Toyo Seikan Kaisha, Ltd.

Toyo Seikan Group Holdings, Ltd.

Toyo Seikan Co., Ltd.

Kenichi Kominami

Takeshi Iwashita

Yonosuke Takahara

Ken Isogawa

Nobuaki Nagatani

Takaaki Harada

Chikako Sunohara

Miki Hirabayashi

Keita Nakamori

A method of sterilizing containers by using a peracetic acid-type sterilizing composition solution, wherein the sterilizing composition solution containing peracetic acid, hydrogen peroxide, acetic acid and catalase as prepared in a circulating tank () is heated through a heating unit (), fed to a sterilizing unit (), and is recovered in the circulating tank () after it is used for the sterilization, wherein the catalase is added to the sterilizing composition solution in a circulating passage of after it was used for the sterilization but before it is fed to the heating unit. This makes it possible to suppress the catalase from losing its activity, to maintain the sterilizing power of the sterilizing composition solution, and to use the sterilizing composition solution in a circulating manner without cooling it saving, therefore, the heat energy providing advantage in economy.

Sterilizing method

A peracetic acid type sterilizing composition solution containing peracetic acid, acetic acid, hydrogen peroxide and catalase enzyme, wherein said sterilizing solution has a pH in a range of 2.6 to 5.0, said catalase enzyme is contained in an amount of 0.1 to 10 &#x3bc;g/ml, the concentration of said peracetic acid is 500 to 10,000 ppm, and the concentration of said hydrogen peroxide is less than 500 ppm. The concentration of the hydrogen peroxide can be efficiently decreased due to the catalase enzyme that is added in small amounts thereby suppressing the bubbling caused by the addition of the catalase enzyme.

Peracetic acid type sterilizing composition solution and method for sterilizing containers

For reducing time required for sterilizing a container by hydrogen peroxide, mitigating a cost required therefore, simplifying a sterilizing apparatus, reducing space for installing such apparatus, and mitigating load to the environment, a method for sterilizing a container is provided according to which hydrogen peroxide aqueous solution, air at the normal temperature and hot air are simultaneously injected into a container whereby the hydrogen peroxide aqueous solution which has been turned to minute droplets by the air at the normal temperature is instantly gasified.

Method for sterilizing a container and 3-fluid nozzle used for carrying out the method

When the inner surface of containers conveyed in an inverted posture is sterilized, the sterilization efficiency can be increased, the amount of sterilizing fluid used can be reduced, the sterilization time and washing time can be shortened, the number of drive components of the apparatus can be reduced and the apparatus can be simplified and reduced in cost. A non-inserted nozzleis disposed at a distance of 1-50 mm below the lower end surfaceof a mouth of a container conveyed in an inverted posture, the sterilizing fluid is mixed with air and the sterilizing fluid is atomized and sprayed intermittently from the non-inserted nozzle toward the inside of the container.

Method for container sterilizing and washing and apparatus therefor

A non-inserted nozzle for washing a container that can increase the washing efficiency, decrease the amount of washing fluid used, and shorten the washing time in sterilizing and washing a bottle container. The upper end surface of a non-inserted nozzleserves as a liquid-receiving surface, and a retention wallof a predetermined height is formed on the outer periphery of the liquid-receiving surface, thereby producing a retention recess. A plurality of nozzle holeslinked to a fluid channel of a nozzle stemare provided obliquely so as to spread outwardly substantially in the central section of the liquid-receiving surface. The non-inserted nozzleis disposed below the mouth of an inverted containerat a distance H from it and the sterilizing fluid or washing fluid is sprayed from below the mouth of the container, without inserting the nozzle into the container.

Non-inserted nozzle for sterilizing or washing bottle container and method for sterilizing or washing inner surface of bottle container

A method for sterilizing a plastic bottle in an aseptic filling system according to which at least an inner surface or an outer surface of a bottle is sterilized by injecting a heated sterilizing fluid at 65&#xb0; C.-90&#xb0; C. while maintaining internal pressure of the bottle at 1 kPa-20 kPa.

Method for sterilizing a plastic bottle

The present invention provides an aqueous solution of a sterilant of peracetic acid series for use in aseptic filling comprised predominantly of hydrogen peroxide, peracetic acid and water wherein a pH of the aqueous solution is 2&#x2dc;4, a ratio of the concentration of hydrogen peroxide/the concentration of peracetic acid is 0.7 or less, and the concentration of peracetic acid is 500&#x2dc;3000 ppm as well as a sterilization method wherein the sterilant thereof is used. The sterilant of peracetic acid series exhibits an excellent sterilizing effect even at an extremely low concentration of peracetic acid and so is economically advantageous. What is more, washing of the sterilant with sterile water after sterilization of a container is attained by injecting sterile water even for a short period of time to such level that the sterilized container can be filled with foods and drinks, so that the sterilant is remarkable in economical value and working efficiency. The sterilization method is carried out by heating the sterilant of peracetic acid series and/or a container for foods and the like or the interior surface thereof at 60&#xb0; C. or higher to obtain more effective sterilizing effect and can be used in a recycling system, so far as a ratio of the concentration of hydrogen peroxide/the concentration of peracetic acid be maintained.

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Kanagawa, Japan

Kenichi Kominami