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JP-2026076390-A - Contents filling system and processing method

JP2026076390AJP 2026076390 AJP2026076390 AJP 2026076390AJP-2026076390-A

Abstract

[Problem] To provide a content filling system and a cleaning method that can improve the cleanability during the cleaning process of the content filling system. [Solution] The contents filling system 10 comprises a contents sterilization device 40, a filling device 20, and a control unit 60. The contents sterilization device 40 has a heat exchange unit 50 including heat exchangers 51a to 51c and a heating unit 52. The heat exchange unit 50 has a first inlet 50a, a first outlet 50b, a second inlet 50c, and a second outlet 50d, and the first outlet 50b and the second inlet 50c are connected via the heating unit 52. The control unit 60 performs a forward flow process in which the processed fluid passes through the first inlet 50a, the first outlet 50b, the heating unit 52, the second inlet 50c, and the second outlet 50d in that order, and a reverse flow process in which the processed fluid passes through the second outlet 50d, the second inlet 50c, the heating unit 52, the first outlet 50b, and the first inlet 50a in that order. [Selection Diagram] Figure 2

Inventors

  • 早川 睦

Assignees

  • 大日本印刷株式会社

Dates

Publication Date
20260511
Application Date
20260225

Claims (13)

  1. A content filling system for filling with contents, A sterilization device for sterilizing the contents, A filling device for filling the contents that have been sterilized in the contents sterilization device, The system comprises a control unit for controlling the content filling system, The contents sterilization device comprises a heat exchange unit including at least one heat exchanger and a heating unit connected to the heat exchange unit. The heat exchange unit has a first inlet, a first outlet communicating with the first inlet, a second inlet, and a second outlet communicating with the second inlet. The first outlet and the second inlet are connected via the heating section. The control unit, A forward flow process is performed by passing the processing fluid through the first inlet, the first outlet, the heating section, the second inlet, and the second outlet in that order. A backflow process is performed in which the processing fluid is passed through the second outlet, the second inlet, the heating section, the first outlet, and the first inlet in that order. The heat exchanger has a pipe-side inlet, a pipe-side outlet communicating with the pipe-side inlet, a shell-side inlet, and a shell-side outlet communicating with the shell-side inlet. A content filling system that allows the direction of fluid delivery between the processing fluid flowing from the pipe-side inlet to the pipe-side outlet and the processing fluid flowing from the shell-side inlet to the shell-side outlet to be changed.
  2. The contents filling system according to claim 1, wherein the processing fluid flowing from the pipe-side inlet to the pipe-side outlet and the processing fluid flowing from the shell-side inlet to the shell-side outlet are supplied in opposite directions.
  3. A content filling system for filling with contents, A sterilization device for sterilizing the contents, A filling device for filling the contents that have been sterilized in the contents sterilization device, The system comprises a control unit for controlling the content filling system, The contents sterilization apparatus has a heat exchange unit including a plurality of heat exchangers and a heating unit connected to the heat exchange unit, The heat exchange unit has a first inlet, a first outlet communicating with the first inlet, a second inlet, and a second outlet communicating with the second inlet. The first outlet and the second inlet are connected via the heating section. The control unit, A forward flow process is performed by passing the processing fluid through the first inlet, the first outlet, the heating section, the second inlet, and the second outlet in that order. A backflow process is performed in which the processing fluid is passed through the second outlet, the second inlet, the heating section, the first outlet, and the first inlet in that order. The contents filling system wherein the backflow treatment is performed only on some of the heat exchangers among the plurality of heat exchangers.
  4. The contents filling system according to claim 3, wherein at least one heat exchanger performs only the forward flow treatment, and the other heat exchangers perform both the forward flow treatment and the reverse flow treatment.
  5. The contents filling system according to claim 3, wherein the backflow treatment is performed only on the heat exchanger among the plurality of heat exchangers that is heated to 60°C or higher.
  6. A content filling system for filling with contents, A sterilization device for sterilizing the contents, A filling device for filling the contents that have been sterilized in the contents sterilization device, A first pump that supplies the processing fluid to the contents sterilization device, The system comprises a control unit for controlling the content filling system, The contents sterilization apparatus comprises a heat exchange unit including at least one heat exchanger, a heating unit connected to the heat exchange unit, and a second pump that controls the liquid supply pressure of the processing fluid. The heat exchange unit has a first inlet, a first outlet communicating with the first inlet, a second inlet, and a second outlet communicating with the second inlet. The first outlet and the second inlet are connected via the heating section. The control unit, A forward flow process is performed by passing the processing fluid through the first inlet, the first outlet, the heating section, the second inlet, and the second outlet in that order. A contents filling system that performs a backflow treatment in which the processing fluid is passed through the second outlet, the second inlet, the heating section, the first outlet, and the first inlet in that order.
  7. The contents sterilization device has a holding tube, and the second pump is located between the first pump and the holding tube, according to claim 6.
  8. The contents sterilization device has a holding tube, and the second pump is located between the heating unit and the heat exchanger, as described in claim 6.
  9. The contents filling system according to claim 6, wherein the heat exchange unit has a plurality of heat exchangers, and the second pump is located between the plurality of heat exchangers.
  10. The contents filling system according to any one of claims 1 to 9, further comprising a second tank for storing the contents, wherein the second tank is located in the upper part of the filling device.
  11. A method for cleaning or sterilizing a content filling system that is filled with contents, The contents filling system comprises a contents sterilization device for sterilizing the contents, and a filling device for filling the contents that have been sterilized by the contents sterilization device. The contents sterilization device comprises a heat exchange unit including at least one heat exchanger, and a heating unit connected to the heat exchange unit, the heat exchange unit having a first inlet, a first outlet communicating with the first inlet, a second inlet, and a second outlet communicating with the second inlet. The aforementioned processing method is: A forward flow treatment step in which the treatment fluid is passed through the first inlet, the first outlet, the heating section, the second inlet, and the second outlet in that order, The system includes a backflow treatment step in which the processing fluid is passed through the second outlet, the second inlet, the heating section, the first outlet, and the first inlet in that order. The heat exchanger has a pipe-side inlet, a pipe-side outlet communicating with the pipe-side inlet, a shell-side inlet, and a shell-side outlet communicating with the shell-side inlet. A processing method that allows the direction of fluid delivery between the processing fluid flowing from the pipe-side inlet to the pipe-side outlet and the processing fluid flowing from the shell-side inlet to the shell-side outlet to be changed.
  12. A method for cleaning or sterilizing a content filling system that is filled with contents, The contents filling system comprises a contents sterilization device for sterilizing the contents, and a filling device for filling the contents that have been sterilized by the contents sterilization device. The contents sterilization device comprises a heat exchange unit including a plurality of heat exchangers and a heating unit connected to the heat exchange unit, the heat exchange unit having a first inlet, a first outlet communicating with the first inlet, a second inlet, and a second outlet communicating with the second inlet. The aforementioned processing method is: A forward flow treatment step in which the treatment fluid is passed through the first inlet, the first outlet, the heating section, the second inlet, and the second outlet in that order, The system includes a backflow treatment step in which the processing fluid is passed through the second outlet, the second inlet, the heating section, the first outlet, and the first inlet in that order. The backflow treatment step is performed on only some of the heat exchangers among the plurality of heat exchangers.
  13. A method for cleaning or sterilizing a content filling system that is filled with contents, The contents filling system comprises a contents sterilization device for sterilizing the contents, a filling device for filling the contents sterilized in the contents sterilization device, and a first pump for supplying a processing fluid to the contents sterilization device. The contents sterilization apparatus comprises a heat exchange unit including at least one heat exchanger, a heating unit connected to the heat exchange unit, and a second pump for controlling the liquid supply pressure of the processing fluid, wherein the heat exchange unit has a first inlet, a first outlet communicating with the first inlet, a second inlet, and a second outlet communicating with the second inlet. The aforementioned processing method is: A forward flow treatment step in which the treatment fluid is passed through the first inlet, the first outlet, the heating section, the second inlet, and the second outlet in that order, A processing method comprising a backflow processing step of passing the processing fluid through the second outlet, the second inlet, the heating section, the first outlet, and the first inlet in that order.

Description

This disclosure relates to a content filling system and processing method. Conventionally, a filling machine installed in a content filling system has been used to continuously and aseptically fill numerous plastic bottles being transported at high speed with beverages and other contents. In such a content filling system, the filling nozzle for filling the plastic bottles is rotatably positioned within a sterile chamber. (See, for example, Patent Documents 1 and 2). Japanese Patent Publication No. 2007-302325Japanese Patent Publication No. 2010-006429Official Gazette No. Showa 60-116337 Figure 1 is a schematic plan view showing a content filling system according to one embodiment.Figure 2 is a schematic diagram showing a content sterilization device for a content filling system according to one embodiment, and the flow path around it.Figure 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the heat exchanger of the heat exchange unit.Figure 4 is a schematic diagram showing the flow of the processed fluid during forward flow treatment.Figure 5 is a schematic diagram showing the flow of the processed fluid during backflow treatment.Figures 6(a)-(e) are tables showing the processing patterns for washing and sterilization treatments.Figures 7(a)-(c) are tables showing the processing patterns for washing and sterilization treatments. The following description of one embodiment will be given with reference to Figures 1 to 7. Figures 1 to 7 are diagrams illustrating one embodiment. Note that in the following figures, the same parts are denoted by the same reference numerals, and some detailed explanations may be omitted. (Contents filling system) First, the overall configuration of the contents filling system (aseptic filling system) according to this embodiment will be explained with reference to Figures 1 and 2. The content filling system 10 shown in Figure 1 is a system for filling a bottle (container) 90 with contents such as a beverage. The bottle 90 can be manufactured by biaxial stretch blow molding a preform 91 made by injection molding of a synthetic resin material. Alternatively, the bottle 90 may be manufactured by direct blow molding. As the material for the bottle 90, it is preferable to use a thermoplastic resin, particularly PE (polyethylene), PP (polypropylene), PET (polyethylene terephthalate), or PEN (polyethylene naphthalate). Other containers may include glass, cans, paper, pouches, cups, or composite containers thereof. In this embodiment, the case where a synthetic resin bottle is used as the container will be described as an example. As shown in Figure 1, the contents filling system 10 comprises a contents sterilization device 40, a filling device 20, and a control unit 60. The contents sterilization device 40 pre-sterilizes the contents to be filled into the bottle 90. The filling device 20 fills the bottle with the contents sterilized by the contents sterilization device 40. The control unit 60 controls the contents filling system 10. The contents filling system 10 further comprises a bottle forming unit 30, a container sterilization device 11, an air rinsing device 14, the aforementioned filling device 20, a capping device (capper, crimping and sealing machine) 16, and a product bottle discharge unit 19. These bottle forming unit 30, container sterilization device 11, air rinsing device 14, filling device 20, capping device 16, and product bottle discharge unit 19 are arranged in this order from upstream to downstream along the direction of bottle 90 transport. Furthermore, multiple transport wheels 12 are provided between the air rinsing device 14, filling device 20, and capping device 16 to transport the bottle 90 between these devices. This section will describe the bottle forming unit 30, container sterilization device 11, air rinsing device 14, filling device 20, capping device 16, and product bottle discharge unit 19. The bottle molding unit 30 receives the preform 91 from the outside and molds the bottle 90. The bottle molding unit 30 then transports the molded bottle 90 toward the container sterilization device 11. This allows the contents filling system 10 to continuously perform the processes from supplying the preform 91 to molding the bottle 90, filling the bottle 90 with contents, and sealing it. In this case, instead of the larger bottle 90, the smaller volume preform 91 is transported from the outside to the contents filling system 10. Therefore, transportation costs can be reduced. Alternatively, the bottle molding unit 30 may be connected to an injection molding machine (not shown), and the preform 91 may be manufactured from resin pellets. In this case, transportation costs can be further reduced compared to transporting the preform 91 from the outside. The bottle molding unit 30 includes a preform transport unit 31, a blow molding unit (container molding apparatus) 32, and a bottle transport unit 33. The preform transport unit 31 transports the preform 91. The blow molding