JPH11208626A - Method for sterilizing article - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To improve the safety for apparatus with the excellent sterilizing effect and the effectiveness for bacterial spore, and without leaving any chlorine odor by combining one or a plurality of a sterilizing method with electrolytic water, an irradiation sterilizing method, a chemical sterilizing method, and a heat-sterilizing method to sterilize a food packaging material. SOLUTION: Electrolytic water regulated to 14 ppm in effective chlorine concentration by an electrolytic water generation system 10 in advance is stored in a tank 4c. In a case of combination with other sterilizing method, the effective chlorine concentration in a low range of not more than 20 ppm is sufficient. The electrolytic water stored in the tank 4c is sprayed on an inner surface of a paper container C to be carried on a conveyor 2 under the condition of 3000 ml/h in flow rate by spray nozzles 4a, 4b. The paper container C is passed under an electron beam irradiation port 5, and irradiated with 15 keV electron beam of 15 kGy. Then, the inside of the paper container C is dried by hot air nozzle 6a, 6b of a remover 6, and a cream soup sterilized by a filling nozzle 7 is filed in the paper container and the container is sealed.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

The present invention relates to a method for sterilizing articles. More specifically, the present invention relates to a method of sterilizing an article by using a sterilization method using electrolytic water and another sterilization method in combination.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, various methods for sterilizing articles, such as irradiation sterilization, chemical sterilization, and heat sterilization, have been put to practical use.

[0003] The irradiation sterilization method is a method of sterilizing an article by irradiating the article with various kinds of light, electromagnetic waves, radiation and the like. Examples of the irradiation sterilization method include a method of irradiating an article with ionizing radiation. Ionizing radiation excites the molecules of an article and repels electrons from individual molecules, converting the molecules to ions of opposite charge. The type of ionizing radiation is electromagnetic radiation γ
Rays, X-rays, and electron beams that are particle radiation, α-rays, β-rays,
Neutrons and protons can be exemplified.

The method of irradiating an article with microwaves, infrared rays, or the like applies thermal vibration to the molecules of the article and sterilizes the article by its heat-generating action, and is included in the heat sterilization described later. The method of irradiating the article with ultraviolet light is not included in the scope of the irradiation sterilization method in the present invention.

[0005] The drug sterilization method is a method in which a sterilizing drug is brought into contact with the surface of an article to sterilize it. For example, a method using a halogen-based disinfectant such as chlorine and iodine, a method using an oxygen-based disinfectant such as hydrogen peroxide and ozone, and a gas disinfectant such as ethylene oxide and propylene oxide are used. There are methods. Among these methods, hydrogen peroxide is widely used because a strong oxidizing action is obtained by generated oxygen.

[0006] The heat sterilization method is a method of sterilizing an article by heating the article to a temperature higher than the heat resistant temperature of microorganisms. This heat sterilization method is a very classic sterilization method (the above prior art is described by Isao Shibasaki, "New Food Sterilization Engineering", August 10, 1983, by Korin Co., Ltd.).

[0007] As described above, various sterilization methods are used variously, particularly in the field of food. In particular, when packaging food with a packaging material, sterilization of the packaging material is performed to ensure hygiene. ing. That is, except for the case of sterilizing the food after packaging, as in the case of retort food, it is important to sufficiently sterilize the packaging material and pack it in a hygienic state when packaging the food.

On the other hand, in recent years, methods other than the above sterilization methods have been developed. In particular, it has been known that electrolyzed water obtained by electrolyzing various solutions has a sterilizing effect. A sterilization method using electrolytic water has also been established. The sterilization method using electrolyzed water is often carried out by bringing electrolyzed water into contact with the surface of the article (supervised by Kunihiko Watanabe et al., “New Water Science and Utilization Technology”, pp. 204-205, ScienceForce Inc. -Ram, 1992).

In general, electrolyzed water is obtained by passing water to which salt is added through an electrolytic cell to obtain acidic water (water generated on the cathode side) obtained by electrolysis. Such electrolyzed water contains chlorine, and the electrolyzed water exerts a bactericidal effect by the action of this chlorine. Electrolytic water has the advantage that it can be sterilized to every corner of the surface of the article by making extensive contact with the article.

In the present invention, various sterilization methods other than the sterilization method using electrolyzed water are described as “other sterilization methods” to distinguish them from the sterilization method using electrolyzed water.

[0011]

However, when the above-mentioned separate sterilization methods are used alone, the disadvantages inherent in each sterilization method become obstacles, and it is difficult to obtain a high sterilization effect. there were.

First, in an irradiation sterilization method, for example, a method of sterilizing by irradiating an electron beam, it is necessary to increase the irradiation dose in order to obtain a sufficient sterilization effect. Therefore, there is a problem that equipment costs and manufacturing costs increase. In addition, depending on the shape of the article, it is difficult to uniformly irradiate the electron beam, and there is a possibility that a part that is not sterilized may occur.

Further, in a chemical sterilization method, for example, a sterilization method using a hydrogen peroxide solution, a high-concentration hydrogen peroxide solution is required if sterilization is performed using only the hydrogen peroxide solution. However, special equipment was required to ensure the safety of workers, and there was a problem in terms of equipment costs.

[0014] In the heat sterilization method, if the article is easily denatured by heat, it must be performed at a low temperature.
High sterilization effects could not be expected.

On the other hand, in the sterilization method using the electrolyzed water, when applied alone, it is necessary to use electrolyzed water having a high chlorine concentration in order to obtain a high sterilization effect. However, there is a problem that an unpleasant odor tends to remain. In addition, electrolyzed water with a high chlorine concentration tends to corrode metals,
There was also a problem in terms of the safety of the equipment. Further, in general, electrolyzed water does not have a sufficient bactericidal effect on bacterial spores and is not sufficient to completely prevent the risk of microbial contamination.

In the end, the other conventional sterilization methods and the sterilization method using electrolyzed water each have their own problems when used alone, so that a high sterilization effect cannot be obtained. is there.

The present inventors have found that by combining a sterilization method using electrolyzed water with one or more other sterilization methods, each problem can be solved and a high sterilization effect can be obtained. Completed the invention.

An object of the present invention is to provide a method for sterilizing an article which has a high sterilizing effect, does not leave a chlorine odor, is effective for bacterial spores, and is highly safe for devices.

[0019]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for sterilizing an article by combining a sterilization method using electrolytic water with one or more other sterilization methods. Sterilization method for articles.

Further, in the present invention, the sterilization method using electrolyzed water is a method of sterilizing the surface of an article by bringing the surface of the article into contact with electrolyzed water (hereinafter referred to as a first embodiment). Sterilizing by contacting electrolyzed water, and then subjecting to one or more other sterilization methods (hereinafter, referred to as a second embodiment), adding electrolyzed water to hydrochloric acid not containing sodium chloride, A process in which hydrochloric acid-added water is passed through a non-diaphragm electrolytic cell, the passed hydrochloric acid-added water is electrolyzed, and the obtained electrolyzed water is diluted with water to be manufactured (hereinafter, referred to as a third embodiment). ), The other sterilization method is irradiation sterilization method (hereinafter,
Described as a fourth embodiment. ), The irradiation sterilization method is a sterilization method of irradiating an electron beam (hereinafter, referred to as a fifth embodiment), and the other sterilization method is a drug sterilization method (hereinafter, referred to as a fifth method).
Described as a sixth aspect. ), The chemical sterilization method uses hydrogen peroxide as a drug (hereinafter, referred to as a seventh embodiment), and the other sterilization method is a heat sterilization method (hereinafter, referred to as an eighth embodiment). And the article is a packaging material (hereinafter referred to as a ninth aspect). Next, the present invention will be described in detail.

[0021]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS In the present invention, articles are sterilized by a combination of a sterilization method using electrolytic water and another sterilization method. For example, a sterilization method using electrolytic water, a heat sterilization method, An embodiment in combination with a sterilization method can be exemplified.

The combined use of the electrolyzed water with another sterilization method can provide a sufficient effect even if the chlorine concentration is low.

Generally, when producing electrolyzed water, the pH and the available chlorine concentration are determined by the following equations (i) and (ii). C _P = I · 70.9 · 1000 / 2F · V (i) C _R = (2F · C · vc-I) / 2F · V (ii) [However, above in the formula, C _P is generated amount of chlorine (pp
m), I is the current (ampere-), F is the Faraday constant,
V is the amount of electrolytic water produced, C _R is the concentration of hydrochloric acid in the electrolytic water, C is the concentration of hydrochloric acid stock solution (21%, weight), vc is the flow rate of hydrochloric acid stock solution,
Are respectively shown. ]

From the above equation (i), it was found that the effective chlorine concentration decreased with an increase in the water supply amount, and the effective chlorine concentration increased with an increase in the electric current. An increase or decrease in current increases the hydrochloric acid concentration,
It is clear that increasing the amount of electrolyzed water production reduces the hydrochloric acid concentration. In general, by appropriately adjusting the supply amount of hydrochloric acid, the supply amount of water, and the current, and diluting after electrolysis, electrolyzed water having a desired effective chlorine concentration can be obtained.

The electrolyzed water used in the present invention is combined with another sterilization method. Therefore, even if the effective chlorine concentration is in a low range, for example, less than 20 ppm, a sufficient bactericidal effect can be obtained as a whole, and in particular, 3 ppm or more,
A range of 5 ppm or less is preferred. Therefore, the sterilization method of the present invention can reduce the chlorine concentration of the electrolyzed water as compared with the prior art, so that there is no chemical odor after sterilizing the article, and there is no adverse effect even if the article comes into contact with the hand of the worker. This has the effect of not corroding the metal surface or the like, and the overall safety of the devices is high.

In a first preferred embodiment of the present invention, the sterilization method using electrolyzed water is performed by bringing the surface of the article into contact with electrolyzed water. In this case, the “contact” is an operation of attaching electrolyzed water to the surface of the article, and examples thereof include an operation of spraying or applying electrolyzed water to the surface of the article, an operation of immersing the article in the electrolyzed water, and the like. .

In a second preferred aspect of the present invention, the sterilization method using electrolyzed water is performed by contacting the surface of the article with electrolyzed water for sterilization, and then performing another sterilization method.

The third aspect of the present invention is characterized by a method for obtaining electrolyzed water. That is, first, hydrochloric acid is added to water containing no sodium chloride. Here, water refers to tap water, groundwater, underground water, demineralized water, distilled water, purified water (RO
Water, membrane-treated water, etc.), and a mixed water thereof, etc., which does not substantially contain sodium chloride.
The expression "does not contain sodium chloride" means that sodium chloride is not artificially added, and does not take into account trace amounts of chloride ions and sodium ions naturally contained in the water. In the present invention, it is desirable not to add not only sodium chloride but also alkali metal chloride as a whole.

Such hydrochloric acid-added water is passed through a non-diaphragm electrolytic cell, electrolyzed, and the obtained electrolyzed water is diluted with water.
Use electrolyzed water. Naturally, sodium chloride is not substantially added to the electrolyzed water thus obtained.

The above operation is performed using a commercially available electrolyzed water producing apparatus Purestar (trademark, manufactured by Morinaga Engineering Co., Ltd.).
Can be carried out by installing a tank storing hydrochloric acid of 21% concentration (weight; hereinafter the same unless otherwise specified), supplying hydrochloric acid and tap water, and performing continuous electrolysis. The obtained electrolyzed water is diluted to adjust the available chlorine concentration to a predetermined range.

The article is sterilized by combining the obtained electrolyzed water with one or more other sterilization methods. In this case, since sodium chloride is not added to the electrolyzed water, there is an advantage that sodium chloride does not remain after sterilizing the article.

In a fourth preferred aspect of the present invention, the other sterilization method is an irradiation sterilization method. Irradiation sterilization is highly effective in killing bacterial spores. Therefore, it is possible to repair the problem that the bacteria spores, which are an inherent problem of the sterilization method using electrolyzed water, have a small effect, and to use electrolyzed water having a low degree of chlorine tank, so that an unpleasant odor can be prevented from remaining on the article. It is also desirable in terms of a kind of security.

Further, from the viewpoint of irradiation, it is possible to reduce the irradiation dose by using electrolyzed water together,
Since the irradiation device can be reduced in size, it is advantageous in terms of equipment costs and manufacturing costs. In addition, even if a part that cannot be sterilized occurs due to the shape of the article, it can be sterilized by the electrolyzed water, which is desirable.

As the irradiation sterilization method, it is desirable to select a method of irradiating with ionizing radiation. Ionizing radiation includes electromagnetic radiation and particle radiation, and the former is γ
Lines and X-rays can be exemplified. Ionizing radiation is more bactericidal than simple ultraviolet light.

In a desirable fifth aspect of the present invention, a method of irradiating an article with an electron beam, which is a kind of particle radiation, is employed as the irradiation sterilization method. Examples of the particle radiation include electron beams, α-rays, β-rays, neutrons, and protons. However, α-rays have low penetrating power, and neutrons do not have the possibility of inducing radioactivity in an article. Therefore, electron beams are generally desirable.

In a sixth preferred aspect of the present invention, the other sterilization method is a chemical sterilization method. In general, when performing the drug sterilization method alone, the concentration of the drug needs to be high, but in the present invention, by combining with the electrolyzed water, a sufficient effect can be obtained even at a low concentration. . In this case, the electrolyzed water and the drug may be used separately, but it is also possible to mix the electrolyzed water and the drug and sterilize the mixture at a time with the mixed solution.

[0037] In a preferred seventh aspect of the present invention, in the sixth aspect, a hydrogen peroxide solution is employed as a chemical. In general, aqueous hydrogen peroxide is dangerous when the concentration of hydrogen peroxide is high, and there is a major problem in ensuring the safety of workers. Therefore, if the concentration of hydrogen peroxide can be reduced by combining with electrolyzed water as in the present invention, it can be said that the effect of the present invention is the greatest.

In a preferred eighth embodiment of the present invention, the other sterilization method is a heat sterilization method. Generally, when performing the heat sterilization method alone, it is necessary to heat the article to a high temperature,
In the present invention, by combining with electrolyzed water,
A sufficient effect can be obtained even at a low temperature. Therefore, even if the article is easily heat-denatured, it can be effectively sterilized.

Examples of the articles to be sterilized in the present invention include foods, pharmaceuticals, textiles, sanitary machines, sanitary facilities, cooking accessories, medical equipment, clothing facilities, and kitchens and kitchens requiring sterilization. , Floors, walls, tables, and the like at medical sites and the like.

In a preferred eighth aspect of the present invention, the article is a packaging material. As a packaging material in this case,
Foods, medicines and the like which are stored inside can be exemplified, and so-called containers are also included in the scope of the packaging material in the present invention. Examples of such packaging materials include molded plastic containers, bottles, cans, paper sheets, laminates, and the like, in addition to paper containers.

Next, the present invention will be described in detail with reference to test examples. Test Example This test was performed to examine the relationship between the combination of various sterilization methods and the sterilization effect.

1) Preparation of Sample Bacillus subtilis IFO 13719 was uniformly spread over the entire surface of a fully opened flat milk packaging material (for 1 liter) (10
(Million cfu / 100 cm ² ) and dried in a desiccator.

An electrolytic water generation system 1 shown in FIG.
According to 0, electrolytic water adjusted to an effective chlorine concentration of 13 ppm was produced and stored in a vat.

A packaging material for milk (for 1 liter) was put into a vat, immersed in the above-mentioned electrolyzed water for 10 seconds, passed under the electron beam irradiation port 5 in FIG.
An electron beam of eV was irradiated at 15 KGy and immediately dried by blowing air at room temperature with a drier to obtain Sample 1 (a sample obtained by combining electrolytic water and irradiation sterilization).

Similarly, hydrogen peroxide solution (special grade reagent, manufactured by Wako Pure Chemical Industries, Ltd.) was added to the electrolyzed water to prepare electrolyzed water containing 3% hydrogen peroxide, and the milk packaging material was immersed in the water. Then, the sample was immediately pulled up and dried by blowing air at 250 ° C. with a dryer to obtain Sample 2 (a sample obtained by combining electrolytic water and a chemical sterilization method).

Similarly, after the milk packaging material is immersed in the electrolyzed water, it is blown with hot air of 250 ° C. for several seconds and dried well.
Then, what was stored in a clean room, cooled naturally, and sterilized was used as Sample 3 (a sample in which electrolytic water and a heat sterilization method were combined).

As a control sample, a milk packaging material was immersed in water, irradiated with an electron beam under the same conditions as in Sample 1, and dried with a drier to obtain Control Sample 1 (only by irradiation sterilization method). A control sample 2 was prepared by immersing the milk packaging material in a simple 3% hydrogen peroxide solution instead of electrolyzed water and drying with hot air at 250 ° C.
Similarly, the milk packaging material was immersed in water, dried and treated with hot air at 250 ° C. in the same manner as in Sample 3 to obtain a control sample 3 (only heat-sterilized). Sample). The milk packaging material was immersed in electrolytic water under the same conditions as Samples 1 to 3, and dried by blowing air at room temperature with a dryer to obtain Control Sample 4 (a sample using only electrolytic water).

2) Test method For each sample (10 milk packaging materials), before and after the sterilization treatment, the surface of each milk packaging material was wiped with a sterile gauze of 5 cm × 5 cm to 5 cm squares, and the gauze was wiped off. Ze, 0.5%
Sterile saline 1 containing sodium thiosulfate at a concentration
The mixture was added to 0 ml, diluted by an ordinary method, cultured at 35 ° C. for 48 hours using a standard agar medium, and the viable cell count was measured by an ordinary method.

3) Test result The obtained result was converted into a 10 cm square wiping area.
Result of comparing the number of viable bacteria before and after sterilization of each milk packing material, for an average 10 million cfu / 100 cm ² before sterilization, about a mean 10 cfu / 100 cm ² Sample 1 1 /
1 million, and the average of 80 cfu /
100 cm ² , which is reduced to about 1 / 120,000, and in Sample 3, the average is 120 cfu / 100 cm ² and about 1
/ 80,000, and it was confirmed that all were sufficiently sterilized.

The control sample 1, on the other hand, with respect to the average 10 million cfu / 100cm ² before the sterilization, the average 5000cfu / 100cm ² after sterilization, 1/2000
Control sample 2 had an average of 25 after sterilization.
10,000 cfu / 100 cm ^2, which is reduced by only 1/40. Control sample 3 has an average of 8 million cfu / steril after sterilization.
100 cm ² , reduced by only 4/5, and control sample 4 had an average of 100,000 cfu / 100 after sterilization.
cm ² , and was found to have decreased by only 1/100.

These results were the same even if the immersion time of the electrolytic water was lengthened or the immersion was repeated.

In the control sample 1, the milk irradiation material was sterilized by increasing the irradiation dose of the electron beam to 30 KGy, and the same test was carried out. The average was 10 million cfu / 1 before sterilization.
With respect to 00cm ^2, average 2100cfu / 100cm
^It became ² , and it became clear that the sterilization effect tended to increase when the irradiation dose was increased. That is, it was found that a higher irradiation dose was required when sterilization was performed using only an electron beam.

Similarly, it has been found that when sterilizing hydrogen peroxide alone, it is necessary to increase the concentration of hydrogen peroxide. In the case of using only hot air, a similar test was conducted with the hot air temperature further increased. However, no significant increase in the sterilizing effect was observed, and it was found that practical sterilization was impossible.

From the above results, it can be seen that the sterilization method for articles of the present invention has a higher sterilization effect than the case where each sterilization method is performed alone, and the irradiation energy, irradiation dose, etc., in combination with the irradiation sterilization method. It was found that in combination with the drug sterilization method, the concentration of the drug could be reduced, and that sufficient practical sterilization was possible in combination with the heat sterilization method. .

In addition, the same test was carried out for articles other than the milk packaging material.
Tests were conducted with various changes in the irradiation dose and irradiation time of the electron beam, the concentration and immersion time of the hydrogen peroxide solution, other types of chemicals, the heating temperature, the heating time, and the heating method, and almost the same results were obtained. .

Next, the present invention will be described in detail with reference to examples, but the present invention is not limited to the following examples.

[0057]

Embodiment 1 FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a device (a cream-strip paper container filling machine) for carrying out an embodiment of a method for sterilizing articles according to the present invention.

In FIG. 1, the cream-strip paper container filling machine 1 is provided with a conveyor 2, which sequentially transports the paper containers C in the direction of arrow X. Conveyor
2, a paper container supply device 3 (carton mandrel), a spray system 4, and an electronic device from the upstream side (the right side in the drawing) to the downstream side (the left side in the drawing) in the conveying direction of the conveyor 2. A line irradiation port 5, a remover 6, and a filling nozzle 7 are provided. A sealing device for sealing the paper container C is provided further downstream than the filling nozzle 7, but is not shown in FIG.

The paper container supply device 3 is a device for supplying the paper container C in a molded state. Further, the spray system 4 includes spray nozzles 4a and 4b and a tank 4c. The spray nozzles 4a and 4b are for spraying electrolyzed water onto the inner surface of the paper container C, and both are two-fluid nozzles. However, in FIG. 1, piping related to air, a flow control valve, and the like are not shown. doing. Tank 4c
Is for storing electrolyzed water.

The electron beam irradiation port 5 is a cathode to which a high voltage is applied, and an anode is provided below the paper container C.
In FIG. 1, illustration is omitted. When a high voltage is applied between the electron beam irradiation port 5 and an anode (not shown), the electron beam irradiation port 5
Electron beam, ie, an electron beam. As a result, the paper container C is irradiated with the electron beam.

The rim bar 6 is provided with hot air nozzles 6a and 6b.
Hot air is blown out from the hot air nozzles 6a and 6b to dry the inside of the paper container C. Filling nozzle 7
Supplies a sterilized cream soup and fills the paper container c.

The cream soup paper container filling machine 1 having the above-described basic configuration is provided with the electrolytic water generation system 10 which is a feature of the present invention.

As the electrolyzed water generation system 10, Purestar (trademark, borrowed from Morinaga Engineering Co., Ltd.) was used. The “Pure Star” includes a tap water supply source 11, a hydrochloric acid container 12, a hydrochloric acid pump 13, a non-diaphragm electrolytic cell 14, and a gas separator 15.

Tap water is supplied from a tap water supply source 11,
The 21% hydrochloric acid stored in the hydrochloric acid container 12 is mixed by the hydrochloric acid pump 13 and passed through the non-diaphragm electrolytic cell 14. Tap water from the dilution water line 11a is mixed and diluted with the electrolyzed water electrolyzed in the non-diaphragm electrolytic cell 14, and unnecessary hydrogen is removed by the gas separator 15, and stored in the tank 4c as electrolyzed water. Is done.

Next, an embodiment of a method for sterilizing an article of the present invention using the cream-strip paper container filling machine 1 of FIG. 1 (sterilization of an article by combining sterilization with electrolytic water and irradiation sterilization). Method).

Electrolyzed water was produced in advance by the electrolyzed water generation system 10, and the electrolyzed water adjusted to an effective chlorine concentration of 14 ppm was stored in the tank 4c. Next, the paper container supply device 3 (car
Ton mandrel) to paper container C (1 liter paper pack)
And transported in the direction of arrow X in order by conveyor-2.

The electrolytic water stored in the tank 4c is sprayed.
At the flow rate of 3000 ml / h from the nozzles 4a and 4b, spraying is performed on the inner surface of the paper container C, and then the paper container C is passed under the electron beam irradiation port 5, and a 15 keV electron beam is irradiated at 15K.
Irradiated with Gy.

Next, in the remover 6, hot air of 300 ° C. is blown out from the hot air nozzles 6a and 6b to dry the inside of the paper container C. After that, from the filling nozzle 7, a scraping type sterilizer is used for 2 seconds at 130 ° C. Filled with a cream soup sterilized under the conditions described above, sealed with a downstream sealing device (not shown), and produced a cream soup in a 1-liter paper container at a production capacity of 6000 pieces per hour. did.

Embodiment 2 FIG. 2 shows an example of an apparatus for carrying out another embodiment of the method for sterilizing articles according to the present invention (a cleaner having the same basic structure as that of FIG. 1).
FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing a mousse paper container filling machine). 2, elements common to FIG. 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals as in FIG. 1, and detailed description is omitted.

In FIG. 2, the cream-strip paper container filling machine 1a is not provided with the electron beam irradiation port 5.

Next, another embodiment of the method for sterilizing an article of the present invention using the cream-strip paper container filling machine 1a shown in FIG. (Sterilization method) will be described.

In the same manner as in the first embodiment, the electrolytic water adjusted to an effective chlorine concentration of 14 ppm in advance by the electrolytic water generation system 10 was stored in the tank 4c. Hydrogen peroxide (Wako Pure Chemical Industries, special grade reagent) was added to the stored electrolyzed water (temperature 4 ° C.) to adjust the concentration of hydrogen peroxide to 3%. Next, the paper container C is supplied from the paper container supply device 3 (carton mandrel).
(1 liter paper pack) was supplied, and was sequentially conveyed in the direction of arrow X by conveyor-2.

The electrolytic water having a concentration of 3% of hydrogen peroxide stored in the tank 4c is supplied to the spray nozzles 4a and 4b at a flow rate of 30%.
At 0 ml / h, the inner surface of the paper container C is sprayed, and then the hot air nozzles 6a and 6b
Hot air of 00 ° C. was blown out to dry the inside of the paper container C.

Thereafter, the same sterilizing cream soup as in Example 1 was filled and sealed from the filling nozzle 7, and 6 times per hour.
A cream soup in a 1-liter paper container was produced with a production capacity of 000 pieces.

Embodiment 3 FIG. 3 shows an example of an apparatus for carrying out another embodiment of the method for sterilizing articles according to the present invention (the filling of a cream soup paper container having a basic structure common to FIGS. 1 and 2). FIG. 3, elements common to FIGS. 1 and 2 are denoted by the same reference numerals as in FIGS. 1 and 2, and detailed description is omitted.

In FIG. 3, the cream soup paper container filling machine 1b is provided with another hot air blowing device 9 in addition to the remover 6.

Next, another embodiment of the method for sterilizing articles of the present invention using the cream-paper container filling machine 1b shown in FIG. 3 (a sterilizing method combining a sterilizing method with electrolytic water and a heat sterilizing method). ) Will be described.

In the same manner as in Examples 1 and 2, electrolyzed water adjusted in advance to an effective chlorine concentration of 14 ppm by the electrolyzed water generation system 10 was stored in the tank 4c. Next, the paper container C (1 liter paper pack) was supplied from the paper container supply device 3 (carton mandrel), and was sequentially conveyed in the direction of arrow X by the conveyor-2.

As in the case of the second embodiment, the electrolytic water stored in the tank 4c is sprayed onto the inner surface of the paper container C from the spray nozzles 4a and 4b. Was dried.

Next, the hot air blow-off device 9 is set to 300 ° C.
Was blown out to heat the inner surface of the paper container C. In addition, when the inner surface temperature of the paper container C was separately measured by a thermocouple,
Under these conditions, it has been confirmed that the inner temperature of the paper container C is 80 ° C.

Next, a sterilizing cream soup was filled and sealed from the filling nozzle 7 in the same manner as in Examples 1 and 2, and a production capacity of 6000 pieces per hour and a cream soup in a 1-liter paper container were filled. Was manufactured.

[0082]

The effects of the present invention are as follows. (1) The sterilization method for articles of the present invention can solve the problems inherent in each sterilization method by combining the sterilization method using electrolytic water and various other sterilization methods. In particular, since the electrolyzed water having a low chlorine concentration can be used, chlorine odor does not remain after sterilization, and the safety for the equipment is enhanced. It is also an effective sterilization method for bacterial spores. (2) When the sterilization method using electrolyzed water and the irradiation sterilization method are combined, irradiation energy, irradiation dose, and the like can be reduced, and the irradiation apparatus can be reduced in size.
This is advantageous in terms of manufacturing costs. Also, even if a part that cannot be sterilized occurs depending on the shape of the article, it can be sterilized by the electrolyzed water. (3) When the sterilization method using electrolyzed water and the drug sterilization method are combined, a sufficient sterilization effect can be obtained even when the concentration of the drug is low. (4) Even when the electrolytic water and the heat sterilization method are combined,
A sufficient practical bactericidal effect is obtained, and it is suitable for articles that are easily denatured by heat. (5) When the electrolytic water containing no sodium chloride is used, there is no residual sodium chloride after sterilization, and there is no concern that the metal surfaces of the devices are rusted by the sodium chloride. Therefore, the devices can withstand long-term use and are advantageous in terms of maintenance and manufacturing costs. Also, the electrolyzed water in this case is neutral,
Low corrosion of metal surface by acid and chlorine, and high safety in working environment.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic view showing an example of an apparatus for carrying out an embodiment of the method for sterilizing articles according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic view showing an example of an apparatus for carrying out another embodiment of the article sterilizing method of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a schematic view showing an example of an apparatus for carrying out another embodiment of the method for sterilizing articles according to the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 cream-spread paper container filling machine 2 conveyor 3 paper container supply device 4 spray system 5 electron beam irradiation port 6 remover 7 filling nozzle 8 spray nozzle 9 hot air blowing device 10 electrolytic water generation system 11 water supply Water supply source 12 Hydrochloric acid container 13 Hydrochloric acid pump 14 Non-diaphragm electrolytic cell 15 Gas separator

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁶ Identification code FI B65B 55/06 B65B 55/06 Z 55/08 55/08 B

Claims (10)

[Claims] 1. A method for sterilizing an article, wherein the article is sterilized by a combination of a sterilization method using electrolytic water and one or more other sterilization methods. 2. The method for sterilizing an article according to claim 1, wherein the sterilization method using electrolyzed water is a method in which electrolyzed water is brought into contact with the surface of the article to sterilize the article. 3. The method for sterilizing an article according to claim 2, wherein the surface of the article is sterilized by contacting the surface of the article with electrolyzed water, and then subjected to one or more other sterilization methods. 4. Electrolytic water obtained by adding hydrochloric acid to water containing no sodium chloride, passing the hydrochloric acid-added water through a non-diaphragm electrolytic cell, and electrolyzing the passed hydrochloric acid-added water. The method for sterilizing an article according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the method is diluted with water. 5. The method for sterilizing an article according to claim 1, wherein the other sterilization method is an irradiation sterilization method. 6. The method according to claim 5, wherein the irradiation sterilization method is an electron beam irradiation sterilization method. 7. The method for sterilizing an article according to claim 1, wherein the other sterilization method is a chemical sterilization method. 8. The method for sterilizing an article according to claim 7, wherein the chemical sterilization method uses a hydrogen peroxide solution as a chemical. 9. The method for sterilizing an article according to claim 1, wherein the other sterilization method is a heat sterilization method. 10. The method for sterilizing an article according to claim 1, wherein the article is a packaging material.