WO2018155219A1 - Aseptic filling system and aseptic filling method - Google Patents

Abstract

Provided are an aseptic filling system and an aseptic filling method with which simplification of apparatus configuration, reduction of apparatus cost, and miniaturization of the system as a whole can be achieved while enhancing the maintenance of an aseptic state of a container, in addition to ensuring the freedom of design of the environment around a container conveyance path. An aseptic filling system (10) that fills a sterilized container with sterilized liquid contents under an aseptic environment includes: a sterilization processing machine (40) provided to blow a sterilizing agent onto a container (C) or a preform on the upstream side of a container release point (RP) of a blow molding turret (23); and, in a container conveyance path (25), an aseptic preservation machine (60) that is arranged along the container conveyance path (25) and that has a gas blowing surface (60a) for blowing aseptic gas toward a mouth part of the container (C) being conveyed on the container conveyance path (25).

Description

Aseptic filling system and aseptic filling method

TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to an aseptic filling system and an aseptic filling method for filling a sterilized content liquid in a sterilized container in an aseptic environment, and in particular, an in-line blow type that performs consistently from container molding to filling and sealing of the content liquid. The present invention relates to an aseptic filling system and an aseptic filling method.

Conventionally, an in-line blow type aseptic filling system that performs everything from container molding by blow molding to filling and sealing of the content liquid in the same factory has been known. Prior to transporting the container to the maintained filling unit, the container needs to be thoroughly sterilized.

Various methods for sterilizing containers are known. For example, in a container conveyance path provided between a container forming unit and a filling unit, a sterilizing agent such as hydrogen peroxide is injected into the container. Before the container is sterilized or before the container is blow-molded, a preform such as hydrogen peroxide is sprayed onto the preform which is a preform of the container to sterilize the preform (see Patent Document 1). Is known).

JP 2001-510104 A

When the container is sterilized using a disinfectant such as hydrogen peroxide, it is necessary to reduce the concentration of the disinfectant in the container to a specified value or less by the time the container is filled with the contents. Therefore, when the container is sterilized in the container conveyance path provided on the upstream side of the filling unit, the sterilizing agent is removed by removing the sterilizing agent into the container conveyance path by blowing out sterile air into the container. Equipment needs to be installed. And when such a disinfectant removal equipment is installed, not only will the apparatus configuration become complicated and the apparatus cost will increase, but the distance of the container transport path will become longer, and downsizing of the entire aseptic filling system will be hindered. There was a problem of being.

Therefore, as in the filling system described in Patent Document 1, sterile air such as hydrogen peroxide is applied to the preform in the stage before the container is blow-molded, and then blown into the preform in the subsequent blow-molding. Has proposed a filling system that blows off the sterilizing agent to lower the concentration of the sterilizing agent in the container, thereby achieving miniaturization of the aseptic filling system. However, even in the method of Patent Document 1, depending on the composition of the contents and the sterilization method thereof, in order to prevent dust and the like from entering the container in the container conveyance path from the container forming unit to the filling unit, It is necessary to strengthen the maintenance of sterility, such as by taking measures such as covering the container transport path with a sterilization chamber whose interior is maintained in a sterility. However, since various equipment such as grippers used to transport containers, container transport machines, and reject equipment for eliminating defective containers are installed in the container transport path, depending on the device design, It may be difficult to install a sterile chamber.

Accordingly, the present invention solves these problems and simplifies the configuration of the apparatus while strengthening the maintenance of the sterility of the container while ensuring the degree of freedom in designing the environment around the container conveyance path. An object of the present invention is to provide an aseptic filling system and an aseptic filling method that realizes cost reduction and downsizing of the entire system.

An aseptic filling system according to the present invention is an aseptic filling system for filling a sterilized container with a sterilized content liquid in an aseptic environment, a container forming unit having a blow molded turret, and a downstream side of the container forming unit. A sterilization treatment unit, a container conveyance device installed in a container conveyance path between the blow-molded turret and the filling unit, and a sterilization treatment machine for sterilizing a container or a preform. A machine is installed on the upstream side of the container release point of the blow-molded turret so as to apply a sterilizing agent to the container or preform, and is disposed along the container transport path in the container transport path, An aseptic holding machine having a gas blowing surface for blowing out aseptic gas toward the mouth of the container to be conveyed along the conveying path is installed. Ri is intended to solve the above problems.
The aseptic filling method of the present invention is an aseptic filling method in which a sterilized container is filled with a sterilized content liquid in an aseptic environment, and before the blow molded turret releases the container, the container or the plug is sterilized by a sterilization processor. A sterilizing agent is applied to the renovation, and in the container conveyance path between the blow-molded turret and the filling unit, the container conveyance path is conveyed by an aseptic holding machine having a gas blowing surface arranged along the container conveyance path. The above-mentioned problem is solved by blowing out aseptic gas toward the mouth of the container.

According to the inventions according to claims 1 and 10, the aseptic gas blown out from the aseptic holder suppresses the intrusion of dust or the like into the container in the container transport path, and maintains the inside of the container in a sterile state. As well as being able to transport the container to the filling unit, the following effects can be obtained.
That is, after removing a sterilizing agent such as hydrogen peroxide applied to a preform or a container by a sterilization processor by blowing at the time of blow molding with a blow molded turret or by high pressure air blowing in a blow molded turret immediately after blow molding, In the container transport path between the blow-molded turret and the filling unit, the sterility of the container is maintained by a sterilization retainer, thereby strengthening the maintenance of the sterility of the container and using the sterilizer for the container transport path. Since it is not necessary to install a removal facility, it is possible to simplify the apparatus configuration and reduce the apparatus cost, to reduce the distance of the container conveyance path, and to reduce the size of the entire system.
In addition, since the mouth of the container and the inside of the container can be locally maintained in a sterile state by the aseptic holder without maintaining the entire container transfer path in a sterile state, the entire container transfer path is maintained in a sterile chamber. The degree of freedom in designing the surrounding environment of the container conveyance path can be improved.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, the gas blowing surface is disposed at a position where the distance from the mouth of the container transported through the container transport path is 1 mm or more and less than 30 mm. Even when a container is transported at a high speed of up to 2.0 m / s or the like, it is possible to avoid interference between the blowing part of the aseptic holder and the container, and the blown out sterile gas entrains outside air. Since aseptic gas can reach the mouth, contamination of the mouth of the container and the container can be avoided reliably.
According to the third aspect of the present invention, since the aseptic gas blowing speed by the aseptic holder is set to 1.0 to 3.0 times the container conveying speed by the container conveying machine, 0.4 to Even when the container is transported at a high speed of 2.0 m / s or the like, it is possible to allow the sterile gas to reach the mouth of the container while avoiding the blown out sterile gas from entraining outside air. , Contamination of the container can be reliably avoided.
According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, since the opening ratio of the gas blowing surface is set to 40% or more, it is possible to blow out aseptic gas with a sufficient air volume evenly from the entire surface of the gas blowing surface. Therefore, contamination of the container can be avoided well.
According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, the intermediate adjustment member is interposed in the flow path between the supply pipe connection portion and the gas blowing surface of the case, and is at an intermediate position between the supply pipe connection portion and the gas blowing surface. Even if the size of the blowing part in the container transport direction is set to be long, the flow of aseptic gas in the case is adjusted and the aseptic gas is blown out uniformly from the entire surface of the gas blowing surface. be able to.
According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, the supply pipe connecting portion is formed at a plurality of positions other than both ends in the container transport direction of the case at intervals, so that the size of the blowing portion in the container transport direction can be reduced. Even if it is set for a long time, aseptic gas can be blown out evenly from the entire surface of the gas blowing surface.
According to the seventh aspect of the present invention, the aseptic holding machine includes a plurality of blowing sections arranged side by side along the container transport direction, so that the container transport speed in each section of the container transport path can be increased. Since the aseptic gas blowing speed can be adjusted, the aseptic gas can be satisfactorily delivered to the mouth of the container even when the container conveying speed of each section of the container conveying path is different.
According to the eighth aspect of the present invention, the apparatus sterilization mechanism includes the sterilization gas supply unit connected to the sterile gas supply pipe between the gas supply unit and the sterilization filter, and the exhaust blower connected to the blowing unit. By having the sterilization gas supply mechanism and the exhaust blower activated when the operation is resumed after stopping the sterilization gas blowing mechanism of the aseptic holder, the sterilization gas is allowed to pass through the circuit of the aseptic gas blowing mechanism. Therefore, since it is possible to sterilize the entire circuit including each gas supply pipe and sterilization filter, it is possible to reliably avoid contamination of germs and the like in the sterile gas blown out by the sterile gas blowing mechanism. it can.
According to the ninth aspect of the present invention, the apparatus sterilization mechanism has the cover member that is detachably attached to the blowing section so as to cover the gas blowing surface, thereby operating the apparatus sterilization mechanism of the aseptic holder. When this is done, it is possible to reliably prevent the sterilizing gas from leaking out from the gas blowing surface and attaching the sterilizing gas to the peripheral equipment of the container conveyance path.

Explanatory drawing which shows the whole outline | summary of the aseptic filling system which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. Explanatory drawing which shows the blowing part vicinity of an aseptic holding | maintenance machine. Explanatory drawing which shows the structure of an aseptic holding | maintenance machine roughly. The graph which shows the change of the container conveyance speed in a container conveyance path. Explanatory drawing which shows the conditions of a 1st experiment example. The table | surface which shows the result (result of the wind speed V1 which achieves the number of particles in a container zero) of a 1st experiment example. The table | surface which shows the conditions and result of a 2nd experiment example. Explanatory drawing which shows the conditions and result of a 3rd experiment example. Explanatory drawing which shows the extraction result of a 3rd experiment example.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Aseptic filling system 20 ... Container molding unit 21 ... Inlet part 22 ... Heating part 23 ... Blow molding turret 24 ... Outlet part 25 ... Container conveyance path 30 ... Filling unit 31 ・ ・ ・ Inlet part 32 ・ ・ ・ Transport part 33 ・ ・ ・ Filling part 34 ・ ・ ・ Capping part 35 ・ ・ ・ Outlet part 40 ・ ・ ・ Sterilizer 50 ・ ・ ・ Container transporter 51 ・ ・ ・Conveying turret 52 ... Gripper 60 ... Aseptic holder 60a ... Gas blowing surface 61 ... Gas supply part 62 ... Blowing part 62A ... First blowing part 62B ... Second Blowout part 62C ... 3rd blowout part 62a ... Case 62b ... Blowing surface forming member 62c ... Intermediate adjustment members 63a, 63 , 63c ... Gas supply pipe 64 ... Distributor 65 ... Sterilization filter 66 ... Sterilization gas supply part 66a ... Supply valve 67 ... Exhaust pipe 68 ... Exhaust blower 68a ...・ Recovery valve 69 ... Cover member C ... Container RP ... Container release point of blow molded turret

Hereinafter, an aseptic filling system 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

First, the aseptic filling system 10 aseptically fills a sterilized container C with a sterilized content liquid. As shown in FIG. 1, a container molding unit 20 having a blow molded turret 23, and a container molding unit. 20, a filling unit 30 disposed on the downstream side, a sterilization treatment machine 40 for sterilizing a preform (not shown) which is a preform of the container C, and a container between the blow-molded turret 23 and the filling unit 30. A container transport machine 50 installed in the transport path 25 and an aseptic holder 60 installed in the container transport path 25 are provided.

Hereinafter, each component of the aseptic filling system 10 will be described mainly based on FIG. 1 to FIG.

First, as shown in FIG. 1, the container forming unit 20 includes an inlet portion 21 into which a preform is charged, a heating portion 22 that is disposed downstream of the inlet portion 21 and heats the preform, and a downstream side of the heating portion 22. The blow molded turret 23 for forming the container C by blow-molding the preform, the outlet portion 24 disposed on the downstream side of the blow-molded turret 23, and disposed between the blow-molded turret 23 and the outlet portion 24. The container transport path 25 is provided.

Further, as shown in FIG. 1, the filling unit 30 includes an inlet portion 31 connected to the outlet portion 24 of the container forming unit 20, and a plurality of turrets arranged on the downstream side of the inlet portion 31 to transport the container C. A transport unit 32, a filling unit 33 disposed downstream of the transport unit 32 and filling the content liquid into the container C, and a sterilized cap mounted on the mouth of the container C disposed downstream of the filling unit 33 A capping part 34 and an outlet part 35 for carrying out a container C mounted with a cap disposed on the downstream side of the capping part 34 are provided.

Each process in the filling unit 30 is performed in a sterile chamber maintained in a sterile state. In this aseptic chamber, aseptic air is introduced from the outside in the vicinity of the filling portion 33, and the aseptic air is collected (exhausted) in the vicinity of the inlet portion 31 and the outlet portion 35, whereby the inside of the sterile chamber is kept at a positive pressure.

Further, as shown in FIG. 1, the sterilization processor 40 is installed between the inlet 21 and the heating unit 22 of the container forming unit 20, and has a sterilizing agent (hydrogen peroxide in the present embodiment) on the inner and outer surfaces of the preform. ) Is blown out to sterilize the preform.

As shown in FIG. 1, the container transporter 50 includes a plurality (two in this embodiment) of transport turrets 51. These transport turrets 51 are provided with a plurality of grippers 52 that grip the neck of the container C as shown in FIG. The container transporter 50 is configured to gripper transport the container C with the mouth side of the container C facing upward. The container C may be transported by turret transport instead of gripper transport.

Further, as shown in FIG. 2, the sterilization holder 60 is provided with aseptic gas (in this embodiment, from a gas blowing surface 60a directed downward with respect to the container C conveyed through the container conveyance path 25 by the container conveyance device 50. Aseptic air) is blown out to prevent dust or the like from entering the container C or adhering to the mouth of the container C.

The aseptic holder 60 includes an aseptic gas blowing mechanism for blowing out aseptic gas to the container C and an apparatus sterilizing mechanism for sterilizing the circuit of the aseptic gas blowing mechanism.

First, the aseptic gas blowing mechanism of the aseptic holder 60 will be described below.

As shown in FIG. 3, the aseptic gas blowing mechanism of the aseptic holder 60 includes a gas supply unit 61 for supplying gas, a sterilization filter 65 for gas, a distributor 64 for distributing sterilized gas, and a distributor. A plurality of blowing sections 62 for blowing out aseptic gas. In addition, the gas supply unit 61 and the sterilization filter 65, the sterilization filter 65 and the distributor 64, the distributor 64, and the blowing unit 62 are connected by gas supply pipes 63 (63a, 63b, 63c), respectively. The gas supplied from the gas supply unit 61 is sterilized after passing through the sterilization filter 65, distributed by the distributor 64, and supplied to each blowing unit 62 via the gas supply pipe 63c.

In the present embodiment, a plurality (three) of the above-described blowing portions 62 are provided. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 1, the blow-molded turret 23 and the upstream-side transport turret in the container transport path 25. The first blowing section 62A is installed in the connection section between the first and second sections 51. Subsequently, the second blowing section 62B is installed in the center of the transport section by the transport turret 51. A third blowing section 62 </ b> C is installed in the conveyance section by the turret 51. FIG. 3 schematically shows the aseptic holder 60, and in FIG. 3, it is illustrated as having two blowing portions 62.

As shown in FIG. 1, each blowing section 62 is formed with a curved overall shape corresponding to each arc-shaped transport area by the upstream and downstream transport turrets 51.

As shown in FIG. 1, a plurality of blowing portions 62 (gas blowing surfaces 60 a) are provided over the entire region (or almost the entire region) of the container conveyance path 25 installed between the blow-molded turret 23 and the filling unit 30. However, they are installed side by side along the container conveying direction.

Further, as shown in FIG. 4, the container conveyance speed in each section of the container conveyance path 25 (the blowing sections 62A, 62B, 62C and the connection sections of the respective sections, the conveyance section) is different from each other. Since the aseptic gas blowing speed from the blowing section 62 is preferably set to 1.0 to 3.0 times the container transport speed, each section (the blowing sections 62A, 62B, 62C and the connecting sections of the sections, It is preferable to set the blowing speed of the sterilized gas from each blowing section 62 according to the container conveying speed in the conveying section).
Further, as a method for varying the sterilizing gas blowing speed in each part of each blowing part 62, a plurality of gas supply parts 61 and a sterilization filter 65 are prepared, and different gas supply parts 61 are connected to each blowing part 62. For example, when the common gas supply unit 61 and the sterilization filter 65 are connected to each blowing unit 62, it is conceivable to change the speed of aseptic gas sent to each blowing unit 62 by the distributor 64. As a matter of course, the sterilized gas blowing speed from each blowing section 62 may be set to be the same.

Next, the structure of each blowing section 62 is as follows.

First, each blowing section 62 has a case 62a, a blowing face forming member 62b, and an intermediate adjusting member 62c as shown in FIG.

As shown in FIG. 2, the case 62a has a sterile gas supply pipe connection portion formed on the upper surface thereof to which the gas supply pipe 63c is connected, and a lower opening portion opened on the lower surface side facing the container transport path 25 side. have. In the case 62a, portions other than the supply pipe connecting portion and the lower opening portion are not opened and are closed.

As shown in FIG. 2, the blow-out surface forming member 62b is configured as a plate-like member (a punching metal in the present embodiment) having a plurality of through holes, and is attached to the lower opening of the case 62a. The blowing surface forming member 62b forms a gas blowing surface 60a for blowing out aseptic gas. The width dimension (dimension in the direction orthogonal to the container conveying direction) of the gas blowing surface 60a (blowing surface forming member 62b) is set wider than the diameter of the container C, and is 135% to 160% of the diameter of the container C (38 mm diameter). In this case, it is preferable to design with about 51 mm to 60 mm). When the width dimension of the gas blowing surface 60a is smaller than 135% with respect to the diameter of the container C, the gas blowing surface 60a is likely to come into contact with the mouth portion of the container C and may hinder transportation, and when the width dimension is larger than 160% It becomes difficult to minimize the installation space for the machine 50. In addition, the container C is conveyed along the center in the width direction of the gas blowing surface 60a.

As shown in FIG. 2, the intermediate adjustment member 62 c is configured as a plate-like member (a punching metal in the present embodiment) having a plurality of through holes, and a supply pipe connecting portion formed on the upper surface of the case 62 a; Between the gas blowing surface 60a (blowing surface forming member 62b), it is attached inside the case 62a. In other words, the intermediate adjustment member 62c is disposed so as to intersect (orthogonally) the aseptic gas flow path between the gas supply pipe 63 and the gas blowing surface 60a. In the present embodiment, an intermediate adjusting member 62c is installed at the center position between the supply pipe connecting portion and the gas blowing surface 60a.

In each blowing section 62 configured in this manner, the sterilized gas supplied into the case 62a through the gas supply pipe 63c and the sterilization filter 65 connected to the supply pipe connection section of the case 62a is supplied to the intermediate adjustment member 62c and the blowing section. The gas is blown out from the gas blowing surface 60a through the surface forming member 62b.

Next, the device sterilization mechanism of the aseptic holder 60 will be described below.

First, the device sterilization mechanism of the aseptic holding machine 60 is contaminated with dust or the like in the circuit of the sterile gas blowing mechanism when the positive pressure holding such as completely stopping the operation of the aseptic filling system 10 is released. As a result, when the operation of the aseptic filling system 10 is resumed, the circuit of the aseptic gas blowing mechanism is sterilized in order to prevent the contaminated gas from being blown out from the blowing unit 62.

As shown in FIG. 3, the sterilization mechanism of the aseptic holder 60 includes a sterilization gas supply unit 66 connected to the gas supply pipe 63 between the gas supply unit 61 and the sterilization filter 65, a sterilization gas supply unit 66, and A supply valve 66a disposed between the gas supply pipes 63, an exhaust blower 68 connected to each blowing section 62 by an exhaust pipe 67, a recovery valve 68a disposed between the blowing section 62 and the exhaust blower 68, It is comprised from the cover member 69 attached to each blowing part 62 so that attachment or detachment is possible so that the gas blowing surface 60a may be covered.
The sterilizing gas supply unit 66 may be shared with the cap sterilizing gas supply unit.

Next, the device sterilization procedure of the circuit of the sterile gas blowing mechanism using the device sterilization mechanism of the aseptic holder 60 is as follows.

First, the recovery valve 68a is opened, and the exhaust blower 68 is turned on manually.
Next, a common cover member 69 is attached to the blowing part 62 so as to cover the gas blowing surface 60 a of each blowing part 62.
A plurality of cover members 69 may be prepared, and the cover members 69 may be individually attached to the respective blowing portions 62.
Next, the supply valve 66a is opened, and sterilization gas (hydrogen peroxide gas in this embodiment) is supplied from the sterilization gas supply unit 66 to the gas supply pipe 63a. Thereby, each part (blow-out part 62, gas supply pipe 63a, 63b, 63c, distributor 64, sterilization filter 65, etc.) which comprises the circuit of an aseptic gas blowing mechanism is sterilized with the supplied sterilization gas. At this time, the cover member 69 prevents the sterilizing gas from being blown out to the outside of the blowing unit 62, so that the sterilizing gas can be prevented from adhering to the surrounding environment of the aseptic holder 60.
Next, after the above steps are completed, the supply valve 66 a is closed, the supply of the sterilizing gas from the sterilizing gas supply unit 66 is stopped, and then the cover member 69 is removed from the blowing unit 62.
Finally, the recovery valve 68a is closed and the exhaust blower 68 is turned off manually.
The removal of the cover member 69 and the procedure for turning off the exhaust blower 68 may be reversed.

[First Experimental Example]
Next, a first experimental example performed for confirming the relationship between the aseptic gas blowing speed by the aseptic holder 60 and the state in the container C will be described with reference to FIGS.

First, in the first experimental example, as shown in FIG. 5, three containers C held by the gripper 52 are arranged along the longitudinal direction in a test device for wind tunnel experiments corresponding to the aseptic holder 60. The air flow (V0) corresponding to the container conveyance speed was allowed to flow into the wind tunnel, and the state of particulate contamination in the container C when sterile gas was blown out from the blowing section 62 was measured with a particle counter. The results are shown in FIG. Specific conditions are as follows.

Wind tunnel size: width W1 = 200mm, height H1 = 400mm, length = 550mm (excluding rectification section)
Size of gas blowing surface 60a: width W2 = 50 mm, 60 mm, length L2 = 400 mm
Pitch P of container C: 125 mm
Diameter of container C: Φ38mm
Spacing CL between the gas blowing surface 60a and the mouth of the container C: 10 mm, 20 mm, 30 mm
Wind velocity V0 of airflow equivalent to container conveyance speed: 0.4 m / s, 2.0 m / s
Aseptic gas blowing speed V1: ~ 25.0m / s
Blowing surface forming member 62b: punching metal (Φ6 × 8p staggered, opening ratio 51%)
State of fine particles in test apparatus: 100,000 to 400,000 particles of 0.5 μm or more / ft ³

The following can be read from the results of the first experimental example. In the aseptic filling system 10, as shown in FIG. 2, a large number of containers C are arranged and conveyed at predetermined intervals in the container conveyance path 25, and therefore, in the first experimental example, three containers C arranged in the container conveyance direction. Of these results, the results of the center and rear containers C, excluding the result of the front container C, are considered to be close to the actual apparatus configuration. Therefore, the following consideration was performed based on the result of the container C of the center and back.

First, from the results of the first experimental example, it is found that the distance CL between the gas blowing surface 60a and the mouth of the container C is preferably set to 1 mm or more and less than 30 mm, more preferably 10 mm or more and 20 mm or less. It was.
That is, as shown in the table of FIG. 6, when the interval CL is set to 30 mm, a relatively large blowing speed V1 (10 m / s or more, 18.0 m / s, 18.0 m / s or more, 25.0 m / s For the first time at 25.0 m / s or more, the number of particles in the container C became zero, or the number of particles in the container C did not become zero. This is presumed that when the interval CL is set to 30 mm or more, the blown aseptic gas entrains the outside air in the test apparatus and the number of particles in the container C increases.
In contrast, when the interval CL is set to 10 mm and 20 mm, the blowing speed V1 (0.6 m / s, 0.8 m / s, 1.2 m / s, 1 0.6 m / s, 2.0 m / s, 3.0 m / s, 4.0 m / s, 6.0 m / s), and the number of particles in the container C became zero.
In addition, the distance CL between the gas blowing surface 60a and the mouth of the container C is preferably set to 1 mm or more in order to avoid interference between the gas blowing surface 60a and the mouth of the container C.

Further, from the result of the first experimental example, the blowing speed V1 is set to 1.0 to 3.0 times the wind speed V0 of the airflow (1.0 to 3.0 times the container transport speed by the container transport machine 50). It turned out to be preferable.
That is, as shown in the table of FIG. 6, when V0 = 0.4 m / s and 2.0 m / s, the blowing speed V1 is 1.0 to 3.0 times the wind speed V0. The number of particles in the container C became zero.
In addition, when the blowing speed V1 is too high, it is estimated that the outside air of the blown sterile gas is involved and the number of particles in the container C increases.

[Second Experimental Example]
Next, a plurality of patterns of blowing surface forming members 62b having different opening modes and opening ratios are prepared, and the opening mode (arrangement mode and diameter size of the through holes) and opening ratios of the blowing surface forming member 62b and the inside of the container C are prepared. A second experimental example for confirming the relationship with the state of was performed. The results are shown in FIG. The conditions in the second experimental example are the same as those in the first experimental example except for the aspect of the blowout surface forming member 62b.

The following can be read from the results of the second experimental example.

First, from the results of the second experimental example, it was found that the aperture ratio of the blowing surface forming member 62b is preferably 40% or more, and more preferably set to 51% or more.
That is, as shown in the table of FIG. 7, when the aperture ratio of the blowing surface forming member 62b is set to 51% or more, either V0 = 0.4 m / s or 2.0 m / s in the first experimental condition. Also in this case, when the blowing speed V1 was set to 1.0 to 3.0 times the wind speed V0 (V1 / V0 ratio), the number of particles in the container C became zero.
On the other hand, when the aperture ratio of the blow-out surface forming member 62b is set to 35.4% or more, V0 = 0.4 m / s in the first experimental condition, as shown in the table of FIG. In any case of 0 m / s, the number of particles in the container C did not become zero.
When the blowout surface forming member 62b is made of punching metal, it is preferable to set the aperture ratio to 63% or less in consideration of the rigidity of the blowout surface forming member 62b.

Moreover, it turned out that the opening aspect (the arrangement | positioning aspect and diameter size of a through-hole) of the blowing face formation member 62b is not given to the state in the container C from the 2nd experiment example.
That is, as shown in the table of FIG. 8, the opening ratio is set to the same 51%, and in the blowing surface forming member 62b of (a) to (c) formed in different opening modes, V0 = 0.4 m In both cases of / s and 2.0 m / s, the number of particles in the container C was 0 when the blowing speed V1 was set to 2.0 to 3.0 times the wind speed V0.

[Third experimental example]
Next, a third experimental example was performed to confirm the relationship between the connection position of the gas supply pipe 63 to the blowing section 62 (position of the supply pipe connecting section) and the sterilized gas blowing condition from the gas blowing face 60a. This will be described with reference to FIGS.

When the dimension of the blowing part 62 (case 62a) in the container conveying direction is set long (in this embodiment, the dimension of the longest second blowing part 62B shown in FIG. 1 is about 1,200 mm), the gas supply pipe The aseptic gas supplied from 63 is not evenly blown out from the gas blowing surface 60a, in other words, there is a possibility that unevenness occurs in the blowing speed of the sterile gas blown out from the gas blowing surface 60a. Therefore, in this experimental example, as shown in FIG. 8, the connection position of the gas supply pipe 63 in the container transport direction, the number of the gas supply pipes 63 connected to the blowing section 62, the installation conditions and the opening of the intermediate adjustment member 62c The rate of sterilized gas blowing from the gas blowing surface 60a was confirmed by changing the rate. The measurement positions of the blown wind speed are a plurality of arrows in the drawing of FIG. 8 are the positions of both ends of the blowing section 62, the C position is the center position of the blowing section 62, and the A, B, C, D, and E positions are equally spaced in the container transport direction. (See the drawing of FIG. 8). In condition 3, the supply port is tested in four patterns of B / D position, B / C position, A / C position, and A / D position, and in condition 4, it is tested in one pattern of A / C / E position. Went. Further, when the intermediate adjustment member 62C is not installed between the connection position of the gas supply pipe 63 and the blowing surface 62b (length: 80 mm) (denoted as “none” in the table of FIG. 8), the intermediate adjustment member is installed. Two patterns with an opening ratio of 62C of 40% and 27%, and the installation positions are upper (lower 20 mm from the gas supply pipe 63), middle (lower 40 mm from the gas supply pipe 63), lower (lower 60 mm from the gas supply pipe 63) The experiment was conducted with three patterns.

The following can be read from the results of the third experimental example.

First, when the size of the blowing part 62 (case 62a) in the container conveying direction is long, the gas supply pipe is connected to the blowing part 62 at a plurality of locations that are evenly separated in the container conveying direction, excluding both end positions in the container conveying direction. It has been found preferable to connect 63.
When a plurality of gas supply pipes 63 are connected to the blowing section 62, the gas supply speed (supply amount) may be changed for each gas supply pipe 63 according to the container conveyance speed.

That is, as shown in the table of FIG. 8, when the gas supply pipe 63 is connected to the blowing part 62 at the center position (C position) in the container transport direction as in Conditions 1 and 2, It was found that even under the conditions, a large difference tends to occur between the maximum wind speed and the minimum wind speed. The best pattern among the conditions 1 and 2 is when the intermediate adjustment member 62C is installed, the aperture ratio is 27%, and the installation position is down (below 60 mm from the gas supply pipe 63), and the wind speed variation is from 132% to 75% (when the average wind speed is 100%). The maximum wind speed was measured at a position directly below the gas supply pipe 63 (a position directly below the C position).
Further, as in Condition 4, the gas supply pipe 63 is connected to the blowing portion 62 at three positions, that is, both end positions (A position and E position) in the container transport direction and a central position (C position) in the container transport direction. Even when connected, there was a large difference between the maximum wind speed and the minimum wind speed, and the wind speed variation was 137% to 81%. Note that the maximum wind speed was measured at a position immediately below both end positions (A position, E position).
On the other hand, when the supply port is installed at two locations of the B / D position, the B / C position, the A / C position, and the A / D position as in the condition 3, from the conditions 1, 2, and 4 However, the range of wind speed variation tended to narrow. Of the four patterns described above, the best pattern is the gas supply to the blowing section 62 at a plurality of locations (B position, D position) equally spaced in the container transport direction, excluding both end positions in the container transport direction. In this case, the pipe 63 was connected, and the wind speed variation was 118% to 79%, and the difference between the maximum wind speed and the minimum wind speed could be kept small.

Further, from the results of the third experimental example, in order to blow out aseptic gas evenly from the gas blowing surface 60a, it is preferable to install the intermediate adjusting member 62c at an intermediate position between the supply pipe connecting portion and the blowing surface forming member 62b. I understood that.
Further, the installation position of the intermediate adjustment member 62c in the vertical direction is a central position between the supply pipe connection portion and the blowing surface forming member 62b, rather than the position closer to the supply pipe connection portion or the position closer to the intermediate adjustment member 62c. It has also been found preferable.
In the third experimental example, it was also found that it is preferable to set the aperture ratio of the intermediate adjustment member 62c at 40% as in condition 3.

Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail above, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various design changes can be made without departing from the present invention described in the claims. It is.

For example, in the above-described embodiment, the container transporter 50 has been described as being configured of a plurality of transport turrets 51. However, the specific mode of the container transporter 50 is as long as the container C can be transported. For example, the container transporter 50 may be configured from a conveyor or the like that transports the container C linearly.
In the above-described embodiment, the container C is transported in the upward state by the container transport machine 50. However, the transport posture of the container C by the container transport machine 50 is not limited to the above. For example, the container C The container C may be transported in a downward state with its mouth facing downward.
In the above-described embodiment, it has been described that the container C is transported in an upward state in all the steps. However, the transport posture of the container C may be arbitrarily designed according to the embodiment.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, the sterilization holder 60 blows the sterilized gas downward, but any sterilization gas may be blown out toward the mouth of the container C as long as it is blown out. For example, when the container C is transported downward in the container transport path 25, aseptic gas may be blown upward.
Moreover, when blowing out aseptic gas toward the downward direction or the upper direction, it is not necessary to blow out along a vertical direction, and you may blow off diagonally with respect to a vertical direction.
In the above-described embodiment, the gas blowing surface 60a is formed by the blowing surface forming member 62b provided separately from the case 62a. However, the gas blowing surface 60a may be provided integrally with the case 62a. Good.
In the above-described embodiment, the blow-out surface forming member 62b is described as being configured as a punching metal. However, the specific form of the blow-out surface forming member 62b includes a plurality of blow-out holes and a gas blow-out surface. Any material can be used as long as sterile gas can be blown out uniformly from the entire surface of 60a. For example, the blowing surface forming member 62b may be configured as a net-like member made of metal, synthetic resin, or the like.
Similarly, in the above-described embodiment, the intermediate adjustment member 62c has been described as being configured as a punching metal. However, a specific mode of the intermediate adjustment member 62c is described with respect to the supply pipe connection portion of the case 62a and the gas blowout. Any member may be used as long as it is disposed at an intermediate position with respect to the surface 60a and can blow out aseptic gas evenly from the entire surface of the gas blowing surface 60a. You may comprise as a net-like member which consists of.
In the above-described embodiment, the blowing unit 62 (gas blowing surface 60a) is described as being installed over the entire area (or almost the entire area) of the container conveyance path 25. However, dust in the container conveyance path 25 is mixed. The blowing unit 62 may be installed only in a part of the region where it is easy to install, or the blowing unit 62 may be installed in a position other than the container conveyance path 25 (for example, a container conveyance region by the blow molding turret 23).

Further, in the above-described embodiment, each part of the filling unit 30 (filling part 33, capping part 34, etc.) has been described as being covered with one aseptic chamber. You may comprise so that it may cover with a chamber.
In the above-described embodiment, the sterilization processor 40 is described as being configured to sterilize the preform between the inlet portion 21 and the heating unit 22 of the container forming unit 20. The specific configuration of the machine 40 is not limited to the above, as long as it is installed so as to apply a bactericidal agent on the upstream side of the container release point RP (see FIG. 1) of the blow-molded turret 23 and perform a bactericidal treatment. For example, even if it is configured such that a sterilizing agent is applied to the container C between the heating unit 22 and the blow-molded turret 23 and sterilized, the gas is contained in the container forming unit 20 and contains the sterilizing agent. You may comprise so that a sterilization process may be performed by blow molding. As described above, when the sterilizing agent is applied to the container C, the sterilizing agent may be blown off by blowing high-pressure air to the container C immediately after the blow molding at the last part of the blow molded turret 23.
Moreover, you may add the sterilization process means other than the sterilizer 40 mentioned above, for example, you may provide the means to irradiate a preform with an ultraviolet-ray in the heating part 22. FIG.

Claims (10)

An aseptic filling system for filling a sterilized container with a sterilized content liquid in an aseptic environment,
A container forming unit having a blow-molded turret, a filling unit disposed downstream of the container-forming unit, a container transporter installed in a container transport path between the blow-molded turret and the filling unit, and a container Or equipped with a sterilizer for sterilizing the preform,
The sterilizer is installed so as to apply a sterilizer to a container or a preform upstream of a container release point of the blow molded turret,
The container transport path is provided with a sterility holder having a gas blowing surface that is disposed along the container transport path and blows out sterile gas toward the mouth of the container transported through the container transport path. An aseptic filling system characterized by that. The aseptic filling system according to claim 1, wherein the gas blowing surface is disposed at a position where the distance from the mouth of the container transported through the container transport path is 1 mm or more and less than 30 mm. The sterility according to claim 1 or 2, wherein a sterilization gas blow-out speed by the sterilization holder is set to 1.0 to 3.0 times a container conveyance speed by the container conveyance machine. Filling system. A plurality of blowing holes are formed on the gas blowing surface,
The aseptic filling system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein an opening ratio of the gas blowing surface is set to 40% or more. The aseptic holder includes a gas supply unit that supplies a gas, a sterilization filter that sterilizes the gas, a blowing unit that ejects aseptic gas, the gas supply unit and the sterilization filter, the sterilization filter, and a blowing unit A gas supply pipe for connecting the
The blowing portion includes a case having a supply pipe connecting portion to which the gas supply pipe is connected, and an intermediate adjusting member having a plurality of blowing holes,
The gas blowing surface is provided on the surface of the case facing the container conveyance path,
The intermediate adjustment member is disposed between the supply pipe connection portion and the gas blowing surface, interposed in a flow path between the supply pipe connection portion and the gas blowing surface. The aseptic filling system according to any one of claims 1 to 4. The aseptic holder includes a gas supply unit that supplies a gas, a sterilization filter that sterilizes the gas, a blowing unit that ejects aseptic gas, the gas supply unit and the sterilization filter, the sterilization filter, and a blowing unit A gas supply pipe for connecting the
The blowing part has a case having a supply pipe connection part to which the gas supply pipe is connected,
The aseptic filling system according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the supply pipe connecting portion is formed at a plurality of positions other than both ends in the container transport direction of the case at intervals. . The aseptic filling system according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the aseptic holding machine includes a plurality of blowing portions arranged side by side along a container conveying direction. The aseptic holder comprises a sterile gas blowing mechanism and a device sterilization mechanism,
The aseptic holder includes a gas supply unit that supplies a gas, a sterilization filter that sterilizes the gas, a blowing unit that ejects aseptic gas, the gas supply unit and the sterilization filter, the sterilization filter, and a blowing unit A gas supply pipe for connecting the
The device sterilization mechanism includes a sterilization gas supply unit connected to the gas supply pipe between the gas supply unit and the sterilization filter, and an exhaust blower connected to the blowing unit. The aseptic filling system according to any one of claims 1 to 7. The aseptic filling system according to claim 8, wherein the device sterilization mechanism further includes a cover member that is detachably attached to the blowing portion so as to cover the gas blowing surface. A sterile filling method for filling a sterilized container with a sterilized content liquid in a sterile environment,
Before the blow molded turret releases the container, the sterilizer applies a sterilizing agent to the container or preform,
In the container conveyance path between the blow-molded turret and the filling unit, the container conveyance path is directed toward the mouth of the container being conveyed by the aseptic holder having a gas blowing surface arranged along the container conveyance path. Aseptic filling method characterized by blowing out aseptic gas.

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