JP2003339827A - Drying and sterilizing machine - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To facilitate the control for internal positive pressure degree by dispensing with the supply and discharge work for a coolant in a heat exchanger mounted in a cooling part. <P>SOLUTION: The cooling part C includes a heat exchanger 18 for cooling air, a circulating fan 10 feeding the cooled air through a heat resisting filter 14 to a cooling processing chamber 8 to circulate the air, and a heater 16 for heating the air to perform drying and sterilization. A first to third compartments 21 to 23 in which the heater 16, the heat exchanger 18 and the circulating fan 10 are disposed in order are formed in a path connecting the cooling processing chamber 8 to the circulating fan 10. An opening and closing valve 36 is disposed between the second and third compartments 22, 23, and the second compartment 22 is provided with an outside air intake port 41 and a variable valve 42. The first compartment 21 is provided with a switching passage 31 having a switching valve 32, thereby guiding the air passed through the heater 16 to one of the heat exchanger 18 or the circulating fan 10. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to a dry sterilizer,
Especially, after sterilizing the dry sterilization air supplied from the hot air circulation fan through the duct through the heat resistant filter,
The present invention relates to a tunnel type dry sterilizer for introducing articles into a dry sterilization space to sterilize articles by drying and then cooling the articles.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In a tunnel type dry sterilizer, an inlet portion constituting an inlet region, a heat sterilizing portion constituting a sterilizing region, and a cooling portion constituting a cooling region are arranged in this order from the upstream side. A washing machine is connected to the upstream side of the drying sterilizer, and a filling machine is connected to the downstream side. The pressure in the processing chamber of each part is tightly controlled, the pressure in the cooling part is the highest, followed by the heat sterilization part, and the insertion part is the lowest (pressure in the cooling part> pressure in the heat sterilization part> pressure). Therefore, an air flow is generated from the cooling unit to the insertion unit through the heat sterilization unit.

The heat sterilization unit comprises a fan for supplying dry sterilizing air under pressure to circulate the inside, a filter for purifying the dry sterilizing air, and a duct for guiding the air blown from the fan to the filter. The dry sterilization air purified by the filter is blown to the articles carried into the heat sterilization section from the insertion section on the upstream side and conveyed by the conveyor to dry sterilize, and then discharged to the cooling section on the downstream side. It is like this. The cooling unit includes a heat exchanger for cooling the internal air, a fan for supplying the cooled air under pressure to circulate the air, a filter (HEPA filter) for cleaning the cooled air, and a cleaned unit. And a cooling processing chamber for guiding cooling air into the room and cooling the article. The cooled item is sent to the filling machine on the downstream side. The cooling unit is provided with an outside air intake opening to the outside so as to maintain a positive pressure inside during the production operation. HEPA filters are used to purify hot air.

[0004] By the way, when the aseptic condition of the downstream filling machine is broken, there is a fear that non-sterile air may enter the cooling processing chamber. For this reason, in the conventional dry sterilizer, a heater is provided in the cooling unit to heat-sterilize the cooling processing chamber.

[0005]

In order to heat sterilize the cooling processing chamber, the internal temperature is set to 180 ° C. by heating the heater.
It is necessary to maintain the temperature for a predetermined time. After heat sterilization,
When the temperature inside the cooling unit is high, for example, when the temperature is 180 degrees Celsius, air cannot be passed through the heat exchanger (air cooler) as it is. When hot air of 100 degrees Celsius or higher is used, the pressure vessel becomes a first-class pressure vessel, so that the refrigerant in the heat exchanger must be supplied and drained each time heat sterilization is performed, which causes a problem of troublesome work. On the other hand, although there is a means of waiting for the heater to cool naturally, it takes a very long time and the work efficiency is low. In addition, if the inside of the cooling unit is rapidly cooled from a high temperature state after heat sterilization, the HEPA filter may be damaged due to usage with a large temperature difference.

Further, although the cooling portion is provided with an outside air intake for holding the positive pressure inside, the intake amount of outside air cannot be arbitrarily changed, and it is difficult to control the degree of positive pressure. There was a problem.

The present invention has been made in order to solve the above-mentioned problems. It is not necessary to supply and drain the refrigerant, the time for the cooling process can be shortened, and the temperature can be controlled to maintain the filter in a good condition. It is an object of the present invention to provide a drying sterilizer capable of controlling positive pressure easily.

[0008]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION A dry sterilizer according to the present invention comprises a heating section for heating an article to be carried in for dry sterilization, and a cooling section for cooling a heated article conveyed from the heating section. In the drying sterilizer equipped with,
A heat exchanger that cools the air and a fan that circulates the air through the filter to the cooling processing chamber are provided, and
Provided with heating means for heating air to perform dry sterilization, switching between the route from the cooling processing chamber to the fan via the heat exchanger and the route from the cooling processing chamber to the fan bypassing the heat exchanger to the fan. A possible switching means is provided.

In the dry sterilizer according to the second aspect, the cooling section is provided with an outside air intake means capable of taking in outside air.

Further, in the drying sterilizer according to the third aspect, the cooling processing chamber is provided with temperature detecting means for detecting the air temperature of the cooling processing chamber, and based on the detected air temperature, the switching means is incorporated. A control means for selecting and controlling at least one of the means is provided.

In the dry sterilizer according to the fourth aspect, the control means operates the switching means to switch the cooling processing chamber from the heat exchanger to the path to the fan and operates the heating means to take in outside air. Without a heating path, a first cooling path in which the operation of the heating means is stopped in the same path as this heating path, and a path to reach the fan by bypassing the heat exchanger by the switching means. As it is, the heating means is in a non-operating state, and the second cooling path formed by taking in the outside air by the intake means and the switching means are operated to reach the fan from the cooling processing chamber via the heat exchanger. The heating means is switched to a path, and a third cooling path formed by taking in outside air is selected and switched while the heating means is in a non-operating state.

[0012]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION The present invention will be described below with reference to embodiments shown in the drawings. 1 is a partially cutaway side view of a drying sterilizer according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a II-I of FIG.
It is sectional drawing which follows the I line. In this drying sterilizer, as shown in FIG. 1, the inside of the machine frame 2 is a heating section (sterilization area) A, and the upstream side of this heating section A (left side in FIG. 1) is an insertion section (inlet area).
B, an article (not shown) such as a container conveyed from the upstream side is inserted into the heating section A from the insertion section B.
Further, the downstream side (right side in FIG. 1) of the heating unit A is a cooling unit (cooling region) C, and a container (not shown) dried and sterilized by the heating unit A is discharged to the cooling unit C and cooled. . This cooling unit C is connected to a filling chamber (not shown) on the downstream side,
The container is cooled and then sent to the filling chamber.

On the lower side of the cooling section C (inside the machine casing 2),
A wide container conveyor 6 is installed, and a large number of containers (not shown) inserted from the insertion section B are guided between guides 6a provided on both sides of the conveyor 6a. , Are continuously conveyed in the arrow direction of FIG. The space above the transfer conveyor 6 is a cooling processing chamber (cooling processing space) 8, and the air pressurized and supplied from the circulation fan 10 provided above the cooling section C is heat-resistant via the duct 12. It is introduced into a filter (HEPA filter) 14, purified by this filter 14, and then sent to the cooling processing chamber 8. The transfer conveyor 6 arranged below the cooling processing chamber 8 allows air to pass vertically, and the air purified by the filter 14 is
The article (not shown) such as a container being transported is cooled by passing through the transport conveyor 6 from above to below. In the cooling unit C, as shown in FIG. 1, two ventilation purification mechanisms including a circulation fan 10, a duct 12, a heat resistant filter 14 and a cooling processing chamber 8 are installed on the upstream and downstream sides.

In the dry sterilizer according to this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2, in the machine frame 2, first to third compartments 21 are provided in a path connecting the cooling processing chamber 8 to the circulation fan 10.
22 and 23 are sequentially formed. A heater (heating means) 1 is provided in the first compartment 21 that communicates with the cooling processing chamber 8.
6, a heat exchanger (air cooler) 18 is arranged in the second compartment 22, and a circulation fan 10 is arranged in the third compartment 23. In the space below the third compartment 23, the heat resistant filter 14 connected to the lower end of the duct 12 and the cooling treatment chamber 8 are arranged so that the air leaking from the heat resistant filter 14 side flows into the third compartment 23. Has become. Further, the air that has finished the cooling processing in the cooling processing chamber 8 and passed through the transport conveyor 6 is discharged from the outlet 24 to the first partitioned chamber (heater-side partitioned chamber) 21. A switching passage (switching means) 31 is provided in the first partitioned chamber 21.
Is communicated with either the second compartment (heat exchanger side compartment) 22 or the third compartment (fan side compartment) 23 to guide air.

As shown in FIG. 2, the switching passage 31 has a first passage.
Of the second compartment 2 provided at the top of the second compartment 21
2 and the third compartment 23 are opened respectively. The switching passage 31 is provided with a switching valve (switching means) 32 that swings to switch the first partitioned chamber 21 to communicate with either the second partitioned chamber 22 or the third partitioned chamber 23. There is. The switching valve 32 is connected to a control device (control means) (not shown) so as to perform a switching operation based on a command signal.

The heater 16 is provided for heat sterilizing the cooling treatment chamber 8, and its operation is stopped during cooling after heat sterilization treatment in the cooling section C or during production operation. The operations of the heater 16 and the heat exchanger 18 are controlled by a controller (not shown).

Between the second compartment 22 and the third compartment 23, a furnace wall (compartment wall) 33 for partitioning the two compartments is provided. The furnace wall 33 is formed with an opening 34 that connects the two compartments 22, 23 to each other, and an opening / closing valve (switching means) 36 is provided in the opening 34. The open / close valve 36 is
The opening 34 is opened and closed based on a command from a control device (control means) not shown. Therefore, in accordance with the operation of the switching valve 32 and the opening / closing valve 36, the path connecting the cooling processing chamber 8 to the circulation fan 10 is the cooling processing chamber 8-first partition chamber 21-third partition chamber 23. The path C1 formed in this order (see (A) and (B) of FIG. 3), the cooling processing chamber 8-the first partitioned chamber 21, the second partitioned chamber 22 and the third partitioned chamber 23 in this order. Formed path C2
One of the two circulation paths (see (C) and (D) of FIG. 3) can be selected. The switching means is composed of first to third compartments 21 to 23, a switching passage 31, a switching valve 32 and an opening / closing valve 36.

As shown in FIG. 2, the second compartment 22 is provided with an outside air intake (outside air intake means) 41 which communicates with the outside and introduces outside air into the inside. A variable valve (outside air intake means) 42 for opening / closing the opening of the outside air intake 41 and variably adjusting the opening area is attached to the outside air intake 41. This variable valve 4
Reference numeral 2 is connected to a control device (control means) (not shown), and operates based on a command signal. A control device (not shown) controls the opening / closing valve 36 and the variable valve 42 to adjust the intake amount of the outside air introduced into the inside. The outside air intake means includes an outside air intake port 41 and a variable valve 42. The introduced outside air is mixed with the circulating air. Although not shown, the lower part of the cooling processing chamber 8 of the cooling section C on the most downstream side is connected to an exhaust fan (not shown) and an opening / closing valve (not shown) at the time of introduction of outside air. Duct (not shown)
Is attached, and when the outside air is taken into the cooling section C, an on-off valve (not shown) is opened to allow it to escape.

When the variable valve 42 is opened at a predetermined opening, the open / close valve 36 is simultaneously opened as shown in FIGS. 3B and 3C, and the outside air is introduced into the interior through the path C3. When the variable valve 42 is closed, FIG.
As shown in (D) and (D), introduction of outside air is blocked, and inside the cooling section C, the path C1 or C2 is formed according to the operation of the switching valve 32 and the opening / closing valve 36. .

In the cooling processing chamber 8, as shown in FIG. 2, an air temperature monitoring thermometer (temperature detecting means) 45 for detecting the temperature of the air and a furnace inner wall surface temperature monitor for detecting the temperature of the furnace inner wall surface. A thermometer (temperature detecting means) 46 is attached. The data of the air temperature and the furnace wall temperature detected by these thermometers 45 and 46 are sent to a processing device (control means) not shown. The processing device (not shown) controls each valve 32, by a control device (not shown) based on the detected data.
36 and 42 are operated.

The air in the cooling section C is circulated in the following four patterns. First, (I) as shown in (A) of FIG. 3, the switching valve 32 is switched so that the first compartment 21 and the third compartment 23 communicate with each other, and the opening / closing valve 36 and the variable valve 42 are closed. The heating path and the first cooling path (only the path C1) formed by (II) and (II) as shown in FIG. A second cooling path (path C1 + path C3) formed by communicating the chamber 23 and opening the open / close valve 36 and the variable valve 42, and (III) a switching valve as shown in (C) of FIG. 32 is switched to connect the first compartment 21 and the second compartment 22 to each other, and the opening / closing valve 36 and the variable valve 42 are opened to form a third cooling path (path C).
2 + path C3) and (IV) as shown in FIG.
The switching valve 32 is left as it is and the first compartment 21 and the second compartment 22 are communicated with each other, and the opening / closing valve 36 is opened and the variable valve 42 is closed to form an operation path (only path C2). It is a pattern. It should be noted that when the second cooling path (see FIG. 3B) is selected during the intake of outside air and the cooling processing chamber 8 is connected to the exhaust fan (not shown) of the cooling section C, air is discharged. Escapes from the cooling processing chamber 8 to the outside.

Next, the operation of the dry sterilizer according to the above embodiment will be described. First, the cooling processing unit 8 of the cooling unit C
When performing the dry sterilization of No. 3, as shown in FIG. 3A, the heating path (only the path C1) is selected, the heater 16 is operated to raise the temperature in the cooling unit C, and the circulation fan 10 is used. Air is circulated (heating step). Thermometer 4
5 and 46, the temperature in the cooling section C has reached a predetermined temperature (in the case of the present embodiment, for example, the temperature of hot air is 185 degrees Celsius and the temperature of the wall surface inside the furnace is 170 degrees Celsius or higher). Upon detection, heat sterilization starts, and a predetermined time t1
Heat sterilization is performed (for example, 30 minutes in the case of the present embodiment) (sterilization step). During these temperature raising step and sterilization step, the heat exchanger 18 is in the off state.
The second compartment 22 in which the heat exchanger 18 is arranged is the furnace wall 3
Since it is divided by 3 and the on-off valve 36 is also closed,
Even if the other compartments 21 and 23 reach a predetermined heat sterilization temperature, the compartments are kept below 100 degrees Celsius.

When the sterilization step is completed after a predetermined sterilization time t1, a cooling step (first to third cooling steps) for cooling the inside of the cooling section C is started. Immediately after the end of the sterilization process, the temperature inside the cooling unit C is still high, so in the first cooling process, the heater 16 remains the heating path (only the path C1).
Is turned off to set a first cooling path (see FIG. 3A), and a predetermined time t2 (in the case of the present embodiment, for example, 20
Circulate the air for about 1 minute.
Reduce from 40 degrees to 150 degrees. This is performed for the purpose of gradual cooling in order to prevent the heat resistant filter (HEPA filter) 14 from being damaged by a rapid temperature change.

After the completion of the first cooling process, the second cooling process is started. In the second cooling step, as shown in FIG. 3B, the second cooling path (path C1 + path C3) is selected, the outside air is taken in from the outside air intake 41, and the cooling processing chamber 8 is not shown. Communicate with the exhaust fan,
Exhaust air to the outside. In this second cooling step, the heater 16 and the heat exchanger 18 are both kept off until the air passing through the cooling processing chamber 8 becomes 100 degrees Celsius or less,
When the temperature drops below 100 degrees Celsius, the second cooling step ends.

After completion of the second cooling step, the third cooling step is started. In the third cooling step, as shown in FIG. 3C, the third cooling path (path C2 + path C3) is selected, the heater 16 is turned off, the heat exchanger 18 is turned on, and the cooling process is performed. The communication between the chamber 8 and the exhaust fan (not shown) is cut off, and the outside air is taken in through the outside air intake 41. In this third cooling step, air flows from the first compartment 21 to the third compartment 23 via the second compartment 22 and the circulation path C2 from the outside air intake port 41 to the second compartment. 22
The air flowing along the merging path C3 that reaches the third compartment 23 via the second compartment 22 is cooled by the heat exchanger 18 and guided to the circulation fan 10. This third cooling step ends when the temperature of the circulating air falls below 100 degrees Celsius and the temperature of the inner wall of the furnace falls below 60 degrees Celsius.

Next, when the temperature of the circulating air and the temperature of the inner wall of the furnace reach the cooling temperature suitable for the production operation by the third cooling step, the third cooling step is completed and the positive pressure in the cooling section C is finished. The operation process of holding the value and performing the production operation is started. In the operation process, as shown in FIG. 3D, the operation route (only route C2) is selected, the heater 16 is turned off, and the heat exchanger 18 is turned on.
Is kept on, the communication between the cooling processing chamber 8 and the exhaust fan (not shown) is cut off, the outside air intake 41 is closed, and the outside air is not taken in. In this operation process, the air flows only along the circulation path C2 that reaches the third compartment 23 from the first compartment 21 through the second compartment 22 and passes through the second compartment 22. The air to be cooled is cooled by the heat exchanger 18 and guided to the circulation fan 10.

In the operating process, as shown in FIG. 3D, the outside air is adjusted and introduced from the state of the operating route (only the route C2). That is, while the heater 16 is off and the heat exchanger 18 is on, the communication between the cooling processing chamber 8 and the exhaust fan (not shown) is cut off, and the positive pressure in the cooling portion C is maintained, so that the opening of the outside air intake 41 is opened. The outside air is adjusted and introduced by the variable valve 42. In this operation process, the heat exchanger 18 maintains the temperature of the circulating air at a predetermined cooling temperature. When a container (not shown) dried and sterilized in the heating unit A is carried into the cooling unit C, it is cooled in the cooling processing chamber 8. The container is cooled and then sent to a filling chamber (not shown) on the downstream side. The variable valve 42 is opened by adjusting the opening according to the change in the positive pressure inside the cooling section C, so that the inside of the cooling section C is always kept at an appropriate positive pressure. Since the communication with an exhaust fan (not shown) is cut off, the air escapes from the cooling processing chamber 8 to the insertion portion B through the heating portion A. In addition, after the completion of the third cooling process, there is a case where the operation process is not immediately entered and a standby is performed. In that case, the heat exchanger 18 is turned off to take in outside air as shown in FIG. 3 (B). You may Furthermore, before entering the operation process shown in FIG.
In the case of standing by in the state of (D) of FIG. 3, the heat exchanger 1
No. 8 must be activated.

As described above, in the dry sterilizer according to the present embodiment, the cooling unit C is provided with the heater 16 for heating and drying and sterilizing the air, and the heater 16 is provided in the path connecting the cooling processing chamber 8 to the circulation fan 10. A first compartment 21 in which the heat exchanger 18 and the heater 16 are arranged in order
The switching passage 31 for switching the air passing through the heater 16 to either the heat exchanger 18 or the circulation fan 10.
Since the heat exchanger 18 is provided, the heat exchanger 18 can be cut off from the heated air when the cooling processing chamber 8 of the cooling unit C is heated by the heater 16 to be dried and sterilized, and thus is not easily affected by heat. . Therefore, it is not necessary to supply and drain the refrigerant in the heat exchanger 18.

Further, in the drying sterilizer according to the present embodiment, a furnace wall 33 is provided between the circulation fan 10 and the heat exchanger 18 to partition them, and the furnace wall 33 has both of them 1.
An opening / closing valve 36 for disconnecting 0 and 18 so that they can communicate with each other is provided,
In the second compartment 22 in which the heat exchanger 18 is arranged, an outside air intake 41 for introducing outside air and a variable valve 42 for opening / closing the outside air intake 41 and variably adjusting the opening area are provided. Provided, open / close valve 36 and variable valve 4
Since a control device (not shown) for controlling the air conditioner 2 and controlling the mixing of the outside air with the circulating air is provided, the inside of the cooling unit C after heat sterilization can be cooled gradually and quickly.
Therefore, the heat-resistant filter (HEPA filter) 14 is not subjected to a large thermal change due to a temperature difference, and damage to the filter can be prevented. Also, the outside air intake 41
Since the opening area of can be variably adjusted, the intake amount of outside air can be arbitrarily changed. Therefore, the positive pressure inside the cooling unit C can be easily controlled.

Further, in the drying sterilizer according to the present embodiment, an air temperature monitoring thermometer 45 for detecting the air temperature in the cooling processing chamber 8 and a furnace inner wall surface temperature monitoring thermometer 46 are provided in the cooling processing chamber 8. Is attached, and at least one of the open / close valve 36 and the variable valve 42 is selected and controlled based on the detected air temperature. It is possible to switch to the first to third cooling steps while monitoring the temperature. Therefore, the next step (heating step, first to third cooling steps,
It is possible to switch to the operating process). Therefore, the time required for the cooling process can be shortened.

In the drying sterilizer according to the present embodiment, the processing device (not shown) has the first compartment 21 and the third compartment 21 based on the air temperature detected by the thermometers 45 and 46.
Of the heating chamber (first cooling route) C1, which is formed by communicating the compartment 23 with the outside air intake 41 and the opening / closing valve 36, respectively, and the first compartment 21 and the third compartment 23. And a second cooling path (C) formed by opening the outside air intake 41 and the opening / closing valve 36, respectively.
1 + C3), the first compartment 21 and the second compartment 22 are communicated with each other, and the outside air intake 41 and the opening / closing valve 36 are opened to form a third cooling path (C2 + C).
3) and the first compartment 21 and the second compartment 22 are communicated with each other, and the outside air intake 41 is closed and the opening / closing valve 36 is opened. Therefore, during the cooling process, it is possible to appropriately switch the air circulation path and the intake of air from the outside so that hot air after heating does not pass through the heat exchanger 18. it can. Therefore, the heat exchanger 18 does not need to be provided with a coolant supply / drainage facility.

In the above embodiment, the heating unit A has one heating device, and the cooling unit C has the blast purification devices 8, 10 and 1.
Although two units 2 and 14 are installed on the upstream and downstream sides, respectively, the number is not limited to this, and the heating unit A may have two heating devices, or the cooling unit C may have one or four blast purification devices. Needless to say, it may be a stand or various combinations depending on the design plan. Further, although not shown, inside the insertion portion B, a blower fan is provided at an upper portion and an exhaust fan is provided at a lower portion. Further, in the above embodiment, when the first cooling process is switched to the second cooling process, the thermometer 45 detects that the temperature of the circulating air has dropped from about 140 degrees Celsius to 150 degrees Celsius. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, a timer may be used. Further, in the above embodiment, the outside air is taken in in the third cooling step, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the variable valve 42 is closed and the intake of outside air is stopped when the air reaches a predetermined temperature. Alternatively, the opening degree of the variable valve 42 may be gradually reduced to gradually reduce the intake amount of outside air.

[0033]

As described above, according to the present invention, the heating section for heating the carried-in article to dry and sterilize it and the cooling section for cooling the heated article conveyed from the heating section are provided. In the provided dry sterilizer, the cooling unit is provided with a heat exchanger that cools air and a fan that circulates the air through the filter to the cooling treatment chamber, and heats the air to perform dry sterilization. By providing means, by providing a switching means capable of switching between a path from the cooling processing chamber to the fan via the heat exchanger and a path from the cooling processing chamber to the fan bypassing the heat exchanger and reaching the fan, Since it is possible to prevent hot air from passing through the heat exchanger after heating the cooling unit, it is not necessary to supply and drain the refrigerant in the heat exchanger, which improves working efficiency and simplifies the equipment.

Further, according to the dry sterilizer of the second aspect, since the cooling section is provided with the outside air intake means capable of taking in the outside air, the outside air can be taken into the cooling section, so that after the heating. The inside of the cooling unit can be cooled gradually and in a short time. Therefore, there is an effect of prolonging the life of the filter without giving a severe temperature difference to the filter.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a partially cutaway side view of a drying sterilizer according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken along line II-II in FIG.

3 (A) to 3 (D) are explanatory views showing the flow of air in each step from the heating step to the cooling step to the operation step.

[Explanation of symbols]

A heating section C cooling unit 8 Cooling chamber 10 Circulation fan (fan) 14 Heat-resistant filter (filter) 16 Heater (heating means) 18 heat exchanger 31 Switching passage (switching means) 32 Switching valve (switching means)

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A drying sterilizer provided with a heating section for heating articles to be carried in to perform dry sterilization, and a cooling section for cooling heated articles conveyed from the heating section. A heat exchanger for cooling the air and a fan for sending the air through the filter to the cooling processing chamber for circulation, and a heating means for heating the air for dry sterilization. The drying sterilizer is provided with a switching means capable of switching between a path reaching the fan via the heat exchanger and a path bypassing the heat exchanger from the cooling processing chamber to reach the fan. 2. A drying sterilizer characterized in that the cooling section is provided with an outside air intake means capable of taking in outside air. 3. The cooling processing chamber is provided with temperature detecting means for detecting the air temperature of the cooling processing chamber, and at least one of the switching means and the intake means is selected based on the detected air temperature. The drying sterilizer according to claim 2, further comprising control means for controlling the temperature. 4. The control means operates a switching means to switch from a cooling processing chamber to a path reaching a fan by bypassing a heat exchanger, and to operate a heating means to form a heating path formed without taking in outside air. , The first cooling path in which the operation of the heating means is stopped in the same path as this heating path and the path to reach the fan by bypassing the heat exchanger by the switching means are kept inactive by the heating means. In this state, a second cooling path formed by taking in the outside air by the intake means and a path from the cooling processing chamber to the fan via the heat exchanger by operating the switching means are switched to the heating means. The dry sterilizer according to claim 3, wherein each of the third cooling path and the third cooling path formed by taking in outside air in the non-operating state is selected and switched.