JP2004236806A - Electron beam sterilizer for exterior package of container - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an electron beam sterilizer for an exterior package of a container, reducing the installation space for a sterilization process and surely sterilizing the whole exterior package of an object to be sterilized without changing the attitude of the object to be sterilized. <P>SOLUTION: In this electron beam sterilizer 1 for the exterior package of a container, while the object 11 to be sterilized is conveyed, an electron beam is applied to the object to be sterilized. This sterilizer 1 includes: an upper surface sterilizing chamber 1a having an upper surface irradiation means 2 for applying a low accelerated voltage electron beam to the upper surface of the object 11 to be sterilized; a side sterilizing chamber 1b having a side irradiation means 3 for applying a low accelerated voltage electron beam to the side peripheral surface of the object 11 to be sterilized; and a lower surface sterilizing chamber 1c having a lower surface irradiation means 4 for applying low accelerated voltage electron beam to the lower surface of the object 11 to be sterilized. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO&NCIPI

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a device for sterilizing a container exterior with an electron beam, which is used when sterilizing the exterior of a container for storing a medicine, a container or the like in a food plant.
[0002]
[Prior art]
For example, a returnable box brought into the drug filling room of a pharmaceutical manufacturer is contaminated with various germs when transported from a container supplier. It must be pre-sterilized with the material.
[0003]
Therefore, conventionally, an object to be sterilized, such as the above-mentioned returnable box, which needs to be sterilized, is sterilized by the method described below.
[0004]
Sterilization method using high pressure steam by robot handling the object to be sterilized, sterilization method to irradiate the object with gamma ray, sterilization method with electron beam of high acceleration type using high voltage such as 1 MeV, low voltage such as 150 keV Various methods such as a low-acceleration-type sterilization method to be used and a sterilization method using hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) gas have been adopted.
[0005]
As an invention applied to these sterilization methods, Patent Document 1 “Electron Beam Sterilizer” describes that an object to be sterilized rolls and slides down during sterilization.
[0006]
[Patent Document 1]
JP-A-2002-058727 (paragraph numbers "0030", "0031", etc.)
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
By the way, the above-mentioned sterilization method has the following problems.
[0007]
The sterilization method using robotic handling of the object to be sterilized and using high-pressure steam uses high-pressure steam.As is clear from Boyle-Charles' law, the environment of the sterilization process becomes high in proportion to the steam pressure, The container material of the return box is required to have heat resistance of about 120 ° C., and a cooling space is required, so that the entire installation space is large. Furthermore, the sterilization process takes at least 15 minutes or more, and the time required for sterilization is long.
[0008]
The sterilization method using γ-rays irradiates the object to be sterilized with oblique radiation, which affects the material of the returnable container that is the object to be sterilized, and also requires installation space because it is necessary to shield the leakage of the oblique radiation into the external environment. Is big. Furthermore, the sterilization time usually takes several hours.
[0009]
The sterilization method using a high-acceleration type electron beam irradiates electrons accelerated by a high voltage to a returnable box, which is an object to be sterilized, thereby affecting the material of the container and shielding leakage of the electron beam to the outside. A concrete shielding wall is required and the installation space is large.
[0010]
The low-acceleration type sterilization method requires reversing the return box, which may recontaminate the sterilized part.
[0011]
The sterilization method using hydrogen peroxide gas requires at least two hours or more in a sterilization step including aeration since it depends on the disinfecting property, and requires a long time.
[0012]
On the other hand, the invention of the above-mentioned Patent Document 1 "electron beam sterilizer" has a problem that when the object to be sterilized is inverted, the object to be sterilized must have a reversible shape, and the shape is limited. ing.
[0013]
In view of the above situation, the present invention can reduce the installation space for the sterilization process, and can securely sterilize the entire exterior of the object to be sterilized without changing the posture of the object to be sterilized. The purpose is to provide a sterilizer.
[0014]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the above object, a sterilization apparatus for a container exterior using an electron beam according to claim 1 of the present invention is a sterilization apparatus for an exterior container using an electron beam that irradiates an electron beam while carrying an object to be sterilized and sterilizes the container. There is an upper sterilization chamber having an upper surface irradiation means for irradiating an electron beam with a low acceleration voltage to the upper surface of the object to be sterilized, and a side irradiation means for irradiating a low acceleration voltage electron beam to a side peripheral surface of the object to be sterilized. It is characterized by comprising a side sterilization chamber and a lower sterilization chamber provided with a lower surface irradiation means for irradiating the lower surface of the object to be sterilized with an electron beam of a low acceleration voltage.
[0015]
According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided an apparatus for sterilizing a container exterior with an electron beam according to the first aspect of the present invention. In the case where it is opened, otherwise it is closed at the entrance and shields the radiation, and it is installed at the exit of the object to be sterilized, and it is opened when carrying out the object to be sterilized, and the exit is closed otherwise and shields the radiation And a shielding means.
[0016]
According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided an apparatus for sterilizing a container exterior with an electron beam according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the sterilization apparatus for an exterior container with an electron beam is an upper sterilization chamber, a side sterilization chamber, and a lower sterilization chamber. A first boundary shielding unit and a second boundary shielding unit that are opened when an object to be sterilized passes through each boundary portion, and when the entrance shielding unit is open, the first boundary closer to the entrance shielding unit. When either the shielding means or the second boundary shielding means closes to shield radiation and the exit shielding means is open, the first boundary shielding means or the second boundary shielding means closer to the exit shielding means. It is characterized in that it closes and shields radiation.
[0017]
An apparatus for sterilizing a container exterior with an electron beam according to claim 4 of the present invention is the sterilization apparatus for an container exterior with an electron beam according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein In at least one of the sterilization chamber and the lower surface sterilization chamber, clean air is blown downward from above.
[0018]
According to the sterilization device for a container exterior by an electron beam according to claim 5 of the present invention, an upper sterilization chamber, a side sterilization chamber, and a lower sterilization chamber are sequentially arranged in series on a transport path of an object to be sterilized. A sterilization device for an outer container of an electron beam, which irradiates an electron beam while being sterilized while being conveyed in each sterilization room, comprising: An upper surface irradiating means for irradiating the upper surface of the object to be sterilized with an electron beam of a low accelerating voltage, and an upper surface sterilizing chamber in which clean air is blown downward from above, and a chamber entrance for transferring the object to be sterilized. A second transporting means for transporting the object from a predetermined position to a predetermined position, a side surface irradiating means for irradiating an electron beam with a low acceleration voltage, A moving means for irradiating a line on the side peripheral surface of the object to be sterilized, A third conveying means for conveying the object to be sterilized after irradiation of the peripheral surface to the chamber outlet is provided, and a side sterilization chamber in which clean air is blown from above to below, and an object to be sterilized is conveyed and unloaded from the outlet. And a lower surface irradiating unit for irradiating the lower surface of the object to be sterilized being conveyed by the fourth conveying unit with an electron beam of a low acceleration voltage, and the lower surface to which clean air is blown downward from above. A sterilization chamber, installed at the entrance of the upper sterilization chamber, which is opened when carrying an object to be sterilized, and which is closed during sterilization work in the upper sterilization chamber to shield radiation, and an export port of the lower sterilization chamber. It is installed at the boundary between the upper sterilization chamber and the side sterilization chamber, and is opened when the object to be sterilized is removed, closed during sterilization work in the lower sterilization chamber, and shields radiation. Open if the sterile material passes, and shield the entrance First boundary shielding means for closing and shielding radiation when the step is open, and installed at the boundary between the side sterilization chamber and the lower surface sterilization chamber. And a second boundary shielding unit that closes when is open to shield radiation.
[0019]
An apparatus for sterilizing a container exterior with an electron beam according to claim 6 of the present invention is the sterilization apparatus for an exterior container with an electron beam according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein: The low acceleration voltage of the irradiation unit and the lower surface irradiation unit is characterized by being 50 kV to 300 kV.
[0020]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings showing examples.
[0021]
1 to 4 show a sterilization process of the exterior sterilization apparatus 1 according to an embodiment to which the present invention is applied, as a conceptual time-series side view.
[0022]
FIGS. 5 and 6 show, in chronological order, the operations of the components of the exterior sterilization apparatus 1 shown in FIGS.
[0023]
As shown in FIG. 1, the exterior sterilization apparatus 1 includes an upper sterilization chamber 1a, a side sterilization chamber 1b, and a lower sterilization chamber 1c. Irradiate the upper part of the object, then irradiate the side of the object to be sterilized while holding the lower surface of the object to be sterilized in the side sterilization chamber 1b, and then transport without contacting the transport unit that has contacted the side of the object to be sterilized. Then, the lower surface of the object is irradiated while holding the side surface of the object in the lower surface sterilization chamber 1c.
[0024]
Next, the configuration of the exterior sterilization apparatus 1 will be described.
[0025]
As described above, the exterior sterilization apparatus 1 includes an upper sterilization chamber 1a in which a process of sterilizing the upper surface of the exterior of the return box 11 that is an object to be sterilized and a side sterilization chamber in which a step of sterilizing the side surface of the return box 11 are performed. 1b and a lower surface sterilization chamber 1c in which a step of sterilizing the lower surface of the return box 11 is performed.
[0026]
An upper surface irradiation device (upper surface irradiation means) 2 for sterilizing the upper surface of the outer case of the return box 11 is disposed in the upper sterilization chamber 1a, and a side irradiation for sterilizing the side surface of the outer surface of the return box 11 is provided in the side sterilization chamber 1b. A device (side irradiation means) 3 is provided, and a lower surface irradiation device (lower surface irradiation means) 4 for sterilizing the lower surface of the exterior of the return box 11 is provided in the lower surface sterilization chamber 1c.
[0027]
The upper surface irradiation device 2, the side surface irradiation device 3, and the lower surface irradiation device 4 are configured to irradiate an electron beam having a low acceleration voltage of an acceleration voltage of 50 kV to 300 kV by a necessary dose to the exterior of the object to be sterilized, thereby performing sterilization. I have.
[0028]
The outer dimensions of the returnable box 11 as an example to be sterilized are about 250 mm in width, about 230 mm in depth, and about 100 mm in height. The returnable box 11 is loaded from the entrance 1 e of the upper sterilization chamber 1 a, and the upper sterilization chamber While each surface is sterilized while being conveyed through the lamination room 1a, the side sterilization room 1b, and the lower surface sterilization room 1c, it is carried out from the carry-out port 1f to the medicine filling room Y.
[0029]
In addition, a carry-in shutter (transport entrance shielding means) 6a is provided at a carry-in entrance 1e of the exterior sterilization apparatus 1 into which the return box 11 is carried into the upper-side sterilization chamber 1a. A first internal shutter (first boundary shielding means) 6b is disposed at the boundary, and a second internal shutter (second boundary shielding means) 6c is disposed at the boundary between the side sterilization chamber 1b and the lower sterilization chamber 1c. A delivery exit shutter (transportation exit shielding means) 6d is provided at the delivery exit 1f to the chemical filling chamber Y outside the exterior sterilization apparatus 1 in the lower surface sterilization chamber 1c.
[0030]
The above-mentioned shutter prevents strong cross wind from the medicine filling chamber Y having a higher chamber pressure into the exterior sterilization apparatus 1 and also moves out of the apparatus for radiation such as X-rays secondary generated from electron beams for sterilization. To prevent leakage.
[0031]
In the present embodiment, a metal such as stainless steel or lead is used for the shutter, but other materials may be used as long as they can shield radiation.
[0032]
In addition, the entrance shutter 6a is opened only when the return box 11 is loaded, and otherwise closed, and the exit shutter 6d is opened only when the return box 11 is transported, and is closed otherwise, so that the sterilization operation in the exterior sterilization apparatus 1 can be performed. The environment is maintained, and the first internal shutter 6b and the second internal shutter 6c are opened only when the return box 11 passes, and maintain the sterilization environment in the exterior sterilization apparatus 1.
[0033]
By providing a plurality of shutters in this manner, even when the outermost shutters such as the carry-in shutter 6a and the carry-out shutter 6d are open, the shutters in the sterilization chambers other than the sterilization chamber in which the release shutters are disposed are provided. Electron beam irradiation becomes possible, and the sterilization time can be shortened.
[0034]
The upper sterilization chamber 1a is provided with a motor-driven drive roller type transfer device (first transfer means) 5a from the carry-in port 1e to the first internal shutter 6b corresponding to the chamber carry-out port. The drive roller type transport device 5a transports the return box 11 from the transport entrance 1e into the upper sterilization chamber 1a and transports it to the first internal shutter 6b.
[0035]
In the side sterilization chamber 1b, a drive roller type transfer device (second transfer means) 5b driven by a motor from the first internal shutter 6b, which is a chamber transfer entrance, and a lower portion of the right end of the drive roller type transfer device 5b. A drive roller type transfer device (second transfer means) 5c driven by a motor is provided continuously from the area.
[0036]
As shown in FIGS. 1 to 4, a lifting device (moving means) 8 for raising the return box 11 by a piston 8a is provided below the drive roller type transfer device 5c, and is passed over the piston 8a. The box 11 is placed, the side thereof is raised to a position to be sterilized, and the return box 11 is rotated by 90 ° at a time, so that the four peripheral sides of the return box 11 can be irradiated with electron beams. I have.
[0037]
As shown in FIG. 3, a transfer guide (third transfer means) 9 is provided slightly above the drive roller type transfer device 5c, and the transfer guide 9 reciprocates between the A position and the B position. In the position A, the return box 11 is placed above the piston portion 8a of the elevating device 8 and received thereabove, and as shown in FIG. (Conveying means) 5d.
[0038]
The drive roller type transport device 5d is provided from the area above the position B of the transfer guide 9 to the second internal shutter 6c, which is the chamber outlet of the side sterilization chamber 1b, and the return box received from the transfer guide 9 11 is conveyed to the second internal shutter 6c and carried out to the lower surface sterilization chamber 1c.
[0039]
As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, in the lower surface sterilization chamber 1c, a motor-driven drive roller type transport device (third transport means) 5e is provided with a second internal shutter 6c corresponding to a chamber entrance of the lower surface sterilization chamber 1c. From the outlet to the chemical loading chamber Y.
[0040]
A clean air rectifying plate 10a for rectifying clean air when blowing clean air downward from above in the upper sterilization chamber 1a is disposed above the upper sterilization chamber 1a. A clean air rectifying plate 10b for rectifying air when blowing air downward from above in the side sterilization chamber 1b is provided, and clean air is supplied to the upper part of the lower sterilization chamber 1c from above in the lower sterilization chamber 1c. A clean air straightening plate 10c that performs straightening at the time of blowing toward is provided.
[0041]
The clean air is blown against the object to be sterilized in order to reduce the chance of the contaminated air coming into contact with the surface of the object to be sterilized, and is provided below each of the sterilization chambers 1a, 1b, 1c. Exhaust air (not shown).
[0042]
The clean air passes through the clean air straightening plate 10a, the clean air straightening plate 10b, and the clean air straightening plate 10c (indicated by an arrow D) and is blown to the return box 11, but when the carry-in shutter 6a is open. When the first internal shutter 6b is closed, and when the carry-out exit shutter 6d is open, the second internal shutter 6c is closed, thereby reducing the cross wind from the medicine filling chamber Y and the like, and reducing the air inside the exterior sterilization apparatus 1. Reduces turbulence.
[0043]
During the electron beam irradiation by the upper surface irradiation device 2, the side surface irradiation device 3, and the lower surface irradiation device 4, any one of the carry-in shutter 6a, the first internal shutter 6b, the second internal shutter 6c, or the carry-out shutter 6d is used. One is always closed, and it is configured so that radiation such as X-ray does not leak out of the exterior sterilization apparatus 1.
[0044]
Next, a step of sterilizing the outer case of the return box 11 in the outer case sterilizing apparatus 1 will be described.
[0045]
As shown in FIG. 1, the return box 11 is carried into the upper sterilization chamber 1 a by opening the carry-in shutter 6 a of the carry-in port 1 e, and as shown in FIG. After being placed and transported on the drive roller type transport device 5a and completely loaded, the entrance shutter 6a is closed as shown in FIG.
[0046]
Here, when the carry-in shutter 6a is open, the first internal shutter 6b is closed (see FIG. 1), and contaminated outside air does not flow into the side sterilization chamber 1b and the bottom sterilization chamber 1c.
[0047]
Then, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 5A, the upper surface of the return box 11 is irradiated with a necessary dose by the upper surface irradiation device 2 while being horizontally conveyed by the drive roller type conveyance device 5a.
[0048]
During the irradiation, as shown in FIG. 2, since the carry-in shutter 6a and the carry-out shutter 6d are closed, radiation such as X-ray does not leak to the outside of the exterior sterilization apparatus 1.
[0049]
When the irradiation is completed, the return box 11 passes through the opened first internal shutter 6b and is carried into the side sterilization chamber 1b as shown in FIG. 1 The internal shutter 6b is closed.
[0050]
Then, as shown in FIG. 4, the side portion 11a of the return box 11 is placed on the drive roller type transport device 5b (see FIG. 5A), transported, and returned to the drive roller type transport device 5c. The side part 11b of 11 is mounted. (See FIG. 5B)
Subsequently, as shown in FIG. 1, the return box 11 is transported by the drive roller transport device 5c, and is transported to a predetermined position above the piston 8a of the lifting device 8.
[0051]
Subsequently, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 5 (c), the piston 8a of the elevating device 8 rises to push up the lower surface portion 11c of the return box 11 and to convey the return box 11 upward. Is directed in front of the side irradiation device 3 and the required dose is irradiated while moving the side irradiation device 3.
[0052]
Subsequently, the other one side of the return box 11 is irradiated with a necessary dose toward the front of the side irradiation device 3 by rotating the elevating device 8 by 90 °.
[0053]
By repeating the same operation, the side surface 4, which is the side peripheral surface of the return box 11, is irradiated by the side irradiation device 3.
[0054]
During the irradiation of the side surface of the return box 11, as shown in FIG. 2, since the carry-in shutter 6a and the carry-out shutter 6d are closed, radiation such as X-rays does not leak to the outside of the exterior sterilizing apparatus 1. .
[0055]
Subsequently, the piston 8a of the elevating device 8 on which the returnable box 11 is placed is lowered as shown by the arrow c in FIG. 3 to the lowermost position. As shown in FIG. The lower surface 11d is placed on the transfer guide 9 on the way, and the lowering stops.
[0056]
At this time, the return box 11 does not come into contact with the drive roller-type transport device 5c that has been in contact before sterilization, and thus is not re-contaminated by the germs attached to the drive roller-type transport device 5c.
[0057]
Thereafter, the transfer guide 9 is moved from the position A shown in FIG. 3 to the position B shown in FIG. 4 to convey the return box 11, and as shown in FIG. 4 and FIG. The side part 11a of the return box 11 is placed on 5d.
[0058]
Thereafter, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 6 (b), the return box 11 is horizontally conveyed by the driving roller type conveying device 5d, and passes through the opened second internal shutter 6c as shown in FIG. Then, as shown in FIG. 6 (c), the side surface portion 11a of the return box 11 is placed on the drive roller type transport device 5e, and the return box 11 moves onto the drive roller type transport device 5e.
[0059]
Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 3 and FIG. 6C, the lower surface of the return box 11 is irradiated with a required dose by the lower surface irradiation device 4 while being horizontally transported by the drive roller type transport device 5e. You.
[0060]
After the return box 11 is completely carried into the lower surface sterilization chamber 1c, the second internal shutter 6c is closed. (See Fig. 4)
Here, during the irradiation of the lower surface, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the entrance entrance shutter 6a or the second internal shutter 6c and the exit exit shutter 6d are closed, so that radiation such as X-rays is subjected to exterior sterilization. There is no leakage outside the device 1.
[0061]
Thereafter, the return box 11 is transported by the drive roller type transport device 5e, and is transported to the medicine filling chamber Y by opening the transport port shutter 6d of the transport port 1f as shown in FIG.
[0062]
Here, as shown in FIG. 1, when the carry-out exit shutter 6d is open, the second internal shutter 6c is closed, and the air in the chemical filling chamber Y having a high chamber pressure is supplied to the side sterilization chamber 1b and the top sterilization chamber. It does not flow into 1a.
[0063]
During the transportation of the return box 11 and the irradiation of the electron beam, clean air is always blown from the upper side to the lower side as shown by the arrow D through the clean air rectifying plates 10a, 10b, and 10c. Clean air is blown.
[0064]
In addition, during the electron beam irradiation, the carry-in shutter 6a, the first internal shutter 6b, the second internal shutter 6c, or the carry-out shutter 6d does not open at the same time, and radiation such as X-rays is emitted outside the exterior sterilization apparatus 1. No leakage.
[0065]
As described above, the return box 11 is transported by the drive roller type transport devices 5a, 5b, 5c as shown in FIGS. 5 (a) and 5 (b). When the return box 11 is being lifted, the side and lower surfaces thereof are marked as indicated by X in FIG. 7A (contaminated portions are indicated by X in FIG. 7). Is contaminated.
[0066]
Then, as shown in FIG. 7B, after the side surface of the return box 11 is sterilized (sterilized portions are indicated by / marks in FIG. 7), the lower surface 11d of the return box 11 is moved to the position shown in FIG. As shown in ()), it is placed on the sterilized delivery guide 9 without coming into contact with the drive roller type transport device 5c that has come into contact before being sterilized. (See FIG. 6 (a))
Thereafter, the return box 11 is transported by the delivery guide 9, and is placed on the drive roller type transport device 5d whose side surface 11a is sterilized. (FIG. 7 (d) shows the bacteria state around the return box 11 at this time.)
As described above, after sterilization of the return box 11, since it is configured so as not to come into contact with the drive roller type transport devices 5a, 5b, and 5c that contacted before the sterilization, recontamination is prevented.
[0067]
As described above, in the present embodiment, the entire exterior of the object to be sterilized is irradiated by a required dose using an electron beam of a low accelerating voltage, and during the irradiation, clean air is blown from above and irradiated. A method that does not come into contact with the drive roller type transport device 5c, which is the device transport surface that is highly likely to be contaminated, that has come into contact with the outer surface of the sterilized object to be sterilized before that, is adopted.
[0068]
In order to obtain more sterility, the irradiation order of the electron beam is preferably performed from the upper surface to the side surface and finally to the lower surface of the object to be sterilized as shown in the present embodiment, For example, the arrangement of the sterilization chambers 1a, 1b, 1c may be arbitrarily selected, for example, from the side to the upper surface and finally the lower surface of the object to be sterilized.
[0069]
Depending on the shape of the object to be sterilized, the irradiation order may be from the side of the object to be sterilized to the upper and lower surfaces or from the upper and lower surfaces simultaneously to the side, and the order of the surfaces to be sterilized can be arbitrarily selected.
[0070]
According to the above configuration, since sterilization is performed while irradiating each surface of the return box 11 with an appropriate dose of electron beam and blowing clean air, an appropriate sterilization operation corresponding to an object to be sterilized is possible.
[0071]
In addition, since the method of handling the return box 11 during the sterilization operation has a simple configuration, the space of the exterior sterilization apparatus 1 can be saved, and the cost of the exterior sterilization apparatus 1 and the construction of the clean room can be reduced.
[0072]
In addition, since a plurality of shutters are provided, even when the outermost shutter is open, irradiation can be performed in a sterilization room other than the sterilization room in which the shutter is provided, and the sterilization time can be shortened and sterilization can be performed. The processing speed can be increased.
[0073]
In addition, the upper surface irradiation device 2, the side surface irradiation device 3, and the lower surface irradiation device 4 irradiate an electron beam of a low acceleration voltage of an acceleration voltage of 50 kV to 300 kV by a necessary dose to the exterior of the object to be sterilized. For example, the sterilization process can be performed at room temperature without increasing the temperature, such as 120 ° C., and does not affect the material, outer shape, and the like of the object to be sterilized.
[0074]
In the above-described embodiment, the drive roller-type transport device 5b and the drive roller-type transport device 5c provided in the side sterilization chamber 1b are configured separately, but other configurations are adopted to form an integrated configuration. It is also possible.
[0075]
Similarly, the delivery guide 9 and the drive roller type transport device 5d are configured separately, but another configuration may be adopted to form an integrated configuration.
[0076]
Further, in the above-described embodiment, the drive roller type transport devices 5a, 5b, 5c, 5d, 5e and the delivery guide 9 are employed as the transport means of the return box 11, but other transport means may be employed. Good.
[0077]
Further, in the above-described embodiment, the return box 11 is raised by the lifting / lowering device 8 to irradiate the side peripheral surface with the electron beam. The electron beam irradiation may be performed.
[0078]
Although the return box 11 is rotated by the lifting device 8, the return box 11 may be rotated around the return box 11 without rotating the side irradiation device 3. Further, a device having a configuration other than the lifting device 8 may be employed.
[0079]
Further, in the above-described embodiment, the return box 11 as the object to be sterilized and the exterior sterilizer 1 as the sterilizer are exemplified. It is needless to say that the sterilization device for the container exterior by the electron beam according to the present invention can be effectively applied to other sterilization devices other than the above.
[0080]
【The invention's effect】
ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, the container by an electron beam which can sterilize the whole exterior of an object to be sterilized reliably without affecting the material of an object to be sterilized, an external shape, etc., and a sterilization processing speed is fast, and which is space-saving. It is possible to achieve an external sterilization device.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a conceptual side view showing a time series of a sterilization process in an exterior sterilization apparatus which is an embodiment of a container exterior sterilization apparatus using an electron beam according to the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a conceptual side view showing a sterilization process in a time series in an exterior sterilization apparatus which is an embodiment of the apparatus for sterilizing an exterior of a container using an electron beam according to the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a conceptual side view showing a sterilization process in a time series in an exterior sterilization apparatus which is an embodiment of the sterilization apparatus for the exterior of a container using an electron beam according to the present invention.
FIG. 4 is a conceptual side view showing a sterilization process in a time series in an external sterilization apparatus which is an embodiment of the container external sterilization apparatus using an electron beam according to the present invention.
5 (a), (b), (c), and (d) are front views showing, in chronological order, the operation of devices in the external sterilization apparatus shown in FIGS.
FIGS. 6 (a), (b) and (c) are front views showing, in a time-series manner, operations of devices in the exterior sterilization apparatus shown in FIGS.
FIGS. 7 (a), (b), (c), and (d) conceptually show, in chronological order, a sterilization mode of a returnable container sterilized by the external sterilization apparatus shown in FIGS. Side view.
[Explanation of symbols]
1. Exterior sterilizer (sterilizer for container exterior)
1a: Upper surface sterilization chamber,
1b ... side sterilization room,
1c: Lower surface sterilization chamber,
1e ... Entrance,
1f ... Export,
2. Top irradiation device (top irradiation means),
3. Side irradiation device (side irradiation means)
4: Lower surface irradiation device (lower surface irradiation means)
5a: drive roller type transfer device (first transfer means),
5b: drive roller type transfer device (second transfer means)
5c: drive roller type transfer device (second transfer means)
5d: drive roller type transfer device (third transfer means),
5e: drive roller type transfer device (third transfer means),
6a: carry-in shutter (carry-in shielding means),
6b: first internal shutter (first boundary shielding means);
6c: second internal shutter (second boundary shielding means),
6d—Exit shutter (exit exit shielding means),
8. Elevating device (moving means)
9: Delivery guide (third transport means),
11 ... return box (object to be sterilized).

Claims (6)

A sterilization device for a container exterior by an electron beam that performs sterilization by irradiating an electron beam while conveying an object to be sterilized,
An upper sterilization chamber including upper surface irradiation means for irradiating an electron beam at a low acceleration voltage on the upper surface of the object to be sterilized,
A side sterilization chamber including side irradiation means for irradiating a low acceleration voltage electron beam to a side peripheral surface of the object to be sterilized,
An apparatus for sterilizing a container exterior with an electron beam, comprising: a lower surface sterilization chamber having a lower surface irradiation means for irradiating a lower surface of the object to be irradiated with a low acceleration voltage electron beam. A port entrance shielding means installed at the entrance of the object to be sterilized, opened when carrying the object to be sterilized, and otherwise closed to shield radiation.
2. The delivery port shielding means according to claim 1, further comprising a delivery port shielding means installed at an exit of the object to be sterilized, opened when the object to be sterilized is carried out, and closed otherwise to shield radiation. Sterilizer for container exterior by electron beam. The upper surface sterilization chamber, the side surface sterilization chamber, and a first boundary shield means and a second boundary shield means that are opened when the object to be sterilized passes at each boundary portion of the lower surface sterilization chamber,
When the carry-in shielding means is open, either the first boundary shielding means or the second boundary shielding means closer to the carry-in shielding means closes to shield radiation,
When said carry-out exit shielding means is open, one of said first boundary covering means or said second boundary shielding means closer to said carry-out exit closing means closes to shield radiation. An apparatus for sterilizing a container exterior with an electron beam according to claim 1 or 2. The sterilization chamber of at least one of the upper sterilization chamber, the side sterilization chamber, and the lower sterilization chamber is supplied with clean air from above to below. An apparatus for sterilizing a container exterior with an electron beam according to any one of the preceding claims. An upper sterilization chamber, a side sterilization chamber, and a lower sterilization chamber are sequentially arranged in series in a transport path of the object to be sterilized, and the object to be sterilized is irradiated with an electron beam while being sterilized while being transported through each of the sterilization chambers. A sterilizing device for the outer container of the container using an electron beam,
A first transport unit that transports the object to be sterilized by carrying it in from an entrance, and an upper surface irradiation unit that irradiates an electron beam of a low acceleration voltage to an upper surface of the object to be sterilized being transported by the first transport unit. , An upper sterilization chamber in which clean air is blown downward from above,
Second conveying means for conveying the object to be sterilized from the chamber entrance to a predetermined position, side irradiation means for irradiating an electron beam with a low acceleration voltage, and side irradiation means for applying the object to be conveyed to the predetermined position Moving means for moving the electron beam of the side irradiating means relative to the side peripheral surface of the object to be sterilized, and a third conveyance for conveying the object to be sterilized after irradiation of the side peripheral surface to a chamber outlet Means, and a side sterilization chamber in which clean air is blown downward from above,
A fourth transporting means for transporting the object to be sterilized and unloading it from the outlet, and a lower surface irradiating means for irradiating the lower surface of the object to be sterilized being transported by the fourth transporting means with an electron beam of a low acceleration voltage; A bottom sterilization chamber in which clean air is blown downward from
A loading port shielding means installed at the loading port of the upper sterilization chamber, which is opened when the object to be sterilized is loaded, and which is closed during the sterilization operation in the upper sterilizing chamber to shield radiation.
An outlet shielding means that is installed at the exit of the lower surface sterilization chamber and opens when the object to be sterilized is carried out, and is closed during the sterilization operation in the lower surface sterilization chamber to shield radiation.
A first boundary shield that is installed at a boundary between the upper sterilization chamber and the side sterilization chamber and is opened when the object to be sterilized passes, and closed when the carrying-in shielding means is open to shield radiation. Means,
A second boundary shield that is installed at a boundary between the side sterilization chamber and the bottom sterilization chamber and is opened when the object to be sterilized passes, and closed when the carry-out exit shielding means is open to shield radiation. Means for sterilizing a container exterior. The electron beam according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein a low acceleration voltage of the upper surface irradiation unit, the side surface irradiation unit, and the lower surface irradiation unit is 50 kV to 300 kV. By container sterilization equipment.

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