JPH04180762A - Sterilizing method for inside of chamber of sterile filling device and its sterile filling device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To very efficiently sterilize the inside of a chamber of the sterile filling device by filling the inside of the chamber of the sterile filling device with a disinfectant mist, and subsequently, drying the inside of the chamber concerned. CONSTITUTION:In a disinfectant mist generating device 6, a liquid disinfectant of, for instance, a hydrogen peroxide aqueous solution, etc., supplied from a disinfectant supply part 62 is heated to a temperature of a boiling point or above by a vaporization tube 64a provided with a heating means 63 and vaporized completely, and when the vaporized disinfectant is blown out to the inside of a chamber 5 from a disinfectant mist blowout port 61, it is condensed in the air in the chamber 5 and becomes a minute disinfectant mist 90 and is diffused and filled in the chamber 5. After the disinfectant mist 90 is made stagnant in the chamber 5 for a prescribed, the disinfectant mist 90 is discharged from an air supply/exhaust port 8c by supplying sterile air from a positive pressure air nozzle 57, and also, the inside of the chamber 5 can be held in a positive pressure state.

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] [Field of Industrial Application] The present invention relates to a method for sterilizing the chamber of an aseptic filling device and an aseptic filling device, and more specifically, to a method for sterilizing the chamber of an aseptic filling device extremely efficiently. The present invention relates to a method for sterilizing the inside of an aseptic filling device, and an aseptic filling device that can be suitably used in this method.

[Conventional technology]

For example, when filling paper containers, plastic containers, etc. with contents such as foodstuffs, aseptic filling methods have been attracting attention in recent years.

In this aseptic filling method, the contents to be filled and the container are packed in advance.
There is a method 7' in which the containers are sterilized separately under optimal conditions, and the contents are filled and sealed in containers under aseptic conditions using an aseptic filling device.

The aseptic filling equipment employed in this aseptic filling method is usually surrounded by a chamber, and the chambers are kept in a proton state by being supplied with sterile air. f+,
-('," j, l) By the way, if the inside of the chamber is not sterilized, it will not be possible to fill and seal the contents into the container under aseptic conditions, so before starting aseptic filling, In addition to sterilizing the filling nozzle of the machine, it is also necessary to sufficiently sterilize the inside of the chamber.

Conventional methods for sterilizing the inside of a chamber include, for example, spraying a liquid sterilizer such as an aqueous hydrogen peroxide solution into the chamber using a two-fluid nozzle, and spraying a sterilizer gas generated by gasifying the liquid sterilizer in the chamber. A method such as filling the chamber was used.

[Problem to be solved by the invention]

However, in the method of spraying a liquid disinfectant such as aqueous hydrogen peroxide solution into the chamber using a two-fluid nozzle, the droplets of the disinfectant that adhere to the inside of the chamber are large, and it is necessary to completely dry and remove these droplets. Since it requires a large-capacity heater and a large amount of energy, there was a problem of inefficiency in terms of equipment and energy. Moreover,
If there is an obstacle in front of the two-fluid nozzle,
Since the sterilizing agent cannot reach the area shaded by the obstruction, a large number of nozzles are required, and the apparatus becomes complicated.

In addition, in the method of filling a chamber with disinfectant gas and leaving it for a while, a sufficient sterilization effect cannot be obtained unless the chamber is left for more than 10 hours, so this method has the problem of inefficiency in terms of processing time. The invention was made in view of the above circumstances. That is, an object of the present invention is to provide a sterilization method that can extremely efficiently sterilize the inside of a chamber of an aseptic filling device, and an aseptic filling device that can be suitably used in this method.

[Means to solve the problem]

The gist of the present invention for achieving the above object is a method for sterilizing the inside of a chamber of an aseptic filling device, in which a liquid sterilizer is heated to a temperature higher than the boiling point to vaporize the sterilizer, and then the vaporized sterilizer is heated to a temperature higher than the boiling point. Inside a chamber of an aseptic filling device, characterized in that a sterilizing agent is condensed in the air to produce a sterilizing agent mist, the sterilizing agent mist is filled in a chamber of the aseptic filling device, and the chamber is then dried. A sterilization method, characterized in that a container feeding device, a container conveyance means, a container sterilization means, and a filling machine are provided in a chamber, and a sterilizer mist outlet of a sterilizer mist generator is provided in the chamber. This is an aseptic filling device.

[Effect]

If a liquid disinfectant is heated to a temperature above its boiling point, the heated disinfectant will completely vaporize. The vaporized disinfectant is then condensed to produce a disinfectant mist that is extremely small in size compared to, for example, disinfectant droplets sprayed by a conventional two-fluid nozzle. When the generated sterilizing agent mist is slowly blown out into the chamber of the aseptic filling device, the blown out sterilizing agent mist spreads and fills every corner of the chamber and evenly adheres to the inside of the chamber. Therefore, the inside of the chamber is thoroughly sterilized. Furthermore, since the diameter of the germicidal mist is extremely small, a large amount of energy is not required to dry and remove the germicide mist. Moreover, since the sterilizing agent mist is left for only a few minutes, the sterilization inside the chamber is completed in an extremely short time compared to the conventional sterilization method in which the chamber is filled with sterilizing agent gas and left to stand.

On the other hand, in the aseptic filling device of the present invention, a disinfectant mist outlet of the disinfectant mist generator is provided in the chamber. A sterilizer mist is gently sprayed into the chamber from this airkiller mist outlet, and the sterilizer mist reaches every corner of the chamber that includes a container supply device, a container conveyance means, a container sterilization means, and a filling machine. It adheres evenly and the inside of the chamber is efficiently sterilized in a short time.

〔Example〕

An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a schematic explanatory diagram showing an example of the aseptic filling device of this embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 1, this aseptic filling apparatus includes a container feeding device 1, a container conveying means 2, a container sterilizer stage 3, and a filling machine 4 in a chamber 5.
A disinfectant mist outlet 61 of the disinfectant mist generator 6 is provided inside.

More specifically, as shown in FIG.
The chamber 5 covers the container intake port 11 of the container supply device 1 for supplying the liquid and the lower part of the filled and sealed container 72, except for the unloading lower part.

Further, the chamber 5 has air supply and exhaust ports 8a and 8b.

8C is provided, and the inside of this chamber 5 is kept under positive pressure so as not to impair the sterilized atmosphere.

As shown in FIG. 1, the container supply device 1 includes an empty container 71
- container inlet 11 and chamber 5 for introducing -
A container supply port 12 for supplying a container 71 therein is provided. Furthermore, in the container feeding device 1 in the device of this embodiment,
Flange support screws 13 are provided, each of which rotates while suspending the container 71 by contacting a flange formed on the periphery of the container 71, thereby supplying the container 71 onto the container conveying means 2 at predetermined intervals. ing.

As shown in FIG. 1, the container conveyance means 2 is formed by installing a chain conveyor 23 between a drive sprocket 21 and a guide sprocket 22.

As shown in FIG. 2, pallets 25 provided with container holders 24 are sequentially arranged between the chain conveyors 23 along the moving direction of the chain conveyors 13. As shown in FIG.

As shown in FIG. 1, the container sterilizer 3 includes container cleaning mechanisms 31a, 31°b and a container sterilizing mechanism 32, each of which has a nozzle 33a.
, 33b. The container sterilization mechanism 32 consists of a lift lever 34, an insertion operation mechanism 36 equipped with a push-up rod 35, and a U-shaped ultraviolet sterilization lamp 37. By operating the lift lever 34, the container 71 is pushed up. A U-shaped sterilization lamp 37 is inserted inside the sterilizer.

As shown in FIG. 1, the filling machine 4 includes a storage tank 41 for filling contents and a filling nozzle 42.
The filling contents in the container 7 are delivered in predetermined amounts from the filling nozzle 42 to the container 7.
1 is filled.

As shown in FIG. 1, the filling flow container 72 filled with the contents by the filling machine 4 is transported by the transport means 2 directly below the lid material sterilization mechanism 9. This lid material sterilization mechanism 9 includes a quartz glass window 9a and a straight tube type ultraviolet lamp 9b.

This straight tube type ultraviolet lamp 9b irradiates the band-shaped lid material 50 with ultraviolet rays to sterilize the band-shaped lid material 50. In addition, the first
In the figure, 51 is a guide roller that guides the band-shaped lid material 50.

As shown in FIG. 1, the aseptic filling device of this embodiment further includes a sealing mechanism 10 and a punching mechanism 15. The sealing mechanism 10 has a heating part 10a, and the band-shaped lid material 50 sterilized in the lid material sterilization mechanism 9 is heated to the heating part 10a.
is heated and sealed at the opening of the fill flow vessel 72. Further, the punching mechanism 15 has a punching die 15a, and the band-shaped lid material 50 sealed to the opening of the filling flow container 72 by the sealing mechanism 10 is punched out into a predetermined shape by the punching die 15a to form the filling and sealed container 73. be done. After this filled and sealed container 73 is lifted to a predetermined height by the floating mechanism 16a in the filled and sealed container dispensing mechanism 16, the sliding mechanism 1 in the filled and sealed container dispensing mechanism 16 is lifted up to a predetermined height.
6b onto the product conveyor 80, and is carried out from the product carrying-out lower provided in the chamber 5.

As shown in FIG. 1, the sterilizer mist generator 6 is provided in the chamber 5 on the kite sprocket 22 side of the container supply device 1, and the sterilizer mist outlet 61 is provided in the chamber 5. The aseptic filling device of this embodiment may include one sterilizing agent mist generating device 6, or may include a plurality of sterilizing agent mist generating devices 6 as required.

As shown in FIG. 1, this disinfectant mist generator 6 is
A sterilizer supply section 62 that supplies a liquid sterilizer, and a heating means 6 for heating the liquid sterilizer supplied from the sterilizer supply section 62.
3, the vaporizing section 6 heats to a temperature higher than the boiling point and vaporizes it.
4.

-1゜〇 - FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing details of an example of this disinfectant mist generator 6.

As shown in FIG. 3, a supply section main body 62a constituting the disinfectant supply section 62 uses something similar to a conventional two-fluid spray. A nozzle 62b is connected to the supply section main body 62a via an extension pipe 65. The heat from the vaporizing pipe 64a forming the vaporizing part 64 is transferred to the supply part main body 62a through the aluminum plug 66 that closes the upper part of the vaporizing pipe 64a and the nozzle 62b.
This is to prevent heat from being transmitted to the main body 62a of the supply section. The vaporizing tube 64a is provided, for example, with an outer tube 67 made of an asbestos ribbon, an inner tube 68 made of a sanitary pipe forming the inner wall of the vaporizing tube 64a, and a pump heater. It consists of a heating means 63. At the lower end of the vaporizing pipe 64a is a nozzle 6 through which vaporized liquid sterilizer, such as hydrogen peroxide aqueous solution, peracetic acid aqueous solution, or a mixture thereof, is injected.
9 are connected. In addition, in FIG. 3, 101 is a liquid disinfectant inlet, and 102 is an air inlet for spraying that supplies compressed air.

In the vaporizing tube 64a, it is important to avoid creating low-temperature areas or areas where the temperature easily drops in order to average out the vaporization, and for this purpose, a heating means 63, such as a ribbon heater, is provided along the entire length of the vaporizing tube 64a. ing. In addition, the diameter of the vaporizing pipe 64a is set so that pressure is not applied to the inside of the pipe when a liquid disinfectant such as a hydrogen peroxide solution is injected from a nozzle 62b connected to the supply section main body 62a via an extension pipe 65. The vaporizing tube 64a is set to be sufficiently large and extends vertically, and the inner surface of the tube is formed to be smooth so that the liquid sterilizer vaporized within the tube can be easily removed.

In this disinfectant mist generator 6, the disinfectant supply section 6
The liquid disinfectant, such as an aqueous hydrogen peroxide solution, supplied from No. 2 is heated to a temperature above the boiling point in a vaporizing pipe 64a equipped with a heating means 63, and completely vaporized, and the vaporized disinfectant is passed through the disinfectant mist outlet. When it is blown out into the chamber 5 from the sterilizer 61, it is condensed in the air inside the sterilizer bar 5, becomes a fine sterilizer mist 90, and diffuses and fills the chamber 5.

In order to more efficiently diffuse and fill the chamber 5 with this germicidal mist, it is preferable to provide auxiliary means for diffusion.

Specifically, as shown in FIG. 1, there are four locations in the chamber 5, for example, above the guide sprocket 22, directly below the lid sterilization mechanism 9, above the air supply/exhaust port 8a, and above the air supply/exhaust port 8b. By providing a compressed air blowing nozzle 55 in the chamber 5 and blowing out compressed air after the sterilizing agent mist 90 is generated, the chamber 5 can be more efficiently diffused and filled with the sterilizing agent mist 90. Furthermore, it is also possible to provide fans (not shown) at several locations in place of the compressed air blowing nozzle 55 to form a flow of the sterilizing agent mist 90 within the chamber 5. However, in that case,
As the residence time of the disinfectant mist 90 in the chamber 5 becomes longer (time when supply and exhaust is stopped), the amount of the disinfectant mist 90 deposited on the fan blades increases. As a result, the disinfectant tends to drip from the fan blades, and it may be necessary to dry and remove the disinfectant.

After the sterilizing agent mist 90 remains in the chamber 5 for a predetermined period of time, as shown in FIG. While discharging the air-killing agent mist 90 from the port 8C, the inside of the chamber 5 can be kept in a positive pressure state. At this time, only the supply/exhaust port 8C is opened as an outlet for the disinfectant mist 90, and the discharged disinfectant mist 90 is drawn into the duct by an exhaust fan (not shown), thereby directing it to the drive sprocket 21 side. Diffusion of the disinfectant mist 90 can be made more reliable. Further, in a series of sterilization processes, it is possible to generate a more efficient flow of the sterilizing agent mist 90 by appropriately closing the discharge lower. As a result, if the disinfectant mist 90 is sufficiently diffused within the chamber 5, there is no need for multiple disinfectant mist generators.
As an auxiliary means for efficient diffusion within the chamber 5, a compressed air blowing nozzle 55 is installed at an appropriate location within the chamber 5.
It is preferable to provide a structure in which the sterilizing agent mist 90 flows within the chamber 5 by considering the position of the discharge lower. Although FIG. 1 shows an aseptic filling device for supplying shallow containers such as margarine containers, this aseptic filling device is not limited to those for supplying such containers, and can also be used, for example, aseptic filling devices for pouches, It can be used in all aseptic filling devices equipped with a chamber mechanism, such as aseptic filling devices for cartons, and can also be used to sterilize inside piping. It can also be used in experimental equipment such as glove boxes.

◎Experimental Example Next, a comparison test between the sterilization method of the present invention and the conventional sterilization method will be explained.

The attached biological indicators were installed at 36 locations in the chamber 5 of the aseptic filling apparatus of this embodiment shown in FIG. By supplying 35% hydrogen peroxide solution from the port 62 at a supply liquid pressure of 0.2 kg/cm2,
90% of hydrogen peroxide mist is placed in chamber 5 at a temperature of 25°C.
It blew for seconds. Next, the air supply and exhaust were stopped for 90 seconds and allowed to stay, and then dried for 40 minutes at a blowing temperature of 25°C (room temperature).

Thereafter, when the biological indicator was collected and cultured, it was confirmed that all Bacillus subtilis spores had been sterilized. Although the interior of the chamber 5 was sufficiently dry within 15 minutes after the start of drying, the drying time could be shortened to 5 minutes by heating the air blowing temperature into the chamber 5 to approximately 80°C. did it.

☆Second Experimental Example (Conventional Sterilization Method) The disinfectant mist generator 6 was removed from the apparatus of this embodiment used in the first experimental example, and 35% peroxide was added to the chamber 5 using a conventional one-fluid nozzle. When we sterilized the inside of the chamber 5 by spraying hydrogen water, we found that in order to sterilize all the Bacillus subtilis spores on the biological indicator, we preheated the inside of the chamber 5 (blowout temperature 80°C) for 1 hour. After spraying the disinfectant, it was necessary to perform a drying process for 14 hours using dry air at a blowing temperature of 80°C.

Furthermore, when sterilization was carried out using a sterilizing gas generator, it took 12 hours to sterilize all the Bacillus subtilis spores on the biological indicator after the sterilizing gas was generated.

☆ From the above experimental examples, it was confirmed that the sterilization method of the present invention can sterilize the inside of the chamber extremely efficiently and quickly.

〔Effect of the invention〕

According to the present invention, the above configuration eliminates the need for a large-capacity heater and a large amount of energy for drying droplets of liquid sterilizer sprayed into a chamber in the conventional method, which reduces the need for equipment and energy. A method for sterilizing the inside of a chamber of an aseptic filling device, which dramatically improves the efficiency of sterilization, eliminates the need for standing time in the conventional method of filling the chamber with sterilizing agent gas, and enables sterilization in an extremely short time and with high efficiency. In addition, it is possible to provide an aseptic filling device that can be suitably used in this method and has reduced equipment costs.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic explanatory diagram showing an example of the aseptic filling device of the present invention, FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing a part of the conveying means in the aseptic filling device of the present invention, and FIG. It is an explanatory diagram showing an example. 1... Container feeding device, 2... Container conveying means, 3...
- Container sterilization means, 4... Filling machine, 5... Chamber, 6... Disinfectant mist generator, 61... Disinfectant mist outlet. Ward

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. In a method for sterilizing the inside of a chamber of an aseptic filling device, a liquid sterilizer is heated to a temperature higher than the boiling point to vaporize the sterilizer, and then the vaporized sterilizer is blown into the air. A method for sterilizing a chamber of an aseptic filling device, comprising: condensing the sterilizing agent to produce a sterilizing agent mist, filling a chamber of the sterilizing device with the sterilizing agent mist, and then drying the chamber. 2. Sterilization characterized by comprising a container feeding device, a container conveying means, a container sterilizing means, and a filling machine in a chamber, and a sterilizing agent mist outlet of a sterilizing agent mist generating device in the chamber. filling equipment.