JP2003172800A - Disinfecting method and device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a flat material disinfecting method and its device for substantially continuously disinfecting or sterilizing at least the surface of a flat material such as a package or mail. <P>SOLUTION: The flat material disinfecting method comprises continuously carrying the plurality of flat materials A via a carrier line 1 and using a vacuum tube electron irradiator 4 for irradiating the carried flat materials with an electron beam to disinfect or sterilize at least the surfaces of the flat materials. The device comprises using the same. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2003,JPO

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to a flat article for substantially continuously sterilizing or sterilizing (hereinafter collectively referred to as sterilizing) at least the surface of a flat article such as a packaging container and a mail. The present invention relates to a sterilization method and a flat material sterilizer.

[0002]

[Prior art]

[0003]

As a method for sterilizing a large number of packaging containers, flat objects such as mails, a method of using an electron beam irradiation apparatus has been studied.

In this method, a method of collectively irradiating the sterilization objects at one time and a method of continuously irradiating the conveyed sterilization objects are considered.

In the method of irradiating all at once, it is difficult to irradiate in a stacked state due to the straightness and transparency of electron beams, and the number of irradiating at once is limited. Therefore, the processing speed is limited. Further, it is possible to increase the energy of the electron beam to increase the transparency, but depending on the object, the electron beam may have an adverse effect (for example, deterioration) on the object.

In the method of irradiating an object to be sterilized during transportation,
Since it is necessary to shield the radiation, the shielding device in the transfer line is inevitably large, and it is difficult to incorporate the electron beam irradiation device in the transfer line depending on the object.

Depending on the type of the object to be sterilized, the purpose may be achieved if only the surface is sterilized. Since the content is sterilized, only the surface needs to be sterilized.

A method for sterilizing at least the surface of a plurality of flat objects at high speed and efficiently is desired.

[0009]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and is capable of sterilizing a flat material at high speed and with high efficiency, and also has an adverse effect on deterioration of the flat material. It is an object of the present invention to provide a sterilization method and apparatus for flat objects without the problem.

Further, it is an object of the present invention to provide a sterilizing method and device which can be easily incorporated in a transfer line.

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention continuously conveys a plurality of flat objects and irradiates the conveyed flat objects with an electron beam by a vacuum tube type electron beam irradiating device. Disclosed is a method for sterilizing a flat object, which comprises sterilizing an object.

The present invention also provides a method for sterilizing a flat article, which comprises continuously transporting a plurality of flat articles and irradiating the flat article with an electron beam to sterilize the flat article. To do. In this case, the electron beam irradiation is performed by a vacuum tube type electron beam irradiation device.

Further, the present invention comprises a carrying line for carrying flat objects continuously, and an electron beam irradiating section having an electron beam irradiating device for irradiating an object being carried with an electron beam. An apparatus for sterilizing at least the surface of a flat object by irradiation is provided.

As a sterilizer for such flat objects,
The following four items are listed.

(1) A transport line for continuously transporting flat objects, and a flat object fixedly arranged at a position adjacent to a predetermined area of the transport line and moving in the predetermined area on the transport line. An electron beam irradiating unit having an electron beam irradiating device for irradiating a ray is provided, and the flat object is irradiated with an electron beam from the electron beam irradiating device in the predetermined region, and the flat object is sterilized. A sterilizer for flat objects.

(2) A transport line for continuously transporting the flat object, a plurality of branched areas provided on the transport line, and the irradiation regions where the flat object is irradiated with the electron beam, and the irradiation targets. An electron beam irradiating unit having an electron beam irradiating device that irradiates an electron beam to a flat object existing in the irradiation region is provided adjacent to the region, and from the transport line to the plurality of irradiation regions. An apparatus for sterilizing flat objects, wherein the distributed flat objects are irradiated with an electron beam from an electron beam irradiation device to sterilize the flat objects.

(3) A transport line for continuously transporting flat objects, a stock area for stocking a plurality of flat objects transported on the transport line, and an electron beam to the stocked flat objects. The irradiated area to be irradiated, a discharge area for discharging a plurality of flat objects irradiated with an electron beam to a transport line, the stock area, the irradiation area, and the discharge area are movably provided, and A holding member capable of holding an object, and an electron beam irradiation unit having a plurality of electron beam irradiation devices which are provided adjacent to the irradiation region and irradiate each flat object existing in the irradiation region with an electron beam. An apparatus for sterilizing a flat object, comprising sterilizing the flat object by irradiating an electron beam from an electron beam irradiating device to the plurality of flat objects in the irradiated portion.

(4) A transport line for continuously transporting flat objects, a stock area for stocking a plurality of objects transported through the transport line, and flat objects in the stock area are transported to a predetermined number of flat objects. A plurality of irradiated areas where the flat object is irradiated with an electron beam when the flat object is held, and a moving mechanism that moves the flat object between the stock area and the plurality of irradiated areas, A plurality of electron beam irradiators having a plurality of electron beam irradiators for irradiating each flat object existing in the irradiated region with an electron beam, respectively. An apparatus for sterilizing a flat object, characterized in that a plurality of flat objects in an irradiation unit are irradiated with an electron beam from an electron beam irradiation device to sterilize the flat object.

In the apparatus for sterilizing flat objects according to the above (1), (2), (3) and (4), the electron beam irradiation device comprises a plurality of electron beam irradiation tubes corresponding to the length of the object. Can be arranged and configured.

Further, the above (1), (2), (3),
In the sterilizer for flat objects of (4), it is possible to cause relative movement along the length direction of the flat object between the irradiation unit of the electron beam irradiation device and the flat object. You can

Further, the above (1), (2), (3),
In the flat object sterilizer of (4), the electron beam irradiation device can be configured by arranging a plurality of electron tubes along a transportation direction of the object.

That is, when sterilizing by electron beam irradiation, the sterilizing speed is high, and therefore high-speed processing is possible.
High productivity and high energy efficiency because there is no need to heat to high temperature. Further, since a work area required for the treatment is smaller than that for heat sterilization, a large-scale device is unnecessary. Further, unlike the case of heat drying or irradiation of ultraviolet rays, heat is not applied to the flat material that is the base material, so there is no risk of deterioration of the flat material, and cooling, aging, etc. are unnecessary. In addition, in the case of electron beam irradiation, since it is sufficient to manage the electrical working conditions, there is an advantage that it is easier to manage than temperature management during heat sterilization.

In the present invention, the accelerating voltage of the electron beam irradiation apparatus is preferably 100 kV or less, usually 30 to 100 kV. By setting the acceleration voltage to 100 kV or less, it is possible to prevent the influence on the irradiation target, for example, deterioration.

In the present invention, a transport line for continuously transporting a flat material, and a transport line at a position facing both sides of a flat surface having a large area in the surface of the flat material being transported. By using a sterilizer for flat objects provided with two electron beam irradiation devices, sterilization can be performed efficiently. That is, most of the sterilization can be performed by irradiating the surface occupying the main part of the area. When the entire surface is sterilized, the flat object can be rotated to perform electron beam irradiation.

[0025]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Embodiments of the present invention will be specifically described below. The sterilization method and the sterilization apparatus of the present invention can be introduced into a line that requires sterilization of a flat material as long as there is space. As an example, the vacuum tube type electron beam irradiation apparatus of the present invention can be incorporated into an address reading apparatus for postcards or letters which are flat mail. Here, the sterilization method and the sterilization apparatus of the present invention that can be incorporated into various lines will be described.

A first embodiment of the sterilizing method and sterilizing apparatus according to the present invention will be described. FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a sterilizer according to the first embodiment. This device
A plurality of flat objects A are continuously conveyed on the conveyance line 1, and the electron beam irradiation unit (electron beam irradiation unit) is fixedly arranged corresponding to a predetermined area of the conveyance line 1, and has a constant width. Irradiation area is formed. The term "continuously transported" as used herein only needs to be a substantially continuous state and includes intermittent transportation.

The electron beam irradiation unit 2 includes a plurality of irradiation tubes 3
It has an electron beam irradiation device 4 having the above and a support member 2a for supporting the irradiation tube 3, and the length of the arrayed area of the irradiation tubes 3 is the length 5 of the irradiated area. In the irradiated area, electron beams are radiated to sterilize both sides or one side of the flat material A transported by the transportation line.

In the electron beam irradiation device 4, the irradiation tube 3 as the electron beam generation part is constructed as shown in FIG. That is, as shown in FIG. 2A, a cylindrical glass or ceramic vacuum tube (tube) 6 and electrons emitted from the cathode provided in the tube 6 are converted into electron beams. It has an electron beam generator 7 for taking it out and accelerating it, an electron beam emitter 8 provided at the end of the vacuum tube 6 for emitting an electron beam, and a pin 9 for supplying power from a power supply (not shown). The electron beam emitting unit 8 is provided with a thin film irradiation window 10. Irradiation window 10 of electron beam emitting unit 8
Has a function of transmitting an electron beam but not a gas, and has a slit shape as shown in FIG. Then, the irradiation window 1 is attached to the irradiation target placed in the irradiation chamber.
The electron beam emitted from 0 is irradiated.

That is, this electron beam irradiation apparatus 4 is a vacuum tube type, which is fundamentally different from the conventional drum type electron beam irradiation apparatus. The conventional drum-type electron beam irradiation apparatus is a type that irradiates an electron beam while constantly drawing a vacuum in the drum.

An apparatus having an irradiation tube having such a structure is
It is disclosed in US Pat. No. 5,414,267, Am
It is being considered as a Min-EB device by erican International Technologies (AIT). In this device, the electron beam penetrating power is not significantly reduced even with a low acceleration voltage of 100 kV or less, and the electron beam can be effectively extracted. As a result, the electron beam can be made to act on the object at a low depth, and it is possible to reduce the adverse effect on the object and the amount of X-rays generated.
Large shields are not always necessary.

Further, since the energy of the electron beam is low, it is possible to reduce or reduce the size of the radiation shield, that is, the shield device.

In this way, downsizing and reduction of the shield,
Moreover, since the electron beam generation portion can be downsized because of the low acceleration voltage, the electron beam irradiation apparatus can be dramatically downsized.

In such an electron beam irradiation apparatus 4, when the height of the flat object A is higher than the length of the irradiation window of the irradiation tube 3, as shown in FIGS. 3 (a) and 3 (b). It is preferable that the plurality of irradiation tubes 3 are arranged in two rows in a zigzag pattern along the length direction of the flat object. This is because if they are arranged in a line, there will be a gap. Further, the two rows of irradiation tubes 3 are arranged so as to be inclined so that the electron beam is irradiated on the same line (irradiation line) on the flat object. However, it is not always necessary to irradiate on the same line. Further, the irradiation tube may be arranged on only one side when the flat object is sterilized on only one side.

In the present embodiment, the number of irradiation tubes is determined by the irradiation time and the irradiation speed. Further, the length of the irradiation area is determined by the maximum processing amount.

Next, a second embodiment of the sterilizer will be described. As shown in FIG. 4, the sterilization apparatus of the present embodiment is provided with a transport line 11 that continuously transports a plurality of flat objects A, and a branch into three on the transport line 11,
Irradiation area 12a, 1 where electron beam is irradiated on flat object A
2b, 12c and the respective irradiated areas 12a, 12b, 1
2c, and an electron beam irradiation unit 14 having an electron beam irradiation device 13 for irradiating the flat object A 1 that has moved to each irradiation area with an electron beam.

The flat object A transported on the transport line 11 is sequentially distributed to three irradiation regions, and the surface of each of the irradiation regions 12a, 12b, 12c is irradiated with an electron beam from the electron beam irradiation device. It is irradiated and sterilized. The flat objects A, which have been irradiated with the electron beam, are joined to the transfer line in sequence from each irradiation target area, and are transferred to the next step.

In this embodiment, since the flat object A is distributed to each irradiation area, while the flat object A in one irradiation area is irradiated with the electron beam, it is flattened in another irradiation area. Since the material can be conveyed, the production speed can be increased. It can also prevent stagnation. Also,
Even if a defect occurs in the electron beam irradiation device 13 during operation, it can be replaced for each irradiation unit, and it is not necessary to completely stop the line.

Also in this embodiment, as the irradiation tube of the electron beam irradiation device 13, the same irradiation tube as the irradiation tube 3 of the first embodiment can be used. When the height of the flat object A is higher than the length of the irradiation window of the irradiation tube, a plurality of irradiation tubes are arranged in two rows along the length direction of the flat object as in the first embodiment. And it is preferable to arrange them in a staggered pattern,
The electron beam does not necessarily have to be irradiated on the same line. Further, the irradiation tube may be arranged on only one side when the flat object is sterilized on only one side. Although the case where the transfer line is branched into three is shown here, the number of branches may be appropriately set depending on the speed of the transfer line, the irradiation capability of the electron beam irradiation apparatus, and the like.

Next, a third form of the sterilizer will be described. As shown in FIG. 5, the sterilizer of the present embodiment is
A transport line 16 for continuously transporting a plurality of flat objects,
A stock area 17 for stocking a plurality of flat objects A transported on the transfer line 16, an irradiation area 18 where a plurality of stock flat objects are irradiated with an electron beam, and a plurality of electron beam irradiated areas. And a discharge area 19 for discharging the flat object of (1) to the transport line. Further, an electron beam irradiation unit 21 having a plurality of electron beam irradiation devices 20 is provided so as to be adjacent to the irradiation area 18.

In the stock area 17, the irradiated area 18, and the discharge area 19, a plurality of flat objects are held by the holding member, and the movement of the flat objects between the stock area, the irradiated area, and the discharge area is This is performed by moving the holding member by a moving mechanism (not shown).

In such a sterilizing apparatus, the flat objects conveyed by the transfer line are sequentially stocked in the holding member in the stock area, and when a predetermined number of flat objects are mounted on the holding member, the moving mechanism moves the flat objects. The holding member is moved to the irradiated area.

In the irradiated area, the plurality of flat objects A held by the holding member 22 are simultaneously irradiated with the electron beam from the electron beam irradiation device 20, and at least the surface is sterilized, and in some cases, the inner portion is sterilized. Is performed. When irradiating this electron beam, in order to uniformly irradiate the entire surface of the flat material with the electron beam, the holding member can be moved vertically and horizontally, for example, by vibrating by about 5 cm to sterilize.

After the irradiation is completed, the holding member 22 is moved to the discharge area 19 by the moving mechanism, and in this discharge area 19, the plurality of flat objects A held by the holding member are sequentially returned to the transport line 16.

For example, three holding members 22 are provided, and while one holding member 22 sequentially stocks the flat objects A in the stock area 17, the other holding member 22 is irradiated with the irradiated area 18 The flat object held there is irradiated with the electron beam, and the other holding member 22 sequentially discharges the flat object in the discharge area 19 to the transport line 16. . Then, when the operation in each of these areas is completed, the holding members are moved all at once to the next area (the holding member 22 in the discharge area 19 is the stock area 17).

In this way, a plurality of flat materials A are stocked in the stock area 17, and the plurality of flat materials stocked by the electron beam irradiation device 20 in the irradiated area 18 are simultaneously irradiated with electron beams. Therefore, transport congestion due to irradiation time can be eliminated, and the processing speed can be increased. Further, even if a defect occurs in the electron beam irradiation device during operation, it can be replaced for each irradiation unit or each irradiation device, and it is not necessary to completely stop the line.

Also in this embodiment, the irradiation tube of the electron beam irradiation apparatus 20 may be the same as the irradiation tube 3 of the first embodiment. When the height of the flat object A is higher than the length of the irradiation window of the irradiation tube, a plurality of irradiation tubes are arranged in two rows along the length direction of the flat object as in the first embodiment. And it is preferable to arrange them in a staggered pattern,
The electron beam does not necessarily have to be irradiated on the same line. Further, the irradiation tube may be arranged on only one side when the flat object is sterilized on only one side.

Next, a fourth mode of the sterilizer will be described. As shown in FIG. 6, the sterilizer of the present embodiment is
Conveying line 24 for continuously conveying a plurality of flat objects A
And a stock area 25 for sequentially stocking a plurality of flat objects A that have been transferred through the transfer line, and a plurality of flat objects that are stocked in the stock area are sequentially transferred to a predetermined number. Of the two irradiated regions 26a, 2a to which the electron beam is irradiated when the flat object is held.
6b and. In addition, the two irradiated areas 26a,
An electron beam irradiation unit 28 having two units each having a plurality of electron beam irradiation devices 27 so as to be adjacent to each other 26b.
Each flat object A in the irradiation area is arranged so as to correspond to each electron beam irradiation device 29 of the electron beam irradiation unit 28.

From the stock area 25 to each irradiated area 26a
, 26b are individually moved by a transport mechanism (not shown), and the holding member 29 holds a predetermined number of flat objects in each of the irradiated regions 26a, 26b. .

In such a sterilizer, the flat objects A transported by the transport line 24 are sequentially stocked in the stock area 25, and the flat objects in the stock area 25 are irradiated by the transport mechanism to the irradiated areas 26a, 26b. Of the holding member and the holding member 29 in the irradiated area are sequentially transported. Further, while the flat object is being conveyed to one irradiation area, in the other irradiation area where a predetermined number of flat objects are held, the plurality of flat objects held by the holding member are The irradiation device 27 simultaneously irradiates an electron beam to sterilize at least the surface, and in some cases, further sterilize the inside. When irradiating this electron beam, in order to uniformly irradiate the entire surface of the flat material with the electron beam, the holding member can be moved vertically and horizontally, for example, by vibrating by about 5 cm to sterilize.

After the irradiation, the flat members after the treatment are sequentially conveyed from the holding member in the irradiated region to the conveying line 24, and at the same time, the untreated flat substances are sequentially conveyed from the stock region 25 by the conveying mechanism. It is transported to the irradiated area.

In this way, a plurality of flat objects A are stocked in the stock area 25, and the stock flat objects are successively conveyed to the irradiation area, and a predetermined number of flat objects are held in any of the irradiation areas. At this time, the plurality of electron beam irradiators 27 simultaneously irradiate the plurality of flat objects with electron beams, so that it is possible to eliminate transport congestion due to the irradiation time as in the third embodiment. The processing speed can be increased. Further, even if a defect occurs in the electron beam irradiation device 27 during operation, it can be replaced for each irradiation unit or each irradiation device, and it is not necessary to completely stop the line.

Also in this embodiment, as the irradiation tube of the electron beam irradiation apparatus, the same irradiation tube as in the first embodiment can be used. In addition, when the height of the flat object is higher than the length of the irradiation window of the irradiation tube, a plurality of irradiation tubes are arranged along the length direction of the flat object as in the first embodiment.
It is preferable to arrange them in rows and in a staggered pattern, but the electron beam does not necessarily have to be irradiated on the same line. Further, the irradiation tube may be arranged on only one side when the flat object is sterilized on only one side.

As described above, in the sterilizing apparatus according to each of the embodiments, by irradiating the flat object continuously conveyed by the conveying line with the electron beam, the sterilizing speed is high,
High-speed processing is possible, high processability and high productivity, and
It is energy efficient because it does not need to be heated to a high temperature. Further, since a work area required for the treatment is smaller than that for heat sterilization, a large-scale device is unnecessary. Furthermore, since heat is not applied to the flat material that is the substrate as in the case of heat drying or ultraviolet irradiation, deterioration of the flat material, for example, there is no risk of adverse effects on the flat material package and its contents,
Further, cooling, aging, etc. are unnecessary. In addition, in the case of electron beam irradiation, since it is only necessary to control the electrical working condition, there is an advantage that it is easier to control than temperature control during heat sterilization.

The present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, but can be variously modified. For example, in the above embodiment, a flat object, for example, a postcard such as a postcard or a letter, is assumed, but not limited to a mail object, a flat object such as a food or a packaging container, or a (retort) pouch. It may be one. Further, the electron beam irradiation may be performed at least on the surface of the flat object, and it is not necessary to perform the entire surface of the flat object, but the entire surface can be irradiated with the electron beam.

The electron beam irradiation device is not limited as long as it is of the above-mentioned vacuum tube type, and a drum type can also be used. However, the vacuum tube type is preferable from the viewpoints of controllability, processability, and securing a space (a small space is sufficient). That is, as long as it is a device that does not require a device for maintaining a vacuum for the irradiation tube itself of the electron beam irradiation device,
Either can be used.

As described above, the vacuum tube type electron beam irradiation apparatus represented by the Min-EB can reduce the size and the size of the shield, and since the acceleration voltage is low, the electron beam generating portion can be reduced in size. This is extremely preferable because the electron beam irradiation apparatus can be dramatically reduced in size.

Further, in the above-mentioned embodiment, the case of performing the sterilization treatment is shown, but other treatment such as the case of curing the paint or the printing ink or the like with the sterilization or the case of cross-linking or surface modifying them. The present invention is applicable even when used in combination with. Further, ultraviolet irradiation or heat treatment can be used together.

[0058]

As described above, according to the present invention,
Sterilization of at least the surface of flat objects that are continuously transported,
Further, when sterilizing the inside, an electron beam is irradiated, so that the problems caused by conventional heat or ultraviolet irradiation can be solved.

That is, in the case of sterilization by electron beam irradiation, the sterilization speed is fast, so that high-speed processing is possible, the processability and productivity are high, and there is no need to heat to high temperature, so energy efficiency is high. high. Further, since the vacuum tube type device is used as the electron beam irradiation device, the work area required for heat treatment is smaller than that for the heat treatment, so that a large-scale device is not required. Furthermore, unlike the case of heat treatment or ultraviolet irradiation, the flat material that is the base material is not heated, so there is no risk of deterioration of the flat material, and cooling and aging are unnecessary.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic plan view showing an embodiment of a sterilizing apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a structure of an irradiation tube of an electron beam irradiation apparatus used in the sterilization apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of an arrangement of irradiation tubes of an electron beam irradiation device.

FIG. 4 is a schematic plan view showing another embodiment of the sterilizer of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a schematic plan view showing another embodiment of the sterilizer of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a schematic plan view showing another embodiment of the sterilizing apparatus of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

A-flat objects 1, 11, 16, 24-conveying lines 4, 13, 20, 27-electron beam irradiation devices 2a, 14a, 21a-support portions 3, 15, 23-irradiation tubes 2, 14, 21, 28 -Electron beam irradiation unit (electron beam irradiation unit) 5, 12a, 12b, 12c, 18, 26a, 26b-irradiated region 17, 25-stock region 22, 29-holding member 19-discharge region 6-vacuum tube (tube) 7-electron beam generating section 8-electron beam emitting section 9-pin section 10-irradiation window

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Claims (10)

[Claims] 1. A method of continuously transporting a plurality of flat objects, and irradiating the transported flat objects with an electron beam by an electron beam irradiation device to sterilize or sterilize at least the surface of a flat object. A method of sterilizing a flat material that is characteristic. 2. The method for sterilizing a flat object according to claim 1, wherein the electron beam irradiation device is a vacuum tube type electron beam irradiation device. 3. An electron beam accelerating voltage of an electron beam irradiation apparatus is 10
It is 0 kV or less, The sterilization method of the flat object of Claim 1 or 2 characterized by the above-mentioned. 4. A transportation line for continuously transporting a flat material, and an electron beam irradiation unit having an electron beam irradiation device for irradiating the flat material during transportation with an electron beam. A device for sterilizing a flat object, which sterilizes or sterilizes the surface of a flat object. 5. The apparatus for sterilizing a flat object according to claim 4, wherein the electron beam irradiation device is a vacuum tube type electron beam irradiation device. 6. An electron beam accelerating voltage of an electron beam irradiation device is 10
It is 0 kV or less, The sterilizer of a flat object of Claim 4 or 5 characterized by the above-mentioned. 7. A transfer line for continuously transferring a flat object, and two electrons at a position on the transfer line facing both flat surfaces having a large area in the surface of the flat object being transferred. A sterilizer for flat objects according to any one of claims 4 to 6, further comprising a line irradiation device. 8. The electron beam irradiation apparatus according to claim 4, wherein a plurality of electron beam irradiation tubes are arranged corresponding to the length of the flat object. The sterilizer for flat objects according to any one of claims. 9. The relative movement along the length direction of the flat object can be caused between the irradiation part of the electron beam irradiation device and the flat object. A device for sterilizing the flat object according to claim 7. 10. The electron beam irradiating device is configured by arranging a plurality of electron beam irradiating tubes along a conveying direction of the flat object. A sterilizer for flat objects according to item 1.