阅读说明：本技术 装入细分容器的食用油及其制造方法 (Edible oil filled in subdivided container and method for producing the same ) 是由 大久保佳则 川原亨彦 小林信也 大杉充 于 2020-05-29 设计创作，主要内容包括：本发明提供一种能够抑制开封时的漏油并能够在规定的保质期内抑制由于氧化导致食用油的劣化的装入细分容器的食用油及其制造方法。在装入细分容器的食用油(10)中,在杯状的细分容器(12)的收纳部(14a)填充规定量的食用油(50),收纳部(14a)的开口部(16)被可剥离的盖部件(22)密封,在填充于细分容器(12)的收纳部(14a)的食用油以外的空间(14b)填充有惰性气体。装入细分容器的食用油(10)在制造完成时细分容器(12)的空间(14b)的残留氧气浓度小于1％。此外,在该制造方法中,在将细分容器(12)的收纳部(14a)的空间(14b)的空气置换为惰性气体的工序中,在收纳部(14a)的开口部(16)与惰性气体的喷射口(120a)重叠的位置处,惰性气体的流量被设定为30L/分钟以上70L/分钟以下,并且置换时间被设定为7秒以上。(The invention provides edible oil filled in a subdivided container, which can inhibit oil leakage during opening and can inhibit the edible oil from being degraded due to oxidation within a specified shelf life, and a manufacturing method thereof. In the edible oil (10) loaded into the subdivided container, a predetermined amount of edible oil (50) is filled in the storage part (14a) of the cup-shaped subdivided container (12), the opening part (16) of the storage part (14a) is sealed by a peelable cover part (22), and a space (14b) other than the edible oil filled in the storage part (14a) of the subdivided container (12) is filled with inert gas. The residual oxygen concentration of the edible oil (10) filled into the subdivided container (12) in the space (14b) of the subdivided container is less than 1% when the production is completed. In the manufacturing method, in the step of replacing the air in the space (14b) of the storage section (14a) of the subdivided container (12) with the inert gas, the flow rate of the inert gas is set to be 30L/min to 70L/min at a position where the opening (16) of the storage section (14a) overlaps with the injection port (120a) of the inert gas, and the replacement time is set to be 7 seconds or longer.)

1. An edible oil packed in a subdivided container, wherein a predetermined amount of edible oil is filled in a storage part of a cup-shaped subdivided container, an opening part of the storage part is sealed by a peelable lid member, characterized in that the edible oil packed in the subdivided container,

a space other than the edible oil is provided in the housing part,

the space is filled with an inert gas, the residual oxygen concentration of the space at the completion of manufacture being less than 1%.

2. An edible oil filled into a subdivided container according to claim 1,

the subdivided container and the lid member are formed of a material having gas barrier properties.

3. Edible oil filled into subdivided containers according to claim 1 or 2,

the sub-divided container and the lid member are formed of a material having a light-shielding property.

4. Edible oil filled into subdivided containers according to any of claims 1 to 3,

the edible oil contains at least one of unsaturated fatty acid or medium-chain fatty acid.

5. A method for producing edible oil packed in a subdivided container, comprising filling a predetermined amount of edible oil in a storage portion of a cup-shaped subdivided container, an opening portion of the storage portion being sealed with a peelable lid member, the method comprising at least:

filling the predetermined amount of edible oil into the storage section;

injecting an inert gas into a storage part filled with the edible oil, and replacing air in a space of the storage part with the inert gas;

a step of heat welding the cover component to the flange part arranged at the opening part of the containing part,

in the step of replacing the air in the space of the storage section with the inert gas, the flow rate of the inert gas is 30L/min to 70L/min at a position where the opening of the storage section overlaps with the injection port of the inert gas, and the replacement time is 7 seconds or longer.

6. A method of manufacturing edible oil filled into subdivided containers according to claim 5,

the air in the space of the storage unit is replaced with inert gas by an inert gas replacement mechanism having an inert gas outflow prevention unit that prevents the inert gas from flowing out from both end portions of the sheet formed by arranging the subdivided containers in the same direction as the direction of travel.

7. A method for manufacturing edible oil filled into subdivided containers according to claim 5 or 6,

the container is provided with a pair of guide means provided in a sealing means for thermal welding, for guiding both end portions of the piece in which the subdivided containers are arranged in the same direction as the direction of travel between a step of replacing air in the space of the housing portion with an inert gas and a step of thermally welding a lid member to a flange portion provided in an opening portion of the housing portion, and for guiding the piece in which the subdivided containers are arranged and the lid member overlapping so as to cover the piece in which the subdivided containers are arranged by the pair of guide means.

8. Method for manufacturing an edible oil filled into subdivided containers according to any of claims 5 to 7,

the container is provided with an inert gas sealing mechanism which prevents inert gas from flowing out from two end parts in the same direction as the advancing direction of the piece formed by arranging the subdivided containers between a step of replacing air in the space of the accommodating part with inert gas and a step of thermally welding a cover part to a flange part arranged at an opening part of the accommodating part.

Technical Field

The present invention relates to an edible oil packed in a subdivided container, and more particularly, to an edible oil packed in a subdivided container, which can suppress degradation of the edible oil within a predetermined shelf life, and a method for producing the same.

Background

Conventionally, edible oil is distributed and supplied to consumers in containers such as bottles and cans. However, the edible oil conventionally distributed in a container such as a bottle or a can is filled with a large amount of edible oil to cope with various consumption amounts, and if consumption is not performed for a short period after the opening, there is a problem that the quality of the edible oil is deteriorated due to oxidation or the like. In view of the above, disposable edible oils such as edible oils filled in portable bags (see patent document 1) and edible oils filled in cup-shaped subdivided containers (see patent document 2) have been disclosed as edible oils in the amount used for packaging edible oils once.

Documents of the prior art

Patent document

Patent document 1: japanese patent laid-open publication Nos. 2013-99307;

patent document 2: japanese Kokai Utility model No. 2-28472.

Disclosure of Invention

Problems to be solved by the invention

However, the edible oil filled in the portable bag of patent document 1 has the following problems: in order to prevent the edible oil from being oxidized, the container is completely filled with the edible oil, and the edible oil splashes when the container is unsealed. Further, the edible oil filled in the portable bag of patent document 1 has the following problems: when the portable bag is opened from a notch provided in the portable bag, the bag is caught and is difficult to open. Further, the edible oil filled in the portable bag of patent document 1 has the following problems: since it is bag-shaped, if it is not discarded immediately after use, the surroundings are contaminated with the edible oil.

On the other hand, the edible oil packed in a subdivided container of patent document 2 has the following problems: if the container is filled with the edible oil in order to prevent oxidation of the edible oil, the edible oil may splash. Further, if a space is provided between the lid and the surface of the edible oil in order to prevent the edible oil from splashing, there is a problem that the edible oil is oxidized by oxygen present in the space and cannot be stored for a long period of time.

Further, due to the recent enhancement of health consciousness, edible oils containing unsaturated fatty acids such as perilla frutescens oil, linseed oil and the like have been taken in, for example, salad, miso soup. This is because unsaturated fatty acids contained in perilla oil, linseed oil, and the like cannot be synthesized in the body and thus need to be taken from food. Since α -linolenic acid, which is one of unsaturated fatty acids, is particularly easily oxidized, when an edible oil containing unsaturated fatty acids is filled in the subdivided container of patent document 2, there is a problem that oxidation of the edible oil is increased and the quality of the edible oil is deteriorated in a short period of time.

Accordingly, a main object of the present invention is to provide an edible oil filled in a subdivided container, which can suppress oil leakage at the time of opening and can suppress deterioration due to oxidation of the edible oil within a predetermined shelf life, and a method for producing the same.

Means for solving the problems

The edible oil packed in the subdivided container according to the present invention is the edible oil packed in the subdivided container in which a predetermined amount of the edible oil is filled in a storage part of a cup-shaped subdivided container, an opening part of the storage part is sealed by a peelable lid member, a space other than the edible oil is provided in the storage part, an inert gas is filled in the space, and the residual oxygen concentration in the space at the time of completion of production is less than 1%.

In the edible oil packed in the subdivided container according to the present invention, since the subdivided container is provided with a space other than the edible oil, leakage of the edible oil at the time of opening the container can be suppressed. Further, since the space is filled with the inert gas, deterioration of the filled edible oil due to oxidation can be suppressed within a predetermined shelf life.

The finely divided container and the lid member for the edible oil to be packed in the finely divided container according to the present invention are preferably made of a material having gas barrier properties. By using such a subdivided container and cap member, it is possible to prevent gas (oxygen, water vapor, etc.) from flowing into the housing portion and prevent filled inert gas from flowing out after sealing.

The lid member and the subdivided container of the edible oil packed in the subdivided container according to the present invention are preferably formed of a material having a light-shielding property. By using such a subdivided container and lid member, deterioration of the edible oil due to light can also be suppressed.

Further, the edible oil contained in the edible oil filled in the finely divided container according to the present invention preferably contains at least one of unsaturated fatty acid or medium-chain fatty acid. Although edible oils containing at least one unsaturated fatty acid or medium-chain fatty acid are easily oxidized, by using the finely divided container according to the present invention, deterioration of the edible oil due to oxidation can be suppressed within a predetermined shelf life.

A method for producing edible oil packed in a subdivided container according to the present invention is a method for producing edible oil packed in a subdivided container in which a predetermined amount of edible oil is filled in a storage portion of a cup-shaped subdivided container and an opening portion of the storage portion is sealed by a lid member that can be peeled off, the method including at least: a step of filling a predetermined amount of edible oil into the storage section; a step of injecting an inert gas into the storage part filled with the edible oil to replace the air in the space of the storage part with the inert gas; and a step of heat-welding a lid member to a flange portion provided at an opening of the subdivided container, wherein in the step of replacing air in the space of the storage portion with an inert gas, the flow rate of the inert gas is 30L/min to 70L/min at a position where the opening of the storage portion overlaps with an injection port of the inert gas, and the replacement time is 7 seconds or longer.

In the method for producing edible oil packed in a subdivided container according to the present invention, since the space of the storage unit is filled with inert gas, the deterioration of the edible oil due to oxidation can be suppressed within a predetermined shelf life. Further, by injecting the inert gas at a position where the opening of the storage unit overlaps the injection port of the inert gas and setting the flow rate of the inert gas to 70L/min or less, when the air in the space of the storage unit is replaced with the inert gas, splashing of the edible oil filled in the storage unit is prevented, and by setting the flow rate of the inert gas to 30L/min or more and setting the replacement time to 7 seconds or more, the residual oxygen concentration in the space of the storage unit at the time of completion of production can be made less than 1%.

In the method for producing edible oil packed in a subdivided container according to the present invention, it is preferable that the air in the space of the storage unit is replaced with an inert gas by an inert gas replacement mechanism having an inert gas outflow prevention unit for preventing the inert gas from flowing out from both end portions of the sheet formed by arranging the subdivided containers in the same direction as the direction of travel. By performing the manufacturing by using the above method, inflow of oxygen gas can be prevented, and outflow of the filled inert gas can be prevented.

The method for producing edible oil packed in the subdivided containers according to the present invention preferably includes a pair of guide mechanisms provided in the sealing mechanism for thermal welding, and configured to guide both end portions of the piece in which the subdivided containers are arranged in the same direction as the direction of travel between the step of replacing the air in the space of the storage portion with the inert gas and the step of thermally welding the lid member to the flange portion provided in the opening portion of the storage portion, and to guide the piece in which the subdivided containers are arranged and the lid member overlapping so as to cover the piece in which the subdivided containers are arranged by the pair of guide mechanisms. The manufacturing method described above can improve the sealing performance between the sheet formed by arranging the subdivided containers and the lid member, prevent oxygen from flowing in from both ends of the sheet formed by arranging the subdivided containers, and prevent the filled inert gas from flowing out, between the step of replacing the air in the space of the storage portion with the inert gas and the step of heat-welding the lid member to the flange portion provided at the opening of the storage portion.

In the method for producing edible oil packed in a subdivided container according to the present invention, it is preferable that the lid member is heat-welded to the flange portion provided in the opening of the storage portion, and the lid member is heat-welded to the flange portion. By providing the inert gas sealing means, the sealing between the sheet formed by arranging the subdivided containers and the inert gas sealing means can be improved during the period from the step of replacing the air in the space of the storage section with the inert gas to the step when the cover member covers the opening of the storage section, and the inflow of oxygen from both ends of the sheet formed by arranging the subdivided containers and the outflow of the filled inert gas can be prevented.

ADVANTAGEOUS EFFECTS OF INVENTION

According to the present invention, it is possible to provide edible oil filled in a subdivided container, which can suppress oil leakage at the time of opening and can suppress deterioration of the edible oil due to oxidation within a predetermined shelf life, and a method for producing the same.

The above object, other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following description of the embodiments for carrying out the present invention with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Drawings

Fig. 1 is a schematic front view of edible oil packed in a subdivided container according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 2 is a schematic plan view of the edible oil filled in the subdivided container according to the embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the edible oil loaded into a subdivided container taken along line III-III of fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a subdivided container taken along line III-III of fig. 2.

Fig. 5 is a schematic diagram showing an apparatus for producing edible oil packed in a subdivided container according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 6 is a schematic plan view of an apparatus for producing edible oil packed in a subdivided container according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 7 is a schematic sectional view taken along line VI-VI of fig. 6.

Fig. 8 is a schematic sectional view taken along line VII-VII of fig. 7.

Fig. 9 is a plan view of an inert gas sealing mechanism according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 10 is a rear view of a seal mechanism according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 11 is a view showing the measurement positions of the inert gas replacement test.

Fig. 12 is a graph showing the results of the inert gas replacement test.

Fig. 13(a) is a graph showing the measurement results of POV in the severe temperature storage test, and fig. 13(B) is a graph showing the results of the flavor test in the severe temperature storage test.

Fig. 14(a) is a graph showing the measurement results of POV in the fluorescence irradiation storage test, and fig. 14(B) is a graph showing the results of the flavor test in the fluorescence irradiation storage test.

Detailed Description

1. Edible oil filled into subdivided container

The edible oil packed in a subdivided container according to the present invention will be described with reference to fig. 1 to 4. Fig. 1 is a schematic front view of edible oil packed in a subdivided container according to an embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 2 is a schematic plan view of the edible oil filled in the subdivided container according to the embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the edible oil loaded into a subdivided container taken along line III-III of fig. 2. Fig. 4 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a subdivided container taken along line III-III of fig. 2.

In the edible oil 10 packed in the separate container according to the present invention, a predetermined amount of the edible oil 50 is filled in the storage portion 14a of the cup-shaped separate container 12, and the opening portion 16 of the storage portion 14a is sealed by the peelable lid member 22. The space 14b of the housing portion 14a of the subdivided container 12 sealed by the lid member 22, which is not filled with the edible oil 50, is filled with an inert gas.

(Subdivision container)

The sub-divided container 12 according to the present invention is, for example, a cup-shaped container having an opening 16 on one side of a cylindrical or truncated cone shape. The sub-divided container 12 is provided with a housing portion 14a for filling the internal substance. A flange 18 is provided at the periphery of the opening 16 of the housing 14 a. The flange portion 18 is a portion for attaching the cover member 22. The lid member 22 is formed by thermally welding the sub-divided container 12 and the lid member 22 at the flange portion 18 of the sub-divided container 12 and closing the opening portion 16 of the housing portion 14 a. Further, a hand-held portion 20 extending outward from one end of the flange portion 18 is formed. A stepped portion 24 is formed from the center to the front end of the hand-held portion 20. The step portion 24 is configured to facilitate peeling of the lid member 22 from the flange portion 18.

The total capacity of the housing portion 14a of the sub-divided container 12 is preferably 4ml to 20ml, for example. The amount of use of one meal differs depending on the type of edible oil 50, and if the capacity of the storage portion 14a of the sub-container 12 is set to 4ml or less, the amount of use of one meal of ordinary edible oil cannot be filled, and if the capacity of the storage portion 14a of the sub-container 12 is set to 20ml or more, the capacity of the space 14b becomes large when the amount of use of one meal of ordinary edible oil is filled, and oxidation becomes easy.

The sub-divided container 12 is preferably formed of a material having gas barrier properties and oil resistance. Since the subdivided container 12 has gas barrier properties against gas (oxygen, water vapor, etc.), oxygen and/or water can be prevented from flowing into the housing portion 14a of the subdivided container 12, and the filled inert gas can be prevented from flowing out. Further, since the sub-tank 12 has oil resistance, the cooking oil 50 can be prevented from leaking from the sub-tank 12. The material of the subdivided container 12 is preferably, for example, an ethylene-vinyl alcohol copolymer (EVOH) resin between polypropylene layers constituting the surface side and the inner side. An ethylene-vinyl alcohol copolymer (EVOH) resin is a material having gas barrier properties and oil resistance. By having an ethylene vinyl alcohol copolymer (EVOH) resin between polypropylene layers, a finely divided container can be easily molded. The sub-divided container 12 is preferably made of a material having light-shielding properties. For example, the light-shielding property can be imparted by coloring the polypropylene layer of the subdivided container 12. By filling the edible oil 50 into the housing portion 14a of the subdivided container 12 having light-shielding properties, deterioration of the edible oil 50 due to light can be suppressed.

(cover parts)

The lid member 22 is sealed to the opening 16 of the subdivided container 12 and is provided to be peelable. The lid member 22 is preferably formed of a material having gas barrier properties and oil resistance. Since the lid member 22 has gas barrier properties against gas (oxygen, water vapor, etc.), oxygen and/or water can be prevented from flowing into the housing portion 14a of the fine particle container 12, and filled inert gas can be prevented from flowing out. Further, since the lid member 22 has oil resistance, the edible oil 50 can be prevented from leaking from the lid member 22. The material of the cover member 22 is preferably a sheet obtained by laminating polyethylene, polyethylene terephthalate, or the like on the surface of aluminum. The cover member 22 is preferably made of a material having light-shielding properties. By filling the edible oil 50 into the housing portion 14a of the subdivided container 12 and sealing the same with the lid member 22, deterioration of the edible oil 50 due to light can be suppressed. For example, a light-shielding property can be provided by using an aluminum sheet for the cover member 22. The subdivided container 12 and the lid member 22 are sealed by heat-welding the polypropylene layer of the subdivided container 12 and the polyethylene layer of the lid member 22.

(edible oil)

The edible oil 50 filled in the storage portion 14a of the subdividing container 12 according to the present invention is preferably an oil containing at least one of an unsaturated fatty acid or a medium-chain fatty acid that is liquid at room temperature. In particular, when the edible oil 50 is an oil containing an unsaturated fatty acid having a carbon double bond, including, for example, perilla oil, linseed oil, perilla oil, walnut oil, olive oil, DHA-and/or EPA-containing oil, the edible oil 50 is easily oxidized, and therefore, by filling the storage portion 14a of the subdivided container 12 according to the present embodiment, deterioration of the edible oil 50 due to oxidation can be suppressed.

The edible oil 50 may be an oil containing a medium-chain fatty acid, such as coconut oil or palm oil. Although the medium-chain fatty acid is less likely to be oxidized than the unsaturated fatty acid, the housing portion 14a of the subdividing container 12 according to the present embodiment is filled with the medium-chain fatty acid and sealed with the lid member 22, thereby further suppressing degradation due to oxidation.

The edible oil 50 may be oil obtained by mixing two or more kinds of oils. For example, when perilla oil and olive oil are mixed, the ω 3-series fatty acids and the ω 9-series fatty acids contained in the perilla oil and the olive oil can be ingested at a time. Further, for example, fruits or the like may be immersed in the edible oil 50 to be seasoned (to generate a flavor). By flavoring the edible oil 50, the edible oil 50 can be easily ingested continuously without feeling greasy.

(space)

The space 14b of the subdivided container 12 according to the present invention is a space other than the edible oil 50 filled in the storage portion 14a of the subdivided container 12 sealed by the lid member 22. For example, the space 14b can be provided so as to be 15% to 75% of the capacity of the housing portion 14a of the segment container 12. By providing the space 14b in the housing portion 14a of the subdivided container 12, oil leakage at the time of opening can be suppressed.

Further, the space 14b is filled with an inert gas. The air generally contains about 21% of oxygen, and the space 14b is filled with an inert gas, and the residual oxygen concentration in the space 14b is set to less than 1% when the production is completed, whereby the degradation of the edible oil due to oxidation can be suppressed for a predetermined shelf life.

(Effect)

The edible oil 10 packed in the subdivided container is characterized in that a predetermined amount of edible oil 50 is filled in the storage part 14a of the cup-shaped subdivided container 12, the opening part 16 of the storage part 14a is sealed by the peelable lid member 22, and a space 14b other than the edible oil 50 is provided in the storage part 14a, the space 14b is filled with an inert gas, and the residual oxygen concentration in the space 14b is less than 1% when the production is completed. By providing the space 14b other than the edible oil 50 in the housing portion 14a of the subdivided container 12, oil leakage at the time of opening can be suppressed. Further, by filling the space 14b with the inert gas, the degradation of the edible oil 50 due to oxidation can be suppressed within a predetermined shelf life.

The sub-container 12 and the lid member 22 of the edible oil 10 to be filled in the sub-container are preferably made of a material having gas barrier properties. By using such a subdivided container 12 and cap member 22, it is possible to prevent the gas (oxygen, water vapor, etc.) from flowing into the housing portion 14a after sealing and prevent the filled inert gas from flowing out.

The sub-containers 12 and the lid members 22 of the edible oil 10 to be placed in the sub-containers are preferably made of a material having light-shielding properties. By using such a subdivided container 12 and lid member 22, deterioration of the edible oil 50 due to light can be suppressed.

Further, the edible oil 50 of the edible oil 10 charged into the subdivided container preferably comprises at least one of unsaturated fatty acids or medium-chain fatty acids. Since unsaturated fatty acids and medium-chain fatty acids are easily oxidized, the storage part 14a of the subdivided container 12 is filled with the unsaturated fatty acids and sealed with the lid member 22, whereby the degradation of the edible oil 50 due to oxidation can be suppressed within a predetermined shelf life.

2. Method for producing edible oil packed in subdivided container

The method for producing edible oil packed in a subdivided container according to the present invention will be described with reference to fig. 5 and 6. Fig. 5 is a schematic diagram showing an apparatus for producing edible oil packed in a subdivided container according to an embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 6 is a schematic plan view of an apparatus for producing edible oil packed in a subdivided container according to an embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in fig. 5 and 6, the apparatus 110 for producing edible oil packed in a subdivided container according to the present invention includes: a heating mechanism 114 that heats and softens the container molding member 100 to mold the subdivided containers 12; a container molding mechanism 116 that molds the subdivided containers 12 with the softened container molding members 100; a filling mechanism 118 that fills the subdivided container 12 with the edible oil 50; an inert gas replacement mechanism 120 that injects an inert gas into the space 14b of the housing portion 14a of the fine particle container 12 and replaces the air in the space 14b with the inert gas; a sealing mechanism 126 that welds the lid member 102 to the subdivided container 12; and a punching mechanism 128 for cutting and shaping the container array sheet 100' (container molding member 100) and the lid member 102 into a predetermined shape.

Here, the advancing direction a in which the divided containers 12 molded by the container molding member 100 advance is a direction from the heating mechanism 114 toward the punching mechanism 128.

The heating means 114, the container molding means 116, the filling means 118, the inert gas replacing means 120, the sealing means 126, and the punching means 128 of the apparatus 110 for producing edible oil filled in the subdivided containers are provided in the machine casing 110A of the apparatus 110 for producing edible oil filled in the subdivided containers. A pair of frames 110B are provided on the side of the machine frame 110A along the traveling direction a in which the subdivided containers 12 travel. The container molding member 100 is pulled out, both end portions 100a, 100B of the container molding member 100 are clamped by the clips 110C, and the clips 110C are conveyed along the pair of frames 110B, thereby conveying the container molding member 100.

A method for producing edible oil packed in a subdivided container will be described with reference to fig. 5.

The method for producing the edible oil 10 packed in the subdivided container according to the present invention includes the following six steps.

(1) Process for Forming subdivided containers 12

(2) A step of filling a predetermined amount of the edible oil 50 into the storage part 14a of the sub-divided container 12

(3) A step of injecting an inert gas into the subdivided container 12 filled with the edible oil 50 and replacing the air in the space 14b of the housing part 14a with the inert gas

(4) Covering the opening 16 of the housing 14a with the lid member 22

(5) A step of heat-welding the lid member 22 to the flange portion 18 of the opening portion 16 provided in the housing portion 14a

(6) Process for die cutting subdivided containers 12

The details of each step are described below.

(1) Process for Forming subdivided containers 12

First, the container molding member 100 is pulled out from the container molding member supply mechanism 112, and the container molding member 100 is heated by the heating mechanism 114 to soften the container molding member 100. Next, the container forming mechanism 116 forms the subdivided containers 12 with the softened container forming members 100.

The container forming member 100 is a member obtained by forming a material for subdividing the container 12 into a sheet shape. The container molding member 100 is wound in a roll shape, the container molding member 100 is pulled out, both end portions 100a and 100b of the container molding member 100 are clamped by a clamp 110C, and the container molding member 100 is conveyed to a heating mechanism 114.

The heating mechanism 114 heats the container molding member 100 from both the upper and lower sides by a heater, and softens the container molding member 100.

The container forming mechanism 116 forms the softened container forming member 100 into a container array sheet 100' in which a plurality of subdivided containers 12 are formed at a time by press molding, vacuum molding, pressure-air molding, or the like. The container forming mechanism 116 can form 24 subdivided containers 12 at a time, for example. The forming speed of the subdivided containers 12 by the container forming means 116 is, for example, 360 to 432 pieces/minute.

(2) A step of filling a predetermined amount of the edible oil 50 into the storage part 14a of the sub-divided container 12

The filling mechanism 118 fills the edible oil 50 into the subdivided containers 12 formed by the container forming mechanism 116. The filling amount of the edible oil 50 filled in the storage portion 14a of the subdivided container 12 is preferably 80% or less of the capacity of the container. For example, when the capacity of the sub-divided container 12 is 12ml, it is preferable to fill 10ml or less of the edible oil 50.

(3) A step of injecting an inert gas into the subdivided container 12 filled with the edible oil 50 to replace the air in the space 14b of the housing part 14a with the inert gas

The inert gas replacement mechanism 120 injects inert gas into the space 14b of the storage portion 14a of the subdivided container 12 filled with the edible oil 50, and replaces the air in the space 14b with the inert gas. The inert gas replacement mechanism 120 is provided with an inert gas injection port 120a on the container array sheet 100' side.

As the inert gas, nitrogen gas, carbon dioxide gas, argon gas, or the like can be used. By reducing the residual oxygen concentration, deterioration of the edible oil 50 due to oxidation can be suppressed. The flow rate of the inert gas is preferably 30L/min to 70L/min. When the flow rate of the inert gas is 30L/min or less, the residual oxygen concentration in the space 14b at the time of completion of production is not less than 1% because the flow rate of the inert gas is small, and when the flow rate of the inert gas is 70L/min or more, the edible oil 50 charged at the time of production may be scattered because the flow rate of the inert gas is large. By setting the above conditions, the edible oil 50 filled in the subdivided container can be prevented from splashing, and the air in the space 14b can be appropriately replaced with the inert gas. The replacement time is preferably 7 seconds or more. The replacement time is a time when the opening 16 of the sub-divided container 12 is located below the injection port 120a of the inert gas replacement mechanism 120. When the inert gas is injected for 7 seconds or more while the opening 16 of the housing portion 14a is positioned below the injection port 120a of the inert gas displacement mechanism 120, the residual oxygen concentration in the space 14b of the housing portion 14a can be made less than 1% at the time of completion of production.

In the present embodiment, the inside of the inert gas replacement mechanism 120 is divided into three chambers, and the inert gas is continuously injected in each chamber. Therefore, the replacement of the inert gas from the air in the space 14b is performed three times for each of the subdivided containers 12. In the present embodiment, the inert gas is replaced three times for each of the subdivided containers 12, but the number of replacements is not limited. That is, the space 14b of each container portion 14a may be replaced with the inert gas from the air by injecting the inert gas into each container portion 14a of each subdivided container 12 at least once. By injecting the inert gas into each of the storage portions 14a of the respective subdivided containers 12 a plurality of times, the air in the space 14b can be efficiently replaced with the inert gas.

Fig. 7 is a schematic sectional view taken along line VI-VI of fig. 6. The injection port 120a is provided to inject the inert gas to each of the subdivided containers 12.

Fig. 8 is a schematic sectional view taken along line VII-VII of fig. 7. In fig. 8, the solid line portion indicates the injection port 120a provided in the inert gas replacement mechanism 120, and the dotted line portion indicates the opening 16 of the housing portion 14a of the sub-division container 12. As shown in figure 8 of the drawings,diameter D of the ejection opening 120a₂Preferably having a diameter D larger than the diameter of the subdivided container 12₁A small diameter. By providing such an injection port 120a, the air in the space 14b can be efficiently replaced with the inert gas.

Further, the inert gas replacement mechanism 120 preferably has an inert gas outflow prevention portion 121 for preventing the inert gas from flowing out from both end portions 100a, 100b of the container arrangement sheet 100' in the same direction as the traveling direction. The inert gas outflow prevention unit 121 is, for example, an L-shaped metal fitting. Inert gas outflow preventing unit 121 has vertical portion 121a extending in the vertical direction and horizontal portion 121b extending along machine casing 110A in the horizontal direction. Horizontal portion 121b is a plate-like body extending in the horizontal direction, and is disposed between machine frame 110A and inert gas replacement mechanism 120. The inert gas outflow prevention unit 121 is fixed by sandwiching the horizontal portion 121b between the machine frame 110A and the inert gas replacement mechanism 120. The vertical portion 121a is a plate-like body extending in the vertical direction, and prevents the inert gas injected from the injection port 120A of the inert gas replacement mechanism 120 from flowing out to the machine frame 110A side. By providing the inert gas outflow prevention portion 121 as described above, it is possible to prevent the inert gas from flowing out from between the clips 110C sandwiching the both end portions 100a, 100b of the container arrangement piece 100', and to prevent air (oxygen) from flowing in.

(4) Step of covering opening 16 of housing 14a with lid member 102

The lid member supply mechanism 122 draws out the lid member 102 wound in a roll shape, and supplies the lid member 102 from the rotating roller 124 so as to cover the opening 16 of the storage section 14a of the subdivided container 12.

Further, between the inert gas replacement mechanism 120 and the rotating roller 124 of the cap member supply mechanism 122, an inert gas sealing mechanism 123 is preferably provided in order to prevent the inert gas from flowing out from between the inert gas replacement mechanism 120 and the rotating roller 124 and to prevent air (oxygen) from flowing in from between the inert gas replacement mechanism 120 and the rotating roller 124.

Fig. 9 is a plan view of the inert gas sealing mechanism 123 according to the embodiment of the present invention. The inert gas sealing mechanism 123 is sheet-shaped. The outlet of the inert gas replacement means 120 is provided with the long side 123a of the inert gas sealing means 123. The short-side extending portions 123b and 123c are disposed below the support member that supports the rotating roller 124 of the cap member supply mechanism 122. The front ends of the extending portions 123b and 123c in the traveling direction a are provided so as to be connected to the guide mechanisms 126a and 126b of the seal mechanism 126 without a gap. Since the container arrangement sheet 100' moves from the inert gas replacement mechanism 120 toward the rotating roller 124 of the cap member supply mechanism 122, the inert gas flows from the inert gas replacement mechanism 120 toward the rotating roller 124 of the cap member supply mechanism 122. Therefore, the airtightness between the inert gas replacement mechanism 120 and the rotating roller 124 of the cap member supply mechanism 122 can be improved.

(5) A step of heat-welding the lid member 22 to the flange portion 18 of the opening portion 16 provided in the housing portion 14a

The sealing mechanism 126 supplies the lid member 102 to the subdivided container 12 in which the inert gas replacement mechanism 120 replaces the air in the space 14b of the subdivided container 12 with the inert gas, and thermally welds the lid member 102 to the flange portion 18 provided at the peripheral edge of the opening portion 16 of the storage portion 14a of the subdivided container 12. The temperature of the thermal welding is, for example, 190 ℃ to 210 ℃.

As shown in fig. 10, a pair of guide mechanisms 126a and 126b are preferably provided between the rotating roller 124 of the cap member supplying mechanism 122 and the sealing mechanism 126, and the pair of guide mechanisms 126a and 126b guide both end portions of the container array sheet 100 'in the same direction as the traveling direction a to press both end portions of the container array sheet 100' and both end portions of the cap member 102. By providing the pair of guide mechanisms 126a and 126b in the sealing mechanism 126, the sealing property between the container array sheet 100 ' and the lid member 102 can be improved, the inert gas can be prevented from flowing out from between the container array sheet 100 ' and the lid member 102, and the air (oxygen) can be prevented from flowing in from between the container array sheet 100 ' and the lid member 102. The pair of guide mechanisms 126a and 126b are preferably made of a heat-resistant material, and for example, Teflon (registered trademark) (fluororesin) can be used.

(6) Process for die cutting subdivided containers 12

The container arrangement sheet 100' and the lid member 102 are cut by the die cutting mechanism 128 and shaped into a final shape.

Since the apparatus 110 for producing edible oil packed in a subdivided container according to the present invention is filled with the edible oil 50 and transported, the transport speed is preferably low. The transport speed is, for example, 3m to 4 m/min. When the conveying speed is high, the cooking oil 50 may flow out to the outside of the subdivided container 12. When the edible oil 50 flows out to the outside of the subdivided container 12, the subdivided container 12 and the lid member 22 are difficult to be thermally welded at the sealing mechanism 126. Further, since the housing portion 14a of the sub-tank 12 is filled with the edible oil 50, the heating process cannot be performed, and when the edible oil 50 flows out of the sub-tank 12, the oil flowing out cannot be washed away.

3. Experimental data

According to the above-described manufacturing method, the edible oil 10 packed in a finely divided container was prepared, and the following test was performed.

Various parameters of the edible oil 10 packed into a subdivided container used as an example and comparative example are as follows.

< samples used and conditions >

Capacity of the subdivision container 12: 12ml of

Filling amount of the edible oil 50 filled in the subdivided container 12: about 6ml

Kinds of the edible oil 50 filled in the subdivided container 12: perilla oil

Inert gas: nitrogen gas

A. Inert gas displacement test

Whether or not the space 14b of the edible oil 10 packed in the subdivided container prepared by the above-described production method was appropriately replaced with an inert gas was measured with respect to the residual oxygen concentration in the space 14b at the time of completion of production. The residual oxygen concentration was measured using a zirconia-type oxygen concentration meter LC-450F (manufactured by Toray engineering Co., Ltd., Japan). In this test, the number of edible oils 10 packed into the subdivided containers produced in one cycle was 24, and the arrangement of each subdivided container 12 is as shown in fig. 11. The production was continuously performed 30 times by the above-described production method, and the residual oxygen concentration at the position of each subdivided container 12 shown in fig. 11 was measured. The results of the inert gas displacement test are shown in fig. 12. Fig. 12 shows the average value of the residual oxygen concentration at the position of each subdivided container 12.

As shown in fig. 12, the residual oxygen concentration of the edible oil 10 packed in the subdivided container manufactured by the above-described manufacturing method is less than 1% at any position.

B. Severe temperature storage test

The measurement of POV (peroxide value) and flavor test were performed on the deterioration due to oxidation of the edible oil 10 packed into a subdivided container prepared according to the above-described production method. The edible oil 10 in a subdivided container is stored at 50 ℃. In addition, as a comparative example, the edible oil charged in the subdivided container in which the air in the space 14b of the subdivided container 12 was not replaced with the inert gas (nitrogen gas) was stored under the same conditions, and the measurement of the POV (peroxide value) and the flavor test were performed.

POV (peroxide value) was measured using POV test paper (peroxide value test paper) (manufactured by Kashida scientific Co., Ltd.).

In the flavor test, the flavor is good at 1, the degree of deterioration thereafter is 2 to 5, and the allowable range is 4 or less.

The results of the severe temperature storage test are shown in fig. 13. When the air in the space 14b of the sub-divided container 12 is replaced with an inert gas (nitrogen gas), the POV is 10 or less. Further, the flavor was within the allowable range before the ninth week.

From this, it is understood that the deterioration due to oxidation can be suppressed by replacing the air in the space 14b of the subdivided container 12 with an inert gas (nitrogen gas), and the quality of the edible oil 10 filled in the subdivided container can be ensured within a predetermined shelf life.

C. Fluorescent irradiation storage test

With respect to deterioration due to oxidation in the case where the color of the subdivided container 12 was changed in the edible oil 10 filled in the subdivided container prepared according to the above-described production method, measurement of POV (peroxide value) and flavor test were performed. The edible oil 10 packed in a subdivided container was stored at 24000lux at 10 ℃.

The polypropylene layer of the subdivided containers 12 is colored and white, cream, black subdivided containers 12 are prepared. Further, as a comparative example, a transparent subdivided container 12 in which the polypropylene layer of the subdivided container 12 was not colored was also prepared. In this test, the edible oil 10 filled in a subdivided container was used, all of which was replaced with an inert gas (nitrogen gas). The measurement of POV (peroxide value) and the measurement of flavor test were carried out by the same method as in test B.

The results of the fluorescent irradiation storage test are shown in FIG. 14. By coloring the polypropylene layer of the subdivided container 12 black, the quality can be maintained without increasing the POV. In addition, the flavor was also good. On the other hand, when the polypropylene layer of the subdivided container 12 was white or cream, the POV (peroxide value) increased to the tenth day, as in the case where the polypropylene layer of the subdivided container 12 was transparent. In the flavor test, it is preferable that the polypropylene layer of the subdivided container 12 is white or cream color than the polypropylene layer of the subdivided container 12 is transparent, but it is more preferable that the polypropylene layer of the subdivided container 12 is black than the polypropylene layer of the subdivided container 12 is black.

As is clear from the results of the fluorescent light irradiation storage test, when the material of the subdivided container 12 has a light-shielding property, deterioration due to light is suppressed, and the quality of the edible oil 10 packed in the subdivided container can be maintained well within a predetermined shelf life.

From the above results, it is understood that the edible oil 10 packed in the subdivided container manufactured by the above manufacturing method can be stably manufactured with the residual oxygen concentration in the space 14b being less than 1% at any point of time when the manufacturing is completed.

It was confirmed that the air in the space 14b of the edible oil 10 filled in the subdivided container is replaced with the inert gas, so that the deterioration due to oxidation can be suppressed, and the quality of the edible oil 10 filled in the subdivided container can be maintained well within a predetermined shelf life.

It has been confirmed that the edible oil 50 can be prevented from being deteriorated by light even when the sub-container 12 of the edible oil filled in the sub-container according to the present invention is formed of a material having a light-shielding property.

As described above, the embodiments of the present invention are disclosed in the above description, but the present invention is not limited thereto.

That is, various changes in the mechanism, shape, material, number, position, arrangement, and the like can be made to the above-described embodiments without departing from the technical concept and the object of the present invention, and these changes are also included in the present invention.

Description of reference numerals

10 edible oil in a subdivided container;

12 subdividing the container;

14a receiving part;

14b space;

16 opening parts;

18 flange parts;

20a hand-held portion;

22 a cover member;

24 step parts;

50 edible oil;

100 container-forming parts;

100a, 100b end portions of container forming members;

100' container arrangement pieces (pieces formed by arranging subdivided containers);

102 a cover member;

110a device for producing edible oil filled in a subdivided container;

a 110A machine frame;

a 110B frame;

a 110C clip;

112 a container forming member supply mechanism;

114 a heating mechanism;

116 a container forming mechanism;

118 a filling mechanism;

120 an inert gas displacement mechanism;

120a an injection port;

121 an inert gas outflow prevention portion;

a longitudinal portion 121 a;

121b, a transverse part;

122 a cap member supply mechanism;

123 inert gas sealing mechanism;

123a long side of the inert gas sealing mechanism;

123b and 123c are extended portions on the short sides of the inert gas sealing means;

124 rotating the roller;

126a sealing mechanism;

126a, 126b guide portions;

a 128 cutting mechanism;

a, conveying direction of the container arrangement sheet;

D₁the diameter of the opening of the receiving part;

D₂the diameter of the ejection opening.