in the bottle molding section 30.

Also, as shown in FIG. 18D1, in the preform conveying section 31 of the bottle molding section 30, the preform sterilizer 34a may be provided downstream of the heating section 35. The preform sterilizer 34a may be configured to sterilize the preform 100a heated by the heating section 35. The preform sterilizer 34a may be disposed in the twelfth aseptic chamber 70s.

In this modified example, the sterilized preform 100a can be filled with pressurized water in the water filling device 21. This allows the molding of the bottle 100 and the filling of the bottle 100 with water to be performed simultaneously.

In this modified example, the filling device 20 has a water filling device 21 connected to the water sterilization line 50 and a concentrate filling device 22 connected to the concentrate sterilization line 70, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, as shown in FIG. 18D2, the content filling system 10 may have a single filling device 20. In this case, as described with reference to FIG. 13, a mixing tank 57 for mixing water and the product concentrate may be interposed between the water sterilization line 50 and the concentrate sterilization line 70 and the filling device 20. Although not shown, as described with reference to FIG. 14 and FIG. 15, a mixing tank 57 for mixing water and the product concentrate may not be interposed between the water sterilization line 50 and the concentrate sterilization line 70 and the filling device 20. In these cases, the sterilized preform 100a may be filled with pressurized contents (or water or product concentrate) in the filling device 20. This allows the molding of the bottle 100 and the filling of the contents, etc. into the bottle 100 to be performed simultaneously.

(Seventeenth Modification)
Furthermore, in the above-mentioned embodiment, the water sterilizer 60 has been described as sterilizing water having an electrical conductivity of 0.1 μS/cm or more and 20 μS/cm or less, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the water sterilized by the water sterilizer 60 may be water having an electrical conductivity of more than 20 μS/cm. In this case, the water may be tap water or well water. That is, the water sterilized by the water sterilizer 60 may be used not only as raw water for soft drinks, but also as mineral water, purified water used as pharmaceutical water, or water for injection. When sterilizing pharmaceutical water, it is necessary to inactivate or reduce endotoxin in addition to bacteria. In this case, the cumulative irradiation amount of ultraviolet light on the water is preferably 500 mJ/cm ² or more. This makes it possible to inactivate or reduce endotoxin.

In this modified example, as shown in FIG. 18E, the water sterilization line 50 may have a front-stage water tank 50d that is provided upstream of the first water tank 51 and stores water (tap water, well water, etc.). When the water sterilizer 60 sterilizes tap water, etc., inorganic matter (oxides such as calcium) may adhere to the surface of the quartz sleeve (for example, a surface made of quartz glass) that protects the first ultraviolet lamp 67a, etc. If inorganic matter adheres to the surface of the quartz sleeve of the first ultraviolet lamp 67a, etc., the intensity (irradiation amount) of the ultraviolet light in the water sterilizer 60 may decrease. For this reason, when the intensity (irradiation amount) of the ultraviolet light in the water sterilizer 60 decreases, it is preferable to remove the inorganic matter adhered to the surface of the quartz sleeve by cleaning (CIP) and sterilizing (SIP) the water sterilizer 60.

In this case, as described with reference to FIG. 17C, the water sterilization line 50 may have multiple (e.g., two) water sterilizers 60. This allows the water to be sterilized using one water sterilizer 60 while the other water sterilizer 60 is being cleaned (CIP) or sterilized (SIP). This allows the product bottles 101 to be manufactured continuously. When the water sterilizer 60 is cleaned (CIP) and sterilized (SIP), the disinfectant or cleaner may not pass through the foreign matter removal filter 61 and the first sterilization filter 63. That is, as described with reference to FIG. 2B and FIG. 2C, the disinfectant or cleaner may pass through the third bypass line 95a and the fourth bypass line 95b to clean and sterilize only the first sterilizer 62 and the second sterilizer 64.

(Modification of the sterilization method of the content filling system)
Next, a modified example of the sterilization method for the content filling system will be described.

(First Modification)
In the above-described embodiment, the chamber sterilization method is described as an example in which the COP process (reference number S12 in FIG. 9), the CIP process (reference number S13 in FIG. 9), the SIP process (reference number S14 in FIG. 9), and the SOP process (reference number S15 in FIG. 9) are performed in this order, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, as shown in FIG. 19, in the chamber sterilization method, the COP process (reference number S320 in FIG. 19) and the CIP process (reference number S330 in FIG. 19) may be performed simultaneously after the rinsing process (reference number S310 in FIG. 19). In addition, the SIP process (reference number S340 in FIG. 19) and the SOP process (reference number S350 in FIG. 19) may be performed simultaneously after the COP process and the CIP process. This can significantly reduce downtime and improve the productivity of the product bottles 101.

Also, as shown in FIG. 20, in the chamber sterilization method, after the rinsing process (reference number S41 in FIG. 20), a CSOP process (reference number S42 in FIG. 20) in which a COP process and an SOP process are performed simultaneously, and a CSIP process (reference number S43 in FIG. 20) in which a CIP process and an SIP process are performed simultaneously may be performed simultaneously. In this case, for example, during the CSOP process, a cleaning agent having a temperature of 70° C. or more is preferably sprayed into the intermediate area chamber 70g and the second sterile chamber 70h for at least 1 minute or more, more preferably for 5 minutes or more. This cleans and sterilizes the inner wall surfaces of the intermediate area chamber 70g and the like and the surfaces of the equipment such as the filling device 20. Also, for example, during the CSIP process, the flow path of the product concentrate in the concentrate filling device 22 is rinsed with sterile water, and a cleaning agent having a temperature of 70° C. or more is supplied to a circulation path (not shown) including the flow path. Then, it is preferable to circulate the cleaning agent in the circulation path for at least 5 minutes or more, more preferably for 10 minutes or more. This sterilizes the flow path of the product concentrate in the concentrate filling device 22. Even in this case, downtime can be significantly reduced and the productivity of the product bottles 101 can be improved.

In addition, in this modified example, the number of times the first sterile chamber 70f is cleaned and sterilized can be reduced, and the area to be cleaned and sterilized can be narrowed in the content filling system 10. In addition, the number of times the filling device 20 housed inside the first sterile chamber 70f is cleaned and sterilized can be reduced, and the area to be cleaned and sterilized can be narrowed in the content filling system 10. This makes it possible to reduce the amount of steam and other materials used. Furthermore, because the area to be cleaned and sterilized can be narrowed, the cleaning time and sterilization time can be shortened. This makes it possible to reduce the amount of carbon dioxide emitted by the content filling system 10.

When the CSIP process, which simultaneously performs the CIP process and the SIP process, is performed, it is necessary to rinse the used cleaning agent after the CSIP process while maintaining the inside of the concentrate filling device 22 and the like in a sterile state. In this case, by using water sterilized in the water sterilization line 50 for rinsing, the amount of carbon dioxide discharged from the content filling system 10 can be reduced. In addition, since the water sterilized in the water sterilization line 50 can be stored in the second water tank 52, the cleaning agent can be rinsed immediately after the CSIP process. This reduces downtime. It is preferable that the flow path from the second water tank 52 to the sterile area where the CSIP process and the CSOP process are performed is cleaned (CIP) and sterilized (SIP) before rinsing the cleaning agent after the CSIP process. In this case, for example, the cleaning agent or the disinfectant may be supplied to the second bypass line 56 from the connection point CP1 (see Figures 1 and 2A, etc.) that connects the second bypass line 56 to the water sterilization line 50, and the above flow path may be sterilized by steam, hot water, or the like.

(Second Modification)
In the above-described embodiment, when the first sterilizer 62 of the water sterilizer 60 is sterilized, the first sterilizer 62 may be sterilized with sterilized water, for example, when the first sterilizer 62 is weak to heat and/or has low resistance to chemicals. In this case, the sterilized water may be water sterilized by ultraviolet light inside the first sterilizer 62. The control unit 90 may circulate the sterilized water in the circulation system 59A (see FIG. 2A, etc.) including the water sterilizer 60, thereby gradually reducing the number of bacteria in the circulating water and sterilizing the first sterilizer 62. In this case, the control unit 90 may circulate the sterilized water in the circulation system 59A at least three times, and preferably 10 times or more.

In this modified example, the first sterile filter 63 and the second sterile filter 65 are first sterilized (SIP) (SIP step, reference symbol S231 in FIG. 21). In this case, it is preferable that the foreign matter removal filter 61 has also been sterilized (SIP) with steam in advance.

Next, water is supplied to the circulation system 59A including the water sterilizer 60 (water supply step, reference symbol S232 in FIG. 21). At this time, first, pure water is transported by the pump P1. At this time, the pure water adjusted to a predetermined temperature (e.g., 25°C) by a heat exchanger or the like (not shown) is supplied to the first sterile filter 63, etc. This moistens the membrane of the first sterile filter 63, etc. After that, the pump P1 is stopped.

Next, an integrity test is performed on at least one of the first sterile filter 63 and the second sterile filter 65 (integrity test process, reference symbol S233 in FIG. 21). During the integrity test, a valve (not shown) near the first sterile filter 63, etc. is closed, and sterile air is supplied to the first sterile filter 63, etc. Then, the sterile air supplied to the first sterile filter 63, etc. is gradually pressurized, and the bubble point value of the first sterile filter 63, etc. is measured. Thereafter, based on the results of the bubble point values measured multiple times (e.g., three times), it is confirmed whether the first sterile filter 63, etc. is complete (whether sterile air is leaking at a specified pressure). Note that if the first sterile filter 63, etc. is confirmed to be incomplete in the integrity test, the first sterile filter 63, etc. is replaced.

The water is then sterilized inside the first sterilizer 62 etc. (water sterilization process, reference symbol S234 in FIG. 21). At this time, first, pure water is transported by pump P1. Then, after the inside of the first sterilizer 62 etc. is filled with water, the water is irradiated with ultraviolet light by the first ultraviolet lamp 67a etc. In this case, the irradiation time (sterilization time) for irradiating ultraviolet light is preferably 10 seconds or more and 30 minutes or less. At this time, the illuminance of the ultraviolet light irradiated from the first ultraviolet lamp 67a etc. may be checked. Then, if the illuminance of the ultraviolet light irradiated from the first ultraviolet lamp 67a etc. is abnormal, the first ultraviolet lamp 67a etc. may be replaced.

Here, the operating temperature of the medium pressure mercury lamp is approximately 600°C or higher and 900°C or lower. For this reason, when the first ultraviolet lamp 67a, etc. are medium pressure mercury lamps, it is preferable to irradiate the water with ultraviolet rays while transporting the water with the pump P1. This makes it possible to prevent the first ultraviolet lamp 67a, etc. from overheating. At this time, the water irradiated with ultraviolet rays may be stored, for example, in the second water tank 52. Alternatively, the water irradiated with ultraviolet rays may be circulated in the circulation system 59A. When the water irradiated with ultraviolet rays is circulated in the circulation system 59A, the sterility level of the water can be increased.

On the other hand, the operating temperature of a low-pressure mercury lamp is between approximately 40° and 100°. Therefore, if the first ultraviolet lamp 67a etc. is a low-pressure mercury lamp, ultraviolet light may be irradiated onto the water with pump P1 stopped.

Then, the sterilized water is circulated in the circulation system 59A including the water sterilizer 60 (water circulation process, reference symbol S235 in FIG. 21). At this time, the water irradiated with ultraviolet light passes through the second sterilized filter 65. The pure water that has passed through the second sterilized filter 65 is then supplied to the first water tank 51 via the circulation line 59. In this way, the sterilized pure water circulates within the circulation system 59A.

Thereafter, the sterilized water may be circulated at least once or more in the circulation system 59A, and preferably three or more times. In this way, by circulating the pure water three or more times in the circulation system 59A, the sterilization effect of the first sterilizer 62 by water can be enhanced. At this time, the cumulative dose of ultraviolet light on the circulating sterilized water is preferably at least 100 mJ/cm ² or more and 3000 mJ/cm ² or less, and more preferably 1000 mJ/cm ² or more and 3000 mJ/cm ² or less. By the cumulative dose of ultraviolet light on the circulating water being 100 mJ/cm ² or more, the sterilization effect of the water by ultraviolet light can be enhanced. In addition, by the cumulative dose of ultraviolet light being 3000 mJ/cm ² or less, the amount of electricity consumption can be reduced, and the amount of carbon dioxide discharged by the content filling system 10 can be reduced.

In this way, the first sterilizer 62 etc. are sterilized.

The first sterilizer 62 and the like may also be sterilized, for example, with a cleaning agent. In this case, the first sterilizer 62 and the like may be sterilized by supplying the cleaning agent only to the first sterilizer 62 and the second sterilizer 64. The cleaning agent may be, for example, a cleaning agent containing peracetic acid, hydrogen peroxide, an alkaline agent, an acidic agent, sodium hypochlorite, and the like. Thereafter, the first sterilizer 62 and the like may be rinsed with sterile water by supplying sterile water to the circulation system 59A from the second water tank 52 in which the sterile water has been stored in advance.

According to this modified example, the control unit 90 sterilizes the first sterilizer 62 by circulating sterilized water in the circulation system 59A including the water sterilizer 60. In this way, by sterilizing the first sterilizer 62 without using steam, hot water, or a heated sterilizing agent, the amount of carbon dioxide emitted by the content filling system 10 can be reduced, and the cost of sterilizing the water sterilizer 60 can be reduced.

Furthermore, according to this modified example, the water is sterilized by ultraviolet light inside the first sterilizer 62. This reduces the amount of carbon dioxide emitted by the content filling system compared to when the water is sterilized by heating it.

The multiple components disclosed in the above embodiments and modifications may be combined as necessary. Alternatively, some components may be deleted from all the components shown in the above embodiments and modifications.

10 Content filling system 11 Sterilizer 18 Cap sterilizer 20 Filling device 20a Filling nozzle 21 Water filling device 21a Water filling nozzle 22 Concentrate filling device 22a First concentrate filling device 22b Second concentrate filling device 22c Concentrate filling nozzle 32 Blow molding section 34a Preform sterilizer 50 Water sterilization line 51 First water tank 52 Second water tank 55 First bypass line 57 Mixing tank 58b Sniff line 60 Water sterilizer 70 Concentrate sterilization line 71 First concentrate tank 72 Second concentrate tank 75 Addition unit 80 Product concentrate sterilizer 88 Cap 90 Control section 100 Bottle 100a Preform P Packing

Claims (9)

A water sterilizer having a first sterile filter and a first sterilizer provided upstream or downstream of the first sterile filter for sterilizing water ;
A tank for storing water sterilized by the water sterilizer;
A control unit for controlling the water sterilizer,
The first sterilizer sterilizes the water by ultraviolet light,
The control unit stores water in the tank while the product container is being produced in the content filling system,
The control unit produces a product container using the water stored in the tank without supplying the water to the tank while sterilizing or testing the integrity of the first sterile filter ;
The control unit performs a sterilization or integrity test of the first sterile filter using sterilized water;
A content filling system , wherein the sterilized water is water sterilized by ultraviolet light inside the first sterilizer . The content filling system according to claim 1, wherein the time required for sterilization of the first sterile filter and the time required for integrity testing of the first sterile filter are each 30 minutes or more and 1 hour or less. The content filling system according to claim 2, wherein the volume of the tank is equal to or greater than the amount of water used in the content filling system when producing the product container for one hour. The content filling system according to claim 1 , wherein the control unit sterilizes the first sterilizer with steam or hot water. The content filling system according to claim 1 , wherein the control unit sterilizes the first sterilizer by circulating sterilized water in a circulation system including the water sterilizer. The content filling system according to claim 5 , wherein the control unit circulates the sterilized water in the circulation system at least three times. The content filling system according to any one of claims 1 to 6 , wherein the water sterilizer further comprises a second sterilizer provided downstream of the first sterile filter, and a second sterile filter provided downstream of the second sterilizer. A water sterilizer having a first sterile filter and a first sterilizer provided upstream or downstream of the first sterile filter for sterilizing water;
A control unit for controlling the water sterilizer,
The first sterilizer sterilizes the water by ultraviolet light,
The control unit performs a sterilization or integrity test of the first sterile filter while the product container is being produced in the content filling system;
The control unit sterilizes the first sterilizer by circulating sterilized water in a circulation system including the water sterilizer,
A content filling system, wherein the sterilized water is water sterilized by ultraviolet light inside the first sterilizer. A water sterilizer having a first sterile filter and a first sterilizer provided upstream or downstream of the first sterile filter for sterilizing water;
A control unit for controlling the water sterilizer,
The first sterilizer sterilizes the water by ultraviolet light,
The control unit performs a sterilization or integrity test of the first sterile filter using sterilized water while the product container is being produced in the content filling system;
A content filling system, wherein the sterilized water is water sterilized by ultraviolet light inside the first sterilizer.

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