Aseptic forming apparatus and aseptic forming method

Abstract

To provide an aseptic forming apparatus and an aseptic forming method which realize, with a simple structure, efficient sterilization.SOLUTION: In an aseptic forming apparatus 20, A sterilization treatment mechanism 50 is configured to complete sterilization of a container only by sterilization treatment at a preform stage before the container is formed through aseptic blow forming. The sterilization treatment mechanism 50 comprises downstream-side sterilizing means 52 for sterilizing a preform P downstream of a temperature rising area A2a. The downstream-side sterilizing means 52 is configured to irradiate at least an inner face of the preform P with sterilizing light including ultraviolet ray light.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an aseptic molding apparatus and method for aseptically molding sterilized containers that have been subjected to a sterilization treatment, and in particular to an aseptic molding apparatus and method that are incorporated into an in-line blow type aseptic filling system that performs an integrated process from container molding to filling and sealing the contents. [Background technology]

[0002] 2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there has been known an in-line blow type filling system that performs an integrated process from container formation by blow molding to filling and sealing of contents within the same factory (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

[0003] In such a filling system, the containers must be thoroughly sterilized before being transported to a filling device maintained in a sterile environment. In the filling system described in Patent Document 1, in addition to a sterilization process at the preform stage before the container is molded by blow molding, a sterilization process is also performed at the container stage after blow molding. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] JP 2010-202284 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, when sterilization is performed at the container stage, there are problems such as the need for a larger sterilization mechanism, the need for a larger amount of sterilant because the container has a larger surface area than the preform, and the sterilization time being longer. Therefore, the applicant is attempting to develop an aseptic molding device that completes sterilization of containers only by sterilization at the preform stage before the container is molded by aseptic blow molding, and for this reason, further improvements in sterilization efficiency are required.

[0006] Therefore, the present invention is intended to solve these problems, and has an object to provide an aseptic molding apparatus and an aseptic molding method that realize efficient sterilization with a simple configuration. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The aseptic molding apparatus of the present invention is an aseptic molding apparatus that aseptically molds sterilized containers that have been subjected to a sterilization treatment, and is equipped with a blow molding turret, an oven mechanism that heats the preform to the molding temperature in a heating area set upstream of the blow molding turret, and a sterilization treatment mechanism, wherein the sterilization treatment mechanism is configured to complete sterilization of the container only by sterilization treatment at the preform stage before the container is molded by aseptic blow molding, and the sterilization treatment mechanism is equipped with downstream sterilization means that sterilizes the preform downstream of the heating area, and the downstream sterilization means is configured to irradiate at least the inner surface of the preform with sterilizing light including ultraviolet light, thereby solving the above-mentioned problem. The aseptic molding method of the present invention is a method for aseptically molding a sterilized container that has been subjected to a sterilization treatment, in which sterilization of the container is completed only by a preform sterilization treatment at the preform stage before the container is molded by aseptic blow molding, and the preform sterilization treatment includes a downstream sterilization treatment in which the preform is sterilized downstream of the temperature rising area, and in the downstream sterilization treatment, sterilization light including ultraviolet light is irradiated onto at least the inner surface of the preform, thereby solving the above-mentioned problem. In any of the above-mentioned aseptic molding apparatus or aseptic molding method, the downstream sterilization means may be configured to irradiate the outer surface of the preform with sterilizing light including ultraviolet light. In any of the above aseptic molding devices or aseptic molding methods, the sterilization mechanism may further include an upstream sterilization means for sterilizing the preform upstream of the temperature rising area. In any of the above-mentioned aseptic molding apparatus or aseptic molding method, the sterilization ability of the upstream sterilization means against mold may be set to be higher than the sterilization ability of the downstream sterilization means against mold, and may be set so that sterilization of the container against mold is completed by sterilization by the upstream sterilization means and sterilization by the downstream sterilization means. In any of the above-mentioned aseptic molding apparatus or aseptic molding method, the sterilization ability of the downstream sterilization means against spore-forming bacteria may be set to be equal to or greater than the sterilization ability of the upstream sterilization means against spore-forming bacteria, and may be set so that sterilization of the container against spore-forming bacteria is completed by sterilization by the upstream sterilization means and sterilization by the downstream sterilization means. In any of the above aseptic molding apparatus or aseptic molding method, the upstream sterilization means may be configured to supply a sterilizing fluid containing hydrogen peroxide or peracetic acid to the preform. In any of the above-mentioned aseptic molding apparatus or aseptic molding method, the upstream sterilization means may be configured to supply hot water or steam to the preform, or to supply water to the preform and then perform a heat treatment. In any of the above-mentioned aseptic molding apparatus or aseptic molding method, the upstream sterilization means may be configured to supply sterilizing fluid at a temperature higher than the surface temperature of the area to be sterilized of the preform to which the sterilizing fluid has been supplied so that the surface temperature of the area to be sterilized becomes 55°C or higher, or to supply sterilizing fluid to the area to be sterilized and then perform a heat treatment. In any of the above-mentioned aseptic molding apparatus or aseptic molding method, the upstream sterilization means may be configured to spray a sterilizing fluid onto the inner surface of the mouth of the preform from a spray nozzle arranged so that the central axis of the spray outlet is oblique to the axis of the preform. In any of the above-mentioned aseptic molding apparatus or aseptic molding method, the upstream sterilization means may be configured to supply a germicide to at least the inner surface of the body of the preform, and the downstream sterilization means may be configured to irradiate at least the inner surface of the body of the preform with germicide light having an integrated light amount sufficient to decompose the germicide. In any of the above aseptic molding apparatus or aseptic molding method, the upstream sterilization means is configured to supply a sterilizing fluid containing hydrogen peroxide to the inner surface of the body of the preform, and the amount of hydrogen peroxide adhered to the inner surface of the body of the preform at a center position in the preform height direction at the time when the downstream sterilization means starts to irradiate the sterilizing light is calculated as A (mg / cm 2 ), and the integrated light amount of the sterilizing light at the center position in the height direction of the preform on the inner surface of the body of the preform is defined as B (mJ / cm 2 ), the downstream sterilization means may be configured to irradiate the sterilizing light so that B / A is 380 or more. In any of the above-mentioned aseptic molding apparatus or aseptic molding method, the heating area may be provided with a heating heater that subjects the preform to a heating treatment, the heating heater may be provided so as to be located not to a side of the mouth of the preform but to a side of the body of the preform during the heating treatment, and the downstream sterilization means may be configured to irradiate the sterilizing light such that an integrated light amount of the sterilizing light at a central position in the preform height direction of the inner surface of the mouth of the preform is higher than an integrated light amount of the sterilizing light at a central position in the preform height direction of the inner surface of the body of the preform. In any of the above-mentioned aseptic molding apparatus or aseptic molding method, the downstream sterilization means may be configured to irradiate the sterilizing light so that an integrated light amount of the sterilizing light at a central position in the preform height direction on the inner surface of the mouth of the preform is at least twice the integrated light amount of the sterilizing light at a central position in the preform height direction on the inner surface of the body of the preform. In any of the above-mentioned aseptic molding apparatus or aseptic molding method, the downstream sterilization means comprises a first sterilization section that sterilizes at least the inner surface of the preform by irradiating it with sterilizing light including ultraviolet light, and a second sterilization section that sterilizes at least the inner surface of the preform by supplying a sterilizing fluid, and the sterilization ability of the second sterilization section against mold is set to be higher than the sterilization ability of the first sterilization section, and sterilization of the container against mold may be completed by sterilization by the second sterilization section and sterilization by the first sterilization section. In any of the above-mentioned aseptic molding devices or aseptic molding methods, the downstream sterilization means comprises a first sterilization section that sterilizes at least the inner surface of the preform by irradiating it with sterilizing light including ultraviolet light, and a second sterilization section that sterilizes at least the inner surface of the preform by supplying a sterilizing fluid, and the sterilization ability of the first sterilization section against spore-forming bacteria is set to be equal to or greater than the sterilization ability of the second sterilization section against spore-forming bacteria, and sterilization of the container against spore-forming bacteria may be completed by sterilization by the second sterilization section and sterilization by the first sterilization section. Effect of the Invention

[0008] According to the present invention, efficient sterilization can be achieved with a simple configuration. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing an aseptic filling system including an aseptic molding apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2] FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of an installation mode of a temperature-raising heater. [Diagram 3] FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of an installation mode of an upstream sterilization means. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of an installation mode of a downstream sterilization means. [Diagram 5] FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram showing the test results of Test 1. [Figure 6] FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram showing the test results of Test 2. [Figure 7]FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram showing the test results of Test 3. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0010] Hereinafter, an aseptic filling system 10 according to one embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The terms "upstream" and "downstream" used in this specification refer to the upstream and downstream in the conveying direction of the preform P or the container.

[0011] First, the aseptic filling system 10 is configured as a so-called in-line blow type filling system that aseptically fills sterilized containers with sterilized contents (particularly liquid contents), and as shown in Figure 1, it includes an aseptic molding device 20 that aseptically molds containers, and a filling device 60 that aseptically fills the containers with the contents.

[0012] Below, each component of the aseptic filling system 10 will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0013] First, the aseptic molding apparatus 20 aseptically molds sterilized containers that have been subjected to a sterilization treatment, and as shown in FIG. 1, is equipped with an inlet section 21 for introducing the preform P, a blow molding turret 22, an oven mechanism 30 for heating the preform P in the oven area A2, a preform transport mechanism 40 for transporting the preform P, and a sterilization treatment mechanism 50 for sterilizing the preform P.

[0014] As shown in FIG. 1, the inlet section 21 is a section for introducing preforms P into the aseptic molding apparatus 20 (aseptic filling system 10), and more specifically, is a section for introducing preforms P into the pre-oven area A1 upstream of the oven area A2.

[0015] The blow molding turret 22, as shown in FIG. 1, is disposed downstream of the oven area A2 and performs aseptic blow molding on the preforms P. Specifically, the blow molding turret 22 is configured as a turret equipped with a blow machine (not shown) that performs biaxial stretch blow molding of containers such as PET bottles made of PET (polyethylene terephthalate) by blowing sterile air into the preform P that has been heated to the molding temperature during aseptic blow molding.

[0016] The molding area A4 in which the blow molding turret 22 is installed is covered by a chamber, and is kept in a sterile atmosphere and under positive pressure by blowing sterile air that has passed through a HEPA filter from above using an FFU (Fan Filter Unit). In addition, the blow molding turret 22, blow machine, and other equipment installed in the molding area A4 are sterilized up to the ends of the blow piping. Preforms P, which have been sterilized only at the preform stage, are transported to molding area A4 and aseptically blow molded. As a result, aseptic blow molding is performed in a sterile environment in molding area A4, which means that it is not necessary to locally create an atmosphere of sterile air or sterilizing gas near the transport path when transporting preforms P or bottles after blow molding in molding area A4, and it is also not necessary to sterilize the bottles after blow molding.

[0017] The oven mechanism 30 performs a heating process to raise the temperature of the preform P to the molding temperature during aseptic blow molding in the blow molding turret 22, and has an oven chamber 31 with an oven area A2 inside, and a plurality of heating heaters 32 configured as infrared heaters that raise the temperature of the preform P (mainly the body portion P1). In addition, the oven mechanism 30 may be provided with a simple cover surrounding the periphery of the oven instead of the oven chamber 31, and the oven chamber 31 may not be provided.

[0018] In addition, in the oven area A2, in order to prevent the temperature of the mouth portion P2 of the preform P from rising too high due to heating by the heating heater 32 and to prevent deformation of the mouth portion P2 of the preform P due to heat, multiple air jets (not shown) that introduce non-sterilized air and spray it toward the mouth portion P2 of the preform P, or a shielding plate that blocks the heat from the heating heater 32 and prevents heating of the mouth portion P2, are installed. Since the air blower (not shown) introduces and blows out non-sterile air, the oven area A2 becomes an area whose atmosphere is contaminated by external bacteria and the like introduced by the air blower (not shown), and the atmosphere in the oven area A2 is more contaminated than the atmosphere in the transfer area A3 downstream of the oven area A2. Even if an air blower is not installed, the oven area A2 becomes a contaminated area because environmental sterilization before production is not performed. 2, the temperature-raising heater 32 is installed so as to be positioned at a side of the body portion P1 of the preform P, not at a side of the mouth portion 2 of the preform P, during the temperature-raising process, so as to raise the temperature of the body portion P1 of the preform P while avoiding raising the temperature of the mouth portion P2 of the preform P. When the preform P is heated by the temperature-raising heater 32, the preform P is transported by a transport machine 42, which will be described later, while rotating about its axis.

[0019] The body portion P1 of the preform P is a portion that is placed inside the mold during aseptic blow molding and is expanded within the mold, while the mouth portion P2 of the preform P is a portion that is placed outside the mold during aseptic blow molding and is not expanded.

[0020] As shown in FIG. 1, the transfer area A3 is an area downstream of the oven area A2 and upstream of the molding area A4, and is more contaminated than the molding area A4 but less contaminated than the oven area A2.

[0021] The preform transport mechanism 40 transports the preforms P inserted from the entrance section 21 to the blow molding turret 22, and as shown in Figure 1, is equipped with a number of turrets 41 that transport the preforms P inserted from the entrance section 21 in the pre-oven area A1, a transport machine 42 that transports the preforms P mainly in the oven area A2, and a number of turrets 43 that transport the preforms P removed from the oven area A2 toward the blow molding turret 22.

[0022] The turrets 41 and 43 transport the preform P, and each of the turrets 41 and 43 has a plurality of grippers that grip the outer periphery of the preform P. It is preferable that the gripping portions of the grippers are sterilized by UV irradiation or a germicide.

[0023] The transport posture of the preform P by the preform transport mechanism 40 may be any posture, such as an upright state, an inverted state (i.e., a downward state in which the mouth portion P2 of the preform P faces downward), or a horizontal state (i.e., a horizontal state in which the mouth portion P2 of the preform P faces to the side).

[0024] The aseptic molding apparatus 20 is configured to perform sterilization treatment using a sterilization treatment mechanism 50 or the like so that, when the contents are filled in the filling apparatus 60, the container is brought into a commercially sterile state (i.e., a state in which all microorganisms harmful to public health that may grow in the beverage under normal non-refrigerated storage and distribution conditions have been killed).

[0025] In this embodiment, the sterilization process by the sterilization mechanism 50 etc. is configured so that sterilization of the container is completed only by the preform sterilization process at the preform stage before the container is molded by aseptic blow molding without performing sterilization at the container stage after aseptic blow molding (without requiring sterilization at the container stage) (more specifically, in this embodiment, sterilization is completed by the time of transfer area A3, and the preform P after sterilization is completed is transported to molding area A4). In other words, the container is configured so that the preform sterilization process at the preform stage alone is sufficient to make the container commercially sterile. In other words, the preform sterilization process at the preform stage alone is configured to obtain a sterilization effect of 5D or more for the bacteria to be sterilized (bacteria that can grow in the contents to be filled into the container, such as mold, general bacteria, spore-forming bacteria, etc.) (for the entire outer surface including the inner and outer surfaces of the preform P). The bactericidal effect (D) is expressed by the formula: bactericidal effect (D) = LOG((initial number of bacteria) / (number of surviving bacteria)). For example, if the number of bacteria is reduced from 100 to 10, then LOG(100 / 10) = 1D. In addition, if the content to be filled is a low-acid beverage, a bactericidal effect of 5 to 6 D or more against mold, general bacteria, and spore-forming bacteria is required, and if the content to be filled is mineral water, green tea, etc., a bactericidal effect of 5 to 6 D or more against mold is required.

[0026] To explain the sterilization capacity (D) of the sterilization processing mechanism 50 in this embodiment more specifically, with respect to at least the sterilization of the inner surface of the preform P (in this embodiment, with respect to the sterilization of the entire outer surface including the inner surface and the outer surface of the preform P), the sterilization capacity (D) against mold by the upstream sterilization means 51 described later is set higher than the sterilization capacity (D) against mold by the downstream sterilization means 52 described later, and it is preferable to set it so that the sterilization of the container against mold is completed by sterilization by the upstream sterilization means 51 and sterilization by the downstream sterilization means 52 (as described above, the container becomes in a commercially sterile state, in other words, a sterilization effect of 5 to 6D or more is obtained against mold).

[0027] Furthermore, with regard to at least the sterilization of the inner surface of the preform P (in this embodiment, with regard to the sterilization of the entire outer surface including the inner and outer surfaces of the preform P), it is preferable that the sterilization ability (D) of the downstream sterilization means 52 against spore-forming bacteria is set to be equal to or greater than the sterilization ability (D) of the upstream sterilization means 51 against spore-forming bacteria, and that the sterilization by the upstream sterilization means 51 and the sterilization by the downstream sterilization means 52 complete sterilization of the container against spore-forming bacteria (as described above, the container becomes commercially sterile, in other words, a sterilization effect of 5D to 6D or more is obtained against spore-forming bacteria).

[0028] As shown in FIG. 1, the sterilization mechanism 50 includes an upstream sterilization means 51 for performing an upstream sterilization process to sterilize the preform P upstream of the heating area A2a where the heating heater 32 is installed (in this embodiment, the pre-oven area A1), and a downstream sterilization means 52 for performing a downstream sterilization process to sterilize the preform P downstream of the heating area A2a (in this embodiment, the transfer area A3).

[0029] The downstream sterilization means 52 irradiates sterilizing light including ultraviolet light onto at least the inner surface of the preform P while it is being transported by the turret 43 in the transfer area A3, and in this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, it has a light irradiator 52a that irradiates sterilizing light onto the inner surface of the preform P, and a light irradiator 52b that irradiates sterilizing light onto the outer surface of the preform P. These light irradiators 52a, 52b can be of any type as long as they irradiate UV light as their light source, such as a UV lamp (including UV-LED) or a xenon lamp (xenon arc lamp), and are configured to perform a sterilization process on the preform P by irradiating it with light.

[0030] In addition, the light irradiator 52a of the downstream sterilization means 52 is preferably configured to irradiate sterilizing light so that the integrated light amount of the sterilizing light at the center position of the height of the preform P on the inner surface of the mouth portion P2 of the preform P is higher than the integrated light amount of the sterilizing light at the center position of the height of the preform P on the inner surface of the body portion P1 of the preform P. That is, as described above, the temperature rise heater 32 installed in the temperature rise area A2a is installed at a position to the side of the body P1, so that the sterilization effect by heating the temperature rise heater 32 is obtained for the body P1, whereas the sterilization effect by heating the temperature rise heater 32 is not obtained for the mouth P2 (or the sterilization effect is low). Therefore, by taking into consideration such a difference between the body P1 and the mouth P2 in terms of the sterilization effect by the temperature rise heater 32, the integrated light amount is made higher at the mouth P2 than at the body P1, so that it is possible to appropriately sterilize both the body P1 and the mouth P2 while keeping the amount of light irradiation by the downstream sterilization means 52 low.

[0031] In addition, the light irradiator 52a of the downstream sterilization means 52 is preferably configured to irradiate sterilizing light so that the integrated light amount of the sterilizing light at the center position of the height of the preform P on the inner surface of the mouth portion P2 of the preform P is at least twice the integrated light amount of the sterilizing light at the center position of the height of the preform P on the inner surface of the body portion P1 of the preform P. To explain this point in more detail, first, the applicant tested the sterilization ability (D) of the temperature-raising heater 32 (Test 1) and found that a sterilization effect of 3D or more could be obtained when a temperature-raising process was performed so that the inner surface temperature of the preform P reached about 90 to 117°C, as shown in Fig. 5. The test specimen (preform) used in the above test had 2800 cfu / piece of A. niger (Aspergillus niger) attached to its surface.

[0032] Next, a test (Test 2) was conducted on the bactericidal ability (D) of the bactericidal light irradiation. The details of the test are as follows. Irradiation device: 9 UV LEDs (manufactured by Nikkiso, standard wavelength 265 nm (minimum 260 nm, maximum 270 nm, full width at half maximum 13 nm) Irradiation distance: 5mm Irradiation time: 8 seconds Accumulated light amount measurement method: Average light amount measurement using the UV scale method (measurement on the surface with bacteria attached) (same method as the test to confirm the decomposition effect of the disinfectant described below (step 4 described below)) Sterilization method: A. niger (Aspergillus niger) conidia were suspended in liquid, and this suspension was used to spot inoculate 3.7 x 10^2cfu / 10μl onto a PET piece (10mm x 10mm square). The PET piece with the bacteria attached was irradiated with ultraviolet light under the above conditions for sterilization (n=5). After sterilization, the PET piece was immersed in a culture medium, and the survival of the bacteria on the PET piece was confirmed in the medium. As a result of the test, as shown in Figure 6, the cumulative amount of germicidal light required to kill A. niger (Aspergillus niger) was 81 mJ / cm per 1D. 2 It was found to be the case. If a bactericidal capacity (D) of 6D is required for A. niger (Aspergillus niger), then, in addition to the bactericidal effect 3D by the heating heater 32, the bactericidal effect 3D must be obtained on the inner surface of the body P1 by irradiation with bactericidal light by the light irradiator 52a. In this case, the bactericidal effect 3D by the light irradiator 52a is 243 mJ / cm. 2 (81mJ / cm 2 It was found that the inner surface of the mouth portion P2 needs to be irradiated with germicidal light with an integrated light amount of 486 mJ / cm 2 × 3. In addition, it is necessary to obtain a germicidal effect of 6D by irradiating the inner surface of the mouth portion P2 with germicidal light from the light irradiator 52a. In this case, it is necessary to obtain a germicidal effect of 6D by irradiating the inner surface of the mouth portion P2 with germicidal light with an integrated light amount of 486 mJ / cm 2 2 (81mJ / cm 2 It was found that a cumulative light dose of germicidal light of 1.5 × 6 was required. From the above, it can be seen that it is preferable to configure the light irradiator 52a so that the accumulated light amount of the sterilizing light at the mouth portion P2, where the sterilizing effect of the heating heater 32 cannot be obtained, is at least twice the accumulated light amount of the sterilizing light at the body portion P1, where the sterilizing effect 3D of the heating heater 32 can be obtained. Furthermore, in order to obtain the sterilization effect 6D, the light irradiator 52a must have an integrated amount of sterilizing light of 486 mJ / cm2 at the center position in the height direction of the inner surface of the mouth portion P2 of the preform P. 2 It is preferable to configure the irradiation of germicidal light so that the above is achieved.

[0033] In this embodiment, the light irradiator 52a, which sterilizes the inner surface of the preform P, is installed downstream of the light irradiator 52b, which sterilizes the outer surface of the preform P. However, conversely, the light irradiator 52b may be installed downstream of the light irradiator 52a. Furthermore, the light irradiators 52a and 52b may be arranged in the same turret so that processing by the light irradiator 52a and processing by the light irradiator 52b are performed at the same time. Furthermore, the same light irradiator may be used to irradiate light onto both the inner and outer surfaces of the preform P.

[0034] The upstream sterilization means 51 sterilizes the preform P by supplying a sterilizing fluid to the inner surface of the preform P while it is being transported by the turret 41 in the front-oven area A1. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, it has a sterilization processor 51a that supplies hot water (hot water in a mist or the like) or water vapor as a sterilizing fluid to the inner surface of the preform P, and a sterilization processor 51b that supplies hot water (hot water in a mist or the like) or water vapor as a sterilizing fluid to the outer surface of the preform P.

[0035] In this embodiment, the sterilizing fluid supplied by the upstream sterilizing means 51 is hot water (hot water in a mist or the like) or water vapor, but the specific form of the sterilizing fluid is not limited to this, and the sterilizing fluid may be a liquid or gaseous sterilizing fluid containing hydrogen peroxide or peracetic acid (such as an aqueous hydrogen peroxide solution or an aqueous peracetic acid solution).When the only target to be sterilized is mold, it is more preferable to use hot water (hot water in a mist or the like) or water vapor as the sterilizing fluid, since this eliminates the risk of the sterilizing agent remaining in the molded container.

[0036] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the upstream sterilization means 51 is configured to sterilize both the inner and outer surfaces of the preform P, but the specific form of the upstream sterilization means 51 is not limited to the above, and any means may be used as long as it sterilizes at least the inner surface of the preform P (more specifically, the inner surface of the body portion P1 or the mouth portion P2) by supplying a sterilizing fluid thereto.

[0037] In addition, in this embodiment, sterilization processor 51b is installed upstream of sterilization processor 51a, but conversely, sterilization processor 51b may be installed downstream of sterilization processor 51a, and sterilization processors 51a and 51b may be placed in the same turret so that processing by sterilization processor 51a and processing by sterilization processor 51b are performed at the same time.

[0038] Furthermore, the specific embodiment of the sterilization processor constituting the upstream sterilization means 51 may be any one capable of supplying sterilizing fluid to the preform P. However, when supplying sterilizing fluid to the inner surface of the mouth portion P2 of the preform P, the sterilizing fluid may be sprayed onto the inner surface of the mouth portion P2 of the preform P from a spray nozzle arranged such that the central axis L of the spray outlet is oblique to the axis X of the preform P, as shown in FIG. 3.

[0039] Furthermore, regardless of the type of sterilizing fluid (hydrogen peroxide, peracetic acid, hot water, water vapor), a sterilizing fluid having a temperature higher than the surface temperature of the sterilization target portion of the preform P to which the sterilizing fluid has been supplied is supplied so that the surface temperature of the sterilization target portion of the preform P to which the sterilizing fluid has been supplied is 55°C or higher, more preferably 65°C or higher. Alternatively, a sterilizing fluid (including water) may be supplied to the sterilization target portion and then a heat treatment (for example, a heat treatment such as blowing hot air or heating with a heater) may be performed so that the surface temperature of the sterilization target portion of the preform P is 55°C or higher, more preferably 65°C or higher. The surface temperature is the temperature measured by attaching a thermocouple to the surface of the preform P. By setting the temperature of the sterilizing fluid in this manner, a high sterilization effect can be obtained.

[0040] The amount of sterilizing fluid to be ejected is preferably set to be not less than 10 μl and not more than 1000 μl, and more preferably to be not less than 50 μl and not more than 225 μl.

[0041] Furthermore, when using a sterilizing fluid containing peracetic acid, such as an aqueous solution of peracetic acid, it is preferable that the concentration of peracetic acid is 0.25 wt% or more (in other words, the concentration of peracetic acid contained in the sterilizing fluid is 0.25 wt%) or more, and that the temperature of the sterilizing fluid (the temperature after it adheres to the surface of the preform P) is 55°C or more, more preferably 65°C or more (and 90°C or less).

[0042] The downstream sterilization means 52 is configured to irradiate at least the inner surface of the body portion P1 of the preform P with sterilizing light by the light irradiator 52a at an integrated light amount (integral illuminance) sufficient to decompose the sterilizing agent; in other words, the amount of sterilizing light irradiated by the light irradiator 52a to at least the inner surface of the body portion P1 is set so as to be capable of decomposing the sterilizing agent (hydrogen peroxide, peracetic acid contained in the sterilizing fluid) attached to the surface of the preform P (in particular, adsorbed to the surface of the preform P) by the supply of sterilizing fluid by the upstream sterilization means 51. In addition, hydrogen peroxide in the aqueous solution of peracetic acid can be decomposed by sterilizing light (ultraviolet light). Since the amount of hydrogen peroxide in the aqueous solution of peracetic acid is less than that of the aqueous solution of hydrogen peroxide, it is preferable to use a sterilizing fluid containing an aqueous solution of peracetic acid as the sterilizing fluid to be supplied to the preform P by the upstream sterilizing means 51 from the viewpoint of remaining in the container.

[0043] Here, the applicant conducted a test (Test 3) to confirm the effect of decomposing the germicide adhered to the surface of the preform P by irradiation with germicidal light including ultraviolet light.

[0044] First, the procedure for this test is as follows. (Step 1) A sterilizing fluid containing hydrogen peroxide and peracetic acid (specifically, an aqueous solution of peracetic acid containing 20 wt % hydrogen peroxide and 10 wt % peracetic acid) is sprayed onto a piece of PET to adhere to it. (Step 2) The weight of the PET strip with the sterilizing fluid attached was measured to determine the amount of sterilizing fluid attached (mg / cm2) (compared to the weight of the PET strip before the sterilizing fluid was attached). 2 ) was measured, and the amount of hydrogen peroxide (mg / cm) was calculated from the hydrogen peroxide concentration (20 wt%) in the sterilizing fluid.2 ) to calculate (Step 3) The PET piece with the sterilizing fluid attached is heated in a toaster (set at 130°C) for 15 seconds. (Step 4) After heating, the PET piece is placed on an aluminum plate and irradiated with ultraviolet light from a light source installed 5 mm away from the PET piece. In this step 4, the irradiation time of the ultraviolet light is adjusted to control the cumulative amount of ultraviolet light (mJ / cm2) on the PET piece. 2 ) at 0 (i.e., no UV light irradiation), 202 (mJ / cm 2 ), 441(mJ / cm 2 ), 905(mJ / cm 2 ), 1256(mJ / cm 2 ), 6185(mJ / cm 2 ), 30149(mJ / cm 2 ) was chosen. (Step 5) Cut off a portion (the tip) of the PET piece and place it in a tube containing 2.5 ml of water for 1 hour. (Step 6) Measure the concentration of hydrogen peroxide in the aqueous solution in the tube, and calculate the amount of hydrogen peroxide (mg / cm) remaining on the PET piece based on that concentration. 2 ) is calculated.

[0045] The equipment and test conditions used in this test are as follows: Spraying of sterilizing fluid onto the PET piece in step 1: Nozzle Network MF008D siphon-type air spray nozzle (continuous type), air pressure 200 kPa, spray time 1 second, spray particle diameter 3.7 to 9.3 μm Ultraviolet irradiator in step 4: 9 ultraviolet LEDs (manufactured by Nikkiso Co., Ltd., peak wavelength 265 nm standard (minimum 260 nm, maximum 270 nm, full width at half maximum 13 nm)) Measurement of light intensity (accumulated light intensity) in step 4: UV scale (manufactured by Fujifilm)

[0046] The method for calculating the amount of ultraviolet light using the UV scale in step 4 is as follows. (UV scale used) Film manufacturer: Fujifilm Film type: UV scale L Applicable lamp type: Measured in low pressure mercury lamp mode Measurement light intensity range: 20-3000mJ / cm 2 Compatible wavelengths: 200nm-420nm (How to calculate the amount of ultraviolet light) The PET piece with the above UV scale (film) attached was irradiated with UV light using the UV irradiator used in this test, and the amount of UV light was measured based on the color of the UV scale irradiated with the UV light. The amount of light measured at the measurement point was calculated by calculating the average integrated light amount within a 10 mm square of the UV scale centered on the measurement point (the average value of the amount of light measured in 0.125 mm squares per unit area).

[0047] As shown in Figure 7, the results of the above test showed that the amount of hydrogen peroxide per unit area attached to the PET piece confirmed in step 2 was 1.16 (mg / cm 2 ), the cumulative amount of UV light on the PET piece in step 4 is 441 (mJ / cm 2 ) or more (i.e., 441(mJ / cm 2 ), 905(mJ / cm 2 ), 1256(mJ / cm 2 ), 6185(mJ / cm 2 ), 30149(mJ / cm 2 )), the amount of hydrogen peroxide (mg / cm2) adhering to the PET piece after UV irradiation confirmed in step 6 was compared to when it was not irradiated with UV light (when the integrated amount of UV light for the PET piece in step 4 was 0). 2 It was confirmed that the amount of hydrogen peroxide required could be reduced by half (to less than half). In other words, the cumulative amount of ultraviolet light in step 4 is 441 (mJ / cm 2 ) or more, the amount of hydrogen peroxide (mg / cm2) confirmed in step 6 2 ) is the amount of hydrogen peroxide (mg / cm) confirmed in step 6 when no ultraviolet light is applied in step 4. 2 ) was confirmed to be less than half of the original value. The hydrogen peroxide concentrations shown in Figure 7 are the test results obtained in steps 5 and 6.

[0048] The amount of hydrogen peroxide adhering to the PET piece was 1.16 (mg / cm 2 ) is the average value of each value (amount of hydrogen peroxide) measured in step 2 in this test which was performed multiple times.

[0049] From the test results, the amount of hydrogen peroxide (hydrogen peroxide supplied to and attached to the preform P by the upstream sterilization means 51) adhered per unit area at the center position in the height direction of the preform P on the inner surface of the body portion P1 of the preform P at the start of irradiation of sterilizing light by the downstream sterilization means 52 was calculated as A (mg / cm 2 ), and the integrated light amount of the sterilizing light (ultraviolet light) at the center position in the height direction of the preform P on the inner surface of the body P1 of the preform P is defined as B (mJ / cm 2 ), it has been found that the downstream sterilization means 52 is preferably configured to irradiate sterilizing light including ultraviolet light so that B / A is 380 or more.

[0050] In addition, due to the installation mode of the temperature-raising heater 32 described above, after the treatment by the temperature-raising heater 32, the sterilizing fluid (sterilant) in the form of droplets is more likely to remain on the inner surface of the mouth portion P2 of the preform P than on the inner surface of the body portion P1. In other words, the residual amount of the sterilizing fluid per unit area (mg / cm 2 ) increases. Therefore, the residual amount (mg / cm 3 ) of the sterilizing fluid between the inner surface of the body portion P1 and the inner surface of the mouth portion P2 is 2 ), it is preferable to configure light irradiator 52a as described above, that is, to obtain a greater effect of decomposing the sterilizing fluid by the sterilizing light in mouth portion P2 than in body portion P1. In addition, the sterilizing fluid supplied by the upstream sterilizing means 51 and attached to the inner surface of the body portion P1 is at least partially evaporated by the heating process by the heating heater 32, and remains in a state adsorbed on the surface of the preform P after the heating process. Furthermore, the sterilizing fluid (hydrogen peroxide) remaining on the PET pieces after step 3 of the above-mentioned test is at least partially evaporated by the heat treatment in step 3, as described above, and remains adsorbed on the surface of the PET pieces after the heat treatment. One example of the arrangement of light irradiator 52a to achieve the above is to place light irradiator 52a at a position outside preform P and away from mouth portion P2 of preform P (above when preform P is in an upright position) when irradiating sterilizing light, as shown in FIG. 4.

[0051] The filling device 60 is installed downstream of the aseptic molding device 20, and as shown in Figure 1, is equipped with a filling section 61 that fills the contents into the container, and a capping section 62 that is located downstream of the filling section 61 and attaches a sterilized cap to the mouth of the container.

[0052] Each step in the filling device 60 is carried out within a chamber the interior of which is maintained in a sterile condition. The sterile state of the container is also maintained in the section where the container is transported between the aseptic molding apparatus 20 and the filling apparatus 60; in other words, the sterile state of the container is maintained throughout the entire section from when the container is aseptically blow-molded by the blow molding turret 22 to when the contents are aseptically filled into the container in the filling section 61; in this embodiment, the entire section is covered by a chamber to maintain the sterile state of the container in this section.

[0053] In the aseptic filling system 10 of this embodiment obtained in this manner, the downstream sterilization means 52 is configured to irradiate sterilizing light including ultraviolet light onto at least the inner surface of the preform P, making it possible to sterilize spore-forming bacteria by light irradiation. This not only enables the range of use of the aseptic molding apparatus 20 to be expanded to contents other than green tea and water, but also makes it possible to sterilize mold and yeast by light irradiation, and makes it possible to reduce the accumulated amount of light irradiated onto the entire inner or outer surface of the preform compared to conventional methods.

[0054] Furthermore, when the sterilization processing mechanism 50 is equipped with the upstream sterilization means 51, the amount of light irradiation required by the downstream sterilization means 52 can be reduced by sterilizing mold and the like using the upstream sterilization means 51 (for example, the amount of light irradiation required for sterilizing the inner surface of the mouth part P2 of 486 mJ / cm2 can be reduced). 2 For an integrated light amount of about 243 mJ / cm2, if the upstream sterilization means 51 sterilizes at least mold and the like on the inner surface of the mouth part P2 with a sterilization effect of 3D, the integrated light amount of sterilizing light required to sterilize the inner surface of the mouth part P2 is 243 mJ / cm2. 2 Therefore, the total inner surface of the preform P (mouth and body) is reduced to 243 mJ / cm 2 By irradiating the preform P with light, a sterilizing effect 6D can be obtained not only on spore-forming bacteria but also on mold.) In the upstream sterilizing means 51, only the inner surface of the mouth portion P2 may be sterilized, or the inner surface of the entire preform P may be sterilized. Also, only the inner and outer surfaces of the mouth portion P2 may be sterilized, or the inner and outer surfaces of the entire preform P may be sterilized.

[0055] Furthermore, when the sterilizing fluid supplied by the upstream sterilization means 51 contains a sterilizing agent such as hydrogen peroxide or peracetic acid, the downstream sterilization means 52 is configured to irradiate sterilizing light including ultraviolet light, so that the sterilizing agent adhered (adsorbed) to the inner surface of the body P1 of the preform P in particular can be decomposed by irradiation with sterilizing light by the downstream sterilization means 52 (light irradiator 52a), thereby preventing the sterilizing agent such as hydrogen peroxide or peracetic acid from remaining on the inner surface of the preform P.

[0056] In addition, in this embodiment, the sterilization process using a sterilizing fluid having a high sterilizing effect on mold (by the upstream sterilization means 51) is performed upstream of the temperature rise area A2a, and the sterilization process using ultraviolet light having a high sterilizing effect on spore-forming bacteria (by the downstream sterilization means 52) is performed downstream of the temperature rise area A2a, so that both mold and spore-forming bacteria can be appropriately sterilized while preventing recontamination in the oven area A2 without maintaining a clean environment in the oven area A2. That is, mold is weak to heat, and spore-forming bacteria are resistant to heat. Therefore, by performing sterilization of spore-forming bacteria that may be contaminated in the oven area A2 downstream of the oven area A2 (temperature rise area A2a), and performing sterilization of mold that is unlikely to be contaminated in the oven area A2 upstream of the oven area A2 (temperature rise area A2a), recontamination in the oven area A2 can be prevented without maintaining a clean environment in the oven area A2, and the preform P that has been appropriately sterilized for both mold and spore-forming bacteria can be sent to the blow molding turret 22. In addition, regarding the sterilization method performed upstream of the oven area A2 (heating area A2a), a method is selected in which hot water mist or steam is sprayed onto the inner surface of the mouth part P2 to sterilize mold. This makes it possible to sterilize not only spore-forming bacteria but also mold before aseptic blow molding without leaving any chemicals (hydrogen peroxide) remaining in the preform P, making it possible to produce all kinds of beverages, including mineral water.

[0057] Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above in detail, the present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiments, and various design modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention described in the claims. In addition, the configurations of the above-mentioned embodiments and the modified examples described below may be arbitrarily combined to configure the aseptic filling system 10 (aseptic molding device 20).

[0058] For example, the specific embodiment of the sterilization mechanism 50 (sterilization process by the sterilization mechanism 50) is not limited to the above, and any embodiment may be used as long as it is equipped with downstream sterilization means 52 configured to irradiate sterilizing light including ultraviolet light to at least the inner surface of the preform P. For example, the upstream sterilization means 51 does not need to be provided, and various processing devices such as a dust remover for removing dust and an electron beam irradiator may be additionally installed at any desired location.

[0059] In addition, in the above-described embodiment, the upstream sterilization means 51 has been described as sterilizing the preform P by supplying a sterilizing fluid, but the upstream sterilization means 51 may also be configured to sterilize the preform P by a means other than supplying a sterilizing fluid.

[0060] Further, while FIG. 4 shows one example of the arrangement of light irradiator 52a, the arrangement of light irradiator 52a when irradiating sterilizing light is not limited to that shown in FIG. 4, and any arrangement may be used, such as inserting a light source into preform P and irradiating sterilizing light from the inside of preform P. Similarly, the light irradiator 52b may be disposed in any manner as long as it is capable of irradiating the outer surface of the preform P with sterilizing light.

[0061] Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the sterilization means by supplying a sterilizing fluid (upstream sterilization means 51) is arranged upstream of the temperature rising area A2a, and the sterilization means by irradiating sterilizing light (downstream sterilization means 52) is arranged downstream of the temperature rising area A2a. However, both the sterilization means by supplying a sterilizing fluid and the sterilization means by irradiating sterilizing light may be arranged downstream of the temperature rising area A2a. In other words, the downstream sterilization means 52 may comprise a first sterilization section (configured similarly to the downstream sterilization means 52 described in the above embodiment) that sterilizes at least the inner surface of the preform P by irradiating it with sterilizing light including ultraviolet light, and a second sterilization section (configured similarly to the upstream sterilization means 51 described in the above embodiment except for the installation location) that sterilizes at least the inner surface of the preform P by supplying a sterilizing fluid. Regarding the sterilization ability (D) of the sterilization processing mechanism 50 in this modified example, for at least the sterilization of the inner surface of the preform P (in this embodiment, for the sterilization of the entire outer surface including the inner and outer surfaces of the preform P), the sterilization ability (D) of mold by the second sterilization unit is set higher than the sterilization ability (D) of mold by the first sterilization unit, and it is preferable to set it so that sterilization of mold in the container is completed by sterilization by the second sterilization unit and sterilization by the first sterilization unit, and also, it is preferable to set it so that sterilization of spore-forming bacteria by the first sterilization unit is set to be equal to or higher than the sterilization ability (D) of spore-forming bacteria by the second sterilization unit and sterilization of spore-forming bacteria by the second sterilization unit and sterilization of the container is completed by sterilization by the second sterilization unit and sterilization by the first sterilization unit. Furthermore, in this modified example, the relative positions of the irradiators in the first sterilization section and the sterilizers in the second sterilization section may be any. For example, from the upstream side, a sterilizer that sterilizes the outer surface of the preform P in the second sterilization section (a sterilizer configured similarly to the sterilizer 51b in the above-described embodiment), a sterilizer that sterilizes the inner surface of the preform P in the second sterilization section (a sterilizer configured similarly to the sterilizer 51a in the above-described embodiment), a light irradiator that sterilizes the outer surface of the preform P in the first sterilization section (a sterilizer configured similarly to the light irradiator 52b in the above-described embodiment), a light irradiator that sterilizes the inner surface of the preform P in the first sterilization section (a light irradiator configured similarly to the light irradiator 52b in the above-described embodiment), The sterilizers may be arranged in the order of a sterilizer that sterilizes the outer surface of the preform P in the second sterilization section (a sterilizer configured similarly to sterilizer 51b in the embodiment described above), a light irradiator that sterilizes the outer surface of the preform P in the first sterilization section (a sterilizer configured similarly to light irradiator 52b in the embodiment described above), a sterilizer that sterilizes the inner surface of the preform P in the second sterilization section (a sterilizer configured similarly to sterilizer 51a in the embodiment described above), and a light irradiator that sterilizes the inner surface of the preform P in the first sterilization section (a sterilizer configured similarly to light irradiator 52a in the embodiment described above). It should be noted that the configuration of the first sterilization section in this modified example is similar to that of the downstream sterilization means 52 described in the above-mentioned embodiment, and therefore a detailed description thereof will be omitted. Furthermore, the configuration of the second sterilization section in this modified example is similar to that of the upstream sterilization means 51 described in the above-mentioned embodiment, and therefore a detailed description thereof will be omitted. [Explanation of symbols]

[0062] 10. Aseptic filling system 20... Aseptic molding equipment 21 Entrance 22 Blow Molding Turret 30 Oven mechanism 31 Oven chamber 32 Heating heater 40 Preform transport mechanism 41 Turret 42 ...Conveyor 43 Turret 50 Sterilization mechanism 51 ... Upstream sterilization means 51a Sterilization unit 51b Sterilization unit 52 ... Downstream sterilization means 52a... Light irradiator 52b... Light irradiator 60... Filling equipment 61 Filling section 62 Capping section P ··· Preform P1: Body of the preform P2: Mouth of preform A1: Pre-oven area A2 Oven area A2a: Heating area A3: Transfer area A4: Molding area

Claims

1. An aseptic molding apparatus for aseptically molding a sterilized container that has been subjected to a sterilization treatment, A blow molding turret, an oven mechanism for heating the preform to a molding temperature in a heating area set upstream of the blow molding turret, and a sterilization mechanism, The sterilization mechanism is configured to complete sterilization of the container only by sterilization at the preform stage before the container is molded by aseptic blow molding, The sterilization mechanism includes a downstream sterilization means for sterilizing the preform downstream of the heating area, The aseptic molding apparatus, wherein the downstream sterilization means is configured to irradiate at least the inner surface of the preform with sterilizing light including ultraviolet light.

2. 2. The aseptic molding apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the downstream sterilization means is configured to irradiate an outer surface of the preform with sterilizing light including ultraviolet light.

3. 2. The aseptic molding apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the sterilization mechanism further comprises an upstream sterilization means for sterilizing the preform upstream of the temperature raising area.

4. The aseptic molding apparatus according to claim 3, characterized in that the sterilization ability of the upstream sterilization means against mold is set to be higher than the sterilization ability of the downstream sterilization means against mold, and that sterilization of the container against mold is completed by sterilization by the upstream sterilization means and sterilization by the downstream sterilization means.

5. The aseptic molding apparatus according to claim 3, characterized in that the sterilization ability of the downstream sterilization means against spore-forming bacteria is set to be equal to or greater than the sterilization ability of the upstream sterilization means against spore-forming bacteria, and that sterilization of the container against spore-forming bacteria is completed by sterilization by the upstream sterilization means and sterilization by the downstream sterilization means.

6. 4. The aseptic molding apparatus of claim 3, wherein the upstream sterilization means is configured to supply a sterilizing fluid containing hydrogen peroxide or peracetic acid to the preform.

7. 4. The aseptic molding apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the upstream sterilization means is configured to supply hot water or steam to the preform, or to supply water to the preform and then perform a heat treatment.

8. 4. The aseptic molding apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the upstream sterilization means is configured to supply sterilizing fluid at a temperature higher than a surface temperature of the area to be sterilized of the preform to which the sterilizing fluid has been supplied so that the surface temperature of the area to be sterilized becomes 55°C or higher, or to supply sterilizing fluid to the area to be sterilized and then perform a heat treatment.

9. 4. The aseptic molding apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the upstream sterilization means is configured to spray a sterilizing fluid onto the inner surface of the mouth of the preform from a spray nozzle arranged so that the central axis of the spray outlet is oblique to the axis of the preform.

10. The upstream sterilization means is configured to supply a sterilizing agent to at least an inner surface of a body of the preform; 4. The aseptic molding apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the downstream sterilization means is configured to irradiate at least the inner surface of the body of the preform with sterilizing light having an integrated light amount sufficient to decompose the sterilizing agent.

11. the upstream sterilization means is configured to supply a sterilization fluid containing hydrogen peroxide to an inner surface of a body portion of the preform; The amount of hydrogen peroxide adhered to the inner surface of the body of the preform at the center position in the preform height direction at the time when the downstream sterilization means starts irradiating the sterilizing light is A (mg / cm ２ ), and the integrated light amount of the sterilizing light at the center position in the height direction of the preform on the inner surface of the body of the preform is defined as B (mJ / cm ２ ) 11. The aseptic molding apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the downstream sterilization means is configured to irradiate the sterilizing light so that B / A is 380 or more.

12. A heating heater that performs a heating process on the preform is installed in the heating area, The heating heater is installed so as to be positioned at a side position of a body portion of the preform, not at a side position of a mouth portion of the preform, during the heating process; 2. The aseptic molding apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the downstream sterilization means is configured to irradiate the sterilizing light so that an integrated light amount of the sterilizing light at a central position in the preform height direction on the inner surface of the mouth of the preform is higher than an integrated light amount of the sterilizing light at a central position in the preform height direction on the inner surface of the body of the preform.

13. 13. The aseptic molding apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the downstream sterilization means is configured to irradiate the sterilizing light so that an integrated light amount of the sterilizing light at a central position in the preform height direction on the inner surface of the mouth of the preform is at least twice as large as an integrated light amount of the sterilizing light at a central position in the preform height direction on the inner surface of the body of the preform.

14. The downstream sterilization means includes a first sterilization unit that sterilizes at least the inner surface of the preform by irradiating the inner surface with sterilizing light including ultraviolet light, and a second sterilization unit that sterilizes at least the inner surface of the preform by supplying a sterilizing fluid, The aseptic molding apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the sterilization ability of the second sterilization unit against mold is set to be higher than the sterilization ability of the first sterilization unit, and that sterilization of the container against mold is completed by sterilization by the second sterilization unit and sterilization by the first sterilization unit.

15. The downstream sterilization means includes a first sterilization unit that sterilizes at least the inner surface of the preform by irradiating the inner surface with sterilizing light including ultraviolet light, and a second sterilization unit that sterilizes at least the inner surface of the preform by supplying a sterilizing fluid, The aseptic molding apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the sterilization ability of the first sterilization unit against spore-forming bacteria is set to be equal to or greater than the sterilization ability of the second sterilization unit against spore-forming bacteria, and that sterilization of the container against spore-forming bacteria is completed by sterilization by the second sterilization unit and sterilization by the first sterilization unit.

16. A method for aseptically molding a sterilized container that has been subjected to a sterilization treatment, comprising the steps of: The sterilization treatment is completed by only the preform sterilization treatment at the preform stage before the container is molded by aseptic blow molding, The preform sterilization process includes a downstream sterilization process in which the preform is sterilized downstream of the temperature rise area, The aseptic molding method is characterized in that in the downstream sterilization treatment, at least the inner surface of the preform is irradiated with sterilizing light including ultraviolet light.

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