Patents by Inventor Atsushi Hayakawa

Atsushi Hayakawa has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 11702236
    Abstract: Only a bottle properly preliminarily heated is sterilized by hydrogen peroxide. Temperature inspection to the bottle is performed while travelling the bottle. During the inspection, a bottle of which temperature does not reach a predetermined temperature is removed and a bottle of which temperature reaches the predetermined temperature is continuously travelled, hydrogen peroxide condensed mist ? is blown toward a mouth portion 1a of the bottle by a spray tube 59 disposed at a predetermined position, and hot air is blown into the bottle from the nozzle while the nozzle 64 following the mouth portion of the bottle. According to such operation, only the bottle properly heated can be sterilized by the hydrogen peroxide, Thereafter, beverage fills the bottle, which is then sealed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2023
    Assignee: Dai Nippon Printing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Atsushi Hayakawa, Takaharu Hirooka, Takaki Maekawa, Hitoshi Takaku
  • Publication number: 20230211995
    Abstract: Even when the filling rate is high, the surface temperature of molded bottles is kept at a certain temperature or higher, and the bottles can be adequately sterilized with a sterilizer. A preform is heated, the heated preform is sealed in a neck portion mold, a trunk portion mold and a bottom portion mold at a predetermined temperature range, and the preform sealed in the molds is blow-molded into a bottle. Any bottle is removed which has been molded in the neck portion mold, the trunk portion mold and the bottom portion mold the temperature of any of which is outside the predetermined temperature range, and a sterilizer is blasted to any bottle for sterilization which has been molded in the neck portion mold, the trunk portion mold and the bottom portion mold the temperature of all of which is in the predetermined temperature range.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 10, 2020
    Publication date: July 6, 2023
    Applicant: Dai Nippon Printing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Atsushi HAYAKAWA, Yoshinori SATOU
  • Patent number: 11693049
    Abstract: A sensor test apparatus capable of efficiently testing a sensor is provided. A sensor test apparatus 30 which tests the pressure sensor 90 includes an application unit 40 including an application device 42 including a socket 445 to which the sensor 90 is electronically connected, a pressure chamber 43 which applies pressure to the sensor 90, and a heat sink 443,462 which applies a thermal stress to the sensor 90, the test unit 35 which tests the sensor 90 via the socket 445, and the conveying robot 33 which conveys the sensor 90 into and out of the application unit 40.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2023
    Assignee: ADVANTEST Corporation
    Inventors: Kazunari Suga, Daisuke Takano, Satoshi Hanamura, Michiro Chiba, Hisao Nishizaki, Atsushi Hayakawa
  • Patent number: 11691861
    Abstract: A method of cleaning and sterilizing a drink filling apparatus including a CIP process of circulating a cleaner in a drink supply piping to remove foreign matter on an interior of the drink supply piping, and an SIP process of sterilizing the interior of the drink supply piping. The processes are performed at the same time or in sequence without an interruption between the two. The SIP process uses the cleaner to sterilize the interior of the drink supply piping. After the SIP process, while the cleaner is kept circulating, a temperature condition at a predetermined position in the drink supply piping is adjusted to a temperature setting for manufacture, after which the cleaner in the drink supply piping is removed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2023
    Assignee: DAI NIPPON PRINTING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Atsushi Hayakawa, Seiji Kuwano
  • Publication number: 20230202696
    Abstract: A sterilization method includes a circulation step of circulating a sterilizer through a circulation line (53) while the sterilizer is being heated by a heater (H), and a sterilization step of sterilizing a filling chamber (42) by supplying, to the filling chamber (42), the sterilizer heated by the heater (H).
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 30, 2021
    Publication date: June 29, 2023
    Applicant: Dai Nippon Printing Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Atsushi HAYAKAWA
  • Patent number: 11667505
    Abstract: An aseptic filling machine capable of performing molding and filling at the same time that has a compact facility size, requires a reduced initial investment, requires a reduced running cost because of its simplified process, and ensures an aseptic condition with reliability, and an aseptic filling method therefor. An aseptic filling machine includes a pre-heating sterilizing portion that sterilizes a preform, a heating portion that heats the sterilized preform, a molding and filling portion that fills the heated preform with a sterilized content under high pressure, thereby molding the preform into a bottle and at the same time filling the preform with the content, and a sealing portion that seals the bottle filled with the content. Before the aseptic filling machine starts operating, each portion is sterilized. During operation of the aseptic filling machine, aseptic air is supplied to each portion to maintain the aseptic condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2023
    Assignee: Dai Nippon Printing Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Atsushi Hayakawa
  • Publication number: 20230159316
    Abstract: To efficiently perform CIP and SIP of an aseptic filling machine. An upstream piping portion of a drink supply piping of an aseptic filling machine that extends through a heat sterilization apparatus is provided with an upstream feedback path to form an upstream circulation path, an aseptic surge tank piping portion that includes an aseptic surge tank that stores a drink sterilized by the heat sterilization apparatus is provided with an aseptic surge tank feedback path to form an aseptic surge tank circulation path, a downstream piping portion that extends to a filling nozzle via a filler tank that stores the drink supplied from the aseptic surge tank is provided with a downstream feedback path to form a downstream circulation path, and the upstream piping portion, the aseptic surge tank piping portion and the downstream piping portion are individually subjected to CIP and SIP.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 14, 2021
    Publication date: May 25, 2023
    Applicant: Dai Nippon Printing Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Atsushi HAYAKAWA
  • Patent number: 11655133
    Abstract: A cap sterilizer (50) includes an infeed chamber (52), a sterilant atomizing chamber (53), and an air rinse chamber (54). At least the infeed chamber (52) and the air rinse chamber (54) are exhausted. Both an exhaust pressure (E2) in the infeed chamber (52) and an exhaust pressure (E4) in the air rinse chamber are higher than an exhaust pressure (E3) in the sterilant atomizing chamber (53), or the sterilant atomizing chamber (53) is not exhausted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2023
    Assignee: DAI NIPPON PRINTING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Atsushi Hayakawa, Masatoshi Takagi, Hitoshi Takaku
  • Publication number: 20230143000
    Abstract: To sterilize a sterilization filter unit with heated steam, minimize the heat load on the sterilization filter unit and extend the service life of the sterilization filter unit. Heated steam is supplied to a sterilization filter unit that sterilizes supplied air, the temperature of the heated steam discharged from the sterilization filter unit is measured at predetermined time intervals, the F value is calculated from the measured temperature, and sterilization of the sterilization filter unit is ended when the F value reaches a target value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 29, 2022
    Publication date: May 11, 2023
    Applicant: Dai Nippon Printing Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Atsushi HAYAKAWA
  • Patent number: 11643317
    Abstract: To make a sterilization step appropriate in an aseptic filling apparatus. Provided is an aseptic filling apparatus including a step of sterilizing a preform and a step of sterilizing a container obtained by molding the preform, wherein assuming sterilization effects in the respective sterilization steps as X [LRV] and Y [LRV], a relationship of 5?X+Y?10 (where Y?0) is established.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2023
    Assignee: Dai Nippon Printing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Atsushi Hayakawa, Yuiko Wada
  • Patent number: 11614350
    Abstract: A sensor test apparatus having excellent versatility is provided. The sensor test apparatus includes a first application unit 40 including a first application device including a socket to which the sensor is electrically connected, and a pressure chamber 43 which applies pressure to the sensor, a test unit which tests the sensor 90 via the socket, a conveying robot which conveys the sensor into and out of the first application unit 40, and an apparatus main body which houses the first application unit 40, the test unit 35 and the conveying robot, and the apparatus main body has an opening which allows the first application unit 40 to be inserted into the apparatus main body and removed from the apparatus main body to an outside.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2023
    Assignee: ADVANTEST Corporation
    Inventors: Kazunari Suga, Daisuke Takano, Satoshi Hanamura, Michiro Chiba, Hisao Nishizaki, Atsushi Hayakawa
  • Patent number: 11607470
    Abstract: To sterilize a sterilization filter unit with heated steam, minimize the heat load on the sterilization filter unit and extend the service life of the sterilization filter unit. Heated steam is supplied to a sterilization filter unit that sterilizes supplied air, the temperature of the heated steam discharged from the sterilization filter unit is measured at predetermined time intervals, the F value is calculated from the measured temperature, and sterilization of the sterilization filter unit is ended when the F value reaches a target value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2023
    Assignee: Dai Nippon Printing Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Atsushi Hayakawa
  • Publication number: 20230043811
    Abstract: A sterilization method includes a sterilizer supplying step of supplying a sterilizer to a sterile zone conveyor (23) while the sterile zone conveyor (23) is being rotated, and a sterile water supplying step of supplying sterile water to the sterile zone conveyor (23) while the sterile zone conveyor (23) is being rotated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 9, 2022
    Publication date: February 9, 2023
    Applicant: Dai Nippon Printing Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Atsushi HAYAKAWA
  • Patent number: 11554528
    Abstract: A blow molding machine is subjected to a sterilizing treatment in a simple manner. A liquid sterilizer is filled into preforms of at least the same number as the number of spindles. In a heating unit that heats the preforms to a molding temperature, some of the liquid sterilizer is caused to diffuse, and blow air is blasted into preforms in which the liquid sterilizer remains to cause the liquid sterilizer to diffuse in a molding unit, and molded bottles are discharged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2023
    Assignee: Dai Nippon Printing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Atsushi Hayakawa, Yoshinori Sato
  • Publication number: 20230001625
    Abstract: A blow molding machine is subjected to a sterilizing treatment in a simple manner. A liquid sterilizer is filled into preforms of at least the same number as the number of spindles. In a heating unit that heats the preforms to a molding temperature, some of the liquid sterilizer is caused to diffuse, and blow air is blasted into preforms in which the liquid sterilizer remains to cause the liquid sterilizer to diffuse in a molding unit, and molded bottles are discharged.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 6, 2022
    Publication date: January 5, 2023
    Applicant: Dai Nippon Printing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Atsushi HAYAKAWA, Yoshinori SATO
  • Publication number: 20230002208
    Abstract: A cap sterilization device (50) includes a sterilant spraying chamber (52) in which a sterilant is sprayed onto a cap (33) and an air-rinsing chamber (53) in which the cap (33) onto which the sterilant has been sprayed in the sterilant spraying chamber (52) is subjected to air-rinsing. A sterilant spraying wheel (74) that conveys the cap (33) while rotating the cap (33) is disposed in the sterilant spraying chamber (52). An air-rinsing wheel (75) that conveys the cap (33) onto which the sterilant has been sprayed while rotating the cap (33) is disposed in the air-rinsing chamber (53). The air-rinsing chamber (53) is disposed vertically above the sterilant spraying chamber (52).
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 20, 2020
    Publication date: January 5, 2023
    Applicant: Dai Nippon Printing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Atsushi HAYAKAWA, Seiji KUWANO, Yoshinori SATOU
  • Patent number: 11542137
    Abstract: A method of decontaminating an aseptic filling apparatus that includes stations including a content filling station arranged from an upstream side to a downstream side of a flow of a preform or container, and each of the stations is covered by a chamber. The method includes sterilizing the content filling station by performing a CIP and then an SIP or performing an SIP serving also as a CIP of the content filling station, removing a cleaning liquid used in the CIP or SIP, and performing a COP and/or an SOP of the various kinds of stations in a predetermined order. A first SOP using a first sterilizer and a second SOP using a second sterilizer are performed stepwise on the various kinds of stations while the CIP and the SIP or the SIP serving also as the CIP are being performed on the content filling station.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2023
    Assignee: Dai Nippon Printing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Atsushi Hayakawa, Ryuichi Tamagawa
  • Patent number: 11535502
    Abstract: A trouble recovering method of an aseptic filling machine and an aseptic filling machine which can resume operation at an early stage if a trouble occurs in any of portions during an operation of the aseptic filling machine are provided. A door of a chamber in which the trouble occurred is opened while a pressure in the chamber other than the chamber in which the trouble occurred is kept positive, the trouble is removed and then, the door is closed, an inside of the chamber in which the trouble occurred is cleaned as necessary, the inside of the chamber is sterilized and then, the operation of the aseptic filling machine is resumed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2022
    Assignee: Dai Nippon Printing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Atsushi Hayakawa, Shuta Ito
  • Publication number: 20220402740
    Abstract: A cap sterilization device (50) includes an introduction unit (52), a sterilant spraying unit (53) that sprays a sterilant onto a cap (33) supplied from the introduction unit (52), an air-rinsing unit (54) that subjects the cap (33) onto which the sterilant has been sprayed by the sterilant spraying unit (53) to air-rinsing, and a conveyance guide (70) that is disposed to extend successively through the introduction unit (52), the sterilant spraying unit (53), and the air-rinsing unit (54) and along which the cap (33) is conveyed from the introduction unit (52) toward the air-rinsing unit (54). The air-rinsing unit (54) is provided with an air-rinsing nozzle (83) that supplies hot air to the cap (33). The air-rinsing nozzle (83) is disposed such that a distal end (83a) thereof is in front of a proximal end (83b) thereof in a conveying direction of the conveyance guide (70).
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 2, 2020
    Publication date: December 22, 2022
    Applicant: Dai Nippon Printing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Atsushi HAYAKAWA, Yoshinori SATOU
  • Publication number: 20220380188
    Abstract: A carbonated beverage aseptic filling system (10) comprises: a filling nozzle (72) for filling a carbonated beverage; a carbonated beverage filling tank (75) connected to the filling nozzle (72) via a carbonated beverage supplying pipe (73) and a counter pressure pipe (74); a snift pipe (78) connected to the filling nozzle; and an aseptic chamber (13) enclosing the filling nozzle (72), at least part of the carbonated beverage supplying pipe (73), and at least part of the counter pressure pipe (74). The carbonated beverage supplying pipe (73) and the counter pressure pipe (74) are attached to the aseptic chamber (13) by a rotary joint (77). A discharging valve (79) is provided in the snift pipe (78) inside the aseptic chamber (13), and gas from the snift pipe (78) is discharged into the aseptic chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 10, 2022
    Publication date: December 1, 2022
    Applicant: Dai Nippon Printing Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Atsushi HAYAKAWA