Sterilization agent supply device, nozzle, and sterilization method

Abstract

This sterilization agent supply device comprises: a supply unit including a discharge tube via which a sterilization agent is supplied downward in the vertical direction at a fixed position; and a transport unit including a transport body that moves a plurality of objects being sterilized along a transport path while holding the plurality of objects being sterilized by using the holding tool, and synchronous moving nozzles that are provided to the transport body in correspondence with each of the plurality of objects being sterilized, the synchronous moving nozzles moving in synchronization with the corresponding objects being sterilized.　The synchronous moving nozzles are each provided with a first flow path via which the sterilization agent is received at an upstream side and via which the sterilization agent is channeled toward the objects being sterilized at a downstream side. The first flow paths are each formed such that the opening area decreases continuously or intermittently from the upstream side to the downstream side.

Description

Sterilizing agent supply device, nozzle, and sterilizing method

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an apparatus for dispensing, for example by dispensing, a fluidized sanitizer into, for example, a beverage container.

[0002] To sterilize beverage containers, such as plastic containers, a disinfectant or sterilizing agent, such as hydrogen peroxide (H O ), is dispensed from a discharge tube or nozzle. ２ O ２ ) is supplied into the inside of the container. Patent Document 1 discloses an apparatus having a sterilization unit that sprays a fluid, typically a sterilant in the form of a mist, into the inside of the container.

[0003] The sterilization unit of Patent Document 1 is provided with one or more discharge pipes at predetermined fixed positions around a rotating wheel for supplying condensed mist of hydrogen peroxide, a sterilant, to containers. The discharge pipes are fixed in fixed positions so as to face the mouths of the containers that move along an arc-shaped conveying path passing directly below them.

[0004] JP 2015-157651 A

[0005] The sterilization unit of Patent Document 1 continues to discharge sterilant regardless of whether the discharge pipe and the mouth of the container are directly facing each other and the phases of the discharge pipe and the mouth are aligned. Therefore, sterilant discharged while the phases of the discharge pipe and the mouth are not aligned is consumed without being used for sterilization. In view of the above, an object of the present disclosure is to provide a supply device that can reduce the amount of sterilant unused for sterilization.

[0006] The sterilant supply device of the present disclosure comprises a supply unit including a discharge pipe that supplies sterilant vertically downward at a fixed position, a conveying unit that includes: a conveying body that moves a plurality of objects to be sterilized along a conveying path while holding them with holders, and a synchronously moving nozzle that is provided on the conveying body corresponding to each of the plurality of objects to be sterilized and moves in synchronization with the corresponding object to be sterilized. The synchronously moving nozzle has a first flow path that receives sterilant upstream and flows the sterilant downstream toward the objects to be sterilized, and the first flow path has an opening area on the upstream side that is larger than the opening area on the downstream side.

[0007] A nozzle according to the present disclosure is disposed between a discharge pipe and an object to be sterilized, and directs a sterilant supplied from the discharge pipe toward the object to be sterilized. The nozzle comprises a first flow path that receives the sterilant upstream and directs the sterilant downstream toward the object to be sterilized, the first flow path having an opening area on the upstream side that is larger than the opening area on the downstream side.

[0008] The present disclosure provides a method for sterilizing an object by supplying a mist of sterilant discharged from a discharge pipe through a nozzle to the object. The nozzle used in this sterilization method includes a first flow path that receives the sterilant upstream and directs the sterilant downstream toward the object. The first flow path has an opening area on the upstream side that is larger than the opening area on the downstream side.

[0009] According to the synchronized movement nozzle of the supply device of the present disclosure, the first flow path through which the sterilant flows toward the object to be sterilized has an opening area on the upstream side that is larger than the opening area on the downstream side, which increases the time during which the phases of the first flow path discharge pipe and the first flow path are aligned upstream, thereby reducing the amount of sterilant unused for sterilization.

[0010] FIG. 1 is a plan view showing a schematic configuration of a supply device according to an embodiment; FIG. 2 is a side view showing a schematic configuration of a supply device according to a first embodiment; FIG. 3 is a front cross-sectional view (PSD) and a side cross-sectional view (SSD) showing a main part of the supply device according to the first embodiment; FIG. 4 is a view showing a main part of the supply device according to the first embodiment, showing how one synchronously moving nozzle moves relative to one fixed nozzle; FIG. 5 is a view showing a main part of the supply device according to the first embodiment, showing how a plurality of synchronously moving nozzles move relative to one fixed nozzle; FIG. 6 is a front cross-sectional view (PSD) and a side cross-sectional view (SSD) showing a main part of the supply device according to a second embodiment; FIG. 7 is a view showing a main part of the supply device according to the first embodiment, showing how one synchronously moving nozzle moves relative to one fixed nozzle; FIG. 8 is a view showing a modified example of the synchronously moving nozzle; and FIG. 9 is a view showing a modified example of the guide vane.

[0011] The following describes embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings. The embodiments described below include a first embodiment and a second embodiment. In both of these supply devices, a plurality of containers PB are moved along an arc-shaped conveying path, and a mist of sterilant is sprayed into each container PB. Furthermore, in both supply devices, a plurality of synchronously moving nozzles 35 that move in synchronization with the holder GR that holds the container PB are provided, thereby reducing the amount of sterilant unused for sterilization. The following describes the first and second embodiments in this order.

[0012] 1 and 2, a supply device 1 according to the first embodiment includes a supply unit 10 that dispenses sterilant into a container PB at a predetermined position, and a conveying unit 30 that grasps and conveys multiple containers PB along an arc-shaped conveying path. The supply unit 10 includes, as an example, a single discharge pipe 13, and the conveying unit 30 includes a number of synchronously moving nozzles 35 corresponding to the number of containers PB to be conveyed.

[0013] [Supply unit 10: see Figures 1 to 3] The supply unit 10 includes a mist generator 11 that generates mist M, which is an atomized sterilant, a discharge pipe 13 that discharges the mist M generated by the mist generator 11 toward the container PB via a synchronously moving nozzle 35-1, and a regulator 15 that prevents the mist M discharged from the discharge pipe 13 from leaking out of the synchronously moving nozzle 35-1. The mist generator 11, the discharge pipe 13, and the regulator 15 are all fixed in position.

[0014] [Mist Generator 11: See Figures 1 and 2] As an example, the mist generator 11 can generate mist M by forming an aqueous solution of hydrogen peroxide, a sterilant, into droplets and then heating the droplets to a temperature above its boiling point but below its non-decomposition temperature to vaporize them. This mist M is sprayed from the discharge pipe 13. Hydrogen peroxide droplets can be obtained, for example, by introducing an aqueous solution of hydrogen peroxide and compressed air into a two-fluid sprayer. Vaporization can be achieved by providing a heater, such as an electric heating wire, around the pipe through which the droplets of hydrogen peroxide flow, and heating the droplets of hydrogen peroxide injected into the pipe to the desired temperature. The vaporized hydrogen peroxide mist M is guided to the discharge pipe 13.

[0015] [Discharge Pipe 13: See FIG. 3] The discharge pipe 13 allows the mist M generated by the mist generator 11 to flow downward in the vertical direction V and discharge it toward the conveying unit 30. The discharge pipe 13 includes a pipe body 13A made of, for example, metal, a passage 13B for the mist M provided inside the pipe body 13A, and a discharge hole 13C connected to the passage 13B and through which the mist M is discharged. The discharged mist M is sprayed as mist toward the opening of the mouth N of the bottle PB. The mist M generated by the mist generator 11 is discharged toward the conveying unit 30 through the passage 13B and the discharge hole 13C. The passage 13B is, for example, circular, and its opening diameter D13 has a favorable relationship with an opening dimension W35 in the radial direction RD of the synchronous movement nozzle 35-1, which will be described later. This relationship will be discussed after the synchronous movement nozzle 35-1 is described.

[0016] [Regulator 15: See Figures 2 and 3] In a preferred embodiment, the supply unit 10 includes a regulator 15 at the lower end of the discharge pipe 13. The regulator 15 is provided to prevent mist M discharged from the discharge hole 13C of the discharge pipe 13 from leaking out of the first flow path 35B of the synchronously moving nozzle 35-1. For this purpose, the regulator 15 has a flat portion that blocks the opening upstream US of the first flow path 35B, has a rectangular shape in plan view, and is provided at the lower end of the discharge pipe 13 so as to be perpendicular to the axis C10 of the discharge pipe 13 (supply unit 10). Note that the portion of the regulator 15 corresponding to the discharge hole 13C penetrates in the direction of the axis C10. The regulator 15 is located at the lowest position in the vertical direction V among the components constituting the supply unit 10 disclosed in the embodiment, but a gap G is provided between the regulator 15 and the conveying unit 30. Therefore, during operation of the supply device 1, the fixed-position supply unit 10 and the rotating conveying unit 30 do not come into contact with each other. For this purpose, the restriction body 15 has certain dimensions, as will be described later.

[0017] [Transport Unit 30; See Figures 1, 2, and 3] Next, the transport unit 30 will be described. The transport unit 30 sequentially receives a plurality of containers PB continuously transported from an upstream process using a corresponding holder GR, rotates while holding the containers, and transports them to a downstream process. Between transport and removal, mist M is supplied into the containers PB to sterilize them.

[0018] The conveying unit 30 includes a turntable 31 and a rotating electric machine 32 that rotates the turntable 31. The turntable 31 has a circular shape in a plan view. A plurality of holders GR, typically grippers, that grip the mouths N of the containers PB are provided on the outer periphery of the turntable 31. The containers PB are held by the respective holders GR and are moved along an arc-shaped conveying path as the turntable 31 is rotated by the rotating electric machine 32.

[0019] The turntable 31 is provided with a plurality of synchronous movement nozzles 35-1. The plurality of synchronous movement nozzles 35-1 are arranged in a line in the circumferential direction CD at intervals on the outer periphery of the turntable 31. The plurality of synchronous movement nozzles 35-1 are arranged at the same position in the radial direction RD. The plurality of synchronous movement nozzles 35-1 are provided corresponding to each of a plurality of holders GR, which are not shown in FIGS. 1 and 3. That is, a synchronous movement nozzle 35-1 corresponds to each container PB held by the holder GR, and mist M is supplied to the container PB through the corresponding synchronous movement nozzle 35-1. As the turntable 31 rotates, the corresponding holder GR and the synchronous movement nozzle 35-1 move synchronously while maintaining their relative positional relationship. Each synchronous movement nozzle 35-1 is detachably attached to the turntable 31. 1 and 2, each synchronously moving nozzle 35-1 has, for example, a rectangular parallelepiped appearance, with its upper portion held by an appropriate means on the rotary table 31 and its lower portion protruding downward from the rotary table 31. Note that only some of the multiple synchronously moving nozzles 35-1 are clearly shown in FIGS.

[0020] As shown in FIG. 3, the synchronous movement nozzle 35-1 includes a nozzle housing 35A that forms its outer shell, a first flow path 35B provided inside the nozzle housing 35A, and an outlet hole 35C connected to the first flow path 35B. In the synchronous movement nozzle 35-1, the mist M supplied flows from top to bottom in the figure, and the upstream (US) and downstream (DS) directions are defined according to this flow. The synchronous movement nozzle 35-1 moves in the circumferential direction CD (FIG. 1) together with a container PB (not shown) as the turntable 31 rotates, but its position in the radial direction RD remains constant. A movement path MD for the container PB is formed along this circumferential direction CD.

[0021] In the first flow path 35B, the opening dimension L35in of the inlet 35in on the upstream (US) side is set larger than the opening dimension L35out of the outlet 35out on the downstream (DS) side in the circumferential direction CD. By increasing the size of the inlet 35in on the upstream (US) side in this manner, the distance or time over which the discharge hole 13C of the discharge pipe 13 passes above the first flow path 35B can be increased during the process in which the synchronous movement nozzle 35-1 moves synchronously with the container PB. Therefore, even if mist M continues to be discharged from the discharge hole 13C, the amount of mist M not used for sterilizing the container PB can be significantly reduced. On the other hand, because mist M must be supplied to the opening of the container PB on the downstream (DS) side, the opening dimension L35out of the outlet 35out is set smaller than the opening dimension L35in, and preferably equal to or smaller than the diameter of the opening of the container PB. Furthermore, since the radial dimension W35 of the first flow path 35B in the RD direction is constant, the fact that the opening dimension L35in is larger than the opening dimension L35out is equivalent to the opening area of ​​the inlet 35in upstream (US) being larger than the opening area of ​​the outlet 35out downstream (DS).

[0022] Excluding the inlet 35in and outlet 35out, the first flow passage 35B is formed by a pair of circumferential wall surfaces 35B1, 35B2 and a pair of radial wall surfaces 35B3, 35B4. The circumferential wall surfaces 35B1, 35B2 are symmetrical with respect to the axis C30, i.e., are formed as planes whose angles θ1 and θ2 with respect to the axis C30 coincide. Therefore, in the circumferential direction CD, the first flow passage 35B is symmetrical with respect to the axis C30. However, this is merely an example. The effect of providing the first flow passage 35B can be achieved as long as the opening dimension L35in of the inlet 35in is set larger than the opening dimension L35out of the outlet 35out. Therefore, this embodiment allows the angle θ1 to be ≠ the angle θ2, as shown in the example shown in VE.2 of FIG. 8 (described later). The opening dimension W35 of the circumferential wall surfaces 35B1, 35B2 in a side view is constant and coincides with the opening dimension L35out of the outlet 35out on the downstream (DS) side. Due to the presence of the circumferential wall surfaces 35B1, 35B2, the radial wall surfaces 35B3, 35B4 continuously decrease in size from the inlet 35in side toward the outlet 35out side. In other words, the volume of the first flow passage 35B also continuously decreases from the inlet 35in side toward the outlet 35out side. However, for example, the opening dimension of the first flow passage 35B in the circumferential direction (CD) may be formed to decrease intermittently from the upstream US side toward the downstream DS side.

[0023] The discharge hole 35C is connected to the outlet 35out of the first flow path 35B and has the same opening dimensions as the outlet 35out. The specific dimensions in the horizontal direction H and the vertical direction V are arbitrary and may be set appropriately depending on the specifications of the supply unit 10 and the transport unit 30, etc.

[0024] [Dimensional Relationship Between the Discharge Pipe 13, Regulator 15, and Synchronous Movement Nozzle 35-1: See FIG. 3] First, the dimensional relationship between the discharge pipe 13 and the synchronous movement nozzle 35-1 will be described. The diameter (opening dimension) D13 of the discharge hole 13C of the discharge pipe 13 is preferably smaller than the opening dimension W35 in the radial direction RD of the first flow path 35B of the synchronous movement nozzle 35-1. This is to reduce the amount of mist M discharged and sprayed from the discharge hole 13C that leaks to the surrounding area without entering the first flow path 35B. Conversely, if the diameter D13 is larger than the opening dimension W35, a larger amount of mist M discharged from the discharge hole 13C will leak in the radial direction RD without entering the first flow path 35B. Note that the opening dimension L35in on the inlet 35in side of the first flow path 35B is significantly larger than the diameter D13. The above relationships are listed below: D13<W35, D13<<L35in

[0025] Next, the dimensional relationship between the regulator 15 and the synchronous movement nozzle 35-1 will be described. The dimension L15 of the regulator 15 in the circumferential direction CD is preferably larger than the opening dimension L35in on the inlet 35in side of the first flow path 35B of the synchronous movement nozzle 35-1. Also, the dimension W15 of the regulator 15 in the radial direction RD is preferably larger than the opening dimension L35in on the inlet 35in side of the first flow path 35B of the synchronous movement nozzle 35-1. This makes it possible to prevent the mist M once supplied to the first flow path 35B from leaking out of the first flow path 35B. L15 > W35 = L35in, W15 > W35 = L35in, L15 > W15

[0026] [Basic Operation of the Synchronous Moving Nozzle 35-1: See FIG. 4] Next, the basic operation of the synchronously moving nozzle 35-1 relative to the discharge pipe 13 when sterilizing the container PB using the supply device 1 will be explained, showing only one synchronously moving nozzle 35-1. Note that in FIG. 4, the time series is from top to bottom. That is, in FIG. 4, the synchronously moving nozzle 35-1 moves along the movement path MD in the circumferential direction CD in the order of T0, T1, T2, T3, and T4.

[0027] The synchronously moving nozzle 35-1 moves (T0) in synchronization with the movement of the container PB relative to the discharge pipe 13, whose position is fixed, but at this point, the first flow path 35B of the synchronously moving nozzle 35-1 has not yet reached the discharge hole 13C of the discharge pipe 13. Therefore, the mist M discharged from the discharge hole 13C is not supplied to the first flow path 35B of this synchronously moving nozzle 35-1.

[0028] As the synchronously moving nozzle 35-1 continues to move, the first flow path 35B reaches a position directly below the discharge pipe 13 (T1). Therefore, the mist M is discharged from the discharge hole 13C toward the first flow path 35B, and is supplied to the inside of the container PB through the first flow path 35B, the discharge hole 35C, and the opening N. Furthermore, even if the synchronously moving nozzle 35-1 continues to move (T2, T3), the first flow path 35B remains directly below the discharge hole 13C and is connected to the discharge pipe 13. Therefore, the mist M continues to be discharged from the discharge hole 13C toward the first flow path 35B, and the sterilant continues to be supplied to the inside of the container PB through the first flow path 35B, the discharge hole 35C, and the opening N.

[0029] As the synchronously moving nozzle 35-1 continues to move, it moves away from directly below the discharge pipe 13 and is released from the discharge pipe 13 (T4), thereby ending the supply of the mist M to the container PB.

[0030] As described above, the mist M received by one synchronously moving nozzle 35-1 from the discharge pipe 13 is supplied to the container PB via the synchronously moving nozzle 35-1 in the circumferential direction CD while the first flow path 35B passes through the discharge pipe 13. If the mist M were supplied directly from the discharge pipe 13 to the mouth N of the container PB without going through the synchronously moving nozzle 35-1, the mist M would only be supplied to the inside of the container PB for the short period when the discharge pipe 13 and the container PB overlap. Therefore, if the mist M is continuously discharged from the discharge pipe 13, much of the mist M will not be used for sterilization.

[0031] [Operation by Multiple Synchronous Moving Nozzles 35-1: See Figure 5] In the above, the operation of only one synchronous moving nozzle 35-1 relative to the discharge pipe 13 has been described, but in reality, multiple synchronous moving nozzles 35-1 are lined up in the circumferential direction CD, i.e., along the movement path MD, so the synchronous moving nozzles 35-1 are involved in succession relative to the discharge pipe 13. The following description will be made with reference to Figure 5. Note that Figure 5 also shows a time series from top to bottom. In Figure 5, N0, N1, etc. are symbols that identify the synchronous moving nozzles 35-1, and they pass through the discharge pipe 13 in the order N0, N1, etc.

[0032] As an example, let us assume that the synchronous movement nozzle 35-1 (N1) has reached a position directly below the discharge pipe 13, and the synchronous movement nozzle 35-1 (N0) and the synchronous movement nozzle 35-1 (N2) are arranged before and after it (T0). At this time, the container PB corresponding to the synchronous movement nozzle 35-1 (N1) is in the process of being supplied with mist M from the discharge pipe 13, while the container PB corresponding to the synchronous movement nozzle 35-1 (N0) has already finished supplying mist M to its interior. The container PB corresponding to the synchronous movement nozzle 35-1 (N2) is in the stage before the mist M is supplied.

[0033] As the movement of the synchronous moving nozzle 35-1 (N0) progresses (T1 to T3), the overlap between the synchronous moving nozzle 35-1 (N1) and the discharge pipe 13 ends (T2), and the synchronous moving nozzle 35-1 (N2) and the discharge pipe 13 overlap (T2, T3), and the supply of mist M into the inside of the container PB corresponding to the synchronous moving nozzle 35-1 (N2) begins.

[0034] Thereafter, the same operation is repeated: when the supply of mist M to the inside of the container PB corresponding to the synchronous moving nozzle 35-1 (N2) is completed, the supply of mist M to the inside of the container PB corresponding to the next synchronous moving nozzle 35-1 (N3) is started and the supply is completed.

[0035] Here, if the opening dimension in the circumferential direction CD of the inlet 35in of each synchronous movement nozzle 35-1 is L35in and the dimension of the interval between the inlets 35in, 35in of adjacent synchronous movement nozzles 35-1, 35-1 is D, then L35in > D. Assume that a total of N synchronous movement nozzles 35-1 are provided on the turntable 31. Then, during one rotation of the turntable 31, the total extension distance in the circumferential direction CD over which mist M is supplied to the first flow paths 35B of all synchronous movement nozzles 35-1 is L35in × N, while the total extension distance in the circumferential direction CD over which mist M is not supplied to the first flow paths 35B is D × N, and so there is a relationship of L35in × N > D × N. In other words, according to this embodiment, the distance or time involved between the discharge pipe 13 and the synchronously moving nozzle 35-1 is considerably greater, for example, more than two times, or even more than three times, than the distance or time involved between the discharge pipe 13 and the spacing between the synchronously moving nozzles 35-1, 35-1.

[0036] [Effects of the First Embodiment] With the synchronously moving nozzle 35-1 according to the first embodiment, mist M can be discharged into the corresponding container PB while the phases of the discharge pipe 13 and the inlet 35in of the synchronously moving nozzle 35 are aligned. The opening dimension L35in of the inlet 35in in the circumferential direction CD is several times larger than the opening dimension of the opening N of the container PB, so the phases of the discharge pipe 13 and the inlet 35in are aligned for a long period of time. As a result, the amount of mist M that can be supplied into the container PB from a single discharge pipe 13 can be increased. For example, compared to supplying the same amount of mist M into the container PB directly from the discharge pipe 13, the use of the synchronously moving nozzle 35 not only reduces the number of discharge pipes 13 but also reduces the amount of sterilant used.

[0037] [Second embodiment: Figures 6 and 7] Next, a synchronous movement nozzle 35-2 according to a second embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 6 and 7. The synchronous movement nozzle 35-2 according to the second embodiment follows the configuration of the synchronous movement nozzle 35-1, but is equipped with a pair of guide vanes 37 in the first flow path 35B. The pair of guide vanes 37 are provided for the following purposes.

[0038] [Purpose and configuration of guide vane 37: see FIG. 6] The pair of guide vanes 37, 37 suppresses a decrease in the amount of mist M as a sterilant supplied to container PB. The mist M discharged from discharge pipe 13 forms a jet in first flow path 35B, and this jet entrains ambient air within first flow path 35B (see bottom row in FIG. 7). While mist M has a temperature of, for example, 150°C or higher, the temperature of the ambient air is significantly lower than the temperature of mist M. Therefore, the temperature of the mist M that entrains air drops, and some of the mist M condenses, remaining inside synchronous movement nozzle 35-1 without being supplied to container PB, thereby reducing the amount of mist M supplied to container PB. Therefore, the pair of guide vanes 37, 37 is provided in synchronous movement nozzle 35-2 to suppress air entrainment in the mist M.

[0039] The synchronous movement nozzle 35-2 includes a pair of guide vanes 37, 37 inside the first flow passage 35B. The guide vanes 37, 37 are arranged in a tapered manner in the circumferential direction CD, with a spacing D37out on the outlet 35out side narrower than a spacing D37in on the upstream (US) side. In other words, the guide vanes 37, 37 preferably have a second flow passage 37B therein that tapers downward in the vertical direction V. The pair of guide vanes 37, 37 are continuous throughout the entire radial direction RD of the first flow passage 35B. In other words, the radial direction RD dimension W37 of the guide vane 37 matches the radial direction RD opening dimension W35 of the synchronous movement nozzle 35-2. Thus, the second flow passage 37B is formed inside the first flow passage 35B in a region surrounded by the pair of guide vanes 37, 37 and the pair of radial wall surfaces 35B3, 35B4. The left side of the second flow path 37B in the drawing is referred to as the 1-1 passage 35BL, and the left side of the drawing is referred to as the 1-2 flow path 35BR. The mist M discharged from the synchronously moving nozzle 35-2 flows in this order through the 1-1 passage 35BL, the second flow path 37B, and the 1-2 flow path 35BR, and is supplied to the container PB.

[0040] According to the study by the present inventors, the entrainment of surrounding air is most noticeable at the portion where the axis C10 of the discharge pipe 13 coincides with the axis C30 of the synchronously moving nozzle 35. Therefore, in one preferred embodiment, the pair of guide vanes 37, 37 are arranged at positions that are line-symmetrical with respect to the axis C30.

[0041] The pair of guide vanes 37, 37 are preferably arranged so that their upper ends are at the same position in the vertical direction V as the inlet 35 in. This position where the upper ends of the guide vanes 37, 37 are arranged is the uppermost position of the first flow passage 35B, and therefore, the effect of preventing air from being drawn in from at least the inside of the first flow passage 35B (35BL, 35BR) can be maximized. The lower ends of the pair of guide vanes 37, 37 are preferably positioned below half the position in the vertical direction V of the first flow passage 35B.

[0042] If the distance between the pair of guide vanes 37, 37 is too wide, air may be drawn into the second flow path 37B, and if the distance is too narrow, it may hinder the smooth flow of the mist M. Therefore, the specific distance between the guide vanes 37, 37 can be determined taking these factors into consideration.

[0043] [Behavior of Mist M from Synchronous Movement Nozzle 35-2: See Figure 7] The situation in which mist M is supplied to the synchronous movement nozzle 35-2 will be described with reference to Figure 7. When the synchronous movement nozzle 35-2 has reached the discharge pipe 13 but the guide vanes 37, 37 have not yet reached the discharge pipe 13 (T0), the mist M discharged from the discharge pipe 13 flows through the 1-1 passage 35BL and is supplied to the container PB via the discharge hole 35C. At this time, because the area around the mist M in the 1-1 passage 35BL is relatively narrow, little air is entrained in the mist M. The same is true for the 1-2 flow path 35BR.

[0044] When the guide vanes 37, 37 reach the discharge pipe 13 (T1), the discharged mist M is supplied to the container PB through the second flow path 37B between the guide vanes 37, 37. At this position where the axis C10 of the discharge pipe 13 and the axis C30 of the synchronously moving nozzle 35-2 coincide, the mist M is most likely to be entrained by surrounding air, but the guide vanes 37, 37 can suppress this air entrainment. Therefore, the temperature drop of the mist M passing through the second flow path 37B is also suppressed, and the amount of mist M supplied to the container PB can be prevented from decreasing.

[0045] As the synchronously moving nozzle 35-2 moves further, the mist M is supplied from the second flow path 37B to the first-second flow path 35BR. In the first-second flow path 35BR, the amount of air entrained in the mist M is small.

[0046] [Effects of the Second Embodiment] The synchronous movement nozzle 35-2 according to the second embodiment is provided with the guide vanes 37, 37, which can reduce the amount of mist M that is drawn into the surrounding air. Therefore, the second embodiment, which is provided with the guide vanes 37, 37, can prevent the amount of mist M supplied to the inside of the container PB from decreasing due to condensation of the mist M caused by a drop in temperature.

[0047] [Modifications: See Figures 8 and 9] While preferred embodiments of the present disclosure have been described, the configurations described in the embodiments can be selected or modified as appropriate. Figure 8 shows six modifications (VE.1 to VE.6) of the synchronous movement nozzle. The following description focuses on the differences from the synchronous movement nozzle 35-1. The synchronous movement nozzle 35-3 does not have the discharge hole 35C that the synchronous movement nozzle 35-1 has, and the outlet 35out functions as the discharge hole 35C. While the circumferential wall surfaces 35B1 and 35B2 of the synchronous movement nozzle 35-4 are line-symmetrical with respect to the axis C30, the circumferential wall surfaces 35B1 and 35B2 of the synchronous movement nozzle 35-4 are asymmetrical. Considering the high speed movement of the synchronous movement nozzle 35-4, it is conceivable that the circumferential wall surfaces 35B1 and 35B2 will be asymmetrical.

[0048] The circumferential wall surfaces 35B1 and 35B2 of the synchronous movement nozzle 35-1 are each composed of a flat surface, but as with the synchronous movement nozzles 35-5 and 35-6, the circumferential wall surfaces 35B1 and 35B2 may be partially bent. The synchronous movement nozzle 35-5 has a concave bend, while the synchronous movement nozzle 35-6 has a convex bend. Furthermore, as with the synchronous movement nozzles 35-7 and 35-8, the circumferential wall surfaces 35B1 and 35B2 may be partially or entirely curved.

[0049] Figure 9 shows three modified examples of guide vanes (VE.7 to VE.10). Each guide vane 37, 37 does not have to be configured with a flat surface entirely; it can also have a recess in the middle (VE.7). It is also possible to provide multiple guide vanes, specifically two guide vanes 37A, 37B, on one side (VE.8). Furthermore, each guide vane 37, 37 can also be configured with a curved surface (VE.9). Furthermore, it is also possible to provide the guide vanes 37, 37 in an asymmetrical position relative to the axis indicated by the dashed line (VE.10).

[0050] [Notes] [1] A disinfectant supply device (1) comprising: a supply unit (10) including a discharge pipe (13) that supplies disinfectant vertically (V) downward at a fixed position; a conveying unit (30) that includes: a conveying body (31) that moves a plurality of objects to be sterilized (PB) along a conveying path while holding them with holders (GR); and synchronous moving nozzles (35-1) that are provided on the conveying body (31) corresponding to each of the plurality of holders (GR) and move in synchronization with the corresponding holders (GR), wherein the synchronous moving nozzle (35-1) receives disinfectant at its upstream (US) side and has a first flow path (35B) downstream (DS) through which the disinfectant flows toward the objects to be sterilized (PB), and the first flow path (35B) has an opening area on the upstream (US) side that is larger than an opening area on the downstream (DS) side.

[0051] [2] The disinfectant supply device (1) of [1], wherein the transport body (31) comprises: a rotary table (31) that is rotationally driven by a drive source; and a plurality of holders (GR) that are provided along a transport path that is continuous with the rotary table (31) in a circumferential direction (CD), and the plurality of synchronously moving nozzles (35-1) correspond to the plurality of holders (GR), respectively, and are detachably attached to the rotary table (31) at the same positions in the radial direction (RD) of the rotary table (31) and aligned in the circumferential direction (CD).

[0052] [3] The disinfectant supply device (1) described in [1] or [2], wherein the first flow path (35B) is formed such that the opening dimension in the circumferential direction (CD) is continuously or intermittently smaller from the upstream (US) side to the downstream (DS) side, and the opening dimension in the radial direction (RD) is constant.

[0053] [4] The disinfectant supply device (1) according to [2], wherein the opening dimension (L35in) of the first flow path (35B) in the circumferential direction (CD) on the upstream (US) side is larger than the dimension (D) of the interval between adjacent first flow paths (35B).

[0054] [5] The disinfectant supply device (1) according to any one of [2] to [4], wherein the first flow path (35B) has a symmetrical or asymmetrical shape in the circumferential direction (CD) with respect to an axis (C30) parallel to the vertical direction (V) of the synchronously moving nozzle (35-1).

[0055] [6] The disinfectant supply device (1) according to any one of [2] to [5], wherein the synchronously moving nozzle (35-1) has a second flow path (37B) inside the first flow path (35B), and the second flow path (37B) is partitioned from the first flow path (35B) by a pair of guide vanes (37, 37) spaced apart in the circumferential direction (CD).

[0056] [7] The disinfectant supply device (1) described in [6], wherein the pair of guide vanes (37, 37) are arranged symmetrically with respect to an axis (C30) parallel to the vertical direction (V) of the synchronously moving nozzle (35-1), and the spacing between the guide vanes narrows from the upstream (US) to the downstream (DS).

[0057] [8] A gap is preferably provided in the vertical direction (V) between the supply section (10) and the synchronously moving nozzle (35-1).

[0058] [9] The supply section (10) is preferably provided with a regulator (15) having a flat portion that closes the opening at the upstream (US) of the first flow path (35B).

[0059]

[10] A nozzle (35) provided between a discharge pipe (13) and an object to be sterilized (PB), for flowing a sterilant supplied from the discharge pipe (13) toward the object to be sterilized, the nozzle (35) comprising: a first flow path (35B) for receiving the sterilant upstream (US) and for flowing the sterilant downstream (DS) toward the object to be sterilized (PB), the first flow path (35B) having an opening area on the upstream (US) side larger than an opening area on the downstream (DS) side.

[0060]

[11] A method for sterilizing an object to be sterilized (PB) by supplying a mist of sterilant discharged from a discharge pipe (13) to the object to be sterilized (PB) via a nozzle (35), wherein the nozzle (35) has a first flow path (35B) that receives the sterilant upstream (US) and flows the sterilant downstream (DS) toward the object to be sterilized (PB), and the opening area of ​​the first flow path (35B) on the upstream (US) side is larger than the opening area on the downstream (DS) side.

[0061]

[12] The sterilization method according to

[11] , wherein the object to be sterilized (PB) is a container filled with a beverage.

[0062] 1 Supply device 10 Supply section 11 Mist generator 13 Discharge pipe 13A Pipe body 13B Passage 13C Discharge hole 15 Regulator 30 Conveying section 31 Rotary table 32 Rotating electric machine 35 Synchronously moving nozzle 35A Nozzle housing 35B First flow path 35out Outlet 35in Inlet 35BL 1-1 passage 35BR 1-2 flow path 35B1, 35B2 Circumferential wall surface 35B3, 35B4 Radial wall surface 35C Discharge hole 37 Guide vane 37B Second flow path C10, C30 Axis G Gap M Mist PB Container N Opening section RD Radial direction CD Circumferential direction MD Moving path V Vertical direction H Horizontal direction

Claims

1. A disinfectant supply device comprising: a supply unit including a discharge pipe which supplies disinfectant vertically downward at a fixed position; a transport body which moves a plurality of objects to be sterilized along a transport path while holding them with holders; and a synchronous movement nozzle which is provided on the transport body corresponding to each of the plurality of holders and moves in synchronization with the corresponding holder, wherein the synchronous movement nozzle has a first flow path which receives the disinfectant upstream and through which the disinfectant flows downstream towards the objects to be sterilized, wherein the opening area of ​​the first flow path is larger on the upstream side than on the downstream side.

2. A disinfectant supply device as described in claim 1, wherein the transport body comprises a rotating table that is rotated by a drive source, and a plurality of the holders that are arranged in accordance with the transport path that is continuous in the circumferential direction of the rotating table, and the plurality of synchronous moving nozzles correspond to each of the plurality of holders and are removably attached to the rotating table in a line up in the circumferential direction at the same radial position of the rotating table.

3. A disinfectant supply device as described in claim 2, wherein the first flow path is formed so that the circumferential opening dimension becomes smaller continuously or intermittently from the upstream side to the downstream side, and the radial opening dimension is constant.

4. A disinfectant supply device as described in claim 2, wherein the opening dimension in the circumferential direction on the upstream side of the first flow path is larger than the distance between adjacent first flow paths.

5. A disinfectant supply device as described in claim 2, wherein the first flow path has a symmetrical or asymmetrical shape in the circumferential direction with respect to an axis parallel to the vertical direction of the synchronously moving nozzle.

6. A disinfectant supply device as described in claim 2, wherein the synchronously moving nozzle has a second flow path inside the first flow path, and the second flow path is partitioned from the first flow path by a pair of guide vanes spaced apart in the circumferential direction.

7. A disinfectant supply device as described in claim 6, wherein the pair of guide vanes are arranged in symmetrical or asymmetrical positions with respect to an axis parallel to the vertical direction of the synchronously moving nozzle, and the spacing between them narrows from the upstream to the downstream.

8. The supply device according to claim 1, wherein a vertical gap is provided between said supply section and said synchronously moving nozzle.

9. The supply device according to claim 1, wherein the supply section is provided with a regulating body having a flat portion that closes the opening upstream of the first flow path.

10. A nozzle provided between a discharge pipe and an object to be sterilized, for directing a sterilant supplied from the discharge pipe toward the object to be sterilized, the nozzle comprising a first flow path for receiving the sterilant upstream and directing the sterilant downstream toward the object to be sterilized, the first flow path having an opening area on the upstream side larger than an opening area on the downstream side.

11. A method for sterilizing an object to be sterilized by supplying a sterilizing agent to the object through a nozzle discharged from a discharge pipe, wherein the nozzle has a first flow path that receives the sterilizing agent upstream and flows the sterilizing agent downstream toward the object to be sterilized, and the opening area of ​​the first flow path on the upstream side is larger than the opening area of ​​the downstream side.

12. The sterilization method according to claim 11, wherein the object to be sterilized is a container filled with a beverage.

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