# US 11,993,503 B2 · Aseptic filler and method for cleaning the same > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 11,993,503 B2 - Document ID: US11993503B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 17/258,275 - Filed: 2019-08-28 - Published: 2021-09-02 - Granted: 2024-05-28 - Earliest claimed: 2018-08-31 - Assignees: Dai Nippon Printing Co., Ltd. - Applicants: Dai Nippon Printing Co., Ltd. - Inventors: Atsushi Hayakawa; Shuta Ito - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11993503B2 ## CPC - B67C 7/0073: {Sterilising, aseptic filling and closing (B67C3/2642 takes precedence)} - A61L 2/20: Gaseous substances, e.g. vapours - A61L 2/202: Ozone - A61L 2/208: Hydrogen peroxide - A61L 2/22: Phase substances, e.g. smokes or aerosols - B67C 3/001: {Cleaning of filling devices} - B67C 3/22: Details - B67C 7/004: {the containers travelling along a circular path} - A61L 2202/17: Combination with washing or cleaning means - B67C: CLEANING, FILLING WITH LIQUIDS OR SEMILIQUIDS, OR EMPTYING, OF BOTTLES, JARS, CANS, CASKS, BARRELS, OR SIMILAR CONTAINERS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; FUNNELS - A61L: METHODS OR APPARATUS FOR STERILISING MATERIALS OR OBJECTS IN GENERAL; DISINFECTION, STERILISATION OR DEODORISATION OF AIR; CHEMICAL ASPECTS OF BANDAGES, DRESSINGS, ABSORBENT PADS OR SURGICAL ARTICLES; MATERIALS FOR BANDAGES, DRESSINGS, ABSORBENT PADS OR SURGICAL ARTICLES (preservation of bodies or disinfecting characterised by the agents employed A01N; preserving, e.g. sterilising, food or foodstuffs A23; preparations for medical, dental or toiletry purposes A61K) ## Abstract Provided is an aseptic filler that includes no other sterilization apparatus for producing aseptic water than a sterilization apparatus for sterilizing a content, and a method for cleaning the same. An aseptic water supply apparatus that supplies aseptic water, which is sterilized by a content sterilization apparatus that sterilizes a content, to at least a filling portion chamber is provided, and rinsing aseptic water for washing away a sterilizer when performing an SOP treatment of each chamber is supplied to each chamber. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An aseptic filler, sequentially comprising: a container sterilizing portion that sterilizes a molded container; an air rinsing portion that air rinses the sterilized container; a filling portion that fills the container sterilized with an aseptic atmosphere, with a content sterilized by a content sterilization apparatus; a sealing portion that seals the container filled with the content, with a sterilized lid material in an aseptic atmosphere; a discharging portion that places the sealed container on a discharging conveyor; and further comprises chambers that shield the container sterilizing portion, the air rinsing portion, the filling portion chamber and the discharging portion, wherein the aseptic filler comprises an aseptic water supply apparatus that supplies aseptic water which is sterilized by the content sterilization apparatus and sprays to a container sterilizing portion chamber, an air rinsing portion chamber, a filling portion chamber and the discharging portion chamber of the aseptic filler. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The aseptic filler according to claim 1, wherein the aseptic water supply apparatus includes a heating apparatus that heats the aseptic water. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The aseptic filler according to claim 2, wherein the aseptic water supply apparatus includes a sterilization apparatus that sterilizes an interior of aseptic water supply piping for supplying the aseptic water from the content sterilization apparatus to at least the filling portion chamber. ### Claim 4 (depends on 2) The aseptic filler according to claim 2, wherein two or more of the content sterilization apparatuses are provided. ### Claim 5 (depends on 2) The aseptic filler according to claim 2, wherein the aseptic water supply apparatus is provided with an aseptic water reservoir tank that stores the aseptic water. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The aseptic filler according to claim 1, wherein the aseptic water supply apparatus includes a sterilization apparatus that sterilizes an interior of aseptic water supply piping for supplying the aseptic water from the content sterilization apparatus to at least the filling portion chamber. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The aseptic filler according to claim 6, wherein two or more of the content sterilization apparatuses are provided. ### Claim 8 (depends on 6) The aseptic filler according to claim 6, wherein the aseptic water supply apparatus is provided with an aseptic water reservoir tank that stores the aseptic water. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The aseptic filler according to claim 1, wherein two or more of the content sterilization apparatuses are provided. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The aseptic filler according to claim 9, wherein the aseptic water supply apparatus is provided with an aseptic water reservoir tank that stores the aseptic water. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The aseptic filler according to claim 1, wherein the aseptic water supply apparatus is provided with an aseptic water reservoir tank that stores the aseptic water. ### Claim 12 A method for cleaning an aseptic filler, the aseptic filler sequentially including: a container sterilizing portion that sterilizes a molded container; an air rinsing portion that air rinses the sterilized container; a filling portion that fills the container sterilized with an aseptic atmosphere, with a content sterilized by a content sterilization apparatus; and a sealing portion that seals the container filled with the content, with a sterilized lid material in an aseptic atmosphere; a discharging portion that places the sealed container on a discharging conveyor; and further includes chambers that shield the container sterilizing portion, the air rinsing portion, the filling portion and the discharging portion, wherein interiors of a container sterilizing portion chamber, an air rinsing portion chamber, a filling portion chamber and a discharging portion chamber are cleaned by supplying and spraying aseptic water sterilized by the content sterilization apparatus. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The method for cleaning an aseptic filler according to claim 12, wherein the aseptic water supplied from the aseptic water supply apparatus is heated. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The method for cleaning an aseptic filler according to claim 13, wherein the interior of aseptic water supply piping, which supplies the aseptic water from the content sterilization apparatus to at least the filling portion chamber, is sterilized with a sterilizer. ### Claim 15 (depends on 13) The method for cleaning an aseptic filler according to claim 13, wherein the aseptic water is supplied from at least one of two or more of the content sterilization apparatuses. ### Claim 16 (depends on 13) The method for cleaning an aseptic filler according to claim 13, wherein the aseptic water is stored and thereafter supplied. ### Claim 17 (depends on 12) The method for cleaning an aseptic filler according to claim 12, wherein the interior of aseptic water supply piping, which supplies the aseptic water from the content sterilization apparatus to at least the filling portion chamber, is sterilized with a sterilizer. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) The method for cleaning an aseptic filler according to claim 17, wherein the aseptic water is supplied from at least one of two or more of the content sterilization apparatuses. ### Claim 19 (depends on 12) The method for cleaning an aseptic filler according to claim 12, wherein the aseptic water is supplied from at least one of two or more of the content sterilization apparatuses. ### Claim 20 (depends on 12) The method for cleaning an aseptic filler according to claim 12, wherein the aseptic water is stored and thereafter supplied.