JP2003104320A - Aseptic filling method, aseptic filling device and container used therein - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] [PROBLEMS] Aseptic filling device and aseptic filling device capable of minimizing the parts to be sterilized of containers, eliminating the need for a sterile room and a sterilizing device, and improving the size, productivity and workability. And a container used for the same. SOLUTION: Containers 1 which have been sealed in advance and whose inside is sterilized are sequentially supplied to an aseptic filling device, and adjacent containers 1 are sequentially connected at the upper side thereof, and a filling nozzle 12 is inserted through this connection point to insert the containers. Fill the contents 2 into the container 1,
Further, the container 1 is sealed by hermetically sealing it in a state where the contents 2 are not exposed to the air outside of the container 1, and the container 1 is cut above the sealed portion to perform aseptic filling. be able to.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an aseptic filling method and an aseptic filling device for aseptically filling the inside of a container with contents such as medicines and foods, and a container used therefor.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In order to transport or store medicines, foods, etc., these contents are filled in a container and sealed, and then sterilized by heating at about 100 to 120 ° C. or irradiation with ultraviolet rays or gamma rays. Sterilization is generally performed. However, if the contents may be altered or deteriorated by applying a sterilization method such as heating, it cannot be sterilized after filling and sealing, so sterilization should be performed using an aseptic filling device installed in a sterile room. Filling the finished container is done.

In this type of aseptic filling device, the opening of the container and the filling nozzle for supplying and filling the contents in the container are exposed to the air in the aseptic chamber at the time of filling. Therefore, the air in the sterile chamber and any articles brought into the sterile chamber must be completely sterilized. For this reason, a sterilizer is provided at the carry-in / out port provided for loading and unloading the container and the like into the aseptic filling device, and the entire container and the like are completely sterilized so that bacteria are not allowed to enter the sterile room. ing. As described above, the conventional aseptic filling device requires a sterile room and a sterilizing device, so that the aseptic filling device becomes large in size, and the processing performed therein becomes complicated, resulting in poor productivity. ing. Moreover, the worker who is involved in the aseptic filling work needs to wear aseptic clothes when entering the aseptic chamber, which is also a drawback of poor workability.

[0004]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and minimizes the number of aseptic filling devices and containers to be sterilized and eliminates the need for aseptic chambers and sterilizers. It is an object of the present invention to provide an aseptic filling method, an aseptic filling device, and a container used therefor, which can be made into a product and can improve productivity and workability.

[0005]

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, according to the present invention, pre-sealed and sterilized containers are sequentially supplied to an aseptic filling device, and adjacent containers are sequentially connected at their upper side surfaces. Along with, the contents are filled into the container by inserting a filling nozzle into this connection portion, and the container filled with the contents is sealed while the contents are not exposed to the air outside the container, Further, there is provided an aseptic filling method which is characterized in that the container is cut above the sealing point.

As the aseptic filling device used in this aseptic filling method, a connecting means for sequentially connecting adjacent containers at the upper part of the side surface thereof and a sharp tip portion are provided, and the contents are supplied to the lower side of the side surface. A filling nozzle having a filling port for filling, a sealing means for sealing the filled container without exposing the contents to the air outside the container, and cutting the container above the sealing point. A device comprising cutting means for cutting can be used. The filling nozzle is
The diameter is increased from the tip to the root, and it is preferable to provide the diameter horizontally. Further, it is preferable to use one in which a supply pipe is connected to the filling nozzle at an angle of approximately 90 °, and a supply path for the content is L-shaped.
Further, it is preferable to provide a dividing tool in front of the supply pipe and a cutting tool behind the supply pipe.

Further, the present invention comprises a sleeve for inserting a filling nozzle, a connecting pipe hung from a side portion of the sleeve, and a container body connected to the other end of the connecting pipe. A container is provided with a sealing film for sealing both end faces of the container. Such a container is preferably used in the above-mentioned aseptic filling device. As this container, it is preferable that the sleeve and the connecting pipe are made of polyethylene and the sealing film is a composite film in which a polyethylene film is laminated on both surfaces of an aluminum foil or a polyethylene terephthalate film.

[0008]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail based on the embodiments. FIG. 1 is a schematic view showing an example of the aseptic filling apparatus of the present invention. In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 is a container. This aseptic filling device has a connecting means 11 for sequentially connecting adjacent containers 1 at an upper portion of a side surface thereof, a tip having a sharp tip, and a filling port 13 for supplying and filling the contents 2 below the side surface. A filling nozzle 12, a sealing means 14 for sealing the filled container 1 without exposing the contents 2 to the air outside the container 1, and the container 1 above the sealing portion. The cutting means 15 for cutting is provided. Here, the container 1 is sealed in advance and the inside is sterilized.
The aseptic filling device is sequentially supplied and can be moved in the aseptic filling device.

With such a structure, as will be described later in detail, the filling nozzle 12 can be inserted through the upper side surface of the container 1 closed from the outside so that the contents 2 can be aseptically filled. As the tip of the filling nozzle 12 can be advanced to the inside of the next container 1 connected to the container 1 without contacting the air outside the container 1, aseptic filling can be continuously performed. At the same time, except for the inside of the container 1 and the tip of the filling nozzle 12, it is not necessary to maintain the aseptic condition, and the aseptic chamber and the sterilizer are not required.

The container 1 has any structure as long as it is hermetically sealed from the outside and can be connected to the upper side surface without a gap and the filling nozzle 12 can be inserted into this connecting portion. It can also be used. Before being supplied to the aseptic filling device, the container 1 is sterilized by a known means such as heating or electron beam or gamma ray so that the inside is in a sterile state. As the gas filling the inside of the container 1, dry air,
Alternatively, it is preferable to use an inert gas such as nitrogen or argon. An inert gas is preferable for improving the storage stability of the contents 2, and a nitrogen gas is particularly preferable because it is inexpensive.

An example of such a container 1 has a structure shown in FIG. The container 1 includes a sleeve 3 for inserting the filling nozzle 12, a connecting pipe 4 vertically extending from a side portion of the sleeve 3, and a container body 5 connected to the other end of the connecting pipe 4. Further, a sealing film 6 for sealing both ends of the sleeve 3 is provided.

The sleeve 3 is a cylinder having an inner diameter larger than the outer diameter of the filling nozzle 12. The end surface of the sleeve 3 is preferably processed to be flat so that the adjacent first and second sleeves 3 can be abutted against each other and easily connected. The material of the sleeve 3 is preferably rigid plastic, and examples thereof include polyolefin such as polyethylene and polypropylene, polyester, polycarbonate, and the like, and polyethylene is preferable.

Further, by providing the connecting pipe 4 in the container 1, it is possible to secure the dropping path of the contents 2. As a result, when the filled container 1 is sealed in a later step, the contents 2 do not adhere to the portion to be sealed, and therefore,
There is no risk of incomplete sealing of the container 1 or discoloration of the sealed portion. Further, when the connecting pipe 4 is sealed, the diameter of that portion is small, so that the sealing can be performed easily and surely, and the productivity and reliability are improved. The material of the connecting pipe 4 has rigidity,
A plastic that can be sealed at 300 ° C. or lower is preferable, and polyolefins such as polyethylene and polypropylene are exemplified, but polyethylene is preferable.

The container body 5 is for receiving the contents 2. This may be a case made of rigid plastic, but a bag made of flexible plastic is preferable. When the container body 5 is a bag made of a flexible plastic, it is deflated before filling and swells as the content 2 is filled, so that the gas filling the inside of the container 1 before filling is filled. Eliminates the need to discharge Therefore, the structures of the container 1 and the aseptic filling device are simplified, and the effects of lowering the cost of the container 1 and improving the productivity of the filling process are achieved.

The sealing film 6 is provided to seal both end faces of the sleeve 3, and a film having a high bacteria blocking property can be used, but it is easily pierced by the tip of the filling nozzle 12. Since it is necessary that no gap be formed between the side surface of the filling nozzle 12 and the side surface of the filling nozzle 12 after being pierced, it is preferably manufactured from a material having low brittleness and high elasticity and lubricity.

Further, as described later, considering that the container 1 is connected by welding the sealing film 6, a composite film obtained by laminating a highly heat-resistant material and a fusible material is prepared. Is preferred. This facilitates the connection of the containers 1 and prevents the sealing film 6 from being thermally deformed or broken. When a conductive metal is used as the material having high heat resistance, by using a high frequency electromagnetic induction heating device as the connecting means 11, the conductive metal generates heat by the action of a high frequency current, and the container 1 is welded and connected. be able to. As the conductive metal, foils of aluminum, tin, copper, silver, stainless steel and the like can be used, but from the viewpoint of safety to human body, workability and price,
Aluminum is the best choice. When a butt joint device having a heater plate as the connecting means 11 is used, plastic such as polyester may be used, and polyethylene terephthalate (PET) is particularly preferable.

As the easily fusible material, a film made of low density polyethylene can be preferably used. Therefore, as such a composite film, a composite film obtained by laminating a polyethylene film on both surfaces of an aluminum foil or a PET film is suitable.

In order to manufacture the container 1 having the above structure,
For example, the following procedure can be taken. First, the side portion of the sleeve 3 is perforated and the connecting pipe 4 is joined thereto. Then, the container body 5 is welded to the other end of the connecting pipe 4. Further, both end surfaces of the sleeve 3 are covered with the sealing film 6
To seal. As another procedure, for example, the sleeve 3 and the connecting pipe 4 may be integrally molded, and the container body 5 and the sealing film 6 may be attached thereto.

The connecting means 11 is for connecting the upper side surfaces of two adjacent containers 1 to each other by abutting them. Those that are connected by heat welding are preferable, and for example, a high frequency electromagnetic induction heating device, a butt joint device, or the like is used. A high-frequency electromagnetic induction heating apparatus has a conductor arranged in an induction furnace having a coil, and the coil is 400H.
The heating device utilizes a high-frequency electromagnetic induction phenomenon in which an eddy current is generated in the conductor when a high-frequency current of about z to 4 MHz is passed, and the conductor is thereby heated.
Therefore, when a high-frequency electromagnetic induction heating device is used as the connecting means 11, the material on the upper side surface of the container 1 is one in which a conductive metal such as aluminum is interposed.

As the butt joint device, one that uses a heater plate to soften and weld the side surface of the container 1 can be used, but a butt joint device with a vacuum device is particularly preferable. At the time of welding, sandwiching the heater plate of the butt joint device, the side surfaces of the two containers 1 are opposed to each other, and the temperature of each side surface is 100 to 2
The material on the side surface of the container 1 is softened by heating to 00 ° C. Then retract the heater plate,
The containers 1 can be connected by sucking the air between the side surfaces of the two containers 1 with a vacuum pump and bringing them into close contact.

In such a connecting means 11, the sealing film 6 of the container 1 is heated to at least 160.
Since the temperature is raised to about 0 ° C. and the welding is performed, even if bacteria are adhered to the outer surface of the sealing film 6, the sterilization is surely performed. Therefore, including the outer surface of the sealing film 6, the container 1
The outer surface of the does not need to be pre-sterilized. Therefore, it is not necessary to provide a sterilizer in the aseptic filling device, the aseptic filling device can be downsized, and productivity can be improved.

The filling nozzle 12 has a sharp tip and has a filling port 13 for filling the container 1 with the contents 2 on the lower side surface. As a result, the tip of the filling nozzle 12 can sequentially insert the plurality of containers 1 connected by the connecting means 11 and arrange itself inside the container 1. Never receive.

Further, it is preferable that the filling nozzle 12 be expanded in diameter from the tip portion to the root portion. With this configuration, when the filling nozzle 12 is inserted into the upper portion of the side surface of the container 1, the side surface of the filling nozzle 12 is tightened more strongly by the material of the container 1, so that the airtightness and sterility of the inside of the container 1 are improved. The state can be maintained more reliably. Further, it is preferable that the filling nozzle 12 is provided horizontally.
As a result, even if the content 2 remains between the metering valve and the filling port 13, liquid dripping does not easily occur, so that it is not necessary to suck the content 2 between fillings, and the accuracy of weighing can be improved. And the inside of the filling nozzle 12 is prevented from being damaged, such as drying, contamination, and clogging.

On the surface of the filling nozzle 12, it is necessary to maintain the aseptic condition at least from the tip to the position above the sealing means 14 through the filling port 13. In the part closer to the root than this,
Since the container 1 is hermetically sealed, it is not necessary to maintain a sterile condition with the upper part of the container 1, and the container 1 may be exposed to the air outside the container 1. Therefore, after the filling, the upper portion of the container 1 remaining around the filling nozzle 12 can be cut and removed in appropriate lengths.

Further, as shown in FIG. 3, the filling nozzle 12
It is preferable that the inside of the container is divided into an inner tube 20 for sending the contents 2 and a passage 23 for the sterile air 22. As a result, the inside of the container 1 is made to have a positive pressure, and the invasion of outside air can be suppressed. As the sterilized air 22, dry air or air sterilized by passing an inert gas such as nitrogen or argon through a sterilizing filter is used. An inert gas is preferable for improving the storage stability of the contents 2, and a nitrogen gas is particularly preferable because it is inexpensive.

The injection port 21 for ejecting the contents 2 from the inner pipe 20 may be formed in the side surface of the inner pipe 20 as shown in FIG. 3 (b), but in FIG. 3 (a). As shown, it is preferable that the inner tube 20 is provided at the tip and the inner tube 20 is bent downward. As a result, the contents 2 are
It is injected into the container 1 without flying. In this case, it is preferable that the tip of the inner tube 20 does not protrude from the side wall of the filling nozzle 12 because it does not prevent the container 1 from moving on the filling nozzle 12.

The sealing means 14 is for sealing and sealing the container 1 after filling. For example, when the container 1 having the structure shown in FIG. 2 is used, for example, the connecting pipe 4 can be sealed at any position. Further, the cutting means is for cutting the container 1 above the sealing portion. This allows the container 1 to be filled and sealed,
It is taken out of the aseptic filling device.

Further, as shown in FIG. 1, the filling nozzle 1
It is preferable to connect the supply pipe 17 with respect to 2 at an angle of about 90 ° and make the supply path of the content 2 into an L shape. Here, the supply pipe 17 is for supplying the content 2 to the filling nozzle 12 from a supply means for supplying the content 2 (not shown). Therefore, for example, the filling nozzle 12 and the supply pipe 1
7 can be connected via an elbow 16.
As a result, the length of the filling nozzle 12 does not become excessively long, which is convenient for downsizing the aseptic filling device.

Further, the divider 1 is provided in front of the supply pipe 17.
8 and also a cutting tool 19 behind the supply pipe 17. The divider 18 makes a cut in the top or side of the sleeve 3, which allows the sleeve 3 to be overcome without colliding with the feed pipe 17 at the base of the filling nozzle 12. After that, the sleeve 3 can be removed by cutting with the cutting tool 19.

Next, keeping the aseptic condition in the aseptic filling device,
A suitable procedure for mounting the container will be described with reference to FIG. First, the filling nozzle 12 is washed and dried, and then steam 30 is sprayed on the filling nozzle 12 to perform steam sterilization. As shown in FIG. 4 (a), the container 1 is supplied thereto while being connected by the connecting means 11, and penetrated. Next, as shown in FIG. 4 (b), the end of the container 1 is cut off to form a hole 7, and while the sterile air 22 is supplied from the filling nozzle 12, the contaminant is discharged from the hole 7 to the outside. To discharge. Next, as shown in FIG. 4C, the flow rate of the sterile air 22 is reduced to the extent that the positive pressure can be maintained, and then the container 1 is folded in two and closed. Furthermore, FIG.
As shown in (d), if the container 1 is propelled, aseptic filling becomes possible.

Further, in order to fill the contents 2 into the container 1, for example, the following procedure can be carried out. First, as shown in FIG. 1, the container 1 is propelled and the container 1 is connected by the connecting means 11 at the upper side surface. Further, the filling nozzle 12 is inserted into the connecting portion, and the content 2 is supplied from the filling port 13 of the filling nozzle 12 to fill the inside of the container 1. Further, the filled container 1 is sealed by the sealing means 14 without exposing the contents 2 to the air outside the container 1. Furthermore, the container 1 is aseptically filled with the content 2 and sealed by cutting the container at the sealing point or above by using the cutting means 15.
Can be obtained. Further, when the filling operation is interrupted, if the container 1 is left penetrating the filling nozzle 12, the aseptic condition can be maintained, so that the filling operation can be restarted immediately.

Although the present invention has been described above with reference to the preferred embodiment, the present invention is not limited to this embodiment, and various modifications can be made without departing from the gist of the present invention. It goes without saying that is possible.

[0033]

As described above, according to the present invention,
The contents can be aseptically filled by inserting the filling nozzle into the upper side surface of the container closed from the outside, and after the filling, the tip of the filling nozzle is not exposed to the air outside the container. Since it can be advanced to the inside of the next container connected to, it is possible to continuously perform aseptic filling, except for the inside of the container and the tip of the filling nozzle, it is necessary to maintain a sterile state. No need for a sterile room or sterilizer. Therefore, the aseptic filling apparatus can be downsized, and productivity and workability can be improved.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a side view showing an example of an aseptic filling device of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing an example of the container of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a side sectional view illustrating an example of a structure of a filling nozzle in the embodiment of the aseptic filling device.

FIG. 4 is a side view illustrating an example of a procedure for mounting a container on an aseptic filling device.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 ... Container, 2 ... Contents, 3 ... Sleeve, 4 ... Communication pipe, 5
... container body, 6 ... sealing film, 11 ... connecting means, 12
... filling nozzle, 13 ... filling port, 14 ... sealing means, 15 ...
Cutting means, 17 ... Supply pipe, 18 ... Dividing tool, 19 ... Cutting tool.

─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification code FI theme code (reference) B65D 30/10 B65D 30/10 Z 33/00 33/00 Z (72) Inventor Takayuki Mizuo Chuo-ku, Tokyo 1-9-10 Horidomecho, Nihonbashi Horidomecho Showa Denko Plastic Products Stock Company In-house F-term (reference) 3E053 AA01 AA06 BA01 DA02 DA03 DA07 FA01 GA08 GA09 GA18 JA10 3E064 AD03 BA21 EA18 HN05 HR01

Claims (8)

[Claims] 1. A container, which is sealed in advance and sterilized inside, is sequentially supplied to an aseptic filling device, and adjacent containers are sequentially connected at an upper portion of a side surface thereof, and a filling nozzle is inserted into the connection portion to insert the inside of the container The container is filled with the contents, and the container filled with the contents is sealed in a state where the contents are not exposed to the air outside the container, and the container is cut above the sealing point. Characteristic aseptic filling method. 2. A connecting means for sequentially connecting adjacent containers at an upper portion of a side surface thereof, and a filling nozzle having a sharp tip and having a filling port for supplying and filling contents on the lower side of the side surface. A sealing means for sealing the filled container without exposing the contents to the air outside the container, and a cutting means for cutting the container above the sealing position. An aseptic filling device. 3. The aseptic filling device according to claim 2, wherein the filling nozzle is expanded in diameter from a tip portion to a root portion. 4. The aseptic filling apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the filling nozzle is provided horizontally. 5. The supply pipe is approximately 90 with respect to the filling nozzle.
The aseptic filling apparatus according to any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein the aseptic filling device is connected at an angle of ° and the supply path of the contents is L-shaped. 6. The aseptic filling apparatus according to claim 5, further comprising a dividing tool in front of the supply pipe and a cutting tool behind the supply pipe. 7. A sleeve for inserting a filling nozzle, a connecting pipe extending from a side portion of the sleeve, and a container body connected to the other end of the connecting pipe, and both ends of the sleeve. A container provided with a sealing film for sealing a surface. 8. The container according to claim 7, wherein the sleeve and the connecting pipe are made of polyethylene, and the sealing film is a composite film obtained by laminating a polyethylene film on both sides of an aluminum foil or a polyethylene terephthalate film. .