JPH03280955A - Dry sterilizing device and its method - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To surely perform sterilization by connecting an ozone-containing gas-blow nozzle to a vessel for aseptic feeding and to the inside of a lid and implanting a brushing material to this nozzle, in an ozone generating device for generating ozone of specific concentration. CONSTITUTION:A vessel 9 is placed on a vessel seat 7 of a rotary table, and a nozzle 10 is inserted into the vessel 9 by driving a lift driving mechanism 11. Next, ozone-containing gas of high concentration (400ppm) is released into the vessel 9 from an ozone-containing gas-storage tank 14 by opening an opening/closing valve 12. In this way, air in the vessel 9 is replaced with the ozone- containing gas and further held in the vessel 9. A pressure of the ozone- containing gas is set to a little higher than the atmospheric pressure, so that, needless to say, the inside of the vessel 9 and also the inside of a sterilized region 5 are filled with the ozone-containing gas jetted from a vessel mouth to prevent contaminated air from its inflow into the sterilized region 5.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Field of Industrial Application] The present invention relates to a dry sterilization device and method for containers for aseptic filling, and more specifically to a dry sterilization device using gas containing high concentration ozone. and its method.

[Prior art] Conventionally, when manufacturing hermetically packaged foods, there have been two methods: filling a container with the contents, sealing the container, and heating and sterilizing the sealed package in a device called a retort; The method of filling and sealing the container between containers (hot punk) is widely used, but it is said that this method causes tissue destruction due to overheating of the contents, destruction of vitamins, pigments, etc., and deterioration such as browning. There's a problem.

To solve this problem, there is a method in which the contents are sterilized at high temperature for a short period of time by means such as heat exchange outside the packaging container, and the sterilized contents are then filled into a sterilized or sterilized packaging container and sealed. It has been known.

Hydrogen peroxide and hydrogen peroxide are used to sterilize acebutic containers.
Although aqueous solutions containing acids are used commercially, there is a problem in that a large amount of sterile water must be used for rinsing and the like.

In the past, various dry sterilization methods for containers have been proposed, such as a method using a combination of hot air and a sterilizing lamp (Utility Model Act
-35867), a method using high-frequency induction heating (
JP-A-50-13183), or a method using ultraviolet irradiation and high-frequency induction heating (JP-A-59-15027)
(Japanese Patent Publication No. 2003-12101), etc., are known, but they have not yet been put to practical use.

Also, it is already known that ozone-containing gas has sterilization ability, but since the sterilization process takes a long time, it is not suitable for sterilization in refrigerators or empty spaces. It has only been put into practical use for sterilizing equipment, and there is no example of its use for sterilizing packaging containers yet.

[The problem that the invention tries to solve! () Methods that use ultraviolet rays for sterilization do not sterilize areas that are in the shadow of the light, and it is difficult to irradiate uniformly inside the container.Also, methods that use high-frequency induction heating do not sterilize areas that are in the shadow of the light. In addition to being limited in application to metal containers, there is a problem in that it is difficult to uniformly heat a three-dimensional container.

As a result of repeated research into the application of ozone to dry sterilization of aseptic filling containers, the present inventors have found that the ozone concentration of the gas used is an extremely important factor for sterilizing aseptic filling containers, and a certain level of It has been found that sterilization can be performed reliably in a short time by retaining a gas containing ozone at a critical concentration or higher in a container.

It was also discovered that a thin air layer exists on the inner wall surface of the container, and microorganisms are protected by this air layer, so sterilization cannot be performed as completely as expected.

[Means for Solving the Problems] According to the present invention, in a dry sterilization device for aseptic filling containers or lids, an ozone generator that generates an ozone concentration gas of 4000 ppm or more, and a device connected to the ozone generator are provided. and an ozone-containing gas blowing nozzle inserted into the aseptic filling container or lid;
A dry sterilizer comprising a brushing material whose tip contacts the inner wall surface of the aseptic filling container or lid, and the nozzle or the aseptic filling container or lid is rotatably attached. be.

Also according to the invention. Complete the sterilization process by replacing the liquid-filled aseptic filling container or lid with an ozone-containing gas having an ozone concentration of 4000 ppm or more and retaining the ozone-containing gas within the aseptic filling container. The present invention provides a method for dry sterilizing containers for aseptic filling, which is characterized by the following.

According to the present invention, an ozone-containing gas having an ozone concentration of 4000 ppm or more is blown into the aseptic filling container or lid, and is blown while brushing to destroy the air film on the inner wall surface of the container or lid. The present invention provides a dry method for aseptic filling containers, characterized in that the sterilization process is completed by replacing the air inside the container with the ozone-containing gas and retaining the ozone-containing gas in the aseptic filling container.

[Function] The present invention uses an ozone-containing gas having a high ozone concentration of 4000 ppm or more to replace the internal air of a container and retain the ozone-containing gas within the container for a very short time, generally within 2 minutes. This is based on the discovery that the sterilization process can be completed in the first place.

Conventionally, ozone-containing gases that have been used generally utilize ozone generation through high-voltage discharge (silent discharge or creeping discharge), but the ozone concentration in this gas is on the order of 2000 ppm at most. However, it takes a long time from 30 minutes to over 1 hour to sterilize the inside of the container, and this method cannot be used for dry sterilization of containers for aseptic filling.

The reason for this is that the microorganisms to be sterilized are attached to the surface of the container wall, and there is an extremely thin air layer (film layer) on that surface that is difficult to remove. This is due to the fact that ozone exists in a protected state with a membrane layer, it takes time to replace this membrane layer with ozone-containing gas, and the probability and frequency of contact between ozone and microorganisms is not high enough. I think that the.

According to the present invention, by using a highly concentrated ozone-containing gas of 4000 ppm or more, the probability and frequency of contact between ozone and microorganisms to be sterilized are increased, and the internal air of the container is By replacing the ozone with gas and retaining it in the container, it is possible to prevent the ozone concentration from diluting and to easily replace the air film layer with a high concentration ozone-containing gas, thereby achieving sterilization in a short time and reliably. It is possible.

Moreover, according to the present invention, various solutions have been found to completely solve the problem of the air barrier layer. Primarily,
Fill the container with liquid such as water in advance.

The container is completely filled with ozone-containing gas by replacing the liquid with highly concentrated ozone-containing gas.

Thereby, there is no need to take into account things such as an air film layer, and sterilization can be performed reliably in a short time.

Second, when blowing high-concentration ozone-containing gas into the container, the inner wall surface of the container is brushed to destroy the air film layer. This increases the probability that ozone will come into contact with microorganisms on the inner wall of the container.

Sterilization can be ensured in a short time. In addition, in this case, if the highly concentrated ozone-containing gas is blown out from the tip of the brushing material, the probability of contact between the highly concentrated ozone-containing gas and microorganisms, etc. is further increased, and sterilization can be carried out in a short time. .

Thirdly, when blowing the highly concentrated ozone-containing gas into the container, the container is subjected to ultrasonic vibration, especially in a rotary manner. This causes turbulence in the air film layer on the inner surface of the container.
And the destruction occurs in combination with the synergistic effect of blowing high concentration ozone-containing gas. For this reason, the highly concentrated ozone-containing gas tends to collide with the inner wall surface of the container, increasing the probability that ozone will come into contact with microorganisms and the like.

Methods 11 to 3 above can only be effective when ozone is at a high concentration, and by combining these methods, sterilization of aseptic filling containers or lids, etc. can be ensured in a short time. This is something that can be done.

In addition, after replacing the internal air of the container with ozone-containing gas,
If the ozone-containing gas is sealed in a container, the half-life of ozone decomposition is about 1 hour, so the relatively small amount of ozone-containing gas can be used to store and transport the container. The amount used can reliably sterilize the inside of the container.

[Preferred embodiment of the invention] In the present invention, the ozone concentration is 4000 ppm or more, particularly 5
000 ppm or more of ozone containing gas is used.

As such a high-concentration ozone gas generator, an ozone generator using a pulse discharge method, for example, an ozone generator using a pulse streamer discharge method manufactured by Ishikawajima-Harima Heavy Industries, Ltd. can be used. This type of ozone generator has a significant advantage in that it can generate a large amount of highly concentrated ozone-containing gas per unit time.

Examples of containers for aseptic filling include metal cans, glass bottles, plastic containers, various film containers, pouches, camping bags, can lids, and the like. The present invention is particularly effective for dry sterilization of plastic containers and various film containers that are easily thermally deformed by heat sterilization. In addition, as for the shape of the container, narrow-mouthed containers, particularly those in various bottle shapes, are preferred so that the ozone-containing gas can be effectively retained within the container.

Dry sterilization of the container for aseptic filling is preferably carried out prior to aseptic filling of the contents, preferably immediately before aseptic filling. That is, the replacement of the ozone-containing gas in the air inside the container and the retention of the ozone-containing gas in the container can be performed continuously or intermittently in the supply line to the aseptic filling process of the container, preferably in a tunnel type or A rotary type device can be used.

1 and 2 of the accompanying drawings are a horizontal sectional view and a vertical partial sectional view of a rotary type dry sterilizer.

In the figure, a sterilization area 5 is locally partitioned by a rotating wall whose cross section is U-shaped by integrating an inner peripheral wall 1 and an upper wall 2 with a rotating table 3, and a fixed outer peripheral wall 4. . The outer circumferential wall 4 is made to be detachable, and an illumination gap 6 is provided between the rotating wall and the outer circumferential wall 4 to facilitate the rotation of the rotating wall and to blow out the ozone-containing gas of the tJX child. I have to. In the sterilization area 5, a large number of container seats 7.7, . A container 9 is placed on each container seat 7, and an ozone-containing gas supply nozzle 10 is installed thereon through the upper wall 2. The nozzle 10 has a nozzle lifting/lowering drive device 1111. An on-off valve 12 is installed and connected to an ozone-containing gas storage tank 14 through a piping unit 3. High concentration ozone-containing gas from an ozone generator 15 is supplied to the ozone-containing gas storage tank 14 via a plumber 6 and a rotary joint 17.

FIGS. 3(a) to 3(c) are views showing the shape of 10 nozzles according to the present invention and the process of inserting them into a container.
As shown in the figure, the nozzle 10 includes a plurality of brushing materials 30.
．． 30... are implanted, and the brushing material 30 is made of flexible silicon or Teflon. The tip of the brushing material 30 is formed in such a length that it can come into contact with the inner wall surface of the aseptic filling container 9 when the nozzle is inserted, and the inner wall surface can be brushed. , the nozzle 10 is rotatably provided by a driving means 32a, or the container seat 7 is rotatably provided by a driving means 32b as shown in FIG. 4(b).

In such a configuration, highly concentrated ozone-containing gas is blown out from the lower end of the nozzle 10, and the brushing material 3o,
The inner wall surface of the aseptic filling container 9 is brushed by the rotations 30, . . . . The air film layer is destroyed by brushing, and the blown out high-concentration ozone-containing gas has a high probability of colliding with the inner wall surface, making it possible to ensure sterilization in a short time.

In addition, in the present invention, when the nozzle is inserted, the bent and deformed intermediate portion of each brushing material comes into contact with the container mouth and the inner surface of the shoulder, and unkilled microorganisms and the like are trapped in the middle of the brushing material 30. There is a risk of it sticking to the parts. If the attached microorganisms are not killed during the sterilization process of the aseptic filling container 41iF9, there is a possibility that the inner surface of the shoulder and mouth portion will be recontaminated when the container is removed. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 5, an overcap 34 is provided on the brushing 8130, and when the nozzle 10 is inserted and removed, the brushing material:
30, 30... may be covered with an overcamp 34 to be in a non-contact state with the inner wall surface.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a more preferable embodiment of the nozzle portion according to the present invention, and as shown in FIG. 6, the brushing material 30 has an inner diameter of about 0.51 mm! 1. It is formed of an extremely thin tube with an outer diameter of about 1.01 mm, and the hollow portion 30a communicates with the inside of the nozzle 10a. Therefore, highly concentrated ozone-containing gas is blown out from the tip of the brushing material 30.

In such a configuration, the tip of the brushing material 30 not only simply brushes the aseptic filling container 9 but also directly sprays ozone-containing gas onto the inner wall surface of the container. To efficiently and surely sterilize a wall surface without leaking in a short time. Note that an overcap 34 can also be attached in the present invention.

Further, the present sterilization method may be performed with the aseptic filling container turned upside down.

Figure IF5 is a diagram showing another embodiment of the nozzle part according to the present invention, and as shown in Figure 7, the aseptic filling container 9 is filled with water 36
is filled. Next, the high concentration ozone-containing gas is substituted and filled into the aseptic filling container 9 through the nozzle 10 . Therefore, there is no need to consider an air film layer, and the highly concentrated ozone-containing gas is not diluted by external air. Alternatively, a highly concentrated ozone-containing gas may be sealed in a sterile filling container in such a state, and the inside of the container may be reliably sterilized by utilizing the container storage and transportation time.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing another embodiment of the nozzle part according to the present invention. As shown in FIG. When introduced, it can expand within the aseptic filling container 9. Further, countless pores are formed in the membrane material 38, so that ozone-containing gas is blown out from the surface of the membrane material 38. Note that the membrane material 38 may be a cloth material having a predetermined air permeability.

In such a configuration, the gap between the inner wall surface of the aseptic filling container and the blowing nozzle (blowout surface) is small or eliminated, and the formation of an air film layer is not taken into account, and the high pressure is directly applied to the inner wall surface. Concentrated ozone-containing gas is sprayed. Therefore, even in such cases, microorganisms and the like are efficiently sterilized.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing another embodiment of the nozzle part according to the present invention, and as shown in FIG. It is being In such a configuration, the aseptic filling container 9 is vibrated by the ultrasonic vibrating device 40 when high concentration ozone-containing gas is blown from the nozzle 10 . For this reason, the air film layer on the inner wall surface of the container for aseptic filling is disturbed, and the bacteria adhering to the inner wall surface are easily peeled off. Therefore, the inner wall surface is reliably sterilized by the highly concentrated ozone-containing gas.

In addition, ultrasonic vibration equipment! In order to enhance the effect of 40, as shown in FIG. 317, the aseptic filling container 9 may be replaced with an aqueous solution.

Next, the setting environment of the nozzle 10 and the supply of the highly concentrated ozone-containing gas from the nozzle 10 will be explained.

The rotary dry sterilizer shown in Figure 2 has container supply line 1.
The carrying-in section 19 and the carrying-out section 2o consist of a fixed outer wall 21, an outer earthen wall (not shown), a table etc. under the star wheel 22 (not shown), and a rotating wall. (not shown).

The container 9 is placed on the container seat 7 of the rotary table from the loading section 19, and the elevating drive mechanism 11 is driven to move the nozzle 10 onto the container 9.
Insert inside. Next, the on-off valve 12 is opened and the highly concentrated ozone-containing gas from the ozone-containing gas storage tank 14 is released into the container 9. As a result, the air inside the container 9 is replaced with ozone-containing air and is retained within the container 9. The pressure of the ozone-containing gas is set to be slightly higher than atmospheric pressure, so not only the inside of the container 9 but also the sterilization zone 5 is filled with the ozone-containing gas spouted from the container mouth, and the contaminated air flows into the sterilization zone. 5 is prevented from flowing into the interior.

In the specific example shown in the drawing, there is 1#lJ between the rotating wall and the outer peripheral wall.
Although an X gap 6 is provided, in order to prevent ozone-containing gas from leaking into the working environment, this part can be made into a tight seal structure, or a local exhaust system can be narrowed down to this part.

The sterilization operation is completed by retaining the ozone-containing gas inside the container 9 for a predetermined period of time. The required holding time generally ranges from 0.5 minutes to 2 minutes. After the sterilization operation is completed, the on-off valve 12 is closed and the nozzle 10 is moved upward by the elevating drive mechanism 11.

The sterilization acceptor 9 is connected to the container supply line 18 via the discharge section 20.
and supplied to an aseptic filling process (not shown).

Instead of providing the on-off valve 12, the ozone-containing gas can be kept flowing through the nozzle 10, and the on-off valve 12
It is also possible to use a switching valve to switch between ozone-containing gas and sterile air, so that after the sterilization operation is completed, sterile air is released into the container 9 to replace the ozone-containing gas in the container with sterile air. The amount of ozone-containing gas used is 0.0% based on the container volume.
A range of 5 to 5 times the capacity (standard state), particularly 1 to 3 times the capacity, is preferable.

Incidentally, in the above embodiment, a container for aseptic filling was used, but the present invention is not limited to this, and may be used to sterilize the lid of a container.

[Effects of the Invention] As explained above, in the present invention, the internal air of the aseptic filling container is filled with ozone-containing gas at a high concentration of 4000 ppm or more, and the gas is kept inside the container, so the sterilization process is different from the conventional one. In addition, the nozzle type of the dry sterilizer is optimized for the use of highly concentrated ozone-containing gas, so it can be formed on the inner walls of aseptic filling containers, etc., which previously hindered sterilization. The air barrier membrane can be easily destroyed, complete sterilization of the container can be achieved, and the sterilization time can be shortened to provide an excellent dry sterilization process.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

Figure j11 is a horizontal sectional view of the dry sterilizer according to the present invention, Figure 2 is a vertical partial sectional view of the main part of the sterilizer in Figure 311, and Figure 3
Figures (a) and (b) are explanatory diagrams of the nozzle part of the dry sterilization device according to the present invention, and gJ4 figures (a) and (b) are the nozzle I! of Figure 3. Explanatory diagram of the structure - g5 Figures (a) and (b) are 93
Explanatory diagram when overcamp is installed in the figure, I!
Figure 6 is a partial cross-sectional view of the nozzle part shown in Figure 3 with improvements made.
FIG. 17, FIG. 8, and FIG. 9 are explanatory diagrams of main parts showing other aspects of the dry sterilizer according to the present invention. 7... Container seat, 9... Container for aseptic filling, 10
...Ozone-containing gas blowing nozzle, 15...Ozone generator, 3o...Brushing material, 4
0... Ultrasonic vibration device. Fig. 2 Fig. Fig. Fig. Fig. (a) (b) Fig. (a) (b) (c) Fig. 6 Fig. Fig. Fig. Fig. fig. Patent Application No. 4483 Name of the invention Dry sterilizer and its method 3゜Relationship with the amendment case

Claims (8)

[Claims] (1) In a dry sterilization device for aseptic filling containers or lids, an ozone generator that generates ozone concentration gas of 4000 ppm or more, and an ozone generator that is connected to the ozone generator and placed inside the aseptic filling container or lid. It consists of an inserted ozone-containing gas blowout nozzle, and a brushing material that is implanted in the nozzle and whose tip contacts the aseptic filling container or inner wall surface, and the nozzle, the aseptic filling container, or the lid is rotated. A dry sterilizer that can be installed. (2) The dry sterilizer according to claim 1, wherein the brushing material is formed hollow, the hollow portion is communicated with the inside of a nozzle, and ozone-containing gas is blown out from the tip of the brushing material. (3) In a dry sterilizer for aseptic filling containers or lids,
An ozone generator that generates an ozone concentration gas of 4000 ppm or more, and connected to the ozone generator,
an ozone-containing gas blowing nozzle inserted into the aseptic filling container or lid, the nozzle being expandable by introducing ozone gas, and capable of blowing ozone gas from the expansion surface. A dry sterilizer characterized by using an expanding membrane material. (4) In a dry sterilization device for aseptic filling containers or lids, an ozone generator that generates gas with an ozone concentration of 4,000 ppm or more; and an ozone generator that is connected to the ozone generator and inserted into the aseptic filling container or lid. A dry sterilizer comprising: an ozone gas blowing nozzle; and an ultrasonic vibration device that applies ultrasonic vibration to the aseptic filling container or lid. (5) Add 4000 ml to the aseptic filling container or lid filled with liquid.
A dry sterilization method for aseptic filling containers, characterized in that the sterilization process is completed by replacing an ozone-containing gas having an ozone concentration of ppm or more and retaining the ozone-containing gas in the aseptic filling container. (6) Blow ozone-containing gas having an ozone concentration of 4000 ppm or more into the aseptic filling container or lid while vibrating the container or lid ultrasonically to replace the air inside the container, and remove the ozone-containing gas. 1. A dry sterilization method for aseptic filling containers, characterized in that sterilization is completed by holding the aseptically filled container in the aseptic filling container. (7) Blow ozone-containing gas having an ozone concentration of 4,000 ppm or more into the aseptic filling container or lid, and while brushing to destroy the air film layer on the inner wall surface of the container or lid, the inside of the container is A method for dry sterilizing a container for aseptic filling, characterized in that the sterilization process is completed by replacing the ozone-containing gas with air and retaining the ozone-containing gas in the container for aseptic filling. (8) The dry method of the aseptic filling container according to claim 7, wherein in the brushing for destroying the air barrier on the inner wall surface of the aseptic filling container or lid, ozone-containing gas is blown out from the tip of the brushing material. Sterilization method.