JP2004222940A

JP2004222940A - Packing for autoclave, and autoclave

Info

Publication number: JP2004222940A
Application number: JP2003013894A
Authority: JP
Inventors: Hisamoto Miyasaka; 久基宮坂
Original assignee: Chiyoda Manufacturing Corp
Current assignee: Chiyoda Manufacturing Corp
Priority date: 2003-01-22
Filing date: 2003-01-22
Publication date: 2004-08-12

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a packing for an autoclave which keeps adhesiveness between a recess groove and an inner wall surface and has sufficient durability even when a slide-contact surface slide-contacting with the inner wall surface of the recess groove is worn away, by inserting the packing into the recess groove formed along the periphery of the opening of a sterilization chamber in a state where the packing can be put out and in. <P>SOLUTION: The packing for an autoclave 50 is used for an autoclave which sterilizes a matter to be sterilized which is housed in the sterilization chamber whose opening is sealed with a door. A packing main body 52 consisting of elastic material is inserted to the annular recess groove 22 formed along the periphery of the opening of the sterilization chamber in the state where the packing can be put out and in so that its distal end face may abut on the door which seals the sterilization chamber and is pushed out by the fluid pressure of a working fluid fed to the bottom face side of the groove 22. As for the packing main body 52, an end part to be inserted to the groove 22 is formed to be tapered parts 54 and 54 which become wider in the direction of the bottom face side of the groove 22 so as to slide-contact with the inner wall face of the groove 22. When a slit-like recess part 58 extending in a longitudinal direction is bored on the bottom face side of the groove 22 and the tapered parts 54, 54 are pressurized to close the opening of the recess part 58, a hollow part is formed on the bottom side of the recess part 58. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO&NCIPI

Description

【０００１】
【発明の属する技術分野】
本発明は高圧滅菌器用パッキン及び高圧滅菌器に関する。
【０００２】
【従来の技術】
病院等では、手術に使用した器具や衣料等の被滅菌物を滅菌する滅菌装置として、扉によって開口部が密閉された滅菌室内を高圧状態と減圧状態とにして、滅菌室内に収容された被滅菌物に滅菌を施す高圧滅菌器が用いられている。
かかる高圧滅菌器の一例を図５に示す。図５に示す高圧滅菌器１０（以下、単に滅菌器１０と称することがある）には、筐体１２に設けられた気密室としての滅菌室１４と、筐体１２にヒンジ１８，１８に取り付けられ、滅菌室１４の矩形の開口部１６を開閉する扉２０とが設けられている。
かかる滅菌器１０を用いて被滅菌物に滅菌を施す際には、滅菌室１４に被滅菌物を挿入した後、扉２０によって滅菌室１４の開口部１６を閉塞し、滅菌室１４を気密室とする。
次いで、滅菌室１４内に水蒸気を供給しつつ、滅菌室１４内を所定圧力に昇圧した状態を所定時間保持して被滅菌物に滅菌を施した後、滅菌室１４内を減圧状態として濡れた被滅菌物に乾燥を施す。
この様に、滅菌器１０では、一連の滅菌を行う際に、滅菌室１４内を高圧状態とした後、減圧状態とする。このため、滅菌室１４の開口部１６を扉２０によって確実に密閉とすべく、高圧滅菌器用パッキン１００（以下、単にパッキン１００と称することがある）が使用されている。
尚、扉２０には、公知のロック機構（図示せず）が設けられており、開口部１６を閉塞した際に、ロック機構を作動させることによって、扉２０をロックしている。
【０００３】
かかるパッキン１００は、矩形の開口部１６の周縁に沿って形成された、図６に示す環状の凹溝２２内に出入可能に挿入されている。
このパッキン１００は、その横断面形状が台形状のパッキン本体が、シリコーンゴム等の弾性材料によって形成され、このパッキン本体の凹溝２２の底面側（底面）には、Ｖ字溝が形成されている。
かかるパッキン１００を凹溝２２内に挿入する際には、Ｖ字溝を利用して底面側を弾性変形させて幅を狭めながらパッキン１００を凹溝２２内に挿入する。凹溝２２内に挿入されたパッキン１００は、自らの弾性力によって凹溝２２の内壁面と摺接する。
この様に、凹溝２２内に挿入されたパッキン１００は、凹溝２２の底面側にポンプ等の流体供給手段３４から給排路３６を介して圧縮空気等の作動流体を給排することによって、パッキン１００の先端面は、開口部１６を閉塞する扉２０に対して接離する。
従って、流体供給手段３４から流体を凹溝２２の底面側に供給してパッキン１００の先端面を、開口部１６を閉塞する扉２０に当接することによって、扉２０と滅菌室１４との間の気密性が保たれる。
一方、扉２０を開放する際には、凹溝２２内の作動流体を排出し減圧することによって、突出したパッキン１００は凹溝２２内に引き戻され、パッキン１００の先端面が扉２０から離反して気密状態が解除される。このため、扉２０を容易に開放できる。
【０００４】
ところで、図５及び図６に示すパッキン１００は、凹溝２２の内壁面と摺接して出入する構造であるため、パッキン１００の凹溝２２の内壁面との接触面が磨耗し易い。このため、パッキン１００の摺接面が磨耗すると、凹溝２２の内壁面との間に隙間が生じて作動流体が漏れ出し、凹溝２２内の加圧が充分に行えず、パッキン１００の扉２０に対する押しつけ力が低下し、扉２０との間の気密性が確保できなくなる。
特に、滅菌室１４の開口部１６の周縁に沿って形成された矩形状の凹溝２２に倣って矩形状に形成されたパッキン１００では、矩形状の凹溝２２の角部に挿入される部分（以下、角部挿入部分と称することがある）には、凹溝２２の側壁面からの押圧力と、伸縮力と伸長力とに因る押圧力とが作用し、パッキン１００の角部挿入部分の特定部分が凹溝２２の内壁面と摺接するように変形する場合がある。この場合、その特定部分が磨耗され易く、パッキン１００の角部挿入部分では、パッキン１００の直線部分に比較して、早期に作動流体が漏れ出し易い。
また、凹溝２２との間の隙間から漏れ出した作動流体が、滅菌室１４内に洩れ込む漏れ込み、滅菌を施した被滅菌物を再汚染するおそれもある。
このため、下記特許文献１には、パッキン１００の凹溝２２の内壁面との接触面が磨耗しても、扉２０との間の気密性が確保し得る高圧滅菌器用パッキンが提案されている。
【０００５】
【特許文献１】
特開平１１−３３６９１５号公報（特許請求の範囲、図１−図８）
【０００６】
この特許文献１に記載されている高圧滅菌用パッキンの一例を図７に示す。図７に示す高圧滅菌用パッキン２００（以下、単にパッキン２００と称することがある）は、シリコーンゴム等の弾性材料によって形成された横断面形状が台形状のパッキン本体２０２から成り、パッキン本体２０２の中央部近傍に、その長手方向に連続する中空部２０４が形成されている。この中空部２０４には、パッキン本体２０２を、矩形の開口部１６の周縁に沿って形成された環状の凹溝２２内に出入可能に挿入したとき、パッキン本体２０２の凹溝２２の底面側に開口する連通孔２０６が連通されている。この連通孔２０６は、パッキン本体２０２の長手方向に間欠的に形成されている。
かかるパッキン本体２０２を凹溝２２内に出入可能に挿入し、凹溝２２の底面側に給排路３６を介して流体供給手段３４から作動流体を供給すると、パッキン本体２０２の先端面が滅菌室１４の開口部１６を閉塞する扉２０の内面と密着する。
先端面が扉２０の内面と密着したパッキン本体２０２の中空部２０４には、作動流体の流体圧そのものが給排孔３６を介して加えられ、パッキン本体２０２の先端面は充分に扉２０の内面に押圧されると共に、その幅方向の膨らみ量が増加し、パッキン本体２０２と凹溝２２の内壁面との間の密着性を増加できる。
【０００７】
【発明が解決しようとする課題】
特許文献１に記載されたパッキン２００によれば、凹溝２２内に挿入されたパッキン本体２０２は、その凹溝２２の内壁面との摺接面が磨耗されても、その磨耗された部分の中空部２０４との間の厚さが減少し、中空部２０４内の作動流体の流体圧による脹らみ量が、磨耗されていない部分に比較して増加するため、凹溝２２の内壁面との間の密着状態を確保できる。
しかし、図５に示す高圧滅菌器１０では、滅菌室１４内に水蒸気を供給して被滅菌物に滅菌を施した後、濡れた被滅菌物を乾燥するため、滅菌室１４内を減圧状態とする。
滅菌室１４を減圧状態としたとき、扉２０は、滅菌室１４側に図７に示す２０’の位置まで引き込まれる。この際、パッキン本体２０２は、扉２０と作動流体の流体圧とによって押圧されるため、パッキン本体２０２の一部は、扉２０と筐体１２との間の隙間に膨出部２０３となって膨出する。この膨出部２０３は、扉２０と筐体１２とに挟まれて強い圧縮力が加えられて割れ易く耐久性に乏しいことが判明した。
そこで、本発明の課題は、滅菌室の開口部の周縁に沿って形成された凹溝内に出入可能に挿入され、凹溝の内壁面に摺接した摺接面が磨耗されても、凹溝の内壁面との密着性を保持でき且つ充分な耐久性を有する高圧滅菌器用パッキン、及びこの高圧滅菌器用パッキンを用いた高圧滅菌器を提供することにある。
【０００８】
【課題を解決するための手段】
本発明者は、前記課題を解決すべく、先ず図７に示すパッキン本体２０２の中空部２０４を小径にすることを試みたが、パッキン本体２０２は、紐状パッキンの両端を接合して環状に形成するため、中空部２０４を小径にするほど接合面での中空部２０４の接合が困難となる。
また、パッキン本体２０２の先端面が扉２０の内面と密着したとき、凹溝２２内に挿入されているパッキン本体２０２の部分に中空部２０４を形成することによっても、扉２０と筐体１２との間の隙間に脹出する膨出部２０３の脹出量を減少できる。
しかし、パッキン本体２０２の先端面が扉２０の内面と密着したとき、凹溝２２から突出するパッキン本体２０２の突出量は、同種の滅菌器間にもバラツキが存在する。このため、滅菌器ごとに中空部２０４が適性な位置に形成されたパッキン本体２０２を製造することが必要となることが判明した。
本発明者は、更に検討を重ねた結果、凹溝の内壁面に摺接できるように、凹溝内に挿入される下端部をテーパ状部に形成したパッキン本体に、その凹溝の底面側に開口する長手方向に延びるスリット状凹部を形成し、テーパ状部が押圧されてスリット状凹部の開口部が閉じたとき、スリット状凹部の底部側に中空部が形成されるパッキンは、製造が容易であって、凹溝の内壁面に摺接した摺接面が磨耗されても、凹溝の内壁面との密着性を保持でき且つ充分な耐久性を有することを見出し、本発明に到達した。
【０００９】
すなわち、本発明は、扉によって開口部が密閉された滅菌室内に収容された被滅菌物に滅菌を施す高圧滅菌器に用いられる高圧滅菌器用パッキンにおいて、該滅菌室の開口部の周縁に沿って形成された環状の凹溝内に、前記凹溝の底面側に供給された作動流体の流体圧によって押し出され前記滅菌室を密閉する扉に先端面が当接するように挿入される、弾性材料から成るパッキン本体には、前記凹溝の内壁面に摺接できるように、前記凹溝内に挿入される端部が凹溝の底面側に幅広となるテーパ状部に形成されていると共に、前記凹溝の底面側に長手方向に延びるスリット状凹部が開口され、且つ前記テーパ状部が押圧されてスリット状凹部の開口部が閉じたとき、前記スリット状凹部の底部側に中空部が形成されることを特徴とする高圧滅菌器用パッキンにある。
また、本発明は、扉によって開口部が密閉された滅菌室内を高圧・減圧にして、前記滅菌室内に収容された被滅菌物に滅菌を施す高圧滅菌器において、該滅菌室の開口部の周縁に沿って形成された環状の凹溝内に出入可能に挿入された、弾性材料から成るパッキン本体に、前記凹溝の内壁面に摺接できるように、前記凹溝内に挿入される端部が凹溝の底面側に幅広となるテーパ状部に形成されていると共に、前記凹溝の底面側に長手方向に延びるスリット状凹部が開口され、且つ前記テーパ状部が押圧されてスリット状凹部の開口部が閉じたとき、前記スリット状凹部の底部側に中空部が形成される高圧滅菌器用パッキンが用いられ、前記滅菌室を密閉する扉に前記パッキン本体の先端面が当接するように、前記凹溝内に挿入されたパッキン本体を押し出す作動流体を凹溝の底面側に供給する流体供給手段が設けられていることを特徴とする高圧滅菌器でもある。
【００１０】
かかる本発明において、スリット状凹部を、パッキン本体の底面側に形成された、前記スリット状凹部よりも幅広の環状凹部の底面に開口することによって、パッキン本体を凹溝内に容易に挿入できる。
更に、スリット状凹部を、その底部がパッキン本体の中央部近傍に位置するように形成することにより、スリット状凹部の作動流体の圧力によってパッキン本体と凹溝の内壁面との充分に摺接させることができる。
また、パッキン本体を、滅菌室の開口部の周縁に沿って形成した矩形状の凹溝に倣って矩形状に形成し、前記パッキン本体のうち、前記凹溝の角部に挿入する部分（以下、角部挿入部分と称することがある）のスリット状凹部の開口部に、流体供給孔を形成することによって、伸縮力と伸長力とがパッキン本体の角部挿入部分に作用し、スリット状凹部の開口部が閉じて形成された中空部に、作動流体を迅速に流入させることができる。
【００１１】
本発明に係る高圧滅菌器用パッキンによれば、凹溝に挿入されたパッキン本体のスリット状凹部の開口部が開放されている場合、スリット状凹部内の作動流体の圧力によってパッキン本体のテーパ状部は、凹溝の内壁面方向に押圧されるため、パッキン本体と凹溝の内壁面とを充分に摺接させることができる。
また、例えば、矩形状に形成された凹溝内に挿入されたパッキン本体は、その角部挿入部分において、凹溝の側側面からの押圧力と圧縮力と伸長力とに因る押圧力とによってパッキン本体のテーパ状部が押圧されてスリット状凹部の開口部が閉じても、スリット状凹部の底部近傍に中空部が形成される。この中空部は、開口部が開放されている直線部分のスリット状凹部と連通されている。このため、形成された中空部には、直線部分のスリット状凹部から作動流体が迅速に供給され、中空部の内壁面を押圧してパッキン本体の角部挿入部分のテーパ状部を凹溝の内壁面方向に押圧する結果、パッキン本体の角部挿入部分と凹溝の内壁面との摺接状態を維持できる。
更に、スリット状凹部は、パッキン本体の凹溝の底面側に開口部が形成されているため、図７に示す様に、扉２０と筐体１２との間の隙間に脹出する膨出部の脹出量を減少し得る幅狭のスリット状凹部でも容易に形成できる。
【００１２】
【発明の実施の形態】
本発明に係る高圧滅菌器用パッキンの一例を図１に示す。図１に示す高圧滅菌器用パッキン５０（以下、単にパッキン５０と称することがある）は、図５に示す滅菌器１０に用いられるものであり、図１（ａ）に示す様に、矩形状に形成されている。かかるパッキン５０を形成する、シリコーン等の弾性材料から成るパッキン本体５２が、図１（ｂ）に示す様に、凹溝２２に挿入されたとき、凹溝２２の内壁面に摺接できるように、凹溝２２内に挿入される端部が、凹溝２２の底面側が幅広となるテーパ状部５４，５４に形成されている。従って、パッキン本体５２の横断面形状は、略台形状である。
かかるパッキン本体５２には、凹溝２２の底面側に環状凹部５６が形成されており、この環状凹部５６の底面に、環状凹部５６よりも幅狭のスリット状凹部５８が開口されている。このスリット状凹部５８は、図１（ａ）に示す様に、パッキン本体５２の長軸方向に連続して形成されていると共に、その底部はパッキン本体５２の中央部近傍に位置する。
かかる環状凹部５６によって、テーパ状部５４，５４が変形し易くなり、凹溝２２内へのパッキン本体５２の挿入を容易に行うことができる。
【００１３】
図１に示すパッキン本体５２では、テーパ状部５４，５４に押圧力が加えられたとき、テーパ状部５４，５４が環状凹部５６の内方に押されると共に、スリット状凹部５８の開口部の内壁面もスリット状凹部５８の内方向に押される。このため、テーパ状部５４，５４に加えられる押圧力に応じて、スリット状凹部５８の開口部が次第に狭くなり、遂には閉塞される。
つまり、図２（ａ）に示す様に、テーパ状部５４，５４に押圧力ｆが加えられたとき、スリット状凹部５８の開口部が狭くなるが、閉塞状態には至っていない。
一方、図２（ｂ）に示す様に、テーパ状部５４，５４に押圧力ｆよりも大きな押圧力Ｆが加えられると、スリット状凹部５８の開口部が閉塞され、スリット状凹部５８の底部近傍に中空部６０が形成される。
尚、スリット状凹部５８は、パッキン本体５２の長手方向に延出されているため、中空部６０は開口部が開放されている図２（ａ）に示すスリット状凹部５８に連通されている。
【００１４】
図１に示すパッキン５０のパッキン本体５２は、図５に示す滅菌器１０の滅菌室１４に形成された開口部１６の周縁に沿って設けられた矩形状の凹溝２２内に挿入される。
ここでは、図５に示す滅菌器１０を構成する部材（パッキン５０を除く）及び動作については、先に説明してあるため、詳細な説明を省略する。
この様に、矩形状の凹溝２２内に挿入されたパッキン本体５２のうち、凹溝２２の直線状部に挿入された部分の状態を図３（ａ）に示す。この図３（ａ）に示すパッキン本体５２の部分では、主として凹溝２２の側壁面からパッキン本体５２のテーパ状部５４，５４を押圧する力が作用するため、スリット状凹部５８の開口部が狭くなるものの、閉塞状態には至っていない。
図３（ａ）に示す状態のパッキン本体５２の部分に、図６に示す様に、凹溝２２の底面側にポンプ等の流体供給手段３４から給排路３６を介して圧縮空気等の作動流体を凹溝２２の底面側に供給すると、作動流体の流体圧力によって環状凹部５６及びスリット状凹部５８の内壁面が、凹溝２２の内壁面方向に押圧される。このため、パッキン本体５２のテーパ状部５４，５４は、凹溝２２の内壁面方向に押圧され、両者は充分に摺接できる。
【００１５】
一方、矩形状に形成された凹溝２２の角部に挿入されたパッキン本体５２の部分（角部挿入部分）の状態を図３（ｂ）に示す。パッキン本体５２の角部挿入部分では、凹溝２２の側壁面からテーパ状部５４，５４を押圧する押圧力の他に、圧縮力と伸長力とに因る押圧力がテーパ状部５４，５４に作用する。このため、パッキン本体５２の角部挿入部分の幅は、凹溝２２の直線状部に挿入されたパッキン本体５２の部分よりも細幅となっている。
しかも、この角部挿入部分のスリット状凹部５８の開口部は閉塞され、スリット状凹部５８の底部近傍に中空部６０が形成されている。
図３（ｂ）に示す状態のパッキン本体５２に、図６に示す様に、凹溝２２の底面側にポンプ等の流体供給手段３４から給排路３６を介して圧縮空気等の作動流体を凹溝２２の底面側に供給すると、作動流体の流体圧力によって環状凹部５６の内壁面が凹溝２２の内壁面方向に押圧される。
更に、スリット状凹部５８に形成された中空部６０は、凹溝２２の直線状部に挿入された図３（ａ）に示すパッキン本体５２のスリット状凹部５８と連通されており、中空部６０の内壁面も作動流体の流体圧力で押圧される。
このため、パッキン本体５２の角部挿入部分も、凹溝２２の直線状部に挿入されたパッキン本体５２の部分と同様に、パッキン本体５２のテーパ状部５４，５４は、凹溝２２の内壁面方向に押圧され、両者は充分に摺接できる。
【００１６】
図１〜図３に示すパッキン５０では、パッキン本体５２に形成するスリット状凹部５８は、環状凹部５６よりも幅狭に形成されていると共に、パッキン本体５２の強度等にあわせて最適な幅に形成できる。このため、図５に示す高圧滅菌器１０の滅菌室１４を減圧状態としたとき、扉２０が滅菌室１４側に図３（ａ）に示す２０′の位置まで引き込まれても、パッキン本体５２の扉２０と筐体１２との間の隙間に膨出される膨出部５３の膨出量を可及的に少なくでき、パッキン本体５２の耐久性の向上を図ることができる。
また、矩形状の凹溝２２の角部に挿入されたパッキン本体５２の角部挿入部分のテーパ状部５４，５４には、凹溝２２の側壁面からの押圧力に加えて、圧縮力と伸長力とに因る押圧力が加えられてスリット状凹部５８の開口部が閉塞され易い。このため、パッキン本体５２の角部挿入部分には、図４に示す様に、スリット状凹部５８の開口部に流体供給孔６２，６２を形成しておくことによって、スリット状凹部５８の開口部が閉塞されて形成された中空部６０に、その近傍から作動流体を供給できる。この流体供給孔６２としては、テーパ状部５４，５４の各内側面に半円状溝を形成して構成してもよく、その内側面の一方側に半円状溝を形成して構成してもよい。
尚、パッキン本体５２の角部挿入部分の開口部に、小片を挟み込み接着剤等で固着しておくことによっても、小片の近傍の開口部を開放状態に保持できる。
【００１７】
以上、説明してきたパッキン５０では、環状凹部５６の底面にスリット状凹部５８が開口されているが、例えばパッキン本体５２が比較的軟らかい弾性材料によって形成等され、凹溝２２内へのパッキン本体５２の挿入が容易であれば、環状凹部５６を形成することなくパッキン本体５２の凹溝２２の底面側にスリット状凹部５８を開口してもよい。
【００１８】
【発明の効果】
本発明に係る高圧滅菌器用パッキンは、滅菌室の開口部の周縁に沿って形成された凹溝内に出入可能に挿入され、凹溝の内壁面に摺接した摺接面が磨耗されても、凹溝の内壁面との密着性を保持でき且つ充分な耐久性を有する。このため、かかる本発明に係る高圧滅菌器用パッキンを用いた高圧滅菌器によれば、高圧滅菌器用パッキンの作動流体の漏れ等に基づくトラブルの発生を効果的に防止でき、被滅菌物の信頼性を向上できると共に、高圧滅菌器用パッキンの交換頻度を低下できてメンテナンスを容易化できる。
【図面の簡単な説明】
【図１】本発明に係る高圧滅菌器用パッキンの一例を説明する正面図及び横断面図である。
【図２】図１に示す高圧滅菌器用パッキンの機能を説明する説明図である。
【図３】図１に示す高圧滅菌器用パッキンを高圧滅菌器に装着した状態を説明する部分断面図である。
【図４】本発明に係る高圧滅菌器用パッキンの他の例を説明する部分背面図である。
【図５】高圧滅菌器を説明する斜視図である。
【図６】従来の高圧滅菌器用パッキンを説明する説明図である。
【図７】改良された高圧滅菌器用パッキンを説明する説明図である。
【符号の説明】
１０高圧滅菌器
１４滅菌室
１６開口部
２０扉
２２凹溝
３４流体供給手段
３６給排路
５０高圧滅菌器用パッキン
５２パッキン本体
５３膨出部
５６環状凹部
５８スリット状凹部
６０中空部
６２流体供給孔
５４テーパ状部[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a packing for a high-pressure sterilizer and a high-pressure sterilizer.
[0002]
[Prior art]
In hospitals and the like, as a sterilizer for sterilizing objects to be sterilized such as instruments and clothing used for surgery, the sterilization chamber, whose opening is closed by a door, is set to a high pressure state and a reduced pressure state, and the sterilization apparatus accommodated in the sterilization chamber is used. A high-pressure sterilizer that sterilizes a sterilized material is used.
FIG. 5 shows an example of such a high-pressure sterilizer. The high-pressure sterilizer 10 (hereinafter, may be simply referred to as the sterilizer 10) shown in FIG. 5 includes a sterilization chamber 14 provided as an airtight chamber provided in the housing 12, and a hinge 18 attached to the housing 12 to hinges 18. A door 20 for opening and closing the rectangular opening 16 of the sterilization chamber 14 is provided.
When sterilizing an object to be sterilized by using the sterilizer 10, after the object to be sterilized is inserted into the sterilization chamber 14, the opening 16 of the sterilization chamber 14 is closed by the door 20, and the sterilization chamber 14 is closed in an airtight chamber. And
Next, while supplying steam into the sterilization chamber 14 and maintaining the state in which the pressure inside the sterilization chamber 14 was increased to a predetermined pressure for a predetermined time and sterilizing the object to be sterilized, the inside of the sterilization chamber 14 was wet under reduced pressure. The material to be sterilized is dried.
As described above, in the sterilizer 10, when performing a series of sterilization, the inside of the sterilization chamber 14 is set to a high pressure state and then to a reduced pressure state. For this reason, packing 100 for a high-pressure sterilizer (hereinafter, may be simply referred to as packing 100) is used in order to reliably seal the opening 16 of the sterilization chamber 14 with the door 20.
The door 20 is provided with a known lock mechanism (not shown). When the opening 16 is closed, the door 20 is locked by operating the lock mechanism.
[0003]
The packing 100 is removably inserted into an annular groove 22 shown in FIG. 6 formed along the periphery of the rectangular opening 16.
In the packing 100, a packing body having a trapezoidal cross section is formed of an elastic material such as silicone rubber, and a V-shaped groove is formed on the bottom side (bottom side) of the concave groove 22 of the packing body. I have.
When inserting the packing 100 into the concave groove 22, the packing 100 is inserted into the concave groove 22 while using a V-shaped groove to elastically deform the bottom side to reduce the width. The packing 100 inserted into the groove 22 comes into sliding contact with the inner wall surface of the groove 22 by its own elastic force.
In this manner, the packing 100 inserted into the concave groove 22 supplies and discharges a working fluid such as compressed air from the fluid supply means 34 such as a pump to the bottom surface side of the concave groove 22 through the supply / discharge path 36. The distal end surface of the packing 100 comes into contact with and separates from the door 20 that closes the opening 16.
Therefore, by supplying a fluid from the fluid supply means 34 to the bottom surface side of the concave groove 22 and bringing the tip end surface of the packing 100 into contact with the door 20 that closes the opening 16, the gap between the door 20 and the sterilization chamber 14 is formed. Airtightness is maintained.
On the other hand, when the door 20 is opened, the working fluid in the concave groove 22 is discharged and the pressure is reduced, whereby the protruding packing 100 is pulled back into the concave groove 22, and the tip end surface of the packing 100 separates from the door 20. The airtight state is released. Therefore, the door 20 can be easily opened.
[0004]
Since the packing 100 shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 has a structure that slides in and out of the inner wall surface of the concave groove 22, the contact surface of the packing 100 with the inner wall surface of the concave groove 22 is easily worn. For this reason, when the sliding contact surface of the packing 100 is worn, a gap is formed between the sliding surface and the inner wall surface of the concave groove 22, and the working fluid leaks out. The pressing force against the door 20 decreases, and the airtightness between the door 20 and the door 20 cannot be secured.
In particular, in the packing 100 formed in a rectangular shape following the rectangular groove 22 formed along the periphery of the opening 16 of the sterilization chamber 14, the portion inserted into the corner of the rectangular groove 22. A pressing force from the side wall surface of the groove 22 and a pressing force due to the expansion and contraction force and the extension force act on the corner insertion portion (hereinafter, may be referred to as a corner insertion portion). There is a case where a specific portion of the portion is deformed so as to slide on the inner wall surface of the concave groove 22. In this case, the specific portion is easily worn out, and the working fluid is more likely to leak out at the corner insertion portion of the packing 100 earlier than at the straight portion of the packing 100.
In addition, the working fluid leaked from the gap between the groove 22 and the groove may leak into the sterilization chamber 14 and re-contaminate the sterilized object.
For this reason, the following Patent Document 1 proposes a packing for a high-pressure sterilizer that can ensure airtightness with the door 20 even when the contact surface of the packing 100 with the inner wall surface of the concave groove 22 is worn. .
[0005]
[Patent Document 1]
JP-A-11-336915 (Claims, FIGS. 1 to 8)
[0006]
FIG. 7 shows an example of a packing for high-pressure sterilization described in Patent Document 1. The packing 200 for high-pressure sterilization shown in FIG. 7 (hereinafter, may be simply referred to as packing 200) includes a packing body 202 having a trapezoidal cross section formed of an elastic material such as silicone rubber. Near the center, a hollow portion 204 that is continuous in the longitudinal direction is formed. When the packing body 202 is removably inserted into the annular groove 22 formed along the periphery of the rectangular opening 16 in the hollow portion 204, the packing body 202 is placed on the bottom side of the groove 22 of the packing body 202. An open communication hole 206 is communicated. The communication hole 206 is formed intermittently in the longitudinal direction of the packing body 202.
When the packing body 202 is removably inserted into the groove 22 and the working fluid is supplied to the bottom surface of the groove 22 from the fluid supply means 34 through the supply / discharge path 36, the tip surface of the packing body 202 becomes a sterilization chamber. 14 is in close contact with the inner surface of the door 20 that closes the opening 16.
The fluid pressure itself of the working fluid is applied through the supply / discharge hole 36 to the hollow portion 204 of the packing body 202 whose leading end surface is in close contact with the inner surface of the door 20. At the same time, the swelling amount in the width direction increases, and the adhesion between the packing body 202 and the inner wall surface of the concave groove 22 can be increased.
[0007]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
According to the packing 200 described in Patent Literature 1, the packing body 202 inserted into the concave groove 22 has a worn portion even if the sliding contact surface with the inner wall surface of the concave groove 22 is worn. Since the thickness between the hollow portion 204 and the hollow portion 204 decreases, and the amount of expansion of the working fluid in the hollow portion 204 due to the fluid pressure increases as compared with the portion not worn, the inner wall surface of the concave groove 22 is Between them can be secured.
However, in the high-pressure sterilizer 10 shown in FIG. 5, after steam is supplied into the sterilization chamber 14 to sterilize the object to be sterilized, the inside of the sterilization chamber 14 is decompressed to dry the wet object. I do.
When the sterilization chamber 14 is in a reduced pressure state, the door 20 is pulled into the sterilization chamber 14 to a position 20 'shown in FIG. At this time, since the packing body 202 is pressed by the door 20 and the fluid pressure of the working fluid, a part of the packing body 202 becomes a bulging portion 203 in a gap between the door 20 and the housing 12. Swell. The bulging portion 203 was found to be easily broken due to a strong compressive force applied between the door 20 and the housing 12 and had poor durability.
Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a sterilization chamber in which a sliding contact surface which is inserted removably into a groove formed along the periphery of an opening of a sterilization chamber and which slides on the inner wall surface of the groove is worn out. An object of the present invention is to provide a packing for a high-pressure sterilizer capable of maintaining the close contact with the inner wall surface of the groove and having sufficient durability, and a high-pressure sterilizer using the packing for the high-pressure sterilizer.
[0008]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to solve the above-mentioned problem, the inventor first tried to reduce the diameter of the hollow portion 204 of the packing body 202 shown in FIG. 7, but the packing body 202 was formed by joining both ends of the string-shaped packing into an annular shape. Therefore, the smaller the diameter of the hollow portion 204, the more difficult it is to join the hollow portion 204 at the joining surface.
Further, when the tip end surface of the packing body 202 is in close contact with the inner surface of the door 20, a hollow portion 204 is formed in a portion of the packing body 202 inserted into the concave groove 22, so that the door 20 and the housing 12 The amount of bulging of the bulging portion 203 bulging into the gap between the bulges can be reduced.
However, when the tip end surface of the packing body 202 comes into close contact with the inner surface of the door 20, the amount of protrusion of the packing body 202 protruding from the concave groove 22 varies between sterilizers of the same type. For this reason, it turned out that it is necessary to manufacture the packing main body 202 in which the hollow portion 204 is formed at an appropriate position for each sterilizer.
As a result of further study, the inventor has found that a packing body having a lower end formed into a tapered portion inserted into the groove so as to be able to slide on the inner wall surface of the groove is provided on the bottom side of the groove. A packing in which a slit-shaped concave portion extending in the longitudinal direction that opens to form a hollow portion is formed at the bottom side of the slit-shaped concave portion when the tapered portion is pressed and the opening of the slit-shaped concave portion is closed. The present invention has been found to be easy, and that even if the sliding surface in sliding contact with the inner wall surface of the concave groove is worn, it can maintain the adhesion to the inner wall surface of the concave groove and has sufficient durability, and reached the present invention. did.
[0009]
That is, the present invention relates to a high-pressure sterilizer packing used for a high-pressure sterilizer for sterilizing an object to be sterilized contained in a sterilization chamber in which an opening is closed by a door, and along a periphery of the opening of the sterilization chamber. An elastic material is inserted into the formed annular groove so as to be pushed out by the fluid pressure of the working fluid supplied to the bottom surface side of the groove and inserted into the door so as to abut on a door closing the sterilization chamber. In the packing body, an end inserted into the groove is formed in a tapered portion which is wider on the bottom side of the groove so as to be able to slide on the inner wall surface of the groove. When a slit-shaped recess extending in the longitudinal direction is opened on the bottom side of the groove, and the tapered portion is pressed to close the opening of the slit-shaped recess, a hollow portion is formed on the bottom side of the slit-shaped recess. High pressure elimination characterized by Some dexterity packing.
The present invention also provides a high-pressure sterilizer for sterilizing an object to be sterilized accommodated in the sterilization chamber by applying high pressure and reduced pressure to a sterilization chamber whose opening is closed by a door. An end portion inserted into the groove so that the packing body made of an elastic material is removably inserted into an annular groove formed along the inner surface of the groove so as to be able to slide on the inner wall surface of the groove. Are formed in a tapered portion that becomes wider on the bottom surface side of the concave groove, and a slit-shaped concave portion extending in the longitudinal direction is opened on the bottom surface side of the concave groove, and the tapered portion is pressed to release the slit-shaped concave portion. When the opening is closed, a packing for a high-pressure sterilizer in which a hollow portion is formed on the bottom side of the slit-shaped concave portion is used, so that the tip end surface of the packing body abuts on a door that seals the sterilization chamber, Packing inserted into the concave groove It is also a high-pressure sterilizer, characterized in that the working fluid to push the body fluid supply means for supplying the bottom side of the groove is provided.
[0010]
In the present invention, the packing main body can be easily inserted into the concave groove by opening the slit-shaped concave portion on the bottom surface of the annular concave portion formed on the bottom surface side of the packing main body and wider than the slit-shaped concave portion.
Furthermore, by forming the slit-shaped recess so that its bottom is located near the center of the packing body, the pressure of the working fluid in the slit-shaped recess allows the packing body and the inner wall surface of the recessed groove to slide sufficiently. be able to.
Further, the packing body is formed in a rectangular shape following the rectangular groove formed along the periphery of the opening of the sterilization chamber, and a portion of the packing body to be inserted into a corner of the groove (hereinafter, referred to as a part) , May be referred to as a corner-inserted portion), by forming a fluid supply hole in the opening of the slit-shaped recess, a stretching force and an expanding force act on the corner-inserted portion of the packing body, and the slit-shaped recess is formed. The working fluid can quickly flow into the hollow portion formed by closing the opening.
[0011]
According to the packing for a high-pressure sterilizer according to the present invention, when the opening of the slit-shaped concave portion of the packing body inserted into the concave groove is open, the pressure of the working fluid in the slit-shaped concave portion causes the tapered portion of the packing main body. Is pressed in the direction of the inner wall surface of the groove, so that the packing body and the inner wall surface of the groove can be brought into sufficient sliding contact.
Further, for example, the packing body inserted into the rectangular groove is provided with a pressing force due to the pressing force from the side surface of the groove, the compressive force, and the expanding force at the corner insertion portion. Even when the tapered portion of the packing body is pressed by this and the opening of the slit-shaped recess is closed, a hollow portion is formed near the bottom of the slit-shaped recess. The hollow portion communicates with the slit-shaped concave portion of the straight portion whose opening is open. Therefore, the working fluid is quickly supplied to the formed hollow portion from the slit-shaped concave portion of the straight portion, and presses the inner wall surface of the hollow portion to form the tapered portion of the corner insertion portion of the packing body into a concave groove. As a result of pressing in the direction of the inner wall surface, the sliding contact state between the corner insertion portion of the packing body and the inner wall surface of the concave groove can be maintained.
Further, since the slit-shaped concave portion has an opening formed on the bottom surface side of the concave groove of the packing body, as shown in FIG. 7, a bulging portion bulging into a gap between the door 20 and the housing 12. Even a narrow slit-shaped concave portion that can reduce the amount of swelling can be easily formed.
[0012]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
FIG. 1 shows an example of the packing for a high-pressure sterilizer according to the present invention. The packing 50 for a high-pressure sterilizer shown in FIG. 1 (hereinafter sometimes simply referred to as packing 50) is used for the sterilizer 10 shown in FIG. 5, and has a rectangular shape as shown in FIG. Is formed. As shown in FIG. 1 (b), when the packing body 52 forming the packing 50 and made of an elastic material such as silicone is inserted into the groove 22, it can slide on the inner wall surface of the groove 22. The ends to be inserted into the concave grooves 22 are formed in the tapered portions 54, 54 in which the bottom surface side of the concave grooves 22 becomes wider. Therefore, the cross-sectional shape of the packing body 52 is substantially trapezoidal.
In the packing body 52, an annular concave portion 56 is formed on the bottom surface side of the concave groove 22, and a slit-like concave portion 58 narrower than the annular concave portion 56 is opened on the bottom surface of the annular concave portion 56. As shown in FIG. 1A, the slit-shaped concave portion 58 is formed continuously in the longitudinal direction of the packing main body 52, and its bottom is located near the center of the packing main body 52.
The annular concave portion 56 facilitates the deformation of the tapered portions 54, 54, so that the packing body 52 can be easily inserted into the concave groove 22.
[0013]
In the packing body 52 shown in FIG. 1, when a pressing force is applied to the tapered portions 54, 54, the tapered portions 54, 54 are pushed inward of the annular concave portion 56, and the opening of the slit-shaped concave portion 58 is closed. The inner wall surface is also pushed inward of the slit-shaped recess 58. Therefore, the opening of the slit-shaped recess 58 gradually narrows in accordance with the pressing force applied to the tapered portions 54, 54, and is finally closed.
That is, as shown in FIG. 2A, when the pressing force f is applied to the tapered portions 54, the opening of the slit-shaped concave portion 58 is narrowed, but is not closed.
On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 2B, when a pressing force F larger than the pressing force f is applied to the tapered portions 54, 54, the opening of the slit-shaped recess 58 is closed, and the bottom of the slit-shaped recess 58 is closed. A hollow portion 60 is formed in the vicinity.
Since the slit-shaped recess 58 extends in the longitudinal direction of the packing main body 52, the hollow portion 60 communicates with the slit-shaped recess 58 shown in FIG.
[0014]
The packing body 52 of the packing 50 shown in FIG. 1 is inserted into a rectangular groove 22 provided along the periphery of the opening 16 formed in the sterilization chamber 14 of the sterilizer 10 shown in FIG.
Here, since the members (excluding the packing 50) and the operation of the sterilizer 10 shown in FIG. 5 have been described above, detailed description thereof will be omitted.
FIG. 3A shows a state of the portion of the packing main body 52 inserted into the rectangular groove 22 inserted into the linear portion of the groove 22 in this manner. In the portion of the packing main body 52 shown in FIG. 3A, a force for pressing the tapered portions 54 of the packing main body 52 mainly acts from the side wall surface of the concave groove 22, so that the opening of the slit-shaped concave portion 58 is formed. Although narrowed, it has not yet been closed.
In the portion of the packing body 52 in the state shown in FIG. 3A, as shown in FIG. 6, the operation of compressed air or the like from the fluid supply means 34 such as a pump through the supply / discharge passage 36 on the bottom side of the concave groove 22. When the fluid is supplied to the bottom surface side of the concave groove 22, the inner wall surfaces of the annular concave portion 56 and the slit-shaped concave portion 58 are pressed toward the inner wall surface of the concave groove 22 by the fluid pressure of the working fluid. For this reason, the tapered portions 54 of the packing body 52 are pressed in the direction of the inner wall surface of the concave groove 22 so that they can slide sufficiently.
[0015]
On the other hand, FIG. 3B shows a state of the portion of the packing body 52 (corner insertion portion) inserted into the corner of the rectangular groove 22. In the corner insertion portion of the packing main body 52, in addition to the pressing force for pressing the tapered portions 54, 54 from the side wall surface of the concave groove 22, the pressing force due to the compressive force and the expanding force is applied to the tapered portions 54, 54. Act on. For this reason, the width of the corner insertion portion of the packing main body 52 is narrower than the portion of the packing main body 52 inserted into the linear portion of the concave groove 22.
Moreover, the opening of the slit-shaped recess 58 at the corner insertion portion is closed, and a hollow portion 60 is formed near the bottom of the slit-shaped recess 58.
As shown in FIG. 6, a working fluid such as compressed air is supplied from a fluid supply means 34 such as a pump to a packing body 52 in a state shown in FIG. When supplied to the bottom surface side of the concave groove 22, the inner wall surface of the annular concave portion 56 is pressed toward the inner wall surface of the concave groove 22 by the fluid pressure of the working fluid.
Further, the hollow portion 60 formed in the slit-shaped concave portion 58 communicates with the slit-shaped concave portion 58 of the packing body 52 shown in FIG. Is also pressed by the fluid pressure of the working fluid.
For this reason, the tapered portions 54 of the packing body 52 are also formed in the groove 22 at the corner insertion portions of the packing body 52, similarly to the portions of the packing body 52 inserted into the linear portions of the groove 22. They are pressed in the direction of the wall surface, so that they can slide sufficiently.
[0016]
In the packing 50 shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the slit-shaped recess 58 formed in the packing body 52 is formed narrower than the annular recess 56, and has an optimum width according to the strength of the packing body 52. Can be formed. For this reason, when the sterilization chamber 14 of the high-pressure sterilizer 10 shown in FIG. 5 is depressurized, even if the door 20 is pulled into the sterilization chamber 14 to the position 20 'shown in FIG. The amount of bulging of the bulging portion 53 bulging into the gap between the door 20 and the housing 12 can be reduced as much as possible, and the durability of the packing body 52 can be improved.
In addition to the pressing force from the side wall surface of the groove 22, the tapered portions 54, 54 of the corner insertion portion of the packing body 52 inserted into the corners of the rectangular groove 22 have compressive force and The pressing force due to the extension force is applied, and the opening of the slit-shaped recess 58 is easily closed. For this reason, as shown in FIG. 4, in the corner insertion portion of the packing body 52, the fluid supply holes 62, 62 are formed at the openings of the slit-shaped recess 58, so that the opening of the slit-shaped recess 58 is formed. The working fluid can be supplied from the vicinity to the hollow portion 60 formed by closing the opening. The fluid supply hole 62 may be formed by forming a semicircular groove on each inner surface of the tapered portions 54, 54, and may be formed by forming a semicircular groove on one side of the inner surface. You may.
It is also possible to hold the opening in the vicinity of the small piece by holding the small piece in the opening of the corner insertion portion of the packing body 52 with an adhesive or the like.
[0017]
In the packing 50 described above, the slit-shaped concave portion 58 is opened at the bottom surface of the annular concave portion 56. For example, the packing main body 52 is formed of a relatively soft elastic material or the like, and the packing main body 52 is inserted into the concave groove 22. If the insertion is easy, the slit-shaped concave portion 58 may be opened on the bottom surface side of the concave groove 22 of the packing body 52 without forming the annular concave portion 56.
[0018]
【The invention's effect】
The packing for a high-pressure sterilizer according to the present invention is removably inserted into a groove formed along the periphery of the opening of the sterilization chamber, and the sliding contact surface that slides on the inner wall surface of the groove is worn. , Can maintain the close contact with the inner wall surface of the groove and have sufficient durability. Therefore, according to the high-pressure sterilizer using the packing for a high-pressure sterilizer according to the present invention, it is possible to effectively prevent the occurrence of troubles due to leakage of the working fluid of the packing for the high-pressure sterilizer and to improve the reliability of the object to be sterilized. Can be improved, and the frequency of replacement of the packing for the high-pressure sterilizer can be reduced, so that maintenance can be facilitated.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a front view and a cross-sectional view illustrating an example of a packing for a high-pressure sterilizer according to the present invention.
FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the function of the packing for a high-pressure sterilizer shown in FIG.
FIG. 3 is a partial cross-sectional view illustrating a state where the packing for a high-pressure sterilizer shown in FIG. 1 is mounted on the high-pressure sterilizer.
FIG. 4 is a partial rear view illustrating another example of the packing for a high-pressure sterilizer according to the present invention.
FIG. 5 is a perspective view illustrating a high-pressure sterilizer.
FIG. 6 is an explanatory view illustrating a conventional packing for a high-pressure sterilizer.
FIG. 7 is an explanatory view illustrating an improved packing for a high-pressure sterilizer.
[Explanation of symbols]
Reference Signs List 10 high-pressure sterilizer 14 sterilization chamber 16 opening 20 door 22 concave groove 34 fluid supply means 36 supply / discharge path 50 high-pressure sterilizer packing 52 packing main body 53 bulging portion 56 annular concave portion 58 slit-shaped concave portion 60 hollow portion 62 fluid supply hole 54 Tapered part

Claims

In a packing for a high-pressure sterilizer used for a high-pressure sterilizer that sterilizes an object to be sterilized contained in a sterilization chamber whose opening is closed by a door,
The tip surface is pushed into the annular groove formed along the periphery of the opening of the sterilization chamber by the fluid pressure of the working fluid supplied to the bottom surface side of the groove, and the door closing the sterilization chamber is closed. The packing body made of an elastic material, which is removably inserted so as to come into contact therewith, has an end inserted in the groove toward the bottom side of the groove so as to be able to slide on the inner wall surface of the groove. A slit-shaped concave portion that is formed in a tapered portion that becomes wider in the longitudinal direction and is opened on the bottom surface side of the concave groove is opened.
A packing for a high-pressure sterilizer, wherein a hollow portion is formed on the bottom side of the slit-shaped recess when the opening of the slit-shaped recess is closed by pressing the tapered portion.

The packing for a high-pressure sterilizer according to claim 1, wherein the slit-shaped recess is formed in a bottom surface of an annular recess formed on the bottom surface side of the packing body and wider than the slit-shaped recess.

3. The packing for high-pressure sterilization according to claim 1, wherein the bottom of the slit-shaped recess is located near the center of the packing body.

The packing body is formed in a rectangular shape following the rectangular groove formed along the periphery of the opening of the sterilization chamber, and a slit of a portion of the packing body inserted into a corner of the groove. The packing for a high-pressure sterilizer according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein a fluid supply hole is formed in an opening of the concave portion.

In a high-pressure sterilizer that sterilizes an object to be sterilized contained in a sterilization chamber whose opening is closed by a door,
The recess is inserted into an annular groove formed along the periphery of the opening of the sterilization chamber so as to be able to slide in and out of the inner wall surface of the groove. The end inserted into the groove is formed in a tapered portion that becomes wider on the bottom surface side of the groove, and a slit-shaped recess extending in the longitudinal direction is opened on the bottom surface side of the groove, and the tapered shape is formed. When the portion is pressed and the opening of the slit-shaped recess is closed, a packing for a high-pressure sterilizer in which a hollow portion is formed on the bottom side of the slit-shaped recess is used,
Fluid supply means for supplying a working fluid for pushing out the packing body inserted into the groove to the bottom side of the groove is provided so that the tip end surface of the packing body abuts on a door that seals the sterilization chamber. A high-pressure sterilizer characterized in that:

The high-pressure sterilizer according to claim 5, wherein the slit-shaped recess is formed on the bottom surface of an annular recess formed on the bottom surface side of the packing body and wider than the slit-shaped recess.

The high-pressure sterilization according to claim 5 or 6, wherein the bottom of the slit-shaped recess is located near the center of the packing body.

The packing body is formed in a rectangular shape following the rectangular groove formed along the periphery of the opening of the sterilization chamber, and a slit of a portion of the packing body inserted into a corner of the groove. The high-pressure sterilizer according to any one of claims 5 to 7, wherein a fluid supply hole is formed at an opening of the concave portion.