JP7760565B2 - Content filling system - Google Patents

Description

This disclosure relates to a content filling system.

An aseptic filling system is known in which sterilized contents are filled into sterilized containers (PET bottles) in a sterile environment, and then the containers are closed with caps (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

Specifically, the molded containers are fed into an aseptic filling system, where an aqueous hydrogen peroxide solution is sprayed onto the containers as a sterilant. The containers are then sterilized by drying the aqueous hydrogen peroxide solution. The heat-sterilized contents are then aseptically filled into the containers at room temperature.

In recent years, there has been a demand to reduce the amount of carbon dioxide emitted in order to reduce the environmental impact. The contents are sterilized before being filled into the container. When sterilized at high temperatures, some contents may decompose, cause metal corrosion in the system's equipment, or precipitate when heated, degrading the performance of the system's equipment.

Patent No. 4526820

This disclosure has been made in consideration of these points, and aims to provide a content filling system that does not thermally decompose the contents when heat sterilizing them, does not cause metal corrosion in the device, and does not precipitate and degrade the performance of the system's equipment.

The present disclosure relates to a content filling system comprising a mixing line that mixes target ingredients with water to produce the target ingredients, a target ingredient sterilization line that sterilizes the target ingredients without heating, an other ingredient sterilization line that sterilizes ingredients other than the target ingredients with heating, and a filling device that is connected to the target ingredient sterilization line and the other ingredient sterilization line and fills the target ingredients and the other ingredients into containers.

The present disclosure relates to a content filling system comprising a mixing line that mixes target ingredients with water to produce the target ingredients, a target ingredient sterilization line that sterilizes the target ingredients without heating, an other ingredient supply line that supplies ingredients other than the target ingredients, and a filling device that is connected to the target ingredient sterilization line and the other ingredient supply line and fills the target ingredients and the other ingredients into containers.

The present disclosure relates to a content filling system comprising a water sterilization line for non-thermal sterilization of water, a target raw material sterilization line for non-thermal sterilization of a target raw material, an other raw material sterilization line for thermal sterilization of raw materials other than the target raw material, and a filling device connected to the water sterilization line, the target raw material sterilization line, and the other raw material sterilization line and for filling the water, the target raw material, and the other raw materials into containers.

The present disclosure relates to a content filling system comprising a water sterilization line for non-thermal sterilization of water, a target raw material sterilization line for non-thermal sterilization of a target raw material, an other raw material supply line for supplying raw materials other than the target raw material, and a filling device connected to the water sterilization line, the target raw material sterilization line, and the other raw material supply line and for filling the water, the target raw material, and the other raw materials into containers.

The present disclosure relates to a content filling system in which the target raw material includes a material that thermally decomposes or loses functionality at high temperatures, a material that causes metal corrosion at high temperatures, or a material that precipitates at high temperatures.

The present disclosure relates to a content filling system in which the target ingredient includes vitamins.

The present disclosure relates to a content filling system in which the vitamins are contained in drinking water and the other ingredients are other ingredients of the drinking water.

The present disclosure relates to a content filling system in which the target ingredient includes calcium.

The present disclosure relates to a content filling system in which the calcium is contained in a dairy-based drinking water or functional drinking water containing a milk component, and the other ingredients consist of other ingredients for the dairy-based drinking water or functional drinking water.

The present disclosure relates to a content filling system in which the target raw material includes a chloride compound that generates chloride ions.

The present disclosure relates to a content filling system in which the chloride ions are contained in functional drinking water or the like to which a chloride compound has been added, and the other ingredients are other ingredients, such as the functional drinking water to which the chloride compound has been added.

The present disclosure relates to a content filling system in which the chloride ions are contained in a liquid food to which a chloride compound has been added, and the other ingredients consist of other ingredients of the liquid food to which the chloride compound has been added.

The present disclosure relates to a content filling system in which the target ingredient includes a fragrance.

The present disclosure relates to a content filling system in which the flavoring is contained in flavored drinking water and the other ingredients are other ingredients of the flavored drinking water.

The present disclosure relates to a content filling system in which the target ingredient includes a sweetener.

The present disclosure relates to a content filling system in which the sweetener is contained in a sweetened beverage and the other ingredients are other ingredients of the sweetened beverage.

The present disclosure relates to a content filling system in which the target ingredient includes an acidulant.

The present disclosure relates to a content filling system in which the acidulant is contained in acidified drinking water and the other ingredients consist of other ingredients of the acidified drinking water.

The present disclosure relates to a content filling system in which the target ingredient includes a colorant.

The present disclosure relates to a content filling system in which the coloring agent is contained in colored drinking water and the other ingredients are other ingredients of the colored drinking water.

The present disclosure relates to a content filling system in which the target ingredient includes a mixture of at least one or two selected from amino acids and electrolytes.

The present disclosure relates to a content filling system in which the mixture of at least one or two selected from the amino acids and electrolytes is contained in an infusion solution, and the other ingredients consist of other ingredients of the infusion solution.

The present disclosure relates to a content filling system in which the filling device includes a first filling device connected to the water sterilization line, a second filling device connected to the target raw material sterilization line, and a third filling device connected to the other raw material sterilization line.

The present disclosure relates to a content filling system in which the water sterilization line is further connected to a second filling device and a third filling device, respectively, the target raw material sterilization line is further connected to the first filling device and the third filling device, respectively, and the other raw material sterilization line is further connected to the first filling device and the second filling device, respectively.

The present disclosure relates to a content filling system in which a first mixing tank is interposed between the water sterilization line and the first filling device, a second mixing tank is interposed between the target raw material sterilization line and the second filling device, and a third mixing tank is interposed between the other raw material sterilization line and the third filling device.

The present disclosure relates to a content filling system in which the water sterilization line is further connected to the second mixing tank and the third mixing tank, respectively, the target raw material sterilization line is further connected to the first mixing tank and the third mixing tank, respectively, and the other raw material sterilization line is further connected to the first mixing tank and the second mixing tank, respectively.

The present disclosure relates to a content filling system in which the first mixing tank is further connected to the second filling device and the third filling device, respectively; the second mixing tank is further connected to the first filling device and the third filling device, respectively; and the third mixing tank is further connected to the first filling device and the second filling device, respectively.

The present disclosure relates to a content filling system in which the sterilization line for raw materials to be mixed is divided into a non-sterile zone under a non-sterile atmosphere, a first gray zone and a second gray zone that separate the non-sterile atmosphere from the sterile atmosphere, and a sterile zone under a sterile atmosphere, and the non-sterile zone, the first gray zone, the second gray zone, and the sterile zone are arranged in this order from upstream to downstream along the conveyance direction of the raw materials to be mixed, and bacteria that pass through a sterilization filter are sterilized in the first gray zone, and a state in which bacteria that pass through the sterilization filter are maintained free of bacteria in the second gray zone.

According to this disclosure, there is no risk of thermal decomposition of the contents, corrosion of the system's equipment, or precipitation of the contents that would degrade the performance of the system's equipment.

FIG. 1A is a schematic system diagram showing a contents filling system according to a first embodiment. FIG. 1B is a schematic plan view showing the contents filling system according to the first embodiment. FIG. 1C is a schematic diagram showing a filling device. FIG. 2A1 is a schematic diagram showing a sterilization line for raw materials to be mixed according to the first embodiment. FIG. 2A2 is a schematic diagram showing another example of a sterilization line for raw materials to be mixed. FIG. 2A3 is a schematic diagram showing another example of a sterilization line for raw materials to be mixed. FIG. 2A4 is a schematic diagram showing another example of a sterilization line for raw materials to be mixed. FIG. 2A5 is a schematic diagram showing another example of a sterilization line for raw materials to be mixed. FIG. 2A6 is a schematic diagram showing another example of a sterilization line for raw materials to be mixed. FIG. 2A7 is a schematic diagram showing another example of a sterilization line for raw materials to be mixed. FIG. 2B is a schematic diagram showing another example of a sterilization line for raw materials to be mixed. FIG. 2C is a schematic diagram showing another example of a sterilization line for raw materials to be mixed. FIG. 2D is a schematic diagram showing another example of a sterilization line for raw materials to be mixed. FIG. 2E is a schematic diagram showing another example of a sterilization line for raw materials to be mixed. FIG. 2F is a schematic diagram showing another example of a sterilization line for raw materials to be mixed. FIG. 2G is a schematic diagram showing another example of a sterilization line for raw materials to be mixed. FIG. 2H is a schematic diagram showing another example of a sterilization line for raw materials to be mixed. FIG. 2I is a schematic diagram showing another example of a sterilization line for raw materials to be mixed. FIG. 2J is a schematic diagram showing another example of a sterilization line for raw materials to be mixed. FIG. 2K is a schematic diagram similar to FIG. 2A1 illustrating another cleaning step of the sterilizer. FIG. 3 is a plan view showing a first sterilizer of the sterilizers of the line for mixing raw materials according to the first embodiment. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view (cross-sectional view taken along line IV-IV in FIG. 3) showing a first sterilizer of the sterilizer according to the first embodiment. FIG. 5A is a plan view showing another example of the first sterilizer of the sterilizer according to the first embodiment. FIG. 5B is a cross-sectional view (cross-sectional view taken along line VB-VB in FIG. 5A) showing another example of the first sterilizer of the sterilizer according to the first embodiment. FIG. 6A is a front view showing another example of the first sterilizer of the sterilizer according to the first embodiment. FIG. 6B is a cross-sectional view (cross-sectional view taken along line VIB-VIB in FIG. 6A) showing another example of the first sterilizer of the sterilizer according to the first embodiment. FIG. 6C is a cross-sectional view (enlarged view of portion VIC in FIG. 6B) showing another example of the first sterilizer of the water sterilizer according to an embodiment. FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram showing a raw material sterilization line according to the first embodiment. FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a content filling method using the content filling system according to the first embodiment. FIG. 9A is a flowchart showing a sterilization method for a content filling system according to the first embodiment, which is a sterilization method for a sterilizer. FIG. 9B is a flowchart showing another example of the sterilization method of the sterilizer, which is a method for sterilizing the content filling system according to the first embodiment. FIG. 9C is a flowchart showing yet another example of a sterilization method for a sterilizer, which is a method for sterilizing a content filling system according to the first embodiment. FIG. 9D is a flowchart showing yet another example of a sterilization method for a content filling system according to the first embodiment, which is a sterilization method for a sterilizer. FIG. 9E is a flowchart showing yet another example of a sterilization method for a content filling system according to the first embodiment, which is a sterilization method for a sterilizer. FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram showing a contents filling system according to the second embodiment. FIG. 11 is a diagram showing the arrangement of a first filling device and a second filling device according to the second embodiment. FIG. 12 is a diagram showing an arrangement of a first filling device, a second filling device, and a third filling device according to a second embodiment. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an arrangement of a first filling device, a second filling device, and a third filling device according to a second embodiment. FIG. 14 is a diagram showing an arrangement of a first filling device, a second filling device, and a third filling device according to the second embodiment. FIG. 15 is a diagram showing an arrangement of a first filling device, a second filling device, and a third filling device according to a second embodiment. FIG. 16 is a diagram showing an arrangement of a first filling device, a second filling device, and a third filling device according to the second embodiment. FIG. 17 is a diagram showing an arrangement of a first filling device, a second filling device, and a third filling device according to the second embodiment. FIG. 18A is a schematic diagram showing a sterilization line for raw materials to be mixed in a modified content filling system. FIG. 18B is a schematic diagram showing a sterilization line for raw materials to be mixed in another example of a modified content filling system. FIG. 18C is a schematic diagram showing a sterilization line for raw materials to be mixed in a modified content filling system. FIG. 18D is a schematic plan view showing a modified example of the contents filling system. FIG. 18E is a schematic diagram showing a sterilization line for raw materials to be mixed in a modified content filling system.

First Embodiment
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figures 1 to 10B show a first embodiment of the present disclosure;

(Contents filling system)
First, a content filling system (aseptic filling system) according to an embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 1A and 1B.

The content filling system 10 shown in Figures 1A and 1B is a system for filling a bottle (container) 100 with a beverage or other content. The content is produced by diluting a product concentrate with water. In this case, the product concentrate may be diluted with water by a ratio of 1.1 to 100, preferably 2 to 10. The product concentrate may also be diluted with water by a ratio of 10 to 80, 20 to 70, or 30 to 50. The bottle 100 can be produced by biaxially stretching blow molding a preform 100a produced by injection molding a synthetic resin material. The bottle 100 may also be produced by direct blow molding. The bottle 100 is preferably made of a thermoplastic resin, particularly PE (polyethylene), PP (polypropylene), PET (polyethylene terephthalate), or PEN (polyethylene naphthalate). Other containers may also be glass, cans, paper, pouches, cups, or composite containers of these. In this embodiment, we will use a synthetic resin bottle as an example of the container.

As shown in Figures 1A and 1B, the content filling system 10 includes a mixing line 51A that mixes the target raw materials with water to produce the target raw materials; a target raw material sterilization line 50 that non-thermal sterilizes the target raw materials; an other raw material sterilization line 70 that thermally sterilizes raw materials other than the target raw materials; a mixing tank 55 connected to the target raw material sterilization line 50 and the other raw material sterilization line 70 that mixes the target raw materials with the other raw materials to produce the content; and a filling device 21 that fills the content produced in the mixing tank 55 into bottles 100. While Figure 1B shows a single filling device 21, as shown in Figure 10, the filling device 21 may be provided with multiple filling fillers, preferably two or three. The filling device 21 may also use a rotary filler or a linear filler. Here, "non-thermal sterilization" refers to methods other than thermal sterilization and includes all sterilization methods that inactivate bacteria. Examples include ultraviolet rays, radiation, pulsed microwaves, ultra-high voltage, ozone, high-voltage ultra-short pulse discharge, electrolyzed acid water, light pulses, and shock waves.

Of these, the mixing line 51A has a water tank 50a that stores water (pure water) supplied from the pure water production system 50c, a target raw material tank 50b that stores the target raw material among the raw materials contained therein, and a mixing tank 51 that mixes the water in the water tank 50a with the target raw material in the target raw material tank 50b.

In the mixing tank 51, water and the target raw materials are mixed to produce the target raw material, which is then sterilized without heating in the target raw material sterilization line 50 as described above.

On the other hand, of the raw materials contained in the contents, raw materials other than the target raw material are stored in other raw material tank 71, and the other raw materials stored in other raw material tank 71 are heat sterilized in other raw material sterilization line 70 as described above.

The raw materials to be mixed that have been sterilized without heat in the raw material sterilization line 50 for mixing and other raw materials that have been sterilized by heat in other raw material sterilization lines are mixed in the mixing tank 55 to produce the contents.

In this embodiment, the target raw materials for the contents are those that, when heated, will thermally decompose, or when heated, will cause metal corrosion in the other raw material sterilization line 70 that performs thermal sterilization in the content filling system 10, or will precipitate and degrade the functionality of detection devices, etc. For this reason, in this embodiment, non-thermal sterilization is used to sterilize the target raw materials.

On the other hand, "other ingredients" refers to ingredients in the contents other than the target ingredient. It is possible to sterilize the other ingredients without heat, but since the non-heat sterilization line has a filter as described below, taking into consideration that filter blockage can reduce the throughput, i.e., to prevent the other ingredients from clogging, in this embodiment, the other ingredients are sterilized with heat.

Next, we will discuss the target ingredients. In this embodiment, if the contents are, for example, drinking water, the target ingredients include vitamins.

The vitamins contained in drinking water include vitamin A, vitamin D, vitamin E, vitamin K, vitamin B1, vitamin B2, vitamin B6, vitamin B12, vitamin C, niacin, pantothenic acid, folic acid, biotin, and a mixture of at least one or more of pantothenic acid, folic acid, and their derivatives.

Of these, vitamin A and vitamin D are fat-soluble vitamins that are highly susceptible to thermal decomposition.

The fat-soluble vitamin is not particularly limited as long as it is a fat-soluble vitamin excluding vitamin A palmitate, α-tocopherol, and vitamin E acetate. Specific examples include vitamin A derivatives such as retinol, 3-hydroretinol, retinal, 3-hydroretinal, retinoic acid, 3-dehydroretinoic acid, and vitamin A acetate; carotenoids such as α-, β-, and γ-carotene, β-cryptoxanthin, and echinenone; and provitamin A derivatives such as xanthophylls.

Fat-soluble vitamins include vitamin Ds such as vitamins D2 to D7; esters such as β,γ,δ-tocopherol, α,β,γ,δ-tocotrienol, and vitamin E nicotinate; and vitamin Ks such as vitamins K1 to K3. These fat-soluble vitamins can be added alone or in combination of two or more.

When vitamins contained in drinking water are heated, they undergo thermal decomposition, causing their properties to change and the amount of vitamin itself to decrease. For this reason, it is necessary to predict the amount of vitamin that will be lost when the vitamin is heated and add a larger amount of vitamin in advance.

According to this embodiment, vitamins are treated as target ingredients and sterilized without heating, separately from other ingredients, thereby preventing the deterioration or loss of vitamins.

Furthermore, if drinking water contains vitamins, other ingredients in the drinking water other than the vitamins, such as sugars, coloring agents, etc., would also be considered other ingredients.

Alternatively, if the contents are, for example, a milk-based beverage or a functional beverage with added calcium, the target ingredient would be calcium.

The calcium component contained in milk-based beverages and calcium-added functional beverages is preferably a water-soluble calcium salt, and either a water-soluble organic acid salt or an inorganic acid salt can be used. Specific examples include organic acid salts such as calcium lactate, calcium gluconate, calcium citrate, calcium fumarate, and calcium succinate; and inorganic acid salts such as calcium chloride. The amount of calcium component used is preferably such that the resulting concentrated beverage contains 200 to 1,000 mg of calcium, more preferably 300 to 600 mg, per 100 g. If the calcium content is less than 200 mg per 100 g, when the concentrated beverage is typically diluted 3 to 6 times, the calcium concentration at the time of consumption will be low, and the intended calcium enrichment effect will be diluted. On the other hand, if the calcium content exceeds 1,000 mg per 100 g, the beverage may not have a pleasant flavor, which is undesirable.

Alternatively, the calcium component used as the target raw material is preferably a water-soluble calcium salt, and either a water-soluble organic acid salt or an inorganic acid salt can be used. For example, organic acid salts such as calcium lactate, calcium citrate, calcium fumarate, and calcium succinate; and inorganic acid salts such as calcium chloride are preferred. These can be used alone or as a mixture.

The calcium contained in dairy-based beverages precipitates at high temperatures (e.g., above 40°C), and the amount of calcium precipitated on the surface of the device decreases from the components of the beverage. For this reason, when heating calcium, it is necessary to predict the amount that will decrease and add more calcium in advance.

Calcium also precipitates when heated, reducing the functionality of the measuring devices that control the equipment.

According to this embodiment, calcium is the target raw material, and by distinguishing it from other raw materials and sterilizing it without heating, it is possible to prevent calcium loss due to precipitation or deterioration of the measuring device's functionality.

Furthermore, when calcium is contained in dairy beverages, other ingredients besides calcium in the dairy beverages, such as lactic acid bacteria-fermented milk, sugar, pectin aqueous solution, etc., are also considered as other ingredients.

Alternatively, if the contents are functional drinking water to which chloride compounds have been added, the target raw materials would be chloride compounds that produce chloride ions.

Functional drinking water, which is intended to replenish electrolytes such as sodium and fluids lost through exercise, etc., contains ingredients such as sodium chloride (table salt), sodium citrate, potassium chloride, sodium phosphate, magnesium chloride, sugars, and flavorings.

In addition, examples of electrolyte chloride ion concentrations in functional drinks intended to replace electrolytes such as sodium lost through exercise and other causes, as well as fluids, are 3 to 30,000 mEq/l (preferably 4 to 1,000 mEq/l for functional drinks to be consumed directly without dilution).

Chloride compounds that produce chloride ions may also be contained in liquid foods such as noodle soup. In this case, the chloride compounds that produce chloride ions are the target ingredients, and other ingredients that do not produce chloride ions are the other ingredients. Examples of such noodle soup include noodle soup (straight) and noodle soup (3x concentrated). Further examples of the above liquid foods include dark soy sauce and hot pot soup.

Functional drinking water and liquid foods are not limited to those listed above. For example, functional drinking water or liquid foods with a chlorine concentration of 12 mg/100 ml or more and a Cl concentration of 3 mEq/l or more may cause metal corrosion over time due to heating temperature, heating time, and metal stress damage. For this reason, these are included in the functional drinking water or liquid foods of this embodiment.

When heated, chloride ions contained in functional drinking water containing added chloride compounds can cause metal corrosion in the various lines 50A, 50, 70 of the content filling system 10, or in the filling device 21, particularly in the raw material sterilization line 70.

In other words, the components of the content filling system 10 are typically made of highly corrosion-resistant materials such as SUS316L, SUS317L, SUS329J1, SUS890L, super stainless steel, and titanium. However, chloride ions become more corrosive when heated, causing metal corrosion in these materials.

In addition, chloride ions precipitate when heated and precipitate within the various lines 70 of the content filling system 10, reducing the functionality of measuring devices, etc.

In this embodiment, chloride ions are the target raw material and are sterilized without heating, distinguishing them from other raw materials, thereby preventing metal corrosion or functional degradation within the content filling system 10.

Alternatively, if the contents are, for example, drinking water to which flavorings, sweeteners, acidifiers, colorings, preservatives, etc. have been added, the target ingredients could be flavorings, sweeteners, acidifiers, colorings, and preservatives.

When drinking water containing added flavorings, sweeteners, acidifiers, colorings, preservatives, etc. is heated, it undergoes thermal decomposition, causing its properties to change and the amount and functionality of the added substances to decrease or deteriorate. (This includes a decrease in stability.) For this reason, when additives are heated, it is necessary to predict the amount that will be lost and add more in advance.

According to this embodiment, flavorings, sweeteners, acidulants, coloring agents, and preservatives are treated as target ingredients and sterilized without heating separately from other ingredients, thereby preventing deterioration or loss of flavorings, sweeteners, acidulants, coloring agents, and preservatives.

In this embodiment, the fragrances include aromatic aldehydes of aromatic alcohols, higher aliphatic aldehydes of higher aliphatic alcohols, ketones of esters, and phenol-ether phenols. Specific examples include citrus essential oils such as orange oil, lemon oil, grapefruit oil, lime oil, tangerine oil, mandarin oil, and bergamot oil; essential oils such as peppermint oil, spearmint oil, and cinnamon oil; spice essential oils or oleoresins such as allspice, aniseed, basil, laurel, cardamom, celery, clove, cumin, daikon, garlic, ginger, mace, mustard, onion, paprika, parsley, black pepper, nutmeg, saffron, and rosemary; and limonene, linalool, neroli, and neroli. These include, but are not limited to, known fragrance compounds such as ethanol, citronellol, geraniol, citral, l-menthol, eugenol, cinnamic aldehyde, anethole, perillaldehyde, vanillin, gamma-undecalactone, l-carvone, maltol, furfuryl mercaptan, ethyl propionate, allyl caproate, methyl-n-amyl ketone, diacetyl, acetic acid, and butyric acid; fragrance oils (reaction flavors); and blended fragrances made by mixing any combination of these natural essential oils, oleoresins, and fragrance compounds.

In this embodiment, sweeteners include natural sweeteners such as stevia extract (stevioside, etc.), monk fruit extract, and thaumatin; and artificial sweeteners such as aspartame, acesulfame potassium, sucralose, saccharin, neotame, and advantame.

In this embodiment, acidulants include carboxylic acids, amino acids, brewed vinegars, milk fermented foods, and plant-derived acidulants. Examples of the carboxylic acids include acetic acid, lactic acid, malic acid, succinic acid, methylenesuccinic acid, citric acid, ascorbic acid, glutaric acid, α-ketoglutaric acid, etc. Examples of the amino acids include glutamic acid and aspartic acid. Examples of the brewed vinegars include rice vinegar, grain vinegar, malt vinegar, black vinegar, grape vinegar, plum vinegar, apple vinegar, etc. Examples of the milk fermented foods include yogurt, whey, etc. Examples of the plant-derived acidulants include citrus fruits such as unshu mandarins, summer mandarins, yuzu, mandarin oranges, sudachi, lemons, and grapefruits; fruit juices such as apples, strawberries, grapes, pineapples, peaches, acerola, tomatoes, and plums; grain extracts containing inositol hexaphosphate from rice bran, soybeans, wheat, corn, and other grains, and purified products thereof; petals of flowers such as hibiscus and roses; crushed materials such as perilla leaves, lettuce, and celery, and extracts thereof.

In this embodiment, coloring agents include carotene pigments (carotenoid pigments), cochineal pigments, anthocyanin pigments, gardenia pigments, red koji pigments, etc.

In this embodiment, preservatives include benzoic acid, sodium benzoate, sorbic acid, potassium sorbate, isobutyl parahydroxybenzoate, isopropyl parahydroxybenzoate, ethyl parahydroxybenzoate, butyl parahydroxybenzoate, and propyl parahydroxybenzoate.

Flavors, sweeteners, acidulants, colouring agents and other ingredients other than flavourings, sweeteners, acidulants, colouring agents and preservatives in beverages containing preservatives, such as acidulants, fruit juice, caffeine and sugar, are also considered other ingredients.

Alternatively, the contents may be an infusion solution containing a mixture of at least one or two selected from amino acids and electrolytes. When heated, the amino acids in the infusion solution undergo thermal decomposition, causing their properties to change and the amount of amino acid itself to decrease. Therefore, when the amino acids are heated, it is necessary to add a larger amount of amino acid in advance to account for this decrease. Furthermore, the electrolyte in the infusion solution contains a chloride compound that generates chloride ions.

When heated, chloride ions contained in the infusion solution can cause metal corrosion in the various lines 50A, 50, 70 of the content filling system 10, or in the filling device 21, particularly in the other raw material sterilization lines 70.

In other words, the components of the content filling system 10 are typically made of highly corrosion-resistant materials such as SUS316L, SUS317L, SUS329J1, SUS890L, super stainless steel, and titanium. However, chloride ions become more corrosive when heated, causing metal corrosion even in these materials.

In addition, chloride ions precipitate when heated and precipitate within the various lines 70 of the content filling system 10, reducing the functionality of measuring devices, etc.

In this embodiment, a mixture of at least one or two selected from amino acids and electrolytes is used as the target ingredient, and by separately sterilizing it from other ingredients in the infusion solution without heating, metal corrosion or functional degradation within the content filling system 10 can be suppressed.

Here, other ingredients in the infusion other than the amino acids and electrolytes in the infusion are considered to be other ingredients in the infusion. Such other ingredients in the infusion include sugars, fat emulsions, or trace elements.

Next, we will discuss each component of the infusion.

Amino acids can be selected from a variety of amino acids (essential and non-essential) that have traditionally been used in amino acid infusions for the purpose of providing nutrition to the living body. Specific examples include L-isoleucine, L-leucine, L-valine, L-lysine, L-methionine, L-phenylalanine, L-threonine, L-tryptophan, L-arginine, L-histidine, glycine, L-alanine, L-proline, L-aspartic acid, L-serine, L-tyrosine, L-glutamic acid, and L-cysteine. These amino acids do not necessarily have to be used in the form of free amino acids, and can also be used in the form of inorganic acid salts (e.g., L-lysine hydrochloride), organic acid salts (e.g., L-lysine acetate, L-lysine malate), esters that are hydrolyzable in vivo (e.g., L-tyrosine methyl ester, L-methionine methyl ester, L-methionine ethyl ester), N-substituted amino acids (e.g., N-acetyl-L-tryptophan, N-acetyl-L-cysteine, N-acetyl-L-proline), dipeptides formed by peptide-bonding the same or different amino acids (e.g., L-tyrosyl-L-tyrosine, L-alanyl-L-tyrosine, L-arginyl-L-tyrosine, L-tyrosyl-L-arginine), etc.

Electrolytes can be any of the various water-soluble salts conventionally used in infusions, such as physiological saline. These water-soluble salts include, for example, water-soluble salts of various inorganic components (e.g., sodium, potassium, calcium, magnesium, zinc, iron, copper, manganese, iodine, phosphorus, etc.) necessary for maintaining biological functions and the electrolyte balance of body fluids. Specific examples include chlorides, sulfates, acetates, gluconates, lactates, etc. These water-soluble salts may also be hydrates.

For example, various sugars can be used as the sugar in infusions such as 5% glucose injection. Among these, reducing sugars are preferably used. Examples of reducing sugars include glucose, fructose, and maltose. These reducing sugars can be used alone or in combination with two or more types. Furthermore, these reducing sugars can also be used in combination with sorbitol, xylitol, etc.

Trace elements are elements that improve various deficiency symptoms that can occur when administering total nutrition therapy to humans. Specific examples include iron, copper, zinc, manganese, iodine, selenium, molybdenum, chromium, and fluorine. Depending on the condition of the patient, one or more of these trace elements may be used. In the present invention, trace elements are packed in a separate compartment from components that may undergo chemical changes when coexisting with the trace elements.

The fat emulsion is preferably an oil-in-water emulsion produced by dispersing fats and oils in water using an emulsifier. The fat emulsion can be produced by known methods. In the present invention, the fat emulsion is filled in a compartment separate from the electrolyte. Depending on the purpose, fat-soluble vitamins such as vitamin A, vitamin D, vitamin E, and vitamin K may also be filled together with the fat emulsion.

Next, the content filling system 10 according to this embodiment will be further described with reference to Figures 1A and 1B.

As shown in FIG. 1B, the content filling system 10 includes a control unit 90 that controls the content filling system 10. The content filling system 10 includes a bottle molding unit 30, a sterilizer (container sterilizer) 11, an air-rinse device 14, the filling device 21 described above, a capping device (capper, seaming, and stopper) 16, and a product bottle conveying unit 25. The bottle molding unit 30, sterilizer 11, air-rinse device 14, filling device 21, capping device 16, and product bottle conveying unit 25 are arranged in this order from upstream to downstream along the conveyance direction of the bottles 100. A plurality of conveying wheels 12 are provided between the air-rinse device 14, filling device 21, and capping device 16 to convey the bottles 100 between these devices. Here, the bottle molding unit 30, sterilizer 11, air-rinse device 14, filling device 21, capping device 16, and product bottle conveying unit 25 will be described.

The bottle molding unit 30 is configured to receive preforms 100a from outside and mold bottles 100. The bottle molding unit 30 is also configured to transport the molded bottles 100 toward the sterilization device 11. This allows the content filling system 10 to continuously perform processes from supplying the preforms 100a, through molding the bottles 100, to filling the bottles 100 with content and capping them. In this case, small-volume preforms 100a are transported from outside to the content filling system 10, rather than large-volume bottles 100. This reduces transportation costs.

The bottle molding section 30 is composed of a preform conveying section 31 that conveys the preforms 100a, a blow molding section (container molding device) 32 that applies blow molding to the preforms 100a to mold bottles 100 from the preforms 100a, and a bottle conveying section 33 that conveys the molded bottles 100.

Of these, the preform transport section 31 includes a receiving section 34, a heating section 35, and a delivery section 36. Of these, the receiving section 34 is configured to receive preforms 100a supplied from the preform supply device 1 via the preform supply conveyor 2. This receiving section 34 is provided with a preform sterilizer 34a for sterilizing the preforms 100a and a preform air-rinse device 34b for air-rinsing the preforms 100a. In the illustrated example, the receiving section 34 is provided with one preform sterilizer 34a and one preform air-rinse device 34b. Note that the number of preform sterilizers 34a and preform air-rinse devices 34b is not limited to this.

In the receiving section 34, the preform sterilizer 34a sprays hydrogen peroxide aqueous solution gas or mist onto the preform 100a, sterilizing the preform 100a (pre-sterilization).

The disinfectant used to sterilize the preform 100a may be any disinfectant that has the property of inactivating microorganisms. For example, in addition to hydrogen peroxide, peracetic acid, acetic acid, pernitric acid, nitric acid, chlorine-based chemicals, sodium hydroxide, potassium hydroxide, alcohols such as ethyl alcohol and isopropyl alcohol, chlorine dioxide, ozone water, acidic water, and surfactants may be used alone or in combination of two or more of these.

In this way, by sterilizing the preforms 100a in advance (pre-sterilization) using the preform sterilization device 34a, it is possible to reduce the amount of bacteria that adhere to the bottles 100 made from the preforms 100a. This allows for a reduction in the amount of hydrogen peroxide used in the sterilization device 11 that sterilizes the bottles 100, and shortens the sterilization time. Generally, the amount of sterilant used to sterilize small-volume preforms 100a can be less than the amount of sterilant used to sterilize bottles 100. Therefore, by pre-sterilizing the preforms 100a, it is possible to reduce the overall amount of sterilant used.

In addition, the amount of hydrogen peroxide used in the sterilization device 11 can be reduced, and the sterilization time can be shortened, allowing for the sterilization device 11 to be made more compact. Furthermore, the sterilization time required to sterilize the bottle 100 can be shortened, reducing the thermal load on the bottle 100. Therefore, even in the case of a lightweight bottle 100 or a bottle 100 made from recycled PET, deformation of the bottle 100 due to the heat of the sterilant can be suppressed.

Furthermore, by pre-sterilizing the preform 100a, the number of bacteria adhering to the bottle 100 can be reduced, so the sterilization conditions in the sterilizer 11 may be weakened. Generally, to improve the sterilization effect in the sterilizer 11, the blow molding unit 32 heat-sets the body of the bottle 100 by supplying warm water from a mold temperature regulator (not shown) to the mold. This improves the sterilization effect in the sterilizer 11 and reduces the shrinkage of the bottle 100 in the sterilizer 11. However, in this embodiment, as described above, pre-sterilizing the preform 100a reduces the number of bacteria adhering to the bottle 100. Therefore, the blow molding unit (container molding device) 32 may mold the bottle 100 without adjusting the temperature of the bottle 100 with warm water. In other words, the blow molding unit 32 does not need to supply warm water to the mold, which was previously supplied to improve the sterilization effect. As a result, the amount of carbon dioxide emitted by the content filling system 10 can be reduced. Furthermore, because there is no need to supply hot water to the molds of the blow molding unit 32, the blow molding unit 32 can be simplified. Furthermore, because the blow molding unit 32 can be simplified, the amount of heat applied to the bottles 100 can be reduced. Therefore, even when hot water is not supplied to the molds as described above, shrinkage of the bottles 100 in the sterilization device 11 can be reduced.

Such sterilization treatment may be performed not only in the receiving section 34, but also in the heating section 35 or the delivery section 36. Furthermore, the sterilization treatment may be performed after the bottle 100 has been formed, between the bottle conveying section 33 and the filling device 20. Furthermore, the sterilization treatment may be performed at multiple locations. Furthermore, in the sterilization treatment, bacteria may be inactivated by ultraviolet irradiation or electron beam irradiation, etc., without using a disinfectant.

Referring to FIG. 1B, the preform air rinse device 34b described above is provided downstream of the preform sterilizer 34a. The preforms 100a sprayed with the sterilant are dried with hot air in the preform air rinse device 34b. At this time, it is preferable to supply hot air to the preforms 100a with the mouths of the preforms 100a facing downward. This effectively removes foreign matter from within the preforms 100a. This eliminates the need to wash the preforms 100a with sterile water, reducing the amount of carbon dioxide emitted by the content filling system 10. The receiving section 34 does not necessarily have to be provided with the preform air rinse device 34b. Furthermore, a foreign matter removal device (not shown) for removing foreign matter adhering to the preforms 100a may be provided upstream of the preform sterilizer 34a in the receiving section 34.

The heating section 35 is configured to receive the preform 100a from the receiving section 34 and heat the preform 100a while transporting it. This heating section 35 is provided with a heater 35a that heats the preform 100a. This heater 35a may be, for example, an infrared heater. The heater 35a heats the preform 100a to, for example, a temperature of 90°C or higher and 130°C or lower. The temperature of the mouth of the preform 100a is kept below 70°C to prevent deformation, etc.

The delivery section 36 is configured to receive the preform 100a heated by the heating section 35 and deliver it to the blow molding section 32.

The blow molding unit 32 includes a mold (not shown). The preform 100a is blow molded using this mold to form the bottle 100. The molded bottle 100 is then transported downstream by the bottle transport unit 33.

Here, an adjusting and conveying unit 5 is provided between the bottle molding unit 30 and the sterilizer 11. It receives bottles 100 from the bottle conveying unit 33 and transfers them to the sterilizer 11. At least a portion of this adjusting and conveying unit 5 is housed inside an atmosphere-blocking chamber 70c (described below) located upstream of a sterilant spray chamber 70d (described below). In the illustrated example, the adjusting and conveying unit 5 is positioned so as to straddle the molding unit chamber 70b (described below) that houses the bottle molding unit 30 and the atmosphere-blocking chamber 70c. By having at least a portion of the adjusting and conveying unit 5 housed inside the atmosphere-blocking chamber 70c, it is possible to prevent sterilant gas or mist, or a mixture thereof, generated in the sterilant spray chamber 70d from flowing into the molding unit chamber 70b.

In the illustrated example, a single conveying wheel 12 is provided between the adjusting and conveying unit 5 and the bottle conveying unit 33 of the bottle molding unit 30. That is, between the blow molding unit 32 of the bottle molding unit 30 and the sterilization device 11, the bottle conveying unit 33 of the bottle molding unit 30, a single conveying wheel 12, and an adjusting and conveying unit 5 are provided. This allows the content filling system 10 to be more compact than when multiple conveying wheels 12 are provided between the adjusting and conveying unit 5 and the bottle conveying unit 33 of the bottle molding unit 30. Although not shown, only the adjusting and conveying unit 5 may be provided between the blow molding unit 32 of the bottle molding unit 30 and the sterilization device 11. In this case, the content filling system 10 can be made even more compact.

The sterilizer 11 is a device that sterilizes the bottles 100 by spraying a sterilant onto the bottles 100. This sterilizes the bottles 100 with the sterilant before filling them with the contents. An example of the sterilant used is an aqueous hydrogen peroxide solution. The sterilizer 11 generates gas or mist from the aqueous hydrogen peroxide solution, and sprays the gas or mist onto the inner and outer surfaces of the bottles 100. In this way, the bottles 100 are sterilized with gas or mist from the aqueous hydrogen peroxide solution, so that the inner and outer surfaces of the bottles 100 are sterilized evenly.

The air rinse device 14 is a device that supplies sterile heated air or room temperature air to the bottle 100 to activate the hydrogen peroxide while removing foreign matter, hydrogen peroxide, etc. from inside the bottle 100. It is preferable to supply sterile air to the bottle 100 with the mouth of the bottle 100 facing downwards. This effectively removes foreign matter from inside the bottle 100. This eliminates the need to rinse the bottle 100 with sterile water, reducing the amount of carbon dioxide emitted by the content filling system 10. If necessary, sterilized room temperature air may be mixed with a condensed mist of low-concentration hydrogen peroxide to gasify the hydrogen peroxide and supply it to the bottle 100.

The filling device 21 is a device that fills water and product concentrate into bottles 100. That is, the filling device 21 fills the bottles 100 from their mouths with a content liquid consisting of a mixture of target ingredients and water that has been pre-sterilized without heating, and other ingredients that have been pre-sterilized by heating. In this way, the contents produced by mixing the mixture of target ingredients (water and target ingredients) with the other ingredients are filled into empty bottles 100. In this filling device 21, the contents are filled into the bottles 100 while multiple bottles 100 are rotated and transported.

The filling device 21 is located inside the sterile chamber 70f, which will be described later. The filling device 21 may be a so-called rotary filler having multiple rotatable filling nozzles 21a (see Figure 1C).

The filling device 21 fills the bottle 100 with sterilized contents. In this case, the filling device 21 fills the empty bottle 100 with sterilized contents.

The capping device 16 is a device that seals the bottles 100 by attaching caps 88 to the bottles 100. In the capping device 16, bottles 100 filled with water, target raw materials, and other raw materials (contents) are closed with caps 88, sealing the bottles 100 to prevent outside air and microorganisms from entering. In the capping device 16, multiple bottles 100 filled with contents are rotated (revolved) while caps 88 are attached to their mouths. In this way, product bottles 101 are obtained by attaching caps 88 to the bottles 100.

The caps 88 are sterilized in advance by the cap sterilizer 18. The cap sterilizer 18 is located, for example, outside the aseptic chamber 70f and near the cap fitting device 16. In the cap sterilizer 18, a large number of caps 88 brought in from outside the content filling system 10 are collected in advance and transported in a line toward the cap fitting device 16. As the caps 88 are on their way to the cap fitting device 16, hydrogen peroxide gas or mist is sprayed onto the inner and outer surfaces of the caps 88, after which they are dried with hot air and sterilized.

The product bottle unloading unit 25 continuously unloads product bottles 101 with caps 88 attached by the capping device 16 to the outside of the content filling system 10.

The content filling system 10 includes a preform sterilization chamber 70a, a molding section chamber 70b, an atmosphere-blocking chamber 70c, a sterilant spray chamber 70d, an air-rinse chamber 70e, an aseptic chamber 70f, and an exit chamber 70g. Of these, the air-rinse chamber 70e is located upstream of the aseptic chamber 70f. That is, the preform sterilization chamber 70a, the molding section chamber 70b, the atmosphere-blocking chamber 70c, the sterilant spray chamber 70d, the air-rinse chamber 70e, the aseptic chamber 70f, and the exit chamber 70g are arranged in this order from upstream to downstream along the conveyance direction of the preforms 100a and bottles 100.

Each chamber 70a to 70g is separated by a partition wall. The partition wall prevents the sterilant or the like from flowing in an unintended direction between the chambers 70a to 70g and stabilizes the pressure within each chamber 70a to 70g. The partition walls have gaps large enough to allow a preform 100a or bottle 100 to pass through. These gaps are formed to a minimum size, for example, the size of one preform 100a or bottle 100, so that the pressure within each chamber 70a to 70g does not change. The partition walls may also be provided with shutters that close the aforementioned gaps. These shutters may be configured to open and close automatically, for example, in response to a signal from the control unit 90.

Of the chambers 70a to 70g, the preform sterilization chamber 70a houses the preform sterilization device 34a and other components.

The molding chamber 70b houses the blow molding section 32 of the bottle molding section 30 and other components.

At least a portion of the adjustment and conveying unit 5 is housed within the atmosphere-blocking chamber 70c. A camera may be installed within the atmosphere-blocking chamber 70c. The camera may be used to inspect the bottles 100 for any molding problems. A thermometer may be installed within the atmosphere-blocking chamber 70c. The thermometer may be used to measure the temperature of the bottles 100 before sterilization. The temperature of the bottles 100 is one of the important factors that determine the sterilization efficiency of the bottles 100. In other words, maintaining the temperature of the bottles 100 at an appropriate temperature can improve the sterilization efficiency of the bottles 100. Therefore, measuring the temperature of the bottles 100 before sterilization with a thermometer can maintain the temperature of the bottles 100 at an appropriate temperature during sterilization, thereby improving the sterilization efficiency of the bottles 100. Furthermore, within the atmosphere-blocking chamber 70c, the pitch between the bottles 100 on the bottle molding unit 30 side can be changed to the pitch between the bottles 100 on the filling device 21 side. Alternatively, an adjustment wheel may be provided inside the atmosphere-blocking chamber 70c to align the phases of the bottle molding unit 30 and the filling device 21 and synchronize the rotational speeds of the wheels.

The sterilizer spray chamber 70d houses a sterilizer device 11. The air rinse chamber 70e houses an air rinse device 14.

The sterile chamber 70f contains the filling device 21, the conveying wheel 12, and the capping device 16. Furthermore, the outlet chamber 70g contains the product bottle delivery section 25.

Pressure gauges (not shown) that measure the pressure inside the preform sterilization chamber 70a, sterilant spray chamber 70d, air rinse chamber 70e, aseptic chamber 70f, and exit chamber 70g are installed inside the chambers. Pressure gauges that measure the pressure inside the molding chamber 70b and/or atmosphere shut-off chamber 70c may also be installed inside the chambers.

As described above, the content filling system 10 is equipped with a control unit 90 that controls the content filling system 10. This control unit 90 is electrically connected to the filling device 21 and controls the filling device 21. The control unit 90 may also be electrically connected to the mixing target raw material sterilization line 50, other raw material sterilization line 70, bottle molding unit 30, sterilizer 11, air rinse device 14, cap attachment device 16, product bottle discharge unit 25, and cap sterilizer 18, and the control unit 90 may also control the mixing target raw material sterilization line 50, etc.

This control unit 90 may clean and sterilize the inside of each chamber, or may clean and sterilize the sterilizer 60 (described below) of the mixing target raw material sterilization line 50. In this embodiment, the control unit 90 cleans the inside of the sterile chamber 70f (hereinafter, cleaning of the inside of each chamber will also be referred to as COP). The control unit 90 also cleans the filling device 21 (hereinafter, cleaning of the inside of the filling device 21 will also be referred to as CIP (Cleaning in Place)).

When producing the product bottle 101, it is preferable that the pressure inside the aseptic chamber 70f be 30 Pa or more and 60 Pa or less.

Furthermore, it is preferable that the pressure inside the air rinse chamber 70e be equal to or lower than the pressure inside the sterile chamber 70f. This prevents air from inside the air rinse chamber 70e from entering the sterile chamber 70f. This allows the sterile state inside the sterile chamber 70f to be maintained in a good condition.

When cleaning and sterilizing the sterile chamber 70f, the pressure inside the air rinse chamber 70e is preferably 10 Pa or more and 40 Pa or less. Furthermore, when cleaning and sterilizing the filling device 21, the pressure inside the air rinse chamber 70e is preferably 10 Pa or more and 40 Pa or less. This prevents air from entering the sterile chamber 70f, further maintaining the sterile state inside the sterile chamber 70f. Furthermore, when producing product bottles 101, the pressure inside the air rinse chamber 70e is preferably 10 Pa or more and 30 Pa or less.

Furthermore, it is preferable that the pressure within the sterilant spray chamber 70d be equal to or lower than the pressure within the atmosphere-blocking chamber 70c. This prevents the air within the sterilant spray chamber 70d from entering the atmosphere-blocking chamber 70c and the molding section chamber 70b. Preventing the air within the sterilant spray chamber 70d from entering the molding section chamber 70b prevents an increase in humidity within the molding section chamber 70b. As described above, the blow molding section 32 of the bottle molding section 30 is housed within the molding section chamber 70b. Therefore, preventing an increase in humidity within the molding section chamber 70b prevents corrosion of the machinery that makes up the blow molding section 32.

When cleaning and sterilizing the aseptic chamber 70f, the pressure within the sterilant spray chamber 70d is preferably between 0 Pa and 20 Pa. Furthermore, when cleaning and sterilizing the filling device 21, the pressure within the sterilant spray chamber 70d is preferably between 0 Pa and 20 Pa. This prevents air from entering the atmosphere-blocking chamber 70c and the molding chamber 70b, thereby preventing an increase in humidity within the molding chamber 70b. Furthermore, when producing the finished bottles 101, the pressure within the sterilant spray chamber 70d is preferably between -10 Pa and 10 Pa.

When cleaning and sterilizing the sterile chamber 70f, the pressure inside the outlet chamber 70g is preferably between 0 Pa and 20 Pa. Furthermore, when cleaning and sterilizing the filling device 21, the pressure inside the outlet chamber 70g is preferably between 0 Pa and 20 Pa. This prevents air from entering the sterile chamber 70f, further maintaining the sterile state inside the sterile chamber 70f. Furthermore, when producing the product bottles 101, the pressure inside the outlet chamber 70g is preferably between 10 Pa and 20 Pa.

Such a content filling system 10 may be, for example, a sterile filling system. In this case, the interiors of the sterilant spray chamber 70d, air rinse chamber 70e, sterile chamber 70f, and outlet chamber 70g are maintained in a sterile state. Furthermore, a chamber (not shown) may be provided downstream of the outlet chamber 70g that connects the sterile zone in a sterile state with the non-sterile zone in a non-sterile state.

Next, we will explain the mixing line 51A of the content filling system 10, the raw material sterilization line 50 to be mixed, and the other raw material sterilization line 70.

First, we will explain the mixing line 51A using Figure 2A1. The mixing line 51A mixes the target raw material with water to produce the mixed target raw material. This mixing line 51A has a water tank 50a that stores water (pure water) supplied from the water purification system 50c, a target raw material tank 50b that stores the target raw material among the raw materials contained therein, and a mixing tank 51 that mixes the water in the water tank 50a with the target raw material in the target raw material tank 50b to produce the mixed target raw material.

The water tank 50a stores water (pure water) supplied from a water source (e.g., the above-described water purifier 50c). For example, when the contents are drinking water, the Food Sanitation Act requires that water for food production be used. The water for food production is pure water (RO water, ion-exchanged water, or distilled water) produced by the water purifier 50c, which is equipped with activated carbon, a reverse osmosis membrane, or an ion exchange resin (including EDI). Pure water is water from which impurities such as calcium, magnesium, chlorine, iron, and minerals have been removed. In this case, the evaporation residue of the pure water is 20 mg/L or less. Furthermore, the electrical conductivity of the pure water is 0.1 μS/cm or more and 20 μS/cm or less. As described below, in this embodiment, the water is sterilized using ultraviolet light. Therefore, by ensuring that the electrical conductivity of the water to be sterilized is 20 μS/cm or less, adhesion of inorganic substances (oxides such as calcium) to the surfaces of the first ultraviolet lamp 67a, etc., described below, can be suppressed. This prevents a decrease in UV transmittance. Furthermore, the water supplied from the water purifier 50c is not limited to pure water; it can also be ultrapure water. It can also be purified water used for pharmaceuticals or water for injection.

The water tank 50a serves to store water and ensure a smooth flow of water. The volume of the water tank 50a may be 30 m ^{or more} and 100 m ^or less, and may be 50 ^m , for example.

Furthermore, it is desirable that the bacterial count in the water tank 50a be between 0.01 CFU/mL and 10 CFU/mL. If the bacterial count in the water tank 50a exceeds 10 CFU/mL, it is preferable to sterilize the water tank 50a with chlorine, hot water, steam, or the like. The bacterial count in the water tank 50a may be constantly monitored and controlled to remain within the above range. This allows water to be produced while maintaining sterility without installing additional equipment. Therefore, the amount of carbon dioxide emitted by the sterilizer 60 of the mixing target raw material sterilization line 50 (described below) can be reduced without requiring high-cost specifications. A pre-stage sterilizer 62A with the same configuration as the first sterilizer 62 may be installed upstream or downstream of the water tank 50a.

The target raw material tank 50b stores the target raw material among the contents described above, and water from the water tank 50a and the target raw material from the target raw material tank 50b are mixed in the mixing tank 51 to produce the mixed target raw material.

A pump P1 for transporting water and a flow meter F for measuring the water flow rate may be provided downstream of the mixing line 51A configured as described above. The pump P1 and flow meter F may be provided in this order from upstream to downstream along the water transport direction. Furthermore, downstream of the flow meter F, the mixing target raw material sterilization line 50, which is comprised of the sterilizer 60 described above, is provided.

The mixing target raw material sterilization line 50, which consists of a sterilizer 60, is a sterilizer that sterilizes the mixing target raw material obtained by mixing water and the target raw material in a mixing tank 51 without heating. Details of the sterilizer 60 will be described later.

A tank 52 is provided downstream of the sterilizer 60. This tank 52 is a tank (a so-called aseptic tank) that stores the raw materials to be mixed that have been sterilized by the sterilizer 60. By storing the sterilized raw materials to be mixed, this tank 52 serves to smooth the flow of the raw materials to be mixed. The volume of the tank 52 may be 5 m ^{or more} and 50 m ^or less, and may be 10 ^m , for example.

In addition, a mixing tank 55 is provided downstream of tank 52. In this mixing tank 55, the raw materials to be mixed are mixed with other raw materials that have been sterilized in the other raw material sterilization line 70 to produce the contents.

Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 2A2, a circulation line 59 may be connected upstream of the tank 52. This circulation line 59 may be connected to the mixing tank 51. As a result, a circulation system 59A for circulating water may be formed by the foreign matter removal filter 61 of the sterilizer 60, the first sterilizer 62, the first sterilizing filter 63, the second sterilizer 64, the second sterilizing filter 65, the circulation line 59, and the mixing tank 51.

(Mixed raw material sterilization line and sterilizer)
Next, the sterilizer 60 of the mixing target raw material sterilization line 50 will be described. This sterilizer 60 is a sterilizer that sterilizes the mixing target raw materials used in the content filling system 10. In the present embodiment, the sterilizer 60 sterilizes the mixing target raw materials without heating. As described above, the sterilizer 60 sterilizes the mixing target raw materials stored in the mixing tank 51. For this reason, the sterilizer 60 sterilizes the mixing target raw materials having an electrical conductivity of 0.1 μS/cm or more and 20 μS/cm or less.

As shown in Figures 2A1 and 2A2, the sterilizer 60 is equipped with at least one sterilizing filter (first sterilizing filter 63 and second sterilizing filter 65). The sterilizer 60 also has at least one sterilizer (first sterilizer 62 and second sterilizer 64). Because the sterilizer 60 is equipped with at least one sterilizing filter and at least one sterilizer, even if one of the sterilizing filter and the sterilizer stops, the sterility of the water can be ensured by the other sterilizing filter and the sterilizer. Also, as shown in Figure 2A2, the sterilizer 60 has a circulation system 95A, which will be described later.

In the example shown in Figures 2A1 and 2A2, the sterilizer 60 includes a foreign matter removal filter 61, a first sterilizer 62, a first sterilizing filter 63, a second sterilizer 64, and a second sterilizing filter 65. The foreign matter removal filter 61, the first sterilizer 62, the first sterilizing filter 63, the second sterilizer 64, and the second sterilizing filter 65 are arranged in this order from upstream to downstream along the direction of conveyance of the contents. In this way, by arranging the sterilizer (in this case, the second sterilizer 64) downstream of the sterilizing filter (in this case, the first sterilizing filter 63), even if bacteria pass through the sterilizing filter, the sterilizer can sterilize the bacteria. In this case, as shown in Figure 2A3, the foreign matter removal filter 61, the first sterilizer 62, the second sterilizer 64, the first sterilizing filter 63, and the second sterilizing filter 65 may also be arranged in this order from upstream to downstream along the direction of conveyance of the contents. As shown in Figures 2A1 to 2A3, the sterilizer 60 is equipped with multiple sterilizing filters (first sterilizing filter 63 and second sterilizing filter 65), so that even if one sterilizing filter stops working, the other sterilizing filter can ensure the sterility of the water. Furthermore, the sterilizer 60 is equipped with multiple sterilizers (first sterilizer 62 and second sterilizer 64), so that even if one sterilizer stops working, the other sterilizer can ensure the sterility of the contents. Furthermore, the foreign matter removal filter 61 and the first sterilizing filter 63 are provided with drain lines 95c.

Also, as shown in FIG. 2A4, the sterilizer 60 may include a foreign matter removal filter 61, a first sterilizer 62, a first sterilizing filter 63, and a second sterilizing filter 65. The foreign matter removal filter 61, the first sterilizer 62, the first sterilizing filter 63, and the second sterilizing filter 65 may be arranged in this order from upstream to downstream along the direction of transport of the contents. In this case, the sterilizer 60 may further include a second sterilizer 64 provided between the first sterilizing filter 63 and the second sterilizing filter 65.

Also, as shown in FIG. 2A5, the sterilizer 60 may include a first sterilizer 62, a first sterilizing filter 63, and a second sterilizing filter 65. The first sterilizer 62, the first sterilizing filter 63, and the second sterilizing filter 65 may be arranged in this order from upstream to downstream along the water transport direction. In this case, the sterilizer 60 may further include a second sterilizer 64 provided between the first sterilizing filter 63 and the second sterilizing filter 65. Also, as shown in FIG. 2A6, the first sterilizing filter 63, the first sterilizer 62, the second sterilizing filter 65, and the second sterilizer 64 may be arranged in this order from upstream to downstream along the contents transport direction. Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 2A7, the first sterilizer 62, the first sterilizing filter 63, the second sterilizing filter 65, and the second sterilizer 64 may be arranged in this order from upstream to downstream along the contents transport direction.

Also, as shown in FIG. 2B, the sterilizer 60 may include a first sterilizer 62 and a first sterilizing filter 63. The first sterilizer 62 and the first sterilizing filter 63 may be arranged in this order from upstream to downstream along the direction of conveyance of the contents. Also, as shown in FIG. 2C, the first sterilizing filter 63 and the first sterilizer 62 may be arranged in this order from upstream to downstream along the direction of conveyance of the contents. In these cases, the sterilizer 60 may further include a second sterilizer 64 provided between the first sterilizing filter 63 and the valve V1 described below.

Also, as shown in FIG. 2D, the sterilizer 60 may include a first sterilizer 62, a second sterilizer 64, and a first sterilizing filter 63. The first sterilizer 62, the second sterilizer 64, and the first sterilizing filter 63 may be arranged in this order from upstream to downstream along the direction of conveyance of the contents. In this case, the sterilizer 60 may further include a second sterilizing filter 65 provided downstream of the first sterilizing filter 63. Furthermore, a pre-stage sterilizer 62A is provided upstream of the first sterilizer 62.

Also, as shown in FIG. 2E, the sterilizer 60 may include a first sterilizing filter 63, a second sterilizing filter 65, and a first sterilizer 62. The first sterilizing filter 63, the second sterilizing filter 65, and the first sterilizer 62 may be arranged in this order from upstream to downstream along the conveying direction of the contents. In this case, the sterilizer 60 may further include a second sterilizer 64 provided downstream of the first sterilizer 62.

The sterilizer 60 may not be equipped with a sterilizing filter. That is, depending on the sterilization quality level of the contents produced by diluting the undiluted product with water and/or the growth characteristics of bacteria in the contents, the sterilizer 60 may not need to be equipped with a sterilizing filter. In this case, for example, as shown in FIG. 2F, the sterilizer 60 may be equipped with only a first sterilizer 62. Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 2G, the sterilizer 60 may be equipped with a first sterilizer 62 and a second sterilizer 64. In this way, if the sterilizer 60 does not have a sterilizing filter, the manufacturing costs of the sterilizer 60 can be reduced.

Furthermore, the sterilizer 60 does not need to be equipped with a sterilizer. That is, depending on the sterilization quality level of the contents produced by diluting the undiluted product with water and/or the growth characteristics of bacteria in the contents, the sterilizer 60 may not need to be equipped with a sterilizer. In this case, for example, as shown in FIG. 2H, the sterilizer 60 may be equipped with only a first sterilization filter 63. Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 2I, the sterilizer 60 may be equipped with a first sterilization filter 63 and a second sterilization filter 65. In this way, even if the sterilizer 60 does not have a sterilizer, the manufacturing costs of the sterilizer 60 can be reduced.

Next, the foreign matter removal filter 61, first sterilizer 62, first sterilizing filter 63, second sterilizer 64, and second sterilizing filter 65 will be described. Note that in the following explanation, the foreign matter removal filter 61, first sterilizer 62, first sterilizing filter 63, second sterilizer 64, and second sterilizing filter 65 will be described mainly using the sterilizer 60 shown in Figure 2A1 as an example. Here, the foreign matter removal filter 61 will be described first.

The foreign matter removal filter 61 is a filter that removes foreign matter from the water. In the illustrated example, the sterilizer 60 is equipped with a single foreign matter removal filter 61. However, this is not limited to this, and the sterilizer 60 may be equipped with multiple foreign matter removal filters 61. The mesh size (filtration accuracy) of this foreign matter removal filter 61 may be, for example, 0.20 μm to 10 μm, or 0.45 μm to 10 μm. Furthermore, the mesh size of the foreign matter removal filter 61 is preferably large enough to remove fungi (mold, yeast, etc.). As described below, ultraviolet light is irradiated onto the water in the first sterilizer 62, etc., located downstream of the foreign matter removal filter 61. For this reason, the mesh size of the foreign matter removal filter 61 is preferably large enough to remove ultraviolet-resistant molds, preferably 0.45 μm to 1.0 μm. To increase the sterility of the water that has passed through the foreign matter removal filter 61, the mesh size of the foreign matter removal filter 61 may be 0.2 μm or more and 1.0 μm or less. This makes it possible to capture almost all bacteria remaining in the water. Furthermore, to increase the sterility of the water that has passed through the foreign matter removal filter 61, a sterile-grade filter with a mesh size of 0.1 μm or more and 0.22 μm or less may be used as the foreign matter removal filter 61.

The first sterilizer 62 is located downstream of the foreign matter removal filter 61. The first sterilizer 62 is also located upstream of the first sterilization filter 63. The first sterilizer 62 sterilizes the raw materials to be mixed using ultraviolet light. This sterilizes bacteria (bacteria other than mold and yeast) that have passed through the foreign matter removal filter 61. Furthermore, by using ultraviolet light to sterilize the raw materials to be mixed using the first sterilizer 62, the carbon dioxide emissions from the content filling system can be reduced compared to sterilizing the raw materials to be mixed by heating them. In particular, as described above, when producing the contents, the product ingredients can be diluted with water by a ratio of 1.1 to 100, preferably 2 to 10. When the product ingredients are diluted with water by a ratio of 2 to 10, 50% to 90% of the contents are water. Therefore, by sterilizing the raw materials to be mixed containing water without heating them, the carbon dioxide emissions emitted when producing the contents can be significantly reduced.

However, if the bacterial concentration supplied from the pure water production system 50c is high (for example, 1 CFU/ml or more) and the foreign matter removal filter 61 has a sterilization filter pore size (0.1 to 1 μm), the foreign matter removal filter 61 will become contaminated with bacteria in a short period of time. If a large number of bacteria are captured by the foreign matter removal filter 61 and their proliferation occurs, this may affect the quality of the water. Therefore, it is recommended to install a first sterilizer 62 upstream of the foreign matter removal filter 61 (see 62A in Figure 2B). This makes it possible to produce high-quality sterile water for a long period of time.

As described above, in this embodiment, the first sterilizer 62 sterilizes water using ultraviolet light. In this case, as shown in Figures 3 and 4, the first sterilizer 62 may have a main body 66 and an ultraviolet light irradiation unit 67 provided within the main body 66.

Of these, the main body 66 is hollow. The shape of the main body 66 is a truncated cone. Specifically, the main body 66 has a truncated cone-shaped inner surface, with the smaller diameter end positioned higher than the larger diameter end. An inlet 68 for introducing the materials to be mixed into the main body 66 may be formed at the bottom of the main body 66, and an outlet 69 for discharging the sterilized materials to be mixed from the main body 66 may be formed at the top of the main body 66. An inlet pipe 68a may be connected to the inlet 68 formed in the main body 66, and the inlet pipe 68a may be arranged to extend tangent to the inner surface of the main body 66 in a plan view. In this case, the tangent to the inner surface refers to the tangent to the circle formed by the inner surface of the main body 66 in a horizontal cross section including the inlet 68, at the point where the introduced materials to be mixed collide with the inner surface of the main body 66.

The raw materials to be mixed introduced into the main body 66 through the introduction section 68 are guided along the inner surface of the main body 66, causing them to swirl in the circumferential direction. The raw materials to be mixed then move upward while swirling, and are discharged from the discharge section 69. This prevents uneven flow of the raw materials to be mixed introduced into the main body 66. This prevents some of the raw materials to be mixed introduced into the main body 66 from being discharged from the discharge section 69 in a short time (so-called short pass).

Also, as shown in FIG. 4, a baffle 66a that regulates the flow of the materials to be mixed may be provided within the main body 66. This baffle 66a may protrude radially from the inner surface of the main body 66 so as to spiral around. By providing such a baffle 66a within the main body 66, the materials to be mixed introduced into the main body 66 through the introduction section 68 can be prevented from moving upward without circumferentially rotating. This more reliably prevents so-called short passes. Although not shown, the baffle 66a within the main body 66 does not have to spiral around. In this case, for example, multiple baffles 66a, each having a circular shape in a plan view, may be provided within the main body 66, and may be configured so that water passes through a central opening.

Furthermore, a fixing member 66b may be provided within the main body 66 for fixing the first ultraviolet lamp 67a and second ultraviolet lamp 67b (described below) of the ultraviolet irradiation unit 67. The fixing member 66b may be, for example, cross-shaped in a plan view. This prevents the fixing member 66b from interfering with the upward movement of water. Alternatively, the fixing member 66b may be, for example, disc-shaped, or circular in a plan view. In this case, the fixing member 66b may be formed with a through-hole (not shown), and may be configured to allow the raw materials to be mixed to pass through the through-hole.

The main body 66 may be equipped with an illuminance meter that measures the illuminance of the ultraviolet light emitted from the ultraviolet irradiation unit 67. An output meter that measures the output of the first ultraviolet lamp 67a and second ultraviolet lamp 67b (described below) of the ultraviolet irradiation unit 67 may also be installed. The flow meter F described above may also be used to constantly monitor the time (residence time) that the raw materials to be mixed pass through the inside of the main body 66. Furthermore, the temperature, turbidity, and/or chromaticity of the raw materials to be mixed passing through the main body 66 may be constantly or appropriately measured to confirm that there are no abnormalities in the amount of ultraviolet light irradiation and/or transmittance.

Sterilization of the raw materials to be mixed is guaranteed by constantly monitoring the readings on the illuminance meter. If the illuminance rises or falls from the set value, the ultraviolet light output can be automatically adjusted to bring it closer to the set value. Alternatively, the frequency of pump P1 can be varied to change the liquid delivery flow rate, bringing the illuminance closer to the set value. It is also possible to set only a lower limit for illuminance, rather than an upper limit. Furthermore, if the illuminance during delivery falls below the lower limit, the flow of the raw materials to be mixed is immediately switched to circulation line 59, maintaining sterility from tank (aseptic tank) 52 onwards. Afterwards, the sterilizer 60 can be cleaned and sterilized, or sterilized only, before production can be resumed.

Next, the ultraviolet irradiation unit 67 will be described. The ultraviolet irradiation unit 67 may include a first ultraviolet lamp 67a provided in the radial center of the main body 66 and multiple second ultraviolet lamps 67b provided around the first ultraviolet lamp 67a. In the illustrated example, four second ultraviolet lamps 67b are provided around one first ultraviolet lamp 67a.

Each second ultraviolet lamp 67b is arranged along the inner surface of the main body 66. That is, each second ultraviolet lamp 67b is provided so as to incline radially inward as it extends upward. In this case, it is preferable that the second ultraviolet lamps 67b are arranged at equal intervals along the circumferential direction. This makes it possible to suppress variations in the cumulative ultraviolet irradiation amount (mJ/ ^cm2 ). The first ultraviolet lamp 67a and the second ultraviolet lamp 67b may each be an ultraviolet lamp that irradiates ultraviolet light with a wavelength of 200 nm or more and 450 nm or less.

The first ultraviolet lamp 67a and the second ultraviolet lamp 67b may each be a low-pressure mercury lamp, a medium-pressure mercury lamp, or a UV-LED. In this case, the first ultraviolet lamp 67a and the second ultraviolet lamp 67b are preferably low-pressure mercury lamps or medium-pressure mercury lamps. A low-pressure mercury lamp is a mercury lamp in which the mercury vapor pressure during operation is less than 10 Pa. This low-pressure mercury lamp can efficiently irradiate ultraviolet light with a wavelength (253.7 nm) that has a high sterilizing effect. Therefore, when the first ultraviolet lamp 67a and the second ultraviolet lamp 67b are each low-pressure mercury lamps, the sterilization effect of the first sterilizer 62 and the second sterilizer 64 can be improved. The low-pressure mercury lamp may also be an amalgam lamp (low-pressure high-output amalgam lamp) in which amalgam, an alloy of mercury and other metals, is enclosed in the light-emitting tube.

A medium-pressure mercury lamp is a mercury lamp whose mercury vapor pressure during operation is 40 kPa or higher. Generally, medium-pressure mercury lamps are higher-output mercury lamps than low-pressure mercury lamps. Therefore, if the first ultraviolet lamp 67a and the second ultraviolet lamp 67b are both medium-pressure mercury lamps, the first sterilizer 62 and the second sterilizer 64 can sterilize a larger amount of water. Furthermore, because medium-pressure mercury lamps are high-output mercury lamps, the first sterilizer 62 and the second sterilizer 64 can be made smaller when the first ultraviolet lamp 67a and the second ultraviolet lamp 67b are both medium-pressure mercury lamps.

Here, the sterilization effect of ultraviolet light varies depending on the cumulative dose of ultraviolet light (mJ/cm ² ). That is, the greater the cumulative dose of ultraviolet light, the greater the sterilization effect of ultraviolet light. This cumulative dose is calculated by multiplying the illuminance (mW/cm ² ) by the irradiation time (sec). Therefore, to enhance the sterilization effect of ultraviolet light, it is necessary to shorten the distance between the light source (the first ultraviolet lamp 67a and the second ultraviolet lamp 67b) and the raw materials to be mixed and to lengthen the irradiation time of ultraviolet light. In particular, the illuminance is inversely proportional to the square of the distance from the light source that irradiates ultraviolet light. For example, if the distance from the light source is doubled, the illuminance will be ¼, and if the distance from the light source is tripled, the illuminance will be �ninth. Therefore, the sterilization effect of ultraviolet light can be enhanced by having water pass near the light source.

As described above, in this embodiment, an inlet 68 is formed at the bottom of the main body 66 to introduce the raw materials to be mixed into the main body 66, and an outlet 69 is formed at the top of the main body 66 to discharge the sterilized raw materials to be mixed from the main body 66. This prevents short-path mixing and increases the time the raw materials to be mixed remain inside the main body 66. This allows for longer irradiation time of the raw materials to be mixed with ultraviolet light, and increases the cumulative amount of ultraviolet light irradiation. Furthermore, by introducing the raw materials to be mixed from the bottom of the main body 66, even when the raw materials to be mixed are introduced into water at the beginning of operation of the first sterilizer 62, i.e., the main body 66 is empty, sufficient time for the raw materials to be mixed to remain inside the main body 66 can be ensured. This allows for longer irradiation time of the water with ultraviolet light.

The main body 66 is shaped like a truncated cone. This shortens the distance between the first and second ultraviolet lamps 67a and 67b and the raw materials to be mixed at the top of the main body 66. This enhances the sterilization effect of ultraviolet light on bacteria. The ultraviolet irradiation unit 67 includes a first ultraviolet lamp 67a located in the radial center of the main body 66 and multiple second ultraviolet lamps 67b located around the first ultraviolet lamp 67a. This allows ultraviolet light to be irradiated evenly onto the raw materials to be mixed, which move upward while rotating in the circumferential direction. This reduces variations in the cumulative amount of ultraviolet light irradiation.

Here, the cumulative dose of ultraviolet light irradiated onto the water is preferably 10 mJ/cm2 or ^more and 10,000 mJ/cm2 ^or less, and more preferably 100 mJ/cm2 ^or more and 1,000 mJ/cm2 or ^less . That is, the cumulative dose of ultraviolet light irradiated onto the contents when the contents pass through the main body 66 is preferably 10 mJ/cm2 or ^more and 10,000 mJ/ ^cm2 or less at a wavelength of 254 nm, and more preferably 100 mJ/ ^cm2 or more and 1,000 mJ/ ^cm2 or less. It is more preferably 130 mJ/ ^cm2 or more and 500 mJ/ ^cm2 or less. By setting the cumulative dose of ultraviolet light to 10 mJ/ ^cm2 or more, aquatic bacteria (gram-negative bacteria such as Pseudomonas or Methylobacterium that can grow in water in a nutrient-poor environment) that may pass through the second sterilization filter 65 can be effectively sterilized. Furthermore, by setting the cumulative dose of ultraviolet light to 100 mJ/ ^cm² or more, bacterial spores can also be sterilized. Furthermore, by setting the cumulative dose of ultraviolet light to 10,000 mJ/ ^cm² or less, electricity consumption can be reduced, and carbon dioxide emissions from the content filling system 10 can be reduced. Here, the wavelength of the ultraviolet light may be 250 nm or more and 260 nm or less, for example, 253.7 nm (254 nm). By setting the wavelength of the ultraviolet light to 250 nm or more and 260 nm or less, particularly 253.7 nm, the sterilization effect of the ultraviolet light on bacteria can be enhanced. Herein, "aquatic bacteria" refers to bacteria that can pass through a sterilization filter with a mesh size of 0.2 μm, and may also be referred to as "sterilization filter-passing bacteria." The dose of ultraviolet light irradiated by the ultraviolet light irradiator 67 may be set based on the RED (Reduction Equivalent UV Dose) determined by an actual chemical dosimeter or biological dosimeter. For more information, please refer to "ULTRAVIOLET DISINFECTION GUIDANCE MANUAL FOR THE FINAL LONG TERM 2 ENHANCED SURFACE WATER TREATMENT RULE, United States Environmental Protection Agency, EPA 815-R-06-007, November 2006."

It is preferable that such a first sterilizer 62 is capable of being sterilized (SIP). This allows the first sterilizer 62 to be sterilized periodically. When sterilizing the first sterilizer 62, the above-mentioned control unit 90 may sterilize the first sterilizer 62 with steam or hot water. Alternatively, if the first sterilizer 62 is heat-sensitive, the control unit 90 may sterilize the first sterilizer 62 by circulating a sterilant containing, for example, peracetic acid in the circulation system 59A that includes the sterilizer 60. In this case, the control unit 90 may circulate the sterilant in the circulation system 59A for at least 10 seconds and no more than 60 minutes.

5A and 5B, the main body 66 of the first sterilizer 62 may be cylindrical. In this case, a discharge pipe 69a may be connected to the discharge section 69 formed on the main body 66, and the discharge pipe 69a may be arranged to extend tangentially to the inner surface of the main body 66 in a plan view. In this case, the tangential direction of the inner surface refers to the tangential direction of the circle formed by the inner surface of the main body 66 in a horizontal cross section including the discharge section 69, in which the raw materials to be mixed that have circulated while contacting the inner surface move away from the inner surface of the main body 66. When the main body 66 is cylindrical, the raw materials to be mixed can be retained within the main body 66 for a longer period of time. This allows for longer irradiation of the raw materials to be mixed with ultraviolet light, thereby increasing the cumulative amount of ultraviolet light irradiation. In this case, although not shown, the second ultraviolet lamps 67b may be arranged to be inclined radially inward as they extend upward.

Also, as shown in Figures 6A and 6B, the main body 66 may be cylindrical, with an inlet 68 formed at one end of the main body 66 for introducing the ingredients to be mixed into the main body 66. Also, a discharge 69 may be formed at the other end of the main body 66 for discharging the sterilized ingredients to be mixed from the main body 66. In this case, the main body 66 may be positioned so that the longitudinal direction of the main body 66 (the direction in which the water flows) is horizontal, or so that the longitudinal direction of the main body 66 (the direction in which the water flows) is vertical.

In this modified example, the ultraviolet irradiation unit 67 may include multiple third ultraviolet lamps 67c arranged along the direction of travel of the raw materials to be mixed. This allows ultraviolet light to be irradiated evenly onto the water. This reduces variations in the cumulative amount of ultraviolet light irradiation.

Furthermore, third ultraviolet lamps 67c adjacent to each other in the direction of travel of the materials to be mixed may extend in different directions when viewed from the direction of travel of the materials to be mixed. This more effectively reduces variations in the cumulative amount of ultraviolet radiation. In the illustrated example, each third ultraviolet lamp 67c is arranged regularly. That is, when viewed from the upstream side of the direction of travel of the materials to be mixed (the left side of Figure 6B), each third ultraviolet lamp 67c rotates clockwise by 45° around the central axis X of the main body 66 as it moves downstream of the direction of travel of the materials to be mixed (the right side of Figure 6B). Note that each third ultraviolet lamp 67c may also be arranged irregularly.

The third ultraviolet lamp 67c may be an ultraviolet lamp similar to the first ultraviolet lamp 67a and the second ultraviolet lamp 67b. That is, the third ultraviolet lamp 67c may be an ultraviolet lamp that irradiates ultraviolet light with a wavelength of 200 nm or more and 450 nm or less. The third ultraviolet lamp 67c may also be a low-pressure mercury lamp (including a low-pressure high-output amalgam lamp) or a medium-pressure mercury lamp. Although not shown, a baffle plate 66a that regulates the flow of water may be provided within the main body 66.

Furthermore, in the first sterilizer 62 shown in Figures 3 to 6B, ultraviolet light may be reflected within the main body 66 to improve the sterilization efficiency of the first sterilizer 62. For example, taking the first sterilizer 62 shown in Figures 6A and 6B as an example, the main body 66 may include an outer member 660 and an inner member 661 disposed inside the outer member 660, as shown in Figure 6C. The outer member 660 may be composed of, for example, a polished stainless steel tube. The inner member 661 may be composed of a glass tube. Furthermore, an air layer 662 may be interposed between the outer member 660 and the inner member 661. In this case, if the glass tube of the inner member 661 is made of glass with high ultraviolet transmittance (e.g., quartz glass or fluoride glass), ultraviolet light (UV) can be reflected at the interface between the inner member 661 and the air layer 662, as shown in Figure 6C. The material of the inner member 661 may be selected from materials with high UV transmittance according to the wavelength of the UV light emitted by the third ultraviolet lamp 67c, etc. Materials other than glass may also be used for the inner member 661, such as plastics with similar properties to glass. Furthermore, the inner surface of the outer member 660 and/or the outer surface of the inner member 661 may be coated with a highly reflective material. In particular, when the main body 66 is elongated, as in the first sterilizer 62 shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B , coating the inner surface of the outer member 660 with a highly reflective material can repeatedly reflect the UV light while suppressing attenuation of the UV light. This allows for efficient sterilization of water. It is preferable that the UV light be reflected at least once within the main body 66. In this case, it is more preferable to shorten the distance between the outer member 660, etc. and the third ultraviolet lamp 67c, etc., to reflect the UV light at least twice. Here, the ultraviolet light emitted from a medium-pressure mercury lamp can maintain its illuminance for a longer distance compared to ultraviolet light emitted from a low-pressure mercury lamp. Therefore, when the third ultraviolet lamp 67c, etc. is a medium-pressure mercury lamp, even if the ultraviolet light UV is reflected multiple times inside the main body 66, the sterilization effect of the ultraviolet light UV can be effectively prevented from decreasing.

The time it takes for water to pass through the first sterilizer 62 may be 0.1 seconds or more and less than 10 seconds, and preferably 0.5 seconds or more and less than 5 seconds. The time it takes for water to be introduced into the main body 66 from the introduction section 68 and then discharged from the discharge section 69. A time of 0.1 seconds or more can suppress variations in the sterilization effect of the water. As a result, a sufficient sterilization effect can be obtained. A time of less than 10 seconds can reduce the size of the first sterilizer 62. The time it takes for water to pass through the first sterilizer 62 may be changed as appropriate based on the flow rate of water to be treated (sterilized) by the first sterilizer 62.

Referring again to Figure 2A1, the first sterilizing filter 63 is provided downstream of the first sterilizer 62. This first sterilizing filter 63 is a microfiltration filter (MF) that sterilizes the raw materials to be mixed by capturing bacteria remaining in the raw materials to be mixed. The mesh size of the first sterilizing filter 63 may be 0.1 μm or more and 0.45 μm or less, and preferably 0.1 μm or more and 0.22 μm or less. Having the mesh size of the first sterilizing filter 63 of 0.1 μm or more can suppress a decrease in the sterilization efficiency of the raw materials to be mixed. Furthermore, having the mesh size of the first sterilizing filter 63 of 0.45 μm or less can suppress a decrease in the sterilization efficiency of the raw materials to be mixed. The first sterilization filter 63 can effectively capture bacteria remaining in the target raw material. A filter with a mesh size of 0.02 μm to 0.1 μm, which can also remove some viruses, may be used as the sterilization filter 63. The filtration membrane of the first sterilization filter 63 may be made of polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF), polyethersulfone (PES), mixed cellulose acetate (SCWP), polycarbonate (PC), polypropylene (PP), polyamide, or the like. Depending on the suitability of the contents, a reverse osmosis membrane (RO membrane) or an ultrafiltration membrane (UF membrane) may also be used.

The first sterilization filter 63 is preferably sterilizable (SIP). This allows the first sterilization filter 63 to be sterilized periodically. As described above, the first sterilization filter 63 passes through the first sterilizer 62 and captures bacteria remaining in the raw materials to be mixed. Therefore, if water is continuously sterilized in the sterilizer 60 for a long period of time, the captured bacteria may grow within the first sterilization filter 63. Furthermore, if organic bacterial carcasses adhere to the first sterilization filter 63, the bacterial carcasses may serve as a substrate. In this case, the bacteria may further grow within the first sterilization filter 63. If bacteria grow within the first sterilization filter 63, they may enter the raw materials to be mixed that pass through the first sterilization filter 63. In contrast, the sterilizable first sterilization filter 63 prevents bacteria adhering to the first sterilization filter 63 from entering the raw materials to be mixed that pass through the first sterilization filter 63. As a result, the filtration performance of the first sterilization filter 63 is prevented from deteriorating. When sterilizing the first sterilizing filter 63, sterilizing steam or the like may be supplied to the first sterilizing filter 63 from the sterile air supply port 60a, which will be described later.

Here, the degree of sterilization of the first sterilizing filter 63 may be managed by the F-value. In other words, when sterilizing the sterilizer 60 having the first sterilizing filter 63, the degree of sterilization of the sterilizer 60 may be managed by the F-value. In this case, for example, the control unit 90 may measure the temperature of the heated steam (fluid) or hot water (fluid) flowing through the flow path of the first sterilizing filter 63 and calculate the F-value based on the measured temperature. Then, when the F-value becomes equal to or greater than a target value, the control unit 90 may terminate sterilization of the first sterilizing filter 63. When measuring the temperature of the heated steam or hot water, the control unit 90 may measure the temperature using temperature sensors arranged at various locations in the flow path where the temperature is less likely to rise while flowing the heated steam or hot water through the flow path of the first sterilizing filter 63. Then, the control unit 90 may terminate heating of the flow path with heated steam or the like when the time it takes for the temperatures from each temperature sensor to reach a predetermined temperature becomes equal to or greater than a predetermined time. This makes it possible to sterilize the first sterilizing filter 63 without applying more heat than necessary to the first sterilizing filter 63. Here, the F value is the heating time required to kill all bacteria when bacteria are heated for a certain period of time, and is expressed as the lethal time of bacteria at 121.1°C, and is calculated by the following formula.

(where T is the sterilization temperature (°C), 10^{(T-Tr)/Z}} is the lethality rate at the sterilization temperature T, Tr is the reference temperature (°C), and Z is the Z value (°C).)
Furthermore, it is preferable that the first sterilization filter 63 be capable of undergoing an integrity test, described below, for the mesh size of the first sterilization filter 63. Here, the integrity test can be performed as follows. For example, first, a housing (not shown) inside the first sterilization filter 63 is filled with water. Next, sterile air is injected into the water-filled first sterilization filter 63, for example, through the sterile air supply port 60a. Next, the pressure of the sterile air is increased until the sterile air escapes from the first sterilization filter 63. Then, the size of the mesh size of the first sterilization filter 63 is determined based on the pressure of the sterile air (bubble point) when the sterile air escapes from the first sterilization filter 63. In this way, since the first sterilization filter 63 is capable of undergoing an integrity test for the mesh size of the first sterilization filter 63, the degree of deterioration of the first sterilization filter 63 can be easily determined. Incidentally, a pressure gauge P2 may be provided near the sterile air supply port 60a to measure the pressure inside the first sterilization filter 63. The integrity test may be performed by a diffusion flow test, a pressure hold test, or the like, in addition to the bubble point test described above.

The second sterilizer 64 is provided downstream of the first sterilizing filter 63. The configuration of this second sterilizer 64 may be substantially the same as the configuration of the first sterilizer 62 shown in Figures 3 to 6B. In other words, the second sterilizer 64 may be a sterilizer that sterilizes water using ultraviolet rays.

The second sterilization filter 65 is located downstream of the second sterilizer 64. This second sterilization filter 65 sterilizes the raw materials to be mixed by capturing bacteria that pass through the second sterilizer 64 and remain in the raw materials to be mixed. The mesh size of the second sterilization filter 65 is preferably smaller than that of the first sterilization filter 63. This allows the second sterilization filter 65 to capture bacteria in the raw materials to be mixed, even if they pass through the first sterilization filter 63. This ensures sufficient sterility of the raw materials to be mixed. Furthermore, if the mesh size of the second sterilization filter 65 is the same as that of the first sterilization filter 63, two sterilization sets, each consisting of a sterilizer and a sterilization filter, can be arranged along the conveying direction of the raw materials to be mixed. That is, a first sterilization set consisting of a first sterilizer 62 and a first sterilizing filter 63, and a second sterilization set consisting of a second sterilizer 64 and a second sterilizing filter 65 can be arranged in series along the conveyance direction of the raw materials to be mixed. Therefore, even if an abnormality occurs in one of the sterilization sets, the sterility of the raw materials to be mixed can be guaranteed. Note that multiple sterilization sets may be provided according to the sterility assurance level (SAL) of the raw materials to be mixed or the final product (contents) (see Figures 2A1, 2A2, 2A4 to A7). Also, as shown in Figure 2B, etc., the number of sterilization sets may be one, or, although not shown, the number of sterilization sets may be three or more.

The mesh size of the second sterilization filter 65 may be 0.1 μm or more and 0.45 μm or less, and preferably 0.1 μm or more and 0.22 μm or less. Having the mesh size of the second sterilization filter 65 of 0.1 μm or more can prevent a decrease in the sterilization efficiency of the raw materials to be mixed. Furthermore, having the mesh size of the second sterilization filter 65 of 0.45 μm or less can more effectively capture bacteria remaining in the raw materials to be mixed. The filtration membrane of the second sterilization filter 65 may be, for example, a reverse osmosis membrane (RO membrane) or an ultrafiltration membrane (UF membrane).

Other configurations of the second sterilization filter 65 may be substantially the same as those of the first sterilization filter 63. That is, the second sterilization filter 65 may be sterilizable (SIP). Furthermore, the second sterilization filter 65 may be capable of undergoing an integrity test on the mesh size of the second sterilization filter 65.

Here, the sterilization strength of the water may be adjusted in the sterilizer 60 based on the target bacterial count level (FSO (Food Safety Objective/ISO13409-1996) (=logN)).

In this case, for example, the initial bacterial count level in the raw materials to be mixed before entering a filter (e.g., the first sterilization filter 63) is taken as _H0 (= _logN0 ). In this case, the initial bacterial count level _H0 of the filter is reduced by the sterilization effect of the filter (e.g., the first sterilization filter 63) (the level of bacterial reduction in the water: _ΣR1 (=log( _N0 / _NR1 )>0). Note that " _N0 " refers to the initial bacterial count in the water, and " _NR1 " refers to the number of bacteria in the raw materials to be mixed after they have been sterilized by the filter (e.g., the first sterilization filter 63).

On the other hand, it is also possible that the bacteria in the raw materials to be mixed increase at a certain rate while passing through the filter (bacterial increase level in the raw materials to be mixed: ΣI (= log(N _I )≧0)). Note that "N _I " means the number of bacteria that increased while passing through the filter.

Furthermore, the bacteria in the raw materials to be mixed are reduced again by the sterilization effect of the sterilizer (e.g., second sterilizer 64) (bacteria reduction level in the raw materials to be mixed: _ΣR2 (= log( _N1 / _NR2 ) > 0)). If the bacterial count level in the raw materials to be mixed after passing through the sterilizer 60 is below the target value (FSO (Food Safety Objective/ISO13409-1996) (= logN)), it can be considered that there is no problem with the sterility of the raw materials to be mixed sterilized by the raw material to be mixed sterilization line 50. Note that " _NR2 " refers to the number of bacteria in the raw materials to be mixed after sterilization by the sterilizer (e.g., second sterilizer 64), and "N" refers to the target value for the number of bacteria in the raw materials to be mixed after sterilization by the sterilizer (e.g., second sterilizer 64).

The above-mentioned relationship between H ₀ , ΣR ₁ , ΣI, ΣR ₂ and FSO can be expressed as the following equation.

H ₀ - ΣR ₁ + ΣI - ΣR ₂ ≦ FSO... (Equation 1) Therefore, by setting the sterilization capacity of the sterilizer (e.g., the second sterilizer 64) so that the value of ΣR ₂ is greater than or equal to (H ₀ - ΣR ₁ + ΣI) - FSO, it is possible to keep the sterility of the raw materials to be mixed below the target value (FSO).

Sampling points SP1 to SP6 (SP) for aseptically sampling the raw materials to be mixed may be provided at the inlet and outlet of the sterilizer 60, and between the foreign matter removal filter 61 and the first sterilizer 62. A sampling line SL may be connected to at least some of the sampling points SP1 to SP6 via a valve (not shown). This allows the number of bacteria in the water to be easily measured by aseptically sampling water from the sampling points SP1 to SP6 or the sampling line SL. A thermometer T may be provided on the sampling line SL, and the temperature of the steam may be monitored using the thermometer T when the first sterilization filter 63 and the second sterilization filter 65 are sterilized with steam. To measure the number of bacteria in the raw materials to be mixed and/or to check for changes in condition, such as bacterial growth, the liquid may be sampled and the number of bacteria may be counted using a plate culture medium, for example. Additionally, for example, the number of bacteria and/or changes in the state of bacteria in the raw materials to be mixed may be measured and/or confirmed using a microorganism measuring device (e.g., Azbil Corporation's Real-Time Microorganism Detector, IMD-W (registered trademark)) or a particle measuring device (liquid particle counter).

The processing capacity of such a sterilizer 60 is preferably 105% or more of the maximum processing capacity required for producing the product bottles 101, and more preferably 110% or more of the maximum processing capacity required for producing the product bottles 101. For example, the processing capacity of the sterilizer 60 may be 5 m ³ /h or more and 50 m ³ /h or less, for example, 24 m ³ /h. Furthermore, when the processing capacity of the sterilizer 60 is 105% or more of the maximum processing capacity required for producing the product bottles 101, a predetermined amount of water can be stored in the tank 52 during production of the product bottles 101. In this case, by appropriately designing the volume of the tank 52, it is possible to produce the product bottles 101 and perform sterilization (SIP) or integrity testing of the first sterilization filter 63, etc., without running out of raw materials to be mixed, even during sterilization (SIP) or integrity testing of the first sterilization filter 63, etc. The time required for sterilization (SIP) of the first sterilizing filter 63 etc. and the time required for the integrity test are approximately 30 minutes to approximately 1 hour, respectively. Therefore, the volume of the tank 52 may be equal to or greater than the amount of raw materials to be mixed used in the content filling system 10 when producing the product bottles 101 for one hour.

The processing capacity of the sterilizer 60 may also be controlled by the control unit 90. For example, the control unit 90 may determine the amount of water to be used to clean and sterilize the content filling system 10, and may also determine the amount of the raw materials to be mixed that the sterilizer 60 of the raw material to be mixed sterilizes during the production of the product bottles 101 based on the determined amount of raw materials to be mixed. Here, the amount of sterile water required to clean and/or sterilize the interior of each chamber after the production of the product bottles 101 can be determined for each chamber. Therefore, the processing capacity of the sterilizer 60 may be controlled by the control unit 90 so that the sterile water to be used after the production of the product bottles 101 can be stored during the production of one lot of product bottles 101. This allows the interior of each chamber to be cleaned and/or sterilized immediately after the production of the product bottles 101, thereby reducing downtime.

It is preferable that such a sterilizer 60 continues to sterilize the raw materials to be mixed without stopping the sterilization of the raw materials while the product bottles 101 are being produced by filling the bottles 100 with the contents in the content filling system 10. This prevents bacterial growth in the first sterilization filter 63 and the second sterilization filter 65. In other words, if the flow of the raw materials to be mixed stops in the sterilizer 60, bacteria may grow in the first sterilization filter 63 and the second sterilization filter 65. In contrast, by continuing to sterilize the raw materials to be mixed without stopping the pump P1 while the product bottles 101 are being produced in the content filling system 10, bacterial growth in the first sterilization filter 63 and the second sterilization filter 65 can be prevented. If the tank 52 becomes full while the product bottles 101 are being produced in the content filling system 10, the sterilized raw materials to be mixed may be circulated through the circulation system 59A (see Figure 2A, etc.). This prevents the flow of the raw materials to be mixed from stopping within the sterilizer 60, even when the tank 52 is full. This prevents bacteria from multiplying within the first sterilization filter 63 and the second sterilization filter 65. If the sterilized raw materials to be mixed circulate for a long time, the temperature of the sterilized raw materials to be mixed may rise due to the ultraviolet radiation energy emitted from the ultraviolet radiation unit 67. In this case, the raw materials to be mixed flowing through the circulation line 59 may be discharged from the circulation line 59 without being returned to the mixing tank 51. Furthermore, the rise in temperature of the circulating raw materials to be mixed may be prevented by supplying new pure water from the pure water production system 50c to the mixing tank 51 via the water tank 50a.

As shown in Figure 2J, the mixing target raw material sterilization line 50 is divided into a non-sterile zone Z1, a first gray zone Z2, a second gray zone Z3, and a sterile zone Z4. The non-sterile zone Z1, first gray zone Z2, second gray zone Z3, and sterile zone Z4 are arranged in this order from upstream to downstream along the conveying direction of the contents.

Of these, non-sterile zone Z1 is a zone under a non-sterile atmosphere, where bacteria may be present. In the illustrated example, non-sterile zone Z1 is the area upstream of pre-stage sterilizer 62A. In non-sterile zone Z1, the mixing tank 51 and the flow path downstream of mixing tank 51 are sterilized before the production of product bottles 101. However, after production of product bottles 101 begins, bacteria may be introduced from upstream of mixing tank 51, potentially contaminating the mixing tank 51 and other components.

The first gray zone Z2 and the second gray zone Z3 are zones for separating a non-sterile atmosphere from a sterile atmosphere, respectively. The first gray zone Z2 is a zone for sterilizing bacteria that pass through the sterilization filter. The second gray zone Z3 is a zone for maintaining a state in which bacteria that pass through the sterilization filter are not present during the production of the product bottle 101. In the illustrated example, the first gray zone Z2 is the region from the pre-stage sterilizer 62A to the outlet of the second sterilizer 64. The second gray zone Z3 is the region from the outlet of the second sterilizer 64 to the inlet of the first sterile filter 63. The pure water production device 50c that supplies water to the mixing target raw material sterilization line 50 is sterilized (SIP) before sterilizing water to the mixing target raw material sterilization line 50. Sterilization is performed under conditions that at least kill bacteria that pass through the sterilization filter. The temperature and sterilization time of the steam or hot water used for sterilization may be at least 60°C or higher and 5 minutes or longer, preferably 85°C or higher and 30 minutes or longer. The temperature and sterilization time of the steam or hot water used for sterilization may be 90°C and 3 minutes, which are equivalent to conditions for a sterilization value of Z = 5°C. Alternatively, the sterilization conditions may be high-temperature and short-time conditions, such as a temperature of 95°C and a sterilization time of 0.3 minutes. However, the sterilization value under these sterilization conditions generally does not sterilize bacterial spores. Therefore, bacterial spores may be present in the area just before the first sterile filter 63. For this reason, the area from the pre-stage sterilizer 62A to just before the first sterile filter 63 is referred to as the gray zone. After sterilization of the pure water production system 50c, the second gray zone Z3 is maintained under positive pressure by continuously supplying water to the second gray zone Z3. This maintains a state in which bacteria that pass through the sterilization filter are absent in the second gray zone Z3. The positive pressure state of the second gray zone Z3 is managed using a pressure gauge (not shown). The method for sterilizing bacteria that pass through the sterilization filter is not limited to steam or hot water. It may also be a chemical that inactivates bacteria that pass through the sterilization filter.

The sterile zone Z4 is a zone under a sterile atmosphere. That is, the sterile zone Z4 is a zone maintained in a sterile state. In the illustrated example, the sterile zone Z4 is the area downstream of the first sterile filter 63. Sterile air or sterile water is supplied to the sterile zone Z4 after each device is sterilized with steam or hot water (SIP/F ₀ ≧3 or more, Z=10°C) to sterilize all bacteria, including bacterial spores. SIP of the sterile zone Z4 is performed at least up to the interface with the second gray zone Z3. When sterilizing the sterile zone Z4, the piping of the second gray zone Z3 may also be SIP-ed along with the sterile zone Z4. This maintains the sterile zone Z4 in a positive pressure state, maintaining the sterile zone Z4 in a sterile state.

Of the non-sterile zone Z1, first gray zone Z2, second gray zone Z3, and sterile zone Z4, the contents in the first gray zone Z2 may be irradiated with ultraviolet light. In the first gray zone Z2, the cumulative dose of ultraviolet light irradiated onto the water by the pre-stage sterilizer 62A may be at least 10 mJ/ ^cm² or more, preferably 100 mJ/cm² or ^more . In this case, the pre-stage sterilizer 62A may include a low-pressure mercury lamp. Furthermore, in the first gray zone Z2, the total cumulative dose of ultraviolet light irradiated onto the water by the first sterilizer 62 and the second sterilizer 64 may be 100 mJ/ ^cm² or more. By ensuring that the total cumulative dose of ultraviolet light irradiated onto the water by the first sterilizer 62 and the second sterilizer 64 is 100 mJ/ ^cm² or more, bacteria that pass through the sterilizing filter can be sterilized in the first gray zone Z2. This ensures the sterility of the water in the second gray zone Z3. In this case, the first sterilizer 62 and the second sterilizer 64 may each include a medium pressure mercury lamp.

In the first gray zone Z2, if the total cumulative dose of ultraviolet light irradiated onto the contents by the first sterilizer 62 and the second sterilizer 64 is less than 100 mJ/cm2, the contents may be circulated via the circulation line 95 before being supplied to the first removal filter 63. This prevents contents that may contain bacteria that pass through the sterilization filter from being supplied to the first sterilization filter 63. This ensures the sterility of the contents in the sterile zone Z4. In this case, the pre-stage sterilizer 62A, foreign matter removal filter 61, first sterilizer 62, and second sterilizer 64 may be sterilized (SIP) before the contents are supplied to the sterile zone Z4 (first sterilization filter 63).

Furthermore, it is preferable that at least one of the first sterilizing filter 63 and the second sterilizing filter 65 pass the integrity tests (first integrity test and second integrity test) before and after production, as described below. This allows at least one of the first sterilizing filter 63 and the second sterilizing filter 65 to filter-sterilize bacteria other than those that pass the sterilizing filter. This ensures the sterility of the contents in the sterile zone Z4. Note that if the integrity tests before and after production for the first sterilizing filter 63 and the second sterilizing filter 65 fail, a sterile-grade filter with a mesh size of 0.1 μm or more and 0.22 μm or less may be used as the foreign matter removal filter 61. In this case, it is preferable that the integrity tests before and after production for the foreign matter removal filter 61 pass. This allows the foreign matter removal filter 61 to filter-sterilize bacteria other than those that pass the sterilizing filter, ensuring the sterility of the contents in the sterile zone Z4.

In this way, in the sterilizer 60 of the mixing material sterilization line 50 according to this embodiment, the sterility of the water is guaranteed by ensuring that the amount of ultraviolet light irradiation is above a specified value or within a specified range during production, and by passing the integrity test results before and after the start of production.

(Other raw material sterilization line 70)
Next, a description will be given of the other raw material sterilization line 70. The other raw material sterilization line 70 is a sterilization line that heat-sterilizes raw materials other than the target raw material among the raw materials of the contents.

As shown in Figure 7, the other raw material sterilization line 70 has a raw material sterilizer 80 that heats and sterilizes other raw materials from the other raw material tank 71, with the raw material tank 72 installed downstream of the raw material sterilizer 80. The other raw material tank 71, raw material sterilizer 80, and raw material tank 72 are arranged in this order from upstream to downstream along the transport direction of the other raw materials. A circulation line 89 may be connected that returns the other raw materials to the other raw material tank 71 without sending them from the third-stage cooling section 86 to the raw material tank 72.

The other raw material tank 71 is a tank for storing other raw materials supplied from a supply source (not shown). By storing the other raw materials, the other raw material tank 71 serves to smooth the flow of the other raw materials. The volume of the other raw material tank 71 may be 0.3 m or ^more and 3 ^m or less, and may be 1 ^m , for example.

A pump P3 for transporting other raw materials may be provided downstream of this other raw material tank 71. Furthermore, a raw material sterilizer 80, which constitutes the above-mentioned other raw material sterilization line 70, is provided downstream of pump P3.

The raw material sterilizer 80 heats and sterilizes the other raw materials stored in the other raw material tank 71. In this embodiment, the raw material sterilizer 80 may be an Ultra High-temperature (UHT) sterilizer that sterilizes the other raw materials using an ultra-high-temperature heat treatment method. The UHT 80 has a first-stage heating section 81, a second-stage heating section 82, a holding tube 83, a first-stage cooling section 84, a second-stage cooling section 85, and a third-stage cooling section 86. The other raw materials supplied to the UHT 80 are gradually heated by the first-stage heating section 81 and the second-stage heating section 82 and heated to a target temperature within the holding tube 83. In this case, for example, the other raw materials may be heated to a temperature between 60°C and 80°C within the first-stage heating section 81 and between 80°C and 150°C within the second-stage heating section 82. The temperature of the other raw materials is maintained for a certain period of time within the holding tube 83. The other raw materials that pass through the holding tube 83 are gradually cooled by the first-stage cooling section 84, the second-stage cooling section 85, and the third-stage cooling section 86. The number of heating and cooling sections can be increased or decreased as needed. Furthermore, the pressure loss of the other raw materials may be high between the first-stage heating section 81 and the second-stage heating section 82. For this reason, an additional pump (not shown) may be provided between the first-stage heating section 81 and the second-stage heating section 82. Furthermore, a homogenizer for homogenizing the other raw materials may be provided between the first-stage heating section 81 and the second-stage heating section 82, or between the first-stage cooling section 84 and the second-stage cooling section 85, for example.

The processing capacity of such UHT 80 may be 3 m ³ /h or more and 30 m ³ /h or less, and may be 6 m ³ /h, for example.

Furthermore, by monitoring the temperature of the hottest part of the UHT 80 (for example, the second-stage heating section 82), it is possible to monitor the scale (deposits of calcium, etc.) that has adhered to the UHT 80. Then, when cleaning the UHT 80 (CIP), the state of scale removal can be monitored. This makes it possible to optimize the cleaning process for cleaning the UHT 80. This shortens the cleaning time and reduces the amount of water, steam, and cleaning agent used in cleaning. As a result, the amount of carbon dioxide emitted by the content filling system 10 can be reduced.

UHT80 may be either an injection type or an infusion type. Furthermore, heat exchangers used for heat exchange in the content filling system 10, such as the heat exchanger for UHT80, may be either a plate type or a shell-and-tube type. Furthermore, when using a shell-and-tube type heat exchanger, it is possible to use a type that heats and cools the medium side of the shell by circulating water or hot water, or a type that exchanges heat between different raw materials (products) (liquid-liquid exchange).

In addition, in the above-described embodiment, an example was described in which the raw material sterilizer 80 that heats and sterilizes the other raw materials is UHT, but this is not limited to this. For example, the raw material sterilizer 80 may be an ohmic (Joule-type) heating sterilizer that directly applies electricity to the other raw materials, causing them to self-heat. Furthermore, the raw material sterilizer 80 may be a sterilizer that sterilizes the other raw materials using microwaves (915 MHz, 2450 MHz). In this case, the microwaves may be irradiated from outside the piping through which the raw material liquid or solids in the other raw materials pass. This can raise the temperature of the raw material liquid or solids in the other raw materials, allowing the raw material liquid or solids in the other raw materials to be sterilized. In these cases, the amount of carbon dioxide emitted by the content filling system 10 can also be reduced.

Raw material tank 72 is a tank (a so-called aseptic tank) that stores other raw materials that have been sterilized by raw material sterilizer 80. By storing the sterilized other raw materials, raw material tank 72 serves to smooth the flow of the other raw materials. The volume of raw material tank 72 may be 1 m ^{or more} and 20 m ^or less, and may be 2 ^m , for example.

Alternatively, the raw material tank 72 may not be provided and only the mixing tank 55 may be used. Alternatively, one more tank 52 and one more raw material tank 72 may be provided.

Furthermore, downstream of the mixing tank 55, an auxiliary filter 53 for filtering out foreign matter and a filler tank 57 for storing the final product liquid that has passed through the auxiliary filter 53 may be provided. The auxiliary filter 53 may be provided at the tip of the filling device 21 (not shown). The filler tank 57 serves as a so-called cushion tank that prevents liquid shortages even when the capacity of the filling device 21 varies and ensures the filling amount and filling accuracy. The volume of the filler tank 57 may be 0.1 ^m3 or more and 1 ^m3 or less, for example, 0.3 ^m3 .

An addition unit 75 that adds solids to other ingredients may also be connected. This allows the content filling system 10 to fill the bottle 100 with content containing solids. In this case, the solids that the addition unit 75 adds to the other ingredients may be, for example, canola, nata de coco, tapioca, or aloe. The solids may also be pre-sterilized, sterile solids. Furthermore, in addition to solids, sterile or non-sterile flavorings, acidulants, and coloring agents may also be quantitatively added to the other ingredients from the addition unit 75.

<Content filling method>
Next, a content filling method using the content filling system 10 (FIGS. 1A and 1B) described above will be described with reference to FIG.

First, the preform supply device 1 sequentially supplies multiple preforms 100a to the receiving section 34 of the preform transport section 31 via the preform supply conveyor 2 (preform supply process, reference symbol S1 in Figure 8). At this time, the preforms 100a are sterilized in the preform sterilizer 34a by spraying hydrogen peroxide gas or mist onto the preforms 100a, and then dried with hot air.

Next, the preform 100a is sent to the heating section 35, where it is heated by the heater 35a to, for example, a temperature of 90°C or higher and 130°C or lower. The preform 100a heated by the heating section 35 is then sent to the delivery section 36. The preform 100a is then sent from the delivery section 36 to the blow molding section 32.

The preform 100a sent to the blow molding section 32 is then blow molded using a mold (not shown) to form a bottle 100 (bottle molding process, reference symbol S2 in Figure 8). The blow-molded bottle 100 is then sent to the bottle conveying section 33.

Next, in the sterilization device 11, the bottle 100 is sterilized using a hydrogen peroxide solution as a sterilant (container sterilization process, reference symbol S3 in Figure 8). In this case, the sterilant may be a gas or mist obtained by vaporizing a hydrogen peroxide solution above its boiling point. The hydrogen peroxide solution gas or mist adheres to the inner and outer surfaces of the bottle 100, sterilizing both the inner and outer surfaces of the bottle 100.

Next, the bottle 100 is sent to the air rinse device 14. In the air rinse device 14, sterile heated air or room temperature air is supplied to the bottle 100, activating the hydrogen peroxide and removing foreign matter, hydrogen peroxide, and the like from the bottle 100 (air rinse process, reference symbol S4 in Figure 8). Note that in the air rinse process, if necessary, a condensed mist of low-concentration hydrogen peroxide may be mixed with the sterile heated air or sterilized room temperature air. In this case, the hydrogen peroxide is gasified by the sterile air. Then, in the air rinse process, the gasified hydrogen peroxide may be supplied to the bottle 100.

The bottle 100 is then transported to the filling device 21.

During this process, the raw materials to be mixed that have been sterilized without heating in the raw material sterilization line 50 for raw materials to be mixed and the other raw materials that have been sterilized with heat in the other raw material sterilization line 70 are mixed in the mixing tank 55 to produce a content (content production process, reference numeral S5 in FIG. 8 ). A method for mixing the raw materials to be mixed that have been sterilized without heating and the other raw materials in the mixing tank 55 will now be described. The raw materials to be mixed that have been sterilized without heating are first received in the mixing tank 55, followed by the other raw materials that have been sterilized with heat. The order in which the liquids are received in the mixing tank 55 may be either the raw materials to be mixed that have been sterilized without heating or the other raw materials that have been sterilized with heat. Alternatively, the readings of the flow meters in the raw material sterilization line 50 for raw materials to be mixed and the other raw material sterilization line 70 may be used to simultaneously receive the respective liquids into the mixing tank 55 at a fixed ratio (appropriate flow rate ratio). When receiving the liquids, it is recommended to agitate them using an agitator (not shown) in the mixing tank 55. It is also advisable to monitor whether the blending ratio of the saccharometer, hydrometer, etc. in the mixing tank 55 is within a predetermined range and reflect this in the flow rate of each liquid sent and the tank capacity. By installing multiple mixing tanks 55, the thermally sterilized and non-thermally sterilized liquids can be sent to the mixing tank 55 one after another without having to wait in the circulation line 59, thereby improving the yield of the product liquid (see the second embodiment shown in Figure 10). Furthermore, even when multiple filling machines are installed downstream of the mixing tank 55 or when the capacity of the filling machines is variable, the multiple mixing tanks act as buffers and can prevent a decrease in the operating rate.
Next, in the filling device 21, the bottle 100 is rotated (revolved) while the contents produced in the mixing tank 55 are filled into the bottle 100 from its mouth (contents filling step, symbol S6 in FIG. 8).

The heating temperature for heating the other raw materials in the other raw material sterilization line 70 may generally be approximately 60°C or higher and 120°C or lower if the acidity of the contents is less than pH 4.5, and the heating time may be approximately 30 seconds or higher and 120 seconds or lower. Furthermore, if the acidity of the contents is pH 4.5 or higher, the heating temperature for heating the other raw materials may be approximately 115°C or higher and 150°C or lower. Furthermore, the heating time may be approximately 30 seconds or higher and 120 seconds or lower. This sterilizes all microorganisms in the contents before filling that may grow in the product bottle 101. The heat-sterilized other raw materials are cooled to a temperature of approximately 3°C or higher and 40°C or lower.

In the filling device 21, the bottles 100 are filled at room temperature with the contents that have been sterilized and cooled to room temperature in the mixing tank 55. The temperature of the contents during filling is, for example, between 3°C and 40°C. In the filling device 21, the filling speed of the contents may be between 30 mL/sec and 400 mL/sec.

The bottle 100 filled with the contents is then transported by the transport wheel 12 to the capping device 16.

Meanwhile, the cap 88 is first sterilized by the cap sterilizer 18 (cap sterilization process, reference symbol S7 in Figure 8). During this process, the cap 88 is first transported from outside the content filling system 10 into the cap sterilizer 18. Next, in the cap sterilizer 18, hydrogen peroxide gas or mist is sprayed onto the cap 88 to sterilize its inner and outer surfaces, after which it is dried with hot air and sent to the cap attachment device 16.

Next, in the capping device 16, a sterilized cap 88 is attached to the mouth of the bottle 100 transported from the filling device 20, thereby closing the bottle 100 and obtaining a product bottle 101 (capping process, symbol S8 in Figure 8).

The product bottle 101 is then transported from the capping device 16 to the product bottle discharge section 25 and transported outside the content filling system 10 (bottle discharge process, reference symbol S9 in Figure 8). The product bottle 101 is then transported to a packaging line (not shown) and packaged.

The container sterilization process, air rinse process, content filling process, capping process, and bottle discharging process are all carried out in a sterile environment, i.e., in a sterile atmosphere surrounded by sterilant spray chamber 70d, air rinse chamber 70e, aseptic chamber 70f, and outlet chamber 70g. The cap sterilization process is carried out by cap sterilizer 18. In this case, sterilant spray chamber 70d, air rinse chamber 70e, aseptic chamber 70f, outlet chamber 70g, and cap sterilizer 18 have been sterilized in advance by spraying hydrogen peroxide or peracetic acid, or by spraying warm water, etc.

After sterilization of each chamber, sterile air is supplied at positive pressure into the sterilant spray chamber 70d, air rinse chamber 70e, sterile chamber 70f, and exit chamber 70g so that sterile air is constantly blown out of the sterilant spray chamber 70d, air rinse chamber 70e, sterile chamber 70f, and exit chamber 70g. Furthermore, sterile air is supplied at positive pressure into the cap sterilizer 18 so that sterile air is constantly blown out of the cap sterilizer 18.

When positively pressurized sterile air is supplied to each of chambers 70d through 70g, the sterile air and sterilant used in bottle sterilization are exhausted from the atmosphere isolation chamber 70c, sterilant spray chamber 70d, and outlet chamber 70g. The pressure in each chamber may be adjusted so that the pressure in sterilant spray chamber 70d, air rinse chamber 70e, sterile chamber 70f, and outlet chamber 70g is positive. In this case, as described above, the pressure in sterilant spray chamber 70d may be between -10 Pa and 10 Pa. The pressure in air rinse chamber 70e may be between 10 Pa and 30 Pa. The pressure in sterile chamber 70f may be between 30 Pa and 60 Pa. The pressure in outlet chamber 70g may be between 10 Pa and 20 Pa.

It is preferable that the production (transport) speed of the bottles 100 in the content filling system 10 be 100 bpm or more and 1500 bpm or less. Here, bpm (bottles per minute) refers to the transport speed of the bottles 100 per minute.

Next, the sterilization method of the sterilizer 60 will be explained using Figure 9A.

(Sterilization method of sterilizer)
First, after the filling of the beverage in the content filling system 10 is completed, for example, an operation button of the control unit 90 is operated. This starts sterilization (SIP) in the sterilizer 60. Note that sterilization in the sterilizer 60 may be performed while the product bottles 101 are being produced.

Specifically, first, the filling (production) of the contents by the contents filling system is completed ("End of Production" in Figure 9A). Then, as shown in Figure 2A, a post-production integrity test is performed on the first sterilizing filter 63 and the second sterilizing filter 65 of the sterilizer 60 (reference symbol S20A in Figure 9A). If the foreign body removal filter 61 is also a sterile filter, an integrity test is performed on at least two of the three filters. This post-production integrity test ensures the sterility of the raw materials to be mixed by ensuring that the integrity test results before and after the start of production are pass (no leaks are detected) and that the UV irradiation level during production is above or within the specified value. Next, the first sterilizer 62 and/or the second sterilizer 64 (hereinafter simply referred to as the first sterilizer 62, etc.) undergoes CIP processing (sterilizer cleaning and sterilization process, reference symbol S20 in Figure 9A). CIP treatment is performed by flowing an alkaline cleaning solution, which is made by adding alkaline chemicals such as caustic soda (sodium hydroxide), potassium hydroxide, sodium carbonate, sodium silicate, sodium phosphate, sodium hypochlorite, surfactants, and chelating agents to water, into the flow path after the alkaline cleaning solution has been added, or before the alkaline cleaning solution is added. The alkaline cleaning process using the alkaline cleaning solution and the acid cleaning process using the acid cleaning solution can be freely combined. This removes residue from the previous mixing of ingredients that adheres to the flow path through which the drinking water passes. Furthermore, if the amount of ingredients to be mixed is small or if the ingredients to be mixed contain highly detergency components, CIP treatment using only warm or hot water without adding detergents is acceptable. Alternatively, CIP treatment can be omitted.

Next, the SIP process is performed. In the SIP process, for example, steam or hot water is supplied to the circulation system 59A, including the sterilizer 60 (sterilizer cleaning and sterilization process, S20 in Figure 9A). This heats and sterilizes the first ultraviolet lamp 67a, the second ultraviolet lamp 67b, and the third ultraviolet lamp 67c (hereinafter simply referred to as the first ultraviolet lamp 67a, etc.) of the first sterilizer 62, etc., and every corner of the piping of the first sterilizer 62 and the second sterilizer 64 with steam or hot water. The first sterilizer 62 and the second sterilizer 64 and the foreign matter removal filter 61, the sterilization filter 63, and the sterilization filter 65 may be sterilized simultaneously. Alternatively, bacteria may be inactivated simultaneously (SIP process) by adjusting the temperature, concentration, and time of the cleaning agent used in the CIP process, eliminating the need for subsequent SIP process (CSIP process). After the CIP process, SIP process, or CSIP process is completed, the cleaning agent is discharged. The process then proceeds to the rinsing process to completely remove the cleaning agent. Rinsing is done using pure water supplied from a 50A pure water tank.

Also, if the first sterilizer 62 or other devices are heat-sensitive, they may be sterilized with a disinfectant or cleaning agent (see Figure 2K). In this case, a disinfectant is first supplied to the sterilizer 60 (disinfectant supply process, reference symbol S201 in Figure 9B). The disinfectant or cleaning agent is delivered from a disinfectant supply unit 96, which includes a tank, pump, heater, concentration meter, etc. (not shown), and is then delivered to the pre-stage sterilizer 62A, first sterilizer 62, second sterilizer 64, etc., provided in the sterilizer 60. It may also be supplied from sampling point SP2 or sampling point SP4. This disinfectant may contain peracetic acid. Furthermore, if the disinfectant contains peracetic acid, the disinfectant concentration may be 1000 ppm or more and 3000 ppm or less. A disinfectant concentration of 1000 ppm or more can enhance the disinfection effect of the first sterilizer 62 or other devices. Furthermore, by keeping the disinfectant concentration below 3000 ppm, the amount of peracetic acid used can be reduced, reducing the cost of sterilizing the sterilizer 60.

The temperature of the disinfectant or cleaner supplied to the circulation system 59A may be between 50°C and 150°C. Having a disinfectant or cleaner temperature of 50°C or higher can enhance the disinfecting and cleaning effects of the first disinfector 62, etc. Also, having a disinfectant or cleaner temperature of 150°C or lower can allow the first disinfector 62, etc. to be manufactured at low cost without using special materials.

Next, as shown by the bold line in Figure 2K, a disinfectant or cleaning agent is circulated in a circulation system 95A (alternatively, a circulation system 59A including the mixing tank 51 and pump P1) provided in the sterilizer 60, which includes the pre-stage sterilizer 62A, the first sterilizer 62, and the second sterilizer 64, and the circulation line 95 (disinfectant circulation step, reference symbol S202 in Figure 9B). In this case, the pre-stage sterilizer 62A, the first sterilizer 62, and the second sterilizer 64 may be sterilized by circulating the disinfectant in the circulation system 95A, which includes the pre-stage sterilizer 62A, the first sterilizer 62, and the second sterilizer 64, for at least 10 seconds and up to 60 minutes. A circulation time of 10 seconds or more can enhance the disinfection effect of the disinfectant on the first sterilizer 62, etc. Furthermore, a circulation time of 60 minutes or less can shorten the sterilization time on the first sterilizer 62, etc., thereby reducing downtime.

If the next raw material to be mixed has a pH below 4.5, hot water at 70°C or higher, preferably 85°C or higher and lower than 100°C, is circulated through circulation system 95A for at least 3 minutes and less than 60 minutes, and SIP is performed in this manner on the raw material to be mixed sterilization line 50. If the first sterilizer 62 or the like has an ultraviolet lamp, SIP may be performed with the ultraviolet lamp turned on. If the ultraviolet lamp is not heat-resistant, SIP may be performed after SIP while circulating the water to a temperature at which the ultraviolet lamp can be turned on. It is also recommended to install a heat exchanger 97 and a pump (not shown) in the circulation line 95 of circulation system 95A.

The disinfectant is then discharged from sampling point SP3 or sampling point SP5 (S203 in Figure 9B), followed by the rinsing process (S204 in Figure 9B). To prevent bacterial contamination within the sterilized piping, sterile air (not shown) may be supplied during discharge, allowing for rapid discharge. The rinsing process may be skipped over the discharge process from sampling point SP3 or SP5. In the rinsing process, the pre-sterilizer 62A is first thoroughly rinsed with rinsing liquid to prevent disinfectant from adhering to the foreign matter removal filter 61, and the rinsing liquid is then passed through the foreign matter removal filter 61. Next, any remaining disinfectant in the first sterilizer 62 is thoroughly rinsed with rinsing liquid, and the rinsing liquid is then passed through the first sterilization filter 63. Similar operations are then performed downstream.

Next, the first sterilizing filter 63 and/or the second sterilizing filter 65 (hereinafter also simply referred to as the first sterilizing filter 63, etc.) are sterilized (filter sterilization step, reference symbol S21 in FIG. 9A). At this time, heated steam (fluid) or hot water (fluid) is first supplied to the flow path of the first sterilizing filter 63, etc. (fluid supply step, reference symbol S211 in FIG. 9A). At this time, sterilizing steam is supplied to the first sterilizing filter 63, etc., from the sterile air supply port 60a, for example.

Next, the temperature of the heated steam or hot water supplied to the flow path of the first sterilization filter 63, etc. is measured, and the F value is calculated based on the measured temperature (F value calculation step, symbol S212 in Figure 9A).

Thereafter, when the F value reaches or exceeds the target value, sterilization of the first sterilization filter 63, etc. is terminated. In this manner, the first sterilization filter 63, etc. is sterilized. In this manner, by performing heat sterilization of the first sterilization filter 63, etc. using the F value, the first sterilization filter 63, etc. can be sterilized without applying more heat than necessary to the first sterilization filter 63, etc. This reduces the amount of carbon dioxide emitted by the content filling system 10. Furthermore, because the first sterilization filter 63, etc. can be sterilized without applying more heat than necessary to the first sterilization filter 63, etc., damage to the membrane of the first sterilization filter 63, etc. can be suppressed. This extends the life of the first sterilization filter 63, etc., and the first sterilization filter 63, etc. can be used for a long period of time without replacement.

When sterilizing the first sterilizing filter 63, etc., the area to be sterilized by steam may be partitioned by opening and closing valves (not shown) provided at sampling points SP1 to SP6. For example, the steam used to sterilize the first sterilizing filter 63 may be supplied to the area between sampling points SP3 and SP4 to sterilize that area. Furthermore, the steam used to sterilize the second sterilizing filter 65 may be supplied to the area between sampling points SP5 and SP6 to sterilize that area. The foreign matter removal filter 61 (or sterilizing filter) may also be sterilized along with the first sterilizing filter 63 and second sterilizing filter 65.

In this way, the SIP treatment is performed on the first sterilization filter 63 and the second sterilization filter 65, after which the first sterilization filter 63 and the second sterilization filter 65 are cooled (reference numeral S213 in FIG. 9A), and an integrity test is performed on the first sterilization filter 63 and the second sterilization filter 65 in the sterilizer 60 (reference numeral 22 in FIG. 9A). Then, filling (production) of the contents by the contents filling system is restarted.

The order of the sterilizer cleaning and sterilization process (S20 in Figure 9A) and the filter cleaning and sterilization process (S21 in Figure 9A) may also be reversed (see Figure 9D). Furthermore, it is preferable to perform the cleaning and sterilization processes of the first sterilizer 62 and the second sterilizer 64 in parallel during the SIP cooling process of filters 61, 63, and 65 (see Figure 9E). In this case, the piping and valves in front and behind filters 61, 63, and 65 come into contact with the sterilant, thereby shortening the cooling time. Specifically, it is recommended that the sterilant be supplied once filters 61, 63, and 65 have cooled to below 110°C. This makes it possible to complete the sterilizer cleaning and sterilization process while filters 61, 63, and 65 are cooling.

In addition, when the product bottles 101 are produced in the first sterilizer 62, etc., ultraviolet light is emitted from the first ultraviolet lamp 67a, etc. This reduces the possibility of the first sterilizer 62, etc. becoming contaminated with bacteria. Therefore, when the sterilizer 60 is sterilized, the first sterilizer 62, etc. does not need to be sterilized.

In another embodiment, as shown in FIG. 9C, the first sterilizing filter 63 and the second sterilizing filter 65 of the sterilizer 60 and the first sterilizer 62 and the second sterilizer 64 may be cleaned and sterilized simultaneously. As shown in FIG. 9C, filling (production) is first completed. Then, a post-production integrity test is performed on the first sterilizing filter 63 and the second sterilizing filter 65 (reference numeral S30 in FIG. 9C). Next, a cleaning (CIP) process is performed for a predetermined time while supplying a cleaning agent and a sterilizing agent before the foreign matter removal filter 61 and circulating them using the circulation line 59 (reference numeral S31 in FIG. 9C). After the CIP process, a sterilization (SIP) process may be performed (reference numeral S32 in FIG. 9C). Alternatively, instead of the CIP and SIP processes, cleaning and sterilization may be performed simultaneously (CSIP process) (reference numeral S33 in FIG. 9C).

The cleaning agents and disinfectants used in CIP, SIP, or CSIP include acidic agents such as peracetic acid, acetic acid, hydrogen peroxide, pernitric acid, nitric acid, and phosphoric acid; alkaline agents such as sodium hydroxide and potassium hydroxide; chlorine-based agents such as sodium hypochlorite and chlorine dioxide; alcohols such as ethyl alcohol and isopropyl alcohol; ozone water, acidic water, and surfactants. These may be used alone or in combination of two or more. The temperature of the cleaning agent and disinfectant is raised using a heater (not shown), and cleaning or disinfection or cleaning-sterilization is performed under the specified conditions (temperature, concentration, time) based on the values of the thermometers 59b and concentration meters 59c installed at various locations in the sterilizer 60 and circulation line 59.

The cleaning agent and disinfectant may be discharged by supplying pure water from the water tank 50a and replacing the disinfectant with pure water using pump P1. The disinfectant may also be discharged by supplying water from another device (not shown). Discharging the disinfectant is preferably done by monitoring the value of the concentration meter 59c installed downstream of the circulation line 59 and rinsing until this value matches the value of the pure water production device 50c. The rinsing time may be determined by a timer, and the rinsing process may be completed when the specified value is reached. The first ultraviolet lamp 67a and the second ultraviolet lamp 67b may or may not be lit during the cleaning process, the disinfecting process, or the cleaning and disinfecting process. Alternatively, they may be lit only during the rinsing process. After cleaning and disinfection are completed, a pre-production integrity test is performed on the first and second disinfecting filters 63 and 65 (reference numeral S34 in Figure 9C).

Next, if no filter leaks are detected during the integrity test, the process proceeds to the first production preparation process, in which the product liquid is replaced (reference symbol S35 in FIG. 9C ). In the first production preparation process, pure water is circulated through the circulation line 59, and it is confirmed that the first ultraviolet lamp 67a and the second ultraviolet lamp 67b have a specified illuminance or higher. If multiple ultraviolet lamps 67a and 67b are used, the total irradiation dose should be, for example, 10 mJ/cm² or ^higher , preferably 100 mJ/cm² ^{or higher} . Next, raw materials (product liquid) to be sterilized without heat (non-thermal sterilization) are supplied from the target raw material sterilization line 50B, and the pure water is replaced with the product liquid. After the sterilizer 60 has been sufficiently replaced with the product liquid (measured by a flow meter and a timer, after a predetermined time has elapsed), the process proceeds to the second production preparation process, in which the product liquid is blended, by switching the piping from the circulation line 59 to the tank 52 side and storing the product liquid in the tank 52 (reference symbol S36 in FIG. 9C ).

As described above, according to this embodiment, among the raw materials for the contents, those that, when heated, would decompose thermally, or that would cause metal corrosion in the other raw material sterilization lines 70 that perform thermal sterilization in the content filling system 10, or that would precipitate and impair the function of detection devices, etc., are treated as target raw materials and sterilized with water without heating, separately from other raw materials. This prevents the target raw materials from decomposing thermally or from being reduced due to deterioration, and also prevents metal corrosion or precipitation due to heating within the content filling system 10. This prevents the supply of more target raw materials than necessary, prevents material deterioration of the target raw materials, and extends the time between repairs and replacements of the content filling system 10. It also prevents functional degradation of the content filling system 10.

Furthermore, according to this embodiment, the raw material to be mixed, which consists of water and the target raw material, and the other raw materials as a whole are not subjected to non-thermal sterilization, so it is possible to prevent blockage of the filter in the non-thermal sterilization line, which can occur when other raw materials are passed through the non-thermal sterilization line.

Second Embodiment
Hereinafter, a second embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings.

Here, Figure 10 is a schematic diagram showing a contents filling system according to the second embodiment, and corresponds to Figure 1A showing the first embodiment.

The second embodiment shown in Figure 10 differs in that a water sterilization line 50A for non-thermal sterilization of water and a target raw material sterilization line 50B for non-thermal sterilization of target raw materials are provided independently, but the other configurations are substantially the same as those of the first embodiment shown in Figures 1A to 9B. In the second embodiment shown in Figure 10, parts that are the same as those of the first embodiment shown in Figures 1A to 9B are given the same reference numerals and detailed descriptions are omitted.

As shown in FIG. 10, the content filling system 10 includes a water sterilization line (first sterilization line) 50A that sterilizes water (first content liquid) without heating, a target raw material sterilization line (second sterilization line) 50B that sterilizes target raw materials (second content liquid) without heating, an other raw material sterilization line (third sterilization line) 70 that sterilizes raw materials other than the target raw materials with heating (third content liquid), a first mixing tank 55A, a second mixing tank 55B, and a third mixing tank 55C connected to the water sterilization line 50A, the target raw material sterilization line 50B, and the other raw material sterilization line 70, respectively, and a first filling device 21A, a second filling device 21B, and a third filling device 21C connected to the first mixing tank 55A, the second mixing tank 55B, and the third mixing tank 55C, respectively.

Of these, the water sterilization line 50A, which sterilizes water without heating, the target raw material sterilization line 50B, which sterilizes target raw materials without heating, and the other raw material sterilization line 70, which sterilizes other raw materials with heating, are installed in parallel and independently of each other.

In Figure 10, water (pure water) supplied from the water purifying device 50c is stored in the water tank 50a, and water supplied from the water tank 50a is sterilized without heating by the water sterilization line 50A.

Furthermore, among the raw materials contained, the target raw materials mentioned above are stored in target raw material tank 50b, and the target raw materials supplied from this target raw material tank 50b are sterilized without heating by target raw material sterilization line 50B.

On the other hand, of the raw materials contained, those other than the target raw material are stored in other raw material tanks 71, and the other raw materials stored in other raw material tanks 71 are heat sterilized in other raw material sterilization line 70 as described above.

The water sterilized without heating by the water sterilization line 50A, the target raw materials sterilized without heating by the target raw material sterilization line 50B, and the other raw materials sterilized with heating by the other raw material sterilization line 70 are sent to the first mixing tank 55A, the second mixing tank 55B, and the third mixing tank 55C, respectively. In this case, for example, the water sterilized without heating by the water sterilization line 50A may be sent evenly to the first mixing tank 55A, the second mixing tank 55B, and the third mixing tank 55C, respectively, or a large amount of water may be sent to the first mixing tank 55A and a small amount of water may be sent to the second mixing tank 55B and the third mixing tank 55C. Similarly, the target raw materials sterilized without heating in the target raw material sterilization line 50B may be uniformly sent to the first mixing tank 55A, the second mixing tank 55B, and the third mixing tank 55C, respectively, or a large amount of the target raw materials may be sent to the first mixing tank 55A and small amounts of the target raw materials may be sent to the second mixing tank 55B and the third mixing tank 55C. Similarly, the other raw materials sterilized by heating in the other raw material sterilization line 70 may be uniformly sent to the first mixing tank 55A, the second mixing tank 55B, and the third mixing tank 55C, respectively, or a large amount of the other raw materials may be sent to the first mixing tank 55A and small amounts of the other raw materials may be sent to the second mixing tank 55B and the third mixing tank 55C.

In the first mixing tank 55A, second mixing tank 55B, and third mixing tank 55C, non-heat-sterilized water, non-heat-sterilized target ingredients, and other heat-sterilized ingredients are mixed to produce the contents.

The contents produced in the first mixing tank 55A, second mixing tank 55B, and third mixing tank 55C are then supplied to one of the first filling device 21A, second filling device 21B, and third filling device 21C, which then fill the contents into empty bottles 100. By installing multiple mixing tanks 55A-55C, once the first filling device 21A, second filling device 21B, and third filling device 21C have been cleaned and sterilized and are ready for production, the produced contents can be quickly transferred to one of the first filling device 21A, second filling device 21B, and third filling device 21C that has been cleaned and sterilized. Furthermore, by installing two or more mixing tanks 55A-55C, a buffer for the produced contents can be created, allowing the contents to be filled without waiting for production. Furthermore, if the concentrations in the first mixing tank 55A, the second mixing tank 55B, and the third mixing tank 55C are not within the specified range, the concentrations can be adjusted by appropriately supplying water from the water tank 50a, the target raw material tank 50b, and other raw material tanks 71. Furthermore, in order to remix the first mixing tank 55A, the second mixing tank 55B, and the third mixing tank 55C, the first mixing tank 55A, the second mixing tank 55B, and the third mixing tank 55C have the function of aseptically blowing the tanks 55A, 55B, and 55C while maintaining their sterility. Specifically, steam-sterilized blow pipes for draining liquid are installed below the first mixing tank 55A, the second mixing tank 55B, and the third mixing tank 55C, and the inside of the pipes is sterilized with steam just before draining the liquid. After that, the liquid in the first mixing tank 55A, the second mixing tank 55B, and the third mixing tank 55C is blown out while maintaining positive tank pressure. After blowing, the pipes are re-sterilized with steam (not shown). Furthermore, it is recommended that the piping through which each liquid flows use aseptic valves equipped with a steam barrier, sterile water barrier, or sterile air barrier to prevent the liquids from mixing.

Alternatively, water sterilized without heating by the water sterilization line 50A may be sent to the first mixing tank 55A, stored in the first mixing tank 55A without being mixed with the target ingredient or other ingredients, and then sent directly to the first filling device 21A, which fills the bottles 100. Similarly, only the target ingredient sterilized without heating by the target ingredient sterilization line 50B may be sent to the second tank 55B, sent to the second filling device 21B without being mixed with other ingredients or water, and filled into the bottles 100 by the second filling device 21B. Similarly, only other ingredients sterilized by heating by the other ingredient sterilization line 70 may be sent to the third mixing tank 55C, sent to the third filling device 21C without being mixed with the target ingredient or water, and filled into the bottles 100 by the third filling device 21C. 10 illustrates an embodiment in which the three liquid systems are delivered in a mutually mixable manner. However, the present invention is not limited to this. Alternatively, the three liquid systems may be delivered independently of each other. Alternatively, the three liquid systems may be sterilized individually and then aseptically mixed in a single mixing tank, such as the first mixing tank 55. Alternatively, the three liquid systems may be sterilized individually and then aseptically mixed in a single filling device, such as the first filling device 21A, without passing through a mixing tank. The three liquid systems may be sterilized with or without heat without aseptic mixing, and then aseptically filled independently by the first filling device 21A to the third filling device 21C. Alternatively, only the other raw materials and the target raw material with a high bacterial count may be sterilized with or without heat, and the other raw materials and the target raw material may be mixed with water without sterilizing water with a low bacterial count or sterile water. Additionally, water, target ingredients, or other ingredients may be sent directly to the first filling device 21A to the third filling device 21C and mixed therein, rather than to the first mixing tank 55A to the third mixing tank 55A.

As explained in the first embodiment, the target raw materials among the ingredients of the contents are those that, when heated, will thermally decompose, cause metal corrosion, or precipitate, degrading the functionality of detection devices, etc. For this reason, in this embodiment, non-thermal sterilization is used to sterilize the target raw materials.

On the other hand, as explained in the first embodiment, "other raw materials" refers to raw materials other than the target raw material among the raw materials contained in the contents. It is also possible to sterilize other raw materials without heat, but since the non-heat sterilization line has a filter, in this embodiment, heat sterilization is performed on the other raw materials, taking into consideration that filter blockage can reduce the throughput.

In this embodiment, the water sterilization line 50A sterilizes water without heating, and the target raw material sterilization line 50B sterilizes target raw materials without heating. Both the water sterilization line 50A and the target raw material sterilization line 50B have the sterilizer 60 described in the first embodiment.

In other words, the sterilizer 60 can have the configuration shown in Figures 2 to 6B described in the first embodiment.

The other raw material sterilization line 70 heats and sterilizes other raw materials, and has the raw material sterilizer 80 described in the first embodiment.

In other words, the raw material sterilizer 80 can have the configuration shown in Figure 7, which was described in the first embodiment.

Also, as in the first embodiment shown in Figure 7, a raw material tank 72 may be provided downstream of the raw material sterilizer 80, and an auxiliary filter 73 and raw material tank 74 may be provided downstream of the raw material tank 72. Furthermore, an addition unit 75 may be provided downstream of the raw material tank 72. In this case, solid materials such as sansho, nata de coco, tapioca, or aloe can be added to the other raw materials by the addition unit 75. The solid materials may also be pre-sterilized, sterile solid materials. In addition to solid materials, sterile or non-sterile flavorings, acidulants, and coloring agents may be quantitatively added to the other raw materials from the addition unit 75.

Furthermore, the first filling device 21A, second filling device 21B, and third filling device 21C receive contents created by mixing water, the target ingredient, and other ingredients in either the first mixing tank 55A, second mixing tank 55B, or third mixing tank 55C, and fill this content into the bottle 100 through the mouth of the bottle 100.

Similar to the filling device 21 in the first embodiment, the first filling device 21A, second filling device 21B, and third filling device 21C each consist of, for example, a rotary filler arranged in a sterile chamber. Linear fillers may also be used for the first filling device 21A, second filling device 21B, and third filling device 21C. Furthermore, the bottles 100 filled by the first filling device 21A, second filling device 21B, and third filling device 21C may be plastic bottles or cups, or may be paper containers or pouches. Composite containers of these may also be used.

As described above, according to this embodiment, among the ingredients of the contents, those that will thermally decompose when heated, cause metal corrosion when heated, or precipitate and degrade the functionality of detection devices, etc., are treated as target ingredients and are distinguished from other ingredients and sterilized without heating. This prevents the target ingredients from thermally decomposing, deteriorating, or being reduced, and also prevents metal corrosion and precipitation due to heating within the content filling system 10. This makes it possible to prevent the supply of more target ingredients than necessary, suppress material deterioration of the target ingredients, and extend the time between repairs and replacements of the content filling system 10. Furthermore, functional deterioration of the content filling system 10 can be prevented before it even occurs.

Furthermore, according to this embodiment, the raw material to be mixed, which consists of water and the target raw material, and the other raw materials as a whole are not subjected to non-thermal sterilization, so it is possible to prevent blockage of the filter in the non-thermal sterilization line, which can occur when other raw materials are passed through the non-thermal sterilization line.

In the second embodiment shown in FIG. 10, the water sterilized without heating by the water sterilization line 50A may be sent to the chambers 70a-70g housing the various devices of the content filling system 10, rather than to the first mixing tank 55A, second mixing tank 55B, or third mixing tank 55C, and these chambers 70a-70g may be washed with water sterilized without heating by the water sterilization line 50A. Furthermore, the water sterilized without heating by the water sterilization line 50A may be supplied as rinsing water after CIP treatment, SIP treatment, or CSIP treatment, which simultaneously performs CIP and SIP, to other raw material sterilization lines 70, target raw material sterilization line 50B, first mixing tank 55A-third mixing tank 55C, or first filling device 21A-third filling device 21C.

Furthermore, in the second embodiment shown in Figure 10, a portion of the water (pure water) supplied from the pure water production system 50c and stored in the water tank 50a may be supplied to the target raw material tank 50b, and the target raw material in this target raw material tank 50b may be diluted with water.

In addition, some of the water (pure water) stored in the water tank 50a may be supplied to another raw material tank 71, and other raw materials in this other raw material tank 71 may be diluted with water.

In this way, by supplying water from the water tank 50a to the target raw material tank 50b and diluting the target raw material in the target raw material tank 50b with water, the target raw material can be passed smoothly through the target raw material sterilization line 50B.

Furthermore, by supplying water from the water tank 50a to the other raw material tank 71 and diluting the other raw materials in the other raw material tank 71 with water, the other raw materials can be passed smoothly through the other raw material sterilization line 70.

Next, an application example of the second embodiment shown in Figure 10 will be explained using Figures 11 to 17.

The application examples shown in Figures 11 to 17 illustrate an example in which, in the embodiment shown in Figure 10, water that has been sterilized without heating by the water sterilization line 50A is sent to the first mixing tank 55A, and then sent from the first mixing tank 55A to the first filling device 21A without mixing with the target ingredient or other ingredients, and the first filling device 21A fills the bottles 100 with water. Similarly, the target ingredient that has been sterilized without heating by the target ingredient sterilization line 50B is sent to the second mixing tank 55B, and then sent from the second mixing tank 55B to the second filling device 21B without mixing with other ingredients or water, and the target ingredient is filled into the bottles 100 by the second filling device 21B.

In the application example shown in Figures 12 to 17, only the other raw materials that have been heat-sterilized in the other raw material sterilization line 70 are sent to the third mixing tank 55C, and without being mixed with the target raw material or water, they are sent from the third mixing tank 55C to the third filling device 21C, and the other raw materials are filled into the bottles 100 by the third filling device 21C.

In the example shown in Figure 11, the first filling device 21A is placed inside the sterile chamber 70f. Water is delivered to this first filling device 21A from the first mixing tank 55A. A sterile chamber 70h is provided downstream of the sterile chamber 70f in the transport direction of the bottles 100 via the transport wheel 12, and a second filling device 21B is placed inside this sterile chamber 70h. The target raw material is delivered to this second filling device 21B from the second mixing tank 55B.

Furthermore, a sterile chamber 70j is provided downstream of the sterile chamber 70h in the conveying direction of the bottles 100, and this sterile chamber 70j is provided with the capping device 16. Also, an outlet chamber 70g is provided downstream of the sterile chamber 70j.
The first filling device 21A and the second filling device 21B are both rotary fillers having a plurality of rotatable filling nozzles 21a.

In Figure 11, bottles 100 that have been sterilized in advance upstream are transported via the transport wheel 12 to the first filling device 21A in the aseptic chamber 70f. In the first filling device 21A, water delivered from the first mixing tank 55A is filled into the empty bottles 100. In this first filling device 21A, multiple bottles 100 are rotated and transported while water is filled into the bottles 100.

The bottle 100 is then transported via the transport wheel 12 to the second filling device 21B within the sterile chamber 70h.

In the second filling device 21B, the target raw material sent from the second mixing tank 55B is filled into bottles 100 that have already been filled with water by the first filling device 21A. In this second filling device 21B, the target raw material is filled into the bottles 100 while the multiple bottles 100 are rotated and transported.

The bottle 100 is then transported via the transport wheel 12 to the capping device 16 within the sterile chamber 70j.

The capping device 16 is a device that seals the bottles 100 by attaching caps 88 to the bottles 100. In the capping device 16, the bottles 100 filled with water and the target ingredients (contents) are closed with the caps 88, sealing the bottles 100 to prevent outside air and microorganisms from entering. In the capping device 16, multiple bottles 100 filled with the contents are rotated (revolved) while the caps 88 are attached to their mouths. In this way, by attaching the caps 88 to the bottles 100, product bottles 101 are obtained (see Figure 1B).

The caps 88 are sterilized in advance by the cap sterilizer 18. The cap sterilizer 18 is located, for example, outside the aseptic chamber 70j and near the cap fitting device 16. In the cap sterilizer 18, a large number of caps 88 brought in from outside the content filling system 10 are collected in advance and transported in a line toward the cap fitting device 16. As the caps 88 are en route to the cap fitting device 16, hydrogen peroxide gas or mist is sprayed onto the inner and outer surfaces of the caps 88, followed by drying and sterilization with hot air (see Figure 1B).

The product bottle unloading unit 25 continuously unloads product bottles 101 with caps 88 attached by the capping device 16 to the outside of the content filling system 10.

Next, in the example shown in Figure 12, the first filling device 21A is placed in a sterile chamber 70f. Water is delivered to this first filling device 21A from a first mixing tank 55A. A sterile chamber 70h is provided downstream of the sterile chamber 70f in the transport direction of the bottles 100 via a transport wheel 12, and a second filling device 21B is placed in this sterile chamber 70h. The target raw material is delivered to this second filling device 21B from a second mixing tank 55B.

Furthermore, sterile chamber 70i is provided adjacent to sterile chamber 70h, and third filling device 21C is disposed within this sterile chamber 70i. Other raw materials are then delivered to third filling device 21C from third mixing tank 55C. Note that sterile chamber 70i is disposed downstream of sterile chamber 70f in the direction of bottle 100 transport, which means that sterile chambers 70h and 70i are disposed in parallel downstream of sterile chamber 70f in the direction of bottle 100 transport.

Furthermore, sterile chamber 70j is provided downstream of sterile chambers 70h and 70i in the direction of bottle 100 transport, and capping device 16 is located within this sterile chamber 70j. Furthermore, outlet chamber 70g is provided downstream of sterile chamber 70j.

The first filling device 21A, the second filling device 21B, and the third filling device 21C are all rotary fillers having a plurality of rotatable filling nozzles 21a.
In FIG. 12, bottles 100 that have been sterilized in advance on the upstream side are transported via the transport wheel 12 to the first filling device 21A in the aseptic chamber 70f.

In the first filling device 21A, water delivered from the first mixing tank 55A is filled into empty bottles 100. In this first filling device 21A, multiple bottles 100 are rotated and transported while water is filled into the bottles 100.

The bottles 100 in the sterile chamber 70f are then transported via the transport wheel 12 to the second filling device 21B in the sterile chamber 70h. In the second filling device 21B, the target raw material sent from the second mixing tank 55B is filled into the bottles 100, which have already been filled with water by the first filling device 21A. In this second filling device 21B, the target raw material is filled into the bottles 100 while the multiple bottles 100 are rotated and transported.

On the other hand, the bottles 100 in the sterile chamber 70f may be transported to the third filling device 21C in the sterile chamber 70i via the transport wheel 12. In this case, the bottles 100 in the sterile chamber 70f are not sent to the second filling device 21B in the sterile chamber 70h.
When the bottles 100 are transported to the third filling device 21C, the other ingredients sent from the third mixing tank 55C are filled into the bottles 100 that have already been filled with water by the first filling device 21A. In this third filling device 21C, the other ingredients are filled into the bottles 100 while the multiple bottles 100 are being rotated and transported.

The bottles 100 in sterile chamber 70h and the bottles 100 in sterile chamber 70i are then both transported via conveyor wheel 12 to capping device 16 in sterile chamber 70j. Capping device 16 is a device that seals the bottles 100 by attaching caps 88 to the bottles 100. In capping device 16, bottles 100 filled with water, target raw materials, or other raw materials (contents) are closed with caps 88, sealing the bottles 100 to prevent the entry of outside air and microorganisms. In capping device 16, multiple bottles 100 filled with contents are rotated (revolved) while caps 88 are attached to their mouths. In this way, product bottles 101 are obtained by attaching caps 88 to the bottles 100 (see Figure 1B).

The caps 88 are sterilized in advance by the cap sterilizer 18. The cap sterilizer 18 is located, for example, outside the aseptic chamber 70j and near the cap fitting device 16. In the cap sterilizer 18, a large number of caps 88 brought in from outside the content filling system 10 are collected in advance and transported in a line toward the cap fitting device 16. As the caps 88 are en route to the cap fitting device 16, hydrogen peroxide gas or mist is sprayed onto the inner and outer surfaces of the caps 88, followed by drying and sterilization with hot air (see Figure 1B).

The product bottle unloading unit 25 continuously unloads the product bottles 101 to which the caps 88 have been attached by the capping device 16 toward the outside of the content filling system 10 .
13, first filling device 21A is disposed in sterile chamber 70f. Water is delivered to first filling device 21A from first mixing tank 55A. A sterile chamber 70h is provided downstream of sterile chamber 70f in the conveyance direction of bottles 100, and a second filling device 21B is disposed in this sterile chamber 70h. The target raw material is delivered to second filling device 21B from second mixing tank 55B.

Furthermore, sterile chamber 70i is provided downstream of sterile chamber 70h in the direction of bottle 100 transport, and a third filling device 21C is located within this sterile chamber 70i. Other raw materials are then delivered to this third filling device 21C from a third mixing tank 55C. Further, sterile chamber 70j is provided downstream of sterile chamber 70i in the direction of bottle 100 transport, and a capping device 16 is located within this sterile chamber 70j.

In Figure 13, sterile chambers 70f, 70h, 70i, and 70j are arranged side by side on the outer periphery of a circular conveyor 110 that rotates and conveys bottles 100. Also, on the outer periphery of circular conveyor 110, upstream of sterile chamber 70f, sterile chamber 70k, which houses conveyor wheel 12, is arranged. Furthermore, outlet chamber 70g is provided downstream of sterile chamber 70j in the conveying direction of bottles 100.

The first filling device 21A, the second filling device 21B, and the third filling device 21C are all rotary fillers having a plurality of rotatable filling nozzles 21a.
In Figure 13, a bottle 100 that has been sterilized in advance upstream is transported to sterile chamber 70f via a conveying wheel 12 and a circular conveying body 110 arranged in sterile chamber 70k, and then further transported to the first filling device 21A via the conveying wheel 12 within sterile chamber 70f.

In the first filling device 21A, water delivered from the first mixing tank 55A is filled into empty bottles 100. In this first filling device 21A, multiple bottles 100 are rotated and transported while water is filled into the bottles 100.

The bottles 100 in the sterile chamber 70f are then transported to the second filling device 21B via the conveying wheel 12 and circular conveying body 110 in the sterile chamber 70f, and the conveying wheel 12 in the sterile chamber 70h. In the second filling device 21B, the target raw material sent from the second mixing tank 55B is filled into the bottles 100 that have already been filled with water by the first filling device 21A. In this second filling device 21B, the target raw material is filled into the bottles 100 while the multiple bottles 100 are rotated and transported.

The bottles 100 in the sterile chamber 70h are then transported to the third filling device 21C via the transport wheel 12 in the sterile chamber 70h, the circular transport body 110, and the transport wheel 12 in the sterile chamber 70i. Once the bottles 100 have been transported to the third filling device 21C, the bottles 100, which have already been filled with water and the target ingredient, are filled with the other ingredients sent from the third mixing tank 55C. In this third filling device 21C, the bottles 100 are filled with the other ingredients while the multiple bottles 100 are rotated and transported.

The bottles 100 in the sterile chamber 70i are then transported to the capping device 16 via the conveyor wheel 12 and circular conveyor 110 in the sterile chamber 70i, and the conveyor wheel 12 in the sterile chamber 70j. The capping device 16 seals the bottles 100 by attaching caps 88 to the bottles 100. In the capping device 16, the bottles 100 filled with water, the target raw material, and other raw materials (contents) are closed with the caps 88, sealing the bottles 100 to prevent the entry of outside air and microorganisms. In the capping device 16, multiple bottles 100 filled with contents are rotated (revolved) and caps 88 are attached to their mouths. In this way, the caps 88 are attached to the bottles 100, resulting in product bottles 101 (see Figure 1B).

The caps 88 are sterilized in advance by the cap sterilizer 18. The cap sterilizer 18 is located, for example, outside the aseptic chamber 70j and near the cap fitting device 16. In the cap sterilizer 18, a large number of caps 88 brought in from outside the content filling system 10 are collected in advance and transported in a line along the cap conveying path 18A toward the cap fitting device 16. As the caps 88 travel along the cap conveying path 18A toward the cap fitting device 16, hydrogen peroxide gas or mist is sprayed onto the inner and outer surfaces of the caps 88, which are then dried and sterilized with hot air.

The product bottle unloading unit 25 continuously unloads product bottles 101 with caps 88 attached by the capping device 16 to the outside of the content filling system 10.

Next, in the example shown in Figure 14, the first filling device 21A is placed in a sterile chamber 70f. Water is delivered to this first filling device 21A from a first mixing tank 55A. A sterile chamber 70h is provided downstream of the sterile chamber 70f in the transport direction of the bottles 100, and a second filling device 21B is placed in this sterile chamber 70h. The target raw material is delivered to this second filling device 21B from a second mixing tank 55B.

Furthermore, sterile chamber 70i is provided adjacent to sterile chamber 70h, and third filling device 21C is disposed within this sterile chamber 70i. Other raw materials are then delivered to third filling device 21C from third mixing tank 55C. In Figure 14, sterile chamber 70h and sterile chamber 70i are disposed in parallel downstream of sterile chamber 70f in the bottle 100 transport direction.

Furthermore, sterile chamber 70j is provided downstream of sterile chambers 70h and 70i in the direction of bottle 100 transport, and capping device 16 is located within sterile chamber 70j. Furthermore, outlet chamber 70g is provided downstream of sterile chamber 70j in the direction of bottle 100 transport.

The first filling device 21A, second filling device 21B, and third filling device 21C are all rotary fillers with multiple rotatable filling nozzles 21a. Furthermore, the area of the sterile chamber 70h housing the second filling device 21B is partitioned off toward the sterile chamber 70i housing the third filling device 21C to form the sterile chamber 70l, and the conveying wheel 12 is located within this sterile chamber 70l.

In Figure 14, bottles 100 that have been sterilized in advance upstream are transported via the transport wheel 12 to the first filling device 21A in the aseptic chamber 70f. In the first filling device 21A, water delivered from the first mixing tank 55A is filled into the empty bottles 100. In this first filling device 21A, multiple bottles 100 are rotated and transported while water is filled into the bottles 100.

The bottles 100 in the sterile chamber 70f are then transported via the transport wheel 12 to the second filling device 21B in the sterile chamber 70h. In the second filling device 21B, the target raw material sent from the second mixing tank 55B is filled into the bottles 100, which have already been filled with water by the first filling device 21A. In this second filling device 21B, the target raw material is filled into the bottles 100 while the multiple bottles 100 are rotated and transported.

On the other hand, the bottle 100 in the sterile chamber 70f may be transported to the third filling device 21C in the sterile chamber 70i via the transport wheel 12 in the sterile chamber 70h and the transport wheel 12 in the sterile chamber 70i. In this case, the bottle in the sterile chamber 70f is not sent to the second filling device 21B in the sterile chamber 70h.

When the bottles 100 are transported to the third filling device 21C, other ingredients sent from the third mixing tank 55C are filled into the bottles 100, which have already been filled with water by the first filling device 21A. In this third filling device 21C, the bottles 100 are filled with other ingredients while the multiple bottles 100 are rotated and transported.

The bottles 100 in sterile chamber 70h and bottles 100 in sterile chamber 70i are then transported via the conveyor wheel 12 in sterile chamber 70h and the conveyor wheel 12 in sterile chamber 70i, respectively, to the capping device 16 via the conveyor wheel 12 in sterile chamber 70j. The capping device 16 seals the bottles 100 by attaching caps 88 to the bottles 100. In the capping device 16, bottles 100 filled with water, target raw materials, or other raw materials (contents) are closed with caps 88, sealing the bottles 100 to prevent the entry of outside air and microorganisms. In the capping device 16, multiple bottles 100 filled with contents are rotated (revolved) and caps 88 are attached to their mouths. In this way, caps 88 are attached to the bottles 100, resulting in product bottles 101 (see Figure 1B).

The caps 88 are sterilized in advance by the cap sterilizer 18. The cap sterilizer 18 is located, for example, outside the aseptic chamber 70j and near the cap fitting device 16. In the cap sterilizer 18, a large number of caps 88 brought in from outside the content filling system 10 are collected in advance and transported in a line along the cap conveying path 18A toward the cap fitting device 16. As the caps 88 travel along the cap conveying path 18A toward the cap fitting device 16, hydrogen peroxide gas or mist is sprayed onto the inner and outer surfaces of the caps 88, which are then dried and sterilized with hot air.

The product bottle unloading unit 25 continuously unloads product bottles 101 with caps 88 attached by the capping device 16 to the outside of the content filling system 10.

In the example shown in Figure 14, the bottles 100 filled with water by the first filling device 21A in the sterile chamber 70f may be sent directly to the sterile chamber 70j via the conveying wheel 12 in the sterile chamber 70l, without being sent to the second filling device 21B in the sterile chamber 70h or the third filling device 21C in the sterile chamber 70i. In this case, the caps 88 are attached to the bottles 100 filled with only water, and the product bottles 101 are obtained.

Next, in the example shown in Figure 15, the first filling device 21A is placed in a sterile chamber 70f. Water is delivered to this first filling device 21A from a first mixing tank 55A. A sterile chamber 70i is provided downstream of the sterile chamber 70f in the transport direction of the bottles 100 via a transport wheel 12, and a third filling device 21C is placed in this sterile chamber 70i. Other raw materials are delivered to this third filling device 21C from a third mixing tank 55C.

Furthermore, sterile chamber 70h is provided adjacent to sterile chamber 70f and sterile chamber 70i, and second filling device 21B is disposed within sterile chamber 70h. The target raw material is then delivered to second filling device 21B from second mixing tank 55B. In Figure 15, sterile chamber 70h and sterile chamber 70i are disposed in parallel downstream of sterile chamber 70f in the direction of bottle 100 transport. Furthermore, sterile chamber 70j is provided downstream of sterile chambers 70h and 70i in the direction of bottle 100 transport, and capping device 16 is disposed within sterile chamber 70j. Furthermore, outlet chamber 70g is provided downstream of sterile chamber 70j in the direction of bottle 100 transport.

The first filling device 21A, second filling device 21B, and third filling device 21C are all rotary fillers with multiple rotatable filling nozzles 21a. Furthermore, the area of the sterile chamber 70i housing the third filling device 21C, facing the sterile chamber 70h housing the second filling device 21B, is partitioned to form the sterile chamber 70l, and the conveying wheel 12 is located within this sterile chamber 70l.

In Figure 15, bottles 100 that have been sterilized in advance upstream are transported via the transport wheel 12 to the first filling device 21A in the aseptic chamber 70f. In the first filling device 21A, water delivered from the first mixing tank 55A is filled into the empty bottles 100. In this first filling device 21A, multiple bottles 100 are rotated and transported while water is filled into the bottles 100.

The bottles 100 in the sterile chamber 70f are then transported to the second filling device 21B via the transport wheel 12 in the sterile chamber 70f and the transport wheel 12 in the sterile chamber 70h. In the second filling device 21B, the target raw material sent from the second mixing tank 55B is filled into the bottles 100 that have already been filled with water by the first filling device 21A. In this second filling device 21B, the target raw material is filled into the bottles 100 while the multiple bottles 100 are rotated and transported.

On the other hand, the bottle 100 in the sterile chamber 70f may be transported to the third filling device 21C in the sterile chamber 70i via the transport wheel 12 in the sterile chamber 70f and the transport wheel 12 in the sterile chamber 70l.

When the bottles 100 are transported to the third filling device 21C, other ingredients sent from the third mixing tank 55C are filled into the bottles 100, which have already been filled with water by the first filling device 21A. In this third filling device 21C, the bottles 100 are filled with other ingredients while the multiple bottles 100 are rotated and transported.

The bottles 100 in sterile chamber 70h and the bottles 100 in sterile chamber 70i are then both transported via the conveyor wheel 12 in sterile chamber 70l and the conveyor wheel 12 in sterile chamber 70j to the capping device 16. The capping device 16 seals the bottles 100 by attaching caps 88 to the bottles 100. In the capping device 16, the bottles 100 filled with water, the target raw material, or other raw materials (contents) are closed with the caps 88, sealing the bottles 100 to prevent the entry of outside air and microorganisms. In the capping device 16, the multiple bottles 100 filled with the contents are rotated (revolved) and caps 88 are attached to their mouths. In this way, the caps 88 are attached to the bottles 100, resulting in product bottles 101 (see Figure 1B).

The caps 88 are sterilized in advance by the cap sterilizer 18. The cap sterilizer 18 is located, for example, outside the aseptic chamber 70j and near the cap fitting device 16. In the cap sterilizer 18, a large number of caps 88 brought in from outside the content filling system 10 are collected in advance and transported in a line along the cap conveying path 18A toward the cap fitting device 16. As the caps 88 travel along the cap conveying path 18A toward the cap fitting device 16, hydrogen peroxide gas or mist is sprayed onto the inner and outer surfaces of the caps 88, which are then dried and sterilized with hot air.

The product bottle unloading unit 25 continuously unloads product bottles 101 with caps 88 attached by the capping device 16 to the outside of the content filling system 10.

Next, in the example shown in Figure 16, the first filling device 21A is placed in a sterile chamber 70f. Water is delivered to this first filling device 21A from a first mixing tank 55A. A sterile chamber 70h is provided downstream of the sterile chamber 70f in the transport direction of the bottles 100, and a second filling device 21B is placed in this sterile chamber 70h. The target raw material is delivered to this second filling device 21B from a second mixing tank 55B.

Furthermore, sterile chamber 70i is provided downstream of sterile chamber 70h in the direction of bottle 100 transport, and a third filling device 21C is located within this sterile chamber 70i. Other raw materials are delivered to this third filling device 21C from a third mixing tank 55C. Further, sterile chamber 70j is provided downstream of sterile chamber 70i in the direction of bottle 100 transport, and a capping device 16 is located within this sterile chamber 70j. Further, outlet chamber 70g is provided downstream of sterile chamber 70j in the direction of bottle 100 transport.

The first filling device 21A, second filling device 21B, and third filling device 21C are all rotary fillers with multiple rotatable filling nozzles 21a. Furthermore, a sterile chamber 70m is provided adjacent to the sterile chambers 70f, 70h, and 70i, and a conveying wheel 12 is located within this sterile chamber 70m.

In Figure 16, bottles 100 that have been sterilized in advance upstream are transported via the transport wheel 12 to the first filling device 21A in the aseptic chamber 70f. In the first filling device 21A, water delivered from the first mixing tank 55A is filled into the empty bottles 100. In this first filling device 21A, multiple bottles 100 are rotated and transported while water is filled into the bottles 100.

The bottles 100 in sterile chamber 70f are then transported to sterile chamber 70h via the transport wheel 12 in sterile chamber 70f and the transport wheel 12 in sterile chamber 70m, and then transported to second filling device 21B via the transport wheel 12 in sterile chamber 70h. In second filling device 21B, the target raw material sent from second mixing tank 55B is filled into bottles 100 that have already been filled with water by first filling device 21A. In this second filling device 21B, the target raw material is filled into the bottles 100 while multiple bottles 100 are rotated and transported.

Next, the bottles 100 in sterile chamber 70h are transported into sterile chamber 70i via the transport wheel 12 in sterile chamber 70h and the transport wheel 12 in sterile chamber 70m, and then transported to the third filling device 21C. Once the bottles 100 have been transported to the third filling device 21C, the other ingredients sent from the third mixing tank 55C are filled into the bottles 100, which have already been filled with water and the target ingredients. In this third filling device 21C, the other ingredients are filled into the bottles 100 as the multiple bottles 100 are rotated and transported.

The bottles 100 in the sterile chamber 70i are then transported to the capping device 16 in the sterile chamber 70j via the conveyor wheel 12 in the sterile chamber 70i and the conveyor wheel 12 in the sterile chamber 70m. The capping device 16 seals the bottles 100 by attaching caps 88 to the bottles 100. In the capping device 16, the bottles 100 filled with water, the target raw material, and other raw materials (contents) are closed with the caps 88, sealing the bottles 100 to prevent the entry of outside air and microorganisms. In the capping device 16, the multiple bottles 100 filled with the contents are rotated (revolved) while the caps 88 are attached to their mouths. In this way, the caps 88 are attached to the bottles 100, resulting in product bottles 101 (see Figure 1B).

The caps 88 are sterilized in advance by the cap sterilizer 18. The cap sterilizer 18 is located, for example, outside the aseptic chamber 70j and near the cap fitting device 16. In the cap sterilizer 18, a large number of caps 88 brought in from outside the content filling system 10 are collected in advance and transported in a line along the cap conveying path 18A toward the cap fitting device 16. As the caps 88 travel along the cap conveying path 18A toward the cap fitting device 16, hydrogen peroxide gas or mist is sprayed onto the inner and outer surfaces of the caps 88, which are then dried and sterilized with hot air.

The product bottle unloading unit 25 continuously unloads product bottles 101 with caps 88 attached by the capping device 16 to the outside of the content filling system 10.

Next, in the example shown in Figure 17, the first filling device 21A is placed inside the sterile chamber 70f. Water is delivered to this first filling device 21A from the first mixing tank 55A. A small sterile chamber 70h is provided downstream of the sterile chamber 70f in the transport direction of the bottles 100, and a second filling device 21B is placed inside this sterile chamber 70h. The target raw material is delivered to this second filling device 21B from the second mixing tank 55B.

Furthermore, a sterile chamber 70n that houses the conveying wheel 12 is provided downstream of sterile chamber 70h in the direction of conveyance of the bottles 100. A small sterile chamber 70i is provided downstream of sterile chamber 70n in the direction of conveyance of the bottles 100, and a third filling device 21C is located within this sterile chamber 70i. Other raw materials are delivered to this third filling device 21C from a third mixing tank 55C. Further, a sterile chamber 70j is provided downstream of sterile chamber 70i in the direction of conveyance of the bottles 100, and a capping device 16 is located within this sterile chamber 70j. Further, an outlet chamber 70g is provided downstream of sterile chamber 70j in the direction of conveyance of the bottles 100.

The first filling device 21A is a rotary filler with multiple rotatable filling nozzles 21a. The second filling device 21B and third filling device 21C are filling devices for filling small amounts of contents, and include fixed-volume filling nozzles 21b and 21c that are fixed onto the mouth of the bottle 100.

When the bottle 100 reaches the filling nozzle 21b, the bottle 100 is detected by near-infrared light, and the contents are intermittently filled into each bottle 100 from the filling nozzle 21b only while the mouth of the bottle 100 passes under the filling nozzle 21b. The second filling device 21B and the third filling device 21C may have filling nozzles 21b and 21c that fill continuously rather than intermittently. The filling nozzles 21a and 21b may be installed upstream of the filling nozzle 21a, which consists of a rotary filler, or one or more nozzles may be installed upstream and downstream. The second filling device 21B and the third filling device 21C may fill the same liquid.

In Figure 17, bottles 100 that have been sterilized upstream are transported via the transport wheel 12 to the first filling device 21A in the aseptic chamber 70f. In the first filling device 21A, water delivered from the first mixing tank 55A is filled into the empty bottles 100. In this first filling device 21A, multiple bottles 100 are rotated and transported while water is filled into the bottles 100.

The bottles 100 in the sterile chamber 70f are then transported via the transport wheel 12 to the second filling device 21B in the sterile chamber 70h. In the second filling device 21B, the target raw material sent from the second mixing tank 55B is filled into the bottles 100, which have already been filled with water by the first filling device 21A. In this second filling device 21B, the target raw material is intermittently filled into the bottles 100.

Next, the bottle 100 in the sterile chamber 70h is transported to the third filling device 21C in the sterile chamber 70i via the transport wheel 12 in the sterile chamber 70n. Once the bottle 100 has been transported to the third filling device 21C, the other raw material sent from the third mixing tank 55C is filled into the bottle 100, which has already been filled with water and the target raw material. In this third filling device 21C, the other raw material is intermittently filled into the bottle 100.
Thereafter, the bottle 100 in the sterile chamber 70i is transferred into the sterile chamber 70j and then transferred via the conveyor wheel 12 to the capping device 16.

The capping device 16 is a device that seals the bottles 100 by attaching caps 88 to the bottles 100. In the capping device 16, bottles 100 filled with water, target ingredients, and other ingredients (contents) are closed with caps 88, sealing the bottles 100 to prevent outside air and microorganisms from entering. In the capping device 16, multiple bottles 100 filled with contents are rotated (revolved) while caps 88 are attached to their mouths. In this way, product bottles 101 are obtained by attaching caps 88 to the bottles 100 (see Figure 1B).

The caps 88 are sterilized in advance by the cap sterilizer 18. The cap sterilizer 18 is located, for example, outside the aseptic chamber 70j and near the cap fitting device 16. In the cap sterilizer 18, a large number of caps 88 brought in from outside the content filling system 10 are collected in advance and transported in a line toward the cap fitting device 16. As the caps 88 are en route to the cap fitting device 16, hydrogen peroxide gas or mist is sprayed onto the inner and outer surfaces of the caps 88, followed by drying and sterilization with hot air (see Figure 1B).

The product bottle unloading unit 25 continuously unloads product bottles 101 with caps 88 attached by the capping device 16 to the outside of the content filling system 10.

In addition, while the first mixing tank 55A in Figures 11 to 17 is described as containing water, and the second mixing tank 55B and third mixing tank 55C as containing the target ingredient or other ingredients, this is not limited to this. It is advisable to change the order as appropriate, taking into consideration the ease of mixing of the contents, overflow of the liquid, etc.

In the first embodiment shown in Figures 1A to 9B and the second embodiment shown in Figure 10, examples are shown in which the other raw materials in the other raw material tank 71 are heat-sterilized using the other raw material sterilization line 70, but this is not limiting; the other raw materials stored in the other raw material tank 71 may be sterilized in advance using a desired method. In this case, there is no need to heat-sterilize the other raw materials stored in the other raw material tank 71 again using the other raw material sterilization line 70. Furthermore, the sterilized other raw materials may be aseptically connected to 75 in Figure 1B using a bag-in-box, sterile container, sterile tank, etc., and aseptically supplied to the product liquid line.

(Other Modifications)
In the above-described embodiment, an example (see FIG. 2A3 , etc.) has been described in which the circulation system (second circulation system) 95A is configured with the pre-stage sterilizer 62A, the third bypass line 95a, the first sterilizer 62, the second sterilizer 64, and the circulation line 95. In this case, bacteria trapped in the foreign matter removal filter 61 may be periodically sterilized by circulating water through the circulation system 95A while the first ultraviolet lamp 67a, etc., is turned on. Sterilization of bacteria trapped in the foreign matter removal filter 61 may be performed, for example, while production of the product bottles 101 is stopped. In this case, for example, as shown in FIG. 18A , one end of the circulation line 95 may be connected between the second sterilizer 64 and the first sterilizing filter 63, and the other end of the circulation line 95 may be connected to the mixing tank 51. Furthermore, the pressure difference between the pressure on the upstream side and the pressure on the downstream side of the foreign matter removal filter 61 may be changed by changing the frequency of the pump P1. The bacteria trapped in the foreign matter removal filter 61 may be actively pushed downstream of the foreign matter removal filter 61 by changing the pressure difference (differential pressure) between the pressure on the upstream side and the pressure on the downstream side of the foreign matter removal filter 61. Specifically, when bacteria are sterilized by circulating water in the circulation system 95A, the pressure on the upstream side of the foreign matter removal filter 61 may be set to be 0.05 MPa or more, preferably 0.1 MPa or more, higher than the pressure during manufacturing of the product bottle 101. Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 18B , if there are no structural issues with the filter, the bacteria trapped in the foreign matter removal filter 61 may be circulated in the circulation system 95A by backflowing the contents. Note that, in this case, the difference between the pressure on the primary side and the pressure on the secondary side of the foreign matter removal filter 61 must not exceed the maximum allowable pressure for both the positive pressure and the reverse pressure of the foreign matter removal filter 61. In this way, by periodically sterilizing the bacteria captured by the foreign matter removal filter 61, the sterility of the contents sterilized by the mixing target raw material sterilization line 50 can be guaranteed even if the contents are sterilized continuously for a long period of time by the mixing target raw material sterilization line 50.

(Yet another modified example)
As shown in FIG. 18C , the mixing target raw material sterilization line 50 may have multiple (e.g., two) sterilizers 60. This allows the sterilization of the contents to be ensured by the other sterilizer 60 even if one sterilizer 60 stops or if the amount of ultraviolet light irradiation in one sterilizer 60 decreases. Furthermore, while one sterilizer 60 is being cleaned (CIP) or sterilized (SIP), the other sterilizer 60 can be used to sterilize the contents. This allows for continuous production of product bottles 101. In the example shown in FIG. 18C , the configuration of the sterilizer 60 is the same as the configuration of the sterilizer 60 shown in FIG. 2A1 , but this is not limiting. Although not shown, the sterilizer 60 may be, for example, the sterilizer 60 shown in FIGS. 2A2 to 2J . Furthermore, when the mixing target raw material sterilization line 50 has multiple sterilizers 60, the sterilizers 60 included in the mixing target raw material sterilization line 50 may be different from each other. As an example, the sterilization line 50 for raw materials to be mixed may include the sterilizer 60 shown in FIG. 2A1 and the sterilizer 60 shown in FIG. 2A3.

(Yet another modified example)
Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the content filling system 10 has been described as a system for filling the bottle 100 with the content, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the content filling system 10 may be a filling system (so-called Blow-Fill-Seal (BFS)) that fills the preform 100a with the content to mold the bottle 100 from the preform 100a.

In this case, as shown in FIG. 18D, the filling device 21 may be incorporated into the bottle molding unit 30. Although not shown, for example, when molding a bottle 100 from a preform 100a by filling the preform 100a with contents, the filling device 21 may be incorporated into the bottle molding unit 30.

Also, as shown in FIG. 18D, in the preform conveying section 31 of the bottle molding section 30, the preform sterilizer 34a may be provided downstream of the heating section 35. The preform sterilizer 34a may be configured to sterilize the preforms 100a heated by the heating section 35. The preform sterilizer 34a may be disposed within the chamber 70s.

In this modified example, the filling device 21 can fill the sterilized preform 100a with pressurized contents. This allows the molding of the bottle 100 and the filling of the bottle 100 with contents to be performed simultaneously.

(Other Modifications)
Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the sterilizer 60 sterilizes contents having an electrical conductivity of 0.1 μS/cm or more and 20 μS/cm or less, but this is not limiting. For example, the contents sterilized by the sterilizer 60 may be water having an electrical conductivity of more than 20 μS/cm. In this case, the water may be tap water or well water.

In this case, as shown in FIG. 18E, the mixing target raw material sterilization line 50 may be provided upstream of the mixing tank 51 with a pre-stage water tank 50d for storing water (tap water, well water, etc.) and a pre-stage sterilizer 62A having the same configuration as the first sterilizer 62. When the sterilizer 60 sterilizes tap water, etc., inorganic matter (oxides such as calcium) may adhere to the surfaces of the first ultraviolet lamp 67a, etc. (e.g., surfaces made of quartz glass). If inorganic matter adheres to the surfaces of the first ultraviolet lamp 67a, etc., the ultraviolet radiation intensity of the sterilizer 60 may decrease. Therefore, if the ultraviolet radiation intensity of the sterilizer 60 decreases, it is preferable to remove inorganic matter adhered to the surfaces of the first ultraviolet lamp 67a, etc. by cleaning (CIP) and sterilizing (SIP) the sterilizer 60. In this case, as described using FIG. 18C, the mixing target raw material sterilization line 50 may have multiple (e.g., two) sterilizers 60. This allows one sterilizer 60 to be used to sterilize water while the other sterilizer 60 is being cleaned (CIP) or sterilized (SIP). This allows the production of product bottles 101 to be carried out continuously.

In the above embodiment, an example was described in which bacteria are inactivated or reduced using the first sterilizer 62 and the second sterilizer 64. However, by irradiating the raw materials to be mixed with ultraviolet light at 500 mJ/cm2 or more using the first sterilizer 62 and the second sterilizer 64, it is possible to inactivate or reduce not only bacteria but also endotoxins. In this way, this embodiment can inactivate or reduce not only bacteria but also endotoxins in the raw materials to be mixed, thereby providing a content filling system suitable for pharmaceutical manufacturing.

10 Content filling system 11 Sterilizer 18 Cap sterilizer 21 Filling device 21A First filling device 21B Second filling device 21C Third filling device 21a Filling nozzle 32 Blow molding section 34a Preform sterilizer 50 Mixing target raw material sterilization line 50A Water sterilization line 50B Target raw material sterilization line 50a Water tank 50b Target raw material tank 50c Pure water production device 51 Mixing tank 51A Mixing line 52 Tank 53 Auxiliary filter 54 Tank 55 Mixing tank 55A First mixing tank 55B Second mixing tank 55C Third mixing tank 60 Sterilizer 70 Other raw material sterilization line 71 Other raw material tank 72 Raw material tank 73 Auxiliary filter 74 Raw material tank 75 Addition unit 80 Raw material sterilizer 88 Cap 100 Bottle 100a preform

Claims (2)

an unheated raw material supply line for producing an unheated raw material containing water;
a non-heated raw material sterilization line for non-heated sterilization of the non-heated raw material;
A heat sterilization line for heat sterilizing raw materials other than the non-heated raw materials;
A mixing tank for mixing the non-heated raw materials sterilized in the non-heated raw material sterilization line with raw materials other than the non-heated raw materials sterilized in the heat sterilization line ;
an addition unit that adds raw materials other than the non-heated raw materials that have been sterilized in advance to the liquid being sent in the piping located downstream of the mixing tank,
Either the heat sterilization line or the addition unit is used,
Further, a filling device is provided which fills a container with either the liquid in a pipe located downstream of the mixing tank or the liquid containing a raw material other than the pre-sterilized non-heated raw material .
Content filling system. 2. The content filling system according to claim 1 , wherein the adding unit for adding ingredients other than the pre-sterilized non-heated ingredients comprises a bag-in-box .