Content filling system and content filling method

Abstract

To compactly configure the entirety of a content filling system.SOLUTION: A sterilizing agent is sprayed from a first sterilizing part 193A onto a container 10 molded by a blow molding machine 112, and a label 40 is affixed to the outer periphery of the container 10 at a label-affixing part 210. The sterilizing agent is sprayed from a second sterilizing part 193 onto the container 10 to which the label 40 is affixed.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 10A

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a content filling system and a content filling method. [Background technology]

[0002] 2. Description of the Related Art Recently, containers for holding liquid contents such as food and drink have become common, and such plastic containers are filled with the liquid contents.

[0003] Such plastic containers to be filled with liquid are manufactured by inserting a preform into a mold and blow molding it, and the liquid is then filled in the container obtained by blow molding under aseptic conditions.

[0004] Meanwhile, a technique has been developed for sterilizing preforms and blow molded containers by spraying a sterilizing agent onto them.

[0005] After filling, a label indicating the content of the liquid is attached to the outer periphery of the container. However, since a label is generally attached to the outer periphery of a container after the container is filled with a liquid content under aseptic conditions, the overall structure of the aseptic content filling system becomes large. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0006] [Patent Document 1] JP 2015-116814 A [Patent Document 2] JP 2013-133130 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0007] The present disclosure has been made in consideration of these points, and aims to provide a content filling system and a content filling method that can configure the entire content filling system compactly. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] The present disclosure relates to a content filling system comprising a first sterilization unit that sterilizes at least the outer surface of a container, a label application unit that applies a label to the outer surface of the container sterilized in the first sterilization unit, a second sterilization unit that sterilizes the container to which the label has been applied in the label application unit, a content filling unit that fills contents into the container sterilized in the second sterilization unit, and a sealing unit that seals the container.

[0009] The present disclosure relates to a content filling system in which an air rinse section that blows hot air onto the container is provided between the second sterilization section and the content filling section.

[0010] The present disclosure is a content filling system in which the second sterilization section sprays a sterilant onto the inner and outer surfaces of the container.

[0011] The present disclosure relates to a content filling system, wherein the first sterilization unit, the label application unit, and the second sterilization unit are all surrounded by a first sterilization unit chamber, a label application unit chamber, and a second sterilization unit chamber, respectively, and the label application unit chamber of the label application unit is at positive pressure relative to the first sterilization unit chamber of the first sterilization unit and / or the second sterilization unit chamber of the second sterilization unit.

[0012] The present disclosure is a content filling system, wherein the label application unit includes a label supply unit that supplies strip labels, a rotary cutter that cuts the strip labels from the label supply unit to create the labels, a label transport drum that adsorbs and holds the labels created by the rotary cutter, and a star wheel that transports the container, receives the labels held by the label transport drum, and applies them to the container, and the star wheel, the label transport drum, and the rotary cutter are stored within a chamber of the label application unit.

[0013] The present disclosure is a content filling system provided with an adhesive application device that applies adhesive or glue to the labels held on the label transport drum.

[0014] The present disclosure is a content filling system, in which the label supply unit is disposed outside the label application unit chamber, and the strip label is supplied from the label supply unit into the label application unit chamber through an opening of the label application unit chamber.

[0015] The present disclosure relates to a contents filling method comprising: a first sterilization step of sterilizing at least an outer surface of a container in a first sterilization section; a label attachment step of attaching a label to the outer surface of the container sterilized in the first sterilization section in a label attachment section; a second sterilization step of sterilizing the container in a second sterilization section with the container to which the label has been attached in the label attachment section; a contents filling step of filling contents into the container sterilized in the second sterilization section by a contents filling section; and a step of sealing the container by a sealing section.

[0016] The present disclosure relates to a content filling method, in which hot air is blown onto the container by an air rinse section provided between the second sterilization section and the content filling section.

[0017] The present disclosure relates to a content filling method in which the second sterilization section sprays a sterilant onto the inner and outer surfaces of the container.

[0018] The present disclosure relates to a content filling method, wherein the first sterilization unit, the label application unit, and the second sterilization unit are all surrounded by a first sterilization unit chamber, a label application unit chamber, and a second sterilization unit chamber, each of which is partitioned, and the label application unit chamber of the label application unit is under positive pressure relative to the first sterilization unit chamber of the first sterilization unit and / or the second sterilization unit chamber of the second sterilization unit.

[0019] The present disclosure relates to a content filling method, wherein the label attachment step includes a step of supplying a strip label from a label supply unit, a step of cutting the strip label from the label supply unit with a rotary cutter to prepare the label, a step of holding the label prepared by the rotary cutter while transporting it with a label transport drum, and a step of transporting the container with a star wheel and attaching the label held by the label transport drum to the container, wherein the star wheel, the label transport drum, and the rotary cutter are stored in a chamber of the label attachment unit.

[0020] The present disclosure relates to a content filling method, in which an adhesive is applied to the labels held on the label transport drum by an adhesive application device.

[0021] The present disclosure is a content filling method, wherein the label supply unit is disposed outside the label application unit chamber, and the strip label is supplied from the label supply unit into the label application unit chamber through an opening of the label application unit chamber. Effect of the Invention

[0022] According to the present invention, a content filling system capable of sterilizing containers and attaching labels to the outer periphery of the containers can be configured in a compact manner. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0023] [Figure 1]FIG. 1 is a partial vertical sectional view showing a container used in this embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a horizontal cross-sectional view (a cross-sectional view taken along line II-II in FIG. 1) showing a container used in this embodiment. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a vertical cross-sectional view showing a preform used in this embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing the label. [Diagram 5] 5(A) to (C) are schematic diagrams showing the preform sterilization process. [Figure 6] 6(D) to (F) are schematic diagrams showing the preform sterilization process and the container molding process. [Figure 7] 7(G) to (H) are schematic diagrams showing a container sterilization process and a content filling process. [Figure 8] 8(I) to (J2) are schematic diagrams showing the container sterilization process. [Figure 9] 9(K) to (M) are schematic diagrams showing the steps of sterilizing the container, filling it with the contents, and sealing it with a cap. [Figure 10A] FIG. 10A is a schematic diagram showing a content filling system. [Figure 10B] FIG. 10B is a schematic diagram showing a label attachment portion. [Figure 10C] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a modified example of the label attachment portion. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 shows a spindle inside a heating furnace. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0024] <Embodiments of the invention> DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0025] First, an overview of the container used in the aseptic content filling system according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 1 and 2. In this specification, "upper" and "lower" refer to the upper and lower sides, respectively, of the container 10 in an upright position (Figure 1).

[0026] 1 and 2 is obtained by expanding a preform 10a by performing biaxial stretch blow molding on the preform 10a using a blow molding die 104, as described below. A content liquid (also called a content) L is filled into the container 10, and a container 10A containing the content liquid is obtained.

[0027] Such a container 10 is made of a plastic material.

[0028] The container 10 has a mouth 11, a neck 13 provided below the mouth 11, a shoulder 12 provided below the neck 13, a body 20 provided below the shoulder 12, and a bottom 30 provided below the body 20.

[0029] A label 40 indicating the characteristics of the liquid contained therein is attached to the body 20 of the container 10. As shown in Fig. 4, the label 40 has a label body 40a and a print layer 40b located on the container 10 side, of which the label body 40a has a multi-layer structure including, for example, a plastic layer or a paper layer, or a single-layer structure. An adhesive 40c is applied to the print layer 40b.

[0030] Next, a detailed description will be given of the container 10. The container 10 has the mouth portion 11, the neck portion 13, the shoulder portion 12, the body portion 20, and the bottom portion 30 as described above.

[0031] Of these, the mouth portion 11 has a threaded portion 14 that is screwed into the cap 103 (see FIG. 9(M)), and a support portion 17 provided below the threaded portion 14. The shape of the mouth portion 11 may be a conventionally known shape.

[0032] Neck 13 is located between support 17 and shoulder 12, and has a generally cylindrical shape with a generally uniform diameter. Shoulder 12 is located between neck 13 and body 20, and has a shape whose diameter gradually increases from the neck 13 side toward the body 20 side.

[0033] Furthermore, the body 20 has a cylindrical shape with a generally uniform diameter as a whole. However, this is not limited thereto, and the body 20 may have a polygonal cylindrical shape such as a rectangular cylindrical shape or an octagonal cylindrical shape. Alternatively, the body 20 may have a cylindrical shape with a non-uniform horizontal cross section from top to bottom. In the present embodiment, the body 20 has a generally flat surface without any irregularities, but this is not limited thereto. For example, the body 20 may have irregularities such as panels or grooves.

[0034] On the other hand, the bottom 30 has a recess 31 located in the center and a grounding portion 32 provided around the recess 31. The shape of the bottom 30 is not particularly limited, and may have a conventionally known bottom shape (for example, a petaloid bottom shape or a round bottom shape). A gate portion 35 is formed in the center of the bottom 30, which serves as a path for filling a resin into a mold when producing the preform (including the parison) 10a by injection molding. The gate portion 35 has a thickness of at least about 0.5 to 5.0 mm.

[0035] The thickness of the container 10 at the body 20 can be thinned to, for example, about 50 μm to 250 μm, but is not limited thereto. Furthermore, the weight of the container 10 can be, for example, 10 g to 30 g for a 500 ml bottle, but is not limited thereto. By thinning the wall thickness of the container 10 in this way, the weight of the container 10 can be reduced.

[0036] Such a container 10 can be produced by biaxially stretching and blow molding a preform 10a (described later) produced by injection molding a synthetic resin material. Note that it is preferable to use a thermoplastic resin, particularly PE (polyethylene), PP (polypropylene), PET (polyethylene terephthalate), PEN (polyethylene naphthalate), or PC (polycarbonate), as the material for the preform 10a, i.e., the container 10. The above-mentioned various resins may also be blended. Furthermore, a vapor deposition film such as a diamond-like carbon film or a silicon oxide thin film may be formed on the inner surface of the container 10 in order to improve the barrier properties of the container.

[0037] The container 10 can also be formed as a multi-layered bottle having two or more layers. That is, by extrusion molding or injection molding, a preform 10a having three or more layers is extruded and then blow-molded to form a multi-layered bottle having gas barrier properties and light-shielding properties, with the intermediate layer being a resin having gas barrier properties and light-shielding properties (intermediate layer) such as MXD6, MXD6+fatty acid salt, PGA (polyglycolic acid), EVOH (ethylene vinyl alcohol copolymer), or PEN (polyethylene naphthalate). Note that the intermediate layer may be a resin obtained by blending the various resins described above.

[0038] Alternatively, a foamed preform having a foam cell diameter of 0.5 to 100 μm may be formed by mixing an inert gas (nitrogen gas, argon gas) with a melt of a thermoplastic resin, and the foamed preform may be blow molded to produce the container 10. Since such a container 10 has foamed cells built in, the light blocking property of the entire container 10 can be improved.

[0039] Such a container 10 may be, for example, a bottle having a full capacity of 150 ml to 1500 ml.

[0040] As described above, the label 40 is attached to the body 20 of the container 10, and has a film-made label body 40a that indicates the characteristics of the liquid content filled in the container 10, and a print layer 40b provided on one side of the label body 40a, and an adhesive 40c such as hot melt is applied onto the print layer 40b. The label 40 is attached to the body 20 of the container 10 via the adhesive 40c. The adhesive 40c is applied to the label 40 from an adhesive application device 212A described later. However, the label 40 may be a heat-sensitive label, a shrink label, a stretch label, a stretch shrink label, or a tag label arranged on the outer periphery of the body 20 of the container 10. The thickness of the label 40 is 5 μm to 150 μm, and preferably 10 μm to 80 μm. The resin forming the label 40 is a polyolefin-based resin (polyethylene-based resin, polypropylene-based resin, etc.), a polyester-based resin, a polystyrene-based resin, a polyvinyl chloride resin, a polyamide-based resin, etc. The above resins may be used alone or in combination with two or more kinds, and the label may be a composite label containing other materials than the above resins.

[0041] The label 40 extends from the lower portion to the center of the body 20 of the container 10 and ends without reaching the lower end of the shoulder portion 12 (see FIG. 1).

[0042] Next, the configuration of the preform used in this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

[0043] As shown in FIG. 3, the preform 10a is made of a plastic material.

[0044] The preform 10a includes a mouth 11a, a body 20a connected to the mouth 11a, and a bottom 30a connected to the body 20a. The mouth 11a corresponds to the mouth 11 of the container 10 described above, and has substantially the same shape as the mouth 11. The body 20a corresponds to the neck 13, shoulder 12, and body 20 of the container 10 described above, and has a substantially cylindrical shape. The bottom 30a corresponds to the bottom 30 of the container 10 described above, and has a substantially hemispherical shape.

[0045] Next, the aseptic content filling system and aseptic content filling method according to the present disclosure will be described with reference to FIGS. 5A to 11. FIG.

[0046] As shown in Figs. 5(A) to 9(M), the preform 10a and the container 10 are subjected to a sterilization treatment, and the container 10 is filled with the content liquid L to obtain a container 10A containing the content liquid.

[0047] First, the preform 10a shown in FIG. 5(A) is continuously transported at a desired speed, and the sterilizing gas G or mist, or a mixture thereof, is sprayed onto and adsorbed onto the inner and outer surfaces of the traveling preform 10a.

[0048] In this embodiment, hydrogen peroxide is used as the disinfectant, but other disinfectants may also be used.

[0049] In this case, as shown in FIG. 5(A), hydrogen peroxide gas G, which is a sterilant, is sprayed from a sterilant supply nozzle 106 onto the preform 10a.

[0050] This hydrogen peroxide gas G splits into two flows within sterilant supply nozzle 106, one of which is sprayed from nozzle main pipe 106a toward the inside of preform 10a, and the other is sprayed from nozzle branch pipe 106b toward the outer surface of preform 10a. After leaving sterilant supply nozzle 106, hydrogen peroxide gas G flows into the inside of preform 10a or comes into contact with the outer surface of preform 10a either as a gas or as a mist, or as a mixture thereof.

[0051] In addition, the flow of gas G sprayed toward the inside of preform 10a is surrounded by umbrella-shaped member 130. Gas G or mist that has flowed into preform 10a flows out from mouth 2a of preform 10a, and this flow of gas G collides with umbrella-shaped member 130, is guided by the inner surface of umbrella-shaped member 130, changes direction and flows toward the outer surface of preform 10a, and comes into contact with the outer surface of preform 10a.

[0052] In this case, the gas G, mist, or mixture thereof containing hydrogen peroxide as a sterilizing agent contacts and adheres to the inner and outer surfaces of the preform 10a, thereby sterilizing or damaging the microorganisms attached to the surface of the preform 10a. As the sterilizing agent, in addition to hydrogen peroxide, ozone water, a peracetic acid component, or a chlorine component may be used. Anything that can inactivate bacteria is acceptable.

[0053] Incidentally, immediately before blowing the gas G onto the preform 10a shown in FIG. 5(A), the preform 10a may be preheated by blowing hot air onto the preform 10a, for example.

[0054] Further, although the example in which the sterilizing gas G is sprayed onto both the inner and outer surfaces of the preform 10a has been shown, the sterilizing gas G may be sprayed onto only the inner surface of the preform 10a.

[0055] Next, hot air P is supplied into the inside of the preform 10a from an opening 180a of a nozzle body 180b using an air nozzle 180 having a nozzle body 180b (FIG. 5(B)).

[0056] By blowing the hot air P, the hydrogen peroxide attached to the inner surface of the preform 10a is activated by the heat of the hot air P, thereby sterilizing microorganisms within the preform 10a. In addition, the hydrogen peroxide attached to the inner surface of the preform 10a is quickly removed from the surface of the preform 10a by blowing the hot air P. As described below, the sterilizing agent supply nozzle 106 and the air nozzle 180 are both disposed within the chamber 141a (see FIG. 10A).

[0057] As shown in Fig. 5(C), the sterilized preform 10a is heated by an infrared heater 118a or other heating means to a temperature suitable for the subsequent blow molding. This temperature is about 90°C to 130°C. To prevent deformation, etc., the mouth portion 11a of the preform 10a passes through a position that does not directly face the infrared heater 118a so that the heat from the infrared heater 118a is not transmitted thereto.

[0058] 5(C), when the preform 10a is heated, the preform 10a is supported by a spindle 143. Now, the state in which the preform 10a is supported by the spindle 143 will be described in detail with reference to FIG.

[0059] 11, a plurality of ball-shaped elastic bodies 143b are embedded in the lower part of the spindle 143. Also, an umbrella-shaped member 143a may be attached to the outside of the spindle 143 as required. Here, FIG. 11 is a view showing the spindle 143 of the heating furnace 133.

[0060] When the lower part of the spindle 143 is inserted into the mouth part 11a of the preform 10a, the preform 10a is supported by the spindle 143 due to elastic deformation of the elastic body 143b. When the umbrella-shaped member 143a is provided, the mouth part 11a of the preform 10a is simultaneously covered by the umbrella-shaped member 143a.

[0061] As shown in Fig. 11, when the umbrella-shaped member 143a is provided, a gap is formed between the inner surface of the mouth 11a of the preform 10a and the lower part of the spindle 143 and between the outer surface of the mouth 11a of the preform 10a and the umbrella-shaped member 143a, so that the air in the preform 10a heated by the heat from the infrared heater 118a becomes hot air and flows through the gap from the inside of the preform 10a to the outside of the preform 10a, heating the mouth 11a of the preform 10a during that time. At the same time, the body 20a of the preform 10a is heated by the heat from the infrared heater 118a, and the heat from the body 20a is transferred to the mouth 11a. In this way, the mouth 11a is heated by the heat from the body 20a being transferred to the mouth 11a, and the hydrogen peroxide attached to the inner and outer surfaces of the mouth 11a is activated, and the microorganisms present on the inner and outer surfaces of the mouth 11a are sterilized. In addition, in this embodiment, compared to the hot air inside the preform 10a heating the mouth portion 11a, the mouth portion 11 can be heated more effectively by heat transferred from the body portion 20a to the mouth portion 11a, and this makes it possible to effectively raise the temperature of the mouth portion 11a.

[0062] The mouth 11a of the preform 10a is designed not to be deformed by heat applied at the preform 10a stage so that the sealing ability of the container 10 is not compromised when the container 10 is later sealed with the cap 103.

[0063] The hot air flowing through the gap heats the mouth portion 11a, but only to a temperature of about 70° C. or less, which is not enough to cause deformation of the mouth portion 11a. By heating the mouth portion 11a in this manner, the small amount of hydrogen peroxide remaining in the preform 10a is activated, and the mouth portion 11a is appropriately sterilized.

[0064] In order to improve the sterilization of mouth 11a, in addition to the hot air wrapped around by umbrella-shaped member 143a, mouth 11a may be irradiated with an ultraviolet lamp, a pulse beam, or the like for sterilization. In this case, the ultraviolet lamp or the pulse beam may be provided in front of sterilant supply nozzle 106 or behind infrared heater 118a, or may be provided both in front of sterilant supply nozzle 106 and behind infrared heater 118a.

[0065] During the heating, the preform 10a is suspended in an upright position by inserting the spindle 143 into the mouth portion 11a, and is preferably conveyed while rotating about its axis together with the spindle 143. As a result, the preform 10a is uniformly heated to about 90°C to 130°C by the infrared heater 118a, except for the mouth portion 11a.

[0066] It is also possible to transport the preform 10a in an upside-down state.

[0067] During this time, the preform 10a is heated by the infrared heater 118a, and the hydrogen peroxide remaining on the outer surface of the preform 10a is also activated, so that the outer surface of the preform 10a can be appropriately sterilized by the activated hydrogen peroxide.

[0068] The heated preform 10a is released from the spindle 143, as shown in Fig. 6(D), and transferred to the gripper 132, where it is conveyed to the mold 104, which is a blow mold constituting the blow molding machine 112 shown in Fig. 6(E), while being sprayed with sterile air Q from the mouth portion 11a side. By spraying this sterile air Q, the preform 10a is supplied to the mold 104 while maintaining its sterility.

[0069] The above-mentioned sterile air Q may be hot air. By blowing the hot air, a decrease in temperature of the preform 10a is prevented.

[0070] As shown in FIG. 6(D), at the location where the preform 10a heads toward the mold 104 after the heating of the preform 10a, a cover 186 is provided in a tunnel shape to surround the path of the preform 10a. The tunnel-shaped cover 186 has a ceiling portion 186A that covers the mouth portion 11a of the preform 10a from above, and the ceiling portion 186A is formed in a roof shape having an inclined surface 186B. The ceiling portion 186A is provided with nozzles 186a in the form of a row of pipes or slits that blow out the sterile air Q toward the mouth portion 11a of the preform 10a. As described later, the mold 104 and the cover 186 are both disposed in the chamber 141b (see FIG. 10A). As a result, the sterile air Q is efficiently supplied to the preform 10a, and the preform 10a travels in the chamber 141b while maintaining its sterility. Furthermore, by not providing tunnel-shaped cover 186 and making chamber 141b housing blow molding machine 112 class 100,000 or less, preferably class 10,000 or less, bacterial contamination can be reduced.

[0071] The preform 10a, which is transported while maintaining its sterility by spraying the sterile air Q thereon, is placed in a metal mold 104, as shown in FIG. 6(E).

[0072] The metal mold 104 is in a clamped state while continuously traveling at the same speed as the traveling speed of the preform 10a, and after the preform 10a is blow molded in the metal mold 104, the metal mold is opened.

[0073] As described above, the entire preform 10a except for its mouth portion 11a is uniformly heated to a temperature range suitable for molding in the heating step shown in Fig. 5(C). Therefore, as shown in Fig. 6(E), when the heated preform 10a is placed in a mold 104 and a stretch rod 105 is inserted into the preform 10a, the preform 10a is stretched in its length direction within the mold 104.

[0074] Next, for example, sterile air for primary blowing and sterile air for secondary blowing are sequentially blown into the preform 10a from a blow nozzle not shown, causing the preform 10a to expand within the cavity 104c of the mold 104 to the molded container (plastic bottle) 10.

[0075] When the container 10 is thus formed within the metal mold 104, the metal mold 104 continues to move and opens, and the completed container 10 is taken out from the metal mold 104 (container forming process).

[0076] After container 10 is removed outward from mold 104, it is transported while sterile air Q is sprayed onto it from the mouth 11 side as shown in Fig. 6(F) until it reaches the hydrogen peroxide supplying step shown in Fig. 7(G). By spraying this sterile air Q, container 10 is sent directly below hydrogen peroxide sterilant supplying nozzle 193A while minimizing contamination by microorganisms.

[0077] 6(F) is preferably hot air. Blowing hot air prevents the temperature of the container 10 from dropping, improving the sterilization effect of the next hydrogen peroxide.

[0078] As shown in FIG. 6(F), a cover 187 is provided in a tunnel shape to surround the travel path of the container 10 at the location where the container 10 moves to the next sterilizing agent supply nozzle 193A (see FIG. 7(G)). This tunnel-shaped cover 187 has a ceiling portion 187A that covers the mouth 11 of the container 10 from above, and this ceiling portion 187A is formed in a roof shape having an inclined surface 187B. In addition, nozzles 187a that blow out sterile air Q toward the mouth 11 of the container 10 or toward the travel path are provided in a pipe row or slit shape on the ceiling portion 187A. This allows the sterile air Q to be efficiently supplied to the container 10. As shown in FIG. 10A, an inspection device 135 that inspects the appearance of the molded container 10 is provided adjacent to the cover 187. This inspection device 135 is disposed in the chamber 141b, and the cover 187 extends from the chamber 141b into the chamber 141c1. In this way, the container 10 travels in chambers 141b and 141c1 described below while minimizing bacterial contamination of the container 10 after sterilization (see FIG. 10A). Also, the chamber 141b housing the blow molding machine 112 may be made class 100,000 or less, preferably 10,000 or less, without providing the tunnel-shaped cover 187, to reduce bacterial contamination.

[0079] Next, as shown in FIG. 7(G1), hydrogen peroxide, a sterilizing agent, is supplied to the container 10 after the sterile air Q has been sprayed thereon, so that at least the outer surface of the container 10 is sterilized.

[0080] Specifically, hydrogen peroxide mist M or gas G, or a mixture thereof, is sprayed from sterilant supply nozzle 193A (first sterilization section) onto the outer and inner surfaces of container 10 held by gripper 132 during transport, including at least the portion to which label 40 is affixed (first sterilization step). Sterilant supply nozzle 193A is disposed to face mouth 11 of container 10. Hydrogen peroxide mist M or gas G, or a mixture thereof, flows down from the tip of sterilant supply nozzle 193A and contacts the outer and inner surfaces of container 10 (see FIG. 7(G1)). After leaving sterilant supply nozzle 193A, hydrogen peroxide gas G contacts the outer and inner surfaces of container 10 as a gas or as a mist, or as a mixture thereof. When gas G, mist, or a mixture thereof containing hydrogen peroxide component, which is a sterilant, contacts and adheres to the outer and inner surfaces of container 10, microorganisms attached to the outer surface of container 10 are sterilized or damaged. As the sterilant, a sterilant containing a peracetic acid component may be used in addition to hydrogen peroxide. Note that, like the sterilant supply nozzle 106 shown in FIG. 5(A), the sterilant supply nozzle 193A may be branched into two, and the sterilant may be sprayed not only on the outer surface of the container 10 but also on the inner surface.

[0081] In addition, a tunnel 144A is formed at the travelling point of the container 10, and the hydrogen peroxide mist M or gas G, or a mixture thereof, ejected from the sterilant supply nozzle 193A flows down along the outer surface of the container 10 and then remains within the tunnel 144A, thereby effectively adhering to the outer surface of the container 10.

[0082] The hydrogen peroxide mist M or gas G can be generated, for example, by a sterilant gas generator.

[0083] The sterilizing agent supply nozzle 193A may be installed at a fixed position on the transport path of the container 10, or may be moved synchronously with the container 10.

[0084] As shown in Fig. 7(G1), hydrogen peroxide mist M or gas G, or a mixture thereof, sprayed from sterilant supply nozzle 193A contacts the inner and outer surfaces of container 10. At that time, container 10 is efficiently sterilized because it is maintained at a predetermined temperature by the residual heat applied to container 10 at the stage of preform 10a and the heat applied to container 10 at the stage of Fig. 6(F).

[0085] When the preform 10a is made of PET, the predetermined temperature is preferably 40° C. to 80° C., and more preferably 50° C. to 75° C. If the temperature is lower than 40° C., the sterilizing effect decreases. If the temperature is higher than 80° C., the container 10 shrinks after molding.

[0086] Instead of spraying the hydrogen peroxide mist M or gas G, or a mixture thereof, on both the outer and inner surfaces of the container 10 as shown in FIG. 7(G1), the hydrogen peroxide mist M or gas G, or a mixture thereof, may be sprayed only on the outer surface of the container 10 from the sterilant supply nozzle 193A as shown in FIG. 7(G2). Specifically, the sterilant supply nozzle 193A may be extended along the body 20 and the bottom 30 of the container 10 in the tunnel 144A, and the hydrogen peroxide mist M or gas G, or a mixture thereof may be sprayed horizontally from the sterilant supply nozzle 193A on the outer surface of the body 20. The hydrogen peroxide mist M or gas G, or a mixture thereof may be sprayed upward from the sterilant supply nozzle 193A on the outer surface of the bottom 30. When the liquid content is mineral water, the sterilant may be replaced with water and water vapor may be sprayed on the container 10. The preform 10a may be transported to the heating furnace 133 without spraying the hot air P.

[0087] The first sterilization step by this sterilizing agent supply nozzle 193A (first sterilization section) may be performed only on the outer surface of the container 10 to which the label 40 is attached, as described above.

[0088] Next, as shown in FIG. 7(H), the container 10, whose inner and outer surfaces have been sprayed with hydrogen peroxide mist M or gas G, or a mixture thereof, is sent to the label application section 210, where a label 40 is applied to the region of the body 20 of the container 10 extending from the lower portion through the center to below the shoulder portion 12 (label application process).

[0089] In this manner, the label 40 is not affixed to the entire area of ​​the body 20 of the container 10, but to about 60% of the area extending from the lower portion through the center to below the shoulder portion 12.

[0090] As described above, the label 40 includes the label body 40a and the print layer 40b provided on the label body 40a and indicating the characteristics of the content liquid filled in the container 10.

[0091] The label pasting unit 210 includes a star wheel 211 arranged in the chamber 141c3, a label transport drum 212, an adhesive applying device 212A, and a label pressing device 215. The detailed structure of the label pasting unit 210 will be described later.

[0092] Next, the container 10 with the label 40 attached thereto is sterilized by supplying hydrogen peroxide, which is a sterilizing agent, to the container 10, as shown in FIG. 8(I).

[0093] Specifically, hydrogen peroxide mist M or gas G, or a mixture thereof, is sprayed from sterilant supply nozzle 193 (second sterilization section) onto container 10 being transported and held by gripper 132 (second sterilization process). Sterilant supply nozzle 193 is disposed to face mouth 11 of container 10. Hydrogen peroxide mist M or gas G, or a mixture thereof, flows down from the tip of sterilant supply nozzle 193, enters container 10 from mouth 11 of container 10, and comes into contact with the inner surface of container 10.

[0094] In addition, a tunnel 144 is formed at the travelling point of the container 10, and the hydrogen peroxide mist M or gas G, or a mixture thereof, ejected from the sterilant supply nozzle 193 flows down along the outer surface of the container 10 and the outer surface of the label 40, and then remains within the tunnel 144, thereby effectively adhering to the outer surface of the container 10 and the outer surface of the label 40.

[0095] The hydrogen peroxide mist M or gas G can be generated, for example, by a sterilant gas generator.

[0096] The sterilizing agent supply nozzle 193 may be installed at a fixed position on the transport path of the container 10, or may be moved synchronously with the container 10.

[0097] As shown in FIG. 8(I), hydrogen peroxide mist M or gas G, or a mixture thereof, sprayed from sterilant supply nozzle 193 comes into contact with the inner and outer surfaces of container 10 and the outer surface of label 40.

[0098] After the hydrogen peroxide mist M or gas G, or a mixture thereof, is sprayed onto the container 10, the container 10 is subjected to an air rinse, as shown in Fig. 8 (J1). The air rinse is performed by blowing sterile air N into the container 10 from the nozzle 145, and the flow of this sterile air N removes foreign matter, hydrogen peroxide, etc. from within the container 10. At this time, the container 10 is held in an upright position.

[0099] Preferably, an umbrella-shaped member 184 is attached to the nozzle 145. Due to the guiding action of this umbrella-shaped member 184, the sterile air N overflows from the inside of the container 10, and then heads toward the outer surface of the container 10 to air rinse the outer surface of the container 10.

[0100] Furthermore, by supplying heated sterile air N from nozzle 145 to container 10, it is possible to activate the hydrogen peroxide supplied in the second sterilization step and remaining on the inner and outer surfaces of container 10 and on the outer surface of label 40. At the same time, it is also possible to activate the hydrogen peroxide supplied in the first sterilization step and remaining between container 10 and label 40.

[0101] In addition, instead of the air rinse step of FIG. 8(J1), an air rinse step as shown in FIG. 8(J2) may be adopted. By adopting the step of FIG. 8(J2) and blowing sterile air N into the container 10 from the downward-facing mouth 11 while the container 10 is in an inverted state, foreign matter in the container 10 can be dropped from the mouth 11 to the outside of the container 10. Alternatively, the air rinse step of FIG. 8(J1) may be followed by the step of FIG. 8(J2) without blowing in sterile air N. Also, an umbrella-shaped member 184 may be attached to the nozzle 145 shown in FIG. 8(J2). Also, dilute hydrogen peroxide gas may be added to the hot air in the air rinse step to improve the sterilization effect. Specifically, hydrogen peroxide mist or gas is added to hot air at 70°C to 170°C. Hydrogen peroxide with a gas concentration of 0.5 mg / L to 5 mg / L can be used as the hydrogen peroxide at this time.

[0102] 9(K), if necessary, in order to wash away hydrogen peroxide adhering to the container 10 and to remove foreign matter, a sterile water rinse is performed using sterile room temperature water or hot water at 15° C. to 85° C. using the nozzles 146. The flow rate per nozzle 146 is preferably 5 L / min to 15 L / min, and the cleaning and rinsing time is preferably 0.2 to 10 seconds.

[0103] As described above, since the container 10 is further sterilized with hydrogen peroxide after sterilization at the preform 10a stage, the amount of hydrogen peroxide used for the container 10 can be reduced, and therefore the hot water rinsing step after the air rinsing can be omitted.

[0104] The hydrogen peroxide mist M or gas G used in the first sterilization step shown in FIG. 7(G1) or FIG. 7(G2) and the second sterilization step shown in FIG. 8(I) is as follows.

[0105] When the amount of hydrogen peroxide used is converted into the amount of mist M, in order to sterilize the container 10, it is usually necessary to attach hydrogen peroxide in an amount of 50 μL / 500 mL bottle to 100 μL / 500 mL bottle in 35% weight conversion to the container 10. However, when the preform 10a is sterilized as in this embodiment, in the case of the first sterilization step shown in FIG. 7(G1) or FIG. 7(G2) and in the case of the second sterilization step shown in FIG. 8(I), it is possible to commercially aseptically fill the container 10 by attaching hydrogen peroxide mist M in an amount of 10 μL / 500 mL bottle to 50 μL / 500 mL bottle.

[0106] Furthermore, when the amount of hydrogen peroxide used is converted to the amount of gas G, in order to sterilize the container 10 without sterilizing the preform 10a, it was necessary to spray hydrogen peroxide gas G with a gas concentration of 5 mg / L to 10 mg / L onto the container 10. However, when preliminary sterilization involving preheating the preform 10a is performed as in this embodiment, in both the first sterilization process shown in Figure 7 (G1) or Figure 7 (G2) and the second sterilization process shown in Figure 8 (I), commercially aseptic filling is possible by spraying hydrogen peroxide gas G with a gas concentration of 1 mg / L to 5 mg / L.

[0107] After the sterile water rinse using warm water, or after the air rinse if the sterile water rinse is omitted, the liquid content L is aseptically filled into the container 10 in a sterile state from the filling nozzle 110 of the filler 139 as shown in Fig. 9(L) (content filling step). Next, as shown in Fig. 9(M), the mouth 11 is sealed with the cap 103, which is a lid, by the capper 140 to obtain the liquid-filled container 10A.

[0108] A contents filling system 1 that aseptically fills contents into a container 10 that has been sterilized using hydrogen peroxide is configured, for example, as shown in Figs. 10A and 10B.

[0109] As shown in Figures 10A and 10B, the content filling system includes a preform supplying machine 111 that sequentially supplies bottomed cylindrical preforms 10a (see Figure 5 (A1)) having a mouth 11a at a predetermined interval, a blow molding machine 112, a sterilant supplying nozzle 193 (first sterilization section) that sterilizes the molded container 10, a label application section 210 that applies a label 40 to the container 10, a sterilant supplying nozzle 193 (second sterilization section) that sterilizes the container 10 to which the label 40 has been applied, and a content filling section 113 that fills the container 10 with content liquid L and seals it with a cap 103.

[0110] This content filling system 1 is surrounded by chambers 141a, 141b, 141c1, 141c3, 141c2, 141g, 141d, 141e, and 141f in the area from the sterilant supply nozzle 106 and the blow molding machine 112 to the content filling section 113.

[0111] Moreover, the sterilizing agent supply nozzle 193 (second sterilization section) constitutes a sterilizer 188 together with the nozzle 145 that performs an air rinse and the nozzle 146 that performs a sterile water rinse.

[0112] Chamber 141a houses sterilant supply nozzle 106 that supplies sterilant to preform 10a, chamber 141b houses blow molding machine 112 and wheels 119, 121, 122 that mold container 10, chamber 141c1 houses sterilant supply nozzle 193A, chamber 141c3 houses label attachment section 210, chamber 141c2 houses sterilant supply nozzle 193, chamber 141g houses wheels 191, 192, 123, and chamber 141d houses content filling section 113. Chamber 141e houses wheels 126, 127, and chamber 141f constitutes a discharge section.

[0113] The content filling system 1 is preferably installed in a building where the cleanliness of the air is controlled, and more preferably in a room that has been made slightly positive by a medium-performance filter. By supplying air filtered by a HEPA filter to the chamber 141d that houses the content filling section 113, the positive pressure in the chamber 141d is the highest, followed by the chambers 141e and 141f, and the chambers 141d to 141f are at positive pressure. The chambers 141b and 141c3 are maintained as clean rooms. To make them clean rooms, sterile positive pressure air that has been passed through a HEPA filter is supplied to the chambers 141b and 141c3 before the manufacture of the container 10. This maintains the insides of the chambers 141b and 141c3 in a clean state, making it possible to manufacture the container 10 with a high level of sterility. In addition, sterile positive pressure air that has been passed through a HEPA filter may also be supplied to the chambers 141a, 141c1, and 141c2. At the same time, chambers 141a, 141c1, and 141c2 are strongly evacuated as described below.

[0114] Before blowing sterile positive pressure air into all the chambers 141b, 141c3, 141g, 141d, 141e, 141f, 141a, 141c1, 141c2, all the chambers 141b, 141c3, 141g, 141d, 141e, 141f, 141a, 141c1, 141c2 may be gas sterilized with hydrogen peroxide gas of 10 mg / L or less, or the outside of the chamber may be sterilized according to the SOP. In addition, for the chambers 141g, 141d, 141e, 141f where droplets of the product liquid are scattered and the sterility level is high, it is better to clean the outside of the chamber according to the COP before the SOP. In addition, the parts that come into contact with the preform 10a and the container 10 may be irradiated with a UV lamp (ultraviolet sterilization). Alternatively, the parts that come into contact with materials such as the mold 104, the stretch rod 105, and the gripper 132 may be sterilized with a chemical containing 1% ethanol or hydrogen peroxide. Of all the chambers 141b, 141c3, 141g, 141d, 141e, 141f, 141a, 141c1, and 141c2, the chamber 141a corresponding to the sterilizing agent supply nozzle 106, the chamber 141b corresponding to the blow molding machine 112, and the chamber 141c3 corresponding to the label attachment unit 210 do not necessarily need to be sterile chambers to which sterile air is supplied.

[0115] Between the preform supplying machine 111 and the content filling section 113, there are provided a preform conveying means for conveying the preform 10a on a first conveying path, a mold conveying means for conveying the mold 104 having a cavity 104c in the finished shape of the container 10 on a second conveying path connected to the first conveying path, and a container conveying means for conveying the container 10 molded by the mold 104 on a third conveying path connected to the second conveying path, while sterilizing, labeling, filling, etc. the container 10.

[0116] The first conveying path of the conveying means for preforms, the second conveying path of the conveying means for molds, and the third conveying path of the conveying means for containers are interconnected, and grippers 132 and the like are provided on these conveying paths for holding and conveying preforms 10a and containers 10.

[0117] The preform transport means includes a preform conveyor 114 on a first transport path, which sequentially supplies the preforms 10a supplied from the preform supply machine 111 at predetermined intervals. The preform transport means also includes a row of wheels 204, 205 which receive the preforms 10a from the end of the preform conveyor 114 and transport the preforms 10a, and an endless chain 118 which receives the preforms 10a and runs them.

[0118] In this case, the wheel 204 transports the preform 10a and is provided with a sterilant supply nozzle 106 for spraying a sterilant onto the inner and outer surfaces of the preform 10a (see FIG. 5(A)).

[0119] The wheel 205 transports the preform 10a and is provided with an air nozzle 180 for blowing hot air into the preform 10a.

[0120] As shown in FIG. 10A, a sterilant gas generator that generates hydrogen peroxide gas G and a sterilant supply nozzle 106 as shown in FIG. 5(A) that sprays hydrogen peroxide gas G toward preform 10a are disposed at fixed positions on the path of preform 10a on wheel 204.

[0121] In addition, an air nozzle 180 (see FIG. 5(B)) is arranged on the path of the preform 10a on the wheel 205, which discharges hot air P toward the preform 10a to activate the hydrogen peroxide attached to the inner and outer surfaces of the preform 10a and discharge it to the outside of the preform 10a. Here, in consideration of the sterility required for the product and the growth characteristics of bacteria due to the pH of the content liquid, the presence or absence of a nitrogen source, the presence or absence of carbon dioxide, etc., if there is no problem with the residual hydrogen peroxide that affects the sterilization strength required for the preform 10a and the container capacity, the preform 10a may be transported to the heating furnace 133 without spraying hot air P.

[0122] As shown in Fig. 10A, the wheel 204 is surrounded by a chamber 141a. This chamber 141a is connected to an exhaust means consisting of a filter 136 that decomposes sterilants such as hydrogen peroxide in the air in the chamber 141a, and a blower 137. This makes it possible to prevent hydrogen peroxide from flowing into the adjacent blow molding machine 112. In the first conveying path, at a location from the wheel 117 that contacts the wheel 205 to the wheel 119 that contacts the second conveying path, a heating furnace 133 that heats the preform 10a to a molding temperature is provided.

[0123] The preform 10a is heated uniformly while traveling in the heating furnace 133, and the temperature of the parts other than the mouth 11a rises to 90°C to 130°C, which is suitable for blow molding. The temperature of the mouth 11a is kept below 70°C, which is a temperature at which deformation or the like does not occur, and which does not impair the sealing performance when the cap 103 is put on.

[0124] A blow molding machine 112 is disposed around the second conveying path. The blow molding machine 112 receives the preform 10a heated in the heating furnace 133 and molds the container 10.

[0125] A tunnel-shaped cover 186 (see FIG. 6(D)) is provided above a wheel 119 located between the first conveying path of the preform conveying means and the second conveying path of the mold conveying means to cover the preforms 10a traveling around the wheel 119 from above their mouths 11a. Sterile air Q is blown into the cover 186 toward the mouths 11a of the preforms 10a. This sterile air Q may be a portion of the sterile air P supplied from a sterile air supply device.

[0126] As a result, the preform 10a is surrounded by the chamber 141b forming a clean room, and is further covered by a cover 186 that covers the sterile air Q, so that the preform 10a is directed to the blow molding machine 112 in a state where a high degree of sterility is maintained.

[0127] The blow molding machine 112 has a mold 104 arranged along a wheel 120, and the mold 104 opens when it contacts a wheel 121 which is the start of a third conveying path, and is received by a gripper 132 around the wheel 121.

[0128] The container 10 that has left the blow molding machine 112 and reached the wheel 121 is inspected for molding defects and the like by an inspection device 135 that is arranged on the outer periphery of the wheel 121 as necessary.

[0129] If the inspected container 10 fails, it is removed from the conveying path by a rejecting device (not shown), and only the containers that pass the inspection are conveyed to the wheel 122.

[0130] In the third conveying path, above the traveling path of the container 10 on the wheels 121, 122, a cover 187 (see FIG. 6(F)) is provided in a tunnel shape to cover the container 10 from above its mouth 11a. The sterile air Q blown into the cover 187 may be a portion of the sterile air P supplied from a sterile air supply device.

[0131] Further, a wheel 189 for transporting the container 10 is connected to the downstream side of the wheel 122, and the above-mentioned sterilant supply nozzle 193A is provided on this wheel 189. The wheel 189 and the sterilant supply nozzle 193A constitute the first sterilization section, and are housed in the chamber 141c1 (the sterile chamber of the first sterilization section).

[0132] And, downstream of the wheel 189 and the sterilizing agent supply nozzle 193A, there is disposed a label application section 210. This label application section 210 includes a star wheel 211, a conveying drum 212, an adhesive application device 212A, and a label pressing device 215 consisting of, for example, a brush, and this label application section 210 is disposed in a chamber 141c3 (label application section sterile chamber) interposed between the chamber 141c1 and the chamber 141c2.

[0133] Next, label application section 210 will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 10A and 10B. 10A and 10B, the label pasting section 210 includes a label supply section 230 that supplies strip-shaped labels 40A, a rotary cutter 213 that cuts the strip-shaped labels 40A from the label supply section 230 to prepare labels 40 to be pasted on containers 10, a front-stage label transport drum 214 that adsorbs and holds the labels 40 prepared by the rotary cutter 213 while transporting them, a label transport drum 212 that adsorbs and holds the labels 40 sent from the front-stage label transport drum 214 and transports the labels 40, and an adhesive applicator 212A that applies an adhesive such as hot melt to the labels 40 adsorbed and held on the label transport drum 212. Of these, the front-stage label transport drum 214 and the label transport drum 212 include adsorption mechanisms that adsorb the labels 40.

[0134] The label 40 conveyed by the conveyor drum 212 is affixed to the outer periphery of the body 20 of the container 10 conveyed by the star wheel 211 .

[0135] A holding section (not shown) that holds the container 10 rotatably is provided on the outer periphery of the star wheel 211, and the container 10 sent from the wheel 189 is held by the holding section of the star wheel 211 via the conveying wheel 223 and the entrance wheel 216. The entrance wheel 216 may be configured to appropriately change the pitch between the containers 10 so that the labels 40 do not overlap (interfere) on the conveying drum 212. If the container 10 is a multi-sided container such as a square bottle and the label attachment position needs to be adjusted, a direction control device for the container 10 may be provided between the entrance wheel 216 and the star wheel 211. The label 40 adsorbed and held by the label conveying drum 212 is delivered to the container 10 held by the holding section on the outer periphery of the star wheel 211. Thereafter, the label conveying drum 212 rotates and the holding section of the star wheel 211 rotates, so that the label 40 is wrapped around and attached to the outer periphery of the container 10 via the applied adhesive. Instead of attaching label 40 to the outer periphery of container 10 via an adhesive, a heat-sensitive label may be used and attached to the outer periphery of container 10 while heating it.

[0136] When an empty container 10 is transported at high speed, the container 10 is subject to centrifugal force. In order to accurately wrap the label 40 around the container 10, it is necessary to fix the top surface of the mouth 11 of the container 10 and / or the support part 17 to keep the container 10 horizontal. In this case, a conical or cylindrical jig may be inserted into the mouth 11, or the gate part 35 at the center of the bottom 30 of the container 10 may be pressed from below to keep the container 10 horizontal. When the empty container 10 is a thin-walled bottle, air (preferably sterile air filtered with a sterilization filter) may be supplied from the top surface of the mouth 11 of the container 10, and the label 40 may be wrapped around the container 10 in a state where the internal pressure of the container 10 is kept at a slightly positive pressure. Hydrogen peroxide gas (5 to 300 mg / L) may be added to this sterile air to sterilize the inner surface of the container 10 at the same time. When air is supplied from the mouth 11 of the container 10, a leak inspection of the container 10 may be performed at the same time. Specifically, the top surface of the mouth 11 of the container 10 may be sealed with an air supply nozzle, pressure may be applied inside the container 10 for a certain period of time, and the amount of pressure reduction (reduction rate) may be measured to check whether the container 10 has any pinholes.

[0137] Thereafter, the container 10 held by the holding portion of the star wheel 211 is sent to a label pressing device 215 , and the label 40 wrapped around the container 10 is pressed against the container 10 by the label pressing device 215 .

[0138] The label 40 wrapped around the container 10 is pressed by the label pressing device 215 and is attached accurately and reliably to the container 10. In particular, the ends of the label 40 are reliably brought into close contact with each other by the label pressing device 215.

[0139] The containers 10 with the labels 40 attached are sent to the next wheel 190 via the exit wheel 217, the connecting wheel 224, and the discharge wheel 219. The exit wheel 217, like the entrance wheel 216, may change the pitch between the containers 10 to suit the subsequent steps of sterilization, filling, and capping.

[0140] During this time, while the container 10 is on the star wheel 211 and / or the exit wheel 217, the label 40 attached to the container 10 is inspected by the inspection device 232 for its attachment state (attachment position, etc.), and containers 10 with poorly attached labels 40 are ejected from the ejection mechanism 255. The mouth 11, support portion 17, and bottom 30 of the container 10 may be inspected simultaneously by this inspection device 232.

[0141] 10A and 10B, the conveying wheel 223, the entrance wheel 216, the star wheel 211, the exit wheel 217, the connecting wheel 224, the inspection device 232, the rotary cutter 213, the front-stage label conveying drum 214, the label conveying drum 212, the adhesive application device 212A, and the conveying roller 220 are all housed in the chamber 141c3 (labeling section sterile chamber). The label supplying section 230 is disposed outside the chamber 141c3. The strip-shaped label 40A supplied from the label supplying section 230 is sent into the chamber 141c3 through the opening 231, passes through the conveying roller 220, and is cut by the rotary cutter 213 to produce the label 40.

[0142] In the third conveying path, a labeling unit 210 is provided following the wheel 189. Wheels 190, 191, 192, and 123 are connected to the labeling unit 210, and a sterilizing agent supply nozzle 193 (second sterilizing unit) (see FIG. 8(I)) and a sterile air supply nozzle 145 (see FIG. 8(J1) or (J2)) are provided in the row of the wheels 190, 191, 192, and 123.

[0143] Specifically, a plurality of sterilant supply nozzles 193 (three in FIG. 10A ) are installed at fixed positions on the path of container 10 around wheel 190. A tunnel 144 (see FIG. 8(I)) through which container 10 passes is also installed corresponding to sterilant supply nozzle 193. Mist M or gas G of hydrogen peroxide solution or a mixture thereof sprayed from sterilant supply nozzle 193 enters container 10 and adheres to the inner surface of container 10 as a thin film, and also flows along the outer surface of container 10 and the outer surface of label 40, filling tunnel 44 and adhering to the outer surfaces of container 10 and the outer surface of label 40 as a thin film.

[0144] One or more sterile air supply nozzles 145 and nozzles 146 are installed at fixed positions on the path of the container 10 around the wheel 192. The sterile air N blown out from the sterile air supply nozzle 145 comes into contact with the inner and outer surfaces of the container 10 and the outer surface of the label 40 to remove the excess hydrogen peroxide coating attached to the surface of the container 10. When the sterile air N is hot air, it activates the hydrogen peroxide attached to the inner and outer surfaces of the container 10, the outer surface of the label 40, and between the outer surface of the container 10 and the inner surface of the label 40, enhancing the sterilization effect. As a result, even if bacteria are attached to the gap between the label 40 and the container 10, sterilization can be performed reliably, and the sterility of the sterile chambers 141g, 141d, 141e, and 141f can be maintained for a long time.

[0145] In addition, a large number of sterilizing agent supply nozzles 193 and sterile air supply nozzles 145 may be arranged around each wheel 190, 192 at the same pitch as the containers 10, and hydrogen peroxide gas G and sterile air N may be blown into the container 10 while rotating synchronously with each wheel 190, 192.

[0146] In the third conveying path, at a location from wheel 124 contacting wheel 123 to wheel 127, a filler 139 (contents filling section) and a capper 140 are provided.

[0147] Specifically, a filler 139 is formed by providing a number of filling nozzles 110 (see Figure 9(L)) around the wheel 124 for filling the container 10 with the content liquid L, and a capper 140 is formed around the wheel 126 for attaching a cap 103 (see Figure 9(M)) to the container 10 filled with the content liquid L to seal it.

[0148] In the first to third conveying paths, the periphery of the wheel 204 is surrounded by a chamber 141a. The periphery of the wheel 205, the wheel 117 to the wheel 122 is surrounded by a chamber 141b. The periphery of the wheel 189 is surrounded by a chamber 141c1. The conveying wheel 223, the entrance wheel 216, the star wheel 211, the exit wheel 217, the connecting wheel 224 and the discharge wheel 219 of the label pasting section 210, the rotary cutter 213, the front label conveying drum 214, the label conveying drum 212, and the adhesive application device 212A are surrounded by a chamber 141c3. The periphery of the wheel 190 is surrounded by a chamber 141c2. The periphery of the wheel 191 to the wheel 123 is surrounded by a chamber 141g. The periphery of wheels 124 and 125 is surrounded by chamber 141d, and the periphery of the portion from wheel 125 to wheel 127 is surrounded by chamber 141e.

[0149] Of these, chamber 141c1 surrounds sterilant supply nozzle 193A (first sterilization section) and constitutes the first sterilization section chamber, while chamber 141c2 surrounds sterilant supply nozzle 193 (second sterilization section) and constitutes the second sterilization section chamber.

[0150] Furthermore, the chamber 141c3 surrounds the label application section 210 including the conveying wheel 223, the entrance wheel 216, the star wheel 211, the exit wheel 217, the connecting wheel 224, the discharge wheel 219, the rotary cutter 213, the front label conveying drum 214, the label conveying drum 212 and the adhesive application device 212A, and forms a label application section chamber.

[0151] As described above, sterile positive pressure air is supplied to the chambers 141b, 141c3, 141g, 141d, 141e, and 141f, and the chambers 141b, 141c3, 141g, 141d, 141e, and 141f are maintained in a clean state. The chambers 141a, 141c1, and 141c2 are exhausted, and the chambers 141a, 141c1, and 141c2 are maintained at -20 Pa to 5 Pa, preferably -10 Pa to 1 Pa. As a result, the chambers 141a, 141c1, and 141c2 are maintained at a lower pressure than the chambers 141b and 141c3, whose internal pressures are 0 to 10 Pa, and the chambers 141g, 141d, 141e, and 141f, whose internal pressures are 10 to 100 Pa. In particular, the chamber 141c3 is constantly supplied with sterile air purified by a HEPA filter (not shown) or the like, and is set to have a positive pressure relative to the adjacent chambers 141c1 and 141c2.

[0152] In this way, chamber 141c3 (label application section sterile chamber) surrounding label application section 210 is at a positive pressure relative to chamber 141c1 (first sterilization section sterile chamber) surrounding sterilant supply nozzle 193A and chamber 141c2 (second sterilization section sterile chamber) surrounding sterilant supply nozzle 193, so that hydrogen peroxide in chamber 141c1 or hydrogen peroxide in chamber 141c2 does not enter chamber 141c3 surrounding label application section 210. This makes it possible to prevent hydrogen peroxide from interfering with the operation of label application section 210.

[0153] In this embodiment, it is preferable that chamber 141b is at a positive pressure relative to chamber 141c1, which prevents hydrogen peroxide in chamber 141c1 from entering chamber 141b, and therefore prevents hydrogen peroxide from interfering with the blow molding process.

[0154] Sterile air purified by a HEPA filter (not shown) or the like is constantly supplied to the inside of the chamber 141b, making the chamber 141b a clean room and preventing the intrusion of microorganisms into the chamber 141b.

[0155] The inside of each of the above-mentioned chambers 141b, 141c3, 141g, 141d, 141e, 141f, 141a, 141c1, and 141c2 is sterilized, for example, by implementing COP (cleaning outside of place) and SOP (sterilizing outside of place), and then, gas or mist of the disinfectant or cleaner is exhausted from within each of the chambers 141b, 141c3, 141g, 141d, 141e, 141f, 141a, 141c1, and 141c2 to the outside by exhaust means installed in or integral with each of the chambers 141b, 141c3, 141g, 141d, 141e, 141f, 141a, 141c1, and 141c2. Then, sterile air purified by a scrubber, filter, etc. (not shown) is supplied into each of these chambers 141b, 141c3, 141g, 141d, 141e, 141f, 141a, 141c1, 141c2, thereby maintaining the sterility in each of the chambers 141b, 141c3, 141g, 141d, 141e, 141f, 141a, 141c1, 141c2. Of all the above chambers, the COP and SOP are necessarily implemented for the chambers 141g, 141d, 141e, 141f, but the COP and SOP do not necessarily need to be implemented for the chambers 141a, 141b, 141c1, 141c2, 141c3. Furthermore, among all the chambers 141b, 141c3, 141g, 141d, 141e, 141f, 141a, 141c1, and 141c2, the chambers 141a, 141b, 141c1, 141c2, and 141c3 do not necessarily have to be sterile chambers to which sterile air is supplied.

[0156] In addition, the chamber 141c1 functions as an atmosphere blocking chamber that blocks the atmosphere between the chamber 141b and the chamber 141c3. An exhaust means similar to the exhaust means described above is also connected to this chamber 141c1, and the air inside the chamber 141c1 is strongly exhausted to the outside. In addition, the chamber 141c1 is under negative pressure with respect to the chamber 141b. This makes it possible to prevent the atmosphere inside the chamber 141c3, such as the cleaning agent gas generated by the COP and SOP in the chamber 141d and the germicide mist generated in the chamber 141c2, from flowing into the chamber 141b of the blow molding machine 112 via the chamber 141c1.

[0157] The environment (chamber or product liquid line) in the container sterilization device and the sterilization strength of the contents of container 10A containing the liquid vary depending on the pH and the contents of the nitrogen source, carbon source, catechin, and the like.

[0158] Therefore, the COP and SOP contents and required areas will differ depending on the contents. In addition, sterile air supply piping and bottle sterilization may not be necessary depending on the product.

[0159] Next, the operation of the contents filling system, that is, the contents filling method will be described with reference to Figs.

[0160] First, as shown in FIG. 5(A), a preform 10 a is supplied from a preform supplying machine 111 , and this preform 10 a is sent to a wheel 204 via a preform conveyor 114 .

[0161] The preform 10a is transported by the wheel 204, during which hydrogen peroxide gas G or mist, or a mixture thereof, is supplied from the sterilant supply nozzle 106 to the inner and outer surfaces of the preform 10a.

[0162] Next, the preform 10a, whose inner and outer surfaces have been supplied with hydrogen peroxide gas G, mist, or a mixture thereof, is sent to a wheel 205. Then, while the preform 10a is being rotated and conveyed by the wheel 205, hot air P is blown onto the inside of the preform 10a from an air nozzle 180 (see FIG. 5(B)). The heat of this hot air P activates the hydrogen peroxide adhering to the inner surface of the preform 10a, and microorganisms adhering to the preform 10a are sterilized. In addition, the hot air P removes excess hydrogen peroxide from the preform 10a.

[0163] Thereafter, the preform 10 a is received by a spindle 143 (see FIG. 5(C)) on the endless chain 118 and transported into the heating furnace 133 .

[0164] In the heating furnace 133, the preform 10a is heated by the infrared heater 118a, and the entire preform 10a except for the mouth portion 11a is uniformly heated to a temperature range suitable for blow molding. During this time, the preform 10a is heated as a whole, and the hydrogen peroxide remaining on the outer surface of the preform 10a is activated, sterilizing the outer surface of the preform 10a.

[0165] The preforms 10a heated to the molding temperature in the heating furnace 133 are blown with sterile air Q while passing through the cover 186 as they travel around the wheel 119 (see FIG. 6(D)). This allows the preforms 10a to be transported to the blow molding machine 112 while maintaining their sterility. If the sterile air Q is hot air, the preforms 10a reach the blow molding machine 112 while maintaining a temperature suitable for molding.

[0166] As the preform 10a passes around the outer periphery of the wheel 120, it is inserted into the mold 104 as shown in FIG. 6(E), and is expanded into the finished container 10 within the cavity 104c by blowing in sterile high-pressure air.

[0167] After the mold 104 is opened, the molded container 10 is taken out of the mold 104 by a gripper around a wheel 121 and inspected by an inspection device 135 for molding defects and the like.

[0168] Defective containers 10 are removed from the row by a discharge device (not shown), and only non-defective containers 10 are transferred to wheel 122 and transported to wheel 189.

[0169] Furthermore, as container 10 travels from wheel 121 to wheel 122, it passes through cover 187 and is sprayed with sterile air Q (see FIG. 6(F)). This allows container 10 to be transported to wheel 189 while maintaining its sterility. If the sterile air Q is hot air, container 10 reaches wheel 189 while maintaining a temperature suitable for sterilization.

[0170] When the container 10 reaches the wheel 189, the container 10 travels around the wheel 189. During this time, a mist M of hydrogen peroxide solution or a gas G, or a mixture thereof, is sprayed from a sterilizing agent supply nozzle 193A (first sterilization section) onto at least the outer surface and further onto the inner surface of the container 10, thereby sterilizing the container 10 (see FIG. 7(G1) and FIG. 7(G2)).

[0171] The process in which the hydrogen peroxide mist M or gas G, or a mixture thereof, is sprayed from the sterilizing agent supply nozzle 193A in this manner is the first sterilization process. In this first sterilization process, the hydrogen peroxide mist M or gas G, or a mixture thereof, may be sprayed only onto the outer surface of the container 10, rather than onto both the inner and outer surfaces of the container 10.

[0172] The aqueous hydrogen peroxide solution is in the form of gas or mist that has been vaporized above the boiling point and is supplied to the container 10. The amount of hydrogen peroxide gas or mist that condenses and adheres to at least the outer surface of the container 10 is 0.01 μL / cm at 35% by mass. 2 More than 0.1μL / cm 2 The following range is preferable: The amount of hydrogen peroxide adhered is 0.01 μL / cm 2By doing so, a uniform sterilization effect can be obtained in the container 10. On the other hand, if the amount of hydrogen peroxide adhered is 0.1 μL / cm 2 If the amount of hydrogen peroxide used and the amount of exhaust air become too large, it is not economical. The amount of hydrogen peroxide condensed film on at least the outer surface of the container 10, calculated as 35% by mass, is more preferably 0.03 μL / cm 2 More than 0.07μL / cm 2 The area to be attached to the outer surface of the container 10 is preferably at least the entire area where the label is to be attached, but may be limited to an area from 0 mm to 30 mm in the vertical direction from the position where the label is not to be attached to the label.

[0173] The container 10 to which hydrogen peroxide has been supplied from the sterilant supply nozzle 193A is then sent to the labeling section 210. Note that hydrogen peroxide adhering to the outer surface of the container 10 at the point of transport to the labeling section 210 may be removed with sterile air, and in this case, the hydrogen peroxide may be activated with hot air.

[0174] The label application process performed by the label application unit 210 shown in FIGS. 10A and 10B will be described below.

[0175] As shown in FIGS. 10A and 10B, in the label application section 210, a strip-shaped label 40A is supplied from a label supply section 230, and the strip-shaped label 40A from the label supply section 230 is cut by a rotary cutter 213 to produce the labels 40.

[0176] Next, the label 40 produced by the rotary cutter 213 is sent to the label conveying drum 212 via the front-stage label conveying drum 214, and is adsorbed and held by the label conveying drum 212 for conveyance. While the label 40 is adsorbed and held by the label conveying drum 212 for conveyance, an adhesive (or glue) such as hot melt is applied to the label 40 from an adhesive application device 212A.

[0177] Thereafter, the label 40 is attracted and held by the label conveying drum 212 and coated with adhesive by the adhesive applicator 212A, and is affixed to the outer periphery of the body 20 of the container 10 being conveyed by the star wheel 211.

[0178] A holding portion (not shown) that rotatably holds the container 10 is provided on the outer periphery of the star wheel 211, and the container 10 sent by the wheel 189 passes through the conveying wheel 223 and the inlet wheel 216 and is held by the holding portion of the star wheel 211. The label 40 that is attracted and held by the label conveying drum 212 and has adhesive applied thereto by the adhesive applying device 212A is delivered to the container 10 held by the holding portion on the outer periphery of the star wheel 211. Thereafter, the label conveying drum 212 rotates, and the holding portion of the star wheel 211 rotates, whereby the label 40 is wrapped around and affixed to the outer periphery of the container 10.

[0179] Thereafter, the container 10 held by the holding portion of the star wheel 211 is sent to a label pressing device 215 , and the label 40 wrapped around the container 10 is pressed against the container 10 by the label pressing device 215 .

[0180] The label 40 wrapped around the container 10 is pressed by the label pressing device 215 and is attached accurately and reliably to the container 10. In particular, the ends of the label 40 are reliably brought into close contact with each other by the label pressing device 215.

[0181] The container 10 with the label 40 attached thereto is fed via the exit wheel 217, the coupling wheel 224 and the discharge wheel 219 to the next wheel 190.

[0182] During this time, the label 40 affixed to the container 10 is inspected by the inspection device 232 for its affixing state (affixing position, etc.), and containers 10 with poorly affixed labels 40 are discharged from the discharge mechanism 255 via the wheel 224. Note that, without inspecting the affixing state of the label 40 by the inspection device 232, the container 10 may be filled with the liquid content L by the filler 139 to prepare a liquid-containing container 10A, and the affixing state of the label 40 may be inspected at the same time as inspecting the liquid level and inspecting the cap 103 of the liquid-containing container 10A.

[0183] Next, the container 10 is sent to the wheel 190, and while the container 10 travels around the wheel 190, it is sterilized by being sprayed with a mist M of hydrogen peroxide solution, gas G, or a mixture thereof from a sterilant supply nozzle 193 as shown in Fig. 8(I). In this case, the hydrogen peroxide solution mist, gas G, or a mixture thereof is sprayed from the sterilant supply nozzle 193 (second sterilization section) onto the inner and outer surfaces of the container 10 and the outer surface of the label 40, thereby sterilizing the container 10 (second sterilization step). Next, while the container 10 travels around the wheel 192, sterile air N is sprayed onto the container 10 as shown in Fig. 8(J1) or (J2), thereby performing an air rinse.

[0184] As another embodiment, as shown in FIG. 10B, sterilant supply nozzle 193A may be installed on wheel 216, sterilant supply nozzle 193 may be installed on wheel 217, and wheel 216 and wheel 217 may be installed in sterilant spraying section chamber 141c4 (see dashed line in FIG. 10B). In this case, chamber 141c3, chamber 141c1 that houses wheel 189, and chamber 141c2 that houses wheel 190 may be integrated. Also, wheel 189 on which sterilant supply nozzle 193A is installed, wheel 223, wheel 190 on which sterilant supply nozzle 193 is installed, and wheel 191 may be removed. This allows the number of wheels to be reduced, making the entire facility more compact. In this case, the sterilant spraying chamber 141c4 is set at a negative pressure relative to the chamber 141c3 so that the sterilant in the sterilant spraying chamber 141c4 does not flow out to the star wheel 211, and the pressure difference between the sterilant spraying chamber 141c4 and the chamber 141c3 is set to 10 Pa or more. After spraying the sterilant (particularly hydrogen peroxide gas or mist, or a mixture thereof), if the sterilant condensed and attached to the outer surface of the container affects the attachment of the label, the sterilant may be vaporized with sterile hot air. A part of the area where an adhesive such as hot melt is attached to the container may be vaporized.

[0185] Thereafter, the container 10 passes through the wheel 123 and reaches the content filling section 113 in the chamber 141d.

[0186] In the content filling section 113, the container 10 is filled with a pre-sterilized content liquid (also called content) L by a filling nozzle 110 of a filler 139 (content filling section) as shown in Fig. 9(L). The container 10 filled with the content liquid L is sealed with a cap 103 by a capper (also called a sealing section) 140 arranged in a chamber 141e (see Fig. 9(M)), and is discharged to the outside from the outlet of the chamber 141f.

[0187] In this embodiment, the process of adsorbing the disinfectant to the preform 10a is carried out inline in connection with the blow molding machine, but it may be carried out offline as long as a portion of the disinfectant component can be maintained in an adsorbed state during blow molding.

[0188] As described above, according to this embodiment, a label sticking unit 210 is provided between a sterilant supply nozzle 193A (first sterilization unit) that sprays hydrogen peroxide onto container 10, and a sterilant supply nozzle 193 (second sterilization unit) that sprays hydrogen peroxide onto container 10 to which label 40 is affixed, and label 40 is affixed to body 20 of container 10 by this label sticking unit 210. By incorporating label sticking unit 210 upstream of filler 139 in this manner, the entire system can be configured more compactly than, for example, when label sticking unit 210 is provided downstream of filler 139.

[0189] That is, when the label attachment section 210 is provided downstream of the filler 139, the container 10 is already filled with the liquid content, so that the label is attached to the container 10 filled with the liquid content while being transported. Since the task of transporting the container 10 filled with the liquid content is not easy, and the task of attaching a label to the container 10 filled with the liquid content reduces the attachment accuracy, a large container buffer area may be provided in front of the label attachment section in anticipation of a breakdown in the label attachment section. In this case, the installation area of ​​the entire system becomes large. In addition, the outer surface of the filled container 10 is often covered with cleaning water. In order to avoid abnormal label attachment, it is necessary to remove water droplets from the outer surface of the container 10 with air or the like before attaching the label. In addition, since the containers 10 discharged from the filler 139 have different pitches, it is necessary to make them into a single row at the entrance of the label attachment section and adjust the pitch to an equal interval with a screw or the like. If the size and shape of the container 10 are different, the screw for adjusting the pitch must be changed each time.

[0190] In contrast, according to this embodiment, the label application section 210 is installed between the sterilant supply nozzle 193A (first sterilization section) and the sterilant supply nozzle 193 (second sterilization section), so that the label 40 can be applied with high accuracy to the container 10 before it is filled with the content liquid by the label application section 210. Also, since there is no need to provide a buffer area upstream of the label application section 210, the entire content filling system can be configured compactly.

[0191] In addition, hydrogen peroxide is sprayed onto the inner and outer surfaces of container 10 by sterilant supply nozzle 193A (first sterilization section), a label 40 is attached to the outer surface of container 10 by label attachment section 210, and then hydrogen peroxide is sprayed onto the inner and outer surfaces of container 10 and the outer surface of label 40 by sterilant supply nozzle 193 (second sterilization section).

[0192] This allows hydrogen peroxide to be sprayed onto the inner and outer surfaces of the container 10 and the outer surface of the label 40, thereby sterilizing microorganisms adhering to the inner and outer surfaces of the container 10 and the outer surface of the label 40.

[0193] Thereafter, an air rinse step is performed in which sterile air N is sprayed onto the container 10 from a nozzle 145.

[0194] In this case, by spraying heated sterile air N from nozzle 145, it is possible to activate the hydrogen peroxide sprayed by sterilant supply nozzle 193 (second sterilization section) and adhering to the inner and outer surfaces of container 10 and the outer surface of label 40. The activated hydrogen peroxide can reliably sterilize microorganisms adhering to the inner and outer surfaces of container 10 and the outer surface of label 40.

[0195] At the same time, hydrogen peroxide remaining between the outer surface of container 10 and the inner surface of label 40 can be activated by spraying it onto container 10 using sterilant supply nozzle 193A (first sterilization section), and the activated hydrogen peroxide can reliably sterilize microorganisms adhering between the outer surface of container 10 and the inner surface of label 40.

[0196] Furthermore, the sterilant supply nozzle 193A is surrounded by chamber 141c1 (first sterilization section sterile chamber), the label application section 210 is surrounded by chamber 141c3 (label application section sterile chamber), and the sterilant supply nozzle 193 is surrounded by chamber 141c2 (second sterilization section sterile chamber).

[0197] In this case, the chamber 141c3 is at a positive pressure relative to the chambers 141c1 and 141c2. Therefore, during operation of the content filling system 1, the hydrogen peroxide in the chambers 141c1 and 141c2 does not enter the chamber 141c3, and the hydrogen peroxide does not interfere with the operation of the label attachment unit 210 in the chamber 141c3.

[0198] Moreover, the chamber 141b in which the blow molding machine 112 is disposed is at a positive pressure relative to the chamber 141c1. Therefore, during the operation of the content filling system 1, hydrogen peroxide in the chamber 141c1 does not enter the chamber 141b, and hydrogen peroxide does not interfere with the operation of the blow molding machine 112 in the chamber 141d. In the present embodiment, an example is shown in which a sterilizing agent is supplied to the outer surface of the container 10 and then the label 40 is attached to the outer surface of the container 10, but this is not limiting, and the label 40 may be attached to the outer surface of the container 10 after applying a sterilizing agent to the label 40. In addition, the label 40 may be attached to the outer surface of the container 10 after sterilizing the outer surface of the container 10 with a sterilizing agent and the label 40 with a sterilizing agent. In addition, the label 40 may be attached to the outer surface of the container 10 after applying ultraviolet rays, radiation, heat, or the like to the outer surface of the container 10 and the label 40 to sterilize the outer surface of the container 10 and the label 40.

[0199] When ultraviolet sterilization is performed on the outer surface of the container 10 and the label 40 using the UV lamp 250, it is preferable to install the UV lamp 250 vertically and irradiate the label 40 to be attached and the entire surface of the container 10 (at least the surface to which the label is attached) (see FIG. 10C). The UV lamps irradiate the body of the container 10 while the container 10 is rotated by the star wheel 211, and it is preferable to install a number of UV lamps that can irradiate the entire circumference of the container 10. The UV lamp that sterilizes the surface of the label to be attached and the UV lamp that sterilizes the body of the container 10 may be the same, or they may be installed separately. In addition, sterile air may be sprayed from a fixed nozzle 252 into the container 10 on the table 251. The UV lamp 250 is used to simultaneously sterilize the label 40 and the outer surface of the container 10 with ultraviolet sterilization. Ultraviolet rays are a type of electromagnetic wave with a wavelength of 100 nm to 380 nm, and a wavelength of 100 nm to 280 nm called UV-C is particularly effective for sterilization. Furthermore, the wavelength with the greatest bactericidal effect is 253.7 nm, and it is optimal to include this wavelength. Alternatively, a low pressure mercury lamp, a high pressure mercury lamp, a xenon flash lamp, an ultraviolet LED, etc. may be used. Instead of ultraviolet light, an electron beam may be used. In the above embodiment, the container 10 to which the label 40 is affixed is sterilized by spraying a sterilizing agent, but the present invention is not limited to this. The container 10 to which the label 40 is affixed may be sterilized by irradiating it with an electron beam. [Explanation of symbols]

[0200] 1 Content filling system 10 containers 10A Container containing liquid 10a Preform 40 Label 40A Strip Label 104 Mold 106 Sterilant supply nozzle 110 Filling nozzle 111 Preform supply machine 112 Blow Molding Machine 113 Contents filling section 114 Preform Conveyor 118 Endless Chain 118a Infrared heater 119,120,121,122,123,124,125,126,127 Wheels 139 Filler 140 Capper 141a, 141b, 141c1, 141c2, 141c3, 141d, 141e, 141f, 141g chambers 143 Spindle 144 Tunnel Tunnel 144A 145 Nozzle 146 Nozzle 180 Air Nozzle 186 Cover 187 Cover 193,193A Sterilant supply nozzle 204,205 Wheels 210 Label attachment section 211 Star Wheel 212 Label transport drum 212A Adhesive application device 213 Rotary Cutter 214 Front label transport drum 215 Label pressing device 230 Label supply unit 250 UV lamp

Claims

1. In the content filling system, A first sterilization unit that sterilizes at least the outer surface of the container; A label attachment unit that attaches a label to the outer surface of the container sterilized in the first sterilization unit; A second sterilization unit that sterilizes the container to which the label is attached by the label attachment unit; A content filling section that fills the container sterilized in the second sterilization section with a content; A content filling system comprising a sealing portion that seals the container.

2. 2. The contents filling system according to claim 1, further comprising an air rinse section disposed between the second sterilization section and the contents filling section, the air rinse section blowing hot air onto the container.

3. The content filling system according to claim 1 , wherein the second sterilization section sprays a sterilant onto the inner and outer surfaces of the container.

4. The content filling system of claim 1, wherein the first sterilization section, the label attachment section, and the second sterilization section are all surrounded by a first sterilization section chamber, a label attachment section chamber, and a second sterilization section chamber, respectively, and the label attachment section chamber of the label attachment section is at a positive pressure relative to the first sterilization section chamber of the first sterilization section and / or the second sterilization section chamber of the second sterilization section.

5. The content filling system described in claim 4, wherein the label application unit includes a label supply unit that supplies strip labels, a rotary cutter that cuts the strip labels from the label supply unit to create the labels, a label transport drum that adsorbs and holds the labels created by the rotary cutter, and a star wheel that transports the container, receives the labels held by the label transport drum, and applies them to the container, and the star wheel, the label transport drum, and the rotary cutter are stored in a chamber of the label application unit.

6. 6. The content filling system according to claim 5, further comprising an adhesive applying device for applying adhesive or glue to the labels held by the label transport drum.

7. 6. The content filling system according to claim 5, wherein the label supply unit is disposed outside the label application unit chamber, and the strip label is supplied from the label supply unit into the label application unit chamber through an opening of the label application unit chamber.

8. In the content filling method, A first sterilization step of sterilizing the container in a first sterilization section on at least the outer surface of the container; a label attachment step of attaching a label to the outer surface of the container sterilized in the first sterilization section in a label attachment section; A second sterilization step of sterilizing the container to which the label has been attached in the label attachment section in a second sterilization section; A content filling step of filling the container sterilized in the second sterilization unit with a content by a content filling unit; and sealing the container with a sealing portion.

9. 9. The content filling method according to claim 8, further comprising blowing hot air onto the container by an air rinse section provided between the second sterilization section and the content filling section.

10. The content filling method according to claim 8 , wherein the second sterilization section sprays a sterilant onto the inner and outer surfaces of the container.

11. The content filling method according to claim 8, wherein the first sterilization section, the label attachment section and the second sterilization section are all surrounded by a first sterilization section chamber, a label attachment section chamber and a second sterilization section chamber, respectively, and the label attachment section chamber of the label attachment section is under positive pressure relative to the first sterilization section chamber of the first sterilization section and / or the second sterilization section chamber of the second sterilization section.

12. 12. The method of claim 11, wherein the label application step includes the steps of: supplying a strip label from a label supply unit; cutting the strip label from the label supply unit with a rotary cutter to prepare the label; holding the label prepared by the rotary cutter while transporting it with a label transport drum; and transporting the container with a star wheel and applying the label held by the label transport drum to the container, wherein the star wheel, the label transport drum, and the rotary cutter are stored in a chamber of the label application unit.

13. 13. The method for filling contents according to claim 12, further comprising the step of applying adhesive to the labels held on the label conveying drum by an adhesive applying device.

14. The content filling method according to claim 12, wherein the label supply unit is disposed outside the label application unit chamber, and the strip label is supplied from the label supply unit into the label application unit chamber through an opening of the label application unit chamber.

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