Sterilization method in aseptic filling machine chamber

Abstract

When the COP processing and the SOP processing in the chamber of the aseptic filling machine are performed, the cleaning solution or the sterile water remaining in the chamber before the sterilizing agent containing peracetic acid or hydrogen peroxide is sprayed is promptly removed. The conveying device that conveys the container in the chamber of the aseptic filling machine is driven to remove the cleaning solution after the COP processing or the sterile water during the SOP processing.

Description

[0001] This application is a divisional application of the invention patent application filed on December 9, 2019, with application number 201980079679.9 and invention title "Sterilization method in the cavity of an aseptic filling machine". Technical Field

[0002] This invention relates to a method for sterilizing the chamber of an aseptic filling machine before filling food, beverages, etc. into containers such as PET bottles, paper containers, cups, trays, or bags. Background Technology

[0003] Aseptic filling machines that aseptically fill beverages such as tea, mineral water, juice, soup, nutritional drinks, milk, milk drinks, juices, and broths into containers such as plastic bottles, paper containers, cups, trays, or bags first perform CIP (Cleaning in Place) treatment in the contents supply system pipeline when changing the filling contents, followed by SIP (Sterilizing in Place) treatment.

[0004] CIP (Continuous Injection Processing) is performed by passing a cleaning solution containing an alkaline agent, such as sodium hydroxide, in water through the flow path from the filling path to the filling nozzle of the filling machine, followed by a cleaning solution containing an acidic agent. This removes any residue from the previous filling process that adheres to the inside of the filling path.

[0005] SIP processing is performed by, for example, allowing steam or hot water to flow through a flow path that has been cleaned by CIP processing. This sterilizes the interior of the contents filling path, making it sterile.

[0006] The aseptic filling machine is equipped with a sterilization section for sterilizing containers containing filling contents, a rinsing section for rinsing sterilized containers, a filling section for filling sterilized contents into sterilized containers, and a sealing section for sealing the containers containing filling contents in a sterile environment. These components are housed in a chamber isolated from the outside, and the chamber must be maintained in a sterile environment during the operation of the aseptic filling machine.

[0007] The filling chamber and sealing chamber contain droplets and other debris from the contents filled during the previous filling operation. When changing the type of contents being filled, a COP (Cleaning Out of Place) process is performed to remove these droplets that adhered to the inner walls of the chamber and the outer surfaces of equipment such as the filling machine during the previous filling operation. COP processing can be performed, for example, by spraying water into the sterile chamber in a shower-like manner.

[0008] Furthermore, since microorganisms may invade the sterile chamber during various operations when changing the type of contents, SOP (Sterilizing out of Place) treatment is also performed on the chamber. Previously, as a method for performing SOP treatment on the chamber, attempts were made to sequentially perform peracetic acid spraying, sterile water spraying, blowing in heated air, hydrogen peroxide spraying, and blowing in heated air again (see Patent Document 1).

[0009] Furthermore, Patent Document 2 proposes a method for sterilizing a chamber by a rinsing process involving spraying hot water, spraying a heated peracetic acid-based disinfectant, and spraying heated sterile water (see Patent Document 2). Additionally, there is a method for sterilizing a chamber by drying it after spraying a low-concentration disinfectant solution (see Patent Document 3).

[0010] Patent Document 4 proposes the following method: after performing COP treatment by spraying alkaline cleaning agent and sterile water into the chamber, performing SOP treatment in sequence by spraying peracetic acid, sterile water, hydrogen peroxide solution, blowing out hot air, and blowing out cooling air (see Patent Document 4).

[0011] Existing technical documents

[0012] Patent documents

[0013] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 11-208782

[0014] Patent Document 2: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2010-189034

[0015] Patent Document 3: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2011-147673

[0016] Patent Document 4: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2014-55026 Summary of the Invention

[0017] The technical problem that the invention aims to solve

[0018] In a filling machine that aseptically fills sterilized contents into sterilized containers and seals them, a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) is performed to ensure that the chamber of the aseptic filling machine is sterile before production begins.

[0019] In Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), peracetic acid or hydrogen peroxide is used as a disinfectant. Such SOP methods are described in Patent Documents 2 and 3. On the other hand, Patent Documents 1 and 4 propose a two-stage SOP process that involves disinfection with peracetic acid followed by disinfection with hydrogen peroxide. The peracetic acid-containing disinfectant is a liquid; the parts wetted by the liquid are disinfected, but hydrogen peroxide-based disinfection is effective for gaps in the packaging that are not fully impregnated by the liquid. After the hydrogen peroxide solution is sprayed into the chamber, sterile heated air is blown into the chamber. At this time, the hydrogen peroxide solution sprayed into the chamber is heated, vaporized, and discharged. The hydrogen peroxide in the hydrogen peroxide solution is heated and vaporized, also entering the gaps not impregnated by the peracetic acid-containing disinfectant, thus enabling disinfection of areas that cannot be disinfected with the peracetic acid-containing disinfectant.

[0020] Typically, a disinfectant containing peracetic acid is sprayed into the chamber. Sterile water is then sprayed to rinse away the peracetic acid disinfectant, followed by the spraying of hydrogen peroxide solution. However, if hydrogen peroxide solution is sprayed into the chamber while sterile water remains, the mixture will have a lower concentration of hydrogen peroxide than the initial sprayed solution. This results in a decreased disinfection effect. Therefore, hydrogen peroxide solution is typically not sprayed into the chamber until the remaining sterile water has dried naturally or been removed by the introduction of sterile air. After natural drying or drying with sterile air, the removal of sterile water is visually confirmed before spraying hydrogen peroxide solution.

[0021] In addition, after COP treatment, in which the chamber is cleaned with cleaning fluid and then rinsed off with water, if the concentration of peracetic acid in the peracetic acid-containing disinfectant is reduced due to the residual water in the chamber, the disinfection effect of the peracetic acid-containing disinfectant sprayed into the chamber will be reduced.

[0022] After the sterile water that was just sprayed is removed from the chamber, spraying a disinfectant containing peracetic acid and a hydrogen peroxide solution into the chamber will prolong the SOP (Standard Operating Procedure) processing time, thereby reducing the productivity of the filling machine. During the SOP processing in the chamber of the aseptic filling machine, it is necessary to quickly remove the water that was sprayed with the disinfectant containing peracetic acid and hydrogen peroxide solution. The purpose of this invention is to eliminate this problem and provide a sterilization method for the chamber of an aseptic filling machine, which rapidly removes residual water during the SOP processing in the chamber of the aseptic filling machine, shortening the SOP processing time and thereby improving the productivity of the aseptic filling machine.

[0023] Means for solving technical problems

[0024] The present invention discloses a sterilization method for the chamber of an aseptic filling machine, wherein the aseptic filling machine fills a sterilized container with sterilized contents in an aseptic environment and seals the container filled with contents. The sterilization method for the chamber of the aseptic filling machine is performed before the aseptic filling machine is operated. The method is characterized in that, after cleaning the chamber by spraying a cleaning solution into the chamber of the aseptic filling machine, the main shaft of the lid sealing the container is moved up and down to remove the cleaning solution adhering to the bellows protecting the main shaft, and then a sterilizing agent is sprayed into the chamber of the aseptic filling machine.

[0025] Furthermore, the sterilization method for the chamber of the aseptic filling machine of the present invention preferably includes a sterilizing agent containing hydrogen peroxide.

[0026] Furthermore, the sterilization method for the chamber of the aseptic filling machine of the present invention preferably includes peracetic acid as the sterilizing agent.

[0027] In addition, the sterilization method in the chamber of the aseptic filling machine of the present invention preferably uses sterile water as the cleaning solution.

[0028] Furthermore, the sterilization method in the chamber of the aseptic filling machine of the present invention preferably involves blowing sterile heated air into the chamber of the aseptic filling machine while driving the conveying device.

[0029] Furthermore, the sterilization method in the chamber of the aseptic filling machine of the present invention preferably involves driving the conveying device in each of the plurality of chambers of the aseptic filling machine in each of the aseptic filling machine chambers.

[0030] Invention Effects

[0031] According to the present invention, during COP or SOP treatment within the aseptic filling machine chamber, after spraying cleaning fluid into the chamber, the conveying device of the conveying container is driven to remove cleaning fluid adhering to the conveying device, thereby rapidly removing residual cleaning water within the aseptic filling machine chamber. Subsequently, by spraying a bactericide containing hydrogen peroxide or a bactericide containing peracetic acid into the aseptic filling machine chamber, sterilization of the chamber can be reliably performed without reducing the concentration of hydrogen peroxide or peracetic acid in the sprayed bactericide. Furthermore, by shortening the SOP treatment time, the productivity of the aseptic filling machine can be improved. Attached Figure Description

[0032] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram showing the nozzle configuration inside the sterile filling machine chamber in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0033] Figure 2This is a schematic top view of the filling chamber of the aseptic filling machine for bottles according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0034] Figure 3 This is a schematic elevation view of the aseptic filling machine for trays according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0035] Figure 4 This is a schematic elevation view of the aseptic filling machine for paper containers according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0036] Figure 5 This is a schematic elevation view of the aseptic bag filling machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. Detailed Implementation

[0037] Aseptic filling machines typically include: a sterilization section that supplies containers and sterilizes them; a filling section that fills the sterilized containers with sterilized contents in an aseptic environment; and a sealing section that seals the filled containers in an aseptic environment. However, the structure of an aseptic filling machine varies depending on the containers being aseptically filled.

[0038] For example, when the container is a bottle, an aseptic filling machine consists of the following parts: a heating section, which receives a preform and heats it to the forming temperature; a forming section, which forms the heated preform into a container; an inspection section, which inspects the formed bottle; a bottle sterilization section, which sterilizes the inspected bottle; an air rinsing section, which rinsing the sterilized bottle with air; a filling section, which fills the sterilized bottle with contents sterilized by a contents sterilization device under aseptic conditions; a sealing section, which seals the bottle filled with contents under aseptic conditions using a sterilized cap component; and a discharge section, which discharges the sealed bottle. It is acceptable for a bottle aseptic filling machine to lack an inspection section and an air rinsing section. Alternatively, there are aseptic filling machines that have a preform sterilization section that sterilizes the supplied preform before heating it. It is acceptable for an aseptic filling machine with a preform sterilization section to lack a bottle sterilization section.

[0039] In the case of paper containers, the aseptic filling machine includes the following parts: a bottom forming section, which is supplied with a sleeve to sterilize the outer surface of the paper container while forming the bottom; a sterilization section, which sterilizes the inner surface of the paper container after the bottom has been formed; a filling section, which fills the sterilized paper container with sterilized contents; and a sealing section, which seals the paper container filled with contents. The structure of the aseptic filling machine differs for other types of containers.

[0040] The various parts constituting the aseptic filling machine are shielded by chambers. In the case of bottles, the heating section and the forming section can be shielded by a single chamber. Additionally, the sealing section and the discharging section can also be shielded by a single chamber. Furthermore, the filling section, sealing section, and discharging section can also be shielded by a single chamber.

[0041] In the case of paper containers, the bottom forming section, sterilization section, filling section, and sealing section are sheltered by a single chamber. However, the bottom forming section, sterilization section, filling section, and sealing section can also be sheltered by different chambers. Depending on the container that the aseptic filling machine is used for, the structure of each part varies, and therefore the chambers sheltering each part also vary.

[0042] During operation of the aseptic bottle filling machine, sterile air sterilized by a sterilizing filter is supplied to the chambers of the bottle sterilization section, air rinsing section, filling section, sealing section, and discharge section, and the pressure in each chamber is maintained at a positive pressure, thereby maintaining the sterility of the aseptic filling machine. The pressure setting for maintaining the positive pressure is highest in the filling section chamber and decreases further upstream towards the air rinsing section and bottle sterilization section chambers. Additionally, for example, the pressure in the filling section chamber is 20 Pa to 40 Pa, and the pressure in other chambers is lower than that in the filling section chamber. For aseptic filling machines with a preform sterilization section, the heating section and forming section are covered by chambers, and sterile air is supplied to the heating section chamber and the forming section chamber to maintain a positive pressure.

[0043] COP and SOP processes are performed in the sterilization chamber, air rinsing chamber, filling chamber, sealing chamber, and discharge chamber of the aseptic filling machine before operation. Therefore, as Figure 1 As shown, the sterile filling machine chamber 1 is equipped with a rotary nozzle 2 for spraying cleaning fluid and a disinfectant containing peracetic acid, and a dual-fluid nozzle 3 for spraying a disinfectant containing hydrogen peroxide. The rotary nozzle 2 is a nozzle that uses hydraulic pressure to rotate while spraying the supplied liquid into the chamber 1. The dual-fluid nozzle 3 is a nozzle that supplies a disinfectant containing hydrogen peroxide and compressed air, and uses the pressure of the compressed air to spray the disinfectant containing hydrogen peroxide into the chamber 1. The nozzles installed in the chamber 1 are not limited to the rotary nozzle 2 and the dual-fluid nozzle 3; any nozzle with a different structure can be used as long as it can spray a cleaning agent, a disinfectant containing peracetic acid, sterile water, and a disinfectant containing hydrogen peroxide into the chamber 1.

[0044] In the case of bottles, sterilizing agents are sprayed into the sterilization chamber during aseptic filling machine operation, so SOP treatment is not required. Aseptic filling machines with preform sterilization chambers perform SOP treatment in the chambers covering the heating and forming sections.

[0045] There are examples of aseptic filling machines for containers other than bottles where the sterilization section, filling section, and sealing section are all enclosed in a single chamber. In such cases, COP and SOP processes are performed in the single chamber.

[0046] Before performing SOP treatment on each chamber, COP treatment is performed on the downstream chambers of the self-filling section. For chambers heavily contaminated due to contents spillage, cleaning solutions such as warm water, hot water, alkaline cleaning solutions, or acidic cleaning solutions are sprayed. Since the contamination levels in the forming section and bottle sterilization section are limited, COP treatment may not be necessary.

[0047] When replacing contents after continuous operation of an aseptic filling machine to fill containers, or when the chamber becomes contaminated with droplets from the contents due to prolonged continuous operation, stop the aseptic filling machine and perform COP and SOP procedures on the chamber. For chambers not contaminated with contents, only SOP procedures are performed.

[0048] To perform COP treatment to clean the contaminated chamber 1, an alkaline cleaning solution is first sprayed into the chamber. This alkaline cleaning solution contains inorganic alkaline compounds such as sodium hydroxide and potassium hydroxide, or organic alkaline compounds such as ethanolamine and diethylamine. It may also contain alkali metal salts and alkaline earth metal salts of organic acids, as well as ammonium salts, metal ion chelating agents such as ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid, anionic surfactants, cationic surfactants, nonionic surfactants such as polyoxyethylene alkylphenyl ethers, solubilizers such as sodium isopropyl sulfonate, metal salts of acidic polymers such as polyacrylic acid, corrosion inhibitors, preservatives, antioxidants, dispersants, and defoamers.

[0049] After spraying alkaline cleaning solution, acidic cleaning solution can also be sprayed. Acidic cleaning solution contains inorganic acids such as hydrochloric acid, nitric acid, and phosphoric acid, or organic acids such as acetic acid, formic acid, octanoic acid, oxalic acid, citric acid, succinic acid, and gluconic acid. It may also contain anionic surfactants, cationic surfactants, nonionic surfactants such as polyoxyethylene alkylphenyl ethers, solubilizers such as sodium isopropyl sulfonate, acidic polymers such as polyacrylic acid, corrosion inhibitors, preservatives, antioxidants, dispersants, and defoamers. Acidic cleaning solution is used when alkaline cleaning solution spraying fails to remove contamination caused by the contents. Alternatively, alkaline cleaning solution spraying can be omitted, and only acidic cleaning solution spraying can be performed. Alkaline and acidic cleaning solution spraying can also be alternated and repeated.

[0050] Alternatively, you can use room temperature water, warm water, or hot water instead of alkaline or acidic cleaning solutions. Alternatively, after cleaning with alkaline or acidic cleaning solutions, you can also perform a follow-up cleaning with room temperature water, warm water, or hot water. The combination and order of these cleaning solutions are irrelevant. Here, warm water refers to water with a temperature range between 40°C and 100°C, and hot water refers to water with a temperature range between 100°C and 130°C.

[0051] Alkaline cleaning solutions also have a bactericidal effect when heated to above 50°C. Therefore, by heating the solution to above 50°C and spraying it into chamber 1, a bactericidal effect can also be expected.

[0052] After spraying the cleaning solution into chamber 1, the conveying device of the delivery container is activated to remove the cleaning solution adhering to the conveying device. If the cleaning solution is, for example, an alkaline or acidic cleaning solution, room temperature water, warm water, or hot water can be used as the cleaning solution to rinse the alkaline or acidic cleaning solution. Sterile water can also be used. To prevent bacterial contamination of the chamber due to the spraying of water containing bacteria, sterile water is preferred. Sterile water is water heated to 121.1°C or higher and maintained for at least 4 minutes, or water that has been sterilized by a sterile filter. If a disinfectant containing peracetic acid is used in the subsequent spraying of the disinfectant, ordinary water can also be used. This is because the disinfectant containing peracetic acid will sterilize the water remaining in chamber 1.

[0053] After cleaning the chamber with alkaline or acidic cleaning solution, the temperature of the water sprayed into the chamber is 20℃~100℃, preferably 60℃~100℃. The temperature of the water passing through is above 60℃. In addition to improving the cleaning ability, it can also be expected to have a bactericidal effect on heat-resistant molds and yeasts that have been damaged by alkaline agents in COP treatment.

[0054] use Figure 2 The driving mechanism of the bottle conveying device is explained. Figure 2 This is a schematic top view of the filling chamber 4 of the aseptic filling machine for bottles according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 2 This diagram shows a portion of an aseptic filling machine in which the filling, sealing, and discharge sections are enclosed by a single filling chamber 4. Sterilized containers 5 are conveyed from wheels 10 within an air rinsing chamber 6 that encloses the air rinsing section into the filling chamber 4. The conveyed bottles 5 are arranged from upstream to downstream in the following order: inlet wheel 11, filling wheel 12, intermediate wheel 13, capping wheel 14, and discharge wheel 15. These wheels 11-15 are driven to rotate at approximately the same circumferential speed.

[0055] Around each of the aforementioned wheels 11 to 15, scissor-shaped grippers are arranged at predetermined intervals for gripping and releasing the neck of the bottle 5. The grippers are capable of rotating together with each of the wheels 11 to 15 about the central axis of each wheel 11 to 15.

[0056] The gripper is a known structure and therefore not described in detail. However, it performs a closing action at the adjacent points of the wheels via cams or the like, thereby transferring the bottle 5 from the gripper of the upstream wheel to the gripper of the downstream wheel. As a result, the bottle 5 travels continuously from the inlet wheel 11 through the filling wheel 12, the capping wheel 14, and so on, toward the discharge wheel 15.

[0057] A filling nozzle that rotates together with the filling wheel 12 is connected to the filling wheel 12, which is horizontally mounted relative to the vertical axis of the base, and a clamp is provided around the filling wheel 12.

[0058] In addition, around the filling wheel 12, a plurality of tubular filling nozzles for filling beverages or the like into the bottle 5 are provided corresponding to each gripper. Each filling nozzle is vertically arranged such that the lower end of the filling nozzle faces the opening of the bottle 5 held by the gripper. The filling nozzle can be fixed relative to the filling wheel 12, or it can reciprocate in the vertical direction. When it can reciprocate in the vertical direction, the filling nozzle can be inserted into the bottle 5 to supply the beverage as its contents into the bottle 5.

[0059] After being sterilized, beverages are stored in a storage tank (not shown). From there, they are piped to a filling nozzle. To dispense the beverages supplied from the storage tank to the rotating filling nozzle, an upper rotary joint and an upper manifold are provided on the vertical axis. Beverages from the storage tank enter the cavity of the vertical axis and are discharged from the filling nozzle into bottle 5 through the upper rotary joint and the upper manifold.

[0060] It is worth noting that a valve is provided at the filling nozzle for supplying the desired amount of beverage, etc., into bottle 5. The aseptic filling machine is equipped with a CIP (Clean-In-Place) processing unit and a SIP (Standardized In-Place) processing unit. The CIP processing unit performs CIP cleaning of the beverage supply system piping from the storage tank to the filling nozzle, and the SIP processing unit performs SIP sterilization. For both CIP and SIP processing, a cup-shaped opening / closing body is provided for opening and closing the lower end of the filling nozzle. The opening / closing body is arranged around the filling wheel 12 corresponding to each clamp and the filling nozzle.

[0061] The opening and closing body can move in the radial and vertical directions of the filling wheel 12 using a cam device, a cylinder device, etc. When supplying beverages or the like from the filling nozzle into the bottle 5, it moves backward in the radial direction and moves directly below the filling nozzle and outward in the radial direction when blocking the filling nozzle, and then rises to close the opening of the filling nozzle.

[0062] In addition to the opening and closing body, the CIP treatment unit also includes a lower manifold, a lower rotary joint, a cleaning fluid tank, and a pump. The lower rotary joint is mounted on a vertical axis. The lower manifold is fixed to the base. These opening and closing bodies, the upper manifold, the lower manifold, etc., are connected by piping. This CIP treatment unit rotates together with the filling wheel 12.

[0063] exist Figure 2 Although not shown, a capping device is provided around the capping wheel 14 for screwing the cap onto the mouth of the bottle 5 filled with beverages or the like. The capping device screws the sterilized cap onto the mouth of the bottle 5 while rotating together with the capping wheel 14.

[0064] The wheels 11 to 15 in the chamber are rotated after being cleaned with the cleaning solution. After the cleaning solution is sprayed into the filling chamber 4, the wheels 11 to 15 of the delivery bottle 5 are rotated. The centrifugal force generated by the rotation of the wheels 11 to 15 removes the cleaning solution adhering to the wheels 11 to 15 and the device that rotates with the wheels 11 to 15.

[0065] The rotation speed of wheels 11-15 is at least half the wheel rotation speed during operation of the aseptic filling machine, preferably the manufacturing speed. The wheels in each chamber rotate simultaneously at approximately the same speed. With a motor in each chamber and the ability to control the rotation of the wheels independently in each chamber, the wheels are rotated separately in each chamber. By rotating the wheels according to the COP and SOP stages of each chamber, COP and SOP processes can be performed quickly. Using the rotating wheels, sterile water adhering to the devices and walls within the chambers can be quickly removed. During CIP or SIP processes within the beverage supply system piping, the clutch of filling wheel 12 can be disengaged, allowing the wheels other than filling wheel 12 to rotate.

[0066] Next, a disinfectant is sprayed into the filling chamber 4 to disinfect the device and walls within the filling chamber 4. However, when spraying a disinfectant containing peracetic acid, it is necessary to prevent the concentration of peracetic acid in the disinfectant from decreasing due to residual water in the chamber, thereby reducing the disinfection effect. Preferably, heated air is blown into the filling chamber 4 before spraying the disinfectant containing peracetic acid to completely remove residual water, but this requires a long time. By rotating the wheels 11-15, which serve as the conveying device for the bottle 5, the cleaning liquid adhering to the wheels 11-15 and the device attached to them can be removed, thus suppressing the reduction of the disinfection effect of the disinfectant containing peracetic acid.

[0067] While rotating wheels 11-15, the rotation and stopping can be repeated. By repeatedly rotating and stopping to apply acceleration, the cleaning fluid adhering to wheels 11-15 and the devices attached to wheels 11-15 can be effectively removed. In addition, the main shaft of the capping device can be moved up and down to remove residual water adhering to the bellows protecting the main shaft.

[0068] In a bottle aseptic filling machine, the removal of cleaning water by driving the conveying device of the container can be carried out in a chamber other than the filling, sealing, and discharge sections, which are shielded from the heating, forming, sterilization, and air rinsing sections. Although the wheel rotates in a chamber other than the filling chamber 4, the sterile water adhering to the ring chain and its attached main shaft can be removed by rotating the ring chain that conveys the preform in the heating section. In the forming section, the rotation of the wheel can remove the sterile water adhering to the wheel and its attached mold, extension rod, valve block, etc.

[0069] When removing cleaning water by a conveying device that drives the conveying container, it is preferable to blow air into the sterile filling machine chamber. Blowing sterile heated air into the chamber promotes the removal of cleaning water and enables removal in a short time. It is preferable to heat the air blown into the chamber. Furthermore, the air blown into the chamber can also be sterile air. This is achieved by utilizing a system... Figure 1 The sterile heated air supply device at the top of the chamber 1 shown supplies sterile heated air into the chamber 1. The sterile heated air is obtained by heating air from the blower 17 using the heating device 18 and sterilizing it using the filter 19. The sterile heated air supply device 16 consists of the blower 17, the heating device 18, and the filter 19.

[0070] After removing the cleaning solution from the chamber where COP treatment was performed by spraying the cleaning solution, SOP treatment is performed in the chamber. In the aseptic bottle filling machine, there is no contamination of contents in the chamber covering the heating section and forming section of the aseptic filling machine with the preform sterilization section, so COP treatment is not required and only SOP treatment is performed. The SOP treatment can be performed by spraying a disinfectant containing peracetic acid into the chamber and then rinsing the disinfectant containing peracetic acid with sterile water, or by spraying a disinfectant containing hydrogen peroxide into the chamber and then removing the disinfectant containing hydrogen peroxide by drying.

[0071] Alternatively, spraying of a disinfectant containing peracetic acid and a disinfectant containing hydrogen peroxide can be performed alternately. For example, after spraying a disinfectant containing hydrogen peroxide, the disinfectant containing peracetic acid can be rinsed with sterile water, the conveying device of the conveying container can be driven to remove the sterile water, and then the disinfectant containing hydrogen peroxide can be sprayed, followed by drying to remove the disinfectant containing hydrogen peroxide.

[0072] There is also a standard operating procedure (SOP) consisting of the following steps: spraying a disinfectant containing hydrogen peroxide, removing the disinfectant containing hydrogen peroxide by drying, spraying a disinfectant containing peracetic acid, and rinsing the disinfectant containing peracetic acid with sterile water. The spraying of the disinfectant containing peracetic acid and the spraying of the disinfectant containing hydrogen peroxide can be performed alternately or separately multiple times.

[0073] In cases where sterile water is sprayed after a peracetic acid-containing disinfectant, followed by a hydrogen peroxide-containing disinfectant, the delivery device of the delivery container is activated after the sterile water is sprayed to remove the sterile water. Disinfection within the chamber based on the peracetic acid-containing disinfectant is sufficiently achieved at the points contacted by the disinfectant. However, it may fail to disinfect areas that the disinfectant cannot penetrate, areas that cannot be sprayed, areas that cannot be actively disinfected with a peracetic acid-containing disinfectant (e.g., HEPA filters), and bacteria resistant to peracetic acid (Bacillus, Bacillus cereus, etc.). Therefore, to utilize hydrogen peroxide gas generated from a hydrogen peroxide-containing disinfectant to disinfect areas that may not be disinfected with a peracetic acid-containing disinfectant, areas that the disinfectant cannot penetrate, and areas that cannot be sprayed, the spraying of the peracetic acid-containing disinfectant and the spraying of the hydrogen peroxide-containing disinfectant can be alternated.

[0074] Here, the term "peracetic acid-containing bactericide" refers to a bactericide with peracetic acid as its main component, wherein the concentration of peracetic acid is 500 ppm or higher, preferably 1000 ppm to 5000 ppm. Furthermore, it contains at least hydrogen peroxide and acetic acid. In this case, heating the peracetic acid-containing bactericide to 40°C to 95°C, preferably 50°C to 95°C, can improve its bactericidal effect.

[0075] After spraying a peracetic acid-containing disinfectant into the chamber, sterile water is then sprayed into the chamber. This spraying of sterile water rinses the peracetic acid-containing disinfectant out of the chamber. The water used to rinse with the peracetic acid-containing disinfectant must be sterile. This is to maintain the state after disinfection with the peracetic acid-containing disinfectant.

[0076] A conveying device is driven to transport containers in a chamber after the disinfectant containing peracetic acid has been rinsed with sterile water. In the aseptic bottle filling machine, after sterile water is sprayed into the chamber, the wheels 11 to 15 of the bottle conveying machine are rotated, and the centrifugal force generated by the rotation of the wheels 11 to 15 is used to remove the sterile water adhering to the wheels 11 to 15 and the device that rotates with the wheels 11 to 15.

[0077] After removing the sterile water, a disinfectant containing hydrogen peroxide is sprayed into the sterile filling machine chamber. It is preferable to keep the chamber as dry as possible before spraying the disinfectant. This is because in a moist state, hydrogen peroxide will dissolve in the remaining sterile water, reducing the hydrogen peroxide concentration and potentially impairing its disinfecting ability.

[0078] To efficiently remove residual sterile water from each chamber in a short time, the wheels in each chamber are rotated, preferably at a speed equal to the operating speed during production. The rotation and stopping process can be repeated. While rotating the wheels, to prevent external bacterial invasion, it is preferable to supply sterile air during rotation. More preferably, the sterile air is heated to accelerate sterile water removal. The temperature of the sterile air can be from 50°C to 200°C. Rotating the wheels removes sterile water adhering to the wheels and the rotating device. The airflow around the wheels generated by their rotation impacts the inner walls of the chambers, promoting downward flow of sterile water adhering to the inner walls and further accelerating its removal. Increasing the pressure in the filling chamber 4 to 30 Pa to 200 Pa by supplying sterile air is insufficient for efficient sterile water removal. However, similarly increasing the pressure in the other chambers also enables efficient sterile water removal.

[0079] As described above, it is preferable to blow sterile heated air into the chamber while the wheel is rotating, but sterile heated air should also be blown into the chamber after the wheel stops rotating, thereby accelerating the removal of residual sterile water in the chamber.

[0080] After removing the sterile water from the chamber, a disinfectant containing hydrogen peroxide is sprayed into the chamber. The sprayed disinfectant should ideally contain 20% to 65% hydrogen peroxide. A concentration less than 20% may result in insufficient disinfection, while a concentration exceeding 65% poses safety risks. Spraying the hydrogen peroxide disinfectant helps to disinfect areas that cannot be sterilized by spraying peracetic acid-containing disinfectants, as well as bacteria resistant to peracetic acid.

[0081] To vaporize and sterilize the chamber after spraying a hydrogen peroxide-containing disinfectant, sterile heated air is blown into the chamber. The sterile heated air can be between 50°C and 200°C. By blowing sterile heated air into the chamber, the hydrogen peroxide remaining in the disinfectant vaporizes, sterilizing tiny gaps and areas that the peracetic acid-containing disinfectant could not reach, as well as peracetic acid-resistant bacteria.

[0082] After confirming that the disinfectant containing hydrogen peroxide in the chamber was removed by blowing sterile heated air into the chamber, room temperature sterile air was blown into the chamber to remove residual hydrogen peroxide and cool the chamber that had been heated by the blowing of sterile heated air, thereby performing ventilation and cooling of the chamber.

[0083] So far, the explanation has focused on aseptic filling machines for bottles. However, in aseptic filling machines for containers other than bottles, such as cups, trays, paper containers, or bags, the conveying device that drives the conveying container can remove cleaning solution or sterile water in a short time, thereby improving the productivity of the aseptic filling machine.

[0084] Figure 3 A schematic front view of a tray aseptic filling machine according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown. Figure 3 The aseptic filling machine shown uses a tray as its filling container, but the same aseptic filling machine can be used for cup-shaped containers with flanges. The tray 20 supplied to the aseptic filling machine is held in a retainer 21. The retainer 21 has a flat plate portion with insertion holes formed therein for inserting the tray 20. The container portion of the tray is inserted into the insertion hole of the retainer 21, thereby holding the flange 22 of the tray 20 in place of the flat plate portion. Multiple retainers 21 are provided, and the trays are continuously conveyed horizontally with respect to the surface of the flange 22. The retainers 21 are mounted on a continuously moving conveyor. The continuously moving conveyor refers to an annular chain 24 installed at predetermined intervals and horizontally suspended between sprockets 23a and 23b. Driven by the annular chain 24, the retainer 21 is held while the chain continuously moves, thereby conveying the tray 20 within the aseptic filling machine.

[0085] Through Figure 3 The aseptic filling machine shown in the diagram conveys, sterilizes, fills, and seals tray 20 within chamber 25. Chamber 25 has a sterilization section, a filling section, and a sealing section. The tray 20 supplied to chamber 25 is held in holder 21 and preheated by blowing hot air from above and below using preheating nozzle 26. The preheated tray 20 is sterilized by blowing sterilizing agent from above and below using sterilizing agent nozzle 27. After the tray 20 with sterilizing agent is held for a predetermined time, it is sterilized by activating the sterilizing agent adhering to the surface of the tray 20 using sterile heated air blown from dry air nozzle 28, and the sterilizing agent is removed by drying. Then, the sterilized contents are filled into the tray 20 using filling device 29, and the tray 20 filled with contents is sealed by heat-sealing the sterilized cap component using sealing device. The sealed tray 20 is discharged from chamber 25.

[0086] Before the sterile filling machine operates, the chamber 25 undergoes COP and SOP treatments. During this process, when removing the cleaning water after COP treatment or the sterile water during SOP treatment, the conveying device of the conveying tray 20 is driven to remove the cleaning fluid and sterile water adhering to the conveying device. That is, the annular chain 24, which conveys the holding part 21 that does not hold the tray 20, is driven. By driving the annular chain 24, the cleaning fluid or sterile water adhering to the annular chain 24 and the holding part 21 can be removed in a short time.

[0087] Figure 4 The diagram shows a schematic elevation view of an aseptic filling machine for paper containers according to an embodiment of the present invention. A sleeve 31, which is a cylindrical body having at least a wall made of stacked paper and a generally rectangular cross-section, is introduced into the chamber 33 via a sleeve supply device 32. The sleeve 31 is inserted into a core 35 located on a turret 34, leaving a necessary portion for closure. Furthermore, the inner surface of the sleeve 31 not inserted into the core 35 and the outer surface of the sleeve 31 are sterilized using a sterilization device 36. Any residual sterilizing agent after sterilization is removed using hot air blown by a drying device 37.

[0088] Furthermore, the sleeve 31 is folded in along the grid lines forming the bottom of the paper container by the bottom folding device, and the portion heated by the drying device 37 is pressed and joined by the bottom sealing device 38. Thus, one open end of the sleeve 31 is closed, forming a bottomed cylindrical paper container.

[0089] While the formed paper container is intermittently conveyed by conveyor 39, sterilizing gas generated by sterilizing gas generator 40 is sprayed from nozzles onto the inner surface of the paper container. The sterilizing agent blown onto the paper container is removed by hot air blown from hot air nozzle 41 onto the inner surface of the paper container. The sterilized paper container is then filled with contents sterilized by a separately provided device using filling device 42. Next, the paper container is folded in along the grid lines at the top using top folding device, the inner surface is heated using top heating device 43, and the top sealing device 44 is used to press and seal the container, thereby sealing it. The sealed paper container is then discharged from chamber 33. Figure 4 The aseptic filling machine shown conveys paper containers within chamber 33, where they are formed, sterilized, filled with contents, and sealed. Chamber 33 internally comprises a paper container forming section, a sterilization section, a filling section, and a sealing section.

[0090] Before the aseptic filling machine is operated, COP and SOP treatments are performed in chamber 33. During this process, while removing the cleaning water after COP treatment or the sterile water during SOP treatment, the conveyor device for transporting the paper container is driven to remove the cleaning fluid and sterile water adhering to the conveyor device. That is, with the sleeve not inserted into the core 35, the turret 34, on which the core 35 is located, is rotated, and the conveyor 39, which is not holding the paper container, is driven. By driving the turret 34 and the conveyor 39, the cleaning fluid and sterile water adhering to the turret 34 and the conveyor 39 can be removed in a short time.

[0091] Figure 5 A schematic elevation view of a bag aseptic filling machine according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown. Figure 5 The aseptic filling machine for the bag shown is a device that supplies film, sterilizes the supplied film, forms a bag, fills the bag with sterilized contents, and seals it. Therefore, it includes a traveling mechanism for the packaging film 45 and nozzles 46 for blowing sterilizing agent onto both sides of the packaging film 45. The traveling mechanism for the packaging film 45 is a drive device for continuously moving the packaging film 45 from the feed roll of the packaging film 45, including a feed roller, various guide rollers arranged in the travel path of the packaging film 45, and guide rollers that clamp the packaging film 45 from both sides.

[0092] It is also equipped with a guide roller that guides the packaging film 45 fed from the feed roll to the bactericide blowing nozzle 46, a preheating device 47 that heats the packaging film 45 before blowing the bactericide onto the packaging film 45, and a heated air blowing device 48 that blows additional hot air onto both sides of the packaging film 45 after blowing the bactericide onto the packaging film 45.

[0093] After sterilization, the packaging film 45 is redirected by roller 49 and conveyed to the bag-making and filling section 50. The bag-making and filling section 50 is shielded by chamber 51, where COP and SOP processes are performed before the aseptic filling machine is run. The packaging film 45 conveyed to the bag-making and filling section 50 has its conveying direction changed to downward by roller 52. Then, the packaging film 45 is folded by the forming device 53 in a manner where the two edges overlap each other along the conveying direction. The folded packaging film 45 is then sealed by a pair of longitudinal sealing rollers 54. Figure 5(Only the front side is shown in the image). At this time, the repeated portions of the two sides of the packaging film 45 are heated and fused together using the longitudinal sealing roller 54, thereby forming the packaging film 45 into a cylindrical shape. Then, the packaging film 45 is sealed laterally by heating and fusing together with a pair of transverse sealing rollers 55 at a constant interval relative to the conveying direction. Various sterilized contents are continuously supplied from the supply pipe 56 to the laterally sealed cylindrical packaging film 45, and the transverse seal is a liquid-immersion seal at the location where the contents are present. Afterward, notches are appropriately formed on each bag, and pinholes are formed laterally, or the transverse seal is cut using the cutting roller 57 to separate the bags from each other. The cut bags fall to the discharge section.

[0094] Before the aseptic filling machine is operated, COP and SOP treatments are performed inside chamber 51. During SOP treatment, the packaging film 45 is introduced into chamber 51. This is because it is impossible to introduce the packaging film 45 into the chamber 51 after SOP treatment without opening chamber 51. During this process, when removing the cleaning water after COP treatment or the sterile water during SOP treatment, the conveying device for conveying the packaging film 45, including the rollers that hold and convey the packaging film 45, the longitudinal sealing roller 54, the transverse sealing roller 55, and the cutting roller 57, removes the cleaning liquid and sterile water adhering to the conveying device. That is, by driving the conveying device while feeding the forming film onto the rollers, the cleaning liquid or sterile water adhering to the rollers can be removed in a short time. At this time, the packaging film 45 is blown with sterilizing agent by the sterilizing agent blowing device 46 and is conveyed into chamber 51. In order to reliably carry out SOP processing within chamber 51, the packaging film 45 delivered to chamber 51 must be sterilized and then delivered into chamber 51.

[0095] The structure of the present invention is as described above, but it is not limited to the above embodiments. Various modifications can be made within the scope of the spirit of the present invention.

[0096] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures

[0097] 1: Chamber;

[0098] 2: Rotary nozzle;

[0099] 3: Dual-fluid nozzle;

[0100] 4: Filling chamber;

[0101] 11: Import wheel;

[0102] 12: Filling wheel;

[0103] 14: Sealing wheel;

[0104] 15: Exhaust wheel;

Claims

1. A sterilization method for the chamber of an aseptic filling machine, wherein the aseptic filling machine fills a sterilized container with sterilized contents in an aseptic environment and then seals the container filled with the contents. The sterilization method within the aseptic filling machine chamber is performed before the aseptic filling machine is operated, characterized in that... After cleaning the chamber by spraying cleaning fluid into the chamber of the aseptic filling machine, the main shaft of the lid sealing the container is moved up and down to remove the cleaning fluid adhering to the bellows protecting the main shaft, and then a disinfectant is sprayed into the chamber of the aseptic filling machine.

2. The sterilization method for the sterile filling machine chamber as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The bactericide contains hydrogen peroxide.

3. The sterilization method for the sterile filling machine chamber as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The bactericide contains peracetic acid.

4. The sterilization method for the sterile filling machine chamber as described in any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that, The cleaning solution is sterile water.

5. The sterilization method for the sterile filling machine chamber as described in any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that, As the spindle moves up and down, sterile heated air is blown into the sterile filling machine chamber.

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