WO2019230642A1 - Method for maintaining positive pressure inside tank and device for maintaining positive pressure inside tank - Google Patents

Method for maintaining positive pressure inside tank and device for maintaining positive pressure inside tank Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2019230642A1
WO2019230642A1 PCT/JP2019/020870 JP2019020870W WO2019230642A1 WO 2019230642 A1 WO2019230642 A1 WO 2019230642A1 JP 2019020870 W JP2019020870 W JP 2019020870W WO 2019230642 A1 WO2019230642 A1 WO 2019230642A1
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WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
tank
air
product liquid
positive pressure
surge tank
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/JP2019/020870
Other languages
French (fr)
Japanese (ja)
Inventor
睦 早川
周太 伊東
Original Assignee
大日本印刷株式会社
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by 大日本印刷株式会社 filed Critical 大日本印刷株式会社
Priority to CN201980035024.1A priority Critical patent/CN112188982B/en
Publication of WO2019230642A1 publication Critical patent/WO2019230642A1/en

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    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61L—METHODS OR APPARATUS FOR STERILISING MATERIALS OR OBJECTS IN GENERAL; DISINFECTION, STERILISATION OR DEODORISATION OF AIR; CHEMICAL ASPECTS OF BANDAGES, DRESSINGS, ABSORBENT PADS OR SURGICAL ARTICLES; MATERIALS FOR BANDAGES, DRESSINGS, ABSORBENT PADS OR SURGICAL ARTICLES
    • A61L2/00—Methods or apparatus for disinfecting or sterilising materials or objects other than foodstuffs or contact lenses; Accessories therefor
    • A61L2/02—Methods or apparatus for disinfecting or sterilising materials or objects other than foodstuffs or contact lenses; Accessories therefor using physical phenomena
    • A61L2/04—Heat
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65B—MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING
    • B65B55/00—Preserving, protecting or purifying packages or package contents in association with packaging
    • B65B55/02—Sterilising, e.g. of complete packages

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a liquid filling machine for beverages and the like, in order to maintain a positive pressure in a tank for storing product liquid, air is supplied to the head space in the tank, and the liquid level in the head space rises to increase the head
  • the present invention relates to a positive pressure holding method in a tank and a positive pressure holding device in a tank that exhaust air in a head space when the pressure in the space exceeds a pressure to be held.
  • Beverages such as carbonated drinks, fruit juice drinks, tea, coffee drinks and sports drinks are filled in containers such as bottles by a liquid filling machine.
  • Product liquids such as beverages include non-carbonated product liquids that do not require sterilization, such as fruitless carbonated drinks, carbonated sterilized product liquids that require sterilization, such as carbonated drinks with fruit juice, and tea, coffee drinks, fruit juice
  • non-carbonated sterilized product liquids that require sterilization such as beverages.
  • the sterilized container is filled with the sterilized product solution in an aseptic atmosphere, and the filled container is sealed with a sterilized lid.
  • a filling machine is used.
  • the aseptic filling machine can also fill the container with non-sterile product liquid. Therefore, the aseptic filling machine is filled with a carbonic acid-free sterilized product liquid, a carbonic acid-sterilized product liquid, and a carbonic acid-free sterilized product liquid.
  • Aseptic filling machine is filled with various products.
  • Product liquids such as beverages contain a variety of different fragrances that are tailored to the contents, and the flavors of the fragrances must not be transferred to another product.
  • CIP Chiping in Place
  • the CIP that circulates the cleaning liquid in the product liquid supply system pipe and sprays the cleaning liquid in the tank can replace the product liquid to be filled in the aseptic filling machine without disassembling the product liquid supply system pipe.
  • the flavor of the previous product liquid may remain in the piping, and it may be necessary to perform a CIP for a long time or use a cleaning agent effective for removing the flavor as the cleaning liquid.
  • Performing CIP for a long time reduces the productivity of the aseptic filling machine.
  • degrading members such as packing.
  • Patent Document 1 Effective in removing residual flavor to prevent the flavor from remaining in the product liquid that is used in the product liquid supply system piping from being transferred to the next product liquid to be filled.
  • Patent Document 2 Specific cleaning compositions have been proposed.
  • Patent Document 3 a method of adding ozone to a cleaning liquid when performing CIP has been proposed.
  • Product liquid is prepared by mixing a plurality of raw materials in a preparation device and stored in a storage tank for a long time. For this reason, it has been proposed to remove the residual flavor by supplying steam to the storage tank, assuming that the flavor remains in the gas phase, the inner wall, packing, and other members inside the storage tank (Patent Document 4).
  • the product liquid stored in the storage tank is sent to the balance tank, sterilized by heat after being stored in the balance tank, and the sterilized product liquid is stored in the surge tank and sent from the surge tank to the head tank of the filling device.
  • the container sterilized by the filling device is filled in a sterile atmosphere.
  • the filling valve provided in the filling device has a thin flow path for flowing the product liquid, and the flow path has a valve mechanism and a packing.
  • the aseptic filling machine is stopped, the product liquid stays in the filling valve for a long time.
  • flavor remains in the flow path, valve mechanism, packing and the like.
  • Patent Document 5 A method of removing flavor remaining in the flow path, valve mechanism, packing, and the like of the filling valve with steam has also been proposed (Patent Document 5).
  • the surge tank stores product liquid after sterilization
  • the carbon dioxide surge tank stores carbonic acid product liquid obtained by adding carbon dioxide gas to the sterilized product liquid
  • the head tank provided in the filling device and the flow path connecting them with positive pressure.
  • It is a disinfection filter with which the air supply device supplied in order to hold is equipped. Flavor also remains in the sterilization filter, and the flavor of the product liquid before remaining in the sterilization filter is mixed in the air supplied when the next product liquid is filled, and the product liquid to be filled next The flavor of the product liquid filled in may shift.
  • the reason why the flavor remains in the sterilization filter is that the air in the headspace including the flavor of the tank flows back to the sterilization filter.
  • the product liquid may be pumped by the pressure of aseptic air passing through a sterilization filter.
  • the product liquid in the tank is balanced between the amount sent downstream and the amount supplied, but the liquid level in the head space goes up and down.
  • the head space pressure is kept constant by supplying sterile air. As the liquid level rises, the volume of the headspace decreases, so the headspace pressure increases.
  • the air in the head space flows backward and reaches the sterilization filter.
  • the air in the head space that reaches the sterilization filter contains splashes and flavors of the product liquid, and the flavor of the product liquid is adsorbed on the sterilization filter.
  • the aseptic filling machine is filled with carbonic acid-free sterilized product liquid, carbonic acid-sterilized product liquid, and carbonic acid-sterilized product liquid, even in the case of carbonic acid-free sterilized product liquid, the gas of carbon dioxide gas is generated in the carbonic acid surge tank shared with the carbonic acid sterilized liquid.
  • Aseptic air is supplied through a sterilization filter to prevent scattering.
  • the product liquid in the tank may be pumped downstream from the tank by the air that has passed through the sterilization filter. Therefore, even in the case of a non-carbonated product liquid, the flavor is adsorbed by the sterilization filter.
  • a surge tank for storing product liquid a carbonic acid surge tank for storing product liquid to which carbon dioxide is added, a head tank provided in a filling device, and a flow path connecting them are supplied to maintain a positive pressure.
  • a method and an apparatus in which the flavor of the product liquid does not remain on the sterilization filter provided in the air supply device, and the flavor of the product liquid previously filled does not shift to the product liquid to be filled next.
  • the replacement work is complicated, and the removed sterilization filter needs to be stored and managed.
  • the pressure of the head space in the tank is set to a predetermined positive pressure by supplying air that has passed through a sterilization filter to the head space of the tank that stores the product liquid.
  • the air supply step and if the head space pressure exceeds or may exceed a predetermined positive pressure, the air supply step is stopped, and the head is differently routed from the route for supplying the air to the tank.
  • an air discharge step for discharging the air in the space.
  • the tank stores a surge tank that stores the product liquid upstream of a filling device, a carbonic acid surge tank that stores the product liquid to which carbon dioxide gas is added, and the product. It is preferable that any one or more of the head tanks provided in the vicinity of the filling device for filling the container with the liquid and storing the product liquid.
  • the predetermined positive pressure is 0.001 MPa to 0.8 MPa.
  • the positive pressure holding method in the tank according to the present invention is preferably stored in the tank after the product liquid is sterilized.
  • the tank positive pressure holding device supplies the pressure through the sterilization filter to the tank for storing the product liquid and the head space of the tank, thereby reducing the pressure of the head space in the tank.
  • the air supply device having a predetermined positive pressure and the pressure of the head space exceeds or exceeds the predetermined positive pressure, the supply of the air is stopped and the path for supplying the air to the tank is different.
  • an air discharge device for discharging the air in the head space through a path.
  • the tank stores a surge tank that stores the product liquid upstream of the filling device, a carbonic acid surge tank that stores a product liquid to which carbon dioxide gas is added, and the product liquid. It is preferable that any one or more of the head tanks provided in the vicinity of the filling device for storing the product liquid and storing the product liquid.
  • the positive pressure holding device in the tank according to the present invention includes a sterilizing device for sterilizing the product liquid upstream of the tank.
  • the air in the head space can be discharged without reaching the sterilization filter.
  • the flavor of the product liquid is not adsorbed on the sterilization filter, and the flavor of the product liquid previously filled can be prevented from shifting to the product liquid to be filled next.
  • FIG. 1 shows a positive pressure holding device in a tank according to an embodiment of the present invention.
  • maintenance apparatus in a tank is shown.
  • maintenance apparatus in a tank which concerns on embodiment of this invention is shown.
  • maintenance apparatus in a tank which concerns on embodiment of this invention is shown.
  • product liquids such as beverages are prepared and filled in containers according to the flow shown in FIG.
  • Carbonate-free sterilized product solution is prepared by the preparation device 1, the prepared product solution is stored in the balance tank 2, the stored product solution is sterilized by the sterilization device 3, and the sterilized product solution is stored in the surge tank 4.
  • the stored product liquid is sent to the head tank 7 provided in the vicinity of the filling device that fills the container with the product liquid, and is filled into the container 9 from the filling valve 10 provided in the filling device 8.
  • Carbonated sterilized product liquid is prepared by the mixing device 1, the prepared product liquid is stored in the balance tank 2, the stored product liquid is sterilized by the sterilizing device 3, and the sterilized product liquid is supplied by the carbon dioxide adding device 5. Carbon dioxide gas is added, and the carbonated product liquid to which carbon dioxide gas is added is stored in the carbonic acid surge tank 6, and the stored product liquid is sent to the head tank 7, and is supplied from the filling valve 10 provided in the filling device 8 to the container 9. Filled.
  • the carbonic acid-free sterilized product solution was prepared by the preparation device 1, the prepared product solution was stored in the balance tank 2, and the stored product solution was added with carbon dioxide by the carbon dioxide addition device 5, and carbon dioxide was added.
  • the carbonated product liquid is stored in the carbonic acid surge tank 6, and the stored product liquid is sent to the head tank 7 and filled into the container 9 from the filling valve 10 provided in the filling device 8.
  • Product liquid is prepared by the preparation device 1.
  • desired amounts of raw materials such as water, fruit juice, coffee, tea, dairy products, sugars, sweeteners, stabilizers, emulsifiers, caffeine, vitamin C, and fragrances are quantified and charged, and the product liquid Is formulated.
  • the flavor source is a fragrance contained in fruit juice, coffee, tea and the like, and a fragrance directly added.
  • a fragrance contained in a natural product and a flavor of a fragrance extracted from a natural product added at the time of preparation or an artificially manufactured fragrance remains in the path from the preparation device 1 to the filling valve 10, thereby aseptic filling machine The flavor of the previously filled product liquid is transferred to the next filled product liquid.
  • the prepared product liquid is stored in the balance tank 2.
  • the product liquid stored in a predetermined amount is sterilized by the sterilizer 3 while being fed by a liquid feeder such as a pump.
  • Carbonic acid-free sterilized product liquid that does not require sterilization is not sterilized by the sterilizing apparatus 3, but carbon dioxide gas is added by the carbon dioxide adding apparatus 5, and the carbonated product liquid to which carbon dioxide is added is stored in the carbonic acid surge tank 6.
  • the sterilizer 3 includes therein a first stage heating unit, a second stage heating unit, a holding tube, a first stage cooling unit, a second stage cooling unit, and the like, and the product liquid supplied from the balance tank 2 is the first. Heat gradually while feeding from the stage heating section to the second stage heating section, reach the target temperature at the outlet of the second stage heating section, hold the sterilization temperature for a certain period of time in the holding tube, then, the first stage cooling section, It is sent to the second stage cooling section and gradually cooled. The number of stages of the heating unit and the cooling unit is increased or decreased as necessary. Note that the sterilizer 3 may be configured with a homogenizer capable of automatic cleaning.
  • the installation location is between the first stage heating unit where the temperature of the product liquid is about 50 ° C to 70 ° C and the second stage heating unit where the temperature of the product liquid is about 60 ° C to 150 ° C, or the first stage cooling unit and the second stage cooling. It is preferable to install between the sections. In the former case, there is no problem with a general homogenizer, but in the latter case, it is necessary to install a sterile homogenizer.
  • the sterilizer 3 may be in any form such as a shell and tube heat exchanger or a plate heat exchanger. Further, not limited to these indirect heating methods, a direct heating method may be applied.
  • the carbonic acid-free sterilized product liquid is fed to the surge tank 4 by the pressure of a liquid feeding device such as a pump that feeds the product liquid to the sterilizing device 3.
  • a liquid feeding device such as a pump that feeds the product liquid to the sterilizing device 3.
  • the product liquid is sent from the surge tank 4 to the head tank 7.
  • the product liquid that becomes the carbonic acid sterilization product liquid is sent to the surge tank 4 by the pressure of a liquid delivery device such as a pump that delivers the product liquid to the sterilization device 3.
  • a liquid delivery device such as a pump that delivers the product liquid to the sterilization device 3.
  • carbon dioxide gas is added by the carbon dioxide addition device 5 while the product liquid is being sent from the surge tank 4 by a liquid delivery device such as a pump.
  • the carbonic acid sterilized product liquid to which carbon dioxide gas has been added is sent to the carbonic acid surge tank 6 and stored.
  • the carbonic acid sterilization product liquid stored in the carbonic acid surge tank 6 is sent to the head tank 7.
  • the inside of the surge tank 4, the carbonic acid surge tank 6, the head tank 7, and the pipe for supplying the product liquid to the filling device 8 downstream from the surge tank 4 are sterilized (SIP) after cleaning (CIP), and then the air supply device 11 is maintained at a positive pressure by aseptic air supplied by 11.
  • SIP sterilized
  • CIP cleaning
  • the sterilized product liquid stored in the surge tank 4 is sent to the head tank 7 by the pressure of aseptic air supplied by the air supply device 11.
  • the product liquid stored in the head tank 7 is fed to the filling device 8 by the pressure of aseptic air, and filled into the container 9 from the filling valve 10.
  • Sterilized product liquid can be easily sterilized after sterilization by using sterile air pressure without using a pump or other liquid delivery device with a steam seal on the drive. it can. Further, by keeping the tank and the pipes at a positive pressure with aseptic air, it is possible to prevent invasion of bacteria and the like from the outside.
  • Fig. 2 shows a positive pressure holding device in the tank that holds the head space in the surge tank 4 at a positive pressure.
  • the in-tank positive pressure holding device includes an air supply device 11.
  • the air supply device 11 includes an air pressurization device 13 and a sterilization filter 12. Air pressurized by the air pressurizer 13 is sent to the sterilization filter 12. The air sterilized by the sterilization filter 12 is supplied to the surge tank 4 and maintains the inside of the surge tank 4 at a positive pressure.
  • the pressure of sterile air that is positive pressure is preferably 0.001 MPa to 0.8 MPa. If the pressure is less than 0.001 MPa, bacteria or the like may enter from the outside, and the pressure is insufficient to pump the product liquid. Further, the pressure exceeding 0.8 MPa is too high when the product liquid is filled in the container 9, and there is a possibility that the product liquid is blown out from the container at a high filling speed.
  • FIG. 2 shows a positive pressure holding device in the tank of the surge tank 4, but even if the surge tank 4 becomes the carbonic acid surge tank 6 and the head tank 7, the carbonic acid surge tank 6 and the head tank 7 are in the same tank.
  • a positive pressure holding device is provided.
  • the head tank 7 may not be provided with the in-tank positive pressure holding device.
  • the pressure in the head tank 7 can be controlled by the air supply control valve and the exhaust control valve provided in the filling device 8.
  • the pressure is not stabilized by PID control due to slight pressurization, and it can be held at a constant pressure by a precision regulator.
  • the air pressurization device 13 is an air compressor, for example, and supplies air by operating the motor continuously or intermittently.
  • the motor rotates to supply the air to the air compressor tank, and the pressure in the tank rises.
  • a pressure detection sensor is provided in the tank, and the rotation of the motor stops when the pressure reaches the upper limit set value.
  • the pressure in the tank decreases, and when the pressure sensor detects a pressure below the lower limit set pressure, the operation of the motor is resumed and the pressure in the tank increases.
  • the pressure of air supplied in the embodiment is 0.001 MPa to 0.8 MPa.
  • the air pressure generated by the air compressor may be a pressure exceeding 0.8 MPa.
  • the original pressure may be excessive as long as air can be sent to the sterilization filter 12 as an appropriate pressure by the pressure reducing valve.
  • the air pressurizer 13 may use a blower instead of an air compressor.
  • the air supplied by the air pressurizer 13 contains dust, moisture, oil, organic chemical substances, and the like. It is preferable to provide a filter for removing these between the air pressurizing device 13 and the opening / closing valve 17. Dust and oil can be removed by providing a filter with pores exceeding 0.5 ⁇ m. Furthermore, you may remove by providing the filter which consists of fibrous or granular activated carbon, and making an organic chemical substance adsorb
  • the sterilization filter 12 is a hollow cylindrical type, and the hollow cylindrical filter is housed in a detachably attached housing and is detachably attached to the housing.
  • An air inflow port is formed so that air can be supplied to the hollow cylindrical filter from outside, and a discharge port through which the air passing through the hollow cylindrical filter is discharged through the hollow portion is formed in the housing.
  • a drain reservoir is formed in the lower part of the housing, and an automatic drain trap is attached to the housing so as to communicate with the drain reservoir.
  • the filter of the sterilization filter 12 can remove bacteria, mold, spores and the like, has pores of about 0.1 ⁇ m to 0.5 ⁇ m, and is made of regenerated cellulose, nitrocellulose, polytetrafluoroethylene, or the like.
  • a filter having such pores is sandwiched between, for example, a support material that is a nonwoven fabric made of polypropylene or cellulose, the resulting laminate is folded into a hollow shape, and the inside and outside of the folded hollow are made of mesh-like stainless steel
  • the sterilization filter 12 is formed by fixing with a support core and closing the upper and lower ends with an end cap made of heat-resistant plastic such as polyphenylsulfone.
  • One end cap is formed with a discharge port for discharging air from the hollow portion, and is fixed to the discharge port of the housing using an O-ring such as silicon rubber.
  • the aseptic air supplied by the air supply device 11 maintains a positive pressure in the surge tank 4, the carbonic acid surge tank 6, the head tank 7, and the pipe from the sterilizer 3 to the filling valve 10.
  • the SIP inside the surge tank 4 is maintained at a predetermined positive pressure by aseptic air after SIP.
  • the product liquid is sterilized by the sterilizer 3 and the sterilized product liquid is supplied to the surge tank 4, whereby the volume of the head space in the surge tank 4 held at a predetermined pressure is reduced. As the volume decreases, the headspace pressure increases.
  • the air in the head space flows backward through the air supply device 11, the opening / closing valve 17 is closed, and the opening / closing valve 19 is opened. Thus, it is discharged out of the piping system before the opening / closing valve 17.
  • the headspace air contains flavor and splashes of the product liquid, and the product liquid flavor is adsorbed to the sterilization filter 12.
  • the sanitizing filter 12 uses a filter having pores, a non-woven fabric that supports the filter, a plastic member such as an O-ring, and an end cap, and the flavor of the product liquid is adsorbed. Moreover, the splash of a product liquid adheres to metal members other than plastic members, such as a plastic member and a support core.
  • Air in the head space in the surge tank 4 flows backward through the air supply device 11, passes through the sterilization filter 12, and is discharged out of the piping system before the opening / closing valve 17.
  • the pressure is reduced to a predetermined pressure, and the discharge of air ends.
  • aseptic air is supplied to the head space of the surge tank 4 by the air supply device 11, and the inside of the surge tank 4 is maintained at a predetermined pressure by the pressure of the supplied sterile air.
  • the product liquid stored in the surge tank 4 is pumped to the head tank 7 by the pressure of the supplied sterile air.
  • the volume of the head space in the surge tank 4 varies, the air in the head space is discharged, the product liquid droplets adhere to the sterilization filter 12, and the flavor is adsorbed.
  • the flavor is adsorbed to the sterilization filter 12 as in the surge tank 4.
  • the product liquid flows into the head tank 7 from the surge tank 4 or the carbonic acid surge tank 6, the volume of the head space in the head tank 7 held at a predetermined pressure decreases. As the volume decreases, the headspace pressure increases.
  • the air in the head space flows back through the air supply device 11 and passes through the sterilization filter 12 to open and close the valve. It is discharged out of the piping system before 17.
  • the headspace air contains flavor and splashes of the product liquid, and the product liquid flavor is adsorbed to the sterilization filter 12.
  • a positive pressure holding device in the tank as shown in FIG. To do. That is, in the in-tank positive pressure holding device according to the present invention, the air supply device 11 is the same as the conventional one, but an air discharge device 14 for discharging the air in the head space of the surge tank 4 is provided.
  • the carbonic acid surge tank 6 is also provided with a positive pressure holding device in the tank similar to the surge tank 4. That is, in order to prevent flavor adsorption of the sterilization filter 12 by the air in the head space discharged by the pressure increase in the head space in the carbonic acid surge tank 6, a positive pressure holding device in the tank as shown in FIG. 2 is provided. .
  • a positive tank internal pressure holding device similar to the surge tank 4 is provided in the head tank 7. That is, in order to prevent flavor adsorption of the sterilization filter 12 by the air in the head space discharged by the pressure increase in the head space in the head tank 7, a tank internal positive pressure holding device as shown in FIG. 2 is provided.
  • the air in the head space discharged by the pressure increase in the head space in the surge tank 4 is not discharged from the piping of the air supply device 11 so as to reach the sterilization filter 12, but is discharged by the air discharge device 14.
  • the air discharge device 14 includes a pipe for discharging the air in the head space in the surge tank 4 to the outside of the aseptic filling machine, and further includes a sterilization filter 15.
  • the sterilization filter 15 adsorbs the flavor of the product liquid by discharging the air in the head space.
  • the sterilization filter 15 is for preventing bacteria and the like from entering the piping of the air discharge device 14 from the outside.
  • the sterilization filters 12 and 15 may be one stage as shown in FIG. Two or more stages may be provided.
  • the in-tank positive pressure holding device is provided in any one or more of the surge tank 4, the carbonic acid surge tank 6, and the head tank 7.
  • the surge tank 4 and the carbonic acid surge tank 6 may be provided, or the surge tank 4, the carbonic acid surge tank 6, and the head tank 7 may be provided.
  • the in-tank positive pressure holding device is provided separately so as to hold the pressure in each tank at a predetermined value.
  • the open / close valves 16 and 17 of the air supply device 11 are open. Further, the open / close valve 18 of the air discharge device 14 is closed.
  • the open / close valve 16 of the air supply device 11 is closed and the open / close valve 18 of the air discharge device 14 is closed.
  • the air in the head space of the surge tank 4 is discharged to the outside of the surge tank 4.
  • the air in the head space does not reach the sterilization filter 12 by flowing back through the piping of the air supply device 11.
  • the case where the head space pressure exceeds or may exceed the predetermined pressure is a case where the head space air pressure exceeds 95% of the predetermined pressure. Below 95%, the air in the head space does not flow backward through the piping of the air supply device 11. If it exceeds 95%, the air pressure in the head space may exceed a predetermined pressure. Since there is a time lag until the signal reaches the control device and the valve is opened and closed, the control signal may be issued when there is a risk of exceeding. Further, if it exceeds 100%, the air in the head space may flow back through the piping of the air supply device 11 and reach the sterilization filter 12.
  • the air in the head space of the surge tank 4 is moved outside the surge tank 4 by the air discharge device 14. Discharged.
  • the pressure in the surge tank 4 drops due to the discharge of the headspace air.
  • the opening / closing valve 16 of the air supply device 11 is opened, and aseptic air is supplied to the head space of the surge tank 4 by the air supply device 11.
  • the pressure becomes a predetermined pressure, and the inside of the surge tank 4 is kept at a positive pressure. Further, the opening / closing valve 18 of the air discharge device 14 is closed to stop the discharge of the air in the head space of the surge tank 4.
  • the head tank 7 for storing the product liquid provided in the vicinity of the carbonic acid surge tank 6 and the filling device 8 also prevents the flavor of the product liquid from adsorbing to the sterilization filter 12 by performing the same control as the surge tank 4. Is possible.
  • the product liquid is filled with an aseptic filling machine, and the inside of the piping of the air supply device 11 and the air discharge device 14 constituting the positive pressure holding device in the tank is cleaned (CIP) before the next product liquid is filled.
  • CIP sterilization filter 12 of the air supply device 11
  • the liquid droplets or flavor of the product liquid may adhere to a part of the piping.
  • splashes and flavors of the product liquid are attached.
  • the cleaning liquid is supplied to the surge tank 4.
  • the cleaning liquid supplied to the surge tank 4 is discharged from the lower part of the surge tank 4 and is supplied into the piping of the air supply device 11 and the air discharge device 14 by the cleaning liquid circulation pump 22.
  • the cleaning liquid is supplied to the downstream of the closed on-off valve 16 provided downstream of the sterilization filter 12 of the air supply device 11 by the cleaning liquid circulation pump 22, and the supplied cleaning liquid reaches the surge tank 4 and circulates.
  • the cleaning liquid is also supplied into the piping of the air discharge device 14 by the cleaning liquid circulation pump 22.
  • the cleaning liquid is supplied upstream in the vicinity of the open / close valve 18 which is closed, reaches the surge tank 4 and circulates.
  • the cleaning liquid may reach the filling valve 10
  • a cup for closing the filling nozzle at the tip of the filling valve 10 may be provided, the tip of the filling nozzle may be closed by this cup, and the cleaning liquid may be circulated.
  • the CIP in the piping of the air supply device 11 and the air discharge device 14 cleans the piping of the positive pressure holding device in the tank.
  • the surge tank 4, the carbonic acid surge tank 6, and the head tank 7 may perform CIP through a communicating pipeline. Moreover, you may perform CIP by another piping path.
  • the cleaning solution is water, sodium hydroxide, potassium hydroxide, sodium carbonate, sodium silicate, sodium phosphate, sodium hypochlorite, surfactants, and chelating agents such as sodium gluconate and ethylenediamineatraacetic acid (EDTA).
  • An alkaline cleaning liquid in which an alkaline chemical mixed with an agent is added, or an acidic cleaning liquid in which a nitric acid-based or phosphoric acid-based acidic chemical is added to water is used.
  • CIP may be performed using an alkaline cleaning solution and an acidic cleaning solution in this order.
  • cleaning effect improves by heating a washing
  • the cleaning liquid may be washed away with water or aseptic water. Water or sterile water may be heated.
  • Heated steam is supplied to the piping of the air supply device 11.
  • the heated water vapor supplied between the air pressurizer 13 and the sterilization filter 12 passes through the sterilization filter 12 because the open / close valves 17 and 19 are closed and the open / close valve 16 is open.
  • the surge tank 4 is reached.
  • the inside of the piping of the air supply device 11 and the sterilization filter 12 are sterilized by the heat of the supplied steam.
  • heated steam is directly supplied to the surge tank 4.
  • the supplied heated steam is combined with the heated steam supplied from the air supply device 11, and is discharged through the sterilization filter 15 through the open / close valve 18 that opens the piping of the air discharge device 14.
  • the piping of the air discharge device 14 and the sterilization filter 15 are sterilized by the heat of the supplied steam.
  • a temperature sensor S is provided downstream of the sterilization filter 12 through which the heated steam passes and before the surge tank 4, and when the heated steam is supplied to the sterilization filter 12, the temperature of the heated steam that passes through the temperature sensor S. Is measured every predetermined time, the measured temperature information is sent to the controller, the F value is calculated by a controller equipped with a calculation device for calculating the F value, and when the F value reaches the target value, heating is performed by a signal from the controller The supply of water vapor may be stopped and the sterilization of the sterilization filter 12 may be terminated.
  • a temperature sensor S is provided downstream of the sterilization filter 15 through which the heated water vapor passes, and when the heated water vapor is supplied to the sterilization filter 15, the temperature of the heated water vapor discharged by the temperature sensor S is changed every predetermined time. Measure the temperature information, send the measured temperature information to the controller, calculate the F value by a controller equipped with a calculation device that calculates the F value, and when the F value reaches the target value, the supply of heated steam is stopped by the signal from the controller The sterilization of the sterilization filter 15 may be terminated.
  • the F value is obtained by the following arithmetic expression.
  • Tr in the arithmetic expression is 121.1 ° C.
  • Tr in the arithmetic expression is 121.1 ° C.
  • the arithmetic device provided in the controller starts calculating the F value.
  • the Z value of the spore bacteria to be sterilized is 7 ° C. to 11 ° C., and for example, the Z value may be calculated as 10.
  • the Z value and the target F value can be arbitrarily adjusted to the sterilization strength required for the contents to be filled with the aseptic filling machine.
  • Heated steam is water that is heated by electricity or fuel to form steam, and the water used may be purified through a reverse osmosis membrane.
  • a reverse osmosis membrane For cans that use water as steam, cleansing agents, condensate treatment agents, and the like are used, but food additive grades are used.
  • a can and conveyance piping are stainless steel.
  • a filter, activated carbon or an ultrafiltration membrane may be passed.
  • the heated steam generating means is preferably a reboiler that generates heated steam by exchanging heat with water that has passed through a reverse osmosis membrane using heated steam as a heat source.
  • the heated steam supplied to the sterilization filters 12 and 15 is 121.1 ° C. to 150 ° C. If it is less than 121.1 degreeC, it is as low as sterilization temperature, and when it exceeds 150 degreeC, there exists a possibility of degrading the member of the sanitization filter 12 and 15.
  • FIG. 1 The heated steam supplied to the sterilization filters 12 and 15 is 121.1 ° C. to 150 ° C. If it is less than 121.1 degreeC, it is as low as sterilization temperature, and when it exceeds 150 degreeC, there exists a possibility of degrading the member of the sanitization filter 12 and 15.
  • the present invention is configured as described above, but is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications can be made within the scope of the gist of the present invention.
  • the head tank 7 is a cushion tank provided in the vicinity of the filling device 8, and may be provided in the lower portion instead of the upper portion of the filling device 8. Further, liquid feeding from the surge tank 4, the carbonic acid surge tank 6 or the head tank 7 is not pressure feeding, and a liquid feeding device such as a pump may be used.

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Abstract

In order to maintain positive pressure in tanks for storing a product liquid and flow passages connecting the same, the present invention prevents the flavor of a product liquid from remaining in a sterilization filter provided in an air supply device supplied with the product liquid, and prevents the flavor of the product liquid which previously filled the tanks from transferring to the product liquid that fills the tanks next. Provided is an air discharge device which, when the pressure of the air in the head space in a one or more tanks among a surge tank for storing the product liquid, a carbonated surge tank for storing a carbon dioxide-added product liquid, and a header tank provided in the vicinity of a filling device for filling the product liquid into a container increases, discharges the air in the head space.

Description

タンク内陽圧保持方法及びタンク内陽圧保持装置Tank positive pressure holding method and tank positive pressure holding device
　本発明は、飲料等の液体充填機において、製品液を貯留するタンク内を陽圧に保持するために、タンク内のヘッドスペースにエアを供給し、ヘッドスペースの液面が上昇することによりヘッドスペースの圧力が保持すべき圧力を超える場合にヘッドスペースのエアを排気するタンク内陽圧保持方法及びタンク内陽圧保持装置に関する。 The present invention relates to a liquid filling machine for beverages and the like, in order to maintain a positive pressure in a tank for storing product liquid, air is supplied to the head space in the tank, and the liquid level in the head space rises to increase the head The present invention relates to a positive pressure holding method in a tank and a positive pressure holding device in a tank that exhaust air in a head space when the pressure in the space exceeds a pressure to be held.
　炭酸飲料、果汁飲料、お茶、コーヒー飲料及びスポーツドリンク等の飲料は、液体充填機によりボトル等の容器に充填される。飲料等の製品液には、無果汁炭酸飲料のように殺菌を必要としない炭酸無殺菌製品液、果汁入り炭酸飲料のように殺菌を必要とする炭酸殺菌製品液、及びお茶、コーヒー飲料、果汁飲料等殺菌を必要とする無炭酸殺菌製品液がある。炭酸殺菌製品液及び無炭酸殺菌製品液を容器に充填するためには、殺菌された容器に殺菌された製品液を無菌雰囲気で充填し、充填された容器を殺菌された蓋材により密封する無菌充填機が用いられる。無菌充填機では無殺菌製品液も容器に充填することができる。そこで、無菌充填機により炭酸無殺菌製品液、炭酸殺菌製品液及び無炭酸殺菌製品液が充填されている。 Beverages such as carbonated drinks, fruit juice drinks, tea, coffee drinks and sports drinks are filled in containers such as bottles by a liquid filling machine. Product liquids such as beverages include non-carbonated product liquids that do not require sterilization, such as fruitless carbonated drinks, carbonated sterilized product liquids that require sterilization, such as carbonated drinks with fruit juice, and tea, coffee drinks, fruit juice There are non-carbonated sterilized product liquids that require sterilization, such as beverages. In order to fill a container with a carbonated sterilized product solution and a non-carbonated sterilized product solution, the sterilized container is filled with the sterilized product solution in an aseptic atmosphere, and the filled container is sealed with a sterilized lid. A filling machine is used. The aseptic filling machine can also fill the container with non-sterile product liquid. Therefore, the aseptic filling machine is filled with a carbonic acid-free sterilized product liquid, a carbonic acid-sterilized product liquid, and a carbonic acid-free sterilized product liquid.
　無菌充填機では様々な製品が充填される。飲料等の製品液には内容物に合わせた様々な異なる香料が含まれており、香料によるフレーバーが別な製品に移行しないようにしなければならない。そのため、製品液を充填し、異なる製品液の充填を開始する前に製品液供給系配管内を洗浄するＣＩＰ（Ｃｌｅａｎｉｎｇ　ｉｎ　Ｐｌａｃe）が行われる。洗浄液を製品液供給系配管内に循環させ、タンク内に洗浄液をスプレするＣＩＰにより、製品液供給系配管を分解することなく無菌充填機で充填する製品液を交換することができる。 Aseptic filling machine is filled with various products. Product liquids such as beverages contain a variety of different fragrances that are tailored to the contents, and the flavors of the fragrances must not be transferred to another product. For this reason, CIP (Cleaning in Place) is performed in which the product liquid is filled and the inside of the product liquid supply system pipe is cleaned before the filling of the different product liquid is started. The CIP that circulates the cleaning liquid in the product liquid supply system pipe and sprays the cleaning liquid in the tank can replace the product liquid to be filled in the aseptic filling machine without disassembling the product liquid supply system pipe.
　しかし、配管内には前の製品液のフレーバーが残留することがあり、ＣＩＰを長時間行うことやフレーバー除去に効果的な洗浄剤を洗浄液に使用しなければならないことがある。ＣＩＰを長時間行うことは無菌充填機の生産性を低下させる。また、洗浄剤によってはフレーバー除去に効果的であるが、パッキン等の部材を劣化させるおそれがある。 However, the flavor of the previous product liquid may remain in the piping, and it may be necessary to perform a CIP for a long time or use a cleaning agent effective for removing the flavor as the cleaning liquid. Performing CIP for a long time reduces the productivity of the aseptic filling machine. Moreover, although it is effective for flavor removal depending on a cleaning agent, there exists a possibility of degrading members, such as packing.
　製品液供給系配管に使用されるパッキン等の部材にフレーバーが残留し、次に充填する製品液に、前に生産した製品液のフレーバーが移行するのを防止するために、残留フレーバー除去に効果的な洗浄剤組成物が提案されている（特許文献１、特許文献２）。また、ＣＩＰを行う際の洗浄液にオゾンを加える方法も提案されている（特許文献３）。 Effective in removing residual flavor to prevent the flavor from remaining in the product liquid that is used in the product liquid supply system piping from being transferred to the next product liquid to be filled. Specific cleaning compositions have been proposed (Patent Document 1, Patent Document 2). In addition, a method of adding ozone to a cleaning liquid when performing CIP has been proposed (Patent Document 3).
　製品液は、複数の原材料が調合装置において混合されることにより調合され、貯留タンクに長時間貯留される。そのため、貯留タンク内部の気相、内壁及びパッキン等の部材にフレーバーが残留するとして、貯留タンクに蒸気を供給することで残留フレーバーを除去することが提案されている（特許文献４）。貯留タンクに貯留された製品液はバランスタンクに送液され、バランスタンクで貯留された後に加熱殺菌され、殺菌された製品液はサージタンクに貯留され、サージタンクから充填装置のヘッドタンクに送液され、充填装置により殺菌された容器に無菌雰囲気で充填される。充填装置が備える充填バルブは製品液を流す細い流路があり、流路は弁機構及びパッキンを有する。無菌充填機が停止状態となると、充填バルブ内に製品液が長時間滞留することとなる。その結果、流路、弁機構及びパッキン等にフレーバーが残留する。充填バルブの流路、弁機構及びパッキン等に残留するフレーバーを蒸気により除去する方法も提案されている（特許文献５）。 Product liquid is prepared by mixing a plurality of raw materials in a preparation device and stored in a storage tank for a long time. For this reason, it has been proposed to remove the residual flavor by supplying steam to the storage tank, assuming that the flavor remains in the gas phase, the inner wall, packing, and other members inside the storage tank (Patent Document 4). The product liquid stored in the storage tank is sent to the balance tank, sterilized by heat after being stored in the balance tank, and the sterilized product liquid is stored in the surge tank and sent from the surge tank to the head tank of the filling device. The container sterilized by the filling device is filled in a sterile atmosphere. The filling valve provided in the filling device has a thin flow path for flowing the product liquid, and the flow path has a valve mechanism and a packing. When the aseptic filling machine is stopped, the product liquid stays in the filling valve for a long time. As a result, flavor remains in the flow path, valve mechanism, packing and the like. A method of removing flavor remaining in the flow path, valve mechanism, packing, and the like of the filling valve with steam has also been proposed (Patent Document 5).
特開２００５－２０６７９４号公報JP 2005-206794 A 特開２０１３－１８８６２号公報JP 2013-18862 A 特開２００７－２３６７０６号公報JP 2007-236706 A 特開２０１７－７１４４１号公報JP 2017-71441 A 国際公開第２０１７／１３５４４９号International Publication No. 2017/135449
　飲料等の製品液を殺菌後、殺菌された容器に無菌雰囲気で充填し、充填された容器を殺菌された蓋材により密封する無菌充填機の各種タンク、流路、弁機構およびパッキン等には飲料等の製品液に含まれるフレーバーが残留する。残留するフレーバーを除去するためにＣＩＰが行われる。しかし、ＣＩＰを行っても、次に充填する製品液に前に充填した製品液のフレーバーが残留することがある。この原因を追究したところ、無菌充填機の各種タンク、流路、弁機構およびパッキン等以外にもフレーバーが残留している箇所が存在した。それは、製品液を殺菌後に貯留するサージタンク、殺菌された製品液に炭酸ガスを添加した炭酸製品液を貯留する炭酸サージタンク、充填装置に設けられるヘッドタンク及びこれらをつなぐ流路を陽圧に保持するために供給されるエア供給装置に備えられる除菌フィルタである。除菌フィルタにもフレーバーが残留し、次の製品液を充填する際に供給されるエア中に、除菌フィルタに残留する前の製品液のフレーバーが混入し、次に充填する製品液に前に充填した製品液のフレーバーが移行することがある。 After sterilizing beverages and other product liquids, filling sterilized containers in a sterile atmosphere, and sealing the filled containers with sterilized lids, various tanks, flow paths, valve mechanisms, packings, etc. Flavors contained in product liquids such as beverages remain. CIP is performed to remove the remaining flavor. However, even when CIP is performed, the flavor of the product liquid previously filled may remain in the product liquid to be filled next. As a result of investigating the cause, there were places where flavor remained in addition to various tanks, flow paths, valve mechanisms, packings, etc. of the aseptic filling machine. The surge tank stores product liquid after sterilization, the carbon dioxide surge tank stores carbonic acid product liquid obtained by adding carbon dioxide gas to the sterilized product liquid, the head tank provided in the filling device, and the flow path connecting them with positive pressure. It is a disinfection filter with which the air supply device supplied in order to hold is equipped. Flavor also remains in the sterilization filter, and the flavor of the product liquid before remaining in the sterilization filter is mixed in the air supplied when the next product liquid is filled, and the product liquid to be filled next The flavor of the product liquid filled in may shift.
　除菌フィルタにフレーバーが残留するのは、タンクのフレーバーを含むヘッドスペースのエアが除菌フィルタまで逆流するためである。除菌フィルタを通した無菌エアをタンクのヘッドスペースに供給することにより、タンク内への外部からの菌等の侵入を防ぎ、添加された炭酸ガスの気散を防ぐ。また、除菌フィルタを通した無菌エアの圧力により製品液を圧送することもある。タンク内の製品液は下流に送液される量と供給される量がバランスを保っているが、ヘッドスペースの液面は上下する。液面が下がってヘッドスペースの圧力が低下する場合、ヘッドスペースの圧力は無菌エアが供給されることにより、一定に保持される。液面が上がるとヘッドスペースの容積が減少するため、ヘッドスペースの圧力は上昇する。ヘッドスペースの圧力が上昇すると、ヘッドスペースのエアが逆流して除菌フィルタまで到達する。除菌フィルタに到達するヘッドスペースのエアには製品液の飛沫やフレーバーが含まれており、除菌フィルタに製品液のフレーバーが吸着することとなる。無菌充填機では炭酸無殺菌製品液、炭酸殺菌製品液及び無炭酸殺菌製品液が充填されるため、炭酸無殺菌製品液の場合でも炭酸殺菌液と共用される炭酸サージタンクにおいて、炭酸ガスの気散を防止するために除菌フィルタを通した無菌エアが供給される。また、タンク内の製品液が除菌フィルタを通したエアによりタンクから下流に圧送されることもある。そのため、炭酸無殺菌製品液の場合でもフレーバーが除菌フィルタに吸着される。 The reason why the flavor remains in the sterilization filter is that the air in the headspace including the flavor of the tank flows back to the sterilization filter. By supplying aseptic air through the sterilizing filter to the head space of the tank, entry of bacteria and the like from the outside into the tank is prevented, and the added carbon dioxide gas is prevented from being diffused. Further, the product liquid may be pumped by the pressure of aseptic air passing through a sterilization filter. The product liquid in the tank is balanced between the amount sent downstream and the amount supplied, but the liquid level in the head space goes up and down. When the liquid level drops and the head space pressure decreases, the head space pressure is kept constant by supplying sterile air. As the liquid level rises, the volume of the headspace decreases, so the headspace pressure increases. When the pressure in the head space increases, the air in the head space flows backward and reaches the sterilization filter. The air in the head space that reaches the sterilization filter contains splashes and flavors of the product liquid, and the flavor of the product liquid is adsorbed on the sterilization filter. Since the aseptic filling machine is filled with carbonic acid-free sterilized product liquid, carbonic acid-sterilized product liquid, and carbonic acid-sterilized product liquid, even in the case of carbonic acid-free sterilized product liquid, the gas of carbon dioxide gas is generated in the carbonic acid surge tank shared with the carbonic acid sterilized liquid. Aseptic air is supplied through a sterilization filter to prevent scattering. Further, the product liquid in the tank may be pumped downstream from the tank by the air that has passed through the sterilization filter. Therefore, even in the case of a non-carbonated product liquid, the flavor is adsorbed by the sterilization filter.
　上述の理由により、製品液を貯留するサージタンク、炭酸ガスが添加された製品液を貯留する炭酸サージタンク、充填装置に設けられるヘッドタンク及びこれらをつなぐ流路を陽圧に保持するために供給されるエア供給装置に備えられる除菌フィルタに製品液のフレーバーが残留することがなく、前に充填した製品液のフレーバーが次に充填する製品液に移行しない方法及び装置がもとめられている。製品液の種類により除菌フィルタを交換する方法はあるが、交換作業が煩雑であり、取り外した除菌フィルタの保管や管理も手数を要する。 For the above reasons, a surge tank for storing product liquid, a carbonic acid surge tank for storing product liquid to which carbon dioxide is added, a head tank provided in a filling device, and a flow path connecting them are supplied to maintain a positive pressure. There has been a demand for a method and an apparatus in which the flavor of the product liquid does not remain on the sterilization filter provided in the air supply device, and the flavor of the product liquid previously filled does not shift to the product liquid to be filled next. Although there is a method of replacing the sterilization filter depending on the type of product liquid, the replacement work is complicated, and the removed sterilization filter needs to be stored and managed.
　本発明はこのような問題点を解決することができる、タンク内陽圧保持方法及びタンク内陽圧保持装置を提供することを目的とする。すなわち、本願発明は、製品液を殺菌後に貯留するサージタンク、炭酸ガスが添加された製品液を貯留する炭酸サージタンク及び充填装置に設けられるヘッドタンクの、ヘッドスペースのフレーバーを含むエアが逆流して除菌フィルタにフレーバーが吸着することを防止するタンク内陽圧保持方法及びタンク内陽圧保持装置を提供するものである。 It is an object of the present invention to provide a positive pressure holding method and a positive pressure holding device in a tank that can solve such problems. That is, in the present invention, a surge tank that stores product liquid after sterilization, a carbon dioxide surge tank that stores product liquid to which carbon dioxide gas has been added, and a head tank that is provided in a filling device, the air including the headspace flavor flows backward. A tank positive pressure holding method and a tank positive pressure holding device that prevent the flavor from adsorbing to the sterilization filter are provided.
　本発明に係るタンク内陽圧保持方法は、製品液を貯留するタンクのヘッドスペースに、除菌フィルタを通したエアを供給することにより、前記タンク内の前記ヘッドスペースの圧力を所定の陽圧力とするエア供給工程と、前記ヘッドスペースの圧力が所定の陽圧力を超える場合又は超えるおそれがある場合、前記エア供給工程を停止し、前記エアを前記タンクに供給する経路と異なる経路で前記ヘッドスペースの前記エアを排出するエア排出工程とを有することを特徴とする。 In the method for maintaining a positive pressure in a tank according to the present invention, the pressure of the head space in the tank is set to a predetermined positive pressure by supplying air that has passed through a sterilization filter to the head space of the tank that stores the product liquid. And the air supply step, and if the head space pressure exceeds or may exceed a predetermined positive pressure, the air supply step is stopped, and the head is differently routed from the route for supplying the air to the tank. And an air discharge step for discharging the air in the space.
　また、本発明に係るタンク内陽圧保持方法は、前記タンクが、充填装置の上流で前記製品液を貯留するサージタンク、炭酸ガスが添加された前記製品液を貯留する炭酸サージタンク、前記製品液を容器に充填する充填装置近傍に備えられ前記製品液を貯留するヘッドタンクのいずれか１以上であると好適である。 Further, in the method for maintaining positive pressure in a tank according to the present invention, the tank stores a surge tank that stores the product liquid upstream of a filling device, a carbonic acid surge tank that stores the product liquid to which carbon dioxide gas is added, and the product. It is preferable that any one or more of the head tanks provided in the vicinity of the filling device for filling the container with the liquid and storing the product liquid.
　また、本発明に係るタンク内陽圧保持方法は、前記所定の陽圧力が０．００１ＭＰａ～０．８ＭＰａであると好適である。 Further, in the positive pressure maintaining method in the tank according to the present invention, it is preferable that the predetermined positive pressure is 0.001 MPa to 0.8 MPa.
　また、本発明に係るタンク内陽圧保持方法は、前記製品液が殺菌された後に前記タンクに貯留されると好適である。 Further, the positive pressure holding method in the tank according to the present invention is preferably stored in the tank after the product liquid is sterilized.
　本発明に係るタンク内陽圧保持装置は、製品液を貯留するタンクと、前記タンクのヘッドスペースに、除菌フィルタを通したエアを供給することにより、前記タンク内の前記ヘッドスペースの圧力を所定の陽圧力とするエア供給装置と、前記ヘッドスペースの圧力が所定の陽圧力を超える場合又は超えるおそれがある場合、前記エアの供給を停止し、前記エアを前記タンクに供給する経路と異なる経路で前記ヘッドスペースの前記エアを排出するエア排出装置とを備えることを特徴とする。 The tank positive pressure holding device according to the present invention supplies the pressure through the sterilization filter to the tank for storing the product liquid and the head space of the tank, thereby reducing the pressure of the head space in the tank. When the air supply device having a predetermined positive pressure and the pressure of the head space exceeds or exceeds the predetermined positive pressure, the supply of the air is stopped and the path for supplying the air to the tank is different. And an air discharge device for discharging the air in the head space through a path.
　また、本発明に係るタンク内陽圧保持装置は、前記タンクが、充填装置の上流で前記製品液を貯留するサージタンク、炭酸ガスが添加された製品液を貯留する炭酸サージタンク、前記製品液を容器に充填する充填装置近傍に備えられ前記製品液を貯留するヘッドタンクのいずれか１以上であると好適である。 Further, in the tank positive pressure holding device according to the present invention, the tank stores a surge tank that stores the product liquid upstream of the filling device, a carbonic acid surge tank that stores a product liquid to which carbon dioxide gas is added, and the product liquid. It is preferable that any one or more of the head tanks provided in the vicinity of the filling device for storing the product liquid and storing the product liquid.
　また、本発明に係るタンク内陽圧保持装置は、前記タンクの上流に製品液を殺菌する殺菌装置を備えると好適である。 Moreover, it is preferable that the positive pressure holding device in the tank according to the present invention includes a sterilizing device for sterilizing the product liquid upstream of the tank.
　本発明によれば、充填される製品液が貯留されるタンクのヘッドスペースの圧力が上昇した際に、ヘッドスペースのエアを除菌フィルタに到達させることなく排出することができる。その結果、除菌フィルタに製品液のフレーバーが吸着することがなく、前に充填された製品液のフレーバーが、次に充填される製品液に移行することを防止できる。 According to the present invention, when the pressure in the head space of the tank in which the product liquid to be filled is increased, the air in the head space can be discharged without reaching the sterilization filter. As a result, the flavor of the product liquid is not adsorbed on the sterilization filter, and the flavor of the product liquid previously filled can be prevented from shifting to the product liquid to be filled next.
本発明の実施の形態に係るタンク内陽圧保持装置を備える液体充填機における、製品液の調合から充填までフローを示す。The flow from preparation of a product liquid to filling in a liquid filling machine provided with the positive pressure holding device in a tank concerning an embodiment of the invention is shown. 本発明の実施の形態に係るタンク内陽圧保持装置を示す。1 shows a positive pressure holding device in a tank according to an embodiment of the present invention. 従来のタンク内陽圧保持装置を示す。The conventional positive pressure holding | maintenance apparatus in a tank is shown. 本発明の実施の形態に係るタンク内陽圧保持装置をＣＩＰする場合の洗浄液の流路を示す。The flow path of the washing | cleaning liquid in the case of CIPing the positive pressure holding | maintenance apparatus in a tank which concerns on embodiment of this invention is shown. 本発明の実施の形態に係るタンク内陽圧保持装置をＳＩＰする場合の蒸気の流路を示す。The vapor | steam flow path in the case of SIP of the positive pressure holding | maintenance apparatus in a tank which concerns on embodiment of this invention is shown.
　以下に、本発明の実施の形態について図面を参照して説明する。 Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
　飲料等の無菌充填機では、飲料等の製品液は図１に示すようなフローに沿って、調合され、容器に充填される。無炭酸殺菌製品液は調合装置１により調合され、調合された製品液はバランスタンク２に貯留され、貯留された製品液が殺菌装置３により殺菌され、殺菌された製品液はサージタンク４に貯留され、貯留された製品液は、製品液を容器に充填する充填装置近傍に備えられるヘッドタンク７に送られ、充填装置８に備えられる充填バルブ１０から容器９に充填される。 In an aseptic filling machine for beverages and the like, product liquids such as beverages are prepared and filled in containers according to the flow shown in FIG. Carbonate-free sterilized product solution is prepared by the preparation device 1, the prepared product solution is stored in the balance tank 2, the stored product solution is sterilized by the sterilization device 3, and the sterilized product solution is stored in the surge tank 4. The stored product liquid is sent to the head tank 7 provided in the vicinity of the filling device that fills the container with the product liquid, and is filled into the container 9 from the filling valve 10 provided in the filling device 8.
　炭酸殺菌製品液は調合装置１により調合され、調合された製品液はバランスタンク２に貯留され、貯留された製品液が殺菌装置３により殺菌され、殺菌された製品液は炭酸ガス添加装置５により炭酸ガスが添加され、炭酸ガスが添加された炭酸製品液は炭酸サージタンク６に貯留され、貯留された製品液はヘッドタンク７に送られ、充填装置８に備えられる充填バルブ１０から容器９に充填される。 Carbonated sterilized product liquid is prepared by the mixing device 1, the prepared product liquid is stored in the balance tank 2, the stored product liquid is sterilized by the sterilizing device 3, and the sterilized product liquid is supplied by the carbon dioxide adding device 5. Carbon dioxide gas is added, and the carbonated product liquid to which carbon dioxide gas is added is stored in the carbonic acid surge tank 6, and the stored product liquid is sent to the head tank 7, and is supplied from the filling valve 10 provided in the filling device 8 to the container 9. Filled.
　炭酸無殺菌製品液は調合装置１により調合され、調合された製品液はバランスタンク２に貯留され、貯留された製品液は炭酸ガス添加装置５により炭酸ガスが添加され、炭酸ガスが添加された炭酸製品液は炭酸サージタンク６に貯留され、貯留された製品液はヘッドタンク７に送られ、充填装置８に備えられる充填バルブ１０から容器９に充填される。 The carbonic acid-free sterilized product solution was prepared by the preparation device 1, the prepared product solution was stored in the balance tank 2, and the stored product solution was added with carbon dioxide by the carbon dioxide addition device 5, and carbon dioxide was added. The carbonated product liquid is stored in the carbonic acid surge tank 6, and the stored product liquid is sent to the head tank 7 and filled into the container 9 from the filling valve 10 provided in the filling device 8.
　製品液は調合装置１により調合される。調合装置１では、原材料である水、果汁、コーヒー、お茶、乳製品、糖類、甘味料、安定剤、乳化剤、カフェイン、ビタミンＣ、香料等の所望される量が定量、投入され、製品液が調合される。フレーバー源は果汁、コーヒー、お茶等に含まれる香料と、直接投入される香料である。天然物に含まれる香料及び調合時に添加される天然物から抽出された香料若しくは人工的に製造された香料によるフレーバーが、調合装置１から充填バルブ１０に至る経路に残留することで、無菌充填機において前に充填された製品液のフレーバーが次に充填される製品液に移行する。 Product liquid is prepared by the preparation device 1. In the blending apparatus 1, desired amounts of raw materials such as water, fruit juice, coffee, tea, dairy products, sugars, sweeteners, stabilizers, emulsifiers, caffeine, vitamin C, and fragrances are quantified and charged, and the product liquid Is formulated. The flavor source is a fragrance contained in fruit juice, coffee, tea and the like, and a fragrance directly added. A fragrance contained in a natural product and a flavor of a fragrance extracted from a natural product added at the time of preparation or an artificially manufactured fragrance remains in the path from the preparation device 1 to the filling valve 10, thereby aseptic filling machine The flavor of the previously filled product liquid is transferred to the next filled product liquid.
　調合された製品液はバランスタンク２に貯留される。所定量貯留された製品液は、ポンプ等の送液装置により送液されながら、殺菌装置３により殺菌される。殺菌を必要としない炭酸無殺菌製品液は殺菌装置３により殺菌されずに炭酸ガス添加装置５により炭酸ガスが添加され、炭酸ガスが添加された炭酸製品液は炭酸サージタンク６に貯留される。 * The prepared product liquid is stored in the balance tank 2. The product liquid stored in a predetermined amount is sterilized by the sterilizer 3 while being fed by a liquid feeder such as a pump. Carbonic acid-free sterilized product liquid that does not require sterilization is not sterilized by the sterilizing apparatus 3, but carbon dioxide gas is added by the carbon dioxide adding apparatus 5, and the carbonated product liquid to which carbon dioxide is added is stored in the carbonic acid surge tank 6.
　殺菌装置３は、その内部に第１段加熱部、第２段加熱部、ホールディングチューブ、第１段冷却部、第２段冷却部等を備え、バランスタンク２から供給される製品液を第１段加熱部から第２段加熱部と送りながら徐々に加熱し、第２段加熱部の出口で目標温度に達し、ホールディングチューブ内で一定時間殺菌温度を保持し、その後、第１段冷却部、第２段冷却部へと送って徐々に冷却するものである。加熱部や冷却部の段数は必要に応じて増減される。なお、殺菌装置３は、自動洗浄可能なホモゲナイザーを設置した構成としても構わない。設置箇所は、製品液の温度が５０℃～７０℃程度になる第１段加熱部と６０℃～１５０℃程度になる第２段加熱部の間か、第１段冷却部と第２段冷却部の間に設置すると好適である。前者の場合は、一般的なホモゲナイザーで問題ないが、後者の場合は無菌仕様のホモゲナイザーを設置する必要がある。殺菌装置３は、シェル＆チューブ式熱交換器、プレート式熱交換器等、どのような形態でも構わない。また、これらの間接加熱法に限らず、直接加熱法を適用しても構わない。 The sterilizer 3 includes therein a first stage heating unit, a second stage heating unit, a holding tube, a first stage cooling unit, a second stage cooling unit, and the like, and the product liquid supplied from the balance tank 2 is the first. Heat gradually while feeding from the stage heating section to the second stage heating section, reach the target temperature at the outlet of the second stage heating section, hold the sterilization temperature for a certain period of time in the holding tube, then, the first stage cooling section, It is sent to the second stage cooling section and gradually cooled. The number of stages of the heating unit and the cooling unit is increased or decreased as necessary. Note that the sterilizer 3 may be configured with a homogenizer capable of automatic cleaning. The installation location is between the first stage heating unit where the temperature of the product liquid is about 50 ° C to 70 ° C and the second stage heating unit where the temperature of the product liquid is about 60 ° C to 150 ° C, or the first stage cooling unit and the second stage cooling. It is preferable to install between the sections. In the former case, there is no problem with a general homogenizer, but in the latter case, it is necessary to install a sterile homogenizer. The sterilizer 3 may be in any form such as a shell and tube heat exchanger or a plate heat exchanger. Further, not limited to these indirect heating methods, a direct heating method may be applied.
　無炭酸殺菌製品液は、殺菌装置３に製品液を送液するポンプ等の送液装置の圧力によりサージタンク４に送液される。サージタンク４に殺菌された所定量の製品液が貯留されると、製品液はサージタンク４からヘッドタンク７に送液される。サージタンク４内及びサージタンク４より下流の充填装置８までの製品液を供給する配管内は洗浄（ＣＩＰ）後に殺菌（ＳＩＰ＝Ｓｔｅｒｉｌｉｚｉｎｇ　ｉｎ　Ｐｌａｃe）され、その後エア供給装置１１により供給される無菌エアにより陽圧に保持される。 The carbonic acid-free sterilized product liquid is fed to the surge tank 4 by the pressure of a liquid feeding device such as a pump that feeds the product liquid to the sterilizing device 3. When a predetermined amount of product liquid sterilized in the surge tank 4 is stored, the product liquid is sent from the surge tank 4 to the head tank 7. The inside of the surge tank 4 and the pipe for supplying the product liquid to the filling device 8 downstream from the surge tank 4 is sterilized after cleaning (CIP) (SIP = Sterilizing in Place) and then supplied by the air supply device 11 To maintain a positive pressure.
　炭酸殺菌製品液となる製品液は、殺菌装置３に製品液を送液するポンプ等の送液装置の圧力によりサージタンク４に送液される。サージタンク４に殺菌された所定量の製品液が貯留されると、製品液はサージタンク４からポンプ等の送液装置により送液されながら炭酸ガス添加装置５により炭酸ガスが添加される。炭酸ガスが添加された炭酸殺菌製品液は炭酸サージタンク６に送液され貯留される。炭酸サージタンク６に貯留される炭酸殺菌製品液は、ヘッドタンク７に送液される。サージタンク４内、炭酸サージタンク６内、ヘッドタンク７内及びサージタンク４より下流の充填装置８までの製品液を供給する配管内は洗浄（ＣＩＰ）後に殺菌（ＳＩＰ）され、その後エア供給装置１１により供給される無菌エアにより陽圧に保持される。 The product liquid that becomes the carbonic acid sterilization product liquid is sent to the surge tank 4 by the pressure of a liquid delivery device such as a pump that delivers the product liquid to the sterilization device 3. When a predetermined amount of product liquid sterilized is stored in the surge tank 4, carbon dioxide gas is added by the carbon dioxide addition device 5 while the product liquid is being sent from the surge tank 4 by a liquid delivery device such as a pump. The carbonic acid sterilized product liquid to which carbon dioxide gas has been added is sent to the carbonic acid surge tank 6 and stored. The carbonic acid sterilization product liquid stored in the carbonic acid surge tank 6 is sent to the head tank 7. The inside of the surge tank 4, the carbonic acid surge tank 6, the head tank 7, and the pipe for supplying the product liquid to the filling device 8 downstream from the surge tank 4 are sterilized (SIP) after cleaning (CIP), and then the air supply device 11 is maintained at a positive pressure by aseptic air supplied by 11.
　サージタンク４に貯留される殺菌された製品液はエア供給装置１１により供給される無菌エアの圧力によりヘッドタンク７に送液される。ヘッドタンク７に貯留される製品液は無菌エアの圧力により充填装置８に送液され、充填バルブ１０から容器９に充填される。殺菌された製品液は駆動部に蒸気シールが付いたポンプ等の送液装置を用いず、無菌エアの圧力により送液することで、殺菌後の送液機構の無菌化を容易にすることができる。また、タンク及び配管内を無菌エアで陽圧に保持することで外部からの菌等の侵入を防ぐことができる。 The sterilized product liquid stored in the surge tank 4 is sent to the head tank 7 by the pressure of aseptic air supplied by the air supply device 11. The product liquid stored in the head tank 7 is fed to the filling device 8 by the pressure of aseptic air, and filled into the container 9 from the filling valve 10. Sterilized product liquid can be easily sterilized after sterilization by using sterile air pressure without using a pump or other liquid delivery device with a steam seal on the drive. it can. Further, by keeping the tank and the pipes at a positive pressure with aseptic air, it is possible to prevent invasion of bacteria and the like from the outside.
　図２にサージタンク４内のヘッドスペースを陽圧に保持するタンク内陽圧保持装置を示す。タンク内陽圧保持装置はエア供給装置１１を備える。エア供給装置１１はエア加圧装置１３及び除菌フィルタ１２を備える。エア加圧装置１３により加圧されたエアが除菌フィルタ１２に送られる。除菌フィルタ１２により無菌化されたエアは、サージタンク４に供給され、サージタンク４の内部を陽圧に保持する。陽圧とされる無菌エアの圧力は０．００１ＭＰａ～０．８ＭＰａが好ましい。０．００１ＭＰａ未満では外部から菌等が侵入するおそれがあり、また製品液を圧送するには不十分な圧力である。また、０．８ＭＰａを超える圧力は、製品液を容器９に充填するに際して高過ぎ、充填速度が速く容器内から製品液が吹き出すおそれがある。 Fig. 2 shows a positive pressure holding device in the tank that holds the head space in the surge tank 4 at a positive pressure. The in-tank positive pressure holding device includes an air supply device 11. The air supply device 11 includes an air pressurization device 13 and a sterilization filter 12. Air pressurized by the air pressurizer 13 is sent to the sterilization filter 12. The air sterilized by the sterilization filter 12 is supplied to the surge tank 4 and maintains the inside of the surge tank 4 at a positive pressure. The pressure of sterile air that is positive pressure is preferably 0.001 MPa to 0.8 MPa. If the pressure is less than 0.001 MPa, bacteria or the like may enter from the outside, and the pressure is insufficient to pump the product liquid. Further, the pressure exceeding 0.8 MPa is too high when the product liquid is filled in the container 9, and there is a possibility that the product liquid is blown out from the container at a high filling speed.
　図２には、サージタンク４のタンク内陽圧保持装置を示すが、サージタンク４が、炭酸サージタンク６及びヘッドタンク７となっても、炭酸サージタンク６及びヘッドタンク７は同様なタンク内陽圧保持装置を備える。ヘッドタンク７はタンク内陽圧保持装置を備えなくても構わない。炭酸無殺菌飲料の場合、ヘッドタンク７に無菌エアを供給する必要はない。炭酸殺菌飲料の場合、充填装置８に備えられる給気コントロールバルブ及び排気コントロールバルブによりヘッドタンク７内の圧力を制御することが可能であるからである。無炭酸殺菌飲料の場合、微加圧のため、ＰＩＤ制御では圧力が安定せず、精密レギュレーターにより一定圧に保持することも可能であるからである。 FIG. 2 shows a positive pressure holding device in the tank of the surge tank 4, but even if the surge tank 4 becomes the carbonic acid surge tank 6 and the head tank 7, the carbonic acid surge tank 6 and the head tank 7 are in the same tank. A positive pressure holding device is provided. The head tank 7 may not be provided with the in-tank positive pressure holding device. In the case of a non-carbonated beverage, it is not necessary to supply aseptic air to the head tank 7. This is because in the case of a carbonated sterilized beverage, the pressure in the head tank 7 can be controlled by the air supply control valve and the exhaust control valve provided in the filling device 8. This is because in the case of a non-carbonated sterilized beverage, the pressure is not stabilized by PID control due to slight pressurization, and it can be held at a constant pressure by a precision regulator.
　エア加圧装置１３は例えば空気圧縮機であり、モーターを連続又は間歇運転してエアを供給する。モーターが回転して大気を空気圧縮機のタンクに供給し、タンク内の圧力が上昇する。タンク内には圧力検出センサが備えられ、圧力が上限設定値に達するとモーターの回転が停止する。エアが使用されてタンク内の圧力が下降し、下限設定圧力以下の圧力を圧力センサが検出するとモーターの運転が再開され、タンク内の圧力が上昇する。実施の形態において供給されるエアの圧力は、０．００１ＭＰａ～０．８ＭＰａである。空気圧縮機により発生するエア圧は０．８ＭＰａを超える圧力でも構わない。減圧弁により適正圧力として除菌フィルタ１２にエアを送ることができれば、元の圧力は過大でも構わない。エア加圧装置１３は空気圧縮機ではなく、ブロワを使用しても構わない。 The air pressurization device 13 is an air compressor, for example, and supplies air by operating the motor continuously or intermittently. The motor rotates to supply the air to the air compressor tank, and the pressure in the tank rises. A pressure detection sensor is provided in the tank, and the rotation of the motor stops when the pressure reaches the upper limit set value. When air is used, the pressure in the tank decreases, and when the pressure sensor detects a pressure below the lower limit set pressure, the operation of the motor is resumed and the pressure in the tank increases. The pressure of air supplied in the embodiment is 0.001 MPa to 0.8 MPa. The air pressure generated by the air compressor may be a pressure exceeding 0.8 MPa. The original pressure may be excessive as long as air can be sent to the sterilization filter 12 as an appropriate pressure by the pressure reducing valve. The air pressurizer 13 may use a blower instead of an air compressor.
　エア加圧装置１３により供給されるエアには、塵埃、水分、油分、有機化学物質などが含まれている。エア加圧装置１３と開閉バルブ１７の間には、これらを除去するためのフィルタを設けることが好ましい。細孔が０．５μｍを超えるフィルタを設けることで塵埃や油分を除去できる。さらに、繊維状又は粒状の活性炭からなるフィルタを設けて、有機化学物質を活性炭に吸着させることにより除去しても構わない。除菌フィルタ１２に送られる以前に、エアから塵埃、水分、油分、有機化学物質等の不純物は除去されることが好ましい。また、エア加圧装置１３により供給されるエアを冷却し、エア中の水分を凝縮させるエアドライヤーが設けられる。凝縮された水分はエアドライヤーの下部に設けられる自動ドレイン排出弁により排出される。これらの不純物が除菌フィルタ１２に達すると、除菌フィルタ１２の耐用期間を短縮するおそれがある。 The air supplied by the air pressurizer 13 contains dust, moisture, oil, organic chemical substances, and the like. It is preferable to provide a filter for removing these between the air pressurizing device 13 and the opening / closing valve 17. Dust and oil can be removed by providing a filter with pores exceeding 0.5 μm. Furthermore, you may remove by providing the filter which consists of fibrous or granular activated carbon, and making an organic chemical substance adsorb | suck to activated carbon. Prior to being sent to the sterilization filter 12, it is preferable to remove impurities such as dust, moisture, oil, and organic chemicals from the air. In addition, an air dryer is provided that cools the air supplied by the air pressurization device 13 and condenses moisture in the air. The condensed moisture is discharged by an automatic drain discharge valve provided at the lower part of the air dryer. When these impurities reach the sterilization filter 12, the lifetime of the sterilization filter 12 may be shortened.
　除菌フィルタ１２は、中空円筒型であって、中空円筒型フィルタは着脱自在に取り付けられたハウジングに収納され、ハウジングへの挿脱自在に取り付けられるようになっている。ハウジングに中空円筒型フィルタへ外側からエアが供給できるように、エアの流入口が形成され、中空型円筒フィルタを通ったエアが中空部を経て排出される排出口がハウジングには形成されている。ハウジングの下部にはドレイン溜まりが形成されており、ドレイン溜まりに連通するように自動ドレイントラップがハウジングに取り付けられている。 The sterilization filter 12 is a hollow cylindrical type, and the hollow cylindrical filter is housed in a detachably attached housing and is detachably attached to the housing. An air inflow port is formed so that air can be supplied to the hollow cylindrical filter from outside, and a discharge port through which the air passing through the hollow cylindrical filter is discharged through the hollow portion is formed in the housing. . A drain reservoir is formed in the lower part of the housing, and an automatic drain trap is attached to the housing so as to communicate with the drain reservoir.
　除菌フィルタ１２のフィルタは細菌、カビ、胞子等を除去できるもので、０．１μｍ～０．５μｍ程度の細孔を有しており、再生セルロース、ニトロセルロース、ポリテトラフルオロエチレン等からなる。このような細孔を有するフィルタを例えば、ポリプロピレンやセルロース類からなる不織布であるサポート材の間に挟み、得られる積層体を中空状に折り込み、折り込んだ中空の内側及び外側を網状のステンレスからなるサポートコアで固定し、上下をポリフェニルサルホンのような耐熱性プラスチックからなるエンドキャップで端部を塞いで除菌フィルタ１２とする。一方のエンドキャップには中空部からのエア排出のための排出口が形成され、ハウジングの排出口にはシリコンゴムのようなＯリングを使用して固定される。 The filter of the sterilization filter 12 can remove bacteria, mold, spores and the like, has pores of about 0.1 μm to 0.5 μm, and is made of regenerated cellulose, nitrocellulose, polytetrafluoroethylene, or the like. A filter having such pores is sandwiched between, for example, a support material that is a nonwoven fabric made of polypropylene or cellulose, the resulting laminate is folded into a hollow shape, and the inside and outside of the folded hollow are made of mesh-like stainless steel The sterilization filter 12 is formed by fixing with a support core and closing the upper and lower ends with an end cap made of heat-resistant plastic such as polyphenylsulfone. One end cap is formed with a discharge port for discharging air from the hollow portion, and is fixed to the discharge port of the housing using an O-ring such as silicon rubber.
　エア供給装置１１により供給される無菌エアは、サージタンク４内、炭酸サージタンク６内、ヘッドタンク７内及び殺菌装置３から充填バルブ１０に至る配管内を陽圧に保持する。サージタンク４内はＳＩＰされた後、無菌エアにより所定の陽圧力に保持される。殺菌装置３で製品液が殺菌され、サージタンク４に殺菌された製品液が供給されることで、所定の圧力に保持されたサージタンク４内のヘッドスペースの容積は減少する。容積の減少に伴い、ヘッドスペースの圧力は上昇する。 The aseptic air supplied by the air supply device 11 maintains a positive pressure in the surge tank 4, the carbonic acid surge tank 6, the head tank 7, and the pipe from the sterilizer 3 to the filling valve 10. The SIP inside the surge tank 4 is maintained at a predetermined positive pressure by aseptic air after SIP. The product liquid is sterilized by the sterilizer 3 and the sterilized product liquid is supplied to the surge tank 4, whereby the volume of the head space in the surge tank 4 held at a predetermined pressure is reduced. As the volume decreases, the headspace pressure increases.
　ヘッドスペースの圧力が上昇するとき、図３に示す従来のタンク内陽圧保持装置では、ヘッドスペース内のエアはエア供給装置１１を逆流して、開閉バルブ１７が閉となり、開閉バルブ１９が開となり、開閉バルブ１７の手前で配管系外に排出される。ヘッドスペースのエアには製品液のフレーバーや飛沫が含まれており、除菌フィルタ１２に製品液のフレーバーが吸着することとなる。除菌フィルタ１２には細孔を有するフィルタ、フィルタをサポートする不織布、Ｏリング、エンドキャップ等のプラスチック部材が使用されており製品液のフレーバーが吸着する。また、プラスチック部材及びサポートコア等のプラスチック部材以外の金属製の部材に製品液の飛沫が付着する。 When the pressure in the head space increases, in the conventional positive pressure holding device in the tank shown in FIG. 3, the air in the head space flows backward through the air supply device 11, the opening / closing valve 17 is closed, and the opening / closing valve 19 is opened. Thus, it is discharged out of the piping system before the opening / closing valve 17. The headspace air contains flavor and splashes of the product liquid, and the product liquid flavor is adsorbed to the sterilization filter 12. The sanitizing filter 12 uses a filter having pores, a non-woven fabric that supports the filter, a plastic member such as an O-ring, and an end cap, and the flavor of the product liquid is adsorbed. Moreover, the splash of a product liquid adheres to metal members other than plastic members, such as a plastic member and a support core.
　サージタンク４内のヘッドスペースのエアが、エア供給装置１１を逆流して除菌フィルタ１２を通り、開閉バルブ１７の手前で配管系外に排出されることで、サージタンク４内のヘッドスペースの圧力が所定の圧力に減少し、エアの排出は終了する。その後、エア供給装置１１により無菌エアがサージタンク４のヘッドスペースに供給され、供給される無菌エアの圧力によりサージタンク４内は所定の圧力に保持される。サージタンク４に所定量の製品液が貯留されたところで、サージタンク４に貯留される製品液は、供給される無菌エアの圧力により、ヘッドタンク７に圧送される。サージタンク４内のヘッドスペースの容積の変動と共に、ヘッドスペースのエアの排出が行われ、除菌フィルタ１２には製品液の飛沫が付着し、フレーバーが吸着される。 Air in the head space in the surge tank 4 flows backward through the air supply device 11, passes through the sterilization filter 12, and is discharged out of the piping system before the opening / closing valve 17. The pressure is reduced to a predetermined pressure, and the discharge of air ends. Thereafter, aseptic air is supplied to the head space of the surge tank 4 by the air supply device 11, and the inside of the surge tank 4 is maintained at a predetermined pressure by the pressure of the supplied sterile air. When a predetermined amount of product liquid is stored in the surge tank 4, the product liquid stored in the surge tank 4 is pumped to the head tank 7 by the pressure of the supplied sterile air. As the volume of the head space in the surge tank 4 varies, the air in the head space is discharged, the product liquid droplets adhere to the sterilization filter 12, and the flavor is adsorbed.
　炭酸サージタンク６においてもサージタンク４と同様の除菌フィルタ１２へのフレーバーの吸着を生じる。サージタンク４から送液される殺菌された製品液が炭酸ガス添加装置５により炭酸ガスが添加され、炭酸サージタンク６に流入すると、所定の圧力に保持された炭酸サージタンク６内のヘッドスペースの容積は減少する。容積の減少に伴い、ヘッドスペースの圧力は上昇する。ヘッドスペースの圧力が上昇するとき、図３に示すのと同様な従来のタンク内陽圧保持装置では、ヘッドスペース内のエアは除菌フィルタ１２を通り、エア供給装置１１を逆流して開閉バルブ１７の手前で配管系外に排出される。ヘッドスペースのエアには製品液のフレーバーや飛沫が含まれており、除菌フィルタ１２に製品液のフレーバーが吸着することとなる。 Also in the carbonic acid surge tank 6, flavor adsorption to the sterilization filter 12 similar to the surge tank 4 occurs. When the sterilized product liquid sent from the surge tank 4 is added with carbon dioxide by the carbon dioxide adding device 5 and flows into the carbon dioxide surge tank 6, the head space in the carbon dioxide surge tank 6 held at a predetermined pressure is stored. The volume decreases. As the volume decreases, the headspace pressure increases. When the pressure in the head space rises, in the conventional positive pressure holding device in the tank similar to that shown in FIG. 3, the air in the head space passes through the sterilization filter 12 and flows back through the air supply device 11 to open and close the valve. It is discharged out of the piping system before 17. The headspace air contains flavor and splashes of the product liquid, and the product liquid flavor is adsorbed to the sterilization filter 12.
　ヘッドタンク７においてもサージタンク４と同様の除菌フィルタ１２へのフレーバーの吸着を生じる。サージタンク４又は炭酸サージタンク６からヘッドタンク７に製品液が流入すると、所定の圧力に保持されたヘッドタンク７内のヘッドスペースの容積は減少する。容積の減少に伴い、ヘッドスペースの圧力は上昇する。ヘッドスペースの圧力が上昇するとき、図３に示すのと同様な従来のタンク内陽圧保持装置では、ヘッドスペース内のエアはエア供給装置１１を逆流して除菌フィルタ１２を通り、開閉バルブ１７の手前で配管系外に排出される。ヘッドスペースのエアには製品液のフレーバーや飛沫が含まれており、除菌フィルタ１２に製品液のフレーバーが吸着することとなる。 In the head tank 7 as well, the flavor is adsorbed to the sterilization filter 12 as in the surge tank 4. When the product liquid flows into the head tank 7 from the surge tank 4 or the carbonic acid surge tank 6, the volume of the head space in the head tank 7 held at a predetermined pressure decreases. As the volume decreases, the headspace pressure increases. When the pressure in the head space rises, in the conventional positive pressure in-tank holding device similar to that shown in FIG. 3, the air in the head space flows back through the air supply device 11 and passes through the sterilization filter 12 to open and close the valve. It is discharged out of the piping system before 17. The headspace air contains flavor and splashes of the product liquid, and the product liquid flavor is adsorbed to the sterilization filter 12.
　充填する製品液を変更する場合、サージタンク４内に除菌フィルタ１２を通ったエアがサージタンク４内に供給される。変更前の製品液の除菌フィルタ１２に吸着されたフレーバーが変更後の製品液に混入することとなる。除菌フィルタ１２は細孔を有しており、洗浄液を循環させてＣＩＰすることは困難である。また、製品液により除菌フィルタ１２を交換するのは煩雑である。さらに交換時に誤って他の除菌フィルタ１２を装着する可能性もあり、除菌フィルタ１２によるフレーバーの混入を防止する方法としては適切ではない。 When changing the product liquid to be filled, air that has passed through the sterilization filter 12 is supplied into the surge tank 4. The flavor adsorbed by the sterilization filter 12 of the product liquid before the change is mixed into the product liquid after the change. The sterilization filter 12 has pores, and it is difficult to circulate the cleaning liquid and perform CIP. In addition, it is complicated to replace the sterilization filter 12 with the product liquid. Further, there is a possibility that another sterilization filter 12 is erroneously attached at the time of replacement, and it is not appropriate as a method for preventing the flavor from being mixed by the sterilization filter 12.
　上述のような、サージタンク４内のヘッドスペースの圧力上昇により排出されるヘッドスペースのエアによる除菌フィルタ１２のフレーバー吸着を防止するために、図２に示すようなタンク内陽圧保持装置とする。すなわち、本願発明に係るタンク内陽圧保持装置において、エア供給装置１１は従来と同様であるが、サージタンク４のヘッドスペースのエアを排出するエア排出装置１４を設ける。 In order to prevent flavor adsorption of the sterilization filter 12 by the air in the head space exhausted by the pressure increase in the head space in the surge tank 4 as described above, a positive pressure holding device in the tank as shown in FIG. To do. That is, in the in-tank positive pressure holding device according to the present invention, the air supply device 11 is the same as the conventional one, but an air discharge device 14 for discharging the air in the head space of the surge tank 4 is provided.
　炭酸サージタンク６も、サージタンク４と同様なタンク内陽圧保持装置が炭酸サージタンク６に備えられる。すなわち、炭酸サージタンク６内のヘッドスペースの圧力上昇により排出されるヘッドスペースのエアによる除菌フィルタ１２のフレーバー吸着を防止するために、図２に示すようなタンク内陽圧保持装置が備えられる。 The carbonic acid surge tank 6 is also provided with a positive pressure holding device in the tank similar to the surge tank 4. That is, in order to prevent flavor adsorption of the sterilization filter 12 by the air in the head space discharged by the pressure increase in the head space in the carbonic acid surge tank 6, a positive pressure holding device in the tank as shown in FIG. 2 is provided. .
　充填装置８の近傍に製品液を貯留するヘッドタンク７が設けられる場合も、サージタンク４と同様なタンク内陽圧保持装置がヘッドタンク７に備えられる。すなわち、ヘッドタンク７内のヘッドスペースの圧力上昇により排出されるヘッドスペースのエアによる除菌フィルタ１２のフレーバー吸着を防止するために、図２に示すようなタンク内陽圧保持装置が備えられる。 When the head tank 7 for storing the product liquid is provided in the vicinity of the filling device 8, a positive tank internal pressure holding device similar to the surge tank 4 is provided in the head tank 7. That is, in order to prevent flavor adsorption of the sterilization filter 12 by the air in the head space discharged by the pressure increase in the head space in the head tank 7, a tank internal positive pressure holding device as shown in FIG. 2 is provided.
　サージタンク４内のヘッドスペースの圧力上昇により排出されるヘッドスペースのエアはエア供給装置１１の配管から除菌フィルタ１２に達するように排出させるのではなく、エア排出装置１４により排出される。エア排出装置１４はサージタンク４内のヘッドスペースのエアを無菌充填機の外部に排出する配管を備え、さらに除菌フィルタ１５を備えると好適である。除菌フィルタ１５は、ヘッドスペースのエアを排出することにより製品液のフレーバーを吸着する。しかし、エア供給装置１１により所定の圧力のエアがサージタンク４には供給されるために、除菌フィルタ１５を通過するエアがサージタンク４に達することはない。除菌フィルタ１５は外部から菌等がエア排出装置１４の配管内に侵入することを防止するためである。除菌フィルタ１２と１５は図２のように１段で構わない。また、２段以上設けても構わない。 The air in the head space discharged by the pressure increase in the head space in the surge tank 4 is not discharged from the piping of the air supply device 11 so as to reach the sterilization filter 12, but is discharged by the air discharge device 14. It is preferable that the air discharge device 14 includes a pipe for discharging the air in the head space in the surge tank 4 to the outside of the aseptic filling machine, and further includes a sterilization filter 15. The sterilization filter 15 adsorbs the flavor of the product liquid by discharging the air in the head space. However, since air of a predetermined pressure is supplied to the surge tank 4 by the air supply device 11, the air passing through the sterilization filter 15 does not reach the surge tank 4. The sterilization filter 15 is for preventing bacteria and the like from entering the piping of the air discharge device 14 from the outside. The sterilization filters 12 and 15 may be one stage as shown in FIG. Two or more stages may be provided.
　タンク内陽圧保持装置は、サージタンク４、炭酸サージタンク６、ヘッドタンク７のいずれか１以上に設けられる。サージタンク４及び炭酸サージタンク６に設けても、サージタンク４、炭酸サージタンク６、ヘッドタンク７の全てに設けても構わない。タンク内陽圧保持装置は各タンク内の圧力を所定の値に保持するように各々別個に設けられる。 The in-tank positive pressure holding device is provided in any one or more of the surge tank 4, the carbonic acid surge tank 6, and the head tank 7. The surge tank 4 and the carbonic acid surge tank 6 may be provided, or the surge tank 4, the carbonic acid surge tank 6, and the head tank 7 may be provided. The in-tank positive pressure holding device is provided separately so as to hold the pressure in each tank at a predetermined value.
　エア供給装置１１からサージタンク４のヘッドスペースにエアが供給されるとき、エア供給装置１１の開閉バルブ１６及び１７は開となっている。また、エア排出装置１４の開閉バルブ１８は閉となっている。サージタンク４の製品液の液面上昇によりヘッドスペースの圧力が所定の圧力を超える場合又は超えるおそれがある場合、エア供給装置１１の開閉バルブ１６が閉となり、エア排出装置１４の開閉バルブ１８が開となり、サージタンク４のヘッドスペースのエアが、サージタンク４の外部に排出される。従来のように、エア供給装置１１の配管を逆流して除菌フィルタ１２にヘッドスペースのエアが達することはない。 When the air is supplied from the air supply device 11 to the head space of the surge tank 4, the open / close valves 16 and 17 of the air supply device 11 are open. Further, the open / close valve 18 of the air discharge device 14 is closed. When the head space pressure exceeds or exceeds the predetermined pressure due to the rise of the product liquid level in the surge tank 4, the open / close valve 16 of the air supply device 11 is closed and the open / close valve 18 of the air discharge device 14 is closed. As a result, the air in the head space of the surge tank 4 is discharged to the outside of the surge tank 4. As in the prior art, the air in the head space does not reach the sterilization filter 12 by flowing back through the piping of the air supply device 11.
　ここで、ヘッドスペースの圧力が所定の圧力を超える場合又は超えるおそれがある場合とは、ヘッドスペースのエアの圧力が、所定の圧力の９５％を超える場合である。９５％以下では、ヘッドスペースのエアがエア供給装置１１の配管を逆流するに至らない。９５％を超えるとヘッドスペースのエアの圧力は所定の圧力を超えるおそれがある。制御装置に信号が届き、バルブの開閉が行われるまでにはタイムラグがあるため、超えるおそれがある場合に制御信号を発するようにしても構わない。また、１００％を超える場合は、ヘッドスペースのエアがエア供給装置１１の配管を逆流して、除菌フィルタ１２に達するおそれがある。 Here, the case where the head space pressure exceeds or may exceed the predetermined pressure is a case where the head space air pressure exceeds 95% of the predetermined pressure. Below 95%, the air in the head space does not flow backward through the piping of the air supply device 11. If it exceeds 95%, the air pressure in the head space may exceed a predetermined pressure. Since there is a time lag until the signal reaches the control device and the valve is opened and closed, the control signal may be issued when there is a risk of exceeding. Further, if it exceeds 100%, the air in the head space may flow back through the piping of the air supply device 11 and reach the sterilization filter 12.
　サージタンク４の製品液の液面上昇によりヘッドスペースの圧力が所定の圧力を超える場合又は超えるおそれがある場合、エア排出装置１４により、サージタンク４のヘッドスペースのエアがサージタンク４の外部に排出される。ヘッドスペースのエアの排出により、サージタンク４内の圧力は下降する。下降する圧力が所定の圧力未満となったとき、エア供給装置１１の開閉バルブ１６が開となり、エア供給装置１１によりサージタンク４のヘッドスペースに無菌エアが供給され、サージタンク４のヘッドスペースの圧力は所定の圧力となり、サージタンク４内は陽圧に保持される。また、エア排出装置１４の開閉バルブ１８を閉として、サージタンク４のヘッドスペースのエアを排出することを停止する。 When the pressure of the head space exceeds or exceeds the predetermined pressure due to the rise of the product liquid level in the surge tank 4, the air in the head space of the surge tank 4 is moved outside the surge tank 4 by the air discharge device 14. Discharged. The pressure in the surge tank 4 drops due to the discharge of the headspace air. When the descending pressure becomes less than a predetermined pressure, the opening / closing valve 16 of the air supply device 11 is opened, and aseptic air is supplied to the head space of the surge tank 4 by the air supply device 11. The pressure becomes a predetermined pressure, and the inside of the surge tank 4 is kept at a positive pressure. Further, the opening / closing valve 18 of the air discharge device 14 is closed to stop the discharge of the air in the head space of the surge tank 4.
　炭酸サージタンク６及び充填装置８の近傍に設けられる製品液を貯留するヘッドタンク７も、サージタンク４と同様な制御を行うことで除菌フィルタ１２への製品液のフレーバーの吸着を防止することが可能である。 The head tank 7 for storing the product liquid provided in the vicinity of the carbonic acid surge tank 6 and the filling device 8 also prevents the flavor of the product liquid from adsorbing to the sterilization filter 12 by performing the same control as the surge tank 4. Is possible.
　サージタンク４のヘッドスペースの圧力が上昇すると、エア供給装置１１による無菌エアの供給が停止し、ヘッドスペースのエアはエア排出装置１４により無菌充填機の外部に排出される。また、ヘッドスペースの圧力が下降するとエア排出装置１４によるヘッドスペースのエアの排出が停止し、エア供給装置１１による無菌エアの供給が再開される。これを繰り返すことにより、除菌フィルタ１２にヘッドスペースのエアが達するのを防止し、除菌フィルタ１２への製品液のフレーバーの吸着を防止することができる。 When the pressure in the head space of the surge tank 4 rises, the supply of sterile air by the air supply device 11 is stopped, and the air in the head space is discharged to the outside of the sterile filling machine by the air discharge device 14. Further, when the pressure in the head space decreases, the discharge of the head space air by the air discharge device 14 is stopped, and the supply of sterile air by the air supply device 11 is resumed. By repeating this, it is possible to prevent the air in the head space from reaching the sterilization filter 12 and to prevent the flavor of the product liquid from adsorbing to the sterilization filter 12.
　無菌充填機により製品液を充填し、次の製品液を充填する前に、タンク内陽圧保持装置を構成するエア供給装置１１及びエア排出装置１４の配管内を洗浄する（ＣＩＰ）ことが好ましい。エア供給装置１１の除菌フィルタ１２まで製品液は達していないが、配管の一部については製品液の飛沫やフレーバーが付着している可能性がある。またエア排出装置１４の配管はヘッドスペースのエアが通過しているため、製品液の飛沫やフレーバーが付着している。 It is preferable that the product liquid is filled with an aseptic filling machine, and the inside of the piping of the air supply device 11 and the air discharge device 14 constituting the positive pressure holding device in the tank is cleaned (CIP) before the next product liquid is filled. . Although the product liquid does not reach the sterilization filter 12 of the air supply device 11, there is a possibility that the liquid droplets or flavor of the product liquid may adhere to a part of the piping. Further, since air in the head space passes through the piping of the air discharge device 14, splashes and flavors of the product liquid are attached.
　エア供給装置１１及びエア排出装置１４の配管内のＣＩＰは図４に示すように行う。洗浄液はサージタンク４に供給される。サージタンク４に供給される洗浄液はサージタンク４の下部から排出され、洗浄液循環ポンプ２２によりエア供給装置１１及びエア排出装置１４の配管内に供給される。洗浄液循環ポンプ２２により洗浄液が、エア供給装置１１の除菌フィルタ１２の下流に備えられる閉じられた開閉バルブ１６の下流に供給され、供給された洗浄液はサージタンク４に達し、循環する。洗浄液循環ポンプ２２により洗浄液はエア排出装置１４の配管内にも供給される。閉となっている開閉バルブ１８近傍の上流に洗浄液は供給され、サージタンク４に達し、循環する。 CIP in the piping of the air supply device 11 and the air discharge device 14 is performed as shown in FIG. The cleaning liquid is supplied to the surge tank 4. The cleaning liquid supplied to the surge tank 4 is discharged from the lower part of the surge tank 4 and is supplied into the piping of the air supply device 11 and the air discharge device 14 by the cleaning liquid circulation pump 22. The cleaning liquid is supplied to the downstream of the closed on-off valve 16 provided downstream of the sterilization filter 12 of the air supply device 11 by the cleaning liquid circulation pump 22, and the supplied cleaning liquid reaches the surge tank 4 and circulates. The cleaning liquid is also supplied into the piping of the air discharge device 14 by the cleaning liquid circulation pump 22. The cleaning liquid is supplied upstream in the vicinity of the open / close valve 18 which is closed, reaches the surge tank 4 and circulates.
　炭酸サージタンク６及びヘッドタンク７にタンク内陽圧保持装置が設けられる場合も、サージタンク４と同様のＣＩＰを行う。 When the carbonic acid surge tank 6 and the head tank 7 are provided with a positive pressure holding device in the tank, the same CIP as the surge tank 4 is performed.
　ヘッドタンク７の場合、洗浄液は充填バルブ１０まで達し、充填バルブ１０の先端の充填ノズルを閉塞するカップを設け、このカップにより充填ノズルの先端を閉塞し、洗浄液を循環させても構わない。エア供給装置１１及びエア排出装置１４の配管内のＣＩＰによりタンク内陽圧保持装置の配管内の洗浄が行われる。サージタンク４、炭酸サージタンク６及びヘッドタンク７は連通する配管路によりＣＩＰを行っても構わない。また、別な配管路によりＣＩＰを行っても構わない。 In the case of the head tank 7, the cleaning liquid may reach the filling valve 10, a cup for closing the filling nozzle at the tip of the filling valve 10 may be provided, the tip of the filling nozzle may be closed by this cup, and the cleaning liquid may be circulated. The CIP in the piping of the air supply device 11 and the air discharge device 14 cleans the piping of the positive pressure holding device in the tank. The surge tank 4, the carbonic acid surge tank 6, and the head tank 7 may perform CIP through a communicating pipeline. Moreover, you may perform CIP by another piping path.
　洗浄液は水に水酸化ナトリウム、水酸化カリウム、炭酸ナトリウム、ケイ酸ナトリウム、リン酸ナトリウム、次亜塩素酸ナトリウム、界面活性剤及びグルコン酸ナトリウムやエチレンジアミンアトラ酢酸（ＥＤＴＡ）などのキレート剤（金属封鎖剤）などを混ぜたアルカリ性薬剤を添加したアルカリ性洗浄液又は水に硝酸系やリン酸系の酸性薬剤を添加した酸性洗浄液が用いられる。アルカリ性洗浄液及び酸性洗浄液を順に用いてＣＩＰを行っても構わない。また、洗浄液は加温させることで洗浄効果が向上するため、加温することが好ましい。 The cleaning solution is water, sodium hydroxide, potassium hydroxide, sodium carbonate, sodium silicate, sodium phosphate, sodium hypochlorite, surfactants, and chelating agents such as sodium gluconate and ethylenediamineatraacetic acid (EDTA). An alkaline cleaning liquid in which an alkaline chemical mixed with an agent is added, or an acidic cleaning liquid in which a nitric acid-based or phosphoric acid-based acidic chemical is added to water is used. CIP may be performed using an alkaline cleaning solution and an acidic cleaning solution in this order. Moreover, since the washing | cleaning effect improves by heating a washing | cleaning liquid, it is preferable to heat.
　洗浄液によるＣＩＰの後、水又は無菌水で洗浄液を洗い流しても良い。水又は無菌水は加温されても構わない。 After the CIP with the cleaning liquid, the cleaning liquid may be washed away with water or aseptic water. Water or sterile water may be heated.
　エア供給装置１１及びエア排出装置１４の配管内のＣＩＰ終了後に、タンク内陽圧保持装置を構成するエア供給装置１１及びエア排出装置１４の配管内はＳＩＰされる。エア供給装置１１及びエア排出装置１４の配管内のＳＩＰは図５に示すように行われる。 After completion of CIP in the pipes of the air supply device 11 and the air discharge device 14, the pipes of the air supply device 11 and the air discharge device 14 constituting the positive pressure holding device in the tank are SIPed. SIP in the piping of the air supply device 11 and the air discharge device 14 is performed as shown in FIG.
　エア供給装置１１の配管には加熱水蒸気が供給される。エア加圧装置１３と除菌フィルタ１２の間に供給される加熱水蒸気は、開閉バルブ１７及び１９が閉となっており、開閉バルブ１６が開となっていることから、除菌フィルタ１２を経てサージタンク４に達する。供給される加熱水蒸気の熱により、エア供給装置１１の配管内及び除菌フィルタ１２は殺菌される。 Heated steam is supplied to the piping of the air supply device 11. The heated water vapor supplied between the air pressurizer 13 and the sterilization filter 12 passes through the sterilization filter 12 because the open / close valves 17 and 19 are closed and the open / close valve 16 is open. The surge tank 4 is reached. The inside of the piping of the air supply device 11 and the sterilization filter 12 are sterilized by the heat of the supplied steam.
　また、サージタンク４には直接加熱水蒸気が供給される。供給される加熱水蒸気はエア供給装置１１から供給される加熱水蒸気と合わさり、エア排出装置１４の配管内を開となっている開閉バルブ１８を経て、除菌フィルタ１５を通り排出される。供給される加熱水蒸気の熱によりエア排出装置１４の配管内及び除菌フィルタ１５は殺菌される。 In addition, heated steam is directly supplied to the surge tank 4. The supplied heated steam is combined with the heated steam supplied from the air supply device 11, and is discharged through the sterilization filter 15 through the open / close valve 18 that opens the piping of the air discharge device 14. The piping of the air discharge device 14 and the sterilization filter 15 are sterilized by the heat of the supplied steam.
　加熱水蒸気が通る除菌フィルタ１２よりも下流で、サージタンク４の手前に温度センサＳを設け、除菌フィルタ１２に加熱水蒸気が供給されたときに、温度センサＳにより、通過する加熱水蒸気の温度を所定時間ごとに測定し、測定した温度情報をコントローラに送り、Ｆ値を演算する演算装置を備えるコントローラによりＦ値を演算し、Ｆ値が目標値に達したときにコントローラからの信号により加熱水蒸気の供給は停止され、除菌フィルタ１２の殺菌を終了しても構わない。 A temperature sensor S is provided downstream of the sterilization filter 12 through which the heated steam passes and before the surge tank 4, and when the heated steam is supplied to the sterilization filter 12, the temperature of the heated steam that passes through the temperature sensor S. Is measured every predetermined time, the measured temperature information is sent to the controller, the F value is calculated by a controller equipped with a calculation device for calculating the F value, and when the F value reaches the target value, heating is performed by a signal from the controller The supply of water vapor may be stopped and the sterilization of the sterilization filter 12 may be terminated.
　また、加熱水蒸気が通る除菌フィルタ１５よりも下流に温度センサＳを設け、除菌フィルタ１５に加熱水蒸気が供給されたときに、温度センサＳにより、排出される加熱水蒸気の温度を所定時間ごとに測定し、測定した温度情報をコントローラに送り、Ｆ値を演算する演算装置を備えるコントローラによりＦ値を演算し、Ｆ値が目標値に達したときコントローラからの信号により加熱水蒸気の供給は停止され、除菌フィルタ１５の殺菌を終了しても構わない。 Further, a temperature sensor S is provided downstream of the sterilization filter 15 through which the heated water vapor passes, and when the heated water vapor is supplied to the sterilization filter 15, the temperature of the heated water vapor discharged by the temperature sensor S is changed every predetermined time. Measure the temperature information, send the measured temperature information to the controller, calculate the F value by a controller equipped with a calculation device that calculates the F value, and when the F value reaches the target value, the supply of heated steam is stopped by the signal from the controller The sterilization of the sterilization filter 15 may be terminated.
　除菌フィルタ１２及び１５のＦ値が目標値に達しているとするならば、除菌フィルタ１２及び１５への流路内も殺菌が完了していると判断できる。 If it is assumed that the F value of the sterilization filters 12 and 15 has reached the target value, it can be determined that sterilization is completed in the flow path to the sterilization filters 12 and 15 as well.
　温度センサＳにより測定され、コントローラに送られた温度を基に以下の演算式によりＦ値が求められる。
Figure JPOXMLDOC01-appb-M000001
 Based on the temperature measured by the temperature sensor S and sent to the controller, the F value is obtained by the following arithmetic expression.
Figure JPOXMLDOC01-appb-M000001
　演算式のＴｒを１２１．１℃とすると、温度センサＳにより測定される温度が１２１．１℃に達すると、コントローラが備える演算装置はＦ値の演算を開始する。殺菌すべき芽胞菌のＺ値は７℃～１１℃であり、例えばＺ値を１０として演算しても構わない。Ｚ値及び目標とするＦ値は、無菌充填機で充填する内容物に必要な殺菌強度に任意に合わせることができる。 Assuming that Tr in the arithmetic expression is 121.1 ° C., when the temperature measured by the temperature sensor S reaches 121.1 ° C., the arithmetic device provided in the controller starts calculating the F value. The Z value of the spore bacteria to be sterilized is 7 ° C. to 11 ° C., and for example, the Z value may be calculated as 10. The Z value and the target F value can be arbitrarily adjusted to the sterilization strength required for the contents to be filled with the aseptic filling machine.
　また製品液のｐＨが４～４．６未満のときは基準温度Ｔｒ＝８５℃、Ｚ値＝７．８℃とすることができ、製品液のｐＨが４未満のときは基準温度Ｔｒ＝６５℃、Ｚ値＝５℃とすることができるが、適宜変更することも可能である。ｐＨ４．６以上の場合は、基準温度Ｔｒ＝１２１．１℃、Ｚ値＝１０℃で算出することができる。 When the pH of the product liquid is 4 to less than 4.6, the reference temperature Tr = 85 ° C. and the Z value = 7.8 ° C. can be set. When the pH of the product liquid is less than 4, the reference temperature Tr = 65 C. and Z value = 5.degree. C., but can be changed as appropriate. In the case of pH 4.6 or more, it can be calculated at a reference temperature Tr = 121.1 ° C. and a Z value = 10 ° C.
　このように、温度センサＳにより測定される温度からＦ値を演算することで、除菌フィルタ１２、１５及びエア供給装置１１及びエア排出装置１４の流路を殺菌する時間が短縮されるだけでなく、除菌フィルタ１２及び１５が加熱水蒸気に曝される時間も短縮でき、除菌フィルタ１２及び１５が加熱水蒸気に曝される温度も下げることができる。結果として、除菌フィルタ１２及び１５を構成するフィルタ材のサポート材、フィルタ材、Ｏリング、エンドキャップ等の劣化を低減することにより、除菌フィルタ１２及び１５の耐用期間を延ばすことができる。 Thus, by calculating the F value from the temperature measured by the temperature sensor S, only the time for sterilizing the sterilization filters 12, 15 and the flow paths of the air supply device 11 and the air discharge device 14 is shortened. In addition, the time during which the sterilizing filters 12 and 15 are exposed to heated steam can be shortened, and the temperature at which the sterilizing filters 12 and 15 are exposed to heated steam can also be lowered. As a result, the service life of the sterilization filters 12 and 15 can be extended by reducing the deterioration of the support material, filter material, O-ring, end cap, and the like of the filter materials constituting the sterilization filters 12 and 15.
　加熱水蒸気は、電気又は燃料により水を加熱して水蒸気とするもので、使用される水は逆浸透膜を通して精製することもある。水を水蒸気とする缶体には清缶剤や復水処理剤等が使用されるが、食品添加グレードを使用する。また、缶体や搬送配管はステンレス製であることが好ましい。加熱水蒸気中の異物、イオン、薬剤等を除去するためにフィルタ、活性炭や限外濾過膜を通すこともある。さらに、加熱水蒸気発生手段は、加熱水蒸気を熱源として逆浸透膜を通した水と熱交換して加熱水蒸気を発生されるリボイラーであることが好ましい。 Heated steam is water that is heated by electricity or fuel to form steam, and the water used may be purified through a reverse osmosis membrane. For cans that use water as steam, cleansing agents, condensate treatment agents, and the like are used, but food additive grades are used. Moreover, it is preferable that a can and conveyance piping are stainless steel. In order to remove foreign substances, ions, chemicals, etc. in the heated steam, a filter, activated carbon or an ultrafiltration membrane may be passed. Further, the heated steam generating means is preferably a reboiler that generates heated steam by exchanging heat with water that has passed through a reverse osmosis membrane using heated steam as a heat source.
　除菌フィルタ１２及び１５に供給される加熱水蒸気は１２１．１℃～１５０℃である。１２１．１℃未満では殺菌温度としては低く、１５０℃を超えると除菌フィルタ１２及び１５の部材を劣化させるおそれがある。 The heated steam supplied to the sterilization filters 12 and 15 is 121.1 ° C. to 150 ° C. If it is less than 121.1 degreeC, it is as low as sterilization temperature, and when it exceeds 150 degreeC, there exists a possibility of degrading the member of the sanitization filter 12 and 15. FIG.
　炭酸サージタンク６及びヘッドタンク７にタンク内陽圧保持装置が設けられる場合も、サージタンク４と同様のＳＩＰを行う。 When the carbonic acid surge tank 6 and the head tank 7 are provided with a positive pressure holding device in the tank, the same SIP as the surge tank 4 is performed.
　本発明は以上説明したように構成されるが、上記実施の形態に限定されるものではなく、本発明の要旨の範囲内において種々変更可能である。ヘッドタンク７は、充填装置８の近傍に設けられるクッションタンクであり、充填装置８の上部でなく、下部に設けても構わない。また、サージタンク４、炭酸サージタンク６又はヘッドタンク７からの送液は圧送でなく、ポンプ等の送液装置を用いても構わない。 The present invention is configured as described above, but is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications can be made within the scope of the gist of the present invention. The head tank 7 is a cushion tank provided in the vicinity of the filling device 8, and may be provided in the lower portion instead of the upper portion of the filling device 8. Further, liquid feeding from the surge tank 4, the carbonic acid surge tank 6 or the head tank 7 is not pressure feeding, and a liquid feeding device such as a pump may be used.
　４…サージタンク
　６…炭酸サージタンク
　７…ヘッドタンク
　１１…エア供給装置
　１２…除菌フィルタ
　１３…エア加圧装置
　１４…エア排出装置
　Ｓ…温度センサ DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 4 ... Surge tank 6 ... Carbonic acid surge tank 7 ... Head tank 11 ... Air supply device 12 ... Sanitization filter 13 ... Air pressurization device 14 ... Air discharge device S ... Temperature sensor

Claims (7)

  1. 　製品液を貯留するタンクのヘッドスペースに、除菌フィルタを通したエアを供給することにより、前記タンク内の前記ヘッドスペースの圧力を所定の陽圧力とするエア供給工程と、前記ヘッドスペースの圧力が所定の陽圧力を超える場合又は超えるおそれがある場合、前記エア供給工程を停止し、前記エアを前記タンクに供給する経路と異なる経路で前記ヘッドスペースの前記エアを排出するエア排出工程とを有することを特徴とするタンク内陽圧保持方法。 An air supply step of supplying a predetermined positive pressure to the head space in the tank by supplying air through a sterilization filter to the head space of the tank storing the product liquid, and the pressure of the head space When the air pressure exceeds or is likely to exceed a predetermined positive pressure, the air supply step is stopped, and the air discharge step of discharging the air in the headspace through a route different from the route of supplying the air to the tank, A positive pressure maintaining method in a tank, comprising:
  2. 　請求項１に記載のタンク内陽圧保持方法において、
    　前記タンクが、充填装置の上流で前記製品液を貯留するサージタンク、炭酸ガスが添加された前記製品液を貯留する炭酸サージタンク、前記製品液を容器に充填する充填装置近傍に備えられ前記製品液を貯留するヘッドタンクのいずれか１以上であることを特徴とするタンク内陽圧保持方法。     The method for maintaining a positive pressure in a tank according to claim 1,
    The tank is provided in the vicinity of a surge tank that stores the product liquid upstream of the filling device, a carbonic acid surge tank that stores the product liquid to which carbon dioxide gas is added, and a filling device that fills the container with the product liquid. A method for maintaining a positive pressure in a tank, wherein the method is one or more of a head tank for storing a liquid.
  3. 　請求項１又は請求項２に記載のタンク内陽圧保持方法において、
    　前記所定の陽圧力が０．００１ＭＰａ～０．８ＭＰａであることを特徴とするタンク内陽圧保持方法。     In the positive pressure maintenance method in a tank according to claim 1 or claim 2,
    The method for maintaining a positive pressure in a tank, wherein the predetermined positive pressure is 0.001 MPa to 0.8 MPa.
  4. 　請求項１乃至請求項３のいずれか１項に記載のタンク内陽圧保持方法において、
    　前記製品液が殺菌された後に前記タンクに貯留されることを特徴とするタンク内陽圧保持方法。     The method for maintaining a positive pressure in a tank according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
    A method for maintaining a positive pressure in a tank, wherein the product liquid is stored in the tank after being sterilized.
  5. 　製品液を貯留するタンクと、
    　前記タンクのヘッドスペースに、除菌フィルタを通したエアを供給することにより、前記タンク内の前記ヘッドスペースの圧力を所定の陽圧力とするエア供給装置と、
    　前記ヘッドスペースの圧力が所定の陽圧力を超える場合又は超えるおそれがある場合、前記エアの供給を停止し、前記エアを前記タンクに供給する経路と異なる経路で前記ヘッドスペースの前記エアを排出するエア排出装置とを備えることを特徴とするタンク内陽圧保持装置。     A tank for storing product liquid;
    An air supply device for supplying the air passing through a sterilization filter to the head space of the tank to set the pressure of the head space in the tank to a predetermined positive pressure;
    When the head space pressure exceeds or may exceed a predetermined positive pressure, the supply of the air is stopped and the air in the head space is discharged through a path different from the path for supplying the air to the tank. An in-tank positive pressure holding device comprising an air discharge device.
  6. 　請求項５に記載のタンク内陽圧保持装置において、
    　前記タンクが、充填装置の上流で前記製品液を貯留するサージタンク、炭酸ガスが添加された前記製品液を貯留する炭酸サージタンク、前記製品液を容器に充填する充填装置近傍に備えられ前記製品液を貯留するヘッドタンクのいずれか１以上であることを特徴とするタンク内陽圧保持装置。     In the tank positive pressure holding device according to claim 5,
    The tank is provided in the vicinity of a surge tank that stores the product liquid upstream of the filling device, a carbonic acid surge tank that stores the product liquid to which carbon dioxide gas is added, and a filling device that fills the container with the product liquid. A tank internal positive pressure holding device characterized in that it is one or more of a head tank for storing liquid.
  7. 　請求項５又は請求項６に記載のタンク内陽圧保持装置において、
    　前記タンクの上流に製品液を殺菌する殺菌装置を備えることを特徴とするタンク内陽圧保持装置。     The in-tank positive pressure holding device according to claim 5 or 6,
    A positive pressure holding device in a tank, comprising a sterilizer for sterilizing a product liquid upstream of the tank.
PCT/JP2019/020870 2018-05-29 2019-05-27 Method for maintaining positive pressure inside tank and device for maintaining positive pressure inside tank WO2019230642A1 (en)

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