Processing System

The processing system addresses the challenge of complex piping assembly by using pre-fixed chamber side and mount side pipes, supported by a transportable mount, allowing for efficient and quick piping operations during assembly.

JP7659180B2Active Publication Date: 2025-04-09SHIBUYA IND CO LTD
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Patent Information

Application Number
JP2021091795
Authority / Receiving Office
JP · JP
Patent Type
Patents
Current Assignee / Owner
Filing Date
2021-05-31
Publication Date
2025-04-09
Estimated Expiration
2041-05-31

AI Technical Summary

Technical Problem

The existing processing systems face challenges in quickly assembling the piping during the assembly process, particularly due to the complexity and length of the piping required when the supply means is installed on the floor surface, and the need for additional framing to secure the pipes to the top of the chamber.

Method used

The proposed processing system includes a chamber with a processing device, a pipe communicating with the chamber, and a supply or discharge means supported by a mount adjacent to the chamber. The mount is designed to be transportable and supports the supply or discharge means at the ceiling height of the chamber, with the chamber side and mount side pipes being fixed in advance, allowing for efficient connection during assembly.

Benefits of technology

This solution enables quick and efficient piping operations during assembly by pre-fixing the chamber side and mount side pipes, eliminating the need for complex framing and reducing the time required to complete piping installations from several months to a more efficient timeframe.

✦ Generated by Eureka AI based on patent content.

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Abstract

To quickly perform piping work during assembly.SOLUTION: A base 7A is installed in a position adjacent to a chamber CB accommodating a processing device, which is constituted so as to be conveyable separately from the chamber CB, and exhaust means 3 is provided in the base 7A. An exhaust piping 14 includes: a chamber side piping 14a fixed on a unit base 4 provided on a top part of the chamber CB, installed such that one end is connected with an internal part of the chamber CB and the other end faces the base 7A side; and a base side piping 14b fixed on the base 7A, installed such that one end is connected with the exhaust means 3 via a manifold 13 and the other end faces the chamber side. During assembly in a processing plant, the other end of the chamber side piping 14a and the other end of the base side piping 14b are connected.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2
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Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a processing system comprising a chamber housing a processing device therein, piping communicating with the interior of the chamber, and a supply means for supplying a fluid into the chamber via the piping or a discharge means for discharging a fluid from the chamber via the piping. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, processing systems have been known which include a chamber housing a processing device inside. For example, a filling system for filling containers with beverages is known which includes a filling device inside the chamber. The filling system also includes a chamber housing a sterilization device for sterilizing the containers, and a chamber housing a cleaning device for cleaning the sterilized containers, and the filling system is formed by connecting the chambers (Patent Document 1). In addition, the filling system controls the pressure inside the chamber by supplying sterile air into the chamber and discharging the sterile air from within the chamber. For this purpose, piping is connected to the top of the chamber, and this piping is connected to a sterile air supply means and a sterile air discharge means provided outside the chamber. Such processing systems are generally not manufactured in a processing factory where the items are actually processed, but in a manufacturing factory where the processing systems are manufactured. The processing systems are temporarily assembled in the manufacturing factory, divided into individual chambers, and transported by truck or other transport means to the processing factory where they are assembled. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2015-157651 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] As described above, since the processing system is transported in a disassembled state from the manufacturing plant to the processing plant, conventionally, the piping arranged outside the chamber is arranged by fitting the chamber to the designated position in the processing plant. In this case, if the supply means is installed on the floor of the processing plant, the piping must be laid from the supply means installed on the floor to the top of the chamber, which creates problems such as complicated piping and long piping length. Furthermore, when laying out the piping by fitting the actual parts, it was necessary to install a new frame (stanchion) for fixing the piping to the top of the chamber while also fixing the piping, which posed problems such as taking several months to complete all of the piping. In view of the above problems, the present invention provides a processing system that allows piping work to be quickly performed during assembly. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] That is The present invention relates to A processing system comprising a chamber housing a processing device therein, a pipe communicating with the inside of the chamber, and a supply means for supplying a fluid to the inside of the chamber via the pipe or a discharge means for discharging a fluid from the inside of the chamber via the pipe, a platform for supporting the supply means or the discharge means at a position adjacent to the chamber, the platform being configured to be transportable separately from the chamber; the piping includes a chamber-side piping that is fixed to an upper portion of the chamber, one end of which is connected to the inside of the chamber and the other end of which faces the base side, and a base-side piping that is fixed to the base, one end of which is connected to the supply means or the discharge means, and the other end of which faces the chamber side; Furthermore, a chamber side walkway along which an operator can walk is fixed to the chamber above the chamber side piping so as to be transportable integrally with the chamber, and a platform side walkway along which an operator can walk is fixed to the platform above the piping so as to be transportable integrally with the platform, The other end of the chamber side piping and the other end of the stand side piping are connected to each other. Effect of the Invention

[0006] According to the above invention, among the pipes arranged above the chamber, the chamber side pipes and the pedestal side pipes are fixed to the chamber and the pedestal in advance at the manufacturing factory, so that they do not interfere with transportation. Then, by placing the chamber and the stand supporting the supply means in the designated positions at the destination factory, the chamber side piping and the stand side piping can be easily connected to complete the installation of the external piping, eliminating the need for actual matching and allowing for efficient assembly. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0007] [Figure 1] Layout diagram of the filling system according to this embodiment [Diagram 2] Side view of the sterilization unit [Diagram 3] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating external piping provided on the top of the sterilization unit. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0008] The illustrated embodiment will now be described. FIG. 1 shows a filling system 1 as a processing system for filling containers as articles with a beverage, and the filling system 1 includes, in order of processing of the containers, an inspection unit UA for inspecting empty containers, a sterilization unit UB for sterilizing the empty containers, a cleaning unit UC for cleaning the sterilized containers, a filler / capper unit UD for filling the containers with the beverage and fitting caps, and a discharge unit UE for discharging the containers after capping. The above units UA to UE each include a first to fifth chambers CA to CE whose internal spaces are partitioned from the outside, and further, the filling system 1 includes five racks 7A to 7E that support an exhaust means 3 and an air supply means 7, which will be described later, in addition to the first to fifth chambers CA to CE. Further, inside the first to fifth chambers CA to CE, there is provided a processing device (not shown) for processing containers. Specifically, inside the first chamber CA constituting the inspection unit UA, there is an inspection device, inside the second chamber CB constituting the sterilization unit UB, there is a sterilization device, inside the third chamber CC constituting the cleaning unit UC, there is a cleaning device, inside the fourth chamber CD constituting the filler / capper unit UD, there is a filling device and a capping device, and inside the fifth chamber CE constituting the discharge unit UE, there is a transport conveyor. In addition, a transport means (not shown) for transporting containers is provided inside the first to fifth chambers CA to CE, and the container is transported from the inspection unit UA to the filler / capper unit UD by, for example, a conventionally known star wheel, and then the container is discharged by a transport conveyor provided in the discharge unit UE. The filling system 1 having the above configuration is manufactured in a manufacturing factory, and then transported to a filling factory where the beverage is filled and assembled.In this embodiment, the filling system 1 is transported in a state where it is divided into each of the chambers CA to CE and each of the stands 7A to 7E. In the filling factory, the first to fifth chambers CA to CE are connected based on the design drawings, each of the racks 7A to 7E is installed in a predetermined position, supply means such as an exhaust means is installed outside, and piping is arranged between each chamber and the above-mentioned supply means, thereby assembling the filling system 1.

[0009] Here, in the filling system 1 of this embodiment, the fourth chamber CD constituting the filler / capper unit UD is set to a more positive pressure than the third chamber CC constituting the cleaning unit UC, and the third chamber CC is set to a more positive pressure than the second chamber CB constituting the sterilization unit UB. In order to create such a pressure difference between the chambers, a sterile air supply means 2 for supplying sterile air is connected to the fourth chamber CD, and an exhaust means 3 for discharging the sterile air from within the second chamber CB is connected to the second chamber CB. When the sterile air supply means 2 supplies sterile air into the fourth chamber CD and the exhaust means 3 exhausts sterile air from inside the second chamber CB, the sterile air flows from the fourth chamber CD through the third chamber CC to the second chamber CB, and is finally exhausted from the second chamber CB by the exhaust means 3, thereby forming the pressure difference between the chambers C as described above. On the other hand, between the second chamber CB constituting the sterilization unit UB and the first chamber CA constituting the inspection unit UA, the sterile air of the second chamber CB is configured not to flow into the first chamber CA. For example, an exhaust chamber can be formed in a portion of the second chamber CB adjacent to the first chamber CA, and exhaust air can be exhausted from the exhaust chamber using the exhaust means, thereby preventing the atmosphere of the sterilization unit UB from flowing into the inspection unit UA. Incidentally, the specific configuration for forming the above-mentioned differential pressure is disclosed in the above-mentioned Patent Document 1, and therefore further detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[0010] Furthermore, in the filling system 1 of this embodiment, after the beverage has been filled into the container for a predetermined period of time, the insides of the second to fourth chambers CB to CD are cleaned with cleaning liquid, and the cleaning liquid is supplied to the second to fourth chambers CB to CD by a cleaning liquid supplying means (not shown) installed in the filling factory.

[0011] 2 and 3 show the sterilization unit UB, and as described above, a sterilization device (not shown) is provided inside the second chamber CB constituting the sterilization unit UB. The sterilization device is installed on a base member 5 that is placed on the floor of the filling plant, and the second chamber CB that houses the sterilization device is formed by providing metal panels above and to the sides of the base member 5. The side panels constituting the second chamber CB are provided with communication ports with the adjacent first chamber CA and third chamber CC (not shown), and are also provided with hatches and observation windows for maintenance of the sterilization apparatus. Furthermore, the unit base 4 is connected to the top of the top panel T via a connecting member 4a. The unit base 4 is made of a steel frame arranged in approximately the same shape as the outer periphery of the planar shape of the second chamber CB, and is also provided with brackets for fixing the piping described below. A chamber side walkway 6 where workers can walk is provided on the upper part of the unit base 4 via a lattice-shaped base 6a, and a required gap is formed between the unit base 4 and the chamber side walkway 6 for installing the above-mentioned piping. Furthermore, a handrail 6b is provided at the top of the chamber side walkway 6 to prevent workers from falling.

[0012] The sterilization unit UB further includes the exhaust means 3 for exhausting air from the inside of the second chamber CB, located adjacent to the second chamber CB, and the exhaust means 3 is supported by a stand 7A according to the present invention. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the exhaust means 3 of this embodiment includes an exhaust blower 11 and a motor 12 that drives the exhaust blower 11, and a manifold 13 is connected to the exhaust blower 11. Although illustrations are omitted, the manifold 13 is composed of an upper portion connected to the connection port 11a of the exhaust blower 11 via the connection port 13a, a lower portion positioned below the exhaust blower 11, and an approximately U-shaped curved portion connecting the upper and lower portions. As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the stand-side piping 14b is connected to the lower part of the manifold 13, and the stand-side piping 14b is further connected to the chamber-side piping 14a via the connection piping 14c, thereby communicating between the inside of the second chamber CB and the exhaust blower 11. In this embodiment, the chamber side pipe 14a, the connection pipe 14b, and the stand side pipe 14c constitute the exhaust pipe 14 according to the present invention, and the stand side pipe 14b is connected to the exhaust blower 11 via the manifold 13. A plurality of exhaust pipes 14 (seven in this embodiment) are connected to the second chamber CB, and each exhaust pipe 14 exhausts air from a plurality of locations in the second chamber CB. The multiple exhaust pipes 14 are connected to the manifold 13, and when the exhaust blower 11 is driven by the motor 12, air is exhausted from each part of the second chamber CB via the manifold 13 which is connected to the exhaust blower 11 and each exhaust pipe 14.

[0013] As shown in Figure 2, the platform 7A is composed of a support member 15 arranged to match the height of the unit base 4 (the ceiling of the present invention) of the second chamber CB, a platform side walkway 16 arranged above the support member 15 and along which workers can walk, and a handrail 16a arranged at the top of the platform side walkway 16. The support member 15 is installed on the floor surface of the filling plant by a plurality of legs 15a, and the manifold 13 and the frame side piping 14b are fixed thereto. Furthermore, the support member 15 is provided at a position that matches the height of the unit base 4 of the second chamber CB in which the chamber side piping 14a is provided, and more specifically, is supported at a height such that the platform side piping 14b connected to the manifold 13 is connected as horizontally as possible to the chamber side piping 14a arranged on the unit base 4 of the second chamber CB. It is not necessary to completely match the height of the support member 15 and the unit base 4 of the second chamber CB, and there may be a height difference therebetween that does not interfere with the connection between the chamber side piping 14a and the pedestal side piping 14b. Also, although the support member 15 in this embodiment is provided at a position slightly separated from the second chamber CB, the support member 15 may be provided at a position that makes contact with the second chamber CB.

[0014] The platform side walkway 16, like the chamber side walkway 6 provided at the top of the second chamber CB, is constructed of plate-shaped members such as gratings, and the exhaust blower 11 and motor 12 which constitute the exhaust means 3 are fixed thereto. In this embodiment, the gantry side walkway 16 is provided so as to protrude toward the second chamber CB beyond the support member 15. This prevents a gap from being formed between the gantry side walkway 16 and the chamber side walkway 6. Here, the above-mentioned platform side walkway 16 in this embodiment is provided at a position slightly higher than the chamber side walkway 6 provided in the second chamber CB, but this is because the above-mentioned manifold 13 needs to be provided between the support member 15 and the platform side walkway 16, and the position of the chamber side walkway 6 needs to be lowered to accommodate the height restrictions during transportation of the second chamber CB. Therefore, if there are no such restrictions, the heights of the walkways may be made the same.

[0015] As described above, the lower portion of the manifold 13 is fixed to the support member 15 of the frame 7A, and the exhaust blower 11 is fixed to the upper portion of the frame-side walkway 16. Of these, the manifold 13 is positioned by support members 15 to match the height of the unit base 4 of the second chamber CB, so that the chamber side piping 14a, connection piping 14c, and stand side piping 14b connected to the manifold 13, which are arranged on the unit base 4 of the second chamber CB, can be arranged and connected approximately horizontally. In addition, the chamber side piping 14a, the connecting piping 14c, and the platform side piping 14b are arranged below the chamber side walkway 6 and the platform side walkway 16 so as not to get in the way of workers walking along the chamber side walkway 6 and the platform side walkway 16. On the other hand, since the exhaust blower 11 and the motor 12 are provided on the platform side walkway 16, workers can easily perform maintenance work on these.

[0016] Next, exhaust pipes 14 arranged between the second chamber CB and the exhaust means 3 are connected in multiple ways to the manifold 13, and exhaust is performed from multiple positions in the second chamber CB, forming a pressure difference between the chambers C and maintaining pressure balance within the second chamber CB. 2, one end of the chamber side piping 14a penetrates the top surface T of the second chamber CB from a required position on the top surface T to face the inside of the second chamber CB. Then, after extending vertically from one end, the direction is changed to a horizontal direction parallel to the unit base 4 and the top surface T, and a connection portion 14d provided at the other end is connected to the frame 4. 7A The sensor is disposed so as to face the side. On the other hand, one end of the pedestal side piping 14b is connected to the exhaust blower 11 via the manifold 13, and a connection part 14d provided at the other end is disposed toward the second chamber CB. Here, the connection portion 14d provided at the other end of the chamber side piping 14a is provided at approximately the same position as the outer peripheral edge of the second chamber CB, and the connection portion 14d provided at the other end of the stand side piping 14b is also provided at approximately the same position as the outer peripheral edge of the support member 15 on the stand 7A. The connection pipe 14c connects the other end of the chamber side pipe 14a and the other end of the pedestal side pipe 14b, and the second chamber CB and the pedestal 7A The support member 15 is provided in the gap between the support member 15 and the chamber side pipe 14a, and both ends of the support member 15 are connected to the connection portion 14d of the chamber side pipe 14a and the connection portion 14d of the stand side pipe 14b. The connection part 14d at the other end of the chamber-side piping 14a does not necessarily have to be provided at approximately the same position as the outer periphery of the second chamber CB, and may be provided at a position slightly recessed into the second chamber CB or at a position protruding from it. Similarly, the connection part 14d at the other end of the pedestal-side piping 14b may be provided at a position slightly recessed into the support member 15 or at a position protruding from it. The position of the connection part can also be applied to other piping described below.

[0017] Here, the chamber side piping 14a and the pedestal side piping 14b are fixed to the unit base 4 of the second chamber CB and the support member 15 of the pedestal 7A in a manufacturing factory when the filling system 1 is manufactured. In other words, the positions of the chamber side piping 14a and the stand side piping 14b are designed in advance, and by installing the second chamber CB and the stand 7A in their designated positions in the filling factory, the chamber side piping 14a and the stand side piping 14b are placed in their designated positions, and the installation of the exhaust piping 14 is completed simply by connecting these with the connecting piping 14c. Furthermore, if the connecting pipe 14c is omitted from the exhaust pipe 14 and the pedestal side pipe 14b is provided to a position approximately equal to the outer circumferential edge of the pedestal side walkway 16, the chamber side pipe 14a and the pedestal side pipe 14b can be directly connected. On the other hand, in this embodiment, a gap is formed between the second chamber CB and the support member 15 of the pedestal 7A, but by eliminating this gap, the chamber side piping 14a and the pedestal side piping 14b can be directly connected.

[0018] Next, inside the second chamber CB, there are provided a sterilizing agent injection means for injecting hydrogen peroxide vapor into the container as the sterilizing device, and a drying means for drying the injected hydrogen peroxide vapor. Among these, the sterilizing agent injection means is adapted to supply an aqueous hydrogen peroxide solution by a sterilizing agent supplying means (not shown) provided outside the second chamber CB. On the other hand, purified air is supplied to the drying means by air supply means 17 serving as a supply means, and the air supply means 17 is composed of an air supply blower 17a provided outside the second chamber CB and an air filter 17b provided adjacent to the second chamber CB. Of the air supply means 17, the air filter 17b is supported by a stand 7B provided adjacent to the second chamber CB, similar to the exhaust means 3. It is possible to use the air supply blower 17a installed in the filling factory, but when it is manufactured in a manufacturing factory, it may be supported by the stand 7B. The air supply means 17 is adapted to supply air to two locations in the second chamber CB, and for this reason, two air supply pipes 18 (pipes of the present invention) are provided between the air supply means 17 and the second chamber CB.

[0019] Although explanation using drawings is omitted, the stand 7B supporting the air filter 17b, like the stand 7A supporting the exhaust means 3, is equipped with a support member that supports a manifold (not shown), and a stand-side walkway that supports the air filter 17b and allows pedestrians to walk on it. The support member is provided to match the height of the unit base 4 of the second chamber CB, and the platform side walkway is provided to match the height of the chamber side walkway 6 of the second chamber CB. Similarly to the exhaust pipe 14, the air supply pipe 18 is disposed in an exposed state outside the second chamber CB, and is connected to the air supply means 17 via the manifold. The air supply piping 18 is also composed of a chamber side piping 18a fixed to the unit base 4 of the second chamber CB and a pedestal side piping 18b fixed to the support member of the pedestal 7B, and a connection part 18c connecting these is provided at the boundary between the second chamber CB and the pedestal 7B.

[0020] Furthermore, a cleaning liquid pipe 19 for circulating cleaning water for cleaning the second chamber CB is connected to the upper part of the second chamber CB. The cleaning liquid pipe 19 is disposed in an exposed state outside the second chamber CB, and is fixed to the unit base 4 of the second chamber CB. The cleaning liquid piping 19 of the second chamber CB is adapted to be connected to a cleaning liquid piping (not shown) provided on the unit base of the third chamber CC, and in this embodiment, the two systems of cleaning liquid piping 19 are adapted to be connected to two systems of cleaning liquid piping provided in the third chamber CC. Furthermore, a connection portion 19a provided at the end of the cleaning liquid pipe 19 is provided in the vicinity of the boundary between the second chamber CB and the third chamber CC. Incidentally, a stand 7 supporting a cleaning liquid supply means may be provided at a position adjacent to the second chamber CB, and the cleaning liquid pipe 19 may be connected to the cleaning liquid supply means via a manifold.

[0021] Next, the cleaning unit UC includes a cleaning device inside the third chamber CC, and the cleaning device is configured to clean the container by spraying a cleaning liquid for the container from a cleaning nozzle. In addition, regarding the configuration of the cleaning unit UC described below, a description of the configuration common to the sterilization unit UB or the similar configuration will be omitted. A cleaning liquid pipe connected to the cleaning liquid pipe 19 arranged in the second chamber CB is arranged on a unit base fixed to the top of the third chamber CC, and a chamber-side walkway along which workers can walk is provided above the cleaning liquid pipe. In this embodiment, a container cleaning liquid supplying means is provided outside the third chamber CC for supplying container cleaning liquid to the cleaning device, but the container cleaning liquid supplying means is configured to supply container cleaning liquid to the cleaning device from below the third chamber CC, and no piping for circulating the container cleaning liquid is installed above the third chamber CC. However, similarly to the above-mentioned sterilization unit UB, the container cleaning liquid supply means may be installed on a stand 7 provided adjacent to the third chamber CC, and an external pipe for supplying the container cleaning liquid may be arranged above the third chamber CC, and the external pipe may be connected to a chamber side pipe fixed to the third chamber CC and a stand side pipe fixed to the stand 7.

[0022] The filler / capper unit UD is provided with the sterile air supply means 2 for forming a pressure difference between chambers C at the top of the fourth chamber CD, and inside the fourth chamber CD are provided a filling device for filling containers with beverage and a capping device for attaching a cap to the container filled with beverage. In addition, regarding the configuration of the filler / capper unit UD described below, a description of the configuration common to the sterilization unit UB or similar configuration will be omitted. A unit base is fixed to the top of the fourth chamber CD, and a chamber-side walkway and handrail are provided on the top of the unit base. The sterile air supply means 2 is composed of two air supply blowers and a purification filter (not shown). The air supply blower and purification filter are fixed to the chamber side walkway and connected to air supply piping so that sterile air is supplied to multiple locations in the fourth chamber through each air supply piping. As with the sterilization unit UB, the sterile air supply means 2 may also be installed on a stand 7 provided adjacent to the fourth chamber CD, and the air supply piping may be composed of a chamber side piping fixed to the fourth chamber CD and a stand side piping fixed to the stand 7.

[0023] The filling device is equipped with a plurality of filling nozzles for filling containers with beverage, and a liquid supply tank 20 for supplying beverage to the filling device is provided adjacent to the fourth chamber CD, and the liquid supply tank 20 is supported on a stand 7C provided adjacent to the fourth chamber CD. Furthermore, although not illustrated, a liquid supply pipe is provided between the liquid supply tank 20 and the rotary joint of the filling device, as a supply pipe provided outside the fourth chamber CD, similar to the second chamber CB and the exhaust means 3 in the sterilization unit UB. This liquid supply piping also connects a chamber side piping fixed to the unit base of the fourth chamber CD with a stand side piping fixed to the stand 7C, and the connection between these chamber side piping and stand side piping is provided at the boundary between the fourth chamber CD and the stand 7C.

[0024] The capping device includes a plurality of capping heads for attaching caps to containers, and cap supplying means for supplying caps to the capping device is provided at a position adjacent to the fourth chamber CD. The cap supply means is adapted to supply caps to the capping device from above the fourth chamber CD by air transport, and a transport air supply means 22 is provided on a stand 7D provided adjacent to the fourth chamber CD as a supply means for supplying air to the cap transport path. Between the transport air supply means 22 and the transport path for the caps, an air pipe (not shown) is disposed as a supply pipe exposed to the outside of the fourth chamber CD. This air piping also has a chamber side piping fixed to the ceiling of the fourth chamber CD and a stand side piping fixed to the stand 7, and the connection between these chamber side piping and stand side piping is provided at the boundary between the fourth chamber CD and the stand 7D.

[0025] Furthermore, the filling system 1 of this embodiment is provided with a power supply box 23 which supplies power to the sterile air supply means 2 and exhaust means 3, which are held at the same height as the unit base of chamber C by the stands 7A to 7D, and the power supply box 23 is supported by a stand 7E provided adjacent to the fourth chamber CD. The stand 7E is provided with a stand-side walkway, and the power supply box 23 is fixed to this stand-side walkway. Wiring to the sterile air supply means 2, exhaust means 3, etc. is arranged between the stand-side walkway and the support member. Also in each of the chambers C, the wiring from the power supply box 23 is arranged between the chamber side walkway and the unit base. Furthermore, a control panel for controlling the sterile air supply means 2, the exhaust means 3, etc. may be provided adjacent to the power supply box 23. In this way, the operator can use the control panel to control each means provided at the top of chamber C, thereby reducing the burden on the operator of climbing up and down the unit base part of chamber C.

[0026] The filling system 1 having the above-mentioned configuration is manufactured in a manufacturing factory as described above, and then transported to a filling factory by a transportation means such as a truck, and then assembled in the filling factory. In the following, taking the sterilization unit UB as an example, when the sterilization unit UB is manufactured in a manufacturing factory, a container transport means and the sterilization device are installed on the base 5, and these are covered with the metal panel to create the second chamber CB. Furthermore, in the manufacturing factory, based on a design drawing created in advance, the chamber side pipes 14a, 18a constituting the exhaust pipe 14 and the air supply pipe 18 as piping are fixed to the base 6a placed on the unit base 4 fixed to the top of the second chamber CB, and the cleaning liquid passage 19 is also fixed. Furthermore, the chamber side walkway 6 is fixed to the upper part of the chamber side pipes 14a, 18a via the base 6a arranged on the unit base 4. Note that in the manufacturing factory, the handrail 6a is not fixed to the chamber side walkway 6, but is removed when transported. In this manner, in the manufacturing factory, the sterilization device is installed inside the second chamber CB, and the upper piping and the chamber side walkway 6 are fixed to the top, and the product is shipped in this state using a transportation means such as a truck. At this time, the height of the second chamber CB and the chamber side walkway 6 is designed and manufactured so that it is a height that can be transported by the truck or the like, specifically, a height that satisfies the regulations of the Road Traffic Act.

[0027] Also, in the manufacturing factory, a task of fixing exhaust means 3, which constitutes the sterilization unit UB and exhausts sterile air from inside the second chamber CB, to the stand 7A is performed. That is, the manifold 13 and the pedestal side piping 14 b of the exhaust piping 14 are fixed to the support member 15 , and the exhaust blower 11 and the motor 12 are fixed to the pedestal side walkway 16 . When the platform 7A is to be transported, the legs 15a are removed from the support members 15 and the handrails 6a are removed from the platform-side walkway 16 before transport.

[0028] The second chamber CB and the stand 7A thus manufactured at the manufacturing factory are transported by truck or the like, and then assembled into the sterilization unit UB at a filling factory. Once the second chamber CB has been installed at a designated location in the filling factory, a stand 7A supporting the exhaust blower 11 constituting the exhaust means 3 is installed at a position adjacent to the second chamber CB, with legs 15a attached to the support member 15. Once these are installed, the connection part 14d of the chamber side pipe 14a constituting the exhaust pipe 14 fixed to the unit base 4 of the second chamber CB and the connection part 14d of the stand side pipe 14b connected to the manifold 13 fixed to the stand 7A supporting the exhaust means 3 will be located in predetermined positions, so that the piping of the exhaust pipe 14 is completed by connecting these using the connecting pipe 14c. Similarly, a stand 7B supporting an air filter 17a constituting the air supply means 17 is installed at a position adjacent to the second chamber CB with legs 15a attached to the support member 15. This makes it possible to connect the chamber side piping 18a that constitutes the air supply piping 18 fixed to the unit base 4 of the second chamber CB to the stand side piping 18b that is connected to the manifold 13 fixed to the stand 7 that supports the air filter 17b, thereby completing the piping of the air supply piping 18. Then, the cleaning liquid piping 19 arranged in the unit base 4 of the second chamber CB is connected to the cleaning liquid piping arranged in the unit base of the third chamber CC, thereby completing the piping of the cleaning liquid piping 19 between the second chamber CB and the third chamber CC. Similarly, for other filler / capper units UD, etc., once the fourth chamber CD is installed in the filling plant, a stand 7E supporting a liquid supply means to the filling device and a stand 7D supporting an air transport means for air transporting caps to the capping device are installed adjacent to the fourth chamber CD, and the piping provided to these is connected.

[0029] In this manner, the filling system 1 of this embodiment makes it possible to quickly perform piping work when installing the system in a filling factory. In other words, during manufacturing at the manufacturing factory, the piping exposed to the outside of chamber C is fixed in advance to the upper part of chamber C and to the frame 7, so that at the filling factory, the piping can be completed by simply connecting these, eliminating the need for piping to be fitted to the actual product at the filling factory. When performing piping based on actual fitting at a filling factory, it is necessary to install a piping frame (stanchion) on the top of chamber C and fix the piping to the frame, but this poses the problem that the work is cumbersome and the piping becomes complicated. In addition, in this embodiment, a manifold 13 is provided on the stand 7A to collect multiple stand-side pipes 14b, so that there is no need to collect the pipes while matching them to the actual product, and the pipes can be installed efficiently. Furthermore, in the filling system 1 of this embodiment, a walkway is provided above the stand 7 and the chamber C, and external piping is arranged below the walkway, making it easy to perform maintenance after the filling system 1 is completed.

[0030] Although the above embodiment describes a filling system 1 for filling a container with a beverage, a processing system can be obtained to which the configuration described in the above embodiment is applied as long as the processing system is equipped with a processing device within chamber C and is configured to supply some kind of fluid from the top of chamber C. In addition, in the above embodiment, the exhaust piping 14 and the exhaust means 3 each include a plurality of chamber side piping 14a and a plurality of stand side piping 14b, and the manifold 13 is fixed to the stand 7A, but it is also possible to fix the manifold 13 to the second chamber CB. In this case, a plurality of chamber side pipes 14a are disposed above the second chamber CB, and the other ends of the plurality of chamber side pipes 14a are connected to the manifold 13. On the other hand, one stand side pipe 14 having one end connected to the exhaust blower 11 is fixed to the stand 7, and the stand side pipe 14 is connected to the manifold 13 directly or via the connection pipe 14c. [Explanation of symbols]

[0031] 1. Filling system; 2. Sterile air supply means; 3 Exhaust means 4 Unit base 6 Chamber side walkway 7A~7E Mounting 13 Manifold 14 Exhaust piping (piping) 14a Chamber side piping 14b Base side piping 14c Connection pipe 14d Connection part 15 Support member 15a Leg 16 Platform Side Walkway CA~CE Chambers 1~5

Claims

1. A processing system comprising a chamber housing a processing device therein, a pipe communicating with the inside of the chamber, and a supply means for supplying a fluid to the inside of the chamber via the pipe or a discharge means for discharging a fluid from the inside of the chamber via the pipe, a platform for supporting the supply means or the discharge means at a height corresponding to the ceiling height of the chamber is provided at a position adjacent to the chamber, and the platform is configured to be transportable separately from the chamber; the piping includes a chamber-side piping that is fixed to an upper portion of the chamber, one end of which is connected to the inside of the chamber and the other end of which faces the base side, and a base-side piping that is fixed to the base, one end of which is connected to the supply means or the discharge means, and the other end of which faces the chamber side; Furthermore, a chamber side walkway along which an operator can walk is fixed to the chamber above the chamber side piping so as to be transportable integrally with the chamber, and a platform side walkway along which an operator can walk is fixed to the platform above the piping so as to be transportable integrally with the platform, a processing system, the other end of the chamber side piping being connected to the other end of the stand side piping.

2. 2. The processing system according to claim 1, wherein the other end of the chamber side pipe is provided to coincide with the position of an end of the chamber, and the other end of the stand side pipe is provided to coincide with the position of an end of the stand.

3. a manifold is fixed to the base; 3. The processing system according to claim 1, wherein one ends of the plurality of pedestal-side pipes are connected to a supply means or a discharge means via the manifold.

4. a manifold is fixed to an upper portion of the chamber; 3. The processing system according to claim 1, wherein the other ends of the plurality of chamber side pipes are connected to the manifold, and the manifold is communicated with the other end of the pedestal side pipe.

Citation Information

Patent Citations

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