Content filling system and content filling method

Abstract

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

Description

Technical Field

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

Background Art

[0002] Recently, plastic containers have become common as containers for storing content liquids such as food and beverages, and such plastic containers are filled with the content liquid.

[0003] Such plastic containers for filling the content liquid are manufactured by inserting a preform into a mold and blow molding. Then, the content liquid is filled into the container obtained by blow molding in a sterile state.

[0004] By the way, a technique for spraying a bactericide onto a preform and a blow-molded container for sterilization has been developed.

[0005] In addition, a label indicating the content of the content liquid is attached to the outer periphery of the container after filling. However, generally, since the label is attached to the outer periphery of the container after filling the content liquid in a sterile state, the overall structure of the sterile content filling system becomes large.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0006]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0007] The present disclosure has been made in consideration of such points, and an object thereof is to provide a content filling system and a content filling method that can configure the entire content filling system compactly.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0008] The present disclosure relates to a content filling system including: a first sterilization unit that sterilizes at least the outer surface of a container; a label attaching unit that attaches a label to the outer surface of the container sterilized by the first sterilization unit; a second sterilization unit that sterilizes the container to which the label has been attached by the label attaching unit; a content filling unit that fills the container sterilized by the second sterilization unit with content; and a sealing unit that seals the container.

[0009] The present disclosure relates to a content filling system provided with an air rinsing unit that blows hot air onto the container between the second sterilization unit and the content filling unit.

[0010] The present disclosure relates to a content filling system in which the second sterilization unit sprays a bactericide onto the inner and outer surfaces of the container.

[0011] The present disclosure relates to a content filling system in which the first sterilization unit, the label attaching unit, and the second sterilization unit are each surrounded by a partitioned first sterilization unit chamber, label attaching unit chamber, and second sterilization unit chamber, and the label attaching unit chamber of the label attaching unit is under positive pressure with respect to the first sterilization unit chamber of the first sterilization unit and / or the second sterilization unit chamber of the second sterilization unit.

[0012] The present disclosure is a content filling system having a label supply unit that supplies a strip-shaped label, a rotary cutter that cuts the strip-shaped label from the label supply unit to produce the label, a label transfer drum that holds the label produced by the rotary cutter while adsorbing it, and a star wheel that transports the container, receives the label held by the label transfer drum, and attaches it to the container, wherein the star wheel, the label transfer drum, and the rotary cutter are housed in the label attachment unit chamber.

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

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

[0015] The present disclosure is a content filling method including, in the content filling method, a first sterilization step of sterilizing the container in a first sterilization unit on at least an outer surface of the container, a label attachment step of attaching a label in a label attachment unit to the outer surface of the container sterilized in the first sterilization unit, a second sterilization step of sterilizing the container in a second sterilization unit with respect to the container to which the label has been attached in the label attachment unit, a content filling step of filling the container sterilized in the second sterilization unit with content by a content filling unit, and a step of sealing the container with a sealing unit.

[0016] The present disclosure is a content filling method in which hot air is blown onto the container by an air rinsing unit provided between the second sterilization unit and the content filling unit.

[0017] The present disclosure is a content filling method in which a sterilizing agent is sprayed onto the inner and outer surfaces of the container by the second sterilization unit.

[0018] In the present disclosure, the first sterilization unit, the label affixing unit, and the second sterilization unit are each surrounded by a compartmentalized first sterilization unit chamber, label affixing unit chamber, and second sterilization unit chamber, and the label affixing unit chamber of the label affixing unit is under positive pressure with respect to the first sterilization unit chamber of the first sterilization unit and / or the second sterilization unit chamber of the second sterilization unit. This is a method for filling contents.

[0019] In the present disclosure, the label affixing process includes a process of supplying a strip-shaped label from a label supply unit, a process of cutting the strip-shaped label from the label supply unit with a rotary cutter to produce the label, a process of holding the label produced by the rotary cutter while transporting it with a label transport drum, and a process of transporting the container with a star wheel and affixing the label held by the label transport drum to the container. The star wheel, the label transport drum, and the rotary cutter are housed within the label affixing unit chamber. This is a method for filling contents.

[0020] In the present disclosure, an adhesive is applied to the label held by the label transport drum by an adhesive application device. This is a method for filling contents.

[0021] In the present disclosure, the label supply unit is disposed outside the label affixing unit chamber, and the strip-shaped label is supplied from the label supply unit into the label affixing unit chamber through the opening of the label affixing unit chamber. This is a method for filling contents.

Advantages of the Invention

[0022] According to the present invention, it is possible to sterilize a container and compactly configure a content filling system capable of affixing a label to the outer periphery of the container.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0023]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Figure 8

Figure 9

Figure 10A

Figure 10B

Figure 10C

Figure 11

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

[0024] <Embodiment of the Invention> Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIGS. 1 to 11 are diagrams showing embodiments of the present invention.

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

[0026] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the container (plastic bottle) 10 is obtained by expanding the preform 10a by performing biaxial stretch blow molding on the preform 10a using a blow molding die 104, as will be described later. Further, the container 10 is filled with a content liquid (also referred to as the content) L to obtain a container 10A containing the content liquid.

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

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

[0029] A label 40 for displaying the characteristics of the content liquid and the like is attached to the body portion 20 of the container 10. As shown in FIG. 4, the label 40 has a label main body 40a and a printing layer 40b located on the container 10 side. Among these, the label main body 40a has a multilayer structure or a single-layer structure including, for example, a plastic layer or a paper layer. Also, an adhesive 40c is applied to the printing layer 40b.

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

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

[0032] The head portion 13 is located between the support portion 17 and the shoulder portion 12 and has a substantially cylindrical shape with a substantially uniform diameter. Further, the shoulder portion 12 is located between the head portion 13 and the body portion 20 and has a shape in which the diameter gradually increases from the head portion 13 side toward the body portion 20 side.

[0033] Furthermore, the body portion 20 has a cylindrical shape with a substantially uniform diameter as a whole. However, it is not limited to this, and the body portion 20 may have a polygonal cylindrical shape such as a quadrangular cylindrical shape or an octagonal cylindrical shape. Alternatively, the body portion 20 may have a cylindrical shape with a non-uniform horizontal cross section from above to below. Also, in the present embodiment, the body portion 20 has no unevenness and has a substantially flat surface, but it is not limited to this. For example, unevenness such as panels or grooves may be formed on the body portion 20.

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

[0035] Also, the thickness of the container 10 in the body portion 20 is not limited to this, but can be made thinner, for example, to about 50 μm to 250 μm. Further, the weight of the container 10 is not limited to this, but in the case of a 500 ml bottle, it can be set to 10 g to 30 g. By thinning the wall thickness of the container 10 in this way, the weight of the container 10 can be reduced.

[0036] Such a container 10 can be manufactured by biaxially stretch blow molding a preform 10a (described later) made by injection molding a synthetic resin material. As the preform 10a, that is, the material of the container 10, it is preferable to use a thermoplastic resin, particularly PE (polyethylene), PP (polypropylene), PET (polyethylene terephthalate), PEN (polyethylene naphthalate), or PC (polycarbonate). Also, the above-mentioned various resins may be blended and used. Further, in order to enhance the barrier property of the container, a vapor deposition film such as a diamond-like carbon film or a silicon oxide thin film may be formed on the inner surface of the container 10.

[0037] Also, the container 10 can be formed as a multilayer molded bottle of two or more layers. That is, by extrusion molding or injection molding, for example, after extruding a preform 10a composed of three or more layers with a resin having gas barrier properties and light shielding properties such as MXD6, MXD6 + fatty acid salt, PGA (polyglycolic acid), EVOH (ethylene vinyl alcohol copolymer), or PEN (polyethylene naphthalate) as an intermediate layer, it may be formed into a multilayer bottle having gas barrier properties and light shielding properties by blow molding. Note that as the intermediate layer, a resin obtained by blending the above-mentioned various resins may be used.

[0038] Also, by mixing an inert gas (nitrogen gas, argon gas) into the melt of the thermoplastic resin, a foamed preform having a cell diameter of 0.5 to 100 μm is formed, and the container 10 may be manufactured by blow molding this foamed preform. Since such a container 10 has built-in foamed cells, the light shielding property of the entire container 10 can be enhanced.

[0039] Such a container 10 may be composed of, for example, a bottle with a filling volume of 150 ml to 1500 ml.

[0040] Note that the label 40 is attached to the body 20 of the container 10 as described above, and has a film label body 40a indicating the characteristics of the content liquid filled in the container 10 and a printing layer 40b provided on one surface of the label body 40a. An adhesive 40c such as hot melt is applied on the printing layer 40b. Then, the label 40 is attached to the body 20 of the container 10 via the adhesive 40c. Note that the adhesive 40c is applied to the label 40 from an adhesive application device 212A described later. However, as the label 40, a heat-sensitive label, a shrink label, a stretch label, a stretch shrink label, a tag label, or the like disposed on the outer periphery of the body 20 of the container 10 may be used. The thickness of the label 40 is from 5 μm to 150 μm, preferably from 10 μm to 80 μm. The resin forming the label 40 is a polyolefin resin (such as a polyethylene resin or a polypropylene resin), a polyester resin, a polystyrene resin, a polyvinyl chloride resin, a polyamide resin, or the like. Only one kind of the above resin may be used, two or more kinds may be used, or a composite label with another material other than the above resin may be used.

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

[0042] Next, with reference to FIG. 3, the configuration of the preform used in the present embodiment will be described.

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

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

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

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

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

[0048] In this embodiment, hydrogen peroxide is used as the bactericide, but other bactericides can also be used.

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

[0050] The gas G of hydrogen peroxide is divided into two streams and flows in the bactericide supply nozzle 106. One of them is sprayed from the main nozzle tube 106a toward the inside of the preform 10a, and the other is sprayed from the nozzle branch tube 106b toward the outer surface of the preform 10a. After the gas G of hydrogen peroxide exits from the bactericide supply nozzle 106, it flows into the inside of the preform 10a in a gaseous state or as a mist or a mixture thereof, or contacts the outer surface of the preform 10a.

[0051] Also, the flow of the gas G ejected toward the inside of the preform 10a is covered by the umbrella-shaped member 130. The gas G and mist that have flowed into the preform 10a flow out from the mouth portion 2a of the preform 10a. The flow of the ejected gas G collides with the umbrella-shaped member 130, is guided by the inner surface of the umbrella-shaped member 130, changes the flow direction toward the outer surface of the preform 10a, and contacts the outer surface of the preform 10a.

[0052] In this case, the gas G, mist, or a mixture thereof containing a hydrogen peroxide component as a bactericide contacts and adheres to the inner and outer surfaces of the preform 10a, whereby the microorganisms adhering to the surface of the preform 10a are sterilized or damaged. As the bactericide, in addition to hydrogen peroxide, ozone water, a peracetic acid component, or a component containing a chlorine component may be used. Any substance that inactivates bacteria may be used.

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

[0054] Also, although an example in which the bactericide gas G is blown onto the inner and outer surfaces of the preform 10a has been shown, the bactericide gas G may be blown only onto the inner surface of the preform 10a.

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

[0056] By blowing the hot air P, the hydrogen peroxide adhering to the inner surface of the preform 10a is activated by the heat of the hot air P, whereby the microorganisms in the preform 10a are sterilized. Also, the hydrogen peroxide adhering to the inner surface of the preform 10a is quickly removed from the surface of the preform 10a by blowing the hot air P. As will be described later, both the bactericide supply nozzle 106 and the air nozzle 180 are disposed in the chamber 141a (see FIG. 10A).

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

[0058] As shown in FIG. 5(C), when the preform 10a is heated, the preform 10a is supported by the spindle 143. Here, the state in which the preform 10a is supported by the spindle 143 will be described in detail with reference to FIG. 11.

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

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

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

[0062] The mouth portion 11a of the preform 10a is considered so as not to be deformed by the heat applied at the preform 10a stage so that the sealing performance of the container 10 is not impaired when the container 10 is later sealed by the cap 103.

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

[0064] In addition, in order to improve the sterilizing property of the mouth part 11a, in addition to the hot air flowing around by the umbrella-shaped member 143a, the mouth part 11a may be irradiated and sterilized with an ultraviolet lamp, a pulsed beam, or the like. In this case, the ultraviolet lamp or the pulsed beam may be provided in front of the disinfectant supply nozzle 106 or behind the infrared heater 118a, or may be provided at both in front of the disinfectant supply nozzle 106 and behind the infrared heater 118a.

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

[0066] Note that it is also possible to convey the preform 10a in an inverted state.

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

[0068] As shown in FIG. 6(D), the heated preform 10a is released from the spindle 143, delivered to the gripper 132, and while sterile air Q is blown from the mouth part 11a side, it is conveyed to the mold 104 which is a blow molding die constituting the blow molding machine 112 shown in FIG. 6(E). By blowing the sterile air Q, the preform 10a is supplied to the mold 104 while maintaining its sterility.

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

[0070] Also, as shown in FIG. 6(D), at the location where the heating of the preform 10a is completed and the preform 10a heads toward the mold 104, a cover 186 is provided in a tunnel shape so as to surround the travel path of the preform 10a. This tunnel-shaped cover 186 has a ceiling portion 186A that covers the mouth portion 11a of the preform 10a from above, and this ceiling portion 186A is formed in a roof shape having an inclined surface 186B. Further, nozzles 186a for blowing sterile air Q toward the mouth portion 11a of the preform 10a are provided in a row of pipes or in a slit shape on the ceiling portion 186A. As will be described later, both the mold 104 and the cover 186 are arranged in the chamber 141b (see FIG. 10A). Thereby, sterile air Q is efficiently supplied to the preform 10a, and the preform 10a travels while maintaining sterility within the chamber 141b. Also, by setting the chamber 141b that houses the blow molding machine 112 to Class 100,000 or less, preferably Class 10,000 or less, without providing the tunnel-shaped cover 186, contamination by bacteria can be reduced.

[0071] The preform 10a that is conveyed while maintaining sterility by the blowing of sterile air Q is housed in the mold 104 as shown in FIG. 6(E).

[0072] The mold 104 is in a mold-closed state while continuously traveling at the same speed as the traveling speed of the preform 10a, and is in a mold-open state after blow molding is performed on the preform 10a within the mold 104.

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

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

[0075] Once the container 10 is molded within the mold 104 in this manner, the mold 104 opens while continuing to travel, and the completed container 10 is taken out from the mold 104 to the outside (container molding process).

[0076] After the container 10 is taken out from the mold 104 and until it reaches the hydrogen peroxide supply process shown in FIG. 7(G), as shown in FIG. 6(F), sterile air Q is blown from the mouth portion 11 side and the container 10 is conveyed. By blowing this sterile air Q, the container 10 is sent directly below the sterilizing agent supply nozzle 193A of hydrogen peroxide while being contaminated by microorganisms as little as possible.

[0077] The sterile air Q shown in FIG. 6(F) is preferably hot air. By blowing hot air, a temperature drop of the container 10 is prevented, so that the sterilization effect by the subsequent hydrogen peroxide is improved.

[0078] Also, as shown in FIG. 6(F), at the location where the container 10 moves to the next disinfectant supply nozzle 193A (see FIG. 7(G)), a cover 187 is provided in a tunnel shape so as to surround the traveling path of the container 10. This tunnel-shaped cover 187 has a ceiling portion 187A that covers the mouth portion 11 of the container 10 from above, and this ceiling portion 187A is formed in a roof shape having an inclined surface 187B. Further, nozzles 187a for blowing sterile air Q toward the mouth portion 11 of the container 10 or toward the traveling path are provided in a row of pipes or in a slit shape on the ceiling portion 187A. Thereby, the sterile air Q is efficiently supplied to the container 10. Also, as shown in FIG. 10A, an inspection device 135 for inspecting the appearance of the container 10 formed adjacent to the cover 187 is provided. This inspection device 135 is disposed in a chamber 141b, and the cover 187 extends from the chamber 141b into a chamber 141c1. In this way, the container 10 is in the chambers 141b and 141c1 described later and travels while minimizing the contamination of the sterilized container 10 with bacteria (see FIG. 10A). Further, the contamination with bacteria may be reduced by setting the chamber 141b that houses the blow molding machine 112 to class 100,000 or less, preferably 10,000 or less, without providing the tunnel-shaped cover 187.

[0079] Next, as shown in FIG. 7(G1), the container 10 sprayed with the sterile air Q is sterilized at least on its outer surface by supplying hydrogen peroxide, which is a disinfectant, to the container 10.

[0080] Specifically, a mist M or gas G of hydrogen peroxide or a mixture thereof is sprayed from a disinfectant supply nozzle 193A (first disinfection unit) onto at least the outer surface and the inner surface of the container 10 being conveyed and held by the gripper 132, including the portion where the label 40 is attached (first disinfection step). The disinfectant supply nozzle 193A is arranged to face the mouth portion 11 of the container 10. The mist M or gas G of hydrogen peroxide or a mixture thereof flows down from the tip of the disinfectant supply nozzle 193A and comes into contact with the outer surface and the inner surface of the container 10 (see Fig. 7(G1)). After the gas G of hydrogen peroxide exits from the disinfectant supply nozzle 193A, it contacts the outer surface and the inner surface of the container 10 in a gaseous state, or as a mist, or as a mixture thereof. The gas G, mist, or mixture containing the hydrogen peroxide component as the disinfectant contacts and adheres to the outer surface and the inner surface of the container 10, thereby sterilizing or damaging the microorganisms attached to the outer surface of the container 10. As the disinfectant, those containing a peracetic acid component in addition to hydrogen peroxide may be used. Similar to the disinfectant supply nozzle 106 shown in Fig. 5(A), the disinfectant supply nozzle 193A may be branched into two to spray the disinfectant not only on the outer surface but also on the inner surface of the container 10.

[0081] Further, a tunnel 144A is formed at the traveling location of the container 10, and the mist M or gas G of hydrogen peroxide or a mixture thereof discharged from the disinfectant supply nozzle 193A flows down along the outer surface of the container 10 and further stays in the tunnel 144A, so that it effectively adheres to the outer surface of the container 10.

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

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

[0084] As shown in FIG. 7 (G1), the mist M or gas G of hydrogen peroxide or a mixture thereof blown out from the disinfectant supply nozzle 193A comes into contact with the inner and outer surfaces of the container 10. At this time, since the container 10 is maintained at a predetermined temperature due to the heat applied at the preform 10a stage and the heat applied to the container 10 at the stage of FIG. 6 (F) remaining, it is efficiently sterilized.

[0085] When the preform 10a is made of PET, this predetermined temperature is desirably 40°C to 80°C, more desirably 50°C to 75°C. If it is lower than 40°C, the bactericidal property decreases. If it is higher than 80°C, there will be a problem that the container 10 shrinks after molding.

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

[0087] As described above, the first sterilization step by this disinfectant supply nozzle 193A (first sterilization section) may be performed only on the outer surface of the container 10 where the label 40 is attached.

[0088] Next, as shown in FIG. 7(H), the container 10 with the mist M or gas G of hydrogen peroxide or a mixture thereof sprayed on the inner and outer surfaces is sent to the label attaching portion 210, and at this label attaching portion 210, a label 40 is attached to the region of the body portion 20 of the container 10 that extends from the lower part through the central part to below the shoulder portion 12 (label attaching step).

[0089] In this way, the label 40 is attached not to the entire area of the body portion 20 of the container 10 but to an area of approximately 60% that extends from the lower part through the central part to below the shoulder portion 12.

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

[0091] The label attaching portion 210 includes a star wheel 211 disposed in the chamber 141c3, a label conveyance drum 212, an adhesive application device 212A, and a label pressing device 215. The detailed structure of this label attaching portion 210 will be described later.

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

[0093] Specifically, the mist M or gas G of hydrogen peroxide or a mixture thereof is sprayed from the sterilizing agent supply nozzle 193 (second sterilizing portion) onto the container 10 being conveyed and held by the gripper 132 (second sterilizing step). The sterilizing agent supply nozzle 193 is disposed so as to face the mouth portion 11 of the container 10. The mist M or gas G of hydrogen peroxide or a mixture thereof flows down from the tip of the sterilizing agent supply nozzle 193, enters the container 10 from the mouth portion 11 of the container 10, and contacts the inner surface of the container 10.

[0094] In addition, a tunnel 144 is formed at the traveling location of the container 10, and the mist M or gas G of hydrogen peroxide or a mixture thereof discharged from the disinfectant supply nozzle 193 flows down along the outer surface of the container 10 and the outer surface of the label 40, and further stays in the tunnel 144, so that it effectively adheres to the outer surface of the container 10 and the outer surface of the label 40.

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

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

[0097] As shown in FIG. 8(I), the mist M or gas G of hydrogen peroxide or a mixture thereof blown out from the disinfectant supply nozzle 193 contacts the inner and outer surfaces of the container 10 and the outer surface of the label 40.

[0098] After spraying the mist M or gas G of hydrogen peroxide or a mixture thereof, the container 10 is subjected to air rinsing as shown in FIG. 8(J1). The air rinsing is performed by blowing sterile air N into the container 10 from the nozzle 145, and foreign matters, hydrogen peroxide, etc. are removed from the inside of the container 10 by the flow of this sterile air N. At that time, the container 10 is set in an upright state.

[0099] Desirably, an umbrella-shaped member 184 is attached to the nozzle 145. By the guiding action of this umbrella-shaped member 184, after the sterile air N overflows from the inside of the container 10, it heads toward the outer surface of the container 10 and air-rinses the outer surface of the container 10.

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

[0101] Alternatively, an air rinsing process as shown in FIG. 8(J2) may be employed instead of the air rinsing process of FIG. 8(J1). By adopting the process of FIG. 8(J2) and turning the container 10 upside down so that the sterile air N is blown into the container 10 from the downward-facing mouth portion 11, foreign matters and the like inside the container 10 can be dropped outside the container 10 from the mouth portion 11. Alternatively, the process of FIG. 8(J2) may be performed without blowing the sterile air N following the air rinsing process of FIG. 8(J1). Also, an umbrella-shaped member 184 may be attached to the nozzle 145 shown in FIG. 8(J2). Further, a thin hydrogen peroxide gas may be added to the hot air in the air rinsing process to improve the sterilization effect. Specifically, a mist or gas of hydrogen peroxide is added to the hot air at 70°C to 170°C. As the hydrogen peroxide at this time, those with a gas concentration of 0.5 mg / L to 5 mg / L can be used.

[0102] After air rinsing, if necessary, as shown in FIG. 9(K), in order to wash away the hydrogen peroxide adhering to the container 10 and remove foreign matters, sterile normal temperature water or sterile water rinsing with hot water at 15°C to 85°C is performed using the nozzle 146. The flow rate per nozzle 146 is desirably set to 5 L / min to 15 L / min, and the washing and rinsing time is set to 0.2 to 10 seconds.

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

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

[0105] When converting the amount of hydrogen peroxide used to the amount of mist M, in order to sterilize the container 10, it is usually necessary to attach an amount of hydrogen peroxide equivalent to 50 μL / 500 mL bottle to 100 μL / 500 mL bottle in terms of 35% by weight to the container 10. However, when sterilizing the preform 10a as in this embodiment, in the case of the first sterilization step shown in FIG. 7(G1) or FIG. 7(G2), and in the case of the second sterilization step shown in FIG. 8(I), in both cases, commercial aseptic filling became possible by attaching a hydrogen peroxide mist M in an amount of 10 μL / 500 mL bottle to 50 μL / 500 mL bottle.

[0106] Also, when converting the amount of hydrogen peroxide used to the amount of gas G, in order to sterilize the container 10 without sterilizing the preform 10a, it was necessary to spray hydrogen peroxide gas G with a gas concentration of 5 mg / L to 10 mg / L onto the container 10. However, when performing pre-sterilization involving preheating the preform 10a as in this embodiment, in both the case of the first sterilization step shown in FIG. 7(G1) or FIG. 7(G2) and the case of the second sterilization step shown in FIG. 8(I), commercial aseptic filling became possible by spraying hydrogen peroxide gas G with a gas concentration of 1 mg / L to 5 mg / L.

[0107] After aseptic water rinsing using warm water, or when aseptic water rinsing is omitted, after the above air rinsing, as shown in FIG. 9(L), the content liquid L is aseptically filled into the container 10 from the filling nozzle 110 of the filler 139 in a sterile state (content filling step). Next, as shown in FIG. 9(M), the mouth portion 11 is sealed with a cap 103 which is a lid by a capper 140, thereby obtaining a container 10A containing the content liquid.

[0108] A content filling system 1 for aseptically filling the content into a container 10 sterilized using hydrogen peroxide is configured as shown in FIGS. 10A to 10B, for example.

[0109] As shown in FIGS. 10A and 10B, the content filling system includes a preform feeder 111 that sequentially supplies bottomed cylindrical preforms 10a having mouths 11a (see FIG. 5(A1)) at predetermined intervals, a blow molding machine 112, a sterilant supply nozzle 193 (first sterilization unit) that sterilizes the formed containers 10, a label attaching unit 210 that attaches labels 40 to the containers 10, a sterilant supply nozzle 193 (second sterilization unit) that sterilizes the containers 10 with labels 40 attached thereto, and a content filling unit 113 that fills the containers 10 with a content liquid L and seals them with caps 103.

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

[0111] Also, the sterilant supply nozzle 193 (second sterilization unit) constitutes a sterilizer 188 together with a nozzle 145 for air rinsing and a nozzle 146 for aseptic water rinsing.

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

[0113] The content filling system 1 is preferably installed in a building where the air cleanliness is managed, and more preferably installed in a room that is slightly positive with a medium-performance filter. By supplying air filtered by a HEPA filter to the chamber 141d that houses the content filling unit 113, the positive pressure in the chamber 141d is the highest, followed by the positive pressure in the chambers 141e and 141f, and the chambers 141d to 141f are under positive pressure. The chambers 141b and 141c3 are maintained as clean rooms. To make them clean rooms, sterile positive-pressure air passed through a HEPA filter is supplied into the chambers 141b and 141c3 before the production of the container 10. Thereby, the inside of the chambers 141b and 141c3 is maintained in a clean state, and it becomes possible to manufacture the container 10 with a high aseptic level. Also, sterile positive-pressure air passed through a HEPA filter may be supplied into the chambers 141a, 141c1, and 141c2. At the same time, the chambers 141a, 141c1, and 141c2 are strongly exhausted as described later.

[0114] Before blowing sterile positive-pressure air into all chambers 141b, 141c3, 141g, 141d, 141e, 141f, 141a, 141c1, 141c2, all chambers 141b, 141c3, 141g, 141d, 141e, 141f, 141a, 141c1, 141c2 may be sterilized with hydrogen peroxide gas at 10 mg / L or less, and the outer surface of the chambers may be sterilized according to the SOP. Also, for chambers 141g, 141d, 141e, 141f where the droplets of the product liquid are scattered and the aseptic level is high, it is better to wash the outer surface of the chambers by COP before the SOP. Further, the parts where the preform 10a and the container 10 come into contact may be irradiated with a UV lamp (ultraviolet sterilization). Alternatively, the parts where materials such as the mold 104, the stretching rod 105, and the gripper 132 come into contact may be sterilized with a chemical agent containing 1% ethanol or hydrogen peroxide. Note that among all the chambers 141b, 141c3, 141g, 141d, 141e, 141f, 141a, 141c1, 141c2, the chamber 141a corresponding to the sterilizing agent supply nozzle 106, the chamber 141b corresponding to the blow molding machine 112, and the chamber 141c3 corresponding to the label attaching part 210 do not necessarily have to be aseptic chambers supplied with aseptic air.

[0115] Between the preform feeder 111 and the content filling part 113, there are provided a preform conveying means for conveying the preform 10a on the first conveying path, a mold conveying means for conveying a mold 104 having a cavity 104c in the finished product shape of the container 10 on a second conveying path connected to the first conveying path, and a container conveying means for sterilizing, attaching labels, filling, etc. to the container 10 while conveying the container 10 formed by the mold 104 on a third conveying path connected to the second conveying path.

[0116] The first conveying path of the preform conveying means, the second conveying path of the mold conveying means, and the third conveying path of the container conveying means communicate with each other, and grippers 132 and the like for holding and conveying the preform 10a and the container 10 are provided on these conveying paths.

[0117] The preform conveying means includes a preform conveyor 114 on its first conveying path for sequentially supplying the preforms 10a supplied from the preform feeder 111 at predetermined intervals. Further, it comprises a row of wheels 204 and 205 that receive the preform 10a from the end of the preform conveyor 114 and convey this preform 10a, and an endless chain 118 that receives the preform 10a and travels.

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

[0119] The wheel 205 also conveys the preform 10a, and an air nozzle 180 for blowing hot air into the preform 10a is provided on the wheel 205.

[0120] By the way, as shown in Fig. 10A, at a fixed position on the traveling path of the preform 10a in the wheel 204, a disinfectant gas generator for generating hydrogen peroxide gas G and a disinfectant supply nozzle 106 as shown in Fig. 5(A) for discharging the hydrogen peroxide gas G toward the preform 10a are arranged.

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

[0122] As shown in FIG. 10A, the wheel 204 is surrounded by a chamber 141a. An exhaust means comprising a filter 136 for decomposing a disinfectant such as hydrogen peroxide in the air in the chamber 141a and a blower 137 is connected to this chamber 141a. Thereby, it is possible to prevent hydrogen peroxide from flowing into the adjacent blow molding machine 112. In the first conveyance path, a heating furnace 133 for heating the preform 10a to the molding temperature is provided at a location from the wheel 117 in contact with the wheel 205 to the wheel 119 in contact with the second conveyance path.

[0123] The preform 10a is uniformly heated while traveling in the heating furnace 133, and the temperature rises to 90° C. to 130° C., which is a temperature suitable for blow molding, except for the mouth portion 11a. The mouth portion 11a is suppressed to a temperature of 70° C. or lower at which no deformation or the like occurs so that the sealing performance when the cap 103 is put on is not impaired.

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

[0125] Above the wheel 119 located between the first conveyance path of the preform conveying means and the second conveyance path of the mold conveying means, a cover 186 (see FIG. 6(D)) that covers the preform 10a traveling around the wheel 119 from above the mouth portion 11a is provided in a tunnel shape. Sterile air Q is blown into the cover 186 toward the mouth portion 11a of the preform 10a. This sterile air Q may be a part of the sterile air P supplied from the sterile air supply device.

[0126] Thereby, the preform 10a is surrounded by a chamber 141b forming a clean room and further covered by a cover 186 that covers the sterile air Q, and thus will travel toward the blow molding machine 112 while maintaining a high level of sterility.

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

[0128] The container 10 that exits the blow molding machine 112 and reaches the wheel 121 is inspected for defects such as poor molding by an inspection device 135 arranged on the outer periphery of the wheel 121 as required.

[0129] The inspected container 10 is excluded from the conveyance path by an exclusion device (not shown) if it is unqualified, and only the qualified products are conveyed to the wheel 122.

[0130] In the third conveyance path, above the travel paths of the containers 10 on the wheels 121 and 122, a cover 187 (see Fig. 6(F)) that covers the containers 10 from above their mouth parts 11a is provided in a tunnel shape. The sterile air Q blown into this cover 187 may be a portion taken from the sterile air P supplied from a sterile air supply device.

[0131] Also, on the downstream side of the wheel 122, a wheel 189 for conveying the containers 10 is connected, and the above-described bactericide supply nozzle 193A is provided on this wheel 189. The wheel 189 and the bactericide supply nozzle 193A constitute the first sterilization unit and are housed in the chamber 141c1 (first sterilization unit sterile chamber).

[0132] And on the downstream side of the wheel 189 and the bactericide supply nozzle 193A, a label attaching portion 210 is arranged. This label attaching portion 210 includes a star wheel 211, a conveyance drum 212, an adhesive applying device 212A, and a label pressing device 215 made of, for example, a brush, etc. This label attaching portion 210 is arranged in a chamber 141c3 (label attaching portion sterile chamber) interposed between the chamber 141c1 and the chamber 141c2.

[0133] Next, the label attaching unit 210 will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 10A and 10B. As shown in FIGS. 10A and 10B, the label attaching unit 210 includes a label supply unit 230 that supplies a strip-shaped label 40A, a rotary cutter 213 that cuts the strip-shaped label 40A from the label supply unit 230 to produce a label 40 to be attached to the container 10, a front-stage label conveyance drum 214 that conveys the label 40 produced by the rotary cutter 213 while adsorbing and holding it, a label conveyance drum 212 that adsorbs and holds the label 40 sent from the front-stage label conveyance drum 214 and conveys the label 40, and an adhesive application device 212A that applies an adhesive such as hot melt to the label 40 adsorbed and held by the label conveyance drum 212. Among these, the front-stage label conveyance drum 214 and the label conveyance drum 212 include an adsorption mechanism for adsorbing the label 40.

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

[0135] On the outer periphery of the star wheel 211, a holding part (not shown) for rotatably holding the container 10 is provided, and the container 10 sent from the wheel 189 is held by the holding part of the star wheel 211 via the conveying wheel 223 and the inlet wheel 216. The pitch between the containers 10 may be appropriately changed in the inlet wheel 216 so that the labels 40 do not overlap (interfere) in the conveying drum 212. When the container 10 is a polyhedral container such as a square bottle and it is necessary to align the label pasting positions, a direction regulating device for the container 10 may be provided between the inlet wheel 216 and the star wheel 211. Then, the label 40 adsorbed and held by the label conveying drum 212 is delivered to the container 10 held by the holding part on the outer periphery of the star wheel 211. Thereafter, as the label conveying drum 212 rotates and the holding part of the star wheel 211 rotates, the label 40 is wound around the outer periphery of the container 10 through the applied adhesive and pasted. Instead of pasting the label 40 on the outer periphery of the container 10 through an adhesive, a heat-sensitive label may be used and this heat-sensitive label may be pasted on the outer periphery of the container 10 while being heated.

[0136] When the empty container 10 is conveyed at high speed, the container 10 is affected by centrifugal force. In order to accurately wind the label 40, it is necessary to fix the top surface of the mouth part 11 of the container 10 and / or the support part 17 to maintain the horizontality of the container 10. In this case, a conical or cylindrical jig may be inserted into the mouth part 11, or the gate part 35 at the center of the bottom 30 of the container 10 may be pressed from below to maintain the horizontality of the container 10. When the empty container 10 is a thin-walled bottle, air (preferably sterile air filtered by a sterilizing filter) may be supplied from the top surface of the mouth part 11 of the container 10, and the label 40 may be wound with the internal pressure of the container 10 being slightly positive. Hydrogen peroxide gas (5 - 300 mg / L) may be added to this sterile air to simultaneously sterilize the inner surface of the container 10. Also, when air is supplied from the mouth part 11 of the container 10, a leak inspection of the container 10 may be simultaneously performed. Specifically, the top surface of the mouth part 11 of the container 10 may be sealed with an air supply nozzle, pressure may be applied to the inside of the container 10 for a certain period of time, and the decrease amount (decrease rate) of the pressure may be measured to inspect whether there are pinholes in the container 10.

[0137] Subsequently, the container 10 held by the holding part of the star wheel 211 is sent to the label pressing device 215, and the label 40 wound around the container 10 is pressed against the container 10 by this label pressing device 215.

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

[0139] The container 10 with the label 40 attached is sent to the next wheel 190 through the outlet wheel 217, the connecting wheel 224, and the discharge wheel 219. Similar to the inlet wheel 216, the outlet wheel 217 may change the pitch between the containers 10 according to each subsequent step of sterilization, filling, and cap attachment.

[0140] During this period, the attachment state (such as the attachment position) of the label 40 is inspected by the inspection device 232 while the container 10 with the label 40 attached is on the star wheel 211 and / or the outlet wheel 217, and the container 10 with a defective attachment state of the label 40 is discharged from the discharge mechanism 255. This inspection device 232 may simultaneously inspect the mouth part 11, the support part 17, and the bottom part 30 of the container 10.

[0141] Of the label attaching section 210 shown in FIGS. 10A and 10B, the conveying wheel 223, the inlet wheel 216, the star wheel 211, the outlet wheel 217, the connecting wheel 224, the inspection device 232, the rotary cutter 213, the front-stage label conveying drum 214, the label conveying drum 212, the adhesive applying device 212A, and the conveying roller 220 are all housed in the chamber 141c3 (label attaching section aseptic chamber). The label supply section 230 is disposed outside the chamber 141c3. The strip-shaped label 40A supplied from the label supply section 230 is sent into the chamber 141c3 through the opening 231, cut by the rotary cutter 213 via the conveying roller 220, and the label 40 is produced.

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

[0143] Specifically, a plurality of (three in FIG. 10A) disinfectant supply nozzles 193 are installed at fixed positions on the traveling path of the container 10 around the wheel 190. A tunnel 144 (see FIG. 8(I)) through which the container 10 passes is also installed corresponding to the disinfectant supply nozzle 193. The mist M or gas G of hydrogen peroxide water or a mixture thereof blown out from the disinfectant supply nozzle 193 enters the inside of the container 10 and adheres to the inner surface of the container 10 as a thin film. Also, it flows along the outer surface of the container 10 and the outer surface of the label 40 and fills the tunnel 44, and adheres to the outer surface of the container 10 and the outer surface of the label 40 as a thin film.

[0144] At a fixed position on the travel path of the container 10 around the wheel 192, one or more aseptic air supply nozzles 145 and nozzles 146 are installed. The aseptic air N blown out from the aseptic air supply nozzle 145 contacts the inner and outer surfaces of the container 10 and the outer surface of the label 40 to remove the film of excess hydrogen peroxide solution adhering to the surface of the container 10. When the aseptic air N is hot air, the hydrogen peroxide adhering to the inner and outer surfaces of the container 10, the outer surface of the label 40, and between the outer surface of the container 10 and the inner surface of the label 40 is activated to enhance the sterilization effect. Thereby, even if bacteria adhere to the gap between the label 40 and the container 10, it can be surely sterilized, and the sterility of the aseptic chambers 141g, 141d, 141e, 141f can be maintained for a long time.

[0145] Note that a large number of the disinfectant supply nozzles 193 and the aseptic air supply nozzles 145 may be arranged at the same pitch as the pitch of the container 10 around each of the wheels 190 and 192, and the gas G of hydrogen peroxide and the aseptic air N may be blown into the container 10 while making a turning motion synchronously with each of the wheels 190 and 192.

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

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

[0148] In the above-described first to third conveyance paths, the area around the wheel 204 is surrounded by the chamber 141a. The areas around the wheels 205 and from the wheel 117 to the wheel 122 are surrounded by the chamber 141b. The area around the wheel 189 is surrounded by the chamber 141c1. Also, the conveyance wheel 223, the inlet wheel 216, the star wheel 211, the outlet wheel 217, the connecting wheel 224, the discharge wheel 219, the rotary cutter 213, the front-stage label conveyance drum 214, the label conveyance drum 212, and the adhesive application device 212A of the label attachment section 210 are surrounded by the chamber 141c3. The area around the wheel 190 is surrounded by the chamber 141c2. The area around from the wheel 191 to the wheel 123 is surrounded by the chamber 141g. Also, the areas around the wheels 124 and 125 are surrounded by the chamber 141d, and the area around from the wheel 125 to the wheel 127 is surrounded by the chamber 141e.

[0149] Among these, the chamber 141c1 surrounds the disinfectant supply nozzle 193A (the first disinfection section) and constitutes the first disinfection section chamber. Also, the chamber 141c2 surrounds the disinfectant supply nozzle 193 (the second disinfection section) and constitutes the second disinfection section chamber.

[0150] Furthermore, the chamber 141c3 surrounds the label attachment section 210 including the conveyance wheel 223, the inlet wheel 216, the star wheel 211, the outlet wheel 217, the connecting wheel 224, the discharge wheel 219, the rotary cutter 213, the front-stage label conveyance drum 214, the label conveyance drum 212, and the adhesive application device 212A, and constitutes the label attachment section chamber.

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

[0152] Since chamber 141c3 (labeling part sterile chamber) surrounding the labeling part 210 is under positive pressure with respect to chamber 141c1 (first sterilization part sterile chamber) surrounding the sterilant supply nozzle 193A and chamber 141c2 (second sterilization part sterile chamber) surrounding the sterilant supply nozzle 193 in this way, hydrogen peroxide in chamber 141c1 or hydrogen peroxide in chamber 141c2 does not enter chamber 141c3 surrounding the labeling part 210. As a result, it is possible to prevent the action of the labeling part 210 from being hindered by hydrogen peroxide.

[0153] In the present embodiment, it is preferable that chamber 141b is under positive pressure with respect to chamber 141c1. As a result, it is possible to prevent hydrogen peroxide in chamber 141c1 from entering chamber 141b, and thus, the blow molding process is not hindered by hydrogen peroxide.

[0154] Into the interior of the above-described chamber 141b, sterile air purified by a HEPA filter or the like (not shown) is constantly supplied. As a result, the chamber 141b is made into a clean room, and the intrusion of microorganisms into the interior thereof is prevented.

[0155] The interiors of all the above-described chambers 141b, 141c3, 141g, 141d, 141e, 141f, 141a, 141c1, 141c2 are sterilized by, for example, implementing COP (cleaning outside of place) and SOP (sterilizing outside of place). Thereafter, the gas and mist of the sterilizing agent and the cleaning agent are discharged from inside each of these chambers 141b, 141c3, 141g, 141d, 141e, 141f, 141a, 141c1, 141c2 to the outside of the chamber by the exhaust means provided in each of these chambers 141b, 141c3, 141g, 141d, 141e, 141f, 141a, 141c1, 141c2 or integrally. Then, sterile air purified by a scrubber, a filter or the like (not shown) is supplied into each of these chambers 141b, 141c3, 141g, 141d, 141e, 141f, 141a, 141c1, 141c2, whereby the sterility inside each of the chambers 141b, 141c3, 141g, 141d, 141e, 141f, 141a, 141c1, 141c2 is maintained. Among the above-described all chambers, COP and SOP are always implemented for chambers 141g, 141d, 141e, 141f, but it is not always necessary to implement COP and SOP for chambers 141a, 141b, 141c1, 141c2, 141c3. Also, among all the chambers 141b, 141c3, 141g, 141d, 141e, 141f, 141a, 141c1, 141c2, chambers 141a, 141b, 141c1, 141c2, 141c3 do not necessarily have to be sterile chambers to which sterile air is supplied.

[0156] Further, the chamber 141c1 functions as an atmosphere-blocking chamber that blocks the atmosphere between the chamber 141b and the chamber 141c3. An exhaust means similar to the above exhaust means is also connected to this chamber 141c1, and the internal air of the chamber 141c1 is strongly exhausted to the outside. Also, the chamber 141c1 has a negative pressure with respect to the chamber 141b. As a result, it is possible to prevent the gas of the cleaning agent generated by the COP and SOP in the chamber 141d, the mist of the bactericide generated in the chamber 141c2, etc., and the atmosphere in the chamber 141c3 from flowing into the chamber 141b of the blow molding machine 112 through the chamber 141c1.

[0157] Note that the environment (chamber and product liquid line) in the container sterilization device and the sterilization intensity of the contents of the container 10A containing the content liquid vary depending on the pH of the contents, the nitrogen source, the carbon source, the content of catechin, etc.

[0158] Therefore, the content and the required area of the COP and SOP also differ depending on the contents. In addition, the supply pipe of sterile air and bottle sterilization may not be required depending on the product.

[0159] Next, with reference to FIGS. 5 to 11, the operation of the content filling system, that is, the content filling method will be described.

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

[0161] The preform 10a is conveyed by this wheel 204, and during this time, a gas G or mist of hydrogen peroxide or a mixture thereof is supplied from the bactericide supply nozzle 106 toward the inner and outer surfaces of the preform 10a.

[0162] Next, the preform 10a supplied with the gas G or mist of hydrogen peroxide or a mixture thereof on the inner and outer surfaces is sent to the wheel 205. While the preform 10a is rotationally conveyed by the wheel 205, hot air P is blown from the air nozzle 180 into the inside of the preform 10a (see Fig. 5(B)). Due to the heat of this hot air P, the hydrogen peroxide adhering to the inner surface of the preform 10a is activated, and the microorganisms adhering to the preform 10a are sterilized. Also, the excess hydrogen peroxide is removed from the preform 10a by the hot air P.

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

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

[0165] When the preform 10a heated to the molding temperature in the heating furnace 133 travels around the wheel 119, sterile air Q is blown while passing through the cover 186 (see Fig. 6(D)). Thereby, the preform 10a is conveyed to the blow molding machine 112 while maintaining sterility. When the sterile air Q is hot air, the preform 10a reaches the blow molding machine 112 while preferably maintaining a temperature suitable for molding.

[0166] When the preform 10a passes through the outer periphery of the wheel 120, it is inserted into the mold 104 as shown in Fig. 6(E), and sterile high-pressure air is blown in, causing it to expand into the finished product of the container 10 in the cavity 104c.

[0167] The formed container 10 is taken out of the mold 104 by the gripper around the wheel 121 after the mold 104 is opened, and inspected by the inspection device 135 for the presence or absence of molding defects or the like.

[0168] The defective containers 10 are removed by an ejection device (not shown), and only the non-defective containers 10 are conveyed to the wheel 189 while being transferred to the wheel 122.

[0169] Also, when the container 10 travels from the wheel 121 to the wheel 122, sterile air Q is blown onto it while passing through the cover 187 (see Fig. 6(F)). Thereby, the container 10 is conveyed to the wheel 189 while maintaining its sterility. When the sterile air Q is hot air, the container 10 reaches the wheel 189 while preferably maintaining a temperature suitable for sterilization.

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

[0171] The step of spraying the mist M or gas G of hydrogen peroxide water or a mixture thereof from the sterilizing agent supply nozzle 193A in this way is the first sterilization step. In this first sterilization step, instead of both the inner and outer surfaces of the container 10, the mist M or gas G of hydrogen peroxide water or a mixture thereof may be sprayed only on the outer surface of the container 10.

[0172] The hydrogen peroxide aqueous solution is once vaporized gas or mist above the boiling point and is supplied toward the container 10. The amount of the gas or mist of hydrogen peroxide that condenses and adheres to at least the outer surface of the container 10 is preferably in the range of 0.01 μL / cm 2 or more and 0.1 μL / cm 2 or less in terms of 35% by mass. When the adhesion amount of this hydrogen peroxide is 0.01 μL / cm 2By the above, a uniform sterilization effect can be obtained in the container 10. On the other hand, when the adhesion amount of hydrogen peroxide becomes 0.1 μL / cm 2 or more, the usage amount of hydrogen peroxide and the exhaust air volume increase, which is not economical. The adhesion amount of the hydrogen peroxide condensation film in terms of 35% by mass to at least the outer surface of this container 10 is more preferably 0.03 μL / cm 2 or more and 0.07 μL / cm 2 or less. The area to be adhered to the outer surface of the container 10 is preferably at least all the areas where the label is to be pasted, but may be limited to a region of 0 mm or more and 30 mm or less in the vertical direction from the position where the label is not pasted to the position where the label is pasted.

[0173] The container 10 supplied with hydrogen peroxide from the disinfectant supply nozzle 193A is then sent to the label sticking portion 210. Incidentally, the hydrogen peroxide adhering to the outer surface of the container 10 at the location where it is conveyed to the label sticking portion 210 may be removed with sterile air, and in this case, the hydrogen peroxide may be activated with hot air.

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

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

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

[0177] Thereafter, the label 40 adsorbed and held by the label conveyance drum 212 and coated with an adhesive by the adhesive coating device 212A is attached to the outer periphery of the body 20 of the container 10 conveyed by the star wheel 211.

[0178] On the outer periphery of the star wheel 211, a holding part (not shown) for rotatably holding the container 10 is provided, and the container 10 sent by the wheel 189 is held by the holding part of the star wheel 211 via the conveyance wheel 223 and the inlet wheel 216. Then, the label 40 adsorbed and held by the label conveyance drum 212 and coated with an adhesive by the adhesive coating device 212A is delivered to the container 10 held by the holding part on the outer periphery of the star wheel 211. Thereafter, as the label conveyance drum 212 rotates and the holding part of the star wheel 211 rotates, the label 40 is wound around and attached to the outer periphery of the container 10.

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

[0180] Then, the label 40 wound around the container 10 is pressed by this label pressing device 215 and is accurately and reliably attached to the container 10. In particular, the ends of the label 40 are surely adhered to each other by the label pressing device 215.

[0181] The container 10 with the label 40 attached is sent to the next wheel 190 via the outlet wheel 217, the connecting wheel 224, and the discharge wheel 219.

[0182] During this period, the label 40 attached to the container 10 is inspected by the inspection device 232 for the attachment state (attachment position, etc.) of the label 40. The container 10 with a defective attachment state of the label 40 is discharged from the discharge mechanism 255 via the wheel 224. Note that, without inspecting the attachment state of the label 40 by the inspection device 232, the filler 139 fills the container 10 with the content liquid L to produce the container 10A filled with the content liquid. When performing a liquid level inspection on this container 10A filled with the content liquid or an inspection on the cap 103, the attachment state of the label 40 may be inspected simultaneously.

[0183] Next, the container 10 is sent to the wheel 190. While the container 10 travels around the wheel 190, as shown in FIG. 8(I), it is sterilized by spraying a mist M or gas G of hydrogen peroxide water or a mixture thereof from the sterilizing agent supply nozzle 193. In this case, the inner and outer surfaces of the container 10 and the outer surface of the label 40 are sprayed with a mist or gas G of hydrogen peroxide water or a mixture thereof from the sterilizing agent supply nozzle 193 (second sterilizing section) and sterilized (second sterilizing step). Subsequently, while the container 10 travels around the wheel 192, sterile air N is sprayed onto the container 10 as shown in FIG. 8(J1) or (J2) for air rinsing.

[0184] As another embodiment, as shown in FIG. 10B, the disinfectant supply nozzle 193A may be installed on the wheel 216, the disinfectant supply nozzle 193 may be installed on the wheel 217, and the wheels 216 and 217 may be installed in the disinfectant spraying unit chamber 141c4 (see the dashed line in FIG. 10B). In this case, the chamber 141c3, the chamber 141c1 for housing the wheel 189, and the chamber 141c2 for housing the wheel 190 can be integrally formed. Further, the wheel 189 on which the disinfectant supply nozzle 193A is installed, the wheel 223, the wheel 190 on which the disinfectant supply nozzle 193 is installed, and the wheel 191 can also be removed. As a result, the number of wheels can be reduced, and the entire equipment becomes more compact. In this case, the disinfectant spraying unit chamber 141c4 may be set to a negative pressure with respect to the chamber 141c3 so that the disinfectant in the disinfectant spraying unit chamber 141c4 does not flow out to the star wheel 211, and the pressure difference between the disinfectant spraying unit chamber 141c4 and the chamber 141c3 is preferably 10 Pa or more. Also, after spraying the disinfectant (particularly hydrogen peroxide gas or mist, or a mixture thereof), if the disinfectant condensed and adhered to the outer surface of the container affects the label attachability, the disinfectant may be vaporized with sterile hot air. A part of the location where an adhesive such as hot melt is attached to the container may also be vaporized.

[0185] Thereafter, the container 10 reaches the content filling part 113 in the chamber 141d via the wheel 123.

[0186] In the content filling part 113, a content liquid L (also referred to as content), which has been pre-sterilized for the container 10, is filled into the container 10 by the filling nozzle 110 of the filler 139 (content filling part) as shown in FIG. 9(L). The container 10 filled with the content liquid L is capped 103 by a capper (also referred to as a sealing part) 140 disposed in the chamber 141e and sealed (see FIG. 9(M)), and is discharged outward from the outlet of the chamber 141f.

[0187] Note that, in the present embodiment, the step of adsorbing the bactericide to the preform 10a is performed inline while being connected to the blow molding machine, but it may be offline as long as a state where a part of the bactericide component is adsorbed can be maintained during blow molding.

[0188] As described above, according to the present embodiment, between the bactericide supply nozzle 193A (first sterilization unit) for spraying hydrogen peroxide onto the container 10 and the bactericide supply nozzle 193 (second sterilization unit) for spraying hydrogen peroxide onto the container 10 with the label 40 attached, a label attaching portion 210 is provided, and the label 40 is attached to the body portion 20 of the container 10 by this label attaching portion 210. By incorporating the label attaching portion 210 upstream of the filler 139 in this way, the entire system can be configured more compactly compared to the case where the label attaching portion 210 is provided downstream of the filler 139.

[0189] That is, when the label attaching portion 210 is provided downstream of the filler 139, since the container 10 is already filled with the content liquid, the label is attached to the container 10 while transporting the container 10 filled with the content liquid. The operation of transporting the container 10 filled with the content liquid is not easy, and the operation of attaching the label to the container 10 filled with the content liquid results in a decrease in the attaching accuracy. Therefore, a large buffer area for large containers may be provided upstream of the label attaching portion in anticipation of a failure of the label attaching portion. In this case, the installation area of the entire system becomes large. In addition, the outer surface of the filled container 10 often has washing water adhering to it. In order to avoid abnormal label attachment, it is necessary to remove water droplets on the outer surface of the container 10 with air or the like before attaching the label. In addition, since the pitches of the containers 10 discharged from the filler 139 are uneven, it is necessary to make them single-file at the entrance of the label attaching portion and adjust the pitch to an equal interval with a screw or the like. When the sizes and shapes of the containers 10 are different, it is necessary to change the pitch-adjusting screw each time the mold is changed.

[0190] In contrast, according to the present embodiment, since the label attaching portion 210 is installed between the disinfectant supply nozzle 193A (first disinfection unit) and the disinfectant supply nozzle 193 (second disinfection unit), the label 40 can be accurately attached to the container 10 before the content liquid is filled by the label attaching portion 210. Further, since there is no need to provide a buffer area in the front stage of the label attaching portion 210, the entire content filling system can be configured compactly.

[0191] Further, hydrogen peroxide is sprayed on the inner and outer surfaces of the container 10 by the disinfectant supply nozzle 193A (first disinfection unit), the label 40 is attached to the outer surface of the container 10 by the label attaching portion 210, and then hydrogen peroxide is sprayed on the inner and outer surfaces of the container 10 and the outer surface of the label 40 by the disinfectant supply nozzle 193 (second disinfection unit).

[0192] As a result, hydrogen peroxide can be sprayed on the inner and outer surfaces of the container 10 and the outer surface of the label 40, and the microorganisms adhering to the inner and outer surfaces of the container 10 and the outer surface of the label 40 can be sterilized.

[0193] Thereafter, an air rinsing step of spraying sterile air N from the nozzle 145 onto the container 10 is performed.

[0194] In this case, by spraying heated sterile air N from the nozzle 145, the hydrogen peroxide sprayed by the disinfectant supply nozzle 193 (second disinfection unit) and adhering to the inner and outer surfaces of the container 10 and the outer surface of the label 40 can be activated. The microorganisms adhering to the inner and outer surfaces of the container 10 and the outer surface of the label 40 can be surely sterilized by the hydrogen peroxide activated in this way.

[0195] At the same time, the hydrogen peroxide remaining between the outer surface of the container 10 and the inner surface of the label 40, which is sprayed onto the container 10 by the disinfectant supply nozzle 193A (first disinfection unit), can be activated, and the microorganisms adhering between the outer surface of the container 10 and the inner surface of the label 40 can be surely sterilized by the hydrogen peroxide activated in this way.

[0196] Furthermore, the disinfectant supply nozzle 193A is surrounded by the chamber 141c1 (first sterilization unit aseptic chamber), the labeling unit 210 is surrounded by the chamber 141c3 (labeling unit aseptic chamber), and the disinfectant supply nozzle 193 is surrounded by the chamber 141c2 (second sterilization unit aseptic chamber).

[0197] In this case, the chamber 141c3 is under a positive pressure with respect to the chamber 141c1 and the chamber 141c2. Therefore, during the operation of the content filling system 1, hydrogen peroxide in the chambers 141c1 and 141c2 does not enter the chamber 141c3, and the action of the labeling unit 210 in the chamber 141c3 is not hindered by hydrogen peroxide.

[0198] Also, the chamber 141b in which the blow molding machine 112 is disposed is under a positive pressure with respect to the chamber 141c1. Therefore, during the operation of the content filling system 1, hydrogen peroxide in the chamber 141c1 does not enter the chamber 141b, and the action of the blow molding machine 112 in the chamber 141d is not hindered by hydrogen peroxide. In the present embodiment, an example in which a disinfectant is supplied to the outer surface of the container 10 and then the label 40 is attached to the outer surface of the container 10 is shown, but the present invention is not limited thereto. After applying the disinfectant to the label 40, the label 40 may be attached to the outer surface of the container 10. Further, after sterilizing the outer surface of the container 10 with a disinfectant and sterilizing the label 40 with a disinfectant, the label 40 may be attached to the outer surface of the container 10. Further, ultraviolet rays, radiation, heat, etc. may be applied to the outer surface of the container 10 and the label 40, and after sterilizing the outer surface of the container 10 and the label 40, the label 40 may be attached to the container 10.

[0199] When performing ultraviolet sterilization on the outer surface of the container 10 and the label 40 using the UV lamp 250, the UV lamp 250 may be installed vertically to irradiate the entire surface of the container 10 (at least the surface where the label is to be attached) and the label 40 to be attached (see Fig. 10C). The UV lamp irradiates the body of the container 10 while it is rotated by the star wheel 211, and it is advisable to install the number of lamps that can irradiate the entire circumference of the container 10. The same UV lamp can be used to sterilize the surface of the label to be attached and the body of the container 10, or they can be installed separately. Also, sterile air may be injected from the fixed nozzle 252 into the container 10 on the table 251. The UV lamp 250 is used to simultaneously perform ultraviolet sterilization on the label 40 and the outer surface of the container 10. Ultraviolet rays are a type of electromagnetic wave having a wavelength of 100 nm to 380 nm, and in particular, wavelengths of 100 nm to 280 nm, which are called UV-C, are effective for sterilization. Furthermore, the wavelength with the most sterilization effect is 253.7 nm, and it is optimal to include this wavelength. Also, a low-pressure mercury lamp, a high-pressure mercury lamp, a xenon flash lamp, an ultraviolet LED, etc. may be used. Instead of ultraviolet rays, an electron beam may be used. In addition, in the above-described embodiment, an example of spraying a sterilizing agent on the container 10 after attaching the label 40 for sterilization has been described, but it is not limited to this. The container 10 after attaching the label 40 may be sterilized by electron beam irradiation.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0200] 1 Contents filling system 10 Container 10A Container with content liquid 10a Preform 40 Label 40A Strip-shaped label 104 Mold 106 Sterilizing agent supply nozzle 110 Filling nozzle 111 Preform supply machine 112 Blow molding machine 113 Contents filling section 114 Preform conveyor 118 Endless chain 118a Infrared heater 119, 120, 121, 122, 123, 124, 125, 126, 127 Wheels 139 Filler 140 Capper 141a, 141b, 141c1, 141c2, 141c3, 141d, 141e, 141f, 141g Chambers 143 Spindle 144 Tunnel 144A Tunnel 145 Nozzle 146 Nozzle 180 Air nozzle 186 Cover 187 Cover 193, 193A Disinfectant supply nozzle 204, 205 Wheels 210 Labeling section 211 Star wheel 212 Label transport drum 212A Adhesive applicator 213 Rotary cutter 214 Front - stage label transport drum 215 Label pressing device 230 Label supply section 250 UV lamp

Claims

1. In a content filling system, a first sterilization unit that sterilizes only the outer surface of the container by spraying a sterilizing agent; a label attaching unit that attaches a label to the outer surface of the container sterilized by the first sterilization unit; a second sterilization unit that sterilizes the container to which the label has been attached by the label attaching unit; a content filling unit that fills the container sterilized by the second sterilization unit with content; a sealing unit that seals the container; and an air rinse unit that blows hot air onto the container is provided between the second sterilization unit and the content filling unit. A content filling system.

2. The content filling system according to claim 1, wherein the second sterilization unit sprays a sterilizing agent onto the inner and outer surfaces of the container.

3. The first sterilization unit, the label attaching unit, and the second sterilization unit are each surrounded by a partitioned first sterilization unit chamber, label attaching unit chamber, and second sterilization unit chamber. The label attaching unit chamber of the label attaching unit is under positive pressure with respect to the first sterilization unit chamber of the first sterilization unit and / or the second sterilization unit chamber of the second sterilization unit. The content filling system according to claim 1.

4. The label attaching unit includes a label supply unit that supplies a strip-shaped label, a rotary cutter that cuts the strip-shaped label from the label supply unit to produce the label, a label transfer drum that holds the label produced by the rotary cutter while adsorbing it, and a star wheel that transports the container, receives the label held by the label transfer drum, and attaches it to the container. The star wheel, the label transfer drum, and the rotary cutter are housed in the label attaching unit chamber. The content filling system according to claim 3.

5. An adhesive application device for applying an adhesive or paste to the label held by the label transfer drum is provided. The content filling system according to claim 4.

6. The label supply unit is disposed outside the label attaching unit chamber, and the strip-shaped label is supplied from the label supply unit into the label attaching unit chamber through an opening of the label attaching unit chamber. The content filling system according to claim 4.

7. In a content filling method, a first sterilization step of sterilizing only the outer surface of the container by spraying a sterilizing agent in a first sterilization unit; A label affixing step of affixing a label at a label affixing portion on the outer surface of the container sterilized by the first sterilizing portion; A second sterilizing step of sterilizing the container in a second sterilizing portion with respect to the container to which the label has been affixed in the label affixing portion; A content filling step of filling the container sterilized by the second sterilizing portion with contents by a content filling portion; A step of sealing the container with a sealing portion, and comprising: A content filling method of spraying hot air on the container by an air rinsing portion provided between the second sterilizing portion and the content filling portion.

8. The content filling method according to claim 7, wherein a sterilizing agent is sprayed on the inner and outer surfaces of the container by the second sterilizing portion.

9. The first sterilizing portion, the label affixing portion, and the second sterilizing portion are each surrounded by a partitioned first sterilizing portion chamber, a label affixing portion chamber, and a second sterilizing portion chamber, and the label affixing portion chamber of the label affixing portion is at a positive pressure with respect to the first sterilizing portion chamber of the first sterilizing portion and / or the second sterilizing portion chamber of the second sterilizing portion. The content filling method according to claim 7.

10. The label affixing step includes a step of supplying a strip-shaped label from a label supply portion, a step of cutting the strip-shaped label from the label supply portion with a rotary cutter to produce the label, a step of holding the label produced by the rotary cutter while transporting it with a label transport drum, and a step of transporting the container with a star wheel and affixing the label held by the label transport drum to the container. The content filling method according to claim 9, wherein the star wheel, the label transport drum, and the rotary cutter are housed in the label affixing portion chamber.

11. The content filling method according to claim 10, wherein an adhesive is applied to the label held by the label transport drum by an adhesive applying device.

12. The label supply portion is disposed outside the label affixing portion chamber, and the strip-shaped label is supplied from the label supply portion into the label affixing portion chamber through an opening of the label affixing portion chamber. The content filling method according to claim 10.

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