METHOD FOR WASHING FILLING APPARTUS AND FILLING TANK

Abstract

 The object of the present invention is to provide a filling apparatus comprising a cleaning line which is free of hygienic risks caused by solid residue remained even after the cleaning subsequent to the production of solid-containing filler, which enables reduction of the time required for CIP, and which is inexpensive by reducing the number of constituent elements of the cleaning line, and to a method for cleaning a filling tank using the filling apparatus. A filling apparatus is cleaned, which filling apparatus comprises a filling tank (10) having a body part of an approximate cylindrical form, a filling liquid supply pipe (20) which is for feeding a filling liquid into the filling tank and is provided with an on-off valve (V1), a breathing pipe (30) connected to the upper part of the filling tank, and a filling pipe (40) connected to the lower part of the filling tank and provided with a filling piston (41) and a filling nozzle (42). The filling liquid supply pipe and the filling tank are connected to each other in the tangential direction against the filling tank body, so that swirling flow is generated by liquid supply into the filling tank. The inside of the tank is accordingly cleaned with the swirling flow, the breathing pipe is cleaned with the cleaning solution that has reached the upper part of the filling tank, and the filling pipe is cleaned with the cleaning solution discharged from the filling nozzle.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a method for cleaning a filling tank for filling liquid such as milk and juice into a container, and also relates to a filling apparatus which is used in the method for cleaning a filling tank and which is not provided with a spray ball and the like inside the tank.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, there has been known methods for cleaning a filling tank wherein the inside of a filling tank is cleaned by using an internal tank cleaning pipe such as a spray ball, spray nozzle and injector, and cleaning apparatuses in filling apparatuses have also been known (see for example, Patent References 1 - 3). Further, cleaning apparatuses have been known that comprise a diffusion plate (baffle plate) as an internal tank cleaning pipe (see for example, Patent References 4 and 5). When these filling tanks having an internal tank cleaning means such as a spray ball inside the filling tank are cleaned, there have been hygienic risks when using a mixed liquid containing solid contents such as fiber in the filling liquid, since such solid contents remain as a residue on a spray ball or a baffle plate.

[0003]  Further, cleaning apparatuses have been known wherein the cleaning solution supply pipe and the tank are connected to each other in the tangential direction against the tank body so that the supplied cleaning solution causes swirling flow around the inner peripheral face of the tank (see for example, Patent References 6 - 8). Still further, a filling apparatus is known which comprises a filling nozzle provided above the container conveying path, a quantitative cylinder which has a built-in piston and is for feeding a filling liquid to the filling nozzle by reciprocation of the piston, and an independent drive apparatus for reciprocating the piston at an optional stroke amount and/or an optional stroke speed (see for example, Patent Reference 9).

[0004] 

Patent Reference 1: Japanese Laid-Open Patent Application No. 2002-160798

Patent Reference 2: Japanese Laid-Open Patent Application No. 2002-119936

Patent Reference 3: Japanese Patent Publication No. 47-38228

Patent Reference 4: Japanese Laid-Open Patent Application No. 6-141900

Patent Reference 5: Japanese Laid-Open Patent Application No. 11-19608

Patent Reference 6: Japanese Laid-Open Patent Application No. 7-275818

Patent Reference 7: Japanese Laid-Open Patent Application No. 8-192009

Patent Reference 8: Japanese Laid-Open Patent Application No. 9-290801

Patent Reference 9: Japanese Laid-Open Patent Application No. 10-194390

Disclosure of the Invention

Object to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] In a conventional filling tank, reduction of the time required for CIP (Cleaning in Place) has been difficult to be achieved because three cleaning systems (liquid supply line, tank/nozzle line, and breathing pipe line) has been required. A conventional method for cleaning a filling tank, wherein the method comprises a baffle plate as an internal tank cleaning means is explained below with reference to Figs. 6 to 9. Fig. 6 (a) is a plane view of the filling tank in a conventional filling apparatus, Fig. 6(b) is a piping system diagram of a conventional filling apparatus, Fig. 7 is a piping system diagram showing the cleaning step for the liquid supply line in a conventional filling apparatus, Fig. 8 is a piping system diagram showing the cleaning step for the tank/nozzle line in a conventional filling apparatus, and Fig. 9 is a piping system diagram showing the cleaning step for the breathing pipe in a conventional filling apparatus.

[0006] As shown in Fig. 6(b), a conventional filling apparatus comprises: filling tank (10) having a body part of an approximate cylindrical form; filling liquid supply pipe(20) having on-off valve (V1), for supplying filling liquid to the filling tank (10); breathing pipe (30) connected to the upper part of filling tank (10) via on-off valves (V3) and (V4); filling pipe (40) provided with filling pistons (41) and (42) and connected to the lower part of filling tank (10); and cleaning pipe (50) starting from the midway of filling liquid supply pipe (20) and, via on-off valve (V2), connected to the pipe of between on-off valves (V3) and (V4). Further, baffle plate (13) is provided as an internal tank cleaning means at the lower end of internal cleaning pipe (50) in the filling tank (10), and supply port (12) for filling liquid is provided on the body part of the filling tank (10) toward the central direction as shown in Fig. 6(a). Breathing pipe (30) is provided for eliminating pressure change in the tank caused by an instantaneous increase or decrease of the filling liquid in filling tank (10). The other end of breathing pipe (30) is opened to the inside of aseptic chamber (4) (in a clean atmosphere).

[0007] As shown in Fig. 7, the cleaning step for the liquid supply line in a conventional filling apparatus comprises: setting on-off valve (V1) in an open state and on-off valves (V2), (V3) and (V4) in a closed state, and setting filling pipe (40) in a communication state so that the cleaning solution in filling tank (10) can be discharged from filling nozzle (42); feeding a cleaning solution into filling liquid supply pipe (20); introducing the cleaning solution from filling liquid supply pipe (20) to filling tank (10) via on-off valve (V1) and supply port (12). The cleaning solution introduced into filling tank (10) is discharged from filling nozzle (42) through filling pipe (40) which is in a communication state. Cleaning of the liquid supply line is thus completed.

[0008] Next, as shown in Fig. 8, the cleaning step for the tank/nozzle line in a conventional filling apparatus comprises: setting on-off valves (V2) and (V3) in an open state and on-off valves (V1) and (V4) in a closed state, and setting filling pipe (40) in a communication state so that the cleaning solution in filling tank (10) can be discharged from filling nozzle (42); feeding a cleaning solution into filling liquid supply pipe (20); introducing the cleaning solution from filling liquid supply pipe (20) into filling tank (10) via on-off valves (V2) and (V3) and internal tank cleaning pipe (50); the cleaning solution introduced into filling tank (10) strikes baffle plate (13) at the lower end of internal tank cleaning pipe (50); thus the diffused cleaning solution cleans the inner surface of filling tank (10); and the cleaning solution is then discharged from filling nozzle (42) via filling pipe (40) which is in a communication state. Cleaning of the tank/nozzle line is thus completed.

[0009] Lastly, as shown in Fig. 9, the cleaning step for the breathing pipe line in a conventional filling apparatus comprises: setting on-off valves (V2) and (V4) in an open state and on-off valves (V1) and (V3) in a closed state; feeding a cleaning solution into filling liquid supply pipe (20); introducing the cleaning solution from filling liquid supply pipe (20) into breathing pipe (30) via on-off valves (V2) and (V4); the cleaning solution introduced into breathing pipe (30) cleans breathing pipe (30); and the cleaning solution is then discharged from the other end of breathing pipe (30) that is opened to the inside of aseptic chamber (4) (in a clean atmosphere). Cleaning of the breathing pipe line is thus completed.

[0010] As above, the cleaning system consisting of three systems (liquid supply line, tank/nozzle line, and breathing pipe line) in a conventional filling tank has had a significant drawback that prevents reduction of the time required for CIP. The object of the present invention is to provide a filling apparatus comprising a cleaning line which is free of hygienic risks caused by solid residue remained after the cleaning subsequent to the production of solid-containing filler, which enables reduction of the time required for CIP, and which is inexpensive by reducing the number of constituent elements of the cleaning line, and a method for cleaning a filling tank using the filling apparatus.

Means to Solve the Object

[0011] The present inventors have made a keen study in order to solve the problem which is associated with the cleaning system consisting of three systems (liquid supply line, tank/nozzle line, and breathing pipe line) in a conventional f illing tank and which has been a hamper for reducing the time required for CIP, and they have found out that the inside of the tank can be cleaned by dispensing with a spray ball or a baffle plate which is for cleaning the inside of a filling tank and by setting the liquid supply pipe into the filling tank in the tangential direction so that swirling flow is generated in the filling tank by the supplied liquid, and also discovered that a breathing pipe can be cleaned by an overflowing blow from the filling tank without providing with a dedicated cleaning line from the liquid supply side for cleaning a tank breathing pipe which is for preventing the generation of negative and positive pressures in the filling tank. The present invention has been thus completed.

[0012] The present invention relates to (1) a filling apparatus comprising: a filling tank having a body part of an approximate cylindrical form; a filling liquid supply pipe which is for feeding a filling liquid into the filling tank and is provided with on-off valve (V1); a breathing pipe connected to the upper part of the filling tank; and a filling pipe connected to the lower part of the filling tank and is provided with a filling piston and a filling nozzle, wherein the filling liquid supply pipe also serves as a cleaning solution supply pipe, and the breathing pipe also serves as a cleaning solution discharging pipe, and wherein the filling liquid supply pipe and the filling tank are connected to each other in the tangential direction against the filling tank body, so that the supplied cleaning solution generates swirling flow around the inner peripheral face of the filling tank.

[0013] The present invention further relates to (2) a method for cleaning a filling tank in the filling apparatus according to (1), the method comprises a simultaneous cleaning step for a liquid supply/nozzle line and a tank/breathing pipe line which comprises: setting on-off valve (V1) of the filling liquid supply pipe in an open state, and setting the filling pipe into a communication state so that the cleaning solution in the filling tank can be discharged from the filling nozzle; feeding a cleaning solution to the filling liquid supply pipe; cleaning the inside of the tank by swirling flow generated by liquid supply into the filling tank; cleaning the breathing pipe with the cleaning solution that has reached the upper part of the filling tank by ascending swirling flow and thus discharged from the breathing pipe; and cleaning the filling pipe with the cleaning solution that has reached the lower part of the filling tank by descending swirling flow and thus discharged from the filling nozzle via the filling piston.

[0014] The present invention still further relates to (3) a method for cleaning a filling tank in the filling apparatus according to (1), the method comprising a cleaning step for a liquid supply/nozzle line which comprises: setting on-off valve (V1) of the filling liquid supply pipe in an open state, and setting the filling pipe into a communication state so that the cleaning solution in the filling tank can be discharged from the filling nozzle; feeding a cleaning solution to the filling liquid supply pipe; and cleaning the filling pipe with the cleaning solution that has reached the lower part of the filling tank by descending swirling flow and thus discharged from the filling nozzle via the filling piston, and a cleaning step for a tank/breathing pipe line which comprises: setting on-off valve (V1) of the filling liquid supply pipe in an open state, and setting the filling pipe in a non-communication state so that the cleaning solution in the filling tank cannot be discharged from the filling nozzle; feeding a cleaning solution to the filling liquid supply pipe; cleaning the inside of the tank by swirling flow generated by the liquid supply into the filling tank; and cleaning the breathing pipe with the cleaning solution that has reached the upper part of the filling tank by ascending swirling flow and thus discharged from the breathing pipe.

Brief Explanation of the Drawings

[0015] 

[Fig. 1]
Fig. 1 is an overall view of a filling packaging machine mounting the filling apparatus of the present invention.

[Fig. 2]
Fig. 2(a) is a plain view of a filling tank in the filling apparatus of the present invention and Fig. 2(b) is a piping system diagram of the filing apparatus of the present invention.

[Fig. 3]
Fig. 3 is a piping system diagram showing the cleaning step for the liquid supply/nozzle line in the filling apparatus of the present invention.

[Fig. 4]
Fig. 4 is a piping system diagram showing the cleaning step for the tank/breathing pipe line in the filling apparatus of the present invention.

[Fig. 5]
Fig. 5 is a piping system diagram showing the simultaneous cleaning step for a liquid supply/nozzle line and a tank/breathing pipe line in the filling apparatus of the present invention.

[Fig. 6]
Fig. 6(a) is a plain view of a filling tank in a conventional filling apparatus, and Fig. 6(b) is a piping system diagram of a conventional filling apparatus.

[Fig. 7]
Fig. 7 is a piping system diagram showing the cleaning step for the liquid supply line in a conventional filling apparatus.

[Fig. 8]
Fig. 8 is a piping system diagram showing the cleaning system for a tank/nozzle line in a conventional filling apparatus.

[Fig. 9]
Fig. 9 is a piping system diagram showing the cleaning system for a breathing pipe in a conventional filling apparatus.

Explanation of the Codes

[0016] 

1

container supply apparatus

2

plug fixing apparatus

3

container sterilizing apparatus

4

aseptic chamber

5

container bottom forming apparatus

6

carrier conveyer

7

filling apparatus

8

container top forming apparatus

10

filling tank

11

pressure sensor

12

supply port

13

diffusion plate (baffle plate)

20

filling liquid supply pipe

30

breathing pipe

40

filing pipe

41

filling piston

42

filling nozzle

50

cleaning pipe

V1

on-off valve

V2

on-off valve

V3

on-off valve

V4

on-off valve

Best Mode of Carrying Out the Invention

[0017] The filling apparatus of the present invention is not particularly limited as long as it is a filling apparatus comprising: a filling tank having a body part of an approximate cylindrical form; a filling liquid supply pipe which is for feeding a filling liquid into the filling tank and is provided with on-off valve (V1); a breathing pipe connected to the upper part of the filling tank; and a filling pipe connected to the lower part of the filling tank and is provided with a filing piston and a filling nozzle, wherein the filling liquid supply pipe also serves as a cleaning solution supply pipe, and the breathing pipe also serves as a cleaning solution discharging pipe, and wherein the filling liquid supply pipe and the filling tank are connected to each other in the tangential direction against the filling tank body, so that the supplied cleaning solution generates swirling flow around the inner peripheral face of the filling tank. The filling apparatus of the present invention is also characterized in that it does not comprise an internal tank cleaning means to be provided in a filling tank, such as a spray ball and a baffle plate for cleaning the inside of a filling tank. Further, in order to connect a filling liquid supply pipe and a filling tank to each other in the tangential direction against the filling tank body so as to generate swirling flow around the inner peripheral face of the filling tank by the supplied cleaning solution, a tank supply port may be provided which enables introduction of a cleaning solution from an approximate parallel direction with the tangential line against tank's side circumference so that swirling flow of the cleaning solution is generated in the filling tank. Therefore, a filling liquid supply pipe and a filling tank may be connected in such a manner as to enable cleaning of the inner peripheral face of the filling tank by the swirling flow.

[0018] The above-mentioned filling pipe comprising a filling piston and a filling nozzle is preferably exemplified by a filling pipe described in the Patent Reference 9. The filling nozzle comprises a vertical tubular nozzle body, a trainer provided at the lower end opening of the nozzle body to prevent the filling liquid from flowing downwards by its own weight, an outflow check valve provided at the midpoint of the height of the nozzle body, and a valve-opening fluid pressure cylinder having a piston rod that is equipped at the upper end of the nozzle body vertically in a downward direction and abuts with a valve bar of a check valve such as when cleaning and moves in a pushing manner to open the check valve. Further, a filling piston (quantitative cylinder) comprises a horizontal tubular cylinder body with its right end closed and which is connected to the nozzle body by a connecting pipe, and a piston which is built in the cylinder body; a vertical inlet pipe is connected to the upper end of the cylinder body; an inflow check valve is provided in the inlet pipe; a valve-opening fluid pressure cylinder is equipped in a vertical and downward direction at the upper end of the inlet pipe; a piston rod of the fluid pressure cylinder having diaphragm at the top end abuts with a valve bar of a check valve such as when cleaning and moves in a pushing manner to open the check valve; the outlet end of a supply pipe is connected at the midpoint of the height of the inlet pipe; the inlet end of a supply pipe is connected to the filling liquid tank; a gap is provided between the cylinder body and the piston; this space is closed by a matched pair of diaphragms; the right end of the horizontal piston rod is coupled to the top wall of the piston; an axis hole opening at the left end is formed on the piston rod; and the piston rod is capped and covered with a guide tube via a slide bush. The operation mechanism comprises a servomotor equipped in a left-pointing direction at the left end of the cylinder body via a bracket; and a ball/screw that convert the rotation of an outlet axis of the servomotor to a linear reciprocation, which reciprocation is then transmitted to the piston rod. The ball/screw are coupled to the outlet axis of the servomotor via a belt, and are consisting of a screw bar supported on the guide tube by a bearing and a nut fixed to the opening edge of the axis hole of the piston rod.

[0019] A breathing pipe is provided for the purpose of eliminating pressure change in a filling tank caused by an instantaneous increase or decrease of the filling liquid in the tank. It is preferred that the other end of the breathing pipe is opened to the inside of an aseptic chamber (in a clean atmosphere). On-off valve (V4) either may be provided on the breathing pipe or may be dispensed with. Further, it is preferred that a filling tank is provided with a pressure sensor for measuring the pressure of a filling liquid (liquid height level) in the filling tank. It is also preferred to provide a controlling apparatus that can control the opening degree of on-off valve (V1) so as to always keep the filling liquid amount in the filling tank at a constant level depending on the measured value of the pressure as measured by a pressure sensor.

[0020] A method for cleaning a filling tank of the present invention is not particularly limited as long as it is (1) a method for cleaning a filling tank in the filling apparatus of the present invention, the method comprises a simultaneous cleaning step for a liquid supply/nozzle line and a tank/breathing pipe line which comprises: setting on-off valve (V1) of the filling liquid supply pipe in an open state, and setting the filling pipe in a communication state so that the cleaning solution in the filling tank can be discharged from the filling pipe; feeding a cleaning solution to the filling liquid supply pipe; cleaning the inside of the tank by swirling flow generated by liquid supply into the filling tank; cleaning the breathing pipe with the cleaning solution that has reached the upper part of the filling tank by ascending swirling flow and thus discharged from the breathing pipe; and cleaning the filling pipe with the cleaning solution that has reached the lower part of the filling tank by descending swirling flow and thus discharged from the filling nozzle via the filling piston (hereinafter may be referred to as "Type I cleaning method"), or (2) a method for cleaning a filling tank in the filling apparatus of the present invention, the method comprising a cleaning step for a liquid supply/nozzle line which comprises: setting on-off valve (V1) of the filling liquid supply pipe in an open state, and setting the filling pipe in a communication state so that the cleaning solution in the filling tank can be discharged from the filling nozzle; feeding a cleaning solution to the filling liquid supply pipe; and cleaning the filling pipe with the cleaning solution that has reached the lower part of the filling tank by descending swirling flow and thus discharged from the filling nozzle via the filling piston, and a cleaning step for a tank/breathing pipe line which comprises: setting on-off valve (V1) of the filling liquid supply pipe in an open state, and setting the filling pipe in a non-communication state so that the cleaning solution in the filling tank cannot be discharged from the filling nozzle; feeding a cleaning solution to the filling liquid supply pipe; cleaning the inside of the tank by swirling flow generated by the liquid supply into the filling tank; and cleaning the breathing pipe with the cleaning solution that has reached the upper part of the filling tank by ascending swirling flow and thus discharged from the breathing pipe (hereinafter may be referred to as "Type II cleaning method"). In Type II cleaning method, either of the liquid supply/nozzle line cleaning step and the tank/breathing pipe line cleaning step may be conducted first.

[0021] Examples of the filling liquid include liquid substance such as a liquid beverage such as juice with or without solid contents. The effect of the present invention, however, can be remarkably exerted for a liquid substance containing solid contents.

[0022] The filling apparatus and a method for cleaning a filling tank of the present invention are explained more specifically in the following with reference to Figs. 2 to 5. The technical scope of the present invention, however, shall not be restricted to these exemplifications. Fig. 2(a) is a plain view of a filling tank in the filling apparatus of the present invention; Fig. 2(b) is a piping system diagram of the filling apparatus of the present invention; Fig. 3 is a piping system diagram showing the cleaning step for the liquid supply/nozzle line in the filling apparatus of the present invention; Fig. 4 is a piping system diagram showing the cleaning step for the tank/breathing pipe line in the filling apparatus of the present invention; Fig. 5 is a piping system diagram showing the simultaneous cleaning step for a liquid supply/nozzle line and a tank/breathing pipe line in the filling apparatus of the present invention; and Fig. 1 is an overall view of a filling packaging machine mounting the filling apparatus of the present invention.

[0023]  As shown in Fig. 1, a high-speed liquid filling and packaging machine (filling is conducted twice at 2 packs/pitch), on which the filling apparatus of the present invention is to be mounted, comprises container supply apparatus (1), plug mounting apparatus (2), sterilizing apparatus (3), container bottom forming apparatus (5), carrier conveyer (6), filling apparatus (7), and container top forming apparatus (8). The container conveying path from sterilizing apparatus (3) to container top forming apparatus (8) is covered with a clean room called aseptic chamber (4) where an aseptic space under positive pressure is formed by the constant supply of aseptic air. Aseptic chamber (4) is sterilized with a fungicide before starting operation of the filling packaging machine.

[0024] As shown in Fig. 2(b), the filling apparatus of the present invention comprises: filling tank (10) having a body part of an approximate cylindrical form; filling liquid supply pipe (20) which is for feeding a filling liquid into filling tank (10) and is provided with an on-off valve (V1); breathing pipe (30) connected to the upper part of filling tank (10) via on-off valve (V4); and filling pipe (40) provided with 4 filling pistons (41) (41a - 41d) and 4 filling nozzles (42) (42a - 42d), and connected to the lower part of filling tank (10). But the filling apparatus of the present invention does not comprise: cleaning pipe (50) starting from the midway of filling liquid supply pipe (20) and connected to the pipe between on-off valves (V3) and (V4) via on-off valve (V2); an internal tank cleaning pipe for filling tank (10); and baffle plate (13) at the lower end of the internal tank cleaning pipe, all of which are provided in a conventional filling apparatus shown in Fig. 6(b). Further, as shown in Fig. 2(a), supply port (12) is provided on the body part of the filling tank (10) in the tangential direction against the filling tank body so that the supplied cleaning solution causes swirling flow around the filling tank's inner peripheral face. Breathing pipe (30) is provided for the purpose of eliminating pressure change in a tank caused by an instantaneous increase or decrease of the filling liquid in a filling tank, and the other end of breathing pipe (30) is opened to the inside of aseptic chamber (4) (in a clean atmosphere). Further, filling tank (10) is provided with pressure sensor (11) to enable measurement of the pressure of filling liquid (liquid height level) in the filling tank. A controlling apparatus not shown in the drawings controls the opening degree of on-off valve (V1) so as to always keep the filling liquid amount in the filling tank at a constant level depending on the measured value of the pressure.

[0025] Next, Type I cleaning method comprising a simultaneous cleaning step for both liquid supply/nozzle line and tank/breathing pipe line in the filling apparatus of the present invention is explained with reference to Fig. 5. First, on-off valves (V1) and (V4) are set into an open state, and filling pipe (40) is set into a communication state so that the cleaning solution in filling tank (10) can be discharged from filling nozzle (42). Then, cleaning solution is supplied to filling liquid supply pipe (20). The cleaning solution is then introduced into filling tank (10) from the tangential direction against the filling tank body from filling liquid supply pipe (20) via on-off valve (V1) and supply port (12). The inside of the tank is cleaned with swirling flow generated by the liquid supply into filling tank (10) from the tangential direction against the filling tank body. Breathing pipe (30) is cleaned with the cleaning solution that has reached the upper part of filling tank (10) by ascending swirling flow and thus discharged from the breathing pipe, and filling pipe (40) is cleaned with the cleaning solution that has reached the lower part of filling tank (10) by descending swirling flow and thus discharged from filling nozzle (42) via filling piston (41). Simultaneous cleaning of the liquid supply/nozzle line and tank/breathing pipe line is thus completed.

[0026] Further, regarding Type II cleaning method, the cleaning step for liquid supply/nozzle line in the filling apparatus of the present invention is explained with reference to Fig. 3, and the cleaning step for tank/breathing pipe line in the filling apparatus of the present invention is explained with reference to Fig. 4. First, on-off valve (V1) is set into an open state and on-off valve (V4) into a closed state, and filling pipe (40) is set into a communication state so that the cleaning solution in filling tank (10) can be discharged from filling nozzle (42). Then, cleaning solution is supplied to filling liquid supply pipe (20). The cleaning solution is then introduced into filling tank (10) from the tangential direction against the filling tank body from filling liquid supply pipe (20) via on-off valve (V1) and supply port (12). The inside of the tank is cleaned with swirling flow generated by the liquid supply into filling tank (10) from the tangential direction against the filling tank body. Filling pipe (40) is cleaned with the cleaning solution that has reached the lower part of filling tank (10) by descending swirling flow and thus discharged from filling nozzle (42) via filling piston (41). Cleaning of the liquid supply/nozzle line is thus completed. Upon completion of cleaning of the liquid supply/nozzle line, on-off valves (V1) and (V4) remain opened, and filling pipe (40) is set into a non-communication state so that the cleaning solution in the filling tank cannot be discharged from filling nozzle (42). Cleaning solution is supplied to filling liquid feeding pipe (20). The cleaning solution is then introduced into filling tank (10) from the tangential direction against the filling tank body from filling liquid supply pipe (20) via on-off valve (V1) and supply port (12). The inside of the tank is cleaned with swirling flow generated by the liquid supply into filling tank (10) from the tangential direction against the filling tank body. Breathing pipe (30) is cleaned with the cleaning solution that has reached the upper part of filling tank (10) by ascending swirling flow and thus discharged from breathing pipe (30). Cleaning of the tank/breathing pipe line is thus completed.

[0027] The cleaning solution used for cleaning the supply/nozzle line and tank/breathing pipe line is collected by a cleaning solution collecting means which has been conventionally known. For example, when a cleaning solution has been flown into aseptic chamber (4) from filling nozzle (42) or breathing pipe (30), the cleaning solution either may be collected via a collecting pipe (drawing omitted) at the bottom of aseptic chamber (4) or may be collected by directly connecting the collecting pipe for cleaning solution to filling nozzle (42) or to breathing pipe (30).

[0028] Although on-off valve (V4) is not indispensable, there are following advantages in providing on-off valve (V4). For example, when the liquid supply/nozzle line and the tank/breathing pipe line are cleaned simultaneously, on-off valve (V4) can be adjusted so that the cleaning solution amount necessary for each of the liquid supply/nozzle line and the tank/breathing pipe line can be surely distributed to each pipe. Also, when the cleaning step for the liquid supply/nozzle line is conducted separately from the cleaning step for the tank/breathing pipe line, on-off valve (V4) prevents the cleaning solution from incorrectly flowing to breathing pipe (30) when cleaning the liquid supply/nozzle line, thus the liquid supply/nozzle line can surely be cleaned.

[0029] When filling pipe (40) to be cleaned exists in many routes as in the present example (there are 4 routes in this example), a solution sending pump (drawing omitted) for cleaning solution with a significant power may be used to ensure necessary flow amount of the cleaning solution for cleaning each filling pipe (40). It may also be possible to set each filling pipe (40) into a communication state either sequentially or alternately, so that each filling pipe (40) may be cleaned either sequentially or alternately.

Industrial Applicability

[0030] According to a method for cleaning a filling tank in the filling apparatus of the present invention which is not provided with a spray ball or a baffle plate for cleaning the inside of a filling tank, a cleaning line is achieved which is free of hygienic risks caused by a solid residue remained after the cleaning subsequent to the production of solid-containing filler; which enables reduction of the time required for CIP, and which is inexpensive by reducing the number of constituent elements of the cleaning line.

Claims

1. A filling apparatus comprising:

a filling tank having a body part of an approximate cylindrical form; a filling liquid supply pipe which is for feeding a filling liquid into the filling tank and is provided with on-off valve (V1); a breathing pipe connected to the upper part of the filling tank; and a filling pipe connected to the lower part of the filling tank and is provided with a filling piston and a filling nozzle,

wherein the filling liquid supply pipe also serves as a cleaning solution supply pipe, and the breathing pipe also serves as a cleaning solution discharging pipe, and wherein the filling liquid supply pipe and the filling tank are connected to each other in the tangential direction against the filling tank body, so that the supplied cleaning solution generates swirling flow around the inner peripheral face of the filling tank.

2. A method for cleaning a filling tank in the filling apparatus according to claim 1, the method comprising a simultaneous cleaning step for a liquid supply/nozzle line and a tank/breathing pipe line which comprises: setting on-off valve (V1) of the filling liquid supply pipe in an open state, and setting the filling pipe into a communication state so that the cleaning solution in the filling tank can be discharged from the filling nozzle; feeding a cleaning solution to the filling liquid supply pipe; cleaning the inside of the tank by swirling flow generated by liquid supply into the filling tank; cleaning the breathing pipe with the cleaning solution that has reached the upper part of the filling tank by ascending swirling flow and thus discharged from the breathing pipe; and cleaning the filling pipe with the cleaning solution that has reached the lower part of the filling tank by descending swirling flow and thus discharged from the filling nozzle via the filling piston.

3. A method for cleaning a filling tank in the filling apparatus according to claim 1, the method comprising
a cleaning step for a liquid supply/nozzle line which comprises: setting on-off valve (V1) of the filling liquid supply pipe in an open state, and setting the filling pipe into a communication state so that the cleaning solution in the filling tank can be discharged from the filling nozzle; feeding a cleaning solution to the filling liquid supply pipe; and cleaning the filling pipe with the cleaning solution that has reached the lower part of the filling tank by descending swirling flow and thus discharged from the filling nozzle via the filling piston, and
a cleaning step for a tank/breathing pipe line which comprises: setting on-off valve (V1) of the filling liquid supply pipe in an open state, and setting the filling pipe in a non-communication state so that the cleaning solution in the filling tank cannot be discharged from the filling nozzle; feeding a cleaning solution to the filling liquid supply pipe; cleaning the inside of the tank by swirling flow generated by the liquid supply into the filling tank; and cleaning the breathing pipe with the cleaning solution that has reached the upper part of the filling tank by ascending swirling flow and thus discharged from the breathing pipe.

Drawing