JP2019131298A - Verification method for content filling system and content filling system - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a verification method for a content filling system capable of reducing the amount of usage of a disinfectant and also keeping the cost of the content filling system low.SOLUTION: A preform 31 is disinfected by a preform disinfection device 11 and the preform 31 is blow-molded by a blow molding device 13 to manufacture a container 30. Next, a culture medium is filled in the container 30 by a filling device 20 without disinfecting the container 30 with a container disinfection device 15 and the container 30 is plugged by a plugging device 21. Then it is verified how much fungus have survived or propagated in the culture medium within the container 30 and a degree of disinfection in the container disinfection device 15 is adjusted based on the result of the verification.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to a content filling system verification method and a content filling system.

  Conventionally, an aseptic filling system in which a molding apparatus for producing a container (PET bottle) by blow molding a preform and a filling apparatus for filling the contents after sterilizing the molded container are integrated ( An aseptic filling system) is known (for example, see Patent Document 1). Specifically, in the aseptic filling system, the container molded in the molding apparatus is transported to the filling apparatus, and the container is sprayed with an aqueous hydrogen peroxide solution as a sterilizing agent in the filling apparatus. Thereafter, it is dried to sterilize the container, and then the container is aseptically filled with the contents.

However, in the conventional aseptic filling system, in order to obtain a high sterilization effect, 30 μL / piece or more and 50 μL / piece or less of H ₂ O ₂ is first adhered to the container. Next, a large amount of H ₂ O ₂ adhering to the inside of the container is removed by, for example, blowing hot air over 4 seconds or more. The reason why the hot air is sprayed in this way is that the container contracts due to heat when a large amount of hot air is sprayed on the container in a short time. For this reason, in order to prevent thermal contraction of the container, it is necessary to blow a small amount of hot air onto the container for a relatively long time. For this reason, there exists a problem that the sterilization apparatus of an aseptic filling system becomes large-sized, and it is difficult to reduce the cost of aseptic filling systems, such as initial cost, running cost, and maintenance cost. It is also preferable to reduce the amount of H ₂ O ₂ used to sterilize the container from the viewpoint of reducing running costs and protecting the environment.

JP 2009-280222 A

  The present invention has been made in consideration of such points, and it is possible to reduce the cost of the content filling system and reduce the amount of the disinfectant used, and the content filling system verification method and the content An object is to provide a filling system.

  The present invention is produced by a preform sterilization apparatus for sterilizing a preform, a blow molding apparatus for producing a container by blow molding the preform sterilized by the preform sterilization apparatus, and the blow molding apparatus. A container sterilizer for sterilizing the container, a filling device for filling the contents sterilized by the container sterilizer, and a capping device for closing the container filled with the contents by the filling device. A method for verifying a content filling system, comprising: a step of sterilizing a preform by the preform sterilizer; and blow molding the preform by the blow molding device to produce a container And the filling device without sterilizing the container by the container sterilizing device. Therefore, the step of filling the container with the medium, the step of closing the container with the plugging device, the step of verifying how much bacteria survive or propagate in the medium in the container, and the result of the verification And a step of adjusting the degree of sterilization in the container sterilization apparatus based on the above.

  In the present invention, the preform sterilization apparatus is characterized in that the preform is sterilized or sterilized by drug spraying, drug rinsing, steam, sterile water, sterile air, electron beam, X-rays or ultraviolet rays. This is a system verification method.

  According to the present invention, the container sterilization apparatus is characterized in that the container is sterilized or sterilized by drug spraying, drug rinsing, steam, sterile water, sterile air, electron beam, X-rays or ultraviolet rays. This is a verification method.

  The present invention is the verification method of the content filling system, wherein the step of adjusting the degree of sterilization in the container sterilizer includes the step of adjusting the spray amount of the medicine in the container sterilizer.

In the present invention, the initial bacterial count level of the preform is set to H ₀ , the bacterial count level on the preform by the preform sterilizing apparatus is set to ΣR _1, and the container sterilizing apparatus immediately after the preform sterilizing apparatus The bacteria increase number level on the preform or on the container until just before is ΣI, the bacteria decrease number level on the container by the container sterilizer is ΣR _2, and after passing through the container sterilizer When the target value of the number of bacteria on the container is FSO, the step of adjusting the degree of sterilization in the container sterilizer is such that the value of ΣR ₂ is equal to or greater than (H ₀ −ΣR ₁ + ΣI) −FSO. A content filling system verification method comprising a step of setting a sterilization capability of the container sterilizer.

  The present invention includes a container sterilization apparatus for sterilizing a container, a filling apparatus for filling the container sterilized by the container sterilization apparatus, and the container filled with the content by the filling apparatus is closed with a cap. A first cap sterilizing device for sterilizing the cap, an air rinsing device for rinsing the cap sterilized by the first cap sterilizing device, and a first sterilizing of the cap air-rinsed by the air rinsing device. A content filling system verification method for verifying a content filling system having a two-cap sterilization device, the step of sterilizing the container by the container sterilization device, and filling the container with a medium by the filling device A step, a step of sterilizing the cap by the first cap sterilizer, and the air A step of air rinsing the cap with an irrigation device, a step of capping the container with the cap by the capping device without sterilizing the cap with the second cap sterilization device, and a bacteria in the medium in the container A content filling system comprising: a step of verifying whether the degree of survival or breeding; and a step of adjusting the degree of sterilization in the second cap sterilizer based on the result of the verification. This is a verification method.

The present invention is produced by a preform sterilization apparatus for sterilizing a preform, a blow molding apparatus for producing a container by blow molding the preform sterilized by the preform sterilization apparatus, and the blow molding apparatus. A container sterilizer for sterilizing the container, a filling device for filling the contents sterilized by the container sterilizer, and a capping device for closing the container filled with the contents by the filling device. Provided, the initial bacterial count level of the preform is H ₀ , the bacterial count level on the preform by the preform sterilizer is ΣR ₁ , from immediately after the preform sterilizer to immediately before the container sterilizer The bacteria increase number level on the preform or the container during ΣI, and the container sterilizer The bacteria reduction number of levels on the vessel and .SIGMA.R _2, wherein when the target value of the cell count levels of the upper container after passing through the vessel sterilization apparatus was FSO, relationship _{H 0 -ΣR 1 + ΣI-ΣR} 2 ≦ FSO And the FSO is -12 or more and -5 or less.

  According to the present invention, the cost of the content filling system can be reduced, and the amount of the bactericide used can be reduced.

FIG. 1 is a schematic plan view showing a content filling system for implementing a content filling system verification method according to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating a content filling process in the content filling system. FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a verification method of the content filling system according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a schematic plan view showing a content filling system for performing the content filling system verification method according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

(First embodiment)
Hereinafter, a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 3 are views showing a first embodiment of the present invention.

(Content filling system)
First, a content filling system (aseptic filling system, aseptic filling system) according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

  The content filling system 10 shown in FIG. 1 produces a bottle (container) 30 by biaxially stretching blow-molding a preform 31 produced by injection molding a synthetic resin material. It is a system to fill the contents. As the material of the preform 31 and the bottle 30, it is preferable to use a thermoplastic resin, particularly PE (polyethylene), PP (polypropylene), PET (polyethylene terephthalate), or PEN (polyethylene naphthalate).

  Such a content filling system 10 includes a preform sterilization apparatus 11, a preform heating apparatus 12, a blow molding apparatus 13, a container inspection apparatus 14, a container sterilization apparatus 15, an air rinse apparatus 16, and a container rinse apparatus. 17, a filling device 20, and a plugging device 21. These preform sterilizer 11, preform heating device 12, blow molding device 13, container inspection device 14, container sterilizer 15, air rinse device 16, container rinse device 17, filling device 20, and closure The device 21 is arranged in this order from the upstream side to the downstream side. Further, the cap sterilizing device 25 for sterilizing the cap 33 and transporting the sterilized cap 33 to the plugging device 21 is connected to the plugging device 21.

In this preform sterilizer 11, a medicine such as an aqueous hydrogen peroxide solution is sprayed from a medicine spray nozzle 41 (see FIG. 2A) disposed inside the preform sterilizer 11, and the preform 31 is sterilized. (Preliminary sterilization, first stage sterilization). Specifically, a mist or gas of an aqueous hydrogen peroxide solution is sprayed from the chemical spray nozzle 41 onto the preform 31. Thus, the surface of the preform 31, condensed film of hydrogen peroxide Conversion 35 wt% is deposited in 0.0035μL / cm ² or more 0.35μL / cm ² or less. A sufficient sterilizing effect can be obtained when the adhesion amount of hydrogen peroxide is 0.0035 μL / cm ² or more. On the other hand, when the adhesion amount of hydrogen peroxide is 0.35 μL / cm ² or less, when blow molding is performed, it is possible to prevent whitening, spots, wrinkles, and deformation defects from occurring in the bottle. The adhesion amount of the hydrogen peroxide condensation film in terms of 35 mass% with respect to the preform 31 is more preferably 0.007 μL / cm ² or more and 0.2 μL / cm ² or less. As shown in FIG. 2A, as the medicine spray nozzle 41, not only one for the inner surface of the preform 31 but also a plurality of ones for the outer surface of the preform 31 may be provided. Further, a guide member 41 a that guides and sterilizes the drug gas or mist sprayed on the inner surface of the preform 31 to the screw opening outside the preform 31 may be provided at the tip of the drug spray nozzle 41.

  In addition to hydrogen peroxide, the drugs include peracetic acid, nitric acid, chlorinated drugs, alcohols such as sodium hydroxide, potassium hydroxide, ethyl alcohol, isopropyl alcohol, chlorine dioxide, ozone water, acidic water, surface activity. The agent may be used alone, or two or more of these may be used in combination at any ratio.

In the preform sterilizer 11, the preform 31 after the mist or gas of the hydrogen peroxide solution is sprayed is further dried by spraying hot air from the drying nozzle 42 (see FIG. 2B). Thereby, the preform 31 is dried and a part of hydrogen peroxide is removed. Amount of hydrogen peroxide 35 wt% in terms adhering to the preform after drying, 0.0003μL / cm ² or more 0.35μL / cm ² or less in the range are preferred. A sufficient sterilizing effect can be obtained when the amount of hydrogen peroxide deposited becomes 0.0003 μL / cm ² or more. On the other hand, when the amount of hydrogen peroxide attached is 0.35 μL / cm ² or less, it is possible to prevent molding defects such as whitening, spots, wrinkles, and deformation from occurring in the bottle when blow molding is performed. . The adhesion amount of the hydrogen peroxide condensation film in terms of 35 mass% with respect to the preform 31 is more preferably 0.0004 μL / cm ² or more and 0.2 μL / cm ² or less. Note that such a drying nozzle 42 is not necessarily provided.

  The preform sterilizer 11 may sterilize the preform 31 by chemical rinsing. In this case, the preform sterilization apparatus 11 may remove the chemical | medical agent by carrying out the rinse process of the inside of the preform 31, for example with a chemical | medical agent, and air-rinsing the preform 31 after that. This air rinse may be performed with aseptic air. The air may be blower air or compressed air. Alternatively, the inside of the preform 31 may be rinsed with a chemical, and then the preform 31 may be rinsed with water to remove the chemical such as peracetic acid. Alternatively, the preform sterilizer 11 may be one that rinses the interior of the preform 31 with warm water (sterile water). As the drug, water containing hydrogen peroxide in an amount of 1 wt% to 35 wt% or peracetic acid in an amount of 100 ppm to 5000 ppm, preferably 500 ppm to 3000 ppm is suitable. Examples of the chemical include the above-mentioned chemicals (hydrogen peroxide, peracetic acid, nitric acid, chlorinated chemicals, alcohols such as sodium hydroxide, potassium hydroxide, ethyl alcohol, isopropyl alcohol, chlorine dioxide, ozone water, acidic water, Two or more surfactants may be used in combination at any ratio. As a chemical, a solution obtained by diluting hydrogen peroxide water with an alcohol such as ethanol (hydrogen peroxide concentration: 0.1% by weight to 35% by weight, preferably 1% by weight to 25% by weight) was used. In this case, since the volatility is high, it is possible to reduce the rinsing air and the rinsing water for removing the medicine. The drug is not limited to the above as long as it inactivates the bacteria.

  The preform sterilizer 11 may sterilize the preform 31 with steam such as steam. In this case, the preform sterilization apparatus 11 may inject, for example, water vapor into the preform 31 and then air rinse the preform 31. The air rinse may or may not be present.

  The preform sterilizer 11 may sterilize the preform 31 with an electron beam, X-rays, or ultraviolet rays. In this case, the preform sterilizer 11 may irradiate the preform 31 with an electron beam (EB) or an X-ray, for example, and then air-rinse the preform 31. Note that the air rinse may or may not be performed. Alternatively, the preform sterilizer 11 may sterilize the preform 31 by irradiating the inside of the preform 31 with ultraviolet rays.

  Referring to FIG. 1, the preform heating device 12 heats a preform 31 sterilized by the preform sterilizing device 11. In the preform heating device 12, a heater 43 is arranged in a tunnel shape along the conveyance path of the preform 31, and the preform 31 is heated while traveling by the heater 43 (see FIG. 2C). The preform 31 is uniformly heated from about 90 ° C. to about 130 ° C. by this heating, and is brought into a heating state suitable for blow molding.

  At the time of heating, the preform 31 is suspended in an upright state (or an inverted state) by inserting a spindle (or mandrel) 44 (see FIG. 2C) (not shown) into its mouth, and the spindle (or By rotating together with the mandrel 44, the heater 43 uniformly heats it in the circumferential direction.

  Moreover, the surface of the preform 31 is preliminarily sterilized by this heating process. That is, by drying while heating the preform 31 in a state where a condensation film of a drug (for example, hydrogen peroxide) is adhered, the concentration of the aqueous hydrogen peroxide solution adhering to the surface of the cells is increased, and a high bactericidal effect is obtained. The obtained heat-resistant mold and spore bacteria are easily sterilized. Further, even when the preform 31 is treated with the drug by the preform sterilizer 11 and then air-rinsed, a small amount of the drug is adsorbed in the resin of the preform 31, and these are combined with the bacteria in the heating process. High temperature and high bactericidal effect. As a result, general bacteria, spore-forming bacteria, fungi such as mold and yeast attached to the surface of the preform 31 are suitably sterilized.

  The preform 31 that has been heated by the preform heating device 12 to be in a heating state suitable for blow molding and pre-sterilized is conveyed to the blow molding device 13. In this blow molding apparatus 13, the preform 31 is biaxially stretch blow molded and formed into a bottle 30.

  In this blow molding apparatus 13, the preform 31 is inserted into a mold 45 (see FIG. 2D) that is a mold for blow molding, and the mold 45 has the same speed as the traveling speed of the preform 31. Then, the mold is clamped while continuously running, and after the blow molding is performed on the preform 31 in the mold 45, the mold is opened.

  The preform 31 is heated almost uniformly so that the entire temperature thereof rises to a temperature range suitable for molding in the heating process, and after completion of the heating process, the preform 31 is conveyed to the blow station of the blow molding device 13, Mounted in the mold 45. A stretching rod 46 (see FIG. 2 (d)) is inserted into the preform 31 through the blow nozzle 44 a in the upper part of the mold 45 and the mouth of the preform 31. While the mold 45 is traveling, for example, primary blow air and secondary blow air are sequentially blown into the preform 31 through the blow nozzle 44 a, so that the preform 31 is finally finished in the cavity of the mold 45. It expands to the bottle 30 of the molded product. When the bottle 30 is molded in the mold 45 in this way, the mold 45 is opened while the mold 45 is running, and the finished product of the bottle 30 is taken out of the mold 45.

  Referring to FIG. 1, a plurality of transport mechanisms (transport wheels) 18 that transport the preform 31 and / or the bottle 30 are arranged in the content filling system 10. In addition, the structure of the preform heating apparatus 12 and the blow molding apparatus 13 is not specifically limited, respectively, The apparatus generally used can be used. For example, the blow molding apparatus 13 is not limited to the rotary mechanism as shown in FIG. 1 and may use a linear mechanism.

  The container inspection device 14 is located on the downstream side of the blow molding device 13 and inspects the bottle 30 produced by the blow molding device 13. The container inspection device 14 inspects the bottle 30 for deformation and scratches. As such a container inspection device 14, a conventionally used bottle inspection device can be used.

  The container sterilizer 15 sterilizes the inside of the bottle 30 by spraying a sterilizing agent onto the bottle 30 (main sterilization, second-stage sterilization). Thereby, the bottle 30 is sterilized by the disinfectant before filling the contents, and bacterial spores, vegetative cells, mold and yeast are killed. As the disinfectant, for example, a chemical such as an aqueous hydrogen peroxide solution is used. In the container sterilizer 15, a mist or gas of an aqueous hydrogen peroxide solution is generated, and the mist or gas is sprayed on the inner and outer surfaces of the bottle 30. Thus, since the inside of the bottle 30 is sterilized with the mist or gas of the hydrogen peroxide aqueous solution, the inner and outer surfaces of the bottle 30 are sterilized without unevenness.

  In the container sterilizer 15, a drug such as an aqueous hydrogen peroxide solution is sprayed from a drug spray nozzle 47 (see FIG. 2E) disposed inside and outside the container sterilizer 15, and the bottle 30 is sterilized. . Specifically, a mist or gas of an aqueous hydrogen peroxide solution is sprayed from the chemical spray nozzle 47 onto the bottle 30.

  At this time, the bottle 30 is still heated by the preform 31 and heat from the mold, and the sterilization effect of the hydrogen peroxide aqueous solution by mist or gas is enhanced by this heat. As described above, preliminary sterilization is performed on the preform 31, and most microorganisms attached to the preform 31 are sterilized by the preliminary sterilization. Therefore, the bacteria remaining in the preform 31 stage by spraying this hydrogen peroxide aqueous solution on the mist or gas bottle 30 and the slight bacteria mixed in the blow molding process and the conveying process are sterilized in the main sterilization. The

  In addition, as the container sterilization apparatus 15, you may sterilize the bottle 30 by chemical | medical agent rinse. In this case, the container sterilizer 15 removes chemicals such as peracetic acid by rinsing the inside of the bottle 30 with a chemical such as peracetic acid, and then rinsing the bottle 30 with water (sterile water). There may be. Or the container sterilizer 15 may rinse the inside of the bottle 30 with hot water of 60 ° C. or higher and 90 ° C. or lower.

  Moreover, as the container sterilizer 15, you may sterilize the bottle 30 with an electron beam, an X-ray, or an ultraviolet-ray. In this case, the preform sterilizer 11 may irradiate the inside of the bottle 30 with, for example, an electron beam (EB) or X-ray, and then air-rinse the bottle 30. Alternatively, the container sterilizer 15 may sterilize the preform 31 by rinsing the bottle 30 with sterile air or water while irradiating the inside of the preform 31 with ultraviolet rays.

  The air rinse device 16 performs cleaning by spraying aseptic air of 50 ° C. or higher and 180 ° C. or lower (preferably 70 ° C. or higher and 140 ° C. or lower) to the bottle 30 sterilized with hydrogen peroxide as a sterilizing agent. It is. Thereby, the hydrogen peroxide adhering to the bottle 30 is removed, and foreign matters are removed. Note that the air rinsing device 16 is not necessarily provided. In addition, air rinsing may be performed in a state where the bottle 30 is upright, but is not limited thereto, and may be performed in a state where the bottle 30 is inverted. As a result, the foreign matter can be removed simultaneously.

  The container rinsing device 17 performs sterilization with warm water on the bottle 30 sterilized with an aqueous hydrogen peroxide solution that is a sterilizing agent. Specifically, for example, hot water having a temperature of 65 ° C. or higher and 80 ° C. or lower is supplied into the bottle 30. Note that the container rinsing device 17 is not necessarily provided.

  Further, when the bottle 30 is sterilized, not only one type of sterilization method but also two types of sterilization methods may be combined.

  The filling device 20 fills the bottle 30 with the contents that have been sterilized in advance from the mouth of the bottle 30. In this filling device 20, the empty bottle 30 is filled with contents from a filling nozzle 48 (see FIG. 2F). In this case, in the filling device 20, the contents are filled into the bottle 30 while the plurality of bottles 30 are rotated (revolved). This content may be filled in the bottle 30 at room temperature. The contents are sterilized by heating or the like in advance, cooled to room temperature of 3 ° C. or higher and 40 ° C. or lower, and then filled into the bottle 30.

  The closing device 21 is for closing the bottle 30 by attaching a cap 33 to the mouth of the bottle 30. In the capping device 21, the mouth of the bottle 30 is closed by a cap 33 and sealed so that outside air and microorganisms do not enter the bottle 30 (see FIG. 2G). In the capping device 21, a plurality of bottles 30 filled with the contents are rotated (revolved), and caps are attached to the mouths. In this manner, the product bottle 35 is obtained by attaching the cap 33 to the mouth portion of the bottle 30.

  The product bottle unloading unit 22 is configured to continuously unload the product bottle 35 to which the cap 33 is attached by the closing device 21 toward the outside of the content filling system 10.

  The content filling system 10 has a sterile chamber 70. Inside the aseptic chamber 70, the container sterilization device 15, the air rinsing device 16, the container rinsing device 17, the filling device 20, and the capping device 21 described above are accommodated. Such a content filling system 10 may comprise, for example, an aseptic filling system. In this case, the inside of the sterilization chamber 70 is maintained in a sterilized state.

(Content filling method)
Next, a content filling method using the above-described content filling system 10 (FIG. 1) will be described. Hereinafter, a filling method in a normal state, that is, a content filling method for manufacturing a product bottle 35 by actually filling the bottle 30 with contents such as a beverage will be described.

  First, the preform 31 is put into the preform sterilizer 11. In this preform sterilizer 11, a medicine such as a hydrogen peroxide solution is sprayed from a medicine spray nozzle 41 (see FIG. 2A) disposed inside the preform sterilizer 11, and the preform 31 is sterilized. (Preform sterilization process). Subsequently, hot air is blown onto the preform 31 from the drying nozzle 42 (see FIG. 2B), whereby the preform 31 is dried, hydrogen peroxide is partially removed and sterilization starts. Is done.

  Next, the preform 31 is sent to the preform heating device 12. In this preform heating apparatus 12, the preform 31 is heated while running by the heater 43 (see FIG. 2C) (preform heating step). As a result, the preform 31 is brought into a heated state suitable for blow molding, and the surface thereof is pre-sterilized.

  Subsequently, the preform 31 is conveyed to the blow molding apparatus 13. In the mold 45 (see FIG. 2 (d)) of the blow molding device 13, the preform 31 is biaxially stretch blow molded and formed into a bottle 30 (bottle molding step).

  The bottle 30 produced by the blow molding device 13 is conveyed to the container inspection device 14. Next, the blow molding device 13 inspects the bottle 30 for deformation and scratches (container inspection step). If the container inspection device 14 detects that the bottle 30 has defects such as deformation or scratches, the bottle 30 is discharged from the container inspection device 14 to the outside of the content filling system 10.

Next, the bottle 30 that has passed through the container inspection device 14 is sent to the container sterilization device 15. In this container sterilizer 15, the bottle 30 is sterilized using a hydrogen peroxide aqueous solution that is a sterilizer (container sterilization process). At this time, the hydrogen peroxide solution is a gas or mist that has been vaporized once above the boiling point, and is supplied toward the bottle 30. The mist of the hydrogen peroxide aqueous solution adheres to the entire inner and outer surfaces of the bottle 30 and sterilizes the bacteria attached to the bottle 30. Adhesion amount of gas or mist of hydrogen peroxide is supplied to the bottle 30, it is preferred 0.1 [mu] L / cm ² or less in the range 0.01μL / cm ² or more at 35 wt% conversion. When the amount of hydrogen peroxide attached is 0.01 μL / cm ² or more, a uniform sterilizing effect can be obtained throughout the bottle. On the other hand, when the adhesion amount of hydrogen peroxide is 0.1 μL / cm ² or less, the air rinsing time for removing the residual hydrogen peroxide does not become too long, which is economical. The adhesion amount of the hydrogen peroxide condensation film in terms of 35% by mass on the inner surface of the bottle 30 is more preferably 0.03 μL / cm ² or more and 0.07 μL / cm ² or less.

  Subsequently, the bottle 30 is conveyed from the container sterilizer 15 to the air rinse device 16. In this air rinse device 16, the bottle 30 is washed by spraying aseptic air of 50 ° C. or higher and 180 ° C. or lower (preferably 70 ° C. or higher and 140 ° C. or lower) onto the bottle 30. Thereby, the hydrogen peroxide adhering to the bottle 30 is removed, and the foreign matter in the bottle 30 is removed.

  Next, the bottle 30 is conveyed from the air rinse device 16 to the container rinse device 17. In the container rinsing device 17, the bottle 30 sterilized with hydrogen peroxide as a sterilizing agent is sterilized with water or warm water. Specifically, water having a temperature of 10 ° C. or more and 85 ° C. or less or hot water is supplied into the bottle 30 at a flow rate of 5 L / min or more and 15 L / min or less. At that time, the bottle 30 is preferably turned upside down, and water or hot water is supplied into the bottle 30 from the mouth portion facing downward, and this hot water flows out of the bottle 30 from the mouth portion. Excess hydrogen peroxide aqueous solution and foreign matters remaining in the bottle 30 are washed away by this water or hot water, and discharged to the outside of the bottle 30. In some cases, the outer surface of the bottle 30 may be rinsed with water or hot water in the same manner as the inner surface. In addition, the rinse process by such a container rinse apparatus 17 does not necessarily need to be provided.

  Subsequently, the bottle 30 is transported from the container rinsing device 17 to the filling device 20. In the filling device 20, the bottle 30 is rotated (revolved), and the contents are filled into the bottle 30 by the filling nozzle 48 (see FIG. 2F) (filling step). In addition, before filling the bottle 30 with the filling apparatus 20, the contents are prepared in advance and the heat sterilization process is performed. The heating temperature is about 60 ° C. or higher and 150 ° C. or lower. Thereby, all the microorganisms that can grow in the product bottle 35 in the contents before filling are sterilized. The heat-sterilized contents are cooled to a room temperature of about 3 ° C. to 40 ° C. In the filling device 20, the sterilized bottle 30 is filled with the sterilized contents cooled to room temperature at room temperature. The temperature of the contents at the time of filling is, for example, about 3 ° C. or more and 40 ° C. or less.

  Subsequently, the bottle 30 filled with the contents is conveyed from the filling device 20 to the closing device 21. Next, in the capping device 21, the product bottle 35 is obtained by attaching the sterilized cap 33 sterilized by the cap sterilization device 25 to the mouth portion of the bottle 30 (see FIG. 2G) (cap attaching process). ).

  Thereafter, the product bottle 35 is conveyed from the closing device 21 to the product bottle carrying-out unit 22 and carried out to the outside of the content filling system 10.

  Each process from the container sterilization process to the cap mounting process is performed in an aseptic atmosphere surrounded by an aseptic chamber 70, that is, in an aseptic environment. Then, positive sterilized air is supplied into the sterilization chamber 70 so that the sterilization air always blows out of the sterilization chamber 70 after the sterilization process.

  Moreover, it is preferable that the production (conveyance) speed of the bottle 30 in the content filling system 10 is 100 bpm or more and 1500 bpm or less. Here, bpm (bottle per minute) refers to the conveyance speed of the bottle 30 per minute.

(Verification method of content filling system)
Next, the verification method of the content filling system according to the present embodiment for verifying the bacteria contamination level of the above-described content filling system 10 (FIG. 1) will be described.

  The verification method according to the present embodiment is to check the level of bacterial contamination in the content filling system 10 between the preform sterilizer 11 and the container sterilizer 15. This verification method is performed, for example, in the initial stage immediately after the content filling system 10 is completed, that is, before the bottle 30 is actually filled using the content filling system 10 and the production of the product bottle 35 is started. It may be broken. Alternatively, this verification method may affect the level of bacterial contamination when a change occurs in the process or apparatus in the content filling system 10 or when the content filling system 10 is not used for a certain period of time. You may go in case. Alternatively, this verification method may be performed periodically every predetermined filling cycle regardless of whether or not there is a risk of affecting the bacteria contamination level.

  Further, before performing the verification method according to the present embodiment, assuming the case where the level of bacterial contamination between the preform sterilization apparatus 11 and the container sterilization apparatus 15 is considered to be the highest, the maintenance work of the content filling system 10 May be performed. For example, the mold 45, the blow nozzle, and the stretching rod 46 of the blow molding device 13 may be replaced, or the lamp of the heater 43 of the preform heating device 12 may be replaced. Further, the work may be performed with the number of workers performing the molding and filling operations as the maximum number considered at the time of manufacture.

  After performing such a maintenance operation, according to the present embodiment using the bottle 30 filled with the culture medium in order to evaluate the level of bacteria contamination of the content filling system 10 and adjust the degree of sterilization in the container sterilizer 15. A verification method is executed. Specifically, a large number of preforms 31 sterilized by the preform sterilization apparatus 11 are blow-molded by the blow molding apparatus 13 to produce a large number of bottles 30. Each bottle 30 is filled with a predetermined medium instead of the contents to be actually filled, and then closed. Thereafter, it is confirmed how much the medium filled in each bottle 30 has decayed after a certain period of time.

  Hereinafter, the verification method of the content filling system 10 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 3. FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a verification method according to this embodiment.

  First, a large number of preforms 31 are introduced into the preform sterilizer 11 from the outside, and sterilized in the preform sterilizer 11 (preform sterilization process, step S1 in FIG. 3). The number of preforms 31 used in the verification method of the content filling system 10 is determined in advance, for example, a predetermined number of 1,000 or more and 300,000 or less (preferably 3,000 or more and 30,000 or less). Can be the number of

  Next, each preform 31 is heated by the preform heating device 12 (preform heating step, step S2 in FIG. 3), and then subjected to biaxial stretch blow molding in the blow molding device 13, thereby the bottle 30. Is molded (blow molding process, step S3 in FIG. 3).

  The bottle 30 produced by the blow molding device 13 is inspected by the container inspection device 14 (container inspection step, step S4 in FIG. 3), and the bottle 30 that has passed the container inspection device 14 is sent to the container sterilization device 15.

  Each process from the preform sterilization process to the container inspection process is the same as each process from the preform sterilization process to the container inspection process in the normal content filling method described above.

  In this case, the container sterilizer 15 is stopped, and the bottle 30 is sent to the filling device 20 without being sterilized by the container sterilizer 15. During this time, the bottle 30 may be sprayed with aseptic air by the air rinse device 16. Alternatively, the air rinse device 16 may be stopped and the bottle 30 may be sent to the filling device 20 without spraying aseptic air. Moreover, you may spray aseptic air by making the air volume condition of the air rinse in the air rinse apparatus 16 which has a foreign material (bacteria) removal performance into the lower limit (or less than lower limit) of production conditions.

  When the container rinsing device 17 is provided, the bottle 30 is sent to the filling device 20 without being sterilized with water or warm water in the container rinsing device 17. During this time, the bottle 30 may be sprayed with aseptic air by the air rinse device 16. Or you may send the bottle 30 to the filling apparatus 20, without stopping the container rinse apparatus 17 and spraying water or warm water. Moreover, you may rinse the flow volume and temperature conditions of the water or warm water rinse in the container rinse apparatus 17 which has a foreign material (microbe) removal performance as a lower limit (or less than a lower limit) of production conditions.

  Next, in the filling device 20, a predetermined amount of medium is filled into the bottle 30 from the mouth of the bottle 30 (medium filling step, step S5 in FIG. 3). Before filling the bottle 30 with the filling device 20, a culture medium is prepared in advance and a heat sterilization process is performed. The pH of the medium is adjusted in accordance with the characteristics of the contents. For example, the medium may be an acidic medium having a pH of 4.0 or more and 4.6 or less, and a neutral pH of 6.5 or more and 7.5 or less. It may be a medium.

  As such a medium, generally, as a carbon source, monosaccharides such as glucose and dextrose as organic carbon sources, disaccharides, polysaccharides, and sodium carbonate and sodium hydrogen carbonate as inorganic carbon sources are 0.2 to 3% by weight and 0.5 to 0.5% of casein peptone, chicken peptone, heart muscle peptone, gelatin peptone, soybean peptone, polypeptone, yeast extract, meat extract, ammonium sulfate, magnesium sulfate, nitrate, etc. as nitrogen source (including coenzyme) Prepared by dissolving 0.05% to 1% by weight of 3% by weight and sodium chloride, monopotassium phosphate, potassium monohydrogen phosphate, potassium dihydrogen phosphate, etc. as trace minerals or buffers. To do. The pH of the medium is adjusted by dissolving hydrochloric acid, tartaric acid, citric acid, sodium hydroxide, potassium hydroxide, etc. in the medium.

  Subsequently, the bottle 30 filled with the culture medium is sent to the closing device 21. In this capping device 21, the sterilized cap 33 sterilized by the cap sterilization device 25 is mounted on the mouth of the bottle 30 (cap mounting step, step S6 in FIG. 3). In addition, this cap mounting process is performed similarly to the cap mounting process in the normal content filling method mentioned above. In this way, the inside of the bottle 30 is filled with the culture medium, and the mouth portion is sealed with the cap 33, whereby the verification bottle 36 is obtained.

  Next, the verification bottle 36 filled with the culture medium is carried out from the product bottle carrying-out unit 22 to the outside. Thereafter, the plurality of verification bottles 36 are transported to a constant temperature chamber (not shown) maintained at a predetermined temperature of 25 ° C. or higher and 40 ° C. or lower, and are left to stand and cultured in the constant temperature chamber (culture step, step of FIG. 3). S7). In addition, when the product bottle 35 is warmed and sold by a hot vendor or the like, it is necessary to check the sterility of the high-temperature bacteria, and the verification bottle 36 may be cultured at a temperature of 40 ° C. or more and 65 ° C. or less. .

  After the elapse of a predetermined period (for example, 3 days or more, preferably 7 days or more), all the verification bottles 36 are taken out of the thermostatic chamber, and how much bacteria survive or propagate in the culture medium in the verification bottle 36 is verified. (Verification process, step S8 in FIG. 3). The result obtained by this verification process is considered to correspond to the level of bacterial contamination particularly between the preform sterilizer 11 and the container sterilizer 15. The verification process is not limited to verification using a culture medium, and verification may be performed by using an actual product or a product that easily perishes (for example, a beverage containing milk).

  Thereafter, the degree of sterilization in the container sterilizer 15, the air rinse device 16, and the container rinse device 17 is adjusted based on the result in the verification process (adjustment process, step S9 in FIG. 3). The adjustment of the degree of sterilization in this adjustment step is, for example, to appropriately set the capabilities of the container sterilization device 15, the air rinse device 16, and the container rinse device 17. Specifically, the spray amount of the medicine in the container sterilization device 15 (Adhesion amount), air blow time in the air rinse device 16, air flow rate, air temperature, hot water temperature in the container rinse device 17, hot water flow rate, rinse water use amount, etc. may be adjusted. . Or you may carry out by adjusting the installation area of the container sterilizer 15, the air rinse apparatus 16, and the container rinse apparatus 17, and shortening the time for a bottle to pass through these apparatuses.

  For example, the container sterilizer 15, the air rinse device 16, and the container rinse device are adjusted by adjusting the amount of medicine sprayed in the container sterilizer 15, the amount of air used in the air rinse device 16, and the amount of water or warm water used in the container rinse device 17. While maintaining the necessary sterilization performance in 17, the spray amount of the medicine and the amount of air, water or hot water used can be limited. Thereby, while reducing the cost required for sterilization, an environmental load can be reduced. Moreover, since it becomes possible to reduce the installation area of the container sterilizer 15, the air rinse apparatus 16, and the container rinse apparatus 17, the magnitude | size of the content filling system 10 can be made compact.

Here, the adjustment process will be further described. Generally, bacteria are attached to the preform 31 before being put into the preform sterilizer 11. The initial bacterial count level of this preform 31 is set to H ₀ (= log N ₀ ). In this case, the initial bacterial count level H ₀ of the preform 31 is reduced by the sterilization effect (bacteria reduction count level ΣR ₁ (= log (N ₀ / N _R1 )> 0) by the preform sterilizer 11. Due to intermediate contamination (bacterial increase number level: ΣI (= log (N _I ) ≧ 0)) immediately after the sterilizer 11 and immediately before the container sterilizer 15, certain bacteria are attached to the bottle 30. At this time, the bacteria attached to the bottle 30 are sterilized by the container sterilization apparatus 15, the air rinse apparatus 16 and the container rinse apparatus 17 (the number of bacteria decreased: ΣR ₂ (= log (N _I / N _R2 )). > 0)) Again, since the aseptic filling equipment is used in the process after the filling device 20, the occurrence of contamination is considered to be negligible. If the number of bacteria per bottle after passing through the container sterilizer 15, the air rinse device 16 or the container rinse device 17 is below the target value (FSO (Food Safety Objective / ISO13409-1996) (= logN)) For example, it can be considered that there is no problem in the sterility of the content filling system 10. This can be expressed as the following formula, where “N ₀ ” is the number of initial germs per preform. “N _R1 ” is the number of bacteria per preform after being sterilized by the preform sterilizer 11, and “N _I ” is from immediately after the preform sterilizer 11 to immediately before the container sterilizer 15. intermediate contaminated bacteria per bottle after "N _R2" container sterilizing device 15, bacteria per bottle after being sterilized by Earinsu device 16 and the container rinse apparatus 17 to , "N" means the container sterilizing device 15, Earinsu device 16 and the bottle per one after being sterilized by the container rinsing device 17 the number of bacteria to target values, respectively.
H ₀ −ΣR ₁ + ΣI−ΣR ₂ ≦ FSO (Formula 1)

In this verification method, for stopping the container sterilization apparatus 15, Earinsu device 16 and the container rinse apparatus 17, the .SIGMA.R ₂ 0 of the equation (1). Therefore, the result obtained in the verification step corresponds to the value of H ₀ −ΣR ₁ + ΣI in (Equation 1). This value is usually above FSO. For this reason, the content filling system 10 is set by setting the sterilization ability of the container sterilization device 15, the air rinse device 16, and the container rinse device 17 so that the value of ΣR ₂ is equal to or greater than (H ₀ −ΣR ₁ + ΣI) −FSO. It becomes possible to make the sterility of the glass be less than the target value (FSO).

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, it is verified how much bacteria survive or propagate in the medium in the bottle 30, and based on the result of this verification, the container sterilizer 15, the air rinse device 16, and The degree of sterilization in the container rinsing device 17 is adjusted. Thus, while maintaining the degree of sterilization required for the content filling system 10, the spray amount of the medicine in the container sterilizer 15, the air rinse conditions (temperature, flow rate, time) of the air rinse device 16, or the container sterilization The installation area of the apparatus 15, the air rinse apparatus 16, and the container rinse apparatus 17 etc. can be restrict | limited. As a result, the running cost of the content filling system 10 can be reduced and the environmental load can be reduced. Moreover, the content filling system 10 can be made compact.

[Example]
Next, specific examples in the present embodiment will be described.

First, a plurality of preforms 31 are sequentially sterilized using the preform sterilization apparatus 11 of the content filling system 10, and each sterilized preform 31 is blow-molded using the blow molding apparatus 13, thereby producing a bottle 30. did. Each bottle 30 is sequentially sent to the container sterilizer 15, the air rinse device 16, and the container rinse device 17, and is sent to the filling device 20 without being sterilized by the container sterilizer 15, air rinse device 16, and container rinse device 17. It was. Next, using a filling device 20, the medium was filled into each bottle 30 at room temperature, closed with a cap 33, and then cultured at 30 ° C. for 1 week. The total number of bottles 30 cultured was 75,432. After culturing, when all the bottles 30 were inspected, it was confirmed that there were two bottles 30 in which the medium was spoiled. Therefore, the number of bacteria per bottle obtained is estimated as 2 / 75,432 = about 10 ^−4, and the value of H ₀ −ΣR ₁ + ΣI described above is log (10 ⁻⁴ ) = − 4. It was estimated.

On the other hand, the target value (FSO) of the bacterial count level in the content filling system 10 is, for example, -7. For this reason, by setting the sterilization performance of the container sterilizer 15 to -4-(-7) = 3LRV (Log Reduction Level), that is, the above-described ΣR ₂ = 3, the sterility level of the content filling system 10 is a target value ( It is considered that FSO = −7) can be reached. Then, when the spray amount of the chemical | medical agent (hydrogen peroxide water) in the container sterilizer 15 was adjusted so that the sterilization performance of the container sterilizer 15 might be set to 3LRV, the spray amount became 15.2 kg / h. This is an amount reduced by about 40% from the spray amount of the hydrogen peroxide solution used in the conventional container sterilizer 15, and the amount of hydrogen peroxide solution used in the container sterilizer 15 can be reduced. It turns out that you can. Although the target value of the sterility level in FSO depends on the target bacteria, it is generally desirable to set it within the range of −12 to −5, preferably within the range of −10 to −6. It is. When FSO is set higher than −5, a problem arises in safety. On the other hand, if the sterility is increased until the FSO is lower than -12, energy and cost increase, which is not economical. In the present embodiment, the content filling system 10 in which the sterility level (H ₀ −ΣR ₁ + ΣI−ΣR ₂ ) reaches the target value (FSO is −12 or more and −5 or less) is also provided.

(Second Embodiment)
Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a second embodiment of the present invention. The second embodiment shown in FIG. 4 mainly sterilizes the cap 33 in two stages. In FIG. 4, the same parts as those of the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof is omitted.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the content filling system 10 </ b> A according to the present embodiment includes a preform sterilization apparatus 11, a preform heating apparatus 12, a blow molding apparatus 13, a container inspection apparatus 14, and a container sterilization apparatus 15. , An air rinse device 16, a container rinse device 17, a filling device 20, and a closing device 21. In addition, these preform sterilizers 11, preform heating devices 12, blow molding devices 13, container inspection devices 14, container sterilizers 15, air rinse devices 16, container rinse devices 17, and filling devices 20 Since the configuration of the closing device 21 is substantially the same as that shown in the first embodiment, detailed description thereof is omitted here.

  A cap sterilization unit 60 that sterilizes the cap 33 and conveys the sterilized cap 33 to the closure device 21 is connected to the closure device 21. The cap sterilization unit 60 includes a first cap sterilization device 61 that sterilizes the cap 33, an air rinse device 62 that air-rinses the cap 33 sterilized by the first cap sterilization device 61, and a cap 33 that is air-rinsed by the air rinse device 62. And a second cap sterilizing device 63 for sterilizing again.

  The cap 33 is a well-known cap, and a substantially circular one having an opening on the inner surface side is used. The cap 33 may be made of a thermoplastic resin such as high density polyethylene (HDPE), polypropylene (PP), or biodegradable plastic. As the cap 33, a composite cap or a sports cap may be used in addition to a normal bottle cap.

The first cap sterilizer 61 sprays a chemical gas such as a hydrogen peroxide solution or mist onto the cap 33 being conveyed. The adhesion amount of hydrogen peroxide necessary for sterilizing the cap 33 with the first cap sterilizer 61 is 0.6 μL / cm ² or more and 4.7 μL / cm ² or less (preferably 1.2 μL in terms of 35% weight). / Cm ² or more and 2.4 μL / cm ² or less). The 1st cap sterilizer 61 is provided in the hopper or sorter 64 which aligns and conveys the cap 33 inserted at random.

  The second cap sterilizer 63 is provided on the filling machine side, and sprays a chemical gas such as a hydrogen peroxide solution or mist on the cap 33, for example. The cap 33 is transported from the first cap sterilization device 61 to the second cap sterilization device 63 on the closing device 21 side, and is sterilized by a chemical such as an aqueous hydrogen peroxide solution.

The air rinsing device 62 is provided on the downstream side of the second cap sterilization device 63, and transports the cap 33 sprayed with the medicine, and also air-rinses the cap 33 being transported. The cap 33 is sequentially conveyed in the air rinsing device 62, and during this time, aseptic hot air is blown onto the inner surface and the outer surface of the cap 33. The temperature of the aseptic hot air sprayed in the air rinse device 62 is, for example, 80 ° C. or higher and 140 ° C. or lower, preferably 90 ° C. or higher and 120 ° C. or lower. The air volume of aseptic hot air is, for example, not less than 5 m ³ / min and not more than 20 m ³ / min. Moreover, the blow time of aseptic hot air is 0.5 second or more and 20 seconds or less, preferably 1 second or more and 14 seconds or less. By blowing aseptic hot air, the temperature of the cap 33 is raised to 40 ° C. or higher, preferably 50 ° C. or higher. Thereby, the medicine adhering to the cap 33 is removed. Note that the aseptic hot air may contain a minute amount of a chemical component such as hydrogen peroxide. Thereby, the chemical | medical agent adhering to the cap 33 by the 2nd cap sterilizer 63 can be removed reliably.

(Cap sterilization method)
Next, a cap sterilization method using the cap sterilization unit 60 of the above-described content filling system 10A will be described. In the following, the cap sterilization method in the normal state, that is, the cap sterilization method when the product bottle 35 is manufactured by filling the bottle 30 with contents such as beverages will be described.

  First, a large number of caps 33 are inserted from the outside of the cap sterilization unit 60. Next, the loaded cap 33 is aligned in the hopper or sorter 64 and then conveyed in the cap sterilization unit 60.

  During this time, the cap 33 is sprayed with a chemical such as an aqueous hydrogen peroxide solution in a first cap sterilizer 61 provided in the hopper or sorter 64, and the inner surface and outer surface thereof are sterilized.

  Next, the cap 33 is transferred from the first cap sterilization device 61 to the second cap sterilization device 63 on the closing device 21 side. Next, in the second cap sterilizer 63, the cap 33 is sprayed with a chemical gas such as an aqueous hydrogen peroxide solution or mist while being rotationally conveyed, and the inner surface and the outer surface thereof are sterilized.

  Subsequently, the cap 33 sprayed with the medicine is delivered to the air rinse device 62. In this air rinse device 62, the cap 33 is conveyed, and aseptic air is blown onto the inner surface and the outer surface of the cap 33 during this time. Thereby, the medicine adhering to the cap 33 is air rinsed.

  The cap 33 sterilized by the cap sterilization unit 60 in this manner is attached to the mouth of the bottle 30 conveyed from the filling device 20 in the closing device 21. Thereby, a product bottle 35 having the bottle 30 and the cap 33 is obtained.

  Thereafter, the product bottle 35 is conveyed from the closing device 21 to the product bottle carrying-out unit 22 and carried out to the outside of the content filling system 10.

(Verification method of content filling system)
Next, a verification method of the above-described content filling system 10A will be described.

  First, a large number of caps 33 are sterilized in the first cap sterilization device 61 (cap first sterilization step). The number of caps 33 used in the verification method of the content filling system 10A is predetermined, for example, a predetermined number of 1,000 or more and 300,000 or less (preferably 3,000 or more and 30,000 or less). Can be number

  Next, the cap 33 is transferred from the first cap sterilizer 61 to the second cap sterilizer 63. In this case, the second cap sterilization device 63 is stopped, and the bottle 30 is sent to the air rinse device 62 without being sterilized by the second cap sterilization device 63.

  Subsequently, the cap 33 sprayed with the medicine is conveyed in the air rinse device 62, and aseptic hot air is blown onto the inner surface and the outer surface of the cap 33 during this time. Thereby, the medicine adhering to the cap 33 is air rinsed. Thereafter, the cap 33 is sent from the air rinse device 62 to the closing device 21.

  On the other hand, as in the case of the first embodiment, the preform 31 is sterilized in the preform sterilization apparatus 11, and then biaxially stretched and blow molded in the blow molding apparatus 13 and molded into the bottle 30. The bottle 30 is sterilized in the container sterilizer 15.

  Subsequently, in the filling device 20, a predetermined amount of medium is filled into the bottle 30 from the mouth portion of the bottle 30, and is sent to the closing device 21. In the stopper device 21, the cap 33 sent from the air rinse device 62 described above is attached to the mouth of the bottle 30. In this way, the inside of the bottle 30 is filled with the culture medium, and the mouth portion is sealed with the cap 33, whereby the verification bottle 36 is obtained.

  Next, the verification bottle 36 filled with the culture medium is carried out from the product bottle carrying-out unit 22 to the outside. Thereafter, the plurality of verification bottles 36 are transported to a constant temperature chamber maintained at a predetermined temperature of 25 ° C. or higher and 40 ° C. or lower, and are left to stand and cultured in the constant temperature chamber.

  After the elapse of a predetermined period (for example, 3 days or more, preferably 7 days or more), all the verification bottles 36 are taken out of the thermostatic chamber, and how much bacteria survive or propagate in the culture medium in the verification bottle 36 is verified. To do. The result obtained by this verification is considered to correspond to the level of bacterial contamination particularly between the first cap sterilizer 61 and the second cap sterilizer 63.

  Thereafter, the degree of sterilization in the second cap sterilizer 63 is adjusted based on the verification result. The adjustment of the degree of sterilization is, for example, to appropriately set the capacity of the second cap sterilizer 63. Specifically, even if the amount of medicine sprayed in the second cap sterilizer 63 is adjusted. Good. Or the installation area of the 2nd cap sterilizer 63 may be adjusted, and the time for a bottle to pass through these apparatuses may be shortened.

  Thus, by appropriately adjusting the spray amount of the medicine in the second cap sterilizer 63, the spray amount of medicine and the amount of hot water used are limited while maintaining the sterilization performance necessary for the second cap sterilizer 63. As a result, the cost required for sterilization can be reduced and the environmental load can be reduced. Moreover, since it becomes possible to reduce the installation area of the 2nd cap sterilizer 63, the magnitude | size of the content filling system 10A can be made compact.

  Further, in each of the above embodiments, the preform sterilization apparatus 11 for preliminary sterilization is provided at the inlet of the blow molding apparatus 13, and the system that performs blow molding and filling of the contents under continuous conveyance has been described as an example. Not limited. The blow molding device 13 and the filling device 20 may be arranged apart from each other, and the bottle 30 may be conveyed between them by air conveyance, a belt conveyor, or the like. In addition, the preform sterilization apparatus 11 for preliminary sterilization does not necessarily have to be installed on the front process side of the heater 43, and the transport foil 18 or the blow molding apparatus 13 located in the heater 43 or on the rear process side of the heater 43. It may be inside. Further, the preform sterilization apparatus 11 may not be connected to the blow molding apparatus 13 and may be provided on the transport conveyor or chute of the preform 31. Furthermore, the preform sterilization apparatus 11 may be replaced with an injection molding machine for the preform 31. In the present embodiment, the verification method in the two-stage sterilization method of the preliminary sterilization using the preform sterilization apparatus 11 and the main sterilization using the container sterilization apparatus 15 has been described. May be.

  Further, the sterilization method of the container is not limited to the method described in each of the above embodiments, and any method may be used as long as it is a method for inactivating bacteria, and the bacteria may be physically sterilized. Absent. Furthermore, in each of the above embodiments, the contaminated section from the blow molding device 13 to the container sterilization device 15 may be a space where microorganisms are managed by an aseptic filter or the like, and an additional device for sterilization may be additionally provided. .

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Contents filling system 11 Preform sterilization apparatus 12 Preform heating apparatus 13 Blow molding apparatus 14 Container inspection apparatus 15 Container sterilization apparatus 16 Air rinse apparatus 17 Container rinse apparatus 20 Filling apparatus 21 Closing apparatus 22 Product bottle carrying-out part 25 Cap sterilization apparatus 30 Bottle 31 Preform 33 Cap 35 Product bottle

Claims (3)

A preform sterilizer,
A chemical spray nozzle that sterilizes the preform by spraying an aqueous hydrogen peroxide solution;
A drying nozzle for drying the preform after the hydrogen peroxide solution has been sprayed,
The preform sterilizer in which the amount of hydrogen peroxide in terms of 35% by mass attached to the preform after drying is in the range of 0.0003 μL / cm ^{2 to} 0.35 μL / cm ² . The preform sterilizer according to claim 1, wherein the amount of hydrogen peroxide in terms of 35% by mass attached to the preform after drying is in the range of 0.0004 μL / cm ^{2 to} 0.2 μL / cm ² .   The guide member which guides and sterilizes the gas or mist of the hydrogen peroxide aqueous solution sprayed on the inner surface of the preform to the mouth portion outside the preform is provided at the tip of the medicine spray nozzle. The preform sterilizer as described.

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