Container sterilization method and container sterilization device

Abstract

Provided are a container sterilization method and container sterilization device that realize effective sterilization in a short time while avoiding or reducing the risk of a bactericide remaining. The container sterilization method is for sterilizing the container surface of a container or an auxiliary container-shaped body, the container sterilization method including a CO2 laser irradiation process for irradiating the container surface with a CO2 laser beam.

Description

Container sterilization method and container sterilization device

[0001] The present invention relates to a container sterilization method and a container sterilization device for sterilizing the container surface of a container or a container preform.

[0002] Conventionally, a sterilization treatment using a sterilizing agent such as hydrogen peroxide has been known as a method for sterilizing the surface of a container or a container preform (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

[0003] JP 2010-202284 A

[0004] However, when using a disinfectant for sterilization, there is a concern that the disinfectant may remain in the molded container, and measures must be taken to reduce the risk of residue.

[0005] Therefore, the present invention aims to solve these problems and provide a container sterilization method and device that has a simple configuration and achieves effective sterilization in a short time while avoiding or reducing the risk of residual disinfectant.

[0006] The container sterilization method of the present invention is a method for sterilizing a container surface of a container or a container preform, which comprises applying CO ２ CO irradiated with laser ２ The object of the present invention is to solve the above-mentioned problems by including a laser irradiation process. ２ CO irradiated with laser ２ The above-mentioned problems are solved by including a laser irradiation means.

[0007] In either the container sterilization method or the container sterilization device, the CO ２ In the laser irradiation process, CO with a wavelength in the 9 μm band is used. ２ In either the container sterilization method or the container sterilization device, the CO ２ In laser irradiation treatment, CO ２In either the container sterilization method or the container sterilization device, the CO ２ In the laser irradiation treatment, CO ２ The cumulative laser light intensity is 1600 mJ / cm ２ Above, 30000mJ / cm ２ CO ２ In either the container sterilization method or the container sterilization device, the CO ２ The method further includes a heat treatment performed before or simultaneously with the laser irradiation treatment, and the heat treatment is performed by adding the CO ２ The area to be sterilized on the surface of the container may be heated by laser irradiation.

[0008] The present invention has a simple configuration that can achieve effective sterilization in a short time while avoiding or reducing the risk of residual sterilant.

[0009] FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing an aseptic filling system equipped with a container sterilization device according to one embodiment of the present invention. ２ The figure shows the results of a test to confirm the sterilization effect of laser irradiation. The figure shows the absorbance of spore-forming bacteria, mold, and PET resin with respect to the wavelength of light.

[0010] An aseptic filling system 10 according to one embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. Note that the terms "upstream" and "downstream" used in this specification refer to the upstream and downstream sides in the conveying direction of the preforms P or containers.

[0011] First, the aseptic filling system 10 is configured as a so-called in-line blow type filling system that aseptically fills sterilized contents (particularly liquid contents) into sterilized containers, and as shown in Figure 1, it is equipped with an aseptic molding device 20 that aseptically molds containers, and a filling device 60 that aseptically fills the contents into the containers.

[0012] Each component of the aseptic filling system 10 will be described below with reference to the drawings.

[0013] First, the aseptic molding device 20 aseptically molds sterilized containers that have been subjected to a sterilization treatment, and as shown in Figure 1, it is equipped with an inlet section 21 into which preforms P as container preforms are introduced, a blow molding turret 22, an oven mechanism 30 that heats the preforms P in an oven area A1 set downstream of the inlet section 21, a preform transport mechanism 40 that transports the preforms P, and a container sterilization device 50 that sterilizes the preforms P.

[0014] As shown in FIG. 1, the inlet portion 21 is a portion for introducing the preforms P into the aseptic molding apparatus 20 (aseptic filling system 10).

[0015] 1, the blow molding turret 22 is disposed downstream of the oven area A1 and performs aseptic blow molding on the preforms P. Specifically, the blow molding turret 22 is configured as a turret equipped with a blow machine (not shown) that performs biaxial stretch blow molding of containers such as PET bottles by blowing aseptic air into the preforms P that have been heated to the molding temperature for aseptic blow molding.

[0016] The molding area A3, where the blow molding turret 22 is installed, is covered by a chamber and maintained at a sterile atmosphere and positive pressure by blowing sterile air passed through a HEPA filter from above using an FFU (Fan Filter Unit). Furthermore, the blow molding turret 22, blowing machine, and other equipment installed in the molding area A3 are sterilized down to the end of the blow piping. Preforms P, which have been sterilized only at the preform stage, are transported to the molding area A3 and aseptically blow-molded. This allows aseptic blow molding, in which blow molding is performed in a sterile environment, to be performed in the molding area A3. Therefore, it is not necessary to locally create a sterile air or sterilizing gas atmosphere near the transport path for transporting preforms P and blow-molded containers within the molding area A3, and it is also not necessary to sterilize the containers after blow molding.

[0017] The oven mechanism 30 performs a temperature raising process to raise the temperature of the preform P (of the body P1) to the molding temperature during aseptic blow molding in the blow molding turret 22, and has an oven chamber 31 with an oven area A1 inside, and a plurality of temperature raising heaters 32 configured as infrared heaters that raise the temperature of the preform P. Note that the oven mechanism 30 may be provided with a simple cover that surrounds the periphery of the oven instead of the oven chamber 31, or the oven chamber 31 may not be provided.

[0018] The body portion P1 of the preform P is a portion that is placed inside the mold during aseptic blow molding and is expanded within the mold, while the mouth portion P2 of the preform P is a portion that is placed outside the mold during aseptic blow molding and is not expanded.

[0019] As shown in FIG. 1, the transfer area A2 is an area downstream of the oven area A1 and upstream of the molding area A3, and is more contaminated than the molding area A3 but less contaminated than the oven area A1.

[0020] The preform conveying mechanism 40 conveys the preforms P inserted through the entrance 21 to the blow molding turret 22, and as shown in Figure 1, it is equipped with a conveying machine 41 that conveys the preforms P mainly in the oven area A1, and multiple turrets 42 that convey the preforms P removed from the oven area A1 toward the blow molding turret 22.

[0021] The turrets 42 transport the preforms P in the transfer area A2 and the molding area A3, and each turret 42 has a plurality of grippers that grip the outer periphery of the preforms P. It is desirable to sterilize the gripping portions of the grippers by UV irradiation or with a disinfectant.

[0022] The transport posture of the preform P by the preform transport mechanism 40 may be any posture, such as upright, inverted (i.e., downward facing with the mouth portion P2 of the preform P facing downward), or horizontal (i.e., horizontal facing with the mouth portion P2 of the preform P facing to the side).

[0023] The aseptic molding device 20 is configured to perform a sterilization process using a container sterilization device 50 or the like when the contents are filled in the filling device 60, so that the container is in a commercially sterile state (i.e., a state in which all microorganisms harmful to public health that may grow in the beverage under normal non-refrigerated storage and distribution conditions have been killed).

[0024] In this embodiment, the sterilization process by the container sterilization device 50 etc. is configured so that sterilization of the container is completed only by preform sterilization at the preform stage before the container is molded by aseptic blow molding, without performing sterilization at the container stage after aseptic blow molding (without requiring sterilization at the container stage) (more specifically, in this embodiment, sterilization is completed by the time of transfer area A2, and the sterilized preform P is transported to molding area A3). In other words, the container is configured so that the preform sterilization process at the preform stage alone will bring the container to a commercially sterile state, and in further other words, the preform sterilization process at the preform stage alone is capable of sterilizing the bacteria to be sterilized (on the entire outer surface including the inner and outer surfaces of the preform P) (bacteria that can grow in the contents to be filled into the container, such as mold, general bacteria, spore-forming bacteria, etc.). The bactericidal effect (D) is expressed by the formula: bactericidal effect (D) = LOG ((initial number of bacteria) / (surviving number of bacteria)). For example, if the number of bacteria is reduced from 100 to 10, then LOG (100 / 10) = 1D.

[0025] The container sterilization device 50 is configured to sterilize the inner surface (the inner surface of the body portion P1 and the mouth portion P2) and the outer surface (the outer surface of the body portion P1 and the mouth portion P2) of the preform P in an area (in this embodiment, the transfer area A2) downstream of the oven area A1 and upstream of the blow molding turret 22, and as shown in FIG. 1, CO ２ CO irradiated with laser ２ CO as a laser irradiation means ２ Laser irradiator 51 and CO ２The apparatus is provided with a heating means (in this embodiment, an oven mechanism 30) that is arranged upstream of or at the same location as the laser irradiator 51 and heats the area to be sterilized on the surface of the container. ２ A laser is a type of gas laser, and this CO ２ Carbon dioxide lasers use a mixture of carbon dioxide, nitrogen, and helium. A discharge current is passed through this gas mixture to produce a laser beam.

[0026] CO ２ As shown in FIG. 1, in this embodiment, the laser irradiator 51 is located in an area downstream of the oven area A1 and upstream of the blow molding turret 22 (in this embodiment, the transfer area A2), and irradiates CO 2 onto the container surface of the preform P while it is being transported by the turret 42. ２ By irradiating the laser, the container surface of the preform P is sterilized. ２ The laser irradiator 51 is a laser oscillator (not shown) and a CO ２ The laser beam is emitted from an irradiation unit (not shown) that includes optical elements such as lenses, mirrors, a beam expander, and a beam shaper. ２ The laser irradiator 51 may be installed in the oven area A1 or on the upstream side of the oven area A1. ２ The laser irradiator 51 is installed downstream of the blow molding turret 22 and irradiates the molded container with CO ２ Sterilization may be performed by irradiating with a laser.

[0027] The heating means is CO ２ CO by laser irradiator 51 ２ This is carried out before or at the same time as the laser irradiation treatment, and ２The area to be sterilized on the surface of the container is heated during the laser irradiation process, and in this embodiment, the oven mechanism 30 described above functions as the heating means. Note that the specific form of the heating means is not limited to the above, and the heating means may also be constituted by a heating heater or a supplier that supplies hot water, steam, hot air, etc., provided separately from the oven mechanism 30. In this case, the heating temperature of the area to be sterilized can be set appropriately to 60°C or higher, 80°C or higher, 100°C or higher, etc.

[0028] The filling device 60 is installed downstream of the aseptic molding device 20, and as shown in Figure 1, it comprises a filling section 61 that fills the contents into the container, and a capping section 62 that is located downstream of the filling section 61 and that attaches a sterilized cap to the mouth of the container.

[0029] Each process in filling apparatus 60 is performed in a chamber the interior of which is maintained in a sterile state. The sterile state of the containers is also maintained in the section in which the containers are transported between aseptic molding apparatus 20 and filling apparatus 60. In other words, the sterile state of the containers is maintained throughout the entire section from when the containers are aseptically blow-molded by blow molding turret 22 to when the contents are aseptically filled into the containers in filling section 61. In this embodiment, the entire section is covered by a chamber, thereby maintaining the sterile state of the containers throughout this section.

[0030] Next, a container sterilization method using the container sterilization device 50 of this embodiment will be described below.

[0031] First, the container sterilization method of this embodiment is a method of sterilizing a container by applying CO ２ CO irradiated with laser ２ Laser irradiation treatment and CO ２ and a heat treatment carried out before or simultaneously with the laser irradiation treatment.

[0032] CO ２ The laser irradiation process is ２ The laser irradiator 51 applies CO to the container surface (in this embodiment, the inner and outer surfaces of the preform P). ２ It emits a laser.

[0033] CO ２ In the laser irradiation process, CO with a wavelength in the 9 μm band (center wavelength 9.0 to 9.9 μm) ２ It is preferable to irradiate with a laser. ２ In laser irradiation treatment, CO ２ It is preferable to irradiate the container with a laser. This can significantly reduce the time required for the sterilization process of the container. The irradiation time here refers to the time required for the area to be sterilized to be exposed to CO ２ It means the time during which the laser beam is received. ２ In the laser irradiation process, in order to obtain a good sterilization effect while avoiding damage to the container surface that is the irradiation target, CO ２ The cumulative laser light intensity is 1600 mJ / cm ２ or more and 30,000 mJ / cm ２ CO ２ Preferably, a laser is used.

[0034] The heat treatment is carried out by heating the CO ２ The area to be sterilized on the surface of the container is heated by the laser irradiation treatment, and in this embodiment, the preform P is heated to the molding temperature during the container molding treatment by the oven mechanism 30 as the heating means. ２ It is preferable to set the area to be sterilized on the container surface to be heated so that the temperature of the area to be sterilized becomes 120° C. or higher during the laser irradiation process.

[0035] Next, CO ２ A test conducted to confirm the sterilization effect of laser irradiation will be described with reference to FIG.

[0036] In this test, first, a 1.7 × 10 ３ cfu of spore-forming bacteria (Bacillus atrophaeus spores) and 1.2 × 10 ３ After attaching cfu of mold (Aspergillus niger conidia), the substrate was dried in a clean room to prepare a substrate inoculated with spore-forming bacteria and mold.

[0037] Then, the prepared substrate was subjected to CO ２ After irradiating the substrate with a laser, the number of surviving bacteria on the substrate was measured by the following standard method. Measurement method of surviving bacteria count: The substrate, sterilized surfactant aqueous solution, and sterilized beads were placed in a sterilized test tube, and the test tube was sealed with a sterilized cap. The test tube was shaken to extract surviving bacteria in the surfactant aqueous solution, which were then suspended in a sterilized dilution solution, and the number of bacteria was measured on a standard agar medium by the membrane filtration method for each dilution ratio. The medium was cultured at 35°C for one week, and the number of colonies that appeared according to the dilution ratio was counted to determine the number of surviving bacteria. Note that the CO on the substrate surface was ２ The diameter of the laser irradiation spot was approximately 22 mm, and the "Φ5 output (W)" shown in Figure 2 was the output (W) of the laser oscillator during the test, measured as the output (W) of the portion irradiated onto a circular area with a diameter of 5 mm where the bacteria was inoculated. ２ During laser irradiation, the irradiated area of ​​the substrate was heated by a heater so that it was 120°C. ２ The laser is continuous wave, and the output is adjusted by PWM control (frequency 5 kHz). ２ The laser is a pulse wave with a frequency of 1 kHz. ２ The wavelength of the laser is in the 9 μm band (9.3 μm), and the CO ２ The wavelength of the laser is in the 10 μm band (10.6 μm).

[0038] In this test, an optical system was configured using a laser oscillator, an irradiation lens as an irradiation unit, etc. The "Φ5 output (W)" was measured using a power meter (UP55N-300F-H12-D0) manufactured by Gentec.

[0039] From the results of the above tests, the following was found.

[0040] That is, CO ２When the laser wavelength is in the 9 μm band, the irradiation time is in the range of 0.02 seconds or more and 0.05 seconds or less, and the irradiation energy is 1600 mJ / cm ２ or more (more preferably 3310 mJ / cm ２ It was found that a good sterilizing effect on mold can be obtained when the CO ２ When the laser wavelength is in the 9 μm band, the irradiation time is in the range of 0.05 seconds or more and 0.075 seconds or less, and the output is 3310 mJ / cm ２ or more (more preferably 3820 mJ / cm ２ It was found that a good sterilizing effect on mold can be obtained when the CO ２ When the laser wavelength is in the 9 μm band, the irradiation time is in the range of more than 0.075 seconds and less than 0.1 seconds, and the irradiation energy is 3820 mJ / cm ２ or more (more preferably 6621 mJ / cm ２ It was found that a good sterilizing effect on mold can be obtained when the CO ２ When the laser wavelength is in the 9 μm band, the irradiation time is in the range of more than 0.1 seconds and less than 0.2 seconds, and the irradiation time is 6621 mJ / cm ２ or more (more preferably 7130 mJ / cm ２ It was found that a good sterilizing effect on mold can be obtained when the CO ２ When the laser wavelength is in the 9 μm band, the irradiation time is in the range of more than 0.2 seconds and less than 0.5 seconds, and the irradiation energy is 7130 mJ / cm ２ or more (more preferably 7894 mJ / cm ２ It was found that a good sterilizing effect on mold can be obtained when the CO ２ When the laser wavelength is in the 9 μm band, the irradiation time is in the range of more than 0.5 seconds and less than 1.0 seconds, and the output is 7894 mJ / cm ２ or more (more preferably 10186 mJ / cm ２ It was found that a good sterilizing effect on mold can be obtained when the CO ２ When the laser wavelength is in the 10 μm band, the irradiation time is in the range of 0.05 seconds or more and 1.0 seconds or less, and the output is 5093 mJ / cm ２ or more (more preferably 10200 mJ / cm２ It was found that a good sterilizing effect on mold can be obtained when the CO ２ When the laser wavelength is in the 9 μm band and the substrate is heated, the irradiation time is in the range of 0.005 seconds or more and 0.01 seconds or less, and the irradiation intensity is 400 mJ / cm ２ or more (more preferably 662 mJ / cm ２ It was found that a good sterilizing effect on mold can be obtained when the CO ２ When the laser wavelength is in the 9 μm band and the substrate is heated, the irradiation time is in the range of 0.01 seconds or more and 0.03 seconds or less, and the output is 662 mJ / cm ２ or more (more preferably 1986 mJ / cm ２ It was found that a good sterilizing effect on mold can be obtained when the CO ２ When the laser wavelength is in the 9 μm band and the substrate is heated, the irradiation time is in the range of 0.03 seconds or more and 0.05 seconds or less, and the output is 1986 mJ / cm ２ or more (more preferably 3310 mJ / cm ２ Therefore, even if the irradiation time is set to 1 second or less (0.025 seconds or more without heating the substrate, and 0.005 seconds or more with heating the substrate), a good sterilization effect on mold can be obtained. ２ It was found that mold can be sterilized by appropriately setting the laser output.

[0041] Also, CO ２ When the laser wavelength is in the 9 μm band, the irradiation time is in the range of 0.05 seconds or more and 0.075 seconds or less, and the output is 4966 mJ / cm ２ It was found that a good bactericidal effect against spore-forming bacteria was obtained when the CO ２ When the laser wavelength is in the 9 μm band, the irradiation time is in the range of more than 0.075 seconds and less than 0.1 seconds, and the output is 4966 mJ / cm ２ or more (more preferably 6621 mJ / cm ２ It was found that a good bactericidal effect against spore-forming bacteria was obtained when the CO ２ When the laser wavelength is in the 9 μm band, the irradiation time is in the range of more than 0.1 seconds and less than 1.0 seconds, and the irradiation time is 6621 mJ / cm２ or more (more preferably 10186 mJ / cm ２ It was found that a good bactericidal effect against spore-forming bacteria was obtained when the CO ２ When the laser wavelength is in the 10 μm band, the irradiation time is in the range of 0.05 seconds or more and 1.0 seconds or less, and the output is 7639 mJ / cm ２ Therefore, even if the irradiation time is set to 1 second or less (0.05 seconds or more), a good sterilization effect on spore-forming bacteria can be obtained. ２ It was found that spore-forming bacteria can be sterilized by appropriately setting the laser output.

[0042] Furthermore, a comparison between A-7 and A-9 revealed that the sterilization effect against spore-forming bacteria was improved when the substrate was heated.

[0043] It was also found that whether the wave was continuous or pulsed did not have a significant effect on the sterilization effect.

[0044] Also, CO ２ It was found that the higher the laser output (Φ5 output) and the shorter the irradiation time, the smaller the integrated light dose required for sterilization.

[0045] In addition, CO ２ The mechanism by which lasers exert the excellent sterilization effect described above is not entirely clear. However, the absorbance of spore-forming bacteria (Bacillus atrophaeus), mold (Aspergillus niger), and PET resin against the wavelength of light shown in Figure 3 indicates that CO ２ In the wavelength band of the laser, especially in the 9 μm band, spore-forming bacteria, mold, and PET resin all show high absorbance. ２ It is believed that the excellent sterilizing effect is achieved because the PET resin is heated by absorbing the laser light, destroying the DNA, and indirectly heating the bacteria cells as well. The absorbance was measured using a Fourier transform infrared spectrophotometer (JASCO Corporation, FT / IR6700) using the Kbr tablet method.

[0046] In this embodiment, the CO ２ CO irradiated with laser２ By using the laser irradiation treatment, the surface of the container can be sterilized effectively in a short time.

[0047] Also, CO ２ By adopting sterilization by laser irradiation, sterilization using a disinfectant is not required, or even if sterilization using a disinfectant is used in addition, the amount of disinfectant used can be reduced, thereby reducing the risk of disinfectant remaining in the molded container.

[0048] Also, CO ２ The method further includes a heat treatment performed before or simultaneously with the laser irradiation treatment, and the heat treatment includes CO ２ By heating the area to be sterilized on the surface of the container by laser irradiation, the sterilization effect on the area to be sterilized on the surface of the container can be further improved.

[0049] Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail above, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and various design modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention as set forth in the claims. Furthermore, the respective configurations of the above-described embodiments and the modified examples described below may be arbitrarily combined to form a container sterilization method or a container sterilization device 50.

[0050] Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the container sterilization method (container sterilization device 50) was described as being configured to sterilize the container surface of the preform P, which is a container preform, but the specific aspects of the container sterilization method (container sterilization device 50) are not limited to the above, and the container surface of the container after molding may also be sterilized.

[0051] Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the container preform is the preform P, and the container is a PET bottle. However, the specific aspects of the container preform and the container are not limited to this. For example, the container may be a resin-coated can or a painted can, or the container preform may be a sheet material (for example, a sheet material in which the surface of a paper base material is coated with a synthetic resin, or a sheet material formed as a resin film), and the container may be a sheet material container (for example, a paper pack or a pouch) formed from the sheet material. In this case as well, CO ２The laser irradiation treatment is performed on a sheet material or the like as a container preform or a sheet material container or the like as a container. ２ In the laser irradiation process, CO ２ The laser irradiation spot is set to a horizontally elongated shape in which the width in a direction perpendicular to the conveying direction is wider than the vertical width in the conveying direction of the sheet material as the container preform, and CO ２ A laser may be irradiated.

[0052] In addition, when the container surface is made of (or coated with) synthetic resin such as PET (polyethylene terephthalate), PP (polypropylene), or PE (polyethylene), CO ２ To avoid damage to the container surface caused by the laser, CO ２ The cumulative laser light intensity is 30,000 mJ / cm ２ CO ２ Preferably, a laser is used.

[0053] In the above-described embodiment, the container sterilization device 50 is configured to ２ Although the container sterilization device 50 has been described as being equipped with a laser irradiator 51 and the like, the container sterilization device 50 may also be equipped with a CO ２ Sterilization processors other than the laser irradiator 51 may also be provided, such as a sterilization processor that sterilizes by supplying a sterilizing fluid such as hydrogen peroxide (aqueous hydrogen peroxide solution), peracetic acid (aqueous peracetic acid solution), or water (hot water, steam) to the container surface of a container or a container preform, a sterilization processor that sterilizes by irradiating the container surface with UV light or an electron beam, or a dust remover that removes dust adhering to the preform P. Note that when water (hot water, steam) is used as the sterilizing fluid, the risk of the sterilant remaining in the molded container can be eliminated.

[0054] In the above-described embodiment, CO ２ In the laser irradiation process, CO with a wavelength in the 9 μm band (central wavelength 9.0 to 9.9 μm, such as 9.3 μm or 9.6 μm) is used. ２Although the description has been given assuming that a laser is used for irradiation, other wavelengths, for example, CO in the 10 μm band (central wavelengths of 10.2 μm, 10.6 μm, etc., central wavelengths of 10.0 to 10.9 μm) may also be used. ２ A laser may be irradiated.

[0055] In the above-described embodiment, CO ２ In the laser irradiation treatment, CO is applied to the entire surface of the container or container preform, including the inner and outer surfaces. ２ Although the description has been given assuming that a laser is irradiated, it is also possible to irradiate only a portion of the container surface (for example, only the inner surface, only the outer surface, only the inner surface of the mouth, etc.) with CO . ２ A laser may be irradiated.

[0056] REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 10: Aseptic filling system 20: Aseptic molding device 21: Inlet section 22: Blow molding turret 30: Oven mechanism 31: Oven chamber 32: Heating heater 40: Preform conveying mechanism 41: Conveyor 42: Turret 50: Container sterilization device 51: CO ２ Laser irradiator (CO ２ Laser irradiation means) 60: Filling device 61: Filling section 62: Capping section P: Preform (preliminary container molded body) P1: Body section of preform P2: Mouth section of preform A1: Oven area A2: Transfer area A3: Molding area

Claims

1. A method for sterilizing the surface of a container or a preform of a container, the method comprising irradiating the surface of the container with a CO ２ laser, the method for sterilizing a container being characterized by including a CO ２ laser irradiation treatment.

2. The CO ２ In the laser irradiation treatment, the container sterilization method according to claim 1, characterized in that a CO laser having a wavelength in the 9-μm band is irradiated. ２ ​ 3. The CO ２ In the laser irradiation treatment, the CO laser is irradiated with an irradiation time of 1 second or less. ２ The method for sterilizing a container according to claim 1, characterized in that a CO laser is irradiated with an irradiation time of 1 second or less.

4. The CO ２ In the laser irradiation treatment, the integrated light quantity of the CO ２ laser in the sterilization target area on the surface of the container is 1600 mJ / cm ２ or more and 30000 mJ / cm ２ or less, and the container sterilization method according to claim 1, characterized in that the container is irradiated with a CO ２ laser.

5. The CO ２ further includes a heat treatment carried out before or simultaneously with the CO ２ laser irradiation treatment, and in the heat treatment, heating the sterilized region of the container surface by the CO laser irradiation treatment, wherein the container sterilization method according to claim 1 is characterized in that.

6. A container sterilization device for sterilizing the surface of a container or a preform of a container, wherein a CO ２ laser is irradiated onto the surface of the container, and the device includes a CO ２ laser irradiation means. The container sterilization device is characterized by this.

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