JPH0546461Y2 - - Google Patents

Description

[Detailed description of the invention] [Industrial application field] The present invention relates to a sterilizer for crowns, caps, etc.
For more details, use the bactericidal effect of ozone to remove the crown,
This invention relates to a device for efficiently sterilizing caps, etc.

[Problems to be solved by conventional techniques and ideas]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION When food drinks such as beer and youth are filled into bottles, an aseptic filling method is used. Therefore, it is necessary to sterilize the crown, cap, etc. in advance.

Conventionally, crowns, caps, etc. have been sterilized by methods such as ultraviolet irradiation and methods using chemicals such as HCHO and NaOCl. However, in order to completely sterilize by ultraviolet irradiation, it is necessary to separate the crowns, caps, etc. one by one to avoid creating shadows, and to use equipment to align the directions, which not only increases the equipment cost but also reduces the production line. There was a problem with complicating things. In addition, sterilization using chemicals requires a means for transporting the chemicals, takes a long time to complete the sterilization process, and has the disadvantages of having to install multiple relatively large hoppers to eliminate the effects of residual chemicals. However, it lacked compatibility with a wide variety of products.

Therefore, the object of the present invention is to provide a sterilizing device for crowns, caps, etc., which simplifies the line and can completely sterilize in a short period of time.

[Means to solve the problem]

The present invention comprises an ozone generation mechanism consisting of a concentrated oxygen production device 1, an ozone generator 2 that produces ozone from the oxygen supplied from the concentrated oxygen production device 1, and a system that transmits the ozone generated by the ozone generator 2. It has a blower 3 for feeding, an inlet 5 for crowns, caps, etc., and an ozone outlet 6 at the upper part, and an outlet 7 for crowns, caps, etc. and an ozone inlet 8 at the lower part, and conveys the crowns, caps, etc. a sterilizing hopper 9 built into a line for sterilizing, a feeding pipe A for feeding ozone to the ozone inlet 8 of the sterilizing hopper 9 via the blower 3, and the sterilizing hopper 9. a circulation pipe B for returning ozone discharged from the ozone discharge port 6 to the supply pipe A via the blower 3; and an air filter 4 for introducing outside air via the blower 3. When the ozone concentration in the hopper 9 reaches a predetermined value after the blower 3 starts supplying ozone, the object to be sterilized is transferred from the inlet 5 to the sterilizer. Introduced into the hopper 9, during the sterilization process, in order to maintain the ozone concentration in the sterilization hopper 9 at a predetermined value,
The present invention provides a sterilizing device for crowns, caps, etc., which has the ozone generation mechanism and an operation control mechanism that controls the operation of the blower 3 and circulates and replenishes ozone via the ozone circulation mechanism.

The present invention will be explained based on illustrated embodiments.
FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing one aspect of the apparatus of the present invention. Moreover, FIG. 2 is a detailed view of the sterilization hopper 9.

The crowns, caps, etc. are sent from the conveyance line to the capping machine hopper, but before that they are sterilized by ozone in the sterilization hopper 9. Ozone supplied from the ozone generator 2 is connected to a blower 3, an ozone inlet 8, an ozone outlet 6, etc. through piping, and is circulated to increase the ozone concentration in the sterilizing hopper 9 to a predetermined concentration. Next, a crown, a cap, etc. are introduced into the hopper 9,
After adding a predetermined amount, the damper at the upper introduction port 5 is closed to circulate ozone for a certain period of time. In this case, ozone is supplied from the ozone generator 2 in order to maintain the ozone concentration. The appropriate time for the ozone sterilization treatment is usually 1 to 7 minutes, preferably 3 to 5 minutes.

After the ozone sterilization process is completed, air passed through the air filter 4 is introduced to purge residual ozone. Next, the damper of the discharge port 7 at the bottom of the hopper 9 is opened, and the crown, cap, etc. are discharged and sent to the hopper of the capping machine. As mentioned above, after sterilization, residual ozone is purged from piping, equipment, etc. and exhausted outside the building, but before being exhausted outside the building, it is decomposed by the ozone killer (ozone decomposer) 11. It is considered to be a harmless gas (oxygen).

In the present invention, the concentrated oxygen production device 1 is connected to the ozone generator 2 in order to efficiently produce ozone. This concentrated oxygen production device 1 includes an air inlet, an air compressor, a cooling coil, an adsorption cylinder,
It is equipped with an oxygen storage tank, oxygen supply pipe, oxygen flow rate controller, etc. The ozone generator 2 mainly consists of a power supply section and a discharge section, and the produced ozone is introduced into the sterilization hopper 9 via piping, a blower, etc., as described above. The ozone concentration is checked using an ozone concentration meter and adjusted to an appropriate concentration. Furthermore, the device of the present invention is operated by a control mechanism and can be automated.

[Operations and effects of the present invention] In the case of sterilization by ultraviolet irradiation, it is extremely difficult to completely treat all crowns due to overlapping or reversed orientation, and it is not suitable for treating cork crowns. Although there were some problems, the device of this invention can be connected directly to the line, and it can sterilize in a shorter time compared to chemical treatment, and it can also send sterile air for replacement after sterilization. This eliminates problems caused by residual gases.

In addition, compared to conventional devices, the device of the present invention is characterized by being able to save much space and by being directly connected to a line, it is easy to handle a wide variety of products. Furthermore, the device of the present invention can also be applied to the field of sterile packaging.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing one aspect of the apparatus of the present invention. Moreover, FIG. 2 is a detailed view of the sterilization hopper 9. 1... Concentrated oxygen production device, 2... Ozone generator, 3... Blower, 4... Air filter,
5... Inlet for crown, cap, etc., 6... Ozone outlet, 7... Outlet for crown, cap, etc., 8...
... Ozone inlet, 9... Sterilization hopper, 10...
...Ozone concentration meter, 11...Ozone killer, 12...
...Upper shutter drive cylinder, 13...Lower shutter drive cylinder, 14...Level gauge, 15...Top lid of sterilization hopper, 16...
...Input port for test crown, cap, etc., A...Feeding piping, B...Circulation piping.

Claims (1)

[Claims for Utility Model Registration] (1) An ozone generation mechanism comprising a concentrated oxygen production device 1 and an ozone generator 2 that produces ozone from the oxygen supplied from the concentrated oxygen production device 1;
It has a blower 3 for feeding the ozone generated by the ozone generator 2, an inlet 5 such as a crown or a cap, and an ozone outlet 6 in the upper part, and a crown, a cap, etc. in the lower part.
A sterilizing hopper 9 has an outlet 7 for caps, etc., and an ozone inlet 8, and is incorporated into a line for conveying crowns, caps, etc. 8 and the ozone discharged from the ozone outlet 6 of the sterilization hopper 9 to the blower 3.
an ozone circulation mechanism consisting of a circulation pipe B for returning air to the feed pipe A through the air filter 4, and an air filter 4 for introducing outside air through the blower 3, and supply of ozone by the blower 3; When the ozone concentration in the sterilization hopper 9 reaches a predetermined value after the sterilization process has started, the object to be sterilized is introduced into the sterilization hopper 9 through the introduction port 5, and during the sterilization process, the ozone concentration in the sterilization hopper 9 reaches a predetermined value. controlling the operation of the ozone generation mechanism and the blower 3 in order to maintain the ozone concentration in the ozone at a predetermined value;
A sterilizing device for crowns, caps, etc., which has an operation control mechanism that circulates and replenishes ozone via the ozone circulation mechanism. (2) The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising an ozone concentration meter 10 in a circulation pipe B connecting the ozone outlet 6 of the sterilizing hopper 9 and the blower 3. (3) The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising an ozone killer 11 in a piping system connected to the ozone outlet 6 of the sterilizing hopper 9 and/or in a piping system connected to the ozone generator 2.