JP2008174297A

JP2008174297A - Method for filling and sealing liquid content into pouch with spout and device for the same

Info

Publication number: JP2008174297A
Application number: JP2007011855A
Authority: JP
Inventors: Yoshiaki Shinagawa; 喜昭品川; Makoto Sawada; 誠澤田
Original assignee: Toyo Seikan Kaisha Ltd
Current assignee: Toyo Seikan Group Holdings Ltd
Priority date: 2007-01-22
Filing date: 2007-01-22
Publication date: 2008-07-31
Anticipated expiration: 2027-01-22
Also published as: US20100006175A1; EP2123560A4; CN101588968A; KR20090087957A; WO2008090702A1; EP2123560A1; JP4905683B2

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a method and device which can fill the pouch with even an easily bubbling liquid content while suppressing generation of bubbles and obtain the pouch filled with a spout with a high deoxidization ratio. <P>SOLUTION: In the method for filling and sealing the liquid content, a deoxidization step before filling 1 including a vacuum step 1-1 that a gas in a pouch is evacuated by vacuum before filling the liquid content, an inert gas blowing step 1-2 that an inert gas is blown into the pouch after the vacuum step and a gas decreasing vacuum step 1-3 that the gas in the pouch is decreased to a predetermined quantity by vacuum evacuation after the inert gas blowing step, is performed before filling the liquid content. After that the inside of the pouch is evacuated in the second evacuation step 2-1 before filling and the content is filled and further after the filling an inert gas replacement is performed. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

本発明は、スパウト付きパウチへの液状内容物充填密封方法及びその装置、特に泡立ち易く且つ高脱酸素包装が求められる液状内容物の充填密封に好適なスパウト付きパウチへの液状内容物充填密封方法及びその装置に関する。 The present invention relates to a liquid content filling and sealing method for a pouch with a spout and an apparatus therefor, and particularly a method for filling and sealing a liquid content to a pouch with a spout suitable for filling and sealing a liquid content that is easy to foam and requires high deoxygenation packaging. And an apparatus for the same.

近年、スパウト付パウチに清涼飲料、ゼリー状食品、高カロリー又は高栄養のおかゆ等の液状食品を充填密封したものが提案されている。これらのうち内容物が例えばｐＨ４．６以上の腐敗し易い低酸性内容物の場合、１００℃以上の殺菌を必要とし、液状内容物充填・密封後にレトルト殺菌を行っている。また、充填後スパウト開口端をアルミニウム箔複合フィルム材等の内蓋シール材を融着して密封している。従来、内容物のパウチへの充填は、パウチが比較的小さい場合は、スパウトを介して内容物を注入充填している。これらの内容物の場合、特に酸化による内容物のフレーバーの変化、腐敗菌による内容物の腐敗や劣化を確実に防止でき、且つ清潔性を維持できる充填密封方法が求められ、充填後のスパウト外周部の洗浄、ヘッドスペースからの酸素の除去のためのヘッドスペースの窒素ガス置換、確実な密封のためのスパウト開口端の内蓋シール材による確実なシールが重要な要件となっている。ところが、スパウトは口径が小さいため、充填中および充填後に内容物が溢れてスパウトの口端および外周部が汚れ易い、ガス置換が困難である、高速充填が困難であり高速生産ができない等の問題点がある。このような問題の発生は、泡立ち易い内容物である程顕著であり、上記の内容物のうち低酸性内容物は特に泡立ち易く、これらの内容物のスパウト付きパウチへの充填密封における上記問題点の解消が求められている。 In recent years, a pouch with a spout filled with a liquid food such as a soft drink, a jelly-like food, a high calorie or high nutritional rice cake has been proposed. Among these, when the content is a low-acid content with a pH of 4.6 or more, which is easily perished, sterilization at 100 ° C. or higher is required, and retort sterilization is performed after filling and sealing the liquid content. In addition, the spout opening end after filling is sealed by fusing an inner lid sealing material such as an aluminum foil composite film material. Conventionally, when filling a pouch with contents, when the pouch is relatively small, the contents are injected and filled through a spout. In the case of these contents, in particular, there is a need for a filling and sealing method that can surely prevent changes in flavor of the contents due to oxidation, decay and deterioration of the contents due to spoilage bacteria, and maintain cleanliness. The cleaning of the head, the replacement of nitrogen gas in the head space for removing oxygen from the head space, and the reliable sealing with the inner lid sealant at the spout opening end for reliable sealing are important requirements. However, since the diameter of the spout is small, the content overflows during and after filling, and the mouth end and outer periphery of the spout tend to become dirty, gas replacement is difficult, high-speed filling is difficult, and high-speed production is not possible. There is a point. Occurrence of such a problem is more conspicuous as the content tends to foam, and among the above contents, the low acid content is particularly easy to foam, and the above-mentioned problems in filling and sealing these contents into a pouch with a spout Is required to be resolved.

上記スパウト口部が汚れ易い主な原因は、充填中あるいは充填後の充填ノズルからの液垂れに加えて、パウチへの内容物充填がパウチ表裏が扁平状に重なった状態から開始され、充填中充填ノズルによってスパウトの開口が閉塞されている状態であるため、内部に空気が入らずスパウトが袋の剛性のため内容物の自重のみでは十分に膨らまず液面が高い状態にあり、この状態で次のシール工程に搬送すると搬送衝撃でスパウトから内容液がこぼれやすいことにある。スパウトの口端部に内容物が付着していると後工程での口部への内蓋シール材のヒートシール不良になるばかりでなく、衛生上も好ましくない。そのため従来、充填中袋の胴壁を外部より吸引して膨らませた状態で充填する方法、または充填後に充填ステーションで充填ノズルからパウチ内に空気を吹き込んでパウチを膨らませることにより、ノズルの残液を排出すると共に、液面を降下させその状態で次工程に搬送させることにより、搬送中の液こぼれを防止することが提案されている(特許文献１参照)。また、液状内容物充填後、スパウト外周部の洗浄を行っている。スパウト外周部の洗浄方法として、充填ステーションの次に設けられた洗浄兼充填後脱酸素ステーションで複数の噴射口を内周に有するリング状の洗浄器を容器の口部に接近する高さまで降下させ、噴射口から容器の口部の全外周に水を吹き付けて洗浄する方法（特許文献２参照）や、洗浄工程でスパウト口部洗浄装置でスパウト外周部に洗浄液を噴き付けてスパウト外周部を洗浄すると共に、パウチ内に圧縮空気を吹き込んでパウチを膨らませて液面を低下させる方法などが提案されている（特許文献３参照）。 The main cause of the spout mouth being easily soiled is that the filling of the pouch starts from a state where the front and back of the pouch are flattened in addition to the liquid dripping from the filling nozzle after filling or after filling. Since the spout opening is blocked by the filling nozzle, air does not enter the inside, and the spout is rigid due to the rigidity of the bag. When transported to the next sealing step, the content liquid is likely to spill from the spout due to transport impact. If the contents adhere to the mouth end portion of the spout, not only the heat sealing of the inner lid seal material to the mouth portion in the later step is caused, but also hygiene is not preferable. Therefore, the remaining liquid of the nozzle is conventionally filled by inflating the body wall of the bag during filling by sucking from the outside or by blowing air from the filling nozzle into the pouch at the filling station after filling. It is proposed to prevent liquid spillage during transport by discharging the liquid and lowering the liquid level and transporting it to the next process in that state (see Patent Document 1). In addition, after filling the liquid content, the outer periphery of the spout is cleaned. As a method for cleaning the outer periphery of the spout, a ring-shaped washer having a plurality of injection ports on the inner periphery is lowered to a height approaching the mouth of the container at the post-cleaning / deoxygenation station provided after the filling station. A method of cleaning by spraying water from the spray port to the entire outer periphery of the mouth of the container (see Patent Document 2), or cleaning the spout outer periphery by spraying a cleaning liquid on the outer periphery of the spout with a spout mouth cleaning device in the cleaning process In addition, a method has been proposed in which compressed air is blown into the pouch to expand the pouch to lower the liquid level (see Patent Document 3).

一方、ガス置換方法としては、スパウトの乾燥工程に続いて、スパウトを介してパウチ内に不活性ガスを吹きこむガス置換工程を設け、パウチ内に不活性ガスを吹き込んでガス置換を行ない、次いで内蓋シールを部分的に仮付けし、この状態でスパウトの側面を押圧して脱気するようにしたものが提案されている（特許文献２参照）。
特開２００１−３２８６０１号公報特開平１１−２２７７２４号公報特開２００１−３４１７０８号公報 On the other hand, as a gas replacement method, following the drying process of the spout, a gas replacement process is performed in which an inert gas is blown into the pouch through the spout, and the inert gas is blown into the pouch to perform the gas replacement. There has been proposed an apparatus in which an inner lid seal is temporarily attached and the side surface of the spout is pressed and deaerated in this state (see Patent Document 2).
JP 2001-328601 A Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 11-227724 JP 2001-341708 A

上記提案されているスパウト付パウチへの液状内容物充填密封方法は、何れもスパウトの清浄度の向上、脱酸素の向上に寄与するものであるが、泡立ち易い内容物である場合、充填直後に圧縮空気を充填ノズルから吹き込むと泡が発生しやすく、泡がスパウト口部から溢れ出してスパウト口部を汚すと共に、スパウト内に大量の泡が残存する。この泡はヘッドスペースばかりでなく、残液を圧縮空気でパウチ内に吹き込むことにより、泡（空気）が内容物内まで侵入して小さな気泡となって存在するという問題点がある。また、従来のスパウト付パウチにおけるガス置換包装は、充填後に一旦パウチを空気で膨らませたものに不活性ガスを吹き込んでガス置換を行い、その後脱気するようにしているが、スパウト口が小さいため、スパウトから不活性ガスを吹き込んでもスパウト内の空気を効果的に追い出すことは困難であり、また例えシール前にヘッドスペースの空気を良好に不活性ガスと置換できたとしても、前述のように内容液に小さな泡として存在していたものが密封後にヘッドスペースに出てくることによって脱酸素率を悪化させるため、脱酸素向上に未だ解決すべき問題点がある。 The proposed liquid content filling and sealing methods for spouts with spouts all contribute to improving the cleanliness and deoxygenation of the spout. When compressed air is blown from the filling nozzle, bubbles are likely to be generated, and the bubbles overflow from the spout mouth portion and contaminate the spout mouth portion, and a large amount of bubbles remain in the spout. This bubble has a problem that not only the head space but also the residual liquid is blown into the pouch with compressed air, so that the bubble (air) penetrates into the contents and becomes small bubbles. Moreover, the gas replacement packaging in the conventional pouch with spout is designed to be degassed by blowing an inert gas into a pouch once inflated with air after filling, but the spout opening is small. Even if an inert gas is blown from the spout, it is difficult to effectively expel the air in the spout, and even if the head space air can be replaced with an inert gas before sealing, as described above Since what was present as small bubbles in the content liquid comes out into the head space after sealing, the oxygen removal rate is deteriorated, so there is still a problem to be solved in improving oxygen removal.

そこで、本発明はスパウト付パウチに泡立ち易い液状内容物を充填する場合の上記問題点を解決しようとするものであり、泡立ち易い内容物であっても泡立ちの発生を効果的に抑えて充填でき、且つ脱酸素効率を飛躍的に高めることができるスパウト付きパウチへの液状内容物充填密封方法及びその装置を提供することを目的とする。 Therefore, the present invention is intended to solve the above-described problems in the case of filling a liquid content that is easily foamed into a pouch with a spout, and even if it is a content that easily foams, the occurrence of foaming can be effectively suppressed and filled. And it aims at providing the liquid content filling sealing method to the pouch with a spout which can improve deoxygenation efficiency drastically, and its apparatus.

本発明者らは、上記課題を解決するために、種々研究した結果、充填時の泡立ちは外部の空気の影響が大きく、充填時に従来と比べてパウチの胴部を外部より拡げた状態で充填するより、パウチ胴部の表裏壁が扁平状に重なった状態から充填した場合の方が泡立ちを少なくすることができるが、充填後にノズルの残液を排出するため及びパウチを膨らますために、圧縮空気を吹き込むと充填ノズル端部に残っている残液が圧縮エアにより泡となってパウチ内に吹き込まれることに起因していることが判明した。この泡はヘッドスペース内に存在すると共に、液状内容物内にも小さい気泡となって入り込む。またパウチを膨らませることによって、パウチ内に空気が多く存在し、それを完全に不活性ガスに置換することは困難であることが判明し、さらに研究した結果、泡の発生を抑え且つ高ガス置換率で良好に密封できる方法を見出し、先に出願した（特願２００６−１８２０５号）。この出願の発明は、先願発明をさらに改良したものであり、特に充填前脱酸素工程を設けて、脱酸素率を一段と向上させると共に、充填前脱気工程を効率的に行うことができ、ラインのより高速化を図るようにしたものである。 As a result of various studies to solve the above problems, the present inventors have found that foaming at the time of filling is greatly affected by external air, and the filling of the pouch body is expanded from the outside at the time of filling compared to the conventional case. Rather than foaming, it is possible to reduce foaming when filling from the state where the front and back walls of the pouch body overlap in a flat shape, but compression is performed to discharge the residual liquid from the nozzle and fill the pouch after filling. It was found that when air was blown in, the residual liquid remaining at the end of the filling nozzle was bubbled into the pouch by compressed air. The bubbles are present in the head space and enter into the liquid contents as small bubbles. It was also found that by inflating the pouch, there was a lot of air in the pouch, and it was difficult to completely replace it with an inert gas. A method that can satisfactorily seal with the replacement rate was found and filed earlier (Japanese Patent Application No. 2006-18205). The invention of this application is a further improvement of the prior application invention, and in particular, a pre-filling deoxygenation step can be provided to further improve the deoxygenation rate, and the pre-filling degassing step can be performed efficiently, This is intended to increase the speed of the line.

即ち、上記問題点を解決する請求項１に記載の発明のスパウト付きパウチへの液状内容物充填密封方法は、液状内容物をスパウト付きパウチ内に脱酸素して充填・密封するスパウト付きパウチへの液状内容物充填密封方法であって、内容物充填前にスパウト付きパウチ内から空気を除去する充填前脱酸素工程、内容物充填直前に前記スパウト付きパウチから脱気する充填前脱気工程、前記スパウト付きパウチに液状内容物を充填する充填工程、内容物の充填されたパウチに不活性ガスを吹き込んでガス置換を行なう充填後ガス置換工程を有することを特徴とするものである。 That is, the liquid content filling and sealing method for a spout with a pouch according to the first aspect of the present invention that solves the above-described problem is a pouch with a spout that deoxygenates and fills and seals the liquid content into the pouch with a spout. A liquid content filling and sealing method, wherein the pre-filling deoxygenation step removes air from the spout pouch before filling the content, the pre-filling deaeration step degassing from the spout pouch just before filling the content, It has a filling step of filling the pouch with spout with liquid content, and a post-filling gas replacement step of performing gas replacement by blowing an inert gas into the pouch filled with the content.

請求項２に記載の発明は、請求項１に記載の発明において、前記充填前脱酸素工程は、パウチ内から空気を真空排気してなるバキューム工程、該バキューム工程後にパウチ内に不活性ガスを吹き込む不活性ガスブロー工程、該不活性ガスブロー工程後パウチ内のガスを真空排気してパウチ内のガスを所定量に減量させる減量バキューム工程からなることを特徴とするものである。請求項３に記載の発明は、請求項２に記載の発明において、前記バキューム工程は、前記スパウト近傍に不活性ガスを噴射して不活性ガス雰囲気で行うことを特徴とするものである。請求項４に記載の発明は、請求項１又は２に記載のスパウト付きパウチへの液状内容物充填密封方法において、前記充填後ガス置換工程の前に、内容物を充填したパウチを押圧してパウチ内のガスと泡を押し出す充填後脱気工程を有することを特徴とするものである。請求項５に記載の発明は、請求項１に記載のスパウト付きパウチへの液状内容物充填密封方法において、前記充填工程は、液状内容物を充填後にノズルに付着している残液をロッドで押し出してパウチ内に落下させる残液排出工程を含むものであることを特徴とするものである。さらに、請求項６に記載の発明は、請求項１〜５の何れかに記載のスパウト付きパウチへの液状内容物充填密封方法において、前記充填前脱気工程は、パウチを外部より押圧してパウチ内から脱気してなることを特徴とするものである。さらにまた、請求項７に記載の発明は、請求項１〜６の何れかに記載のスパウト付きパウチへの液状内容物充填密封方法において、前記充填工程の後にスパウトの外周部を洗浄する洗浄工程を有し、該洗浄工程と前記充填後ガス置換を同一ステーションで同時に行うことを特徴とするものである。 According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the invention, the pre-filling deoxygenation step includes a vacuum step in which air is evacuated from the inside of the pouch, and an inert gas is introduced into the pouch after the vacuum step. It is characterized by comprising an inert gas blowing process to be blown, and a weight reducing vacuum process in which the gas in the pouch is evacuated and the gas in the pouch is reduced to a predetermined amount after the inert gas blowing process. The invention described in claim 3 is the invention described in claim 2, wherein the vacuum process is performed in an inert gas atmosphere by injecting an inert gas in the vicinity of the spout. The invention according to claim 4 is the liquid content filling and sealing method for the pouch with spout according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the pouch filled with the content is pressed before the gas replacement step after the filling. It has the deaeration process after filling which extrudes the gas and foam in a pouch, It is characterized by the above-mentioned. According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the liquid content filling and sealing method for the pouch with a spout according to the first aspect, the filling step uses a rod to remove the residual liquid adhering to the nozzle after filling the liquid content. It includes a residual liquid discharging step of extruding and dropping into the pouch. Furthermore, the invention according to claim 6 is the liquid content filling and sealing method for the pouch with spout according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the degassing step before filling is performed by pressing the pouch from outside. It is characterized by degassing from within the pouch. Furthermore, the invention according to claim 7 is the liquid content filling and sealing method for the pouch with spout according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the outer peripheral portion of the spout is washed after the filling step. The cleaning step and the gas replacement after filling are performed at the same station at the same time.

また、上記方法を実施するのに使用する請求項８に記載の本発明のパウチへの液状内容物充填密封装置は、パウチのスパウト部を把持して搬送するパウチ搬送手段、内容物充填前に前記スパウト付きパウチ内から空気を排気する充填前脱酸素手段、該充填前脱酸素手段の下流側に配置され、内容物充填直前に前記パウチ内のガスを排気する充填前脱気手段、前記パウチにスパウトを介して内容物を充填する充填手段、前記パウチ内に不活性ガスを吹き込む充填後ガス置換手段を有することを特徴とするものである。
そして、請求項９に記載の発明は、請求項８に記載のパウチへの液状内容物充填密封装置において、前記充填前脱酸素手段は、パウチ内の空気を真空排気するバキューム手段、該バキューム後にパウチ内に不活性ガスを吹き込む不活性ガスブロー手段、該不活性ガスブロー後パウチ内のガスを真空排気してパウチ内のガスを所定量に減量させる減量バキューム手段、及び該減量バキューム手段と前記パウチの係合部近傍に不活性ガスを供給してスパウト近傍を不活性ガス雰囲気にする不活性ガス噴射手段からなることを特徴とするものである。また、請求項１０に記載の発明は、請求項８又は９に記載のパウチへの液状内容物充填密封装置において、前記充填手段の下流側に内容物を充填したパウチを押圧してパウチ内のガスと泡を押し出す充填後脱気手段を有することを特徴とするものである。 In addition, the liquid content filling and sealing device for pouches of the present invention according to claim 8 used for carrying out the above method is a pouch conveying means for gripping and conveying the spout part of the pouch, before filling the contents. Pre-filling deoxygenating means for exhausting air from inside the pouch with spout, disposed before the pre-filling deoxygenating means, and pre-filling degassing means for exhausting the gas in the pouch immediately before filling the contents, the pouch And a filling means for filling the contents through a spout and a post-filling gas replacement means for blowing an inert gas into the pouch.
The invention described in claim 9 is the liquid content filling and sealing device for the pouch according to claim 8, wherein the deoxygenating means before filling is a vacuum means for evacuating the air in the pouch, and after the vacuum An inert gas blowing means for blowing an inert gas into the pouch, a vacuum reducing means for evacuating the gas in the pouch after blowing the inert gas to reduce the gas in the pouch to a predetermined amount, and the reducing vacuum means and the pouch It is characterized by comprising an inert gas injection means for supplying an inert gas in the vicinity of the engaging portion to bring the vicinity of the spout into an inert gas atmosphere. Further, the invention according to claim 10 is the liquid content filling and sealing device for pouch according to claim 8 or 9, wherein the pouch filled with the content is pressed downstream of the filling means and the inside of the pouch is pressed. It has a deaeration means after filling for extruding gas and bubbles.

請求項１１に記載の発明は、請求項８〜１０の何れかに記載のスパウト付きパウチへの液状内容物充填密封装置において、スパウトの洗浄と共にパウチ内に不活性ガスを吹き込む洗浄兼充填後ガス置換手段、不活性ガス又は空気を吹き付けてスパウトを乾燥させるスパウト乾燥手段を有することを特徴とするものである。請求項１２に記載の発明は、請求項８〜１１の何れかに記載のスパウト付きパウチへの液状内容物充填密封装置において、前記充填手段の上流側にパウチ内から空気を排気する充填前脱酸素手段が設けられていることを特徴とするものである。請求項１３に記載の発明は、請求項８〜１２の何れかに記載のスパウト付きパウチへの液状内容物充填密封装置において、前記充填手段は、充填ノズルを有する外筒と、下端部が弁体となって弁座に着座することにより充填ノズルを封鎖する外ロッドと、該外ロッド内に摺動自在に嵌合され、充填ノズルに嵌合可能な外径を有し充填ノズル内の残液を押し出す内ロッドからなることを特徴するものである。請求項１４に記載の発明は、請求項８〜１２の何れかに記載のスパウト付きパウチへの液状内容物充填密封装置において、前記充填手段は、充填ノズルを有する外筒と、下端部が弁体となって弁座に着座することにより充填ノズルを封鎖するロッドと、充填ノズルの下端部に設けられ吐出路にメッシュスクリーンを有するメッシュノズルからなることを特徴とするものである。さらに、請求項１５に記載の発明は、請求項８〜１４の何れかに記載のスパウト付きパウチへの液状内容物充填密封装置において、前記洗浄兼充填後ガス置換手段は、パウチのスパウト外周部に向けて洗浄水を噴射する洗浄水噴出口を有するノズルボディと、該ノズルボディの軸心部に位置しパウチのスパウト開口端を覆ってスパウト内に不活性ガスを注入するガス置換ノズルからなることを特徴とするものである。さらに、請求項１６に記載の発明は、請求項８〜１５の何れかに記載のスパウト付きパウチへの液状内容物充填密封装置において、前記充填後脱気手段と前記洗浄兼充填後ガス置換手段は同一ステーションに配置され、前記洗浄兼充填後ガス置換手段の下方部に前記脱気手段が設けられている工程の前に、パウチ内から空気を除去する充填前脱酸素工程を有するようにしたものであることを特徴とするものである。 The invention described in claim 11 is a device for filling and sealing liquid contents to a pouch with a spout according to any one of claims 8 to 10, wherein the gas after cleaning and filling is filled with an inert gas into the pouch while cleaning the spout. It is characterized by having spout drying means for spraying substitution means, inert gas or air to dry the spout. A twelfth aspect of the present invention provides the liquid content filling and sealing device for a pouch with a spout according to any one of the eighth to eleventh aspects, wherein the air is discharged from inside the pouch upstream of the filling means. An oxygen means is provided. A thirteenth aspect of the present invention is the liquid content filling and sealing device for a pouch with a spout according to any of the eighth to twelfth aspects, wherein the filling means includes an outer cylinder having a filling nozzle, and a lower end portion that is a valve. An outer rod that seals the filling nozzle by sitting on the valve seat as a body, and an outer diameter that is slidably fitted in the outer rod and that can be fitted to the filling nozzle. It is characterized by comprising an inner rod for extruding the liquid. According to a fourteenth aspect of the present invention, there is provided the liquid content filling and sealing device for a pouch with a spout according to any one of the eighth to twelfth aspects, wherein the filling means includes an outer cylinder having a filling nozzle, and a lower end portion that is a valve. The rod comprises a rod that seals the filling nozzle by sitting on the valve seat as a body, and a mesh nozzle that is provided at the lower end of the filling nozzle and has a mesh screen in the discharge passage. Furthermore, the invention according to claim 15 is the liquid content filling and sealing device for the pouch with spout according to any one of claims 8 to 14, wherein the gas replacement means after washing and filling is the spout outer periphery of the pouch. A nozzle body having a cleaning water outlet for injecting cleaning water toward the nozzle, and a gas replacement nozzle which is located at the axial center of the nozzle body and covers the spout opening end of the pouch and injects an inert gas into the spout It is characterized by this. Furthermore, the invention described in claim 16 is the liquid content filling and sealing device for the pouch with spout according to any one of claims 8 to 15, wherein the degassing means after filling and the gas replacement means after washing and filling. Are arranged in the same station, and have a pre-filling deoxygenation step for removing air from the inside of the pouch before the step of providing the degassing means below the gas replacement means after cleaning and filling. It is characterized by being.

本発明の方法及び装置によれば、充填工程の前にパウチから酸素を除去し、且つ充填直前にも再度パウチを脱気するので、充填時の内容物への空気の取り込みや泡の発生が少なく、従来の直接パウチ内に内容物を充填してからガス置換を行う場合と比べて、脱酸素率が高く、特に酸素によって変敗しやすい内容物の高品質を維持できる包装が可能となる。
請求項２及び請求項９の発明によれば、充填前脱酸素工程が、バキューム工程、不活性ガスブロー工程、減量バキューム工程からなるので、後工程の充填前脱気工程に影響を与えることなくパウチに十分な量の不活性ガスをブローすることができ、充填前脱酸素率が高く、充填後泡となる部分を不活性ガスに効率よく置換することができる。そして、充填工程の前にパウチから酸素を除去することができるので、充填時の内容物への空気の取り込みや泡の発生が少なく、従来の直接パウチ内に内容物を充填してからガス置換を行う場合と比べて、脱酸素率が高く、特に酸素によって変敗しやすい内容物の高品質を維持できる包装が可能となる。
さらに、請求項３及び請求項９の発明によれば、特に充填前ガス置換後のパウチ内への外気の侵入を防止することができ、高脱酸素率を維持したまま内容液充填工程に移ることができる。
請求項４及び請求項１０の発明によれば、充填後の泡と空気を容器から排出するので、その後に行われるガス置換を効果的に行なうことができる。 According to the method and apparatus of the present invention, oxygen is removed from the pouch before the filling step, and the pouch is degassed again immediately before filling, so that air is taken into the contents at the time of filling and bubbles are generated. Compared to the case where gas replacement is performed after filling the contents directly into the conventional direct pouch, the packaging can maintain a high quality of the contents that are particularly susceptible to deterioration due to oxygen compared to the case where gas replacement is performed. .
According to the second and ninth aspects of the present invention, the deoxygenation step before filling includes a vacuum step, an inert gas blowing step, and a weight reduction vacuum step, so that the pouch is not affected without affecting the pre-desorption step before filling. A sufficient amount of inert gas can be blown, the deoxygenation rate before filling is high, and the portion that becomes foam after filling can be efficiently replaced with the inert gas. Since oxygen can be removed from the pouch before the filling process, there is little air uptake or foam generation during filling, and gas replacement is performed after filling the contents directly into the conventional pouch. Compared with the case of performing the process, the deoxygenation rate is high, and in particular, the packaging capable of maintaining the high quality of the contents that are easily damaged by oxygen becomes possible.
Furthermore, according to the invention of claim 3 and claim 9, it is possible to prevent the entry of outside air into the pouch after the gas replacement before filling, and the process proceeds to the content liquid filling step while maintaining a high deoxygenation rate. be able to.
According to the fourth and tenth aspects of the present invention, the bubble and air after filling are discharged from the container, so that the gas replacement performed thereafter can be performed effectively.

請求項５、１３，１４の発明によれば、定量充填後のノズル内の残液を泡を発生させることなくパウチ内に充填することができ、泡立ち易い内容物の充填に効果的である。請求項６、１２の発明によれば、さらに、内容物充填直前にパウチを外部から押圧してパウチからの脱気を行うので、脱気時間が短縮できラインの高速化を阻害することなく、パウチ内の酸素量をより低減した状態で内容物を充填でき、充填中に内容物に酸素が溶けこむことがなく、ヘッドスペースへの泡の発生ばかりでなく、内容物への溶存酸素量も低下させることができ，パウチ内の脱酸素効果を高め、内容物の品質保持を高めることができる。
請求項７、１６の発明によれば、脱気工程と洗浄兼ガス置換工程を同一ステーションで能率的に行うことができ、充填ステーションの次のステーションで行なうので、充填ステーションで内容物の液位を下げるためにパウチを膨らませなくても搬送衝撃による内容物の溢れは少なく、たとえ溢れてもパウチ洗浄前であるので不都合はない。 According to the fifth, thirteenth and fourteenth aspects of the present invention, the residual liquid in the nozzle after the quantitative filling can be filled in the pouch without generating bubbles, which is effective for filling the contents that are liable to foam. According to the inventions of claims 6 and 12, further, since the deaeration from the pouch is performed by pressing the pouch from the outside immediately before filling the contents, the deaeration time can be shortened without hindering the speeding up of the line, The contents can be filled in a state where the oxygen amount in the pouch is further reduced, oxygen does not dissolve into the contents during filling, not only bubbles are generated in the head space, but also the amount of dissolved oxygen in the contents It can be reduced, the deoxygenation effect in the pouch can be enhanced, and the quality maintenance of the contents can be enhanced.
According to the inventions of claims 7 and 16, the degassing step and the cleaning and gas replacement step can be efficiently performed at the same station, and are performed at the next station of the filling station. Even if the pouch is not inflated to lower the level, the overflow of the contents due to the transport impact is small, and even if it overflows, there is no inconvenience because it is before the pouch cleaning.

以下、本発明の実施形態を図面を基に詳細に説明する。
本発明の実施形態に係るスパウト付きパウチへの内容物充填密封装置は、この種のスパウト付きパウチへの公知の充填密封装置と同様に間欠回転する回転テーブルの外周部にパウチのスパウトを把持して搬送するパウチ搬送手段であるクランプが所定ピッチで配置され、該回転テーブルに沿って、パウチの供給から充填密封後の排出までの各ステーションが設けられ、それぞれのステーションにそのステーションで行う処理のための装置が配置され、回転テーブルが間欠的に回転することによってスパウトの供給から充填〜密封を経て充填密封済みスパウト付きパウチ詰め製品を回転テーブルから排出するまでの各工程を行う。図１は、本発明の実施形態に係るスパウト付きパウチへの内容物充填密封方法の主な工程のブロック線図であり、それ以外の工程については従来と同様な方法が採用できるので、特徴的な工程のみについて説明する。 Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.
The content filling and sealing device for a pouch with a spout according to an embodiment of the present invention grips the spout of the pouch on the outer peripheral portion of a rotating table that rotates intermittently in the same manner as a known filling and sealing device for this type of pouch with a spout. Clamps that are pouch transporting means are arranged at a predetermined pitch, and each station from the supply of the pouch to the discharge after filling and sealing is provided along the rotary table, and each station performs processing performed at that station. A device for the above is arranged, and the rotary table rotates intermittently to perform the respective steps from the supply of the spout through the filling to sealing to discharging the filled and sealed pouched product with spout from the rotary table. FIG. 1 is a block diagram of main steps of a method for filling and sealing contents in a pouch with a spout according to an embodiment of the present invention. Only the important steps will be described.

本発明の実施形態では、まず充填前脱酸素ステーションで、扁平状に供給されパウチ内から空気（酸素）を除去する充填前脱酸素工程１を行う。この状態では、パウチは表壁と裏壁がほぼくっついた扁平状を呈し、内部の空気量は少ないが、本発明者の実験によればこの工程を実施した場合と実施しない場合では、充填密封後の脱酸素率に多大な影響を及ぼし、特に内容物が変敗しやすい内容物の場合は、この工程を設けることは特に有効である。充填前脱酸素法としては、まずパウチから脱気する充填前第１脱気工程１−１、その後パウチ内不活性ガスを吹き込んでガス置換を行う充填前不活性ガスブロー工程１−２、さらにパウチ内に不活性ガスを吹き込んでパウチが膨らんだ状態から、パウチ内の不活性ガスが所定量になるまで減量する減量バキューム工程１−３を設けるのが望ましいが、必ずしもそれに限らず、例えば充填前第１脱気工程のみ、あるいは充填前不活性ガスブロー工程のみを行ってもよい。 In the embodiment of the present invention, first, a pre-filling deoxygenation step 1 for removing air (oxygen) from the inside of a pouch supplied in a flat shape is performed at a pre-filling deoxygenation station. In this state, the pouch has a flat shape in which the front wall and the back wall are almost adhered to each other, and the amount of air inside is small. Providing this step is particularly effective in the case of a content that has a great influence on the subsequent deoxygenation rate and the content is particularly susceptible to deterioration. The pre-filling deoxygenation method includes a first pre-filling degassing process 1-1 for degassing from the pouch, then an inert gas blowing process 1-2 for pre-filling in which an inert gas in the pouch is blown to perform gas replacement, and a pouch. It is desirable to provide a weight reduction vacuum process 1-3 for reducing the amount of inert gas in the pouch from a state where the inert gas is blown into the pouch until the amount of the inert gas in the pouch reaches a predetermined amount. You may perform only a 1st deaeration process or only an inert gas blow process before filling.

充填前第１脱気工程としては、後述する充填後脱気工程と同様に一対の脱気板でパウチの胴部を挟んでパウチ内部のガスを押出す方法、又は真空吸引ノズルをスパウトに嵌合して、パウチ内を真空排気する何れの方法を採用してもよいが、図２に示すようにバキューム兼ブローヘッド１０をスパウト１６の頂端部と接触させた状態でバキュームしてパウチ内部の空気を吸引するのがより完全にパウチ内を脱気することができ望ましい。なお、バキューム兼ブローヘッド１０は、バキュームポンプと不活性ガス供給源（本実施形態では窒素ガスボンベ）に切替え可能に接続された切替弁を有する管路に接続され、充填前脱酸素工程を構成する充填前第１脱気工程１−１、充填前不活性ガスブロー工程１−２、減量バキューム工程１−３を同一のヘッドで連続的に行うことができるようになっている。 As the first degassing step before filling, a method of extruding gas inside the pouch between a pair of degassing plates with a pair of degassing plates or fitting a vacuum suction nozzle to the spout as in the post-filling degassing step described later. In addition, any method of evacuating the inside of the pouch may be adopted, but as shown in FIG. 2, the vacuum / blow head 10 is vacuumed while being in contact with the top end of the spout 16, so that the inside of the pouch It is desirable to suck in air because it is possible to deaerate the inside of the pouch more completely. The vacuum and blow head 10 is connected to a pipe line having a switching valve connected to a vacuum pump and an inert gas supply source (in this embodiment, a nitrogen gas cylinder) so as to be switchable, and constitutes a pre-filling deoxygenation step. The first degassing step 1-1 before filling, the inert gas blowing step 1-2 before filling, and the weight reduction vacuum step 1-3 can be performed continuously with the same head.

充填前第１脱気工程１−１に続いて行う充填前不活性ガスブロー工程１−２は、バキューム兼ブローヘッド１０の接続を不活性ガス供給源に自動的に切り替えて、前工程で脱気されたパウチの内部に所定量の不活性ガスを充填して袋内を完全に不活性ガス状態にするものであり、前工程の脱気との組合せで充填前のスパウト内部を完全に脱酸素状態にすることができる。この充填前不活性ガスブロー工程でのパウチへの不活性ガスの充填量は、パウチ容量一杯に吹きこむことが充填工程までの搬送中にパウチ内への外気の侵入を防止する上で望ましい。不活性ガスとしては、窒素ガスが好適であるが、他の不活性ガスであってもよい。また、必ずしもガスでなくても、気化して不活性ガスとなる液体窒素やドライアイス細粒であっても可能である。したがって、本発明おけるガス置換工程における不活性ガスの概念にはそれらを含むものである。 In the pre-filling inert gas blowing process 1-2 performed after the pre-filling first degassing process 1-1, the connection of the vacuum / blowing head 10 is automatically switched to the inert gas supply source, and degassing is performed in the previous process. The inside of the pouch is filled with a predetermined amount of inert gas to completely inactivate the bag, and in combination with degassing in the previous process, the interior of the spout before filling is completely deoxygenated Can be in a state. It is desirable to fill the pouch with the inert gas in the pre-filling inert gas blowing process in order to prevent the outside air from entering the pouch during conveyance up to the filling process. Nitrogen gas is suitable as the inert gas, but other inert gas may be used. Moreover, even if it is not necessarily a gas, it may be liquid nitrogen or dry ice fine particles that are vaporized to become an inert gas. Therefore, the concept of the inert gas in the gas replacement step in the present invention includes them.

充填前脱酸素ステーションで続いて行う減量バキューム工程１−３は、前記不活性ガスブロー工程で容量一杯に不活性ガスで膨らんだパウチの内部ガスを所定量まで減量するための工程であり、バキューム兼ブローヘッド１０の接続を再びバキューム側に切り替えて、パウチ内から所定量の不活性ガスを排気して、図２（ｃ）に模式的に示すように、パウチ内の不活性ガスを所定量まで減量する。その技術的意義は、次のことにある。即ち、前記したように充填前の脱酸素工程ではパウチ内にできるだけ多量の不活性ガスをパウチ内に充填した状態で、次の充填ステーションに搬送するのが、脱酸素率を高めるためには望ましいが、その分充填ステーションで行う充填前第２脱気工程の脱気時間が長くかかり、ラインの高速性を阻害する。また、充填前第２脱気工程では、後述するように脱気板でパウチを挟み一気に脱気するのが望ましいが、その場合パウチ内に多量の不活性ガスが充填されていると、その分一気に排出するガス量が増え、噴出した不活性ガスが充填ノズル先端に当り、充填ノズル先端に付着している内容液の滴を周囲に飛散させるなどの不都合が発生することがある。それを防ぐために、本実施形態では、一旦パウチ一杯に不活性ガスを吹き込んでパウチ内の酸素量を極力低下させてから、充填前脱酸素ステーションでラインの高速性阻害や周囲への悪影響等の不都合を発生させない程度の量まで、パウチ内のガス量を減量させるようにした。その場合、パウチからの不活性ガスの排気は、押圧板よりもバキュームによるのが望ましく、本実施形態では、バキューム兼ブローヘッド１０によってバキューム排気するようにした。 The weight reduction vacuum process 1-3 subsequently performed at the pre-filling deoxygenation station is a process for reducing the internal gas of the pouch expanded with the inert gas to the predetermined volume in the inert gas blowing process to a predetermined amount. The connection of the blow head 10 is switched to the vacuum side again, and a predetermined amount of inert gas is exhausted from the inside of the pouch. As schematically shown in FIG. 2 (c), the inert gas in the pouch is reduced to a predetermined amount. reduce weight. The technical significance is as follows. That is, as described above, in the deoxygenation step before filling, it is desirable that the pouch is filled with as much inert gas as possible in the pouch and transported to the next filling station in order to increase the deoxygenation rate. However, the degassing time of the pre-filling second degassing step performed at the filling station correspondingly increases, and the high speed of the line is hindered. In the second degassing step before filling, it is desirable to deaerate all at once by sandwiching the pouch with a degassing plate as will be described later. In that case, if a large amount of inert gas is filled in the pouch, The amount of gas discharged at a stretch increases, and the inactive gas that is ejected may hit the tip of the filling nozzle, causing inconveniences such as scattering droplets of the content liquid adhering to the tip of the filling nozzle. In order to prevent this, in the present embodiment, the inert gas is once blown into the pouch to reduce the oxygen amount in the pouch as much as possible. The amount of gas in the pouch was reduced to an amount that would not cause inconvenience. In that case, it is desirable that the inert gas is discharged from the pouch by vacuum rather than by the pressing plate. In this embodiment, the vacuum / blow head 10 performs vacuum exhaust.

ところが、後述する実験例で示すように、パウチ内の不活性ガスを減量するとその分充填前脱酸素ステーションから充填ステーションにパウチが搬送される間にパウチ内に外気が侵入し易くなり、パウチ内の酸素濃度が増すことが判明した。それを防ぐには充填前脱酸素ステーションから充填ステーションまでの搬送経路をトンネル状にして不活性ガス雰囲気にすることが考えられるが、設備が複雑になると共に多量の不活性ガスを消費するなどの不都合が発生する。それを解決するために、種々研究した結果、減量後容器内に外気が最も多量に侵入するのは不活性ガスブロー後にバキューム兼ブローヘッド１０をスパウト先端から離した瞬間であることが判明した。その結果、少なくともバキューム兼ブローヘッド１０をスパウトから離す瞬間のスパウトを囲む雰囲気が不活性ガス雰囲気であれば、充填前脱酸素ステーションから充填ステーションまでの搬送経路を不活性ガス雰囲気にしなくても、充填ステーションまでの外気の侵入を効果的に防止することができ、高脱酸素ができることが分かった。そこで、本実施形態では図２（ｃ）に示すように、スパウト１６とバキューム兼ブローヘッド１０との接触部近傍を不活性ガス雰囲気にするように適宜の不活性ガスを吹き出すチャンバー１１を配置してその近傍を常時不活性ガス雰囲気にするようにした。 However, as shown in an experimental example to be described later, when the inert gas in the pouch is reduced, outside air easily enters the pouch while the pouch is being transported from the pre-filling deoxygenation station to the filling station. It has been found that the oxygen concentration of the increases. To prevent this, it is conceivable to create a tunnel-like inert gas atmosphere from the pre-filling deoxygenation station to the filling station, but the equipment becomes complex and a large amount of inert gas is consumed. Inconvenience occurs. As a result of various studies to solve this problem, it has been found that the largest amount of outside air enters the container after the weight reduction is the moment when the vacuum / blow head 10 is separated from the spout tip after the inert gas blow. As a result, if the atmosphere surrounding the spout at the moment of separating the vacuum and blow head 10 from the spout is an inert gas atmosphere, even if the transport path from the pre-filling deoxygenation station to the filling station is not an inert gas atmosphere, It was found that intrusion of outside air to the filling station can be effectively prevented and high deoxygenation can be achieved. Therefore, in the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2C, a chamber 11 for blowing out an appropriate inert gas is arranged so that the vicinity of the contact portion between the spout 16 and the vacuum / blow head 10 becomes an inert gas atmosphere. In the vicinity, an inert gas atmosphere was always used.

スパウト付きパウチは、充填前脱酸素ステーションで上記のように所定量の不活性ガスが充填された状態で充填ステーションに搬送され、充填ステーションで、充填直前にパウチの内部を脱気する充填前第２脱気工程２−１を実施し、次いでパウチに内容物を充填する内容物定量充填工程２−２、充填ノズル内の残液排出工程２−３を実施する。充填前第２脱気工程２−１は、充填時の泡の発生を低減させるために行うものであり、前工程で不活性ガスが充填されたパウチから、その内部に充填されているガスを排除してパウチ内を略真空状態にするもので、図３に模式的に示すように一対の脱気板１２によってパウチ１５を圧迫して排気するようにした。それにより瞬時に排気することができ、ラインの高速性に好都合である。しかしながら、前工程と同様にバキュームによる排気でも可能である。 The pouch with a spout is transported to the filling station in a state filled with a predetermined amount of inert gas as described above at the pre-filling deoxygenation station. At the filling station, the inside of the pouch is degassed immediately before filling. 2 Perform the degassing step 2-1, then perform the content quantitative filling step 2-2 for filling the contents in the pouch, and the residual liquid discharging step 2-3 in the filling nozzle. The pre-filling second degassing step 2-1 is performed in order to reduce the generation of bubbles during filling. From the pouch filled with the inert gas in the previous step, the gas filled therein is changed. The pouch 15 is eliminated and the inside of the pouch is made to be in a substantially vacuum state. As schematically shown in FIG. As a result, exhaust can be performed instantaneously, which is convenient for high-speed line operation. However, vacuum exhaust is also possible as in the previous step.

内容物定量充填工程２−２では、内部を排気されたパウチのスパウト開口部に充填ノズルを密着させた状態で内容液の定量充填を行う。その場合、パウチ内は完全に密閉されほぼ真空状態であるので、外部からの空気の流入がなく、充填中の内容液に空気が入りこむことがないので、泡立ち易い内容液であっても泡立たせることなく、充填することができる。しかしながら、袋内が完全に負圧であるとパウチが膨らみにくく充填し難くなるので、充填ノズルがパウチに密着した後に、パウチの胴部を外部から一対の吸引具で吸引してパウチを拡げることによって、充填しやすくなり、充填速度を向上させ、泡立ちやすい内容物であっても高速充填を可能とした。定量充填後、充填ノズルをパウチ口に密着させた状態で一時停止してノズル内の残液をパウチ内に排出する残液排出工程２−３を行う。
このように、前工程で脱酸素処理されたパウチを内容物充填前にさらに、脱気してから内容物充填することによって、袋内の空気がより少ない状態で充填でき、且つ泡の発生をより効果的に抑制することが可能となった。 In the content quantitative filling step 2-2, the content liquid is quantitatively filled in a state where the filling nozzle is brought into close contact with the spout opening of the pouch evacuated inside. In that case, since the inside of the pouch is completely sealed and is almost in a vacuum state, there is no inflow of air from the outside, and air does not enter the content liquid being filled, so even if the content liquid is easy to foam, it is made to foam. Without filling. However, if the inside of the bag is completely under negative pressure, the pouch is difficult to swell and difficult to fill, so after the filling nozzle is in close contact with the pouch, the body of the pouch is sucked from the outside with a pair of suction tools to expand the pouch. This makes it easier to fill, improves the filling speed, and enables high-speed filling even for foamy contents. After the fixed amount filling, the remaining liquid discharging step 2-3 is performed in which the filling nozzle is temporarily stopped in close contact with the pouch mouth and the remaining liquid in the nozzle is discharged into the pouch.
In this way, the pouch that has been deoxygenated in the previous step is further degassed before filling the contents, and then the contents are filled, so that the bag can be filled with less air and bubbles are generated. It became possible to suppress more effectively.

また、従来は、ノズル内の残液による液垂れを防ぐため及びパウチを膨らませて液面を低下させるために充填後にパウチ内に圧縮空気を吹き込んでいるが、その場合特に泡の発生し易い内容物であると、充填後にノズル内の残液が圧縮空気によってパウチ内に吹き込まれることによって、パウチ内での泡の発生原因となっていることが分かり、本発明では充填後に圧縮空気を吹き込むことなく、充填後一時停止してノズル口に残留している残液をロッドによる押し出す残液排出工程２−３を設けることによって、残液による液垂れを防止すると共に、泡の発生を抑制することができ、且つ脱酸素効率を高めることができた。なお、充填ノズルにメッシュスクリーン付ノズルを付加した場合は、液垂れを防ぐことができるので、残液を強制的に排出する必要はなく、液充填後の残液排出工程２−３を設ける必要はない。 Conventionally, compressed air is blown into the pouch after filling in order to prevent dripping due to residual liquid in the nozzle and to lower the liquid level by inflating the pouch. If it is a product, it can be seen that the residual liquid in the nozzle is blown into the pouch by compressed air after filling, causing bubbles to be generated in the pouch. In the present invention, compressed air is blown after filling. In addition, by providing a residual liquid discharge step 2-3 that temporarily stops after filling and pushes out the residual liquid remaining in the nozzle port by a rod, it prevents liquid dripping due to the residual liquid and suppresses the generation of bubbles. And the deoxygenation efficiency could be improved. In addition, when a nozzle with a mesh screen is added to the filling nozzle, liquid dripping can be prevented, so there is no need to forcibly discharge the remaining liquid, and it is necessary to provide a remaining liquid discharging step 2-3 after filling the liquid. There is no.

次いで、本実施形態では、洗浄兼充填後脱酸素ステーションが設けられ、該ステーションでヘッドスペースに発生した泡を押し出すと共に、充填ステーションから洗浄兼充填後脱酸素ステーションに移動する間にヘッドスペース内に侵入した空気を排出するための充填後脱気工程３と、スパウト外周面の洗浄とパウチ内に窒素ガス等の不活性ガスを吹き込んでガス置換を行うスパウト洗浄兼充填後ガス置換行程４を実施する。洗浄兼充填後脱酸素ステーションに到達したパウチは、図６に示すように、まず胴部を一対の脱気板４２にて押圧してヘッドスペース内の泡をスパウトから外部に排出すると共にヘッドスペース内の脱気を行い、ついで洗浄兼置換ノズル４１が降下してスパウトの頂面および外周部に向けて洗浄水を噴射すると共にパウチ内部に不活性ガスを吹き込む。その際、洗浄兼置換ノズル４１はスパウト口を完全に覆った状態であり、スパウト内に不活性ガスのみが吹きこまれ、洗浄水はスパウト内には浸入しないようになっている。それにより、スパウト外周面を洗浄して内容物の付着を除去することができ、後工程の内蓋シール工程における内蓋シール材の良好なヒートシールを可能にすると共に、シール後のスパウト外周面を清潔にすることができる。また、洗浄工程で不活性ガスを吹き込むことによって、充填工程で空気又は窒素ガスを吹き込む場合と違って、残液による泡立ちがないので、パウチ内に泡を発生させることなく、パウチを膨らませることができ、パウチ内の液面を降下させ、以後の搬送工程での内容液の搬送衝撃によるあふれを防止することができる。しかも、空気でなく不活性ガスでパウチを膨らませたため、脱酸素効果を飛躍的に高めることができた。このように、本実施形態では充填工程で空気や不活性ガスによるパウチを膨らませる工程を設けてないので、泡立ち易い内容物であっても泡の発生を抑制することができる。また、充填中にパウチ胴部を外部より吸引し膨らませるので、パウチ内に圧縮空気を供給しなくてもパウチはある程度膨らみ、また例え充填後の液面の降下が少なくても充填ステーションに隣接する洗浄兼充填後脱酸素ステーションまでの１ステップの搬送であるので、搬送衝撃による内容液のあふれは少なく、たとえあふれてもパウチ洗浄前であるので問題はない。 Next, in this embodiment, a deoxygenation station after cleaning and filling is provided, and bubbles generated in the headspace are pushed out from the station, and the headspace is moved from the filling station to the deoxygenation station after cleaning and filling. Degassing step 3 after filling to discharge the intruding air, and spout cleaning and filling gas replacement step 4 in which an inert gas such as nitrogen gas is blown into the pouch and an inert gas such as nitrogen gas is blown into the pouch. To do. The pouch that has reached the deoxygenation station after cleaning and filling, as shown in FIG. 6, first presses the barrel with a pair of deaeration plates 42 to discharge the bubbles in the headspace from the spout to the outside and the headspace. Then, the cleaning and replacement nozzle 41 descends and sprays cleaning water toward the top surface and the outer peripheral portion of the spout and blows an inert gas into the pouch. At that time, the cleaning and replacement nozzle 41 is in a state of completely covering the spout mouth, and only the inert gas is blown into the spout, so that the cleaning water does not enter the spout. Thereby, the outer surface of the spout can be washed to remove the adhesion of the contents, and the inner cover sealing material in the subsequent inner cover sealing process can be heat-sealed, and the spout outer peripheral surface after sealing Can be clean. Also, by blowing an inert gas in the cleaning process, unlike the case of blowing air or nitrogen gas in the filling process, there is no foaming due to residual liquid, so the pouch is expanded without generating bubbles in the pouch. It is possible to lower the liquid level in the pouch and prevent overflow of the content liquid in the subsequent transfer process due to the transfer impact. Moreover, since the pouch was inflated with an inert gas instead of air, the deoxygenation effect could be greatly enhanced. Thus, in this embodiment, since the process of inflating the pouch by air or an inert gas is not provided in the filling process, the generation of foam can be suppressed even if the contents are easily foamed. In addition, since the pouch body is sucked from the outside and inflated during filling, the pouch inflates to some extent even if compressed air is not supplied into the pouch, and even if there is little drop in the liquid level after filling, it is adjacent to the filling station. Since it is a one-step transfer to the deoxygenation station after cleaning and filling, there is little overflow of the content liquid due to the transfer shock, and even if it overflows, there is no problem because it is before pouch cleaning.

内部に不活性ガスを吹き込むことによって完全に膨らんで液位が低下したスパウトは、次いでスパウト乾燥ステーションに搬送され、スパウトの内外面に不活性ガスを吹き付けることによって、洗浄水による洗浄後のスパウトを乾燥させる。不活性ガスによって乾燥させるので、不活性ガスが空気のパージ作用をし、外部からのパウチ内への空気の流入を阻止する。しかしながら、スパウト乾燥ステーションでは、乾燥媒体である不活性ガスをスパウトへの吹付けの際、スパウト開口部を完全に覆った状態で吹付けることによって、乾燥媒体がパウチ内に浸入することがないので、その場合嵌装媒体として圧縮空気を採用しても良い。圧縮空気でスパウト外周部に付着している水分を飛ばすことによって、短時間に乾燥させることができる。
しかしながら、本実施形態では、前記のような充填前脱酸素工程１及び充填工程２での脱酸素を行うことによって、パウチ内の酸素量を飛躍的に減少させることができ、泡の発生も少ないので、極端に泡立ち易い内容物の場合を除き、図１に示す工程図において、スパウト洗浄兼充填後第１ガス置換工程４を省き、破線で示すように充填工程２から直接充填後第２ガス置換工程６に移行してもよい。 The spout that is completely swollen and blown down by blowing an inert gas inside is then transported to a spout drying station where the inert gas is blown onto the inner and outer surfaces of the spout to remove the spout after washing with washing water. dry. Since the drying is performed by the inert gas, the inert gas purges air and prevents the air from flowing into the pouch from the outside. However, in the spout drying station, when the inert gas as the drying medium is sprayed on the spout, the drying medium does not enter the pouch by spraying the spout with the spout opening completely covered. In that case, compressed air may be employed as the fitting medium. It is possible to dry in a short time by blowing off moisture adhering to the outer periphery of the spout with compressed air.
However, in this embodiment, by performing the deoxygenation in the pre-filling deoxygenation step 1 and the filling step 2 as described above, the amount of oxygen in the pouch can be drastically reduced, and the generation of bubbles is small. Therefore, except for the case where the contents are extremely easily foamed, in the process diagram shown in FIG. 1, the first gas replacement process 4 after spout cleaning and filling is omitted, and the second gas after direct filling from the filling process 2 as shown by the broken line. You may transfer to the replacement step 6.

以上の工程を経て、密封工程に進むが、本実施形態ではより脱酸素効果を高めるために、内蓋シール直前に、さらに充填後第２ガス置換工程６を実施するようにしてある。充填後第２ガス置換工程６は、充填後第２ガス置換ステーションでパウチ内に不活性ガスを吹き込んでヘッドスペースのガス置換を行なう。次いで、内蓋仮シール・打ち抜き・脱気ステーションに搬送され、内蓋シール工程７を実施する。内蓋シール工程では、内蓋シール前脱気工程７−１で一対の脱気板でパウチ胴部を充填液が溢れ出ない程度に圧迫して、その状態で内蓋の仮シール・打抜きを行う内蓋仮シール・打抜き工程７−２を実施する。内蓋仮シール・打抜き工程７−２は、アルミニウム箔と合成樹脂フィルムの複合シール材等の熱溶着性とガスバリア性を有する内蓋材をスパウトに仮シール後に打抜きする工程であり、従来と同様な方法が採用できる。次いで、スパウト開口天面全体に内蓋を第１シール工程７−３及び第２シ−ル工程７−４を経て行い、パウチを内蓋で完全に密封する。その後、外蓋装着工程８で外蓋を螺着する。
以上、本発明のスパウト付きパウチへの液状内容物充填密封方法の実施形態について説明したが、本発明は上記実施形態に限るものでなく、その目的を達成する範囲内で各工程の順番を変更したり、工程の削除あるいは付加は適宜可能である。 Through the above steps, the process proceeds to the sealing step. In this embodiment, the second gas replacement step 6 after filling is further performed immediately before the inner lid seal in order to further enhance the deoxygenation effect. In the second gas replacement step 6 after filling, gas replacement of the head space is performed by blowing an inert gas into the pouch at the second gas replacement station after filling. Subsequently, it is conveyed to the inner lid temporary seal / punching / degassing station, and the inner lid sealing step 7 is performed. In the inner lid sealing step, the pouch body is pressed with a pair of deaeration plates in the pre-deaeration step 7-1 before the inner lid seal so that the filling liquid does not overflow, and the inner lid is temporarily sealed and punched in that state. The inner lid temporary seal / punching step 7-2 is performed. Inner lid temporary seal / punching step 7-2 is a step of punching an inner lid material having a heat-weldability and a gas barrier property such as a composite sealing material of an aluminum foil and a synthetic resin film after temporary sealing to a spout. Can be adopted. Next, the inner lid is applied to the entire top surface of the spout opening through the first sealing step 7-3 and the second sealing step 7-4, and the pouch is completely sealed with the inner lid. Thereafter, the outer lid is screwed in the outer lid mounting step 8.
As mentioned above, although embodiment of the liquid content filling sealing method to the pouch with a spout of the present invention was described, the present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiment, and the order of each process is changed within the range to achieve the object. It is possible to delete or add processes as appropriate.

図４は上記機能を果たすために充填ステーションに配置された充填手段としての充填バルブの実施形態を示し、該充填バルブ２０は、外筒２１、外ロッド２２、中ロッド２３から構成されている。外筒２１は、中空円筒状に形成され、内容液供給タンクと給液管２４を介して連通する内容液供給口２５、流体室２６、弁座２７、充填ノズル２８を有している。本実施形態では充填ステーションに充填前第２脱気工程を行うための一対の脱気板（図示していない）が充填バルブの下方が配置され、且つパウチに内容物充填開始後にパウチの胴部を吸引して開く一対の吸引パットが配置されている。しかしながら、充填前第２脱気工程を脱気板によらずに、真空吸引で行う場合は前記給液管２４は、切り替え可能に真空ポンプに連結され、給液に先立ってパウチ内の空気を真空排気できるようにする。外ロッド２２は、前記流体室内にシリンダ等の適宜のアクチュエータで上下駆動可能に設けられ、弁座２７に着座して充填ノズル２８を開閉する弁体２９として機能し、該弁体２９は中央部が充填ノズル２８と略同径の貫通中空になっており、該中空部に中ロッド２３がシリンダ等の適宜のアクチュエータで上下駆動可能に嵌合している。中ロッド２３は、中実棒で形成され、弁体２９が弁座に着座した状態で駆動されることによって、該中ロッドの先端部が充填ノズル２８内に進入して、充填ノズル内に残留している残液をパウチ内に押し出す作用を行なう。 FIG. 4 shows an embodiment of a filling valve as a filling means arranged at a filling station to perform the above function, and the filling valve 20 is composed of an outer cylinder 21, an outer rod 22, and an intermediate rod 23. The outer cylinder 21 is formed in a hollow cylindrical shape, and includes a content liquid supply port 25, a fluid chamber 26, a valve seat 27, and a filling nozzle 28 that communicate with the content liquid supply tank via the liquid supply pipe 24. In the present embodiment, a pair of deaeration plates (not shown) for performing the second deaeration process before filling in the filling station are arranged below the filling valve, and the pouch body after the filling of the contents into the pouch is started. A pair of suction pads that are opened by sucking is disposed. However, when the second degassing step before filling is performed by vacuum suction without using a degassing plate, the liquid supply pipe 24 is connected to a vacuum pump in a switchable manner, and the air in the pouch is supplied prior to liquid supply. Allow to be evacuated. The outer rod 22 is provided in the fluid chamber so as to be driven up and down by an appropriate actuator such as a cylinder, and functions as a valve body 29 that sits on the valve seat 27 and opens and closes the filling nozzle 28. Has a through-hole that is substantially the same diameter as the filling nozzle 28, and an intermediate rod 23 is fitted into the hollow portion so as to be driven up and down by an appropriate actuator such as a cylinder. The intermediate rod 23 is formed of a solid rod, and is driven in a state where the valve body 29 is seated on the valve seat, whereby the tip of the intermediate rod enters the filling nozzle 28 and remains in the filling nozzle. The remaining liquid is pushed out into the pouch.

以上のように構成された充填バルブ２０が配置された充填ステーションでは、前工程で不活性ガスが充填されたパウチが充填ステーションに到達すると一対の脱気板でパウチ胴部を押圧して充填前第２脱気工程２−１を行い、ついで充填バルブ降下し、同図（ａ）に示すように、充填ノズル２８にパウチのスパウト１６の頂部が嵌合して、内容物定量充填工程２−２では弁体２９が中ロッド２３と一体に上昇して、充填ノズル２８が開口し、給液管を介して内容物供給タンクに連通させて内容物を充填する。内容物充填開始後一対の吸引パッドで胴部を吸引して内容物の充填に応じてパウチを膨らませる。定量充填後、同図（ｂ）に示すように外ロッド２２と中ロッド２３が一体に下降して弁体２９が着座して内容液の吐出を停止し、その後同図（ｃ）に示すように中ロッド２３が下降して充填ノズル２８内の残液を押し出す。したがって、本実施形態によれば、圧縮空気によることなく充填ノズル内の残液をパウチ内に吐出させることができるので、充填後液垂れが発生することなく、かつパウチ内での泡の発生も少ない。 In the filling station in which the filling valve 20 configured as described above is arranged, when the pouch filled with the inert gas in the previous step reaches the filling station, the pouch body is pressed by a pair of deaeration plates before the filling. The second degassing step 2-1 is performed, then the filling valve is lowered, and the top of the pouch 16 of the pouch is fitted to the filling nozzle 28 as shown in FIG. In 2, the valve body 29 is raised integrally with the middle rod 23, the filling nozzle 28 is opened, and the contents are filled by communicating with the contents supply tank via the liquid supply pipe. After filling the contents, the body is sucked with a pair of suction pads to expand the pouch according to the filling of the contents. After the fixed amount is filled, the outer rod 22 and the middle rod 23 are integrally lowered as shown in FIG. 4B, the valve body 29 is seated and the discharge of the content liquid is stopped, and thereafter, as shown in FIG. Then, the middle rod 23 descends to push out the remaining liquid in the filling nozzle 28. Therefore, according to the present embodiment, since the residual liquid in the filling nozzle can be discharged into the pouch without using compressed air, no liquid dripping occurs after filling, and bubbles are also generated in the pouch. Few.

図５は充填手段としての他の実施形態に係る充填バルブを示している。図５（ａ）はバルブが開いて内容物の吐出している常態であり、図５（ｂ）はバルブが閉じている状態を示している。本実施形態の充填バルブ３２は、前記実施形態の場合と違って充填後の残液の押し出しを行なわず、吐出口の下方にメッシュノズルを設けることによって、残液による液垂れを防止するようにしたものである。本実施形態の充填バルブ３２は、吐出口３５を有する外筒３３と、下端部が弁体となって弁座に着座することにより吐出口を封鎖する弁ロッド３４と、バルブの吐出口３５下端部に設けられ吐出路の途中にメッシュスクリーン３６を有するメッシュノズル３８から構成されている。なお、図中３７はメッシュスクリーン３６をメッシュノズル３８に固着するための取付ジグである。メッシュスクリーン３６は、本実施形態では図示のように３枚のスクリーンが吐出路に間隔をおいて配置され、最下端のメッシュスクリーンは下方凸のドーム状に形成されているが、その枚数や形状は本実施形態に限るものではない。ノズルにメッシュスクリーンを設けることによって、内容液充填時の内容液の整流作用により泡立ちの発生を少なくすると共に、定量吐出後に充填ノズル内に残った残液は、メッシュスクリーンのメッシュ間で表面張力により液垂れを起すことなく次の吐出まで残留する。したがって、この場合も圧縮空気による残液の排出をする必要がなく、液垂れと泡の発生を防ぐことができる。 FIG. 5 shows a filling valve according to another embodiment as a filling means. FIG. 5A shows a normal state where the valve is opened and the contents are discharged, and FIG. 5B shows a state where the valve is closed. Unlike the case of the above-described embodiment, the filling valve 32 of this embodiment does not push out the remaining liquid after filling, and prevents a liquid dripping due to the residual liquid by providing a mesh nozzle below the discharge port. It is a thing. The filling valve 32 of the present embodiment includes an outer cylinder 33 having a discharge port 35, a valve rod 34 that seals the discharge port by being seated on the valve seat with a lower end portion serving as a valve body, and a lower end of the discharge port 35 of the valve. It is comprised from the mesh nozzle 38 which is provided in the part and has the mesh screen 36 in the middle of the discharge path. In the figure, reference numeral 37 denotes an attachment jig for fixing the mesh screen 36 to the mesh nozzle 38. In the present embodiment, as shown in the figure, the mesh screen 36 has three screens arranged at intervals in the discharge path, and the lowermost mesh screen is formed in a downwardly convex dome shape. Is not limited to this embodiment. By providing a mesh screen on the nozzle, the occurrence of foaming is reduced by the rectifying action of the content liquid at the time of filling the content liquid, and the residual liquid remaining in the filling nozzle after quantitative discharge is caused by surface tension between the meshes of the mesh screen. It remains until the next discharge without causing dripping. Therefore, in this case as well, there is no need to discharge the residual liquid with compressed air, and dripping and generation of bubbles can be prevented.

図６は、洗浄兼充填後脱酸素ステーションに配置された充填後脱気装置４０と洗浄兼ガス置換手段４１の断面図を示す。脱気装置４０は、パウチ１５の胴部１７を押圧する一対の脱気板４２、４２がシリンダ装置４３によってその間隔調整駆動可能に設けられている。充填ステーションで内容物１８が充填されたパウチ１５は、図６（ａ）に示すように内容物の自重によりある程度膨らんだ状態にあり、液面１９が下がり液面上に大きなヘッドスペースが存在する。図示しないグリッパ装置によって、スパウト１６の外周部に設けられたフランジ間を挟時して保持されているパウチが洗浄兼充填後脱酸素ステーションに到着すると、スパウトの胴部１７が一対の脱気板４２間に位置し、その状態で脱気板４２が互いに接近するように所定のストロークだけ変位して、スパウトの胴部１７を所定量押圧することによって、液面を上昇させパウチ内の泡と空気をパウチから排出するようにする（同図（ｂ）参照）。その後、洗浄兼ガス置換手段が下降して、不活性ガス噴出しノズルでスパウト口を封鎖すると同時に、脱気装置４０の脱気板４２、４２は元の位置に復帰し、洗浄と充填後第１ガス置換が開始される。 FIG. 6 shows a cross-sectional view of the post-filling degassing device 40 and the cleaning / gas replacement means 41 arranged in the post-cleaning and filling deoxygenation station. In the deaeration device 40, a pair of deaeration plates 42, 42 that press the body portion 17 of the pouch 15 are provided by a cylinder device 43 so that the distance between them can be adjusted. As shown in FIG. 6A, the pouch 15 filled with the contents 18 at the filling station is in a state of swelling to some extent due to the weight of the contents, and the liquid level 19 is lowered and a large head space exists on the liquid level. . When the pouch held between the flanges provided on the outer periphery of the spout 16 by the gripper device (not shown) arrives at the deoxygenation station after cleaning and filling, the spout body 17 is moved to the pair of deaeration plates. 42, and is displaced by a predetermined stroke so that the deaeration plates 42 approach each other in that state, and presses the spout body portion 17 by a predetermined amount, thereby raising the liquid level and reducing the bubbles in the pouch. Air is discharged from the pouch (see FIG. 5B). Thereafter, the cleaning and gas replacement means descends and seals the spout port with the inert gas ejection nozzle. At the same time, the deaeration plates 42 and 42 of the deaeration device 40 are returned to their original positions. One gas replacement is started.

洗浄兼ガス置換手段４１は、洗浄水噴出口４６を有するノズルボディ４５とガス置換ノズル４７及び該ガス置換ノズル４７を下方に付勢するスプリング４８を保持するための保持板４９とからなり、ノズルボディ４５の軸方向中央部にガス置換ノズル４７が嵌合している。該ガス置換ノズル４７は、図示のように、基端が不活性ガス供給源に連通しているロッド部５０の途中にフランジ５１が形成され、下端の噴出口がスパウト開口端に係合するように形成されている。該ガス置換ノズル４７は、フランジ５１がノズルボディ４５に形成された係合突起５２と係合し、その下限位置を規制されてノズルボディに支持され、フランジ５１の上面と保持板４９との間に嵌合したスプリング４８によって下方に付勢されている。ノズルボディ４５は、洗浄水供給口５３を介して洗浄水供給源に連通し、下端部にはスパウト口端部方向に向けて形成された複数の洗浄水噴出口４６が円周上に所定ピッチで形成され、スパウト外周部の全周に亘って洗浄水を噴き付けてスパウトの開口端部および外周部を洗浄するように形成されている。 The cleaning and gas replacement means 41 includes a nozzle body 45 having a cleaning water outlet 46, a gas replacement nozzle 47, and a holding plate 49 for holding a spring 48 that urges the gas replacement nozzle 47 downward. A gas replacement nozzle 47 is fitted in the central portion of the body 45 in the axial direction. As shown in the figure, the gas replacement nozzle 47 has a flange 51 formed in the middle of a rod portion 50 whose base end communicates with an inert gas supply source, and a lower end jet nozzle engages with a spout opening end. Is formed. In the gas replacement nozzle 47, the flange 51 is engaged with an engagement protrusion 52 formed on the nozzle body 45, the lower limit position thereof is regulated and supported by the nozzle body, and between the upper surface of the flange 51 and the holding plate 49. It is urged downward by a spring 48 fitted to. The nozzle body 45 communicates with a cleaning water supply source via a cleaning water supply port 53, and a plurality of cleaning water jets 46 formed toward the end of the spout port at the lower end portion have a predetermined pitch on the circumference. The cleaning water is sprayed over the entire circumference of the outer periphery of the spout to clean the open end and the outer periphery of the spout.

洗浄兼ガス置換手段４１は、以上のように構成され、前述の充填後脱気工程が終了すると下降して、ガス置換ノズル４７がスパウト１６の開口端に係合した時にスプリングがクッションすることにより、所定の圧力でガス置換ノズル４７をスパウトに係合させてスパウトの口部を封鎖して洗浄水のスパウト内への進入を確実に防止できると共に、振動や変位量の誤差を吸収し破損を防止することができる。この状態で、ノズルボディ４５に形成された洗浄水噴出口からスパウトの口端部及びその外周部の全周に亘って洗浄水を噴き出して、スパウトを洗浄する。同時に、ガス置換ノズル４７から不活性ガスが噴出してパウチ内に不活性ガスが充填される。その場合、充填ノズルによる空気噴出しの場合と違って、パウチ内での泡の発生はなく、良好に不活性ガスを充填でき、同図（ｃ）に示すようにパウチを所定量膨らませて液面を下げることができる。しかもその場合、ヘッドスペース内に脱気後に不活性ガスを充填しているので、ヘッドスペースのガス置換率が高く内容物の酸化を良好に防止することができ、酸化しやすい内容物の場合特に有効である。 The cleaning and gas replacement means 41 is configured as described above, and descends when the above-described degassing step after filling ends, and the spring cushions when the gas replacement nozzle 47 is engaged with the open end of the spout 16. The gas replacement nozzle 47 is engaged with the spout at a predetermined pressure so that the spout mouth is sealed to prevent the cleaning water from entering the spout, and the vibration and displacement error are absorbed to prevent damage. Can be prevented. In this state, washing water is spouted from the washing water jet port formed in the nozzle body 45 over the entire end of the spout mouth and its outer circumference to wash the spout. At the same time, an inert gas is ejected from the gas replacement nozzle 47 and the pouch is filled with the inert gas. In that case, unlike the case of air jetting by the filling nozzle, there is no generation of bubbles in the pouch, and the inert gas can be satisfactorily filled, and the pouch is expanded by a predetermined amount as shown in FIG. The surface can be lowered. Moreover, in that case, since the head space is filled with an inert gas after deaeration, the head space has a high gas replacement rate, and the content can be well prevented from being oxidized. It is valid.

充填前脱酸素工程を設けることによる脱酸素の効果を確認するために次のような実験を行った。
実験は表１に示すように、充填前脱酸素工程における第１脱気工程、不活性ガスブロー工程、脱気工程のうち、第１脱気工程、不活性ガスブロー工程のみを有し、脱気工程を行わなかったもの（Ｎｏ.１，Ｎｏ.２）、脱気工程を窒素雰囲気なしで行ったもの（Ｎｏ.３）、脱気工程を窒素雰囲気下で行ったもの（Ｎｏ.４）に分けて行い、密封後の含気量、酸素濃度、酸素量を測定し、置換率を求めた。脱気は全試料とも０．５秒間行い、窒素ブローはＮｏ.１のみ０．０３秒間、他は０．１４秒間行った。その結果を表１に示す。なお、表１のデータは、充填前脱酸素工程の後、パウチに内容物の充填無しでそのままシールしたものの測定値である。

In order to confirm the effect of deoxygenation by providing a pre-filling deoxygenation step, the following experiment was conducted.
As shown in Table 1, the experiment has only the first degassing step and the inert gas blowing step among the first degassing step, the inert gas blowing step, and the degassing step in the pre-filling deoxygenation step, and the degassing step No. 1 and No. 2 were performed, the deaeration process was performed without a nitrogen atmosphere (No. 3), and the deaeration process was performed under a nitrogen atmosphere (No. 4). The air content, oxygen concentration, and oxygen content after sealing were measured to determine the substitution rate. Degassing was performed for all samples for 0.5 seconds, and nitrogen blowing was performed for No. 1 only for 0.03 seconds, and for others 0.14 seconds. The results are shown in Table 1. In addition, the data of Table 1 are the measured values of what was sealed as it was without filling the contents in the pouch after the pre-filling deoxygenation step.

表１から分かるように、脱気後の窒素ブローがごく少量でそのまま密封したＮｏ.１は酸素濃度が高く置換率が低く、満足な置換率が得られてない。他の試料のうち窒素ブロー後脱気を行わないでそのまま密封したもの（Ｎｏ.２）は、ガス置換率は最も高いが、この場合は充填前脱気工程が板で押す場合、脱気量が多く充填ノズルの先端の滴が飛散してしまう欠点があり、また充填前脱気工程が真空排気の場合は所定時間内に排気できないという欠点がある。また、脱気を窒素雰囲気なしで行った場合（Ｎｏ.３）は、脱気した分外気の侵入により酸素濃度が高くなり置換率はＮｏ.２の場合と比べて低くなっている。ところが、脱気を窒素雰囲気で行った場合（Ｎｏ.４）は、Ｎｏ.３と比べてかなり置換率が向上しており、脱気工程を不活性ガス雰囲気で行うことによる置換率向上の効果が確認された。 As can be seen from Table 1, No. 1 sealed with a very small amount of nitrogen blow after deaeration has a high oxygen concentration and a low substitution rate, and a satisfactory substitution rate is not obtained. Of the other samples, the one that was sealed as it was without degassing after nitrogen blowing (No. 2) had the highest gas replacement rate. However, when the pre-filling deaeration process is vacuum evacuation, there is a drawback that the evacuation cannot be performed within a predetermined time. Moreover, when deaeration is performed without a nitrogen atmosphere (No. 3), the oxygen concentration increases due to the intrusion of the outside air due to the deaeration, and the substitution rate is lower than in the case of No. 2. However, when deaeration is performed in a nitrogen atmosphere (No. 4), the substitution rate is considerably improved as compared to No. 3, and the effect of improving the substitution rate by performing the deaeration step in an inert gas atmosphere. Was confirmed.

次に、本発明の方法による脱酸素効果を確認するために、表２に示すように、実施例として、充填前脱酸素工程を表１におけるＮｏ.４に示す方法で行った場合における充填時脱気工程、充填後脱気脱気工程、充填後第２ガス置換工程の各工程を実施した場合（実施例２）、そのうち充填後第２ガス置換工程のみを行わなかった場合（実施例１）について、含気量、酸素濃度、酸素量を測定して置換率を求めた。また、比較例として充填後第１ガス置換工程のみを実施した場合（比較例１）、充填後脱気工程と充填後第１ガス置換工程を実施した場合（比較例２）、さらに充填時脱気工程、充填後脱気工程及び充填後第１ガス置換工程を実施した場合（比較例３）について、同様に含気量、酸素濃度、酸素量を測定して置換率を求めた。その結果を表２に示す。 Next, in order to confirm the deoxygenation effect by the method of the present invention, as shown in Table 2, as an example, at the time of filling when the pre-filling deoxygenation step was performed by the method shown in No. 4 in Table 1. When each of the degassing step, the post-filling degassing degassing step, and the post-filling second gas replacement step is performed (Example 2), and only the second gas replacement step after filling is not performed (Example 1) ), The air content, oxygen concentration, and oxygen content were measured to determine the substitution rate. Further, as a comparative example, when only the first gas replacement step after filling is performed (Comparative Example 1), when the degassing step after filling and the first gas replacement step after filling are performed (Comparative Example 2), further degassing during filling is performed. In the case of carrying out the gas step, the degassing step after filling, and the first gas substitution step after filling (Comparative Example 3), the air content, oxygen concentration, and oxygen amount were similarly measured to determine the substitution rate. The results are shown in Table 2.

表２から明らかなように、本実施例の場合、即ち充填前脱酸素を行った場合は比較例と比べて特段にガス置換率が向上していることが確認された。

As is apparent from Table 2, in the case of this example, that is, when deoxidation before filling was performed, it was confirmed that the gas replacement rate was particularly improved as compared with the comparative example.

本発明のスパウト付パウチへの内容物充填方法および装置は、泡の発生を抑制しかつ高ガス置換率を達成できるので、泡が発生しやすい内容物および酸化劣化しやすく、充填密封後にレトルト殺菌する内容物のパウチ詰めの場合は特に好適であるが、それに限らず一般の常温充填、ホットパック、無菌充填用としても利用可能である。また、内容物は液状食品に限らず、洗剤、オイル等の種々の液状内容物のスパウト付パウチへの充填密封に利用可能である。 The content filling method and apparatus for a pouch with a spout according to the present invention can suppress the generation of bubbles and achieve a high gas replacement rate. Therefore, the content easily generates bubbles and is subject to oxidative degradation, and is retort sterilized after filling and sealing. However, the present invention is not limited to this, but can be used for general room temperature filling, hot pack, and aseptic filling. The contents are not limited to liquid foods, but can be used for filling and sealing spouts with various liquid contents such as detergents and oils.

本発明の実施形態に係るスパウト付パウチへの内容物充填密封方法の要部工程を示すブロック図である。It is a block diagram which shows the principal part process of the content filling sealing method to the pouch with a spout which concerns on embodiment of this invention. 本発明の実施形態に係るスパウト付パウチへの内容物充填密封方法における充填前脱酸素工程を示す模式図である。It is a schematic diagram which shows the pre-filling deoxygenation process in the content filling sealing method to the pouch with a spout which concerns on embodiment of this invention. 本発明の実施形態に係るスパウト付パウチへの内容物充填密封方法における充填前脱酸素工程を示す模式図である。It is a schematic diagram which shows the pre-filling deoxygenation process in the content filling sealing method to the pouch with a spout which concerns on embodiment of this invention. 本発明の実施形態に係るスパウト付パウチへの内容物充填密封装置における充填ステーションに配置された充填バルブの要部断面図であり、（ａ）は開弁状態、（ｂ）は充填口閉鎖状態、（ｃ）は残液押し出し状態を示している。It is principal part sectional drawing of the filling valve arrange | positioned in the filling station in the content filling sealing device to the pouch with a spout concerning embodiment of this invention, (a) is a valve opening state, (b) is a filling port closed state. , (C) shows the remaining liquid extrusion state. 本発明の他の実施形態に係るスパウト付パウチへの内容物充填密封装置における充填バルブの要部断面図であり、（ａ）は開弁状態を示している。It is principal part sectional drawing of the filling valve in the content filling sealing apparatus to the pouch with a spout concerning other embodiment of this invention, (a) has shown the valve opening state. 本発明の実施形態に係るスパウト付パウチへの内容物充填密封装置における洗浄兼充填後脱酸素ステーションに配置された脱気装置および洗浄兼ガス置換手段による脱気工程および洗浄ガス置換工程を示し、（ａ）は内容物充填後の状態を示すパウチ断面図、（ｂ）は脱気工程終了後の状態、（ｃ）は洗浄ガス置換工程終了後の状態を示す要部断面図である。The degassing step and the cleaning gas replacement step by the degassing device and the cleaning and gas replacement means disposed in the deoxygenation station after cleaning and filling in the contents filling and sealing device to the pouch with spout according to the embodiment of the present invention, (A) is a cross-sectional view of the pouch showing the state after filling the contents, (b) is a state after the end of the degassing step, and (c) is a cross-sectional view of the main part showing the state after the end of the cleaning gas replacement step.

符号の説明Explanation of symbols

１充填前脱酸素工程１−１充填前第１脱気工程
１−２充填前不活性ガスブロー工程２充填工程
２−１充填前第２脱気工程２−２内容物定量充填工程
２−３残液排出工程３充填後脱気工程
４スパウト洗浄兼充填後第１ガス置換工程
５スパウト乾燥工程６充填後第２ガス置換工程
７内蓋シール工程７−１内蓋シール前脱気工程
７−２仮シール・打抜き工程７−３第１シール工程
７−４第２シール工程８外蓋装着工程
１０、１３バキューム兼ブローヘッド
１１チャンバー１２脱気板
１５パウチ１６スパウト
１８内容物１９液面
２０、３２充填バルブ２１、３３外筒
２２外ロッド２３中ロッド
２５内容液供給口２６流体室
２７弁座２８充填ノズル
２９弁体３４弁ロッド
３５吐出口３６メッシュスクリーン
３７取付ジグ３８メッシュノズル
４０脱気装置４１洗浄兼置換ノズル
４２脱気板４３シリンダ装置
４５ノズルボディ４６洗浄水噴出口
４７ガス置換ノズル４８スプリング
４９保持板５０ロッド部
５１フランジ５２係合突起 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Deoxygenation process before filling 1-1 First degassing process before filling 1-2 Inert gas blowing process before filling 2 Filling process 2-1 Second degassing process before filling 2-2 Contents quantitative filling process 2-3 Remaining Liquid discharge process 3 Degassing process after filling 4 First gas replacement process after spout cleaning and filling 5 Spout drying process 6 Second gas replacement process after filling 7 Inner lid sealing process 7-1 Degassing process before inner lid seal 7-2 Temporary sealing / punching process 7-3 First sealing process 7-4 Second sealing process 8 Outer cover mounting process 10, 13 Vacuum and blow head
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 11 Chamber 12 Deaeration board 15 Pouch 16 Spout 18 Contents 19 Liquid level 20, 32 Filling valve 21, 33 Outer cylinder 22, Outer rod 23 Middle rod 25 Contents liquid supply port 26 Fluid chamber 27 Valve seat 28 Filling nozzle 29 Valve body 34 Valve rod 35 Discharge port 36 Mesh screen 37 Mounting jig 38 Mesh nozzle 40 Deaeration device 41 Cleaning and replacement nozzle 42 Deaeration plate 43 Cylinder device 45 Nozzle body 46 Washing water jet 47 Gas replacement nozzle 48 Spring 49 Holding plate 50 Rod part 51 Flange 52 Engagement protrusion

Claims

液状内容物をスパウト付きパウチ内に脱酸素して充填・密封するスパウト付きパウチへの液状内容物充填密封方法であって、内容物充填前にスパウト付きパウチ内から空気を除去する充填前脱酸素工程、内容物充填直前に前記スパウト付きパウチから脱気する充填前脱気工程、前記スパウト付きパウチに液状内容物を充填する充填工程、内容物の充填されたパウチに不活性ガスを吹き込んでガス置換を行なう充填後ガス置換工程を有することを特徴とするスパウト付きパウチへの液状内容物充填密封方法。 A liquid content filling and sealing method for a pouch with a spout that deoxygenates and fills and seals the liquid content into a pouch with a spout, wherein the oxygen is removed from the pouch with a spout before filling the content. Step, degassing step before filling for degassing from the pouch with spout immediately before filling the content, filling step for filling the pouch with spout with liquid content, gas by blowing inert gas into the pouch filled with the content A method for filling and sealing liquid contents in a pouch with a spout, comprising a post-filling gas replacement step of performing replacement.

前記充填前脱酸素工程は、パウチ内から空気を真空排気してなるバキューム工程、該バキューム工程後にパウチ内に不活性ガスを吹き込む不活性ガスブロー工程、該不活性ガスブロー工程後にパウチ内のガスを真空排気してパウチ内のガスを所定量に減量させる減量バキューム工程からなる請求項１に記載のスパウト付きパウチへの液状内容物充填密封方法。 The pre-filling deoxygenation step includes a vacuum step in which air is evacuated from inside the pouch, an inert gas blowing step in which an inert gas is blown into the pouch after the vacuum step, and a gas in the pouch is evacuated after the inert gas blowing step. The method for filling and sealing a liquid content to a pouch with a spout according to claim 1, further comprising a weight reduction vacuum step of exhausting and reducing the gas in the pouch to a predetermined amount.

前記減量バキューム工程は、前記スパウト近傍に不活性ガスを噴射して不活性ガス雰囲気で行う請求項２に記載のスパウト付きパウチへの液状内容物充填密封方法。 3. The liquid content filling and sealing method for a pouch with a spout according to claim 2, wherein the weight reduction vacuum step is performed in an inert gas atmosphere by injecting an inert gas in the vicinity of the spout.

前記充填後ガス置換工程の前に、内容物を充填したパウチを押圧してパウチ内のガスと泡を押し出す充填後脱気工程を有する請求項１、２又は３に記載のスパウト付きパウチへの液状内容物充填密封方法。 The pouch with a spout according to claim 1, 2 or 3, further comprising a deaeration step after filling that pushes a pouch filled with contents and pushes gas and bubbles in the pouch before the gas replacement step after filling. Liquid content filling and sealing method.

前記充填工程は、液状内容物を充填後にノズルに付着している残液をロッドで押し出してパウチ内に落下させる残液排出工程を含むものである請求項１〜４の何れかに記載のスパウト付きパウチへの液状内容物充填密封方法。 The pouch with a spout according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the filling step includes a residual liquid discharging step in which the residual liquid adhering to the nozzle after filling the liquid content is pushed out by a rod and dropped into the pouch. Liquid content filling and sealing method.

前記充填前脱気工程は、パウチを外部より押圧してパウチ内から脱気してなる請求項１〜５の何れかに記載のスパウト付きパウチへの液状内容物充填密封方法。 The liquid content filling and sealing method for a pouch with a spout according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the degassing step before filling is performed by depressing the pouch from outside to degas from the inside of the pouch.

前記充填工程の後にスパウトの外周部を洗浄する洗浄工程を有し、該洗浄工程と前記充填後ガス置換を同一ステーションで同時に行う請求項１〜６の何れかに記載のスパウト付きパウチへの液状内容物充填密封方法。 It has the washing | cleaning process which wash | cleans the outer peripheral part of a spout after the said filling process, The liquid to the pouch with a spout in any one of Claims 1-6 which performs this washing | cleaning process and the said post-filling gas substitution simultaneously in the same station. Contents filling and sealing method.

パウチのスパウト部を把持して搬送するパウチ搬送手段、内容物充填前に前記スパウト付きパウチ内から空気を排気する充填前脱酸素手段、該充填前脱酸素手段の下流側に配置され、内容物充填直前に前記パウチ内のガスを排気する充填前脱気手段、前記パウチにスパウトを介して内容物を充填する充填手段、前記パウチ内に不活性ガスを吹き込む充填後ガス置換手段を有することを特徴とするパウチへの液状内容物充填密封装置。 A pouch transporting means for gripping and transporting the spout part of the pouch, a pre-filling deoxygenating means for exhausting air from the inside of the pouch with the spout before filling the contents, and a content disposed downstream of the pre-filling deoxygenating means A pre-filling deaeration unit that exhausts the gas in the pouch immediately before filling, a filling unit that fills the pouch with contents through a spout, and a post-filling gas replacement unit that blows an inert gas into the pouch. A liquid content filling and sealing device for a pouch.

前記充填前脱酸素手段は、パウチ内の空気を真空排気するバキューム手段、該バキューム後にパウチ内に不活性ガスを吹き込む不活性ガスブロー手段、該不活性ガスブロー後パウチ内のガスを真空排気してパウチ内のガスを所定量に減量させる減量バキューム手段、及び該減量バキューム手段と前記パウチの係合部近傍に不活性ガスを供給してスパウト近傍を不活性ガス雰囲気にする不活性ガス噴射手段からなる請求項８に記載のパウチへの液状内容物充填密封装置。 The pre-filling deoxygenation means is a vacuum means for evacuating the air in the pouch, an inert gas blow means for blowing an inert gas into the pouch after the vacuum, and a gas in the pouch after the inert gas blow is evacuated to pouch. A reducing vacuum means for reducing the gas in the interior to a predetermined amount, and an inert gas injection means for supplying an inert gas in the vicinity of the engaging portion of the reducing vacuum means and the pouch to make the vicinity of the spout an inert gas atmosphere. A liquid content filling and sealing device for a pouch according to claim 8.

前記充填手段の下流側に内容物を充填したパウチを押圧してパウチ内のガスと泡を押し出す充填後脱気手段を有する請求項８又は９に記載のパウチへの液状内容物充填密封装置。 The liquid content filling and sealing device for a pouch according to claim 8 or 9, further comprising a deaeration means after filling that pushes a pouch filled with contents downstream of the filling means to push out gas and bubbles in the pouch.

スパウトの洗浄と共にパウチ内に不活性ガスを吹き込む洗浄兼充填後ガス置換手段、不活性ガス又は空気を吹き付けてスパウトを乾燥させるスパウト乾燥手段を有する請求項８〜１０の何れかに記載のスパウト付きパウチへの液状内容物充填密封装置。 The spout is attached according to any one of claims 8 to 10, further comprising a gas replacement means for blowing an inert gas into the pouch together with the cleaning of the spout and a gas replacement means after filling, and a spout drying means for blowing the inert gas or air to dry the spout. Liquid content filling and sealing device for pouches.

前記充填手段の上流側にパウチ内から空気を排気する充填前脱酸素手段が設けられている請求項８〜１１の何れかに記載のスパウト付きパウチへの液状内容物充填密封装置。 The liquid content filling and sealing device for a pouch with a spout according to any one of claims 8 to 11, wherein a pre-filling deoxygenation means for exhausting air from the inside of the pouch is provided upstream of the filling means.

前記充填手段は、充填ノズルを有する外筒と、下端部が弁体となって弁座に着座することにより充填ノズルを封鎖する外ロッドと、該外ロッド内に摺動自在に嵌合され、充填ノズルに嵌合可能な外径を有し充填ノズル内の残液を押し出す内ロッドからなる請求項８〜１２の何れかに記載のスパウト付きパウチへの液状内容物充填密封装置。 The filling means includes an outer cylinder having a filling nozzle, an outer rod that seals the filling nozzle by being seated on the valve seat with a lower end portion serving as a valve body, and is slidably fitted in the outer rod. The liquid content filling and sealing device for a pouch with a spout according to any one of claims 8 to 12, comprising an inner rod that has an outer diameter that can be fitted to the filling nozzle and pushes out the remaining liquid in the filling nozzle.

前記充填手段は、充填ノズルを有する外筒と、下端部が弁体となって弁座に着座することにより充填ノズルを封鎖するロッドと、充填ノズルの下端部に設けられ吐出路にメッシュスクリーンを有するメッシュノズルからなる請求項８〜１２の何れかに記載のスパウト付きパウチへの液状内容物充填密封装置。 The filling means includes an outer cylinder having a filling nozzle, a rod that seals the filling nozzle by being seated on the valve seat with a lower end portion as a valve body, and a mesh screen provided at a lower end portion of the filling nozzle in a discharge passage. The liquid content filling and sealing device for a pouch with a spout according to any one of claims 8 to 12, comprising a mesh nozzle.

前記洗浄兼充填後ガス置換手段は、パウチのスパウト外周部に向けて洗浄水を噴射する洗浄水噴出口を有するノズルボディと、該ノズルボディの軸心部に位置しパウチのスパウト開口端を覆ってスパウト内に不活性ガスを注入するガス置換ノズルからなる請求項８〜１４の何れかに記載のスパウト付きパウチへの液状内容物充填密封装置。 The post-cleaning and filling gas replacement means includes a nozzle body having a cleaning water jet for injecting cleaning water toward a spout outer periphery of the pouch, and covers the spout opening end of the pouch located at the axial center of the nozzle body. The liquid content filling and sealing device for a pouch with a spout according to any one of claims 8 to 14, further comprising a gas replacement nozzle for injecting an inert gas into the spout.

前記充填後脱気手段と前記洗浄兼充填後ガス置換手段は同一ステーションに配置され、前記洗浄兼充填後ガス置換手段の下方部に前記脱気手段が設けられている請求項８〜１５の何れかに記載のスパウト付きパウチへの液状内容物充填密封装置。 The post-filling deaeration means and the post-cleaning / filling gas replacement means are disposed in the same station, and the degassing means is provided below the cleaning / filling gas replacement means. A liquid content filling and sealing device for a pouch with a spout according to claim 1.