Liquid paper container for aseptic filling machine and aseptic confirmation test method for aseptic confirmation test

Abstract

To provide a liquid paper container for aseptic property confirmation test on an aseptic filling machine for a liquid paper container and an aseptic property confirmation test method such that when aseptic properties of the aseptic filling machine for a liquid paper container, it can be easily confirmed whether a liquid culture medium filling the liquid paper container is turbid without breaking the liquid paper container.SOLUTION: A liquid paper container for aseptic property confirmation test that has a cut part formed in a wall surface with an opaque layer of the liquid paper container which is supplied to an aseptic filling machine for a liquid paper container and also formed by laminating at least paper, and further has the cut part sealed hermetically with a transparent member is filled with a liquid culture medium, which is visually recognized through the transparent member after the liquid culture medium is cultured.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a liquid paper container for aseptic confirmation test of a liquid paper container filling machine for filling a liquid medium and an aseptic confirmation test method when confirming the asepticity of the liquid paper container filling machine.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, various liquid contents such as milk, milk beverages, soy milk, green tea, black tea, coffee, juice, liquor, shochu, wine, and seasonings have been filled in liquid paper containers. Among these liquid contents, milk, milk beverages, green tea, black tea, coffee, juice, etc., which are not suitable for hot filling or whose taste deteriorates during hot filling, are filled into liquid paper containers by a liquid paper container aseptic filling and packaging machine.

[0003] There are a method for a liquid paper container aseptic filling machine in which a liquid paper container sheet supplied in a wound state is immersed in a bactericide and dried to sterilize the liquid paper container sheet, and the sterilized liquid content is filled while forming a container in an aseptic atmosphere, and a method in which a blank to be a liquid paper container is supplied to the liquid paper container aseptic filling machine, and the sterilized liquid content is filled while forming the blank into a container in an aseptic atmosphere.

[0004] As the latter type of liquid paper container aseptic filling machine, a method for sterilizing a liquid paper container has been proposed in which a mist of hydrogen peroxide water is sprayed on the inner and outer surfaces of the liquid paper container, and the mist adhering to the surface of the liquid paper container is dried (Patent Document 1). Also, a method for sterilizing a liquid paper container has been proposed in which a gas of hydrogen peroxide is injected into the liquid paper container, and the hydrogen peroxide condensed on the surface of the liquid paper container is dried by hot air (Patent Document 2).

[0005] On the other hand, since paper is used for liquid paper containers, there is a drawback that the contents cannot be visually recognized like containers formed of films or PET bottles. Therefore, it has been proposed to form a notch in a part of the liquid paper container and attach a transparent film to this part to make a liquid paper container in which the contents can be visually recognized (Patent Documents 3, 4, 5, 6).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0006]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Patent Document 3

Patent Document 4

Patent Document 5

Patent Document 6

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0007] Sterilized containers are often filled with sterilized contents in a sterile atmosphere, and the containers filled with the contents are sealed with sterilized lids. Since the aseptic filling machine fills the contents into the containers at room temperature, it can suppress the deterioration of the contents due to heat as much as possible. As a result, there is an advantage that the taste of the contents is excellent. In addition, since it is aseptic filling and the sterility of the product is maintained, it can be stored at room temperature, and it is also spreading its use to various contents.

[0008] It must be demonstrated that the product obtained by the aseptic filling machine maintains sterility. To demonstrate the sterility of the aseptic filling machine, bacteria are attached or not attached to the containers before sterilization, the containers are supplied to the aseptic filling machine, the containers after sterilization are filled with a liquid medium, the containers filled with the liquid medium are sealed, the sealed containers are stored at an appropriate temperature for an appropriate period, and it is visually confirmed whether or not bacteria are growing in the liquid medium.

[0009] When attaching bacteria to containers, hundreds of containers are used. This test is conducted to measure the sterilization ability of the aseptic filling machine. However, to demonstrate the sterility of the aseptic filling machine, it is carried out by supplying the actually used containers to the aseptic filling machine on the order of tens of thousands, and filling them with a sterilized liquid medium instead of the actual contents. It is necessary to visually check whether there is bacterial growth in the liquid medium filled in such a large number of containers.

[0010] When the liquid medium is filled into sterilized containers, stored at an appropriate temperature for an appropriate period, and if bacteria are growing in the containers, the liquid medium will become turbid. If there is no growth, the liquid medium will remain clear without turbidity as it was before filling. Usually, a 6-log reduction (6LRV) is required for the sterilization ability of the aseptic filling machine. Therefore, in the sterility confirmation test of tens of thousands of containers, if even one liquid medium becomes turbid, it is determined that the aseptic filling machine does not have sterility.

[0011] If the containers are transparent like PET bottles, the turbidity of the liquid medium in tens of thousands of filled containers can be instantly judged by visually observing the appearance. However, in the case of liquid paper containers, since the liquid medium filled in the containers cannot be visually observed from the outside of the containers, it cannot be instantly judged. To visually observe the liquid medium, the liquid paper container must be destroyed to make the liquid medium visible. For example, it requires a great deal of labor to judge the turbidity of the liquid medium filled in tens of thousands of liquid paper containers while cutting off the headspace part at the top of the liquid paper container.

[0012] Therefore, when confirming the sterility of the aseptic filling machine for liquid paper containers, there is a need for a method to confirm the presence or absence of turbidity of the liquid medium filled in the liquid paper containers by visually observing the appearance like a PET bottle without destroying the liquid paper containers.

[0013] The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and relates to a liquid paper container for a sterility confirmation test of an aseptic filling machine for liquid paper containers and a sterility confirmation test method that can easily confirm the presence or absence of turbidity of the liquid medium filled in the liquid paper container without destroying the liquid paper container when confirming the sterility of the aseptic filling machine for liquid paper containers.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0016] A notch is provided on a wall surface having an opaque layer of the liquid paper container formed by laminating at least paper, which is supplied to a sterile filling machine for liquid paper containers that sprays a gas of a bactericide onto the inner surface of the liquid paper container. The notch is sealed with a transparent member, and an end portion of the transparent member is completely heat-sealed to the inner surface of the liquid paper container. In the sterile confirmation test liquid paper container, , 1 / 5 to 4 / 5 of the capacity of the liquid paper container it is filled with a liquid medium, After sealing the liquid paper container, vibrate the liquid paper container so that the liquid medium contacts the entire inner surface of the liquid paper container. and after culturing the liquid medium, the liquid medium is visually recognized through the transparent member.

[0017] Also, in the method for testing the sterility of a sterile filling machine for liquid paper containers according to the present invention, it is preferable to irradiate light on one of the transparent members of the sterile confirmation test liquid paper container in which the notch is provided at two or more opposing positions on the wall surface of the liquid paper container, and visually recognize the liquid medium through the other transparent member. A notch is provided on a wall surface having an opaque layer of the liquid paper container formed by laminating at least paper, which is supplied to a sterile filling machine for liquid paper containers that sprays a gas of a bactericide onto the inner surface of the liquid paper container. The notch is sealed with a transparent member, and an end portion of the transparent member is completely heat-sealed to the inner surface of the liquid paper container. In the sterile confirmation test liquid paper container, , 1 / 5 to 4 / 5 of the capacity of the liquid paper container it is filled with a liquid medium, After sealing the liquid paper container, vibrate the liquid paper container so that the liquid medium contacts the entire inner surface of the liquid paper container. and after culturing the liquid medium, light is irradiated from the transparent member, and the transmittance or absorbance is measured by receiving the light with the other transparent member.

Advantages of the Invention

[0018] According to the present invention, by using a sterile confirmation test liquid paper container in which a notch is provided on a wall surface having an opaque layer of the liquid paper container and the notch is sealed with a transparent member, when confirming the sterility of a sterile filling machine for liquid paper containers, it is possible to visually recognize the presence or absence of turbidity of the liquid medium without destroying the liquid paper container filled with the liquid medium. Compared with the conventional method of cutting out a part of the liquid paper container to confirm the presence or absence of turbidity of the liquid medium, the sterility confirmation test of the sterile filling machine for liquid paper containers can be performed in a short time.

[0019] In addition, by providing cutouts at at least two opposing locations on the wall surface of the liquid paper container, irradiating light on one of the transparent members, and visually recognizing the liquid medium through the other transparent member, it is possible to more quickly and surely perform the aseptic confirmation test of the aseptic filling machine for liquid paper containers.

Brief Description of Drawings

[0020]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0021] Embodiments for carrying out the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

[0022] (Overview of Aseptic Filling Machine and Process for Liquid Paper Containers) As shown in Fig. 1, the aseptic filling machine 1 for liquid paper containers according to this embodiment includes a sleeve supply device 2, a bottom assembly device 5 that receives the sleeve 3 supplied from the sleeve supply device 2, sterilizes the outer surface of the sleeve 3 that is formed into the liquid paper container 4, and forms the bottom of the liquid paper container 4, a conveyor 6 that conveys the liquid paper container 4 with the bottom formed, an inner surface sterilization device 7 that sterilizes the inner surface of the liquid paper container 4, a filling device 8 that fills the liquid paper container 4 with the content, and a head seal device 9 that seals the liquid paper container 4 after filling. These devices are inside the aseptic chamber 10.

[0023] The sleeve 3 shown in Fig. 3 is introduced into the aseptic chamber 10 by the sleeve supply device 2. The sleeve 3 is inserted into the mandrel 12 provided on the turret 11, leaving the parts necessary for closing. Further, the inner surface of the closed side of the sleeve 3 into which the mandrel 12 is not inserted and the outer surface of the sleeve 3 are sterilized by the bottom sterilization device 13. After sterilization, the remaining disinfectant is removed by hot air blown by the drying device 14.

[0024] Furthermore, the sleeve 3 has the score line for forming the bottom of the liquid paper container 4 folded by the bottom creasing device 15, and the portion heated by the drying device 14 is crimped by the bottom sealing device 16. In this way, one surface of the open end of the sleeve 3 is closed, and the sleeve 3 is formed into a bottomed cylindrical liquid paper container 4.

[0025] While the liquid paper container 4 with the bottom formed is intermittently conveyed by the conveyor 6, the gas of the disinfectant is sprayed from the nozzle 17 provided in the inner surface sterilization device 7 onto the inner surface of the liquid paper container 4. The disinfectant sprayed on the liquid paper container 4 is removed by hot air sprayed from the hot air nozzle 18 onto the inner surface of the liquid paper container 4. The liquid paper container 4 with the inner surface sterilized is filled with the content sterilized by a separately provided device by the filling device 8. Further, the score line of the head of the liquid paper container 4 is folded by the head creasing device 19, the inner surface is heated by the head heating device 20, and is crimped by the head seal device 9, and the liquid paper container 4 is sealed. The sealed liquid paper container 4 is discharged from the aseptic chamber 10.

[0026] (Sterility Confirmation Test) Before operating the aseptic filling machine 1 for liquid paper containers in the aseptic chamber 10, COP (Cleaning Out of Place) treatment for cleaning the inside of the aseptic chamber 10 and SOP (Sterelizing Out of Place) treatment for sterilizing the inside of the aseptic chamber 10 are performed. Also, CIP (Cleaning In Place) treatment for cleaning the inside of the content supply system piping and SOP (Sterilizing In Place) treatment for sterilizing the inside of the content supply system piping are performed. After the aseptic filling machine 1 for liquid paper containers is installed, before it is first operated, and before it is first operated after periodic repair, after COP, SOP, CIP, and SIP treatments are performed, a sterility confirmation test of the aseptic filling machine 1 for liquid paper containers is performed.

[0027] The sterility confirmation test is performed by supplying the sleeve 3 to the sleeve supply device 2 and operating the aseptic filling machine 1 for liquid paper containers under normal operating conditions. The sleeve 3 in this embodiment is shown in FIG. 3. The sleeve 3 is formed by laminating at least paper and is provided with a body pasting portion 21 to form a cylindrical shape, and has a body portion forming ruled line 22a, a bottom portion forming ruled line 22b, and a head portion forming ruled line 22c for folding when forming the liquid paper container 4. The sleeve 3 is obtained by joining the body pasting portion 21 of the blank 23 shown in FIG. 2 to the inside of the end of the blank 23. The blank 23 is provided with a notch 24 on the wall surface having the opaque layer of the liquid paper container 4, and the notch 24 is sealed with a transparent member 25.

[0028] The body pasting portion 21 of the sleeve 3 is formed by heat-sealing the inner surface and the outer surface of the sleeve 3. Here, the end face of the inner laminate of the body pasting portion 21 is formed so as not to be exposed. This is done by hemming in which the tip of the inner end is folded outward, skive hemming in which the inside of the tip is cut and folded outward, or attaching a tape having heat-sealability on both sides to the end. Thereby, it is possible to prevent bacteria from migrating from the end face of the paper of the inner laminate of the body pasting portion 21 to the content and prevent the content from penetrating into the paper.

[0029] The sleeve 3 forms a substantially rectangular cylindrical body as it is folded along the ruled lines by the body-forming ruled lines 22a. However, when the ruled lines are shallow or the paper is thin, the sides of the cross-sectional shape of the cylindrical body may be arc-shaped. Also, when the ruled lines are not provided partially, the cross-section of that part of the sleeve 3 may be substantially circular. Furthermore, there may be parts that are not rectangular but polygonal such as hexagonal.

[0030] The blank 23 has a thermoplastic resin such as heat-sealable polyethylene or polypropylene as a layer on both sides of the paper. Also, if necessary, a metal or metal oxide such as aluminum foil, aluminum, silicon oxide, or aluminum oxide deposited film, a thermoplastic resin having barrier properties such as an ethylene-vinyl alcohol copolymer or a copolymer of an aromatic diamine and a dibasic acid, etc. may be provided as a layer inside the paper. Also, there may be printing on the outside or the outermost surface of the paper. Also, as an intermediate layer, one or more layers made of an adhesive or a thermoplastic resin having adhesiveness may be provided. For example, the configuration of the blank 23 may be polyethylene / printing / paper / polyethylene, polyethylene / printing / paper / polyethylene or ethylene-methacrylic acid copolymer / aluminum foil / polyethylene, printing / polyethylene / paper / polyethylene / ethylene-vinyl alcohol copolymer / polyethylene, printing / polyethylene / paper / ethylene-methacrylic acid copolymer / polyester film having silica deposition / adhesive / polyethylene, etc. The basis weight of the paper to be laminated is 80 g / m 2 ~500 g / m 2 is preferable. If it is less than 80 g / m 2 there is no shape retention as a paper container, and if it exceeds 500 g / m 2 processing becomes difficult. Also, the heat-sealable layer is preferably 15 μm to 150 μm. If it is less than 15 μm, sufficient heat-seal strength cannot be obtained, and if it exceeds 150 μm, the heat-seal strength is sufficient and thus excessive. By punching out such a laminate and providing ruled lines simultaneously with punching, the blank 23 is obtained.

[0031] The notch 24 is provided simultaneously with punching, and then, as shown in Fig. 5, the liquid paper container 4 is sealed by attaching a transparent member 25 to the blank 23 so as to close the notch 24. The notch 24 is provided on the wall surface of the liquid paper container 4, and its size, shape and position are arbitrary. The size of the notch 24 may be any area as long as the liquid medium filled in the liquid paper container 4 can be visually recognized, but it is preferably 1 cm 2 ~200 cm 2 is appropriate. The shape of the notch 24 is a simple shape, and for example, a circular shape, a square shape, an elliptical shape, and a combination of these shapes are preferable. In the aseptic confirmation test of the aseptic filling machine 1 for liquid paper containers, the amount of the liquid medium filled in the liquid paper container 4 may or may not be the same as the capacity of the liquid paper container 4, but generally, about 1 / 5 to 4 / 5 of the capacity is filled in order to reduce costs. Therefore, in order to visually recognize the liquid medium, the position of the notch 24 is preferably close to the lower part of the liquid paper container 4.

[0032] As shown in Fig. 5, the notch 24 provided in the opaque laminate 26 having at least a paper layer of the blank 23 is sealed by attaching the transparent member 25 by heat sealing. The transparent member 25 is made of a transparent plastic film and must be provided with a layer heat-sealable to the surface that becomes the inner surface of the liquid paper container 4 of the laminate 26 on one side.

[0033] If the inner surface of the liquid paper container 4 of the laminate 26 is made of polyethylene, the transparent member 25 has a polyethylene layer on one side. The polyethylene layer is laminated with a biaxially stretched film such as polyethylene terephthalate, polypropylene, polyamide, ethylene-vinyl alcohol copolymer, or a film provided with a vapor deposition layer of a transparent metal oxide such as silicon oxide or aluminum oxide on these biaxially stretched films. The number of laminated films is one or more, and a plurality of them may be laminated in combination. Also, it may be a single layer of polyethylene without laminating a film on the polyethylene. The thickness of the polyethylene layer is preferably 15 μm to 150 μm. If it is less than 15 μm, sufficient heat seal strength cannot be obtained, and if it exceeds 150 μm, the heat seal strength is sufficient, so it becomes excessive. Also, the film laminated on the polyethylene is suitably 6 μm to 50 μm.

[0034] The transparent member 25 is adhered to the laminate 26 by heat sealing. At least the end portion of the transparent member 25 having an area larger than the notch portion 24 is heat sealed to the laminate 26. It is preferable that the end portion of the transparent member 25 is completely heat sealed. This is because if there is a gap between the transparent member 25 and the laminate 26, bacteria in the gap may not be sterilized in the inner surface sterilization process of the liquid paper container 4 of the aseptic filling machine 1 for liquid paper containers.

[0035] The transparent member 25 is punched into a predetermined shape in advance, and the punched transparent member 25 is overlapped with the notch portion 24 of the blank 23 and heat sealed. Also, while feeding the transparent member 25 in a roll shape, a part is left and punched into a predetermined shape, and it may be continuously heat sealed while breaking the remaining part during heat sealing.

[0036] When sealing the cutout portion 24 with the transparent member 25, the working environment must be kept clean so that no new bacteria or the like adhere to the blank 23. For example, a clean room may be used where clean air passed through a sterilization filter is supplied from above to the room where the work is performed. Also, the heat-sealing operation is performed on a clean bench supplied with clean air. Furthermore, the blank 23 and the transparent member 25 to be heat-sealed must be mechanized so that they are not touched by human hands. Alternatively, after attaching the transparent member 25 to the cutout portion 24, there is also a method of sterilizing the blank with a sterilizing agent such as ethylene oxide gas or hydrogen peroxide.

[0037] Although the case where the cutout portion 24 is punched out simultaneously with the punching out of the blank 23 has been described, up to the layer having the opaque layer of the laminate that becomes the blank 23, for example, at the stage where paper and aluminum foil are laminated, the cutout portion 24 may be provided in the roll-shaped laminate, and the transparent member 25 may be laminated on the entire surface of the layer that becomes the inner surface side of the liquid paper container 4, and then the blank 23 may be punched out. For example, polyethylene is laminated on the surface of the aluminum foil, or after laminating a biaxially stretched polyethylene terephthalate film, polyethylene is laminated on the biaxially stretched polyethylene terephthalate film surface, and so on.

[0038] Also, when not laminating the aluminum foil, after laminating polyethylene on the outer surface of the paper, the cutout portion 24 is provided in the roll-shaped laminate, and a film provided with a vapor deposition layer of a transparent metal oxide such as silicon oxide or aluminum oxide is laminated on the entire surface of the layer that becomes the inner surface of the liquid paper container 4, and then polyethylene is further laminated. Also, a transparent member 25 in which a polyethylene layer is laminated on a film provided with a vapor deposition layer of a transparent metal oxide such as silicon oxide or aluminum oxide on the biaxially stretched film may be laminated on the layer that becomes the inner surface of the liquid paper container 4. Then, the blank 23 is punched out.

[0039] The sleeve 3 with the notch 24 sealed by the transparent member 25 is supplied to the aseptic filling machine 1 for liquid paper containers that has completed COP, SOP, CIP, and SIP, and the asepticity confirmation test of the aseptic filling machine 1 for liquid paper containers is performed. The appropriate number of liquid paper containers 4 to be supplied is from 1000 to 100000. If it is less than 1000, the asepticity cannot be guaranteed. If it exceeds 100000, the test cost will be high, the number of blanks 23 used for the asepticity confirmation test will increase, and it will take a long time to visually check the liquid medium after culturing the filled liquid medium, making the operation complicated. Usually, the asepticity of the aseptic filling machine 1 for liquid paper containers is required to be 10 -6 (CFU / unit). Therefore, even when 100000 units are used for the asepticity confirmation test, no single sterilization failure is allowed.

[0040] It is also possible to perform the asepticity confirmation test of the aseptic filling machine 1 for liquid paper containers based on the sterilization effect of the number of bacteria attached to the inner surface of the sleeve 3. For example, 10 4 [cfu / g], 10 5 [cfu / g], 10 6 [cfu / g] of indicator bacteria are attached to the inner surface of the sleeve 3 at 1 g, supplied to the aseptic filling machine 1 for liquid paper containers, filled with a liquid medium, and after culturing, the liquid medium is visually checked through the transparent member 25 to confirm the presence or absence of turbidity of the liquid medium. If there is no turbidity in the liquid medium filled in the sleeve 3 to which 10 6 [cfu / g] of indicator bacteria are attached, the asepticity of the aseptic filling machine 1 for liquid paper containers is 6 LRV. The asepticity confirmation test performed by attaching bacteria to the inner surface of the sleeve 3 is carried out within the range of 3 to 1000 attached indicator bacteria for each order.

[0041] It is preferable to use a combination of the test of supplying a large number of blanks and the test of attaching bacteria to the inner surface of the blank 23 for the asepticity confirmation test of the aseptic filling machine 1 for liquid paper containers. In both cases, a liquid medium is filled and the turbidity of the liquid medium is visually checked after culturing. However, the asepticity confirmation test can be easily performed by visually checking the turbidity of the liquid medium after culturing through the transparent member 25 that seals the notch 24 of the liquid paper container 4.

[0042] After the sleeve 3 is conveyed to the aseptic chamber 10, the inner surface is heat-sealed to form the bottom. The heat-sealing may be performed by heating the inner surface with hot air, folding the triangular part of the bottom-forming ruled line 22b inward, butting the vertices of the triangles and crimping them, or folding the triangular part outward, folding the triangular part to the side surface of the liquid paper container 4 after crimping, and sticking it to the outer surface of the liquid paper container 4, or folding it into the heat-sealing part side to form the bottom. Also, the heat-sealing may be performed by folding the triangular part outward and performing heat-sealing by heating from the outside, ultrasonic heat-sealing, or high-frequency heat-sealing when the sleeve 3 contains aluminum foil as a layer.

[0043] While the liquid paper container 4 with the bottom formed is intermittently conveyed by the conveyor 6, the gas of the bactericide generated by the bactericide gas generator is sprayed from the nozzle 17 provided in the inner surface sterilization device 7 onto the inner surface of the liquid paper container 4. The bactericide in the present embodiment preferably contains at least hydrogen peroxide. The content is suitably in the range of 0.5% by mass to 65% by mass. If it is less than 0.5% by mass, the bactericidal power may be insufficient, and if it exceeds 65% by mass, it becomes difficult to handle from the viewpoint of safety. More preferably, it is 0.5% by mass to 40% by mass. When it is 40% by mass or less, it is easier to handle, and since the concentration is low, the residual amount of the bactericide after sterilization can be reduced.

[0044] Also, the bactericide contains water, but may contain one or more of alcohols such as methyl alcohol, ethyl alcohol, isopropyl alcohol, normal propyl alcohol, butyl alcohol, ketones such as acetone, methyl ethyl ketone, acetylacetone, and glycol ethers.

[0045] Furthermore, the bactericide may contain additives such as peracetic acid, acetic acid, chlorine compounds, ozone and other compounds having a bactericidal effect, cationic surfactants, nonionic surfactants, and phosphate compounds.

[0046] Hot air is blown from a hot air nozzle 18 onto the inner surface of a liquid paper container 4 onto which a bactericide has been sprayed, and the sprayed bactericide is removed. Further, sterile air may be blown onto the inner surface of the liquid paper container 4.

[0047] The liquid paper container 4 with its inner surface sterilized is filled with a liquid medium sterilized by a filling device 8. Since the liquid medium is relatively expensive, an amount less than the capacity of the liquid paper container 4 is filled. An amount about 1 / 5 to 4 / 5 of the capacity of the liquid paper container 4 is appropriate. Since the amount of the liquid medium filled is less than the capacity of the liquid paper container 4, after sealing the head of the liquid paper container 4, the liquid paper container 4 is vibrated so that the liquid medium comes into contact with the entire inner surface of the liquid paper container 4.

[0048] A liquid medium generally contains, as a carbon source, monosaccharides such as glucose and dextrose, disaccharides, polysaccharides which are organic carbon sources, and sodium carbonate and sodium hydrogen carbonate which are inorganic carbon sources in an amount of 0.2 to 3% by weight, and, as a nitrogen source (including coenzymes), casein peptone, chicken peptone, cardiac muscle peptone, gelatin peptone, soy peptone, polypeptone, yeast extract, meat extract, ammonium sulfate, magnesium sulfate, nitrates, etc. in an amount of 0.5 to 3% by weight, and, as trace minerals or buffers, sodium chloride, potassium dihydrogen phosphate, dipotassium hydrogen phosphate, potassium dihydrogen phosphate, etc. in an amount of 0.05 to 1% by weight, which are dissolved in water.

[0049] The pH of the liquid medium is adjusted by dissolving hydrochloric acid, tartaric acid, citric acid, sodium hydroxide, potassium hydroxide, etc. in the liquid medium. The pH of the liquid medium is adjusted to be acidic according to the pH of the contents. For example, when the pH of the contents is a low-acid beverage with a pH of 4.5 or more, it is preferable that the pH of the liquid medium is adjusted to 7.0 ± 0.2. Also, when the pH of the contents is a high-acid beverage with a pH of less than 4.5, it is preferable that the pH of the liquid medium is adjusted to 4.0 ± 0.2. The liquid medium is prepared in advance and heat sterilization treatment is performed before being filled by a filling machine.

[0050] The liquid paper container 4 filled with the liquid medium is further processed as follows: the ruled line 22c for forming the head of the liquid paper container 4 is folded by the head kink device 19, the inner surface is heated by the head heating device 20, and then it is crimped and sealed by the head sealing device 9. The sealed liquid paper container 4 is stored at an appropriate temperature.

[0051] The liquid paper container 4 filled with the liquid medium is stored at a temperature of 25°C to 35°C for 3 to 21 days, preferably for 7 days or more. During storage, it is vibrated as described above so that the liquid medium contacts the entire inner surface of the liquid paper container 4.

[0052] After culturing the liquid medium filled in the liquid paper container 4 stored at an appropriate temperature for an appropriate period, the sterility of the aseptic filling machine 1 for liquid paper containers is confirmed by visually checking the liquid medium through the transparent member 25 that seals the notch 24 of the liquid paper container 4 to determine whether the liquid medium is turbid. If the liquid medium is turbid, the sterility of the aseptic filling machine 1 for liquid paper containers is not guaranteed. If the liquid medium in all the liquid paper containers 4 subjected to the sterility confirmation test is transparent, the sterility of the aseptic filling machine 1 for liquid paper containers is guaranteed according to the number of liquid paper containers subjected to the sterility confirmation test. Also, in the sterility confirmation test in which bacteria or the like are attached to the inner surface of the sleeve 3, the aseptic performance of the aseptic filling machine 1 for liquid paper containers is determined according to the order of the attached bacteria or the like.

[0053] The aseptic confirmation test liquid paper container 4, which is supplied to the aseptic filling machine 1 for liquid paper containers, has a notch 24 provided on the wall surface having an opaque layer of the liquid paper container 4, and the notch 24 is sealed with a transparent member 25. After filling the liquid medium and culturing the liquid medium, the sterility of the aseptic filling machine 1 for liquid paper containers is confirmed by visually checking the liquid medium through the transparent member 25. However, when there is only one notch 24, it may be difficult to determine the presence or absence of turbidity of the liquid medium. Therefore, it is preferable to provide the notch 24 at two or more opposing positions on the wall surface of the liquid paper container 4, irradiate light on one of the transparent members 25 of the liquid paper container 4 of the aseptic filling machine 1 for liquid paper containers, and visually check the liquid medium through the other transparent member 25.

[0054] The blank 23 shown in Fig. 6 has two notches 24 provided at substantially the same positions on the opposing surfaces of the wall of the liquid paper container 4. The two notches 24 are sealed with a transparent member 25. By irradiating light on one transparent member 25 of the liquid paper container 4 filled with and cultured in a liquid medium and visually observing through the other transparent member 25, the presence or absence of turbidity in the liquid medium can be more easily determined than in the case where only one notch 24 is provided.

[0055] The blank 23 having two notches 24 as shown in Fig. 6 is formed into the liquid paper container 4, and when the liquid paper container 4 is left standing as shown in Fig. 7, the liquid medium is filled so that the liquid level of the liquid medium is above the transparent member 25. Light is irradiated from one transparent member 25 and visually observed through the other transparent member 25. The presence or absence of turbidity in the liquid medium can be instantaneously determined by the transmitted light. Even if light is not irradiated from one notch 24, the presence or absence of turbidity in the liquid medium can be sufficiently determined with light of a normal external light passing through the liquid medium from the transparent member 25 sealing one notch 24.

[0056] The blank 23 shown in Fig. 6 has two notches 24, but the notches 24 may be three or more. For example, notches 24 may be provided at each of the opposing surfaces, or notches 24 may be provided on another wall surface.

[0057] In addition to a person visually observing the turbidity of the liquid medium, an inspection machine may be installed, and an inspection device (turbidimeter) using the principle of a spectrophotometer may be used to determine the presence or absence of turbidity in the liquid medium by the inspection machine. By irradiating light from one transparent member 25 and receiving light with the other transparent member 25, the transmittance or absorbance is measured. Here, although a wavelength of 660 nm is used for measuring the transmittance or absorbance by a spectrophotometer, any wavelength may be used for measurement. Also, one or a plurality of CCD cameras and illumination may be installed and discriminated from the photographed video.

[0058] The notch 24 is provided on the wall surface having an opaque layer of the liquid paper container 4 formed by laminating at least paper, and the notch is sealed with a transparent member 25. Not only the side surface of the liquid paper container 4 but also the straw hole on the upper surface can be used as the notch 24 and sealed with the transparent member 25, and light may be irradiated from this notch 24.

[0059] The embodiment of the present invention is applicable not only when supplying the sleeve 3 to the aseptic filling machine 1 for liquid paper containers but also when supplying a roll-shaped laminated body for liquid paper to the aseptic filling machine for liquid paper containers. For example, a notch 24 may be provided on the wall surface having an opaque layer of the liquid paper container 4 after forming a laminate such as polyethylene / paper / polyethylene / aluminum foil / polyethylene, and this notch 24 may be sealed with a transparent member 25. In this case, after laminating up to polyethylene / paper / polyethylene / aluminum foil, a notch 24 is provided, and a polyethylene layer is provided on the inner surface, whereby a laminate for a liquid paper container for sterility confirmation test can be obtained. By supplying the obtained laminate to the aseptic filling machine for liquid paper containers, a liquid medium can be filled while forming the liquid paper container 4, and a sterility confirmation test can be performed. Usually, such a laminate for liquid paper containers is sterilized by immersing it in a liquid of a bactericide and then drying. Therefore, the possibility of surely obtaining sterility is higher than when supplying the sleeve 3. However, it is possible to surely determine whether it is sterile or not by performing the sterility confirmation test of the present invention.

[0060] The liquid paper container 4 of the present invention is applicable not only to the above-described gable-top type and brick-type liquid paper containers but also to columnar and cup-shaped liquid paper containers.

Explanation of reference numerals

[0061] 1... Aseptic filling machine for liquid paper containers 3... Sleeve 4... Liquid paper container 23... Blank 24... Notch 25... Transparent member

Claims

1. A notch is provided in a wall surface having an opaque layer of the liquid paper container formed by laminating at least paper, which is supplied to a sterile filling machine for liquid paper containers that sprays a gas of a bactericide onto the inner surface of the liquid paper container, and the notch is sealed with a transparent member. A liquid culture medium of 1 / 5 to 4 / 5 of the capacity of the liquid paper container is filled into a sterile confirmation test liquid paper container in which an end portion of the transparent member is completely heat-sealed to the inner surface of the liquid paper container. After sealing the liquid paper container, the liquid paper container is vibrated so that the entire inner surface of the liquid paper container comes into contact with the liquid culture medium. After culturing the liquid culture medium, the liquid culture medium is visually recognized through the transparent member. A method for testing the sterility of a sterile filling machine for liquid paper containers, characterized in that.

2. In the method for testing the sterility of a sterile filling machine for liquid paper containers according to Claim 1, Light is irradiated onto one of the transparent members of the sterile confirmation test liquid paper container in which the notch is provided at two or more opposing positions on the wall surface of the liquid paper container, and the liquid culture medium is visually recognized through the other transparent member. A method for testing the sterility of a sterile filling machine for liquid paper containers, characterized in that.

3. A notch is provided in a wall surface having an opaque layer of the liquid paper container formed by laminating at least paper, which is supplied to a sterile filling machine for liquid paper containers that sprays a gas of a bactericide onto the inner surface of the liquid paper container, and the notch is sealed with a transparent member. A liquid culture medium of 1 / 5 to 4 / 5 of the capacity of the liquid paper container is filled into a sterile confirmation test liquid paper container in which an end portion of the transparent member is completely heat-sealed to the inner surface of the liquid paper container. After sealing the liquid paper container, the liquid paper container is vibrated so that the entire inner surface of the liquid paper container comes into contact with the liquid culture medium. After culturing the liquid culture medium, light is irradiated from the transparent member, and the transmittance or absorbance is measured by receiving the light with the other transparent member. A method for testing the sterility of a sterile filling machine for liquid paper containers, characterized in that.

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