Cap sterilization method and cap sterilization apparatus

Abstract

To provide a cap sterilization method and a compact cap sterilizer capable of sterilizing a cap in a short time with a simple process.SOLUTION: A cap sterilization method comprises: providing recesses for receiving caps 1 in a peripheral edge of each of wheels 12; receiving the caps in at least two rows of the wheels provided in a vertical direction in a chamber 16 that shields the wheels; and sterilizes by causing hydrogen peroxide gas and heated gas to flow from below toward the caps that are transported downward from above through passing between the wheels.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a method for sterilizing a cap for sealing a bottle filled with contents and a cap sterilizing device in an aseptic filling machine.

Background Art

[0002] There have been proposed a method and an apparatus for filling a sterile container, in which a preform is sterilized, the sterilized preform is heated, the heated preform is formed into a bottle, the formed bottle is filled with sterilized contents in a sterile atmosphere, and the bottle filled with the contents is sealed with a sterilized cap (Patent Document 1). Also, there have been proposed a method and an apparatus for filling a sterile container, in which a preform is formed into a bottle, the formed bottle is sterilized, the sterilized bottle is filled with sterilized contents in a sterile atmosphere, and the bottle filled with the contents is sealed with a sterilized cap (Patent Document 2). Various methods and apparatuses for sterilizing a cap supplied to such an aseptic filling machine have also been proposed.

[0003] Conventional cap sterilizing devices generally include a device for injecting a sterilizing liquid into the cap being conveyed in a chamber. For example, there are a device for spraying a mist of a sterilizing agent with the opening of the cap facing sideways (Patent Document 3), and a device for injecting a sterilizing liquid with the opening of the cap facing downward (Patent Document 4). Also, there has been proposed a device in which the opening of the cap faces upward, a chemical solution is injected toward the outer peripheral surface and the top surface of the cap, and the chemical solution is also injected toward the inner surface to accumulate the chemical solution inside the mouth portion to sterilize the inner and outer surfaces of the cap (Patent Document 5).

[0004] Also, there have been proposed a device for injecting hot water with the opening of the cap facing downward or sideways without using a chemical agent (Patent Document 6), and a device for injecting steam with the opening of the cap facing sideways to sterilize (Patent Document 7).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0005]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Patent Document 3

Patent Document 4

Patent Document 5

Patent Document 6

Patent Document 7

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0006] In a aseptic filling machine, sterilized bottles are filled with contents sterilized in an aseptic atmosphere, and the bottles filled with the contents are sealed with sterilized caps. Here, the sterilization of the caps has been performed by spraying a sterilizing agent or steam onto the caps or immersing the caps in a sterilizing agent. Spraying a sterilizing agent or steam is not efficient because it involves a large loss of the sterilizing agent or steam as it is performed individually for relatively small caps. In such a case, the sterilizing agent or steam is sprayed onto the aligned caps, but not all of the sprayed sterilizing agent or steam contributes to sterilization, and the sterilizing agent or steam that does not contribute to the sterilization of the caps is exhausted and wasted. In sterilization by steam, the heat load is large and there is a risk of cap deformation. Also, when the caps are immersed in a sterilizing agent, hot air is sprayed after immersion to remove the sterilizing agent adhering to the complex screw portions formed inside the caps, but the energy consumption of this process is excessive. Any of the conventional methods involves processes such as sterilization, washing, and drying, resulting in a long processing time for the caps and an oversized processing facility.

[0007] The cap sterilization devices described in Patent Documents 3, 4, and 5 all use a sterilizing agent, and processes such as hot air blowing, washing, and drying are required to remove the sterilizing agent and enhance the sterilization effect, resulting in excessive processing time and processing equipment.

[0008] The cap sterilization device described in Patent Document 4 sterilizes caps by sequentially spraying a mist of a sterilizing agent and hot air onto caps conveyed in a line. Since the caps are conveyed in a line, the device becomes large, and the number of caps to be sterilized is small, resulting in poor productivity.

[0009] The cap sterilization device described in Patent Document 3 performs processes of spraying a sterilizing liquid, washing with sterile water, and drying by blowing hot air onto caps conveyed by two rows of wheels provided in the horizontal direction. Since the caps are conveyed in the horizontal direction, the area of the cap sterilization device becomes large, and washing and drying processes are also required for sterilization with the sterilizing liquid, resulting in excessive equipment.

[0010] The cap sterilization device described in Patent Document 5 performs processes of washing with sterile water, chemical liquid sterilization, and finish washing on caps conveyed by a spiral conveyor, and the conveyance between the spiral conveyors is performed by wheels. Although the throughput is high, the device is complex and large.

[0011] The cap sterilization device described in Patent Document 6 conveys caps by wheels arranged in a line in the vertical direction. Although the installation area of the device is small, hot water is sprayed onto the entire surface of the caps for sterilization, which takes time and requires a large amount of hot water.

[0012] The cap sterilization device described in Patent Document 7 sterilizes using steam without using a sterilizing agent. Sterilization with steam can sterilize in a relatively short time, but there is a risk that the cap may be deformed by the heat of the steam. In aseptic filling, if the cap is deformed, fine gaps will be generated at the fitting part between the cap and the mouth of the container, and there is a risk that bacteria and the like will flow in from the gaps and contaminate the contents. Therefore, deformation of the cap must be avoided. Also, the caps are conveyed in alignment in a row, and the device becomes long.

[0013] Therefore, there is a need for a cap sterilization method and a compact cap sterilization device that can sterilize caps with a simple process in a short time.

[0014] The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and in response to the demand for sterilizing caps with a simple device in a short time, a cap sterilization method and a cap sterilization device are provided in which hydrogen peroxide water gas is flowed from below to sterilize the caps conveyed from above to below by wheels provided in at least two rows in the vertical direction.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0015] The cap sterilization method according to the present invention provides a recess for storing the cap at the peripheral edge of the wheel, and in the vertical direction within the chamber that shields the wheel, the center of the upper First wheel is below the Second upper end of the wheel, above the upper end of the upper wheel, and the distance between the center of the upper wheel and the upper end of the lower wheel is more than 0 and up to 1 / 4 of the diameter of the upper wheel. First wheel and the upper end of the lower wheel are close to each other, and the cap is stored in the recess of the wheel provided at the uppermost part, and from above to below in the chamber Second wheel, and the distance between the center of the upper wheel and the upper end of the lower wheel is more than 0 and up to 1 / 4 of the diameter of the upper wheel. First wheel and the upper end of the lower wheel are close to each other, and the cap is stored in the recess of the wheel provided at the uppermost part, and from above to below in the chamber A third wheel is provided vertically below the first wheel, and a fourth wheel is provided vertically below the second wheel. wheel, and the distance between the center of the upper wheel and the upper end of the lower wheel is more than 0 and up to 1 / 4 of the diameter of the upper wheel. They are provided in two rows in the vertical direction. wheel and the upper end of the lower wheel are close to each other, and the cap is stored in the recess of the wheel provided at the uppermost part, and from above to below in the chamber First wheel, and the distance between the center of the upper wheel and the upper end of the lower wheel is more than 0 and up to 1 / 4 of the diameter of the upper wheel. , from the first wheel to the second wheel, and further from the second wheel through the third wheel to the fourth wheel By transferring the cap, the closing surface of the cap is conveyed parallel to the surface of the wheel, and hydrogen peroxide water gas is flowed from below the chamber to sterilize the cap.

[0016] Also, in the method for sterilizing a cap according to the present invention, it is preferable to flow the hydrogen peroxide water gas and the heated gas from below the chamber to sterilize the cap.

[0017] Also, in the method for sterilizing a cap according to the present invention, it is preferable that the heated gas is either or both of heated air and heated water vapor.

[0018] The cap sterilization apparatus according to the present invention has a recess for storing the cap at the peripheral portion, and the center of the upper wheel in the vertical direction is above the upper end portion of the lower wheel, and the upper First center of the wheel and the lower Second distance between the upper end portion of the wheel is more than 0 and up to 1 / 4 of the diameter of the upper wheel, First and the distance between the upper wheel and the lower wheel is close enough to enable the transfer of the cap, A third wheel is provided vertically below the first wheel, and a fourth wheel is provided vertically below the second wheel. and includes the wheel, a chamber that shields the wheel, a cap supply device that supplies the cap to the uppermost wheel in the chamber, a cap discharge device that discharges the cap from the lowermost wheel in the chamber to the outside of the chamber, and a hydrogen peroxide water gas supply device that supplies hydrogen peroxide water gas from below the chamber. From the first wheel to the second wheel, and further from the second wheel through the third wheel to the fourth wheel Two vertical rows First

[0019] Also, in the cap sterilization apparatus according to the present invention, it is preferable to include a heated gas supply device that supplies heated gas from below the chamber.

[0020] ​​​Further, in the cap sterilization apparatus according to the present invention, it is preferable that the heated gas supply device is configured to supply either heated air, heated water vapor, or both.

Advantages of the Invention

[0021] According to the cap sterilization method and the cap sterilization apparatus of the present invention, a recess for storing the cap is provided at the peripheral portion of the wheel, and in the vertical direction within the chamber that shields the wheel, the center of the upper wheel is above the upper end portion of the lower wheel, and two rows are provided vertically with the interval between the upper wheel and the lower wheel being close, and the cap is stored in the recess of the wheel provided at the uppermost part, and the cap is conveyed parallel to the closing surface of the cap with respect to the wheel surface by transferring between the wheels from above to below in the chamber, and hydrogen peroxide water gas is flowed from below to above in the chamber to sterilize the cap.

[0022] By supplying hydrogen peroxide water gas from below to the cap conveyed from above to below, the hydrogen peroxide water gas comes into contact with all the caps conveyed in the chamber, so the time for the cap to come into contact with the hydrogen peroxide water gas can be lengthened, and the sterilization effect is high. Also, since the hydrogen peroxide water gas can be brought into contact with the cap for a long time, the amount of hydrogen peroxide used can be reduced.

[0023] Since the cap sterilization apparatus arranges the wheels in the vertical direction, the installation area is small. Also, since the cap is sterilized by supplying hydrogen peroxide water gas from below the chamber, the apparatus is simple.

[0024] The sterilization effect can be enhanced by a simple operation of supplying a heated gas from below the chamber together with the hydrogen peroxide water gas.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0025]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0026] Embodiments for carrying out the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

[0027] The cap 1 shown in FIG. 1 is supplied by the cap supply device 6 shown in FIG. 2 to the cap sterilization device 8 shown in FIG. 5 and sterilized. The sterilized cap 1 is discharged from the cap sterilization device 8 into the aseptic atmosphere of the aseptic filling machine by the cap discharge rail 9. The discharged cap 1 seals a container filled with the sterilized content by a capper provided in the sealing part of the aseptic filling machine.

[0028] The cap 1 in the present embodiment seals a bottle filled with a content sterilized in an aseptic atmosphere to a bottle sterilized in an aseptic filling machine by a tightening machine, and has, for example, the shape shown in FIG. 1. The cap 1 is made of a thermoplastic resin such as polyethylene or polypropylene and is formed by injection molding or compression molding. Inside the cap 1, a female screw is formed simultaneously with the molding, and uneven portions for fitting with the top surface of the bottle mouth portion, which is a flat surface in FIG. 1, are formed.

[0029] After being molded, the cap 1 is placed in a container at the molding factory, sealed, and transported to, for example, a beverage factory. The cap 1 transported to the beverage factory is supplied to a sterile filling machine installed in the beverage factory. The supplied cap 1 is sterilized, and the sterilized cap 1 is conveyed to the sealing part of the sterile filling machine and delivered to a sealing wheel equipped with a capper, and by the capper, it is tightened around the mouth of a bottle filled with contents. On the mouth of the bottle, a male screw is formed that fits with the female screw formed inside the cap 1. The present invention relates to a method for sterilizing the cap 1 in the process of supplying the cap 1 to the sealing part constituting the sterile filling machine and a cap sterilization device.

[0030] The cap 1 molded at the molding factory is put into a polyethylene bag, and the polyethylene bag is placed in a container made of metal, cardboard, or plastic and sealed. Attention is paid so that the cap 1 is not contaminated by dust, dirt, etc. when being transported from the molding factory to the beverage factory. The container transported to the beverage factory is opened and tilted above the receiving tank 2, so that the cap 1 in the container is put into the receiving tank 2. The receiving tank 2 is opened upward, so that the cap 1 is put in from the container.

[0031] After the cap 1 is put in, the receiving tank 2 is sealed. The cap 1 put into the receiving tank 2 is stored disorderly. The receiving tank 2 has a hopper shape formed so that the storage effective area becomes smaller toward the bottom. The upper part of the receiving tank 2 is square in FIG. 2, but it may also be circular. The receiving tank 2 is made of a material with durability like stainless steel and does not corrode.

[0032] The cap 1 is conveyed from the lower part of the receiving tank 2 by a conveyor 3. In order to maintain the cleanliness inside the receiving tank 2 when the cap 1 is conveyed, sterile air obtained by passing air through a sterilization filter may be supplied into the receiving tank 2.

[0033] As the cap 1 is conveyed by the conveyor 3, the caps 1 in the receiving tank 2 decrease. When it reaches a certain level, the receiving tank 2 is opened, and the caps 1 are input from the container into the receiving tank 2. A cap level sensor is provided in the receiving tank 2. When the sensor no longer contacts the cap 1, the decrease in the cap 1 is detected and an alarm is issued.

[0034] The caps 1 stored at the lower part of the receiving tank 2 are conveyed by the conveyor 3 as shown in FIG. 3. Crossbars 4 are provided on the conveyor 3 at regular intervals perpendicular to the conveying direction of the conveyor 3, and the caps 1 hanging on these crossbars 4 are conveyed by the conveyor 3. Also, as shown in FIG. 4, a curtain plate 10 with a length such that it does not slide in contact with the crossbars 4 is provided on the wall surface in the conveying direction of the receiving tank 2 to exclude the caps 1 existing above the crossbars 4. Due to the exclusion effect of the curtain plate 10, the caps 1 are conveyed by the conveyor 3 so that a plurality of caps 1 do not overlap. The curtain plate 10 preferably has flexibility so as not to damage the caps 1 and is made of a material that does not deteriorate. For example, silicone rubber, fluororubber, perfluoroelastomer, fluorosilicone rubber, etc. are suitable.

[0035] The width of the lower opening of the receiving tank 2 is set to be narrower than the widths of the conveyor 3 and the crossbars 4. This is to prevent the caps 1 from falling off the conveyor 3 and the crossbars 4. The height of the crossbars 4 is preferably 0.8 to 1.5 times the height of the cap 1. It is the height at which the cap 1 can be blocked by the crossbars 4 and placed on the conveyor 3. If it is less than 0.8 times, there is a risk of being removed by the curtain plate 10, and if it exceeds 1.5 times, there is a risk that two caps 1 will overlap and hang on the crossbars 4. The conveyor 3 requires flexibility, and a material similar to that of the curtain plate 10 is preferably used. Also, the crossbars 4 are preferably made of plastic so as not to damage the caps 1.

[0036] As shown in Fig. 4, the conveyor 3 conveys the cap 1 upward. It is the normal posture that the closing surface 1b of the cap 1 contacts the conveyor 3. The posture in which the opening surface 1a of the cap 1 contacts the conveyor 3 is an abnormal posture called the reverse cap. As shown in Fig. 4, the conveyor 3 is arranged in a state slightly tilted so that the conveyor 3 surface faces upward from the upright state. The lower end of the conveyor 3 is arranged at the lower part of the receiving tank 2. The interval between the crossbars 4 is slightly wider than the diameter of the cap 1. When the conveyor 3 is driven, the caps 1 stored in the receiving tank 2 are scraped up by the crossbars 4. At this time, there are caps 1 in the normal posture and caps 1 in the abnormal posture. However, for the caps 1 in the abnormal posture, the center of gravity is outside the crossbars 4, and they fall from the crossbars 4 to the lower end of the conveyor 3. The fallen caps 1 are scraped up by the crossbars 4 until they are in the normal posture.

[0037] The caps 1 are arranged at irregular intervals along the crossbars 4 in the normal posture. The caps 1 lifted by the conveyor 3 are moved horizontally by the sterile air blown from the nozzle 7, and are aligned by the aligning device 5 and introduced into the cap sterilizing device 8. The nozzle 7 is a device for sending out the caps 1 conveyed by the crossbars 4 to the aligning device 5 with high-pressure sterile air, and is arranged in parallel with the crossbars 4 so as to blow high-pressure sterile air between a pair of crossbars 4 corresponding to the aligning device 5. The high-pressure sterile air may be air passed through a sterilization filter of the air by a blower, or air passed through a sterilization filter of the high-pressure air by a compressor.

[0038] The cap supply rail 11 for supplying the caps 1 to the cap sterilizing device 8 is inclined downward, and conveys the caps 1 while rotating the side surfaces of the caps 1 by the self-weight of the caps 1. When the caps 1 are introduced into the cap sterilizing device 8, the posture in which the caps 1 are held by the cap supply rail 11 is such that the opening surface 1a of the caps 1 faces the side direction. The caps 1 are held by a plurality of rails. The opening surface 1a of the cap 1 is held by two rails, the closing surface 1b is held by two rails, and the side surfaces are held by two rails each above and below. The rails for holding the side surfaces may be one each. The cross-section of the rail is circular, but it may also be polygonal or elliptical.

[0039] The cap 1 is supplied to the cap sterilizing device 8 by the cap supply device 6 including the receiving tank 2, the conveyor 3 having the rack 4, the aligning device 5, and the cap supply rail 11.

[0040] As shown in FIG. 5, the cap 1 supplied to the cap sterilizing device 8 is stored in the recess provided at the peripheral portion of the wheel A12 by its own weight from the cap supply rail 11. The cap 1 stored in the recess of the wheel A12 is conveyed by the rotation of the wheel A12. The cap 1 is supplied to the cap sterilizing device 8 by the cap supply rail 11 with the closing surface 1b parallel to the surface of the wheel A12 in the lateral direction, and the supplied cap 1 is conveyed in the cap sterilizing device 8 in a state where the closing surface 1b is parallel to the surface of the wheel A12 in the lateral direction.

[0041] In the wheel A12, the cap 1 is held as shown in FIG. 6. One side of the side surface of the cap 1 is stored in the recess of the wheel A12, and the cap 1 is conveyed according to the rotation of the wheel A12 by the cap support rail 17 that supports the side surface in the opposite direction and two cap support rails 17 for the opening surface 1a and the two closing surfaces 1b on the side direction of the cap 1.

[0042] The cap 1 is transferred from the wheel A12 to the wheel B13. Further, it is conveyed while being transferred from the wheel B13 through the wheel C14 to the wheel D15. The wheels A12, B13, C14, and D15 are shielded by the chamber 16. Although FIG. 5 shows four wheels, two or more wheels may be used. If there is only one wheel, the residence time in the chamber 16 cannot be ensured sufficiently, resulting in insufficient sterilization.

[0043] The recesses provided in each wheel may have any size and shape as long as they can accommodate the cap 1. The depth of the recess is preferably 1 / 2 or more and less than 1 of the diameter of the cap 1. If it is less than 1 / 2 of the diameter of the cap, there is a risk that the cap 1 during transportation cannot be supported. If it is 1 or more of the diameter of the cap 1, there is a risk that the cap 1 cannot be transferred between the wheels. The shape of the bottom of the recess is preferably a semi-circular shape that matches the diameter of the cap 1.

[0044] The wheels A12, B13, C14 and D15 are provided in the vertical direction, and the cap 1 is sequentially conveyed from the wheel A12 provided at the uppermost part in the chamber 16 to the wheel D15 provided below. The center of the wheel A12 provided above is provided so as to be located above the upper end of the wheel B13 provided below. If the center of the wheel A12 is below the upper end of the wheel B13, the chamber 16 becomes larger in the horizontal direction, and the cap sterilization device 8 cannot be made compact. Also, the wheels A12 and B13 are provided close to each other to the extent that the cap 1 can be transferred. The distance between the center of the wheel A12 and the upper end of the wheel B13 is preferably more than 0 and up to 1 / 4 of the wheel diameter. If the distance is increased, the residence time of the cap 1 in the chamber 16 cannot be lengthened.

[0045] The wheels A12 and B13 are provided at different positions in the vertical direction. Therefore, at least two rows of wheels are provided in the vertical direction in the chamber 16. Three or more rows of wheels may be provided in the vertical direction. In FIG. 5, the wheel C14 is provided vertically below the wheel A12, and the wheel D15 is provided vertically below the wheel B13, but wheels may be provided further below. Although the wheel diameters are the same, the diameters of the respective wheels may be different.

[0046] By flowing the hydrogen peroxide solution gas from below the chamber 16, the cap 1 conveyed inside the chamber 16 is sterilized. In order to flow the hydrogen peroxide solution gas into the chamber 16, the cap sterilization device 8 is provided with a hydrogen peroxide solution gas supply device 18. The hydrogen peroxide solution gas supplied by the hydrogen peroxide solution gas supply device 18 is supplied below the chamber 16 as shown in FIG. 5.

[0047] The hydrogen peroxide solution gas supply device 18 is a device that gasifies the hydrogen peroxide solution and supplies the hydrogen peroxide gas to the chamber 16. The hydrogen peroxide solution gas supply device 18 is provided with a hydrogen peroxide solution gas generator that generates the hydrogen peroxide solution gas. The hydrogen peroxide solution gas generator includes a hydrogen peroxide solution supply unit that is a two-fluid spray nozzle for supplying the hydrogen peroxide solution in a droplet form, and a vaporization unit that heats and vaporizes the hydrogen peroxide solution supplied from the hydrogen peroxide solution supply unit to a temperature below the decomposition temperature. The hydrogen peroxide solution supply unit introduces the hydrogen peroxide solution and the compressed air from the hydrogen peroxide solution supply path and the compressed air supply path, respectively, and sprays the hydrogen peroxide solution into the vaporization unit. The vaporization unit is a pipe with a heater sandwiched between the inner and outer walls, and heats and vaporizes the hydrogen peroxide solution blown into this pipe. The gas of the vaporized hydrogen peroxide solution jets out of the vaporization unit from the hydrogen peroxide solution gas spraying nozzle. The jetted hydrogen peroxide solution gas is supplied below the chamber 16.

[0048] As the operating conditions of the hydrogen peroxide solution supply unit, for example, the pressure of the compressed air is adjusted in the range of 0.05 MPa to 0.6 MPa. At this time, the supply amount of the compressed air is appropriately 50 L / min. to 300 L / min. Also, the hydrogen peroxide solution may be supplied by gravity drop or under pressure, and the supply amount of the hydrogen peroxide solution can be freely set. For example, the hydrogen peroxide solution is supplied to the hydrogen peroxide solution supply path in the range of 1 g / min. to 100 g / min. Further, the inner surface of the vaporization unit is heated to 120°C to 450°C so that the sprayed sterilizing agent vaporizes.

[0049] Although a hydrogen peroxide water gas generator that sprays hydrogen peroxide water onto a heated vaporization section to gasify it has been exemplified, the hydrogen peroxide gas generator can be any device that generates a gas of hydrogen peroxide water. The hydrogen peroxide water gas supply device 18 includes a hydrogen peroxide water gas generator and a supply pipe for supplying the generated hydrogen peroxide water gas to the chamber 16. Further, a pressurizing device, a valve, a hydrogen peroxide concentration meter, etc. for supplying the hydrogen peroxide water gas may be provided.

[0050] The content of hydrogen peroxide in the hydrogen peroxide water is suitably in the range of 0.5 mass% to 65 mass%. If it is less than 0.5 mass%, the sterilizing power may be insufficient, and if it exceeds 65 mass%, it becomes difficult to handle from a safety perspective. More preferably, it is 0.5 mass% to 40 mass%, and when it is 40 mass% or less, it is easier to handle, and since the hydrogen peroxide concentration is low, the residual amount of the sterilizing agent after sterilization can be reduced. Further, it may contain one or more of alcohols such as methyl alcohol, ethyl alcohol, isopropyl alcohol, normal propyl alcohol, butyl alcohol, ketones such as acetone, methyl ethyl ketone, acetylacetone, glycol ethers, etc. Furthermore, it may contain additives such as organic acids such as peracetic acid and acetic acid, inorganic acids such as nitric acid, basic compounds such as sodium hydroxide and potassium hydroxide, compounds having a sterilizing effect such as sodium hypochlorite, chlorine dioxide, and ozone, cationic surfactants, nonionic surfactants, and phosphate compounds.

[0051] By supplying a heated gas to the chamber 16, the sterilizing effect of the gas of hydrogen peroxide water on the cap 1 is improved. As shown in FIG. 5, the cap sterilizing device 8 is provided with a heated gas supply device 19 that supplies a heated gas from below the chamber 16.

[0052] The heated gas supplied by the heated gas supply device 19 is either heated air, heated water vapor, or a combination thereof. The gas to be heated may be nitrogen, argon, carbon dioxide gas, etc. other than air and water vapor. The heated gas is supplied from below the chamber 16.

[0053] Heated air is obtained by heating the compressed air by a compressor or the air sent by a blower with a heating device such as a heater or a burner. The appropriate temperature of the obtained heated air is 40°C to 170°C. If it is less than 40°C, no improvement in the sterilization effect is expected, and if the temperature exceeds 170°C, there is a risk of deformation of the cap 1. The air before being heated is preferably sterilized air that has passed through a sterilization filter. This is because although it is assumed that bacteria in the air are sterilized by the gas of hydrogen peroxide solution, there is a risk that unsterilized bacteria may remain. A device for supplying air, a sterilization filter, and a heating device for heating the air are provided as the heated gas supply device 19.

[0054] Heated steam is generated by a heated steam generator that heats water with electricity or fuel. The water used may be purified through a reverse osmosis membrane. Cleaning agents, rehydration treatment agents, etc. are used for the can body that turns water into steam, but food additive grade is used. Also, the can body and the transport piping are preferably made of stainless steel. In order to remove foreign substances, ions, chemicals, etc. in the heated steam, it may be passed through a filter, activated carbon, or an ultrafiltration membrane. Furthermore, the heated steam supply device is preferably a reboiler that generates heated steam by exchanging heat between the heated steam and water that has passed through a reverse osmosis membrane using the heated steam as a heat source. The appropriate temperature of the heated steam is 105°C to 170°C. If it is less than 105°C, there is a risk of liquefaction of the steam, and if it is 170°C or higher, there is a risk of deformation of the cap 1. A device for supplying water and a heated steam generator that turns water into heated steam are provided as the heated gas supply device 19.

[0055] The heated gas is supplied to the chamber 16 separately from the gas of hydrogen peroxide solution, but a conduit from the heated gas supply device 19 may be connected to the conduit for supplying the gas of hydrogen peroxide solution to the chamber 16, and the gas of hydrogen peroxide and the heated gas may be mixed in the conduit and supplied below the chamber 16. The heated gas can raise the temperature of the gas of hydrogen peroxide solution and improve the sterilization effect.

[0056] The hydrogen peroxide water gas supplied into the chamber 16 flows from the bottom to the top and contacts the cap 1 conveyed from the top to the bottom of the chamber 16, killing bacteria and the like present on the surface of the cap 1. The sterilization effect is improved by the counterflow of the hydrogen peroxide water gas and the cap 1. When flowing in the same direction, it is considered that the air flow generated by the flow of the conveyed cap 1 becomes in the same direction, and the chance of the hydrogen peroxide water gas contacting the cap 1 decreases.

[0057] In order to make the hydrogen peroxide water gas flow from the bottom to the top of the chamber 16, it is preferable to provide an exhaust device 20 on the upper surface of the chamber 16. The exhaust device 20 exhausts an amount of gas approximately equal to the supply amounts of the hydrogen peroxide water gas and the heating gas supplied to the chamber 16, or exhausts an amount of gas greater than the supply amounts of the hydrogen peroxide water gas and the heating gas, and the inside of the chamber 16 may be made below atmospheric pressure. Even if outside air flows in from the opening for supplying the cap 1, it is sterilized by the hydrogen peroxide water gas. The exhaust device 20 is a blower, and it is preferable to provide a filter for decomposing peracetic acid into water and oxygen between the chamber 16 and the blower.

[0058] It is preferable that the cap sterilization device 8 sterilizes the inside of the chamber 16 before operation. At this time, the inside of the chamber 16 can be sterilized by supplying the hydrogen peroxide water gas into the chamber 16 by the hydrogen peroxide water gas supply device 18. There is no need to provide a device for sterilizing the inside of the chamber 16.

[0059] The sterilized cap 1 is discharged from within the chamber 16 by a cap discharging device. The cap discharging device is, for example, the cap discharging rail 9 shown in FIG. 5. It is delivered from the wheel D15 to the cap discharging rail 9 by its own weight. The cap discharging rail 9 has the same structure as the cap supply rail 11, is inclined downward, and conveys the cap 1 while rotating the side surface of the cap 1 by the weight of the cap 1. The conveyed cap 1 is conveyed by the cap discharging rail 9 to the sterilized sealing portion of the aseptic filling machine adjacent to the chamber 16. The cap discharging device may also be a device that blows aseptic air onto the cap 1 for discharging.

[0060] The conveyed cap 1 is used for sealing the container at the sealing portion of the aseptic filling machine. Since the residual hydrogen peroxide in the cap 1 sterilized within the chamber 16 is extremely small, there is no need to rinse the sterilized cap 1.

[0061] However, aseptic air may be blown onto the sterilized cap 1. This is to remove the hydrogen peroxide and foreign substances that may remain on the cap 1. The aseptic air may be air passed through a filter for sterilization by a blower or sterilized compressed air, and is generated by an aseptic air supply device and supplied to an aseptic air blowing nozzle. The aseptic air blowing nozzle is provided on the opening surface 1a side and the closing surface 1b side of the cap 1.

[0062] As described above, the present invention is configured as such, but is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications can be made within the scope of the gist of the present invention.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0063] 1... Cap 6... Cap supply device 8... Cap sterilization device 9... Cap discharging rail 11... Cap supply rail 12... Wheel A 16... Chamber 17... Cap support rail 18... Hydrogen peroxide water gas supply device 19... Heating gas supply device

Claims

1. A recess for housing a cap is provided at the peripheral edge of a wheel, in the vertical direction within a chamber that shields the wheel, the center of the upper first wheel is above the upper end of the lower second wheel, and the distance between the center of the upper first wheel and the upper end of the lower second wheel is more than 0 and up to 1 / 4 of the diameter of the upper first wheel. A third wheel is provided vertically below the first wheel, and a fourth wheel is provided vertically below the second wheel. The distance between the upper wheel and the lower wheel is provided in two vertical rows in close proximity, the cap is housed in the recess of the first wheel provided at the uppermost part, the cap is conveyed parallel to the closing surface of the cap with respect to the surface of the wheel by transferring the cap from the first wheel to the second wheel and further from the second wheel to the third wheel and then to the fourth wheel from above to below in the chamber, A method for sterilizing a cap, characterized in that hydrogen peroxide water gas is flowed from below the chamber to sterilize the cap.

2. In the method for sterilizing a cap according to Claim 1, a method for sterilizing a cap, characterized in that hydrogen peroxide water gas and heated gas are flowed from below the chamber to sterilize the cap.

3. In the method for sterilizing a cap according to Claim 2, a method for sterilizing a cap, characterized in that the heated gas is either heated air, heated water vapor, or both.

4. In the vertical direction, the center of the upper wheel having a recess for housing a cap at the peripheral edge is above the upper end of the lower wheel, and the distance between the center of the upper first wheel and the upper end of the lower second wheel is more than 0 and up to 1 / 4 of the diameter of the upper first wheel. A third wheel is provided vertically below the first wheel, and a fourth wheel is provided vertically below the second wheel. The wheels in two vertical rows are arranged in close proximity so that the cap can be transferred from the first wheel to the second wheel, further from the second wheel to the third wheel, and then to the fourth wheel, a chamber that shields the wheels, a cap supply device that supplies the cap to the first wheel at the uppermost part within the chamber, A cap discharging device that discharges the cap out of the chamber from the lowermost wheel in the chamber and A cap sterilization device characterized by comprising a hydrogen peroxide water gas supply device that supplies hydrogen peroxide water gas from below the chamber.

5. In the cap sterilization device according to claim 4, A cap sterilization device characterized by comprising a heating gas supply device that supplies heating gas from below the chamber.

6. In the cap sterilization device according to claim 5, A cap sterilization device, characterized in that the heating gas supply device is configured to supply either heated air, heated water vapor, or a combination thereof.

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