JPH07110282B2 - Automatic transfer sterilizer - Google Patents

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to an automatic transfer and sterilization apparatus for automatically transferring and sterilizing articles.

[Prior Art] Conventionally, for example, in the manufacturing technology of medical supplies, various automatic carrier sterilizers for automatically carrying and sterilizing medical articles have been developed and actually used. In this conventional automatic transfer sterilizer, a so-called batch system is adopted as the sterilizer, and the articles before sterilization are temporarily stored in the storage, and a predetermined number of articles are stored in the storage. This sterilizer is used to transport the product to a storage container, sterilize it once, and then store it again in the storage cabinet.

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention] However, in such a conventional automatic transfer sterilization apparatus, although the sterilized article and the article before sterilization are not visually changed at all. The unsterilized item and the sterilized item are stored in the same storage box, and when the worker tries to leave the sterilized item, the worker erroneously sends the unsterilized item. Problems that may occur are pointed out.

The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide an automatic carrier sterilizer that enables an operator to take out sterilized articles without making a mistake. Is.

[Means for Solving Problems] In order to solve the above-mentioned problems and to achieve the object, an automatic transfer and sterilization apparatus according to the present invention is provided with a pre-sterilization article storage means for storing pre-sterilization articles and an entrance. A sterilizing means for separately sterilizing articles taken in from the inlet section, a sterilized article storage means for storing articles sterilized by the sterilization means, and the pre-sterilization article storage means And the entrance of the sterilization means are connected to each other, and the pre-sterilization article conveying means for conveying the pre-sterilization article to the sterilization means and the exit section of the sterilization means and the sterilized article storage means are connected to each other, and the sterilized article The apparatus includes a sterilized article conveying means for conveying the sterilized article storing means, and a stacking bundling means which is interposed in the sterilized article conveying means and stacks and bundles sterilized articles in a predetermined number. The only article storage means is characterized in that sterilized articles are stored in a stacked and bound state.

According to the first embodiment of the automatic transfer sterilization apparatus of the present invention, the sterilization means is configured to continuously sterilize the article.

[Operation] In the automatic transfer sterilizer configured as described above,
The articles before sterilization are stored in the storage means before sterilization and transported to the sterilization means via the transport means before sterilization. on the other hand,
The article sterilized by the sterilizing means is conveyed to the sterilized storing means via the sterilized conveying means, and is stored therein. In this way, by adopting the automatic transfer sterilization device of the present invention, it is possible to surely avoid confusion between the article before sterilization and the article after sterilization.

[Embodiment] The configuration of an embodiment of the automatic carrier sterilizer according to the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

As shown in FIG. 1, the automatic carrier sterilizer 10 temporarily stores an article before sterilization, for example, an intermediate box 12 containing a plurality of medical infusion bags, before shipping. This is a device for storing and shipping in a sterilized state.
The automatic transfer sterilization apparatus 10 includes a pre-sterilization storage 14 for storing a large number of pre-sterilization intermediate boxes 12 in a stacked state. The pre-sterilization storage 14 has an intermediate box 12 containing a plurality of infusion bags in a box stacking section (not shown).
However, an unmanned vehicle 16 whose operation is controlled by a control mechanism (not shown)
It is configured so that it is carried from the loading port 18a through the loading port 18 through the loading port 20 from the loading port 18.

As shown in FIG. 2, the unmanned vehicle 16 has a dedicated pallet 16a removably placed on its bed, and the dedicated pallet 16a is formed of a so-called three-tiered shelf. There is. That is, each dedicated pallet 16a is provided with a total of nine intermediate boxes 12 for each stage. This exclusive pallet 16a is open on one side, as shown in the figure,
It is formed in a state where side walls standing on the other three sides are provided, and on the side wall facing the open side surface, the intermediate box 12 can be reliably taken out at the intermediate box taking-out portion 28 described later, A slit (shown in FIG. 3) 16b through which the extrusion rod 38 is inserted is formed in each step.

It should be noted that the dedicated pallet 16a is transferred from the unmanned vehicle 16 to the carry-in entrance 18, and the dedicated pallet 16a remains as it is in the transport path 2.
It is configured to be transported via 0 and stored in the pre-sterilization storage 14.

On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 1 again, first and second sterilization stations 22 and 24 for sterilizing the intermediate box 12 as a whole are provided at positions separated from the pre-sterilization storage box 14. . These first and second sterile stations 22, 24 are
Both are equipped with a sterilizer by γ-ray irradiation, and are configured so that the intermediate box 12 can be sterilized independently of each other.

Each sterilization station 22 and 24 has an intermediate box 12 as described later.
A plurality of sterile transport mechanisms 22a, 24a for transporting endlessly the sterile carriers 26 accommodating them in a stacked state and a part of each sterile transport mechanism 22a, 24a are incorporated, and the carriers 26 entering here are irradiated with γ-rays. And sterilizers 22b and 24b for sterilizing the same. Here, each sterilization transfer mechanism 22a, 22b, an entrance 22c, 24c for receiving the carrier 26 in which the intermediate box 12 before sterilization is stacked,
Intermediate box 12 sterilized in the corresponding sterilizer 22b, 24b
There are provided outlets 22d and 24d for taking out the carrier 26 in which the above are stacked.

Here, in the pre-sterilization storage 14 described above, one of the sterilization stations 22 and 24 is provided to sterilize the pre-sterilization intermediate box 12 stored here via the dedicated pallet 16a in accordance with the sterilization plan. Outlet 14b for taking out for transport to
Is provided. A dedicated pallet carry-out path 30 is provided to convey the dedicated pallet 16a taken out to the take-out port 14b to the intermediate box take-out section 28. Further, the intermediate box 12 taken out by the intermediate box taking-out section 28 in a state of being adjacent to the end of the dedicated pallet carrying-out path 30 is provided with the entrance 22c of the above-mentioned first sterilization transfer station 22.
An intermediate box transport path 32 for transporting to is provided.

Incidentally, as shown in FIG. 1, at the end of the dedicated pallet carrying-out path 30, in a continuous state, the intermediate box taking-out section is provided.
Empty special pallet after the intermediate box 12 is taken out by 28
An empty-only pallet return path 34 for returning 16a is connected. At the end of the empty-only pallet return path 34, a loading section 36 for loading the empty-only pallet 16a onto the bed of the unmanned vehicle 16 is provided in the state of being close to the carry-in port 18 described above.

As shown in FIG. 3, the intermediate box take-out section 28 described above is
Dedicated pallet 16 reaching the end of dedicated pallet carry-out path 30
An extruding rod 38 for moving the intermediate box 12 accommodated in a to the starting end of the intermediate box conveying path 32 is provided. This extrusion rod 38 is, as described above, the exclusive pallet 16a.
The intermediate box 12 housed in each stage is pushed out through the slit 16b in each stage.

Here, although the detailed configuration is not shown, the end portion of the dedicated pallet carrying-out path 30 is configured to be vertically movable so that the dedicated pallet 16a reaching here can be moved in the vertical direction. In this way, in the dedicated pallet 16a, the stages having different heights are sequentially transferred to the intermediate box transport path 32.
Therefore, the intermediate boxes 12 housed in the respective stages of the dedicated pallet 16a can be reliably transferred to the intermediate box transport path 32.

On the other hand, at the end of the intermediate box transport path 32, that is, at the part adjacent to the entrance 22c of the first sterilization station 22, the intermediate box 12 introduced here is pushed in for pushing into the above-mentioned carrier 26. A section 40 is provided. Here, at the entrance 22c, the carrier 26 is on standby in a state of lying sideways. As shown in FIG. 4, the pushing rod 42 is pushed out from the pushing portion 40 into the carrier 26 that is lying down, so that a plurality of intermediate boxes 12 reaching the end of the intermediate box conveying path 32 are formed. At the same time, it will be pushed into the carrier 26.

Here, in the sterilizing / conveying mechanism 22a in the above-mentioned first sterilizing station 22, each carrier 26 is configured to be conveyed endlessly in an upright state,
Although not shown in detail, the entrance portion 22c and the exit portion 22d are provided with a tilting mechanism that temporarily lays the carrier 26 that has been erected upside down, erected it again, and then conveys it. .

Further, as described above, each of the carriers 26 is configured so that the intermediate box 12 housed therein does not come out even when the carrier 26 is rotated from the upright state to the sideways lying down state, as shown in FIG. An intermediate box fall prevention plate 44 is releasably provided on one side surface that functions as a doorway of the intermediate box 12. The intermediate box fall prevention plate 44 is composed of a pair of doors 44a, 44b mounted in a so-called double door open state so as to be rotatable upward and downward at the upper edge and the lower edge, respectively. In the normal state, the doors 44a and 44b are biased by a biasing member (not shown) so as to close one side surface of the carrier 26.

On the other hand, when the carrier 26 reaches the entrance 22c of the sterilization transfer mechanism 22a and is laid down in a sideways state to insert the intermediate box 12, as shown in FIG. 6, suction cups 46a, 46a, 46b moves and the corresponding doors 44a, 4
It is configured to be adsorbed to 4b and be rotated up and down respectively against the urging force of the urging member to open one side surface.

The intermediate box 12 pushed by the pushing rod 42 through the one side opened in this way is stored in the carrier 26. After the storage operation is completed, the suction operation by the suction cups 46a, 46b is stopped, and the doors 44a, 44b are rotated by the urging force of the urging member so as to close one side surface. become.

Further, when the carrier 26 reaches the outlet 22d of the sterilization transfer mechanism 22a and is laid down sideways to eject the intermediate box 12, although not shown, it faces one side of the carrier 26. The push-out rod provided at the outlet portion 22d inserted through the slit formed on the other side face pushes out the intermediate box 12 and pushes and opens the doors 44a and 44b to rotate and open one side face. Is configured.

Here, in the middle of the exclusive pallet carry-out path 30 described above,
As shown in FIG. 1 again, a branch transport path 48 for transporting the dedicated pallet 16a being taken out of the pre-sterilization storage 14 and being transported to the second sterilization station 24 is connected. The branch conveyance path 48 extends to the entrance 24c of the second sterilization station 24 described above.

Since the configuration of the second sterilization station 24 is the same as the configuration of the first sterilization station 22 described above, the description thereof will be omitted. In addition, the dedicated pallet 16 that has been emptied by pushing out the intermediate box 12 at the entrance 24c.
In order to return a to the unmanned vehicle 16, the branch return path 50 is connected in the middle of the above-mentioned exclusive pallet carry-out path 30.

On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 1, the automatic transfer sterilization apparatus 10 has a first sterilization station 22 and a second sterilization station 22 in between, and the side opposite to the side where the pre-sterilization storage 14 is provided. In addition, a sterilized storage cabinet 52 for storing the intermediate box 12 sterilized in the first and second sterilization stations 22 and 24 is provided. The sterilized storage box 52 is configured to store the sterilized intermediate box 12 in a packed state as described later.

The sterilized storage 52 has an inlet 52a for receiving the intermediate box 12 sterilized by the first sterilization station 22.
And an inlet 52b for taking in the intermediate box 12 sterilized by the second sterilization station 24 are separately provided. Further, the sterilized storage 52 is provided with a shipping port 52c for shipping the sterilized intermediate box 12 according to the shipping plan.

Here, between the outlet 22d of the first sterilization station 22 and the first entrance 52a of the sterilized storage 52, the intermediate box 12 sterilized in the first sterilization station 22 is stored in the sterilized storage. A first sterilized intermediate box transport path 54 is provided for transport to 52. A first palletizer 56 for stacking and collecting a predetermined number of sterilized intermediate boxes 12 in the middle of transportation is provided in the middle of the first sterilized intermediate box transportation path 54. As shown in FIG. 7, the first palletizer 56 is configured such that a predetermined number of intermediate boxes 12 are lined up along the transport direction, and a plurality of stages are stacked in this lined state.

In addition, between the first palletizer 56 and the first inlet 52a, the intermediate box 12 gathered by the first palletizer 56.
Bundle the stacks of to prevent the load from collapsing.
A binding device 58 is installed. This first binding device 58
As shown in FIG. 8, is configured to laterally bind only the intermediate boxes 12 on the uppermost stage of the stack of intermediate boxes 12. The stacked body of the intermediate boxes 12 bound by the first binding device 58 in this manner is the sterilized storage 52.
It is taken in through the first inlet 52a and is stored here.

On the other hand, between the outlet portion 24d of the second sterilization station 24 and the second inlet 52b of the sterilized storage cabinet 52, the intermediate box 12 sterilized in the second sterilization station 24 is stored in the sterilized storage cabinet 52. A second sterilized intermediate box transport path 60 is provided for transport to. An auxiliary transfer path 62 is connected in a loop in a midway part of the second sterilized intermediate box transfer path 60, and this auxiliary transfer path 62 is connected to this auxiliary transfer path 62 as shown in FIG. A packing device 66 for packing a plurality of sterilized intermediate boxes 12 that have been conveyed and packing them in a shipping box 64 is provided. Then, in this packing device 66, a packing box
The intermediate box 12 packed in 64 is configured to be returned to the second sterilized intermediate box transport path 60 again.

Further, the second sterilized intermediate box transfer path 60 has the same configuration as the first palletizer 56 and the first binding device 58 provided in the first sterilized intermediate box transfer path 54 described above, respectively. The second palletizer 68 and the second binding device 70 are interposed. Here, the second palletizer 68 and the second binding device 70
Is configured so that a plurality of intermediate boxes 12 can be stacked and bound together, and a plurality of packing boxes 64 in which a plurality of intermediate boxes 12 are packed can be stacked and bound together.

The stacked body of the intermediate box 12 itself is prepared to be shipped domestically, for example, while the stacked body of the packaging box 64 is prepared to be shipped overseas.

In addition, the sterilized intermediate box 12 is stored in the sterilized storage box in the middle of each of the first and second sterilized intermediate box transfer paths 54, 60.
Without being placed in 52, take-out transport paths 72a and 72b for taking out the sample to be taken out are connected.

In the automatic transfer sterilizer 10 configured as described above,
The automatic transfer sterilization operation of the intermediate box 12 will be described below.

The intermediate box 12 in which the infusion bag is packed in a box stacking section (not shown) is stored in a dedicated pallet 16a placed on the bed of the unmanned vehicle 16, and is automatically transferred and sterilized as the unmanned vehicle 16 runs. It is transferred to the carry-in port 18 of the apparatus 10. Then, at the carry-in port 18, the intermediate box 12 is transferred from the unmanned vehicle 16 to the transport path 20 together with the dedicated pallet 16a. After that, the dedicated pallet 16a transferred to the carry-in port 18 along with the carrying operation in the carrying path 20 is taken into the pre-sterilization container 14 from the intake port 14a and is stored here.

Then, according to a predetermined sterilization plan, this pre-sterilization storage 14
The intermediate box 12 stored in the pallet is stored in the dedicated pallet 16a, and the intermediate pallet 16a is taken out from the outlet 14b.
It is taken out to 0 and is carried to the entrance 22c of the first sterilization station 22 with the carrying operation in the dedicated pallet carrying-out path 30. Here, in the transportation plan, when the capacity is insufficient to sterilize only with the first sterilization station 22, and the intermediate box 12 which is scheduled to be shipped to a foreign country.
In the case of sterilization, the dedicated pallet 16a is transferred to the branch carrier path 48 along the dedicated pallet carry-out path 30 and, through the branch carrier path 48, to the entrance 24c of the second sterilization station 24. Will be transported.

Then, in the dedicated pallet 16a which has been conveyed to the position facing the intermediate box unloading section 28 at the end of the dedicated pallet carrying-out path 30, the intermediate box 12 placed on the lower stage is placed.
From then on, as the pushing rod 38 is pushed out, the pushing rod 38 is pushed out to the intermediate box conveying path 32. Here, when the intermediate box 12 placed on the next upper stage is pushed out, it is lowered together with the end portion of the dedicated pallet carrying-out path 30 and pushed out to the intermediate box 12 placed on the next upper stage. Are engaged. In this way, the intermediate boxes 12 placed on the dedicated pallet 16a are sequentially transferred to the intermediate box transfer path 32.

Next, the intermediate box 12 conveyed to the entrance 22c of the first sterilization station 22 is pushed by the pushing rod 42 pushed out of the pushing portion 40, and a plurality of the intermediate boxes 12 are put into the carrier 26 laid sideways at a time. It will be loaded. After this,
The carrier 26 to which the plurality of intermediate boxes 12 are attached is erected, and is transported toward the sterilization device 22b along with the transport operation of the sterilization transport mechanism 22a, while the carrier is passing through the sterilization device 22b. The intermediate box 12 in 26 will be sterilized by gamma rays.

On the other hand, at the end of the exclusive pallet carry-out path 30, the intermediate box
The pallet 16a that has been emptied by taking out 12 is conveyed to the loading section 36 via the pallet return passage 34 for vacant use, and is loaded on the unmanned vehicle 16 with an empty loading platform.
Incidentally, when an empty unmanned vehicle is not waiting in the loading section 36, the empty dedicated pallet 16a is conveyed to the pre-sterilization storage box 14 through the conveyance path 20 while remaining empty. Will be stored in.

Further, as described above, the carrier 26 storing the intermediate box 12 sterilized in the sterilizer 22b is conveyed to the outlet 22d after exiting the sterilizer 22b, where it is laid down again in a lying state. Will be done. Then, from this state, the sterilized intermediate box 12 is pushed out from the carrier 26 by the pushing rod, and the first sterilized intermediate box transport path is obtained.
Will be transferred to 54.

After that, the sterilized intermediate box 12 is conveyed to the sterilized storage 52 via the first sterilized intermediate box conveyance path 54. Here, during the transportation, the sterilized intermediate boxes 12 are stacked by a predetermined number in the first palletizer 56, and the stacked bodies are bound by the first binding device 58 so that the load does not collapse. . In this way, the stacked body of the sterilized intermediate boxes 12 that have been bound together is taken into the sterilized storage 52 through the first entrance 52a and stored there.

Then, according to a predetermined shipping plan, the stacked body of the sterilized intermediate boxes 12 is taken out from the shipping port 52c and shipped.

On the other hand, as described above, in the transportation plan, when the capacity of the first sterilization station 22 is insufficient to sterilize only the first sterilization station 22, and when the intermediate box 12 scheduled to be shipped to a foreign country is used. When sterilizing, in the middle of this exclusive pallet carry-out path 30, the exclusive pallet 16a
The whole is transferred to the branch conveyance path 48 and is conveyed to the entrance 24c of the second sterilization station 24 via the branch conveyance path 48.

Then, the second sterilization station 24 receives the same operation as the sterilization operation in the first sterilization station 22.
In, the intermediate box 12 is subjected to the sterilization operation together with the carrier 26. After this, the sterilized intermediate box 12 is
At 24d, it is taken out of the carrier 26 and transferred to the second sterilized intermediate box transport path 60.

Here, when the sterilized intermediate box 12 is for domestic use, the sterilized intermediate box 12 is stacked by the second palletizer 68 via the second sterilized intermediate box transfer path 60, and the second bundling device.
It will be united at 70. Then, the stacked body of the sterilized intermediate boxes 12 bound in this way is introduced into the sterilized storage 52 through the second inlet 52b and stored therein.

On the other hand, when the sterilized intermediate box 12 is for a foreign country, it is transferred to the auxiliary transport path 62 while being transported through the second sterilized intermediate box transport path 60, and the packing device 66 is used. In the above, a plurality of items will be packed in the packing box 64 at once. The intermediate box 12 packed in the packing box 64 in this way again has the second sterilized intermediate box conveyance path 60.
The intermediate box 12 is piled up by the second palletizer 68 and is bound by the second binding device 70 as in the case where the intermediate box 12 is a single body. Then, the stacked body of the packed packaging box 64 of the sterilized intermediate box 12 thus bound is taken into the sterilized storage 52 through the second entrance 52b and stored therein. Will be.

As described above in detail, according to this embodiment, the intermediate box 12 before sterilization and the intermediate box 12 after sterilization are respectively stored in a spatially separated state. There is a risk that the intermediate box 12 before sterilization may be mistaken for the sterilized intermediate box 12 before shipping.
It will be surely prevented. Further, all the carrying operations required for this sterilization operation are fully automated so as not to require manual labor. In this way, it is possible to prevent human error and surely prevent the intermediate box 12 from being soiled by hand.

It goes without saying that the present invention is not limited to the configuration of the above-described embodiment and can be variously modified without departing from the scope of the present invention.

For example, in the above-described one embodiment, the infusion solution bag is used as the object to be sterilized, but the invention is not limited to this, and the blood bag, the injection needle, etc. are sterilized and shipped. It goes without saying that it can be applied to medical supplies that need to be done.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, as the sterilization device,
Although it has been described that the configuration for irradiating γ-rays (radiation) and sterilization is adopted, the present invention is not limited to this.
It goes without saying that a gas sterilizer and a high-pressure steam sterilizer can be applied.

[Effects of the Invention] As described in detail above, the automatic transfer sterilization apparatus according to the present invention comprises a pre-sterilization article storage means for storing pre-sterilization articles,
Sterilizing means for separately sterilizing articles taken into the interior from the inlet section, having sterilized articles for storing articles sterilized by the sterilizing means, and the pre-sterilized article The pre-sterilization article conveying means for connecting the storage means and the entrance of the sterilization means to convey the pre-sterilization article to the sterilization means, the exit section of the sterilization means and the sterilized article storage means are connected to each other, and A sterilized article transporting means for transporting the article to the sterilized article storage means; and a stacking and bundling means interposed between the sterilized article transporting means and stacking and binding the sterilized articles in a predetermined number, The sterilized article storage means is characterized in that sterilized articles are stored in a stacked and bound state.

Therefore, according to the present invention, there is provided an automatic transfer sterilization device that enables an operator to take out sterilized articles without making a mistake.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view schematically showing the construction of an embodiment of the automatic transfer sterilization apparatus according to the present invention; FIG. 2 is a perspective view schematically showing the construction of an unmanned vehicle and a dedicated pallet mounted on it; FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a structure for transferring the intermediate box from the dedicated pallet to the intermediate box transport path; FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a structure for pushing the intermediate box into the carrier; FIG. 5 is a structure of the carrier. FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing an open state of a door in a carrier; FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing a stacked state in a palletizer; FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing a binding state in a binding device; FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing a state in which the intermediate box is packed in the packing box. In the figure, 10 …… Automatic transfer sterilizer, 12 …… Intermediate box, 14 ……
Pre-sterilization storage, 14a ... inlet, 14b ... outlet, 16 ... unmanned vehicle, 16a ... dedicated pallet, 16b ... slit, 18 ... inlet, 20 ... inlet, 22 ... 1 sterilization station, 24 ... 2nd sterilization station, 22a; 24
a: Sterilization / transportation mechanism, 22b; 24b ... Sterilizer, 22c; 24c ...
… Entrance, 22d; 24d …… Exit, 26 …… Carrier, 28
...... Intermediate box take-out section, 30 ...... Special pallet carry-out path, 32
...... Intermediate box transport path, 34 …… Empty empty pallet return path, 36…
… Loading section, 38 …… Extrusion rod, 40 …… Pushing section, 42 …… Pushing rod, 44a; 44b …… Door, 46a; 46b…
… Sucker, 48 …… Branch transport path, 50 …… Branch return path, 52 ……
Sterilized storage, 52a ... first entrance, 52b ... second entrance, 52c ... shipping opening, 54 ... first sterilized intermediate box transport path, 56 ... first palletizer, 58 ... ... the first binding device,
60 ... Second sterilized intermediate box transport path, 62 ... Auxiliary transport path, 64 ... Packing box, 66 ... Packing device, 68 ... Second palletizer, 70 ... Second bundling device, 72a ; 72b ... It is a take-out conveyance path.

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A sterilization means for storing articles before sterilization, a sterilization means for separately arranging an entrance portion and an exit portion, and sterilizing an article taken inside from the entrance portion, and this sterilization means. A sterilized article storage means for storing articles sterilized by, a pre-sterilization article transporting means for connecting the pre-sterilization article storage means and the entrance of the sterilization means, and transporting the pre-sterilization article to the sterilization means, A sterilized article transport means for connecting the outlet of the sterilization means and the sterilized article storage means, and transporting a sterilized article to the sterilized article storage means, and a sterilized article installed in the sterilized article transport means. A stacking and binding means for stacking and binding each of a predetermined number of articles, wherein the sterilized article storage means stores sterilized articles in a stacked and bundled state. Apparatus.