Sterilization device and sterilization method for a continuous blow-fill-seal device

Abstract

Sterilization device of a continuous blow-fill-seal equipment, comprising a filling needle sealing seat, an extrusion die head located below the filling needle sealing seat, a sterilization cup detachably connected to the extrusion die head, and a filling needle seat disposed through the filling needle sealing seat. A parison support gas passage and a filling needle are provided on the filling needle seat. There is a gap between the filling needle and the extrusion die head to form a first passage, a gap between the filling needle sealing seat and the filling needle to form a second passage, a gap between the filling needle seat and the filling needle sealing seat to form a third passage, and a gap between the filling needle and the filling needle seat to form a fourth passage. During sterilization, the sterilization medium entering the sterilization cup from the inner cavity of the filling needle flows into the parison support gas passage through the first passage, the second passage, the third passage and the fourth passage; or, the sterilization medium in the parison support gas passage flows into the sterilization cup through the fourth passage, the third passage, the second passage and the first passage, and the sterilization medium in the sterilization cup flows into the inner cavity of the filling needle. The structure of the present invention is simple, the cost is low, and the sterilization is comprehensive.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of food and medicine packaging equipment, and in particular to a sterilization device and a sterilization method for continuous blow-fill-seal equipment. Background Art

[0002] Before the continuous blow-fill-seal equipment is put into production, the channels for filling the liquid medicine (including the connecting pipes between the liquid medicine tank and the filling needle and the filling needle and other components) and the tube embryo support gas channels need to be sterilized and cleaned to provide sterility protection for the product. The sterilization method of the traditional reciprocating blow-fill-seal equipment can only sterilize the channels for filling the liquid medicine, but cannot sterilize the tube embryo support gas channels. There are dead corners that cannot be sterilized, which does not meet the requirements. For this reason, the current sterilization method mainly uses multiple channels to sterilize the channels for filling the liquid medicine and the tube embryo support gas channels separately. The structure is relatively complex and the cost is high. In addition, there are requirements for the position of the filling needle: before the sterilization cup is in place, the filling needle needs to rise to avoid it. After the sterilization cup is in place, the filling needle descends and extends into the sterilization cup. The process is relatively complicated. Summary of the Invention

[0003] The technical problem to be solved by the present invention is to overcome the deficiencies of the prior art and provide a sterilization device for continuous blow-fill-seal equipment with a simple structure, low cost and comprehensive sterilization.

[0004] The present invention further provides a sterilization method for a sterilization device of the above-mentioned continuous blow-fill-seal equipment.

[0005] In order to solve the above technical problems, the present invention adopts the following technical solutions:

[0006] A sterilization device of a continuous blow-fill-seal equipment comprises a needle sealing seat, an extrusion die head located below the needle sealing seat, a sterilization cup detachably connected to the extrusion die head, and a needle seat inserted into the needle sealing seat, wherein the needle seat is provided with a tube embryo supporting gas channel and a plurality of needles, a gap is provided between the needles and the extrusion die head to form a first channel, a gap is provided between the needle sealing seat and the needles to form a second channel, a gap is provided between the needle seat and the needle sealing seat to form a third channel, and a gap is provided between the needles and the needle seat to form a fourth channel. A sterilization medium entering the sterilization cup from an inner cavity of the needles passes through the first channel, the second channel, the third channel, and the fourth channel and flows into the tube embryo supporting gas channel; or the sterilization medium in the tube embryo supporting gas channel passes through the fourth channel, the third channel, the second channel, and the first channel and flows into the sterilization cup, and the sterilization medium in the sterilization cup flows into the inner cavity of the needles.

[0007] As a further improvement of the above technical solution: a sterilization medium outlet is provided on the sterilization cup, and a first temperature measuring component is provided at the sterilization medium outlet.

[0008] As a further improvement of the above technical solution: A second temperature measuring component is provided at one end of the tube blank support gas channel connected to the second channel, and a third temperature measuring component is provided at the other end of the tube blank support gas channel.

[0009] As a further improvement of the above technical solution: An air filter is provided between the second temperature measuring component and the third temperature measuring component.

[0010] As a further improvement of the above technical solution: A first seal is provided between the upper part of the sterilization cup and the lower part of the extrusion die head, a second seal is provided between the upper part of the extrusion die head and the lower part of the filling needle seal seat, a third seal for sealing the filling needle seat is provided on the upper part of the filling needle seal seat, and a fourth seal is provided between the upper part of the filling needle seat and the filling needle.

[0011] As a further improvement of the above technical solution: The third seal is an inflatable sealing ring.

[0012] As a further improvement of the above technical solution: The fourth seal is a sealing sleeve.

[0013] As a further improvement of the above technical solution: The first seal and the second seal are O-ring seals.

[0014] A sterilization method for a sterilization device of a continuous blow-fill-seal device, comprising the steps of:

[0015] S1. The filling needle seat drives each filling needle to rise until the lower end of the filling needle does not extend beyond the lower part of the extrusion die head, and the upper part of the sterilization cup is hermetically connected to the lower part of the extrusion die head;

[0016] S2. The sterilization medium passes through the inner cavities of the filling needles and reaches the inside of the sterilization cup, and then flows reversely into the tube blank support gas channel through the first channel, the second channel, the third channel and the fourth channel;

[0017] Or, the sterilization medium enters the tube blank support gas channel, then flows into the sterilization cup through the fourth channel, the third channel, the second channel and the first channel, and the sterilization medium in the sterilization cup flows into the inner cavities of the filling needles.

[0018] As a further improvement of the above technical solution:

[0019] In step S2, the first temperature measuring component measures the temperature of the sterilization medium at the outlet of the sterilization medium, and the second temperature measuring component and the third temperature measuring component respectively measure the temperature of the sterilization medium at both ends of the tube blank support gas channel.

[0020] Compared with the prior art, the advantages of the present invention are as follows: For the sterilization device of the continuous blow-fill-seal equipment disclosed by the present invention, during sterilization, the filling needle seat drives each filling needle to rise until the lower end of the filling needle does not exceed the lower part of the extrusion die head. The upper part of the sterilization cup is hermetically connected to the lower part of the extrusion die head. The sterilization medium reaches the inside of the sterilization cup through the inner cavities of the filling needles, and then flows reversely into the tube blank support gas channel through the first channel, the second channel, the third channel, and the fourth channel; alternatively, the sterilization medium enters the tube blank support gas channel, and then flows into the sterilization cup through the first channel, the second channel, the third channel, and the fourth channel. The sterilization medium in the sterilization cup flows into the inner cavities of the filling needles. It can comprehensively sterilize the channels for filling liquid medicine, the outer walls of the filling needles, the inner cavities of the extrusion die heads, the inner cavities of the filling needle seals, the inner cavities of the filling needle seats, and the tube blank support gas channels, providing aseptic guarantee. There is no need to set multiple channels, and there is no need for the filling needles to descend and be in place again after rising. The structure is simple and the cost is low.

[0021] The sterilization method of the sterilization device of the continuous blow-fill-seal equipment disclosed by the present invention has a simple process, convenient operation, complete and comprehensive sterilization, can provide good aseptic guarantee for the continuous blow-fill-seal equipment, and is beneficial to improving the product quality stability. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0022] Figure 1 is a schematic structural diagram of the sterilization device of the continuous blow-fill-seal equipment of the present invention.

[0023] Figure 2 is a partially enlarged view of the sterilization device of the continuous blow-fill-seal equipment of the present invention.

[0024] Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of the sterilization method of the sterilization device of the continuous blow-fill-seal equipment of the present invention.

[0025] Figure 4 is Figure 3 a partially enlarged view of

[0026] Each label in the figure represents: 1. filling needle seal; 2. extrusion die head; 3. sterilization cup; 31. sterilization medium outlet; 4. filling needle seat; 41. tube blank support gas channel; 5. filling needle; 61. first channel; 62. second channel; 63. third channel; 64. fourth channel; 71. first temperature measuring component; 72. second temperature measuring component; 73. third temperature measuring component; 74. air filter; 81. first seal; 82. second seal; 83. third seal; 84. fourth seal; 9. liquid medicine buffer tank. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

[0027] The present invention will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings of the specification and specific embodiments.

[0028] Embodiment 1

[0029] Figures 1 to 2 An embodiment of the sterilization device of the continuous blow-fill-seal device of the present invention is shown. The sterilization device of the continuous blow-fill-seal device of this embodiment includes a filling needle sealing seat 1, an extrusion die head 2 located below the filling needle sealing seat 1, a sterilization cup 3 detachably connected to the extrusion die head 2, and a filling needle seat 4 passing through the filling needle sealing seat 1. The filling needle seat 4 is provided with a preform support gas channel 41 and a plurality of filling needles 5. There is a gap between the filling needles 5 and the extrusion die head 2 to form a first channel 61, a gap between the filling needle sealing seat 1 and the filling needles 5 to form a second channel 62, a gap between the filling needle seat 4 and the filling needle sealing seat 1 to form a third channel 63, and a gap between the filling needles 5 and the filling needle seat 4 to form a fourth channel 64. The sterilization medium (such as sterilization steam) entering the sterilization cup 3 from the inner cavity of the filling needles 5 flows into the preform support gas channel 41 through the first channel 61, the second channel 62, the third channel 63, and the fourth channel 64; or, the sterilization medium in the preform support gas channel 41 flows into the sterilization cup 3 through the fourth channel 64, the third channel 63, the second channel 62, and the first channel 61, and the sterilization medium in the sterilization cup 3 flows into the inner cavity of the filling needles 5.

[0030] In the sterilization device of the continuous blow-fill-seal device, during sterilization, the filling needle seat 4 drives each filling needle 5 to rise until the lower end of the filling needle 5 does not extend beyond the lower part of the extrusion die head 2. The upper part of the sterilization cup 3 is hermetically connected to the lower part of the extrusion die head 2. The sterilization medium passes through the inner cavity of each filling needle 5 to reach the sterilization cup 3, and then flows reversely into the preform support gas channel 41 through the first channel 61, the second channel 62, the third channel 63, and the fourth channel 64; or, the sterilization medium first enters the preform support gas channel 41, and then flows into the sterilization cup 3 through the fourth channel 64, the third channel 63, the second channel 62, and the first channel 61, and the sterilization medium in the sterilization cup 3 flows into the inner cavity of the filling needles 5. It is possible to comprehensively sterilize the channels for filling liquid medicine (as shown, including the liquid medicine buffer tank 9, the connecting pipeline between the liquid medicine buffer tank 9 and the filling needle seat 4, and the inner cavity of the filling needles 5), the outer wall of the filling needles 5, the inner cavity of the extrusion die head 2, the inner cavity of the filling needle sealing seat 1, the inner cavity of the filling needle seat 4, and the preform support gas channel 41, providing aseptic guarantee, without the need to set up multiple channels. After the filling needles 5 rise, there is no need to lower them again into place, and the structure is simple and the cost is low. Figure 2 As shown, it includes a liquid medicine buffer tank 9, a connecting pipeline between the liquid medicine buffer tank 9 and the filling needle seat 4, and the inner cavity of the filling needles 5), the outer wall of the filling needles 5, the inner cavity of the extrusion die head 2, the inner cavity of the filling needle sealing seat 1, the inner cavity of the filling needle seat 4, and the preform support gas channel 41 can be comprehensively sterilized to provide aseptic guarantee, without the need to set up multiple channels. After the filling needles 5 rise, there is no need to lower them again into place, and the structure is simple and the cost is low.

[0031] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the sterilization cup 3 is provided with a sterilization medium outlet 31, and a first temperature measuring component 71 (such as a temperature sensor, etc.) is provided at the sterilization medium outlet 31. The sterilization medium flows out from the inner cavity of the filling needles 5 and enters the sterilization cup 3. The first temperature measuring component 71 can measure the temperature of the sterilization medium entering the sterilization cup 3, so as to judge the sterilization effect on the channels for filling liquid medicine.

[0032] Further, in this embodiment, a second temperature measuring component 72 is provided at one end of the tube blank support gas channel 41 connected to the second channel 62, and a third temperature measuring component 73 is provided at the other end of the tube blank support gas channel 41. The second temperature measuring component 72 and the third temperature measuring component 73 can be, for example, temperature sensors. By means of the second temperature measuring component 72 and the third temperature measuring component 73, the temperature of the sterilization medium at both ends of the tube blank support gas channel 41 can be measured, and then the sterilization effect on the tube blank support gas channel 41 can be judged. The structure is simple and the reliability is good.

[0033] Furthermore, in this embodiment, an air filter 74 is provided between the second temperature measuring component 72 and the third temperature measuring component 73. During the production process of the continuous blow-fill-seal device, the external gas is ensured to have a cleanliness level after passing through the air filter 74. The clean gas enters the tube blank support gas channel 41, and then flows out from the lower part of the extrusion die head 2 through the fourth channel 64, the third channel 63, the second channel 62, and the first channel 61, which helps to improve the forming quality of the tube blank.

[0034] Further, in this embodiment, a first seal 81 is provided between the upper part of the sterilization cup 3 and the lower part of the extrusion die head 2, a second seal 82 is provided between the upper part of the extrusion die head 2 and the lower part of the filling needle seal seat 1, a third seal 83 for sealing the filling needle seat 4 is provided on the upper part of the filling needle seal seat 1, and a fourth seal 84 is provided between the upper part of the filling needle seat 4 and the filling needle 5. By providing the first seal 81, the second seal 82, the third seal 83, and the fourth seal 84, it is beneficial to ensure the sealing performance at the joints between components, so that the sterilization medium and the clean gas can flow along the set path and avoid leakage.

[0035] As a preferred embodiment, the third seal 83 is an inflatable sealing ring. When the filling needle seat 4 moves up and down (during the filling process, the filling needle seat 4 needs to drive the filling needle 5 to move up and down; during sterilization, the filling needle seat 4 needs to drive the filling needle 5 to rise to avoid the sterilization cup 3), the inflatable sealing ring deflates and contracts, generating a gap with the filling needle seat 4 to avoid friction and generate particles; when the filling needle seat 4 does not need to move up and down (after the filling needle seat 4 drives the filling needle 5 to rise in place during sterilization and stops moving), the inflatable sealing ring inflates and expands, tightly adhering to the filling needle seat 4, which is beneficial to ensure static sealing.

[0036] As a preferred embodiment, the fourth seal 84 is a sealing sleeve.

[0037] As a preferred embodiment, the first seal 81 and the second seal 82 are O-ring seals.

[0038] Embodiment Two

[0039] Figures 3 to 4 An embodiment of the sterilization method of the continuous blow-fill-seal device of the present invention is shown. The sterilization method of the sterilization device of the continuous blow-fill-seal device in this embodiment includes the steps:

[0040] S1. The filling needle seat 4 drives each filling needle 5 to rise until the lower end of the filling needle 5 does not extend beyond the lower part of the extrusion die head 2, and the upper part of the sterilization cup 3 is hermetically connected to the lower part of the extrusion die head 2;

[0041] S2. The sterilization medium passes through the inner cavities of the filling needles 5 and reaches the inside of the sterilization cup 3, and then flows reversely into the preform support gas channel 41 through the first channel 61, the second channel 62, the third channel 63 and the fourth channel 64;

[0042] The sterilization method of the sterilization device of the continuous blow - fill - seal equipment has a simple process and convenient operation. During the flow of the sterilization medium, it can comprehensively sterilize the channels for filling liquid medicine (such as Figure 2 and Figure 3 shown, including the liquid medicine buffer tank 9, the connecting pipeline between the liquid medicine buffer tank 9 and the filling needle seat 4, and the inner cavity of the filling needle 5), the outer wall of the filling needle 5, the inner cavity of the extrusion die head 2, the inner cavity of the filling needle sealing seat 1, the inner cavity of the filling needle seat 4 and the preform support gas channel 41, and can provide good aseptic guarantee for the continuous blow - fill - seal equipment, which is beneficial to improving the product quality stability. After the filling needle 5 rises, it does not need to descend and be in place again, simplifying the operation process.

[0043] In this embodiment, in step S2, the first temperature - measuring component 71 measures the temperature of the sterilization medium at the sterilization medium outlet 31, and the second temperature - measuring component 72 and the third temperature - measuring component 73 respectively measure the temperature of the sterilization medium at both ends of the preform support gas channel 41.

[0044] Embodiment Three

[0045] The sterilization method of the sterilization device of the continuous blow - fill - seal equipment in this embodiment is similar to that in Embodiment Two, the difference is that: in step S2, the sterilization medium enters the preform support gas channel 41, and then flows into the sterilization cup 3 through the fourth channel 64, the third channel 63, the second channel 62 and the first channel 61, and the sterilization medium in the sterilization cup 3 flows into the inner cavity of the filling needle 5.

[0046] The sterilization method of the sterilization device of the continuous blow - fill - seal equipment can also comprehensively sterilize the channels for filling liquid medicine, the outer wall of the filling needle 5, the inner cavity of the extrusion die head 2, the inner cavity of the filling needle sealing seat 1, the inner cavity of the filling needle seat 4 and the preform support gas channel 41, and can provide good aseptic guarantee for the continuous blow - fill - seal equipment, which is beneficial to improving the product quality stability. After the filling needle 5 rises, it does not need to descend and be in place again, simplifying the operation process.

[0047] Although the present invention has been disclosed above in its preferred embodiments, it is not intended to limit the present invention. Any person skilled in the art can make many possible changes and modifications to the technical solution of the present invention, or modify it into equivalent embodiments with equivalent changes, without departing from the scope of the technical solution of the present invention. Therefore, any simple modification, equivalent change and modification made to the above embodiments based on the technical essence of the present invention without departing from the content of the technical solution of the present invention shall fall within the scope of protection of the technical solution of the present invention.

Claims

1. A sterilization device for a continuous blow-fill-seal equipment, characterized in that: It includes an infusion needle sealing seat (1), an extrusion die head (2) located below the infusion needle sealing seat (1), a sterilization cup (3) detachably connected to the extrusion die head (2), and an infusion needle seat (4) passing through the infusion needle sealing seat (1). A tube blank support gas channel (41) and multiple infusion needles (5) are provided on the infusion needle seat (4). There is a gap between the infusion needle (5) and the extrusion die head (2) to form a first channel (61), a gap between the infusion needle sealing seat (1) and the infusion needle (5) to form a second channel (62), a gap between the infusion needle seat (4) and the infusion needle sealing seat (1) to form a third channel (63), and a gap between the infusion needle (5) and the infusion needle seat (4) to form a fourth channel (64). After the infusion needle (5) rises, the sterilization medium entering the sterilization cup (3) from the inner cavity of the infusion needle (5) flows into the tube blank support gas channel (41) through the first channel (61), the second channel (62), the third channel (63), and the fourth channel (64); or, after the infusion needle (5) rises, the sterilization medium in the tube blank support gas channel (41) flows into the sterilization cup (3) through the fourth channel (64), the third channel (63), the second channel (62), and the first channel (61), and the sterilization medium in the sterilization cup (3) flows into the inner cavity of the infusion needle (5).

2. The sterilization device of the continuous blow-fill-seal equipment according to claim 1, characterized in that: A sterilization medium outlet (31) is provided on the sterilization cup (3), and a first temperature measuring component (71) is provided at the sterilization medium outlet (31).

3. The sterilization device of the continuous blow-fill-seal equipment according to claim 2, characterized in that: A second temperature measuring component (72) is provided at one end of the tube blank support gas channel (41) connected to the second channel (62), and a third temperature measuring component (73) is provided at the other end of the tube blank support gas channel (41).

4. The sterilization device of the continuous blow-fill-seal equipment according to claim 3, wherein: An air filter (74) is provided between the second temperature measuring component (72) and the third temperature measuring component (73).

5. The sterilization device of the continuous blow-fill-seal equipment according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that: A first seal (81) is provided between the upper part of the sterilization cup (3) and the lower part of the extrusion die head (2), a second seal (82) is provided between the upper part of the extrusion die head (2) and the lower part of the infusion needle sealing seat (1), a third seal (83) for sealing the infusion needle seat (4) is provided on the upper part of the infusion needle sealing seat (1), and a fourth seal (84) is provided between the upper part of the infusion needle seat (4) and the infusion needle (5).

6. The sterilization device of the continuous blow-fill-seal equipment according to claim 5, characterized in that: The third seal (83) is an inflatable sealing ring.

7. The sterilization device of the continuous blow-fill-seal equipment according to claim 5, characterized in that: The fourth seal (84) is a sealing sleeve.

8. The sterilization device of the continuous blow-fill-seal equipment according to claim 5, characterized in that: The first seal (81) and the second seal (82) are O-ring seals.

9. A sterilization method for a sterilization device of a continuous blow-fill-seal device according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that: It includes the steps of: S1. The infusion needle seat (4) drives each infusion needle (5) to rise until the lower end of the infusion needle (5) does not exceed the lower part of the extrusion die head (2), and the upper part of the sterilization cup (3) is hermetically connected to the lower part of the extrusion die head (2). S2. The sterilization medium passes through the inner cavity of each infusion needle (5) to reach the sterilization cup (3), and then flows reversely into the tube blank support gas channel (41) through the first channel (61), the second channel (62), the third channel (63), and the fourth channel (64). Alternatively, the sterilization medium enters the tube blank support gas channel (41), and then flows into the sterilization cup (3) through the fourth channel (64), the third channel (63), the second channel (62), and the first channel (61). The sterilization medium in the sterilization cup (3) flows into the inner cavity of the filling needle (5).

10. The sterilization method of the sterilization device of the continuous blow-fill-seal equipment according to claim 9, characterized in that: In step S2, the first temperature measuring component (71) measures the temperature of the sterilization medium at the sterilization medium outlet (31), and the second temperature measuring component (72) and the third temperature measuring component (73) respectively measure the temperatures of the sterilization medium at both ends of the tube blank support gas channel (41).

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