JPH01153434A - Sterilizing method of aseptic packaging machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To spread disinfecting agent to every corner of a chamber in order to permit an inexpensive and accurate sterilization, by mixing a sterile air and a disinfecting agent in two fluid type nozzles for injection in a particle form. CONSTITUTION:All parts of a sterile chamber 3 is coated with a spore suspension of bacillussubtillus bacteria. An aqueous solution of 35% hydrogen peroxide for use for a food additive is placed in a pressure tank 11 which is pressurized to 1kg/cm<2> with compressed air and sterile air at a pressure of 1.5kg/cm<2> is sent into a sterile air pipe 13, whereby these two fluids are injected simultaneously for 30 seconds from two fluid type nozzles 14, 15, 16 and 17. The measurement of the number of bacteria still alive under such conditions indicates an efficacy of this method in sterilizing all parts of the sterile chamber and, since the nozzles have no dead angle, all parts of the sterile chamber can be sterilized without increasing the amount of sterilizer to be used and the number of the nozzles.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention <Industrial Application Field> The present invention relates to aseptic filling, in which a sterile container is supplied and the filling and sealing of the container are performed in an sterile atmosphere covered with a chamber. The present invention relates to a method for sterilizing each part within a chamber in a packaging machine.

<Prior Art and Problems> In an aseptic filling and packaging machine, in order to create an aseptic atmosphere inside the chamber, the inside of the chamber must be sterilized before filling. This sterilization method includes a method of spraying a disinfectant into the chamber, a method of spraying steam into the chamber,
There are methods such as cleaning the inside of the chamber with hot water or using ultraviolet irradiation. However, in the method of spraying a sterilizing agent into the chamber, a sterilizing effect cannot be obtained in a blind spot from the spray nozzle.

Furthermore, in order to eliminate blind spots, a large number of nozzles are required, and as a result, maintenance and control of the nozzles has become complicated.

In addition, in the method of spraying ajimi into the chamber, the temperature drops rapidly immediately after spraying, so it is only used for a small part of the purpose, such as sterilizing containers, and cannot sterilize the entire chamber. won. Furthermore, if sterilization is to be performed by filling the entire chamber with air while preventing a drop in temperature, the chamber must be constructed to be able to be pressurized, which is not practical in terms of cost. moreover,
The method of cleaning and sterilizing the chamber with hot water cannot sterilize heat-resistant bacteria, so it is used to sterilize filling and packaging machines for filling specific foods such as sake. This method cannot be said to be suitable for general food and drink.

In addition, sterilization using ultraviolet rays does not have a sterilizing effect in areas that are in the shadow, and it is not possible to sterilize all parts within the chamber.

Problems to be Solved> Therefore, the present invention provides a sterilization method that reliably sterilizes the inside of a sterile chamber at low cost.

<Means for Solving the Problem> The present invention provides an aseptic filling and packaging machine that supplies containers aseptically and continuously fills and seals the contents in a sterile chamber, which uses a sterilizing agent and sterile air. This is a sterilization method for aseptic filling and packaging machines in which the sterilizer is sprayed from a fluid nozzle to form fine particles and adhere to various parts within the chamber.

Sterile air and disinfectant are mixed in a two-fluid nozzle and sprayed simultaneously. At this time, the disinfectant is in the form of fine particles. The sterilizing agent particles are carried and attached to various parts of the chamber by the sterile air that is sprayed at the same time. Further, this sterile air becomes turbulent due to the interaction of the sterile air sprayed from each nozzle, and is sent into the details of the sterile chamber contents. Therefore, the sterilizing agent particles carried by the flow of sterile air are carried and attached to even the smallest parts of the sterile chamber. As a result, the sterilizer is spread to the smallest detail in the chamber, making it possible to reliably sterilize every detail of the chamber at a low cost without increasing the amount of sterilizer used or the number of nozzles. .

<Example> Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an aseptic filling and packaging machine, in which a sterilized sleeve-shaped paper container (1) is transported through a loading port (2).
m After being carried into the chamber (3) and forming a bottom with a mandrel (4), it is sent to the filling part (6) by a conveyance chain (5), and after being filled with the contents, it is placed in the tomp seal part (7). ), this is an aseptic filling and packaging machine that molds and seals the tops, and then transports them out from the exit (8). In order to confirm the sterilization effect of the packaging machine, first, a pressurized tank (
11), pressurize it to 1 kg/cl with pressurized air, send sterile air with a pressure of 1.5 kg/ctA to the sterile air line OJ, and connect both to the two-fluid nozzle 04, a.
When sprayed from o, 0ω, and θη at the same time for 30 seconds, fine water particles settled in the sterile chamber in the form of a mist, and due to the turbulent flow of the sterile air that was injected, the fine water particles swirled slightly. was observed. At this time, when we checked each part of the sterile chamber to see if there was any water adhering to it, we found that all water particles were adhering to it.

At this time, the positive pressure air was collected from the sleeve inlet (2) and the outlet (8) using the duct side (09).

Next, a spore suspension of Bacillus 5ubtilis is applied to each part in the sterile chamber (3), and a 35-liter suspension for food addition is applied to the pressurized tank (11).
% hydrogen peroxide aqueous solution and perform the same operation, sterile air heated to approximately 100°C is sent into the sterile chamber (3) from duct QO, and hydrogen peroxide vapor is pumped through duct a field, 09. , was collected by strong suction, and the inside of the sterile chamber (3) was dried. After drying, the bacterial bodies were collected and the number of surviving bacteria was measured.
It was found that it has the above bactericidal effect.

Comparative Example> As a comparative example, a -fluid spray nozzle was installed in place of the two-fluid nozzle, 09.0ω, θη, and the liquid feeding line was 0.
2), water was put in the pressurized tank (11), the pressure was increased to 4 kg/crl+ with pressurized air, and the water was sprayed for 30 seconds.

At this time, when we checked the state of water adhesion to the contents of the sterile chamber (3) using water-sensitive paper, we found that the mandrel (4)
No water was found to adhere to the top loop (7) and the conveyor chain (5) in the blind area from the nozzle.

Next, suspend the spores in each part of the sterile chamber (3) in the same way as in the example! i? ? &, put 8 liquids (35% hydrogen peroxide solution for food additives) into the pressurized tank (11), perform the same operation, and then blow sterile air heated to about 100°C from the duct CHID. The hydrogen peroxide vapor was sent into the chamber (3), and the hydrogen peroxide vapor was collected by strong suction through the ducts 08) and 09), thereby drying the inside of the sterile chamber (3).

After drying, the bacterial cells were collected and the number of surviving bacteria was measured, and no bactericidal effect was observed in the areas where no water was observed.

<Effects> As described above, the present invention uses a two-fluid nozzle that mixes and sprays gas and liquid within the nozzle body in order to spray a sterilizing agent into a chamber. It is now possible to apply disinfectants to areas where disinfectants could not be applied.

Additionally, as a result, it became possible to sterilize the contents of the sterile chamber without increasing the amount of sterilizing agent used or the number of nozzles.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a schematic explanatory diagram showing an example of an aseptic filling machine using the sterilization method of the present invention. Figure 2 shows the aseptic filling shown in Figure 1.
FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a container used in the machine. (1)... Sleeve-shaped paper container (2)... Loading port (3)... Sterile chamber (4)... Mandrel (5)... Conveyance chain (6)... Filling section (7)...Top seal part (8)...Export port (11)...Pressure tank zero...Liquid feeding line side...Sterile air line θ4) 05) 06) 07)・...Two-fluid nozzle 08) 09) ...Recovery duct QO...Blower duct Patent application Hitotoppan Printing Co., Ltd. Representative Kazuo Suzuki Figure 2

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1) In an aseptic filling and packaging machine that supplies containers aseptically, fills the contents, and seals the containers by heat sealing etc. continuously in a sterile atmosphere covered with a chamber, disinfectants and sterile air are used. By the two-fluid spray nozzle,
Sterilizes each part of the chamber by spraying the sterilizer into fine particles, floating them in the chamber in a turbulent state in the flow of sterile air, and attaching them to each part of the chamber. A method for sterilizing an aseptic filling and packaging machine.