JPH10236440A - Method for sterilizing plastic container for beverage - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To enable sterilization simply and efficiently so secure safety of drink without losing taste of the beverage to be filled by bringing heated chlorinated sodium hydroxide or heated sodium hydroxide into contact with inner and outer walls of a plastic container, radiating ultraviolet rays and washing in water. SOLUTION: The sterilization method comprises steps of bringing chlorinated sodium hydroxide heated to 30 deg.C or higher or sodium hydroxide heated to 30 deg.C or higher into contact with inner and outer walls of a container, radiating ultraviolet rays with radiation strength of 3mW.sec/cm<2> or more to sterilize the inner and outer walls, and then washing the heated chlorinated sodium hydroxide or the heated sodium hydroxide on the inner and outer walls of the container in water. Contact with the container is performed by spraying toward the inner and outer walls of the container, injecting a full amount into the container, soaking the container and flowing down on the outer wall of the container. Chlorinated sodium hydroxide with hypochlorous acid having a concentration of 0.1W/V% or higher added to sodium hydride having a concentration of 0.5W/V% or higher in range of 5W/V% to 30W/V% is used.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a method for sterilizing beverage containers, particularly plastic containers.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, plastic containers such as polyethylene terephthalate containers (PET containers) used for filling beverages are provided with a disinfectant such as hydrogen peroxide solution on the inner wall of the container before the beverages are filled. After spraying the outer wall and the like, a sterilizing process of drying the sterilizing agent with hot air is performed. However, according to this method, the bactericide remains on the inner wall of the container, which impairs the flavor of the packed beverage, and has become a problem particularly in the case of tea beverages or drinking water having a subtle flavor. In addition, there is a problem that the residual bactericide is harmful because it is taken together with the beverage.

[0003] In order to solve such a problem,
Various proposals have been made. For example, JP-A-60-99
Japanese Patent Publication No. 828 discloses a container sterilizer for injecting a sterilizing solution (hydrogen peroxide solution) and then injecting a cleaning solution to remove the sterilizing solution.
Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication (Kokai) No. 63-138931 discloses that a bactericide (hydrogen peroxide solution or the like) is sprayed on a container and then hot air is blown on the container to dry the bactericide. A method for washing and removing is described. However, these methods have a problem that the disinfectant cannot be completely removed. Further, there is a problem that the process is complicated, the equipment becomes enormous, and a required time is required. Further, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. Hei 3-231684 describes a method in which the inner wall of a plastic bottle is heated to a sterilizing temperature by hot water, the outer wall is heated, and the bottle is kept at the sterilizing temperature for a predetermined time to sterilize the bottle. . However, this method has a problem that it can only be used for heat-resistant plastic bottles because of the upper limit of the heat-resistant temperature depending on the material of the plastic bottle.

Therefore, complete sterilization can be performed, and it can be applied to plastic containers of any material. More specifically, sterilization can be performed within the heat-resistant temperature range of plastic bottles that are generally widely used, and can be performed easily. Intensive research has been conducted on a sterilization method for plastic containers for beverages, which can be performed in a simple process, does not leave the disinfectant on the inner wall of the container, and has no effect on beverages packed after sterilization. Against this background, the results of microbiological verification of the results of cleaning the pipes of beverage manufacturing plants suggest that chlorinated caustic soda or caustic soda has a sterilizing effect when used as a detergent. Data was obtained. In addition, the cleaning of the pipe is to chemically solubilize or remove the adhered residue derived from the fluid flowing in the pipe, or to physically remove and discharge the deposited residue by the flow of the cleaning fluid. It does not mean. Until now, chlorinated caustic soda and caustic soda have been used as detergents, but they have never been used as germicides, and even their germicidal spectrum has not been revealed. We therefore, from the presence of the data, verified the potential use of chlorinated caustic soda and caustic soda as a disinfectant, and the potential use of beverage plastic containers for disinfecting, Solves the problem of residual fungicide, and uses effective and appropriate fungicide (concentration,
Temperature, application time, etc.). Furthermore, in order to obtain a higher degree of sterilization effect, by combining the use of chlorinated caustic soda or caustic soda as a sterilizer and a specific sterilization method by ultraviolet irradiation, a very high sterilization effect, and a simple and effective sterilization method And completed the present invention.

[0005]

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION The present invention provides a plastic container for beverages without any germicide remaining on the inner and outer walls of the container, and is efficiently and completely completed by a simple process and apparatus irrespective of the material of the container. It is an object of the present invention to provide a sterilization method capable of performing sterilization without affecting the beverage packed after sterilization.

[0006]

According to the present invention, a chlorinated caustic soda having a bactericidal effect or a heated caustic soda is brought into contact with the inner and outer walls of a container, and the container is irradiated with ultraviolet rays having a high bactericidal effect, and the cleaning effect is further improved. The present invention has been made based on the finding that the above problem can be solved by similarly cleaning the inner wall and the outer wall of the container using water having high water content. That is, the present invention provides a method for disinfecting plastic containers for beverages, which comprises combining heated chlorinated caustic soda having a high sterilizing effect or heated caustic soda, ultraviolet irradiation, and water having a high cleaning effect. Therefore, the composition of the gist is to contact heated chlorinated caustic soda or heated caustic soda on the inner and outer walls of the plastic container for beverages, irradiate the container with ultraviolet rays, and then wash with water and sterilize it. Is to do.

[0007]

The inner wall and outer wall of the container are first sterilized by contacting the container with heated chlorinated caustic soda or heated caustic soda and irradiating the container with ultraviolet rays. The contact of the heated chlorinated caustic soda or the heated caustic soda to the container is performed by spraying the inside and outside walls of the container, filling the inside of the container with the full amount, immersing the container, and flowing down to the outer wall of the container.

[0008] In the sterilization method of the present invention, the inner and outer walls of a drinking plastic container are sterilized by heating and contacting heated chlorinated caustic soda or heated caustic soda to the inner and outer walls of the container, and irradiating with ultraviolet light. The gist of the invention is to wash out the above-mentioned heated chlorinated caustic soda or heated caustic soda on the inner and outer walls of the container. Also, the present invention
The present invention can be similarly applied to not only the container but also a cap which is an accessory of the container.

[0009]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION The chlorinated caustic soda used in the present invention is obtained by adding hypochlorous acid to an aqueous solution of sodium hydroxide. / V% to 30 W / V% is used. In the present invention, chlorinated caustic soda is
As a concentration of sodium hydroxide, 0.5 W / V% or more,
Preferably, one having a concentration in the range of 2 W / V% to 6 W / V% is used. Hypochlorous acid has a concentration of 0.1 W / V
% Or more are used. If the concentration of sodium hydroxide in the chlorinated caustic soda is lower than 0.5 W / V%, the bactericidal effect may be insufficient, and if the concentration is higher than 8 W / V%, the safety or workability in the handling thereof. It is inconvenient from the point of view.

[0010] In addition, the bactericidal effect of chlorinated caustic soda is significantly improved by heating.
Chlorinated caustic soda is used by heating it to a temperature of 30 ° C. or higher, preferably 50 ° C. to 70 ° C. The effect of the present invention can be obtained equally at a temperature of 70 ° C. or higher, but it may exceed the heat resistance range depending on the material of the bottle. In the method of the present invention, chlorinated caustic soda at a temperature of 30 ° C. or higher is used. It suffices if it is sufficient, it is economical, and it can be used without considering the heat resistance depending on the type of plastic material of the container.

In the present invention, the contact of the chlorinated caustic soda with the inner wall and the outer wall of the container can be performed by spraying, spraying, showering or the like using a nozzle or the like. A method of injecting chlorinated caustic soda in a state where the container is inverted is preferably used because the chlorinated caustic soda is easily discharged from the container. For example, with the container upside down,
In the case of injection to the inner wall of the container, the injection is performed from the opening of the container into the interior of the container using a nozzle or the like. In the case of the outer wall, the injection is performed from a plurality of nozzles or by moving the nozzles. The flow rate of the injection of the chlorinated caustic soda is not particularly limited, but is preferably 50 ml / sec or more, more preferably 150 ml / sec or more, and 2 seconds or more with respect to the inner or outer wall of the container. Preferably, the injection is performed for 5 seconds or more.
The amount of chlorinated caustic soda used when spraying on the inner or outer wall of the container should be at least 0.2 times the internal volume of the container to be sterilized,
Preferably, an amount of 0.5 times or more is used. When such an amount of chlorinated caustic soda is used, the inner wall or the outer wall of the container to be sterilized can be uniformly contacted, and the sterilization can be performed efficiently and completely.

When the chlorinated caustic soda is fully injected into the container for contact with the inner wall, chlorinated caustic soda may be injected with a nozzle or the like, or the container may be filled into a tank filled with chlorinated caustic soda. This can be achieved by immersing the chlorinated caustic soda into the entire interior. Similarly, when the container is completely immersed and held in chlorinated caustic soda for contact with the outer wall, the entire container may be immersed in a tank filled with chlorinated caustic soda or the outer wall of the container may be used. When maintaining the state in which chlorinated caustic soda has flowed down, the chlorinated caustic soda continues to be injected into the container even when the amount is full or more to overflow the chlorinated caustic soda, and the state in which the chlorinated caustic soda flows down the outer wall of the container is maintained. That can be done. In the case where chlorinated caustic soda is fully charged into the container and drained after holding, the liquid is drained after holding for 10 seconds or more, preferably 30 seconds or more from the time when the container becomes full. When the container is immersed in chlorinated caustic soda, the container is kept for 10 seconds or more, preferably 30 seconds or more, from the time when the entire container is completely immersed in chlorinated caustic soda. Similarly, when maintaining the state in which chlorinated caustic soda has flowed down to the outer wall of the container, hold for 10 seconds or more, preferably 30 seconds or more after the chlorinated caustic soda flows down in the entire container. Do.

[0013] The container is immersed in a tank or the like filled with chlorinated caustic soda, and chlorinated caustic soda is allowed to penetrate into the inside of the container. When the chlorinated caustic soda flows down the outer wall of the container, the contact of the inner and outer walls with the chlorinated caustic soda is
You can do it all at once.

The caustic soda used in the present invention is an aqueous solution of sodium hydroxide, the concentration of which is 0.5 W / V% or more, preferably in the range of 2 W / V% to 6 W / V%. used. Concentration is 0.5W / V%
If it is lower, the bactericidal effect may be insufficient, and the concentration is 8W.
When it is higher than / V%, it is inconvenient in terms of safety in handling or workability.

Further, since the sterilization effect of caustic soda is significantly improved by heating, in the present invention, caustic soda heated to a temperature of 30 ° C. or more, preferably in the range of 50 ° C. to 70 ° C. is used. Although the effect of the present invention can be obtained equally at a temperature of 70 ° C. or more, it may exceed the heat resistance range depending on the material of the bottle. In the method of the present invention, if the temperature of the caustic soda is 30 ° C. or more, It is sufficient, economical, and can be used without considering the heat resistance depending on the type of plastic material of the container.

In the present invention, the contact of the caustic soda with the inner wall and the outer wall of the container can be performed by spraying, spraying, showering or the like using a nozzle or the like. A method of injecting caustic soda water with the container inverted is preferably used because caustic soda is easily discharged from the container. For example, in the case where the container is inverted, in the case of spraying on the inner wall of the container, the nozzle is sprayed into the inside of the container from the mouth of the container. Let it inject. The flow rate of the injection of caustic soda is not particularly limited, but is preferably 50 ml / sec or more, more preferably 150 ml / sec or more, and is preferably 2 seconds or more with respect to the inner wall or outer wall of the container, and more preferably. Inject for more than 5 seconds. The amount of caustic soda used when spraying on the inner or outer wall of the container is at least 0.2 times, preferably at least 0.5 times, the internal volume of the container to be sterilized. With such an amount of caustic soda,
The inner wall or the outer wall of the container to be sterilized can be uniformly contacted, and the sterilization can be performed efficiently and completely.

When a full amount of caustic soda is injected into the container for contact with the inner wall, caustic soda may be injected with a nozzle or the like, or the container may be immersed in a tank filled with caustic soda and the entire interior may be caustic soda. Can be performed by invading the Similarly, when the container is completely immersed and held in caustic soda for contact with the outer wall, the entire container may be immersed in a tank filled with caustic soda, or the caustic soda may flow down to the outer wall of the container. When the caustic soda is kept in the container, the caustic soda is continuously poured into the container over the full amount so that the caustic soda overflows, and the caustic soda flows down the outer wall of the container. In the case where a full amount of caustic soda is injected into the container, and the liquid is drained after holding, the liquid is discharged for 10 seconds or more, preferably 3 hours or more, when the container is full.
After holding for 0 seconds or more, drainage is performed. When the container is immersed in caustic soda, the container is completely immersed in caustic soda for at least 10 seconds, preferably 3 seconds.
Hold for 0 seconds or more. Similarly, when maintaining the state in which caustic soda flows down on the outer wall of the container, the holding is performed for 10 seconds or more, preferably 30 seconds or more after the caustic soda flows down to the entire container.

The container is immersed in a tank filled with caustic soda, and the caustic soda also penetrates into the inside of the container, or the caustic soda overflows by injecting the caustic soda to the inside of the container over a full amount, and the outer wall of the container is filled with caustic soda. When the flowing state is maintained, the inner wall and the outer wall can be brought into contact with the caustic soda at once.

The ultraviolet light used in the present invention has an irradiation intensity of 3 mW · sec / cm ² or more, preferably 5 mW · sec.
Those having an intensity in the range of c / cm ² to 300 mW · sec / cm ² can be used in the present invention. Irradiation intensity is 3mW · s
If it is less than ec / cm ² , the bactericidal effect may be insufficient. If the irradiation intensity is more than 300 mW · sec / cm ² , the effect of the present invention can be similarly obtained, but the ultraviolet irradiation device becomes expensive, and The arrangement with other devices is complicated and inconvenient. When spores of a specific mold are to be sterilized, the irradiation intensity is preferably in the range of 20 mW · sec / cm ² or more. For ultraviolet irradiation, one or two or more ultraviolet lamps are installed so that ultraviolet rays can be applied to the container from the top, the oblique top, the side, and the bottom of the container to be sterilized. As the irradiation method, the container may be sequentially conveyed such as a belt conveyor so as to pass through the ultraviolet lamp installation site, or may be further conveyed so as to rotate the container. Further, it can be performed by moving an ultraviolet lamp. Irradiation inside the container can be performed by inserting an ultraviolet lamp from the opening of the container.

As the water, any water can be used as long as it has no unpleasant odor and sterile water suitable for drinking. The temperature is not particularly limited, but may be any temperature at which fluidity can be sufficiently maintained. Washing of the inner and outer walls of the container with water can be performed by spraying, spraying, showering, or the like using a nozzle or the like. A method of injecting water in a state where the container is inverted is preferably used because water is easily discharged from the container. For example, in the case of spraying on the inner wall of the container with the container inverted, from the container mouth,
Injection is performed by a nozzle or the like into the inside of the container, and in the case of an outer wall, injection is performed from a plurality of nozzles or by moving nozzles. The amount of water used is at least 0.1 times the inner volume of the container to be sterilized, preferably by spraying an amount of at least 0.2 times the inner or outer wall, so that the inner or outer wall of the container can be sufficiently contacted, Residual chlorinated caustic soda or caustic soda can be completely removed. The flow rate of the water jet is not particularly limited, but is preferably 50 ml / sec or more, more preferably 150 ml / sec or more, and is preferably 1 second or more with respect to the inner or outer wall of the container, and more preferably. Inject for more than 2 seconds.

Alternatively, in the case of cleaning the inner wall of the container, it is sufficient to inject a full amount of water with a nozzle or the like, or by immersing the container in a tank filled with water and allowing the water to penetrate into the entire interior. be able to. Similarly, for cleaning the outer wall of the container,
When the container is immersed in water, the entire container may be immersed in a tank filled with water, or when the water is allowed to flow down on the outer wall of the container, the container is filled with water. The above can also be performed by continuing the pouring, causing the water to overflow, and maintaining the state in which the water flows down the outer wall of the container. The container is immersed in a tank filled with water to allow water to enter the inside of the container, or the water is allowed to overflow into the container by injecting more than the full amount of water into the container and the water flows down the outer wall of the container. When maintaining the condition, the inner wall and the outer wall can be washed with water at the same time.

In the present invention, it is efficient and preferable that the contact of the container with the heated chlorinated caustic soda or the heated caustic soda, the irradiation of the container with ultraviolet rays, and the washing with water are successively performed. Contact with the inner and outer walls of the container may be performed simultaneously or sequentially. In addition, from the point of sterilization efficiency, the irradiation of ultraviolet rays, when moisture or the like is attached to the surface to be irradiated, the effect of the ultraviolet irradiation may be insufficient, so that the container is dried or performed. It is preferable to carry out before the contact of the heated chlorinated caustic soda or the heated caustic soda.

After contact with warmed chlorinated caustic soda or warmed caustic soda, ultraviolet irradiation and washing with water, the beverage can be filled into the container as it is.

Example 1 As a plastic container, a PET container having an inner diameter of a mouth of 28 mm and an internal capacity of 2000 ml was used. The inner wall and the outer wall of the container were sterilized under the following conditions.

(Injection method) The PET container is erected on the bottle conveying device, and ultraviolet rays are irradiated at 50 mW · s by an ultraviolet lamp.
irradiate the outer wall of the container with an intensity of ec / cm ² , and simultaneously insert an ultraviolet lamp through the mouth to emit ultraviolet light at 50 mW · sec /
After irradiating the inner wall of the container with an intensity of cm ² , the PET container was inverted and heated from the upper and side shower nozzles at 65 ° C., 1 W / V% sodium hydroxide and 0.1 W / V% hypochlorous acid. Chlorinated caustic soda aqueous solution for 5 seconds (flow rate 150
ml / sec) Sprayed on the outer wall of the container, and simultaneously from the mouth of the PET container through a nozzle at 65 ° C, sodium hydroxide 1W / V
% And 0.1 W / V% of hypochlorous acid are sprayed onto the inner wall of the vessel for 5 seconds (flow rate 150 ml / sec), and then water at 15 ° C. is applied for 3 seconds (flow rate 150 ml / sec).
It was sprayed on the outer and inner walls of the container. This sample was designated as A.

Example 2 (Immersion method 1) A PET container having the same size as the PET container used in Example 1 was irradiated with ultraviolet rays by an ultraviolet lamp at 50 mW.
Irradiate the outer wall of the container with an intensity of sec / cm ² , and simultaneously insert an ultraviolet lamp from the mouth to emit ultraviolet light at 50 mW · sec.
After irradiating the inner wall of the container with an intensity of c / cm ² , it was completely immersed in a tank filled with a heated chlorinated caustic soda aqueous solution of 30 ° C., 1 W / V% of sodium hydroxide and 0.1 W / V% of hypochlorous acid. After the air inside the container was completely removed and kept for 3 minutes, the container was pulled out of the tank and the aqueous chlorinated caustic soda solution was drained from the inside of the container. Then, water at 15 ° C. was supplied for 3 seconds (flow rate 150 ml / second). ) Sample B was sprayed on the outer and inner walls of the container.

Example 3 (Immersion method 2) A PET container having the same size as the PET container used in Example 1 was irradiated with ultraviolet rays by an ultraviolet lamp at 50 mW.
Irradiate the outer wall of the container with an intensity of sec / cm ² , and simultaneously insert an ultraviolet lamp from the mouth to emit ultraviolet light at 50 mW · sec.
After irradiating the inner wall of the container with an intensity of c / cm ^2, a heated chlorinated caustic soda aqueous solution of 50 ° C., 1 W / V% of sodium hydroxide and 0.1 W / V% of hypochlorous acid is injected into the container with a nozzle. The chlorinated caustic soda aqueous solution is maintained in a state where the chlorinated caustic soda aqueous solution overflows by maintaining the state where the chlorinated caustic soda aqueous solution flows down, and then the chlorinated caustic soda aqueous solution inside the container is maintained. Was drained, water at 15 ° C. was applied for 3 seconds (flow rate 150 ml
/ Sec) Sample C was sprayed on the inner and outer walls of the container.
And

Example 4 As a plastic container, a PET container having an inner diameter of a mouth of 28 mm and a capacity of 2000 ml was used. The inner wall and the outer wall of the container were sterilized under the following conditions.

(Injection method) A PET container is erected in a bottle conveying device, and ultraviolet light is irradiated by an ultraviolet lamp at 50 mW · s.
irradiate the outer wall of the container with an intensity of ec / cm ² , and simultaneously insert an ultraviolet lamp through the mouth to emit ultraviolet light at 50 mW · sec /
After irradiating the inner wall of the container with an intensity of cm ² , the PET container was inverted, and 65 ° C., 4 W /
V% aqueous caustic soda aqueous solution for 5 seconds (flow rate 150
ml / sec), and simultaneously sprayed a heated caustic soda solution of 65 ° C., 4 W / V% from the mouth of the PET container through a nozzle for 5 seconds (flow rate 150 ml / sec) from the mouth of the PET container to the inner wall of the container. ℃ water for 5 seconds (flow rate 150ml / sec)
It was sprayed on the outer and inner walls of the container. This sample was designated as D.

Example 5 (Immersion method 1) A PET container having the same size as that of the PET container used in Example 4 was irradiated with ultraviolet rays by an ultraviolet lamp at 50 mW.
Irradiate the outer wall of the container with an intensity of sec / cm ² , and simultaneously insert an ultraviolet lamp from the mouth to emit ultraviolet light at 50 mW · sec.
After irradiating the inner wall of the container with an intensity of c / cm ² , 30 ° C., 5 W /
The vessel was completely immersed in a tank filled with a heated aqueous sodium hydroxide solution of V%, and kept for 3 minutes after the air inside the container was completely removed. Then, the container was pulled out of the tank and the aqueous sodium hydroxide solution inside the container was drained. Thereafter, water at 15 ° C. was sprayed onto the outer and inner walls of the container for 3 seconds (flow rate: 150 ml / second) to obtain Sample E.

Example 6 (Immersion method 2) A PET container having the same size as that of the PET container used in Example 4 was irradiated with ultraviolet light by an ultraviolet lamp at 50 mW.
Irradiate the outer wall of the container with an intensity of sec / cm ² , and simultaneously insert an ultraviolet lamp from the mouth to emit ultraviolet light at 50 mW · sec.
After irradiating the inner wall of the container with an intensity of c / cm ² , 50 ° C., 3 W /
A heated caustic soda aqueous solution of V% is injected into the container with a nozzle, and the injection is continued even after the container is full, causing the aqueous caustic soda to overflow, and maintaining the state in which the aqueous sodium hydroxide solution flows down the outer wall of the container. After holding the aqueous solution of caustic soda in the container for 1 minute,
Sample F was obtained by spraying 5 ° C. water on the inner and outer walls of the container for 3 seconds (flow rate: 150 ml / sec).

Example 7 As a plastic container, a PET container having an inner diameter of a mouth of 28 mm and an internal capacity of 2000 ml was used. The inner wall and the outer wall of the container were sterilized under the following conditions.

(Injection method) A PET container is erected in a bottle conveying apparatus, and ultraviolet rays are irradiated by an ultraviolet lamp at 100 mW.
Irradiate the outer wall of the container with an intensity of sec / cm ² , and simultaneously insert an ultraviolet lamp through the mouth to emit ultraviolet light at 100 mW · sec.
After irradiating the inner wall of the container with an intensity of c / cm ² , the PET container was inverted, and 60 ° C., 2 W / V% of sodium hydroxide and 0.2 W / V of hypochlorous acid were passed through upper and side shower nozzles.
% Chlorinated caustic soda aqueous solution for 5 seconds (flow rate 1
(50 ml / sec) Spray onto the outer wall of the container, and at the same time, from the mouth of the PET container through a nozzle at 60 ° C, 2 W of sodium hydroxide
/ V% and 0.2 W / V% of hypochlorous acid are sprayed on the inner wall of the vessel for 5 seconds (flow rate 150 ml / second), and then water at 15 ° C. for 3 seconds (flow rate 150 ml / second).
(ml / sec). This sample was designated G.

Example 8 As a plastic container, a PET container having an inner diameter of a mouth of 28 mm and an internal capacity of 2000 ml was used. The inner wall and the outer wall of the container were sterilized under the following conditions.

(Injection method) A PET container is erected in a bottle conveying device, and ultraviolet rays are irradiated by an ultraviolet lamp at 100 mW.
Irradiate the outer wall of the container with an intensity of sec / cm ² , and simultaneously insert an ultraviolet lamp through the mouth to emit ultraviolet light at 100 mW · sec.
After irradiating the inner wall of the container with an intensity of c / cm ² , the PET container was inverted and the temperature was set to 60 ° C. and 4 ° C. from the upper and side shower nozzles.
The heated caustic soda aqueous solution of W / V% is sprayed onto the outer wall of the container for 10 seconds (flow rate 150 ml / sec), and at the same time, the heated caustic soda aqueous solution of 4 W / V% is heated from the mouth of the PET container through the nozzle at 60 ° C. 10 seconds (flow rate 150ml / sec)
After spraying on the inner wall of the container, water at 15 ° C. is applied for 5 seconds (flow rate 150 m
1 / sec) It sprayed on the outer wall and inner wall of the container. This sample was designated as H.

The PET container samples A, B, C, D, E, F, G and H having been subjected to the above-mentioned outer wall treatment and inner wall treatment are filled with a sterile liquid medium at room temperature in a clean room, and the container is opened with a sterile cap. Part was wound up. As the liquid medium, trypticase soy broth (manufactured by BECTON DICKSON & CO) was prepared at a concentration of 1/10 and sterilized. The composition of the medium used was 1.7 parts of casein hydrolyzate.
g / l, soy hydrolyzate 0.3 g / l, sodium chloride 0.
It was 5 g / l, dipotassium phosphate 0.25 g / l, and dextrose 0.25 g / l. A plurality of PET container samples A, B, C, D, E, F, G and H each containing this liquid medium were prepared, stored at room temperature, and opened and filled after 1 month and 12 months, respectively. Observation of the obtained liquid medium revealed no deterioration.

Further, the P on which the above-mentioned outer wall treatment and inner wall treatment have been carried out.
ET container samples A, B, C, D, E, F, G and H
Then, a sterile and sterile mineral water was filled in a clean room at room temperature, and the container opening was closed with a sterile cap. A plurality of PET container samples A, B, C, D, E, F, G and H filled with the mineral water were prepared, stored at room temperature, opened and filled after 1 month and 12 months, respectively. Observed mineral water showed no deterioration and had no problem in storage stability, the flavor of the mineral water was not impaired, there was no off-flavor, and no functional change was recognized.

[0038]

According to the method of the present invention, heated chlorinated caustic soda or heated caustic soda is brought into contact with the inner and outer walls of a plastic container, irradiated with ultraviolet light, and washed with water, whereby these inner and outer walls are washed. It is possible to sterilize the outer wall.

By the washing with water, the bactericide is effectively washed away, so that the bactericide does not remain on the inner and outer walls of the container, has no effect on the beverage packed in the container, and is easily and efficiently used. It is possible to completely and completely sterilize the inner and outer walls of the plastic container.
Therefore, the flavor of the beverage filled in the container after sterilization is not impaired, and the safety of the beverage is not impaired. In addition, since bacterium can be completely sterilized by chlorinated caustic soda or caustic soda, ultraviolet irradiation, and water, the shelf life of the beverage is good. Further, since the present invention can be applied without considering the heat resistance of the material of the plastic container, a material suitable for a beverage packed in the container can be freely selected, and the sterilization method of the present invention can be applied.

Claims (7)

[Claims] 1. A heated plastic chlorinated caustic soda or a heated caustic soda is brought into contact with the inner and outer walls of a beverage plastic container and irradiated with ultraviolet rays, and further washed with water to sterilize the beverage plastic container. A method for sterilizing a plastic container for beverages, comprising: 2. The contact of the heated chlorinated caustic soda or the heated caustic soda according to claim 1 with the inner wall of the container,
Beverage plastic characterized in that heated chlorinated caustic soda or heated caustic soda is sprayed, or heated chlorinated caustic soda or heated caustic soda is filled into a container in full quantity, and drained after holding. Sterilization method of the container made. 3. The contact of the warmed chlorinated caustic soda of claim 1 or the warmed caustic soda with the outer wall of the container comprises:
Injection of heated chlorinated caustic soda or heated caustic soda, immersion of the container in warmed chlorinated caustic soda or heated caustic soda, and holding, or warming of chlorinated caustic soda or heated caustic soda on the outer wall of the container A method of sterilizing a plastic container for beverages, comprising maintaining hot caustic soda in a flowing down state. 4. The heated chlorinated caustic soda according to claim 1, which is a mixture of caustic soda and hypochlorous acid, wherein the concentration of caustic soda is 0.5 W / V% or more and the concentration of hypochlorous acid is 0.1 W / V% or more aqueous solution and the mixed solution is 3
A method for sterilizing a plastic container for beverages, which is heated to a temperature of 0 ° C. or higher. 5. The heated caustic soda according to claim 1,
A sterilization method for a plastic container for beverages, comprising an aqueous solution of 0.5 W / V% or more and heated to a temperature of 30 ° C or more. 6. A method for sterilizing a plastic container for beverages, wherein the irradiation of the ultraviolet ray according to claim 1 has an irradiation intensity of 3 mW · sec / cm ² or more. 7. A method for sterilizing a plastic container for beverages, wherein the washing with water according to claim 1 is performed by spraying water on an inner wall and an outer wall of the container.