WO1991001918A1

WO1991001918A1 - Method of sterilization of container for sterile packing

Info

Publication number: WO1991001918A1
Application number: PCT/JP1990/000955
Authority: WO
Inventors: Eiichi Nozawa; Kazumi Hirota
Original assignee: Toyo Seikan Kaisha, Ltd.
Priority date: 1989-07-26
Filing date: 1990-07-26
Publication date: 1991-02-21
Also published as: EP0436042A1; JPH0356222A; EP0436042A4

Abstract

A method of sterilization using a gas or water containing a high concentration of ozone to shorten the sterilization time and eliminate the necessity for washing by sterile water after the sterilization.

Description

One)

Akira Itoda

Sterilization method of aseptic filling container

Technical field

The present invention relates to a method for dry sterilization of aseptic filling containers, and more particularly, to a sterilization method using a high-concentration ozone-containing gas and a high-concentration ozone water. .

Technology background

Conventionally, in the production of sealed garment food rolls, a container is filled with the contents and then sealed, and the sealed package is heat-sterilized in a device called a lettula. The method of hot-filling and sealing the contents inside (hot-knock) has been widely used, but these methods rely on the heating of the contents. There are problems such as tissue destruction, degradation of vitamins and pigments, and alteration such as browning.

In order to solve this problem, the contents are put outside the packaging container by means such as heat exchange, etc., and sterilized for a short time, and the contents after sterilization are sterilized or sterilized. It is known to fill a container and seal it.

Aqueous solutions containing hydrogen peroxide and peracetic acid are used commercially for sterilization of container containers.In this case, a large amount of sterile water must be used for rinsing, etc. There is a problem that must be done.

Conventionally, various types of dry sterilization methods for containers have been proposed, for example, a method using a combination of hot air and a germicidal lamp (Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 39-35867), using high frequency induction heating. Method (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 50-13,183), or a method using ultraviolet irradiation and high-frequency induction heating (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 59-15027). Although it has been used, it has not been put into practical use yet.

It is also known that ozone-containing gas and ozone water have sterilizing ability.However, since ozone-containing gas and ozone water have a long sterilization treatment, ozone-containing gas and ozone-containing water can be used. Ozonated water is used for sterilization of gas refrigerators and air-conditioning equipment, and ozonized water is used only in the fields of water supply and sewerage, human waste treatment, medical equipment, etc. There is no example that uses this yet.

The method of using ultraviolet light for sterilization is that sterilization is not performed in the shadow of light and it is difficult to uniformly irradiate the inside of the container. >> Some methods have a limited application to metal containers such as cans, and have the problem that it is difficult to uniformly heat a three-dimensional container.

The present inventors should apply ozone for sterilization of aseptic filling containers, and as a result of repeated studies, the ozone concentration used for sterilization of aseptic filling containers is a very important factor. By contacting at least the inner surface of the container with gas or water containing ozone at a certain critical concentration or higher, sterilization can be performed in a short time and with certainty. Found.

Summary of the Invention

According to the first month of this report, ozone-containing gas with an ozone concentration of 400 ppm or more, or ozone water with an ozone concentration of 10 ppm or more Using the ozone-containing gas or ozone The present invention provides a method for sterilizing a container for aseptic filling, characterized by contacting at least the inner surface of the container for sterile filling with water.

In the present invention, the sterilization treatment is preferably completed within 5 minutes, particularly within 2 minutes.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the air inside the aseptic filling container is replaced with an ozone-containing gas, and then the ozone-containing gas is sealed in the container, or the ozone water is replaced. By keeping this in a container after fully filling the container, the sterilization treatment can be completed within the storage and transportation time of the container.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1 is a horizontal sectional view of a rotary type 1 sterilizer using a sterilization method according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a vertical partial sectional view of a main part of the sterilization apparatus of FIG.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

The present invention uses an ozone-containing gas having a high ozone concentration of 400 ppm or more or an ozone water having an ozone concentration of 10 ppm or more, and requires a small number of containers. It is based on the finding that contact with the inner surface of the material can complete the disinfection process in a very short time, typically within 5 minutes.

Conventionally, the gas that has been used as an ozone-containing gas generally uses ozone generated by high-voltage discharge (silent discharge or creeping discharge). The ozone concentration of this gas was at most 200 ppm, and killed inside the container. Bacteria require a long time of 30 minutes to 1 hour or more, and this method cannot be used for dry sterilization of aseptic filling containers. The reason for this is that the microorganisms to be disinfected adhere to the surface of the container wall, and there is a thin air layer (membrane layer) on the surface that is difficult to remove. Therefore, microorganisms must be present in a state protected by the membrane layer, and it takes time to replace the membrane with the ozone-containing gas. This is probably due to the fact that the probability and frequency of contact between the zon and the microorganism are not sufficiently high.

According to the present invention, the use of a high-concentration gas containing at least 400 ρ ρ πι causes the ozone to come into contact with the microorganism to be sterilized. As the probability and frequency increase, the ozone concentration is reduced by replacing the air inside the container with this high-concentration ozone-containing gas and keeping it in the container. In other words, it is possible to easily replace the air boundary layer with a high-concentration ozone-containing gas, thereby achieving quick and reliable sterilization. .

In the case of using ozone water, the ozone water and the container wall come into direct contact with each other, so that a film layer is formed on the surface of the container wall as in the case of using gas. At the same time, it becomes possible for ozone to act directly on the wall.

Since the half-life of decomposition of ozone is about 10 hours, the air inside the container for aseptic filling is replaced with an ozone-containing gas, and then the ozone-containing gas is removed from the container. Or keep it in the container after filling with ozone water As a result, it is possible to reliably sterilize the inside of the container by using a relatively small amount of ozone-containing gas using the time required for storing and transporting the container.

In addition, as described above, ozone becomes harmless oxygen in about 10 hours, so safety is ensured even if there is any residue in the container. Be done.

In the present invention, in the case of a dry method, an ozone-containing gas having an ozone concentration of 400 ppm or more, particularly 500 ppm or more is used. As such a high-concentration ozone gas generator, an ozone generator based on a no-pulse discharge method, for example, a pulse tree manufactured by Ishikawajima-Harima Heavy Industries, Ltd. It is possible to use an ozone generator of the mass discharge type-this type of ozone generator generates a large amount of high-concentration ozone-containing gas per unit time. This is a significant advantage.

In the case of the wet method, the ozone concentration is 10 ppm or more, especially

Use 20 ppm or less of ozone water. Although the concentration of ozone water has been the highest in the past at a concentration of 2 to 3 ppm, it has recently become possible to produce ozone water with a high concentration of 20 to 30 Dm. For example, it can be obtained by using an ozonated water producing apparatus described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. HEI 2-1-11991.

Examples of aseptic filling containers include metal cans, glass bins, plastic containers, various film containers, palms, caps, can lids, etc. . INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY The present invention provides a plastic container or a variety of fissures that are easily deformed by heat by heat sterilization. Particularly effective for dry sterilization of rubber containers. In addition, the shape of the container is preferably a narrow-mouthed container, particularly a variety of bin shapes, so that the ozone-containing gas can be effectively held in the container. .

The sterilization of the aseptic filling container is preferably carried out prior to the aseptic filling of the contents, preferably immediately before the aseptic filling. Immediately, the air inside the container is replaced with the ozone-containing gas, and the ozone-containing gas is retained in the container, or the container is filled with ozone water and the container is filled with ozone water. Retention can be continuous or intermittent in the supply line to the aseptic filling process of the container, preferably in a tunnel or rotary. You can use a mold type device.

Figures 1 and 2 of the accompanying drawings are a horizontal sectional view and a vertical partial sectional view of a mouth-to-mouth type 1 sterilizer. This device can be used for both ozone-containing gas and ozone water.

The case where an ozone-containing gas is used will be described below. In the figure, the inner peripheral wall 1 and the inner wall 2 are integrally formed with the rotating table 3, and a sterilizing area 5 is locally formed by a rotating wall having a U-shaped cross section and a fixed outer peripheral wall 4. It is divided into two areas. The outer peripheral wall 4 is detachably formed, and a small gap 6 is provided between the rotating wall and the outer peripheral wall 4 to facilitate rotation of the rotating wall and to contain a small amount of ozone. It allows the outflow of gas outlets. 'In the sterilization area 5, a large number of container seats 7.7 are installed in a ring on a rotary table, and each container support It is distributed to 8. A container 9 is placed on each container seat 7, and a supply nozzle 10 for the ozone-containing gas is set on the container 9 through the J: wall 2-a nozzle 10. The nozzle is provided with a nozzle raising / lowering drive mechanism 11 and an on-off valve 12, and is connected to an ozone-containing gas storage tank 14 through a pipe〗 3. In the ozone-containing gas storage tank 4, high-concentration ozone-containing gas from the ozone generator 15 flows through the pipe 16 and the rotary joint 17. It is being supplied.

This rotor set sterilizer is provided along the container supply line 18, and its carry-in part 19 and carry-out part 20 have fixed outer wall 21 and outer upper wall (shown at 151). ), And a table or the like (not shown) and a rotating wall (not shown) below the star wheel 22.

The container 9 is placed on the container seat 7 of the rotating table from the carry-in section 9, and the lifting / lowering drive mechanism 11 is driven to insert the nozzle 10 into the container 9. Next, the on-off valve 12 is opened, and the ozone-containing gas storage tank 14 and the high-concentration ozone-containing gas are released into the container 9. As a result, the air in the container 9 is turned off. The gas is replaced by the zon-containing gas and is held in the container 9. The pressure of the ozone-containing gas is set slightly higher than the atmospheric pressure, and therefore, the inside of the container 9 is Needless to say, the inside of the sterilization area 5 is also filled with the ozone-containing gas spouting from the container opening, thereby preventing the contaminated air from flowing into the sterilization area 5.

In the specific example shown in the drawing, a minute gap 6 is provided between the rotating wall and the outer peripheral wall, but the ozone-containing gas leaks into the working environment. In order to prevent this, this part may be provided with a title seal structure, or a local exhaust system may be provided in this part.

The sterilization operation is completed by keeping the ozone-containing gas inside the container 9 for a predetermined time. The required holding time generally ranges from 0.5 minutes to 2 minutes. After the sterilization operation is completed, the on-off valve 12 is closed and the nozzle 10 is moved upward by the lifting drive mechanism 11. The sterilized container 9 is unloaded to the container supply line 18 via the unloading section 20 and supplied to the aseptic filling step (not shown).

Instead of providing the on-off valve 12, the ozone-containing gas can be continuously flowed through the nozzle 10, and the open / close valve 12 can be used as the switching valve. It is also possible to switch between the zon-containing gas and sterile air to release sterile air into the container 9 after the sterilization operation is completed and to replace the ozone-containing gas in the container with sterile air. .

The usage of the ozone-containing gas is preferably 0.5 to 5 times by volume (standard condition), particularly 1 to 3 times by volume, based on the container capacity.

As described above, the same device as used for the ozone-containing gas can also be used when using ozone thick. At this time, the ozone water is poured into the aseptic filling container even after it has been fully filled, so that the ozone water flows completely, so that not only the inside of the container, but also the outside of the container ^ It is possible to sterilize at the same time.

In addition, the container is held upside down with the mouth positioned downward However, by spraying ozone water at least on the inner surface of the container, the ozone water does not accumulate in the container, and the ozone water is discharged. The culm can be omitted.

Even when using ozone water, the sterilization operation is completed by holding the ozone water inside the container for a predetermined time. The required retention time generally ranges from 0.5 minutes to 5 minutes.

Example

Example 1

1 0 0 O ml on the inner surface of the glass la scan bins Ru by attaching咆子10 ⁴ Bacillus subtilis.

The ozone generated by the ozone generator A is blown into the glass bin at 400 ppm (air volume: 40 L / min).

Inject 6000 ppm of ozone (air volume 6 L / min) generated by the ozone generator B into the glass bin.

The spores in the glass bin are washed out with physiological saline, cultured, and the number of surviving bacteria is counted.

No. of surviving bacteria

During processing 顒 400ppm (A) 60n0ppm (B)

Example 2

1 5 0 O ml bra steel Tsu Ru on the inner surface of the click ball bets Le depositing the spores 10 ⁴ Bacillus subtilis.

Inject ozone 6000ΡΡΠ1 (wind halo 6 L / min) into the glass bin, which is produced by the ozone generator B.

The spores in the plastic bottle are washed with physiological saline, cultured, and the number of surviving bacteria is counted.

Survival cell count knob Stick bottle

(Processing time 6000pDm ί Β)

Example 3

Each have Nitsu indicators below fungus, Ru deposited spores 1 0 ⁸ to 1 5 OO ml plus switch click ball preparative Le surface.

Fully fill the plastic bottle with ozone water at a water temperature of 20 ° C and an ozone concentration of 25 ppm.

After holding for a certain period of time, the bacteria in the plastic bottle are washed out, cultured, and the number of surviving bacteria is counted.

① Bacillus subtilis

Processing time Number of surviving bacteria Nobra stick bottle

4 10 ⁸

1 4 X 10 ⁴

2 I 35 o 1

Separated fractions Separated bacteria 5 x 10 ³

0 1 X 10 ²

0

② Cellulose

Processing time Number of surviving bacteria Nobra stick bottle

o

③ sal

P. aureus treatment time Survival count Z plastic bottle

3 xl η ⁸

As described above, in the present invention, a high-concentration ozone-containing gas of 44 OO ppm or an ozone concentration of 10 ppm or more is used for sterilization of the aseptic filling container. The use of less ozonized water reduces the sterilization time, and the ozone decomposes over time to harmless oxygen. Not only when using ozone-containing gas but also when using ozone water, it is safe even if ozone remains in the container, and sterile water cleaning is required. The culm is not required.

Claims

The scope of the claims '

(1) Use an ozone-containing gas having an ozone concentration of 400 ppm or more or ozone water having an ozone concentration of 10 ppm or more, and use the ozone-containing gas. A method for sterilizing a sterile filling container, which comprises contacting at least the inner surface of the container for aseptic filling with a gas containing ozone or ozone water.

(2) The method according to (t), wherein the sterilization is completed within 5 minutes.

(3) After the air inside the container for non-random filling is replaced with the ozone-containing gas, the ozone-containing gas is retained in the container to complete the sterilization process. How to describe-

(4) The method according to claim 1, wherein the container for aseptic filling is completely filled with ozone water, and the sterilized water is retained in the container to complete the sterilization treatment.

(5) Aseptic filling: After injecting ozone water into the container, continue to inject the ozone water into the container, and overflow the ozone water from the container. The method according to claim 4, wherein the sterilization treatment is thereby completed.

(6) The method according to claim 1, wherein the sterile filling container is held in an inverted state, and at least the inner surface of the container is sprayed with ozone water to complete the sterilization treatment.

(7) The method according to claim 1, wherein the container for aseptic filling after contact with the ozone-containing gas or ozone water is supplied to the content filling step without post-washing.