Method and apparatus for producing packaged beverage

Abstract

To provide a method for producing a beverage in a container, capable of suppressing increase in water activity of a filler, and to provide an apparatus for producing the beverage in the container.SOLUTION: In the method for manufacturing the beverage in the container, gas inside the container KN is replaced from an opening KK of the container KN, the beverage is injected from the opening KK into the container KN in which the gas is replaced, and the opening KK of the container KN in which the beverage is injected is sealed.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a method for producing a packaged beverage and an apparatus for producing a packaged beverage. [Background technology]

[0002] For example, Patent Document 1 describes a beverage filling device including a chamber having a first chamber and a second chamber, a conveying unit for conveying containers, a first filling unit for filling containers conveyed to the first chamber with a beverage, and a second filling unit for filling containers conveyed to the second chamber with a beverage. The beverage filling device described in Patent Document 1 further includes a first cleaning and sterilizing unit and a second cleaning and sterilizing unit. The first cleaning and sterilizing unit cleans and sterilizes the first chamber and the first filling unit, respectively, while the containers are being filled with a beverage in the second chamber. The second cleaning and sterilizing unit cleans and sterilizes the second chamber and the second filling unit, respectively, while the containers are being filled with a beverage in the first chamber. The chamber further includes an antechamber communicating with the first chamber and the second chamber. The beverage filling device also includes a container cleaning and sterilizing unit for cleaning and sterilizing containers conveyed to the antechamber. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2017-128340 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In the beverage filling device described in Patent Document 1, containers are cleaned and sterilized using a cleaning liquid and a sterilizing liquid. In this case, if moisture from the cleaning liquid and the sterilizing liquid remains in the container, the container may be affected by the remaining moisture.

[0005] An object of the present disclosure is to provide a method for producing a packaged beverage and an apparatus for producing a packaged beverage that can suppress the effects of moisture remaining inside the container. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] A method for manufacturing a containerized beverage according to one embodiment of the present disclosure includes replacing the gas inside the container through an opening in the container, injecting a beverage into the container through the opening after the gas has been replaced, and sealing the opening of the container into which the beverage has been injected.

[0007] According to this aspect, the gas inside the container is replaced through the opening of the container, and the inside of the container is cleaned. Then, a beverage is poured into the container through the opening after the gas has been replaced. The opening of the container is then sealed to obtain a container-packed beverage. Because no liquid is used to clean the inside of the container, the inside of the container remains moisture-free. This reduces the effects of moisture remaining inside the container.

[0008] After the gas exchange is complete and before the beverage is dispensed, a solid material may be charged into the container through the opening.

[0009] According to this aspect, a packaged beverage can be obtained by placing a solid material in a container and pouring a beverage into the container.

[0010] Since the solid material is charged into the container after the gas exchange is completed, an increase in the water activity of the solid material can be suppressed.

[0011] Before starting the gas exchange, static electricity may be removed from the inner surface of the container.

[0012] By removing static electricity, it is possible to remove the deposits (charged deposits) that have adhered to the inner surface of the container due to charging from the inner surface of the container.

[0013] The gas exchange may be performed with the container in a position where the opening faces downward.

[0014] Since the opening faces downward, it is possible to prevent the discharged matter discharged to the outside of the container due to gas exchange from re-entering the inside of the container through the opening due to gravity.

[0015] The gas exchange may include blowing gas into the interior of the container.

[0016] By blowing gas into the inside of the container, the gas inside the container can be efficiently replaced.

[0017] A containerized beverage manufacturing apparatus according to one embodiment of the present disclosure includes an exchange unit that exchanges gas inside the container through an opening of the container, an injection unit that is downstream of the exchange unit in the direction of movement of the container and that injects beverage from the opening into the container whose gas has been exchanged by the exchange unit, and a sealing unit that is downstream of the injection unit in the direction of movement and that seals the opening of the container into which the beverage has been injected by the injection unit.

[0018] According to this aspect, the gas inside the container is replaced by the replacing unit through the container opening, thereby cleaning the inside of the container. Then, the injecting unit injects a beverage into the container through the opening after the gas has been replaced. The container opening is then sealed by the sealing unit, thereby obtaining a container-packed beverage. Because no liquid is used to clean the inside of the container, the inside of the container remains moisture-free. This makes it possible to suppress an increase in the water activity of the filling.

[0019] The container may further include a loading section that loads solid material into the container through the opening, the loading section being located downstream of the exchanging section in the direction of movement and upstream of the injecting section in the direction of movement.

[0020] According to this aspect, a container-packed beverage can be obtained by loading a solid material into a container by the loading section and pouring a beverage into the container by the pouring section.

[0021] The container may further include a static electricity removal unit that removes static electricity from the inner surface of the container, located upstream of the exchanging unit in the direction of movement.

[0022] According to this aspect, by removing static electricity using the static electricity removing unit, the charged matter adhering to the inner surface of the container can be peeled off from the inner surface of the container.

[0023] The container may further include a holding section that holds the container with the opening facing downward when the gas is being replaced by the replacing section.

[0024] According to this aspect, the holding portion holds the opening in a downward position to exchange the gas, thereby preventing the waste discharged outside the container from re-entering the inside of the container through the opening due to gravity.

[0025] The replacing unit may blow gas into the inside of the container.

[0026] By blowing gas into the inside of the container, the gas inside the container can be efficiently replaced. [Effects of the Invention]

[0027] The technology of the present disclosure can suppress an increase in the water activity of the filling. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0028] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a container-packed beverage manufacturing apparatus according to the first embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a front view showing a cleaning device of the apparatus for producing packaged beverages according to the first embodiment. [Figure 3] 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 3-3 in FIG. 2, showing the cleaning device of the apparatus for producing packaged beverages according to the first embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a circuit diagram showing an air supply mechanism of the container-packed beverage manufacturing device of the first embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0029] An example of an embodiment of the technology of the present disclosure will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. Note that components and processes that perform similar operations, actions, and functions are given the same reference numerals throughout the drawings, and duplicated descriptions may be omitted as appropriate. Each drawing is merely a schematic illustration to allow a sufficient understanding of the technology of the present disclosure. Therefore, the technology of the present disclosure is not limited to the illustrated examples. Furthermore, in this embodiment, descriptions of configurations that are not directly related to the technology of the present disclosure or well-known configurations may be omitted.

[0030] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a beverage production system 100 according to a first embodiment. The beverage according to this embodiment of beverage production may be an alcoholic beverage or a non-alcoholic beverage. It may also be a beverage produced through a fermentation process or a beverage produced without a fermentation process. When the beverage to be produced is an alcoholic beverage, the alcohol content (volume concentration of ethanol) and the concentration of extract components are not particularly limited and may be determined appropriately depending on the desired product quality.

[0031] As shown in FIG. 1, the beverage production system 100 according to this embodiment includes a first line L1, a second line L2, and a control device 114.

[0032] The first line L1 is a line that conveys containers KN. Each container KN has an opening KK into which fruit and vegetables LS, described below, can be inserted. While cans are examples of containers KN, the containers KN are not limited to cans. Examples of containers KN that can be used include two-piece beverage cans, three-piece beverage cans, bottle-shaped cans, flexible containers, and glass bottles. Flexible containers include containers made of flexible resins such as PE (polyethylene), PP (polypropylene), EVOH (ethylene-vinyl alcohol copolymer), and PET (polyethylene terephthalate) molded into a bottle shape. Flexible containers may be made of a single-layer resin or a multi-layer resin. The rear end of the first line L1 is connected to a downstream process. After being processed on the first line L1, the containers KN are subjected to further processing in the downstream process.

[0033] The second line L2 is a line along which the fruits and vegetables LS are transported. The transport direction of the fruits and vegetables LS on the second line L2 is, for example, the same direction as the transport direction of the containers KN on the first line L1. Here, the "same direction" may be parallel or non-parallel. When non-parallel, for example, the traveling direction of the second line L2 is inclined at an angle of 90 degrees or less to the traveling direction of the first line L1.

[0034] The second line L2 is provided with a bowl feeder 110, a classification conveyor 111, and a return NG inspection machine 112. The fruits and vegetables LS are an example of a solid object, but this solid object is not limited to fruits and vegetables. The projected area of ​​the fruits and vegetables LS is smaller than the area of ​​the opening KK of the container KN. The "projected area" is the area of ​​a shadow cast on a surface including the opening KK when light projected perpendicularly toward the opening KK hits the fruits and vegetables LS.

[0035] The fruits and vegetables LS are, for example, dried fruits. The type of fruit used to make the dried fruits is not particularly limited, and can be selected from fruits commonly used in beverages, such as citrus fruits such as lemons, limes, and oranges, as well as apples, blueberries, plums (including pickled plums), peaches, strawberries, pineapples, grapes, mangoes, figs, apricots, pears, bananas, and kiwis. One type of dried fruit may be used, or two or more types may be used. Furthermore, when the fruits and vegetables LS are citrus fruits, the albedo (the cotton-like or fibrous white part inside the citrus fruit peel) and the exocarp may be included, or the albedo and exocarp may be removed. The shape of the fruits and vegetables LS is not particularly limited, and may be, for example, sliced ​​or another shape. Furthermore, although the projected area of ​​the fruits and vegetables LS placed in the container KN must be smaller than the area of ​​the opening KK of the container KN, it is not necessary for all of the projected areas of the fruits and vegetables LS transported to the second line L2 to be small. As will be described later, the fruits and vegetables LS to be placed in the containers KN are sorted in advance, so fruits and vegetables LS of various sizes may be transported to the second line L2.

[0036] When dried fruit is sliced ​​as the fruit or vegetable LS, the thickness before drying may be, for example, 1.0 mm to 8.0 mm, or 2.0 mm to 6.0 mm. For convenience, the thickness may be the thickness at the time the dried fruit is added to the beverage. In this case, the thickness of the dried fruit may be, for example, 0.5 mm to 5.0 mm, or 1.0 mm to 3.0 mm. Furthermore, the thickness of the dried fruit in the beverage may be 1.0 mm to 8.0 mm, or 2.0 mm to 6.0 mm, after the beverage is impregnated with the fruit. Adjusting the thickness of the dried fruit to the above numerical ranges makes it less likely to break.

[0037] When the beverage to be combined is whiskey or sake, wood chips may be used instead of the fruit and vegetable LS. By adding these wood chips to the whiskey or sake and aging them, it is possible to impart a suitable flavor to the whiskey or sake. In the case of wood chips, there is no particular limitation on their shape, and they may be, for example, sliced ​​or have other shapes. In the case of wood chips, the thickness may be, for example, 1.0 mm or more and 15 mm or less, or 5.0 mm or more and 9.0 mm or less.

[0038] Next, the first line L1 and the second line L2 will be specifically described with reference to FIG.

[0039] The first line L1 has an inverting section 130, a holding section 132, a static electricity removing section 134, an air blowing section 136, an inverting section 138, a loading section 140, a pouring section 142, and a sealing section 144. Furthermore, a part of the first line L1 includes the cleaning device 122 shown in FIG. 2. The static electricity removing section 134 and the air blowing section 136 are provided in the cleaning device 122. The air blowing section 136 is an example of a replacement section of the disclosed technology. The packaged beverage manufacturing apparatus 120 of the disclosed technology is configured to include the static electricity removing section 134, the air blowing section 136, the pouring section 142, and the sealing section 144. Hereinafter, the "packaged beverage manufacturing apparatus" will be simply referred to as the "manufacturing apparatus."

[0040] The first line L1 is configured to transfer containers KN loaded on pallets (not shown). When the containers KN are transferred, the openings KK of the containers KN face upward, for example.

[0041] The inverting unit 130 inverts the container KN so that the opening KK faces downward. In this embodiment, the container KN is inverted so that the opening KK faces diagonally downward. By inverting the container KN, some of the foreign matter, such as dust, inside the container KN is expelled by gravity from the opening KK to the outside of the container KN.

[0042] In the disclosed technology, the term "opening-facing orientation" includes not only an orientation in which the opening KK faces directly downward, but also an orientation in which the opening KK faces diagonally downward. For example, an angle of 60 degrees or less between the center line of the opening KK and a vertical line is considered to be an "opening-facing orientation." As described below, from the perspective of preventing removed material from reentering the container KN through the opening KK, this angle is preferably 45 degrees or less, and more preferably 30 degrees or less. Furthermore, in the case of an orientation in which the opening KK faces directly downward, as described above, this angle is 0 degrees. That is, the lower limit of the angle includes 0 degrees. Furthermore, when the angle is 5 degrees or more, the area of ​​the area (an ellipse) obtained by projecting the opening KK vertically downward onto a horizontal plane is smaller than when the angle is less than 5 degrees. Therefore, for example, when foreign matter discharged from the container KN rises vertically upward, it is possible to prevent the foreign matter from reentering the container KN through the opening KK. The holding unit 132 includes a holding member 146 shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. In the holding section 132, the container KN with its opening KK facing downward is held by a holding member 146. An example of the holding member 146 is a configuration in which a pair of holding pieces are capable of moving toward and away from each other, and the container KN is sandwiched and held between the holding pieces.

[0043] 2 and 3, the cleaning device 122 has a frame 124. The frame 124 has a rectangular frame shape when viewed from the front. Transport rails 148 are attached to the frame 124. In this embodiment, there are four transport rails 148, which are arranged spaced apart in the vertical and depth directions.

[0044] The frame 124 is supported by a plurality of support columns 172. With the frame supported by the support columns 172, the frame 124 and the transport rails 148 are inclined at a predetermined inclination angle θ with respect to the horizontal plane GL.

[0045] The holding member 146, which holds the container KN, is transported to one end 148A (upper end) of the transport rail 148 while maintaining the opening KK facing downward. Then, the container KN is transported along the transport rail 148 by gravity from one end 148A to the other end 148B (lower end) of the transport rail 148. The direction in which the holding unit 132 moves along the transport rail 148 (the direction of arrow M1) is the "moving direction" of the disclosed technology.

[0046] The static electricity removing unit 134 is provided on the upstream side in the moving direction of the cleaning device 122. On the other hand, the air blowing unit 136 is provided on the downstream side in the moving direction of the cleaning device 122.

[0047] The static electricity removal unit 134 has an ionizer 150. The ionizer 150 removes static electricity from the inner surface of the container KN, for example, by irradiating ions toward the inner surface of the container KN through the opening KK of the container KN. Charged attachments that have been attached to the inner surface of the container KN are peeled off from the inner surface of the container KN by static electricity removal. The type of this charged attachment is not limited. For example, some of the packaging material used to package the container KN can be mentioned. More specifically, examples include sheet materials that separate multiple containers KN inside a packaging box, pieces of paper and film that are present inside the packaging box, etc.

[0048] As the ionizer 150, for example, an ionizer having a configuration including a discharge needle 152 can be used. That is, a configuration in which a corona discharge is generated by applying a voltage to the discharge needle 152. In this case, a plurality of discharge needles 152 may be arranged along the movement direction of the container KN. By arranging a plurality of discharge needles 152, it is possible to remove static electricity from one container KN multiple times.

[0049] The air blowing unit 136 has a nozzle 154. In the example shown in Fig. 3, there are a plurality of nozzles 154, which are arranged at intervals along the direction of movement of the container KN.

[0050] A dust collection joint 156 is provided at the bottom of the frame 124. The dust collection joint 156 is connected to a dust collector via a dust collection duct (not shown). By driving the dust collector, foreign matter removed from the container KN by the cleaning device 122 can be sent to the dust collector. This makes it possible to prevent foreign matter discharged from the inside of the container KN from returning to the inside of the container KN.

[0051] As shown in FIG. 4, air is supplied to the nozzles 154 from an air supply source 160 through an air supply line 162. The air supply line 162 branches at a branch point 164 and includes a common line 162C on the air supply source 160 side and individual lines 162D on the nozzle 154 side. The individual lines 162D are connected to each of the nozzles 154. This makes it possible to distribute air supplied from a single air supply source 160 to each of the multiple nozzles 154. Air is blown into the interior of the container KN from each of the nozzles 154, thereby replacing the gas inside the container KN. This replacement of gas allows foreign matter inside the container KN to be expelled to the outside, and the interior of the container KN can be cleaned.

[0052] A filter 166 is provided in the common line 162C of the air supply line 162. The filter 166 can remove foreign matter from the air.

[0053] An on-off valve 168 and a pressure gauge 170 are provided in the individual line 162D of the air supply line 162. The on-off valve 168 is opened and closed under the control of, for example, the control device 114. By opening and closing the on-off valve 168, it is possible to switch between spraying air and stopping spraying individually from the multiple nozzles 154. The pressure gauge 170 detects the pressure of the air flowing through the individual line 162D and sends the detection result to, for example, the control device 114. By controlling the air supply source 160 with the control device 114, the pressure of the air sprayed from the nozzles 154 can be maintained within a predetermined range.

[0054] The container KN whose inside has been cleaned is inverted by the inverting unit 138 so that the opening KK faces upward. In this case, "the opening faces upward" means, for example, that the opening KK faces straight up. However, the opening KK may be tilted to such an extent that it does not affect the subsequent processes of sealing in solid matter and pouring in beverage.

[0055] The container KN with the opening KK facing upward is sent from the cleaning device 122 to the loading section 140. In the loading section 140, the container KN is transported by a timing screw.

[0056] Meanwhile, on the second line L2, the temporarily stored fruits and vegetables LS are placed on a belt and transported to a bowl feeder 110. The bowl feeder 110 applies vibrations to the fruits and vegetables LS transported by the belt to align them in a certain position, and then supplies them to a classifying conveyor 111. The classifying conveyor 111 sifts the fruits and vegetables LS. The fruits and vegetables LS sifted by the classifying conveyor 111 are placed on the belt and transported.

[0057] Each robot R1 to R5 of the parallel link robot 116, under the control of the control device 114, holds the fruits and vegetables LS transported on the second line L2 (belt conveyance) one unit at a time, and places the held fruits and vegetables LS into the opening KK of the container KN transported on the first line L1 (timing screw).

[0058] The container KN into which the fruit or vegetable LS has been placed by the parallel link robot 116 is transported to the filling section 142. In the filling section 142, a beverage is poured into the container KN. The container KN into which the beverage has been poured is sent to the sealing section 144. In the sealing section 144, a lid is attached to the body portion, for example, and the opening KK is sealed.

[0059] The control device 114 controls the bowl feeder 110, the classification conveyor 111, the return NG inspection machine 112, the parallel link robot 116, the inverting section 130, the holding section 132, the static electricity removal section 134, the air blowing section 136, the inverting section 138, the loading section 140, the injection section 142, and the sealing section 144.

[0060] Next, the operation of the production apparatus 120 of this embodiment and the method for producing a packaged beverage will be described.

[0061] 1, the container KN introduced into the first line L1 is inverted in the inverting section 130. Then, the container KN is held by the holding member 146 in the holding section 132. The container KN held by the holding member 146 is transported together with the holding member 146 by the transport rail 148.

[0062] Since the conveyor rail 148 is inclined at a predetermined inclination angle θ with respect to the horizontal plane GL, the holding member 146 and the container KN move by gravity in the direction of arrow M1 toward the other end of the conveyor rail 148. Then, the container KN reaches the static electricity removing unit 134.

[0063] In the static electricity removal unit 134, the inside of the container KN is electrostatically removed by the ionizer 150. By removing static electricity, the charged adhering matter adhering to the inner surface of the container KN can be peeled off from the inner surface of the container KN. The peeled off charged adhering matter falls due to gravity and is discharged to the outside of the container KN through the opening KK.

[0064] The holding member 146 and the container KN further move in the direction of arrow M1 and reach the air blowing unit 136. In the air blowing unit 136, air is blown into the interior of the container KN by the nozzle 154. This replaces the gas inside the container KN. Then, foreign matter inside the container KN is expelled from the opening KK to the outside of the container KN by the flow of gas. For example, even if charged matter that has been peeled off from the inner surface of the container KN by static electricity removal in the static electricity removing unit 134 remains inside the container KN, this charged matter is expelled to the outside of the container KN. In this way, the foreign matter inside the container KN is expelled to the outside, thereby cleaning the inside of the container KN.

[0065] The container KN, the inside of which has been cleaned, is released from the holding member 146 and sent to the inverting section 138. In the inverting section 138, the container KN is inverted so that the opening KK faces upward.

[0066] The container KN, with its opening KK facing upward, is sent to the loading section 140 as shown in Fig. 1. In the loading section 140, the container KN is transported by a timing screw. Then, each robot R1 to R5 of the parallel link robot 116 holds the fruit or vegetable LS transported on the second line L2 (belt transport) one unit at a time, and inserts the held fruit or vegetable LS from the opening KK into the container KN transported on the first line L1 (timing screw).

[0067] The container KN with the fruits or vegetables LS placed inside is sent to the pouring section 142. In the pouring section 142, a beverage is poured into the container KN.

[0068] The container KN with the beverage poured therein is sent to the sealing section 144. In the sealing section 144, for example, a lid is attached to the body portion, and the opening KK is sealed. In this way, a packaged beverage is obtained.

[0069] As can be seen from the above explanation, according to this embodiment, no liquid such as a cleaning solution is used to clean the inside of the container KN. That is, the fruit or vegetable LS is sealed inside the container KN while maintaining a moisture-free state inside the container KN. Furthermore, after the fruit or vegetable LS is placed in the container KN, the inside of the container KN is not cleaned with a liquid such as a cleaning solution. This makes it possible to suppress an increase in the water activity of the fruit or vegetable LS.

[0070] By suppressing the increase in water activity of the fruit and vegetable LS, the growth of microorganisms in the fruit and vegetable LS can be suppressed, contributing to improving the quality of packaged beverages and maintaining their taste. In addition, deformation and discoloration of the fruit and vegetable LS due to the growth of microorganisms can also be suppressed.

[0071] Water activity is the value obtained by dividing the water vapor pressure of food by the water vapor pressure under the same conditions. Specifically, the water activity Aw of the food being measured is calculated by storing the food in a sealed container, where P is the water vapor pressure inside the sealed container when the food reaches equilibrium, and P0 is the water vapor pressure when the food is replaced with pure water and the same container reaches equilibrium. Aw=P / P0 It can be defined as: If the water activity is 1.0, the water in the food is only so-called "free water" and there is no "bound water," so microorganisms can easily grow. The lower the water activity value, the smaller the ratio of "free water" to the water in the food and the greater the ratio of "bound water," making it difficult for microorganisms to grow.

[0072] In this case, if the water activity is 0.80 or less, there is an effect of inhibiting the proliferation of microorganisms in dried fruit, which is an example of the fruit and vegetable LS of this embodiment.

[0073] Furthermore, a water activity of 0.75 or less is more effective in inhibiting microbial growth in dried fruit than a water activity of over 0.75 and up to 0.80. Also, a water activity of 0.75 or less is effective in inhibiting microbial growth even if the solid is, for example, jelly (edible "gel").

[0074] In particular, if the water activity is 0.65 or less, the effect of inhibiting the growth of microorganisms in dried fruit is even greater than when the water activity is greater than 0.65 and less than 0.75.

[0075] The technique disclosed herein uses the "AquaLab TDL 2" water activity measuring device manufactured by Meter Japan Co., Ltd. (hereinafter simply referred to as the "water activity measuring device"). This water activity measuring device measures the relative humidity by irradiating the space above the sample with a tunable diode laser, thereby determining water activity. This allows water activity to be measured without being affected by the volatile components of fruits and vegetables (LS).

[0076] Before using the water activity measuring device or at an appropriate time during use, check the accuracy of the device and calibrate it if the accuracy has decreased. For this check and calibration, use the following two types of water activity standard solutions manufactured by Meter Japan Co., Ltd. as reagents. Water activity standard solution A: 0.250aw 6mol / kg Nacl Water activity standard solution B:0.760aw 13.41mol / kg Licl Then, place the sample cups containing each water activity standard solution in the chamber of the water activity measuring device and confirm that the difference between the two measured water activity values ​​is within the measurement precision (±0.005). If the difference between the two measured water activity values ​​for either water activity standard solution A or B exceeds the measurement precision, calibrate the water activity measuring device according to the specified calibration procedure.

[0077] When actually measuring the water activity of fruit or vegetable LS, each step of the measurement is carried out according to the following procedure: In the following, slices of lemon (lemon slices) are used as an example of fruit or vegetable LS. (1) Warm up the water activity measuring device and confirm that the base temperature is stable at the specified temperature (25°C). (2) Make sure that the sample cup of the water activity measuring device is free of moisture and is sufficiently dry. (3) Crush the sample (10 or more lemon slices). (4) Transfer the crushed material to a sample cup. (5) The sample cup is placed in the chamber of the water activity measuring device, and the water activity is measured. (6) A second measurement of water activity is performed using steps (4) and (5), and the two measurements are compared. If the difference between the measurements is within the measurement precision (±0.005), the first measurement is adopted as the correct one. If the difference between the measurements exceeds the measurement precision, for example, the water activity measuring device is cleaned, and then the above-mentioned calibration is performed, and the water activity of the fruit or vegetable LS is measured again according to the measurement procedures (1) to (6). Note that the water activity measuring device is cleaned according to a predetermined procedure.

[0078] In the above step (3), the particle size of the pulverized sample is set to a level that is not affected by the uneven distribution of water activity in the sample before pulverization. For example, if the sample is pulverized to a so-called powder state, it will not be affected by the water activity in the sample before pulverization.

[0079] The cleaning device 122 of the disclosed technology may be configured without the static electricity removal unit 134. That is, even if static electricity removal is not performed, it is sufficient if the charged adhering matter adhering to the inner surface of the container KN can be removed, for example, by blowing air from the air blowing unit 136. In this case, the charged adhering matter is removed by blowing air, and the air inside the container KN is also replaced.

[0080] There is no limit to the pressure of the air blown from the air blowing unit 136, as long as it can replace the gas inside the container KN and expel foreign matter from the opening KK to the outside. As an example, if the air pressure is 0.1 MPa or higher, foreign matter can be expelled from the opening KK to the outside by replacing the air inside the container KN. From this perspective, there is no upper limit to the air pressure, but if the pressure is too high, the energy consumption of the air supply source 160 shown in FIG. 4 increases. Therefore, from the perspective of reducing the energy consumption of the air supply source 160 (save energy), it is preferable that the air pressure be 0.5 MPa or lower, for example. From the same perspective, it is not necessary for all of the air inside the container KN to be replaced; even if only a portion of the air is replaced, it is sufficient as long as foreign matter inside can be expelled from the opening KK to the outside.

[0081] There are no limitations on the gas that is blown into the inside of the container KN, as long as it does not affect the solid particles that are sealed inside the container KN in a subsequent process or the beverage that is poured into the container KN. However, in the disclosed technology, from the viewpoint of reducing moisture inside the container KN, the relative humidity of the gas that is blown into the inside of the container KN is preferably 30% or less, and more preferably 20% or less.

[0082] The configuration for replacing the air inside the container KN is not limited to blowing air by the air blowing unit 136. For example, an air suction nozzle may be inserted into the container KN through the opening KK to suck air from inside the container KN, thereby removing foreign matter inside the container KN. With such a configuration for sucking air, it is also possible to peel off charged adhering matter adhering to the inner surface of the container KN by the suction force of the air.

[0083] Although the above description exemplifies a configuration including a parallel link robot 116 as an example of the loading unit 140, the configuration of the loading unit 140 is not limited to this. That is, the loading unit 140 may be any loading unit capable of loading solid material into the container KN through the opening KK. Examples of such a loading unit 140 include loading units of various types, such as batch, rotary, and weighing types. Furthermore, these loading units may be configured as industrial robots, such as vertical articulated robots, horizontal articulated robots, and collaborative robots.

[0084] The disclosed technology may be configured so that solid matter is not placed inside the container KN. That is, the inside of the container KN is cleaned by replacing the gas, and then the beverage is poured into the container KN through the opening KK. In this case, the beverage is poured into the container KN when there is no moisture inside the container KN. This prevents the beverage from being diluted with water, and suppresses changes in the concentration of the beverage.

[0085] Furthermore, the following notes are disclosed: (Appendix 1) replacing the gas inside the container through the opening of the container; Injecting a beverage into the container through the opening after the gas exchange has been performed; sealing the opening of the container into which the beverage has been poured; A method for manufacturing packaged beverages. (Appendix 2) A method for producing a container-packed beverage as described in Appendix 1, wherein a solid material is charged into the container through the opening after the gas replacement is completed and before the beverage is started to be poured. (Appendix 3) 3. The method for producing a container-packed beverage according to claim 1 or 2, wherein static electricity is removed from the inner surface of the container before the gas replacement begins. (Appendix 4) The method for producing a packaged beverage according to any one of appendices 1 to 3, wherein the gas exchange is carried out with the container in a position where the opening faces downward. (Appendix 5) 5. The method for producing a packaged beverage according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the gas replacement includes blowing a gas into the inside of the container. (Appendix 6) an exchange unit that exchanges gas inside the container through an opening of the container; an injection unit that is located downstream of the exchanging unit in the direction of movement of the container and that injects beverage from the opening into the container whose gas has been exchanged by the exchanging unit; a sealing portion that seals the opening of the container into which the beverage is poured by the pouring portion, downstream of the pouring portion in the movement direction; A containerized beverage manufacturing device having the above structure. (Appendix 7) An apparatus for manufacturing containerized beverages as described in Appendix 6, having a loading section that loads solid material into the container through the opening, downstream of the replacement section in the direction of movement and upstream of the injection section in the direction of movement. (Appendix 8) 8. The apparatus for producing containerized beverages according to claim 6 or 7, further comprising an electrostatic removal unit that removes electrostatic charge from the inner surface of the container, upstream of the replacing unit in the direction of movement. (Appendix 9) The apparatus for producing a containerized beverage according to any one of Supplementary Note 6 to Supplementary Note 8, further comprising a holding section that holds the container with the opening facing downwards while the gas is being replaced by the replacing section. (Appendix 10) 10. The apparatus for producing a packaged beverage according to any one of claims 6 to 9, wherein the replacing unit blows gas into the inside of the container. [Explanation of symbols]

[0086] 100 Beverage Production System 120 Packaged beverage manufacturing equipment 122 Cleaning equipment 130 Reversal section 132 Holding part 134 Static electricity removal unit 136 Air spraying section 138 Inversion section 140 Loading section 142 Injection part 144 Sealing part 146 Retaining member 148 Transport Rail 150 Ionizer 152 Discharge needle 154 nozzles

Claims

1. replacing the gas inside the container through the opening of the container; Injecting a beverage into the container through the opening after the gas exchange has been performed; sealing the opening of the container into which the beverage has been poured; A method for manufacturing packaged beverages.

2. The method for producing a packaged beverage according to claim 1 , wherein a solid material is charged into the container through the opening after the gas exchange is completed and before the beverage is started to be poured.

3. The method for producing a container-packed beverage according to claim 1 , wherein static electricity is removed from the inner surface of the container before the gas replacement is started.

4. The method for producing a container-packed beverage according to claim 1, wherein the gas exchange is carried out with the container in a position where the opening faces downward.

5. The method for producing a packaged beverage according to claim 1 , wherein the gas replacement includes blowing gas into the inside of the container.

6. an exchange unit that exchanges gas inside the container through an opening of the container; an injection unit that is located downstream of the exchanging unit in the direction of movement of the container and that injects beverage from the opening into the container whose gas has been exchanged by the exchanging unit; a sealing portion that seals the opening of the container into which the beverage is poured by the pouring portion, downstream of the pouring portion in the movement direction; A containerized beverage manufacturing device having the above structure.

7. 7. The apparatus for producing containerized beverages as described in claim 6, further comprising an insertion section that inserts solid material into the container through the opening downstream of the replacement section in the direction of movement and upstream of the injection section in the direction of movement.

8. The apparatus for producing a containerized beverage according to claim 6, further comprising: an electrostatic removal unit that removes electrostatic charge from the inner surface of the container, the electrostatic removal unit being located upstream of the exchanging unit in the direction of movement.

9. The apparatus for producing a containerized beverage according to claim 6, further comprising a holding section that holds the container with the opening facing downward when the gas is replaced by the replacing section.

10. The apparatus for producing a container-packed beverage according to claim 6 , wherein the replacing unit blows gas into the inside of the container.

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