JP2001187119A - Sterilizer by heated steam under normal pressure - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To extinct bacteria, etc., using heated steam under normal pressure to realize miniaturization and lightening of apparatus and cost reduction and to prevent a human body from harm, side effect, environmental pollution, etc. SOLUTION: This sterilizer is equipped with a steam generator to generate steam under atmospheric pressure and to heat the steam over 60 deg.C and a blower part 2 to blow out the heated steam against an object to be sterilized.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a sterilizing apparatus for killing general bacteria, viruses, fungi, fungi or pests (hereinafter referred to as "bacteria") by using steam heated at normal pressure. The present invention relates to a technique for controlling the operation by applying an electric charge to water vapor to enhance the effect of adsorbing water vapor to bacteria and measuring the sterilization / elimination process.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventional methods for killing bacteria and the like have been by chemical agents having a disinfecting action, etc., autoclaves for sterilization under high temperature and high pressure, or ultraviolet irradiation.

[0003]

However, these chemical agents have adverse effects on the human body or other useful organisms, causing adverse effects, and consequently polluting the environment. In addition, bacteria to be sterilized or exterminated have resistance to a drug, and the effect of the drug has been reduced. Autoclaves and other equipment that use pressure vessels require large-scale equipment and require tedious management from a safety standpoint. In addition, there is a drawback that the sterilization treatment takes time and effort and is not suitable for carrying. Ultraviolet irradiation was harmful to the eyes and skin of animals, and had virtually no effect on the shadows of the irradiation direction.

The present invention has solved the above-mentioned problems of the prior art, has no side effects or toxicity on the human body or other useful organisms, is effective against so-called resistant bacteria, and does not pollute the environment at all. It is another object of the present invention to provide a sterilizing apparatus that acts selectively and efficiently so as to enclose the entirety of a sterilizing target. Further, the size and weight of the device can be reduced according to the application, the device can be easily dried or sterilized, and the device can be carried with a driving energy source.

[0005]

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides an apparatus for spraying atmospheric pressure steam heated to 60 ° C. or higher to an object and killing bacteria or the like with the thermal energy.

[0006] If this sterilizing apparatus is used, the size and mass of the apparatus can be reduced because a pressure vessel is not used, safety management and maintenance can be facilitated, the apparatus price can be reduced, and portability can be provided. The restrictions on the use environment of the computer are greatly relaxed.

In the case where the surface tissue such as bacteria has an electric polarity, by charging the heated steam under normal pressure, in addition to the hydrophilicity of the surface tissue, the selective action of the water vapor by the electric action is achieved. It promotes adsorption and suppresses energy transfer to surrounding biological tissues that are not to be sterilized.

Further, if necessary, the surface temperature of the object to be sterilized is directly or indirectly measured, and the apparatus is controlled so as to maintain the temperature at 60 ° C. or higher for a certain period of time. Ascertain changes or electrical signals and ensure that the sterilization process lasts as long as necessary.

[0009]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The object of continuously discharging normal-pressure heated steam at a constant temperature and flow rate has been realized as a combination of dividable units of a size according to the application. In addition, the present invention provides a method for preventing secondary failure due to propagation of various germs and the like inside the device, which is concerned about intermittent use, to a practically negligible level.

[0010]

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of one embodiment of the apparatus according to the present invention. The means for charging water vapor or the means for measuring the surface temperature of an object to be sterilized, if necessary, or the information based on the measurement information. Means for controlling the driving of the device are also described. In FIG. 1, for convenience, each unit is shown separately, but in an actual apparatus, each unit is joined so as to maintain confidentiality.

The steam supply unit 1 is a tank for continuously supplying pure water or clean water or electrolyzed water close thereto, and a water vaporizer using a high-frequency vibrator, a sheath heater, a microwave or the like utilizing an electrostrictive effect. It consists of a heating unit. As a method of supplying pure water or the like to the vaporization heating unit, there are a method of storing the supply water as a pond to keep the water level constant, and a method of supplying the supply water as a drip in medical treatment. In the dripping method, means for automatically or manually controlling the dripping amount is provided.

The blower unit 2 includes a blower unit such as a fan that sucks in outside air, and a dust removal filter provided immediately before or immediately after the blower unit.

The charging unit 3 includes a power supply unit that generates a continuous or intermittent high-voltage current, a charging unit that generates corona discharge or the like using the current, a nozzle that jets heated steam toward an object, and the like. The nozzle can be replaceable depending on the application. When using electrolyzed water for the steam supply section,
The charging section 3 can be omitted.

The sensor unit 4 for measuring the surface temperature of the object to be sterilized measures or displays the temperature by thermography, thermochromism, or the like, and the surface of the object to be sterilized or its vicinity is kept at 60 ° C. or higher for a certain period of time. To help

[0015] Thermochromism is a method of displaying temperature in the color of a substance, which uses a so-called liquid crystal or a specific metal compound. The temperature substance used in the present invention is 6 degrees Celsius.
The color changes near 0 degrees.

The steam generating section 1 uses information from the sensor section 4 to control the flow rate and temperature of steam to be generated. In that case, in an application example in which the object is the upper arm of the human body, even if the distance between the nozzle and the object changes over time, a necessary amount of heat energy is supplied to the object surface, It is guaranteed mechanically or visually.

When the sterilizing apparatus according to the present invention is made portable, a battery, a small stove, a compressed air cylinder or the like is used alone or in combination as a driving source.

[0018]

As described above, the sterilizing apparatus of the present invention utilizes heated steam under atmospheric pressure, so that the structure is simplified and the cost of the apparatus and the operating cost can be reduced. Also,
There is no need to worry about poisoning or environmental pollution to the human body or other useful organisms as in the case of chemicals or ultraviolet rays. As a result of the experiment, it was possible to kill pathogenic Escherichia coli and some cocci and insects in a short time of several seconds to several tens of seconds.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 shows a basic configuration of a sterilization apparatus using steam heated at normal pressure,
FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing a charging unit and a control unit provided as needed. (Example 1)

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Steam supply part 2 Blower part 3 Charging part 4 Sensor part 5 Control part

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A sterilization apparatus comprising: a steam supply means for generating steam under atmospheric pressure to heat the steam to 60 ° C. or higher; and a blowing means for blowing the steam toward an object. 2. An embodiment of the sterilization apparatus according to claim 1,
A sterilizer that increases the efficiency of adsorbing water vapor on an object by charging water vapor using corona discharge or the like. 3. A steam supply means, a blowing means, and a charging means, which are used individually or in association with each other, depending on the surface temperature of an object to which steam is to be sprayed, in combination with the sterilization apparatus according to claim 1 or 2. Control means to drive. 4. A sterilizing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein each of the steam supplying means, the blowing means, the charging means and the control means can be dried or sterilized individually or in groups.