JP7434749B2 - Sterilization method and sterilization device in sterile water supply piping of aseptic filling machine - Google Patents

Description

The present invention is an aseptic filling machine that fills sterilized beverages, etc. into sterilized containers such as PET bottles, paper containers, cups, and pouches in an aseptic atmosphere. The present invention relates to a method and a sterilizing device for sterilizing.

Aseptic filling machines aseptically fill tea drinks, mineral water, juices, soups, nutritional drinks, milk, milk drinks, soups, soup stock, etc. into containers made of resin such as PET, paper containers, cups, pouches, etc. When switching the contents, the inside of the contents supply system piping is first subjected to CIP (Cleaning in Place) treatment and then SIP (Sterilizing in Place) treatment.

In the CIP process, a cleaning solution made by adding an alkaline agent such as caustic soda to water is flowed through the flow path from the storage tank of the contents to be filled to the filling nozzle of the filling machine, and then an acidic agent is added to the water. This is done by flowing a cleaning solution. As a result, the residue of the previous beverage adhering to the inside of the content supply pipe is removed.

The SIP process is performed, for example, by flowing heated steam, hot water, or the like into the channel that has been cleaned by the CIP process. As a result, the inside of the beverage filling path is sterilized and brought into a sterile state.

The aseptic filling machine consists of a sterilizing section that sterilizes the containers to be filled with contents, a rinsing section that rinses the sterilized containers, a filling section that fills the sterilized containers with the contents sterilized by the contents sterilizer, and a filling section that sterilizes the containers. A sealing portion or the like is provided for sealing the container filled with the sterilized material with a sterilized lid. These parts are provided in a chamber that is shielded from the outside, and the inside of the chamber must be maintained in a sterile atmosphere while the aseptic filling machine is in operation.

The inside of the filling part chamber and the sealed part chamber may have droplets from the contents filled in the previous filling operation, so when changing the type of contents, the inner wall of the chamber from the previous filling operation, In order to remove droplets of contents adhering to the outer surface of equipment such as a filling machine inside the chamber, a COP (Cleaning out of Place) process is performed on the inside of the chamber. In COP treatment, for example, a cleaning solution made by adding an alkaline agent such as caustic soda to water is poured, then a cleaning solution made by adding an acidic agent to water is poured, and then sterile water is sprayed into the chamber in a shower to wash away the cleaning solution. This is done by

Furthermore, since there is a risk that microorganisms may invade the sterile chamber during various operations when changing the type of contents, SOP (Sterilizing out of Place) treatment is also performed on the chamber. Conventionally, attempts have been made to perform SOP treatment on the inside of a chamber by sequentially spraying peracetic acid, spraying sterile water, blowing heated air, spraying hydrogen peroxide, and blowing heated air into the chamber ( (See Patent Document 1).

In addition, Patent Document 2 proposes sterilization within a chamber by the steps of spraying hot water, spraying a heated peracetic acid disinfectant, and rinsing by spraying heated sterile water (see Patent Document 2).

Patent Document 3 describes that after performing a COP process in which an alkaline cleaning agent is injected into a chamber and sterile water is injected, a process called peracetic acid injection, sterile water injection, hydrogen peroxide water injection, hot air blowing, and cooling air blowing is performed. It has been proposed to perform SOP processing sequentially (see Patent Document 3).

Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 11-208782 Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2010-189034 Unexamined Japanese Patent Publication No. 2014-55026

In aseptic filling machines that fill sterilized contents into sterilized containers in an aseptic atmosphere and seal them with sterilized lids, COP is used to ensure a sterile atmosphere in the chamber of the aseptic filling machine before starting production. Processing and SOP processing is performed.

In COP treatment, an alkaline or acidic cleaning agent is used as a cleaning agent, and in SOP treatment, peracetic acid or hydrogen peroxide is used as a disinfectant. After these cleaning agents and disinfectants are sprayed into the chamber, if the cleaning agents and disinfectants remain in the chamber, sterile water is sprayed into the chamber to remove the cleaning agents and disinfectants remaining in the chamber. The agent is washed away.

Sterile water supply that supplies sterile water to each chamber from a sterile water production device or from a tank that stores sterile water produced by the sterile water production device in order to supply sterile water to each chamber for flushing the inside of the chamber. Piping is provided.

In addition to the sterile water used in COP processing and SOP processing in each chamber, for example, in an aseptic filling machine that fills beverages, etc. into PET bottles, sterile water is used to clean the mouth after filling the beverage, and water is used after sterilization. Sterile water for cleaning the cap of the PET bottle, sterile water for rinsing the inside of the PET bottle after sterilization, etc. may be used, and sterile water supply piping may be provided to supply such sterile water.

The COP treatment is performed before the SOP treatment, and the cleaning agent may contain a sterilizing component, so there is no need to sterilize the piping that supplies the cleaning agent to each chamber. The pipes that supply the disinfectant are sterilized by flowing the disinfectant, so there is no need to sterilize the inside of the pipes. However, the inside of the sterile water supply system piping that supplies sterile water to each chamber needs to be sterilized before supplying sterile water. For example, when sterile water is sprayed into the chamber to wash away the disinfectant after SOP treatment, if the sprayed sterile water is contaminated with bacteria remaining in the sterile water supply system piping, bacteria etc. There is a risk that the bacteria may be mixed into the contents and cause spoilage.

The SIP treatment in the piping that supplies the contents to the filling device is carried out by flowing hot water or heated steam into the contents supply system supply piping and heat sterilizing it. Similar to the SIP process, a method of sterilizing the inside of the sterile water supply pipes to each chamber using hot water or heated steam is assumed. As the nozzle for spraying sterile water into each chamber, a spray nozzle such as a single-fluid nozzle, a two-fluid nozzle, or a rotating nozzle is used. However, unlike filling valves, spray nozzles are used by discharging into the atmosphere, so it is difficult to sterilize the inside of the piping at a temperature of 100°C or higher, so hot water or heated steam is poured into the sterile water supply piping. However, heat-resistant bacterial spores survive. In addition, members such as packing used in spray nozzles may deteriorate at high temperatures, making them unsuitable for high-temperature sterilization.

In the filling nozzle, hot water and heated steam are received in a cup and circulated without being released into the atmosphere at the tip of the filling nozzle, or the heated steam received in the cup is concentrated to raise the internal pressure of the pipe to above atmospheric pressure, and the condensed water is By exposing only the hot water and heated steam to the atmosphere, SIP processing can be performed without lowering the temperature of hot water and heated steam and without causing large energy loss. In addition, since the nozzle tip that sprays sterile water cannot be received by the cup, the sterile water supply piping that supplies sterile water into the chamber has to be enormously large, as hot water and heated steam are released into the atmosphere at the nozzle tip. Therefore, it is difficult to sterilize the inside of the sterile water supply piping with hot water or heated steam.

It is difficult to sterilize the inside of sterile water supply piping with hot water or heated steam, and sterilization must be done using a sterilizing agent. However, providing a sterilizer supply device to sterilize sterile water supply piping that supplies sterile water to all chambers and sterile water injection nozzles that spray sterile water into each chamber requires equipment costs. Therefore, there is a need for a method and apparatus for sterilizing sterile water supply piping and sterile water injection nozzles that does not require new equipment costs or large amounts of sterilizing agents.

When performing COP processing and SOP processing inside the chambers of an aseptic filling machine, the present invention provides sterile water supply piping that supplies sterile water to each chamber and sterile water injection that sprays sterile water into each chamber. It is an object of the present invention to provide a method and device for sterilizing the inside of a sterile water supply pipe of an aseptic filling machine, which reliably sterilizes the inside of a nozzle. In addition, in order to sterilize the inside of the sterile water supply piping and the inside of the sterile water injection nozzle that injects sterile water into each chamber, we can sterilize the inside of the sterile water piping of the aseptic filling machine, which does not require new equipment costs or large amounts of sterilizer. An object of the present invention is to provide a method and a sterilization device.

A method for sterilizing the inside of a sterile water supply pipe of an aseptic filling machine according to the present invention is an aseptic filling machine that fills a sterilized container with sterilized contents in an aseptic atmosphere and seals the container filled with the contents. In the aseptic filling machine having a chamber shielded for each part constituting the aseptic filling machine, the sterile water supply side valve of the sterile water supply piping that supplies sterile water into the chamber is opened, and the sterile water is The sterilizer supply side valve that supplies sterilizer to the supply pipe and the valve immediately upstream of the sterile water injection nozzle that injects the sterile water into the chamber are closed, and hot water is poured into the sterile water circulation circuit that circulates through the sterile water production device. The hot water is circulated and sterilized by flowing into the piping formed by the sterile water supply side valve, the sterilizer supply side valve, and the valve immediately upstream of the sterile water injection nozzle, and the hot water is sterilized in the sterile water supply piping. A sterilized container is filled with the sterilized contents in an aseptic atmosphere, and the sterilized container is filled with the contents. In the aseptic filling machine that seals the container, the aseptic filling machine has a chamber that shields each part of the aseptic filling machine, and a sterile water supply pipe that supplies sterile water into the chamber is provided with a sterilizing agent. The method is characterized in that the sterilizing agent is injected into the chamber from a sterile water injection nozzle that injects the sterile water into the chamber.

Further, in the method for sterilizing a sterile water supply pipe of an aseptic filling machine according to the present invention, when the sterilizer is caused to flow from the sterilizer supply side valve to the sterile water supply pipe, the sterile water supply supplying the sterile water Preferably, the sterilizing agent is supplied to the sterile water supply pipe such that the sterilizing agent reaches the side valve.

Further, in the method for sterilizing a sterile water supply pipe of an aseptic filling machine according to the present invention, after the sterilizing agent is flowed through the sterile water supply pipe, when the sterile water is flowed through the sterile water supply pipe , the sterile water Preferably, the pressure in the supply pipe is higher than the pipe pressure upstream of the closed disinfectant supply valve.

Furthermore, in the method for sterilizing the inside of a sterile water supply pipe of an aseptic filling machine according to the present invention, it is preferable that the sterilizing agent injected into the chamber is recovered and the recovered sterilizing agent is reused.

Furthermore, in the method for sterilizing the inside of a sterile water supply pipe of an aseptic filling machine according to the present invention, it is preferable that the sterilizing agent contains any one of peracetic acid, hydrogen peroxide, or an alkaline chemical.

Furthermore, in the method for sterilizing the inside of a sterile water supply pipe of an aseptic filling machine according to the present invention, it is preferable that the concentration of peracetic acid is 500 mg/L to 5000 mg/L.

Further, in the method for sterilizing the inside of the sterile water supply pipe of the aseptic filling machine according to the present invention, it is preferable that the concentration of the peracetic acid is measured and the concentration of the peracetic acid is maintained at 500 mg/L to 5000 mg/L.

The sterilizing device in the sterile water supply piping of the aseptic filling machine according to the present invention is an aseptic filling machine that fills a sterilized container with sterilized contents and seals the container filled with the contents. , in the aseptic filling machine having a chamber shielded for each part constituting the aseptic filling machine, a sterile water supply piping that supplies sterile water into the chamber, and controlling the supply of the sterile water to the sterile water supply piping. a sterile water supply side valve that supplies the sterilizer to the sterile water supply piping; a sterilizer supply valve that controls the supply of the sterilizer to the sterile water supply piping; A sterile water injection nozzle for injecting the disinfectant or the sterile water , and a valve immediately upstream of the sterile water injection nozzle are provided , and the sterile water supply side valve is opened, and the sterile water injection nozzle is provided with a sterile water injection nozzle that injects the sterile agent or the sterile water, and a valve immediately upstream of the sterile water injection nozzle is opened. close the valve, and circulate hot water in a sterile water circulation circuit that circulates through the sterile water production device, and is formed by the sterile water supply side valve, the sterilizer supply side valve, and the valve immediately upstream of the sterile water injection nozzle. The method is characterized in that the hot water is sterilized by flowing the hot water into the piping .

Further, in the sterilizing device in the sterile water supply piping of the aseptic filling machine according to the present invention, when the sterile water is flowed into the sterile water supply piping, the pressure in the sterile water supply piping is such that the closed sterilizer supply It is preferable to provide an atmosphere release valve upstream of the disinfectant supply side valve so that the pressure is higher than the piping pressure upstream of the side valve.

Further, in the sterilizing device in the sterile water supply piping of the aseptic filling machine according to the present invention, it is preferable that a sterilizing agent recovery device is provided for recovering the sterilizing agent sprayed from the sterile water injection nozzle.

Further, in the sterilizing device in the sterile water supply piping of the aseptic filling machine according to the present invention, the sterilizing agent recovery device includes a sterilizing agent recovery pump that recovers the sterilizing agent from an outlet provided at the bottom of the chamber; It is preferable to include a recovered sterilizing agent storage tank for storing the recovered sterilizing agent.

Further, in the sterilizing device in the sterile water supply piping of the aseptic filling machine according to the present invention, the recovered sterilizing agent storage tank has a peracetic acid concentration that maintains the peracetic acid concentration in the sterilizing agent at 500 mg/L to 5000 mg/L. a peracetic acid concentration measuring device, the peracetic acid concentration adjusting device measures the peracetic acid concentration in the disinfectant stored in the recovered disinfectant storage tank; It is preferable to include a peracetic acid concentration adjustment pump for adjusting the peracetic acid concentration.

According to the method and apparatus for sterilizing the inside of a sterile water supply pipe of an aseptic filling machine of the present invention, sterile water is supplied to each chamber to be injected into each chamber when performing COP processing and SOP processing inside the chamber of the aseptic filling machine. The inside of the sterile water supply pipe and the inside of the sterile water injection nozzle that injects sterile water into each chamber can be reliably sterilized. In addition, in order to sterilize the inside of the sterile water supply piping and the inside of the sterile water injection nozzle that injects sterile water into each chamber, the sterile water supply for the sterile filling machine does not require the cost of installing new equipment or a large amount of sterilizer. A method and device for sterilizing pipes can be provided.

1 shows a sterilizing device in a sterile water supply pipe of an aseptic filling machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. 1 shows a sterilizer in a sterile water supply pipe of a sterile filling machine equipped with a sterile water storage tank according to an embodiment of the present invention. The distance between the sterile water supply side valve and the sterilizer supply pipe in the sterilizer in the sterile water supply pipe of the aseptic filling machine according to the embodiment of the present invention is shown. 1 shows a sterile water injection nozzle and a sterilizer recovery device that injects sterile water into a chamber of an aseptic filling machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. 1 shows a sterilizer storage tank of an aseptic filling machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. Another example of the sterilizing device in the sterile water supply piping according to the embodiment of the present invention is shown.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

An aseptic filling machine for beverages into PET bottles usually includes a heating section that is supplied with a preform, heats the supplied preform to a molding temperature, a molding section that molds the heated preform into a container, and a molded container. an inspection section that inspects the containers, a container sterilization section that sterilizes the inspected containers, an air rinse section that air-rinses the sterilized containers, and a filling section that fills the sterilized containers with contents sterilized by a contents sterilization device in an aseptic atmosphere. , a sealing section for sealing the filled container in an aseptic atmosphere with a sterilized lid, and a discharge section for discharging the sealed container. The aseptic filling machine does not need to include an inspection section and an air rinse section. There are also aseptic filling machines that include a preform sterilization section that sterilizes supplied preforms before heating them. An aseptic filling machine having a preform sterilization section does not need to include a container sterilization section.

Each part of the aseptic filling machine is shielded by a chamber. Here, the heating section and the forming section may be shielded by a single chamber. Moreover, the sealing part and the discharge part may also be shielded by a single chamber. Furthermore, the filling section, the sealing section, and the discharging section may be shielded by a single chamber.

During product production of the aseptic filling machine, sterile air sterilized by a sterilization filter is supplied to the chamber of the container sterilization section, the chamber of the air rinse section, the chamber of the filling section, the chamber of the sealing section, and the chamber of the discharge section. The sterility of the aseptic filling machine is maintained by creating a positive pressure inside each chamber. The pressure maintained at positive pressure is highest in the chamber of the filling section, and is set lower as it goes upstream to the chamber of the air rinse section and the chamber of the container sterilization section. Further, for example, if the pressure in the chamber of the filling part is 20 Pa to 40 Pa, the pressure in the other chambers is lower than the pressure in the chamber of the filling part. In an aseptic filling machine having a preform sterilization section, the heating section and the forming section are also covered by a chamber, and sterile air is supplied into the heating section chamber and the forming section chamber to maintain a positive pressure.

The inside of the chamber of the container sterilization section, the chamber of the air rinse section, the chamber of the filling section, the chamber of the sealing section, and the chamber of the discharge section are subjected to SOP treatment before the aseptic filling machine starts operating. Therefore, each chamber is equipped with a nozzle that sprays disinfectant and sterile water. Since the inside of the chamber of the container sterilization section is sprayed with a sterilizer during the operation of the aseptic filling machine, there is no need for SOP treatment. In an aseptic filling machine having a preform sterilization section, SOP processing is performed in a chamber that shields the heating section and the molding section.

Before the SOP treatment in each chamber, the chambers downstream from the chamber of the filling section, which is filled with contents, are subjected to the COP treatment. The inside of the chamber, which is heavily contaminated due to scattering of the contents inside the chamber, is cleaned by spraying hot water, hot water, or an alkaline or acidic cleaning liquid containing caustic soda as a main component. Since contamination is limited in the chamber of the container sterilization section and the chamber of the discharge section, there is no need for COP treatment.

After continuous operation of filling beverages into containers with an aseptic filling machine, if the contents are changed, or if the inside of the chamber becomes contaminated with droplets of contents due to long-term continuous operation, stop the operation of the aseptic filling machine. Then, COP processing and SOP processing are performed in the chamber of the aseptic filling machine. Only SOP treatment is performed in chambers that are not contaminated by contents.

Sterile water is injected into the chamber to wash away the cleaning solution remaining in the chamber due to the COP process and the disinfectant remaining in the chamber due to the SOP process. A sterile water spray nozzle is provided in the chamber to spray sterile water. COP or SOP within the chamber may be performed by spraying a cleaning liquid or a disinfectant from a sterile water spray nozzle. The sterile water supplied to each chamber is supplied to each chamber in order to wash away the cleaning solution and disinfectant remaining in the chamber, but it is also used to clean containers that have been sterilized during operation of the aseptic filling machine, and to wash containers that have been filled with contents. It is also used to clean the mouth area and clean sterilized lids.

As described above, depending on the function of the chamber, a spray nozzle is provided for spraying cleaning liquid, disinfectant, and sterile water into the chamber in order to perform COP treatment and SOP treatment, depending on the chamber. The spray nozzle is a one-fluid nozzle, a two-fluid nozzle, a rotary nozzle, or the like, and sprays a cleaning liquid when performing COP treatment, and sprays a disinfectant when performing SOP treatment. When a liquid containing peracetic acid and hydrogen peroxide is used as a disinfectant for SOP treatment, the disinfectant is also a liquid and the spray nozzle can be used for both purposes. Furthermore, sterile water is also a liquid, and sterile water can also be sprayed into the chamber from the same liquid spray nozzle.

FIG. 4 shows a spray nozzle as a sterile water injection nozzle that injects cleaning liquid, disinfectant, or sterile water into the chamber, and a sterile air supply device that supplies sterile air. As shown in FIG. 4, the chamber 1 is equipped with a fluid nozzle 2 and a rotating nozzle 3. The fluid nozzle 2 and the rotating nozzle 3 are capable of ejecting liquid. Further, a nozzle for ejecting gas instead of liquid may be provided in the chamber 1.

The fluid nozzle 2 is a one-fluid spray or a two-fluid spray that sprays a sterilizing agent mixed with compressed air, and sprays the sterilizing agent so as to adhere to the entire area inside each chamber 1 that requires sterilization. The inside of the chamber 1 is sterilized by the sprayed sterilizer. The fluid nozzle 2 is arranged so that the disinfectant is applied to the entire area within the chamber 1. As the sterilizing agent, the same sterilizing agent as used for sterilizing the container can be used, and it is preferable to use a sterilizing agent containing peracetic acid or hydrogen peroxide. When spraying the disinfectant, different disinfectants may be sprayed multiple times.

During operation of the aseptic filling machine, a sterile air supply device 4 is provided in the chamber 1, as shown in FIG. 4, in order to maintain sterility within each chamber after SOP processing. The sterile air supply device 4 supplies air generated by a blower 5 and air sterilized by a sterilization filter 6 into the chamber 1 . The air may be heated by the heating device 7. The chamber-side surface of the sterilizing filter 6 is sterilized by spraying a sterilizing agent. Furthermore, an exhaust device 8 may be provided to maintain the pressure within the chamber 1 appropriately.

The chamber 1 is provided with a gas spray nozzle when hydrogen peroxide gas or mist or a mixture thereof is used as a disinfectant in the SOP process.

The spray nozzle as a sterile water injection nozzle in chamber 1 must be sterilized during the SOP process. The exterior surface of the spray nozzle is sterilized by an SOP process in which disinfectant is injected into the chamber. However, since the inside of the sterile water supply piping is different from the beverage supply system piping, it is not sterilized by the SIP process.

When cleaning liquid, disinfectant, and sterile water are injected into the chamber by a sterile water injection nozzle that injects liquid, for example, the cleaning liquid is injected to perform COP treatment, sterile water is injected to wash away the cleaning liquid, and SOP treatment is performed. A disinfectant is sprayed to do this, and sterile water is sprayed to wash away the disinfectant. At this time, since sterile water is injected after the sterilizing agent is injected, the flow path through which the sterilizing agent is flowed up to the sterile water injection nozzle and the inside of the sterile water injection nozzle are sterilized.

Therefore, when the liquid sterilizer and sterile water are flowed through the same flow path and sprayed into the chamber from the same spray nozzle, there is no need to sterilize the sterile water supply pipe 15 and the sterile water injection nozzle. That is, in the aseptic filling machine, a sterilizing agent is poured into the sterile water supply pipe 15 that supplies sterile water to the chamber 1, and the fluid nozzle 2 and the rotating fluid nozzle function as a sterile water injection nozzle that injects sterile water into the chamber 1 shown in FIG. By injecting a sterilizing agent into the chamber 1 from a sterile water injection nozzle such as the nozzle 3, the inside of the sterile water supply pipe 15 and the inside of the sterile water injection nozzle can be sterilized.

As shown in FIG. 1, sterile water is produced by supplying water from a water supply tank 9 to a sterile water production device 10, and heating the supplied water with the sterile water production device 10 to sterilize it and produce sterile water. . Heating of the water is carried out at a temperature of at least 120° C. for at least 4 minutes. Alternatively, water sterilized with a sterilization value higher than the sterilization conditions of the contents to be filled may be used. Sterile water that has been heated and sterilized is cooled to room temperature and then injected into the chamber 1, but it may be injected into the chamber 1 at a temperature ranging from above room temperature to 100°C without being cooled to room temperature. do not have. By setting the temperature above room temperature, the cleaning ability of sterile water is improved. By setting the temperature preferably to 60°C to 100°C, the cleaning ability of sterile water can be greatly improved.

Sterile water is produced by the sterile water production device 10, but without installing the sterile water production device 10 in the aseptic filling machine, it is produced by a content sterilization device that sterilizes the contents of drinks etc. to be filled with the aseptic filling machine. Sterile water is also fine.

Before supplying sterile water into the chamber 1, in order to sterilize the sterile water production apparatus 10, after supplying water to the sterile water production apparatus 10, the water supply valve 14 and the sterile water supply side valve 12 are closed to sterilize the sterile water production apparatus 10. A circuit for circulating the water production device 10 is provided, and the inside of the sterile water circulation circuit is sterilized by circulating hot water at 90° C. or higher, preferably 120° C. or higher, for 4 minutes or more through the sterile water circulation circuit. The sterile water supply side valve 12 controls the supply of sterile water to the sterile water supply piping 15 .

On the other hand, a sterilizing agent supply device is provided for supplying a sterilizing agent to the sterile water supply pipe 15. The sterilizing agent supply device includes a sterilizing agent supply tank 11 and a pump provided as necessary to supply the sterilizing agent from the sterilizing agent supply tank 11 to the sterile water supply piping 15.

A sterilizer supply valve 13 is provided downstream of the sterilizer supply tank 11 to control the supply of sterilizer to the sterile water supply pipe 15 . By opening the disinfectant supply valve 13 and closing the sterile water supply valve 12, the disinfectant is supplied to the sterile water injection nozzle of each chamber via the sterile water supply piping 15. The SOP treatment in each chamber is performed by injecting the supplied disinfectant into each chamber from the sterile water injection nozzle of each chamber. At this time, by flowing the sterilizing agent downstream from the sterile water supply valve 12, the sterile water supply piping 15 downstream from the sterile water supply valve 12 can be sterilized.

However, it is not possible to directly flow the sterilizer into contact with the sterile water supply valve 12. As shown in FIG. 3, the sterilizer can only flow up to the sterile water supply side valve 12. The upstream side of the sterile water supply valve 12 can be sterilized by circulating heated water in the sterile water circulation circuit. Further, the sterile water supply valve 12 can be sterilized by heat conducted from the hot water flowing at this time. However, there is a distance between the end of the sterile water supply valve 12 and the end of the sterile water supply valve 12 side piping of the sterile water supply piping 15 that supplies the sterilizer. Assuming that this distance is X as shown in FIG. 3, the sterilizer will not flow into the sterile water supply pipe in the X section. However, due to the pressure of the sterilizing agent, the sterilizing agent flows into the X portion, and the X portion can be sterilized. In order to flow the sterilizer into the X section, it is preferable that the piping between the sterile water supply valve 12 and the sterilizer supply valve 13 be in a straight line. By making the piping straight, the pressure for flowing the disinfectant acts directly on the X section, displacing the liquid present in the X section, and allowing the disinfectant to flow into the X section.

At this time, if the X portion is made longer, the sterilizer may not reach the end of the sterile water supply valve 12 on the sterilizer supply side. Therefore, X is less than 6 x Dmm, preferably less than 3 x Dmm, and the Reynolds number is 30,000, where Dmm is the inner diameter of the pipes of the sterile water supply side valve 12 and the sterilizer supply side valve 13. or more, less than 300,000. The sterilizer reaches the end of the sterile water supply side valve 12 on the sterilizer supply side by feeding the sterilizer while maintaining the flow rate, pipe diameter, and temperature that are less than 6 x Dmm and provide the above-mentioned Reynolds number. However, it is possible to sterilize up to the end of the sterile water supply side valve 12 on the disinfectant supply side.

Regarding sterilization of the sterile water supply valve 12, a method using heat transfer from hot water has been described, but another method will be explained with reference to FIG. First, when sterilizing the sterile water production device 10, the sterile water supply side valve 12 is opened, the sterilizer supply side valve 13 and the valve 30 are closed, and hot water is introduced into the sterile water circulation circuit that circulates through the sterile water production device 10. Circulate. Through this operation, hot water circulating in the sterile water circulation path is passed through the piping formed by the valve seat of the sterile water supply valve 12, the sterile water supply valve 12, the sterilizer supply valve 13, and the valve 30 to sterilize the water. can do. At this time, the sterile water production device 10 and the pump attached thereto serve as a hot water supply device.

Here, if the diameter of each pipe of the sterile water supply side valve 12, sterilizer supply side valve 13, and valve 30 is set to Dmm, the end of the sterilizer supply side valve 13 and valve 30 and the piping of each valve are connected to each other. The distance to the end is less than 6xDmm, preferably less than 3xDmm, and the Reynolds number is 30,000 or more and less than 300,000. This sterilization operation of flowing hot water is performed before sending the sterilizer. Through this operation, the inside of the piping up to the sterile water supply valve 12, the disinfectant supply valve 13, and the valve 30 can be sterilized.

Instead of hot water circulation, the sterile water supply side valve 12 is opened, the sterilizer supply side valve 13 and the valve 30 are closed, and heated steam is supplied from the sterile water supply side valve 12 from a heated steam supply device (not shown). Thereby, the inside of the piping up to the sterile water supply valve 12, the disinfectant supply valve 13, and the valve 30 may be sterilized.

Next, the inside of the sterile water supply pipe 15 is sterilized by closing the sterile water supply side valve 12 and sending the sterilizer from the sterilizer supply tank 11 to each chamber. Sterilization within the sterile water supply pipe 15 is completed by feeding the sterilizer under predetermined conditions. After the sterilizer is delivered, the sterilizer is discharged by closing the sterilizer supply valve 13 and valve 28 and opening the atmosphere release valve 29. Let the pressure be atmospheric pressure. At this time, the pipe pressure in the piping upstream of the disinfectant supply valve 13 formed by the closed disinfectant supply valve 13, the closed valve 28, and the opened atmosphere release valve 29 is such that the sterile water is The pressure is lower than the pressure inside the sterile water supply pipe 15 through which it flows.

That is, the pressure at which the sterile water flows in the sterile water supply pipe 15 is higher than the pipe pressure in the pipe upstream of the closed sterilizer supply valve 13. The sterile water supply side valve 12 and the valve 30 are opened, sterile water is sent to each chamber, and the sterilizer remaining in the sterile water supply piping 15 is washed away. Since the pressure on the sterilizing agent side of the sterilizing agent supply valve 13 is lower than the pressure inside the sterile water supply piping 15, even if the sterilizing agent supply valve 13 is damaged or leaks, the sterilizing agent will not flow into the sterile water supply piping 15. There will be no contamination.

After the delivery of sterile water is completed, the valve 30 is closed, and the sterile water supply pipe 15 is kept pressurized by the positive pressure air in the chamber. Thereby, even if there is a leak in the sterile water supply pipe 15, there is no risk of bacteria being sucked into the chamber.

The disinfectant is preferably a disinfectant containing peracetic acid, and the peracetic acid concentration is 500 mg/L or more, preferably 500 mg/L to 5000 mg/L. It also contains at least hydrogen peroxide and acetic acid. At this time, the bactericidal effect is enhanced by heating the disinfectant containing peracetic acid to 40°C to 95°C, preferably 50°C to 95°C. A device for heating the sterilizer is provided between the sterilizer supply tank 11 and the sterilizer supply valve 13.

When using peracetic acid to sterilize the inside of the sterile water supply piping 15 to each chamber, it is necessary to fully consider peracetic acid-resistant bacteria ( Bacillus cereus , Bacillus polymyxa , Paenibacillus chibensis , Paenibacillus favisporus , etc.). First, a peracetic acid stock solution is supplied to the disinfectant supply tank 11, diluted with water to the specified concentration (500 mg/L to 5000 mg/L), and then, before being sent to the sterile water supply piping 15, The disinfectant is raised to 40° C. or higher, preferably 50 to 95° C., using a heating device and a circulation pump provided outside the disinfectant supply tank 11, and kept while being circulated for at least 5 minutes, preferably 10 minutes or more. do. This makes it possible to reduce and kill peracetic acid heat-resistant bacteria before sending the liquid into each chamber. Alternatively, the risk of peracetic acid resistant bacteria being transferred into the chamber may be reduced by diluting the peracetic acid stock solution with sterile water instead of diluting it with water.

As disinfectants, in addition to hydrogen peroxide, peracetic acid with fatty acid ester added, nitric acid, chlorine disinfectants, alkaline agents such as sodium hydroxide and potassium hydroxide, alcohols such as ethyl alcohol and isopropyl alcohol, and carbon dioxide. Chlorine, ozone water, acidic water, and surfactants may be used alone, or two or more of these may be used in combination in any proportion.

Although FIG. 1 shows the case where sterile water is directly supplied to each chamber from the sterile water production device 10, as shown in FIG. 2, a sterile water storage tank 16 is provided downstream of the sterile water production device 10, and the sterile water may be supplied to each chamber. The sterile water production device 10 is sterilized by circulating hot water within the sterile water production device 10. The sterile water storage tank 16 is sterilized by supplying heated steam. When supplying heated steam to the sterile water storage tank 16, the sterile water storage tank side valve 17 and the sterile water supply side valve 12 are closed. The heated steam supplied from the heated steam supply device to the sterile water storage tank 16 is discharged before the sterile water supply side valve 12. The sterile water supply side valve 12 is sterilized by the heat conducted from the heated steam supplied at this time.

However, there is a distance between the end of the sterile water supply valve 12 and the end of the sterile water supply piping 15 that supplies the sterile water on the sterile water supply valve 12 side, and as shown in FIG. The agent does not flow. However, due to the pressure of the sterilizing agent, the sterilizing agent flows into the X portion, and the X portion can be sterilized. In order to flow the sterilizer into the X section, it is preferable that the piping between the sterile water supply valve 12 and the sterilizer supply valve 13 be in a straight line. By making the piping straight, the pressure for flowing the disinfectant acts directly on the X section, displacing the liquid present in the X section, and allowing the disinfectant to flow into the X section. The sterile water supply valve 12 can be sterilized by the same operation as described above.

Before flowing the disinfectant into the sterile water supply pipe 15, a cleaning agent is flowed into the sterile water supply pipe 15, and the cleaning liquid is injected into each chamber by a sterile water injection nozzle, thereby performing COP processing in each chamber. A cleaning liquid supply tank is provided in parallel with the disinfectant supply tank 11 shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, and the cleaning liquid can be flowed into the sterile water supply pipe 15.

The cleaning liquid is, for example, an alkaline cleaning liquid that contains inorganic basic compounds such as sodium hydroxide and potassium hydroxide, or organic basic compounds such as ethanolamine and diethylamine. Earth metal salts, ammonium salts, sequestering agents such as ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid, anionic surfactants, cationic surfactants, nonionic surfactants such as polyoxyethylene alkylphenyl ethers, and sodium cumene sulfonate. It may contain a solubilizer, a metal salt of an acidic polymer such as polyacrylic acid, a corrosion inhibitor, a preservative, an antioxidant, a dispersant, an antifoaming agent, and the like.

The acidic cleaning liquid may be sprayed after the alkaline cleaning liquid is sprayed. Acidic cleaning liquids are inorganic acids such as hydrochloric acid, nitric acid, and phosphoric acid, or organic acids such as acetic acid, formic acid, octanoic acid, oxalic acid, citric acid, succinic acid, and gluconic acid, and include anionic surfactants and cationic surfactants. , nonionic surfactants such as polyoxyethylene alkylphenyl ethers, solubilizers such as sodium cumene sulfonate, acidic polymers such as polyacrylic acid, corrosion inhibitors, preservatives, antioxidants, dispersants, It may contain an antifoaming agent or the like. If the contamination caused by the contents is not cleaned even after spraying the alkaline cleaning solution, spray the acidic cleaning solution. Alternatively, the acidic cleaning liquid may be injected without the alkaline cleaning liquid being injected. The spraying of the alkaline cleaning liquid and the spraying of the acidic cleaning liquid may be repeated alternately.

When the cleaning liquid is heated to 50°C or higher, it also has a sterilizing effect, so for example, by heating the alkaline cleaning liquid to 50°C or higher and injecting the alkaline cleaning liquid into the chamber, a sterilizing effect can also be expected. At this time, the sterile water supply pipe 15 can be sterilized without supplying a sterilizing agent.

The disinfectant injected into the chamber 1 is collected at an outlet 18 provided at the bottom of the chamber 1, as shown in FIG. 4, and the collected disinfectant is recovered by a disinfectant recovery device 19. The disinfectant recovery device 19 includes a disinfectant recovery pump 20 and a recovered disinfectant storage tank 21 . The disinfectant is sent from the discharge port 18 provided at the bottom of the chamber 1 by the disinfectant recovery pump 20 to the recovered disinfectant storage tank 21 and stored therein.

The disinfectant stored in the recovered disinfectant storage tank 21 is supplied to the disinfectant supply tank 11 by the recovered disinfectant supply pump 22 provided in the disinfectant recovery device 19, and is reused for sterilizing the inside of the sterile water supply pipe 15. Ru. Further, the recovered sterilizer is injected into the chamber 1 at the same time as sterilization into the sterile water supply pipe 15, and is also reused for the SOP treatment inside the chamber 1.

As shown in FIG. 5, it is preferable that the collected disinfectant storage tank 21 is equipped with a peracetic acid concentration adjusting device 23. The peracetic acid concentration adjusting device 23 is equipped with a peracetic acid concentration measuring device 24 that measures the concentration of peracetic acid in the recovered disinfectant, and the concentration of peracetic acid decreases until the peracetic acid concentration in the recovered disinfectant reaches around 500 mg/L. In this case, a part of the recovered sterilizer is discharged and disposed of by the recovered sterilizer discharge pump 25, and a new sterilizer containing a high concentration of peracetic acid is transferred from the sterilizer storage tank 26 to the recovered sterilizer storage tank 21. New disinfectant containing peracetic acid is added to the recovered disinfectant storage tank 21 by the peracetic acid concentration adjustment pump 27 until the peracetic acid in the stored disinfectant reaches an appropriate concentration. By the peracetic acid concentration adjusting device 23, the peracetic acid concentration in the sterilizing agent that sterilizes the inside of the sterile water supply pipe 15 is always maintained at an appropriate level. That is, the concentration of peracetic acid in the disinfectant is adjusted to be in the range of 500 mg/L to 5000 mg/L.

Although the present invention is configured as described above, it is not limited to the above embodiments, and various modifications can be made within the scope of the gist of the present invention.

1... Chamber 10... Sterile water production device 11... Disinfectant supply tank 12... Sterile water supply side valve 13... Disinfectant supply side valve 15... Sterile water supply piping 16... Sterile water storage tank 17... Sterile water storage tank side valve 19 ...Bactericide recovery device 23...Peracetic acid concentration adjustment device

Claims (12)

An aseptic filling machine that fills a sterilized container with sterilized contents in an aseptic atmosphere and seals the container filled with the contents, the aseptic filling machine having a chamber that shields each part of the aseptic filling machine. The aseptic filling machine has:
A sterile water supply side valve of a sterile water supply piping that supplies sterile water into the chamber is opened, a sterilizer supply side valve that supplies a sterilizer to the sterile water supply piping, and a sterile water supply valve that injects the sterile water into the chamber. The valve immediately upstream of the water injection nozzle is closed, hot water is circulated in the sterile water circulation circuit that circulates the sterile water production device, and the hot water is circulated upstream of the sterile water supply side valve, the sterilizer supply side valve, and the sterile water injection nozzle. sterilizing by flowing the hot water into the piping formed by the nearest valve;
A method for sterilizing a sterile water supply pipe of a sterile filling machine, comprising: flowing a sterilizer into the sterile water supply pipe, and injecting the sterilizer into the chamber from the sterile water injection nozzle. In the method for sterilizing the inside of the sterile water supply piping of the aseptic filling machine according to claim 1 ,
When the sterilizer is caused to flow from the sterilizer supply valve to the sterile water supply pipe, the sterilizer is supplied to the sterile water supply pipe so that the sterilizer reaches the sterile water supply valve that supplies the sterile water. A method for sterilizing the inside of a sterile water supply pipe of an aseptic filling machine, characterized by supplying water to the pipe. In the method for sterilizing the inside of the sterile water supply piping of the aseptic filling machine according to claim 1 ,
After the sterilizing agent has flowed through the sterile water supply piping, when the sterile water is flowing through the sterile water supply piping, the pressure within the sterile water supply piping is such that the pressure within the sterile water supply piping is on the upstream side of the closed sterilizing agent supply valve. A method for sterilizing the inside of the sterile water supply piping of an aseptic filling machine, characterized by the pressure being higher than the piping pressure. In the method for sterilizing the inside of the sterile water supply piping of the aseptic filling machine according to any one of claims 1 to 3 ,
A method for sterilizing a sterile water supply pipe of an aseptic filling machine, comprising collecting the sterilizing agent injected into the chamber and reusing the recovered sterilizing agent. In the method for sterilizing the inside of the sterile water supply piping of the aseptic filling machine according to any one of claims 1 to 4 ,
A method for sterilizing a sterile water supply pipe of an aseptic filling machine, wherein the sterilizing agent contains any one of peracetic acid, hydrogen peroxide, or an alkaline agent. In the method for sterilizing the inside of the sterile water supply piping of the aseptic filling machine according to claim 5 ,
A method for sterilizing a sterile water supply pipe of an aseptic filling machine, characterized in that the concentration of peracetic acid is 500 mg/L to 5000 mg/L. In the method for sterilizing the inside of the sterile water supply piping of the aseptic filling machine according to claim 6 ,
A method for sterilizing a sterile water supply pipe of an aseptic filling machine, the method comprising: measuring the concentration of peracetic acid; and maintaining the peracetic acid concentration at 500 mg/L to 5000 mg/L. An aseptic filling machine that fills a sterilized container with a sterilized content and seals the container filled with the content, the aseptic filling machine having a chamber that shields each part of the aseptic filling machine. In the filling machine,
A sterile water supply pipe that supplies sterile water into the chamber, a sterile water supply valve that controls the supply of sterile water to the sterile water supply pipe, and a sterilizer supply device that supplies a sterilizer to the sterile water supply pipe. , a sterilizer supply side valve that controls the supply of the sterilizer to the sterile water supply piping;
A sterile water injection nozzle for injecting the sterilizer or the sterile water and a valve immediately upstream of the sterile water injection nozzle are provided in the chamber,
The sterile water supply side valve is opened, the sterilizer supply side valve and the valve immediately upstream of the sterile water injection nozzle are closed, hot water is circulated in the sterile water circulation circuit that circulates through the sterile water production device, and the sterile water is Sterilization of an aseptic filling machine characterized by being configured to sterilize by flowing the hot water into a pipe formed by a supply side valve, the sterilizer supply side valve, and a valve immediately upstream of the sterile water injection nozzle. Sterilization device in water supply pipes. In the sterilization device in the sterile water supply piping of the aseptic filling machine according to claim 8 ,
When the sterile water is caused to flow into the sterile water supply pipe, the sterilizer supply valve is configured such that the pressure within the sterile water supply pipe is higher than the pipe pressure upstream of the closed sterilizer supply valve. A sterilization device in a sterile water supply pipe of an aseptic filling machine, characterized by providing an atmosphere release valve on the upstream side. In the sterilizer in the sterile water supply piping of the aseptic filling machine according to claim 8 or 9 ,
A sterilizing device in a sterile water supply pipe of a sterile filling machine, characterized in that a sterilizing agent recovery device for recovering the sterilizing agent injected from the sterile water injection nozzle is provided. In the sterilization device in the sterile water supply piping of the aseptic filling machine according to claim 10 ,
The sterilizer recovery device is characterized in that it includes a sterilizer recovery pump that recovers the sterilizer from an outlet provided at the bottom of the chamber, and a recovered sterilizer storage tank that stores the recovered sterilizer. Sterilization device inside the sterile water supply piping of the aseptic filling machine. In the sterilization device in the sterile water supply piping of the aseptic filling machine according to claim 11 ,
The recovered disinfectant storage tank includes a peracetic acid concentration adjustment device that maintains the peracetic acid concentration in the disinfectant at 500 mg/L to 5000 mg/L, and the peracetic acid concentration adjustment device stores the peracetic acid concentration in the recovered disinfectant storage tank. An aseptic filling machine characterized by comprising a peracetic acid concentration measuring device for measuring the peracetic acid concentration in the disinfectant and a peracetic acid concentration adjusting pump for adjusting the peracetic acid concentration based on the measured concentration. Sterilization device in water supply pipes.

Images