JP2019147382A - Sterilization method and sterilization device for composite preform, sterilization method and sterilization device for composite container, composite preform and composite container - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a sterilized composite container. SOLUTION: A preform 10a made of a plastic material is prepared, and a disinfectant is sprayed on an inner surface and an outer surface of the preform 10a. By providing the plastic member 40a so as to surround the outside of the preform 10a, the composite preform 70 having the preform 10a and the plastic member 40a in close contact with the outside of the preform 10a is produced. Next, hot air is blown into the composite preform 70 to activate the disinfectant. Next, the composite preform 70 is heated and inserted into the mold 104, and blow molding is performed on the composite preform 70 in the mold 104, whereby the preform 10a of the composite preform 70 and the plastic member are formed. The 40a is integrally expanded to obtain the composite container 10A. [Selection diagram] Fig. 5

Description

  The present invention relates to a composite preform sterilization method and sterilizer, a composite container sterilization method and sterilizer, a composite preform, and a composite container.

  Recently, plastic bottles for storing content liquids such as foods and drinks have become common, and such plastic bottles store content liquids.

  A plastic bottle containing such a content liquid is manufactured by inserting a preform into a mold and biaxially stretch-blow molding.

  By the way, in the conventional biaxial stretch blow molding method, for example, a preform including a single layer material such as PET or PP, a multilayer material, a blend material, or the like is used to form a container shape. However, in the conventional biaxial stretch blow molding method, the preform is generally simply formed into a container shape. For this reason, when various functions and characteristics (barrier property, heat retaining property, etc.) are given to the container, the means is limited, for example, by changing the material constituting the preform. In particular, it is difficult to have different functions and characteristics depending on the part of the container (for example, the trunk and the bottom). There is also a need to sterilize such plastic bottles.

JP 2009-241526 A

  The present invention has been made in consideration of the above points, and is capable of imparting various functions and characteristics to a container and capable of performing a sterilization treatment, and a sterilization method and sterilization of a composite preform. An object is to provide an apparatus, a sterilization method of a composite container, a sterilization apparatus, a composite preform, and a composite container.

The present invention relates to a method for sterilizing a composite preform,
Preparing a preform made of plastic material and a plastic member;
Adsorbing a bactericide on the preform or the plastic member;
Providing a plastic member on the outside of the preform to produce a composite preform;
And a method for sterilizing the composite preform by heating and sterilizing the composite preform.

  The present invention is the method for sterilizing a composite preform, wherein the step of heating the composite preform includes a step of blowing hot air onto the composite preform.

  According to the present invention, the step of heating the composite preform further includes a step of heating the composite preform from the outside by a heating unit after spraying hot air on the composite preform. This is a method for sterilizing renovation.

The present invention relates to a method for sterilizing a composite preform,
Preparing a preform made of plastic material and a plastic member;
Providing a plastic member on the outside of the preform to produce a composite preform;
Adsorbing a bactericide on the composite preform;
And a method for sterilizing the composite preform by heating and sterilizing the composite preform.

The present invention provides a step of preparing a composite preform sterilized by the above-described composite preform sterilization method,
Heating the composite preform for blow molding and inserting it into a blow mold; and
A step of blow-molding the composite preform in the blow-molding mold to form a composite container by inflating the composite preform as a unit. It is a sterilization method.

  The present invention is a method for sterilizing a composite container, wherein the molded composite container is sterilized.

  The present invention is the method for sterilizing a composite container, wherein the adsorbed disinfectant is activated when the composite preform is heated.

The present invention relates to a composite preform sterilization apparatus,
A preform production section for producing a preform made of a plastic material;
A plastic member production unit for producing a plastic member;
A sterilizing agent spraying part for adsorbing the sterilizing agent on the preform or plastic member;
A plastic member insertion part for producing a composite preform by providing a plastic member outside the preform;
And a heating unit that sterilizes the composite preform by heating the composite preform.

  The present invention is the composite preform sterilizing apparatus, wherein the heating unit that heats the composite preform includes a hot air spraying unit that sprays hot air onto the composite preform.

  According to the present invention, the heating unit for heating the composite preform further includes an infrared heater for heating the composite preform from outside after hot air is blown into the composite preform. This is a renovation sterilizer.

The present invention relates to a composite preform sterilization apparatus,
A preform production section for producing a preform made of a plastic material;
A plastic member production part for producing a plastic material member;
A plastic member insertion part for producing a composite preform by providing a plastic member outside the preform;
A fungicide spraying part for adsorbing a fungicide on the composite preform;
And a heating unit that sterilizes the composite preform by heating the composite preform.

The present invention provides a sterilization apparatus for the composite preform described above,
A heating unit for blow molding for heating the composite preform sterilized by the preform sterilization apparatus;
A composite comprising: a mold that inserts the composite preform and blows the composite preform to expand the composite preform as a unit to form a composite container. This is a container sterilizer.

  The present invention is a composite container sterilization apparatus provided with a composite container sterilization section for performing a sterilization process on a molded composite container.

  The present invention is the composite container sterilizing apparatus, wherein the adsorbed disinfectant is activated when the composite preform is heated by the blow molding heating section.

The present invention relates to a composite preform,
A preform made of plastic material,
A plastic member provided to surround the outside of the preform,
The plastic member is a composite preform characterized in that the plastic member is in close contact with the outside of the preform, and the sterilization treatment is performed on the preform and the plastic member.

The present invention relates to a composite container,
A container body made of plastic material;
A plastic member provided in close contact with the outside of the container body,
The container main body and the plastic member are expanded as a single body by blow molding, and the container main body and the plastic member are sterilized.

The present invention, in a composite container containing the content liquid,
A container body made of a plastic material in which the content liquid is stored;
A plastic member provided in close contact with the outside of the container body,
The container main body and the plastic member are inflated integrally by blow molding, and the container main body and the plastic member are subjected to a sterilization treatment.

  According to the present invention, the preform of the composite preform and the plastic member are expanded integrally by performing blow molding on the composite preform in the blow mold. For this reason, the preform (container body) and the plastic member can be formed of different members, and various functions and characteristics can be imparted to the composite container by appropriately selecting the type and shape of the plastic member. it can. In addition, the composite preform and the composite container can be appropriately sterilized.

FIG. 1 is a partial vertical sectional view showing a composite container according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a horizontal sectional view (sectional view taken along the line II-II in FIG. 1) showing the composite container according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a vertical sectional view showing a composite preform according to an embodiment of the present invention. 4A to 4D are perspective views showing various plastic members. 5 (A) to (C) are schematic views showing a method for sterilizing a composite container according to the present invention. 6 (D) to 6 (F) are schematic views showing a method for sterilizing a composite container according to the present invention. 7 (G) to (H2) are schematic views showing a method for sterilizing a composite container according to the present invention. 8 (I) to (K) are schematic views showing a method for sterilizing a composite container according to the present invention. FIG. 9 is a schematic view showing a sterilization apparatus for a composite container according to the present invention. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a spindle in a heating furnace. FIG. 11 is an enlarged view showing a composite preform sterilization apparatus. FIG. 12 is a view showing a plastic member insertion portion. FIG. 13 is a view showing a modification of the plastic member insertion portion.

<Embodiment of the Invention>
Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. 1 to 13 are diagrams showing an embodiment of the present invention.

  First, an outline of a composite container sterilized by the composite container sterilization method according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2. In the present specification, “upper” and “lower” refer to the upper side and the lower side in a state where the composite container 10A is erected (FIG. 1), respectively.

  A composite container 10A shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 is biaxially stretched with respect to a composite preform 70 (see FIG. 3) including a preform 10a and a plastic member 40a using a blow molding die 50, as will be described later. By performing blow molding, the preform 10a of the composite preform 70 and the plastic member 40a are integrally expanded. In addition, the composite liquid 10 </ b> A is filled with the content liquid L to obtain a composite container 10 </ b> B containing the content liquid.

  Such a composite container 10 </ b> A includes a container body 10 made of a plastic material located inside and a plastic member 40 provided in close contact with the outside of the container body 10.

  Among these, the container body 10 includes a mouth portion 11, a neck portion 13 provided below the mouth portion 11, a shoulder portion 12 provided below the neck portion 13, a trunk portion 20 provided below the shoulder portion 12, And a bottom portion 30 provided below the portion 20.

  On the other hand, the plastic member 40 is in close contact with the outer surface of the container main body 10 in a thinly extended state, and is attached to the container main body 10 without being easily moved or rotated.

  Next, the container body 10 will be described in detail. As described above, the container body 10 includes the mouth portion 11, the neck portion 13, the shoulder portion 12, the trunk portion 20, and the bottom portion 30.

  Of these, the mouth portion 11 includes a screw portion 14 screwed into a cap (not shown) and a flange portion 17 provided below the screw portion 14. The shape of the mouth portion 11 may be a conventionally known shape.

  The neck portion 13 is located between the flange portion 17 and the shoulder portion 12 and has a substantially cylindrical shape having a substantially uniform diameter. The shoulder 12 is located between the neck 13 and the trunk 20 and has a shape whose diameter gradually increases from the neck 13 toward the trunk 20.

  Furthermore, the trunk | drum 20 has a cylindrical shape with a substantially uniform diameter as a whole. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the body portion 20 may have a polygonal cylindrical shape such as a rectangular cylindrical shape or an octagonal cylindrical shape. Or the trunk | drum 20 may have a cylinder shape with a horizontal cross section which is not uniform toward upper direction from the downward direction. Moreover, in this Embodiment, although the unevenness | corrugation is not formed in the trunk | drum 20, and has a substantially flat surface, it is not restricted to this. For example, unevenness such as a panel or a groove may be formed on the body portion 20.

  On the other hand, the bottom portion 30 has a concave portion 31 located in the center and a grounding portion 32 provided around the concave portion 31. The shape of the bottom 30 is not particularly limited, and may have a conventionally known bottom shape (for example, a petaloid bottom shape or a round bottom shape).

  Moreover, although the thickness of the container main body 10 in the trunk | drum 20 is not limited to this, For example, it can be made thin to about 50 micrometers-250 micrometers. Further, the weight of the container body 10 is not limited to this, but can be 10 g to 20 g. Thus, by reducing the thickness of the container main body 10, the weight of the container main body 10 can be reduced.

  Such a container main body 10 can be manufactured by biaxially stretching blow-molding a preform 10a (described later) manufactured by injection molding a synthetic resin material. As the material of the preform 10a, that is, the container body 10, a thermoplastic resin, particularly PE (polyethylene), PP (polypropylene), PET (polyethylene terephthalate), PEN (polyethylene naphthalate), or PC (polycarbonate) may be used. preferable. Moreover, you may blend and use the various resin mentioned above. Further, a vapor deposition film such as a diamond-like carbon film or a silicon oxide thin film may be formed on the inner surface of the container body 10 in order to enhance the barrier property of the container.

  The container body 10 can also be formed as a multilayer molded bottle having two or more layers. That is, by extrusion molding or injection molding, for example, the intermediate layer has gas barrier properties and light shielding properties such as MXD6, MXD6 + fatty acid salt, PGA (polyglycolic acid), EVOH (ethylene vinyl alcohol copolymer) or PEN (polyethylene naphthalate). You may form as a multilayer bottle which has gas barrier property and light-shielding property by extrusion-molding preform 10a which consists of three or more layers as resin which it has (intermediate layer), and carrying out blow molding. As the intermediate layer, a resin obtained by blending the above-described various resins may be used.

  Further, by mixing an inert gas (nitrogen gas, argon gas) with the thermoplastic resin melt, a foam preform having a foam cell diameter of 0.5 to 100 μm is formed, and this foam preform is blow-molded. Thus, the container body 10 may be manufactured. Since such a container main body 10 contains the foam cell, the light shielding property of the container main body 10 whole can be improved.

  Such a container main body 10 may consist of a bottle with a full capacity of 150 ml to 1500 ml, for example.

  Next, the plastic member 40 will be described. As will be described later, the plastic member 40 (40a) is provided so as to surround the outside of the preform 10a, and is obtained by being in close contact with the outside of the preform 10a and then being biaxially stretch blow-molded together with the preform 10a. It is a thing.

  The plastic member 40 is attached to the outer surface of the container body 10 without being bonded, and is in close contact with the container body 10 so as not to move or rotate. The plastic member 40 is thinly extended on the outer surface of the container body 10 to cover the container body 10. As shown in FIG. 2, the plastic member 40 is provided over the entire circumferential direction so as to surround the container body 10, and has a substantially circular horizontal cross section.

  In this case, the plastic member 40 is provided so as to cover the shoulder portion 12, the trunk portion 20, and the bottom portion 30 of the container body 10 except for the mouth portion 11 and the neck portion 13. Thereby, desired functions and characteristics can be imparted to the shoulder portion 12, the trunk portion 20, and the bottom portion 30 of the container body 10.

  The plastic member 40 may be provided in the entire region or a partial region other than the mouth portion 11 of the container body 10. For example, the plastic member 40 may be provided so as to cover the neck portion 13, the shoulder portion 12, the trunk portion 20, and the bottom portion 30 of the container body 10 except for the mouth portion 11. Further, the number of plastic members 40 is not limited to one, and a plurality of plastic members 40 may be provided. For example, you may provide the two plastic members 40 in the outer surface of the shoulder part 12, and the outer surface of the bottom part 30, respectively.

  Such a plastic member 40a may be one that does not have a contracting action on the preform 10a or may have a contracting action.

  When the plastic member 40a has a function of contracting with respect to the preform 10a, the plastic member (outer contracting member) 40a is provided outside the preform 10a and is heated integrally with the preform 10a. It is obtained by biaxial stretch blow molding. As such a plastic member (outer contraction member) 40a, any member having an action of contracting with respect to the preform 10a may be used. The plastic member (outer contraction member) 40a itself may be contractible or elastic and can contract without applying an external action. Alternatively, the plastic member (outer contraction member) 40a may contract (for example, heat shrink) with respect to the preform 10a when an external action (for example, heat) is applied.

  Moreover, the thickness of the plastic member 40a is not limited to this, but can be set to, for example, about 5 μm to 50 μm in a state of being attached to the container body 10.

  Next, the structure of the composite preform according to this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the composite preform 70 includes a preform 10a made of a plastic material, and a bottomed cylindrical plastic member 40a provided outside the preform 10a.

  Among these, the preform 10a includes a mouth portion 11a, a body portion 20a connected to the mouth portion 11a, and a bottom portion 30a connected to the body portion 20a. Of these, the mouth portion 11 a corresponds to the mouth portion 11 of the container body 10 described above, and has substantially the same shape as the mouth portion 11. Moreover, the trunk | drum 20a respond | corresponds to the neck part 13, the shoulder part 12, and the trunk | drum 20 of the container main body 10 mentioned above, and has a substantially cylindrical shape. The bottom 30a corresponds to the bottom 30 of the container body 10 described above, and has a substantially hemispherical shape.

  The plastic member 40a is attached to the outer surface of the preform 10a without being bonded, and is in close contact with the preform 10a so as not to move or rotate. The plastic member 40a is provided over the entire circumferential direction so as to surround the preform 10a, and has a circular horizontal cross section.

  In this case, the plastic member 40a is provided so as to cover the entire region of the body portion 20a excluding the portion 13a corresponding to the neck portion 13 of the container body 10 and the entire region of the bottom portion 30a.

  The plastic member 40a may be provided in the entire region or a partial region other than the mouth portion 11a. For example, the plastic member 40a may be provided so as to cover the entire body portion 20a and the bottom portion 30a except for the mouth portion 11a. Furthermore, the number of plastic members 40a is not limited to one, and a plurality of plastic members 40a may be provided. For example, two plastic members 40a may be provided at two locations outside the trunk portion 20a.

  Such a plastic member 40a may be one that does not have a contracting action on the preform 10a or may have a contracting action.

  In the latter case, a plastic member (outer contraction member) 40a may be used that contracts (eg, heat shrinks) with respect to the preform 10a when an external action (eg, heat) is applied.

  Examples of the plastic member 40a include polyethylene, polypropylene, polyethylene terephthalate, polyethylene naphthalate, poly-4-methylpentene-1, polystyrene, AS resin, ABS tree, polyvinyl chloride, polyvinylidene chloride, polyvinyl acetate, Polyvinyl alcohol, polyvinyl acetal, polyvinyl butyral, diallyl phthalate resin, fluorine resin, polymethyl methacrylate, polyacrylic acid, polymethyl acrylate, polyacrylonitrile, polyacrylamide, polybutadiene, polybutene-1, polyisoprene, polychloroprene, Ethylene propylene rubber, butyl rubber, nitrile rubber, acrylic rubber, silicone rubber, fluoro rubber, nylon 6, nylon 6,6, nylon MXD6, aromatic poly Polycarbonate, poly (ethylene terephthalate), poly (ethylene terephthalate), poly (ethylene naphthalate), U polymer, liquid crystal polymer, modified polyphenylene ether, polyether ketone, polyether ether ketone, unsaturated polyester, alkyd resin, polyimide, polysulfone, polyphenylene Examples thereof include sulfide, polyethersulfone, silicone resin, polyurethane, phenol resin, urea resin, polyethylene oxide, polypropylene oxide, polyacetal, and epoxy resin. Among these, it is preferable to use thermoplastic inelastic resins such as polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), and polyethylene naphthalate (PEN). Moreover, those blend materials, multilayer structures, and partial multilayer structures may be used. Also, by mixing an inert gas (nitrogen gas, argon gas) with a melt of a thermoplastic resin, a foam member having a foam cell diameter of 0.5 to 100 μm is used, and this foam preform is molded. , The light shielding property can be improved.

  The plastic member 40a may be made of the same material as the container body 10 (preform 10a). In this case, in the composite container 10A, for example, the plastic member 40 can be intensively arranged at a portion where the strength is to be increased, and the strength of the portion can be selectively increased. For example, plastic members 40 may be provided around the shoulder 12 and the bottom 30 of the container body 10 to increase the strength of this portion. Examples of such materials include thermoplastic resins, particularly PE (polyethylene), PP (polypropylene), PET (polyethylene terephthalate), PEN (polyethylene naphthalate), and PC (polycarbonate).

  The plastic member 40a may be made of a material having a gas barrier property such as an oxygen barrier property or a water vapor barrier property. In this case, the gas barrier property of the composite container 10A can be enhanced without using a multilayer preform or a preform containing a blend material as the preform 10a, and the content liquid can be prevented from being deteriorated by oxygen or water vapor. For example, a plastic member 40 may be provided in the entire region of the shoulder portion 12, the neck portion 13, the trunk portion 20, and the bottom portion 30 of the container body 10, and the gas barrier property of this portion may be improved. As such a material, PE (polyethylene), PP (polypropylene), MXD-6 (nylon), EVOH (ethylene vinyl alcohol copolymer) or an oxygen absorbing material such as a fatty acid salt may be mixed with these materials. It is done.

  The plastic member 40a may be made of a material having a light barrier property such as ultraviolet rays. In this case, the light barrier property of the composite container 10A can be improved and the content liquid can be prevented from being deteriorated by ultraviolet rays or the like without using a multilayer preform or a preform containing a blend material as the preform 10a. For example, a plastic member 40a may be provided in the entire region of the shoulder portion 12, the neck portion 13, the trunk portion 20, and the bottom portion 30 of the container body 10 to enhance the ultraviolet barrier property of this portion. As such a material, a blend material or a material obtained by adding a light-shielding resin to PET, PE, or PP can be considered. Moreover, you may use the foaming member with the foam cell diameter of 0.5-100 micrometers produced by mixing inert gas (nitrogen gas, argon gas) with the melt of a thermoplastic resin.

  Moreover, the plastic member 40a may be made of a material (a material having a low thermal conductivity) having a higher heat retaining property or a lower heat retaining property than a plastic material constituting the container body 10 (preform 10a). In this case, it is possible to make it difficult for the temperature of the content liquid to be transmitted to the surface of the composite container 10A without increasing the thickness of the container body 10 itself. Thereby, the heat retaining property or cold retaining property of the composite container 10A is enhanced. For example, the plastic member 40 may be provided on the whole or a part of the body 20 in the container body 10 to enhance the heat retaining property or the cold retaining property of the body 20. Further, when the user grips the composite container 10A, it is prevented that the composite container 10A becomes difficult to hold due to being too hot or too cold. Examples of such materials include foamed polyurethane, polystyrene, PE (polyethylene), PP (polypropylene), phenol resin, polyvinyl chloride, urea resin, silicone, polyimide, melamine resin, and the like. Moreover, you may use the foaming member with the foam cell diameter of 0.5-100 micrometers produced by mixing inert gas (nitrogen gas, argon gas) with the melt of a thermoplastic resin.

  The plastic member 40a may be made of a material that is less slippery than the plastic material that constitutes the container body 10 (preform 10a). In this case, the user can easily hold the composite container 10 </ b> A without changing the material of the container body 10. For example, a plastic member 40 may be provided on all or part of the body 20 of the container body 10 so that the body 20 can be easily held.

  Further, the plastic member 40a may be designed or printed. In this case, it is possible to display images and characters on the composite container 10A without separately providing a label or the like to the container body 10 after blow molding. For example, the plastic member 40 may be provided on all or part of the trunk 20 in the container body 10, and images or characters may be displayed on the trunk 20. In this case, the material of the plastic member 40 may be the same as that of the container body 10 or may be different from that of the container body 10.

  Next, the shape of the plastic member 40a will be described.

  As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4A, the plastic member 40a has a bottomed cylindrical shape as a whole, and includes a cylindrical body 41 and a bottom 42 connected to the body 41. May be. In this case, since the bottom 42 of the plastic member 40a covers the bottom 30a of the preform 10a, various functions and characteristics can be imparted to the bottom 30 in addition to the trunk 20 of the composite container 10A.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 4B, the plastic member 40 a may have a circular tube shape (bottomless cylindrical shape) as a whole and may have a cylindrical body portion 41. In this case, for example, an extruded tube can be used as the plastic member 40a.

  Moreover, as shown in FIG.4 (c) and FIG.4 (d), the plastic members 40a may be produced by forming a film in a cylinder shape and bonding the edge part together. In this case, as shown in FIG. 4 (c), the plastic member 40a may be configured in a tubular shape (bottomless cylindrical shape) having a body portion 41, and as shown in FIG. 4 (d), The bottom 42 may be bonded to form a bottomed cylinder.

  Next, a method for sterilizing the composite preform and a method for sterilizing the composite container will be described with reference to FIGS.

  As shown in FIG. 5 (A1) to FIG. 8 (K), the composite preform 70 and the composite container 10A are sterilized, and the composite container 10A is filled with the content liquid L and the composite container 10B containing the content liquid. Is obtained.

  First, the preform 10a shown in FIG. 5 (A1) is continuously conveyed at a desired speed, and the disinfectant gas G or mist or a mixture thereof is sprayed on the inner and outer surfaces of the running preform 10a. To be adsorbed.

  In this case, the gas G, mist, or a mixture thereof containing a hydrogen peroxide component as a disinfectant contacts and adheres to the inner and outer surfaces of the preform 10a, thereby sterilizing microorganisms attached to the surface of the preform 10a, or Hurt. As a disinfectant, a peracetic acid component may be included in addition to hydrogen peroxide.

  Note that the preform may be preheated by blowing hot air on the preform 1 immediately before the gas G is sprayed onto the preform 1 shown in FIG. 5 (A1).

  Next, the plastic member 40a is inserted into the outer side of the preform 10a having the inner surface and the outer surface sprayed with a bactericide, and thus a composite preform 70 composed of the preform 10a and the plastic member 40a is obtained. (FIG. 5 (A2)).

  Hot air P is supplied into the composite preform 70 thus obtained by the air nozzle 180 (FIG. 5B).

  By spraying the hot air P, the hydrogen peroxide adhering to the inner surface of the composite preform 70 is activated by the heat of the hot air P, whereby the microorganisms in the composite preform 70 are sterilized. Further, the hydrogen peroxide adhering to the inner surface of the composite preform 70 by the hot air P is quickly removed from the surface of the preform 1.

  As shown in FIG. 5C, the sterilized composite preform 70 is heated to a temperature suitable for the subsequent blow molding by the infrared heater 118a and other heating means. This temperature is about 90 ° C to 130 ° C. The mouth portion 11a of the composite preform 70 passes through a position not facing the infrared heater 118a so that heat from the infrared heater 118a is not transmitted in order to prevent deformation and the like.

  As shown in FIG. 5C, the composite preform 70 is supported by the spindle 143 when the composite preform 70 is heated.

  As shown in FIG. 10, a plurality of ball-shaped elastic bodies 143 b are embedded in the lower part of the spindle 143. Further, an umbrella-shaped member 143a is attached to the outside of the spindle 143 as necessary. Here, FIG. 10 is a view showing the spindle 143 of the heating furnace 133.

  The composite preform 70 is supported by the spindle 143 by elastic deformation of the elastic body 143b when the lower portion of the spindle 143 is inserted into the mouth portion 11a. When the umbrella-shaped member 143a is provided, the mouth portion 11a of the composite preform 70 is simultaneously covered with the umbrella-shaped member 143a.

  As shown in FIG. 10, when the umbrella-shaped member 143a is provided, the outer surface of the mouth 11a of the composite preform 70 and the umbrella-shaped member 143a from between the inner surface of the mouth 11a of the composite preform 70 and the lower portion of the spindle 143. , The air in the composite preform 70 heated by the heat from the infrared heater 118a becomes hot air, and the gap is moved from the inside of the composite preform 70 to the outside of the composite preform 70. In the meantime, the mouth part 11a of the composite preform 70 is heated.

  The mouth portion 11a of the composite preform 70 is not deformed by heat applied at the stage of the composite preform 70 so that the sealing performance of the composite container 10A is not lost when it is sealed with the cap 103 in the state of the composite container 10A. Considered.

  The hot air flowing through the gap heats the mouth portion 11a, but only heats to a temperature of about 70 ° C. or less that does not cause deformation of the mouth portion 11a. By such heating of the mouth portion 11a, a trace amount of hydrogen peroxide remaining in the composite preform 70 is activated, and the mouth portion 11a is appropriately sterilized.

  In addition, in order to improve the sterilization property of the mouth part 11a, irradiation sterilization may be performed with an ultraviolet lamp, a pulse beam, or the like instead of the umbrella-shaped member 143a.

  During the heating, the composite preform 70 is preferably conveyed while rotating around the axis together with the spindle 143 in a state where the composite preform 70 is suspended in an upright state by inserting the spindle 143 into the mouth portion 11a. . As a result, the composite preform 70 is heated uniformly from about 90 ° C. to about 130 ° C. by the infrared heater 118a except for the mouth portion 11a.

  The composite preform 70 can be transported in an inverted state.

  During this time, both the preform 10a and the plastic member 40a constituting the composite preform 70 are heated by the infrared heater 118a, but remain on the outer surface of the preform 10a, that is, between the preform 10a and the plastic member 40a. Hydrogen peroxide is also activated. For this reason, the outer surface of the preform 10a and the inner surface of the plastic member 40a can be appropriately sterilized by the activated hydrogen peroxide.

  As shown in FIG. 6D, the heated composite preform 70 is released from the spindle 143, transferred to the gripper 132, and sterilized air Q is blown from the mouth portion 11a side, while FIG. To the mold 104, which is a blow mold shown in FIG. By blowing this aseptic air Q, the composite preform 70 is supplied to the mold 104 while maintaining sterility.

  The aseptic air Q may be hot air. The temperature drop of the preform 1 is prevented by blowing hot air.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 6 (D), a cover 186 surrounds the travel path of the composite preform 70 at a location where the composite preform 70 is heated and finished toward the mold 104. It is provided in a tunnel shape. The ceiling portion of the tunnel-shaped cover 186 that covers the mouth portion 11a of the composite preform 70 from above is formed in a roof shape having an inclined surface. In addition, a nozzle 186a that blows aseptic air Q toward the mouth portion 11a of the composite preform 70 is provided in the ceiling portion in the form of a pipe row or slit. Thereby, aseptic air Q is efficiently supplied to the composite preform 70, and the composite preform 70 is in the chamber 141b and travels while maintaining sterility.

  As shown in FIG. 6E, the composite preform 70 conveyed while maintaining sterility by spraying aseptic air Q is accommodated in the mold 104.

  The mold 104 is continuously clamped while traveling at the same speed as the traveling speed of the preform 1, and is opened after blow molding is performed on the preform 1 in the mold 104. .

  As described above, the composite preform 70 is uniformly heated up to a temperature range suitable for molding in the heating step shown in FIG. As shown, when the stretched rod 105 is inserted into the composite preform 70 after the heated composite preform 70 is mounted in the mold 104, the composite preform 70 is molded in the length direction thereof. Stretched within 104.

  Subsequently, for example, aseptic air for primary blow and aseptic air for secondary blow are sequentially blown into the composite preform 70 from a blow nozzle (not shown), the composite preform 70 is molded into the cavity 104C of the mold 104. It expands to the composite container 10A.

  When the composite container 10A is molded in the mold 104 in this manner, the mold 104 is opened while continuing to run, and the finished product of the composite container 10A is taken out from the mold 104 outward.

  After the composite container 10A is taken out from the mold 104 to the hydrogen peroxide supply step shown in FIG. It is sprayed from the part 11 side and conveyed. By blowing this sterile air Q, the composite container 10A is sent directly under the hydrogen peroxide supply nozzle 193 so as not to be contaminated by microorganisms as much as possible.

  Aseptic air Q shown in FIG. 6 (F) is preferably hot air. Since the temperature drop of the composite container 10A is prevented by blowing hot air, the sterilization effect by the next hydrogen peroxide is improved.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 6 (F), the place where the composite container 10A moves to the next hydrogen peroxide supply nozzle 193 (see FIG. 7 (G)) surrounds the travel path of the composite container 10A. A cover 187 is provided in a tunnel shape. The ceiling portion that covers the mouth portion 11 of the composite container 10A in the tunnel-shaped cover 187 from above is formed in a roof shape having an inclined surface. In addition, a nozzle 187a that blows aseptic air Q toward the mouth portion 11 of the composite container 10A or toward the traveling path is provided in the ceiling portion in the form of a pipe or slit. As a result, aseptic air Q is efficiently supplied to the composite container 10A, and the composite container 10A runs in chambers 141b and 141c1, which will be described later, while maintaining sterility (see FIG. 9).

  The composite container 10A sprayed with aseptic air Q is sterilized by supplying hydrogen peroxide, which is a sterilizing agent, as shown in FIG.

  Specifically, hydrogen peroxide mist M or gas G or a mixture thereof is sprayed from the sterilization nozzle 193 to the composite container 10A being conveyed. The sterilizing nozzle 193 is disposed so as to face the mouth portion 11 of the composite container 10A. The hydrogen peroxide mist M or gas G or a mixture thereof flows down from the tip of the sterilization nozzle 193, enters the composite container 10A from the mouth 11 of the composite container 10A, and contacts the inner surface of the composite container 10A.

  Further, a tunnel 144 is formed at the travel location of the composite container 10A, and the hydrogen peroxide mist M or gas G discharged from the sterilizing nozzle 193 or a mixture thereof flows down along the outer surface of the composite container 10A. Since it stays in the tunnel 144, it effectively adheres to the outer surface of the composite container 10A.

  Hydrogen peroxide mist M or gas G can be generated, for example, by a sterilant gas generator.

  The sterilizing nozzle 193 may be installed at a fixed position on the conveyance path of the composite container 10A, or may be moved synchronously with the composite container 10A.

  As shown in FIG. 7 (G), the hydrogen peroxide mist M or gas G blown from the sterilizing nozzle 193 or a mixture thereof contacts the inner and outer surfaces of the composite container 10A. Since the heat applied at the stage of the preform 70 and the heat applied to the composite container 10A at the stage of FIG. 6 (F) remain at the predetermined temperature, it is sterilized efficiently.

  When the preform 10a of the composite preform 70 is made of PET, the predetermined temperature is desirably 40 ° C to 80 ° C, and more desirably 50 ° C to 75 ° C. When it is lower than 40 ° C., the bactericidal property is remarkably lowered. When the temperature is higher than 80 ° C., the bottle shrinks after molding.

  After spraying this hydrogen peroxide mist M or gas G or a mixture thereof, the composite container 10A is air rinsed as shown in FIG. 7 (H1). The air rinsing is performed by blowing sterile air N from the nozzle 145 into the composite container 10A, and the flow of the sterile air N removes foreign matters, hydrogen peroxide, and the like from the composite container 10A. At that time, the composite container 10A is brought into an upright state.

  Desirably, an umbrella-shaped member 184 is attached to the nozzle 145. By the guiding action of the umbrella-shaped member 184, the sterilized air N overflows from the inside of the composite container 10A, then goes to the outer surface of the composite container 10A, and air-rinses the outer surface of the composite container 10A.

  Note that an air rinsing step as shown in FIG. 7 (H2) may be adopted instead of the air rinsing step shown in FIG. 7 (H1). By adopting the process of FIG. 7 (H2), the bottle 2 is turned upside down and the aseptic air N is blown into the bottle 2 from the downwardly directed mouth portion 11, so that foreign matter or the like in the composite container 10A is mouthed. The part 11 can be dropped out of the composite container 10A. Or you may make it perform the process of FIG. 7 (H2), without blowing in aseptic air N following the air rinse process of FIG. 7 (H1). Further, an umbrella-shaped member 184 may be attached to the nozzle 145 shown in FIG.

  After air rinsing, as shown in FIG. 8 (I), as necessary, the hydrogen peroxide adhering to the composite container 10A is washed away, and sterile room temperature water or hot water of 15 ° C. to 85 ° C. is used to remove foreign substances. Aseptic water rinsing is performed. The flow rate per nozzle is preferably 5 L / min to 15 L / min, and the cleaning rinse time is preferably 0.2 to 10 seconds.

  As described above, since the composite container 10A is further sterilized with hydrogen peroxide after being sterilized at the stage of the preform 1, the amount of hydrogen peroxide used in the composite container 10A can be reduced, and therefore, hot water rinsing after air rinsing is performed. The process can be omitted.

  The hydrogen peroxide mist M or gas G used in the process of FIG. 7 (G) is as follows.

  When the amount of hydrogen peroxide used is converted to the amount of mist M, in order to sterilize the composite container 10A by performing only the process of FIG. 7 (G), a 50 μL / 500 mL bottle in 35% weight conversion is added to the composite container 10A. Although it was necessary to attach hydrogen peroxide in an amount of ˜100 μL / 500 mL bottle, when the composite preform 70 was sterilized as in the present invention, an excess amount of 10 μL / 500 mL bottle to 50 μL / 500 mL bottle was required. Commercial aseptic filling became possible by attaching hydrogen oxide mist M.

  Further, when the amount of hydrogen peroxide used is converted into the amount of gas G, the gas concentration is 5 mg / L to 10 mg / L in order to sterilize the composite container 10A only by performing the process of FIG. The hydrogen peroxide gas G had to be sprayed onto the composite container 10A, but when pre-sterilization involving preheating of the composite preform 70 was performed as in the present invention, the gas concentration was 1 mg / L to 5 mg / L. By spraying hydrogen peroxide gas G, commercial aseptic filling became possible.

  When the sterile water rinsing is omitted, after the air rinsing, as shown in FIG. 8 (J), the content liquid L is filled into the composite container 10A from the filling nozzle 110, as shown in FIG. 8 (K). By sealing with the cap 103 which is a lid, the composite container 10B containing the content liquid is obtained.

  In this embodiment, the bottle sterilization step corresponding to FIGS. 7G, 7H, and 2H is omitted, and the content liquid L itself is sterilized and then filled at room temperature in an aseptic environment. Is also possible.

  It is also possible to omit the sterilization step of the composite container 10A and fill the content liquid L at an intermediate temperature of about 70 ° C. When filling at medium temperature, survival of the spore bacteria in the content liquid L and the composite container 10A is allowed, but mold, yeast, etc. are sterilized by the heat of the content liquid L, and the container body made of PET 10 will not be deformed. Therefore, the medium temperature filling is suitable for the case where the content liquid L is a tea beverage, an acidic beverage, or a mineral water having a property of inhibiting germination of spore bacteria.

  The composite container sterilization apparatus for performing the composite container 10A sterilization method is configured as shown in FIGS. 9 to 13, for example.

  As shown in FIG. 9, the composite container sterilizer includes a preform feeder 111 that sequentially supplies a bottomed cylindrical preform 10 a (see FIG. 5 (A1)) having a mouth portion 11 a at a predetermined interval. The blow molding machine 112, the sterilizer 188 for sterilizing the molded composite container 10A, and the composite container 10A (see FIG. 7F) are filled with the content liquid L, and the cap 103 (see FIG. 8K) is used. And a filling machine 113 for sealing.

  This sterilizer is surrounded by chambers 141a, 141b, 141c1, 141c2, 141d, 141e, and 141f at locations from the blow molding machine 112 to the filling machine 113.

  The chamber 141a corresponds to the place where the sterilizing agent is supplied to the preform 10a, the chamber 141b corresponds to the place where the composite container 10A is molded, the chamber 141c1 corresponds to the place where the composite container 10A is conveyed to the sterilizer 188, The chamber 141c2 corresponds to a place where the sterilizing agent is supplied to the composite container 10A and rinsed, and the chamber 141d corresponds to a place where the composite container 10A is filled with the content liquid L and sealed.

  A portion from the chamber 141b to the chamber 141c1 is maintained as a clean room. In order to obtain a clean room, aseptic positive pressure air passed through a HEPA filter is supplied into the chambers 141b to 141c1 before the manufacture of the sterile package. Thereby, the inside of the chambers 141b to 141c1 is maintained in a clean state, and the composite container 10A having a high sterility level can be manufactured. In this case, for example, positive pressure air is supplied from the chamber 141d and positive pressure air is discharged from the chamber 141a.

  Before aseptic positive pressure air is blown into the chambers 141b to 141c1, the inside of the chambers 141b to 141c1 may be sterilized with hydrogen peroxide gas of 10 mg / L or less. Further, a portion where the composite preform 70 or the composite container 10A comes into contact may be irradiated with a UV lamp (ultraviolet sterilization). Or you may sterilize the location where materials, such as the metal mold | die 104, the extending | stretching rod 105, and the gripper 132, contact with the chemical | medical agent which ethanol and hydrogen peroxide contain 1%.

  Between the preform feeder 111 and the filling machine 113, a preform transport means for transporting the preform 10a and the composite preform 70 on the first transport path and a finished product-shaped cavity 104C of the composite container 10A are provided. A mold transport means for transporting the mold 104 having the mold 104 on the second transport path connected to the first transport path, and a composite container 10A formed by the mold 104 to the second transport path. Container transport means for sterilizing and filling the composite container 10A while transporting on the third transport path to be connected is provided.

  The first conveyance path of the preform conveyance means, the second conveyance path of the mold conveyance means, and the third conveyance path of the composite container conveyance means are in communication with each other, and on these conveyance paths, there is a composite plate. A gripper 132 or the like that conveys the reform 70 and the composite container 10A is provided.

  The preform conveying means includes a preform conveyor 114 that sequentially supplies the preform 10a supplied from the preform feeder 111 at a predetermined interval on the first conveying path. Further, the preform 10a is received from the end of the preform conveyor 114, the composite preform 70 is produced from the preform 10a and the plastic member 40a, and the wheels 201, 202, 203, 204, which carry the composite preform 70 are conveyed. 205 rows and an endless chain 18 for receiving and running the composite preform 70.

  In this case, the wheel 201 functions as a sterilizing agent spraying section that transports the preform 10a and sprays the sterilizing agent against the inner surface and the outer surface of the preform 10a (see FIG. 11).

  Further, the wheel 202 and the wheel 203 are configured to rotate around a rotation shaft 202A. Among these, the wheel 202 has a gripper 202a for holding the preform 10a, and the gripper 202a holds the preform 10a. Then, the preform 10a is rotated about the rotation shaft 202A (see FIG. 12).

  The wheel 203 has a cup 203a for holding a plastic member, particularly a plastic member 40a made of a blow tube. The wheel 202 and the wheel 203 rotate in synchronization with each other. During this rotation, the wheel 203 rises with respect to the wheel 202, and during the rotation of the wheel 202 and the wheel 203, the plastic member 40a is inserted into the outer surface of the preform 10a. A composite preform 70 having a plastic member 40a inserted on the outside of the reform 10a is obtained.

  For this reason, the plastic member insertion part which produces the composite preform 70 is comprised by the wheel 202 which has the gripper 202a, and the wheel 203 which has the cup 203a.

  Further, the wheel 204 and the wheel 205 function as a hot air spraying unit that transports the composite preform 70 and blows hot air into the composite preform 70.

  As described above, the wheels 201, 202, 203, 204, 205 have a function of inserting the plastic member 40 a into the preform 10 a and producing the composite preform 70 and a function of sterilizing the composite preform 70.

  When the plastic member 40a is made of a blow tube, the wheel 203 has a cup 203a for holding the plastic member 40a (see FIG. 12). However, when the plastic member 40a is made of a shrinkable tube, the cup 203a. Instead of this, a suction cup 203b that holds the plastic member 40a in an expanded state may be provided at the tip of the wheel 203 (see FIG. 13).

  In FIG. 13, the wheel 202 and the wheel 203 rotate in synchronization with each other. During this rotation, the wheel 203 rises with respect to the wheel 202, and during the rotation of the wheel 202 and the wheel 203, the plastic member 40a is inserted into the outer surface of the preform 10a. A composite preform 70 having a plastic member 40a inserted on the outside of the reform 10a is obtained. Both the preforms 10a described in FIGS. 12 and 13 may be in an inverted state. In the inverted state, it is advantageous in that the mounting member can be prevented from falling.

  Incidentally, as shown in FIG. 11, at a fixed position on the traveling path of the preform 10 a in the wheel 201, a sterilizing agent gas generator that generates the hydrogen peroxide gas G and the hydrogen peroxide gas G toward the preform 1. The disinfectant supply nozzle 106 as shown in FIG.

  The wheels 202 and 203 function as plastic member insertion portions as described above (FIG. 5 (A2)).

  Further, by discharging hot air P toward the composite preform 70 on the travel path of the composite preform 70 on the wheels 204 and 205, the hydrogen peroxide adhering to the inner and outer surfaces of the preform 1 is activated and the preform is activated. 1, an air nozzle 180 (see FIG. 5B) for discharging is disposed.

  Further, an inspection device (such as a camera) for confirming the mounting state of the plastic member 40a may be provided on the wheels 204, 205 or 119.

  As shown in FIGS. 9 and 11, the wheels 201, 202, 203, 204, and 205 are surrounded by a chamber 141a. The chamber 141a is connected to an exhaust means comprising a filter 136 for decomposing a sterilizing agent such as hydrogen peroxide in the air in the chamber 141a, and a blower 137. Thereby, hydrogen peroxide can be prevented from flowing into the adjacent blow molding machine 112. A heating furnace 133 that heats the composite preform 70 to a molding temperature is provided in a portion from the wheel 117 in contact with the wheel 205 to the wheel 119 in contact with the second conveyance path in the first conveyance path.

  The composite preform 70 is uniformly heated while traveling in the heating furnace 133, and the temperature of the part other than the mouth part 11a is raised to 90 ° C. to 130 ° C. which is a temperature suitable for blow molding. The mouth portion 11a is suppressed to a temperature of 70 ° C. or less without causing deformation or the like so as not to impair the sealing performance when the cap 103 is put on.

  A blow molding machine 112 is disposed around the second conveyance path. The blow molding machine 112 receives the composite preform 70 heated in the heating furnace 133 and molds it into the composite container 10A.

Above the wheel 119 positioned between the first conveyance path of the preform conveyance means and the second conveyance path of the mold conveyance means, a composite preform 70 traveling around the wheel 119 is provided. On the other hand, a cover 186 (see FIG. 6D) covering the mouth 11a from above is provided in a tunnel shape. Aseptic air Q is blown into the cover 186 so as to be directed toward the mouth 11 a of the composite preform 70. The aseptic air Q may be a part of the aseptic air P supplied from the aseptic air supply device.

  As a result, the composite preform 70 is surrounded by the chamber 141b that forms a clean room, and is further covered by the cover 186 that covers the sterilized air Q. The composite preform 70 is directed to the blow molding machine 112 with high sterility maintained. Become.

  The mold 104 in the blow molding machine 112 is opened when it comes into contact with the wheel 121 that is the starting end of the third conveyance path, and is received by the gripper 32 around the wheel 121.

  The composite container 10 </ b> A that has left the blow molding machine 112 and reaches the wheel 21 is inspected for the presence of molding defects or the like by an inspection device 135 that is arranged on the outer periphery of the wheel 121 as necessary.

  Inspected composite container 10 </ b> A is rejected from the conveyance path by an unillustrated evacuation device in the case of failure, and only the acceptable product is conveyed to wheel 122.

  A cover 187 (see FIG. 6F) that covers the composite container 10A from above the mouth portion 11a is tunneled above the travel path of the composite container 10A in the wheels 121, 12, and 189 in the third transport path. It is provided in the shape. The aseptic air Q blown into the cover 187 may be a part of the aseptic air P supplied from the aseptic air supply device.

  In the third conveyance path, the row of wheels 190, 191, 192, 123 following the wheel 189 includes a bactericidal agent supply nozzle 193 (see FIG. 7G) and a sterile air supply nozzle 145 (FIG. 7 (H1)). Or (see (H2)).

  Specifically, a plurality of (four in FIG. 9) disinfectant supply nozzles 193 are installed at fixed positions on the traveling path of the composite container 10A around the wheel 190. A tunnel 144 (see FIG. 7G) through which the composite container 10A passes is also installed corresponding to the sterilizing agent supply nozzle 193. Mist M or gas G of hydrogen peroxide blown from the sterilizing agent supply nozzle 193 or a mixture thereof enters the composite container 10A and adheres as a thin film to the inner surface of the composite container 10A. It flows along the outer surface and fills in the tunnel 44 and adheres to the outer surface of the composite container 10A as a thin film.

  One or more aseptic air supply nozzles 145 are installed at fixed positions on the travel path of the composite container 10A around the wheel 192. The aseptic air N blown out from the aseptic air supply nozzle 145 comes into contact with the inner and outer surfaces of the composite container 10A to remove the excess hydrogen peroxide solution film adhering to the surface of the composite container 10A. When the sterilized air N is hot air, the hydrogen peroxide adhering to the inner and outer surfaces of the composite container 10A is activated to enhance the sterilizing effect.

  Note that a large number of disinfectant supply nozzles 193 and aseptic air supply nozzles 145 are arranged around the wheels 190 and 192 at the same pitch as the pitch of the composite container 10A, and are swung synchronously with the wheels 190 and 192. Hydrogen peroxide gas G or aseptic air N may be blown into the composite container 10A.

  In the third conveyance path, a filler 139 and a capper 140 are provided at a position from the wheel 124 in contact with the wheel 123 to the wheel 127.

  Specifically, a filler 139 is formed by providing a large number of filling nozzles 110 (see FIG. 8J) for filling the content liquid L into the composite container 10A around the wheel 124. The cap 140 for attaching and sealing the cap 103 (refer FIG.8 (K)) to the composite container 10A with which the content liquid L was filled is comprised.

  In the first to third transport paths, the wheels 201, 202, 203, 204, and 205 are surrounded by a chamber 141a. The periphery of the portion from the wheel 117 to the wheel 121 is surrounded by the chamber 141b. The periphery of the wheel 122 and the wheel 189 is surrounded by the chamber 141c1. The periphery of the portion from the wheel 190 to the wheel 123 is surrounded by the chamber 141c2. The periphery of the portion from the wheel 124 to the wheel 127 is surrounded by the chamber 141d.

  Aseptic air purified by a HEPA filter (not shown) or the like is constantly supplied into the chamber 141b. Thereby, the chamber 141b is made into a clean room, and the penetration | invasion of the microorganisms into the inside is blocked | prevented.

  The interiors of the chambers 141a, 141b, 141c2, 141d, 141e, 141f are sterilized by, for example, COP (cleaning outside of place) and SOP (sterilizing outside of place), and then the chambers 141a, 141b, 141c2, 141d, 141e, 141f are exhausted from each chamber 141a, 141b, 141c2, 141d, 141e, 141f by the exhausting means installed integrally or integrally with each other. The Then, aseptic air purified by a scrubber, a filter (not shown) or the like is supplied into each of the chambers 141a, 141b, 141c2, 141d, and 141e, so that the aseptic air in each of the chambers 141a, 141b, 141c2, 141d, and 141f is obtained. Sex is maintained. Although COP and SOP are always performed for the chambers 141d, 141e, and 141f, it is not always necessary to perform the chambers 141a, 141b, and 141c2.

The chamber 141c1 functions as an atmosphere blocking chamber that blocks the atmosphere between the chamber 141b and the chamber 141c2. The chamber 141c1 is also connected to an exhaust unit similar to the exhaust unit, and the inside air of the chamber 141c1 is exhausted to the outside. As a result, cleaning gas generated by COP and SOP in the chamber 141d, sterilizing agent mist generated in the chamber 141c2, and the like flow into the chamber 141b of the blow molding machine 112 through the chamber 141c1. Can be blocked.
The sterilization strength of the environment (chamber or product liquid line) in the composite container sterilization apparatus and the content of the composite container 10B containing the content liquid vary depending on the content of the content such as pH, nitrogen source, carbon source, mineral, and catechin.
Therefore, the contents of COP and SOP and the necessary areas differ depending on the contents. In addition, aseptic air supply piping and bottle sterilization may be unnecessary depending on the product.

  Next, the operation of the composite container sterilizer will be described with reference to FIGS.

  First, the preform 10 a is supplied from the preform supply machine 11, and this preform 10 a is sent to the wheel 201 through the preform conveyor 14.

  The preform 10a is conveyed by the wheel 201, and during this time, hydrogen peroxide gas G or mist or a mixture thereof is supplied from the sterilizing agent supply nozzle 106 toward the inner surface and the outer surface of the preform 10a.

  Next, the preform 10 a having the hydrogen peroxide gas G or mist or a mixture thereof supplied to the inner surface and the outer surface is sent to the wheel 202. While the preform 10a is rotated and conveyed by the wheel 202, a plastic member 40a that is rotated and conveyed by the wheel 203 is inserted outside the preform 10a. Thus, the preform 10a and the preform 10a are inserted. A composite preform 70 having a plastic member 40a inserted on the outer side of the plastic preform 40 is obtained.

  Subsequently, when the composite preform 70 including the preform 10 a to which hydrogen peroxide is attached travels around the wheels 204 and 205, hot air P is blown from the air nozzle 180 to the inside of the composite preform 70. The heat of the hot air P activates the hydrogen peroxide adhering to the inner surface of the composite preform 70 and sterilizes the microorganisms adhering to the composite preform 70. Further, excess hydrogen peroxide is removed from the composite preform 70 by the hot air P.

  Thereafter, the composite preform 70 is received by the spindle 143 (see FIG. 5C) on the endless chain 118 and is conveyed into the heating furnace 133.

  In the heating furnace 133, the composite preform 70 is heated by the infrared heater 118a, and the entire temperature excluding the mouth portion 11a is uniformly heated to a temperature range suitable for blow molding. During this time, the composite preform 70 is heated as a whole, hydrogen peroxide remaining between the preform 10a and the plastic member 40a is activated, and the outer surface of the preform 10a is sterilized.

  The composite preform 10 a heated to the molding temperature in the heating furnace 133 is sprayed with aseptic air Q while passing through the cover 186 when traveling around the wheel 119. Thereby, the composite preform 70 is conveyed to the blow molding machine 112 while maintaining sterility. When the aseptic air Q is hot air, the composite preform 70 reaches the blow molding machine 112 while maintaining a temperature suitable for molding.

  The composite preform 70 is inserted into the mold 104 as shown in FIG. 6E when passing through the outer periphery of the wheel 120, and aseptic high-pressure air is blown into the finished product of the composite container 10A in the cavity 104C. Inflates to.

  The molded composite container 10A is taken out of the mold 104 by a gripper around the wheel 121 after the mold 104 is opened, and inspected by the inspection device 135 for molding defects and the like.

  The defective composite container 10 </ b> A is removed from the row by a discharge device (not shown), and only the non-defective composite container 10 </ b> A is transferred to the wheel 122 and conveyed to the sterilizer 188.

  Further, when the composite container 10 </ b> A travels from the wheel 121 to the wheel 189, aseptic air Q is blown while passing through the cover 187. Thus, the composite container 10A is conveyed to the sterilizer 188 while maintaining sterility. When the aseptic air Q is hot air, the composite container 10A reaches the sterilizer 188 while suitably maintaining a temperature suitable for sterilization.

  The composite container 10A travels around the wheel 190 in the sterilizer 188 and is sterilized by being sprayed with mist M or gas G of hydrogen peroxide solution or a mixture thereof as shown in FIG. Then, while traveling around the wheel 192, aseptic air N is blown and air rinsed as shown in FIG. 12 (H1) or (H2).

  Thereafter, the composite container 10A reaches the filling machine 113.

  In the filling machine 113, the composite container 10A is filled with the preliminarily sterilized content liquid L by the filling nozzle 110 of the filler 139 as shown in FIG. The composite container 10A filled with the content liquid L is sealed with a cap 103 applied by the capper 140 (see FIG. 8K), and is discharged outward from the outlet of the chamber 141d.

In the present embodiment, a composite preform 70 is manufactured by first spraying the sterilizing agent on the preform 10a and mounting the plastic member 40a with the sterilizing agent adsorbed on the preform 10a side. An example is shown in which the preform 70 is heated by the infrared heater 118a to activate the adsorbed disinfectant, and the gap between the preform 10a of the composite preform 70 and the plastic member 40a is sterilized.
As another method, after the sterilant is adsorbed to the plastic member 40a by spraying or immersing the sterilizer on the plastic member 40a side instead of the preform 40a, the plastic member 40a is attached to the preform 10a. The composite preform 70 is manufactured, and the composite preform 70 is heated by the infrared heater 118a to activate the adsorbed disinfectant, and the gap between the preform 10a of the composite preform 70 and the plastic member 40a is formed. It may be sterilized. In this case as well, the same effect as that obtained when the germicide is first sprayed on the preform 10a can be obtained. Of course, the sterilizing agent may be adsorbed by immersing the preform 10a in the sterilizing agent.
The step of adsorbing the bactericidal agent may be performed in-line connected to a blow molding machine as shown in the examples, but it is offline as long as a part of the bactericidal component is adsorbed during blow molding. Also good.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, by performing blow molding on the composite preform 70 in the blow molding die 104, the preform 10a of the composite preform 70 and the plastic member 40a are integrally expanded. Let For this reason, the preform 10a and the plastic member 40a can be composed of separate members, and various functions and characteristics can be imparted to the composite container by appropriately selecting the type and shape of the plastic member 40a. . In addition, the composite preform and the composite container can be appropriately sterilized.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Container main body 10A Composite container 10B Content composite container 10a Preform 40, 40a Plastic member 70 Composite preform 104 Mold 106 Nozzle 111 Preform supply machine 112 Blow molding machine 113 Filling machine 114 Preform conveyor 118 Endless chain 118a Infrared heater 201, 202, 203, 204, 205 Wheel

Claims (17)

In the method of sterilizing the composite preform,
Preparing a preform made of plastic material and a plastic member;
Adsorbing a bactericide on the preform or the plastic member;
Providing a plastic member on the outside of the preform to produce a composite preform;
And a method for sterilizing the composite preform by heating and sterilizing the composite preform.   2. The method for sterilizing a composite preform according to claim 1, wherein the step of heating the composite preform includes a step of blowing hot air onto the composite preform.   3. The composite according to claim 2, wherein the step of heating the composite preform further includes a step of heating the composite preform from the outside by a heating unit after spraying hot air on the composite preform. Preform sterilization method. In the method of sterilizing the composite preform,
Preparing a preform made of plastic material and a plastic member;
Providing a plastic member on the outside of the preform to produce a composite preform;
Adsorbing a bactericide on the composite preform;
And a method for sterilizing the composite preform by heating and sterilizing the composite preform. Preparing a composite preform sterilized by the method for sterilizing a composite preform according to claim 1 or 4;
Heating the composite preform for blow molding and inserting it into a blow mold; and
A step of blow-molding the composite preform in the blow-molding mold to form a composite container by inflating the composite preform as a unit. Sterilization method.   6. The method for sterilizing a composite container according to claim 5, wherein the molded composite container is sterilized.   The method for sterilizing a composite container according to claim 5 or 6, wherein when the composite preform is heated, the adsorbed disinfectant is activated. In sterilization equipment for composite preforms,
A preform production section for producing a preform made of a plastic material;
A plastic member production unit for producing a plastic member;
A sterilizing agent spraying part for adsorbing the sterilizing agent on the preform or plastic member;
A plastic member insertion part for producing a composite preform by providing a plastic member outside the preform;
And a heating unit for sterilizing the composite preform by heating the composite preform.   The apparatus for sterilizing a composite preform according to claim 8, wherein the heating unit that heats the composite preform includes a hot air spraying unit that sprays hot air onto the composite preform.   10. The composite according to claim 9, wherein the heating unit that heats the composite preform further includes an infrared heater that heats the composite preform from the outside after spraying hot air into the composite preform. Preform sterilizer. In sterilization equipment for composite preforms,
A preform production section for producing a preform made of a plastic material;
A plastic member production part for producing a plastic material member;
A plastic member insertion part for producing a composite preform by providing a plastic member outside the preform;
A fungicide spraying part for adsorbing a fungicide on the composite preform;
And a heating unit for sterilizing the composite preform by heating the composite preform. The composite preform sterilization apparatus according to claim 8 or 11,
A heating unit for blow molding for heating the composite preform sterilized by the preform sterilization apparatus;
A composite comprising: a mold that inserts the composite preform and blows the composite preform to expand the composite preform as a unit to form a composite container. Container sterilizer.   13. The composite container sterilization apparatus according to claim 12, further comprising a composite container sterilization unit that performs sterilization on the molded composite container.   The sterilization apparatus for a composite container according to claim 12 or 13, wherein when the composite preform is heated by a blow molding heating section, the adsorbed disinfectant is activated. In composite preform,
A preform made of plastic material,
A plastic member provided to surround the outside of the preform,
The plastic preform is in close contact with the outside of the preform, and the preform and the plastic member are sterilized. In composite containers,
A container body made of plastic material;
A plastic member provided in close contact with the outside of the container body,
The composite container, wherein the container body and the plastic member are integrally expanded by blow molding, and the container body and the plastic member are sterilized. In a composite container containing liquid,
A container body made of a plastic material in which the content liquid is stored;
A plastic member provided in close contact with the outside of the container body,
The said container main body and the said plastic member are expanded integrally by blow molding, The sterilization process is performed with respect to the said container main body and the said plastic member, The composite container containing a content liquid characterized by the above-mentioned.

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