JPH0464360A - Sterilizer - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To enable accurate sterilization by a dry heat system by emitting a microwave to a container or a lid body thereof at a transfer path position through which the container to be filled with the desired contents free of germs but not yet used or the lid body thereof is transferred being guided along a specified direction at a prestage position of a line of a filling machines. CONSTITUTION:As a microwave is emitted to a cap 50 within a transfer chute 20 from a microwave generator 17, an angular tube 20a is provided with a plurality of through holes (a) for passing microwaves and the cap 50 receives the microwave to generate heat. The cap 50 has the output of the microwave set to reach about 125 deg.C and various bacteria or the like existing in the cap 50 are sterilized by the heat. In the case or the like of a sterilization processing by emitting the microwave or the like, a first casing 3 and a second casing 5 are integrated with a latch lock 15 to prevent external propagation of the microwave. The first casing 3 is fixed on a proper member 60 with a screw 70 or the like.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Industrial Application Field] The present invention relates to a sterilizer suitable for sterilizing containers filled with desired contents aseptically or lids of such containers by dry heat.

[Summary of the invention]

The present invention relates to a sterilizer suitable for dry heat sterilizing a container into which desired contents are filled aseptically or a lid of the container, and the present invention relates to a sterilizer that is suitable for sterilizing a container or a lid of the container into which desired contents are filled aseptically. The configuration in which microwaves are emitted against the container or lid sufficiently raises the temperature of the container or lid to ensure sterilization, and the advantage of the dry heat method allows for easy maintenance of the device. , which aims to improve workability.

[Conventional technology]

When the contents of soft drinks and the like are aseptically filled into containers such as cans and bottles, the containers and their lids are sterilized while they are still unused.

There are two methods of sterilization: steam and dry heat, but the most common method is heat, which efficiently transfers heat to containers and lids in an atmosphere of high-temperature steam (125 ``C or higher'', reliable sterilization can be performed.

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention] However, in the thermal method, water vapor is exhausted from the sterilizer, so water droplets adhere to the surroundings of the sterilizer, and
Mold is likely to grow, which requires work to be removed, and in some cases, it may be necessary to enclose the entire device to prevent mold from entering the device.

In addition, the transport mechanism for containers and lids (conhair, shooter, etc.)
If an abnormality occurs, maintenance is poor, as it takes time to lower the temperature inside the device, inspect and repair the device, and then raise the temperature again.

In addition, when the lid (metal cap) of a heat-sensitive container such as a resin container is sterilized and attached to the container, the temperature of the lid is lowered by natural cooling or forced cooling.

Therefore, the temperature around the chute for transporting the lid body rises and falls due to the heat of the lid body, and as a result, dew condensation occurs around the chute part, and it is necessary to remove the condensation.
The workability of the sterilization process deteriorates.

On the other hand, when sterilizing using the dry heat method (hot air), if the containers and lids are not placed in the dry heat storage for sterilization for a long time, the temperature of the containers and lids will not rise sufficiently, resulting in poor workability. There were problems with reliability.

The object of the present invention is to enable reliable sterilization using a dry heat method by raising the temperature of a container or lid using microwaves, and to provide a sterilizer that is easy to maintain and has excellent workability. The goal is to serve the people.

[Means for Solving the Problems] In order to achieve the above object, the sterilizer according to the present invention provides an unused container to be aseptically filled with desired contents or a lid (50) of the container. Transfer means (20) that is guided and transferred along a predetermined direction at a pre-stage position of the machine line.
and the container or lid (50) by the transfer means (20).
) at the transfer route position where the container or lid (5) is transferred.
a microwave ordering device (I7) that emits microwaves to 0);

[Effect]

In the sterilizer according to the present invention, the container or the lid is transferred by the moving means to the upstream position of the filling machine line, and microwaves are emitted to the container or the lid at the transfer path position, thereby causing the container or the lid to move. The lid body is sterilized.

[Example] Hereinafter, a preferred example of the sterilizer according to the present invention will be described based on the drawings.

In FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 showing the ■arrow direction in FIG. The cap (lid body) is configured to be sterilized by heat generated by microwaves.

That is, the device (1) has a box-shaped first casing (3) that serves as a passage for the cap, and a box-shaped second casing (5) that closes the opening of the first casing (3). The second casing (5) has a sliding hinge (7)
Since the first casing (3) is attached to the first casing (3), the first casing (3) and the second casing (5) can be separated from each other.

Note that the second casing (5) includes the first casing (3).
) is provided with a window for observing the inside, which is closed by a glass (9) having a microwave mint structure, and furthermore, a hinge (11) on the front of the glass (9) that can be opened and closed freely. A window cover (13) is provided.

Here, a cap (50) is provided on the inner bottom surface of the first casing (3) as a transfer chute (transfer means) through which the cap (50) is transferred while being guided along the longitudinal direction of the first casing (3).
(20) is provided.

The transfer shoe (20) is disposed in a rectangular tube (20a) having a substantially C-shaped cross section with a portion cut out along the longitudinal direction, and a notch space (20A) of the rectangular tube (20a). The camp (50) is guided by the linear members (20b) and set so as not to jump out of the cutout space (2OA). has been done.

In this case, if the cap (50) has a relatively large outer diameter, it will not protrude from the cutout space (20A), so the cotton-like member (20b) is not necessarily necessary.

The transfer chute (20) has a first
A microwave generator (1) is installed on the inner side of the casing (3).
7) and (17) are provided.

From the microwave generator (17) there is a transfer chute (20
) Microwaves are emitted to the cap (50) in the square tube (20a), so the square tube (20a) has multiple through holes (a) for passing the microwaves, and the camp (50) emits the microwaves. It causes fever.

In addition, as a configuration in which microwaves are efficiently propagated to the camp (50), the square tube (20a) is made of glass, quartz,
Examples include a structure formed of ceramics or a resin that is resistant to high temperatures, and a structure in which rod-shaped members are arranged at intervals in a drainboard shape (particularly when formed of metal).

The microwave output of the cap (50) is set so that the temperature is approximately 125V1, and therefore,
Various bacteria existing in the cap (50) are sterilized by the heat.

In addition, in cases where microwaves are emitted to perform sterilization treatment, the first casing (3) and the second casing (5) are integrated by the Pasotin tablet (15),
The microwave is prevented from being propagated to the outside, and the first casing (3) is fixed to an appropriate member (60) by screws (70), welding, or the like.

In addition, the cap (50) can be moved by the force of compressed air or by catch-con hair, by tilting the device (1) and by its own weight, and in particular by sterile hot air. By doing so, the sterilization effect can be made more reliable at the same time.

As explained above, in this example, the camp (50)
While being transported at the transport shoe) (20), the camp (
50), microwaves are emitted from the microwave generator (17).

Therefore, the cap (50) receives the microwaves and generates heat, so that dry heat sterilization can be performed.

Furthermore, since the heat generation temperature of the cap (50) can be made sufficiently high, the sterilization process can be performed reliably.

In this case, it is preferable to measure the temperature of the camp (50) with a heat sensor and perform desired temperature control (sterilization control) based on the measurement result.

Moreover, since it is a dry heat type, maintenance of the apparatus (1) is easy and work efficiency is excellent.

Note that the containers to be sterilized in the apparatus (1) include cans, while the lids include can lids and metal camps such as bottles.

Next, other embodiments will be described.

In this embodiment, as can be understood from FIG. 4, the width is such that the microwave generator (17) can fit inside the second casing (5), and the microwave An ultraviolet electrodeless discharge tube (100) is provided at a position facing the generator (17).

Therefore, in response to the microwave emitted from the microwave generator (17), ultraviolet rays are generated in the discharge tube (100), and the ultraviolet rays are irradiated onto the camp (50).

As described above, in this embodiment, the camp (50) is sterilized by generating heat and is also sterilized by ultraviolet rays, so that the reliability of the sterilizing effect is further increased.

In FIG. 4, the same parts as in FIG. 3 are given the same reference numerals, and their explanations will be omitted.

〔Effect of the invention〕

As can be understood from the above explanation, in the sterilizer according to the present invention, the container or the lid is transferred by the transfer means, and microwaves are emitted to the container or the lid at the transfer path position, and the container or the lid is irradiated with microwaves. The lid body is sterilized.

Therefore, the temperature of the container or lid is sufficiently raised, and reliable sterilization becomes possible.

Furthermore, since it is a dry heat type, maintenance of the device can be easily performed and workability is excellent.

In addition, since sterilization treatment using ultraviolet rays is performed at the same time,
The bactericidal effect becomes even more reliable.

(17) is a microwave generator, (50) is a cap (M
(100) is an ultraviolet electrodeless discharge tube.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a plan view of a preferred embodiment of the sterilizer according to the present invention, FIG. 2 is a side view showing the direction indicated by the ■ arrow in FIG. 1, and FIG. [A line cross-sectional view, FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating the configuration of another embodiment. (1) is the sterilizer, and (20) is the transfer chute (transfer means).

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A transfer means in which an unused container to be aseptically filled with desired contents or a lid of the container is transported while being guided along a predetermined direction at a pre-stage position of a filling machine line. A sterilization device comprising: a microwave generator that emits microwaves to the container or lid at a transfer path position where the container or lid is transferred by the transfer means. 2. It is said that it is possible to generate ultraviolet rays by receiving the microwave,
The sterilizer according to claim 1, wherein the container or the lid is provided with an electrodeless discharge tube that irradiates the ultraviolet rays.